How long had I been out in the world? A week? Two? Felt like months, I was exhausted. Broken physically and mentally. I didn't feel like the badass heroine I was supposed to. I'd like to think that my heart was still in the right place, that I was just too weak. Far too weak. We needed to get home, I needed to rest up. Then I need to get stronger, somehow. Maybe it was just a question of experience. Or maybe there was some sort of intrinsic difference between a stable dweller and a proper wastelander. I'd like to think that we aren't as ruthless or self serving, but then again that might very well be a weakness out here.

All things considered I should perhaps focus on more pressing matters, such a trio of traumatized equestrians traveling to a trade post frequented by slavers. And my perhaps hasty choice to enlist a zebra legionary who barely speaks a word of equish.

"Sooo... Xera. Know anything about Roadfort?"

"Trade town, in east? Is dangerous, warriors of Regina often visit."

My battered mind had to process that for a moment.

"Oh, yeah. I'm kind of counting on it, we got a contract from her."

"You are mercenary then?"

Shouldn't you have asked that before swearing loyalty? Zebras, stranger than myth.

"I guess..."

I scratched my neck.

"Not really, but close enough. We worked with mercenaries, if that counts."

"Ahum!"

Violette had an opinion.

"You took a contract with a sizable reward upfront, in order to work with a mercenary group to hunt down a pony. You killed several ponies, got properly injured and one of our allies died... Yes. You are most definitely a mercenary!"

Did she have to shout? And why is the zebra staring at me like that?

"... Two questions! Why are you staring at me like that? And HOW are you staring like that? It creeps me out and you are the third po... person to do it thus far. Oh, and please stop doing it."

There is that head tilt again, and look forward when walking. Please?

"I see..."

More cryptic nonsense.

"It is... truth sight. A gift, for those chosen by benign stars."

Closed eyes and still walking?

"Magic, truth, lies, fear, anger, love. I see all of it."

The voice shuddered.

"I can not not see things, no matter how hard I try. Perhaps gift is wrong word, curse is better."

We trotted under the boulevard of trees for a few minutes in silence as nobody was comfortable with continuing the discussion. Faint sunlight glistening through the leaves, the grey trunks being massive and covered in occasional glyphs or runes. Hold on a minute, but as I opened my mouth I was interrupted.

"I am third? You have met others? When?? Where?!"

Xera burst out in panic.

"Huh? Yeah, the others were ponies though. Why?"

"You must lie! But... you do not?? A vates being born is rare. Always a zebra, a pony with the sight is is..."

A pause.

"Reginas of old, imperatrixes of the pony empire. Maybe them! No others!"

"Wait, what?"

My head hurts, broken equish and random zebrecian doesn't help.

"Please explain. What is a vates, and what about the princesses? I don't know much about zebra magic."

Hyperventilating, but at least I seemed to get a point through.

"Pony not know anything... I shall attempt explanation. A vates, is a zebra chosen by certain stars. We see, we understand magic more than others. We have gift, so we are holy. Zebras seek advice, we answer, they listen. But we are cursed, so we not allowed family. I... not mare, not stallion. I am vates, an outcast..."

Zebra customs and traditions make no sense to me. Their myths and superstitions make even less sense. Being an outcast however, and that terrifying emptiness of seeing everyone turn their backs to you... I could certainly understand that, and relate. No words would comfort would help, it would just make the alienation worse. Instead I did yet another possibly suicidal thing and hugged the zebra with hooves, the same zebra that had pointed a rifle at me the day before. I felt Xera's muscles tense up, and I might very well have died there and then. Instead, they froze in my forelegs. Then they began shaking, and crying silently.

In time we continued our walk east, and the tranquil feeling of our road was replaced by a sense of dread. I turned on the E.F.S. and glanced to my right. Nothing. A long gaze towards the wood line to the north but the forest was silent, and nothing paid attention to us. So what made my mane stand on end?

"Xera, are we being followed?"

I no long expected any fair play from potential hostiles.

"No. There are no hunters after us, nor any predators."

"Then what is it?"

"Death."

They closed their eyes, concentrating.

"Carrion. A lot of death, ahead of us."

I look around at my companions, too emotionally tired to deal with yet another crisis. Going around whatever it is wasn't an option. Going south to New Pegasus might be an alternative, but we might have a few too many stripes for that to be safe. So what now?

"Shall I scout, winged one?"

"Just make sure nobody sees you."

"Do not insult me, pony."

Did they just chuckle?

And our zebra sneaked off.

"Windstriker, this is a bad idea."

First thing Amber had said since meeting our new zebra friend.

"What is a bad idea?"

"Travelling with a zebra to start of with, a highly unstable one at that. That you sent ahead towards a place where slavers are known to frequent, whilst we are rare breeds in the wasteland. Logically speaking we are running head first into a trap."

"I second that, there has to be limits to your naivety. Honestly, going back to the forest seems like the safer choice. Please, let's just get out of here. Like right now? Please?"

Am I the least paranoid one in our group?

"Hm... NAAAAH."

Honestly, whilst we might stand a chance in the forest with the zebra scout. Alone? Not a chance.

"Going back into the forest is basically a death sentence, at least this is a gamble. And even if Xera was dealing with slavers, I don't fancy the slaver's chances. Our dear zebra wasn't lying, I am sure of that."

"..."

"Hey, don't give me that look. If any of you had wings then we could have take a shortcut directly to Goldstar."

Violette looked like I had slapped her. I face hoofed, is there anyone in our group that didn't have a secret tragic backstory? Buck my life.

"Look, I'm sorry alright?"

She didn't react, instead her eyes went blank.

"Oh shi... Sorry, I didn't know..."

I took a step closer, and she panicked. Backing off. I gave a worried look to Amber, who shook his head. I could really have used some colourful curse words right about now...

"Is it bad time?"

A voice said next to me.

"GAH! What? No, we just need to get home soon."

I looked at the zebra who stood far too close for my comfort.

"Anyways, was it safe?"

That weird head turn again.

"If you really are ally of Regina, then yes. It is safe."

A short pause.

"If you like dragon, then no."

"Wait? Dragons?!"

The field that lay before us was definitely not a sight for a stable dweller. The trees were barely even stumps, the ground had been ripped apart and the craters were covered by dismembered corpses on every side. No idea how many dead there were, scores? Over a hundred? The fact that some of the corpses were distinctly draconic in nature made the sight even more horrifying. A single of these creatures almost killed me? And there were how many here? A small army laid dead before me, was this all of them? Probably not.

I looked further and saw the ancient building that had been turned into a fortress, with scrap and sandbags on the roof Similar fortifications surrounded it on all sides, with what looked like trenches in front of it. What in tartaros, was this place a former steel ranger outpost or something?

Above it all danced a flag that definitely didn't belong to the rangers however, a black flag with a seven pointed star of gold. It seemed that the war had started, and the first settlement had fallen. The self declared princess had finally made her move.

Wait, isn't this a good thing? We ARE technically working for her? And this essentially guaranteed safe passage for us. Hey, maybe we can get home without any problems after all! Then I glanced back to the corpse laden field in front of us and almost puked.

"Shall we go?"

I asked my companions and got no answer in return.

None the less they followed as I walked around the field of death, on the southern side (rather not be snatched up by some animal). Which might have been the correct choice as nobody shot at us, instead a tall white pegasus flew up to us. And no, she didn't look anything like Celestia. This mare had the ragged muscles and weathered coat of a proper wasteland pony, and she wore a uniform similar to Goldstar's guards. Her armour was prewar though, not to mention her rifle which looked several caliber's too large for my taste.

"What we've here?"

She grinned, not in a friendly way.

"Seems that Sunset owes me 80 bits, the crossbreeds ARE working with the zebras."

"Wha? No?! Look, the zebra joined us just a day ago. And they are a deserter to boot."

"Yeah right, a zebra leavin' the Legion. Never happens, trust me kid. Ya've been duped."

"Doubt it, but anyways. Can you just let us pass, I got a contract with the princess."

"Hmpf Yeah, ya and half of Vanhoover. Sure, jus' walk right pass. Let me deal with th' stripe first."

"Oh just buck off, they are my responsibility and you can't just shoot someone for their stripes."

"HAH, watch me!"

She pointed her wing at Xera.

"THAT, is a CUR-SOR-ES. A raider, a SLAVER. And Goldstar happens t' have a shoot on sight policy when it comes to slavers. So back off kid, NOW..."

"Wai-"

Then I was promptly cut off as she kicked her rear hooves in the dirt, flapped her wings hard and for a brief moment she stood on her front hooves before she slammed down on me. Next thing I knew I was on the ground with a hoof on my throat, she stood upright in a weird pose similar to what Xera had used and aimed her over-sized rifle at said zebra. I could barely breathe and expected to hear a loud bang, instead she stood there in silence with her gun ready for what felt like an eternity.

Then I heard the sound of a quad of hooves galloping closer.

"COMMANDANT! That pegasus is the daughter of Blackhorn!"

Haven't I heard that voice before? Sure sounds familiar. The mare looked down at me with an expression that made me shiver.

"Hm. Ya really're..."

I could finally breathe properly, but I didn't dare to get up. Whatever friendliness there was in her voice earlier was gone.

"Ya four 're under arrest, try to run or do somethin' stupid an' the snipers will stop you."

"Please don't antagonize the commandant, Windstriker. She's dangerous."

The lovely scarred green mare in front of me helped me up. The very same mare I had befriended on my route to Goldstar, oh how I needed a friendly face. I threw my forelegs around her, I so much needed a proper hug.

"Are... are you OK?"

I shook my head.

Needless to say, we were led into the old supermarket that had been turned into a settlement over the years. And needless to say, they confiscated all of our weapons. Fortunately, Xera was not making a scene despite the stares and the whispers. There was indeed a small army of soldiers from Goldstar (how did they get all that firepower?), but also a whole bunch of traders, scavengers, hunters etc. Seems like they actually only killed slavers and whoever decided pulling a gun on an army was a good idea. Ironically, the soldiers acted professionally and didn't show any hostility to us even as we were under constant guard. If anything, they were utterly terrified at the tall pegasus mare.

"Thanks."

I emptied the sparkle cola I was given.

"Wind, can you please explain what is going on?"

"Uhm... To start with, the princess made me one of her royal knights."

"She did what now?? Since when does she have knights?!"

"For at least ten years? I think? I haven't really caught up with the history, and frankly it isn't my job."

"Sure, but I'm still not following. Sorry, but got a concussion after wrestling with a dragon."

She chuckled.

"No, I'm serious. A small dragon, but still a concussion."

"...Why were you... Never mind. As I was saying, somehow my life story impressed her enough to make me a knight of all things. Basically, we have three jobs. Acting as royal guard, maintaining order in the town and what was her words... 'keeping the soldiers in line'. If they hurt civilians we shoot them."

"Cohort Praetoria of Ceasar is like that. Executors of his will. Everyone fears them."

The first thing my zebra companion had said since we were arrested, and of course she offended the one friendly pony in charge we knew. Said pony promptly ignored them.

"Care to tell me, why exactly are you travelling with a zebra?"

"Long story short: They threatened to shoot me, asking if I worked for the Ceasar. I said no, so they didn't. They asked if they could travel with me, I said yes and now they kind of swore an oath to protect me."

Oh, a double facehoof. That is a rare sight.

"SIGH... Windstriker, you are a good pony. That is a rare sight, so don't die a pointless death. Please."

"Don't worry. We are heading back home to rest up. But somepony placed an army and dozens of corpses in the way. Which leads to the present situation. Care to tell me what all of that is about?"

"Her highness was very clear about that actually. This is the biggest trade route into and out of Vanhoover, and between the slavers and monsters it can be very dangerous. So several of the Caravans and even miss Pega of New Pegasus requested that she did something about it. So we did."

"And what now? About us? We just want to go back to the stable but now we are arrested for some reason."

"Miss Bittersweet is technically the commander of the knights... The fact she had you arrested means that she doesn't know what to do, she would have just shot you otherwise."

Great, real reassuring there.

"Most likely she will bring you to Goldstar, then the her highness will decide what to do. Don't worry, I'm sure she will let you go."

Not soon after she was called away by some officer who rather deal with her than her superior, wise choice if you ask me. Amber and Violette refused to even talk to me, so I was stuck talking to the zebra that might technically have gotten me into this mess. On the bright side, I probably didn't have to worry about them killing me in my sleep.

"So Xera, I don't know a lot of zebrecian. But I do know cursores, it means raider. Care to explain?"

"Yes. Remember what I said about my role? That is how it is in homeland. Not so in legion. In legion, every zebra is warrior. They fight, or they die. My mother refused, so she died. My lover... He was a centurion, but he said no to Caesar. So he died."

For a zebra capable of staring down a large bore rifle without flinching, they really there were a lot of emotions in those words.

"I rather have spit in Caesar's face, but I made promise to live. So I ran. North, only place legion fears."

"Because of Goldstar and princess Starlight?"

"No, Caesar sees her as obstacle. Not as threat."

"The creepy forest then? With all the monsters?"

Because it sure scared me. They laughed, the suicidal zebra laughed.

"No you silly pony. Zebras do not fear monsters, we hunt them. Before bombs, before war, we hunt monsters with mere spears and knives. No, pony. Legion not fear monsters."

And I thought I had an inflated ego.

"Legion fears Vanhoover. Old city, old magic, watching star."

"Excuse me??"

"Yes?"

"The last part, about Vanhoover and magic. And stars. Explain that part!"

"What about it?"

Stop being so calm about freaky things, and could ponies stop staring at us?

"All of it? Look, I grew up in a bunker and am kind of an idiot at times. So please explain properly."

"Vanhoover is protected, by old star magic. It warns one to stay away, fail and it claims your soul."

"This star, does it have seven points?"

"Like banner on roof, yes."

"...I am delighted to report that whilst a new threat has risen to our town, their vanguard has already been thwarted by a certain proactive individual. To speak with more clarity my dear ponies, the strange pony tribe known as the flame seekers are no longer content to stay behind their walls practicing their strange religion. Just a few days ago a significant number of them attacked Roadfort. Fortunately there were few, if any, losses on the defending side as Goldstar had seized the important trade post the day before. According to the officer in charge, their initial motivation was to obstruct the slave trade that has occurred at the location from time to time. Yet the timing is peculiar and the weaponry the troops brought is significant, suggesting that the princess already knew of the attack beforehoof..."

The serene voice of miss Pega was as sweet as music, as such it didn't distract much from my attempted reading in the evening. I had been reading the History of of the Great War where I noticed a passage that stood out to me.

Icetear, the ruler of wartime Vanhoover had first caught the interest of Princess Luna when she worked as a researcher at the Starlight Institute (our Institute). She had been part of the team that developed the theories behind mega spells, before they eventually were turned into practice by the Ministry of Peace. In my ignorance I had thought that mega spells were a revolutionary form of magic never seen before, but it seems that they got the idea from ancient artifacts such as the Crystal Heart of the crystal empire.

Hoping to find something in Sable's autobiography I was confused by the stilted and awkward writing, as if she was confused about everything or as if she wrote it down in order to remember it herself. Then again, she was some form of creepy immortal monster so it might not be that odd all things considered.

I stopped, having found that bright colourful photograph from the crystal empire. The photo with the mythical princess of the north, the photo with the ruler of Vanhoover, with the administrator of Tall Tale and the last great Van Hoof. Something about the picture had me transfixed, as if the book refused to let me turn the page. I looked at all the powerful ponies of wartime Equestria that I had learned about, failing to figure it out.

Then I saw her staring at me, with a faint smile as if mocking me for not realizing it sooner. To the side, next to Director Glimmer she sat. A dark grey unicorn with a golden mane and golden eyes. My mind wanted to deny the similarity, yet I was certain that she was one and the same. This raised one important question

"Why doesn't anyone know this?? Isn't she in any of the books?"

Yet all I could think of was that small amused smile.

We were supposed to go straight home, then this offended pegasus decided to arrest us. By all means, give us armed escort to the castle. Safer that way to be honest, and now I was no longer afraid. I was... not curious, not mad... determined? To meet personally with this supposed princess and get some context on this picture. I could just browse through Glimmer's old stuff back home, but I wanted more than evidence. I wanted an explanation and to see her face when I showed her the picture.

My improved mood was noticed, and annoyed our captor enormously. Good. She annoyed me quite a bit as well, especially as I felt unsure if I could have taken her one against one if I had been in perfect health. Not sure if I could take her if she was unarmed even. I was weak, and I really didn't like having it shoved into my face. Or throat as it were.

One thing knocked me out of my self righteous daydreaming. A red bar in my vision, panicking I looked around at the group of ponies that had held us captive. None showed any sign of aggression, but the tall white pegasus at the front paused. The rest of us followed suit as my gaze went further ahead and I saw a lone raider pony in black leather and steel barding. Must be pretty confident to take on our whole group alone.

Wait, that sort of overconfidence killed you quickly. I had learned that the hard way, so did the mare in front of us seriously think she could take out a whole squad of soldiers? With a knife?

Deja Vu... That raider mare with the black coat and the purple side-cut.

No. Nononononononono... NO!!

She is dead, we shot her with a laser beam through her head!

As I was in a state of full panic the first mare I had seen die stood in front of us, she rushed us with an uncanny agility through the bulletstorm which barely grazed her. The commandant kicked off with her rear hooves, and I saw her perform the same trick despite there still being a significant distance to our attacker.

BOOOM

The large rifle echoed as I saw a front leg turn into red chunks and the raider stumble and fall. The pegasus raised her wing and the firing stopped, only a single bullet had manged to hit properly. She stood back down on four hooves and put away her rifle, sounding downright pleased as she spoke.

"Mighty kind of ya to show up on yer own. The princess have been wantin to meet with ya for a while, Wither."

"FUCK YOU BITTER. The fuck you protecting a stripe for?!"

"Haha, don't insult me..."

She trotted up and stood just outside of striking distance.

"This's business and I can't have ya kill them 'fore I bring them in. By the way, what does this make it now? 6-0 for me?"

"Shut it!"

She was rapidly bleeding out, yet seemed more irritated than worried.

"Who the fuck shoots ponies with explosive bullets?! Fuck... I'm loosing it.."

"Eh, it was loaded for the draconequuses."

She laughed and poked the raider's nose.

"This way, ya won't run away. Win-win really. Oh, ya're already out... Sarge, have somepony carry her. And don't forget the knife, is her favorite."

I was in shock when the soldiers told us to move and didn't react, so the tall pony trotted up to me. This time with a grin on her face, not caring the least that I didn't follow orders.

"What's up kid, freeze up at the first sight of blood?"

"But...wha... WE KILLED HER. I saw her die!"

"And ya just left her? No wonder she's pissed. Ya can't kill Withered Rose, everypony knows that. It's her special talent, best one in the wasteland. Bad luck if ya ask me, makes her careless."

"But..."

"Oh shut it, move it kid."

Her eyes grew cold, bored even as she stared at me. The fear was enough to break the effects of the shock and I started walking. Yet I walked as if in a trance and wasn't aware of my surroundings until we had gotten way past the palisade.

We were escorted to the innermost part of the castle complex, the oldest tower. It looked tiny and forgotten compared to the impressive fortress that the rest of it were. Yet this ancient keep was the most heavily guarded part of it all, for good reason. It was were the ruler had taken residence. I couldn't help but think it was symbolic. She didn't pick the largest and most impressive structure, the one with the military offices and the throne room. No, she picked the most ancient one. As if handing out a clue to anyone clever enough to look.

The two guards (knights I suppose) saluted as we were led through. Turns out the bottom floor had been turned into some form of lounge for said guards as there were several more of them there, and they looked surprised to see their commanding officer show up yet only one got up. The browncoated mare had a scarlet mane and a look of mild amusement on her face, not to mention a voice of scolding.

"Bitter Sweet... Don't you have a mission to handle? I seem to recall that you do?"

"Quit it, Rust. The captain and the newbie can handle it. Besides, I arrested Blackhorn's daughter for colluding with the zebras. So I need to talk to Goldie. Caught Withered too."

"You did what??"

The earth pony mare was caught between surprise and frustration, she stared at me.

"Are you an idiot?! Scratch that, we already know you're an idiot. At least you had the sense to not kill her."

"Ya do remember that I am yer superior officer, and can have ya shot?"

"Pfft... Only because you spent decades trying to get under her tail. And no, you can't. Try learning the rules for once, and grow up while you are at it. Either way, you will have to wait. Mommy and daddy are talking."

"Stormcloud is here?? Why?"

"SIGH He was invited you half-wit."

She turned to the rest of us.

"Hey, feel free to relax. This might take a while, and don't worry about the big doofus. She looks scarier than she actually is. Name's Rusted Steel, ex lieutenant of the Daughters and captain of the gendarmerie."

This was downright surreal, even without my experiences the last few days it was weird to see the possibly highest ranking officer at Goldstar being lectured by someone her junior. Not to mention the contrast between the ruthless killer and the laid back attitude of the other. She even handed a sparkle cola to our very confused zebra, and started talking to them instead of the very annoyed pegasus (not me) standing by the exit.

Me, I was very curious to why my old teacher was here. If the princess truly was two centuries old then I had my suspicions. So I stretched my ears and tried listening if i could hear anything, which wasn't very difficult considering the volume. The contrast between the dry raspy ghoul and the sweet yet sharp voice of the princess somehow made it even easier to follow, and the normally charming mare had gotten quite angry.

"...First you burn Equestria to ash. Then you run away, leaving all of your research to rot with the rest of Canterlot. Your refusal, your COWARDICE is killing thousands over the years as ponies all over Equestria struggle and die without hope."

"Don't you DARE put that on me, YOUR department was just as guilty of fanning the flames of war! And you are fully aware that the zebras didn't get the mega spells from the M.A.S., if you want to blame anyone then blame Fluttershy."

"Oh, I do."

Her voice was downright cold despite the volume.

"And you are deflecting again, changing the subject. Running from your own past once again. You gave Twilight Sparkle doomsday weapon after doomsday weapon and you refuse to give me even the most benign of research?"

"You... You really think wearing that silly crown and calling yourself a princess makes you worthy of comparing yourself to my minister?? I thought there was limits to your arrogance, but I was clearly wrong... Those banners in the main hall, do you think you are the next Celestia?"

"Is it the wings? Is that it? Do you need me to grow wings first? BECAUSE I CAN DO THAT."

There was a moment of silence as Stormcloud didn't answer, a moment Starlight seized.

"Project: Sunburst, Project: Shieldbreaker, even Project: Coronation. KEEP them if you are so afraid of the past. I can make do without them."

"Yeah, you only want the most powerful artifacts in Equestrian history..."

He retorted sarcastically.

"You do realize the elements won't work without their chosen bearers, and whatever insane hubris you are going through... YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THE SIX."

"Again your logic fall short, that never changes does it? Then let me explain, as you said the elements were the most powerful artifacts in the Equestrian arsenal. Yet they were never used, there wasn't a single known project involving them. The only explanation is that they were used for something Luna wouldn't approve of. Considering her attitude as regent, it is quite obvious. A contingency plan of some sort, and my guess is that said plan is a terraforming mega spell."

"Paranoid ramblings aside..."

"SILENCE, I. Am. Not done! I hit right on the mark it seems, and don't bother denying it. You are very aware of my abilities. Continuing, what you fail to understand is that the main feature of the elements is the raw magical power they contain. By prewar standards it is indeed impressive, but since you clearly missed it: Wartime Equestria was not lacking in alternative power sources. Give me the research, and I can adapt it. We can FIX THINGS."

"...Giving you the one thing that you need to solidify your power, the one thing you need to declare yourself the savior of Equestria and pony kind. I think not. You might have fooled all these children, but I know better."

"...And so you continue gambling the future away on Watcher. It has already been two centuries in case you forgot."

Her voice had gotten softer, gentle even. Tired, but less hostile.

"Canterlot will be destroyed, soon."

"Perhaps for the best."

He sounded equally tired, and had lost all of his fervor.

"I think we are done here, Étoile."

"SIGH, so it seems. Sunshine."

It was weirdly nostalgic to see that dry old face again coming down the stairs, yet he felt like a total stranger. He had a look of confusion as he noticed me, then he recognized me. He looked around the room, noticed Amber. Raised an eyebrow at Xera and then turned to our captor. His voice was remarkably soft.

"Sweet, what nonsense is this?"

"I caught them colliding with a zebra slaver!"

She stated with a sense of defiant pride.

"Starlight?"

He sounded remarkably unimpressed.

"I'll take care of it. You go on ahead."

No royal 'we'?

As he put on his hat I noticed his horn, never paid attention to it before.

"I'll be going then..."

"...Sweet, when I gave you this job it was with the expectation that you could understand my priorities, and a certain level of trust. Was I perhaps not clear enough how important this mission was to me?"

There is that creepy stare again.

"Bu... Goldie! This is important! I found this zebra slaver with Blackhorn's daughter!"

A facehoof.

"SWEET. I do not care if you were to bring the Caesar himself. Renegade should have her group ready, go help her. Leave them with me, hopefully I don't have to apologize to her too much..."

"But!"

Bitter sweet's face changed from embarrassment to one of fear.

"I... Sorry..."

Starlight looked downright tired and bored by the display, and the fierce pegasus was downright meek.

"Yes, your highness."

Then she shrunk away, and walked out through the door with her head hung low.

"Now let's sort out this embarrassing mess."

She turned to Xera, and spoke in far more fluent zebrecian than mine. It sounded as if it might even be more advanced than the actual zebra's. I could just barely follow parts of it. She commanded them to come closer, and they complied on shaking legs. I don't think I ever seen someone so terrified before or since. As they talked they stood staring into each eyes as if in trance. Starlight sounded slightly amused, Xera however sounded like them feared for their soul. Which in hindsight, they probably did. Then Starlight closed her eyes and turned to the rest of us.

"You are free to go. Rust, make sure they get some decent food and whatever else they require. Probably a good idea to get this one some less obvious equipment."

She paused for a moment.

"One can but laugh at the rumors this idiocy will cause."

"Sure thing boss. Come a long kids, let's have dinner and go shopping."

Hold on, I had plans.

"Wait! We have business to discuss."

I looked at my companions

"You go on ahead, I'll catch up."

The mare in front of me almost purred.

"Oh. This should prove entertaining."

She showed a faint smile. "

Very well, let's go to my office."

And so I followed her up the spiraling staircase, slightly distracted by her hindquarters. Damn it, try to focus. I was supposed to be a professional damn it. Look at the steps instead, nice grey stone steps. Huh, this is a quite steep and dangerous staircase. Wonder how old this place actually is? And try listening for once, she is talking!

"Apologies for Bitter sweet's behavior, she is jealous at your mother as she can't follow our more technical discussions. She is something of an idiot, although she usually shoots anyone calling her that."

"Never mind that, how do you know Stormcloud? You seem pretty close."

"He's an old friend, we even tried dating a while. You know, he was one of Celestia's finest pupils once. And now he refuses to even use the least bit of magic, what a waste."

"You did WHAT??"

I had zoned out everything after the word 'dating'.

"Didn't work out, he prefers stallions. Besides, I have bad luck when it comes to relationships."

"How so?"

All of the theatrics and the facade is just gone, is this the real her?

"My partners have a strong tendency to die. One way or another."

There was a bone chilling honesty in her voice.

"..."

I had run out of words. Fortunately I had something new to take in as I entered her private office, the one place where she wasn't a princess. It was at this moment I noticed that she wasn't wearing her tiara, it stood on a pony pony bust in a corner. As if it was merely one trinket among many. She walked up behind her desk and waited patiently as I took in the scene. That terminal was most definitely not a standard issue Stable-Tech terminal, the amber light reinforcing the obvious.

Then I noticed the bookshelves and the whole bunch of odd objects. A carved diamond that radiated with pure sunlight, oh how I have missed that light. Wait... is that Minister Rarity? Fancy statuette. A... is that bracelet a pipbuck, kind of looks like one? An engraved revolver and... is that a spritebot?! Some small unassuming chest and what looked like a master spell matrix. Wait, that bluish tint. Is that a lunite crystal?

Our eyes as she gauged my reaction, when I failed to comment she started the discussion.

"So, what is that you have for me?"

"Books, two of them. And I suspect many overlook them, which is odd considering how interesting they are. The History of the Great War volume 6, focusing on the Provisional Government and the administrator's autobiography. Princess Mi Amori Cadenca is in it."

"She wrote an autobiography? That can't be easy to read."

"Yeah, it is way more awkward than the other. I guess being an immortal monster makes it difficult to remember things properly, a lot of it reads as if it was taken from third party sources instead of from memory."

"Oh, you have no idea..."

She smiled knowingly, oh right. That. Then she explained a bit.

"I read the casualty report from the Dawn Mining incident, it was the first time Equestria had any ghouls. Unfortunately every single one was feral, caused a fair bit of panic until the M.O.P and the M.O.I. censored the event."

"Wait, I met her. Sure she was creepy, but she wasn't feral. In fact, I even suspect that she sent us away to die as we were digging through their archive and her past. Then again..."

She wasn't an ordinary ghoul.

"Indeed. Anyway, could be a fun light read. How much do you want for them?"

"20 bits each, and an answer."

I pulled out the books and she grabbed them in her magic as soon as they were out of my saddle bags. There was that smile again, and I did notice how she closed her eyes as she did it.

"Deal."

She opened a drawer and a stream of golden coins flowed out of it, into my saddle bags.

"Now, an answer to which question?"

"The autobiography, first page of the second chapter."

For once in my life I paid attention as she quickly browsed to the photograph. She took a long look at it before she commented, failing to show even the least bit of surprise.

"Cute. But I suspect this isn't the question you want answered."

What?? I mean, my theory is pretty much confirmed at this point but... Wait, is she testing me? Is she suggesting that she would answer one question from me regardless of what it was? I looked back into that stare, struggling to think. So I went with my gut.

"Whatever you are planning, can you promise me that it isn't a threat to my family or the people of my home?"

"SIGH Windstriker, dear. I am not omniscient. So no, that I can not promise you. I can, however promise you that I have no intentions of harming any of them nor will I attempt to subjugate them or for that matter intentionally manipulate them to my whim. I owe that much to Starlight Glimmer, at least."

"..."

Somehow it didn't reassure me the one bit. As she sat there under the artificial sunlight I began feeling really creeped out, and could swear that I heard whispers from around the room. Two distinct voices, trying to shout at me to get out of here. Some part of my mind panicked and activated S.A.T.S. The world froze, and the whispers stopped.

Did her lips just move??

Her eyes began to close slowly, yeah she was definitely moving. Whilst I was in S.A.T.S. HOW?!

Goddesses...

Cancel! Exit! Why can't I shut it down?? She got up and walked around the desk, and I was the one who couldn't move. Did she sabotage my pipbuck when I wasn't looking?

I could do nothing but watch as she stopped in front of me, her head turned slightly on its side, she gave an amused smile and a bored, even sad pair of eyes. Her hoof rose and she poked my nose whilst mouthing "boop". Then I could feel time returning and my muscles finally responded, my mouth opened in shock.

And felt a gun barrel hoovering inside of it.

CLICK

"Au revoir, ma petite poney."

The emotion I felt, the dread, the heartless vindictiveness aimed towards me in that moment. Withered Rose was immature, Bitter Sweet was petty... No, it was more similar to being stared down by the basilisk, mixed with the cold detachment of the raging ocean or the star above...

KA-TAK

"Wha..."

"It is inadvisable to provoke me when I am in a nostalgic mood, child."

Her horn glowed and I was blinded by a golden flash. As my eyes desperately blinked, trying to figure out what just happened, my ears picked up something odd. The sounds of ponies all around me. Eventually my eyes began to work properly and I realize that I was outside on the roof of the over-sized fortress.

Did I just teleport?

Fortunately I had Amber's T.A.G. and could find my party if I just could figure out how to navigate this maze. So I began trotting among the hundreds of ponies, nearly all earth ponies it seemed. My mind however, wasn't in the present but trying to make sense out of my recent experience. How can anyone just override a S.AT.S. like that? Wait... it is some form of time manipulation spell right?

Hold on! Her promise, it was way too specific in wording. She didn't intend any harm to my kin, at that specific moment. It wasn't a guarantee, it was threat.

"Oh shit... I got to talk with mom about this..."

I found them in the throne room of the main keep, eating leisurely whilst Rusted Steel tried getting them to cheer up. I worked, partially. Xera noticed me first and pointed me out. Their faces turned to worry when they saw me however, so my panic must have been pretty obvious. The guard or knight or whatever the stars she was looked downright entertained by my state of mind.

"Spooked ya, did she?"

She actually laughed.

"How did it feel to stand alone against the most feared mare in Vanhoover? Not many get the privilege these days, with all the silly theatrics going on."

I stopped at those words, and just stared at her. Theatrics, just how much of this was fake? All of it? The mare in front of me, for all of her friendliness, is obviously in on the facade. On the charade, and she talked down Bitter Sweet as if she was used to it. She had seen it all before, the smile before me was just another ruse. Yet another cold blooded killer.

"Oh look at that, miss Blackhorn's little kid is all grown up. We should get a cake or something."

Her voice dripping with sarcasm, her eyes had a knowing look.

"Oh buck off. Where is she? And can you arrange for a room for the night? We leave in the morning."

I gave her a long hard stare, daring her to crack another joke. In hindsight I would probably have gotten my flank handed to me.

"Yeah, sure. Boss asked me too. And she should be in her room, you know where it is right?"

Before I could answer.

"You should probably eat something before though, doubt little Sweet gave you much in the way of dinner."

"No appetite, and thanks I guess."

I began trotting towards the stairs.

"Windstriker?!"

Amber shouted after me.

"Not now, Amber!"

I shouted back.

It didn't take much to remember where her room was, I knocked on her door. No response, I clicked up her T.A.G. and she was indeed in there. Why wasn't I surprised?

"MOM, It's Windstriker!"

The door opened and she stood there, a slightly worried look on her face.

"Mom, we need to talk."

"... Where is Amber?"

"Downstairs, he has company. "

She turned and walked in, and sat down next to her desk.

"So what has you gotten into this time?"

"STOP TREATING ME LIKE A CHILD."

I didn't shout as much as I raised the volume of my regular talking voice, and it left an impression. She was actually paying proper attention and listening.

"The guards, the knights or what in Tartaros they are... Ruthless killers, and they pause at your name. It might be the only reason I am alive. WHY?"

Her eyes grew colder, in a manner I had never seen before.

"What did you say?"

"I asked why."

I stated in a frustrated and angry tone.

"Did they hurt you?"

Her voice as cold as ice. Turns out I didn't even know my own mother.

"Only until they realized that I was your daughter, and you are avoiding the point. Why are some of the most dangerous ponies in Vanhoover afraid of my mother?? And why are you working for a centuries old witch, A STARCHILD?!"

I almost hissed as I said the last word, not sure when I remembered the term. My discussions with Xera had probably stirred my memory, waking half forgotten tales I learned as a child. Legends, myths, warnings of fools and the fate they suffered. She closed her eyes and mumbled something that might have been a prayer to the princesses, as she did when she didn't know what to do.

"I have no idea how you figured that out... Have you been east of the Unicorn Range? Or south of the Smokey Mountains? Have you seen Equestria?"

What in the world did that have to do with the subject?

"Clearly not. Equestria is dead. Canterlot is a rotting necropolis, Manehattan is a tomb, Fillydelphia is turning into a new Tartaros. The rest? It is ash. Dust storms, acid rain, and worse."

I thought of the dying grass I saw in the south, and nodded slowly.

"There are two places left alive. The Everfree Forest. And Vanhoover."

Everfree? Isn't that where the old castle was? Before Luna... Oh... Damn... She had an expression that I hadn't seen since I had flew off and hidden above the clouds as a child.

"You see what those two places has in common?"

"So you chose damnation above death, is that it?"

I just couldn't accept this.

"The star of Vanhoover isn't malign, Windstriker."

"Hmph! Yeah, and yet everyone is starving. Everyone is killing each other. And at least two of the most influential ponies around are immortal lunatics who stare into your very soul and gamble with your life like it was a gold bit!"

"..."

She just looked at me with sad eyes, and then she hugged me.

"How long?"

She didn't answer.

"How long have my entire family been working for the stars?"

"She showed up in the Director's office half a century ago, browsing through Starlight Glimmer's grimoire. Your grandfather's predecessor was furious of course, until he recognized her at least."

"So my entire life then?"

"It is more complicated than that. She was her protege, and supposedly Celestia's student before that."

"Excuse me??"

This sounded more like fairy tales and rumors than anything else I had heard in my life.

"Supposedly she got expelled for traumatizing another student, so not a very good one."

"I still rather just shoot her."

I almost manifested the virtue of Honesty with that statement.

"Haha... you know, Windstriker. I agree, and I did."

She never told me of the time before I was born, and this I got to hear.

"Back when your grandfather ordered me to travel with her to some old military installation. She got on my nerves so much that I pointed my hyper-fusion rifle at her, and fired. She started glowing as the disintegration catalysis began breaking her apart, then the process somehow began going in reverse and she was unharmed."

"Then what?"

"She was disappointed that it didn't work."

Quest Perk added: Stargazer

You were foolish enough to gaze into the void, and it looked back. It has bestowed you with a lesser form of Starsight and you now see Truth, no matter how horrifying. A pity, you should have blinked.

Condition added: Severe Wartime Stress Disorder

You have faced some of the Wasteland's worst and survived. You did not, however, go unscathed and can expect symptoms such as paranoia, explosive rage or suicidal depression. The Ministry of Peace would have institutionalized you, if it still existed.