I awoke to see Rose laying herself on me, still peacefully resting, even though she would normally be awake around this time. She clearly wanted to be close to me, and there would be plenty of time for that considering I would need to give her the medication to clear her out.. Again. My hooves wrapped around her closely, keeping the warm mare close to my chest to slowly wake her. She slowly opened her eyes and gently yawned, then cutely wiping her eyes.

“Morning sleepyhead. We have a long day ahead of us, so I hope you’re ready my dear.” I gently gave her cheek a stroke with my hoof, already concerned with what the day may hold. Neither of us had a clue how long it would take, but together we let a sigh as we got up and out of bed, then into our main room. She laid out across the sofa, Vogel and the now female Star asleep on their cots.

“Okay Rose.. Here we go..” I reached into my things and pulled out the syringe, reading the text on the side to be certain this was exactly what I needed. Without wasting another moment, I gently stuck the needle into her arm and she took a breath, then I tossed it out the door and sat by her. I knew it was going to be a long day when she had already started to cold sweat. Up I went, going into my own food stash to pull out a few cans of water and ration pouches, keeping some out for Rose while I set some by Star. She needed to eat as well, but I was going to need to gather more supplies.

“Angel, I feel so.. I feel so weird. It’s like.. Everything feels a little slow and just dull. Please come and hold me darling.” Without hesitation, my hooves wrapped around her. I didn’t know if this was normal, and Star was still sleeping.. Until I yelled for her.

“Star! Wake your sleeping flank up and get over here!” I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pony jump out of bed so quickly, then fall over just as fast. Vogel jumped awake as well, only to chuckle at Star as she fell onto her face. Of course, Star didn’t find it as funny as her voice was filled with disdain.

“Yeah, what the hell do you want? Oh, you used the medication? I’m guessing you want some side effects, well. Normally it’s a distorted sense of time, sweating, the occasional ache and strain. When it’s close to done though, everything will be amplified about tenfold, so yeah.”

She laid back onto her cot and scoffed at Vogel for making fun of her, of course any of us would. I could tell Rose was more comfortable with things, as she closed her eyes and hoped to get some rest. My wings then wrapped around her to keep her even closer, the others watching for a few moments before Vogel pulled out the cards. They used their cots as a table, tossing the cards across it and laying them out to stay close should I need anything, and Rose opened her eyes to play with her magic. Here we were again, playing cards to pass the time in the wasteland.

Star didn’t seem to be very good, and Rose was almost too spacey to even see the number on the cards she played. None of us really cared, but we didn’t say anything either; we didn’t want her to feel nervous about whatever I had just send swimming their her veins. I gazed over to our rations and wondered how the three, now four of us could go so much. Then, I remember that Vogel was much larger than any of us. He ate about three times as much, but we couldn’t blame him for that. It did become bothersome though, as the stockpiles we had quickly melted away within a few days.

“So Star, explain to me again exactly how you just magically change genders every day, Rose hasn’t had enough time to really study you yet and I’m still pretty curious.” I readjusted myself to hold Rose closer, trying to keep her as comfortable as possible through a day I could only assume to be painful.

The red mare looked back my way and began to speak, looking back at the card game every few seconds. “Like I said, the pegasi needed unicorns to keep the day cycle moving correctly for them. The bastards won’t share any sun or moonlight, so they needed to do everything on their own. When I got my flanks branded into nothing, one of those unicorns decided to mess with me in a rather bothersome way, then I fell onto a roof and ran into you.”

Rose responded for the both of us, her voice slow and sleepy; she even occasionally slurred through some of her words. “Must be master level magic thingamadooooos..” I nervously gazed over at Star, only for her to give me a slight nod. Every single little thing Rose did worried me, I didn’t want to lose her to something so medial, something that Candy couldn’t fight off. This wasteland wouldn’t take my wife, never.

The day passed by at a painfully slow pace, the card games becoming dull and boring, even the little improvised games of tossing bits at empty water cans became boring. I wanted to be outside, searching around or even taking a risk and making my way out to a surrounding village, or possibly even Stadt again. I had the ammo, but not the food and water. I’d need to go and scavenge.. When I’m done with getting Rose cleaned up, again.

Star finally started to speak up, breaking through the dull silence the day left us. “I wanna go and look around. I don’t even know where I am, or how things look around here. The view I had while falling wasn’t great, and flying out and back the other day gave me a better view, but I haven’t a clue where everything is.”

I looked over at the mare, then Rose. I wasn’t about to just leave her, not now, not even when I was bored out of my mind. Instead, I looked at Vogel. “Well Vogel, looks like you get to go and stretch your wings for once. I can’t seem to just sit still here, I can’t imagine being here for days, weeks even at a time.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen a griffin jump up so high. “Alright, so Star and then you, Vogel, we need you to go and search for supplies. We need a serious haul as well, maybe you should head back to the bunker. Bring back as much as you can, I need to completely redo the ration plans.. I need to plan for more being eaten up.”

Vogel nodded and grinned as he got up and started to throw on his gear, Star getting up to do the same. The Two put on everything that they needed, and probably what they wanted as well, especially when it came to filters and heating blankets. It wasn’t as cold as it had been a couple of weeks ago, or perhaps it was just our coats getting thicker. Having the fire running was always nice, even if it was our expensive furniture or even boards that could be pulled from the walls fueling it.

“Hey before you two go, have you seen my guitar? I can’t find the thing anyway and I’d love some music right now.” Rose slid forward a bit, and the two put on their masks and ran out the door as quickly as they could.

“Rose, what can you tell me about this?” I could tell she was pretending to sleep, but I could feel her slipping forward. It didn’t even take her speaking for me to know what had happened, and I was seriously pissed. “Oh Celestia dammit Rose! You burnt my guitar? You wouldn’t go and burn the nightstands first, you had to just go right to that?!? Agh!”

Up I went, completely red in the face from one of my favorite things finding itself in the fire. I left Rose on the sofa as I nearly bucked open the bedroom door, then slammed it behind me. That guitar was something I had learned how to play when I was just a filly, and sure we may have needed fuel to stay warm, but my guitar? They didn’t even say anything to me either, and I thought they were asleep that whole time.. I was foalish for thinking that a stranger, a drunk griffin, and my wife would pass something like that by me, even if it was just to ask.

I just laid on the dirty bed, dust and grime turning the beautiful crimson sheets into a dull brown, but we didn’t have any way to wash it, or ourselves for that matter. It only seemed like a couple of minutes before there was soft knocking on the door, a weak voice calling through afterward.

“Angel? Darling are you.. Are you okay? I’m so sorry we just needed.. We needed to stay warm. They came in and said it was cold and I didn’t want to wake you so I just.. I just..”

I cut her off rather quickly, not wanting to hear another word. My voice was soft, but full of poison as I spoke.

“Rose, go fuck yourself. I love you, but I honestly don’t think that was okay for you to do. Not at all. I don’t know what the hell you were thinking, but you need to go and lay back down. I think I’ll be going outside too, so grab a pistol or something. I’ll be back when I feel like it.”

The only response I got was a quiet sniffle, and then soft hoofsteps going away from the door. I waited for a few minutes, and then got up from the bed, and walked out of the bedroom. The white mare was laying with her face hidden in her hooves as she was laying with herself curled up, her back and chest jumping as she erratically breathed. I didn’t care. I only started to put my gear on, leaving the older rifle behind as I grabbed the much newer one, throwing it over my cloak as per usual. On went my mask, and out into the wintry wasteland I went.

My head was lower than usual as I stepped through the snow, just picking some random direction and starting to walk. I didn’t even go as far to check my compass, I knew where I was as far as the town went. My path took my by the old hardware store that was completely looted out just from the looks of it, the large glass window that made up most of the exterior had been smashed out by the explosions, but evidence of rocks and other tools to smash away the outer bits was evident. Every single item on the shelves were gone, even if nothing had value anymore.

Next along the way was a small stream of the black water, cutting a path right through the snow and the middle of the road, the stones that had fallen into it from the road turning into nothing almost instantly. I was on the edge of the city, but this was just insane. I’d need to get that shut off or the entire city would turn into a puddle, and I wasn’t about to let that happen. For today, however, I was going to get away from this Luna forsaken hole and everypony in it.. Even if it did house my wife.

I started to make my way down the slope that our city was built on, figuring I was headed south or southwest at this point, going in the direction of Stadt. That place was hell itself, but I didn’t even care. My wife had went and agreed to letting them burn my guitar down, and that was just unacceptable. I thought she had loved me more than that.

My mind was filled with dark thoughts and sorrow, each step through the snow not even making a single sound to me, or even anypony else that may have been listening. I became silent when I was sad, and right now it felt as though part of me had just been pulled out of my very chest and tossed into the void. My head just stayed down, not bothering to pay attention to the dead trees or pits of the black sludge that melted away the snow. Looks like this black water was everywhere, and I wasn’t sure if it came from my little stunt to implode a building, or if it had come from somewhere else. Either way, it didn’t bother me much, even when I took just a moment to look over at it.

I needed a moment to think, and what better way than to take a look at a black pit that had a tree right next to it, something that would’ve made for a peaceful scene if everything weren’t covered in toxic snow or was just dark, of course the green glow didn’t help at all. I just sat and stared at it, watching as a small, clearly ill squirrel crawled out of the top of the tree. It was no longer cute and fuzzy, instead.. It was putrid, the fur was falling out and off, leaving a dark, ugly green skin tone in its place. The dark eyes that would have been full of life were now red, and empty inside. This didn’t bother me at all, until it started to crawl down near the black water.

The creature jumped down into the pool, and it didn’t melt like some of the Rangers had earlier. Instead, I watched as it crawled out of the pool, seeming to be larger and uglier than before. I was curious as to how that could happen, but then I remembered an old story my mother used to tell me before bed, clearly to keep me good now that I think about it.

“Now remember Angel, be the very best you can at everything, and never stop to do the bad things some other ponies might. Don’t let yourself be tainted by anything.” There she sat on the stool next to me, looking down. I just kept my eyes closed as usual, feeling the warm blankets surrounding me.

“What does taint look like, Mama? How do I stay away from it if I don’t know what it looks like?”

She simply snickered and stood up, moving the stool aside and giving a soft kiss on my head before walking out. “Taint is like a dark, ugly water my dear.”

My eyes opened and I was in reality again, the short day dream clearing my mind of everything bothering me before, except for this squirrel that was now trying to bite me. My wings flew up, catching the little monster with a blade as it became impaled, twitching and jerking as I threw it. I felt disgusted, and wondered what that would do to a pony. Up I went, shaking my head to keep myself as I started walking again, sighing as I began to worry about what they would say when I got back. They can’t bitch at you if you’re not there though, right?

My path took me past crumbling stone buildings and fences, something that was quite common on our side of the mountain range. Many of the small stone walls that were used on bridges had crumbled and fallen into the murky water, not quite taken over by the dark floods that were running downhill. Everything down here was going to be overtaken some day, and I wasn’t wanting to stick around forever to see. However, with all things considered, it was better that I was away; I didn’t want to snap on any of them.

The days passed with very little event, the occasional crumbled building and fallen tree only made for dull scenery, even if any little splash of color contrasted heavily on the filthy snow. I was tired from walking and was simply sleeping under one of the fallen trees or in the crumbling cottages I came across, but a part of me just wanted to explore everything that had once been part of a much larger, thriving state we had build up. I was starting to run low on supplies, but considering how many of the ponies once living in Stadt where now glowing piles of rotting flesh, I wasn’t too concerned.

Three days had passed before I even reached the outskirts of the massive city, the crumbling brick buildings greeting me as I stayed low, and piles of rubble making for excellent cover for me to avoid the empty eyes of the ghouls that had already repopulated the streets, turning the dark, dirty ruins into a lightshow with radioactive corpses walking around. I could tell it was getting close to night once more, everything felt colder and darker than normal. I needed to get indoors, and quickly, so right into the crumbling apartment building I went.

None of the rotting corpses had noticed me as I almost dove into the building, if they did they would’ve come running. At least, that’s what I figured. The small tables that held old coffee machines and vases were collapsed down, everything that was once resting on top of them laying across the ugly, brown carpeting. It appeared to be red by manufacture, but this building didn’t exactly hold up to the shockwave, nothing here really did as the angle of which it traveled proved to be destructive, even more so than usual.

I took a look around, seeing two sets of stairways on either side of me, this more than likely acting as a mudroom. A mudroom in a city though? I mean sure it rained here almost daily, but that seemed a little excessive. I took the hallway to my left, the one on the right seeming to have steps broken out of them, and I didn’t feel like taking a fall. Up the steps I went, going back and forth up the levels until I found myself on the top floor, all of the signs had fallen over which certainly didn’t help.

Being the odd mare I was, I went to the very last door in the hallway, passing over crumbling furniture and paintings that had fallen over, not to mention the rubble from the ceiling falling down in places. The door itself was dark wood, something that I had thoroughly enjoyed as far as decor went. It opened with very little sound, and all I saw on the other side was a shotgun pointed at my head. There stood a stallion, garbed up in dark green military fatigues, no mask on his face. I popped off my mask to show him my face now knowing that the air in here was safe, then I showed the uniform under my armor to the dark stallion.

He looked surprised, then lowered his gun and started to speak. A gruff voice greeted me, but he was certainly curious. “Well you’re obviously not one of them, those nasty fuckers. My name is Corporal Stone, Seventeenth Infantry Division. It’s a pleasure to meet you, miss..?”

“My name is Angel. Our unit didn’t even officially exist, so my rank and unit don’t matter. I was under direct command from Princess Luna herself, her word went right down to my squad leader, Jacks. I was just exploring the area and never expected to see a friendly face, let alone one that belonged to a fellow soldier.”

He saluted me and welcomed me into his home, something that wasn’t very special, but it was actually in decent condition. Basic white carpet lined the floors, even though it had turned gray, and his walls were shades of brown and blue, only a few cracks being visible in the paint. There wasn’t much furniture, save a couple of dark chairs and a simple stand that held a lamp, a lamp that was producing light. He still had electricity, and I could tell by certain from the warmth of the heaters in his home.

“You still have power? Back up in the capital we’re completely dark, no clean water, no lights, nopony you can actually trust, even if you are married to her..” My head lowered for a moment as I sighed, pulling back my hood and setting my rifle next to me as I sat back in the chair, and I could tell his eyes went right to my gun.

“That’s a nice rifle you’ve got there, it’s a.. 14, isn’t it? I can tell you have a bandolier as well..” It was almost as if he was salivating from my weapon, it was indeed a nice rifle, but I wasn’t about to go and get a hard-on just by looking at it. “Have you considered maybe trading that? I have my grandad’s old service rifle, he made some nice modifications to it once he got home. It’s basically one of the first versions of that rifle right there, I even have some rounds for it.”

He did indeed have my attention, and even though I wasn’t certain of trading it, I gave him the go ahead. I watched as he trotted to a door just across the room, the door opening up as he went in, then came back a couple of minutes later. In his hoof was an old rifle, the wooden stock making for most of the body, save a couple of places where the steel was black. The stock itself wasn’t original from production by any means, it being a rich, deep blue and purple marble that looked as if it was black in just mild darkness. He took a seat and held up a small, square steel block that held eight rounds, and he showed me how to load it.

“You see, This Machine here served my grandad well, and he really took care of it. He put in a better barrel, upgraded basically everything, put this new stock on it, he even started to stockpile ammo. I just can’t bring myself to using it, there’s just too much sentimental there, you know? I’ve just been using this here pump for a while, it gets the job done.”

Now he really had my attention. Not only was it a gorgeous rifle, but the fact it could compete with my own was certainly alluring. Of course, he wanted my gun, badly, and I was going to try to get more out of him. I wasn’t charismatic by any means, but I knew a thing or two when it came to bartering from my mother.

“How much ammo exactly, and how easy is it to find out there? I know this one here fires a rather common round, so there isn’t any concern there. Of course, that rifle there won’t do me any good if I run out of rounds.” I gave him a slowly disinteresting look, something that made him shift around on the floor.

“I have a lot of ammo, enough to fill your bags completely. The round itself isn’t difficult to find either, but it’s not like 10mm or shotgun shells when it comes to availability. I’ll throw in the bayonet and all of the ammo plus the carry pouch for it.” He knew I was twisting his tail the most I could, and I took it even further.

“Okay, that isn’t bad. How about other supplies, I wouldn’t mind some food and water. I’ll throw in the scope that’s on the rifle as well, if that helps. Then of course the bandolier I have for this as well, you’ll need rounds.” He was trying to keep from jumping around as he was getting overly excited from the bartering, my offer becoming more and more generous as he offered more. I didn’t want to piss him off since he was actually friendly, and I needed someplace warm to sleep tonight. The trek here nearly froze me, even with all of my gear.

“I’ve got MREs, a lot of them. Nopony back on base wanted them so I got all of them and had them shipped here, I have enough to spare a few.” He rolled his eyes back as he started to think about how many he had, then his eyes focused back on me, and the weapon. “I can spare a box of fifteen, they’re full day rations so that’s fifteen days of meals. Each even has their own ration for water, but I want the suppressor on that rifle as well.”

I couldn’t beat that deal, and I stood to shake on it. We transferred items and supplies, and I could tell he was just about to start jumping at the trade. I was quite happy with the trade, even more so when I took a look down the sights of the new weapon to see the glowing markings on them. I stuffed my packs full of the MREs, smiling as I knew I could stay here for around ten days, just to keep some meals back for the trip home. Next was the ammo rig for the weapon, a belt system that housed many dark pouches, each holding two of the steel clips. I was stocked, locked, and ready to kick some flank.

Stone was generous enough to let me stay at his home for the night, though his sofa wasn’t exactly comfortable. It felt like a spring had popped through somewhere, and there were pressure points everywhere. Nonetheless, I was warm, and therefore: happy. It was just like the winters we had before, though with less ways to stay warm, less food, little water, the risk of being shot constantly, the air wasn’t something that you’d exactly want to breathe unfiltered, and my favorite, the fact that the snow was holding down deadly amounts of radiation.

I was out just as soon as I had arrived the day before, a fresh filter and new rifle slung across my back later, I was out into the city once more. The air was feeling even colder than before, or perhaps it was just me at this point, but I wanted to get back inside. The hospital was cleared out, and I knew what was lurking around in those apartment buildings. Onward I went, staying low to avoid being spotted by the rotting-fleshed monsters.

The snow here felt thicker and more frozen under my boots, forcing me to put more effort into staying silent as I stepped through it. I didn’t want to use any of my rounds unless I had to, and the sound alone would alert anything nearby to my position. Even if these buildings were crumbling, they would still make the sound echo and amplified. With all caution in mind, I started to chart out paths I would take, or at least I thought. I’d only been here a few times before everything went to hell, and the piles of rubble didn’t help with direction. So, I just started going forward.

The wind started to pick up after a few moments, blowing the freezing air against me. I felt the goggles of my mask starting to frost up, only giving me more reason to get back indoors. My eyes shifted around for any buildings that didn’t appear to have complete structural failure, that proved to be more difficult that I imagined. Many of the buildings had chunks of the walls fallen down onto the streets, the large rubble piles being covered completely in snow. Here I was, walking around in frozen hell just to stay away from home.

Many of the ghouls didn’t even notice me as I slipped by them all, not only to save ammo, but my time and possible loss of life. My breathing was slow, and my steps silent as I almost slid across the frozen streets, thinking of all of the things that could happen should I fall, or be bitten by one of these freaks. Then, I came across a small shop that looked as though it had no place in this large city, the brick construction seeming to hold well enough, and the sign above the entrance even held.

“Traditional Engraving and Carving.”

This would’ve fit in so much better back home. I looked over both of my shoulders before opening the door, hearing a single bell ring as I did so. My speed quickly increased as I hopped in the store, closing the door quickly behind me to keep from drawing too much attention to myself. Of course there would be a bell there, Luna damn it all. If I thought that was bad, I looked down to see a thin wire held to the flooring with nails, a grenade attached to it all as it hung from the ceiling. Then I saw another gun pointed at me; Stadt still had some occupants that weren’t trying to kill me.. Instantly, anyway.

A soft voice called at me from behind the counter, a purple mane sticking up above the carved wooden counter, what appeared to be a classic 10mm pistol aimed for me.

“S-stop right there! Don’t move a.. A.. uhm.. Muscle!”

I couldn’t help but snicker to her voice, my mask pulling away from my pace, and sliding back into its bag. “Oh come on now, I’m not here to hurt you. Your pistol isn’t even loaded there sweetie, the magazine well is empty and the hammer isn’t even back.”

She squeaked and fumbled around, trying to jam a magazine into the gun with a magical aura. Well now I knew she was a unicorn that couldn’t handle a weapon, how could she have possibly survived this long? “Even if you get it loaded, that wouldn’t do you any good. I’m wearing some pretty solid armor, you’d need to land a good shot.”

I stepped over the wire and checked for any other little traps, peaking my head around the corner at the cowering mare. Her white jacket covered most of her torso up, hiding the blue coat underneath. She looked over at me with wide, green eyes, sighing as she dropped the pistol and put her hooves up.

“Okay okay you’ve got me, take whatever you want..” I was surprised to say the least, I had no intention of robbing anypony, if anything, this just happened out of coincidence.

“I’m not here to rob you, either. I came in here to get away from the cold and the ghoulish ponies out there, I just happened to run into you. My name is Angel, I’m one of the few remaining soldiers.” I reached out to her, willing to help her off of the floor. She reached out, and stood up with me, then turning to flick on her lantern. The walls were beautifully carved out of log sections, even the flooring was smoothed planks. Chairs made of branches and finely shaped planks lined the store, the way the lantern had just barely lit them up was magical, almost making me forget I was in the middle of a dead city.

“I’m s-sorry for that, it’s just the uh.. You know.. The bad ones. They keep coming and taking my food and my water, and they won’t stop slapping my flank!” She looked like she was going to have a breakdown, her eyes welling as she sat and covered her face up. Seriously, how did this mare survive a single day out here?

“Hey hey woah, calm down sweetie.” I wrapped my hooves around her, not sure how else to handle the situation. My mother used to do the same, just the little distraction could be enough sometimes. She just started bawling, and now I was highly uncomfortable. I didn’t even know her name, and here she was, crying in my arms. Well fuck. “Shh.. I’m here I’m here, don’t worry about a thing alright?” There was nothing else I could think of doing, until I softly started to sing for her. Damn I wish I had my guitar.

Her ears lifted up slowly, her chest movements slowing back to a normal pace after a few moments. I exhaled, and shut my eyes for a moment. Then I could hear gunfire from down the street, as well as laughing afterward. “What’s your name? I need to know.”

She was squirming around, trying to hide. I just held her still. Her voice squeaked out, giving me a name. “It’s Tera! My name is Tera!” I gave her my spare mask, and showed her how to put it on. I explained things along the way, rather quickly and frantically as I suspected this was the group she was talking about. Tera was clearly overwhelmed, hyperventilating through the mask until she fell over behind the counter, passed out from her anxious nature. She had help from somepony, that or.. How was she even alive?!?
A soft knock started to come through the door, a muffled, grim voice creeping through as I held my rifle up, then stuck a clip in it. “Hey Tera, we’re here for those meals you promised. How about something to keep us warm, your body will do.” I was disgusted, and ready to fill these fuckers up with lead. The door opened, and the blood-soaked ponies on the other side looked to be better equipped than most.

A few of them had battle saddles, flame throwers, miniguns, and then a heavy grenade launcher made up for their weapons. Armor built up from scrap covered their bodies, save the bloodied clothing they wore underneath. Each of them had a gas mask, a rarity in this world. Well armed, equipped, and they were tormenting this mare? I had some ponies to slay. I watched as they scrambled to raise their weapons up, none of them seeming to be ready for me. The rifle felt refined in my hooves, my wings not feeling strained from holding it up either. The power, however, that was something special.

They fell over with massive, gaping wounds in their bodies, even through the steel armor. Blood poured out onto the snow, and onto her fine flooring. I felt bad for ruining the floors, but I had just saved her. Except for the steel clip that popped out of my rifle when I was empty, making a “Twang!” as it ejected, and then an “Ow!” as it hit her head. I looked down and simply said, “Sorry!” She squirmed around for a moment, finally letting me take a look at her cutie mark. It was a carving tool next to a wooden branch. Can’t say I was surprised at that.

She stood up to her hooves, rubbing her head where the hot clip fell on her. I couldn’t help but apologize a few more times, looking at the small mark left just above the edge of the mask.

“I’m sorry about your flooring too, Tera. It’s all soaked in blood now, and I think it’s going to gum up. Just hope that grenade doesn’t drop either, we’re lucky that it didn’t drop and explode.” I could see her head looking over the counter, and at the mess I made. She gasped, and shook a little.

“Yo-you’re a monster! A killer! A-a-..”

I just put my hoof over her mouth, and cocked my head. She quieted down, and I went to shut the door, and take the grenade from the device. Off went my mask, letting me show my emotion through expression. “Tera, they would’ve killed you. These ones, the raiders as I call them, they’re the bad ones. I just saved you, and I want to get you out of here. Grab anything you can, bags, clothing, and bring your weapon. I know somewhere safe I can take you. Tera, I know this will be hard to just get up and leave, but in this case.. We’ll need to.”

She took off the mask and whimpered, lowering her head down. I couldn’t help but wrap my hooves around her, feeling bad for the poor mare. She appeared to be young, almost too much so. My heart went out to her as she slowly made her way into the back, and started to gather up some things. I took the time to quickly hop outside, stepping through the pools of blood to grab any ammo and supplies I could make use of, especially the filters. My bag was now overflowing in the filter area, leaving just enough room for my single mask now. This felt good, knowing that we’d be safe to make the trip over to Stone’s, and from there, back home.

I took a look at the amazing furniture once more, looking around at the fine craftsmareship. I wondered if she could help around the house, and Stone would get along great with Vogel. I wanted to rebuild our numbers, and if I could find enough survivors here, we could potentially gather enough supplies to last us all a month. I was just focused on survival at this point, and we needed outside help. Tera came out after a few moments, completely wrapped up in blankets and bags, the mask on her face again. I gave her a couple of the filters, being sure to wipe the blood off first. She was certainly a bit squeamish.

My hooves wrapped around her once more, before slipping another clip into my rifle, and leading the way. There was no way to avoid the ghouls with Tera around, leaving me to practice my aim once more. Shot after shot, I dropped them one by one with rounds to the heart, knocking their front legs out of commission and killing them in a single round. The sounds echoed off of the walls and rubble piles, leaving me to want to move as quickly as possible. Tera struggled staying up to my pace, her head dropping each time I fired a round. I’m glad I was there to help her, even though I was certain she had found a way to stockpile supplies before. Or so, I thought.

Stone was happy to see me again, though he was somewhat cautious when Tera stepped in. He welcomed us both in, smiling as we took off our masks, and set our gear down. The rifle I had traded him was sitting on his table, completely stripped down with cleaning supplies all around it, as well as a.. Is that a candle? Ooo-kay then, maybe he actually did get a hard on from the gun. Strange, but I couldn’t care, especially since everything had gone to shit and nopony else seemed to have cared. I watched his expressions change rather quickly but smoothly as I told him about my ideas, but he did give me a nod, and agreed to it. Chain of command, a Captain beats out a Corporal any day, but I think he agreed mainly out of being alone for all of this time. Loneliness can kill a pony, should it be left to its own devices.

It was only getting to be around 5 o’clock P.M. by the time we had settled in, Stone cleaning up the rifle in every single place imaginable, Tera was sifting through everything she had grabbed, and I was starting to think about home. I had been gone about four days now, and everyone must’ve been worried to death. Well, fuck them. They were willing to stab my flank, so I was going to stab theirs. Nothing like getting up and away, but things were only a little different in this new world. At least I was doing something productive, something that could potentially get more ponies into Germaney, we could actually make that place like a home again.

“Hey Stone, is there any other intact rooms around here? I wouldn’t mind being able to just sit back and relax, oh, do the pipes work here?”

He lifted his head after a few moments, setting down the handguard of the rifle. “Yeah actually, I’ve been seeing more of that black goo, but this place has its own tank down below. Everything should work in the other rooms, I’ve marked off rooms that aren’t safe with a black marker, so if you want to, it’s just like this one. You might come across some personal items from the ponies before, but I cleared out the bodies and bones. Many of them went outside, others just couldn’t take it. Watch for gray matter stains.”

I grabbed my items, then signaled to Tera. She started to gather her things up, seeming slightly confused, but then remembered we were going to take one of the other apartments around here. After all, I didn’t want to bother Stone with his ‘alone time’. He was generous to let me stay, as well as trade me his grandfather’s rifle and some food, so I didn’t want to overstay my welcome. I took Tera with me once she was ready, and we started to go down the hall until finding a room without a black X crossed on the door.

We opened the door, taking a look inside as we stepped in. Everything was so silent, dead, the white walls turning gray from grime, the windows all boarded and blocked, even if they still had glass in them, but the furniture seemed solid, and the heater was on. I dropped my stuff on the floor, looking around as she did the same. Picture frames were laying face-down on the mantle, other personal items all turned over or covered out of respect. I had the feeling that this was also a veteran’s home, considering a large flag was plastered across the wall. Perhaps this was all veteran housing, of course, many of the ponies around here did indeed serve.

Tera seemed at home after about an hour, laying out on the sofa with her legs crossed, her fluffy white coat covering her up nicely. I shut and locked the door before standing up, and letting her know I was headed to the bath. She just nodded, and grabbed a book from a dusty shelf. The bathroom was simple tile, everything appearing gray and dusty as usual. The lights came on when I flicked the switch, and the dark gray lightened up for me. I reached forward and turned the valve on the tub, just to see if the water would work, and if it was clean. Out came pure water, and I just jumped right in. I exhaled, but changed the water after a couple of seconds. It had turned black the second I sat in it, and by Luna did it smell horrible.

I can’t say I remembered the last time I didn’t smell like decaying earth, and my mane actually didn’t look brown and filthy. I happily trotted out of the room, already looking healthier just from cleaning up, Tera seemed surprised. She didn’t realize that I wasn’t just some filthy survivor, but she was excited nonetheless.

“Hey! So, when you were taking your bath I found some little wood blocks and I brought my carving knife, so I did a little work, oh oh and there’s some kind of folders in the bedroom that are like military or something, I think you’d like them!”

She was like a filly on caffeine, jumping around where she sat just from finding something she enjoyed, and something that could keep me busy as well. I’d love to keep her around, especially if she liked to work on wooden objects. We certainly needed a little repairing back home, the boards that sealed off the windows were started to wear from constant swelling and shrinking. It was like they could just break open at any time and fill the home with the air. I gave her a smile, then a nod, and I went into the bedroom.

Simple wooden stands were on either side of a rather comfortable looking bed, everything being perfectly made up and kept neat. Just to her word, there were folders laying on a desk, the only thing that didn’t seem too neat. I flicked on the lights, and made my way over to the desk where I started to open the folders, and read through them one by one, simply letting out a puff of air when I saw the stupid red stamps across them. “Classified” sure, I knew all about that stuff. Like this would be anything new.

I sat on the bed while reading through the documents, simply tossing aside the ones that already had information that I was well aware of, until I came to a final folder, and documents inside.

Operation: G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N.

By order of the Chief Commanding Officer, we are to continue forth with the current operation. One Miss Fluttershy has completed development on the Balefire project, and they are now ready for use. One has been delivered to the zebras at their forward operating camp at the base of Shattered Hoof Ridge, it is prepped for use in a missile guidance system of which we have supplied two days ago. The canisters of neurotoxic gas have also been embedded inside, the chemicals of course will cause hallucination, altered thought process, and potential suffocation should one attempt to breathe it for too long.

The radioactive materials in combination with the gas should make for a formidable weapon, and if the initial blast or enhanced shockwave power should not kill, the toxic materials inside will. We have found one flaw however; should somepony be using a gas mask or other filtering device, whether it be professional or crude much like a layered scarf, the chemicals will take longer to take effect, or may not even act properly.

Sincerely, B.

I felt horrible. Every last bit of me was screaming out in protest as I had read through the document. Everypony was dead because some ‘peaceful’ one decided to kill us all? I wish I could’ve killed that bitch myself now, if she didn’t make it into a stable and the world she had practically created didn’t kill her first.

Tera peeked her head in, then slowly followed in behind. She could tell something was wrong, but she simply floated up a small object instead. “I finished up that carving, and I figured that you’d want it.”

It was difficult to see through my welling eyes, but she brought it closer. She sat on the bed next to me, showing the little wooden figure that appeared to be me while in my gear. It was slowly rotated and turned in the air, showing the extremely smooth workmareship and fine detail she put in it, each and every button could be pointed out from the rest. I couldn’t help but softly smile at the figure she had made, then she put it with my things, and came back in.

“Looks like whatever in those uhm.. Documents? Yeah, what was in those? I don’t assume it was very.. Very good..”

Instead of saying anything, I just gave her the papers and waited. I watched as she went from content, to concerned, to completely upset. She was tearing up as well, the betrayal that had fallen upon us all was enough to break every single living heart out there, save the raiders that I now knew were that way because they were exposed to the air. But those ones back at Tera’s shop.. Those were just bad ponies.

I wrapped my hooves around Tera, pulling her closely and rubbing her back as she now had her turn of sorrow, my emotions being cut out to stay stronger for her, as she needed all of the help she could get. Her snout rubbed against my chest, causing me a bit of discomfort until she had just gotten herself as close to me as she could. My eyes closed as I laid with her, letting Tera let everything out. I wish that Rose was as raw as this little mare.

The morning came far too quickly, even if the night before was a bit rough. My eyes opened up to see Tera’s mane, then her back. I wanted to scramble away, but at the same time, I loved every second of it. She reminded me of Rose before she turned into.. Excuse my language, she turned into a total bitch. Tera was warm, soft, she was adorable.. Then she turned and yawned, stretching out her hooves while gazing at me, then blushing. Well, everything did go to hell, so what did vows mean now?

“Oh uhm.. Sorry for getting in bed with you I just was uh.. A little cold out there..” Tera squirmed then rolled off of the bed, groaning as she landed with a thud. I crawled over to the side of the bed, and reached down to pull her back up onto the mattress, softly smiling at her as her entire face was deep red. She squeed, then laid out comfortably.

“You know, I don’t think I really want to do much today. We have a chance to just relax and clean up, though I’m going to take those documents. My team needs to see the truth, and how we were betrayed by those who lived for peace. Having a day of just relaxing is pretty much something I need as well, my hooves are killing me. Oh, and I think there’s still food in the kitchen, so check there first.” I simply smiled at her again, giving her my input. She started to snuggle up against me, seeming to be more lonely than anything.

“Thank you for getting me away from those raiders, Angel.. And uh.. Yeah..” She awkwardly smiled, not being as curled up and tense as usual. I knew that she would be shocked to find out I had a wife, but things weren’t great with Rose. I’m not sure if she was still pushing Med-X, or if we were just falling apart. Either way, I wasn’t about to tell her I had just shared a bed with another mare.

I spent almost the entire day sitting on the sofa, watching through a couple of films that I had found underneath the television set. I didn’t realize how much I had missed something so simple, something that we all just took for granted, but for now.. It was movie time. Tera occasionally looked up to see what I was watching, most of her focus on another carving she had worked on. Many of the films were old war movies, something that I didn’t think a veteran would own. I personally didn’t mind them, though many others would have nightmares from only a few moments of watching.

Between films, I would find myself soaking in the bathtub, another thing that we had all taken for granted. This wasteland seriously sucked, no reliable way to bathe, no power, no real way to breathe outside. Maybe if I had gathered enough material I could find a way to get those invaluable resources back home, or perhaps just move myself here.

After I had bathed myself multiple times and went through a few films, I started to get the working mindset back in. I had to work on my armor, or perhaps scavenge around for something that could potentially be better, Tera would need some gear as well. There was just no way I could get her walking around this place without at least something that could slow, or better yet, stop a bullet or two. Either way, it would need to wait until morning.

“Hey Tera, what do you think about me grabbing some gear for you? Isn’t there an old military shop around here that specializes in equipment, some kind of surplus kind of deal?” She looked over at me and thought about it for a moment, and then nodded. She sat her carving down and started to go through her things until grabbing out a pocket map, the text barely large enough to read.. And my eyes weren’t slouches.

“Yeah, it’s on.. That street.. Named uh.. Something. Only about two kilometers from here, just down the street and to the left. Gear huh, you mean like what, uniform like you have or something? Oh, you mean like actual armor and stuff… right?”

I was glad that she was coming out of her shell, it was almost strange to think just a day ago she was cowering behind a counter. She had moved closer to show me the map, and when she lowered it, her head was now resting on my shoulder. I know it was wrong to be doing this behind Rose’s tail, but at the same time, Rose just wasn’t herself anymore. Tera was now the one that I had started to really enjoy spending time with, and that was something that was rare for ponies I hardly knew. I guess the wasteland changes us all.

Morning came almost too quickly, though it wasn’t bright sun shining through crimson curtains, instead it was merely a change in how bright the clouds were. At least there was enough light, even with all of the snow covering the ground. We had fallen asleep on the sofa, Tera still resting with her head on my shoulder, my hoof wrapped up around her. I couldn’t help but smile as I slowly rubbed her back, watching as her eyes slowly opened, then shut as she yawned.

“Morning, sleepyhead. I’m going to throw something together for breakfast before I get up and head out, alright? I’ll need to measure you as well.” All I got in response was a nod, then a nuzzle against my shoulder. I couldn’t help but smile, then slowly got up to my hooves as I walked into the stranger’s kitchen. It was neat, but not as clean as I imagined it would have been. The style was plain, but I couldn’t imagine a basic soldier wanting too much more. The refrigerator was full of beer, and the food storage closet was filled with MRE packs. Well, I can’t say I was upset.

“Hey Tera, looks like you’re going to get to try some of my MRE modifications. I can take even the most flavorless and make it delicious, I promise. That and this builds up our food supplies again.” I was almost jumping to see the most simple, and sometimes even bad meals. There was just something about them that brought memories of a different time, and when I would add some things or mix something here and there to make everyone’s meal better. She had a rather curious expression across her face.

I dug through box after box filled up with tan pouches, grabbing out some of the best that I had tasted before. The rest I simply set near our things, smiling as I saw the high stack of supplies. Next, I tore open the two pouches I had selected, and dumped out their contents. Each had a tin of candied apple chunks, a round tin of chocolate, two different types of vegetable cakes, and crackers. I moved aside the meal components, and stood up the cans of water that it also held, as well as the drink flavoring packets and other basics they had. These were better than the basics, being meant more for scout and forward teams to have all of the essentials that they would need.

I grabbed the small heaters inside to warm the meal, then I put the vegetables cakes in, taking the time to open the apple chunks and mix the two portions together. Next went in the crackers, making for a cover across the top of the apples as I laid them out, making for like a crust. Tera curiously watched as I then opened each can of water, and dumped in the drink mix for extra flavoring. When the vegetable cakes were done, I pulled them out and set them on top of the crackers before spreading them out, layering everything up. I took the added basics, the salt and pepper packets, then the toilet paper and gum then just tossed them onto the piles of our things.

There were only a couple of plates in the cabinets I had looked through, showing that this soldier was living here alone. At least I wouldn’t worry about washing the dishes. I laid out half on one plate, and half on the other before using my wings to carry them, the cans of water intertwined in my feathers as well. Tera looked at the odd pile of food I had given her, and even went as far as to smell the drink. I shot her a silly look, then stuck the plastic utensil pack on the side of her plate.

“Eat up, Tera. I promise this one is a good.” She smiled and rolled her eyes, then took a fork with her telekinesis, and took a bite. She seemed impressed with the mixture, giving nods and sounds of approval. “I told you I could make these good.”

I followed the path that we had discussed that morning, watching for the fallen street signs that would lead my way. Many of them were completely buried in piles of rubble, others were coated in snow. Either way, the amount of ghouls here was alarming. I had to be careful now, even more so than usual as I recalled a small detail with this heart that meant something now. “Avoid radiation in medium and high doses.” Great, I guess I get to avoid whatever caused this. I just needed to know what it was.

My body was low to the ground as always as I quickly made my way past the hordes of glowing freaks, using every shadow and piece of fallen concrete to my advantage. They didn’t seem to notice me, though I was afraid at times as they would look my direction. I guess their sight had suffered from rotting away, or perhaps it was their brain entirely. Either way, I wasn’t about to dance with them. Before I got too deep into the city, I looked back at the brick buildings, then forward at the much taller skyscrapers that were built up here.

I knew I was getting closer, looking to my left with each street I had passed, some being completely blocked off by rubble, others blocked by the ghouls. Thankfully, I could see my destination, unobscured by these obstacles. Down the street I went, observing the varying shops that lined this street, each seeming to have been burnt from the inside out, or were vandalized for no good reason. I started thinking to myself as I got closer, seeing the sign up above the seemingly intact shop. “The neurotoxin will make you think irrationally.” That explained it.

My rifle was up and ready to go as I opened the door, scanning the large room and the lines of shelves and clothing racks that covered the filthy tile flooring. Not a single light was on, something that I knew to look for now. I kept my rifle up as I searched the entire building, top to bottom, through every single aisle of shelving to be certain I could relax. Once I knew that I was alone, I pushed a large box of dummy grenades in front of the door, and turned on the lights. Strips of light hanging came from the ceiling, and lit up the room. Propaganda posters were all over the painted walls, making me sick to a degree. Our entire land was filled with soldiers; and I personally didn’t care for all these heroic posters. Sure we had the best soldiers that anypony had to offer, but it had become a plague.

I slung the gun over my back once more, my eyes now scanning the items inside, sometimes even going big as I saw something that I couldn’t live without. Where some mares prefered diamonds and chocolates, I preferred weaponry and other equipment. The uniforms alone were enough to make me drool, the different camouflage and patterns, the jackets and pants that were everywhere. Today was a shopping trip, and I was going to take advantage of it. My focus was still on finding Tera something to cover herself with, but right now was me time.

My gear was neatly set on the glass counter that held knives and replica grenades, hooves digging through the hanging clothing. Then, I had seen my favorite camouflage style and pattern. Urban camo in the common blotchy style, something that would actually prove to be quite useful in my current environment. I started to try on the pants, and then the jacket, followed by a rain poncho that I threw over it. A perfect and comfortable fit, and in the complete set I was used to, plus no holes and tears!

I grabbed new bags and pouches to hold my ammo, all being a clean, dark gray and black. All of my items were transferred from my previous bags to my new ones, the weight even feeling better distributed across my smaller frame. Next up were the gas masks, and plenty of new filters for them. I grabbed three masks, one for myself, another for Tera, and a third for Stone. I went as far as to grab another bag for gas mask supplies, just to stuff the two new ones in with their filters, the other new one fitting snugly on my face. Then, I saw the helmets. I knew that I could fit the hood of this rain poncho over one, and it would offer more protection. As I turned into the aisle that held all of the helmets, I came across the flak jackets. First, I grabbed one of the rounded helmets that had a visor, as well as steel that went down to cover the back of my head. Simple, gray, and it felt like it could take a bullet.

The combat armor I had would be perfect for Tera, and these jackets would fit snugly over me. I looked over each of them, focusing on the smaller black ones until I had came across one that not only looked clean and fit well, but didn’t feel as though it weighed as much as a house. Now I was comfortable, geared up and feeling more fresh than I had for a while now, my goals now shifting to finding Tera something to wear, and my previous armor would suit her well. I sat and thought about what kind of colors she would wear, thinking of the way she looked, and how her measurements were slightly closer to average than mine. I just grabbed some black fatigues, then called it good. As much as I would have liked to stay here for the entire day, I already blew two hours just dancing around like a filly for myself. Time to get back to Tera, but not until I got a gift for Stone.

I opened the door to see Tera carving through more wood, her eyes going wide for a moment until she came jumping over, and almost knocking me over as she jumping up against me. “Angel Angel Angel! Yay you’re back oh my gosh I’m so glad to see you back here!”

Who gave this mare coffee?

I lifted her up, then sat her back down on the sofa before starting to hand over the things I had gotten for her, curious to see how it would fit her. She danced around while putting on the clothing, everything seeming to fit rather well, except for the flank which seemed a little tight. I certainly didn’t mind. She started to gaze over the things I had brought back, observing the colors I wore. They were black, dark gray, and more mild gray with some splotches of white. While she was examining my new set up, I gave her the armor I had worn before I grabbed this new flak jacket, as well as the bags I previously wore. She finally looked like somepony that could survive out here, even if she could barely hold up a pistol in reality.

My next destination was Stone, my hoof knocking on his door before he opened it up. He seemed rather impressed with the new gear I had grabbed, knocking on the thick weaved jacket I wore.

“Wow Angel, you look like you’re ready to take on the world. What’s up?” I could see the rifle taken apart on his table once again, a tan pouch sitting next to it. He was eating lunch next to the steel bits, something that made me both happy, and sad for him.

“Well, I’ve gotten Tera geared up as well as myself, and we’re ready to start moving. I want to do a final scan of this area to see if we can find any survivors that aren’t trying to kill us, then we can make it back to The Capital. I’ve brought you a gas mask as well as a gift, I’d like for you to come with us.” I gave him the mask with a few filters, and then a box of things I had grabbed for him. He started to reach into the box, and grabbed out a new black uniform, a set of his own black armor, and then a rain poncho to throw over the top of it all. He started to put everything on, seeming comfortable in the new outfit. Now he looked like us.

He gave a nod, and then told me he would be over in a few moments. The door shut, and I went back over to the room we had taken up, going inside to tell Tera. We had both gathered up everything we could, the trip to the surplus shop leaving my back rather sore, but we had to get this done. I counted up our food rations, as well as water and medical supplies. Tera was prepared now as well, and Stone, true to his word, came knocking. The door opened up, and we were all covered in saddlebags and weapons, save Tera who only had her pistol stuck to her side.

We were standing in perfect formation, weapons at the ready as we started to make our way down main street, dropping the ghouls we came across as opposed to hiding from them. Tera shyly fired a round or two to every twenty that I had fired, and every fifty that Stone fired. I don’t think we even fired more than ten rounds each anyway. Stone scanned the left, Tera the right, and I kept my eyes straight forward. My mind had gone to how my E.F.S. jammer was stuck in my old cloak, something I would need to address when I got home. Funny how you think of things just by saying something as simple as “Eyes forward.”

The dark buildings didn’t seem to change much at all, save a few which had fires blazing inside of them now. The air was full of snow and smoke, and the occasional scent of blood would cut through my filter. It must’ve been a lot just to make such a strong smell. Tera and Stone both smelt it as well, seeming far more bothered by it than I had been. We were curious, but not curious enough to go and hunt it down. Stone softly spoke through the mask, his breath steaming more than usual through the bottom of the mask. “There’s a few shelters around her, we should check them out.”

We followed Stone as he navigated us through the crumbling streets and snow, signaling to me whenever we had ghouls we needed to take care of. I was doubtful we would find anypony at this rate, there were so many ghouls that we needed to take care of, this was more of a city of dead. I watched as flames burst from hotel windows as we had passed one of the larger establishments, watching as it melted the snow sitting on the window seals. Tera was extremely frightened by it all, staying closely beside me as I followed behind Stone. Here we were, walking through a mass graveyard. I could almost hear their voices.

Stone stopped as we reached a larger building, being three stories up and decently wide. The beige paint had turned dull white from the chemicals in the air, and the lack of maintenance. Glass doors were completely shattered out, not to mention the windows that had all been shot or knocked out. Near the door was a little black and yellow sign, simply reading as “Fallout Shelter.” This was the place he was talking about, and in the doors we went.

A modern looking steel desk sat there to greet us, destroyed terminals sitting across it. There was only two doors, one to the left being the restroom, and the one to the right as the shelter. Stone nodded to me, and I had taken point with my rifle stuck out before more. Tera was in the middle to be sure she wouldn’t get lost, and Stone watched our rear. I went down the stairs, the tight hallways holding caged lights. This was just like the hospital all over again, but without a gunslinger following behind me.

I quickly turned the corner at the bottom of the hallway, scanning the room that was holding a single, heavy steel door. This was the place, seeming to be a cheap knock-off of one of the Stables that were constantly advertised. This would certainly be easier to get into, as long as the phrases that Stable-Tech spit out in their ads were correct. Tera seemed fascinated, and Stone started to twist the large bulkhead style door open. Then I saw the blood coming from beneath the door.

My rifle was high and at the ready, Stone finally getting a glimpse at the crimson puddle that was seeping from beneath the door that was meant to be airtight. This must’ve been where the smell was coming from, as when the door opened, I could smell death. A pile of pony corpses was right up against an alcove that lead into the structure, each being soaked in the bloody mess. Tera fell backwards, completely fainted out as she saw the scene. I just gave Stone a nod to stay back with the mare, and I went forward, feeling the sticky blood pull at the bottom of my boots.

The caged lights that lined the dark hallway full of lockers and blood were flickering, only making this entire mess more erie. I knew what I was dealing with, and how to deal with them, but this was much more gruesome than what I had seen before. The hallway lead out into a larger, main room with some cheap furniture and television sets sitting on ugly rugs, everything being darker and dirtier than what they would’ve been before, but the blood stains only made it look worse. I then heard voices echoing from the surrounding rooms, their voices gruff and disgusting in language use, both mare and stallions speaking out.

I took a slow breath, and focused heavily to listen to everything I could, staying completely still while my ears moved from the top of the helmet. Each hoofstep gave me more intelligence, leading me to an exact number of raiders inside. Six of them were inside, each seeming to be quite content with what they had done. The smell of blood was even more intense in here, each room was completely rank, and every single step I heard was almost squishy. They were all stepping in blood.

My eyes started to move now, counting out four doors, and four rooms. Each would have at least one, and I would have to move quickly, and rapidly. The doors appeared to be made of wood, and not very thick wood either. Out came a grenade, and I yanked the pin from it before tossing it into the middle of the room, letting the sofa shield me. My hooves reached under my hood, and shielded my ears with my wings holding up my rifle. The explosion shook the room, and blasted down each of the doors, just as I had hoped. My rifle was back into position, ready to take out the raiders as I could now see them.

They all shared a similar look of “Oh shit” on their faces, just until I put a bullet into their chests. One, two, three, four. Two left. I could hear the return fire now, bullet shredding what was left of the sofa, and the other furniture that filled up the room before me. I hit the ground, staying low as they emptied their weapons, leaving them completely open to attack. I sprung up from the back of the torn sofa, then charged them both, wings extended outward. A mare and stallion stood there, submachine guns in their mouths. The mare dove, and the stallion lost his head in a single, swift strike.

The earth mare scrambled to shove another magazine into her weapon, but with little success. I pinned her up against the bloody wall, and let my wings press up against her throat. I couldn’t help but question why they had done this, poison filling my voice as I spoke to the mare.
“Why did you do this? You killed all of those innocent ponies, and for what? A little sport? Couldn’t share the space with them?” Her eyes went wide as she stared right at my bloody mask, her words full of fear as she answered.

“W-what do you mean? Those bodies out front those.. Those were from ponies that tried to attack us!” I took a look around at the new corpses, noticing the lack of filth and blood on them, something that raiders always seemed to be caked in. I couldn’t help but question why their voices were so rough, and her answer came rather quickly. “We were all coughing so much, I was lucky enough to not get the bloody cough when the bomb went off.. We were down here when they went off, but some of the air got in and and..” I slid my razor-edged wings across her throat, watching her squirm for a moment before falling to the floor, blood spewing from her neck. I left the scene rather quickly to see Tera sitting up, and Stone asking about what happened.

“So, how’d it go? Sounds like a real firefight in there, was that a grenade I had heard? You must’ve kicked those raider’s flanks so hard! Haha, so tell me, what happened?”

I just shook my head, and helped Tera to her hooves. He kept pressing, and then I finally gave him the answer he was looking for. “Yeah, there were a bunch of raiders. I killed eight of them, but I had to toss a grenade in so I could break down their wooden doors.” I was lying through my teeth, but I wasn’t going to admit to what I had just done. They couldn’t know. I lead the way out, not letting them see the shame in my form. I kept my head as high as I could, trying to just seem like I was mildly bothered by the blood. They bought it.

The air outside was seeming to be colder than usual, my breath pluming out as I exhaled. Something wasn’t right with this, and Stone seemed just as bothered. Then, we looked to the sky, and saw the clouds churning. A shout came from the distance, a pony clearly seeing the same thing we had.

“Blizzard! Get inside go go!”

Shit. I looked back and knew we couldn’t be living in blood, and that the homes we had stayed in were too far away. I looked at the hotel, seeing the flames burning out the windows. I knew this wasn’t ideal, but I thought the snow would put out any fire. I turned and waved, signaling for the other two to come with me, and into the hotel we went, just to hear the door be sealed up behind us with a thud, snow blocking it all off. I looked around at the windows that were cracking from the weight, knowing we’d need to go a couple of stories up. I looked around quickly, then followed the signs until I galloped up steps to the third floor, panting in my mask as my friends followed behind.

Here we were, stuck inside a hotel until we could find a way out, probably through a window or something. Of course, that would be when the blizzard stopped, and who knows when that would have been. Then I wondered, what were they trying to freeze? The ground grumbled, and we all stood on edge while quickly scanning the hallways. It stopped as soon as it started, and to the windows we went, looking out of the broken glass. All I saw was the black water flooding down the street, knowing exactly what it is.

“Alright. We’re stuck here until the blizzard stops and we find a way out of here to avoid that water. It’ll melt you to the bone just with a single touch.”

They both started jumping and yelling at me, Tera then falling over with a faint. Stone and I lifted her up, and took her to one of the rooms. These were only single bed rooms, but they seemed to be stocked up enough. Television set, bed, a few chairs and restrooms, even heat could be felt coming from the vent. We would need to find a way to keep the outside air from coming in, but that wouldn’t be too hard with some wet towels under the door. We sat Tera down on the black blanket, Stone simply giving a nod before he went to a different room.

I took my mask off first, taking a few deep breaths of the air before going into the restroom and grabbing a towel, soaking it in water from the sink before jamming it under the door. The air seemed to be clean as I didn’t feel any burning or started to think weird, so I took Tera’s mask off too. Off went my rifle, then saddlebags and boots as I sat on the bed near her, slowly stroking her cheek with my hoof.

Sealed away from my friends back home by a massive storm and a flood of tainted water. I guess they would just have to wait for me to return, however how long that would take. Her beautiful eyes started to open, leading to her rubbing the back of her head.

“You fainted again, honey. I’m sorry you hit your head, but there’s a blizzard going on out there. The pegasi are trying to keep the tainted water from washing away the snow to let the toxins back into the air.. At least, that’s why I’d do it. So, we’re going to be here a day or two I think, Stone is fine and our food supplies are just fine, we just need to listen for hoofsteps as there might be more who survived it.”

She shut her eyes again and groaned, but gave a nod. I gave her mane a few gentle strokes, and laid beside her. The bed actually felt quite soft, but I couldn’t help myself when it came to films. My wings went through the drawers of the stand the television sat on, grabbing out different films I had some interest in. The power seemed to still be on as the lights in this room worked, and so did the television. I could just feel myself hopping around as I opened the disk player, and put in a disk, letting it run. I dove back onto the bed and relaxed, digging through my things to grab out an MRE to eat. I wish they had popcorn in them.

Tera opened her eyes to the smell of candied apple chunks being heated up, her magical aura glowing to lift one of her own up, and she started to dig into it. We managed to relax as we watched the film, acting almost as if there wasn’t a complete lockdown of the streets outside, and as if I didn’t just slaughter a shelter full of innocent ponies. In my defence, everything was evident of raiders.
Tera laid her head on my chest while we ate our meals and watched, our legs stretched out as she just enjoyed ourselves, completely ignoring the world outside and around us. I couldn’t help but smile as she was comfortable with being so close to me; I could just feel the affection she gave out, and knew that I wanted to keep her around.

Of course, our moment of peace was interrupted by the smell of smoke. Looks like the snow didn’t put out the fires after all.

Next Chapter: Chapter 6: River of Blood Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 5 Minutes