It had been over an hour since we left Project Outlast. In that time the survivors were able to disable the jammer the slavers had brought and reestablish contact with the Bastion. The news of Red Eye’s forces having a presence in the Baltimare Wastes didn’t sit well with the elder, who immediately called us back for our eyewitness accounts. Downpour had a significant lead on us but so far, I still had her in my sights. As bold as I had been before the last thing I wanted was to antagonize her so I opted to let her return to the Bastion alone.

“What did she mean by that? How was becoming a slave her second chance?” Aurora asked.

“I don’t know.”

“What did she mean by ‘I got what I deserved’?”

“I. Don’t. Know. Aurora.” I said in frustration. I wanted the answers to those questions badly. Unfortunately for me, so did the teenager beside me and she was much more vocal about it, futilely or otherwise.

We were within an hour’s walk of the Bastion when an unexpected visitor crossed our path. It was a pony in power armor but not the same kind the Steel Rangers used. Similar sure but it was distinct enough to stand out. I might have seen this pony before…

“Good afternoon.” His voice came out cool and friendly. “Careful if you keep heading that way. I just passed a very irate looking mare. Not somepony you’d want as an enemy I imagine.”

“I remember you.” I caught myself saying, the memory of this stallion pestering two rangers springing forth from my mind. He had been leaving the labs as we were entering them just before the Lunologist attack.

“My name is Teller.” He said, halting his stride to approach us. “Forgive me but I don’t recall ever meeting you.”

“I saw you in the Bastion before the Lunologists took down part of the wall.”

“Really? Strange that I didn’t see you.” He said, a ponderous, armored hoof rubbing at his equally armored chin.

“Right sorry, my name is-”

“I know who you are Silvershine Sparkshower, Harbinger of hope. Though I’m told you distanced yourself from that title and prefer Sparks.” He said, still rubbing his chin. “Sorry it can get a little hard to keep track sometimes.”

There were very few ponies who knew my real name. My mother, Sunny, Aurora and the Overmares of Stable 63. Where could this stallion have possibly heard it? The stallion came closer, close enough that only I could hear what came out of his mouth next.

“Is it true? About what happened in the swamp?”

The fur on the back of my neck stood up and something heavy fell into my stomach. “How? How could you possibly know about that?” My voice was hushed but still carried threat. If he’d reacted or even noticed at all, I couldn’t say.

“So, it was you…people talk.” He said with an indifferent shrug, backing away and returning his voice to normal speaking volume. “All people.” His tone carried a degree of finality and before anything else could be said he broke away from us and continued on whatever path he’d been following before.

“I didn’t know you could speak zebra.” Pumpkin said, an impressed smirk twisting the corner of her mouth.

“What? Nopony was speaking zebra.” I said matter-of-factly. Just because he’d whispered something to me didn’t mean it was another language.

“Umm, yes you were. I heard it plain as day.” Pumpkin insisted.

“What did he say?” Aurora asked, joining in on pretending not to have heard.

“Why are you asking? You said it yourself, you heard it plain as day.”

“I heard you speaking zebra. If you don’t want to tell us that’s fine but don’t insult my intelligence.” Pumpkin huffed, raised her head high and marched past me.

“Nice work stripetongue.” Aurora added with a chuckle, rushing to catch up with Pumpkin.

Was I really speaking zebra? How can that be? How could I speak a language and not even know it?

This is because of you isn’t it Erebus?

~A side effect of the joining of our minds, yes. Through me your grasp on our language would be like second nature. It isn’t surprising to hear that you spoke without knowing~

What else of yours should I expect to bleed through?

~I…do not know~

Terrific. Could you at least warn me next time?

~If it is in my power, yes~

I craned my head the other direction, watching as Teller made his solo journey to…wherever he was going. I wondered…just how much did he know? If he could learn so much about me without ever meeting me who knows just how much he knew about, well, anything. If we ever crossed paths again, which I had no doubts about, I would have to ask. The Wasteland only got weirder the longer I stayed in it. We had a Watcher and now we had a Teller. I wouldn’t be surprised if I met a Listener before too long.

It was late in the afternoon when we returned to the Bastion. Downpour had beaten us here by at least thirty minutes and the rangers on guard quickly ushered the rest of us inside. As soon as we hit the training grounds Star Paladin Steelskull intercepted Pumpkin and Aurora and started leading them away. Aurora looked back at me in protest but before I could speak to that point, I felt a pair of hooves grab me from behind and pull me into the shadows to the side of the main entrance. Downpour had lost the hard edge around her eyes but her expression still looked annoyed.

“What the hell are yo-” I started.

“Shut up. You want answers don’t you? Then you’d better listen before I change my mind.”

“What about-”

“They’ll be fine. I took care of it.”

That didn’t exactly calm me down. The last time Downpour ‘took care of it’ she told DJ-Pon3 who I was and I’ve been trying to shake that spotlight ever since. “Fine.” I relented, relaxing a bit in her hold. Once she was satisfied, she let me go and looked me in the eye. “How was becoming a slave a second chance?” I asked, somewhat regretting the question as I watched Downpour’s calm expression dip down towards shame.

“I was born a raider.” She said flatly, no sign of her expression in her voice. “My father’s name was Brimstone Blitz. A mountain of a stallion and an unstoppable killer. He never acknowledged me but I think he knew, everypony did, my strength alone proved as much. After we wiped out Ponyville Red Eye decided enough was enough and scattered the clan, capturing most of us in the process. Fillydelphia…is a nightmare city. Smog chokes the air and reddens the sky. Dead slaves are dumped in mass graves by the cartload and nopony cares. Red Eye is ready to sacrifice anything to make his dreams for Equestria a reality. Especially since he doesn’t have to sacrifice anything himself except his time.” Downpour’s eyes hardened again at the mention of his name. She held her hateful stare for a moment before sighing deeply and continuing.

“Being enslaved put my old life in perspective. Killing, stealing, destroying. It was all pointless, a curse of madness born from the darkness. It is in the dark that the worst qualities of ponykind come into being. Such was my life born under the sky, no sun, no moon, no stable, and no home. Just the Wasteland. Being enslaved allowed me to see what I was, what I had been taking from others. In Fillydelphia we are all slaves. Equal only in our suffering.”

“H-how did you escape?” I wondered if Sunny would have been as forthcoming with her story. Probably not.

“Red Eye likes to force slaves to fight each other to the death ‘for entertainment’ in an arena called the Pit. Each event has two teams of six fighters and they fight until one side has none. If somepony survives six consecutive events they win their freedom. Nopony had ever lasted that long before. I doubt they ever thought somepony would and when I did, they had no choice but to free me. Me, first champion of the Pit…then they tried to hire me. After everything I fought and suffered and murdered for, they had the balls to ask me to put others through the same hell I went through. Experiencing the life of a slave was brutal but observing it up close was worse. No pony should suffer the way Red Eye’s slaves do. So, two weeks after I was hired, I took my freedom and turned my back on Fillydelphia, my father and Red Eye.”

“And why did that slaver call you highness?”

“A sick joke the slavers put together. My father, Brimstone Blitz, was labeled ‘king of the raiders’. In their eyes that made me a princess and they taunted with the name any chance they got. That is until I survived the Pit. They had an ‘accident’ a few days later.”

I had a hard time imagining Sunny murdering somepony. Then again, I’d have never imagined she was a raider who became a slave who became a slaver…briefly. Then a thought occurred to me.

“Downpour…was Fillydelphia…what did this to you?”

“It’s…hard to explain. I was born Downpour. Downpour is the real me, the raider, the slaver and the slave. Once I put my time in Fillydelphia behind me I tried to change. Change my name, change my demeanor…change my life and the lives of others. That’s why I started the Regulators. To put a stop to ponies like my father, ponies like…who I used to be.”

Suddenly Sunny and Downpour’s warnings and hatred of raiders had more context. They weren’t just warnings but cautionary tales told by somepony who had once lived that kind of life. I have to admit just how much I admired her in that moment. To finally, perhaps for the first time in her life, share her story with another…I can never tell her how much she honored me with her trust. Her confession brought up a different question though, one I had never second guessed until now.

“You said you tried to change your name…is Sunny Smiles just an act?”

“There is something you have to understand about being born a raider.” Downpour started gravely. “Killing, murdering, torture…is what we did for fun. To impress the boss or to prove how badass you were. We celebrated shit like that. Taking somepony’s life became narcotic and I mean that in every sense of the word. The more you killed the more you wanted to. Not just for fun or favor but because you wanted to. It felt good…that is why I act. The more I allow myself to be Downpour the more that life bubbles to the surface. The more I remember how good it feels to kill. I want nothing to do with that life, that is not the pony I want to be.”

I felt an involuntary shudder run up my back. I remembered the trail of destruction she left in her wake during the attack on the stadium and the brutal way she’d killed Red Asphalt. “You aren’t that pony anymore.” I said affirmingly. I had been ignorant of the severity of her struggles with herself. How much blame did I deserve? By traveling with me I was putting her in situations where she had to become Downpour again to survive. I couldn’t have known what she was risking every time that happened. Not even my best friend was safe from me…

“No…but it’ll always be a part of me. Don’t worry, the Wasteland claimed me once already and I’ll die before I let it claim me again.”

“S-so…what should I call you?” I asked. My whole understanding of the situation needing more time to process.

“Sunny is fine.” I noticed her straighten up a bit at the sound of her name. “Sunny is your friend. Sunny is Aurora’s adopted aunt. Sunny… is the mother of my child.” I felt something stir in my heart. It was…it was anger.

“Bullshit.” I said with a scowl.

“What?”

“You are my friend. No matter what you call yourself. You might be daughter of the king, first champion of the Pit or whatever but you don’t scare me, you can’t scare me, not anymore. I’ll be here for you no matter what…as long as you’ll have me.”

“Sparks I…thank you.”

“You’re very important to me Sunny.” I said, settling on a name. “I love you with all my heart. I mean it.” I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; there would be no Silvershine Sparkshower without Sunny Smiles. There was nopony I’d rather have as a friend.

“I know you do.” She said, removing her hat from her head and holding it over her heart. “I love you too.” She put her hoof on the back of my neck and planted a kiss on my cheek. “But first please…please promise that this stays between us. I don’t want anypony else to know.”

“I promise.” I said without hesitation.

“Thank you. C’mon, we better get the others and find the Elder.” She said, standing up to her full height and trying to put on a brave face.

“You said you took care of it, what did you ask the Star Paladin to do?”

“Well…” She started when the doors to the Keep were thrown open and a familiar white filly came galloping out. Only now she was dressed in simple grey barding.

“Dad! Dad!” She yelled excitedly. “Guess what?”

Uh oh. “What is it Aurora?”

“They’ve accepted me as a Squire! I start my training first thing tomorrow!”

“…huh?”

“She’ll be in good hooves.” Star Paladin Steelskull said, descending the steps of the Keep. “If I’m able I will oversee her training personally.”

“…huh?”

“And Pumpkin’s going to stay and be a scribe!”

“What!?”

“Gotcha.” Aurora smirked in satisfaction. “Too easy.”

“Make sure you’re thorough Star Paladin.” I said, narrowing my eyes at my far too pleased with herself daughter.

“Of course.”

I felt a smirk of my own pull at the corner of my mouth as Aurora swallowed nervously.

“Is the Elder ready to see us?” I asked, looking up at the window into Lyons’ office.

“Yes. Pumpkin’s already inside so you shouldn’t keep them waiting.” Sapphire said, nodding her head toward the building to the right of the Keep. “Come along Squire, time to meet the others.”

“Actually…may I have a moment Star Paladin?”

“…I’ll meet you there Squire.” She said to Aurora who nodded in response and took off trotting towards the building. “What is it Sparks?”

“There are others…other children I mean.” Images of Adria and the black, blonde maned colt we rescued in Whinnyapolis coming to mind. “Under my care. Could I bring them here for squire training?”

“It’s not up to me. Elder Lions extended the offer to your daughter as a thank you for your service to the Steel Rangers. It would be straining on our resources to train more squires that we know will not stay afterwards.”

“That part is up to them.” I said automatically. If they wanted to stay then that was their prerogative. “Your training will help them survive and I can’t think of anywhere safer than the Bastion.” Except possibly Eclipse but the rangers certainly had the better equipment and training.

“…There is potential in such a proposal but as I said it’s not up to me.”

“Then I’ll ask the Elder myself in a moment. Thank you, Star Paladin.”

“I wish you luck Sparks.” She said with an incline of her head.

Once our talk had concluded Sunny and I ascended the stairs to the keep and made for the Elder’s office. Inside the office with the Elder and Pumpkin was a stallion in power armor (sans the helmet) that I didn’t recognize. Head Paladin Cross most likely. He had a square jaw and plain colors, steel grey coat and black mane. Pumpkin noted my arrival and smiled, Lions and Cross on the other hoof merely nodded.

“So…” Lions began grimly. “Red Eye has established a presence in Baltimare.”

“It would seem that way.” Sunny confirmed. “I don’t know of anypony else who employs griffins armed with anti-machine rifles.”

“Their recovery will prove valuable, for that you have my thanks. Then it’s true…How? How did he get his forces here?”

“We don’t know sir.” Cross’ voice came out deep and apologetic. “Most likely he found an alternate path through the mountains. Or perhaps we underestimated the griffins and alicorns under his command’s ability to mobilize and establish a ground presence.”

“We’re sure they didn’t use the Long Dark?”

“…No sir but given the necessary size of such an occupying force it would have been foolish if not suicidal to send so many through that tunnel.”

“I suppose but let’s not count it out. When we can send a squad to investigate.”

“Yes sir.”

“As for you.” He turned and regarded the three of us. “I didn’t call you here to just speak of Red Eye. I was hoping for your assistance in a rather troubling matter.”

“Could you elaborate?” Pumpkin asked with a sheepish smile.

“Actually, it’d be easier to show you. Head Paladin Cross if you would.”

“Yes sir.” He nodded. “Everypony follow me.”

Cross led us out of the keep and into the leftmost building, through the labs, through the med-bay and into a third area I’d yet to see. The morgue. Or at least what was now serving as one. Alone in the center of the room was High Scribe Quillwright and beside him was a hospital bed with a sheet draped over it. There was a distinct outline of a body underneath.

“I was hoping you’d be able to help us identify this.” Lions looked to Quillwright and nodded. Quillwright’s horn ignited in a red glow as the sheet was pulled back. The body underneath looked very familiar. There were streaks of dried blood running down its cheeks, coming out of its nose and ears.

“Looks like a bleeder.” Sunny said, noting the wounds sustained to its body that should have easily killed a normal pony.

That wasn’t where it ended for me. Yes, I recognized it as a bleeder but it was more than that.

“Sparks? You alright?” Pumpkin asked, bumping me in the ribs.

“Her name was Doctor Forceps. She was the unicorn doctor for Stable 63.” I said, looking upon her desiccated and ruined body, a heavy sadness enshrouding my heart.

“You knew her?”

“Yes.”

“That’s not good.” Sunny said, a scowl on her face.

“Why? What is this ‘bleeder’” Cross asked, his eyes still on the body.

“Bleeders are hard to kill ghoul-like ponies. All they want is to kill anything that isn’t one of them. They don’t occur in nature. In the Mortuary we learned that they are created. If we have one here now, one that originated from Stable 63 then who or whatever is creating them are active or were active very recently. Turning ponies into…that.”

“For what purpose?” Lions asked.

“We don’t know.” I said, remembering what we’d been told in the Mortuary. “If we open her skull there should be a memory orb like device inside, the thing that presumably animates them. Destroying the orb is how you put them down for good, or if you destroy the body enough, I guess. Beyond that I don’t know what purpose they serve.”

“Then I have a task for you.” Lions continued. “Locate the source of these ‘bleeders’ and eradicate them.”

“It’s not that simple elder.” Sunny added quickly. “I’ve encountered bleeders before. They appear sporadically, travel alone or in very small groups. Nopony knows where they come from.”

“Alone or in small groups? Would you then be surprised to hear that the squad who was attacked counted no less than nine, possibly more of them together?”

“N-nine?” I sputtered. Three was the most I’d ever seen in one place and that hadn’t gone very well for us.

“Where?” Sunny asked, her tone and posture evening out.

“Near the Sun and Moon Cathedral.”

“Then I guess that’s as good a place as any to start.” Pumpkin said, her curiosity clearly having won against her fear.

“Then I wish you the best of luck. If you feel the need, go see Quartermaster Indra. Perhaps she will have something that can help you.”

“We will.” I said, nodding to Lions and Cross. We turned and made for the exit when the Elder called out.

“Oh and Pumpkin? Don’t forget about what we discussed before.”

“…Understood.” She replied reluctantly, ducking her head and hurrying out of the room.

By the time we reached the bottom of the stairs out of the Bastion I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“What was the elder talking about?” I asked, my voice quiet and curious.

“I…can’t tell you.” She said, avoiding eye contact with me.

“Can’t or won’t?” I said bitterly. It was bad enough Lions was keeping secrets from me but now he had my friends keeping them from me for him?

“I…I’m sorry.” She whispered. “If I told you I don’t think-”

“Spare me.” I said dismissively, nickering in irritation. “If you both want to keep things from me that’s fine but don’t come crying to me if it explodes in your face.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. She didn’t deserve that and she definitely didn’t deserve it from me.

Only the sound of our hooves and the distant ocean water lapping at the shore could be heard as we neared the rightmost building to see the Quartermaster. The left part of the building had been dedicated to the storing, repairing and testing of weapons. A simple counter spanned the length of the wall cordoned off behind a chain-link fence with only a small opening just big enough to allow weapons in and out. Behind that opening I spotted a zebra mare in light armor reading something, her head rose as she noticed our approach.

“Greetings!” She said enthusiastically, abandoning her book and giving us her undivided attention.

“Quartermaster Indra?” I asked, looking her up and down. She had stripes like all of her kind but they seemed somehow muted. From a distance one might mistake her for a white pony decorated in war paint. She also appeared to be quite young, maybe only a few years older than Aurora.

“Yes sir!” She exclaimed, stopping to give a quick salute. A gesture that I returned. “Dad said you might drop by.”

“Dad?” Pumpkin asked, giving each of us in turn a questioning look. There were no other zebras in the Bastion as far as I knew.

“Elder Lions.” She said like it was common knowledge…which it probably was to everypony else in the Bastion. “He’s not my real dad, obviously.” Indra continued, rolling her eyes. “My father used to work for the Steel Rangers. Kinda like you guys do.”

“Atrox…” I said quietly, remembering his close friendship with Lions from the memory orb.

“Yeah.” Evidently not quiet enough as Indra’s mood dropped noticeably at the mention of her father’s name. “Lions adopted me after he was killed and raised me as if I were his own. There aren’t many ponies like Lions left in the world, let alone amongst the Steel Rangers.” Indra’s ear twitched and a forced smile appeared on her face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to burden you with my life. What do you need?”

“Fire.” I said, thinking what would be the best way to combat a bleeder from a distance.

“Can do!” She said, her earlier enthusiasm returning in force. “Here is a flamer for your battle saddle.” She said, hefting up the heavy weapon as well as a canister of flamer fuel for Sunny. “And for you.” She slid a rough looking box along the counter towards me. Inside were what looked like regular bullets, about thirty of them and the caliber looked like they would fit in Retribution.

“Bullets?” I said, a little underwhelmed.

“Magically enchanted incendiary rounds.” She clarified, obviously taking pleasure from the reveal. “What about you?” Indra said, shifting her attention to Pumpkin.

“I’m good.” Pumpkin responded with a dramatic flare of magic from her horn.

“Then I think we’re all done here. Good luck on your mission!” She turned to leave but stopped, her ears perking up. “Oh, the Star Paladin wanted a word with you before you left. She’s just through that door with the squires.”

“Thank you, Indra.” I said, wondering why the words felt so strange on my tongue.

“You speak the language?” Indra’s eyes widened and a smile pulled at the corners of her mouth.

“I guess so.” Erebus’ gift of the zebra language could have its uses I supposed, though I would’ve liked it to be a bit more under my control.

“Well, in that case, may the shadows hide you friend.” Indra’s posture straightened and she lowered her head in a graceful bow. I assumed that to be a zebra farewell of some kind and returned the gesture as best as I was able. With that Indra had done her part and retreated through a door behind the fence on the far side.

“I can speak zebra.” I said, looking upon Pumpkin’s slightly annoyed expression.

“Really?” She said sarcastically, one eyebrow raised.

“Yeah…sorry.”

“Why couldn’t you just tell me earlier?”

“You can speak zebra?” Sunny added. “Since when?”

“So you kept it secret from Sunny too?”

“I didn’t keep it secret from anypony!” I yelled, a bit louder than I meant to. “I didn’t know I could until today.”

“It because of him, isn’t it?” Sunny said, understanding dawning on her.

“Yes.”

“Him? Who’s him?” Pumpkin asked, her head darting between Sunny and I expectantly.

“Not important right now.” The last thing I wanted to do was share my burden with her, especially since she was a more powerful unicorn than I was by far. If I could, I would keep Pumpkin and Erebus as far from each other as possible.

~Your fear is unfounded. I waited years upon years for you Starborn. I selected my vessel with great care, nopony else will do. Besides, if I wanted her do you really think you could do anything to stop me?~

I thought we had a deal.

~I am altering the deal…for now. Think better of me Starborn and you will think better of yourself~

“What is important is that you were right and I’m sorry.” I said, attempting a disarming smile. “Now come on, let’s see what Sapphire has to say.” I brokered no argument by turning my back on them and hurrying out of the room. How was I ever going to explain my relationship with Erebus to her? I decided then that I wouldn’t tell her at all. The sudden scent of hypocrisy did not go unnoticed. I expected Pumpkin to tell me her secrets while I was still keeping one from her.

I suddenly stopped in my tracks, whoever was behind me bumping into my flank.

“Sparks?” A far away voice asked.

Sparks? Who was that? Who was I? What was I becoming? My life in Stable 63 and my life now…they were nothing alike. I was nothing like him. We shared a name but were we the same pony? We might have been once but now…I was something else and I would continue to change until the current version of me was just as unrecognizable to whoever will come after. It was starting.

“You alright?” A new, closer voice asked. Reality came back to my senses with the force of a dragon’s wingbeat. Once I was cognizant, I discovered the room I was in. It was even on all sides with no windows. On the floor were faded, padded mats and an array of books, diagrams and schematics. Lined up against the far wall were children, about seven of them. Most of them were relatively young with the youngest of them looking to be roughly six years old. Amongst them, a head taller than the rest, was Aurora. Then I remembered who I was. Who I chose to live for and who I would give everything for. To my left the source of the new voice was revealed to be Star Paladin Sapphire. She was no longer wearing her power armor, which meant for the first time since we met I was taller than her.

“Better now.” I said, shifting my gaze to Aurora. “Hi Princess.”

“H-hi Dad.” She replied nervously, her eyes quickly darting to either side, gauging the other squire’s reactions.

“What did you need Star Paladin?” I asked, turning my attention to her.

“A…favor if you will.”

“For a favor?”

“…Yes.”

“I’m listening.”

“Alright. I bring to you an offer of trade. Not something material but something in exchange.”

“Exchange?”

“Yes. I’d like you to take one of our more promising initiates with you on this mission. Get them some field experience.”

“In exchange for Aurora’s care I assume.”

“Something like that. What do you say, think you can take her with you?”

“…Are you sure you trust me with her safety? I don’t know where this mission will take me and I can’t guarantee she’ll make it back alive.”

“You and your friends have already proven capable. I assure you that we wouldn’t ask if we doubted you.”

Her comment humbled me. I hadn’t spent much time with the rangers and already they put that much trust in me. It was…a bit unexpected. In the beginning I came to them for help and now it seemed they were needing mine.

“Tell the Initiate to get ready, we’ll be leaving soon.” I said, making up my mind.

“She’s already good to go.” A familiar, enthusiastic voice said from behind us. “Initiate Indra reporting for duty sir!”

Initiate…Indra? What happened to Quartermaster?

“Is that so?” I said slowly, giving Sapphire an annoyed look.

“Don’t let the rank fool you.” Sapphire said with a smirk. “Indra was raised by rangers her whole life.”

“That’s right! I won’t let you down sir!” Indra smiled brightly and saluted. I…suddenly felt renewed kinship with the elder. Caring for and raising somepony else’s daughter as if they were your own…

“We’ll see. Follow us initiate.” I said with a smile of my own.

It was too late to cover much ground so we had made an early camp in the remains of what had once been a bookstore. ‘Books and Bridles’ if the sign was to be believed. What kind of bookstore sold bridles? A quick sweep and a stack of ‘Wingboner’ magazines later I had my answer. It was that kind of bookstore. I stared at the cover longer than was probably appropriate. It featured a pink mare with blonde mane lying on her back in the center of a plush, heart-shaped bed. All four of her legs were covered by black socks with dark pink stripes and a pale blue ribbon held her mane up in a messy ponytail. Her front legs were folded cutely against her chest and her wings were splayed out behind her. As my vision drifted further downward, I saw her hind legs were spread to either side with the stylized ‘B’ from the Wingboner label conveniently covering her-

“Find something?” Pumpkin’s voce said from over my shoulder.

“Ack!” I managed to get out before the stack I’d been floating with me dropped to the floor and scattered. I looked down to the pile of magazines, my eyes homing in on one that had opened up to the issues featured centerfold. ‘Vapor Trail shows what steamy really means’ the title declared. I was able to rip my gaze free from the winged temptress and meet Pumpkin’s as she eyed me and the pile of porno mags dubiously.

“So this is what you’re into?” She said thoughtfully, floating one up to her face for perusal.

“I-its not what it looks like!” I spit our far too quickly to be convincing. “I was reading the articles!”

“‘Top ten tricks to giving the best wingjob’. Yeah, I’m sure you found it really interesting. That excuse didn’t fly two hundred years ago, it won’t fly now.” She said with a poorly contained laugh, pitching her magazine back into the pile.

Great. How was I going to recover from that?

As the twilight descended into darkness, we built a small fire and prepared a modest meal of ‘homemade’ canned vegetable stew.

“Indra.” I said, abandoning my thoughts and garnering the young zebra’s attention. “Before I take you any farther, I’d like to have an idea of your capabilities. What is it you’re good at?”

“I’m glad you asked.” She said, setting down her chipped bowl of stew. “My father began training me in zebra martial arts from a very young age. So, in combat, I am a hoof-to-hoof specialist. I also know my way around pistols and blades. Minor experience with explosives.”

“H.t.H specialist, eh?” I said ponderously. “Care to give me a demonstration?”

“You…you want to spar? With me?” The confident look in her eyes faltered for a moment, pure surprise taking its place.

“I doubt it will be much of a spar.” I had resigned myself to the flank kicking I was likely about to receive. H.t.H was my weakest skill and I wanted to learn, at least enough so I wasn’t helpless if somepony got too close to me. Maybe she could also show me how to wield my sword better…but that was presumptuous of me. “I just hope I can pick something up before you drop me. Don’t hold back, alright?” I stood up and moved a decent way away from our fire and shelter.

“Y-yeah, same to you.” Indra said, following my lead.

“You sure this is a good idea?” Pumpkin asked, eyeing the two of us from the doorway with concern.

“No, but if I ignored every bad idea I came up with then I wouldn’t have met you.” I flashed Pumpkin a smile, feeling my heart leap when she looked into my eyes and smiled back.

“Ready?” Indra asked, a detectable tremor in her tone.

“Let’s do it.” I said, lowering my head slightly and snorting.

The fight was on. Indra moved with the speed I’d begun to associate with zebra fighters, something I expected so I quickly threw myself into a sideways roll. Indra wouldn’t be that easy to shake. By the time I was back on my hooves she was on me. She planted her right forehoof in the ground and pivoted her body with it, sending her left leg at my head in a windmill kick. I didn’t expect her attack to come in so high but I was able to get a hoof up in time to block a direct hit. The force of her kick was still enough to stagger me. Taking advantage, she placed both hooves on my shoulder and vaulted over me, shoving me in the back down into the dirt with her hind hooves in the process.

“You’re…not like the others.” Indra said, her stance suggesting that our dance was still ongoing.

“I know, I’m pretty hopeless.” I jumped to my hooves and charged her. Rather than move she held her ground and as I neared, she jumped into the air with a forward flip, bringing a hind hoof down hard on my left shoulder. To her surprise my cybernetic leg didn’t buckle and I used that opportunity to score a hit to her abdomen. She wheezed at the impact but otherwise lost nothing, recovered quickly and got away from my superior size.

“That’s not what I meant.” She said, effortlessly throwing a few jabs my way while she spoke.

“What then?” I asked, catching one of her jabs. I tried to use that to bring her to the ground but she just vaulted over me again, twisting my leg in a way that I was forced to let her go.

“You treat me like an equal.” She said, rearing back and bucking me in the side. I grunted from the impact but stayed on my hooves.

“Of course.” I started, swinging and jabbing in random patterns. Indra wasn’t impressed, easily slapping each strike away from her, saving her energy and wasting mine. “Why wouldn’t I?” Just as I got the question out, two fast strikes connected with my muzzle. A familiar tickle alerted me to the small amount of blood dripping out of my nose.

“Because of who I am.”

“Because you’re a zebra?” I ignored the trickle of blood and rushed her again. She was able to dodge almost all of my attacks, the ones that did hit doing little damage. Indra caught my next kick and clutched it against her chest, once she had a good grip she pulled and twisted my leg in the opposite direction. The tight pain in my hip reached a boiling point and I collapsed to the ground.

“Yes!” She said, slithering atop me and driving a hoof into my gut. “Ever since I was born they treated me different! Ponies would take one look at me and all they would see are my stripes!” Another hit drove the air from my lungs as I squirmed beneath her trying to shake her off. “They would never accept me, only one pony did!”

As she was distracted by her memories, I threw out a lucky hoof and clonked her in the side of her head. Immediately after I managed to get my hind legs in enough to get them under her and push her off. “I’m sorry. That must have been difficult.” I threw my hind legs toward my head, taking the momentum and rolling backwards to all fours.

“What would you know?” Indra yelled, abandoning her stance and rushing towards me. “Nothing changed when Lions adopted me. They went from hating the poor zebra filly to resenting the elder’s daughter!” When she reached me, she leapt into the air and planted all four hooves in my chest. The impact tossed me off my hooves and sent me crashing to the ground with a hard thud. Before I could get up she was standing over me. “Everypony treated me like I was trash after my father was killed!” I rolled away in time to avoid a stomp meant for my chest. “Then they treated me like some kind of porcelain doll, no one would train with me, take me on missions or anything! Nopony would risk the Elder’s wrath if anything happened to me!” I rolled away to try and get some distance, she didn’t pursue.

“Nopony treats me like I’m normal. Nopony acts like I’m an equal. Nopony…except you.” She shuffled on her hooves, abandoning her stance and standing up straight. She crossed the distance between us and offered me her hoof. “You actually hit me…nopony’s ever asked me to spar before.” The way she said it, the look in her eyes…it really meant a lot to her. I took her hoof in mine and she helped haul me up.

“Don’t mention it.” I smiled warmly, despite the pain in my chest and the blood in my nose.

“I noticed you carry a sword.” Indra started, her eyes drifting back towards our camp.

“Yeah, I haven’t had it very long.” I said coolly, unsure of how much to tell her about it.

“Would you like me to show you some things?” She asked, a bit of her earlier enthusiasm returning.

“This is gonna be an all-night thing, isn’t it?” Sunny asked from the doorway beside Pumpkin.

“Looks that way.” Pumpkin said with a content smile, a bowl of stew lazily floating beside her.

“Alright then.” Sunny settled down by the fire we’d built and began playing her guitar. The soft strums and soothing chords gave a beautiful melody to the impromptu training session. Indra managed to find a couple pieces of rebar to practice with and so we did. Only the gentle guitar and clang of metal on metal could be heard as evening faded into night and back into dawn.

“You were alive before the war?” Indra asked, staring starry-eyed at Pumpkin. We had packed up camp an hour or so later than we meant to, in order to give Indra and I a chance to sleep. The sun shone behind the cloud cover, nearing its zenith making it about eleven in the morning.

“Yeah…yeah I was.”

“You must be homesick.” Indra said, nodding her head in understanding.

“In a way I guess I am.” Pumpkin said wistfully, her eyes leaving us and looking towards the western mountains. “This world is nothing like mine.”

When I turned my head, I saw that she had the statuette of Pinkie sitting at the top of her saddlebags. Its poofy pink mane just barely sticking out to be seen. Pumpkin patted the top of its head and returned her gaze to the path before her.

“Tell us about the ministry mares.” I caught myself saying.

“The redeemers of Luna, saviors of Equestria, bearers of the elements of harmony. They were the best of us. The exemplars of ponykind…depending on who you asked. To me they were friends. I knew them before the war, before the ministries. Those were simpler times. Happy times. I wish you could have seen Ponyville in its heyday.”

I noticed Sunny shudder at the mention of Ponyville but as the only one with context, Pumpkin and Indra either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

“Aunt Pink-…Pinkie Pie worked in my parent’s bakery before the war. She was there when my brother and I were born and she was there whenever I needed her. She had this kind of…sense. She knew when you were feeling sad and always knew just what to say to make you smile.” Despite the smile on her face, I could see her struggling to fight back the tears. I slowed my pace until I was beside her. I leaned in close and whispered.

“I’m sorry, you don’t have to say anymore right now.”

“A-alright.” She could act reluctant all she wanted but I saw the relief in her expression. Minutes turned to hours and the light began to wane. According to the map we could have made it there if we kept up another three or so hours but if we were expecting to find bleeders then the dark was not where I wanted to face them. Sunny and Indra gathered bits of wood and with a quick spark from Pumpkin’s horn later we had a fire. Indra was pestering Sunny about something I couldn’t hear but before I could lean forward and eavesdrop something fell at my hooves. I looked down and saw a holotape.

“You’re still going to help me, right? Find my brother?” Pumpkin’s pleading voice made my heart ache, as did her tense expression.

“Of course.” I said, patting the ground next to me for her to sit. She sat next to me and looked me in the eye. A minute passed and still she said nothing, just kept staring into my eyes.

“She’s right you know.”

“Huh?”

“You’re not like most ponies.”

“Don’t lift me up too high, I’d hate for you to be disappointed when I fall.” I scoffed, turning my head and breaking eye contact.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t beat yourself down like that. Sure, you’re as fallible as anypony else but do you know what the difference is? You’re trying.” Her words did little to make me feel like the pony they seemed to think I was but it was enough to allay some of the tension.

“I better hear what’s on here.” I said, levitating the holotape to me and inserting it into my Pipleg. I removed an earbloom, placed it in my ear and closed my eyes. The voice that came out was dry and ragged, almost like a ghoul’s.

“Today makes the one hundred and ninety-sixth anniversary of the day I ignored the call for all pegasi to gather at Neighvarro in favor of looking for my sister. The first fifty years were the hardest, believing you were dead. The M.A.S kept their files on you well-hidden but eventually I found mention of Project Outlast and I remembered the tour you gave me all those years ago. I almost can’t believe my eyes. Even now, looking at the pod that is keeping you alive, I hardly believe it. You’re alive. I’ve spent the last couple years protecting you, barely leaving this room. If I could somehow stop the siphoning process maybe I could get your pod to open but I can’t stay here any longer. I…I can feel something inside me, a beast. Even now it claws at my brain. I don’t feel like myself some days. I know what’s happening but I don’t know if there is anything that can be done. Even if I had another hundred years to wander this earth I doubt an answer could be found. I have to leave you Pumpkin, I have to find a way to keep the beast at bay, at least until I can see you again. This long life of mine, all the pain and suffering I’ve endured to get to this point…I’d do it all again just to see you smile one more time…I’ll be back as soon as I can. I love you Pumpkin. This is former Lieutenant Pound Cake signing off.”

I pulled the earbloom out of my ear and prepared myself. Pound Cake was a ghoul, had to be to live this long and it sounded like he was afraid he was going feral. I’m not an expert on ghoul physiology but once they were feral that was it, there was no coming back. Slipknot had said that all ghouls will one day go feral and that there was no way to stop it. Hell to this day we don’t know why they go feral. Pound knew what was coming, he could feel the beast trying to overtake him and he was going to try and stop it.

“Your brother is a ghoul.” I said calmly. Truthfully I had already guessed that much, the ability to leave messages at all proved that, especially considering the time it was made. “He was scared of going feral.”

“Ghoul? Feral? What are you talking about?” With Pumpkin having been in the Wasteland for all of three days I shouldn’t have been surprised at her ignorance. Was that how I was in my first days? How the tables have turned. A quick lesson later and she had a good handle on the basics.

“The problem here is that we don’t have any idea where he might have gone. He’s your brother, is there anywhere he might go?”

“Home but that’s a long way from here, even for a pegasus. I think he’s still in Baltimare, he wouldn’t go far if he knew where I was.”

“That’s a start I guess.” How hard could it be to find a pegasus ghoul? That wasn’t exactly a common combination. A nagging feeling in the back of my mind was screaming something but no matter how hard I focused I couldn’t hear it. An uncomfortable thought that I was missing something plagued my mind. A gentle silence accompanied the end of our conversation, naught but the wind and distant conversation of Indra and Sunny to bother us. I was about to get up and do…something when Pumpkin leaned in to me, stopping me from doing anything I might have thought of doing.

“Do you think there’s a chance?” She asked, looking up to the perpetual grey curtain that kept us from the light. “It’s been four years…”

“There’s always a chance.” I said. I couldn’t say I truly believed in my own words but sometimes hope is all you have to go on and no matter how jaded the Wasteland may have made me I still had hope.

I was hesitant to return her gesture, the high-pitched, haunting voice of Pinkie Pie slithered into my mind and promised her to me…an image that immediately put me off. Instead, I opted to let her find what comfort she could leaning against me without reciprocation. My feelings for her were…conflicted. Was it possible those feelings only existed because I thought they were supposed to? I took Pinkie’s words as fact and accepted the one whom my heart would one day belong. ‘The future is always in motion’ I remembered seeing on a Stable-Tec poster as a colt. Nothing was set in stone…but was that what I wanted?

With those thoughts thoroughly souring my mood I broke our contact and stood. A familiar tremble in my haunches reminding me of my loyalty to another. I didn’t say a word as I moved away from the fire and into the darkness encroaching on it. I went a couple meters further and sat down, floating my bags off to fish through them. I didn’t find what I was looking for at first so I dug again…and again until my patience ran out and before I knew it, I had dumped all of their contents into the dirt. An odd white gleam flashed as something fell from my bag. It caught my eye for a second and as I bent down to get a closer look I-

“There’s nothing there.” Sunny said from over my shoulder. Her sudden appearance made me jump so hard that I almost made it to the moon…if I knew where it was.

“What do you mean?”

“I got rid of all our painkiller. What? Did you think I would just forget?”

“I’m not really in the mood for a lecture Sunny.”

“Well it’s a good thing I didn’t ask then. Besides, I’m not here to lecture you. I’m probably the most unqualified pony for that.”

“Then why did you get rid of them? What if we need it later? Our doctor has fucked off somewhere and our need has-”

“Need? What need? Not mine, not Indra’s and certainly not Pumpkin’s.”

“If you have something to say then say it.”

“Have you noticed your health lately?”

“What’s your point?”

“You haven’t coughed up any blood in the last few days.”

“I…huh.” She was right. I felt fine(mostly) and had been feeling fine. “Coincidence.” I declared, eliciting a narrow-eyed glare from her.

“Deny it all you want but know this, as long as I’m alive you won’t get near another syringe. Count on it.” She punctuated the last part with a jab to my chest, a determined gleam in her eyes. With that I was left alone in the dark just outside the dim ring of light cast by our fire and that was where I stayed. I thought it all rather fitting, me sitting on the edge of darkness and light wondering where I wanted to go more. The answer should have been obvious so why wasn’t it?

~I sense confliction in you Starborn. What troubles you?~

What are you my friend all of a sudden?

~I can be if it is what you need~

I…I don’t get you.

~What’s not to get? Have I not been straight with you?~

Not from my perspective.

~It matters not. However to allay your fears I will say this. I need you. Regardless of whatever you may think of me or my intentions. I do not wish to be your enemy~

Well then I have bad news for you. I am my own greatest enemy and as you’ve said, that’s you.

I couldn’t see it but I could feel Erebus scowl as his consciousness retreated deeper into mine. His intentions, as they always were, remained a mystery. Though I couldn’t help but linger on what he’d said. I don’t wish to be your enemy. I need you. But for what? I was something more to him than a mere vessel, carrying him to and fro…no. No he had a plan of some kind and I had a part to play, possibly the most important part. What would that mean for me in the end? Would he separate from me or am I destined to be swallowed up and overridden as his consciousness overtakes mine? I could still resist him now, my thoughts and actions were still mine and that’s the way it would stay. An uncomfortable, almost unnatural itching in my eyes distracted me from my thoughts as I rubbed at them with a hoof. I must have been more tired than I thought and before the thought was even finished, I had stood and picked up my belongings, returning to the light and warmth of the fire. I guess the answer was obvious after all.

That night I dreamt of things I’d never seen before. I remember falling and feeling cold, blood freezing cold. Then in a flash a light there was warmth, not the kind of warmth one might find comfort in no. This was like a fever, something that didn’t belong. Below me I could see the ground, approaching fast. A thick, green canopy of trees obstructed my view of the surface. To my left was a clear sky and a shining sun burning bright. To my right was the rest of the massive expanse of whatever continent real or imaginary I was nearing. In the split second I had to look as I passed through the canopy, I thought I saw a simple settlement. Then in an explosive crash and blinding light it was gone. All of it.

I jerked myself awake to discover that I had sweat through my barding. The uncomfortable feeling of my barding clinging to my body was all I could think about as I quickly shed the wet garment next to the smoldering remains of our fire.

“You look terrible.” Sunny said from the other side of the fire.

“I had…a weird dream.”

“Weird how?”

“It was…” I trailed off. Suddenly the memory didn’t seem as strong as it had a moment ago. I tried to latch on to any small detail, hoping that once I had one the rest would follow but like a disinterested foal I found my efforts lacking. It was like trying to navigate a maze in the dark. Why couldn’t I concentrate? “…huh. I can’t remember.” I said with a shrug, absently stirring the embers with a stick. Sunny’s face suddenly took on a serious expression as she stood and trotted over to me, taking either side of my head in each hoof. She tilted my head side to side as if she were looking for something.

“What gives?” I said, pulling away from her grasp and slapping her hooves away.

“Sparks…are you sick?”

“I don’t feel sick.” I said thoughtfully. Then my thoughts turned on me. Why would she ask that? Was there something wrong with me? “Why?”

“Look.” Sunny tossed me a shard of broken mirror which I caught with magic. I floated it in front of me and began to examine my reflection. What I found was almost immediate. Randomly speckled in both my irises were small yellow dots. Then I remembered the itching in my eyes the night prior.

What did you do!?

~I didn’t do anything. This is but a natural result of our joining~

Stop it. Stop…changing me!

~Don’t you see Starborn, this is the path you must accept. What you see as change I see as evolution. Do you truly believe abstaining from drugs cured your lungs?~

…Griffin Rock. When you improved me.

~Yes. It was I who cured the taint from us. You’ve let your own perceptions of me stain your mind and now you can’t even separate the good from the bad. Believe what you will but even you must acknowledge that you would be dead now if it wasn’t for me~

I don’t have to acknowledge anything.

~A fact that I am painfully aware of. One day you will see everything I am and, on that day, we shall go together~

My eyes slammed shut and a piercing, ethereal shriek ripped through my head as the mirror shard shattered in my magical grasp.

“It’s nothing.” I said, looking down scornfully at the shards of mirror. From inside each shard Erebus’ golden eyes leered at me.

“No Sparks it isn’t.” Sunny said forcefully. “Remember the promise I made you? There is nothing I want to do less than keep it so please, please don’t ignore it.”

“What do you want me to do Sunny? I can’t stop it, hell I don’t even know if my resistance is slowing him down.” If anything, resisting seemed to speed it up. Like being stuck in quicksand.

“We don’t know that. What I want you to do is stop keeping things from me.”

“I…I can’t do that. This orb, this…burden is mine to bear and mine alone. I don’t want any of you to worry about me. All I need you to worry about is stopping me when…if it gets that bad.”

“Do you even understand that you’re asking me not to care about you? About what happens to you? I already lost a son once; I won’t go through that again.”

“You already promised me Sunny!”

“I know and I intend to keep it. As a last resort. I believe in you Sparks. You can beat him. You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

At that I had nothing left to say. She was right after all.

Once my barding was dry and the others had been roused from their slumber, we resumed our journey. Indra was in the middle of a story about something from the zebra lands called a giraffe when the cathedral appeared in the distance. It was much as I remembered it, though in fairness I didn’t exactly get the best look the last time we were here. We wouldn’t reach it for another hour yet, giving us some time to come up with a plan.

“Indra.” I started with the newest of our group. “I want you to take this.” I said, pulling Starfall off my back with a flourish. “Hoof to hoof with a bleeder isn’t where you want to be. They don’t feel pain and they don’t know when to give up. Take it, this way you’ll have some range.”

“What are you going to fight with?” Sunny asked, knowing that I’d have preferred to keep Starfall.

“A lovely gift.” I said, remembering what else I picked up in Whinnyapolis. If I hadn’t dumped my bags the other night, I might have forgotten about it completely. Dragons Kiss. Its white surface glinted in the low light, the gold etchings sparkled and the dull red glow of the ruby at its heart drew everypony’s attention.

“A lovely gift indeed.” Pumpkin said, a noticeable sparkle in her eyes. “It’s gorgeous.”

“It’s Rarity’s.” I said, remembering the notes I found on the weapon. “So is the armor…I think.” The armor that…that Azura had found for me was sleek and stylish enough but I never could imagine Rarity in it.

“That’s…incredible.” Pumpkin said, jaw slightly agape. Seeing her like that made me remember the last thing I’d liberated form Rarity’s bunker. It had seemed trivial or unimportant before but now I knew what to do with it. A dress created by Rarity herself…in hindsight I would have been a fool to leave it behind whether I had a mare or not.

So she’s yours now?

My thoughts came to a screeching halt as that dawned on me. I couldn’t give it to her, not yet. Not until…not until…

“Pumpkin?” I started hesitantly. I had to do it now otherwise I would forever second guess my own feelings. Pinkie I hope you know what you’re talking about. “W-would you go on a d-d-date with me?”

“W-what?” She whispered, stopping in her tracks so abruptly that Indra ran into her. Several agonizingly slow seconds ticked by and I broke.

“Actually, badideaforgetIsaidanything.” I said hastily, turning away from her and kicking into a trot. Once I was a good distance away, I slowed back to a normal pace and kept walking. How did I think that was going to play out? Did I make a huge mistake? We’ve only known each other a few days…Pinkie Pie. This was her fault somehow. She put the ideas in my head, she made these feelings that I couldn’t claim as my own. I believed her though. As ludicrous as she may have sounded, I believed she was telling the truth, trying to help me. The Wasteland has taken a lot from me, but it also gave me people like Sunny and Aurora. Two of the ponies I loved the most…I made a huge mistake.

An electric crackle and flash of blue light made me jump as Pumpkin appeared beside me.

“Running doesn’t work on me.” She said, a triumphant smirk on her face. I tried again anyway, turning at a ninety-degree angle and bolting as fast as I could. Another crackle and flash and there she was again, blocking my path. I gave up on the spot, slowed to a canter then stopped right in front of her with my eyes on my hooves.

Neither of us said anything for a moment and I kept my eyes where they were, giving me a partial view of her hooves and legs, not enough to gauge somepony with.

“Listen.” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “I didn’t mean-”

“Look at me.” Pumpkin’s voice suddenly held authority and I caught myself raising my head without meaning to. Her expression was unexpectedly neutral but I could spot some rosiness in her cheeks. “I’m flattered Sparks, really I am but…I hardly know you.” I closed my eyes and accepted her decision. It was the logical choice after all, how upset could I be? That’s a rhetorical question, put your hoof down! Anyway I had just opened my eyes to apologize when something pushed into the crook of my neck. To my bewilderment it was Pumpkin, gently nuzzling away, the rosiness of her cheeks deepening to an extreme blush. “But I’d like to.” She stopped her nuzzling and I found myself instantly missing her touch. My own blush was hot in my cheeks. Pumpkin noticed and planted a soft kiss on my cheek. “Let’s take it slow and see what happens.”

“Y-yeah. I can do that.” I could barely contain myself, so much so that I’d need the Auto-doc to get rid of my smile.

“C’mon, let’s get back to the others.” She said sweetly, brushing her tail under my chin as she went.

I turned my head and watched her go, a noticeable sway in her hips. My heartbeat thundered in my ears and I wondered if she was teasing me or if she always walked like that. I took one step, and stopped a second to regard myself. I looked down at my armor and brilliant white weapon that she’d called incredible and laughed.

“No Pumpkin, you’re incredible.”

Footnote: No Level Up.

Next Chapter: Chapter Thirty-Three: What Everypony Has Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 56 Minutes