A new face? Strong, but... not perfect. For a nominal fee, Doc Crocker can give you the looks you've only dreamed about before.

Morning came, and I felt as if someone had just performed brain surgery on me without knocking me out, or giving me something for the pain. Hangovers... gotta love 'em...

I groaned in pain; my ears folding back as I turned my head to the side. The surface I was pressed up against was soft, but kinda scratchy, too. I cracked my eyes open to find myself on the couch. Whiskey's couch.

What the fuck happened last night...?

I looked down to see a blanket over my body, and looking down at the floor, a metal bucket. It was filled about halfway with vomit. Guess that explained why my stomach hurt...

I let my head collapse back on the cushion, sighing.

"Fuck... my head..." I muttered groggily.

Sure felt like someone fucked my head... with a crowbar.

"Good morning, Charger." I heard Whiskey say in a soft, caring tone behind the couch. I really didn't want to think about her name right now... It made my stomach turn...

"Don't know about it being good..." I muttered, sitting up and groaning after. Ooo, that head rush though... "But it is a morning."

I looked over to see her smiling faintly as she set down two plates of breakfast at the dining table.

"Eggs are good for the hangover." She stated, sitting down. "So eat." I noticed she hadn't looked at me. Not even a glance...

I removed the blanket, got up, and stumbled over to the seat that awaited me. I sat slouched as I ate.

"Thanks, Whisk."

"Yeah..." She blushed a little, but she wasn't smiling. "Look... Charger... You're a nice guy and all, but... I just don't see you like that. It can't happen between us."

"I get it." I said simply, shrugging as I ate. "We were both pretty drunk last night. Sorry if I overstepped any boundaries."

"No..." She shook her head. "You didn't overstep anything. I had fun. I just didn't want you thinking there was something... more between us?" She looked on with a nervous grin.

"So I was a one night stand." I continued eating the breakfast she had made, all while keeping my eyes down on the plate.

"I... no! I mean... I guess... yeah..." She sighed and covered her face with a hoof. "But that's not what my initial plans were... I genuinely just wanted to hang out."

"Sounds like you have regrets."

"I... I dunno..." I looked up to see her hanging her head down. "I'm sorry about last night, Charger. I didn't know about Snow Star... or Firebright... If I had, I wouldn't have... you know..."

... What. Happened. Last. Night?

"What all did I tell you?" I asked, frowning and taking a break from the food to focus on her.

"Well... you said you were looking for your marefriend, Snow Star. And... you told me what Firebright did to you... The, uh... rape..."

"Hm..."

"I'm sorry I ruined it for you." She looked on with plea in her eyes.

"Honestly..." I looked down at the table. "Snow Star and I had an agreement, where if something happened to the other, that it wasn't wrong to move on with someone else. It's been so long, even if Snow Star is still alive, I doubt we'd still be together. If she is still out there somewhere, and got in with a group of other ponies, then chances are she found somepony else to keep her warm at night... I don't think you ruined anything."

"That... that sounds like the type of thing someone would say if they were giving up."

I shook my head hard, which I realized was a big mistake before it was too late to take it back. Damn hangover...

"I'm not giving up. I'm still going to look for her. If she is with some other stallion, then that's that. The thought hurts like hell, but I'd have closure. I'd know that she was alive, and that she found someone that made her happy. As much as it would kill me, I'd be happy for her. I love her, but I shouldn't fool myself. Sometimes... we just need to move on..." I resented that idea, but I knew I was right. There were just too many variables to this. "Besides... she moved on from me the moment she left..." That frown of mine became a bitter scowl.

She regarded me coolly. "If you're going to be passive aggressive about it, then what's the point?"

"Fuck if I know..." I shrugged, looking down.

"Well..." She paused. "I'm sorry, but I'm not the one for you."

"I know." I replied, looking back up at her once more.

"So there's no hard feelings then?"

"No hard feelings." I smiled faintly.

There was a brief moment of silence between us as we continued to eat our food. She broke it with a smirk as she looked at me.

"Kinda sucks we didn't get to finish our fun last night."

I smiled back, and soon found myself laughing a little. She joined me.

At least the day didn't start out with a bunch of dramatic bullshit. Didn't start out great, either. But it could have been worse.

Shortly after breakfast, there was a knock at the door.

Whiskey stood up and opened it to find Destrier standing there. Alongside him was a hungover Thunderwing, leaning against his armored frame with a bag of ice pressed against her temple. She looked me over, and I guess my physical appearance said a lot.

"You too, huh...?" She muttered groggily.

Destrier looked past Whiskey River, at me. "Caravan's heading back."

"Alright." I said, standing up and gathering my gear. "I'll catch up. Have Rivet wait for me."

Destrier nodded, then started to turn around. "He has your payment for the protection job." With that, the two of them were gone. I could hear Thunder's groans of discomfort gradually fade.

Whiskey closed the door and walked back to me. "Guessing I won't be seeing you for a while." She said quietly.

"Maybe. If I find myself around these parts again, I'll stop by."

She nodded with a faint smile. "It was nice to meet you, Charger. Glad someone understands me for a change. Even a little." She reached out a hoof, requesting a hug in a timid manner.

I wrapped my hoof around her and gave her what she wanted. She wasn't as firm as I was with my embrace, though.

"We had sex, whiskey flank." I said softly into her ear, which flicked my muzzle once the message was out there. I laughed under my breath and continued. "No need to be awkward about a hug."

She laughed softly in my ear and squeezed a little tighter before letting go.

I dressed into my armor, made an inventory check, and looked back at her. "See ya around, whiskey flank." I prodded at her chest, to which she giggled.

"See ya... Charger Surge Outlet."

Oh GODDESS FUCKING DAMN IT! She knew too!?

How much did I have to drink last night!?

"R-right..." I planted my face in my hoof and sighed. "Well... I should really start heading out before I say more embarrassing shit about my life."

She laughed under her breath. "It's really not that bad, but I understand you gotta go. Reckon I oughta open my bar for the NCR drunkies, anyways."

I gave her one last smile before I headed out.

The smoke from the fires were still there, and it was still snowing ash. I wondered how long this was going to last. It was starting to get really hot out, even from where I was standing.

Rivet landed next to me suddenly, causing me to jump back from the surprise.

"Ready to head out?" He asked, looking me over. "Fuck, you look like a train wreck."

"I feel like one, too." I smiled. "But yeah, I'm ready to g-"

"There you are." The familiar voice of a mare said from behind, towards the depot. I turned around to see Firefly trotting up to us; A lit cigarette hovering beside her. She wore a set of saddlebags, but I could still see her cutiemark. I still couldn't figure out what her talent was... "I'm glad I caught you before you left." She said as she stopped before me.

Uh oh... Was I in trouble...? She didn't really seem like the type of pony to mess with... Especially with that threat she threw at me involving my testicles and a Hearth's Warming Tree...

One of the bags glowed with the aura of her magic, and the flap folded back. She pulled out a rather large pouch, along with a piece of paper.

"Here's your payment for the repairs you did last night." She moved in a little closer, smiling faintly as she spoke in a lower volume. "I threw in a little bonus, cause I heard how well you and my son got along. He doesn't get many friendly faces around here, and he's been depressed lately, so I'm glad you gave him something good."

"T-thanks..." I replied cautiously.

She stuffed the pouch in one of my bags, along with the paper. It turned out to be the contract for the repairs, which had a red stamp on it, reading 'rectified.'

She took a pull off her cig and continued. "If you ever need more work, we have more than enough to go around."

"I'll take that into consideration." I nodded. "How come Rails doesn't have a whole lot of friends around here?"

She let out an exasperated sigh and shook her head, looking exhausted just at the thought. "Cause he's the son of two leaders of the compound that they're working on. Even worse, is the constant fighting. They don't want to get involved, and personally, I can't blame them. Even without the fighting, he wouldn't have any friends. That just seems to always be the way, for some reason. Pick on the child of the ponies that are in charge. Makes total sense..." She cracked a smile as she regarded me, then pulled me in for a brief hug. "Thank you." She started to turn around and head back.

"One more thing."

Rivet rolled his eyes, but remained quiet.

She paused and looked back with a raised brow.

"What's your cutiemark mean? I can't for the life of me figure it out."

She held her very faint smile and faced me directly once more. After taking another long pull off her cigarette, she started. "I come up with bright ideas. I specialize in pyro magic. I'm good at burning down the foundations of order. Really, it's all open to interpretation. Now, if you're going to stare at my flank, don't use the cutiemark as an excuse." She smirked as her tail flicked upward, and I began turning a dark shade of red. Ah, damn it... Well, she was very attractive...

"I... I don't think that last one is true." I said, trying to change the subject. "Goddess forbid there be a downfall to this place, I don't think you're the one to be the catalyst. From what I hear, you're the one keeping it up and running."

She looked at me for a few quiet seconds with a blank expression, before giving me a brief nod. "Hope to see you around again, kid."

Then she turned and left.

The trip back was exhausting, but along the way, at the checkpoint, we crossed paths with the caravan that was enroute to the depot with the next batch of supplies for Hoofington. We greeted each other, and the caravaneer that hauled the goods thanked whoever left the message at the checkpoint.

I didn't know what that meant, but I assumed Destrier was the one behind it.

They had given us confirmation that the caravan before us made it back safely. Thankfully...

When we reached the entrance to the tunnel of the checkpoint, where we had our stand off against the ferals, I took notice to the message the caravan was referring to. It was written in the blood and intestines of ghouls, reading 'DON'T ENTER, FERALS INSIDE.'

"As if the hundred plus body count wasn't a dead give-away." I stated with a deadpan, looking over at Destrier.

"Puns?" Rivet raised a brow. "Really?"

... Huh. Didn't realize I had made a pun... Heh... That was a good one...

We took a break at the Donut Joe restaurant for a long while, as we were all cramping at that point. Fours hours of trekking can do that.

Most of my break was spent smoking half of a cig, eating the rest, and examining the weird powder in the plastic container that was meant for me, and me alone. I couldn't begin to fathom what it was... If it was even dangerous or not. All I could do was assume. And that assumption kept the container sealed tight. I wasn't going to take my chances. Not until Petiole studied it first. Surely he could find something out with his weird science fetish. White Noise didn't believe in sides, so I didn't know if this was to help me, or hurt me in some way.

By the time we had made it back to Virtue, the sun was already tucking itself underneath the horizon.

"Fuck..." Thunderwing said as she stretched her hindquarters out. "If anyone needs me, I'll be at Decon 6." She flapped her wings a few times before taking to the skies.

"Decon 6?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Virtue's spa." Blaze replied.

"Honestly..." His lover started. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea right about now." He nuzzled Blaze, stretched his wings, and took off after Blaze gave him a quick kiss on his muzzle. He turned to the remaining party.

"Don't know about the lot of you, but I'm gonna catch some zzzs." He nodded just before trotting away. "Night."

"Goodbye." Destrier said, walking in a different direction.

The caravaneer was already taking leave without so much as a word. He didn't really seem like the social type anyways.

Then there were two.

I looked over at Rivet, rubbing the back of my head with a nervous grin. "So... you wanna grab a drink or somethin'?"

He regarded me with a flat, unamused expression. "Not with you. I'm your bodyguard. Not your friend. You're nothing more than a constant supply of caps." He reached into his bags, pulled out a sack that was double the size of the previous, then tossed it at my chest. I grunted, and upon impact, my hoof flared up with red, electrical current. The sack fell in the mud, and some of the caps spilled out. "I'm out. Bye." He took to the air before I could say anything.

Oh, I was NOT letting him have the last word! I glared up at him, raised a hoof to the sky, and shouted as loud as my voice would let me. "YEAH, FUCK YOU TOO, YOU GREEDY SON OF A BITCH! AT LEAST I HAVE FRIENDS!"

That earned me a few looks from the ponies in the vicinity, but I didn't care. With my metal hoof crackling like crazy, I gathered up the caps that spilled out and put both them and the sack in my bag with the other, before taking off for the motel.

I opened the door to our room; my mood now ruined from that stupid griffin. But that mood quickly went from angry to slightly amused at what I found inside.

Para was wiping white paint on Fluky's face, who sat there before him, smiling. Little Buddy was sitting beside him, and Petiole was leaned back in the chair I caught Happy in when I first walked in. He was checking the scope on a rifle he had acquired.

I noticed that Para had also changed his wardrobe. The straw hat was upgraded to a black stetson, and the jacket was replaced with a black one; still with as many pockets as before. The sleeves were red.

Simultaneously, the three of them turned to look who walked in, and I was greeted with two smiles. Petiole was still hiding behind his mask. Typical.

"You're back!" Para said happily.

"I'm back." I smiled back at them. "Seems I missed a lot while I was away."

"It's good to see you again, Robutt." Fluky responded with sincerity. Her face was white, while the rest of her coat was still yellow.

I stepped in and closed the door behind me, stripping myself of my gear after. "It feels good to be back, believe me." I set my gear down next to the bed and looked over at Petiole, nodding him over.

He nodded back and stood up, to which I discovered he had the same arm attachment for his shoulder and rifle that I did. He calmly walked over as Para happily continued smearing white paint on Fluky's coat.

"What's the problem?" He asked quietly, inches from my muzzle.

I slipped the container out and held it between us. "I need you to study this. Analyze it, figure out what it is."

"What is it?" He looked down at it.

I let out an exasperated sigh and planted my hoof over my face. Damn it, Petiole... you did not just ask that...

"I don't know. That's why I need you to analyze it. It was found on the streets, on the way to the depot. There was a note underneath it that had my name on it. So I really need to know what it is..." Not to mention I had some demon trying to get me to open it...

"Consider it done." He took the container and slipped it into one of his bags. "Now I need to tell you something. Walk with me." He started for the door, and I hesitantly followed.

We left the room, and he closed the door behind us, turned to me, and continued.

"I did the analysis on Para. Fluky, even." He started messing with his pipbuck, and soon enough, two audio files were delivered to mine. "Listen to them in your own time, but be warned... Para is not what he seems... Be careful around him..."

I looked up from my screen, into his visor. "What did he say to you...?"

He stared back for the longest time, in eerie silence, before replying. "Find out for yourself."

With that, he opened the door again and stepped inside. I followed him in and closed the door, heading straight for the bed. I fell back, letting my back press into its soft, welcoming surface. Felt great to be back...

Oh. Another pun. Heh... Woops!

Oddly enough, I didn't hear the radio playing any music. I looked over to see it was still on, so that was relieving. Happy wasn't out and about.

Petiole was back to checking the sights on his new gun as he sat back in his seat.

Things were quiet in the room for a while.

I sat up on the bed, and at once, noticed Petiole aiming the barrel of the rifle directly at me. My heart stopped in my chest for a moment. What was this...?

I frowned. "You aim that thing at me, you better know how to pull the trigger, ghoul."

He chuckled softly. "Maybe someday. Cure or kill, after all." He aimed the gun away from me and looked down at Fluky. Para was working on painting her chest now. "Para, don't paint all of her."

"Awwww, but it's fun!" He pouted, but kept painting.

"Yeah, come on!" Fluky started, looking at him with pleading eyes.

"I don't want you sleeping in that stuff." He looked back at her. "It can be toxic."

"So can you, Petiole." I smirked as he spun his head around at me.

"Good way to get shot."

"I call bullshi-"

Before I could finish my sentence, something smacked me across the cheek. Hard. Whatever it was dropped down on the mattress, right in front of me.

It was a pebble painted white...

I looked over at Para to see him shaking his head at me in disapproval.

Ugh... not this pebble thing again...

Petiole continued to stare me down through his visor; his LEDs red. "Don't become a ghoul, or your sentence will start early. And become summary."

I sighed, ready for a topic change. I looked over at Para. "So where are you getting this paint?"

"Oh, it's not paint." He grinned, still keeping his eyes on his work. "It's Para Approved Dye."

"Hey, you said it wasn't going to be permanent." Petiole stated. "Dye is permanent. You lied."

"Glide?" He frowned and looked at the stubs of his wings, which wiggled a little bit. "I don't glide. I can't even fly."

Petiole stared at him for a while, before hanging his head down in defeat. "I give up with you..."

"You give up with chew?" Para's face lit up with joy. "Well, good for you! Stay away from tobacco, I say!"

"I don't chew tobacco."

He paused, thinking to himself for a bit. "So... you don't chew tobacco... So you give up on chewing food? Well, I'd be more careful with eating, if I were you..."

Petiole shook his head, stood up, and made his way for the door. "I'm going out for a walk. Charger, if you need me, track my pipbuck tag."

"Wait!" Para reached a hoof out to him as he looked over at the ghoul, who had just opened the door. "If you have trouble swallowing the food, then down a bar of butter first! It should help things slide down so much easier!"

Petiole closed the door behind him without saying a word, and Para turned to me with a worried expression. His ears folded back. "Do you think he heard me...?"

I nodded slowly. "Yes, Para. He heard you."

He sighed and smiled faintly after a few seconds. "Phew! That's a relief." He resumed painting Fluky white, as if nothing had happened.

"I'm no expert, but I don't think that's how dyes generally work..." I stated, examining her coat. "The color comes in only after it's washed out, doesn't it?"

"Ah, but this is Para-Approved." He raised a hoof halfway, grinning with confidence. "It's instant. No need for rinsing, no burns. It's clean, and it's quick."

"So you've used it before, then?" I raised a brow, regarding him.

"I..." He paused, thinking to himself. "I... can't seem to remember... I think so...? Maybe I did in a dream...?" He looked down at the filly, completely baffled and confused. I didn't know what to make of that... "Huh..." Finally, he shrugged and continued. "Oh well. It doesn't matter."

"Well... just be careful with her, alright?" I rolled off the bed and started to head for the door. "I'm gonna go for a bit of a walk myself."

"If you see Petty Old, remind him to swallow a bar of butter before eating anything! He gave up on chewing, after all!"

"I don't think that's what he said..." Fluky stated softly.

"Yeah, Para. I'll... tell him..." I walked out, shaking my head. "Fuckin' weirdo." That was too much crazy for me in such short notice.

"I'm... sorry...?"

I looked to my right to find Shadow Hoof standing there with a puzzled look.

I smiled faintly and shook my head. "It's nothing. Good to see you again."

"Likewise... I think." He gave me a brief nod. "So, you finished your business at the station then, huh?"

I nodded. "Yep."

"Sounds like good, honest work." He smiled and patted me on the shoulder. He was still awkward about things, but he seemed to be coming out of his shell a bit more.

"Do you wanna grab a drink with me?" I asked, before looking around. "Is there a bar anywhere around here?"

"Oh, I don't drink..." He started blushing. "I try to keep my mind fresh and in control of itself. But we do have a club just down the street."

"A club?" I grinned happily. "Hell yeah! Let's go dance then!"

"Oh, I don't dance..." He smiled sheepishly.

I immediately scowled at his reply, to which he continued.

"I'm bad at it."

"Pfft, so what?" I nudged his chest with a hoof. "So am I. Doesn't mean we can't have fun!"

He rolled his eyes and smiled. "Well... alright. I'll go. But I don't know about dancing..."

"You'll change your mind." I walked past him, giving his flank a smack with my tail. He gasped and turned bright red at the contact, and I chuckled softly to myself. It was far too fun to tease.

"Heyyy..." I started, narrowing my eyes as I looked around the room that I had built too much excitement for. It was too still here... "I thought you said this was a club..." Nopony danced, no one seemed to be having fun... Probably because no one was here!

"I... guess everyone's been busy with the shipments to Hoofington. Usually, this place is packed."

"Newsflash." I looked around at the few Handy units that hovered behind the counter. My gut jolted at the sight of them. My memory of buzzsaws had been drilled into my head, cause it was as if my thoughts were feeling it all over again. They didn't seem hostile though, and there was no red on my E.F.S. I kept my eyes on them regardless. "It's not."

I started for the bar.

"Hey, where're you going?"

I glanced back with a smirk. "We came here to have fun, didn't we? So let's get on with it! I wanna rock out with my cock out!"

"O-oh my..." I heard Shadow Hoof whisper behind me.

I grinned before stopping at the bar, and laid a forehoof down on the surface as I looked at one of the units that seemed eerily fixated on me.

"Two shots of whiskey." I nodded my head behind me. "This guy's payin'."

"Hey, what?" He balked as he moved to my side.

"Don't worry. I'll pay you back." I said, smiling sincerely. "I didn't exactly bring my caps with me..."

He sighed, rolled his eyes grudgingly, and dropped some caps on the counter.

The shot glasses were set down before us, and we watched as they were filled with that sweet, burning amber.

"Down the hatch, sailor." I lifted my glass, and he hesitantly lifted his with his magic. He seemed to struggle with his horn a bit, for some reason, cause the glass dropped from his telekinetic grasp a few times before he caught it again.

We clinked glasses, and I downed mine in two gulps. He started sipping on his before coughing.

"Ah..." I moved forward and pressed my muzzle against the bottom of his glass, making him drink it all in one go. He protested, but only vocally.

"Wa-gak! Urk! Glk." He didn't pull away, though.

"There's a reason we call them shots, love. Cause we drink them... in one shot."

He coughed and shuddered excessively after the glass was pulled away, and he set it down, giving me a sour, bitter look. "W-whoa... Geez, that's rough..."

"Just the way I like it." I winked and looked back at the bartender. "Give us 'nother two!" I blurted as I raised my hoof triumphantly.

"Wait, more!?" He balked again.

"Damn right, more! Gonna show you how to party, Charger style!"

He rolled his eyes with annoyance and put more caps down. "This is how you hate yourself in the morning, Charger..."

My smile faded at the tone in his voice... He wasn't having fun...

"Hey..." I gently placed a hoof on his shoulder, and he looked over as our shots were getting filled. "Tell you what... After this, we can do something you want, okay? It can be anything." I looked over at the machine that still made me feel a little uneasy. It didn't help that it had a buzzsaw, too... "Give, uh... Um..." I froze; my eyes fixated on that polished, circular saw on the end of its arm. Fuck, my gut...

Something touched my shoulder, and I flinched, spinning towards...

Shadow Hoof. A worried, startled Shadow Hoof.

I took a deep breath, finally remembering how to breathe again, and shook my head, keeping my eyes away from the Handy unit altogether.

"Give my friend a Sparkle Cola for a chaser..."

The arms began to rotate, causing me to jolt away from the counter a bit. The buzzsaw was getting closer, and I wasn't having that...

I jumped back, gasping as the saw stopped in front of me. I bit down on air, instead of the bit to my rifle, trying to shoot the metal thing before me. My heart pounded in my chest...

"Hey, you okay...?" Shadow asked softly.

I looked over, trying to gulp down my fear, and nodded back at him with a forced smile. "Mhm..."

The clasp grabbed a hold of the neck of a regular cola bottle, brought it back around, and set it down before him. It twisted off the cap soon after, and Shadow Hoof tossed down a couple more of his own bottle caps for the soda, before smiling at me.

"Well, it sounds like a good deal to me." He finally replied. "I accept. And uh... maybe we can party out with our cocks out?" He grinned sheepishly, starting to blush.

I grinned back, trying to forget about the buzzsaws and throw them into the part of my brain that housed my deep, dangerous thoughts. "I'll drink to that..." We clinked glasses again, before downing our whiskey.

He coughed and shuddered, but quickly went for the chaser straight after, gulping down about a quarter of the bottle.

Mmm... Good gag reflexes...

He shook his head and laughed under his breath. "W-wow, that stuff's strong..."

"You don't have to drink anymore, if you don't want to."

Hic! "Yeah, maybe we shoul-hic!-ugh... should stop. Feelin'... hic! ... it..." He began to sway in his seat a little bit.

Okay, either he was a really bad lightweight, or he couldn't tell the difference between being buzzed and being drunk. Still, I got some humor out of it.

"Alright, let's get you back to your place." I stood up and helped him off his stool.

He smiled at me faintly after he got down, and we began to make our way back.

Wasn't the most fun I've had, but I guess I'd just have to find a different drinking buddy... and a bar where the bartenders weren't Handy units... Thunderwing sounded like a good match.

"Gosh, I'm such a hic! wreck..." He said as we left the building and walked the streets. "I'm hic! boring, aren't I...?"

I shook my head in a calm manner. "No, you're not boring. A bit nervous, but not boring."

"I feel...hic!... boring..." He hung his head down and groaned as we walked side by side. I sighed and patted him on the back.

"Let's get you home."

"You do realize you're not drunk, right?" I said as I watched him stumble over to his bed, mumbling to himself.

We were in the same room I had first seen him come out of. Bookshelves were lined up all along the walls of what was clearly his bedroom, filled with classic literature, as well as more modern day works. Stuff like how to survive in the wasteland, and how to cook food out in said wasteland.

He seemed to keep things well organized too, as I noticed the fiction was kept separate from the non-fiction, and everything was kept in alphabetic order, going by the author's first and last name, and then the title of the book.

"Huh...?" He spun around and looked me over, before collapsing on his bed and groaning. "I feel so weird..."

I shook my head and stepped forward. "Just get some rest, then."

Within a few seconds, he was already snoring.

... Alright, then...

I put his blanket over his body, up to his neck, then went for the restroom that I had spotted in his place of residence, just down a short hall that was connected to his bedroom. I came back with a metal bucket. There were two there, and judging by the condition of one of them, it was meant to relieve ones bowel movements. I wasn't touching that...

I set the clean bucket down beside his bed. Now if he, for some reason, started puking, it wouldn't get all over the place. I also made sure to keep him on his side and fortified his back against the wall, so he wouldn't choke on any vomit in the middle of the night.

I watched over him for a short while, but he was out like a light. There was no real reason to stick around anymore, so I showed myself out and locked his office up, just in case someone got the idea to rob him.

This place seemed peaceful enough, but... it was better to be safe, rather than sorry.

I went back to our room to find that Fluky was painted completely white, with a black and red mane and tail. I had no idea where the red eye contacts came from...

And she had a cutiemark now. Two playing cards; An ace and a queen.

Para looked over with a wide grin on his face, pointing both forehooves at her, giving her the spotlight as he stood on his hind legs with absolutely no trouble at all. Odd how he was able to do something like that... "Lookie here, Churger! I made us a mini Blackjack!"

I didn't even know what Blackjack looked like, but he claimed he was in Hoofington at one point. Perhaps he had met her once.

Wait... didn't he say something about a security mare kicking him out during a card game, once...? It could have just been my imagination, or maybe just a strong coincidence... Blackjack wasn't the only security mare out there, obviously. I imagined there was a lot of security out in the wasteland.

Fluky smiled up at me. "How do I look?"

"You look good, Flukes." I smiled back, but she quickly frowned and stomped a hoof.

"Stop calling me that!"

I chuckled in response. "Stop calling me Robutt."

"Never!"

"Then I'll never stop calling you Flukes. No one's winning here... Flukes."

She turned bright red with fuming anger and frustration as I grinned.

Shortly after, she closed her eyes and shook her head rapidly. "Agh!" She sat on her haunches and pouted. "Stupid Robutt!"

I closed the door behind me and sat on the bed, looking over at Para.

"So how did we get all this stuff, anyways?"

He smiled at me before replying. "Turns out Vroom Chu needed help counting nuggets."

"Vroom Chu?" I raised a questioning brow.

"So who better to do the job than me?" He pointed a hoof at his chest happily. "They paid me, so I bought some stuff." He began to reach into one of his jacket pockets. "By the way, I found this."

The object in his hoof glowed white.

"The merchant said it was found on a sleeping baddie just north of here, and I remember a baddie taking one of these off you, so I wanted to replace the one that was lost. They're so pretty... and so warm." He gently rolled it over to me along the floor, and I set a hoof down on it before it could roll underneath the bed.

The raider called it a memory orb before pocketing it. I didn't know how I could get into it, though. I was an earth pony.

Could this even be the same orb that was taken from me? The one labeled as 'Happy?' A part of me really hoped that was the case... I needed to know what I was dealing with...

I slipped it into the pouch on my barding for later. I'd try and figure something out.

"-addle fires are spreading to the outskirts." Tuner started abruptly. "Let's hope they burn themselves out, or somepony out there has a good heart and works on trying to take it out before it gets too out of control. Even then, it's going to take more than just one pair of hooves to deal with this. A lot more."

"Ugh..." Para shook his head, messing with the volume dial. "I think the dial on this is broken. It keeps turning itself up."

"I thought you liked music..." I stated, narrowing my eyes at him.

"I do, but I got this massive headache, and I'm trying to get rid of it." He began rubbing his temples with the tips of both forehooves.

"There's an interesting story behind these fires." Tuner continued. "See, it all started with one pony. One became two. Two became three. One got lost, and another took his place. The trio remained underground, where the beasts of nightmares waited. They sought to destroy hell, and all that came with it, and so they went to the heart of the beast, and destroyed it. They ran after that. Ran as the raging fires of hell chased after them. They made it out by the skin of their teeth, but the fires escaped with them, and at once, began the consumption of Saddle."

I sat up quickly and grabbed the radio from Para.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

I looked at him and paused as Tuner kept talking about my friends and I. "Uh... just gonna try and fix it. Don't worry. I'll bring it back. Promise." With that, I stepped into the bathroom and locked the door behind me.

"Tuner."

"And their names are Charger."

"Tuner, stop."

"Fluky."

"Tuner, I know you can hear me!" I gave the radio a smack, and he stopped.

"Ahem... yes, Charger?"

"What the fuck are you doing? Are you actually broadcasting out to the wasteland? Or are you just playing around with us?"

"I was broadcasting. Until you rattled my cage, that is." He sounded mildly frustrated.

I balked. "Are you insane? The wrong ponies can hear that, and I already have a ton on my plate!" I was starting to shout in my own frustration of this whole situation.

"Oh yes." Happy started. "You do. Because you're important, and important ponies always have a lot on their plate. They have jobs. Important jobs. I'm sure you already know yours by now. You need only act on it."

"Get out of here." I glared down at the radio. "I'm not talking to you. Put Tuner back on."

"Oh, he stepped out for a little while. I think he said something about getting a pack of smokes."

Bullshit... "What do you want?" I snapped. My ears folded back, and my hoof lit up in a red electrical current. "Why are you talking to me?"

"Why wouldn't I? You and I have the same goal. Relieve ponies of their pain. And win. We can win, and make others happy. I can make you happy."

"Shut up."

"I can take away the pain of your home. I know what your sister did to you. Tuner talks too much."

"Shut up!" I gave the radio another whack, and the electricity grew.

There was a sudden knock at the door, and I tensed up.

"You okay in there?" Fluky asked.

"Uh, y-yeah!" I shouted, looking back at the door. "I'm fine!" I looked back to the radio and spoke in a lower voice, sitting down. My hoof mildly subsided the electrical current. It was a relief it didn't ever target my body. In fact, it seemed to avoid my body entirely. Never to burn or scar me. It always wrapped around my mass whenever it got too close. I was starting to notice that now.

"You're not going to kill anyone, Happy. I'll make sure that you stay in there, where you can't hurt anyone anymore."

"Ugh..." Tuner groaned. "Sorry about that... Happy gained control for a bit."

I sighed and closed my eyes, calming myself. My hoof only buzzed and crackled softly now.

"I do have to say, though... I think you and P-21 would have gotten along quite well. Maybe even become more than just friends."

"Who the hell is P-21?" I raised a brow, frowning as I asked in an exasperated tone.

"Blackjack's friend. You two share something common."

"And what's that?"

"Females took advantage of him, too. Threatened to have him killed if he didn't do what he demanded. I also think that you could learn something from him."

"I have a lot to learn." I stated simply, caressing the frame of my metal hoof with a fore. Still felt weird having... and off-putting, not being able to feel the contact through my Tungstian appendage. But the pain was gone, at least. Healed nicely, considering...

"You certainly do. And one of those lessons is forgiveness. Acceptance. He forgave Blackjack, who did a lot of damage over the years. Accepted it. It took time, but maybe you should try and forgive your sister."

I quickly stood up, already feeling the anger build up again. With it, came the sudden outburst of electricity. "Are. You. Insane?" My voice started to raise once more. "She took everything from me, Tuner! Everything!"

"Maybe so. But Virtue is about forgiveness, isn't it? Forgive others. Not because they deserve it, but because you deserve peace. Because you deserve happiness."

"Easy for you to say..." I muttered, really wanting to change the topic. "Why does Para have a migraine?" I asked grumpily.

"Something's coming. And Happy knows it. He wants to finish what he started, but I've been doing what I can to prevent him from getting back in his body. Hence the migraine you mentioned."

I froze for a brief second, staring down at the device. "What's coming?"

I didn't get a reply. I knew why...

I shook my head, more frustration building. "Okay, fine... Then answer me this. Does Para need to have the radio on him to keep Happy away? Or can the radio just be around him?"

"It can be around, but it works better, the closer it is to him."

"Noted." I grabbed the radio, still looking down at it. My hoof had gone cold again. Phew... "I'd prefer it if you didn't hurt Para anymore."

"Sorry. I don't meant to. But Happy is making it rather difficult for me..."

I nodded somberly. "Don't let him out..."

"Doing my best not to."

I opened the door and stepped out. Fluky was giving me a weird look of worry and confusion, but I gave her a faint smile.

"Hey."

"Are you SURE you're okay? I heard you talking to yourself in there. And it started to sound like fighting..." She took a glance at the bathroom behind me, leaning to the side a bit.

"I'm fine. I was just trying to fix the radio, and it was being stubborn." I put the radio beside Para and looked at him, who was still rubbing his temple. "You'll be okay, Para. Promise." I gave him a reassuring smile, and a pat on the back, to which he looked at me and gave me a beaming smile. His forearms spread out wide, and he gave me the most body crushing hug I had ever felt! Agh, fuck! Damn, he was strong!

I tapped on his back, gasping for breath. I felt my back pop! Though, that didn't really hurt. Felt good, actually.

Shortly after picking up my signals, he let go, still giving me that endearing grin. "You're such a nice friend."

I chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of my head. "Don't know about that, but I try..."

He looked down at the radio for a few seconds, and that smile faded to distaste. He picked it up and shoved it against my chest.

Oof...

I quickly took it with both forehooves, staying upright on my haunches as I looked at him in confusion; my ears wilting.

"You take it for a little while. I don't want it around. The frequency hurts..."

Uh... okay. It was kinda hard to tell if it was Para saying that sincerely, or if Happy was reaching out to me again. Regardless, I hugged the radio close to my chest as I walked for the bed. If I was going to hold on to the battery, I needed to stay close to Para.

"Wake me if you need anything."

That night, I appeared to be restless.

Wooden floorboards creaked in the dead of night, which didn't help. It made me paranoid, more than anything... Wondering if it was a pony lurking about, or just the wind...

Para and Fluky were fast asleep. She was lying atop his stomach, snuggled up close. Para had his hooves wrapped around her like a teddy bear, which was somewhat amusing, seeing as she was also snuggling the teddy bear she got from 32. I found it rather adorable.

I had no idea where Petiole was, anymore. Hopefully on patrol or something...

I stared up at the dark ceiling above me after what felt like hours of just lying there. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't stop thinking. A lot of the thoughts weren't even important. It mostly consisted of small things, or small little stories I was telling myself. Stuff that made no sense. I was bored as hell...

I looked at the radio to my left for a short while, finally, taking in the dim, amber glow in the small, dirty glassed frame that housed the needle.

I sighed, looked back up at the ceiling, then got up, leaving the radio on the mattress. If I couldn't get some shut eye, then maybe some fresh air would have done me some good.

I stepped out quietly, as to not wake the others, then closed the door with the same care that I had used in opening it.

I sat down on the front porch, leaned up against one of the wooden support beams, looking out at the still night. The sky was black. No stars were to be seen this night. The air carried a mild warmth behind its breeze, and the scent of burning wood still remained.

I pulled out a cig, lit the end, and took a pull before operating my pipbuck. Now was as good a time as any to check on the analysis files that Petiole had made for me.

The files were simply named after my friends. I clicked on the first one, which was Fluky. Though I don't think she considered me a friend, I know I considered her one.

It was hard to tell with just two files here, but it was listed in alphabetical order so far. I could only assume the pipbuck would be doing all the organizing for me.

Petiole's voice started, and I made sure to keep the volume down a little. I didn't want to disturb anyone.

"Tell me about yourself."

"Well, you already know my name." Fluky stated.

"Say it for the recording."

She sighed. "Fluky."

"How old are you?"

"12."

"Do you know any magic?"

"No... not really. I try to teach myself, but... I guess I'm just a slow learner."

"Charger feels differently."

"He's an earth pony." She spoke with distaste. "He doesn't know what he's talking about."

There was a brief moment of silence between the two, before Petiole sighed. "How did you two meet?"

There was another moment of silence, before she replied quietly. My heart was starting to race... I knew how much she despised me for what I did. I knew she saw me as a monster... And now she had told Petiole. She had-

"He saved me." She stated in a soft, careful tone.

I... wasn't expecting that...

"He saved me..." She reiterated. "... And a part of me hates him for it..."

"Why?"

"Cause I'd have preferred dying with the rest of my friends and family than being the one he decided to rescue. I can still hear them screaming..." Her voice began to shake. "I don't... I don't want to hear them anymore... I need it to be over... I want to die..."

I quickly turned the file off. My hooves were trembling, and I was shuddering under my breath. Tears burned at my eyes. Not for what I did... but for how she felt, deep down... It was my fault she felt like this... I became my sister... I had ripped everything Fluky ever loved, right out of her arms. And she had to listen to all of them die...

"Damn i-" I muttered before my throat gave out, forcefully swallowing as a reflex. Tears slid down my face. "No..." I closed them and began taking deep breaths. Deep, slow breaths of oxygen that I had no business taking for myself. I was better off dead... I was a murderer, even before Saddle...

But... if I got my wish, and I died, then everyone I murdered would have died for nothing... Right? All those unicorns back at the bunker that I tortured... They were all just means to an end for my own benefit. To gain the trust of the tyrants known as the Steel Rangers. To gain their trust until I found my opportunity to run and track down Snow Star. But even when I had my opportunity, I stuck around to assist in the massacre of Saddle...

I was so used to killing helpless ponies, that it had become second nature for me. It was what I was good at... And at that time, I didn't see my opportunity. I didn't want to. Hence my hesitation before joining the rangers in the killing. A part of myself knew that... Knew that I didn't have to... That I could run... Some small part of me knew... Run like a coward...

But I had shut it out anyways...

Because for me, killing was second nature... It was the natural order of things for me to murder... I had become the ranger's weapon. My plan to escape was so convoluted, but after a few victims, I was starting to get better at not caring... It was them or me... And I chose me...

Throughout those years, my plans had started becoming distorted, and there were times that I forgot why I was doing it...

I was a natural born killer...

It was second nature...

And so a demon had convinced me to start killing Saddle's inhabitants...

A demon named Charger...

And after all these years, I was only recently starting to realize how much I was destroying... How much I destroyed Fluky, among oh so many others...

I shook my head, opened my eyes, and looked at the screen through my obscured vision, courtesy of the tears I wept for the deceased. The deceased who covered my hooves in their own blood, and haunted me in nightmares.

I hesitantly clicked on Para's file, hissing behind clenched teeth and shuddering behind more tears that threatened to give way.

Music played in the background.

"Can you turn that down?" Petiole asked aloud in an annoyed tone. "I'm trying to talk to you. It's rude."

"I need it on."

"Fine, then turn it down, at least."

"Awwwww, but I like this song!"

"Para." Petiole rasped, before coughing and hacking violently.

"Alright, alright!" The volume was lowered, and Petiole began to calm down.

"Now..." The ghoul began. "Why can't you turn it down? Why does it need to stay on?"

"Well, whenever I turn it off, I fall asleep. When I wake up, bad things have happened..."

"What bad things?"

"Messy things..." Para muttered in shame.

"Murder?"

"Burger?" Para asked. "Oh, no thanks. I just ate." Judging by how he sounded right there, I imagined he was beaming at Petiole with that impossibly white grin of his.

Petiole took a deep breath before resuming. His patience was clearly being put to the test. "Why do you have trouble understanding others?"

"Bubble understanding brothers? Pfft, you're weird."

"Are. You. Deaf?" Petiole asked emphatically.

A few seconds of silence occurred, before Petiole resumed.

"Say it for the recording."

"I don't really know. Sometimes things seem quieter than they should. And there's times I get this really bad ringing in my ears."

"It's probably because you blast music so close to your ear drums." Petiole spoke in clear distaste of that part of him. "I'll take a look at that later."

Para suddenly gasped. "There's drums in my ears!? Oh man, I knew I was made for music!"

There was some movement, shortly followed by an annoyed Petiole. "Have you ever suffered any trauma? Specifically to the head?"

"Not that I know of."

"Does your family have a history of mental disorders?"

"Family...?" Para's voice got quiet at that moment.

"Your mother or father?"

"Not... sure..."

There was a brief moment of silence. "Tell me about your wings. Or lack of... What happened to them?"

"I... I woke up like this..."

"You woke up with your wings gone?"

"Y-yeah... They were already wrapped up... But they still hurt when I woke up... For the first time..."

"Where did you wake up?" Petiole resumed.

"Near a bunker. It was abandoned, though."

"Where was this bunker located?"

"To the east. Near Hoofington."

"Was there anything else over there?"

"... A battery..."

"Battery?"

"It's... nng... It's powering my... powering... my... Agh!"

His groans and shouts of pain were a little unsettling, but what really had me concerned was the heavy thud of a body, shortly after.

"Para? Are you okay?"

"Para isn't here anymore." Happy replied.

"... And who are you?"

"Oh, our paths have crossed before, Petiole. I must say, though... It certainly has been a while."

"How do you know my name? Who are you?"

"I have many names, but I'm mostly referred to as Happy. I hope you found the present I left on your pet fox."

There was a long moment of silence between the two, before Happy resumed.

"She was suffering. She was in pain. So I made her happy."

"You killed her...?" Petiole asked softly.

"I did no such thing. I only made her feel better. You're just like the others. Always judging. No one can see the bigger picture. Well... except for Charger, of course..."

"I'm going to destroy you." Petiole said; his voice wobbling as if he were on the brink of tears.

"No, you're not. You can't. Souls are way too powerful to destroy. And even if you managed to take out the battery that houses us, then you'd be the killer."

"W-what are you talking about...?"

"Back, you little gremlin!" Tuner shouted at once.

"What's going on here?" Petiole asked quickly. He coughed a little bit from the strain put to his vocals.

"Stupid murdering psychopath..." Tuner sighed. "Sorry about that, Petiole. My name is Tuner."

"What is all this...?"

"We're... gonna need to have a talk. I'll have to ask that you to turn off the recording first, though."

There were a few seconds left in silence before the file ended.

I stared at the pipbuck screen for the longest time, before finishing off my cig, stomping it out, stepping inside, grabbing the radio, and walking into the restroom and locking the door behind me.

I stared intently at the needle, as if it were Tuner's eyes.

"What did you and Petiole talk about?"

"I asked him to do something for you." Tuner replied instantly.

"Do what?" I hissed, clenching my jaw.

"You'll find out eventually. Don't worry about it."

"Look, Tuner." My hoof started building up a mild charge as the frustration inside me grew. I didn't like secrets being kept from me. Especially if they were about me... "I'm getting sick and tired of all the mystery bullshit. I'm getting tired of the games... Just tell me what it is you and Petiole talked about, or tell me where Snow Star is. Or Celestia as my witness, I am going to rip that fucking battery out. Para doesn't need the radio. Just the battery."

"Hm..." Tuner chuckled. "Well... I gotta say, you put me in a tough spot there. Not gonna take the chance of calling your bluff. I prefer having a voice. Alright... I can't tell you directly what I told Petiole, but I can say that it is in your favor. All I can really say is that things are gonna get a hell of a lot worse, before they get better..." He paused, then added. "Does that save me from not having a voice?"

I sighed and closed my eyes, and the electricity started to die down a little. "I suppose, Tuner..." I ran my hoof across the top of the radio's frame gently, looking down at it. "Did you tell Petiole anything about the battery?"

"I did. And that, I can actually tell you, as well."

"So start with what Happy was talking about when he said Petiole would be the killer if he destroyed the battery."

"Okay..." Tuner took a deep breath, as if he were bracing himself for whatever he was about to say. "I don't want you to freak out, so let me start off by saying that soul magic has a way of giving inanimate objects a sort of... shield, I guess is the word that comes to mind. It doesn't make things indestructible, but it takes a lot to destroy something if it's being used as a soul jar."

"Alright, whatever. Spill it."

"So... assume the battery was destroyed, right? What happens when batteries, generators, and engines get destroyed?"

"They... stop working?"

Tuner went silent for a few moments after that. "Uh... okay, what happens when batteries, generators, and engines overheat?"

"They explode...?"

"They explode." He stated matter of factly. "The destruction of the UPC-07 would be about the equivalent of roughly 1,000 megaspell nukes."

My heart sank the moment I heard that number...

Holy fuck... The fate of Equus sat right in front of me...

"Just enough to completely level Equestria, and then some..."

"B-buh..." I gulped and blinked a few times. "But... if the power of a thousand bombs is focused on only one section of Equus... What happens to the other side of the planet?"

"The world would have cracked like an egg, and the remnants would scatter across your universe. There wouldn't be anything left."

Okay... That was a lot to take in...

Holy fuck, holy fuck... The very fate of Equus rested in my hooves! It's no wonder the Steel Rangers had a hard on for it! Holy SHIT!

I had tensed up at the thought of the destruction of the battery. "What, uh... What if we buried it? Kept it safe from ever detonating? Hide it away somewhere, where no one would ever have the hopes of finding it?"

"As much as I love the idea of being buried away and forgotten, I'm afraid it wouldn't work out like that. Nothing stays buried forever. Someone would find it eventually. But like I said earlier... Soul magic has a way of protecting things. Because souls, no matter if they are good or bad, are extremely powerful. So long as our souls are in here, then there shouldn't be anything to worry about."

"Just..." I scoffed, shaking my head. "Who in their right mind would make something like this...?"

"I wish I knew. But that part is a bit of a mystery to me, as well. I suppose we'll just have to work together to find out."

"I knew it!" A scruffy voice called out through the radio. "But they didn't believe me! The government was stealing little children and stuffing them inside glowing capsules for their horrifying experiments! But I proved everyone wrong!"

"Ugh, not this guy again..." Tuner groaned.

"Who..." I raised a brow. "Who is that?"

"That would be One. The bum on the streets of Manehattan. Complete nutter. Always going on about government conspiracies."

"The moon landing was a fake, and I can prove that, too!"

"Okay, first off?" Tuner began angrily. "Blackjack just came from the moon and found a stable full of other ponies. So that's bull. Second off, the government is dead! There's no reason for conspiracies anymore!"

"You. Boy." One said, completely ignoring Tuner. "Your life is a lie. They don't want you knowing the truth. It would hurt too much. But she will show you the way to the truth, and at long last, your eyes will have been opened!"

"What are you talking about?" I asked, looking down at the radio questioningly. "Who?"

"That's enough out of you." Tuner blurted. "Stop taking over. You lot have been more active than ever, ever since we stumbled across Charger."

"Well, now why wouldn't we be?" A voice that belonged to what I imagined was a really good looking stallion at one point, said. I really liked how he sounded... "We've only been waiting for his arrival for, what... 200 some years?"

"My arrival specifically?" I tilted my head, frowning as my ears wilted.

"They mean someone like you, dipshit." A raspy female voice started. "Don't start thinking this is some prophecy bs. You're not special. Maybe special in the head."

Tuner sighed. "Like I said... Six is kind of a bitch..."

"Yeah, fuck you too. All you ponies are weak."

"Okay, you know what..." Tuner's patience sounded like it had reached its limits right then and there. "I'm pulling the plug for the night."

The light in the radio died, but the battery's glow remained.

That was fine. I had more than enough crazy for one night...

I quietly stepped out of the restroom to find that Fluky and Para were still fast asleep. I put the radio back on the bed, stepped back out of our room, and made my way for the office of the motel, letting myself in. I locked the door behind me and went for the room in the back.

Shadow Hoof was still passed out on his bed, so I lied down on the couch. If I couldn't sleep, then I could at least be there for him if he needed anything. It was my fault he was like this, anyways.

It was my fault for a lot of things...

Author's Notes:

Special thanks to Kkat for FoE, Somber for PH, Pines for glossing over the chapters, Alchestbreach for hating radios, Nylten for taking her very limited free time to work on all the pictures I've requested of her (it's so very much appreciated), and all the fans out there. Sorry it took so long getting this chapter out there. Work has been hectic.
Link to my Discord server here.
It's been getting more active and gradually growing. If you wanna see Pines and I constantly arguing with each other, then this is the place to go.
... I'm mostly joking. >.>
It really is a nice place to be around.
Goodnight, everyone.

Pines: Never be afraid to be yourself. Unless yourself is mean. Then shame. I don't have much to say, can't think of much. I'll let the story talk for me in the next episode of RADIO STATIC!!!