“Bleh,” Slice said examining his muddy hoof. They were heading south east to check out the Hayseed Swamp. He had just stepping into it’s northern boundary that the was hidden in the forest to it’s north. They were exploring on their own and had hoofed it the entire way.

Shadow had adjusted their saddlebags and they had worked on their weapon load outs. Slice cut out his left gun for more room to carry stuff. Thunder kept his to fully automatic but expanded his magazines.

Shadow’s set up was completely overhauled. The both guns had been removed to set them up properly. The right side had the DCD shotgun sitting on top of a 5.56 Rifle. Slice had gotten the magazines to work flawlessly with the beanbag rounds.

The rifle was overhauled too, making it very reliable and technical. Shadow could easily fire a single round, small bursts, or let it all go at up to 700 rounds per minute. It made things easier than working out a selector switch. The whole set up was designed so that he could wear the sword on his left while packing a punch bigger than he was.

The sword had some changes as well. It was so ornate it was dangerous to show. Shadow had to create a wrap to cover the belt up. The sheath, guard, grip, and pommel were also gilded, and needed to be disguised.

When it was all together, it fit well and suited their individual needs. They were light and maneuverable, yet able to carry more than enough food and water for the trip.

“Charting this spot,” Shadow said. “We have some fun coming up.”

“Messy,” Slice said trying to fling all of the filth off.

“We are heading into a swamp?” Thunder stated. “I figured you knew this would happen.”

“Knowing and experiencing are two different things,” Slice sighed.

“Lets continue,” Shadow said stepping out ahead of them.

They had to watch their step as the ground began to be more and more uneven. They soon were dashing around on small, squishy islands. They ended up in the muck and water more than they wanted to. Their hooves were caked in mud.

“We should make camp,” Slice said trying to clean his hooves off from his last misstep.

“We can make camp up there,” Thunder pointed.

“A tree?” Slice gawked.

“Its a good position,” Shadow shrugged. “Its got a really good trunk that flays out it’s branches perfectly. We can lay up there, out of the mud and water. Plus, we have the height advantage.”

“No fire,” Slice said annoyed.

“I bet we can,” Shadow chuckled as he hopped up into the tree. It was tall, but there were plenty of knots and side branches. They wouldn’t need their wings.

The tree was fully alive. There was no dead or hollowed center on the top. It was solid, green wood. Shadow set aside his gear and hopped down to gather wood. There were enough dead trees around to gather wood for a warm enough fire.

The fire dried their hooves and solidified the mud around them. It kept the damp out, just enough, but it was not enough for solid sleep. Slice was the crankiest in the morning. Shadow had survived a lot of harsh days and nights farming the north, but even this wasn’t something he couldn’t shake off. They all were fighting to not be persnickety.

They continued in a south east direction.

“I am serious,” Shadow replied. “These waters may be a swamp, but they have a flow. It is flowing south east.”

“He is probably right,” Thunder said. “Freaky, but right.”

Shadow dashed across a few rocks and onto a downed tree. It shifted beneath him and he almost fell in.

“That was close,” Thunder said as Shadow was catching his breath.

“Yeah,” Shadow coughed. “I don’t want to test the depth of the water.”

They bounded across a few patches of grass and then walked along a wide log towards the root base. Slice jumped up onto the base first and quickly jumped off with a screech. Thunder was right up and over to help him.

Shadow was last. Shadow saw nothing that should have made Slice screech like that. The ground shifted and Shadow dove off into a roll, coming around to look at where he had been standing. A giant snake head lifted off the ground, connected to the ‘log’ they had just been walking on.

It struck like an bullet. They dove out of the way, but Slice was tossed into the water. He was floundering with his gear. Thunder jumped into the water and it’s shifting floor to save him.

Shadow put a round into the head to distract it from it’s meal. The round did nothing but cause five more heads to rise out of the bog.

“Um, guys!” Shadow called out nervously.

“Hydra,” Slice coughed as he got his footing.

“So, run,” Shadow asked backing up.

“DUH!” Slice said crashing through the water to the nearest land.

Shadow stayed on land as much as possible as they ran but he was still forced to splash through it at times. They fanned out. Far enough to split the beast’s attention, close enough to aid if one of them had a problem. At one point or another, they each ended up submerged from tripping or a deep pocket in the water.

Shadow stumbled out of the water and onto dry land.

“Options?” Shadow coughed.

“Its only supposed to have four heads,” Slice gasped.

“Big help,” Shadow shot back.

Shadow calmed his mind and surveyed the area. A good ways out was a tree, alone. The tree and it’s clump were on the side of what could be considered a lake by the size of the clearing. It would guarantee Shadow had a clear shot.

“I’m heading for that solo tree!” Shadow said as he dashed off. “I will use it to lineup and shoot the thing with Soarin’s Lighting.”

“Got it,” Thunder panted.

Shadow jumped into the tree and pulled out Soarin’s Lighting. It was together in a few seconds and he put the magazine in. Shadow looked down the scope and lined up the shot. He wasn’t used to a bit trigger, but it wasn’t that hard to work.

The Hydra’s heads made it a poor choice to try and shoot them. If one was taken out, it would not effect the others. The beast was following after Slice and Thunder and turned its side to Shadow.

Shadow fired. The barrel lit up and practically shot a bolt of electricity across the short distance. The bullet hit the beast above the hip. Like promised, it’s round struck like lightning and the moon and wand Cutie Mark was burned onto the beast’s side.

It turned it’s attention to Shadow and began to close the short distance. Shadow fired again. This round was dead center. It wasn’t phased so Shadow quickly put in three more rounds into the upper chest, in between the heads.

The thing stumbled around for a bit before it toppled with a splash. Shadow relaxed as he looked at it in the water. A few seconds later the ground shifted and it sunk further into the water, almost fully submerged.

“She worked like a charm,” Shadow panted. “No kick, easy to work. And that strike is the stuff of legends.”

“Good,” Thunder gasped. “But lets get moving. I want to gain some distance before taking a break. Who knows what else we just stirred up.”

They bounded through the swamp at a quick pace. They were able to avoid the water, most of the time. It was a huge relief when they were able to reach a long island. They took a break there.

Shadow surveyed the area. He was using his knowledge of irrigation to see how the water was moving. Even as slow as it was, there were indicators if you looked close enough.

“The water is moving east,” Shadow told them.

“How does that change things?” Slice asked, shivering.

“I do not know,” Shadow replied. “I know we need to find strong shelter fast for you. Moving will help.”

They continued along the narrow island, often having to walk single file. It soon ended, but there was another one a few stone hops away. They rushed over without a second thought. Another mistake.

The rocks shifted and Shadow had to dance across them as they rolled and bucked. He landed hard on the soaked dirt. Behind him rose up a huge cragy beast with sharp teeth in it’s mouth. Shadow dove out of the way of it’s jaws and Thunder emptied his magazine into it. None of them penetrated it’s stone hide.

They were on the run again. And the beast was faster than the Hydra. It also called two of it’s friends. They were only half it’s giant size, but both of them had three or four times the size on Thunder.

They were only able to keep ahead of them by a small margin, limiting their offensive options. A giant downed tree was in their way. They hopped over it. Shadow tripped and slammed into the ground. He was on his hooves quickly, barely escaping their jaws.

The beasts were faster in the water. One was keeping up with them off to their side while the others followed on land.

Shadow surveyed everything around him for any advantage. He found the opposite. A cloaked figure was in the middle of a pool which had something in it. They were headed straight towards the figure. By the time it got out of the pool they were beside it.

“YOU WOKE UP CRAGADILES!” The figure yelled.

“Not on purpose,” Thunder panted. “You know what they are. How do we will them?”

“We have to shoot them in the mouth. They have rocks for their hides! But we know how to avoid them!”

“I would prefer another Hydra,” Slice coughed. “At least we could kill that with our guns.”

“You killed a Hydra!”

“Is that a problem?” Shadow asked.

“No, its just, three killing a Hydra,”

“Right,” Shadow said getting the drift.

Slice ate it again, tumbling into the water. Thunder was by his side to pull him out. The Cragadiles were too close so Shadow slid to a stop, revolver out.

Shadow put all six rounds into the big one. He reloaded quickly like he had practiced and put three into another smaller one. The third one that had been in the water came out behind them. Shadow put the last three into it.

None of them were pierced, but they all were feeling the burn. Shadow almost drew Kifo Herixleta with the band, but he realized the other individual that was helping pull Slice out and hadn’t seen him use the band. An advantage.

Shadow drew Kifo Herixleta with his mouth and charged the large one that was squirming. He slide around it’s thrashing body and drove the blade through it’s neck to slide into the skull from behind. With the blade deep inside, he iced over Kifo Herixleta for more damage and then drew the blade out.

He repeated it for the other one. The last Cragadile was also the smallest one. It was done thrashing by the time Shadow trotted over to it. He still drove the sword in deep for good measure.

“You killed it,” The cloaked figure stammered. The voice definitely was one of a ghoul. “You stabbed them.”

“We have a few tricks up our sleeves,” Shadow shrugged. “But that was out of desperation with no guarantee it would work.”

“What did you do?”

“Magic pistol,” Shadow said as if it was nothing special. “Burned them. Long enough for me to drive my blade into them. And a good blade goes a long way.”

“And you killed a Hydra?”

Shadow shrugged. “We know what we are doing. For most things. Obviously we are not at home in these swamps.”

“Did you take it’s heart?”

“No, why?”

“Hydra heart is delicious. The beasts are tough and hard to chew. But their hearts are wonderful and delicious. A delicacy. We do not hunt them. Can not hunt them. But if they attack.”

Shadow changed topics. “What had you out here, alone.

“Gathering wild tarberries. They grow well here in small pools. But we know how to avoid Cragadiles, and the Hydras tend to stay in the north.”

“You said we again,” Slice shivered. “Does that include a place where we could warm up and dry off.”

The cloaked figure was uneasy. Unsure. “I can’t… I can’t guarantee anything. It isn’t my call. We have strict rules for entrance that keep us safe.”

“Good enough,” Thunder said as Slice began a shivering fit. “It is a better chance than what we have now. We need to move fast.”

They followed after the individual. His cloak was still up and they hadn’t even gotten a peak at his face.

It wasn’t long before they saw the hill and the wooden palisade on it’s top. The hill was long. There was no road leading to the gate, but the further up the more worn things became, guiding them in.

The cloak was finally removed from his head as they approached the gate. It was a ghoul, explaining why the cloak hood stayed up.

“Wild Rock?” A guard asked. It was another ghoul.

“Yes, White Berry, it is me. I was out picking tarberries. I got a good amount before these three, explorers, came crashing by. They were being chased by three large Cragadiles. Long story short, they ended up killing all three. They also killed a Hydra on their way into the swamps. They are cold, and dirty and seek warmth. One looks ill.”

Slice was shivering a lot and the color was draining from his face. It was obvious to White Berry and the other guard.

“Please,” Wild Rock said. “Just let us talk with Governor Amber.”

“We shall speak with him.”

White Berry disappeared and they stood waiting for several minutes. The gate was opened and they were prompted to step inside, just enough for them to close the gates behind them. There were more armed guards boxing them in.

Slice staggered, weak. Thunder grabbed him and pulled him in tight to support him.

“The Slog is a Ghoul only place. A sanctuary for all Ghouls,” Governor Amber stated firmly.

“We just need a place to dry off for the night and rest easy,” Shadow pleaded. “We have lots of caps. Good, clean caps. We expected water and mud, but our friend is shivering. You can see he is not doing well. We will depart in the morning with no hesitation.”

“This is a very dangerous place for non Ghouls,” Governor Amber stated. “It is a refuge for our kind. Outsiders are only a problem. But your friend won’t survive the night without help. I would be remiss if I did not allow him to be given the basic care for him to survive.”

“You must follow our rules perfectly,” Governor Amber warned. “Stay with your guide. Stay calm and collected. Do not act without permission. Speak quietly.”

“We shall,” Thunder replied.

“Then follow me,” Governor Amber said turning around.

The backside of the hill was interesting. It was a small bump that slid back down into swampy waters after a good ways. The sides of it slid down to the water as well. The palisade wrapped all the way around, even in the water. It was lost in the swampy trees in the rear. Guard posts were stationed all along at various locations.

A large dock was off to the left and set further out in the wall. It was an old dock, probably from the war, but it wasn’t wood and it was holding together better than one would expect in these conditions.

Most of the city was swamp where ghouls were working in the ‘fields’ caring for various crops. The larger pool had nets blocking them off. They looked like they were there for fish.

The bulk of the buildings were along the main street that led straight down from the gate. They were still up on the ground far enough from the water to survive being rotted out or avoid flooding. Almost all were three stories or taller.

The Inquisitors were led to an unmarked one and entered.

“Lavender Dew,” Governor Amber called. “I have a special case for you. Don’t freak out.”

Lavender Dew came out of a room to greet them. There was not much to say about her other than she was a ghoul and they all looked alike to the Inquisitors.

“I hope you know what you are doing,” She said smiling at Governor Amber.

“I do,” He assured her.

Slice’s coughing fit turned their attention to the real problem.

“We have been exploring south,” Shadow explained. “We ended up in the water way to many times. We are all cold, but Slice here…”

“It’s a case of Swamp Fever,” Lavender Dew replied. “Get him in bed here. We will strip all of you and get your clothes dry. What are your names.”

Shadow almost stated his real name, but he stopped and thought it was safer to give false name. “I am Wind, Silent Wind. That is Nor’easter and our sick companion is Storm Eye.”

Stripping meant their wings would be revealed. But there was no avoiding that. It was better to show them than die. They stripped down and got Slice in bed. Lavender Dew stoked the fire until it was blazing. She got to work on a potion and soon had Slice drinking it.

“That will help warm him up,” She said. “Just like this will.”

She gave them each a cup of the same stuff. Shadow downed it while Thunder hesitated.

“Don’t think,” Shadow said to him.

Thunder rolled his eyes and downed his as well.

It certainly did warm them. Starting at the tummy, the warmth spread out until they were bathed in it. It pulsed like it was alive inside them.

Their bags were wet. Nothing was spared. Even their spare flight suits had been thoroughly soaked. The only things saved were Shadow’s books because he had wrapped them in a plastic bag to protect them from the damp air they were expecting. The Slog was used to speed drying clothes and bags.

Thunder and Shadow took up residence in two other beds in the clinic. Lavender Dew wanted to make sure neither of them developed Swamp Fever. They neatly stacked their equipment under their beds.

Shadow picked up a bottle of Rad-away. “We didn’t consider the toxins in the water. We probably should make sure we are clean.”

Shadow downed the bottle and Thunder was right behind him. Lavender Dew helped Slice. It wasn’t the best mixing treatments, but it would hopefully remove any side effects from radiation that would hinder his healing.

A bell tolled out. And again. And again. Thunder and Shadow looked at Lavender Dew. They didn’t have to ask the obvious question.

“It means something is attacking,” She sighed.

WHRRRRRRRRRRH WHRRRRRRRRRH WHRRRRRRRRRH

“And that siren means it’s a Hydra,” Lavender Dew added.

“Common?” Thunder asked.

Lavender Dew just shook her head.

Shadow rolled off his bed unto the floor. He grabbed Soarin’s Lighting. It had been hidden, wrapped in the Zebra cloak. It was snapped together and Shadow slipped on his revolver and Type 41 knife.

Thunder had one of the 44 Magnum revolvers and his combat knife.

“When did you grab those?” Shadow asked as he belted on Kifo Herixleta.

“Without the others, it was a wise choice,” Thunder replied. “You had the right idea and we had the spare.”

Shadow ignored his battle saddle, but Thunder slipped his on. Shadow wrapped Mwokozi’s cloak around him in a fashionable way, not to disguise himself.

They were out the door a moment later, dashing passed their appointed guides who had to then scramble after them.

Shadow picked up his speed. His wings were holding Soarin’s Lightning and the ammo they brought for it. He could use a sling for the rifle and another for the ammo. Thunder only had the little spare ammo his wings could hold.

“Shadow,” Thunder said nervously as they reached the closest guard tower. “One of those is a Feral Ghoul and is right behind us.”

“They said all Ghouls,” Shadow replied as he pushed his way to the rampart and set Soarin’s Lightning on the edge. “That is why we need guides. Bad call rushing ahead.”

“It’s charging,” Thunder gulped.

“Don’t hurt it, but put it into a submissive hold. Like number 12 or 17.

“Right,” Thunder nodded confident with the plan.

The thing stumbled up the stairs and Thunder expertly grappled it and locked it into a safe, secure hold. It put him out of the Hydra fight.

There were three Hydras crashing through the swamp. Soarin’s lightning was placed on the top of the protective wall. Shadow looked down the scope, getting his range. He elbowed the Ghoul next to him.

“You like the hearts right? Tap me on the chest where their hearts are so I can avoid hitting it.”

The Ghoul was still trying to comprehend a non-Ghoul being beside him and what was happening with Thunder.

“Here,” He said tapping Shadow's chest. “If you are looking at them, that is where their heart is.”

“Thanks,” Shadow said through the trigger bit.

Shadow put a round through the other half of the chest on the first Hydra. It struck like lightning and left it’s trademark burn pattern. Shadow put the second round into it’s left leg. Undeterred, he put a third into it’s right leg. Shadow wasn’t going to hit the heart yet, so he put a fourth dead center but high.

That round made the beast topple. Shadow repeated the same pattern for the other two. All three were still alive, struggling to move as they bled out.

Shadow pushed Soarin’s Lighting into the chest of the Ghoul beside him.

“Hold that for me,” Shadow said leap all the way down without using his wings.

Shadow trotted up to the third one, who was the furthest up the hill. He casually side stepped one of it’s six heads launching itself at him. He put a revolver round into it. Shadow worked his way along the Hydra, dodging strikes and shooting each head with a single bullet. Shadow moved on to take out finish off the other two. The last one was barely alive from the loss of blood, but he made sure it was dead.

Shadow trotted back up and jumped back up to where he had been. He had to flap his wings a bit to make it. Governor Amber was at the bottom of the guard post and he was not happy. Thunder was being helped up as they finished safely untangling him from the Feral Ghoul.

Shadow grabbed Soarin’s Lighting and trotted down to face the Governor.

“You broke all the rules,” Governor Amber snorted. “I am kind enough to let you in and you disregard the rules.”

“And you needed backup,” Shadow calmly replied. “We acted without thinking, and for that I am sorry. But we understood you rarely deal with Hydras and they are a real problem for you to take down. How could you have handled three? Because even with this baby, one isn’t easy. Its our job to protect. Or was before everything broke apart. Not to guard, but to protect. To attack things like Hydras and Cragadiles and other big concerns. To back up the regular guards when shit happens that they can’t take care of on their own. We have helped a few cities and towns outside of our own. Made a few rescues and such as well.”

“I get that you want to do the moral thing...”

“Moral?” Thunder cut him off. “We just act. Its not about moral or immoral. It is about what needs to be done.”

“You saved us from this odd circumstance,” The Govern said, still annoyed. “Obey the rules and stay with your guide for the safety of all. If there arises a defense concern, we will seek you out. Understood?”

“Yes,” Shadow and Thunder nodded.

Shadow repeated the rules. “Stay with your guide. Stay calm and collected. Do not act without permission. Speak quietly.”

“That is your only warning,” Governor Amber asserted.

“We will follow them from here on out,” Shadow said. “We won’t bring harm to you or any of your citizens.”

“You did show tactful restraint,” Governor Amber nodded.

“And we saved you their hearts,” Shadow added. “Wild Rock said they were a delicacy.”

Governor Amber didn’t know what to say to that.

Shadow turned to his guide. “Can we return to the room and retrieve our caps. We would like to do some trading since we are here.”

“Yes,” Shadow’s guide nodded.

Their trading post was small. Being so far out, they rarely had anything to actually trade. For the most part, they were self sufficient. Their ammo supply was interesting. They had no 44s, but they had the .50 cal ammo. The ammo was linked together with metal rings.

“Where did you get these?” Shadow asked.

“Years ago, off a boat down south. We got what we could off of it, but the boat sunk from our disruption. The gun couldn't be removed in time. But it wasn’t like the one you are carrying. That is for sure. If we did have it, we could make one hell of a defense against Cragadiles and Hydras.”

“Yes, you could,” Shadow replied as he violently shook the links. They held in place.

There were 32 linked rounds. An odd number for linked rounds. Many of them had to have been fired or lost with the boat. It didn’t matter because they were dirt cheap. Shadow bought them all and enough 5.56 rounds to refill what they had fired at the Cragadiles and the Hydra.

Thunder added in three Rad-aways they had laying around for next to nothing. None of the ghouls had any use for such medications. They had been sitting up on a high shelf, out of the way and collecting a mountain of dust. That brought their immediate stash back up to full strength.

They exited to find an argument happening in the street. The side that led into the fields was arguing with Governor Amber and others who were in the city. Who backed who was pretty obvious.

The Unicorn Ghoul spoke. “They don’t belong here and that decision was made a long time ago for a good reason! Tenpony Tower is a prime example of why we are here, protecting our own.”

“But they didn’t come looking for us,” Governor Amber replied, not budging. “Orange Harvest, I know what they did, but here we are safe. So, a few travelers made it through the dangers of the swamp. They will be leaving and they won’t be coming back. No one will be coming for us.”

“And you are using their acts against those Hydras as a basis for that?”

“You are right,” Shadow cut in, creating a third side. “You have no guarantee that we won’t. We would have never entered if our friend was not sick. And you probably would not have had three Hydras attack. Although they may not have followed us here. There is no answer to those ‘what if’ question.”

Shadow slid Soarin’s Lightning off his back and leaned against it. “But what matters is what has happened and what we can make happened.”

“Stay out of this,” Orange Harvest growled. “This isn’t about you. This is about Amber and his leadership. Or lack of it.”

“I have kept us safe and free. We have thrived under my leadership. Our expeditions are frequent and strong. They bring many new brothers to us and much needed supplies. Still, almost all we need is here. With us already. We grow it. That is the fruit of my leadership. And I stand by it.”

“I question if you have the leadership to take us any further. Letting them in is just the current matter. Now that the walls are up, that the farms are sewn, can you do anymore? I have not seen any new fruit there. Its been 10 years since this place was set down.”

“Ten good years!”

“Its been slowing down. We haven’t sent an expedition out for 8 months.”

“We haven’t needed too!”

“What about our brothers? What about the others stuck under the hoof of the regular ponies who look down on us. We haven’t gone to rescue more from death. You are ignoring them!”

“You have never made the journey. You do not know how difficult it is. You do not know the dangers. It is not a simple thing to get in here, it is not a simple thing to leave.”

“So, we should let outsiders brave it?”

“We didn’t brave it,” Thunder growled. “Stumbled or swam. It was foolish coming here. We didn’t brave coming here. We will have to work to survive leaving here. We are not coming back. Of that we are sure.

“Even if you were worth it for trade, its too dangerous. Hydras and Cragadiles are only the beginning of the dangers that must be here. And then, unless you are a ghoul, it is a very perilous time staying here.”

“This isn’t about you!” Orange Harvest shouted.

“You just made it about us again,” Shadow said passing Soarin’s Lighting off to Thunder and stepping out into the middle of the street.

Shadow pointed at Orange Harvest with his wing. “What legitimate charges do you bring against his leadership.”

“Who are you to judge!” Orange Harvest spat.

“An impartial outsider!” A mare spoke up from her window. “And they are not from below. They are from above the clouds. That is where their allegiance lies!”

Another in a window behind Shadow spoke up. “If that is where there allegiance lies, then they are a threat! They don’t care about us and will kill us!”

“SILENCE!” Shadow ordered.

The yell perked the interest of a Feral Ghoul who began to stumble over to Shadow. They watched as he was approached in the middle of the street. It came up and sniffed Shadow and then stood there. Shadow rolled his eyes and gently pushed it, sending it mindlessly stumbling off to the side, unharmed.

“Yes, we are from above,” Shadow announced. “But this has nothing to do with them. They won’t hear about this place. Its going to be locked away as a bad memory. We are not on speaking terms.”

“So, you have been to the Rock of Destiny?” The mare in the window asked.

“I have no idea what that is,” Shadow told her.

“Its where we Dashites leave the last bit of the Enclave behind us.”

Shadow cocked his head. “How long have you been down here?”

“A little over twenty years.”

Shadow was shocked. He stammered out his follow up question. “How are you a Ghoul? Its been almost two centuries since the spells went off.”

“I was sent to a highly irradiated place. I didn’t know were I was. All I know is that after stumbling into friendship city, sick, I came to a week later. They did what they could, but I had transformed. There was no reversing it. I don’t know how or why, but Ghouls are not all from the war.”

“I want to hear about this fate rock,” Shadow told her. “But this is off topic.”

“You shouldn’t even be in this topic,” Orange Harvest growled.

“And you still haven’t given any legitimate claim outside of personal distaste. One act of kindness spurs you to gather your ‘supporters’ and claim he is unfit to lead. And most of your supporters are Feral Ghouls who can’t speak for themselves.

“Your language and actions are designed to put yourself as caring for them. You don’t care any more than Governor Amber does. You are just using this moment to split and make things appear like he is against all that this place stands for.”

Shadow walked over to Orange Harvest.

“I know things must be tough for you. I do not know what I would do in all of your situations, but I have proudly fought beside a Ghoul. For the betterment of an entire city. I know the honor that can still be had. I know the respect that can still be held. Ghoul or not, it is the one inside that matters. And I am not seeing a selfless leader inside you. I see one who wants power, not love-”

Orange Harvest slapped Shadow hard, with the back of his hoof. It forced Shadow to take a step back in pain.

“You should respecting me like you did the other,” Orange Harvest ordered.

Shadow cracked his neck and grinned. “The Captain never had to strike any to gain respect. Or even as discipline.”

Shadow’s Type 41 combat knife was out and he was twirling it with the band. With the current light, the band was nearly imperceptible against Shadow's coat.

“I am going to make this very clear,” Shadow said halting the rotating blade. “I am an outsider. I do not belong in your politics. This is a personal disagreement. If you become governor over his generosity. Because he let three desperate, peaceful, outsiders spend the night, then I will come back and kill you.

“We are not apart of this city. And if you make this about us, you will have to deal with us. We may have come here by accident, well you have seen what we can do. You have seen some of our weapons. You know I will make good my word. Bring us into it, and I will have no choice but to defend the Ghoul who saved my friend and showed us mercy. I certainly will be showing him, and all of you mercy. Mercy to every single Feral Ghoul as well.”

Another Unicorn Ghoul with Orange Harvest let out a yell and charged Shadow, club ready. He swung and Shadow rolled back and out of the way. Shadow bounded off his back into a kip-up and forward onto his hooves. The combat knife was driven into the Unicorn’s shoulder so that it was sticking out the top.

Shadow kept the stunned Unicorn pulled in tight as he spoke to all. “Ghouls are healed by radiation. This knife wound may hurt, but it was designed as a warning. You can heal from this easier than a regular pony and it is only a minor wound that will heal quickly, with little complication.”

Shadow kicked the Unicorn away, cleanly withdrawing the blade. The same Feral Ghoul from earlier stumbled over to Shadow. Shadow gently pushed him away again, off in another safe direction.

“Idiot,” Shadow said about the Feral Ghoul.

Shadow headed over to the building where Lavender Dew was caring for Slice.

The Governor and others intercepted him. “How is it you can shove him away without any backlash?”

Shadow sighed, remembering Kifopiga, the good and the bad. “I once stood in a room with twenty or so Feral Ghouls. If you act right, in their territory, its easy to be mistaken. This is their territory. We are around you. It is easier to not raise suspicion because you accept us. Elsewhere, there is no middle ground. There are no sanctuaries.”

“And where were you when this happened?” A mare asked.

“Well,” Shadow said trying to think. “I can’t give you a decent location. But it was way outside of Equestria. We found a holdout Zebra outpost from the war. It proved to be a death trap, which we accidentally sprung. For protection, I ended up donning Zebra armor. Combined with my black and white colors, it took me killing one for them to realize I was not one of them. Although, I was also soaked in their blood by the time I was in that room.”

“You killed Zebra Ghouls? How many?”

“Way too many,” Shadow said deflecting specifics. “That is all that matters.”

“None had their minds?”

Shadow sighed and sat down on the bed. “Yeah. One. I got the honor of killing him in hoof to hoof combat. He nearly killed me. Its extremely complicated, but one of us was going to have to die. I did what I had to.”

Thunder passed Soarin’s Lighting to Shadow and he began to break it down.

The Pegasus Mare entered the room as Lavender Dew was shooing the others out.

“You are not marked,” She said.

“No, we are not,” Shadow sighed. “Months ago we were sent below to do heavy reconnaissance on specific parts of the wasteland. We did our job but then something happened above and we were betrayed. Missing In Action is what the special message said. To go back would be to face things we are not ready to or able to answer. Yet. For now, we have taken to doing some light exploring and such while we survive.

“Without marks, we are still Enclave. Which we are. None of us have betrayed or want to betray the Enclave. We want to get back home from this nightmare and have the time to mourn our fallen comrades. But you mentioned a rock?”

“Out near the apple farm by Ponyville, a bit north of it. Those of us who have left, or been forced to leave, give an item from our old lives. We do it to break the final tie to the evil that is the Enclave.”

Thunder sighed. “Each place, each government, has it good and bad. The Enclave is far from perfect, but evil is not the right word. I recognize that it has hurt you and many others.”

“And you?” She fired back. “It abandoned skilled soldiers.”

“We were betrayed,” Shadow corrected her. “By one or a few individuals. We have plenty who believe that but can’t help us. Plenty who we know tried to get us back. The Enclave Counsel itself has no idea about the move. They didn’t order it. We have family waiting for us. I have a brand new wife. I will figure it out and get us above.”

Shadow picked up the PipBuck he had with him.

“For the sake of trying to make a real map this entire land, where exactly is this rock at?”

“What is that?” The Pegasus Mare asked.

“It’s a PipBuck,” Governor Amber said. “And I am curious how you got it.”

“Blood,” Thunder replied solemnly. “Like everything, way to much blood. And if it wasn’t us spilling blood, it was ours being spilled.”

“You know you are supposed to wear them on your forehoof,” Governor Amber said.

“Yep,” Thunder slowly nodded. “But we don’t deserve that.”

Thunder pulled his out from under the bed. “We each have our own for its various uses. But we are not wearing them on our hooves.”

Shadow took a deep breath in. “We also need to figure out exactly where we are so we can leave in the morning.”

They charted the Rock of Destiny and the location of The Slog.

“Why didn’t you fly in,” The mare asked.

“Because too many are hunting our wings,” Shadow sighed. “Quite a few want to capture us and make us answer for crimes we did or did not do. It is getting confusing. Some things were done in self defense but not seen that way. Others are outright fabricated. I am sure there is a list of things that others want us to be convicted of to cover their crimes up.”

“I plan on taking us out of here on wings,” Shadow added. “Once we get free, we will drop down onto our hooves and secure them under our armor. When everything happened today, our wings were pinned. So we ended up swimming instead of flying.”

Shadow knew he should ask why she had been banished. But he couldn’t bring himself to bear the pain. There was a good chance she was banished for the wrong reasons. He couldn't handle trying to survive here and making it back knowing that an injustice had been done, unable to be righted, and that he was going home to the safety of her oppressors.

“Governor?” A stallion asked poking his head in. “They are almost done roasting the Hydra hearts.”

“Come,” Governor Amber smiled. “Join us in victory. Taste what their hearts are like. It is electrifying.”

“I won’t eat flesh,” Shadow replied. “I was given the option before, but passed.”

“I will pass too,” Thunder smiled. “I have tasted Radigator. It was good and I am sure this is even better, but I do not feel like eating. Thank you though.”

“We are from very different times in the Enclave,” The mare said.

“I am from the fringes on the Enclave,” Shadow stated. “But a lot has changed in the past ten years alone. Social unrest, new changes in the military, and new information about below has changed so much. Whether the regular citizen recognizes it or not, much has changed because of things down here.

“But it is my home. I will go back and finish my days farming with my family. I will go back and live with my wife and hopefully have foals. I will go back and do my duty, be it farming or protecting.”

“I will do whatever is best once I know what is happening above. Then it is back to my duty. My life. Judge me if you want, but I still have a future up there.”

“You were a farmer?” She asked shocked.

“Yep,” Shadow said with a slow nod. “Born and raised. I want to die working in the fields. I love it. Even more since I left home. My wife grew up farming as well. We will retire to peacefully farm the clouds and feed whoever needs it. I already have a room saved for me on my Sister’s farm. Where I am from, all the way out on the edge of the Enclave, we don’t even have to worry about the population limits.”

“Is it getting cold in here, or is it me?” Shadow asked.

“The sun is down,” She replied. “It gets cold fast in these swamps. The air is not good. But we are free from bigots. At least bigots against us being Ghouls. Orange Harvest isn’t a fan of me for my wings. He doesn’t quite see a Pegasus Ghoul as a Ghoul like he is. Not yet. He isn’t an old war ghoul either.”

“Well, if he causes you any major problems while we are here, I am just a call away.”

“You would do that for a Dashite?”

“I will do it for another pegasus. The fact that he rubs me the wrong way is just a bonus.”

She was concerned. “You would openly kill him, and enjoy it.”

“I have done a lot of good and a lot of bad. Exterminating bad guys is fun. We rarely get to kill real bad guys. A just killing is nice.”

“I think I am going to go eat,” She said backing away slowly.

“It’s okay,” Shadow smiled at her. “I know, its tough. Its not been easy for us. Its been hell. We have been forced to find enjoyment in the smallest of things which are not always easy to understand. The truth is, we don’t always understand them either.”

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