When the flash subsided, the Bastion stood tall in front of us and the startled Knights at the gate initially trained their weapons on us before the recognition set in.

“What the-” Sunny said as her group appeared beside us in a second flash. A third followed and everyone was here.

“Boss?” Charlotte asked eyeing the Knights warily, one claw hovering near her weapon.

“Easy, we’re allies.” I said. Charlotte nodded and reluctantly lowered her claw.

“Papa!” An excited voice chirped as something feathery slammed into my side, driving the air from my lungs in a low wheeze. Adria had both my forelegs trapped in a hug effectively pinning me for the duration. Ebon Glow sidled up next to her and said nothing but his smile said enough. Ollie, refusing to be left out, jumped up onto Adria’s back and used her to then jump to mine.

“Again!?” Adria squawked, feathers ruffling in irritation. “I’m not a stool!”

Ollie, from the safety of my back, looked down at her and stuck her tongue out.

“Sparks.” Sunny said, stealing my attention. I barely had time to register her appearance before she drove her hoof into my guts. The air was roughly driven from my lungs this time as I doubled over in pain, Ollie wobbled on my back but managed to stay in place. “I’m glad you’re alright.” She continued.

“I can tell.” I gasped; my voice barely audible. Why did she always hit me when I survived something I shouldn’t have? I briefly wondered if it was the sword she actually cared about but dismissed the thought when I offered it to her and she shook her head. Struggling to take a steady breath I rose to my hooves and staggered forward to the pair of Knights standing on opposite sides of the gate to the grounds.

“We could use a place to rest.” I said, wondering who was behind the expressionless helmet.

“Understood sir. Head straight to the Keep. Elder Lions is anxious for your return.”

“Is that so?” No doubt the whole wasteland had heard about the destruction of the Sun and Moon cathedral and the Stable underneath. Add on top of that the time we spent rescuing the Brightcrests and the incident at Wayfinder’s Landing, I was certain the Elder was worried about his adopted daughter. A sentiment I could sympathize with wholeheartedly.

“Wow.” A dazzled, unfamiliar voice said behind me as we entered the training yard. “This place is amazing!”

Turning to see who it was, I was surprised to see TWO others had joined us. Noodles, his disheveled appearance and coat as glaring as ever and beside him, with stars in her eyes, was the kirin who’d been our guide after she reeled in our boat this last night.

“What…what are you doing here?” I asked, genuinely puzzled by her presence.

“Oh um, hi. Remember me? My name is Blossom Burst. I was-”

“Yes. I remember.” I said cutting her off. “Why are you here?”

“I…I thought it best to get away from the others.”

“For what purpose?” 87 asked, his eyes narrowed in curiosity.

“It’s my fault.” She said guiltily, averting her eyes. “I started the argument that destroyed our first home. With everyone’s emotions coming back I didn’t want them to hate me. I grabbed Noodles before we teleported and…” She let the rest speak for itself.

“So you ran from your people?” Indra asked, forcing her way to the front of the pack.

“Instead of facing them and risking another incident?” Blossom challenged, forgetting or ignoring the fact that Indra hadn’t a clue what had happened today. “They’ll be fine without me for a while…they probably won’t even miss me. This seemed safer at least for a bit.” She said, fidgeting in a way that told me she didn’t really believe her own words. Far be it from me to tell her what was best for her so instead of arguing the point I said nothing and pressed on towards the keep. The rest fell in line behind me, some farther than others. Indra, contrarily, trotted by me intent on being first to the Keep. Indra threw the doors open and dashed inside, the rest of us trailing a bit behind her.

“Welcome back.” The familiar voice of Head Paladin Cross said, his expression hidden under his helmet. “We heard about the explosion. Is it done?”

“Yes and no.” I answered truthfully. I opened my mouth to continue but Cross shook his head, stopping me.

“Not here, the elder is upstairs. Were all of…your people present?” He asked, eyeing the cadre of creatures and comrades behind me.

“Just them.” I said, pointing to Sunny, Pumpkin, Orchid and Ollie.”

“I should think I count more than Orchid.” 87 said, practically in my ear.

“GAH!” I said, jumping as my heart rate spiked through the roof. “Don’t…do that!” How did he do that? Did he know an invisibility spell or something?

“My apologies. I did not mean to frighten you.”

*Ahem* Cross cleared his throat noisily, getting my attention again. “As I was saying. Those who were not present for your assigned mission must wait here.”

“And if I refuse?” Charlotte asked, staring intently into Cross’ eye slits.

“You are not prisoners.” Cross said with just the right amount of strained patience. “You may wander the grounds if you like. Posted guards will stop you from entering vital or secure areas.” He paused a moment, returning Charlotte’s stare. “I believe you would find the training yard most entertaining.”

Charlotte’s posture relaxed visibly. “Oh? Why’s that tinny?”

“The initiates and knights have been training how to combat your kind in close quarters. Red Eye has a good number of talons in his employ.”

“So, what, you expect me to go be chew toy for your armored dogs?”

I could sense a sneer behind his silence but after a moment he spoke again. “They won’t be armored. We don’t want the trainees injured…or killed.”

“Hardly seems fair then.” Charlotte made an elaborate display of flexing her wings, eliciting crackling pops from the joints at their bases.

“The hope is that you will be surprised.” Cross said placidly and I could just imagine the smirk on his face.

“Well let’s see ‘em then.” Judging by the enthusiasm in her voice, Cross’ plan to placate her had succeeded.

“Just head out into the yard and look for Knight-Commander Primrose and remember, no series injuries. Keep your talons sheathed, do you get me?”

“I got it the first time.” Charlotte said dismissively. “This ain’t the first army I’ve trained with.”

“Hmm.” He hummed thoughtfully. “The same goes to the rest of you.” Cross added, watching Charlotte and Ray head back out through the doors. “You’re free to wander, do as you please within reason. We only ask that you don’t leave the Bastion.”

Once that was taken care of we were led upstairs by Cross. I hoped the debriefing didn’t take long. There was a certain squire I wished to see.

Lions’ office was as I remembered. He was standing in front of the large window looking over the training yard, one hoof draped over Indra’s shoulders.

“Thank you for bringing my daughter back safely.” The elder started, still looking out the window. “Was it really necessary to destroy the stable?” He continued, moving to the next topic with the grace of a minotaur pit fighter.

“Is that regret I hear?” I said, losing the fight against the urge to call out what I saw as the Rangers’ technophilia. “Is it for the ponies who died or the tech that was lost?”

“The two are not mutually exclusive.” He said calmly. If my jab bothered him he was hiding it well. “I thought we were past this fear Sparks. Have I not earned your trust?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“I see.” He said seriously. He paced the length of his desk a few times looking thoughtful before continuing. “I admit I could be doing more but the current circumstances put me at a disadvantage. There aren’t enough of us to patrol the surrounding settlements and even if we could I don’t expect to be welcomed with open hooves.” Lions paused a moment, finally turning away from the window to sit at his desk. He let out a long sigh and suddenly it looked like he had aged ten years. His eyes were as close to empty as a living being could be and the wrinkles on his face seemed more pronounced than ever.

“I know how the world looks at us. Xenophobic technology hoarders who’d kill anypony for even the smallest technological bobble. For a time, it was true. Still is true and the worst part is…I still don’t know what the right answer is. Ponies will die no matter my choice. If I continue down the path I’ve chosen I risk a schism with the rest of the Rangers. If I do nothing then technology will continue to fall into the hooves of the unworthy and innocents will die. There is no future on a path of hesitancy, time is not unlimited and inaction will only hasten our decline. We must return to our original purpose but I know there are those who would stand against me and more ponies…my ponies would die fighting each other. I understand where you’re coming from Sparks and I do regret relying on you so much but I need you. I’m no longer certain if I can finish what I started without you. I can’t rely on my own ponies. Some don’t understand, and I fear by the time they do there won’t be enough of us left to do anything about it.”

I didn’t know what to say. My protest had been token, born from instinct and the warnings of others. So I said nothing. Nopony else said a word and after a moment Lions continued.

“Red Eye’s influence only complicates matters and I’m worried my next move will be the spark to blow this keg sky high.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“Our numbers prevent me from assigning patrols to protect the nearby settlements as I’ve said, the same problem keeps us from engaging Red Eye’s forces in a meaningful way. To remedy that…I’m going to break tradition again and begin recruiting externally.” That defeated look returned to his eyes. He wanted to be better than the ranger he’d been and even though he believed what he was doing would serve the greater good he knew ponies would still die no matter what he did. Suddenly the mantle of leadership looked heavy on his shoulders and I felt my own slump in reaction. Would there come a time when I too would be forced to choose the lesser evil?

“T-that’s good right?” Pumpkin asked, her expression nervous.

“Some won’t see it that way, no. But I believe we’ve strayed off topic. Tell me about the explosion at the cathedral.”

It took longer than I thought to retell the story, what with the others interjecting at times.

“So the one responsible escaped.” He said aloud, stroking his beard. “But the source of the bleeders was destroyed along with Stable 54 and the Sun and Moon Cathedral. Any ideas where this ‘Crush’ fled to?” He asked the room, only to receive shaking heads.

“There is one more thing.” I said, taking a step forward. “I think we know how Red Eye crossed the mountains. We learned from-” I paused, wondering how much I should tell him about the Brightcrests. “-two talons we captured that Red Eye has repaired the monorail to and from Sparkle-World and has a large presence there.”

“Are you certain?”

“No but I don’t think they lied. What would be the point?”

“Yes well, mercenaries have never been known for their loyalty, have they? If that information is good then it only reinforces my decision to begin recruitment. Although that path carries its own obstacles, obstacles that may prove to be too great to scale.”

“Like what? Do you still plan on attacking the ship in the bay?” I asked, wondering where we were being shunted in priority.

“At the moment? No. However if you and yours are still intent on getting there then that can be arranged. Just know that if you go it’ll be without or with minimal ranger support.”

“That’s fine.” It was preferable actually but thought I’d best keep that to myself. The less indiscriminate heavy weapons fire the better if we wanted to get Stormy out alive.

“Very well. I think we’re done for now. Cross will have lodging prepared for you and your friends and we’ll speak more later.” Lions made a motion, dismissing us as he returned his attention to Indra.

Throwing the doors of the Keep open I set out into the training yard, blinking away the brightness and sleep that I desperately wanted. But there was something I wanted more. Leaving the others to their own devices (mostly) I headed to the room where I’d last seen her. I opened the door a crack and peeked inside. Inside was Quillwright giving what looked to be a technical lesson on weapon maintenance or something like it to a gathering of colts and fillies seated on the floor. Ignoring whatever protocols I might be violating, I pushed the door open the rest of the way and strolled in. Every head turned my way as I did. The effect was a little creepy but not nearly as bad as the entire kirin community. One head rose a little higher as she got to her hooves.

“Dad!” Ignoring the looks of the other squires she dashed around them and trotted to me with the kind of beaming smile that made life worth living. She got on her hind hooves, placed her front hooves on my chest and nuzzled the underside of my chin.

“Have you gotten taller?” I asked, placing my front hooves on her shoulders and giving her an evaluating look.

“You stink dad.” She said, wrinkling her nose even as her smile never waned.

“I’ve had a long day.” I said, letting a bit of the tiredness I was feeling into my words. “Wait till you hear about it.”

“Why wait? High Scribe?”

“You’re excused.” He said, nodding to her his acknowledgment. “Was your mission a success?” He added, focusing on me.

“Not exactly.” As far as the mission objective was concerned, yes. The bleeder threat would likely never recover but the blood we were forced to pay to ensure it drained any sense of accomplishment I might’ve felt. “Mission accomplished but I wouldn’t call it a success.”

“I see.” He said. Whether he understood or just had an inkling I couldn’t tell but he let it go at that which I was grateful for. Aurora led the way, telling me how things had gone for her the last few days.

“-and that’s why magical energy weapons are so valued, they can’t build new ones, only fix old ones.”

I nodded, listening with real interest to what she’d been learning. I wondered how valuable that made the cache I helped Red Asphalt find. A fair amount was recovered from the fallen during our clean up after the battle but nopony knew how to repair the broken ones. Then it was my turn to share about what happened at the cathedral all the way up till its destruction.

“I can’t tell if you’re lucky or unluck…dad?” Aurora said, her tone suspicious.

“What?”

“Who’s that?”

“Who?” I asked, looking around.

“On your back?”

“Oh right.” I hadn’t forgotten she was there, per se but I had a good idea what to expect. I would bet that as soon as we entered the grounds she retreated inward like she’d done at Eclipse. Sure enough she was siting, her back to my crest, with both hooves covering her eyes. The white of her coat almost enough to disappear in the silver-white of my mane.

“Ollie.” I tried softly. “You can open your eyes, we’re safe here.”

“No.” She whimpered, shaking her head. “I don’t want the monsters to see me.”

Monsters? The rangers in power armor?

“Hail.” Came a greeting from behind us. Though she was encased in metal I recognized Freesia without a doubt. Perfect timing. “Good to see you Sparks, Squire.” She said, giving Aurora a knowing nod.

“You’re just in time Freesia.” I said, levitating Ollie off my back and turning to face her. “Ollie, I want to show you something.” I added just a bit of sternness to my voice, hoping that would have the desired effect. Though she dropped her hooves she still had her eyes squeezed tight. “Open your eyes.”

She did as I told her and to her tremendous credit she didn’t scream. Rather she regarded Freesia’s armored body with caution and a healthy curiosity. Floating before the ranger, she slowly extended a hoof and touched the approximate spot where her nose would have been. She recoiled as soon as she made contact. “It’s cold…” She said warily, the anxiety making her tremble.

“Well maybe this will help.” Freesia removed her helmet with a hiss, taking a moment to wipe away the strands of mane that sweatily clung to her face. “Better? My name’s Freesia.” Freesia finished sweetly, offering the filly an affectionate smile.

Ollie’s head tilted to one side, as if she had come to some great deduction, wiggling to be free of my magic. When I set her down, she slowly approached Freesia, maintaining eye contact the whole time lest she change back to the monster she thought she was.

“You…you’re a pony.” She said plainly, her great revelation sounding odd in my ears.

“We all are.” A new voice added. Coming up alongside Freesia was another ranger who stopped and removed his helmet. “Name’s Gloom Seer, Knight Gloom Seer.” He corrected quickly. “Pleasure to meet you sir.” He said, switching attention to me. “Can’t wait to see you in action.” He secured his helmet, snapped off a quick salute and returned to whatever business he’d been on.

I looked back at Freesia who began answering my question before I could ask it.

“The elder’s got me putting a special squad together.” She said, her expression telling me she was privy to his plans or at least part of them. “Between myself, Indra and Gloom Seer I’ve already mustered half of this so-called Lions’ Pride.”

“‘Can’t wait to see you in action?’ What have you been telling ponies?” I asked.

“The truth.” She said, smiling wickedly. “Regardless of your ability your sword is very impressive.”

“I seem to recall that my ability saved your life last time.”

“…you used me as a shield.” She said, with just a hint of a grudge.

“Point.” I said. “Whys he got you putting a squad together?”

“He wants another elite squad like yours. Somepony he can send on critical reclamation missions or something. I imagine we’ll be called on to support each other too from time to time after…” She hesitated, gauging what I did or didn’t know.

“After recruitment.” I supplied for her, my voice just above a whisper.

“Right. Until then we’ll be on defense should…should the worst happen.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for that? Could you pull the trigger on them if the moment calls for it?”

“Could you?”

It was a deliberate deflection by turning it back on me but I decided not to pour fuel on the mental fire that was surely already raging inside her mind.

“I’ll see you around Freesia.” I said, pounding my hoof on her heavily armored shoulder.

“Yeah.” She replied solemnly.

“Goodbye miss Freesia!” Ollie called after her, emphatically waving in farewell. Freesia smiled and waved back before donning her helmet and disappearing out into the training yard.

“Hi.” Aurora said, taking the chance to introduce herself now that Ollie was coherent.

“H-hello.” Ollie replied nervously.

“This is her? The one you rescued from the Stable?”

“That’s right. Ollie this is my daughter, Aurora Dawn.” I said, giving Ollie a little push towards her. Neither filly really knew what to say and the silence was beginning to become awkward.

“Can you read Ollie?” Aurora asked, removing a book from her backpack.

“A little.” Ollie confessed shyly, the question probably making her think of her mother.

“I can teach you if you want.” Aurora opened the book to a random page showing a brightly colored nebula high above our world.

“Where’d you get that book?” I asked. What was contained within was likely the best representation of the night skies we were ever going to get with the cloud cover in place.

“From the space center.” She said, smiling as Ollie approached her and looked at the pretty colors, colors that were pretty similar to Aurora’s mane. “It’s called the ‘Eye of Dawn’” Aurora explained to a starry-eyed Ollie. “The ponies of old used to say that if you were ever lost you need only look up to the Eye and it would show you the way home no matter where you are.”

“Wow.” Ollie said, taking the book from Aurora and flipping it to another page. “Co…come on con…consterlayshins?”

“Close.” Aurora soothed with a smile. “Common constellations.”

“Oh.” Ollie said nodding. “I think I get it.” She flipped to another page and tried another few words. The scene continued another few more moments and a few more pages before Pumpkin arrived to save the day.

“There you are.” She said tiredly, the bags under her eyes a mirror of my own. “Come on, let’s head to the barracks, I could really use a long nap.”

“Awww!” Ollie whined, holding out the book in a sympathetic gesture that missed its mark.

“You can borrow it.” Aurora said, giving Ollie a reassuring look.

“You guys go ahead.” I said, patting Aurora on the head. “We’ll meet you there in a bit.”

“Alright, but don’t make us wait too long.” Pumpkin said, scooping up Ollie, book and all.

“Care to show me what you’ve learned?” I invited, waving towards the training yard.

“Sure!” Aurora said enthusiastically. “Prepare to be blown away!”

Once we got to the training yard however, we were interrupted by a chorus of raucous cheering. A large crowd had formed a circle around something that had clearly warranted all of their attention. Pushing through the crowd, Aurora following apologetically, I came to the edge of the circle just in time to see Charlotte be flipped over somepony’s shoulder to land hard on her back. Another round of cheering went up as she rolled back to an upright position to face her foe who I noticed was a small framed mare. She had a charcoal coat and white mane with evenly spaced ribbons of red giving it the appearance of peppermint. It was tied in a braid so tight that it almost looked like rope, which made it stand out all the more coiled around her neck like a snake. Charlotte charged the mare and again was lifted into the air and slammed on her back.

“Grrah!” Charlotte growled, getting up again. “If this were a real fight-”

“Real fight?” The mare piped in coolly. “What, you gonna try telling me you’ve been holding back?” She finished with a smug smirk that performed exactly as she’d hoped as Charlotte took the bait and the scene repeated itself for a third time.

“That’s it!” When Charlotte got up this time it became a fight for real. Charlotte lunged forward like she had been, only this time she stopped short and the maneuver meant to throw her to the ground missed. Balling her claws Charlotte landed a straight punch to the mare’s nose, followed quickly by a hit to the side of her head. The mare blocked the next hit and lashed out with some of her own, one hoof striking Charlotte just below the eye and another glancing off her beak. The crowd exploded as what had primarily been a one-sided fight became an all-out brawl. For every missed swing there was one that connected and they threw a salvo of blows at each other in a sight that really was something to see. From somewhere a whistle was blown and both combatants stopped fighting as Knight-Commander Primrose stepped forward.

“Mint Tea.” She said, her gaze falling to the mare. “I can safely say that none of us of the sword expected a scribe to put up such a fight. Against a Talon no less. And for you Charlotte, I expect we surprised you after all, eh?” She didn’t give the two enough time to say anything before launching into the next part of her speech with greater volume. “I declare this match to be…a draw.”

“What!?
“What!?”

They both said incredulously.

“If I could have used my-”
“Even though she hit the groun-”

“Quiet!” Primrose yelled, silencing any further protest. She began to say something else to them and the crowd but I missed it as Aurora began her own questioning.

“Wow, who’s the griffin?” She asked, looking at the pair with studious eyes.

“Her name is Charlotte; she came with us.” I said, wondering what she thought she’d gain from this spectacle.

“What do you mean?” She asked. So I recounted the tale of our rescue of the siblings and the resultant adventure in Wayfinder’s Landing as we walked, looking for the lodging I was promised for a long nap.

“What happened to your eye?” Aurora asked, her expression showing concern.

“I uh…”

“You used it again, didn’t you?” The disappointment in her voice hurt me more than any bullet.

“I did, not on purpose.”

“You have to get rid of it. How many more times before you don’t come back?”

“I know Aurora, believe me, I know.” My voice hitched as my greatest fear rolled through my mind again. “Pumpkin saved me this last time, when I was taken by force like in the swamp. Her magic is keeping him suppressed but I don’t know for how long.”

“The swamp.” Aurora said pensively. “Wait, so it was you? Y-you killed those-”

“No!” I yelled, making her jump. “I didn’t kill those zebra, he used my body like a puppet to do it for him! I…I don’t-” Kill without reason, is what I was going to say. Father’s murder wouldn’t let me and it stayed my tongue of further protest. “I won’t let it control me. I have a plan. I’ll fight with everything I’ve got to stop it and if that means dashing myself against the rocks until there’s nothing left to take then that’s what I’ll do.”

“You won’t have to do that.” She said, a layer of desperation under her tone. “I won’t let you.”

“I know Aurora.” But I would.

The barracks weren’t as lively as the training yard but there was a certain energy to be felt here too. Unarmored ponies in their jumpsuits were seated at long tables playing cards or other simple games of chance. In the corner on a stool was a radio minus its casing streaming the cool music DJ Pon3’s station out for all to enjoy. Sunny was already here, off in the opposite corner casually lifting some heavy looking weights while several slack jawed stallions watched in awe. Pumpkin too was seated at one of the tables with Ollie, Orchid, and an unarmored Freesia playing poker or some wasteland poker derivative with a few of the other off duty rangers. Despite the array of arguably enticing distractions, it was sleep I wanted most. Giving Aurora a big hug I left her to her own devices…which meant she went right to Pumpkin. I guessed I’d hear about it later if it was worth hearing.

I’d just ducked my head past the threshold to my room when the music stopped and DJ Pon3’s deep, melodious voice replaced it. Forcing myself to turn around, I poked my head back out into the common room and listened. Pumpkin too stopped what she was doing, her ears perking up as an odd expression took over her features. I missed the first part but the rest seemed to be about a Stable Dweller I think he’d mentioned before.

Heroine of the wasteland? I was glad to hear that DJ Pon3 found another individual that caught his interest but was saddened to hear about her death. I wondered if Watcher had spoken to her too, somehow convinced her to free the slaves. Stable Dwellers were probably too good for him to pass up on the off chances that what he sought lived underground away from his notice. Trying to put it out of my mind I flopped into the debatably comfy cot and fell into the sweet relief of sleep.

I awoke with a cold sweat, blinking frantically to banish the remnants of a dream I couldn’t recall. All I could remember was how it made me feel, small, helpless, and crushed under the weight of something that could reshape the world alone.

“What? What’s wrong?” I looked to see that at some point Pumpkin had joined me in a cot that was not meant for two and relegated me to be the little spoon for the duration.

“N-nothing.” I said, failing to keep the quiver from my voice. “Just a nightmare is all.”

Pumpkin looked perturbed, her eyes flicking between us worriedly. “Want to talk about it?”

“No. I can’t remember anything specific anyway.”

“Oh.” I recoiled at the doubt in her voice but I knew she wouldn’t press any farther. “Well, if you do let me know, kay? You don’t have to face it alone.”

“I know.” I took one of her hooves in mine and gave it a reassuring squeeze. It was because of her that I had been given reprieve from Erebus. It was because of her I knew that no matter the odds I wasn’t alone. I love you Pumpkin…is what I wanted to say. “I’m going to go get clean.” I said instead, marching out of the room without another word.

Gutless coward, of all the things you’ve done and faced this is where you draw the line? My own voice echoed in my mind. Ignoring it I soldiered on to the showers. Now isn’t the time, not yet, not here, not like this. The lack of light coming through the high windows told me it was evening or later as I let a blast of cold, mostly clean water wash over my coat.

“Good evening.” A voice from the darkness said.

“AHHH!” I felt my heart pick up its pace and any remaining vestiges of sleep were burned away by the adrenaline now surging through my system. Turning to investigate I saw 87 under his own shower head with the water running. How!? How in Equestria had I not noticed him?

“Is something the matter?”

“How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Hide in plain sight like that.”

“I…did not know I was doing such a thing. Apologies if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”

“It’s fine. It’s not your fault, I think.” Did it have anything to do with the experiments performed on him in Stable 54?

For the next few moments, the only sounds came from the water hitting our coats.

“Did you kill Father?”

I froze mid scrub and turned to face him with wide eyes. “I…”

“It does not matter to me if you did. If yes however, I just hope you did it for the right reason.”

“Yes…I killed him.” I confessed, far too quickly for my liking.

“Why?”

“Because they might have spared him, locked him away, shown him mercy.”

“And you believed he deserved to die?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I know the weight of chains.” I said, subconsciously rubbing a hoof along the collar trapped around my neck. “My suffering was just a drop in the bucket compared to Rain Shine’s and he deserved death for that alone.”

“And for what Teller told him?”

“Y-yes.” How did he know about Teller? How much did he know? Had he deduced this all on his own? That last thought frightened me most and I sent a silent thanks to whoever or whatever was listening that he was on our side.

“So you murdered him to ensure his silence and it was mere coincidence that he was guilty of other crimes worthy of execution?”

“No, he still deserved death either way.”

“But would you have delivered it to him if he didn’t have something over you?”

“I…I don’t know.” I’d delivered death to those that had deserved it before but it had been different. In defense of my life or others. Father had been unarmed, at my mercy and I’d murdered him in cold blood. Would I have stayed my hoof if he hadn’t tried blackmailing me? The answer should have been yes but I couldn’t say it. If I already decided he deserved death then what difference did it make how it was carried out?

“Perception.” 87 said into my thoughts as if he were reading them.

“What?”

“The difference is perception. You told them he jumped. Do you really think their opinion of you wouldn’t change if they knew the truth? You must, hence why you lied. I’m not judging you Sparks; in many ways I agree with you but your motivation matters and you must be aware of how that will be perceived by both your friends and your enemies.”

He turned his water off, grabbed a towel with his magic and headed for the door.

“I will keep my counsel to myself. Just know I can always lend an ear should you need them in confidence. Good evening, Sparks.”

When the knock on my door came it was morning and the sleep I’d so desperately wanted had become less than restful. It took most of my immediate strength just to sit up. A shove to my back from Pumpkin helped me the rest of the way and I was just able to catch myself before the floor rose up to meet me. Once the door was open I was greeted by a mare maybe a head and a half taller than Aurora, wearing the blue robes of a scribe and black rimmed glasses.

“Good morning Sparks.” She said with barely contained excitement. “We haven’t met. I’m Senior Scribe Mint Tea but everypony just calls me Minty. I’ve been assigned to your team for your next mission!”

“Mission? What mission?”

“Oh right. Elder Lions would like to speak to you. He’s with Head Paladin Cross in the training yard. Sorry I got the order mixed up.” She said sheepishly, glasses sliding down to the tip of her nose.

“I remember you.” I said as my conscious mind finally punched through the veil of grogginess. She had bruises on her face and a cut on her bottom lip. Her dark coat and white peppermint mane coiled around her neck like a noose stood out glaringly in my memory. “You fought Charlotte yesterday.” It was a statement more than a question but she nodded anyway.

“Yes sir.” She said, pushing her glasses back up her face. “My father used to say that ‘Scribes are our last line of defense and what good are defenders who don’t know how to fight?’ I took that to heart and have been training with the knights whenever they can fit me in.”

“Huh.” I said, unsure of what to say. “Well, I better go see what the Elder wants.” I tapped her on the shoulder and she moved out of my way.

“Hi Minty!” I heard Aurora say in enthusiastic greeting from inside the room.

“O-oh, hello Squire Aurora. What are you doing here?”

“Sparks is my dad.” She said, puffing out her chest in a display of…pride? Oh it was almost enough to make a grown stallion cry. Almost.

“Oh, you must be very proud.” She said, looking at me with an odd expression.

“More than words can express.” I had once convinced myself that I didn’t deserve her. Something similar crossed my mind with Pumpkin last night. It didn’t take a genius to figure out where I’d be without them. Pumpkin helped me see the value in never giving up even if the fight couldn’t be won. Aurora had literally prevented my second suicide attempt and I still haven’t fully forgiven myself for letting her see me like that, even if she did. “She’s a much better pony than me.” I finished, giving her my warmest smile as I resumed my walk to the training yard.

The Elder was easy enough to find, coordinating with some of the leadership.

“Elder.” I said in passable greeting. “I hear I’ve been assigned a mission. Care to elaborate?”

Cross took a step forward, no doubt displeased with my manner of speech. Lions held out a hoof to stop his advance, dismissing it with a quiet stare.

“I’m sorry to drop this on you so suddenly but I can wait no longer. I’ll be announcing what we spoke about yesterday as soon as your objective is complete.”

So he was going to tell them about his plans for open recruitment. If his fears were correct then things could get ugly here and fast.

“And what might that be?”

“DJ Pon3.” He said, his voice betraying his hesitance. “I can’t risk word of my plan reaching the other Elders. DJ Pon3 doesn’t pick and choose what he reports and if he gets word of this then all of Equestria will know. I won’t chance a civil war and bring destruction to this land if I can help it.”

“But didn’t you say that might happen anyway?”

“Locally yes, a schism here if far better than civil war across what’s left of this nation. We can’t help anypony if we’re too occupied fighting each other. And if it comes to that it would still be best to limit those who would know.”

“So, you…want me to kill DJ Pon3?” I asked incredulously.

“What? No nothing quite so drastic. Regardless of my personal thoughts it can be argued that he has done more good for Equestria than we have. No, I want you to blind him in this region, sabotage the tower that gives him eyes in this part of the wasteland.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I asked, hoping he’d thought this through. Ponies relied on him, more than I’d realized until now, thinking back on all the times he’d inadvertently helped me. Lions paused, looking deep in thought. He raised his head, slowly walked to me and placed a hoof on my shoulder.

“No.” He said plainly. “But I swear to you that regardless of the consequences to come, I will bear them alone. This is our first step to becoming what we were always meant to be and if that requires sacrifice from me then so be it. I trust you to do this for me Sparks. Will you help me?”

I was caught off guard by the seriousness in his voice, the resoluteness behind his expression. For a fraction of a second I thought I could have been looking in a mirror. In a way it humbled me. I had let too much of what the Rangers stood for as a whole interfere with what they were working towards here. Lions recognized their mistakes, their perversion of purpose and was willing to do whatever it took to correct it, even at the cost of himself.

“I’ll do it.” I said, forcing my reservations down. If things played out by design, then the people of Baltimare wouldn’t have to rely on just DJ Pon3. “I hope this works.”

“It will. It has too.” I saw the briefest flicker of desperation cross his face and understood the knife’s edge he was walking on. Even the best-case scenario would see bloodshed and we both had to be ready for the parts we would play in it. “The tower is in the sunken suburbs.” He said with more composure, waving a hoof towards the northern ruins where portions of the city had been swallowed by sinkholes. I’d seen the area before, we skirted it on our way to the Bastion once, though the tower was far from my mind at the time. Thinking on it, I hardly even saw the tower anymore. Its silhouette so omnipresent from almost anywhere in Baltimare that it was practically invisible.

“And Minty?”

“Communications specialist.” He said, his eyes on the distant mountains. “She’ll know how to take it out of commission.”

“Understood. I’ll radio it in once it’s done…and I uh need a new radio.”

“Alright, we’ll get you one. There’s one more thing, Sparks. Cross, if you could give us a moment?”

Cross nodded begrudgingly and retreated to the Keep.

“I’ve seen the effect you have on my ponies.” The elder started, his eyes on the younger ponies in the training yard. “Freesia has spoken highly of you and so has Quillwright, though he’ll never admit it. Young Aurora has planted similar seeds amongst the squires and initiates. Even those who have never met you have showed admiration. That’s high praise for an outsider. Allow me to do you this kindness in case…in case I can’t do so later.”

“Oh?” I said, my interest thoroughly piqued.

“I hereby grant you the rank of Sentinel. A rank I don’t believe anypony has worn for some time. Sentinels operate independently of the command structure, answering only to the Elder. You may come and go as you please, undertake missions, personal or otherwise at your leisure. The Bastion and everything within will always be open to you.”

“Do I have any authority if I’m outside the command structure?”

“You would, but for the sake of cohesion I ask you not command the High Scribe, the Head Paladin, or the Star Paladin. Everypony else will answer to you. I hope you recognize the amount of trust I’m placing in you to not abuse your position.”

“I understand.” I said, a little awed by it all. In my mind I knew something like this was coming but the last thing I expected was to go from contracted mercenary right to the top.

“I believe you. In recognition of your new position I’d also like to give you this.” He reached into his robes and removed a small black jewelry box with red accents. “Here.”

“What is it?” I asked, taking it in my hooves and looking at it from all angles.

“I don’t know. It was recovered by Paladin Sureshot a few years ago. According to the report the ponies who had it fought with desperate zeal to keep it. In the end all sixteen of them had been killed, along with three of the five Rangers who were sent. We’ve tried everything to get it open which leads us to believe it is magically sealed in some way. You recovered Sureshot’s tags and you’ve shown commitment to our cause, at least in my eyes. I’m sure he’d want you to have it as I do.”

“I…thank you Atrox.” I winced slightly at the informality. Lions only chuckled.

“You’re welcome, Sentinel Silvershine.”

Sentinel Silvershine…I had to admit, it had a damn fine ring to it.

“And good luck. May the princesses shine their light on you.”

It wasn’t fun deciding who would go and who would stay. For some the decision came easy. Blossom Burst elected to stay behind and volunteer for something the scribes wanted her for. Ollie, Ebon Glow and Adria were told to stay and receive the same level of training as Aurora. Aurora herself refused to be left out this time and I was honestly curious to see what kind of benefits her limited training might have given her. The Brightcrests were also staying at my request to further assist Knight-Commander Primrose in training against griffins, in reality I’d asked them to watch and protect the children should the results of my mission fracture the Rangers as Lions feared. Indra was apparently absorbed into the newly established Lion’s Pride. Crescent and Orchid would return to Eclipse together, which still left me with a good-sized group plus Minty.

Minty herself warmed up to most of the group (sans 87) pretty quickly which was a nice change of pace from the usual awkward introductions. From the way she spoke I surmised that this was the first time she’d been outside the Bastion since they occupied the place.

“We actually had plans to occupy the cathedral once.” She said, recounting tales of their bygone plans. “It would have been an excellent forward operating base but the Elder insisted we move to capture the naval academy. A moot decision now.” She shot me an annoyed look when she said that.

“I’m not apologizing for something I didn’t do.” I said, letting a bit of my own annoyance come out. “It was the last thing I wanted.” For a split second the wailing of ghosts ripped through my mind. It made me think of the many who’d been left behind and the one still recovering back at Eclipse. Speaking of Eclipse, I hoped they didn’t need me for a few more days. Whilst my ranger radio had been replaced the one Blackhawk had given me was still inoperable. One of the scribes said they could fix it but I had my reservations that I’d get it back even if they succeeded. The lingering dread made my hooves heavy and I felt my fear magnify at the thought of violence erupting at the Bastion.

“87?” I waved him over.

“Yes?”

“I want you to go back and help take care of the children. Do this for me and I’ll consider your debt paid.”

His eyes widened in surprise, clearly that wasn’t what he’d anticipated.

“To protect them you mean, from whatever fallout this mission brings?”

“Yes. The more of my own people there the better.” 87 chuckled. “What?” I asked.

“So I am one of your people then? Thank you for placing your trust in me. I will protect them with my life.”

“Then you better take this.” I offered him Dragon’s Kiss, betting that the magical energy-based weapon would serve better against power armor than bullets.

“Thank you. I’ll bring them back to you…that is a father’s promise.” He said, his tone darkening.

“I know.” I said, placing a hoof on his shoulder. “You better come back too.”

87 nodded, holstered his borrowed weapon and spun on his hooves back towards the Bastion. My circle of friends was growing and I was relying on them more and more. If I saw him again, I’d have to tell him.

As I watched him go the dread I’d been feeling did not lessen, rather I had just put another of my own in potential danger. Leadership was never something I wanted and I now understood some of the hard decisions that had been made during the war. Would I have led a ministry any differently? The secret blame I didn’t know I’d been holding in my heart for those long gone abruptly vanished and I felt forgiveness take its place.

Be Strong!
Be Awesome!

I felt my strength and confidence climb to a new height and I could…sense the presence of other repositories react to my understanding. There was one nearby and three others so distant that I couldn’t even guess where they might be, but I thought I might know what they were.

“I won’t let you down.”

As the light faded and the chill of night crept in, we decided to stop an hour’s walk from the tower to make camp. However the glow of a nearby fire halted our efforts as we investigated. The fire was coming from a barrel inside what I guessed to be a wagon lot’s display floor, most of the glass viewing windows long shattered. Useless black skeletons of sky chariots and other vehicles dotted the outside lot, some pushed together to make an acceptable barricade. Hovering around the fire was a thin brown stallion and a lanky brown teenage filly. Behind them was a pack brahmin saddled with goods and a dog with patchy fur. A trader?

“Careful.” Sunny whispered in my ear. “Merchants don’t travel without protection.”

“Rain Drop did.” I said reflexively, flinching at the mention of his name and the torturous memories it brought.

“Smart merchants then.” She amended with just a small bit of contempt. “We lookin’ to take or coexist?”

“Coexist if we can, take if we’re forced.” Had my final barrier broken? Where was the line that separated myself from the wasteland?

“Do you even hear yourselves?” Pumpkin hissed quietly, coming up on my other side. “You would kill them for defending themselves?”

“I don’t want to kill them Pumpkin.” I said, turning to look her in the eye. “But I would if it came down to it.” From behind Pumpkin I could see Aurora’s disapproving glare which I tried to ignore. “So let’s hope it doesn’t come down to it yeah?” I stood up from our cover and began my slow approach towards the fire. I moved with slow purpose, making sure they could see me but not so overtly that it would arouse suspicion. The stallion noticed my approach and grabbed a pistol between his teeth.

“Aats harr enouh.” His mangled speech around the gun made it hard to understand.

“That’s f-far enough.” The filly translated, sparing me from having to ask.

“Okay sure.” I said, siting and raising my hooves in surrender. “Not looking for trouble. I’m a traveler, looking for a place to shelter us for the night.”

“Us?” The filly asked.

“There are others with me.” I looked over my shoulder and waved for the others to make themselves known. “We don’t need anything from you. We have our own food and drink; we just want a safe place to sleep.” Aurora, Pumpkin and Sunny had joined me and the pistol in the stallion’s mouth dipped noticeably when he spotted Aurora. He returned the weapon to its leg holster and gave us an evaluating look.

“Keep your weapons stowed and we might be able to work something out.” The stallion’s voice was scratchy and grating, not unlike that of a lifetime smoker I knew back in the Stable. “And don’t be getting’ any ideas, we ain’t the only ones here.”

I saw the stallion scowl as the others I hadn’t mentioned emerged and joined me in moving to the fire. The dog growled as we neared but it didn’t stand.

“Easy Bandit.” The filly soothed, trotting over to pet it on the head. “It’s alright.” Though her tone told me she didn’t believe it. “We’re okay.”

“Name’s Grit.” The stallion said. “My daughter Pebble.” He said motioning towards the filly.

“Sparks.” I said pointing toward myself. “Pumpkin, Sunny, Aurora, Grim and Minty.” I continued, pointing to everyone in line.

“Don’t forget Noodles.” Aurora said, pointing to the shabbily dressed ghoul warming his hooves over the fire. Come to think of it I hadn’t seen him since we first got to the Bastion. Where had he been this whole time? Noodles stopped, pointed his hoof up as if he just remembered something, pulled a bottle of apple whiskey out of his coat and presented it to Grit.

“Heh.” Grit laughed. “This one knows how to deal.” He removed the seal with his teeth and took a hearty swig before offering it to Pebble who did likewise. I could feel Aurora’s beseeching eyes on me and nodded. Pebble passed her the bottle and she took a trepidatious sip. She winced as the liquid burned its way to her core but she didn’t gag or spit it out. Rather her whole body gave a little shudder as she passed it to the next in line without looking.

“Hey is now a good time to talk?” Grim said, tapping me on the shoulder. “Alone?”

“Sure.” I said, standing and following him to the far end of the display floor.

“I just want to apologize for-”

“Don’t.” I interrupted. “You don’t need to apologize to me. I get it.”

“I know, but I’m still sorry.”

“Why did you leave?” I tried and failed to keep the anger out of my voice. “Do you have any idea what we faced in that building? How close Aurora and I both were to dying? I trusted you Grim and when I needed you, you weren’t there. Why?”

“I…when I came to Baltimare it was to escape my past, escape the death of my sister, and escape my own mistakes. I took up medicine and tried to lose myself in my work but no matter how many lives I saved I knew it would never make up for the one I lost. I lost my direction. I met Watcher and he told me I’d find a friend in Black Town. When we met I sensed what you stood for, what you wanted to be and I envied that. I tried and tried but was unable to lift myself with my own power, so I latched on to yours, I let your goals become mine. Then you started doing the same thing for the Rangers, their goals became your goals. If I followed a follower then what did that make me? I thought you’d lost your direction and if your strength was borrowed then what did I have? Nothing. At least that was what I thought at the time. After I left you, I met an odd pony in power armor and he helped me see that it was my own weakness I was angry at and that I tried to blame you for it. I failed you and by extension I failed myself. I didn’t know how I was ever going to face you again. So I sought out a peace offering.”

“The Brightcrests?”

“Right. I knew information on Red Eye was of value to the rangers and, for the moment, you. I wanted to show you that I’ll still support you…even if I don’t necessarily agree with you.”

“You’re a good friend Grim, perhaps better than I deserve.” To stand by me when he didn’t agree with what I was doing spoke highly of his character. He was a better friend than I was, showing me my own shortcomings in that area without saying it.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” He said, running a claw over the bruise on his face. “Could be a bit nicer though.”

“Fuck you.” I chuckled. We were returning to the others when two mares arrived, one of them carrying something wrapped in a bit of tarp. The other went for her weapon before stopping herself when she spotted Grit and saw nopony else make a move.

“Ah Trenchant, Forthright.” Grit said in greeting, standing up to meet them.

“Boss.” One of them greeted coolly, her eyes on us. “What’s all this?”

“Travelers looking for a place to rest.” He said, tuning a suspicious eye to me.

“Uh-huh.” She said, equally unconvinced. “Traveling with a ranger scribe doesn’t really sell your story very well.”

“I’m not asking you to buy one.” I said scornfully. “What you believe or think doesn’t change the fact that all we want is a safe place to sleep as I’ve already said.” I returned Grit’s look with an annoyed stare. “Either you’ll let us stay or you won’t. Except you will.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” The mare said, narrowing her eyes.

“Because the alternative involves spilling blood that I think we’d both rather not spill. We have our own supplies so there’s no need to share whatever you’ve got there.” I said, pointing to the tarp only now noticing the blood leaking out. “I’m not asking you to trust me but if I wanted any of you dead I wouldn’t have shown myself like I did, or revealed my friends.” I fished a can of beans out of my bags, opened it partially, and balanced it on the edge of the fire, ignoring the looks of everypony around.

The mare’s eyes seemed to relax as she sat down beside Grit, taking a moment to unwrap the tarp. Inside was a pig, or at least that was the closest reference I had in my mind from Stable picture books. The mutated successor species I imagined.

Grit let out an appreciative whistle. “That’s a decent hog you gals found. How long till it’s ready?”

“Hour, hour and a half.” The mare I assumed to be Trenchant said. “I’ll get started.” She said, standing and moving to a different part of the floor, hog in tow.

“Ya know.” Grit continued. “Don’t see too many travelers in the ruins these days. Where did you say you was coming from?”

“I didn’t.” I said, placing a hoof on Pumpkin’s leg when I saw her open her mouth to answer next.

“Yeah, why is that?” The second mare finally spoke up, her voice clear and precise.

“You see us asking questions?” Grim said. “Why don’t you tell us everything the Brahmin is carrying? Or how about everyone’s cutie mark story?” The sarcasm was hard to miss and Grit relented with a scoff.

“Fine, have it your way.” Grit said, adding more fuel to the fire. “Let’s try a different approach then. I see that collar on your neck.” His eyes were hard on me. “You one of Red Eye’s stock?”

Hearing the casual reference of slaves as ‘stock’ made me scowl, which in turn made Grit smile.

“Right on the money, eh? Or close enough to it at least.” He said, his smile growing larger. “Wonder if there’s a finder’s fee for lost property.”

“Hold up.” Forthright said, stopping me from delivering a retort of my own. “Nopony said anything to me about the Shipyard.”

“I paid you half upfront to protect my merchandise.” Grit said contemptuously “That means wherever I go, you go until the terms are satisfied.”

“If we knew that was your destination then we’d-”

“What’s this? A merc with a conscious? I deal with them, sure, but not as a slaver, you understand me? You don’t have to like it but do your job and we’ll all get paid.”

Forthright looked like she wanted to say more but reluctantly reigned herself in with obvious effort.

“That’s what I thought.” He growled, making Pebble at his side flinch. “It’s best to stay on their good side anyhow.”

“Why’s that?” Pumpkin asked, a subtle note of disgust in her voice.

“Red Eye isn’t picky.” Grit said, his body stance tightening. “In fact, just a few days ago I heard they found a bunch of ghouls hiding in a bombed-out hospital. Enslaved the lot of them I reckon, ghouls being relatively low maintenance slaves and all probably make them very valuable. Ever since his crew took the Shipyard the slavers have been busy, very busy if you follow. I’ve spotted Talon patrols in the south parts of the city, couple alicorns too. So I supply them with weapons, ammo, and whatever else I find that might be useful. Try to keep my value as a trader higher than my potential value as a slave.”

I felt a fire heat my blood at them mention of the Mortuary and the casual enslavement of all the ghouls there.

“That’s not right.” Pumpkin said shaking her head. “You’re enabling monsters.” Beside her I could see Aurora trembling with barely contained fury.

“Not right? What, you just walk out of a Stable or somethin’? We’re all monsters sweetheart, in one way or another. It’s why ponykind survived, we’ve become monsters the same as hellhounds, ghouls, bloodwings and any other creature who lives in this world. It ain’t pretty but its reality and reality has never been pretty. Best get used to it.”

Pumpkin’s eyes fell to her hooves and she didn’t speak for a long time. “It’s no surprise one who associates with monsters became one.” She finally said, a surprising fire in her eyes. “You give them everything except the slaves themselves. You would though, wouldn’t you? Do you really think just because you haven’t yet makes you in any way a better pony? It doesn’t. Threatening my coltfriend proves it. By helping them at all you are perpetuating the disease that has overtaken Equestria. A world where bullets are more likely to be exchanged than hellos and ponies are bought and sold like livestock.” I could hear the quiver in her voice as she struggled not to cry. “You are a vile pony Mr. Grit.” Pumpkin stood and spit into the fire. “And there is no safety to be found here.” She turned her back and began marching back into the dark of night. Grim stood and followed after her, followed by Sunny, Aurora, myself, and Pebble?

“Where do you think you’re going?” Grit growled, taking a mouthful of her tail and yanking it roughly. Pebble made a pained noise and fell on her rump at Grit’s hooves.

“They’re right about you.” She whimpered. “Mom’s gone because of what you did.” Her stare was harsh, accusatory and unyielding despite the tears that rolled down her cheeks.

Grit pulled a hoof back to hit her but before he could I levitated her to Grim who took her in his claws and escaped into the night air. Grit moved to chase after her but didn’t get far as I lashed out with my metal leg and struck him in the face. He fell back hard and knocked the barrel fire over, spilling its glowing coals and my beans onto the cold stone floor, extinguishing its light. He sat up and spit out a gob of blood, inside which was a tooth.

“If you follow us, if you come after her, if I ever see you again…I’ll kill you.” It took a great deal more effort than I would admit to not kill him right then and there.

Trenchant had abandoned dressing her hog and joined Forthright as they hesitated on what to do next.

“You two.” I said to them. “If you’re looking for more honest work, head to Moletown and ask for Blackhawk. The Regulators can always use more good ponies.” Ignoring Grit’s glare, I too turned my back and followed my friends into the night.

The next place we chose to sleep was a little cozier than the last, though the signs of prior raider occupation lingered. The two-story building might have been a hardware store once, with the owner’s home taking up the second floor. It was easy enough between the lot of use to move most of the…décor to a single room and block it off. Next, we flipped the large mattress in the bedroom over to find that the other side wasn’t much cleaner, only smelling of sex and alcohol instead of blood and death. The others dragged other pieces of furniture into the bedroom and passable accommodations were created from what we could scavenge. Pebble, while grateful, was still in a room with strangers and didn’t know where to stand or what to say. Aurora took matters into her own hooves and did her best to acclimate her to the group. As the hour neared midnight and the bedroom was as good as it was gonna get, she was finally warming up to some of us but I could still see her nervous shuddering.

“You really can’t keep away from kids in need, can you?” Pumpkin said, sitting down beside me and leaning into me.

“Yeah, too bad I’ve already got my cutie mark.” I said with a chuckle. “It seems to be what I’m best at lately.” I paused a moment, taking the time to savor her presence, her contact, and her scent. The memory of what I did on the beach sprung to mind and the fluttering of excitement filled my core. Were things different for us now? Had I been too forward? She hadn’t stopped me at the time and what came after had been nothing short of passion.

“About what was said back there…” I started, unsure if I should have even said anything to begin with.

“Don’t.” She said, pushing into me a little harder. “I know what you’re thinking Sparks and don’t. Just don’t. I don’t think you’re a monster.”

“But I-”

“Don’t. I won’t say it again.” She said silencing me with a hoof to my lips, an impish expression gracing her features “Besides, I have a better use for your mouth.” I braced myself for the imminent kiss, but it never came.

“Wha…Oh? Oh!” The way she winked all but confirmed what I was thinking. And here I thought I was being too forward.

“Uh…dad?” Aurora spoke up.

“What?”

Aurora waved a hoof over the room, reminding me that it did in fact have other ponies and a griffin in it. Sunny was hiding her gaze under her hat but I swore I saw some color in her cheeks. Grim stood awkwardly in the corner as far away from us as possible and Minty wore her blush openly with wide, curious eyes on us.

“Boo.” Pumpkin said, putting on an exaggerated pout. “Better luck next time.” She stood, brushed her tail under my chin and moved to join Aurora and Pebble. She’d been teasing me. Of course she’d been. It wasn’t the first time either. I might have been excited enough to forget the others but she’d clearly set me up.

“You’re so mean.” I tried to look angry as I said it but failed to keep the smirk off my face.

“I know.” She smiled back, sticking out her tongue with a wink.

Damn that mare anyway.

“What are you looking at Noodles?” I said gruffly, catching the knowing smile on his face. He held his hooves up in surrender and continued to smile, waggling his eyebrows at me all the while. He stood and moved to me, his notebook in his teeth. He dropped it at my hooves and I could see what he’d written.

That’s one hell of a mare you got there. Don’t lose her.

When I looked back up Noodles had a look as if he were recalling unpleasant memories. He noticed, forced a smile I knew he didn’t feel and clapped me once on the shoulder before returning to the spot he’d chosen for himself.

“I won’t.” I said to his back. “I promise.”

Once the light returned it didn’t take long to get to the sunken suburbs as Lions had called them. The area encompassed at least six city blocks and the tower stood tall over the northwest part of it. My EFS was heavy with blips both hostile and neutral, though I imagined as we got closer, they would become hostile too.

“So what’s the plan?” Minty asked, looking to me for direction.

“I honestly hadn’t given it any thought until now.” I admitted. Beyond the dangerous wildlife there wasn’t much else to hinder us. The sinkholes were many but avoidable. The same couldn’t be said for the creatures. At least that was what Sunny led me to believe the last time we were here.

“And?” Minty pressed.

“And what?”

“Seriously? That’s all you’ve got?!”

“I though you said you knew how to fight.”

“It’s not the same! What, do you think I’m going to crack a boglurk’s shell with my hooves?”

“Point.” I admitted. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure what any of us were going to do against them if they attacked. “Just stay close and we’ll get through this.” I hedged.

“The stingwings and bloodbugs should be easy enough to kill.” Aurora said, stepping forward and giving the suburbs a thorough look. “And the boglurks have weak spots on their limbs and undersides of their head.” Nopony said anything, all eyes were on her.

“What? I’ve been studying remember?” She said, a bemused look on her face. “C’mon, what are we waiting for?” She turned and started walking slowly towards the tower.

“Where were you on that one Scribe?” I said to Minty teasingly.

“Biology’s not my field!” She said defensively.

Stifling a chuckle, I followed after my daughter and the rest followed me in a single file line, keeping a healthy distance from the nearest holes. A few of the mutated insects tried their luck and were dispatched relatively easy as Aurora had said. The boglurks kept their distance but I spotted several of them in the holes, their heads barely above the surface of the water that pooled inside. What had they been once? Turtles? Their general shape and large shells supported that but biology wasn’t my field either. The base of the tower was a stone’s throw away when I heard a scream come from behind me. Pebble had lost her balance and slipped over the rim of the last hole. The two boglurks resting in the water must have seen it as aggression as their passive blips turned hostile.

“Aurora, Sunny, with me!” I said, drawing Starfall and hurling it at the closer boglurk. “Grim, get Pebble. The rest of you cover us!”

Starfall sliced through the air and bounced off the creature’s thick armor, leaving behind a faint scar. I called the blade back to me and jumped into the hole, sliding down the incline on my hooves. Grim dove in just behind me, swooping in quick to grab Pebble and fly her to safety. Once she was clear a magically guided chunk of concrete crashed into the farther boglurk courtesy of Pumpkin, followed quickly by mostly useless gunfire. Little beads of blood began to appear on the boglurks’ legs as the bullets pierced the soft flesh. Closing the distance, I reared up to bring Starfall crashing down on the first one’s exposed neck. Before I could a splash from the water heralded the arrival of a third boglurk as it clamped its sharp beak around my left foreleg. Sunny was the first to my aid, using the speed she’d gathered to drive both her front hooves into its face. It released me and let out a gurgling bellow, one of its eyes burst from the attack. As it reared back Aurora lined up her pistol and squeezed of three quick shots, two of which hit the underside of its jaw. Spurts of red, almost black blood jetted from the wounds as it retreated back to the water. One down. Pumpkin had a swarm of apple sized rocks surrounding her, keeping a constant assault on the second boglurk. Minty had a magical laser pistol in her mouth that burned away decent chunks of the tough armor as she fired. The first boglurk, which was the largest of the three, broke away from the beleaguered second and snapped its bladed beak at Sunny. Sunny reared back on her hind hooves and slammed her front hooves down on the top of the creature’s head as it lunged for her. Behind it came a bright pink glow as Minty’s pistol hit something vital and the whole second boglurk disintegrated into glowing ash. I heard the crunching of hooves behind me to see that Pumpkin had slid down into the hole to join us.

“Together!” She shouted, getting a magical grip on the last boglurk’s neck. Following her lead, I joined my aura with hers and began to lift, gritting my teeth with the strain. The creature began to slowly lift off the ground but its weight was too great as it flailed in response. We lifted it as high as we could get it, pulling the soft flesh of its neck taut, its mass working against it.

“Sunny!” I called, kicking Starfall towards her. She grabbed it between her teeth and swung it hard at the helpless boglurk, separating its head cleanly from its neck in a geyser of hot blood.

Breathing hard I released my hold on it and watched with a satisfied smile as Pumpkin pitched the decapitated head into the water.

“Nice work everyone.” I said. Everyone except Noodles that is. Where was that ghoul anyway? As we started our climb out of the hole a bisected stingwing landed beside us. Curious, I lifted my eyes to the sky and felt my mouth fall open at the cloud of insects swarming Grim, Pebble and the third figure flying a defensive circle around them, his wingblades glinting in the light.

Noodles was a pegasus!?

He dove and twisted in tight circles, his coat billowing behind him as he deftly sliced bug after bug until the swarm had thinned and then was gone. Landing nearby, Noodles flicked the greenish brown bug innards from his blades and hid them beneath his coat once more. Grim and Pebble landed behind him and we were in the clear for now. Grim clapped Noodles on the shoulder in a gesture of appreciation. Noodles smiled oddly and hardly looked at him, his body trembling.

“If I’m being honest.” He spoke, his voice dry and raspy like all ghouls but much harsher, it also sounded strained and choked as if he were speaking around being strangled. “I don’t much like heights.” Every word clearly caused him pain judging by the way he winced, but it was good to know that he could speak.

“You wouldn’t know it by watching.” I said, looking back to the sky and replaying the scene in my mind.

“I’ve heard that before.” He rasped. “Between you and me, I don’t even like being this tall.” He smiled with more mirth this time before he coughed harshly and a bit of dark blood escaped the side of his mouth. He made the cutting gesture over his neck, signaling that the time for words had passed.

“Thank you either way Noodles. I’m glad you tagged along.”

“M-me too.” Pebble added quickly, her expression somewhere between gratitude and disbelief

He nodded his acknowledgement and gestured toward the tower. He was right, we still had a job to do.

Getting in proved easier than I’d expected. The doors opened at our approach, or rather one of them did, and we filed inside. The first floor was trashed and had been lived in many times. Garbage and bones were piled off to one side and old, black bloodstains marred the once white floors and walls. On a dais slightly above the floor was a small, damaged lift that presumably led to the next floor above us. Since DJ Pon3 could still see and broadcast in Baltimare I’d say the radio gear or whatever was here was up there. Minty took almost an hour to repair the lift and soon after we were upstairs touching complicated looking equipment that nopony had touched in centuries. The excitement of discovery was almost enough to get what was inevitably coming next out of my mind. A hollow pit formed in my stomach and the second thoughts I’d thought I chased away began to return.

“Terminating the link to Tenpony Tower in three…” Minty said after a few minutes work, closing off every avenue of escape all at once. That was fast, guess it was too late to back out now.

“Two.” Minty continued and it seemed to me I wasn’t the only one maintaining a rigid, anxious stance.
“One.”

“Whoa whoa whoa, hold up just a sec.” A very familiar voice said from speakers mounted high on the walls. Minty froze, her hoof hovering over the execute command. “Perhaps ol’ DJ Pon3 could ask you fine ponies for a favor?”

Footnote: No level up.

Next Chapter: Chapter Thirty-Nine: Echoes of Embers Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 26 Minutes