Nuclear winter may have been over for 180 or so years but there were still those moments in time where instead of the cloud cover that curtained the starry sky from the wastelanders below absorbing heat, it did no more than reflect and protect them from the warmth, be it due to soot or other atmospheric phenomenon that wished nothing but to see those down below suffer. The past month had seen a lot of that, with temperatures usually decreasing to somewhere a little below freezing. Snow had fallen recently during what would have normally been a rainstorm, so there were a couple inches of the crunchy powder scattered across the ground everywhere that didn't have upper protection. Because of this, it smelled just like snow, which is to say every other smell was far less pungent and everything just felt slower and ponies could see their breath.

During all of this Fear was taking shelter within an old war-torn factory, his body heat keeping him warmer than most would feel. The radiating warmth absorbing into his fluffy coat of dark gray fur, as unkempt as it was, despite the tangles here and there. There was debris all around him. Old assembly machinery, conveyor belts, compressors, branding equipment, the works really. There were a combination of large and small cardboard boxes, crates, and trash in the area. Garbage ranging from buckcake wrappers all the way to office supplies that had fallen from areas once inhabited by desk job ponies due to earth tremors from the bombs falling.

Fear himself was making the most of this treasure trove of items by strapping appropriately sized cardboard boxes around his legs and over his head, horn poking out of a hole he'd made, as well as over his barrel. All of them broken down and then put back together with packing tape. This was his home; this was his playtime; this cardboard was his armor. Fear was pretending to fight off piles of boxes that were crafted in the shapes of robots using a terrifyingly weak version of telekinetic bullet. Building up the psychokinetic pressure in his horn and blasting it like a paperclip slingshot into the boxes. Barely even making a dent. But it was enough.

Storm's stuffed body, Fear's Garand, and his saddlebags were laid in a corner of the factory nearby him as he continued to fight off his imaginary foes, playing as any colt should, even if technically he was growing too old for these little games of pretend. Overall, he was making a lot of noise, boasting like any good hero should about how he was going to eradicate all threats to Equestria and yelling out his motives to bring harmony back to such a glorious, bright land full of sunshine and rainbows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48no1gQdUXA Appropriately themed jazz music belted out from his radio during his crusade against the android menace.

It was during his play, and in part due to it, that he didn't sense the filly coming up to him until it was nearly too late, his horn glowing as he prepared another bolt of telekinesis and whipping around, jaw slack. If anything he looked incredibly silly standing there covered in cardboard boxes printed with logos and information with his horn lit up and jaw hanging open, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

The filly, who Fear immediately recognized as the mare from his dreams, just younger, due to it being seared into his imaginary retinas, had a look of sly bemusement on her face, as if she were secretly making fun of the colt for his antics. Her smirk spreading from ear to ear, her head twisted to the side lightly as she held a hoof against her lips. There was a balletic rigidness to her. Stiff posture yet loose muscles. Unlike the mature, slender mare with elegant curves the mare from his dream had, this filly had more of a lankiness, which was still different compared to Fear's stoutness. She clearly hadn't finished developing. However her amethyst mane and tail were as beautiful as ever, and those violet, gem-like eyes with their entrancing sapphire ellipticals seemed to pierce into his soul. She also wore a pair of heavy duty, durable saddlebags. Fear knew that while she was clearly judging him slowly, she was not a threat. She didn't have the color of a threat in his mind's eye, and neither did the whispers of her soul feel malignant and damaged. If anything those whispers spoke of purity, wisdom, and superiority.

“Why exactly are you making so much noise? Do you not know being so loud will attract predators? Where is your mother, colt?” The filly spoke like she was older than she clearly was, though the way she carried herself gave her a few extra years. There were also no contractions in her speech patterns, as if she'd intentionally cut all such improprieties from her lexicon, neither were there any syllables wasted. There was no room for failure and weakness when you were her. The air around her was smug, but open-minded. Her voice was melodic, dutiful, full of purpose. Like she'd found her calling long ago and she would cut down any who got in her way.

Yes, this was definitely the mare from his dream, albeit far more obvious about who she was, and far less gentle.

“I'm Fearei Shatter. Who're you exactly?”

The filly felt emotions in order. One, she was flummoxed by his improper speaking, clearly, rolling her eyes in a small arch and shaking her head. Second, she was a little flustered because as silly as the colt was, he was kind of cute. Clearly damaged. But trying his best. And further, he hadn't even come close to answering her question. Foremost, there were many tumultuous emotions running through the colt's head, and his facial expressions showed each and every one of them. From recognition, to feigned offense, to calm.

“I...” The filly hesitated, pressing a hoof against her chest and tilting her head into the air, gently closing her eyes. “I am Ameliorate Reverie. And you would do well to remember that. Are you going to answer my question or not?”

Fear just grinned stupidly, his tail hiking up, saying the first thing that was on his mind. “I dreamt about you, you know.”

Amelio was completely thrown off guard by that little statement, recoiling back as if she'd been slapped. A powerful blush flowed across her face as her lips tensed up and undulated a bit in concern, her ears flopping back against her skull. While she was clearly still frustrated her question hadn't been answered, she was just as clearly enthralled by the fact somepony had dreamt of her. “Oh? What was the dream? Was it something grand and extravagant like me?” She recovered her composure and pressed the hoof against her chest again, standing tall and wiggling the front of her body.

Fear noticed the filly's embarrassment and interest easily. Huh, she was fun to tease. Fear took a step forward and flicked his tail to the side. Maybe he should tease her more. “Hmm... Well. I don't know if you'd really like to hear it. Are you really interested in hearing about my little old dreams?”

Amelio snorted. “Not even slightly.” Her face wrinkled up a little in frustration at being teased as she felt the colt drawing closer to her. Fear was clearly not armed, and he did not seem like a threat.

Fear rolled his eyes and shrugged as he sidled up next to her. “Really? Well that's too bad because it was really interesting. I dreamt the both of us stood above the entire wasteland, ruling it all together as lovers.” His eyes were lidded, intentionally flirting with the filly.

Amelio huffed and sat back on her haunches, pulling back her forehooves and thrusting them out, shoving Fear over to his side, who yelped as he took a tumble from the filly's strength. Fear started laughing a little as he got back onto his hooves and Amelio spoke. “I really doubt that.” able to tell he was lying, but still clearly interested. His flirtatious behavior was a little new for her. A reluctant, squeamish grin crossed her face. “I always did want to be a leader of some kind however.” She nodded once, firmly, putting her head back into the air snootily. “As in a council member of Friendship City or something to do with Tenpony Tower.” She paused for a moment as Fear dusted himself off, his cardboard armor having deflated slightly from the fall. “You know, ponies say Princess Luna was capable of dreamwalking. I never really thought about it before but would that not be interesting and beautiful, to manipulate dreams and watch how ponies react?”

Fear shook his head, smiling doofily. It was interesting seeing a filly his age, or near his age. She was probably a year or two older than him. “I mean maybe. I don't like interfering a ton.” Amelio's face visibly fell. That certainly seemed at odds with that blatant blood lust deep inside of him. Still, Fear clearly wasn't lying. Sincerity was etched across his face and engraved in his young, feminine voice. “As for what I was doing... I was playing Mega Mare. Have you heard about Mega Mare? Mom always told me stories of her when I wasn't listening to the DJ.”

The filly's smile returned again at those words, happy to finally hear about what he was doing.

“Also, I know I'm being a little loud, but I didn't feel any wild monsters around. I guess I indulged a little too much though.”

There was no way for Fear to compare her disposition to the moon because he'd never seen it, but if he had he would. Mysterious, bright, intelligent, calm, shimmering. Flawless from far away with little craters when you looked closer at what made her who she was. Amelio cocked her head to the side as she spoke “You are a dork. And not really, Dad primarily tells me about-”

Fear interrupted her rather readily, before she could mention her father's stories about his time in Chicoltgo, chirping out. “Yeah, I'm a dork, but I'm proud of it!” He closed his eyes and looked smug. “And why don't I tell you some stories and we can play together?”

Amelio smiled a tiny bit, shaking her head and rotating her eyes in a wide, condescending arch. This was incredibly juvenile, and she was a little upset about being interrupted – this colt was very rude – but Fear's enthusiasm was infectious, and she couldn't help but adore how honest he was about how dorky he was in a place as unforgiving as the wasteland. It was attractive. She had to work out some of his wrinkles, perhaps, but he seemed like he'd make a good friend at the least. “Sure, why not? I have a half hour to spare.”

“Well in that case let's get you outfitted in some armor.” As Fear went about collecting papery wafer-thin boxes he began explaining the basis. “Essentially Mega Mare was this fictional hero during war-time Equestria who was built by Doctor Applebloom. The second in her line following Alpha Mare, a red android compared to Mega's blue. It was their job to bring harmony and prosperity to Equestria, but the other doctor, Wiz Caesar, a zebra that was working with Dr. AB ended up stealing Alpha Mare and all the other androids they were working on together in order to try and rule the world.”

Amelio sighed at the explanation. It was simple enough, but incredibly silly.

Fear just continued, ignoring her. “Mega Mare was thus outfitted with the latest weaponry and magic in order to put a stop to the zebra doctor's plans and bring harmony back to Equestria, by whatever means necessary. But unlike the Caesar's bots Mega Mare was not allowed to hurt actual equines, despite being able to make her own decisions. The three laws of robotics.” Fear began reciting. “A robot may not hurt an equine or, through inaction, allow an equine to come to harm. A robot must obey all orders by equines except when it conflicts with the first rule. And third, a robot must protect its existence as long as it does not conflict with the first or second law.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws2H5d_btUE

The filly was a little surprised by Fear's knowledge and memory. Her eyebrows raising.

As Fear finished outfitting Amelio with packing tape and cardboard, Amelio having shifted her saddlebags to the corner where Fear's laid, Fear gave a curt nod. “Your name is Alpha Mare, and it is your job to help me spread everlasting harmony throughout Equestria by beating up all these robots and machinery.” He threw out his foreleg to gesture to the whole factory. “We just gotta beat 'em up with telekinetic bullet. Are you familiar with it?”

Amelio shook her head. “Not really. I only really know a light spell and some special things my father taught me.”

Fear grinned. “Well you're in luck. To use telekinetic bullet all you have to do is gather up a bunch of pressure in your horn until it feels like it's gonna explode, then direct it and release it. It'll cause a bullet to fly out of your horn.”

Amelio did just that, gathering up a ball of telekinesis. Compressing it and thinning it out into a dart, and then releasing it at one of the boxes. Unlike Fear's it managed to make it jiggle and created a cavity, nearly piercing it. A little more power and she'd have an incision.

“Alright then Alpha! Let's get going!”

There was a giant, stupid smile on Amelio's face. She felt so incredibly silly, but this was rather fun. “Yes Mega, let us go!”

Fear laughed as they began fighting their way through towering boxes and defunct machinery, running over conveyor belts and jumping across holes and avoiding sharp spikes that would grind them into meat strips if it were still operating and they fell in. Jumping the gaps was difficult and they sometimes had to help each other with their telekinesis to lighten their weights and allow them to leap higher and farther, but they were quickly climbing the dangerously, precariously placed debris as they fired and tore into the boxes around them, which they occasionally acted like they were being attacked by and screaming and laughing. It was overall a good time, and soon they were up to the offices.

Mega and Alpha resorted to calling each other sister as they started over-turning desks and peppering lamps and old terminals with telekinetic darts, peppering everything within range. Shattering glass and tearing apart this and that. Going through the motions of a craftily laid out war factory dungeon

Eventually they came to the primary terminal, having beaten up even robots that had long ago stopped functioning due to their security being turned off. Mega cried out. “It's the dreaded Terminal Mare! We have to put a stop to her otherwise she's gonna turn on the self-destruct and we won't be able to escape! Come on sis'!”

Alpha just rolled her eyes again, smiling broadly as they started jumping around on top of everything and firing bullets at the terminal.

“It's not enough Alpha! We need to combine our powers in one big shot! But be careful we can't afford to get hit!”

Alpha nodded and jumped to Mega's side and they put their horns together, Amelio's long and almost royal. Fear's horn stubby and appropriately belonging to a pipsqueak. They generated energy together, pouring their magic into the tips of their horns. Black and white swirled together between them like yin and yang, coalescing into a giant telekinetic bullet. They crafted and tempered it, hammering it into a giant charged shot worthy of their combined powers. “Three! Alpha cried.

“Two!” Mega replied.

“One!” Alpha finalized.

“FIRE!” They both shouted at once.

The force of the telekinetic bullet whistled through the air as it flew loose, shredding through the terminal and deactivating it for good. Too bad for anypony who wanted to use the terminal, but good for the two of them who'd had such a good time.

“Yeah! Sis! We did it!” Mega cried in victory.

Alpha clapped her hooves against Mega's as they “reverted” back to their normal selves, falling on the ground and laughing, holding their bellies.

Fear and Amelio eventually made their way back to the entrance of the factory, looking at the wreckage of everything they'd destroyed and toppled over. Still laughing occasionally. Fear was the first to speak. “Haha! No zebra leader stands a chance against our power!” He puffed out his chest, grinning like a hero with blazing crimson eyes. As violent as they looked, they seemed almost tame.

Amelio just stared at Fear, shaking her head a little. She found herself slipping into the quicksand of attraction. Falling for his confidence, dorky honesty, and overdramatic bravery. Everything he'd exhibited during their little game, and everything she could feel from the whispers of his soul. He had clearly done... Wrong things in his life. She could sense the blemishes, the stutters and stammers of every whisper. The lack of full security in who he was. He was slowly crumbling, that much Amelio could tell. But perhaps they could help each other. He was a cute little colt. Amelio draped her foreleg over Fear's shoulders as they wandered back to the front of the building. They got their saddlebags and other gear together, Amelio's having been hanging out atop Fear's protectively. Eventually Fear strapped Storm to his back once more. And with that they left the factory behind. The filly watched Fear for awhile as they walked together to... Well, she had no idea where Fear was going, but she was going back to her father.

Fear honestly just wanted to hang out with this new filly for awhile longer. It wasn't often he found others his age and that wanted to play with him.

Amelio finally broached the one topic that interested her the most a minute later. “Who is that mare on your back, and why do you carry her?”

Fear winced and twitched for a second as if something had hit him. Still. It always... Felt better talking about it. As if he was able to give a word of warning or to just enjoy regaling ponies with the tale. Nopony ever stuck around though, or was it that he never stuck around? But since this pony might stick around and since she seemed nice to stay with... Maybe he should go into more detail? He looked back behind him at the oversized stuffed plushie strapped to his back with a cord. “Well, she's my mother.” He sounded hesistant and unsure. He knew others felt uncomfortable.

And uncomfortable Amelio did feel. Fear was clearly very damaged. She eased out the words she thought she might regret. “What... What happened to her?” It was clear Fear didn't want to let go, and she didn't blame him for that, even if she knew it was unhealthy to carry your stuffed parent. She'd never do anything like that.

Fear looked back and nodded. "Well... It was early in the morning.”

=========================================================================

Amelio seemed to know exactly where she was going as Fear told the story in vivid detail to his new friend. They were headed to a specific part of a nearby outpost named Notres. At least that's what the sign said. A lot of the letters were faded with time. It looked like a warning sign instead of a welcome one. Not that anyone knew but it once said 'No Trespassing.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPUTddT8APc&feature=youtu.be&t=145

The air was chilled and cold, everything solid and slow. Things were sluggish and dry. It poked against the skin and crystallized the fur given enough time and lack of heat. It was like someone taking a brush to the body and gently grazing over it. Things were still, and the snow crunched under hoofsteps. Fear and Amelio were heading into the outpost limits and toward one of the buildings in particular. Amelio seemed to know exactly where she was going, homing in on a signal only she could feel, or at least that only she was familiar with.

A few moments later as they approached, the door opened and out stepped a dazzling old stallion with youthfulness in every bit of his features, only more pronounced by his thin lips, which were a vague simulacra of something familiar and cozy. Yet despite the youth, his perfectly combed mane was a pure glistening platinum, like threads of gossamer covered in morning dew. The silken hair and tail were curly, twisted, and suave, perfectly coiled as they reflected light like sparkling stars. A short, swirly pearl-tipped horn jutted up out of his forehead. His smooth, short, luxurious fur coat was beautiful, a calm, gorgeous periwinkle blue. His eyes a pure pool of indigo that looked like glossy ink or jewels, full of life and fire despite the weary undertones to his being. The cutiemark adorning his flanks was glorious, albeit shamefully greyed out as if a chemical had been used to make it monochrome. As is, the symbol was a large mirror with ornate trim and two drama masks overlaid. One sad with a darker shade, the other happy with a lighter tint. On his back were a pair of durable, light brown saddlebags that looked almost good as new, somewhat full, evenly weighted, and without much detail. Aside from a sheathe on one side holding a sharpened black knife with a slightly curved ivory handle. In a word, he was magnificent, and looked like he belonged in pre-war Equestria as an actor.

Amelio gestured to the stallion who was coming down the steps leading to the front door and spoke. “Fear, this is my father Simulacrum.” She turned to her father then. “Dad, are you finished with your errands?” It was odd how flawless and proper Amelio's mannerisms were aside from the casual way she referred to her parent.

Fear looked from Simulacrum to Amelio and back again, understanding right away just how somepony like Amelio could have been sired. Fear himself was gradually falling for Amelio too, as if it were love at first sight. There was discomfort about his feelings, but he couldn't deny he enjoyed playing pretend with her, and was interested in doing more. He'd just have to wait and see what the future held.

Simulacrum stepped into the snow, grinning a bit. Even that was somehow charismatic and charming. With a nod, he responded. “Yes, Ame, I'm finished. Right on time too.” He looked to her little friend and stiffened, visibly flinching at the sight of the dead body sewn up. Then he eyed the pendant around the colt's neck, hiding his emotions on the surface. All that registered between the two older foals, one nearing her teens, was a hint of surprise. “Hey there kid, what's your name?”

Fear was a little put off by the surprise, but then again all ponies seemed to feel that way regarding his mother. “Fearei Shatter. It's nice to meet you Simulacrum.”

Sim's eyes glassed over for a moment.

Amelio looked between the two as Fear asked what was wrong.

“Nothing kid, just call me Sim, that'll do.” Sim gave Fear a hesitant smile and shrugged. There was a warm, fatherly look to his eyes. As if he had perfected it over the years. Or maybe he had always had it in him. “Say, you didn't kill your mother did you?”

Fear shook his head. “Nah. Though how'd you know she was my mother?”

Amelio piped up right after Fear, saying “no, he didn't. He told me the story about it and he's definitely not lying. Raiders killed her.” Very quick to his defense. Her eyes wide with a little concern.

Fear glanced to his new friend and tilted his head. “You can tell whether or not I'm lying?” Sure Amelio could have just been protecting him with that, but if she was Fear would have felt her lying.

Sim chuckled. It had a cozy bitonal attribute. High pitched and low pitched all at once. But there was little questioning it, as it just felt like a trick of the vocal cords. “She's an empath. Why? Are you one too? Also, regarding your question: she's a full sized mare, and you wouldn't carry around just any random pony with you I assume.”

Fear's smile was unending and powerful as he nodded emphatically. “Yeah! Of course I am! I can sense ponies around me in a pretty big distance, I'm no slouch!” The explanation sated him well enough.

There was a little uncertainty in Sim's eyes. Fear sensed discomfort but it was probably because the stallion didn't trust him yet. After all most ponies didn't immediately trust a pony that was carrying around a dead pony. Some just assumed he was a raider like all the others. Thankfully for him he easily passed for as young a colt as he looked, if not a little younger, and further he didn't wear blood-soaked raider armor. Nor did he wear leather saddlebags. Anyways, that was fine, these two ponies felt really good. Amelio was kind and felt like she had a lot of integrity, even if easily corrupted, and Sim felt like he was being mildly dishonest, however he was kind enough. He had probably just done horrible things too, accounting for the blemishes in the whispers of his soul. And overall he was a very extravagant source of light despite that. He felt like a sun who just wanted to nurture ponies. Fear was about to ask about the empathy thing, as he hadn't met anypony like him before but...

“Why don't we get settled for the night? You can come with us. We already have a little encampment set up a little ways outside town off the road. Would you like that?” Sim clearly didn't mean it, but it was easy to tell what Amelio was feeling just by how she defended him.

Amelio started jumping a little, looking between the two males. “Yeah come on! Let us go! Let us camp for the night! Together!” She was excited and giddy, sitting on her haunches and clapping her hooves together, excited to have a playmate.

Fear shrugged, grinning nonchalantly. “Sure, what do you do for a living anyway Sim?” The three started on their way as the stallion began explaining his expertise.

“I'm a comfort horse. Probably the best of the best if you ask those I've taken care of. I do everything from foalsitting to massages, all the way to actual sex. Though my real talent lies in acting. I've done a few tiny plays but nothing major. Where are you from kid?”

The colt was very impressed, looking at Sim in awe. “Wow! I always kind of wanted to try out a life like that – being a comfort horse I mean – I've done it before. But I can't really stop fighting. I hate myself for it but I'm always drawn to it.” Sim seemed concerned at that, but ignored it. “I myself grew up in the wasteland, but my Mom's from Stable 47 out by Stalliongrad.” Fear turned to his mother and spoke to her, nearly chirping. “These two are really interesting Mom!”

They certainly are, sweetie. There's something off, but they seem very kind. I'm happy for you my little Nightlight.

Fear beamed to the utmost while the other two looked on in concern.

Sim lifted a hoof, turning it upward. “You ever been there or thought about going there? It's technically your home too after all.” This caused the colt to wither a bit.

“Welllll... No.” Fear admitted. “But I've thought about it a bit. Seems like it could be kind of fun I guess.” He nodded his head to the side.

Sim bounced his saddlebags into the air a bit as he adjusted himself. “Well! Why don't we escort you there? I'd love to visit that stable too, or any stable for that matter. Maybe you can even put your mother to rest where she belongs. Where she began.”

Amelio squeaked. “Yes! That would be very cool! Road trip!”

Fear grinned and nodded sheepishly, shrugging a shoulder. “Sure, I'll consider it.” Truth be told he was contemplating running away. He didn't want to give Storm up. She felt so good to talk to. But it'd be wrong to leave them high and dry when they just wanted to help him and... It wasn't like he was doing anything else. Stable 47 might even have answers about his mother and the pendant she carried. Be able to tell him things about her life growing up so he could get to know her better. Storm had always been incredibly personal and private, even around him. So maybe he should. Besides, the stable probably wouldn't ask for his mother back. He knew it was delusional denial, but he refused to give her up and was falling into the desire to visit.

Sim's invigorating smile returned. “Well then, the next leap will be the leap home.”

“Huh?” Fear was confused. That sounded weird.

Amelio rolled her eyes. “That is something Dad always says to keep us in high spirits, as if there is some kind of home waiting out there for us. He says he learned it from an old radio play.”

Sim chuckled that same weary yet energetic laugh. “I've told you Ame, your grandparents are waiting for you to come visit again.” He ruffled Amelio's mane with a hoof. “It's your home as much as it's mine.”

Amelio grumbled. “Yes, but I want a real home. Somewhere I can be the leader of. I want to be incredible. I want everypony to look up to me, respect me, and adore me. I want them to come to me for all their problems, for my leadership. I want them to respect me.”

Sim just grinned while Fear felt enticed by the filly. The colt decided to tease her a little. “Well you can lead me any day,” he sultrily said with a clearly seductive tone. Sim rolled his eyes.

Amelio blushed deeply and looked away as they got to a stack of firewood.

Sim opened up his saddlebags. Fear could see some bags of caps, a fancy spark lighter with a picture of the alicorn Princess Luna engraved on it, two canteens – one with a gash running along it horizontally, and another bag of something round and spherical – they looked squishy. Sim took out the lighter and pulled open the cap, holding it in a turquoise telekinetic aura. He hit the switch with a 'kachick' and the flame fwooshed into being. After lowering the flame to the dry wood, it eventually caught flame, becoming engulfed especially as Sim lit both ends. There was always at least a little dead wood still remaining for things like this.

The group got comfortable, and Fear finally decided to ask the question most pertinent on his mind. “So Meels is an empath too, right? What do you guys know about it?”

Amelio was about to say something before Sim interjected. “We might tell you eventually. If you can prove you're trustworthy.” Amelio scoffed.

“But he is super trustworthy!”

Sim just glanced to her.

“Sorry Dad.” Amelio deflated, staring at the ground.

Sim gave an understanding nod to his daughter. “I trust you Ame, but he's a little wild. Throwing around anything and everything.” His head turned to Fear. “I want to know you're not too impulsive before we share information with you, Fear.”

Fear was a little bitter at that, but he didn't resent them. He could understand what they were saying. “I mean I kind of get it. I'll prove myself! Don't worry!”

Amelio sulked. “Sorry Fear. We will tell you soon.”

Sim then pulled out the bag full of spherical goods and opened it up, popping out two strange, magenta, grape-like orbs. With a closer look Fear was able to see juicy fluid coursing around inside, swirling about like his cutiemark. He floated one over to Amelio who took it in her charcoal magic. Slipping it into her mouth and chewing.

“What are those?” Fear was curious as ever.

“Our dinner for tonight.” Sim was as forthcoming as ever.

“Can I have one?” Fear queried.

Amelio took up the mantle for this one. “I do not know if they would affect you or not honestly. They are special and only energize certain kinds of ponies.”

Fear was a little confused and left out, but dropped it. They had their secrets. As irritated as he was, this explained why Sim felt like he was hiding stuff. Besides, they'd been kind to him so far. While he tried to stop dwelling on it, he went through his own saddlebags and pulled out a can of cream corn, popping the hatch lid and peeling it backwards, exposing the contents. He held it out in his telekinesis over the open fire, whose flames were licking at the air. It was moments like this he appreciated being a unicorn, even as he tried not to get a full head on his shoulders. After all, it was nice to be able to cook things without risking burning himself, without needing to rely on utensils.

Amelio piped up. “So Fear, do you know any scary stories meant for stuff like this?”

Fear contemplated it, tapping his chin with a hoof. “Well I mean I know a few. Have you ever heard the one of Slenderstal?”

Amelio shook her head. “Never. Tell us.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OC9LjTeipI

Fear tried to determine where to begin, rolling his jaw with the hoof and squinting at the cloud cover above as he reveled in the heat of the flames. “Well, Slenderstal is this huge, slender pony as his name implies. He's said to have been as large as the princesses. A completely white pony dressed in a black suit and tie. His legs were as long as the branches of the tallest tree, with a face completely blank of any features. Nothing but empty skull covered in flesh and fur. No eyes, no mouth, no snout. His ears don't even have holes. The most dexterous thing on him are these really long, slim, greasy tentacles that sprout from his back to help him capture little colts and fillies.”

The colt continued. “They say he drives ponies mad. Never quite revealing himself for real except to foals, who he steals away to do Celestia knows what to them.” The flickering flames caused light to dance across Fear's features, leaving him encased in shadows here and there, and covered in light in others. Constantly shifting. “This particular story is about a particular filly who was out wandering through Manehattan's run down shops all on her own. She was looking through an old boutique, exploring the various dresses that had survived the bombs going off and darkness had settled in. It encroached around her like a monster ready to swallow her whole.”

Amelio was rapt with attention; although uncertain that she believed a word of it. It sounded too weird.

“Well, eventually the little filly found a great big mannequin wearing a suit of the highest quality fabric. She admired it for a long time, before finally looking up at the one wearing it. She didn't quite expect what she saw. A heavy weight overcame the filly. She felt like she was suddenly drowning, couldn't come up for air. It was an unhealthy obsession with this mannequin that suddenly moved. Its tentacles coming down to pick up the little filly and hold her at eye level. They locked eyes with each other, and as the filly's mind was broken, snapped in two, she was finally set down. Thoughts ran through the filly's head. Wild, corrupt thoughts. She needed to serve this entity. This entity that wore clothing of the finest silks. She needed to be with him. And the only way she could be with him was...”

Fear paused, pulling his can from the fire and setting it down in front of him, waiting for it to cool as steam rose off of it.

“You guessed it. She eventually went home and later that night she killed her parents, seeing the figure from the shop out of the corner of her eye the entire time she was doing it.”

Amelio snorted and rolled her eyes. “That was not very scary. You almost had me going though. You kind of rushed through it at the end. And besides, how does he see without eyes?”

Fear fumed and huffed, crossing his forelegs over his chest. “I don'know, I always assumed he used, like, empathy or something to locate souls. Doesn't matter. If you don't like it, you do better.”

Sim was enjoying their antics as he laid by the fire, relaxing to scary stories that hardly had any basis in reality as far as he knew.

Amelio grinned sinisterly. “Gladly. This story is about a mare by the name of Bloody Merry Gold. They say she is one of the many dangers you can encounter within Canterlot's pink cloud. Her entire body is emaciated and mutilated, the clothing from her death fused to her flesh and blood cascading down her entire body. They say she was around the day the pink cloud was released and got caught in it, her coltfriend leaving her to die in the bathroom of their house while he ran to try and escape in one of the bunkers. Only he never made it.”

There was a pause as the fire illuminated Amelio, making her seem more silly than terrifying.

“According to legend, you can meet up with Bloody Merry's eternal spirit if you go to Canterlot at night and find a mirror, broken or not does not matter. And cry in front of it her name three times. They say depending on whether she takes a liking to you, she either stabs you to death with mirror shards, leaving you to bleed out on the floor due to how angry she is for being left to die, or she takes pity on your poor, worthless soul and pulls it out of your body through your mouth, and whisks it away into the night, leaving your body a husk to be claimed by nature while you remain with her in agony forever. And that is the legend.”

Fear rose an eyebrow, not believing a word of it as he chomped and chewed on his food. “Well, that wasn't much of a story, but you certainly told it well so... Good job.” He gave her a genuine smile, his compliment sounding and feeling sincere.

Amelio's face flushed with crimson heat again. “Th-thank you, Fear.”

Sim shook his head. “Alright kids, time for sleep. We have a big day tomorrow.”

Fear shrugged as Amelio and he laid down on the ground, the snow around the fire melted. The radio helping lull him to his rest.

Amelio, curious, inquired: Fear, do you have to keep that thing on all night?

Fear nodded as he closed his eyes. “Definitely. Turning it off always gives me an anxiety attack.” The filly seemed satisfied by that, albeit worried, and tried to enjoy the sound of the smooth jazz tunes that were nearing their end.

“I'll wake up during the night and put some more wood on the fire,” said Sim comfortingly.

As the jazz tunes ended, DJ-P0N3's voice kicked up. “Remember children, family is the most important thing in the wasteland, and family is more than just those related to you by blood! They're those who choose to stick by you in the worst of times and the best of times. They're the ones we share life's happiest and most miserable experiences with. Through thick and thin, family is with you.”