“Okay,” Shadow said to Thunder and Slice. “We have been sitting on our asses way to long, doing nothing but hoping to be spotted by another search party. With the ice in the north, there is no way Cardinal Spitfire or anypegasus else could get my message until spring. Probably summer. The North doesn’t look like it well let go until the very last moment.

“Yes, our occupied station above is important and so are our daily messages for help. But I am not going to sit here any longer. I am going treasure hunting.”

“You ran out memories to deal with, didn’t you?” Thunder asked.

“Not the point,” Shadow smiled, holding back a chuckle.

“Treasure hunting?” Slice asked. “What possible treasure could there be down here?”

“I heard that there was a gunsmith, Walter Arms, who did a lot of work in the design industry. From what I could pull from the terminals, he helped with some of Ironshod Firearms biggest designs. As well as for other companies.”

“I am not interested in what he did or did not do with them, rather what he did on his own workbench. Things that never got debuted, or were only half finished. There could be a lot of toys hidden there.”

“You have me hooked!” Slice grinned, scheming.

“Let’s go,” Thunder smiled. “But where?”

“Fillydelphia,” Shadow said flatly.

Slice rolled his eyes. “Really? It couldn’t be anywhere else?”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” Shadow replied. “The city was a huge manufacturing hub. Where else would it be? The thing you are forgetting about is our naval combat armor we got in Baltimare. We can waltz right in as non pegasi and nopegasus is going to have a clue as to who we are.”

“I’m down,” Thunder shrugged. His stance hadn’t changed despite the location.

“Alright,” Slice sighed. “Fucking shit hole has a fucking shackle on us. It better not draw blood.”

“It won’t,” Shadow replied. “At least not for the same reason. This is us, having fun, on a treasure hunt. Nothing more. The Enclave is not involved. We could paint symbols on the armor if you want.”

“I would very much like that,” Slice smiled. “What design should we do?”

“How about a five pointed star in a circle,” Thunder said.

“Easy enough to paint on our chests,” Shadow stated. “But we should go with white, or an army green. Something that stands out, but doesn’t give anypegasus a target, like red.”

“Navy Blue?” Slice suggested.

“Yeah,” Shadow nodded. “Navy Blue on that sea gray would work great. Lets get to it!”

Painting the armor was easy. They only had to do their chests. The armor was not fitted for them though. That took the longest. But by the end of the day, they all had the armor fitting properly, battle saddles secured and their weapons locked and loaded.

The helmets used combat goggles and were little more than a hood with some hard parts to help repel a solid knock. It did have a com system built in. They opted to not wear the gecko cloaks for a lighter cloak that would fit their sleek, lightweight appearance. A cloak that was too heavy would draw attention and point to them hiding something.

Their wings were hidden with pieced together fabric from their adjustments. They were quickly sewn together and Shadow set up a button system to latch them down.

With everything prepared, Shadow exited Rosemary and sent a message from the hidden cloud terminal. It was a guarantee that there was no mishap in between the overseer’s terminal and their cloud terminal. There was no response as expected. But if the other terminal was ever powered on or looked at again, they all would be there.

Shadow spent some more time looking over Sanctuary. It had grown to a nice little town of about 20. They were keeping themselves on the down low to avoid raiders, but they had defenses built and a good farm going with decent internal trade.

Shadow felt like a god, watching over his creation. His only act was to allow it to grow so the would cover their tracks from Dahlia and others. It had worked. But he also felt responsible for them.

Slice had a solid breakfast ready for them when Shadow got up.

“This is unexpected,” Shadow stated as he sat down.

“I woke up early,” Slice shrugged.

As they were strapping on their gear, Slice spoke up. “No sword Shadow? You have been practicing with it every day and learning very well.”

“Yes, I have been, but no. It won’t work with this double sided saddle. We can work out a better battle saddle configuration for me when we get back. I would like something else, like a shotgun, as my second gun. These are small rounds.”

“I can do that easy,” Slice replied.

Kifo Herixleta had two secrets outside the flame. There was a soul set into the sword. At least part of one. A great master of the way of the sword. It was there to teach, guide and remind Mwokozi if needed.

The second secret was the reminder that heat and cold are not a duality. Cold is simply the lack of heat. The blade could have heat sent into it, igniting it into a blazing inferno, or it could have heat removed, frosting over the blade until the cold burned at the slightest touch.

Shadow drew his pistol, double checking that the band worked under the simple clothes. He was also carrying the Type 41 combat knife rather than the Enclave one since the band recognized it.

Before he stepped passed the stable door, Shadow double checked that he had his personals. Both armbands were secure. His necklace was as well, pressing against him with the weight of the thousand memories it held. His seeds were secure. The books had to be set inside a saddlebag, but they were coming along. The same with the Rainbow Dash Statuette. The more Shadow had it, the less he wanted to part with it.

It was weird, watching the stable door close. Last time, Slice and Thunder were waiting for him behind it. Now, it was no longer an Enclave outpost. It was a forsaken place. Leaving it almost felt right.

They were almost spotted by a unicorn who had gone out to cut down firewood. Thankfully they heard him in time to slide down low and avoid being seen. The agility this armor afforded them saved them for sure.

After that, it was a brisk trot out to Fillydelphia. They were three scavengers heading to Filly. Stupid, but heading to Filly.

As they entered Fillydelphia, they ran into a patrol of several Steel Rangers. These Rangers were not in power armor.

“What business do you have here?” The lead mare asked.

“Scavenging,” Shadow replied. “Trying to make our way.”

“You and your friends there have some heavy weapons to be simple scavengers.”

“We have gotten lucky,” Shadow smiled. “Hoping it holds out long enough here.”

The Ranger took a firm step forward. “You aren’t heading to try your luck with the Disciples, are you?”

“I have been informed of their residence here,” Shadow chuckled. “But their kind is not something we want to associate with. We are clean.”

“As you were, Ma’am, but remember, we are the Ministry of Wartime Technology. If you find anything important for the war effort, inform us or return it to use for the safekeeping. We are the ones left to protect Equestria. And we are always watching to protect its citizens. Even from the Disciples.”

“Right,” Shadow nodded.

“That is new,” Thunder whispered over their coms. “They never associated themselves with the ministry before. I guess they would have that right, but it is new.”

“We never have had direct contact with them as anything but soldiers,” Slice whispered back.

They slowly picked their way through the ruins. A firefight was breaking out every so often. They hadn’t heard this much activity when they had come before. Things were heating up.

“There,” Shadow said, looking at a crumbing building. It was unimpressive. “That should be the Walter Arms company.”

“That is plain,” Slice replied. “I expected more… armsy things.”

“They did designs, not actual production,” Shadow said. “So I expected dull.”

They moved out across the street. As Shadow neared the door, a sandstone colored stallion stepped out. He was smooth looking in an old black business suit and a slicked back dark brown mane. Beside him was what had to be called a ripper. It was well used by the rusted blood on the chains.

“Well, well, well,” He said with the voice of a god. “A mare and her toys. Sporting something fierce. To compensate for something?”

“Just get out of the way,” Shadow said rolling his eyes.

“We can’t do that,” He replied. “You are in our territory. We have our rules.”

Shadow sensed Thunder and Slice taking defensive positions to deal with some other threats behind them.

“I didn’t see this coming,” Slice whispered. “I thought only the Steel Rangers and the Disciples were here. How did we walk right into their territory without seeing them?”

“Obviously, other raider gangs still survive in this war zone,” Thunder replied.

“And what are your rules?” Shadow asked, stalling.

He smirked. “For one, Mares belong to me. Two, trespassers get to leave with their lives after they dump their sacks and give up everything.”

“Thunder?” Shadow openly asked. “Did we grab any caps?”

“I thought you did,” Thunder replied. “So no?”

“We got nuthin,” Shadow said to him. “Sorry.”

“You got some shiny things by your side,” He said still grinning. “And you might be small, but that armor can fit some of us. I did say everything. Of course I have a… special, to propose. You leave your boys and they get to walk out as they are. You ditch everything and come with me. I treat my Mares right, like the Queens they are.”

“And how many Mares do you have?” Slice asked.

“Four. Five if she is wise. It is a good life.”

“You are one patriarchal bastard,” Slice stated. “Your smooth voice intrigues me, but your words are poison.”

“So, I go with you and they get to leave free?” Shadow asked.

“We will kindly escort them to the edge of our territory and if they decide to come back, we will put a bullet into their soft skulls. If they give us trouble, we will put one in yours.”

“Let us consider your proposal,” Shadow said turning his back to him.

“So, we have to remember that everywhere, there are robbers and thieves,” Shadow immediately stated in the huddle.

“I am liking playing their mare angle,” Slice smiled. “We have seen you fight with your bare hooves. This has good potential. We leave and circle back in thirty minutes. They won’t bother him while he has his way with a new conquest.”

“I think the treasure hunter side is talking,” Thunder hesitated. “But part of me really wants to go with it and come back in blasting. I am sure you will get the first shot off.”

“And it is fun playing off of his mistake,” Shadow chuckled. “And I am the mare.”

“He called us toys,” Slice said through a half set jaw. “Your toys. I want revenge just for that. And right now, they have us surrounded and out gunned. And we are not in our armor. We could use a bit of a scenery change.”

“This is risky and stupid but sounds like so much fun,” Shadow chuckled quietly to them. “So yes, lets do it. Give me an hour. If the shooting hasn’t happened by then, move in.”

Shadow turned back to him and hung his head.

“Alright,” Shadow sighed. “We don’t have much choice. I’ll stay. But after they are clear. I have a com piece in my helmet. I will know when my brothers are safe. Until then, I will stay right here in this very spot.”

“Deal,” He smirked. “I am Vulpes, The Fox. And we are The Kings. I am so glad you are to be one of my Queens.”

“Weird ass name,” Slice grumbled as they began to escort them away.

They were led out a different way than they came in.

“All clear,” Thunder reported. “In a secure location. They didn’t try and shoot us in the back. All on you, Miss Shadow.”

“Understood,” Shadow replied, taking his helmet off.

Shadow stepped inside the building and Vulpes led him up two stories to his special place. The floor was office spaces that were converted to living quarters. Vulpes stepped over to a chest of drawers and opened it. He pulled out a red sequined dress and brought it over.

“Change in the bathroom dear, and leave your stuff. I will take care of it later. The girls are inside and will help you with your mane and such. I will be back in a bit after some business is taken care of.”

Shadow stepped into the bathroom. Thankfully it was a single pony bathroom. He slipped his helmet back on.

“Make it five hours. Scout their lines. I have some time.”

Shadow flipped the com off and set it down. He changed out of everything. The ceiling had movable tiles and he slipped his personal, special items away in there for safe keeping. He kept his necklace on and the band was going to stay. But even his totems were slipped into hiding.

The dress fit him well. Cardinal Spitfire would get a kick out of this story. He slid it over his wings and was able to tuck the combat knife and pistol under them. He had six shots, it wasn’t the most comfortable keeping everything tucked away, but it worked.

Vulpes was not there when he exited. He opened the door Vulpes had indicated and stepped in. It closed behind him and he found himself staring at four other mares in various attire and lounging on furniture and pillows. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it.

Shadow opened the door behind him. He had expected it to lock behind him. He was free to depart. Vulpes was an Earth Pony, but there had to be a Unicorn in The Kings. Perhaps they were under enchantment.

“Darling, lets fix your mane,” One of the mares said. “Vulpes said it was a mess. We can make you feel truly beautiful.”

“You can just leave,” Shadow said walking over.

“Of course,” Another said. “We are not prisoners here.”

“Why stay?” Shadow asked.

“You will see. He really does care for us.”

Shadow sat down beside the one who spoke first. She was a black Unicorn with a ruby mane and immediately began to brush his mane.

“Uh,” She said disgusted. “It wants to stand on end. That simply won’t do.”

“Forgive Rose Burst. She does all our manes, including Vulpes and some of the other Kings. I am Ivory Leaf, that is Purple Show and Ornate Charm. And you are?”

Ivory Leaf was well named, green coat with a ivory mane that had several streaks of green running through it. Purple Show was a solid purple with a purple and pink mane. Ornate Charm was a gold coated, silver and pink maned Unicorn.

Shadow coughed to clear his throat. “Shadow Flare.”

“Well, your coat and mane contrast is divine,” Ivory Leaf replied.

“Ow!” Shadow yelped as his mane snagged in the brush. “Thank you. No. Ow! I have never had that said before.”

Rose Burst forced Shadow to lay down alongside her for comfort and a better angle.

“Ow!” Shadow said making a face in pain as the revolver and knife clashed with the move and dress.

“Let’s see what Cutie Mark you have,” Rose Burst said. “Guesses?”

“I bet Shadow is an excellent dancer,” Ornate Charm said. “Ballet shoes?”

“No, its probably something lame,” Purple Show stated. “Just look at her. It will be more wasteland than shoes. I am going to guess a screwdriver. I bet she can fix up all sorts of things, able to wiggle under or into them with her size.”

Shadow forced down a laugh.

“No, I bet it is something to do with jewelry,” Ivory Leaf pitched. “She is wearing a necklace. Something special?”

“Very Special,” Shadow smiled.

“It certainly isn’t about beauty or fashion,” Rose Burst said. “Not with a mane like this. Please tell me it isn’t some ugly knife or gun.”

Shadow didn’t have time to respond as Rose Burst pulled up the dress to see. They stared at his Cutie Mark, trying to understand. Thankfully it was all they saw.

“Three arrowheads, with swords and lightning bolts,” Shadow chuckled. “One means Speed, another Agility, and the third is Power. I am a skilled acrobat. Hoofstands, vaults, back flips and tucks. I can do it all. I put on shows when I have the time.”

Shadow almost said without wings, but caught himself.

“But tell me, how long have you ladies been here?”

“Oh I grew up with Vulpes,” Rose Burst said. “He might have a rule, Mares are his Queens, but you don’t see the others. He keeps us because he is The King of the Kings. Most of The Kings are married. I was given to him when he took over. A King must have a Queen.”

“Vulpes saved me and Purple Show from slavers back a few years,” Ivory Leaf said.

“I ran into The Kings,” Ornate Charm sighed. “While scavenging. I was the smart one and chose to stay, the others fought.”

“And you really all want to stay?” Shadow asked. “I mean, I was just forced apart from my brothers in order to save them.”

“What matters is that he cares for us,” Rose Burst replied. “And cares for us very well.” Her sweet voice was hiding a rough tone that said ‘accept it and move on.’

“Rose is right,” Ivory Leaf smiled. “Yes, he rescued us, but he also truly cares. They all take very good care of us. In a world like this, that is what matters.”

“And where are we?” Shadow asked, moving on.

“Uh,” Rose Burst groaned. “Its a good location with great defenses for the group, but they have been trying to get into that workshop longer than I have been alive.”

“Walter Arms?” Shadow asked for clarification.

“Yes,” Rose Burst grumbled. “I assume you were caught trying to get in as well. Befitting a ruffian like you. But we will turn you into the lady you are inside.”

Shadow shook his head to clear the image from his mind. There was no lady inside. And the idea of it was revolting. Wearing a dress in a cover up was one thing, believing he was a lady another.

“Look,” Shadow said standing up. The brush was stuck in his mane. “I don’t think I can sit around all day, like this.”

“What else would you do?” Rose Burst asked, trying to pull him down. “Let go of trying to take care of yourself. You are safe. No worries.”

Shadow took a step away.

“This isn’t normal for me. This isn’t me.” They didn’t understand the full truth behind those words.

“It is a hard transition, but you will make it,” Rose Burst smiled. She didn’t get up, but she obviously wanted him to lay back down.

Shadow got a better look at the others. Rose Burst was in lingerie and full diva, including jewelry. Ivory Leaf was in a fancy dress and wearing earrings. Purple Show was in a simple dress, accented with a single gold bracelet.

Ornate Charm was stealing glances at him. She was the furthest away from the group and in regular clothes. She was resisting her position. She wasn’t talking unless directly engaged and when she had said that she was the smart one in her group, it wasn’t a happy smart.

“Sit down,” Rose Burst insisted. “You mane isn’t done. Vulpes won’t be back for a while. Relax. It will be okay.”

“Can I see where I will be sleeping?” Shadow asked.

“Mane first darling.”

“I’ll show you,” Ivory Leaf said getting off the couch. “It is the polite thing to do.”

She led him into the next room. There were four beds. Each one was neatly made up and each had a dresser and a nightstand to go with it.

“This is where we spend many of our nights. But in this room, this is where Vulpes sleeps. And likely you for the next few nights until there is a bed set up like ours. He is probably securing those for you right now. He wants us all to be comfortable and not feel forced. We are Queens, not harlots.”

Shadow stepped into Vulpes’ room. It was certainly love central. Red velvet, worn from the ages, pillows and somewhere they had wrestled up a heart shaped bed.

“And the bathroom?” Shadow asked.

“Same one you changed in,” Ivory Leaf smiled. “Only one on this floor. We use the old school dry sink for most of the washing. A bowl with a pitcher of water which we routinely refresh.”

“I should have gone when I changed,” Shadow admitted.

Shadow went out to the bathroom. He actually had to go. His stuff was still on the floor. Vulpes was either taking a huge risk, or just plain stupid. Shadow wanted to say he was stupid, but the mares didn’t notice he was a stallion. Still, they had been expecting a mare, so they saw and heard a mare.

The hairbrush stuck in his mane was stupid looking, so Shadow went back and sat with Rose Burst so she could continue.

“Your mane is impossible!” Rose Burst finally declared. “I don’t know what to do. We will have to work extra hard to condition and soften it.”

Shadow chuckled. “It has never played nice. No matter what was done. This is the nicest it has ever been.”

The door opened and Vulpes came in. “Hello ladies. How are we doing?”

“Shadow’s hair wont cooperate,” Rose Burst whined. “I did my best.”

“Well, you did wonders Rose,” Vulpes smiled. “And Shadow, your mattress is on it’s way up. We are piecing together your own bed unit like the others. It may take a few days, but we already have the perfect mattress for you.”

“Thank you,” Shadow smiled.

Vulpes was in there the whole time as the mattress was brought in and placed with the others. He bid them farewell for now. Shadow was getting concerned. It had been about two hours. There was no attempt to conquest. He was already conquered.

“I am surprised he has,” Shadow began, trying to find the words.

“He is a gentlepony,” Ivory Leaf stated. “He likes you. He offered you safety because of it. He cares for you. He isn’t going to ravish you.”

“Not at all what I was expecting,” Shadow stated.

“He is full of surprises,” Ornate Charm said, hiding something behind it.

“There is no place better in the wasteland than here,” Ivory Leaf smiled.

Shadow’s immediate thought was Rosemary, then Sanctuary. Next up was Dry Dock City. But no matter what, anywhere Cardinal Spitfire was automatically the best place in the world.

It was getting close to dark when Vulpes came back. And the five hours was nearing the end.

“Come Shadow, let us talk while there is still some light. This section of the building lost power a while ago, so it is candlelight after that.”

Shadow followed him into the room and sat down on the bed while Vulpes undid his suit.

“Get comfortable,” Vulpes said. “Whatever you want to wear, we will do our best to find it. I want you comfortable no matter what. But that dress looks lovely on you. You look like you are my Queen and I adore you.”

He was a very handsome stallion.

“I know today has been rough,” He smiled as he sat on the other side of the bed. “I hate days like today. You have a mattress. You can spend the night there if you wish. Or here. Whatever is most comfortable to you.”

Shadow took a deep breath in. He was running out of time and wanted to at least get Vulpes out of the way before things went down. He really needed him out of the way so he wasn’t in the position to hurt him or the other mares in retaliation.

“Where did you get this bracelet?” Vulpes asked Shadow.

“Off a dead guy,” Shadow chuckled. “Its a magic bracelet.”

“Well, it is simple, but eye catching,” Vulpes smiled.

“I found it on him after I killed him,” Shadow added.

“Ah,” Vulpes sighed. “I hate killing. It is nasty. I trust you had a good reason.”

“It was him or me,” Shadow sighed. “But I didn’t do it in a dress.”

Shadow stood up. It wasn’t easy to pull the dress off, but he did and the combat knife was out of it’s sheath and at Vulpes’ throat before the dress settled on the floor.

“Don’t speak,” Shadow ordered in a low voice to avoid being overheard. “Lets make this, interesting. Profitable.”

“Is that a?”

“I said don’t speak,” Shadow growled, pushing the tip of the knife into his skin, drawing a bead of blood. “And yes. It is a penis. I am a stallion. Looks are very deceiving when it comes to me.”

“Now, my friends are lining up to slaughter The Kings. If I can get to my armor, I can stop them. But only if we can work something out. I am getting into that workshop. I need to get in there. I need this whole building actually. Temporarily until we solve our, problem. We don’t care about you and won’t bother or hurt you so long as you peacefully surrender it to us.”

“We have worked too hard to get in,” Vulpes spat. “Not happening. But I will let you get your stuff and walk. Take it. Its your only smart option.”

Shadow chuckled. “You have no fucking idea what you are getting yourself into if you don’t temporarily surrender this building. There is key information I need in here before the workshop.”

“The Kings don’t back down. You kill me, the others will kill you and a new King will take my place. There is no escape.”

“You are an idiot,” Shadow said rolling his eyes.

Shadow let the knife sheath drop as he opened up his wing. The color faded from Vulpes’ face.

Shadow smirked. “Plenty of places for me to go. Plenty of places I will go. And I am not going in bed with you.”

Shadow plunged the knife into Vulpes’ throat, cutting off a scream. He pulled it out and wiped the blood off on Vulpes’ coat. Shadow picked up the sheath and returned the knife to it. He drew the revolver and exited the room.

The ladies were not in bed yet. Shadow walked straight past them. They finally noticed he was a stallion.

“What is going on!” Rose Burst yelled standing up.

Shadow pointed the pistol at her. She had no idea it took two hooves to operate.

“Sit down, all of you. Or you will be in trouble. Not from me. But I am trying to stop The Kings from being massacred.”

As Shadow closed the door behind him, Rose Burst and Ivory Leaf dashed into the back. Vulpes was an idiot. His gear had been moved, but only from the bathroom to a dresser. Shadow flipped the com line on and slapped on his helmet.

“This is Shadow Flare. Slice? Thunder?”

“There you are,” Thunder said with an audible sigh of relief. “We were getting worried. They are big and this will be a nasty fight. But we have some strong tactical options.”

“Vulpes is dead,” Shadow stated.

Rose Burst’s screams meant she had found him.

“So, as nasty as they are, that scream…”

“We heard it,” Slice stated. “And we will draw their fire. We got this.”

Guns opened up in a one-two pattern, taking guards down. They were taken from two different locations. Shadow swept everything up with his wings and arms and hobbled into the room with the others. He dumped it, locked the door and looked at the others as he slipped on his clothes.

“YOU KILLED HIM!” Rose Burst wailed. “Why! Because he mistook you for a mare?”

“No,” Shadow groaned. “Stop your pathetic whining. Its pointless. I am not so conceited to be offended when yet another calls me a mare.”

Shadow began to put his armor on when the door was tried.

“Vulpes? Anypony!”

“He killed him!” Rose Burst screamed.

Shadow rolled his eyes and head as they tried to force the door again. His armor was half on, making things hard. He drew his revolver and fired two shots through the door as a pony tried to force it open with his shoulder.

The door was bucked open by another pony, pistol in mouth. Shadow bobbed to the side, rotated the revolver so it was pointed towards himself, out of the way and throat punched the pony. The esophagus collapsed, putting him into a struggling death of suffocation.

“SHUT UP!” Shadow ordered the ladies. “I tried peace talks but he wouldn’t budge. We need to get into that workshop and he wouldn’t even give any peaceful options considerations. We are not interested in the Kings or their actions. Just the workshop. We need something inside and that is all. A quick matter.”

Shadow finally got the armor and saddle on.

“Now, if I were you, I would wait here until this nasty business is over. I have no qualms with any of you. In fact, Rose, you did a wonderful job on my mane and I appreciate it.”

As Shadow put his revolver’s holster on he felt something sharp be driven into his neck above the shoulder. In one smooth move he had the attacker flipped around so he was on top. As he had expected, it was Rose Burst.

Shadow put his hoof on her throat, limiting her oxygen intake and looked at the others.

“I don’t want to do this,” He pleaded. “But they trapped us both physically and mentally. We had to do their bidding. So, what did she stab me with?”

Ornate Charm spoke. “A file for hooves.”

“I thought I recognized the shape,” Shadow chuckled. “I have used those on my hooves plenty of times. Obviously she put an edge on it.”

Shadow got serious. “Are any of you going to squeal?”

“No,” Ornate Charm immediately said. “Take me with you!”

“Charm!” Ivory Leaf yelled. “They are going to kill him and his friends. Accept it.”

“No! I wont!”

“I will make sure they kill you!”

They looked over at Shadow and Rose Burst as Shadow made the sickening sound of breaking her neck. Shadow hurled at the feeling and sound of what he did.

Shadow panted. “Fuck that sound and the feeling is much worse.”

He had no time to recover as three more Kings bounded up the stairs. Shadow drew his revolver and gunned them down. The last went down in flames from the enchantment.

“Alright,” Shadow said turning his attention back to the three mares. “Ivory Leaf, you are obviously loyal to the death.”

“I will kill you if you turn your back on me!” She hissed.

“Good,” Shadow smile and put the last round into her head. “Just what I needed to make for a clean reload.”

Shadow broke the revolver open and inserted new magnum rounds. The sound was enthralling as he snapped the reloaded revolved back together and sheathed it. He was planning on using his battle saddle from then on.

“How are things?” Shadow asked over the coms.

“Ducking and diving,” Slice panted. “But surviving. No hits. Our superior training is paying off.”

A large explosion sounded.

“I got grenades,” Thunder chuckled. “We are wreaking havoc on their lines. They can’t find us. We might be using our special weapons”

“Cool,” Shadow stated. “I will be backing you up here momentarily. I have killed a few.”

Shadow sighed and looked at Ornate Charm and Purple Show.

“Can you take us with you?” Purple Show asked, almost begging.

“As long as you forget I have wings,” Shadow coldly replied.

“We should do something about that file,” Ornate Charm said. She was clearly unsure what to do.

“Eh,” Shadow shrugged. He immediately regretted the shrug, “My friends can take care of it. Stay here. We are taking The Kings out, but I know where to bring you two.”

Shadow skipped down the stairs. He cleared the empty first floor and then the bottom lobby. They had forgotten about the building, believing the others had killed him.

A group came running by, trying to get to where they thought somepegasus was. Shadow opened fire, easily dispatching them.

That drew attention back to him. But the stallions were off fighting on their territory boundaries. It was the mares and they were mad. They also lacked skill. Shadow shed a tear for each one he casually shot. Most of the rounds were head shots, making for a painless death. But it still hurt Shadow.

They spent another two hours poking around, trying to flush out any holdouts. There were none and they met up at the Walter Arms building.

“Lets barricade ourselves in the second floor,” Shadow said. “We can protect Ornate Charm and Purple Show. Both were Vulpes’ mares and neither wanted to be one. Especially Ornate Charm. She got trapped like we were, except her friends outright fought.”

“We have two mares to protect?” Slice asked concerned.

“Yes,” Shadow nodded. “I promised them I have a place for them to be safe. We will take them to Sanctuary. Or better put, get them close and point them in the right direction the last little bit. Both have agreed to forget I have wings.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Thunder stated. He was tired and was not going to argue.

“I have a file that needs to be removed from my neck,” Shadow stated. “So lets get me upstairs and remove it.”

“Fine,” Slice groaned. “I hate stitching you up. But I have the best hooves for it. Sliding the needle through flesh though.”

Slice finished with a big shiver and then followed them upstairs. Ornate Charm knew how to sew and was the one who stitched Shadow up with the guidance of Slice.

“It is the least I could do for you guys getting me out of here and taking me to a safe place.”

Shadow groaned as he stupidly tried to shrug. Thunder answered for him.

“It isn’t anything special. Its kind of what we do. We just never plan it.”

“That clears out the bodies,” Slice informed them.

“And I will take first watch,” Thunder stated.

“I will take second,” Shadow yawned.

“I will take second,” Ornate Charm asserted. “I am not helpless and I used to run watch with our group all the time.”

“I am not arguing,” Shadow shrugged. “I trust her. I will take third.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 98 - Soarin's Lighting Estimated time remaining: 11 Hours, 48 Minutes