The screaming outside had died down and the dead pony inside the shop with us had been placed into an hardened steel safe we found. I’ve seen safes, this one took the cake. The safe contained 88 bits, MRE packs, a .32 revolver with two boxes of bullets, six cartons of cigarettes (which Nyota split wit Jackal), some factory-sealed bottles of scotch, and enough baked beans to end world famine. There was another .32 we found with a single spent round and the skeleton we were certain took his own life. There was a raging suicide note as well:

“This stupid company didn't even have the decency to give us a shelter. There was a sign downstairs pointing at the foundation marked shelter, behind a bucking shelf. But ya know what was there? Solid concrete! The sign was just there for show! It has been absolutely miserable working for these stupid ponies. This is the worst, and I want the world to know that I died for no other reason than corporate cost cutting. Not that cost cutting does anything for them since everypony is dead!

Signed

Employee 003213-A”

We still didn't have a name for this pony and Chifundo said he couldn't find a spirit of the deceased around at all. Which made him as creeped out as me not seeing any RADS at all on my PipBuck. What made this most creepy at all was finding the painting of an Angel with a Shotgun next to a Sunrise inside the safe. I froze when I saw it and had to be dragged away by Nyota. Which is where I have remained for the last hour, curled up against him, shivering. I've been here before, and I don't know what to do nor do I have memory of it. I couldn't talk, I couldn't move, I just clung to him with my hoofs for support and to stop myself from screaming.

For Nyota's part he just kept petting my mane, and holding me tight while Scoploa Mina fixed dinner; a mixture of veggies for myself and the other ponies while a few skewers of squirrel were ready for Alguacil.

Chifundo was meditating repeating strange words that I did not understand, as the safe door closed on the dead pony he smiled and walked over to it, tapping it twice with a hoof, “The spirit here is not restless, they have chosen the Goddesses's caress.”

I moved from Nyota, almost on instinct, like something said we had to be more reverent to the dead than just putting him into a safe. He'd watched the world end, felt the flames of destruction pour over all of us. He had no one in his final days. I looked at each of my friends, from Alguacil's cold straight-forward demeanor to Nyota's loving embrace and on to Chifundo's mystery or Quick Stitch's need to help ponies; it was a beautiful thing The whole time I'd been thinking I hadn't realize I was writing and drawing on the safe.

Pink reached out through my vision and ran a hoof against my mane, I felt it. Not something new to feel, just something that reminded me she, too, was here and alive. “Oh little Sunrise, this time is playing out completely differently. I’m so excited I might run out of popcorn!” Pink reassured me I was doing the right thing through her loud popcorn munching. I drew the Angel with a Shotgun along with a Sunrise on a Cloudless Day onto the safe to make his place and that we were responsible for his interment.

I'd gotten better at drawing that symbol too now, it felt right and less like an attempt to scream ‘I am here’ and more of an attempt to hope that some wastelander would see it and feel like they were not alone.

That is what we are, isn't it? Not Equestrians, not pony or zebras, wastelanders. I paused as this revelation washed over me. I got to the end of my writing, and looked up at Alguacil, spitting out the chalk, “Alguacil, did he have a name?”

Alguacil held up a wallet with pictures in it. He had been quite a handsome stallion. His entire ID was written in a language I didn't understand. Scrolls of lines that didn't make letters to me along with dots and a few apostrophes. What was certain, none of it was Ponish. The rest of our group took a look at it and Nyota snorted, “Saddle-Arabian, probably no chance any of us understand it.”

I picked out the line in it that made the most sense as his name, then we placed the wallet with him. I took out a picture of the stallion... he was young, Nyota's age... we sealed it, the picture and the safe. “Alright yall let's get watches setup. I'll take-”

I held up a hoof, “I'll take first watch for myself, and Nyota's too.” I spoke up and Nyota looked at me with a grimace. Quick Stitch stared at me like a mother ready to scold me. He only stopped when, Scopola brought us freshly cooked food. Jackal just sat in the corner and snorted out a puff of electricity into the air. I took the time to check out the Trotting-Quik which had most of its shelves emptied. There was a side room with a dining area, along with a backstore room that had a basement.

While the others enjoyed their hot meal, and Chifundo tried to insist I come over to eat, I setup my three improvised claymores. Lunchboxes I'd converted into bombs using fire-hardened stale sprinkles as shrapnel and scrap metal directional plating.Trip wires rigged on the three entrances I could see to our room. Paranoia satisfied, I took a seat and Nyota passed me the veggie soup. It was good... better than his, even. “Scopola where did you learn to cook so well?”

“Do ya like it?” She replied and slurped down another string of beans.

“Your cooking is quite sublime, and your company has been a quiet divine.” Chifundo openly flirting with our new friend. Quick Stitch turned to Chifundo with a deep blush. I looked at Nyota and recieved my own reason to be embarrassed.
“Huh, I wish you would flirt more with me in public.” Nyota whispered against my ear. I blushed and shifted around then turned to him with a soft smile.

“If you insist, mister insist on shielding me from the wasteland then trying to kill me with embarrassment.” His only reply was to make everyone’s cheeks burn but especially mine with the most gentle kiss he could muster. Just barely touching me and pulling away. “I’ll remember that when I finish both our watches tonight.”

He gave a mock expression of being wounded and shook his head while going to help Scopola cook us something for dessert.

“Well thank ya kindly, I just hope I can provide something substantial to your little group here and maybe find some of those old world recipes.” Scopola's accent was thick, Appleloosian if I wasn't mistaken, but they were quite a ways south.

Jackal smacked his lips clean of the meat and grinned at all of us, “Reminds me of our time with Stripes! He was such a good cook when we were in.” He gave Scopola a pat on her flank with the cyberclaw. “Whatca think Nyota, she is a good looker compared to Stripes isn't she, not ta mention that sweet little mare you got with ya too!?” Scopola took a physical step away from the teenage dragon. I felt very creepy feeling wash over me, the same feeling when Curator had looked at me and flirted with me.

“Please, keep ya hands to yourself, I don't exactly know any of y'all very well yet.” Scopola shied away from all of us physically. Stripes? Who’s that?

“Let's get the focus on somepony else and away from Scopola. She isn't exactly a party-pony type.” Pinkie Pie interjected and I couldn't agree more judging Scopola Mina's reaction.

I took my food and looked between Nyota and Jackal, getting up to make a show of moving around. Every eye focused on my flanks as I turned between Nyota and Jackal. Scopola Mina looked significantly less uncomfortable but still had a deer in the headlights expression. Chifundo sat on his haunches and crossed his rear legs as he closed his eyes to meditate. I gave Nyota and Jackal a nod, then asked my loaded question. "Who is Stripes?"

Nyota nearly choked on his soup and Jackal leered at him, “You ain't told her yet? Oh this is gonna be rich!” Jackal slammed his haunches down onto the floor and put a bit stick of meat into his mouth, chewing it loudly as the silence set in and every eye was on Nyota. Even Chifundo opened one eye to look at him.

Nyota gave a nervous smile to me and then helped Scopola to a seat and then let out a heavy sigh. “She's a friend, an earth pony that's likely more heavily modified than Jackal here.” Nyota took a breath to think on it. “She is probably less pony than machine by this point. She is a mare that believes everypony should be given a second chance and before you ask, Siro's her lover; but I'll talk about him later.”

Quick Stitch playfully nudged my flank with his hoof, “Sounds like another mare we know, sans the cybernetics.” He chuckled and looked over at a magazine rack with only a few porno magazines in it.. “Hhhmm... what does your hornoscope say about you?” He muttered flipping over a tabloid article from one hundred and eighty years ago.

Nyota perked up and turned to face him, “It says you're horny! I'm horny! And Sunrise is currently waiting for parental approval.” The roar of laughter from all of us echoed off the walls, I turned bright white at the warmth in my cheeks but it felt good to laugh.

That is, until the metal trash can impacted into the walls at such high velocity to silence all of us immediately. Guns were out, Nyota and Jackal were back to back in combat stances. The room grew quiet and when nothing assaulted the doors or tried to get in, we quieted back down.

“Guess they aren't one for jokes, just keep it in yer pants tonight, the locals are feisty.” Alguacil spoke up and holstered his gun as he walked over to me and patted my armored flank. “While a good thought with givin' folks second chances, raiders and criminals don't make good on em, always back to their old ways.” He spat into the fire with a sizzle to emphasize his point.

“A judgment so quick and rich, given the presence of Quick Stitch.” Chifundo's voice sounded like something out of a dream compared to his normal chipper tones. It was like he could flirt even me to take my armor off for him. “Perhaps demon should finish his story, lest angel not get her apology.”

“Why you always gotta be so cryptic! He's willin' to do what needs t' be done to his parents should that arise, Quick Stitch is alright in my book period.” Alguacil stomped his talon and swiped it across the floor. I let out a sign of disapproval while Chifundo hung his head like he knew what was coming next.

Nyota stomped his hoof and stood right up into Alguacil's face as he got between us. “So let me get this straight! Since Quick Stitch was born into it and wanted to leave, he's only acceptable because he's willing to kill his parents?” Nyota snorted at him and dragged his hoof like he was prepared to charge.

“What about me? I was an addict for three years! I remember when it started, and when it stopped; all the parts in between are a bit fuzzy.” His shouting gave us a growl from outside, I stepped up to try to stop him only to be pushed back by Quick Stitch. Scopola Mina whimpered in the corner. I looked at Quick Stitch with eyes pleading for me to stop this. I felt like Nyota and Alguacil could very well come to blows finally; like I might lose them both. Nyota growled through his gritted teeth as he leered up to meet Alguacil face to face. “Am I just another set of ears for you to claim as soon as I slip up?”

My heart sank so hard, I felt like an anchor would float better. Chifundo got up from his meditation stance, “I simply caution you on your choice of label, as judgement from their use resentment can enable.” He stared to make a motion at each of them to take his hoof, Alguacil pushed him away. He snorted harder into Nyota's face. “Nyota, did you go around murdering, raping, and butcherin' folks to use their dead bodies for decorations?”

“Alguacil please, the pony themselves is what count, when their deeds we do account.” Chifundo pleaded and I wanted to step in but Quick Stitch held me close.

He leaned down and whispered, “Look if it comes to it, I'll fix them up but I can't do that if you're not keeping overwatch while I work.” Quick Stitch put me down and stepped between all of us. He growled as he spoke up to separate the two of them. “I never killed anypony as a raider, it's about choices you make, not the ones forced on you.” Quick Stitch stood up tall and put his chest out, he stood beside Nyota and I felt my heart lift a bit.

“Don't worry Sunrise, worst case they both end up with a broken nose and you get to make fun of Nyota going, 'Owe' everytime you kiss him for a week!” Pink interjected, the loudest she had been in a very long while. The thought both terrified me and make me giggle a bit, though my giggle wasn't heard over the argument.

“No I don't remember but things get hazy on stampede. What I do remember clearly is being very upset with ponies like you.” Nyota pushed Quick Stitch aside and got back into a fighting stance, squared at Alguacil as he rose up to his hind legs in his Fallen Caesar attack style. “Completely black and white, overzealous applications of justice, ready to kill just because they thought they were right and didn't ask questions.” He pointed a hoof at me and growled, “I don't know why Sunrise tolerates you, or what she sees in you as a friend, but I certainly could do without you!”

Scopola Mina smiled nervously at the two of them, she was about to speak and found herself closing her mouth. Chifundo closed back up into his meditative stance, while the stand off continued. He closed his eyes as Alguacil stepped up to meet himself beak-to-snout with Nyota, “I mean, I ain't the one huffin' jet in the middle of a fire fight or so strung out on rage I turn on my allies. No, I think that might have been you?”

Nyota leapt to strike and Quick Stitch stepped up to meet him, glancing the blow off his armor. Chifundo hummed his meditation tune and ignored it while I expected some pony to have a broken bone. Nothing happened through, Nyota looked horrified he'd struck Quick Stitch and Alguacil took a step back. “I caution against anger at this time, we know not the menace outside that does pine.” We all looked at Chifundo and Nyota stepped away towards me hanging his head as he glared at Chifundo.

“I appreciate that, Chifundo, but I'm sick to death of his black and white world view. It isn't as simple good and evil.” He turned back to Alguacil and growled. “And if he can't see that, I am only gonna tolerate him as long as Sunrise wants to.” He looked at me, raised his head just a little, “Love, I'm sorry, but until he can see that, I can't be friends with him.”

I felt a twinge of guilt, like Nyota was expecting me to judge him. My heart really reached out to them both and I couldn't find words to say anything comforting to either of them without feeling like I was turning my back onto the other.“If he can't see that everypony has done things they regret and are trying to make up for, then I don't know how to show him. Not to mention that it's the ones who don't have regrets that he should judge or be worried about.”

“And that's what raiders are Nyota! No regrets. What do ya think I was doing' giving that talk to Sparrow or just wanting to put Jackal down.” Jackal snorted indignantly like his entertainment for the evening had suddenly been soured. “Fer every creature I've saved, I've had to put a dozen down. Call my focus zeal if ya want but at least I have a goal in mind, a simple one. At least I got a reason for why I do what I do beyond chasing a mare's tail.”

I wanted to suddenly spring to life and smack the griffin. Nyota snapped and almost charged him, only stopped by my hoof against his glyph mark holding him steady. “And we don't!? You really think I'm doing all this because I want to buck Sunrise!? Why you stupid bird brained-”

Chifundo held up a hoof and opened his eye to look at Nyota, “Hardened clay does not soften with a blow, but with gentle water's flow.” He flipped his hoof over from a stop motion to an extended invitation to take it, “Your frustration I share, but the better griffin I try to prepare.” He then turned away as we all stared at him,. “I believe Alguacil spoke with a lack of grace, as we all desire an Equestria with softer pace.” With his last words, the room deflated, the tension let out.

I didn’t want to strike Alguacil anymore, maybe give him a stern look at worst. I might not understand everything you say Chifundo but you do have a way with words.

“From where I stand,” Oh please Alguacil, let it go! Just let it go! “The only two other than me that've goals in mind fer anything are Sunrise wantin' to know her past, and Chifundo wantin' to go find Zecora's hut.” He said rather flat and stern, like any emotion he had about everything that had just happened was non-existent.

Chifundo hummed, I now wanted to hit him but knew that wouldn't do any good. Pink tried to reassure me, I expected her to come up with some brilliant idea and she just shrugged her shoulders.

Nyota turned around, standing legs spread and squared in a charge position. I have to admit, Pink is right, he does have a nice...

“Sunrise! They're about to fight and you're thinking about his ass!? Seriously!?” Pink screamed at me and I felt her slap my face, hard enough to turn my head. I got a funny look from Quick Stitch and Scopola at the motion of my head, Chifundo just grinned.

“Because you never bother to ask any of us! You don't try to get to know us, Alguacil.” Nyota took a deep breath and then let it all go slowly in a prolonged exaggerated exhale. “You want a goal? It's nothing so lofty as your 'justice.'” He mocked the word just enough to make Alguacil stop leaning on the wall.

“I want to make a safe place for myself, the ponies I love and care about. I want to start a family and a farm, feed ponies and teach them how to make more for themselves.” He took a step back and pressed his flank against my shoulder where I was sitting, leaning on me like I was some anchor in a storm for him. I was more than happy to be his place of calm.

“Until Sunrise can join me for that, I'll stand beside her, aid her, and protect her; sometimes I'll lean on her.” He turned to look at me, our eyes meeting in a long slow gaze. I saw his anger visibly wither and love fill him. “And I know she will keep me from hurting myself.” I leaned up and gave Nyota a kiss, Pink threw confetti into my vision but I ignored her and closed my eyes to hold the kiss for a minute. Then pulled away stroking his chin as Nyota finally sat down and let his anger subside.

“Alright fine! What about you Quick Stitch? And why is the filly scout, is it Mina? Scina? What's her name? What are yer goals?” Alguacil stamped the floor indignantly as he walked up to take a seat back at our small pot of soup on hot plates warming our room.

“I want to see an Equestria where I don't have to pull bullets from ponies or mend laser burns. I wanna see a place where foals aren't thrown into a life of conflict and expected to survive.” He looked around at the group of us, he gave a gentle sign and smiled. “I'm here because even if I have to keep sewing her up, Sunrise has the right idea on how to go about things.” He drifted to Alguacil with his vision, which the rest of us did follow where he looked. I felt a twinge of pride at that statement, that somehow I had inspired a pony to be better. “But there's going to be broken eggs along the way.”

Alguacil shrugged, “Honestly, unless she can open the cloud layer, I don't see raiders going away anytime soon.” Oh for Celestia's sake Alguacil! Can you stop stomping on our hopes and dreams already? Just let us have this one.

Scopola Mina steps up as she starts to collect the soup for us to eat later. “The Filly Scouts are trying to help as best we can. It's hard to wipe out all the raiders with a lot of young fillies. We just try our best to make it happen.” Alguacil snorted at her and stomped off to where he set aside to sleep tonight. Scopola gave him a genuinely hurt expression and looked very flustered. “I'm sorry! I'm new here.” She winced when Alguacil got close and walked past him. “I just don't want any trouble, please.”

Alguacil found his corner and laid down, turning to face us with his hat on instead of his helmet, lowering it to where we couldn't see his face. “Your actions of the past as a Filly Scout, have your methods to cause many to doubt. But you own your soul, forward is your own path to stroll.” Chifundo tried to reassure as he let out another exhale and inhale in his meditative stance.

Quick Stitch moved to sit down, rubbing at his flank through his Ministry of Peace armor plating. Nyota took a seat next to me and laid his head against my shoulder, I just reached up and caressed his mane.

“Chifundo has a point, it'll be good to be out on your own, and maybe you can find exactly what you are looking for.” Nyota replied half muffled into her ear. Scopola gave each of our zebra friends a half hearted smile and they returned it to her.

“I just hope it's a tasty meal every night, and not as heavy on the conversation.” Scopola said and with the argument settled, I raised up my PipBuck and started playing with it, their conversation droned out by my focus to crack the next file. It wouldn't give in, no matter how much effort I went through, the files refuse to yield their secrets. I didn't lock myself out this time, though.

Finally, after another hour I felt a nudge from Nyota and turned to him, “I've got more explaining to do don't I love?”

I looked at him and grimaced, then gave him a nod. “After everypony gets to bed and I've done my watch okay? Just let me think for a bit.” I realized now that Chifundo and Scopola had bedded down in their separate areas.

Alguacil had finally come to a where he was gonna start his watch from and probably sleep at the same time. “Nyota, surely you think better of me than what ya said so far?”

Nyota turned back to him, away from our intimate whispering, and raised his voice again. “Nope, because you've never given me a reason to think that you're not just some law obsessed zealot without a soul.” Oh Nyota! Please! Ponies are just getting to sleep, don't start it up again.

Alguacil shrugged and grinned, “If I didn't have a soul, I wouldn't 'ave gotten pissed when Sunrise told that pegasus to say we we're raiders.” He looked up from under his hat, “And I wouldn't have taken her advice to give 'em a second chance.”

Nyota stood up, moving away from me and I gave him a whimper, which they both ignored “That's all well and good, but when was the last time you felt joy?” He made air quotes at the word joy and groaned. “Ever enjoyed a hug? The simple pleasure of sharing a bed with someone and just sleeping? A kiss?” Nyota gave him a snide smile and turned his flank to him in a manner that mocked the griffin. “From what I've seen, you've gone out of your way to distance yourself from any happiness to the point you no longer have a heart.”

Alguacil got very indignant and actually stood back to his talons at that, lifting his hat where we could see the unkept scarred hole where his eye used to be. “Nyota, you remember why I'm missin' my right eye, right?”

Nyota didn't even hesitate, “Because your dad was a prick! Doesn't mean everyone is?” He paused and took a breath. “And it doesn't give you the right to be judge, jury, and executioner over it.” Nyota stomped his hoof and pointed at Alguacil accusingly, “What about that griffoness at The Roof? Did you even give her a chance or did you break her heart and never take the risk?”

Alguacil lifted his talon in a full fist at him, “My only escape from the pain was in books. Few happy moments I got from reading! The last time I let myself care about anyone other than myself, it ended terrible. That's all I'm saying. I'll be in my fifties in a few years, and I've been through more than any of you lot have the right to know much less ask!”

They're still at it? Oh come on, that's it. I stepped up between them and they both adjusted their gaze to me. I clicked my PipBuck to back out of the file and instead shoot a look at both of them, “Alguacil. Nyota. Knock it off.”

Quick Stitch raised his head from his pillow, “The same fight, for nearly two hours.”

Nyota exhaled and hung his head, “Fair point love, Al can you do me one favor? Just one?” Nyota held up the point of his hoof to emphasize his words.

“Depends on the favor.” Alguacil laid back down quietly as he spoke bag as Quick Stitch rolled over in his sleeping bag.

“The next time we're in The Roof, go ask her out.. Have a drink, and at least apologize to her.” Nyota walked up to him and put a hoof against his shoulder softly. “If you can relax, see where it leads.” The way Nyota actually looked at him, I realized they might actually be friends.

“I'll think about it.” Alguacil turned to me and shook his head, “Sunrise maybe in time but for each scar you see, there are two you don't see. I think I'll try to catch some winks before my shift. Really hard to break down that door and your mine should go off if something does.”

Nyota pushed me back and stepped back over to Alguacil, putting a hoof against his chin and forcing him to look up into his green eyes, “You're a stubborn ass but you're still a friend,” he yanked the griffin close and hugged him tight against his chest scar. “Stop hiding from us and talk to us, sooner rather than later.”

I didn't hesitate, I felt the tug in my heart. The tug that said, your friend needs you right now. The moment was here, the moment to maybe finally get through to this damn hard headed griffin. I charged forward and leaped up to hug them both. “You're trying to match me for stubbornness, you'll lose... trust me.”

Alguacil went stiff, he couldn't move and his expression was pure confusion. “Group hug!” Nyota called out and every=one approaching us and all of them, even Scopola, embraced him. Scopola Mina was shaking and I just put a hoof against her head then nuzzled her cheek.

“I would like to put any bad feelings behind us, Mr. Alguacil, if that is alright?” She managed to say.

Alguacil let out an indignant squawk, “Could I get some space please? This is making me rather uncomfortable!” He spread his wings and every pony took a step back giving him enough space that he could spin and not touch us with his wings. Chifundo somehow gracefully going back to bed while Quick Stitch and Scopola both hung their heads back to their cots on the floor.

Nyota went away and started to zip our sleeping bags together for the night. I watched him, he has a really nice toned stallion rear, what's not to watch? But even as the perverted thought hit, my heart was tugged back to Alguacil. I placed a hoof on him.

“Alguacil, I'll leave it be on one condition. You give me a hug every morning and night, till you open up about what really hurts you. Does that sound fair?” Alguacil huffed and ruffled his already distressed feathers.

“Alright fine, you win kid. One hug in the morning and one at night till I open up about what hurts.” He turned in a circle and made a place for him to sleep, then dropped back onto his pillow, pulling his hat to cover up from my PipBuck light.

Quick Stitch leaned up, “None of you are allowed to die by the way! Not till we all know you can do so in peace, got it?” He specifically glared at Alguacil with the stern look that a mother hen gives to make you feel the guilt. Alguacil gave a smile, but the kind of smile that was clearly not used to giving. The face would have turned a hardened soldier into nothing but a gibbering mess in his own excrement.

Scopola recoiled at it, “Just don't smile, I think that scares me more than anything you've done.” That got a little chuckle out of a few of us and I took my position to guard for the night.

“Stupid pony shit, I wanted to see a fight.” Jackal cracked at us and rolled over from his position watching us. He snorted out a bolt of lightning into the wall quietly. “Let em fight next time.

The night had been quiet. I kept looking up at sounds of the wind, but kept myself quiet too. I spent over two hours getting to the end of my Equestrian Army Officer Tactics Manual. Once I closed the book, I turned on the radio on my PipBuck to see what the news was. After a couple of songs, and adjusting the volume so only I could hear it, I was rewarded with DJ Pon3's voice:

Hello Equestrian Wasteland! This is your host with the most D J Pon 3! Just a brief midnight interruption to remind you all to be better ponies. Today's lesson, Generosity! Next time you see a pony whose got nothing, just a bit of generosity to get them through the night goes a long way; especially in reducing how many ponies turn raider. And now, the News:

Some pony calling himself Red Eye, has begun taking over Fillydelphia. I mean if he can clean up that crater and make life better who are we to argue? Though I'd still be wary of them, there are rumors of slavery and potentially 'Converted Raiders' working under him to bring order out of that chaos. Why doesn't some pony head over that way and check it out, for good ole DJ Pon3 and let me know?

Steel Rangers are being reported sending out scouting parties, be careful around these lot. They would just assume kill you over a computer or a laser rifle as they would help stop a raider attack. Just be careful, there are reports they have some sort of airship near the ruins of Baltimare. If you see it in the air, just assume they aren't exactly friendly if you brandish any technology. If ya catch my drift

Next, rumors of the Angel with a Shotgun continue to surface, though I want her to come up to my studio to clarify everything going on. There have been reports of a huge battle near Las Pegasus, involving Enclave, Hellhounds, Ghouls, and even a three story tall Rad-Scorpion if you can believe it! The level of reports coming in are fantastic to say the least if not for the number reporting the exact same series of events.

What we do know, is there is a new memorial there apparently written by the Angel herself. In addition to this, reports say that she and companions rescued over a dozen Enclave prisoners who are now safely relocated to various towns well beyond Las Pegasus. DJ Pon3 knows where but not about to reveal that information over the open airways. But there are families reunited and the Angel is back out on the road again, somewhere in Equestria.

Now here is some- 'Click'

I walked over to wake up Quick Stitch. He bolted up as soon as my armored hoof touched him. “That time?” I heard Nyota roll over and stir, probably awake and pretending to sleep now as both of us looked at him.

“Yeah, it should be-” I saw movement out of a small uncovered window we hadn't noticed. My shotgun was out and Quick Stitch's horn glowed. I looked at the nearby shelf and started to pull on it, unsuccessfully. Quick Stitch soundlessly levitated it and moved the shelf to block the part of the window that wasn't overgrown with vines.

“There, that should keep us protected.” As he put the shelf down, a bunch of 9mm rounds bounced off the shelf. I picked them up and the PipBuck counted 68. Quick Stitch snickered and tossed in one more 9mm round which caused the counter on my PipBuck to change from 68 to 1 Giggity. Pink cartwheeled into view and giggled quite a bit.

“I wondered when some pony would find that feature! Do ya like it?” I stared at the counter and blushed quite a bit. I added 1 9mm round to my bags from Quick Stitch it changed to 70 but if the number was 69, it said 1 Giggity. I kept flipping back and forth to confirm this was a feature and not a glitch.

How very mature Pink. It's not like Nyota and I have... I started to turn very white with a blush. Quick Stitch rubbed at the burning in my cheeks as if inspecting to see if I was sick. I pushed him away and glared at him.

I was watching a set of red pips on my E.F.S. and his good mood went sour when he heard the wind howl. A creature in the distance. I did a patrol around the building to see if any of the red pips were inside. Pink got very quiet and hid inside a box fort with a sign on it, 'No one home!' She was scared, more scared that I'd ever seen her.

“Nothing on E.F.S. is inside, so long as we stay quiet and keep the door barred we should be fine.” As I spoke the red dots moved on, whatever they were, they were not interested in us yet. My screen red clear again, just our five blue dots inside the room with us.

I walked to bed with Nyota and found it incredibly frustrating to try to take off the armor plated socks I was wearing. I couldn't get a grip with my teeth nor my tail. “Need a hand love?”

I nodded, and he reached up to help. The amount of relief I felt, physically and emotionally, as he got the rest of the armor off was amazing. My coat felt like it could breathe again, my flanks felt wonderful and even my cutie mark stopped aching. I shook myself from head to tail and stretched out, flexing my back in every direction I could. I even raised my flanks in Nyota's direction in order to stretch them out. “Wow, I did not realize I was that stressed.”

I crawled in with him and let out a big yawn. He looked at me, “So you and Pink had a long conversation while you were in surgery or something? You seem to be getting along with her better or at least fewer outbursts.”

I looked at him and nodded, “She did and she talked about you too while they worked on me.” Nyota paused and held a hoof up to his mouth, then motioned me to go on. “She said that my mom might ask if she can share you.” I managed to fumble through the words despite the face my cheeks felt like they might explode. I squirmed and he just leaned over to kiss my forehead.

“Even if I start a herd one day, you will always be first in practice and in my heart, you the only mare for me.” He whispered into my ear and as my cheeks burned more but also my heart fluttered and my body wanted to get closer to him. I stopped myself though, I held myself back and waited as he stroked my mane.

“Did you get all the stress out of your system in the shower or...” My eyes went wide as I realized what I was asking him, I wanted to look down but resisted looking away from his eye, while my hoof moved up and brushed away his eye patch so I could see him star gaze.

“The stress from the road? Fight? Yes but no, the stress you are referring to is...” he murmured at me and pressed close enough to reach under the blankets and pinch my flank on the cutie mark. “Quite alive.”

I stiffened at the pinch, my body tingled, my heart sped up, every one of these feelings I welcomed. I wanted so badly to kiss him right then and there but needed to let the feeling pass. I wanted him, not just wanted him, I wanted to be his mare right then and there. I didn't look away from his eyes, and saw the stars collide in his right one. That collision was exactly what my heart wanted at that moment, “So if I look down, you're gonna have a fifth leg aren't you?”

Nyota chuckled low and petted my mane more as he pressed close to kiss my lips gently and then pull away, “I'm surprised the others haven't noticed or they are just entirely too polite to mention it.”

I giggled at him and enjoyed the kiss, like a firecracker going off between us in my mind. “I think they're just too nice, and I'm pretty sure between how I smelled and the silk nightie, Quick Stitch will be forever convinced we mated already.”

Nyota looked outright offended and blinked at me a few times. “I hoped you would think more highly of my care and love for you than that.” He paused and rubbed at my ribs where the surgery scar should be but wasn't, he admired the fact it wasn't there, “besides, I think that would have broken your ribs again. It is rather difficult to control myself around you, love.” I watched his eyes, the same as the ones that Curator had on me weeks ago. However, this time, I liked that he thoroughly checking my form.

I felt a warmth from my core and a sweet delightful heat forming between my thighs. I pushed them back and shook my head. No not yet, we lost so much during the war. There were so many lines that you didn’t cross, and one was making sure your parents were not stressed. Even during the siege, mom always told me to be certain and introduce them first. I have to keep that promise, if anything. I want them to know I didn’t give in when I find them.

Calm yourself Sunrise, clam down. Breathe. Let yourself cool down. I stopped and looked at Nyota with a frustrated grimace. “I really want to give in, and just, make love but I also want my parents' blessing, dad asked for that a long time ago.” I let out a deep disappointed sigh and looked away from him.

My heart sank a bit and then picked back up when he brushed my hair. Pink was sitting in a movie theatre seat, on the edge of it leaning in. “You are always one heartbeat away from bucking him till you break his fifth leg! Go on tell him how much you love him.” I raised my head to look into Nyota's lover eyes once again.

“Nyota, in all honesty, I'm a hoof's breath away from raising my tail to you and finding out how long it takes to break your pride.” I managed through rising heavy breathing. I could smell him, it was musky and full of sandalwood, it smelled like sex. I didn't know that from a book or experience I remembered, just from instinct.

Nyota just smiled ear to ear with the stupidest goofiest grin he could muster, “Only if I can treat you to a proper tongue bath.” His teasing only served to make me put my head into his chest, my hot spot blazing away wanting to give in.

I listened to the others and once I was sure Quick Stitch was the only one awake, I managed to speak, “Nyota, I don't think I'd stop if you did that, even if some pony walked in, I can barely control myself right now.”

Nyota shifted uncomfortably and pressed his chest into me while keeping our rear legs distinctly apart. “I'd like to believe you're wrong, but to be honest, the cage I'm keeping the lust for you in, is getting far too tight,” he leaned up to my ear and I felt the need to press close to him and indulge rising as his breath rolled over my ear, “It's taking everything I have not to find somewhere safe and well, give in.”

I looks him in the eyes, pleading with him to not make me choose. “I take it, yourself maintenance isn't helping anymore? Because the two times I've gotten alone, it doesn't help for long.”

“An hour, or two...” Nyota trailed off and my heart felt a pain of guilt. I had looked, I had teased him, I had gone out of my way to even encourage him. Yet here we were, not ever going past kisses and cuddles.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you stressed, or suffer-” Nyota put a hoof up to my lips and silenced me. Not only had I gotten used to that, but I have to admit, from him, I was starting to like it.

“It's not suffering, it's patience. It's not fun but necessary. Especially considering what I promised you,” he reached up and ruffled my mane with the same hoof. “Besides we may have to visit Cross Stitch again when we do, because I'm gonna tear off those clothes without hesitation and find out the noises you make.”

His words were too much and I slammed my head into his chest, screaming as a quiver went through my body from head to toe. I felt so many new delightful things all at once and couldn't control them. The sleeping bag filled with a scent, “Oh I know this smell! It runs in the family!” Pink exclaimed as it took every ounce of willpower to not give in right then and there. I heard Nyota speaking and that broke his spell on me.

“Goddesses... let us find something in Phi, I don't want her hopes crushed, I want some lead something so that she and I can finally give into what we feel. Please let us find her parents and I'm so sorry for her suffering I've cause... please Goddesses Celestia and even you Luna, save her suffering.” Nyota prayed and I looked up, completely mystified by his words.

“Nyota... you pray to the Goddesses? Not zebra spirits?” My confusion and curiosity distracted me from my body's needs and desires, I leaned up curiously, closer to him. I studied his face and gazed over his features as he looked at me as confused as I was. The focus besides on my raging hormones was nice and I was spending it with him.

“I... I said that out loud?” He asked extremely confused and his own cheeks flushing with a blush that was too familiar to my face at this point. “Your hopes are mine, find our parents, save them, and then settle down.”

“Nyota, don't change the subject, I”m virtually inside your mouth, if you whisper anything I'll hear it. You were praying to the Goddesses, Celestia and Luna.” I perked up and brought my forehead to meet his in a loving soft embrace.

“Y-yeah... my parents were exiles, outcasts, we still honor spirits and our ancestors, but the sisters were who we prayed to in hope they would help return and restore Equestria one day.” He went silent for a moment as we held each other in a timeless embrace. “Mmm-most zebra don't but we, my tribe was abandoned by our people, hunted down like animals in the worst cases. So we turned to those who would accept...” He trailed off as his smile became frustrated and his face grew hot. I felt his breathing get a bit more ragged, “you smell really good, it's hard to focus. Like a cinna-”

“Nyota, sorry. It's easy for me to latch onto something and distract myself, lose myself in work or a curious question.” I felt tears coming on, Nyota looked like he was in physical pain and couldn't move. I curl against him, pressing my cheek against his chest where the scar that nearly took his life was buried.

Nyota shook his head and kissed my forehead as gently as he could, I felt him take a deep inhale of my mane and shiver, “Love is one thing and I feel it no matter what. I want to protect you, I want us to know when the time is right to release lust, but until then; this is enough. Knowing you are safe, Sunrise. Knowing I can say I love you and hold you tight.” He held his embrace tighter and lovingly strokes my mane as we laid there.

“Nyota,” my forehooves moved around his neck and held him back gently clinging against his shoulders. “Listen carefully, I'm always safe near you and we have a laundry list of things to do okay? Jackal seems okay, doesn't talk much but he seems like he just needs some guidance. You say he is a good dragon but I think we need to have a long talk with him eventually.”

I paused for a while and I held him close, “Apparently I have a foal I should be looking for, both our parents, and figuring out these mystery boxes inside us. Yet here we are, in a life threatening situation, in a sleeping bag, wanting to buck each other's brains out, doing nothing to fix it! Why is this so hard!” My emotions ran hot and my squeals made Quick Stitch come over and press his hoof into the sleeping bag to check on me.

“It's fine, Quick Stitch, please make sure we stay safe.” Quick Stitch gave a disapproving whinny and walked away.

“Sunrise, Jackal is obnoxious, rowdy, horny, and brash... but a good dragon. He doesn't deserve death, and we have a habit of not ignoring the plight of the innocent.” He softly reassured me and held me tighter. With a soft sigh from both of us, “And I don't regret anything about you love. I'm restraining myself because I love and respect you, through you are completely irresistible tonight.” He tried to buck away from me and I slid my hooves down like he's shown me. My body slid into him and I ignored the obvious problem between us as I finally pushed closed to him and lovingly held him. My hooves moved and held his hips still using the technique's he'd taught me. I'd learned my lessons well as Nyota soon found he couldn't do that anymore.

I tried to reverse the conversation and keep us away from the obviously hard subject in the room, “Nyota, if you're sure he's worth saving, we'll save him-”

“Oh come on Sunrise, you've had a C-Section! You've obviously had to buck some stallion in the past. Stop tormenting him and let him inside!” Pink screamed out at the top of her lungs and I wanted to strangle her as my most private of places twinged. My tail felt it took, rubbing against my inner thighs. I gritted my teeth through it and shifted against his back, never separating my teeth as I hissed. “PIIINNNKKK...”

After several moments, Nyota reached back and brushed my mane again, “Pink please stop torturing Sunny and give her some respect.” My tail in response put itself outside the sleeping back zipper and closed it up in such a way to stay outside the sleeping bag.

“Fine, but if you two still aren't bucking and you hit estrus, I'm not going to let them lock you in a room for weeks! I will assume direct control!” Pink was extremely pissed and stopped off away from my view, for once I didn't feel her presence so close. Instead it was just on the bleeding edge of my mind, like she was there waiting for me to fall asleep.

Nyota looked at me expectantly and I felt I should share, “And now she is threatening to take control again if I lose control during estrus.”

Nyota shook his head, “And I will stop her. Because she isn't you. I don't love her, I love you. I don't care what you look like or what happens to you, I love you.” Nyota was fumbling to get more words out of his mouth and all I did was hug him tighter to me and feel our hearts pulsing in more ways than one between us.

“Nyota, you are so perfect, the best gentlestallion any mare could ever hope for.” I spoke softly and gently.

“YOU TWO ARE RUINING MY SHIP!” Pink called back and I heard a typewriter break in the back of my mind, making me smile softly.

“Nyota, thank you so much.” I felt my body warming up, I knew what my hormones wanted and how hard it was to fight it. But the itch went away and instead it just felt good to be, horny. I knew what I wanted but I also knew I couldn't have it yet and I'd finally reached a point where it just felt nice to be aroused. To just be near Nyota was enough to drive me for what could come later.

“Sunny, you're really warm,” He raised a hoof and checked my forehead, “It's not a fever,” He looked concerned and then inhaled the scents in the air. The hunger returned to his eyes as well as the loving soulfilled gaze of a heart beating with mine.

I rolled him over and pressed up against his back, instructing Pink to guide me. Nyota protested at first when the tail gave me examples of what to do but all that faded quickly. Apparently, my hooves are really really soft compared to his. He's right stallion's smell afterward. But he passed out like a light and we both slept soundly through the night, well he did at least.

Whose body am I in? It's not mine, this one is certainly male. In walked several ponies in black suits with pink ties or bow ties. Everypony had a Ministry of Morale badge with a number on it. My host looked down and I caught his badge out of the corner of my eye, 88. No? I got a memory of 88? How and why!? Wait why does this body feel so familiar? Like, the one from the classroom!?

“Agent 88!” The voice that called was shrouded in darkness and now I realized it, the ministry agents didn't use shadows; they were bathed in them. It was Agent 9 and I couldn't make out anything about her, she was bathed in shadows that seemed to emanate off of her faster than the light could consume them to reveal her. Only her Ministry badge was visible, a gold plate with a bit white 9 stapled across it. The room we were in was like a police conference hall, chairs lined up in rows and several Morale agents gathered around. Their numbers ranged from as low as 302 all the way up to 9 standing at the front.

“Yes Mistress 9?” The stallion replied, his voice was gruff and coming from my throat quite a shock. I'm never gonna get used to stallions, the way they walk or the way they sit. I wondered how Nyota could sit down the way he did or move his hips in Fallen Caesar style.

“About Applebloom's interference, the Sunrise case, have you placed the object inside her for testing?” My host stood to his hooves while I felt like putting all ears into getting every last single detail correct. The tiles in the room protested against 88's weight.

“Yes, her mother believes it was another torture session but I have placed the object inside her. There were complications though.” Agent 88 hesitated and didn't wanna continue speaking. I felt something inside him growing nervous and apprehensive.

“Her soul is currently the only one attached, something about the bonding process caused the others to be rejected.” Is he talking about my soul? Attached to what? The box, in my spine?

“Agent 88! You need to solve this quickly. The rest of us in the project need results; and we need a replacement for our existing implants. I suggest you find her again and take care of it.” Agent 9 preached while every other shadow figure agent in the room looked at 88. There was something wrong here, a shimmer over them all. They were engulfed in shadows like 9 but there was something else about this that was wrong.

“I will do my best to get it done, may I get to it immediately?” I could feel my host sweating, a life threatening fear filling him.

“Yes 88, get to work, you are dismissed. The rest of you, we have much to discuss.” Suddenly the room was gone and 88 was standing alone, in his office with a desk and tons of paperwork scattered onto every single shelf, table, and desk. There was Silver Zoom standing in front of him.

Wait!? Silver Zoom? No it can't be? That isn't, he was... I couldn't finish the thought, “You got all of it 88? On the recollector?” 88's hoof reached up for the recollector over his own vision.

“Yes, confirmed she is operating as we thought.” And then the memory ended as the recollector was shut off.

“Breakfast is ready yall,” Scopola called out and I groaned turning over. Nyota wasn't in my forehooves anymore, he was up helping Scopola with breakfast, which smelled nice. I found my emotions running hot and a mix of everything from love for Nyota to the pain that Silver Zoom may have betrayed me.

Had Silver Zoom betrayed me? Had someone pretended to be him? Had Agent 88 really been helping me this whole time? What happened then? Why had that memory orb been inserted into my pod? Or when I had seen this?

“Sunrise there was so much going on you didn't see and that you still don't, that if you knew it all; you would begin to wonder how your world stays in one piece.” Pink reassured me, then she flinched as the wind howled by. “I won't be much use to you here, just stay on your toes Sunrise! And listen to what Jackal has to say, for Pete's sake!”

Whose Pete? But even as I tried to talk to her, Pink was gone.

Our companions all had this knowing look about them towards the two of us. One at Nyota, then their eyes would roll over to me, they kept that up all morning. I got up and took a seat alone for the moment, trying to piece my thoughts together.

“Alguacil, you've already had two. You sure you want another one?” Scopola teased at Alguacil as he took another cinnamon bun and smiled.

“I'll watch what I eat when hell freezes over, now don't give me another reason to have two smiles in a decade.” Alguacil said with a happy smirk on his face, it was still uncomfortable to look at, like muscles that hadn't worked in a long time.

Nyota nudged me softly and nuzzled up against my neck, “Do you mind if I take a seat here?” I hesitated and pulled away from his nuzzles despite the fact it made me feel warm inside and gave me the best chills to have Nyota touching me.

“Well I think Nyota helped a bit to make sure this food is as good as it gets. Hopefully we got all the rads out of it.” Scopola reassured Alguacil and then they noticed I hadn't said anything in response to Nyota. The group all turned to me interested in why I was so quiet.

“Nyota, you and I owe each other an apology.” I spoke in monotone as I looked into his green eye and he stared back at me. “I don't know if I'll ever crack these codes and I haven't kept all of you in the loop about everything you should know. You did the same,” I looked at Jackal who gave a surprised shocked expression. I smirked at him while leering out of the corner of my eye, “I'm sorry for that, deeply; but no more secrets between us, especially about ponies we know from our past. Okay?”

Chifundo smirked as he finished his cinnamon bun, “Thank you Mina for your endeavor, your work seemed to be a pleasure.” Nyota lifted my chin into a soft kiss; I felt all my emotional turmoil deflate in that moment. It was like he could take the pain, confusion, and dismay within my body; then make it into a feel of peace and love that pushed it all away.

“Agreed sweetie.” I out of the corner of my eye while kissing Nyota, Scopola Mina pulling out the helmet we acquired back in town and she had the words, “Born to Cook” in sharpy marker onto it. I was still holding that kiss, even as Nyota tried to back away, I held us there till we both needed to breath.

I looked at her and tried to oatmeal, it was actually really nicely done. A hint of rosemary with sugar that flowed off the rich oats. My mouth was in shock that instant freeze-dried food could taste this good! I looked up with Scopola with thankful eyes, “Thank you, Scopola, it's quite good.”

Scopola just blushed at me and motioned her hoof as if I was flattering her. I did notice she was taking a look at Nyota's rear and then shifting her gaze away when she saw I'd noticed. I don't mind dear, you all don't know how much you've pulled me away from the thoughts I've had this morning. My curiosity peaked now way up, “Alright Scopola, I have to ask, what horrible awful thing has happened to you? Why are you a filly scout? Where is mom and dad? Who or what are you looking for?”

Nyota took a seat as Alguacil started to walk in a circle around the busted out store, “Come on, Alguacil, take a seat and join us.”

Quick Stitch shook his head and pointed the spoon of oatmeal at the griffin, “I think he's had enough socialization for the week, leave him be.”

Scopola looked at all of us as we turned our attention back to her, “I don't think anypony is looking for me. One of the scouts told me they found me in a foal carrier strapped to a dead unicorn, clinging to life.” Scopola took a deep breath and I could see the pain in her eyes rising. “I would like to think of the scouts as my parents now and they've looked after me.” She cheered up a bit and turned up to look back at us as her eyes dried. “They did not even know why I was spared or how I'd stayed alive, no clue who my father was,” Scopola Mina tried to smile but it died away quickly as she sighed out and I felt her sense of loneliness filling the air around her.

I hadn't realized just how much pain you could be in for never knowing them. She must truly be feeling lost. I started to get up and walk towards her but Nyota stopped me, “Scopola, forgive my rudeness but why did you leave the scouts? You're still young. Aren’t they still your family?.”

Scopola shook her head, “I'd like to know where I came from, and I'm at the age where it's awkward to stay on too much longer without forming my own troop, or risking being asked to leave.” I nodded to her and got up, walking over and offering a hug to Scopola, but she shied away from me; not wanting it. I nodded to her and felt like I should understand. I wasn't exactly the same sweet filly that had woken up in that pool. I was certainly more scary than I realized.

“You don't look that old through Scopola? I mean what are you, the same age I look? 15, 16?” I asked curiously and she just snickered at me.

“I've been a Filly Scout for 26, almost 27 years. I was three when they found me.” Nyota choked on his cinnamon bun. We both just smiled at him with an evil girlish expression.

“Oh my! If Mina has had a foal, Nyota is really into flirting with cougars! You've got the perfect young stud zebra. I mean you are one and I knew that but this makes it priceless!” I looked at Pink and shrugged not quite understanding what the term milf meant, then snickered and thought I should share.

“Hey Nyota, Pink just pointed out that if Mina has had a foal, that means you're been flirting with nothing but milfs... whatever that means.” I walked back and sat next to him while Scopola Mina exploded into laughter and Nyota turned beet red. Pink leaned up to my ear and explained what a milf was and even I felt a bit of warmth flushing my cheeks; but that just made it even funnier for me to giggle as I sat down next to Nyota. My tail reached over and swatted Nyota's rear to get him out of his blushing stupor. I gave him my most innocent, 'I didn't do it' expression I could muster.

He let out a squeak and jumped just a bit. If looks could kill. Quick Stitch was focusing on his food, and hoping we would ignore him in this moment. Chifundo on the other hand, finished slapping his thigh in laughter and gave his own devilish smirk, “The demon Pink, makes Sunrise shrink.” He then turned to Mina who looked very concerned as we talked about a demon. It was like he could see the emotions inside before she spoke, "Worry not, Scopola Mina, it is a just spirit of Pinkamena."

Nyota licked my lips in response. The level of embarrassment I felt building inside me might make me explode like one of my grenades. I quickly looked for an out and went for it, “Hey Chifundo! Why don't you explain Pink to Mina?”

Quick Stitch let out a huff and put his bowl down hard to make a show, “It's all mystic mumbo jumob to me. I stick with real science, and I think Scopola should too.” I wanted to ring his neck right then and get him to explain to me then that I was completely crazy and Pink had not possessed that zebra outside Las Pegasus. Thankfully for all of us, Chifundo saved the day somehow.

“Sunrise and myself see a spectre past, a creature of mirth whose spirit out lasts. Pearls of wisdom she does deliver, though at times only for humor to consider. Malicious intent is always, rare this spirit humor Sunrise does bear. Pony of pink is the creature's appearance, uncertain is its insisted to Sunrise adherence.”

“Wait are you saying that you two can see a pony that we can't?” Scopola looked very confused by the prospect and turned Quick Stitch for support that we were just twigged ponies.

“My tribe speaks of those who see, through rare it is true to concede.” Chifundo reassured her and adopted the meditative stance he had the previous night. I stared at him, while Nyota grinned at me. Following along with Chifundo was always difficult for me but now that I knew what he was speaking about, it was easier.

“Chifundo, I will never fully understand you.” I turned my attention to Scopola Mina and smiled at her, “Mina, you observe my tail right?” Almost on cue, my tail lifted up for her to see and flexed as it grabbed onto my helmet and put it on my head. “I don't tell it to do stuff like that, it does it on its own because Pink is in control of it. I've tried, but I can never do it myself.”

Nyota raised a hoof to stop me, “I know who she is, and she terrifies me.” I motioned for him to continue with an expression of waiting to laugh at him coming on. “She's known to my tribe as the Pink Demon, but to most ponies she is Pinkamina Dianne Pie, former bearer of the element of laughter and the Ministry of Morale's leader, in spirit form.”

My tail took it from there as Pink assured me “Watch this.” It curled up and pressed against Nyota's muzzle with cartoonish lips formed from my tail hairs that started kissing him, complete with smacking kiss noises. Nyota looked scared and then relaxed as he eyed the tail, cautiously reaching over to ruffle my mane while my laughter died down.

“So right now, there is a pony here that some of you can see and hear that lives in your tail?” Scopola didn't take her eyes off my tail while Quick Stitch rolled his eyes and Chifundo shook his head, smiling. Alguacil stopped his pacing and let out a few short snorts in my direction and then gave Chifundo an expression of disapproval, swiping his claws on the tiles.

“Come on you ponies, we should get moving.” Alguacil nudged me to try to get me to my feet. Nyota reached over and wrapped a hoof around my shoulder.

“Fine, let's get packed up when Sunrise finishes her breakfast.” But to Nyota's dismay he heard me put down my bowl of oatmeal I'd been snacking on this whole time. I reached over and downed my juice in one gulp and smirked at him.

I disarmed my lunchbox claymores and there was a loud beeping noise that caused all of us to flinch. Alguacil grumbled as there was a rumbling, rolling past us. He looked at me, “Sentry Bot, probably, based on the last robot we encountered.” Nyota handed me coffee and I looked at him with a are you sure? And he gave me a nod which assured me drink the wonderful tart black liquid like it was a nectar of the gods.

Pink made herself scarce, in the worst way. I hadn't asked her to go away but I could only feel the faintest bits of her presence as I donned my armor. It was like the act of leaving our temporary sanctuary was reminding her to be terrified. A heavy groan echoed from the basement of this Trotting-Quik. I felt this kind of impending doom return to us.

Chifundo shuddered and shook his head, “I have that bad juju feeling, it is causing spirits to be reeling.” Nyota nodded to him and we opened the door, I licked on my PipBuck light and we started into the basement. Stone stairs greeted us and at the bottom another growl met our ears, just beyond the employee washer and dyers was a pony, lying on a cot. He was rolled over facing away from us and there were signs of decay, rot, possibly full on ghoulification about it.

The rest of the group gather around and stood back, ready just in case as I eased ahead and put on a friendly face, “Umm... hello, I'm Wandering Sunrise, are you okay?” The pony creature stirred to life, easing up till I saw it. This was a ghoul, growling and feral. A series of branches grew from his chest and his foreleg, the one we hadn’t seen was massive. His cold gray coat was covered in mane hairs that fell off in sloughs that left him nearly bald when he moved. But his one leg, was nearly the size of my entire body. It roared at us and charged me in a rage, slobber raining from its lips.

I raised my shotgun but I was too slow. The creature's full body weight impacted into my chest and I was carried off my hooves as gunfire erupted all around me. The lights dimmed out from the impact as my visor cracked under the strain. The next slam, into the wall, left me seeing stars and my entire body felt like fine china. I felt his hoof grip my helmet, skull and all; pulling back to deliver another slam into the concrete wall. Back into the world of pain with an all new horror to deal with, this is gonna be a painful day.

Author's Notes:

You can thank Mr Numbers for this one.

Also enjoy the picture.