Author's Notes:

Putting this one at the top, usually been at the bottom for a while.

Thank you all for your patience and Props has recovered as have I. We will be hiring a second editor to hopefully get more stories out to you guys faster.

Thank you again and remind thumbs up if you enjoy this and let me know where I made errors or drop comments with questions.
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Also Fan Art of this Chapter!

I was running, in a full on gallop. I had been at dad's shop when Agent 9, 71, and 88 had all appeared. They were dark cloaked figures, but I recognized them from their voices. I saw a dark pegasus flying overhead against the shield. Please be Silver Zoom, save me. I kept running; dad had said not to stop until I was home, safe. I kept moving through the nighttime streets of Stalliongrad, which were virtually vacant this close to curfew.

I rounded a corner on my way to dad’s shop and there was a dark stallion standing in front of me. His horn glowed with a sickly blue overlaid in black. He grinned, white teeth against the shadows. “Where do you think you're going? If not for Applebloom, you'd have had your last Sunrise already.” His void-like form had a level of menace to it that made my spine crawl with each hoof step he took, advancing towards me.

I took a step back and something clanged hard against my hoof. I winced in pain while turning to see a set of stick grenades all taped together in a massive balloon flower. I remembered this trick from the “cookbooks” I'd been reading since disarming the artillery shell. A way to create an anti-tank grenade in the field without access to proper AT weapons. I grabbed the eight-warhead bomb and held it in my mouth, standing my ground.

I'd been running from this stallion and his friends for three months. They had tortured me, assaulted my parents, tormented our lives and dreams. I wanted to scream a threat, but with a mouth full of stick grenade, all I could do was growl. “Oh really? You think you have the guts to dare? Better ponies and zebras have tried. You are just a speed bump we can't kill, only toy with.” He took another step towards me with a confidence that drove my fear higher. “Now put down that before you hurt yourself.”

He took a step forward and I pulled the pin with a hoof, holding my teeth hard against the lever that would start the fuse to blow the bomb. The stallion stopped, and I felt ready to throw the bomb with all my rage behind it. The emotions of torture and powerlessness were now on the other hoof, but then he started to laugh. A chuckle at first and then an outright cackle. “Silly little mare! You aim to be a soldier? An agent against us? You seriously think that I am frightened for even a moment? First of all, you don't have the guts. Second, even if you did, it's useless.”

I didn't know where this bomb came from, but I was sure this thing would work, and all I had to do was throw it. It might even kill me in the process, but it would be worth it. In that moment, I lost the fear of death and was more afraid that I wouldn't act. I wanted this stallion gone, and for the first time ever, I felt the need to kill. It was a terrible, horrifying feeling. If I kill him, there is no turning back. I have no choice though, if I don't act he won't leave me alone. It's me or him! I felt something else, telling me to be better than this, but it was too late.

I felt a rush of wind on my back—something approaching rapidly—but before it could get there I threw the grenade. I screamed out, only to have the scream cut off as something pushed into me that drove the air from my lungs. Earth Pony! Not on ground! Not happy! My mind cried, and I was climbing into the air. I looked up to see Silver Zoom in his disguise.

Below us, there was an explosion large enough that the entire street for a city block was filled with fire and light. I watched as Agent 88 screamed and howled in the fire, consuming him in just a couple of seconds. His body was annihilated before my eyes. I could still feel the edges of the blast wave, even flying at high speed away from it. Silver Zoom tried to talk, but his voice was drowned out by the ringing in my ears.

As the ringing died down I felt him lift with all his might to pull me up to his face, “Sunrise, you okay?” he got through to me while the bells echoed. I felt my limbs protesting, but they moved. I looked at my body and saw no wounds, then nodded at him. I felt the burning inside me again;I wanted to scream immediately, as it was more intense this time. My flank burned with agony as something tried to surface. Silver Zoom held me close to his chest.

“I've got you, Sunrise, it's okay. Is that a cutie mark?” He asked as I glowed and fought the pain. I looked at my flank to see the symbol of some explosion with a pony in it starting to come into existence, then fading back out as quickly as it appeared. The pain was so much worse this time. The wind whipped around me while he moved at high speed towards my house. I panted for air, trying to release some of the agony that slowly faded into a dull burning sensation.

“What have they done to you?” Silver Zoom asked. I groaned in pain in response as we finally landed. I couldn't stand at first, my legs were too weak. I panted for air and tried to stand as the former Wonderbolt smiled warmly and helped me up to the door.

“Listen, I've got to go back and make sure your dad is okay. There are agents watching the house, you should be safe.” I nodded to him and mom welcomed me at the door. I wasn't sure how much time had passed as I nestled my head into her hooves and chest floof. She just softly petted my mane, until a voice that chilled both of us echoed from inside our home.

“Well... that was quite painful. We can't kill any of you, but I shall have to make sure you pay for that one. Right now, as a matter of fact.” Agent 88's cold voice pierced me to my soul, and I shook violently in my mother's hooves.

It was a long night. Only with the sunrise hours later was I ever allowed any relief from the torment. He made my mother watch and listen, helplessly. The last image from the dream I had was staring at her as the sun rose, and she was finally allowed to pull me into her hooves. Her horn began working magic to suppress my memory as quickly as it could.

I am truly grateful that so many pieces of that night are completely gone and hopefully something i can never recover.

Nyota was holding me up off the ground, checking my eyes as I looked at him, stunned. My body was still, and the world slowly pulled into perspective. “Sunrise. Come on, Sunny. You can get through this, it's okay.” I felt cold at first, then slowly warmer as he held me close. “Please, Sunrise, don't be gone. Pink shouldn't control you, please tell me you are okay.” I slowly raised a hoof and I felt warmth passing through me. The memories were causing me to shake and shudder; the sheer amount fear in my mind was overwhelming, and I had to force it back to function.

I locked onto Nyota's closed eye, his expression of pain and sadness. I knew that face he was making, and I wanted it to stop. There was only one way to stop it. “Nyota, I'm back. Please, my ribs...” I managed and kissed his forehead. His warmth against my lips and holding me tightly to him broke the spell. Suddenly I was aware and able to move,as his grip loosened and the cold was swept back by a feeling I couldn't describe. Something he radiated into me gave me strength, and my heart started to race. Not with the adrenaline of fright or battle but with a swimming in my stomach that I was starting to become familiar with.

He kissed me deeply on the lips and his hold slowly become more gentle as I kissed him back. His strength became enough to drive the fear away. I felt, safe in his hooves. For the first time since I can remember that night in my father’s shop. I felt safe. I released the kiss to breath, and he set my shaky hooves on the ground. I was covered in dirt and I nodded to him slowly, purposefully. “Let's get to Sparrow's, okay?”

Nyota stopped me before we moved at all, “Pink took over for a bit, you wanna explain that one?” I stared at him as anger at the Pink pony rose up to boiling.

You said you couldn't do that! I screamed at her and I could hear myself starting to growl.

“Sunrise, I'm sorry, you were having a mental breakdown. You needed to know why and I couldn't just leave you defenseless. If you want, I can leave you alone for a bit.” She offered to try to placate me.

No, Pink. We deal with this first off and second, if you left me alone I wouldn't know what to do, I might even panic. Don't even do that again. You understand? Help me through it but leave me in control. I wanted to punch that pony and thought I did mentally as she reacted to the words like I had just bucked her in the face. She held her cheek and nodded slowly and the look on her face was so apologetic that I actually felt bad for a second.

Nyota looked at my face while all these mental gymnastics were going on. He was deeply concerned, but also expecting an answer.

“Nyota, I...I had a mental breakdown. I think I should explain,” Nyota lifted a hoof and then nodded firmly at me. He was holding my shoulders, not allowing me to move till I gave him answers. “Agent 88 is, a Ministry of Morale agent from before the war.”

Nyota’s gave looked me over very concerned, I looked back at him. The ghosts of my past had finally come back, and it was the last thing I wanted to have to admit. “Sunrise, what are you not telling me about this MoM agent?”

I hesitated. He pulled me in closer to him, and I felt his heart beat in his chest against my own, even through my armor. I hesitated and felt the tears coming to my eyes. I can’t, I can’t say it. I can’t get it out.

“Sunrise, if you don’t get it out, you won’t even have dealt with it, have no doubt! You need to scream and sing it to the heavens!” Pink rolls right up in front of me. “If you don’t say a word, even to your coltfriend, I know you won’t even be able to function with me taking over! You want my Pinkie Promise? You tell him! No ifs, ands, butts, NOR COCONUTS!” Pink crossed her forehoves over her barrel. Her screaming at the end drove me deeper towards Nyota. I had received an ultimatum from Pink. She had never given me something like this. I had no choice.

I let out a soft deep sigh, “Nyota, if I tell you, do you promise to never ever say this to another pony without asking me first?” The words were cold, it was the only way to get them out, as cold and direct as possible. Thinking on them too much or trying any other way would make me burst into tears. The desire to talk to Nyota was barely outweighing the fiery anger of the fear.

He was trying to read what was going on in my head for the near full minute Pink and I were fighting. I suppressed my rage and gave Pink a nod, which also made me physically nod at Nyota. He held my hoof and refused to let it go, even while we walked to Sparrow's. Pink stayed in view, but remained quiet.

“Nyota, I was tortured by them. 71, 88, and 9 all were rogue agents. Applebloom did something to me.” I took a breath and pushed back just a little to be able look him in the face. “Applebloom made me untouchable. Dad’s project was so vital to the war that I didn’t even know.” Nyota raised a hoof to stop me and smiled, “One bit at a time Sunny. I know what is going on; you can describe it all to me if you need to-”

It was my time to raise my hoof and shove it in his mouth. He looked stunned as I stared into his eye. I could feel some malice, no callousness. That feeling was burying a desire of raw unfettered rage. “No, you have to understand. I killed 88 and 71, I remember that. They don’t stay dead.” As I finished speaking to him, my cutie mark burned, like it had when Silver Zoom rescued me. A deep rage wanted to come forward, when Pink stroked my mane. I felt it, her hoof moving through my mane. It was so surreal and I felt myself deflate as she did.

“That’s enough for now, Sunrise. Let it go. Baby steps. You have my Pinkie Promise now, not to take control again. Cross my heart hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” I paused and looked at her, stunned, as my breathing slowed and I realized I had raised my hoof to strike some pony. I pulled them away and my breathing returned to normal.

“Nyota, that is all for now. We’ll talk about this more soon, okay?” He hugged me tight and stroked my mane. I don’t know how long we were there in the dirt street between buildings, even Nugget now pressed a hoof to my side and joined in the hug. I felt… safe. I cried. I bawled my eyes out and didn’t stop for some amount of time.

We arrived at Sparrows to find that all our friends were there, including Alguacil, who had been missing for the better part of the last day and a half. There were also two unicorns in the room, the same two whom we had rescued the other night. Sparrow was hurriedly making tea for everyone. Hot Cross Buns was sipping on a cup as we entered.

“Oh, hi, Sunrise! Would you like some tea? Let's get you some tea.” Sparrow said in what felt like a maddened force of habit that shouldn’t exist. The way she offered hospitality was creepy, beyond that it was unnerving. Nugget looked very confused, as did all of my friends.

Quick Stitch looked at me with a confused expression. “We mentioned the Ministry of Morale and Agent 88—” he paused as he noticed the name had a visible effect on me. I shuddered and felt the fear of those memories and the torture of that night creeping back. It took holding onto Nyota—holding on the love he had shared with me—to keep me from being lost to another memory. “—and, well, she has been making tea ever since in a panic. I can't tell what is wrong, but,” he motioned to the red and blue unicorn mares with matching opposite manes, “the twins here say it's some sort of really advanced and powerful mind compulsion. They can't undo it.”

The Twins came forward and curtsied to me. They had opposite coloration, one blue coat with ruby mane while the other was red coat with pearl-cloud white mane. They each had a streak down their manes, one of red and one of blue that matched the coat they wore. The red unicorn mare rose from her curtsey. "Hello, my name is Coriander." Her sister rose from her bow. "I'm Mai-Tai. But you can also call use Red and Blue. Most do."

I nodded to both of them with a wan smile, before turning my attention to Sparrow. I'd seen this before. Agent 88 had the ability to create rather strong compulsions in ponies. I shuddered and wanted to cry, fighting back the tears by gripping Nyota's hoof until I swore I was cutting off his circulation. He didn't grunt or protest, he just nuzzled my mane and tried to reassure me with touch and warmth. He was looking at me, full of silent worry.

“Listen, I've seen this before, and the best solution is get her to bed. We just need her to get some sleep and it should pass, so long as nopony mentions him.” Hot Cross Buns started to get up and Nugget protested to stop him. The twins shrugged and nodded in agreement, and they started to leave and get out of the way. Both of them turned and winked at Quick Stitch on the way out, and he blushed deeply at their teasing.

“I think Sunrise knows how to fix Mommy, okay, Daddy?” She was so cute. I stared at Nugget, suppressing the need to look lost and horrified. I could barely function, I couldn’t think that deep beyond base emotion. Yet here was the innocence of a child, Nugget, my friend. The one whom I’d rescued, who had this expectation that I could somehow rescue Sparrow when I couldn’t save myself from this hell. I shook my head slowly at Nugget.

“I think that Hot Cross Buns has the best idea, he knows Sparrow better than I do. Nugget, I think we should let daddy take care of mommy, okay?” I said very quietly; my voice was devoid of emotion as the horror was dawning on me. Everypony looked to me to save them. Who was going to save me?

The muddy brown pegasus walked over to his wife. “Come on, honey, that is enough tea. How about we get to bed, okay?” They disappeared down the hallway towards the bedrooms. Alguacil pulled Chifundo and Quick Stitch near us while Nugget listened in. “I've been at the regulators' office. There were quite a few bounties on all of us, placed by raiders, regulators, and Stable-Tec. I think you've got some explaining to do, Sunrise.” As he spoke I slowly had backed into the corner and laid down on my belly. The memories of trauma and feelings of fear rising up in me were overwhelming. I found myself surrounded by my friends, all of them looking at me with concerned expressions, and I fought the memories away as I shut my eyes tightly.

“Please... don't let him find me. I don't want it anymore. Please, if he finds me, she will get her hooves on me.” I felt compelled to repeat it over and over again until Nyota pressed himself against me. Chifundo reached a hoof forward and gripped my shoulder as I felt Quick Stitch's magic stroking my mane and back. Alguacil kept his distance as my friends brought me out of my stupor and all looked at me, full of worry. The dread was being pushed back by their comfort.

Finally I felt like I could speak as I pushed everypony back just a little bit to give myself room to breathe. “I suppose I have some explaining to do to all of you?” I said as my eyes slowly opened. Nyota hugged me and nodded carefully while Quick Stitch made his way to a chair and pulled it towards me, along with Chifundo doing the same. Alguacil stood and apparently had a wing over Nugget. For the first time ever, I saw something in his eye that wasn’t focus or hatred. He looked at Nugget like a brother seeking to ensure their sibling was protected. “You’re rubbing off on him, Sunrise,” Pink teased and I glared at her to not ruin the moment.

“You know that I'd follow you anyway, just to keep everypony healed, but it would help to know what we are up against. I don't want us relying on luck if we can help it.” Quick Stitch pointed out, while Nyota held me as tightly as he dared.

“To helping you I am committed, for as long as it is permitted. Consumed us have events, more knowledge suffering will prevent.” Chifundo—for once—made a whole lot of sense, and I wasn't sure if that scared me or provided comfort.

I let out a deep exhale to calm my body and prepare my mind to go over everything. I felt like I should withdraw from every pony in the room, but Nyota held me firm and wouldn't let me move. Finally the words spilled out as fast as I could put thought together,. “I didn't think they were still alive, but Agent 88 is directed by Agent 9, and they are Ministry of Morale agents that went rogue leading up to the end of the war.” I shook heavily, but something inside me had given way, and I started to feel the horror subside. Tears welled up in my eyes and I hesitated to continue.

“I never considered I might not be the only one running away from something,” Quick Stitch furrowed his brow in thought and leaned in close, motioning for me to continue. I still felt like I couldn't. Something in my mind restrained me, and I pulled back and cowered in Nyota’s chest while my friends talked. The coldness inside spread and made me shiver with each passing word.

“Though our time together is short, many dangers have we thwarted. The bond that we have strong, to not assist you would be wrong. From us, what do you need? Help, I will indeed.” Chifundo spoke and stood tall over me, proud to take a position near me and Nyota as he approached from his chair.

“If there's traitor's runnin' around and breakin' the law, then I will pass it through the regulators. Give them hunters on their tail.” Alguacil’s act of bravado forced out more of what was coursing through my mind and got me to speak again.

“No, you don't understand!” I shrieked so loud Nyota cowered back just a bit then renewed his nerves and pulled me close. His presence filled me with courage and steeled my will against what I was afraid of. “Applebloom, Pinkie Pie, and Silver Zoom couldn't stop them; no pony could. I blew 88 into fragments and saw him again, fine and healthy—even remembering I'd done it—less than an hour later.” The presence in my mind fought for control, fought to silence me and right now I let it. I had given all the courage I could summon and now it was gone.

Nyota didn't speak, he just kept fretting over me and trying to keep me calm. Quick Stitch got up and joined Chifundo, “Doesn't matter if they’re unkillable, we're stronger together and we’ll face him down with you, no matter what.”

Chifundo stroked Nyota's head, then mine, as he spoke up, “The pink one has explained, of why behind your chosen mane.” He looked at me and petted Nyota again reassuringly. “To receive her gift so strong, to help you right that which is wrong. To return from the dead is a type of juju to dread.”

Alguacil grunted at us. “It may have something to do with them black boxes in us. A kind of fail safe or something. Cloning tech or whatever,” he said, trying to make sense of it all.

I shook my head, and felt like a terrified filly back before I entered the stable. I wanted to cry, scream, and curl up in a ball all at once. Then I gripped onto Nyota tightly and felt just enough strength to speak, “Not clones, not undead. They were still themselves. They had their soul.” That was all I could manage before trying to back away from my friends again, the instinct to be alone driving into my heart. They wouldn't have any of it.

Chifundo got close and looked at me with the eyes of a friend who just wanted to help, “Sunrise, this conversation has much depth, are you sure you wish to talk at length?” I flinched at the touch, but then something inside finally snapped. It was like the terror battering at my mind was suddenly pushed away, as reinforcements arrived to protect the final line of defense.

Nyota was nuzzling my cheek, Quick Stitch and Chifundo softly rubbing my flanks in a hug.
Alguacil nodded to me and kept his distance as Nugget jumped up and smiled. She was like a little cheerleader, cheering on her favorite team. All of this was the straw that broke through all the terror and forced me to realize it. The love my friends were showing was overwhelming. I let out a long sigh, “So you mean it, you’re all here to see me through this.” Nyota pulled his nuzzling away and drew close.

Nyota and I exchanged a kiss, and then I looked to each of my friends with a sigh. I had my answer. "You all have burdens, too. It might be best if we all know what's after us, so we can be prepared. I've told you everything about my past that I remember. Let's clear the air, right now, while we still can." I nuzzled up against Nyota's cheek affectionately as the life inside me returned, and I felt a deep sense of compassion and the desire to help those who were holding me up.

Alguacil was the first to speak up. “There is the fact that pretty much every one of us has a bounty on 'em. Quick Stitch, I had the 'official' ones expunged on ya. Ya ain't no raider anymore, after all. That said, some griffin wanted to know where I am and was willing to pay 2500 caps for the information, so I claimed the bounty on myself.” Alguacil puffed out his chest with pride and we all stared at him like he was about to explode into bits.

“You wouldn't happen to have checked the names on those bounties, would you?” Quick Stitch asked while Nugget was backing away from Alguacil. I started to speak and shook my head. Should I send Nugget away? No, her mom, it's best if she knows this too in case he returns.

“Well, I already said what I know; the underworldy types ain't to happy I killed their little plant, and some ol' griffiness is apparently willing to pay to find me, so I say we stay and wait for her.” Alguacil replied with a sneer that could have cut glass.

Alguacil turned to Quick Stitch and nudged his flank, as if to tell him to go first. He shook his head and sighed, “I hate to break it to you, Al, but I haven't been a raider since I was twelve. The bounty for traveling with Sunrise might be one of mine, but if my mother found out I was alive... well'm that is a whole other story.”

Alguacil nodded to him, “That is why I had them wipe the record; cause you ain't a big ol' jerk.” He replied and looked at me. “Can't say I'll give this griffiness a chance to talk, cause I'm pretty sure what she's looking to do if she's payin' so many caps just to know where I'm at.” He shrugged as we looked at Chifundo who shook his head.

“I cannot possibly have anything to surmise, no pony I know would want my demise.” Chifundo explained in a way that was so earnest it couldn't be anything but genuine.

I nuzzled into Nyota and rested on his forelegs while he held his head on my mane; the protection he was offering was keeping my inner demons at bay. I stared into space while I spoke. “So, let's get this straight, Nyota has enemies from the legion, Chifundo has no enemies, Quick Stitch's mom might wanna kill him.” I took a moment to look at Alguacil from the corner of my eye, “Alguacil has some old bird who may be here any moment to talk to him, and I have pre-war Ministry agents looking for me?”

Nyota chuckled and nuzzled me with a kiss to the forehead, “Absolutely accurate on my count.” Chifundo rubbed a hoof against his opposite leg and mumbled just loud enough for us to hear.

“Exile is my punishment, for thoughts and deeds not compliant.”

I looked up and pushed out of Nyota's cuddle. “Exile? Explain.” Chifundo braced himself visibly.

“I'm curious as well. I would think a shaman of your caliber would be in high demand. Why are you in exile?” “Born to shaman wandering tribe, as foal the spirits I describe, from the elder shaman I learned, ‘stick to tradition’ I was informed. Word of pony magic made me think, how do shaman and pony magic link? Curiosity drove questions to say, told such thoughts would lead me astray. Driven in thought hidden I kept, though elders my research they detect. Position of respect I held, direct exile was thankfully withheld. Forced by honour’s rules to take, a spirit journey to partake. Until my drive is spent, for to combine pony and zebra magic no longer my intent.” Chifundo looked completely drained as he belted it all out at once.

We all started at him stunned as our brains tried to comprehend the rhyme. I was shocked at how masterfully crafted it was and at everything he had revealed to us all at once. “Did anypony understand all of that?” I asked, trying to unfuse the nerve endings in my brain.

Quick Stitch nodded, “I think, from what I understand, as a foal he was interested in finding a way to combine arcane and shamanistic magics. When he continued to ask and dig, the elders sent him on a spirit journey to cleanse his thoughts, and won't let him come back until he has stopped questioning their ways.” Chifundo nodded back to Quick Stitch with a soft smile.

“You are close, more I will disclose. As foal I showed great potential, spiritual strength was evidential. Apprenticed to the spirit keepers, to learn the way of the spirit speakers. In years recent past, Shaman Zecora from years vast, I learn of her ambition, for pony magic to be spirit's addition. Taboo was my curiosity, and exiled, I was, with great velocity.” Chifundo finished his explanation and we took it all in while Alguacil did his best to translate the rest.

“Basically he wanted to do somethin' the elder's didn't like, but instead of doin' a full exile, they saw his potential and sent him adventuring to get it out of his system,” Alguacil explained, and Chifundo gave a nod of approval as he grew silent. Having taken all this in, I started to rise as Nugget jumped up and stopped being quiet.

“Sunrise! Your friends are so cool! Please don't go, I wanna stay up and play!” She exclaimed as Hot Cross Buns walked back into the room.

I nodded to her and smiled as I checked the time on my PipBuck, “Alright, we'll play for a bit. Listen, thank you, everypony, but I think we should turn in for the night. Thank you all for helping me. I only hope I can help all of you just the same.”

We said our goodbyes as my friends made their way out, leaving just myself, Hot Cross Buns, and Nyota. I set up a checkerboard and explained the game to Nugget. We played for hours. At first she realized I was letting her win, then it turned into some kind of epic struggle. Smoke coming out of both our ears in Pink's vision as she sat on edge eating popcorn and sucking soda. Pink and I started having a conversation when she realized I was prodding at the memories, to see what was there I couldn’t remember.

“Sunirseee… don’t scrape at the icing! You’ll ruin the cake underneath.” I started losing games now at this point, concentrating on Pink and my conversation.

What do you mean? I think I should know this. I stared at her in the corner of my eye. She dragged a filing cabinet into view and closed it; then locked the cabinet.

“One memory at a time, just like eating a gourmet pie. Eat too much at once, Sunrise, and you’ll get an upset tummy!” She replied, while pulling a pie from seemingly nowhere and consuming the whole thing at once.

I wanted to protest and complain, and then Nugget exclaimed, “Queen Me!” and I returned my focus to see she had set herself up to win.

Finally when I was too tired to play another game, Nugget beat me the last time. 14/27 times to her credit.I gave that little filly a good hug and promised more of my time soon. Nyota and I headed to the flophouse tonight, in a private room and for once, cuddling into a dreamless sleep.

The next day passed in a blur. Piston fitted my armor precisely right as soon as we had breakfast in our bellies. It was then that I came to a decision. He really was at home here, working on armor and weapons, not adventuring into the wasteland. I had so many supplies saved up for repairing the Sand Scorcher Mark II back at the ranger station. They would become his new starter resources for making plating and upgrading weapons. He got everything I could offer except the spell matrix. I laid down most of the caps I’d made, too! Piston was now set up in the community craft center as the town's new head armorer. I had never seen a happier pegasus. If he cannot protect himself in combat, he can at least protect others with a skill that is so welcome to us in the wasteland.

I turned over the plans for the barrage balloons to Hot Cross Buns and Sparrow, and they were thankful. The balloons seemed to work and the plan was put in place for them to position the balloons at just inside the top of the cloud layer and just before exiting at the bottom. With enough of them, any pegasi that meant to attack them would be repulsed, or at least disabled.

Nugget and I spent the afternoon with Nyota decorating my flak vest and armored socks. They were a mess of rainbows and coloration. There was my pony angel holding a shotgun on the flank, my cutie mark on the front, and my name appeared in several places. I nearly exhausted my markers and half my chalk supply, but the black armor was now the most horrific, colorful piece of gear that you couldn't miss me if you tried.

Quickly, the meeting with the filly scouts approached, and we headed to the flophouse to find them already waiting for us. Quick Stitch and Chifundo joined Nyota and myself, and we sent Nugget home. The last thing I wanted was for her to be recruited into the scouts. The feelings that Pink had instilled in me about them indicated I should be careful.

At the table a slightly familiar and slightly foreign filly stood there. She had a cutie mark of coffee spilling from a cup onto a table, a white coat and a dark brown roasted-coffee mane, complete with a tail a long as two of my legs. She was surrounded by filly scouts—eight in all, including Buttered Toast. Pink whispered something to me and gave me an idea. She wore dark sunglasses that concealed her eyes and left us guessing at her true expression.

“Ah, Sunrise. We can begin?” The scout with the sunglasses started to speak I darted off and went up to the counter. I put 10 caps on it and ordered buttered toast. Five slabs of “toast’ and ‘butter’ were given to me on a plate. I darted back and offered them to Buttered Toast whose eyes lit up like street lamps. I smiled and had to jump up onto her shoulder to give her a few pets along the mane.

“Yay! Sunrise good pony!” She called out and grabbed me into a tight hug. I squeaked and was so very glad for the thick plating, but breathing was becoming an issue. I saw my friends all wincing as she squeezed me.

“Buttered.... Toast... Air! Please...” She let off the hug and looked ashamed as I hugged her back as gently as possible.
“Just be gentle with me and you can hug me all you want, okay?” Buttered Toast nodded enthusiastically. I trotted back over to the group, listening to the noisy sounds of Buttered Toast eating. Pink smiled and danced like we had done something amazing, and Buttered Toast didn't stop beaming the rest of the time we saw her.

“Alright, Sunrise, now can we talk?” The voice was vaguely familiar, like I had heard it before. Not long before, either. Words slowly formed on my lips as the filly approached and asked, “Don't you recognize me?”

“Coffee Stain?” I asked finally as her voice connected with the same mare I'd heard in my dream . She looked so different, just as I did now. Before she had been blue with the coffee roast mane now she was white.

“Well, I do look a bit different, but yes, it's me. So it is you! I remember that face and those eyes, through your coat being green is new.” I slowly approached her and felt memories lost in time being with the filly scouts. Both before and after the war. Coffee Stain had been with me before the Ministry of Morale turned my life to hell. And now I remembered back at the battle in Las Pegasus, our struggle with the Enclave then and my... death. The death I had remembered when we fought there before. When the zebras showed me the symbol, no, my symbol.

A pony angel with a shotgun, I could hear those words, Coffee Stain’s words: “Oh, Sunrise, please don’t, don’t go again.”

“Sunrise, I feel my curiosity rise. Do you know this pony, for something here feels phony.” Chifundo spoke up. I looked at him with a glare that could cut, while every Filly Scout in the room started to reach for weapons. Coffee Stain raised a hoof to hold them off and shook her head. I turned back, trying to put my first words together.

“Coffee Stain, how are you alive? You aren't a ghoul. I don't understand, how are you alive?” I asked while my friends all marveled at us; two mares defying the ravages of time and coming back together. It was so surreal, and yet here she was. She lowered her sunglasses, her eyes were black pools that swirled with motes of light like stars, just like Nyota's, which made us all flinch. They were hypnotic to stare into. I looked at all my friends.

“You're necromantic. How is this possible?” Quick Stitch asked, stepping up towards us, and his horn began to glow. Several filly scouts reached for weapons. Quick Stitch let his spell go and backed away slowly before their weapons were fully out. “I’m sorry but she is covered in necromancy magics mixture of Zebrican and Equestrian. It is beyond anything I’ve ever seen!”

Chifundo physically moved away, reaching out to pull me along while looking like he had been physically struck. “A spirit of death is not something we should keep in our hearth.”

I pulled my flank away from Chifundo and looked at him very sternly. “I understand your concern, but she is clearly somepony I know, and I know her to be mostly good natured. At least what I can remember.” The last part I added under my breath hoping everypony else wouldn’t hear it.

Chifundo looked hurt but didn’t withdraw completely. He nodded finally and accepted this, staring at me full of concern.

“It's fine, girls. Sunrise, do you understand what an Eternal Scout is?” I shook my head side to side. I knew it was the highest rank you can achieve in the Filly Scouts, and it only came out shortly before the bombs fell. I had already graduated from the scouts, but Coffee Stain had had another year to go.

“Let's just say that through arcane energy and shamanism,we are made… eternal . It changes us forever. I'm one of the oldest scouts still alive. We are the inner circle that runs the Filly Scouts around Equestria.” I looked at her and then at the filly scouts. I recognized that their vests were modified flak vests. They were almost in a military style formation, though carefully planned to look natural. I looked at Nyota and Quick Stitch with surprise. Chifundo glared like he had known all along, ready to accuse them of worse but didn’t speak quite yet.

“Yeah, you are more a mafia than anything. Running drugs, lacing our coffee to make it addictive, and doing the same with your cookies,” Nyota spoke up, rather blatantly irritated.

“Hey now. We do not advertise our products to be drug free. After all, Scouts, what is a Scout?” Coffee Stain called out like a military drill instructor.

“A scout is honest, a scout is prepared, a scout is loyal!” They all shouted in unison.
Even Buttered Toast got through the words without fumbling. I looked at Chifundo, then Nyota, then Quick Stitch. All of them were stunned and so was I at the level of trained fanaticism they had achieved.

“Tell that to Waffles. You managed to get a ghoul addicted! She is a poor, old, sweet ghoul for crying out loud,” Nyota declared and stepped up closer to the Filly Scouts, looking angry.

I looked at Nyota and gave him a stare down in order to get him to back off, but he was having none of it. Quick Stitch looked surprised by Nyota’s aggressive stance, and Coffee Stain appeared unphased. Nyota growled at Coffee Stain and I felt something in the pit of my stomach. Did she make us addicted to the coffee knowing we would have to rely on her for it?

“Sunrise, you can't trust them, period. No matter what Coffee Stain says, only trust it if it's in writing, and only if you have something she wants.” Pink explained as I looked at her with a firm mental nod. I steeled myself against anything that was coming.

“Look, now that I know it's you again, I think I should express the gratitude that the scouts owe you,” Coffee Stain explained. “We would like to provide you with resources and a reward for all the service you've done for us.” I thought I would be reaching for my shotgun, but instead I was left incredibly confused as Coffee Stain hugged me, and I was half heartedly hugging back out of instinct. I shook myself lose of her grasp, trying to break through my confused emotions.

“Thank her? For what work? What did any of us do?” Quick Stitch demanded, and took a step forward to provide me with a way to separate myself from Coffee Stain. Pink was glaring at her.

“That meanie! If she even confesses to half the things she’s had you do, I'll be shocked! Shocked, I say!” Pink declared and growled loud enough she almost drowned out my thoughts.

“Sunrise...you don't remember, again?” Coffee Stain asked, as if some hope had been lost with Quick Stitch's words.

“Coffee Stain...how many times have we met?” I fumbled through this statement, feeling myself wanting to be called away to a memory but refusing to let that happen right now.

Coffee Stain gulped and said, “We've had to do this four times. You've died five times, to my knowledge.” She nervously shifted and rubbed the back of her head, as though aware that she didn’t expect any of us to believe what she had just said.

“WHAT!?” Nyota yelped out and took steps towards Coffee Stain. But before he could get another word out, Chifundo help up a hoof to stop him.

“Sunrise, what is this pitch, are you a lich?” Even Chifundo's meter was slightly off at the surprise. Quick Stitch looked at me and shook his head;, his eyes were as wide as saucers, and I could see that our two zebra friends were in a similar state of shock.

“Yeah, you should probably learn how all this happened, and that I am ready to answer any questions you might have.” Coffee Stain's offer caught me completely off guard. I had learned of all this from Pink already and was still processing it. Now I had to try to actually put it together, because somepony confirming my deaths made it all too real.

“Sunrise, that can't be true. She's lying,” Nyota declared and pressed a hoof against my flank through my armor plating. I turned to him and bit my lip. He looked at me as I hung my head.

The words had to come out. I had to be honest with my friends and special somepony; they had a right to know. Guilt was written on my face as I looked at my stallionfriend and nodded before the words made it to my mouth. “No, Nyota. She's right. Except it isn't five times; Pink says it's twenty-seven.” Even to me, the words were like being shot with a gun at point blank range. The fact that memories I had experienced involved me dying, remembering what it was like to actually die. I knew what it was like to feel my life end.

I turned back to Coffee Stain and Pink's shouts of distrust filled my mind. This conversation could answer so many questions, or she could spew so many half truths that it would create further confusion. Then, something deep inside pushed its way to the front of my thoughts: 'You're not ready.' Inside, I felt that was right. I looked at my friends; I was not the Sunrise that had come here before. I might remember who that Sunrise was eventually, but I wasn't prepared for another information dump.

“Coffee Stain, I appreciate it, I really do, but I don't want to know. I will learn it later, in bits and pieces, but I don't want to know what happened or who I was before.” My friends all looked at me with shocked expressions. Even Coffee Stain, despite knowing more than I could fathom, was at a loss. “Thank you, Coffee Stain.”

Coffee Stain chuckled and shook her head, “Dammit, Sunrise, you always drop bombs that nopony expects. You know what? Things might go differently this time if you don't know who you were.” She explained, and she gave my shoulder a playful punch with her foreleg and then sighed. “Alright, Sunrise. A scout always repays her debts. So, what can we do for you? Anything at all, just name it.”

I looked at her and nodded. All sorts of requests came to mind but then I remembered how terrified that poor ghoul had been of the Filly Scouts. “Coffee Stain, I want two things. One, I want coffee without any drugs mixed in with it. And two, I want that ghoul forgiven of all her debt.” Coffee Stain took a step back and tilted her head perplexed.

“What fun is Coffee without some drugs in it? And Sunrise there are loads of ghouls in the wasteland, you're gonna have to be more specific.”

Quick Stitch growled like an angry mother and stomped his hoof, “You got my friends hooked on your drugs. I want that coffee exchanged for coffee without your additives.”

Nyota and I nodded to Quick Stitch in unison. There was no telling how much long term exposure was going to hurt us. I looked back to Coffee Stain. “Frieda Waffles is her name, and she lives in the quarry that is attached to a half-finished stable outside of town. I want her debt completely forgiven.” Coffee Stain took a breath and nodded.

“Done, we'll exchange your coffee for unlaced coffee, and offer to sell you the stuff without our mix in it.” That wasn't good enough, Pink had already taught me unless she said it and I had it in writing it didn't count.

“No, I'll have it in writing, and I want—in writing!—that Waffles' debt is forgiven.” I declared with earnest determination as I took a step towards Coffee Stain and stared at her with a glare that dared her to challenge me on it.

“Alright, fine, you've got it.” She said with a prolonged sigh. “Frieda Waffles debt is forgiven, and you'll have your coffee exchange program; in writing. Boom Gloom, get it written it up for her, exactly as I just declared.” With that settled I let out a sigh of relief. The Filly Scouts certainly were making me feel like a greasy used-cart salespony. Pink had been right; I couldn't trust them.

Once I had the contract, Coffee Stain gave one last hug and the Filly Scouts left.

We sat down at the table, exhausted, and looked at each other before starting to chuckle softly. Life could only get better and weirder from here, right? Alguacil joined us once the Filly Scouts left; he explained that he didn't like them at all. We told him everything and he started to take a walk until Nyota approached the table with several glasses of blue liquid. “Hey! I found this at the bar for a cap a cup. Looks like decent drink. Let's celebrate!”

“Celebrate what? Not being dead?” Quick Stitch asked sarcastically. Nyota nodded and grinned, as did Chifundo. He passed us each a glass and Alguacil looked at it suspiciously before stomping off to the kitchen.

“I need to know what this is, right now.” Nyota offered us all a toast and I hesitated as everyone else downed the drink. Within seconds, the effect was apparent. Chifundo was giving Quick Stitch goo goo eyes, and they both got up and got two more glasses, then went into the kitchen. He came back with the twins following them both upstairs. Chifundo paused to cast me a saucy wink, blushing profusely. I stared wide eyed as Alguacil came storming back.

“Who in all the hells did this!? Whose drink is this?” When no pony piped up, he grabbed the pitcher and glasses, along with the caps, and stormed off. “Trying to drug ponies! I swear!”

Nyota walked over to me as I stared at the liquid. There it was: an excuse to get over my hang-ups. To ignore my inhibitions and just enjoy being with my closest friend. No need to dance around it anymore, just pure drug-addled love in a glass. “Sunrise, I can feel it taking hold but I’m fighting it. It's watered down a bit, at least,” as he spoke the sounds of moaning mares echoed down from the upstairs of the flophouse. “If you drink it, through, there won't be any turning back.”

“Yeah, but then we can indulge and my hang ups will be gone. I mean, what's wrong with that? It’ll be fun, won't it?” I asked him, hesitating as I stared at the liquid. Pink was holding up a massive sign that read: 'Just Do it!' I ignored her, she would encourage me to try all the drugs and I knew it.

“Yes, but it won't be like you saying yes. You won't feel like you have a choice.” A moan from Chifundo loud enough to break off our talking echoed through the flophouse. “It's your choice, but at least then I can figure out your flavor.” The thought of finding that out right now made me feel sick. I poured the liquid onto the floor. Pink deflated disappointingly and stared at me, looking indignant.

Nyota and I made our way up to sleep that night. The sounds of creaking beds and slapping bed frames filled the flophouse. There was no telling how many ponies had drunk the watered down love poison. Jackal the dragon came out and shouted, “Whoo! Party! Hell yes!” He was covered in various fluids, ranging from alcohol to more interesting ones... and I really wished he had been wearing pants. He stomped back into his room and the sounds of intimate encounters got louder. I insisted we keep the sleeping bag between us and as we curled on the bed, back to back. Neither of us were getting any sleep; me from the noise, and Nyota from his drink.

I turned over and looked at him, moving my hooves out of the sleeping bag to hold his hips and back still. “Do you wanna talk, since we aren't sleeping?”

Nyota flushed with embarrassment and shifted uncomfortably. He kept his back to me and the sleeping bag prevented us from touching. “Sorry, I just figured it would be fun; this is not what I was expecting.” He held his head down with a guilty tone to his voice. “I'm glad I stopped you from drinking it.” I started to stroke his mohawk to comfort him. I felt helpless to do anything. I certainly didn't want him to suffer like this at all. “I'd very much like to rut you into the bed, but I'd like prefer to get over this and hold you normally until you're ready.” He shifted in the bed, trying to get comfortable but clearly unable to do so.

I blinked in surprise, this was not the first time we talked about this, but certainly was the most frank we'd been. “I'll assume that is not just the drugs talking on the first part,” I told him, shifting and moving exactly as he taught me to control another pony's hips with my hooves. I'd learned my lessons well in unarmed combat, and he wasn't moving anymore unless I let him.

“If anything, the drug is removing my reservations from telling you. Without a cold shower, it has been rough keeping myself and my urges hidden.” He looked completely ashamed, like I'd punched through some veil and found a dirty, hidden secret.

“I only noticed recently. Do you want me to get you a bucket of cold water?” I grinned at him, my attempt at humor failing horribly.

“I don't sleep as well as you do, it's generally why I wake up and come back with coffee and a smile.” He admitted and whimpered. “It's so hard to be a gentlecolt around you, you smell so nice and you're so soft. Even over the scent of cordite and nitro, you just...” he trailed off, lost in thought, and he bit his lip and shut his eyes tightly. I watched as he bit it hard enough that a trickle of blood rolled down before he could continue. “It's still embarrassing to tell you.” my hoof kept petting him and I tried to provide some measure of relief to the noise going out beyond the thin walls.

“So... yeah, I think you're cute, as you know, but you didn't know I think you're sexy. Your confidence, stubbornness, maturity, the finding out that you are actually older than I am, the direct nature,” he was virtually forming at the mouth as I tried to silence him, but all my efforts did was encourage him to keep going. “You're so vulnerable, yet you don't act like it. You don't even seem to think you can die, but I want to protect you. I also wanna buck you into that mattress until you can't move right now, too.” I took it all in. It was like being hit with a wave of reality I had never considered.

Everything we'd learned over the last few days was shocking, to say the least. And now, this next part was going to come to a head, here and now. I felt bad for him. I felt a deep connection as well; a need to make him feel better without compromising either of our principles. I moved to whisper into his ear and let his body be free to move. “Nyota, listen to my voice. Be calm, relax. It's not the least bit embarrassing to me. I might have stolen some looks.” I blushed at admitting that, but he had a right to know. “I think talking about it in the open will at least let us address it. It might even help a little with the poison to at least not have to hold it all by yourself.”

But my words were not chosen well, Nyota squeaked and pulled the covers up to his nose, blushing so deep it ran a warmth from his cheeks to his shoulders. “You looked? I-I-I mean I've gone out of my way to avoid it, I've tried to be good, I just...” I let out a guilty sigh against his neck that silenced him again and made him shiver.

“I've stolen a few glances, yes. I thought it best to come clean.” I whimpered a bit and felt like judgment had been wrought onto me for when I took advantage of the situation with Nugget earlier. “You haven't looked at all? Even if my tail makes it pretty easy?”

“Mom and Dad were clear, unless someone wanted you to look, you didn't, period.” he replied earnestly. He had gone out of his way to be a gentlecolt in every possible way.. Nothing he could have done would have made me not love him right then.

“Nyota, you really are looking out for the long term, aren't you? Even if we fight a lot.” I had to admit it to him, we had a whole lot of disagreements in the last week. My decisions to save Black Hawk, the effort we went through, the diving on a grenade...he had a whole lot he could be mad at me for.

“Everypony disagrees from time to time, but I'm with you as long as you'll have me,” he finally leaned back into my embrace and let himself be held without resistance. “I trust you, Sunrise. I wouldn't have told you about my past or my eye if I didn't.” I felt a little tension leave him, but certainly not enough. I just held him close and did my best to avoid my PipBuck pressing into him.

“Thank you. I want you to know I appreciate your opinion and your right to make it louder. If you can, please be more vocal about it.. The last thing I want is blind faith or trust, okay?” Nyota just nodded and let me hold him for a time. I silently nuzzled into his cheek, and for once I was the big spoon in our cuddle. “I'm sorry I didn't come clean as soon as Pink broke her promise. I'm sorry I didn't prepare you for all that news at the meeting. I didn't know what you'd do or think when you found out.”

“I wondered for a bit, but my companions I see have been certain that this is my first walk in this world.” He moved a hoof to grip mine and held onto it when the racket next door got louder. “Honestly, I'm shocked you took the news of having died so well.” I bit my lip and buried my face into his mane.

“I had a very long conversation with Pink while I was in surgery. I had a couple of days to take it all in.” I wanted to change the subject, and the only thing that presented itself readily was not going to be helpful to him. Pink and I still had an agreement and we had to keep it. “I have to admit, that potion was tempting, just to get me over any hang ups.”

“Well, if you're not sure, don't push it.” He murred at the nuzzling, not realizing I was using him to hide in there. “But if you really want, my tongue bath offer is open,” he teased back and pressed into me to emphasize the point. I felt my blush getting very warm, all the way through my body.

“It isn't about what I want, it's more an Old World values, or tradition, as you would call it, making me say no.” Nyota finally turned over and took a look at my blushing form. He smiled a smug smile.

“Then I won't push the issue. So, just my flank?” I pulled the covers up over my face and shook my head as I spoke with a voice so meek, a mouse might have been louder in the presence of a cat.

“I stole a very detailed look when I chased Nugget underneath you earlier. And it's a tradition we need to discuss if it will help keep you distracted.” Nyota looked at me, raising an eyebrow as I stared into his starry eye deeply.

“You mean getting your folks' blessing on our courtship?” I wanted to offer him something else to focus on. I wanted to say anything right then to let him know I still cared when he tapped my PipBuck with his hoof. “Look, figure out your PipBuck's files and we'll stop the Enclave here in the meantime, and then we can find your parents. Pretty simple, really.” I started to shy away when a hoof gripped my shoulder through the sleeping bag. He held me firm.

“Sunrise, it's been over a week and as much as I would love to make you my mare...” he had to stop and fidget. He shifted around trying to clear his thoughts and speak, “I can wait...” Nyota cringed at that last statement and looked like somepony had just smacked him in the gut. “And I will. If meeting your parents is that important to you, then right now it's doubly so. That Phi Stable will have the answers for us.” He curled up into a ball as he spoke and whimpered as he tried to still his movements.

“Nyota, it is, but I also feel like Old World values may not be the best. They've gotten me shot, stabbed, and even blown up.” I moved to comfort him and helped him uncurl from his pained position. My gut pained me, knowing I was the source of his discomfort right now.

“I've dealt with this every night since you said yes, I can't lie to you. I want to so badly, but I will never coerce or push you into feeling like you have to. I want that to a be a happy point in our relationship and the two of us welcome such an embrace, always.” He shuddered and pulled away from me just enough that we were not pressing together anymore.

“Nyota, if I'm honest,” I placed a hoof against him and shifted so we were pressed together again, “It's kind of hard to not notice you have a fifth leg in the morning.”

Nyota nodded sheepishly and very slowly, he was fighting his own blush in order to keep his attention to me and my comfort. “I hoped I'd been more subtle, I appreciate the honesty, Sunny.” He shifted and turned his head so our eyes could meet again. It was very nice to just look at him and let our eyes convey exactly how we felt: mind, body, and soul.

“Nyota, I wanted to drink it and throw caution to the wind, but I didn't because you insisted.” I bit my lip and avoided his gaze as I tried to not think about how much it could be hurting him. “I want to hold onto those values of the world I’m from because they have kept us together and alive so far.”

Nyota kissed me on the nose and smiled warmly, “I wanted you to be certain and while this is not pleasant, I’m proud of you.” I leaned in and couldn't help myself but to kiss him on the neck. His train of thought was interrupted and paused for a bit as he collected himself again. “I want you to be completely ready when you make that decision, and if I must wait for your father’s approval, I’ll wait.”

I rolled my eyes at him and wanted to laugh at the thought. “Nyota, thank you. Maybe one day everypony won’t need to carry a gun. At least if I have my way.” I paused as I looked him up and down.

“Oh, come on, Sunrise, how many more signs do I have to give you! Go for it! Buck his brains out already! He's literally putty in your hooves!” She declared, and I felt a hunger deep inside rising that really wanted to take Pink’s advice.

Shut up, PINK! No way in hell right now. It isn’t right, and I’m not ready. I couldn’t possibly do that. I shrieked at her and stared down the pink horse. She crossed her hooves and stared back with beady eyes.

“Fine, at least say the words! And I’ll leave you alone.” Pink threw her hooves up and groaned in frustration.

“Sunrise,” he saw the look across my face and it worried him. “I've never done this before but I know I want to wait for you.” I pushed Pink out of my attention and to the back of my mind. I took a deep inhale and let it out very slowly.

“Nyota, I love you.” The words felt strange and at the same time relieving. I could breathe again, suddenly, and the butterflies in my stomach got a lot more active. I started to speak again when Nyota put a hoof up to my lips to make me be quiet.

“I should have said it earlier, I just thought my actions spoke loud enough, but hearing the words.” He smiled at me and kissed my lips when his hoof moved. The briefest touch before he pulled away. “I’ll be here to wait for you when you are ready, I love you too, Sunny.” he softly kissed me on the forehead and then each cheek.

“Thank you, Nyota. You're almost too perfect for words, you truly are a wonderful gentlecolt.” I kissed his lips softly, again making sure to not linger too long to tempt either of us too much. He ruffled my mane and let out a soft chuckle.

Nyota then pushed us apart and started to reach for his bag, “I have a gift for you.” He ruffled around inside the saddlebag without looking and pulled out a garment that I wasn't expecting. It was a silk sleeping dress, ruby red with purple lace around the edges and black frills on the straps. The negligee was certainly something I never recalled wearing or owning. It was a gift that I never would have expected. I grabbed it before he could say anything and his eyes went wide as I dove off the side of the bed, scrambling into it.

The piece fit like a glove, clinging and massaging my skin with material so soft it felt divine. Oh this, this feels like something that Celestia herself would wear. There was a matching panty as well, which made it feel even more like achieving a rank in goddesshood. I jumped back onto the bed and didn't wince at the squeak of the bedframe; I was too excited and Nyota was right there. He just stared at me and stammered. I looked down, realizing he was staring at me. I felt desirable! I felt like a proper mare, now. Nyota's body responded in a very obvious manner, as I watched his eyes get as big as saucers. A blush filled me and I stammered back, “I did mean to, it's just it fits so nice and feels so...wonderful. I mean, I can take it off, if that helps.” I immediately regretted those words.

Nyota couldn't stop staring for a while, until we heard a bed crash and some cursing from Alguacil outside. Then Nyota chuckled as the spell was broken, “At this point? Leave it on. At least it will block us if we get frisky in our sleep.” He leaned over, flexing his body out for me to see everything from his chest up as he whispered into my ear, “If you take it off, though, can I watch?” I squirmed into the sleeping bag to hide, meeping and squeaking, unable to give a retort beyond a final indignant growl. The level of embarrassment and attraction mixed my emotions almost to a boiling point. “So, how about that massage I promised?”

I squirmed and snuggled into him with the fabric of the wonderful sleeping dress and sleeping bag between us, “I'm sorry if I teased you, I just got really excited.”

“Oh no, I don't mind one bit. It's really nice.” He leaned over and nipped my ear. “Just doesn't help with the raging erection. I'm perfectly okay with that.”

I bashfully nuzzled into his chin and couldn't help myself from enjoying his compliments. “I hope you don't have to deal with umm... that fifth leg every night.”

“This is pretty normal for stallions, especially around somepony who is so special, and happens to be cute, alluring, and who smells fantastic. Yes, even if you always smell like a walking bomb, there is something deeper than that.” He took an inhale and then continued to ramble. “And you make me feel foolish, really chatty, but yeah, I sneak off to—”

“Masturbate and shower. That is why you always smell like sandalwood soap, isn't it?” Nyota nodded with a sigh. “Even when we are camping on the road on the way here, you snuck off and dry washed, didn't you?” He nodded a second time and I processed it all. It made too much sense. I was a late sleeper and slow riser. There were more questions this raised, and a genuine concern for his health if something found him when he was off alone.

“I wake up before all of you, and yes, I... take care of that business and then clean up and make breakfast and coffee. Otherwise I'd be way too pent up. Why do you think I'm always so friendly in the morning?” He shuddered as I shifted against him. Okay if I’m gonna get over my hang ups, maybe it would be better if I sate some of my curiosity. An idea struck me, of something I could do for him. I got up and walked to the opposite end of the room.

“Nyota, I’m not ready to actually do that with you, but would you mind if I... watched you?” I trembled speaking the words, my nerves wracked at the very thought, and I didn’t know what to expect. I had to admit, the idea of watching him was hot under my chest floof and flanks.

"Uhh..." he looks at me for a moment and blinked several times, "You want to watch me... masturbate?" he blushed so furiously an inferno couldn't match the color in his cheeks. He was practically glowing from the amount of blood rushing between his face and his... pride. "I guess that's okay, but it's not really exciting..." he reached into his saddlebags and took out a soft towel that I'd had never seen before. "It gets pretty messy...”

All through this, my heart skipped a few beats and I couldn’t speak. We kept trading looks at each other with every movement. He would pause and motion towards me, I would nod for him to continue. This felt like the most awkward exchange between two ponies I ever thought possible.

I let him get setup while I walked all the way across the room and stood there to watch. Again he resumed pausing until we were both comfortable. Then finally he relaxed and the blush left his face. I was the one blushing now. What I witnessed that night was something that I can only describe as truly sexy. I occasionally moved to give him a better view of me and his eyes never left me. It was wonderful, right up until he hit me in the eye from across the room.

Once I'd cleaned up with the sink, he met back in bed. Nyota furiously apologizing for everything and I let him. I didn't wanna interrupt him to tell him was wonderful or how truly beautiful sexy what I'd witnessed was, only let him ramble. Then, when the subject of my parents approval crossed his lips, he hesitated. “Sunrise, I have something else we need to talk about now.”

I looked up at him with hopeful eyes and blinked a few times, “Chifundo communed with the spirits while you were out, came back to me, and brought me into the communion.” Nyota gave me a look like he was baring his soul out to me, “My parents are still alive.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded and curious. “Sunrise, they are still alive, and the spirits say they are slaves to the Legion. Can we save them?”

How could I possibly say no? How could I deny him? I loved him and he shared my pain right now. “We have to try,” I said.

Pink held up a sign that deepened the mystery around us. “Quest Added: Save Nyota's Soul.”

Level Progress - 18% to Level 9.

Quest Perk - Artwork Bonus! (Wild Wasteland NOISES!)
Due to all the artwork of your character, any items featured may receive +1 Damage or +1 DT from the ponies routing for you to not die.