The boom of the gate as it slid down behind them made all of the Rainbooms flinch. To Sunset, it almost felt like they were being locked in captivity again. She tried to shrug it off as she and the others followed the Knights through the makeshift entrance passageway and through the doors at the end.

The courtyard ahead was a hive of activity, with dozens of Brotherhood personnel engaged in training or hurrying to complete errands. One of the Knights glanced at them as he passed, then did a double-take and stopped in his tracks. “Whoa, is that the Rainbooms?!” All activities in the bailey quickly ground to a halt, a hush spreading as more and more personnel noticed and stopped what they were doing to watch.

Sunset shifted uncomfortably under the combined stares of the soldiers. Some of them looked surprised or excited, others were giving Metzger and her squad impressed and encouraging looks. But, there were some, dotted throughout the crowd, who seemed less positive. Wary, scared, even angry; seeing expressions like that directed at her and her friends put Sunset on edge. The tension was broken suddenly as a woman’s voice rang out. “Alright, that’s enough gawping. Everyone, get back to your posts!”

Everyone in the courtyard quickly returned to what they were doing, giving the Rainbooms nothing more than passing glances as Sentinel Sarah Lyons strode towards the group. Instead of her armour, the Sentinel was clad in a simple grey uniform. Metzger and her soldiers immediately snapped to attention and saluted.

“At ease,” Sentinel Lyons said with a return salute. “Follow me, Elder Lyons wants all of you debriefed immediately.”

“Begging your pardon,” Tabitha cut in, “but, since my sister and I are somewhat surplus to the requirements here, I think it would be best if we headed off. We should be able to make it safely back to Rivet City on our own from here.”

“Who are these two?” Sentinel Lyons asked.

“They assisted us in rescuing the Rainbooms.” Metzger replied.

Sentinel Lyons nodded again and turned to Tabitha. “I realize that you want to return home as quickly as possible, but we would greatly appreciate it if you could join the debriefing. Having an extra perspective on whatever happened last night could be invaluable in reassuring the rest of the Wasteland.”

Tabitha looked around uneasily, however after a quick glance at Claire, she relented. “Very well. Since you put it that way, I suppose I can’t refuse in good conscience.”

“Excellent.” Sentinel Lyons turned and gestured for them to follow. “Come with me. The others should already be gathering in the Great Hall.”

The group followed the Sentinel as she led them to a door and then into the Citadel’s interior. Sunset felt a twinge of irritation as she found herself, once again, following someone through a series of cramped corridors. Still, she’d take cramped conditions inside over the wild and unpredictable dangers of the open wastes any day.

The reactions of the Knights and other personnel they passed varied just as much as those in the courtyard. Though, thankfully, a sharp glance and a terse word from Sentinel Lyons was enough to keep them minding their own business.

Eventually, after walking through a veritable maze of concrete corridors, Sentinel Lyons stopped outside a nondescript wooden door flanked by two Knights. The Knights saluted the Sentinel and one of them opened the door, announcing to the room within. “Officers, Sentinel Lyons has arrived with Squad Pilum and the Rainbooms.”

“Good. Send them in,” a voice called from inside. The Knight stepped aside to let everyone enter the room.

Two large, wooden, c-shaped tables dominated the room within. Around a dozen people were sat around the tables, along with a few teenage looking boys and girls standing around the walls of the room. Most of those at the table were men, wearing the same uniform as Sentinel Lyons, or thick red robes that stretched down to their ankles, but two of them stood out in particular. The first was Doctor Li, who let out a sigh of relief when she saw the girls enter the room. The other was an old man with a long wizened beard clad in heavy blue robes.

The old man’s eyes widened as he spotted the girls, but he gave no other hint of his surprise as he stood and clasped his hands behind his back. “You must be the Rainbooms, it’s good to finally meet you. I am Elder Lyons. It is my honour and duty to lead our chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel here in the Capital Wasteland. I apologise for bringing you here so soon after your liberation, but I’m afraid that current circumstances demand swift action, and the information you hold could prove vital in the coming days.”

“As well as perhaps explaining the madness that occurred last night,” one of the red-robed men added.

“Indeed,” Elder Lyons agreed gruffly. He ordered a nearby squire to fetch some refreshments for everyone then sat back down, steepling his fingers on the table. “Now then, where to begin?”

Over the course of the next two hours, the assorted top brass of the Brotherhood of Steel thoroughly interrogated the Rainbooms, pressing them for every single detail they could remember about what happened after their capture at Project Purity. The girls divulged almost everything they’d been through, leaving out only the details of their Geodes.

Elder Lyons and the others listened intently. They asked the occasional question for clarification, but mostly they just sat silently while two of the red-robed men scribed everything that was said. The revelation that there were different versions of the same people scattered across realities, as well as the news that certain scientists and military personnel were willing to work against the President, was of great interest to the Brotherhood’s leaders, as was the fact that the Enclave was looking into inter-reality travel.

When the girls reported their interception by the magically enhanced protectron, however, the mood in the room swiftly turned grim. Relaying the events that followed certainly didn’t improve matters. Eventually the story got to the part where the Rainbooms reached the surface, and it was here that the Wonderbolts, Tabitha and Claire added their testimony, explaining everything that they had seen and experienced during that last fight and flight.

Finally, after reaching the point where the group arrived at the Citadel, their tale came to an end. “Is that everything?” Elder Lyons asked.

Knight-Sergeant Metzger nodded. “Yes, Elder.”

“This is insane,” one of the red-robed men muttered.

Elder Lyons laughed mirthlessly. “You’re not wrong, Rothchild. However, insane or not, it is up to us to deal with it as best we can, for everyone’s sake.” He sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, “For now, our greatest concern should be whatever magic is still in the Enclave’s possession.”

“We are sure that it truly is magic then?” Rothchild asked.

“Is there anything else we can call it?” Doctor Li replied. “I’ll admit that I was sceptical as well at first, but after what we saw last night I don’t think there can really be any doubt.”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow curiously, “Uh, what exactly did you guys see last night?”

“A flash of light on the horizon, then thousands of those little wisp things flying through the sky in all directions,” Sarah Lyons replied. “Several of them collided with our personnel, causing them to… what was it you called it? Pony up?”

“Several of them also made contact with various inanimate objects,” Scribe Rothchild added accusingly, “imparting properties to them that we are hesitant to even test.”

Elder Lyons held up a placating hand, “Now, Rothchild, I know that this… complication is the last thing we needed right now, but we can hardly blame the Rainbooms for what occurred.”

“They should never have used that… that combined blast,” Rothchild retorted.

“If we had known what would happen we never would have,” Sunset countered. “We’ve used that power before to defeat dark magic, and it’s never done anything like that before.”

“In any case, what’s done is done,” Elder Lyons cut in. “As I said, the biggest threat right now is whatever magic was left in the Enclave facility.” He gave Sunset a serious look, “Do you believe that enough residue was left behind for the Enclave to study?”

Sunset frowned, “There’s more than enough left. I don’t think that either Tara or Becky would risk running experiments on any of it after what happened, but…”

“But they may not have a choice in the matter,” Elder Lyons finished. He sighed and shook his head. “Either way, it is a chance we cannot take. Now that the Enclave is aware that magic is real, and they have a stock of it available, we must operate under the assumption that the Enclave is going to do what it can to study it.”

“In any case, we should warn the rest of the wasteland about the new dangers they may be facing,” Sentinel Lyons put in.

Elder Lyons nodded grimly, “I agree, I’ll have a squad sent to Galaxy News Radio immediately. If we spread the word that this was all caused by the Enclave dabbling with forces they don’t understand, we may even be able to turn these events to our advantage.”

“Yes, well, this is all well and good, but what about us?” Rarity asked. “What’s going to happen to us now?”

“And what about Project Purity? And Adam?” Rainbow added.

Elder Lyons gave them a wan smile. “Fortunately, those questions are far easier to answer. Even as we speak, all available Brotherhood forces are being gathered together in preparation for an assault on Project Purity and Adam has gone to Vault 87 in search of a piece of technology that may allow us to finally get the purifier working as it was meant to.” He gestured vaguely towards the Rainbooms. “As for you seven, you are free to do as you please. If you wish to remain here at the Citadel until Adam returns, you are more than welcome to do so.”

Sunset glanced around at her friends. Exhaustion was clearly starting to show through; each of them had slumped shoulders, dark shadows under their eyes, and that was before adding in the minor scrapes and bruises that everyone sported. Sunset strongly suspected that she herself didn’t look much better. “We’ll take it easy here, if you don’t mind.”

“But what about Adam?” Fluttershy asked, “we can’t just leave him out there on his own.”

Rainbow looked at her incredulously. “Uh, you do realise that Adam’s kinda turned into a badass, right?”

“W-well, yes, but…” Fluttershy ducked her head and rubbed her arms nervously, “a-after what happened to… to J-James… he…”

“He might not have his head screwed on right,” Applejack said quietly. She sighed heavily and lowered her hat over her eyes. “Yeah, Ah get what you’re saying. Losing family ain’t something you just shrug off.”

A hushed silence fell at her words. Each of the Rainbooms was keenly aware of just how close to home this situation would hit for Applejack. It was Rarity who moved first, stepping forward and placing a comforting hand on the farm girl’s arm. “It’s alright, darling, we’ll all go and check on him. At the very least, he’s going to need some friends to look out for him in his time of need.”

Sunset nodded. “We’ll go after him, but we should at least get some rest for a couple of hours first. We don’t want to end up needing rescuing again.”

Applejack sighed. “Can’t say fairer than that, Ah guess.”

Elder Lyons clasped his hands and stood. “It’s settled then. I’ll have a squire take you to the rest and recreation areas and, when you’re ready to leave, just ask Scribe Rothchild how to find Vault 87.”

“Thank you,” Sunset replied gratefully.

Elder Lyons smiled at her, but his expression quickly turned serious once again. “One last thing. Once Project Purity had been reclaimed, I would greatly appreciate it if you would assist our scribes in learning everything we can about magic.”

Twilight gave him a wary look, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Magic is extremely dangerous when used improperly.”

“That’s something I learned the hard way, as you’re well aware,” Doctor Li huffed. “It may be dangerous, but doing nothing and just trying to ignore the magic is going to be even more dangerous in the long run. Especially if the Enclave does start studying magic too.”

“Take some time to think about it,” Elder Lyons said. “For now, I believe we can adjourn this meeting here. Sarah, Ladies Germaine, I’d appreciate it if you could remain here for a moment. The rest of you, you’re dismissed.”

Tabitha glanced at her sister as everyone else moved to leave, careful not to let any of her concern show on her face, the Rainbooms gave them curious looks, as did several of the Brotherhood higher-ups, but thankfully no one said anything. After just a few moments the room was empty save for Tabitha, Claire, Elder Lyons, and his daughter, Sarah.

“There’s no need to be alarmed, I assure you,” Elder Lyons said gently. “I just have a few questions for you, and then you may both be on your way.”

Tabitha settled her expression into a vapid smile. “Of course, I just hope I can be of service to such an esteemed personage as yourself.”

Elder Lyons shook his head. “On any other day I would gladly indulge in this little game of flattery and wit, but I haven’t the time, so I shall have to be blunt. Which organisation are you working for?”

“Organisation?” Tabitha asked, feigning ignorance. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you are talking about. I actually run a little boutique in-”

“Rivet City, yes, I know,” Elder Lyons interrupted with a nod. “Let’s not play games here. We both know that you weren’t aiding the Rainbooms on a whim or on the request of an acquaintance.”

“We know you’re not working for Reilly’s Rangers, the Regulators, Rivet City Security, or the Brotherhood Outcasts,” Sarah put in, folding her arms. “Unfortunately, the only other groups we know of in the Capital Wasteland who would have a reason to go after the Rainbooms would be Talon Company, Paradise Falls or Evergreen Mills.”

“What kind of sickos do you take us for?” Claire snapped.

“Not now, sweetie,” Tabitha hissed, thinking quickly. She’d known that questions would be asked, but she hadn’t expected the Brotherhood to be quite so sharp, nor that they would pay so much attention, given everything else they had on their plate. She decided it was time to go on the offensive. “Forgive me, Elder, but this is starting to sound like an interrogation. Does the Brotherhood of Steel usually treat people who help them in this way?”

Elder Lyons shook his head again. “This isn’t an interrogation, we just want to find out which other groups are making moves across the wasteland.” Tabitha opened her mouth to respond, but Elder Lyons held up a hand, “Please, no more games. I’ve been playing this game for a lot longer than you have. We know that you are part of some organisation here in the wasteland, one with ties to the Rainbooms, we just don’t know which one.”

Tabitha sighed heavily. “Fine. We are indeed part of a wider organisation. But I can assure you that we have no interest in interfering with the Brotherhood of Steel’s affairs. Our aim is simply to aid those that have no one else to turn to.”

Elder Lyons raised an eyebrow, “Then it seems our goals are aligned. One of the main aims of the Brotherhood of Steel here in the Capital Wasteland is the protection of the people. New allies in that endeavour would be welcomed with open arms.”

Tabitha smiled wryly. “The problem with that, Elder, is that many of the wasteland’s inhabitants, some of your Knights included, are very particular in their definition of ‘people’.” She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “I shall pass your sentiments on to my superiors. Anything more than that, I cannot promise.”

Elder Lyons nodded. “That sounds fair. Very well, just speak to the squire waiting outside and he will show you to the exit. Thank you for your time.”

Tabitha gave him a curt nod as she stood. “Not at all. Come along, Claire.”

The Elder and the Sentinel both watched silently as the sisters quickly left the room. As soon as the door was closed, Sarah turned to her father. “So, what do you think?”

Elder Lyons hummed as he thought for a moment. “I don’t think we need to worry about them for the moment. Once we’ve dealt with Project Purity and the Enclave, I’ll ask the Rivet City security chief if he can give us any information on the two of them, but we have bigger things to worry about right now.”

Sarah nodded. “Okay. So what’s our next move?”

“For now, we’ll continue gathering our troops until Liberty Prime is fully operational. As soon as Adam returns with the G.E.C.K, we shall begin our counterattack,” Elder Lyons replied. “In the meantime, we had better get word to Galaxy News about the magic.”

Alright, children. This is Three Dog, arooooo; coming to you with a special emergency news broadcast.

I’ve just received word from the Brotherhood of Steel, and they’ve confirmed that the Rainbooms have been rescued from the clutches of those Enclave assholes, and are currently recuperating at the Citadel.

Unfortunately, that’s about where the good news ends.

That blast and light show we all saw last night? It turns out, the Enclave were messing with forces they don’t understand... and couldn’t control. Those little wispy bits of light that went flying out over the wasteland weren’t just radiation, or fireflies, or whatever; they were balls of pure, unrefined, uncontrollable magic.

Yes. I’m serious. And you all need to pay close attention to what I’m about to say, because that shit is dangerous, with a capital D.

You see, those magic balls... they didn’t just fly around in the sky, they flew around at ground level too, and they bumped into things. The people that were hit by it all ponied up, just like the Rainbooms do. I haven’t heard any reports of people getting superpowers yet, but people have been growing funny ears and wings and stuff. If that happens to you or to someone you know. Do. Not. Panic. It may be all kinds of freaky, but this transformation is not permanent, and it is not, I repeat, not, dangerous.

What is dangerous is what has been happening when it hits something other than people. I’ve got word from the Brotherhood of Steel that there are super mutants that have been hit by this stuff, and they are getting transformed too.

That’s right children. Super mutants. With. Wings.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, apparently this magic has affected at least one Behemoth that we know of, and it may have affected other creatures across the wasteland too. For all we know, there could be ghouls with super strength or flying god-damned Deathclaws out there, so keep your eyes open and your head on a swivel if you have to travel anywhere.

To make things even more weird, the magic has even affected guns, clothing, and other assorted non-living objects. I’ve got an aerial upstairs that’s glowing a funky blue colour, and the Brotherhood tells me they’ve got all kinds of things happening to some of their kit, so be careful if you’re handling anything that might have been touched by magic.

Bear in mind that Rivet City has been placed on lockdown for the time being. It was close to the blast and got hit with a whole bunch of magic, and security has been beefed up massively to try and control the chaos. If you’re heading that way, be aware than its taking a while for anyone to get in or out of there, and for god’s sake don’t go pushing your luck with the security teams.

Apart from that, we have no real idea of how far that magic went or what kind of crazy shit it’s causing out there in the wider wasteland. And that’s where you lot come in, children. We need to know how far the magic has spread. If you saw any of those freaky balls of light flying overhead, try and spread the word any way that you can.

And remember, if someone has been hit by the magic, don’t be a dick. It ain’t their fault, and they are not any more dangerous than a normal person, raiders might have wings but that doesn't mean they can fly. The transformation isn’t permanent, and it won’t hurt you.

Thanks for listening chiiildren! This is Three Dog, awoooo!

Hello again!

Apologies for the lateness, I've got a project I'm working in on irl that's taken a lot of my focus recently. I won't say what it is just yet, but if all goes well I'll be doing a blog post about it in the future.

Thanks again!