Author's Notes:

Thank you all so much for the ride so far. Book 2 Will be out at Ciderfest 2019!
It will include everything up to Chapter 43! Which You haven't SEEN YET!
Want a copy? Get one directly from me here:
https://www.fiaurathetankgirl.com/shop/fallout-equestria-dead-tree-volume-2

Sometimes the road less travelled, is less travelled for a reason.
-Jerry Seinfield

I told Scopola Mina the story of Sugarcube Corners. Everything, from waking up in the pool of water, up until until the day we went our separate ways. Chifundo kept himself lost in thought while occasionally putting a hoof to his collar and drinking some of his water. Nyota stood opposite myself and Scopola Mina, sometimes chiming in his thoughts. Alguacil would glide lazily overhead, keeping a lookout, with Quick Stitch doing the same.

We knew the road we were taking, and telling the story passed time. Scopola’s questions made for good times as well, “Wait, this Corners hit you with a skull and set off a land mine on you, and she’s a friend?”

Nyota nudged Scopola with a giggle, “She got better.”

“Sunrise beatin’ the tar of out somepony is y’all’s idea of her getting better?” Scopola Mina adjusted her Filly Scout beret as she spoke.

“From that little fight, a corner was turned that night.” Chifundo replied from behind Scopola.

I know you don’t have to rhyme! We saw it with Picline yester… NOpe not going there, not gonna say a word. Just keep walking and talking. I rolled my eyes and used it to clear my head so I could answer Scopola, “Yes it took me beating her half to death on Hearthswarming Eve to get the point across.” I turned around to Chifundo with a wink and my tail brushed his cheek reassuring, “Hopefully I will never need to do that again.”

Nyota chuckled and shook his head, “Yeah, and it took Sunrise shooting me three times before we became decent friends.”

Scopola Mina looked Nyota up and down then tried to talk as she burst out into laughter, “Yeah, I can see her doing that, you scary zebra. Now you shoot her every night!” She winked at Nyota, who blushed so furiously I couldn’t tell the difference in him and Chifundo for a few moments.

“IN THE EYE! In the freaking EYE!” I yelled at him with an explosive expression, crossing Scopola Mina’s path as he looked at me. Nyota pulled back onto his haunches, as if afraid I would strike him. All this only for me to playfully give him a peck on the lips, then turn and continue walking like nothing happened.

Quick Stitch smiled and laughed silently, and I could feel Nyota staring at my backside. I heard Alguacil stifle his own laughter before he called down, “Now y’all keep your eyes peeled. Bound to be something around here!”

We made it to camp as the night finally overtook us. Chifundo was off alone, working on his cloak, putting glyphs into it with needle and thread. I approached slowly and stared at his work rather than him. “Chifundo, I’m sorry. I wasn’t fast enough. Are you going to be okay?”

Chifundo stopped his work and shut his eyes, tears rolling down his cheeks freely. “She died protecting her love, I cannot blame you thereof.”

“Chifundo…” I started to speak, only to reach over and slowly wipe his tears from his eyes.

Chifudno shook his head and smiled, “You are willing to listen, so I will show something I’ve written.” He paused and put down his needle and thread, pulling out a small book, he opened it to reveal something he had written. It was both in his hoofwork and I assumed Picline’s.

‘She was hurting, broken, I was helping. She was happy for a time. I swore I could heal her. I could heal them all. They were feeling it, the list returning when Wicker came back.
‘I felt myself getting better. My spirit turned thanks to the spirit within my Fundo.
‘The spirits in The Roof were healing as well. My home had become very much alive again.
‘I failed it. I got hurt, all that healing gone in an instant.’
‘Picline…’

The writing trailed off and teardrops stained the page. I handed the journal back to Chifundo, and softly stroked his cheek. I saw Scopola Mina looking at me, through the darkness from her sleeping bag. Her eyes were pleading with me to tell her what to do, so I motioned her closer to where Chifundo and I were. While she moved, I took another spare piece of wood to add to our fire.

Nyota was rolled over, trying to sleep some before it was time to take watches, and Quick Stitch was working with healing potions to enhance bandages with their magical properties. Alguacil was perched somewhere keeping a lookout; the paranoid bird was always looking out for trouble.

Scopola Mina moved slowly and sat beside Chifundo as he continued. “I do not know what I want to do. Wicker is a big pony but has lost his mother. I want to help him and become his father. Would I hurt Wicker? Would I damage the memory of his mother?” He took a breath and shook his head. “Emptiness not long left that place, what right do I have to bring it back apace?” I wanted to speak but Chifundo was talking quickly and not giving us any room to interject. “Would it help anything if I stay or would my selfishness make more pay?” His chest heaved and his hooves trembled as tears renewed on his face. “I healed her with merit, she had such a beautiful spirit. Why did shadow lifting, result in me now drifting?”

I finally pushed his chest back and silenced him, “Chifundo, I’ve got you. Stop torturing yourself. Please, don’t let this break you. Not after fighting so hard to get this far.” I softly wiped the tears from his face while fighting to keep my own inside. I pulled him tightly to my chest and let him rest against it, crying himself out. “It is okay to cry, sometimes you need a good cry to feel better.”

Scopola Mina, clearly overwhelmed, could only gently pet Chifundo’s back while he sobbed against me. He just kept repeating himself, “Bad juju, no, no bad juju.” We stayed there all night, even after Chifundo cried himself to sleep, I just laid on the ground, acting as his pillow and comfort.

I grumbled, dragging myself up in the morning. For once I was awake before Nyota, Surprised I got up before him. Damn am I sore. My head rotated to see Chifundo curled against me. Scopola Mina was already up and there was a pot of coffee on the fire. Scopola Mina used her TK to help lift Chifundo up and place his head onto my rolled up sleeping bag without waking him, so that I could get up. Scopola Mina turned to the fire that was dying down in the dawn hour and sprinkled some ash on it.

“I’m sure it’s gonna rain this afternoon.” She whispered to me, passing me a premade ration pack. It was cold but at least the jelly tasted real and the dried banana was actually crisp.

“I hope not, last time we were out and it rained…” I shivered and shook my head recalling the radiation poisoning I’d experienced. Quick Stitch pulled himself upright and wrapped his Ministry of Peace cloak around himself tightly in the cold morning.

“Oh no, y’all are fine. No rad storm today, at least I don’t think so.” Scopola Mina shook her head with a bit of a flourish to emphasize the point.

“Rad storm or not, rain is still loaded with radiation. When it gets too close, hopefully we will be in shelter. “ I reached over to the pot and poured myself a cup of the rich dark liquid. My mane was fraying on the ends and I felt like I could use another shower. “I wish I had a proper spa treatment, or just a good brush.”

Nyota rolled over, stretching and yawning as he slipped from his sleeping back. His mohawk sprang into place, making me even more envious of how easy it was for him. He pranced over to me and took a deep inhale, “Mmm, I smell coffee.” He dipped down and took a sip from my cup with a smile. “I actually slept all night, what time is it?”

Scopola Mina floated a cup of coffee over to Nyota. Nyota kissed me on the forehead and reached down to softly grope my flank. “I cannot believe you could sleep that soundly all night in the wild after yesterday, and still think about sex.” I replied with an indignant yelp, Nyota grinned and nuzzled my cheek while I stood up. “Quick Stitch, can you and I talk privately?” I asked.

We got up and moved away from the group, making sure we were out of hearshot of them and they couldn’t hear us. I took a seat and hung my head with a deep inhale. “Okay, I’m not gonna beat around the bush. When Picline passed,” I hesitated and bit my lip, “I was in S.A.T.S. and my heart monitor picked up two more heartbeats, different ones, from inside me. I think you may wanna take a look.” I hesitated and felt very disheartened over what this might mean as I looked at the ground. This may be the end of my quest or put us on a timer.

Quick Stitch started to talk and slowly closed it into a frown. He shook his head and rubbed his forehead with a long breath. “I’m going to go ahead and save us both a lot of awkwardness by assuming I can skip the ‘sex makes foals’ talk and treat you like an adult.” I nodded very slowly as the gravity started to set in.

His horn lit up and he examined me head to toe, as his eyes darted over my form. I could feel my heart beating in my ear nervously as I wondered what he was looking for. “Sunrise, calm down, I’m a doctor and your friend. You can trust me, I’ll help you figure this out, okay?”

I calmly inhaled and took a breath to start to calm myself with a smile across my face, “I know you will, you were inside me before Nyota was.”

Quick Stitch snorted and tried to hide his smile from me, “Professionally. And if you wanna play that game, technically Coffee Stain beat us both, missy.” He winked at me with a shimmer over my from from his magic. I felt myself holding my breath as he finished his examine at my abdomen. “Well it’s usually very hard to tell at this stage but,” he smiled at me reassuringly. “Two more heartbeats. They’re still very fragile, but it looks like congratulations are due?”

I hung my head and sighed, “I guess I should tell Nyota before he gets suspicious.” I curled against Quick Stitch in a very soft hug.

“You best make it soon, I would rather not lie to him about it.” He slowly opened his yes and held the hug back against me.

“Now seems like the best time.” I started to break the hug and Quick Stitch held me there.

“Sunrise, I think this should go without saying, no more diving on grenades. It’s not just you in there anymore.” I nodded slowly and released the hug gently.

I walked back towards our friends and motioned Nyota closer to me. “Can you pitch our tent? At least till you and I can freshen up and get some privacy for a little bit.” Noyta took to putting up the tent while I sat nervously nearby, silently staring at the ground. I know what it was like for mom in the waiting room now. My heart wasn’t sure how he would take the news and my brain was playing out all the possible scenarios, from him jumping for joy to him slapping me and running off.

“Oh come on, Sunrise, he loves you; it’ll be fine, like pecan pie on sunday afternoons.” I groaned at Pink and just waited. Once the tent was up, I silently ducked into it with Nyota following behind.

“Alright, love, what is this about?” he asked and I lowered my head softly. “Chifundo is grieving and working through his stuff with Picline. Are you that upset over losing Corners?” He hugged me gently and shuddered. “What if I died, how would you react? Come on, let’s just give Chifundo some space and let him have some time.”

I shook my head and sighed, rolling my eyes. “Don’t talk like that, okay? I don’t know how I would handle it if you passed. Which is why I suppose you want to know about the other two?” I made sure to emphasize the two like I was talking about a pony.

“If it will make you feel better, go on.” He ruffled my mane reassuringly and let out an exhausted sigh.

I rubbed his cheek and wiped some of The Wasteland grit off his face. “When Picline died, I heard heartbeats inside, that were not mine.”

“Oh! Picline was pregnant?” He blinked his eyes repeatedly and hung his head low. “That would explain a lot about why Chif—”

I shoved my hoof in his mouth and shook my head, “I don’t know about that. But the heartbeats were inside me, not her. If I had heard them inside her, I would have thought I have super hearing powers.”

“Oh…” He replied as reality started to down on him like an anvil falling from the sky. His breath got quicker and he was stammering. “You’re… You’re!” His shouting removed all privacy from us as he grabbed me into a tight hug and lifted me clear off the ground with a loud howl of delight.

“Yes, Quick Stitch confirmed it this morning, the sickness in the mornings should have been the first signs.” I replied while softly pushing against his chest to get some air as he gently set me down.

He took a step back and lowered his head. “Sorry, I don’t know… but we can figure this out, right?”

“Nyota, what is there to be sorry about? It is just a lot for both of us to take in right now.” I bit my lip, feeling my heart leaping up with my throat with each beat. I took a step towards him and pressed my head against his chest. “I would be proud to be their mother.”

“Proud? Love, what do you mean—” I shoved my hoof in his mouth again to make him stop trying to step on landmines.

I shook my head slowly from side to side and looked into his uncovered eye. “You are the only one I have been with, you know that. If I had to choose a pony to spend the rest of my life with and whose children I bore, he is standing in front of me.”

Nyota deflated like a stuck balloon and let out a long sigh of relief. “Oh, it’s just a guess right now, but we’ll figure it out and continue on with everything, even if you’re pregnant.” He nuzzled my cheek. “For starters, if things get dicey? I want you to use the silencing talisman, you’ll be able to hide and fight from the shadows till I can get to aid you.”

I lightly slapped his cheek to get his attention, “Nyota, you are avoiding what I just asked you.”

“Love, Sunny. I will keep saying yes in every way and language I know until you hear it.” He nuzzled up against my neck softly and kissed against my collar bone. “Come on, let’s get ready to move out and I’ll pack the tent back up.”

Nyota certainly had a new spring in his step as we moved down the barely visible trail. He and Scopola Mina were working to make sure we didn’t get lost. I was no longer at the head of our formation but in the center. Quick Stitch was staying in front of me while Chifundo and Alguacil were behind me. I wasn’t sure what he told them but their eyes were very much peeled and looking for trouble.

My E.F.S. registered a yellow pip off to our right and I turned my head to see Coffee Stain in a bush nearby; trying desperately to keep herself concealed. We all stopped and stared in the direction of Coffee Stain who was trying to struggle to keep herself concealed. There was a loud sigh before a high caliber scoped rifle flew out of the bush; Coffee Stain slowly walked out with a hoof over her head.

Scopola Mina put a hoof in front of Alguacil and he shook his head, “No need to stop me, they are coming out with their hoof over their head, I ain’t gonna shoot ‘em... yet.”

“I was just foraging, I wasn’t sure who was over here.” She hesitated with her words as she spoke, and I gave Coffee Stain a glare.

“Did she send you?” I was referring to Breakfast Blend; knowing now that the two were interrelated somehow.

“No, she is on sabbatical.” Coffee Stain shook her head slowly while speaking. “I left my post for a little bit up at the crossing, hearing about a massive battle that happened here.”

I nodded slowly, “Yeah..umm… if you want to hear about that, we can sit down and tell you, through I personally don’t really wish to.”

Coffee Stain stomped her hoof down, “No, I really wanna know what happened from the horse’s mouth, or well, griffin's beak.” She took several steps in our direction while speaking and giving us all caution looks. Snuggles, whom I had been taking painstaking efforts to NOT notice; growled at Coffee Stain as she picked up the sniper rifle, making her way up to us.

I rolled my eyes and looked around the group, “Does anypony else want to tell her what happened at The Roof?”

“Yes, I can handle this, Sunny.” Nyota started to turn to Coffee Stain who shot her hoof up to stop him.

“No, I want to hear about this from...” She turned to Alguacil with a glare and a hint of anger in her voice, “...from the Long Eye of the Law.”

“Well, ya know ya ain’t exactly normal?” Alguacil replied with a sneer of his own. “Why would you be so bitter ‘bout want’n me to say it.”

“Well, they always volunteer to speak.” She took a seat on her haunches in the middle of the road. “I want to hear you say it with your own words instead.”

Alguacil began to recite the actions at The Roof from his perspective. Most of which was him looking down his rifle and measuring what we were doing. I walked up slowly and sat next to Coffee Stain, not sure what her intention was or why she was suddenly showing up yellow on my compass instead of green. Yellow generally means possibly hostile, grey is neutral, why is she not grey or green?

Alguacil was making motions with his claw as he spoke while his gaze didn’t seem to blink or flinch as he spoke. “We tried to take out leadership. ‘here was an alicorn ‘here.” Alguacil puffed out his chest very proud of his next statement. “That night, that alicorn found itself quickly missing its head.”

Coffee Stain dropped her illusion, her coat changed to a deep blue and its strange ghoulish eyes. Gone was the brown hair and coffee stain swirls on white. Bitter tears from hate filled eyes streaked down her face. Coffee Stain slugged me right in the face, stomping her way towards Alguacil. “That alicorn had a name!” She yelled out, charging him. “That name was Barista Foam and she was my mother!”

Coffee Stain didn’t actually hurt Alguacil, instead just wailing against his chest over and over again. Her blows were completely ineffective, as we all watched in stunned silence while I rubbed my cheek from her one actually hard blow. “I HATE YOU! I hate you so much! I’ll kill you, you piece of shit bastard!” It only took a few moments until she was curled around Alguacil’s leg, sniffling into the dirt.

“You can hate me, that’s fine. But it was quick, painless, never knew it happened. It was her or Sunrise. I choose Sunrise.” Alguacil replied. He didn’t move or do anything out of malice towards Coffee Stain. For once, Alguacil just let her sit there and cry.

“You’re a monster, more of one than I will ever be. You are nothing but a monster with a badge.”

Alguacil snared and pointed at his eye, “My mother took my eye and I had to put her down, that means—”

“Alguacil, enough!” I shouted back and walked towards Coffee Stain, pulling her off his other talon. “That does not give you a free pass.”

Coffee Stain tried to push against me but I was ready this time and Nyota moved to help restrain her. “Someday, you oversized, undercooked piece of turkey; you’re going to die. I will plant a flower on your grave because unlike you; I believe in change and being better.”

She started to turn and leave, Nyota blocking her. “Get out of my way.”

Nyota shook his head, “You haven’t heard the whole story, you came here for an explanation. You deserve one.” He paused and let that sink in. “You came to find out what happened, you’re going to leave now instead of hearing why?”

“Fast and Breakfast Blend told me what happened, I didn’t want to believe it; not ‘till I heard it from the bird’s beak.” Coffee Stain reached to push Nyota aside, but he refused to move.

“They w’ats th’ problem!” Algaucil stopped his talon towards her, which made me put both hooves on his chest and try to hold the larger bird back.

“SO what!?” Coffee Stain turned her head, the rage in her eyes could have killed a kind soul in a heartbeat.

“Sunrise was tryin’ to get ‘em to back down, to stop and talk it out. Breakfast Blend and her crew told Sunrise they all had to die.” Alguacil stopped trying to shove me out of the way now that he had Coffee Stain’s attention. “They was shelling The Roof from their camp and sending in raiders to kill and kill. We did what we had to do to stop ‘em.”

Coffee Stain looked back to Nyota, “Just let me go. I don’t want to hear anymore; I have firewood to gather and a road to get back on.” She turned to Scopola Mina. “Did you get your new badge? I approved it.” Scopola Mina looked at her sash to see two new survival badges and a laser rifle badge on her chest.

With Alguacil not going to do anything, I gave him a nod to make sure he was good. He nodded back, turning around to walk back to Scopola Mina, Chifundo, and the still hissing Snuggles. Nyota was still refusing to let her leave, while Chifundo kept Snuggles in check from going forward. She turned back to Alguacil, chewing her lip but not speaking, then back to Nyota.

I gently touched her shoulder and in a whisper, rubbing the black eye she’d given me, “Coffee Stain...”

“Sunrise, sorry about the shiner.” She deflated and took a seat.

“You should stay, just long enough to eat and maybe rest?” I offered. Coffee Stain gave me a begrudging look until all the hatred in her eyes finally died.

“Alright, Sun and Fun, till our paths naturally part; I’ll stay.” Coffee Stain took a seat in the road, defeated and hanging her head at me.

“Hey, I remember that nickname.” I yelped when her reply was an empty smile and a slap on my armored flank with her tail.

I blushed and regained my composure enough to keep speaking. “Besides, you might wanna be here for a minute.” I looked at the rest of our group. “I am gonna go ahead and air this out now. Quick Stitch will have my flank if I keep it from all of you too long.”

“I never said that!” Quick Stitch called out to us as the rest of our party gathered around me to hear what I had to say.

“You implied it heavily.” I took a deep inhale, pretty sure it wasn’t right to keep secrets from creatures I would have to fight side by side with.

“Well so long as it ain’t like with Quick Stitch and ‘he twins, I’m sure it’s fine.” I glared at Alguacil as he finished speaking and grimaced my whole face while narrowing my gaze at him. “What he’s got them twins at Silver Fang Shanty he’s done hooked up with.” Quick Stitch looked at Alguacil with a blushing expression and snickered. Alguacil took a moment and then it dawned on him. “Awww shit.”

“And the black striped one is going to have twins in about a year.” I facehoofed as I spoke.

Coffee Stain took a look at me, then Nyota, then back at me, “Well, fuck you!” I looked up stunned to see a blushing eternal scout. I had never seen it but she turned black when she blushed with the blue color to her coat.

Coffee Stain slapped me and then snarled, “It’s NOT FAIR!” Before she shoved me back and kissed me on my lips. Much to my shock, I did not immediately shove her away. She kept slapping my flank while releasing the kiss and yelling, “You always came back to me, you always did. It’s not fair, not fair at all.”

Alguacil laughed, it was the strangest noise any of us had ever heard. That made her stop and stare, “Did you just laugh?” Coffee Stain asked with the same stunned expression on my face.

Nyota chuckled and smiled. Scopola Mina grumbled, “Aren’t y’all gonna stop this?”

Nyota shook his head, “She’s a bit compromised right now. I think we let this play out.”

Scopola Mina shrugged with a smirk, “I think so, she’ll be a fine mare when Coffee Stain grows up. She’d been better to just blow Alguacil’s head off in the long run.” She turned to Nyota and then me, as I held Coffee Stain who was content to lie on me and not move. “This is probably doing her more good.”

Coffee Stain grabbed my PipBuck arm and pulled it up to her. “Here, this makes us even.” She punched into it, cracking at the fifth file until it was unlocked and accessible. “There, now, before we do something crazy,” She stayed there on top of me, keeping me pinned down. I was beyond confused and slightly upset. I looked to Nyota with a frustrated expression.

“Yeah and? She unlocked your file for you and I got a free show out of it.” Nyota replied and looked at Coffee Stain with a snicker on his lips.

Coffee Stain tried to keep her tears back on her face. “I’ll see you soon, Sun and Fun. We’ll talk this out when I do.” She tried to get up and I unzipped my armored vest, along with the Stable-Suit underneath.

She turned her head and looked very confused. I could sense it from her, she was trying to suppress her emotions. Between the fit of rage, the sudden fit of affection, and now trying to walk away; she needed this. I grabbed her head and placed it onto my bare chest, with her ear against the floof of fur from my coat, so she could hear my heartbeat. “Go on, let it out.”

Coffee Stain stared up at me, shocked at first, but then slowly her lips quivered and her tears rolled down; finally the damn burst. The most sorrow-filled wail I had ever heard filled the air around us. I knew a kind of pain she was having. Softly, I stroked her mane, trying to comfort her and move just like I remembered how she liked it. We let her exhaust her emotions there.

I whispered in her ear the memories I had of her and our life together. I knew it wasn’t much but it was enough to give her some hope and restore her will to move on. I wasn’t sure how much time we had, just that she needed a true friend right now; and she needed to let all this out.

Alguacil approached and waited, pulling out a notebook, B.F. initialed on the cover in sharpie. Coffee Stain took quite some time to cry herself out before looking up and seeing Alguacil offer her the journal. She took it in both hooves and clutched it between our chests like a precious child that could die if let go. “I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

Nyota placed a hoof onto her shoulder and smiled reassuringly down. I watched my friends come together, to comfort our would be attacker. Her pip turned green on my compass as Nyota spoke softly to her, “You still can, we made sure they all had proper burials. Visit The Roof, you will see the memorials.” He gave her a nuzzle while Scopola and Alguacil helped her off of me. I missed her warmth but could still feel the sorrow in her tears on my skin.

She slowly walked away, tucking the journal near her chest, now staring at me like a lost puppy and with a Filly Scout smirk. “Hey Sunrise, same time next week?” She gave a wink and wiped her eyes, taking a few steps away.

I slowly got up, appreciative for Nyota’s help while I zipped my armor. “Sure, if Nyota wants to talk about sharing is caring.” Nyota flushed red as I gave him a little look out of the corner of my eye and in a flash, Coffee Stain was gone.

“Everyone alright?” I asked looking around slightly confused.

“I’ll be fine, Sunny.” Nyota replied ruffling my mane.

“I’m okay!” Quick Stitch’s voice cracked as he spoke with a blush and squirming. Alguacil, Chifundo, and Scopola Mina all gave a soft giggle at him, even I cracked a smile.

We decided this was good enough to take a minute and camp for the night, we were over halfway to Stable Phi and none of us had the real emotions for another encounter. We also came to an understanding, no one was going to jump in front of me to block bullets but I agreed to NOT jump on anymore grenades. I wanted to make sure they wouldn’t forget, I was the most heavily armored of them all and most likely to survive getting shot.

Nyota was stripping me of my armor and massaging my back. It felt heavenly. His touch made me let out soft moans of relief as he got into muscles that desperately needed it. My armor was heavy and no matter how welI it fit, my muscles were always relieved to have it taken off. I slowly relaxed into a puddle in his grip with Scopola Mina giggling at us. “Well, since we are here, do you want a massage as well?”

I purred as he worked me over and Quick Stitch cleared his throat, “I would be more than happy to trade your expertise for mine if you don’t mind, Nyota. New joints aren’t exactly loose joints.”

“Any particular aches to address?” Nyota offered as Quick Stitch shimmied out of his armored barding.

“I’ve been shot through the torso twice, and I’m hoping to keep it at two.” He replied, laying down in front of Nyota.

“Well that sounds like you need better armor instead of a massage, but I do have the right salve for aches and pains.” Nyota pulled out a jar from his saddle-bag and softly started to apply it to Quick Stitch’s plating, gently rubbing it in.

Scopola Mina watched on, taking notes at Nyota’s work as she bounced her way to the fire and dropped some more ash in to watch what the wind did. “Looking at this, if it rains tonight, then by the end of the day tomorrow we’ll have a rad storm.”

Quick Stitch moaned under Nyota as the zebra was working his shoulders and neck I knew his hooves could easily find pressure points and would make anyone under his work melt. “Well then we’ll have to hurry to Stable Phi tomorrow.” He kept working and Quick Stitch stayed there, moaning and unable to reply. Nyota took his time and we all watched as he meticulously worked over Quick Stitch. Alguacil kept looking around to be sure we were secure while Chifundo was sitting down upright. The shaman had folded his rear legs and was softly meditating to center himself.

“Y’all, I’ve seen this kind of weather before. Well the scouts have and keep records of it. When rain comes after a radiation event, like a megaspell, then it’s gonna get windy. Finally, a rad storm will hit from all the dust and radioactive material that got loosened from the recent event.” Scopola Mina explained while her horn lit up for her to take a sip of her canteen.

“True, couriers have seen it too,” Nyota popped Quick Stitch’s back and groaned. “Jeez, Quick! You weren’t kidding… you’re gonna need a few more sessions to get everything worked out.” He started to go lower and I winced in pain hearing the bone pop.

“Oww…” Quick Stitch replied with a soft grunt.

“You’ll feel better when he’s done, Quick Stitch. Just relax and let Nyota work.” I smiled at him, checking the file on my PipBuck, ignoring the going’s on in the camp; as Nyota finished with Quick Stitch and worked on Scopola Mina next. The file was a folder containing several additional files all labelled:
Subject 043-011
Subject PHI - XXX
Subject 011-003
Subject 200 - 148 “Misty Fly”
Subject MOM - 088
Subject 014 - 177
Subject 122 - 577 (Enhanced)
Subject 200 - 147 “Silver Zoom”
Subject 014 - 199
Subject PHI - 089
Subject MOM - 009
Subject 043-017
Subject PHI - XXX
Subject MOM - 071
Subject 013-933
Subject PHI - XXX
Subject 014 - 281
Before I could click on any of them, my PipBuck H.U.D. changed my name to something different. ‘Subject 043-017 “Wandering Sunrise”’. I shook my head in disbelief. I’m in these files? I started to click when Chifundo’s hoof covered up the screen.

I looked up, confused, and he asked, “Do we have a plan for the stable door? Sunrise, will you announce yourself the way ponies adore?”

I facehoofed at Chifundo interrupting this potentially revealing moment and looked up at him. “I have thermite grenades to get us past the rock and unhinge the door if I can’t get us through it by hacking the console again.” I checked my E.F.S. again, seeing that nothing was there for now, and there were three more files to pick through; now I was starting to dread what they may contain.

“"I am curious about the stable, will it be dwellers or bandits? I was hoping you'd know who the stable inhabits."”

Scopola Mina gave a playful giggle and then a moan while Nyota worked on her, “It’s nice to hear you talking about the future, Chifundo.”

Chifundo huffed and lowered his head, “There is still much sorrow, but your joy I will borrow.” A forced smile cracked his face, and even I felt a little more warmth coming from him. Scopola Mina smiled and wrapped her forelegs around Chifundo’s to give him a hug, while staying still enough for Nyota to keep working.

I softly draped a leg across Chifundo’s shoulders, “You are my friends, through it all. We’re here for you, Chifundo.” I leaned in close and whispered against his ear. “And I would be lost without all of you; especially my battle brother.”

Chifundo blushed and ruffled Scopola Mina’s beret then hugged me back as she let him go. "How in Equestria do I deserve such good friends that my spirits preserve?"

Quick Stitch chuckled as he laid out his bedroll and stretched his less achy joints, “If I remember correctly, you were ponynapped?” He teased with a smile towards us.

Chifundo giggled, “So were you, Quick Stitchipoo.”

“Fair enough, through doctor’s opinion on different circumstances.” Quick Stitch flushed a rosey color over his green coat and squirmed nervously around us.

Scopola Mina shrugged and got up to swing her hoof over Quick Stitch’s shoulder. “I think us new ponies are lucky to find such decent friends.”

Quick Stitch winked at me after looking at Scopola and he smiled. “My medical professional opinion is that the two of us are lucky the first words out of her mouth are ‘Hi, I’m Wandering Sunrise. What’s your name?’”

I let out a meep and felt my cheeks burning. I looked away, blushing furiously at both of them. “I mean, that is how the world is supposed to work, right?”

Nyota stretched and groaned out, “Well if there are no other takers, I’m going to set up camp and get us ready for dinner.” He wiggled his hooves and held up his jar of salve to tease us. Alguacil finally landing from his overhead patrol made us all turn towards him.

“I cleared out as much of the coming rain as I could.” I was reminded that he had tried that twice before but now he wasn’t coming back looking half cooked and heavily irradiated. Alguacil continued to speak, “Hopefully I’ll get to see Stormy soon; she seem’d ta miss me ‘afore I even left.” Alguacil was smiling, genuinely smiling, and it was very unnerving.

“Is he...smiling?” I asked at the broken looking expression on his beak.

Nyota nodded, “Jeez, I thought the scowl was constantly out of place, but this is just plain weird.” Scopola Mina and Quick Stitch both in unison did double takes at Alguacil then back at Nyota, before nodding in agreement.

I smirked and nudged Nyota, walking over to help him with our tent, “You know, I think he should do that more often.”

“Yeah, no, I can’t really do that Sunrise. Don’t think the wasteland could handle it a’top everythin’ else. Ya know with the strange news to me that you are somehow ancient.” He responded to me, giving one last smirk before going back to his normal permanent resting scowl.

Nyota looked at Alguacil, then at Scopola before talking to no one in particular; “We’re all adults here, I’m actually the youngest creature here…” He trailed off, blinking at some unvoiced realization.

“Outside of cryogenic tomfoolery,” Alguacil pointed at me with one of his claws. “I’m th’ oldest among us.”

I looked at Nyota, then at each of my companions; weighing my words carefully. “My body is much younger than my mind or experiences. So that one is a toss up, Nyota. Biologically, without Stable-Tec’s interference, you are the youngest one here. Sheer age and with the memories that keep coming up to me, I am definitely the oldest.” I smirked at the thought and stretched out, zipping my Stable-Tec suit back up. “When we get somewhere we can really talk, we’ll go over this little exetensional horror all of us have been avoiding. Come on, I want to get to the part where we eat dinner.”

“Well if there are no more takers for a massage.” Nyota reminded me and turned to put away his salve.

“Nyota, I’m not looking for that type of relaxing; I think I’d rather have the other kind of working my body.” Scopola nudged him with her flank on the way by; even giving him a wink to make sure he took the hint.

“Now wait a cotton pickin’ minute. What do ya mean with that ‘working on your body’” Alguacil spat in our direction with a glare. “I thought Nyota and Sunrise were a ‘thing’.”

I facehoofed and shook my head side to side. “Nyota is giving out massages, nothing more. Scopola Mina wants something more. Ponies herd, sometimes. Got it?” I looked up at Alguacil surprised I was the one explaining this. I was remembering the rather strange memory from my mother and shuddered. I should say a lot shouldn’t I?

Nyota groaned at Alguacil and looked genuinely hurt by his comment. “You really think that little of my moral fiber?” He shook his head at Scopola Mina and pulled out a tent piton. “If Sunrise is okay with sharing me, I’m not going to dismiss Scopola Mina’s idea out of hoof. But without her consent, I won’t even consider the possibility.”

“That’s perfectly fine. It ain’t about moral fiber, just griffins tend ta ‘pair off’ till somethin’ serious makes things break down.” Alguacil adjusted his hat and started to setup a firepit for us. “It’s a pony thing with that herd stuff, and t’aint like I’ve really asked about any of this. I just don’t really care about it; so long as it ain’t gonna make you do somethin’ dumb when we’re gettin’ shot at.”

Nyota furrowed his brow and facehoofed himself. “I never figured you for a playcolt type. I almost pity Stormy Skies.” He turned and hit the first piton into the ground.

The rest of our night was uneventful. We had a good meal and got fresh coffee made, I still am always surprised how good this black nectar really is. We had gotten moving and Alguacil landed, tugging on my tail; discovering the tail flail integrated into my armor. “Sunrise, is that really necessary?”

I turned and shrugged, “I mean, I didn’t make it; at least I do not remember that. Pink did.” There was a loud squeal of delight in my head and I smirked, giving Pink a mental hoof bump.

“What happens if ya miss? Where is it gonna hit ya?” Alguacil put a talon on his hip as he spoke.

“Alguacil, I am pretty sure Pink knows what she is doing and I do not have the raw power to punch my own armor.” Alguacil was already walking off before I gave him my rebuttal.

Chifundo giggled, “Did Alguacil just attempt to nanny, the one who has children in her fanny?”

I blinked a few times and snickered, turning to Chifundo, “Well, it is his way of saying he cares.” Pink trotted on screen and rearranged my H.U.D. so that my PipBuck now registered Alguacil as ‘The Watchful Eye of the Babysitter’. I had to struggle to contain my laughter until three green pips appeared on my compass.

“Come on y’all, there is a treehouse up ahead and it looks occupied.” Alguacil started to reach for his gun but I ran up and stopped him.

“You get ready but remember; unless they shoot first, we do not shoot.” Alguacil rolled his eyes as I restrained him and then nodded while we trotted up as a group to the treehouse.

There was a lot of deep male giggling coming from inside, when a zebra stallion poked his head out and shouted, “Hey! No Girls Allowed!” He threw a string of beads at me and I looked up, confused as I could be. I looked at the beads and noticed the various discarded snack food wrappers and beer bottles around the base of the wooden freehouse. The zebra was wearing some sort of homemade scrap armor and there was a ruckus of laughter that echoed out from the treehouse. He ducked back inside and I heard more laughter.

I raised an eyebrow and turned to look at my companions, who mostly shrugged with expressions of being just as confused as I was. I turned back and sighed, “Umm, Hello?” I shouted up to them, trying to be heard over the laughter.

The same zebra poked his head back at and spat at me. I could see the bloodshot in his eyes and his pupils were pinpricks, just like Brain Soup; the one who’d killed Buddy. “Oh, Hi, who are you?” His voice was clearly drunk and I stole a glance to Nyota before replying.

“Hi, I’m Wandering Sunrise, what is your name?”

“Samma Flenge! I said no girls allowed!” He took off another string of colorful plastic beads and threw it at me. The scent of far too much partying and lots of zebra weed washed over us. I looked at Chifundo and Nyota who both motioned me closer.

“Chifundo, do you think you can put your stallion charms on them instead of me?” I asked genuinely curious. “I think they’re a bit—”

Alguacil grunted, “A bit high.”

“More like very gay and high.” I replied with a look at Alguacil as if he were mostly clueless.

Chifundo tilted his head in confusion, “If they do not wish to be bothered, why are we trying any offers?”

Scopola Mina nudged Chifundo, “Well with a rad-storm on the way, that treehouse ain’t gonna provide them any real protection.”

I pointed at Scopola Mina, “That, she beat me to it.”

Quick Stitch nodded in agreement, “That tree house is not rad proof, and no telling if the drugs might make them aggressive after we pass.” I just kept glaring at Alguacil and then to Quick Stitch.

Chifundo approached and we waited. There was laughing and Chifundo blushing. I couldn’t tell what they were saying at this distance but there was certainly some blushing and mention of lack of cooties. Samma Flange produced a bottle of Rad-X and what was likely once RadAway but now looked like brown expired liquid. He was shouting now loud enough for us to hear them.

“We got the rad medical cabinet! We ain’t go no cooties up here, and honestly, this pink zebra is the prettiest one yall got; ain’t he Brownie?” He snickered, clearly drugged out of his mind. There was a yell back from within the treehouse we couldn’t make out. “Your name is Brownie now! Anyway, ya wanna come up and leave that cootie-filled green dirt pony behind?”

Chifundo shook his head and replied in a calmer voice, before trotting back to us. Alguacil stuck his chest out and adjusted his hat, “I got this.”

He stomped forward and shouted out to them, “Y’all acting all strong and proud, y’all aren’t nothing compared to the best stallions ever!”

Samma Flange looked wounded and Alguacil continued, “Why I bet Franzpone and Hanshoof could lift you with one leg and knock you flat out with the other two tied together!” Suddenly three stallions came down and looked up at him. I heard a strange whistling noise and looked around, no one else seemed to hear it. The distant echo of automatic weapons came next, but it was too far to be any threat to us.

All three of the Pips were now down at the base of the treehouse, Alguacil snorting at them and shouting in their faces, “I bet not one of yoa could match either of them Germaine brothers.” Samma Flange spoke to him and Alguacil pointed back down the path we had come. “There ya go, head to The Roof and ya better get there soon, else I think yer all yella!” The three stallions bolted past us, leaving a trail of dust and I just looked really confused.

Alguacil came back to us and adjusted his hat back, “Sometimes ya gotta speak the language of the drug brains to get them to do what’cha want ‘em to.” I remembered the haze and lack of caring that alcohol had induced in me, and now wanted a shot just to take the edge off this moment.

Scopola Mina was rolling on the ground laughing her flanks off and Quick Stitch was laughing with his head tossed back. Nyota chuckled and I just felt my eyebrow twitching. “Did Alguacil just negotiate and save a bunch of random druggie stallions from certain death?” Alguacil just smirked at me, and his smile made all this just the more unnerving.

We exited the grasslands and entered the overgrown forest that would lead us to Stable Phi. Chifundo was planting potatoes. The same blue potatoes he’d gotten much earlier from that spirit that had guided us to Hot Cross Buns. I noticed we hadn’t gotten that far but green vines had sprouted from where he had been planting potatoes. It had taken only minutes to get that far.

Spirits are really that powerful and flexible! To grow food within minutes or to reanimate a corpse to act against its will? I stared at Chifundo now, slowly realizing the sheer power he could tap into if he needed. I was stopped by Scopola Mina scooping a pile of red sand out of the ground and placing it into a jar. She’s looking at some drug property that stuff has. I tilted my head examining the sand.

“Sunriseee… That isn’t just sand! It’s powdered nitroglycerin! The only form of explosive safe for foals to handleee…” Pink emphasized the eee’s like she was trying to comically tempt a foal into laughing while going along with something highly illegal. I raised an eyebrow and leaned down to take a sniff of the sand. It had a very sweet but peppery scent.

My brain started going off and I felt an itch along my hooves; an itch that told me what this stuff was in fact powdered nitroglycerin. I motioned Quick Stitch over to me, “Hey, Quick Stitch; do you have a specimen jar?” Quick Stitch trotted up and tilted his head.

“Yeahhh... Sunrise, what do you need medical stuff for?” Quick Stitch gave me a hard look like he expected me to say something unsavory.

“Oh, just to collect as much of this powdered nitroglycerin as we can. It is likely useful for explosives still and it is stable in this form.” Quick Stitch let out a sigh of relief and we collected as much of the red sandy stuff as we could. Nyota motioned us close to show us something in the dirt.

There was a set of paw prints. At first I thought it was from a sand dog, but something primal in the back of my mind made the hairs on my neck stand on end. My hooves all itched with sighs of warning. I hesitated and took a step back, only one thing could instill this sort of primal fear into a pony; timber wolves. Nyota nodded to me as the realization set in, “We should set up hammocks here in the woods, well above the ground and keep a double watch tonight.”

“What about Scopola Mina’s warning concerning the weather?” I pleaded, worried about the rad storm as well.

“Well Sunrise, I did do some work on ‘em clouds to give us some more time.” Alguacil’s draw spoke up and he spat at the dirt. “I could go check, ya know. Make sure to punch a few ‘ore of ‘em down to give us enough time ta sleep tonight.”

“You should do that then, we don’t want to be traveling at night or even twilight.” Nyota replied, already starting to climb a tree to set up in the canopy for our protection. “Sunrise, start taking off your armor; only way you’re gonna make it up this tree.”

I shuddered, remembering tales passed on since ancient times of wolves; how dogs were domesticated and those that could not be, were exterminated. Then Equestria itself rebelled against us, creating the golem creatures from timber and magic to replace wolves. I shuddered and set about helping us create our camp high in the trees.

“SHHHH, Sunrise, wake up. Don’t you dare move or make a sound!” I was groggy and still holding my shotgun. I had fallen asleep during my shift, well, my second shift. I had taken it so Nyota could sleep, slowly I started to move and my tail grabbed my hoof to stop me. There was a snapping of a branch under us that sent a chill through me.

The scent of rotten meat filled the air and it was joined by the scent of maple syrup. Something about the combination of flavors sent my body into adrenaline filled fear. I felt goosebumps down my spine, I couldn’t move out of terror. There was some primal instinct that told me exactly what that smell was.

I very slowly found the courage to force myself to turn my head and look down, below us. Pink used my tail to hit S.A.T.S. on my PipBuck and it highlighted the forms of three wolf shaped enemies below. I released the spell and, agonizingly slowly, reached down to my 25mm “Newb Tube” and slid it into position to aim under us.

I waited, hoping they wouldn’t notice us, and seconds passed. They turned to minutes. I was sweating and my mouth ran dry; everything in my body screamed at me to shoot, but if someone woke up the wrong way and fell out of their hammocks they would be torn to pieces in retaliation before we could save them. Timber wolves were much larger than they had been in my history and biology textbooks at school. Everyone of them were easily twice the size of Nyota and three times larger than I was. I had little doubt; they could swallow me whole as the manticore had done. Glowing green eyes, filled with magic and radiation, told me, somehow, they could see in the dark. A glance up and they would notice us, instantly.

The timber wolves crowded around a slightly larger one, looking for what to do. They snapped at each other with teeth made of bark. I had an idea, Pink agreed with my idea. I aimed the grenade launcher as far as it would go. I used S.A.T.S. to confirm there were no trees or branches in the way. If I can’t kill you all, I can draw you off. With a thud I fired and in the distance an explosion echoed.

They all perked up and bolted off into the night towards the direction of the sound. The explosion startled everyone around me. I was holding a smoking grenade launcher as all my friends turned awake with weapons out while shushing them. Comically this was the only time I could ever think of someone holding a smoking explosives launcher and telling everyone to be quiet. “Awww, grace! Thy name is Sunrise.”

There were still a small number of wolves under us, trying to figure out where the thud had come from. Alguacil reached over to where Snuggles and Chifundo were, he snipped several pieces of the manticore’s lion mane off using his talons. He started dropping them under us. Within a second, the timber wolves detected what should have been the bigger predator and sprinted out of sight. Finally we could talk.

“How did they get that close to us?” Quick Stitch asked first and Alguacil turned towards me, glaring with his eyes.

“I, umm… tried to take Nyota’s shift so he could rest and I fell asleep.” Immediately after I finished speaking, Nyota bapped me on the helmet while Scopola Mina let out a tsk tsk tsk.

“Sunrise, darling, that’s not a very good idea.” Scopola Mina spoken while shaking her head.

Alguacil snorted, “I vote we never let Sunrise do that again.”

Scopola Mina nodded, “I second this.”

Nyota grunted, “Third, it passes.”

I had not realized we were in a democracy, “But I was—” Chifundo and Nyota reminded me what zebra hooves in my mouth tasted like.

“No butts, miss Sunrise, I’m afraid you need more sleep now because you took the extra watch. That just won’t work out for us, since you are sleeping for two now.” Scopola Mina crossed her hooves in my hammock matter of factly.

“Not ta mention you being sleepy and you’re being the one whose supposed to give us tactical advice, just aren’t good bed fellows.” Alguacil huffed.

Nyota giggled while holding his hoof against my mouth to keep me quiet, “Yeah, stop making us agree with Alguacil, it is very weird for all of us to agree with him too much.”

Chifundo and Quick Stitch both let out chuckles as they shook their heads and for a moment I couldn’t tell which was which, since I couldn’t make out the colors of their coats.

I tried to talk, only to sound incredibly muffled. “Shall we remove our hooves, to let her express her grooves?” I was too frustrated to care and decided enough with keeping me quiet. I licked both of their hooves. They both pulled away in disgust.

“You’re not my mom.” I snapped back as Snuggles curled back up into Chifundo, purring contently.

Scopola Mina snorted at me, “Do I need a Sunrise Mom Merit badge now? I’m sure Coffee Stain can invent one.”

We arrived at Stable Phi without anymore events interfering with us. The rock that had nearly crushed Quick Stitch’s leg off was gone. Is someone maintaining this place? We approached in silence, I could feel my nerves peaking up. I stopped and took some time to figure out where best to place the thermite to remove the stable door, as well as the secondary trap door that had tried to entomb us.

While I was doing that, all of us stopped, chilled to the bone when a very loud and very old dragon roar echoed around us. We all turned and looked at the clouds to see a dragon, the size of a castle, coming down through the persistent cloud layer. It was far away and Alguacil took a step back, “Sunrise, I suggest you get us inside ‘ere. That thing is coming our way.”

I ran inside and hastily plugged my archeotech link into the terminal, the screen lighting up on my PipBuck. The screen displayed all the various inputs into the control terminal as I scrolled through to figure out which one would work. Quick Stitch was on the terminal itself, trying to help me. Just before I input the first guess of a password, the screens both blanked.

Slowly the words: “Welcome, Scientist of Stable Phi, authorization confirmed.” rolled over both of our screens. Quick Stitch patted me on the back.

“Good job, Sunrise. You got it on the first try.”

I slowly shook my head side to side, “I didn’t do anything.” Everyone had their weapons out in a heartbeat. We all pointed them at the stable door as alert sirens blared for us to stand back. The metal groaned as the door was pulled back, years of rust being broken by a massive crane on the inside. Slowly the meter-thick, cog shaped door rolled to the side and revealed a security room. It was complete with a set of stairs, a waiting line roped off, metal detectors and decontamination chamber. The words: “Stable-Tec, the future is ours.” were in faded red paint while the symbol Phi dotted the walls in place of a stable number within the obnoxious yellow logo.

Lights that still worked buzzed in the new silence, as one of them popped and all of us trained our guns in its direction. I slowly unplugged my PipBuck and the intercom inside yelled at us, “Unauthorized user detected! Engaging counter measures!” There were dozens of angry gun clicking noises from the door belong. The heavy bulkhead not moving with a flashing red light next to it.

We approached the door and pressed the switch to open it. Ancient hydraulics lifted most of the door while the lower quarter slid into the floor. Inside was another hallway, this one lined with dozens of guns mounted on automatic turrets. The turrets were clicking as they tried to fire but had no ammunition left. Everything from shotgun turrets to miniguns, and even a couple of rapid fire 25mm grenade launchers were present. The grenade launchers were not firing, having been apparently damaged by gunfire. Shell casings littered the floor around us from door to door of this nearly ten meter long hallway.

In the center of the hallway was a soft, fluffy, white bunny. It was gnawing one of the shotgun shell cases. No one moved, Chifundo shook his head, “That is no ordinary bunny, do not mistake it’s disguise of honey.”

Alguacil shifted to one of the turret mountings for over, “I don’t like it, dat rabbit should be swiss cheese.”

I slowly put away my shotgun and reached through my pack finding a stale cookie and a fresh head of lettuce. I very slowly and as non-threateningly as possible approached the rabbit. “Sunrise, what are you doing? That thing might be dangerous.” Nyota called to me, reaching for my flank to stop me.

“If it can dodge all those gun turrets and not take a single hit, do you think we stand a chance against it?” I asked him, brushing his hoof off my flank. “I am going to try being nice to it and see what happens.”

There was a flash in my mind, to a yellow pegasus with the same Ministry of Peace symbol that was on Quick Stitch’s armor. The three butterflies were her cutie mark, with a gentle voice she nodded to me, “Be Kind.” I shook my head, knowing who this was and her attempts to “Be Better” had resulted in both Zebrica and Equestria being armed with megaspells. I also knew the tales of Angel Bunny, her protector.

That was a creature of insane intelligence and combat prowess, able to prevent any harm to ‘his’ Fluttershy. I got within a few steps of the bunny and it looked up at it, unafraid of me. I could see a couple of brown spots on it from this range and the only real description I could give of this creature was it was a rabbit colored rabbit. It is not for lack of trying, just when I blinked the colors seemed to shift slightly and unnaturally, until it was solid white again, only to slowly brown over anytime I wasn’t looking at it.

I extended the lettuce from my pack first, and the creature jumped to it, adorably eating at the lettuce like a machine. I softly picked the creature up with my hoof and it did not protest, it was just barely larger than my own hoof. I ripped a few more pieces of lettuce up and placed the bunny against the small of my back, where my armor plates would keep it in place. There was some content purring and the sound of munching lettuce as I returned to my friends.

I smiled to myself, feeling warm and happy; something about this creature just seemed to reassure me. Not all encounters require violence. I thought, trotting with a spring in my step back to my friends. Chifundo stared at me, stunned, while Scopola Mina giggled. Nyota and Alguacil gave me a wide berth. “Well, I guess I have a pet now, too.”

Pink let out a very long ‘daww’ and smiled at me. We moved as a group to the next door, the bunny making cute coos as it fell asleep on my back, there was a very warm spot where it was positioned. Chifundo triggered the door, and it opened to something that would shock us all. On the wall beyond, written in dry blood were the words: “You Got My Hopes Up.”