The world begins to become light again. I hear a machine whirring in the background with another that keeps beeping. I feel something stuck into my neck on one side and one in my hoof. I begin to focus. Ok, I am in a hospital room. I can see the white walls and the fairly dull glow of the lights on a machine that is hooked up to me. Next to me on the bed, I feel a body. That is unexpected. I move my hoof gently and feel a fur coat and then some feathers and a pair of wings. Not what I was expecting. I open my eyes more and focus close to me and see it is a young enfield pup. It sees I am awake and moves its head to my hoof, gives it a couple of licks, and tries to get me to pet it more.

From across the room, I hear a mare's tired raspy voice. “Well, it is about time you finally woke up. Welcome back to the land of the living.”

I look closer toward where the voice has come from. It is a very petite, frail-looking mare. Her white coat and black tail and mane being somewhat unkempt. “Memory, is that you?”

Setting down her yarn and pushing her crochet hook to the side, she sits up a bit straighter. “Yes, it is Mollygirl. I have been watching over you for Badger and the rest of the squad when Magpie has not been able to.”

“Thank you, Memory, for helping relieve some of their worries.”

“I saw you were surprised to see the enfield pup. That one is Woofer. He is a good pup, a little frisky at times. Always playful. The one over by my chair here. That is Tweeters. She is a bit more sedate but still gets into trouble, especially if they are outside together. They will come back, but last time they came in covered in mud and tree sap from Goddess knows where.”

I had to laugh at that. “I did not know that they could be so friendly. I always thought of them as being a bit more, how do I put this?”

“A pest, you mean? Yeah, I know, most ponies think of them that way. I am sure the pegasus hate them as they are one of the few creatures that can actually fly up to their cities to scavenge for food. We used to see them every so often back when I was working on the caravans.”

I had to look at her in a new way. I had never known she worked on the caravans. It takes a special pony, one who can be tough as iron to survive for long on them. “I had not heard that you worked on them. How long did you do that?”

“I did it for over 20 years. I was barely past being a filly when I left home and started working them. I had to. I could not take living with my mother anymore.”

I wanted to ask, but I could not bring myself to. What was so bad she left a safe home to live on a caravan? Having to dodge slavers, raiders, and occasionally other caravanners who did not like having competition for their routes? If she wants to tell me she will.

Suddenly looking like she remembered something, Memory looks at me, “If you do not mind, I need to step out for a bit. I’ll be right back though. Woofer, you stay right there. Tweeter, come.”

I watch as the enfield pup next to me snuggles in even closer to me if that is possible. I am fascinated to watch Tweeter, get up, stretch those birdlike forelegs and wings wide, then she begins to trot off after Memory. For a second, I had thought she was going to try and fly in the hallways. I could only imagine what that would do to the nurses and the other staff.

Shortly after she returns with some tea for both of us. “I asked the nurses and they said it should be fine now for you to drink some.”

“Thank you, Memory. I appreciate it.” I seem to be getting into a habit of having to thank her.

“You know Mollygirl, despite what you all think, I am not upset about Badger and all of you. I want to see him happy again. It has been so long since he took any real joy in life it seems.”

“Memory, If I may ask, what happened? I mean between you two?”

“He and I were through as a couple a long time ago. I wish it could have worked, but, no, it just, we had a big misunderstanding. We both felt hurt, and I just could not then and still can not get over it. Mollygirl, please just take my word that he is a good buck and please try to make him happy again. I will do my part, and I will try not to get in the way. Besides we all know that really, I am not long for Equestria. Elysium, I sometimes dream of being there, of not hurting anymore, of being there with those I loved. But I guess you would know more about that than I would.” She says as she looks at me with a questioning look.

“Why do you say that Memory? I have never di... the words die in my mouth. “Memory, did I, was I, was I dead?”

“From what I have been told, they had to bring you back three times. Twice in the field and once here in the hospital. No one really expected you to make it.”

There is a nagging feeling at the back of my mind. Like something I should remember, but just can’t. “Memory, I am sorry, but I really can not remember anything of it. The last thing I remember is, OH dear Goddesses, IVY! EPONA! NO!” I break down in tears, as it hits me what has happened, what I have lost. Memory climbs up onto the bed, this mare I hardly know, takes me in her hooves and lets me cry into her shoulder.

“It's ok Mollygirl, it's ok. Cry and let it out. I know it hurts.”

I do not know how long I cry like this. I just know how much it hurts and what I have lost. After a while, I look up and see Magpie standing in the door. She crosses over to us.

“I guess you know then about Epona and Ivy then.” She says with tears in her eyes. I can only nod as Memory slides off the bed and Magpie comforts me. Woofers moving over so she can get closer to me.

“I am sorry I was not here when you woke up, but I came over as soon as I got off work. Memory and I have been taking shifts.”

“Mags, ummm, how long was I out?”

“Over a week love. You were in a real bad way. Honestly, Badger and I thought we were going to lose you too. He would be here but he and the rest of the Door Kickers are out in the field still.”

“I wish I could see him too, but, yeah, I know. The needs of the Herd.”

She simply smiles at me as she runs her hoof through my mane. I can not begin to express how much that is helping me to keep myself together to her. I simply smile at her, sniffling back the tears, and put my hoof on her leg.

A short time later I hear a knock on the door and see two unicorns, a nurse and a doctor. As they approach the nurse smiles at Memory.

I hear him tell her “Oh, Hi Memory, it is good to see you here, not here for treatments. I hope you are doing ok. Before you leave this evening, come see me if you need anything, OK dear?”

“Hi to you too, Tendercare. I am making it. But I know you have more important things to talk about with Mollygirl, so I will get going.”

She quickly packs her saddlebag with her crocheting. She smiles at me. “I will see you in the morning Mollygirl, sleep well. Come Woofer, come Tweeter” She calls as she leaves the room.

I have to smile. Then the doctor approaches my bed. Magpie moves over to the side of the room.

The doctor comes up to me “Hello Mollygirl, I am doctor Embolism. I am your main physician while you are here. It is good to see you awake young mare.” She tells me.

“Thank you, Doctor, how bad was I?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Magpie stiffens. Oh, that cannot be good.

“To tell you the truth, I am still a little surprised and relieved we are able to have this conversation. Mollygirl, you were clinically dead at least once. I was there when we brought you back the last time. I doubt you would have survived if not for your medic Stitches and the big buck that was doing chest compressions the whole wagon ride in.” She pauses for a second to let me comprehend that, then continues, “Once we had you stabilized, we began to treat the gunshot wounds. We had to perform a Salpingo-oophorectomy on you.” Seeing the blank look on my face he explains further.

“One of the bullets struck an ovary almost shattering it, and tearing the ovarian artery. Causing us to have to remove the remains of that ovary and the fallopian tube from it. The second bullet hit the other fallopian tube and tore it partially. We were able to save that ovary and fallopian tube, but we expect it to be heavily scared, so odds are you may not be able to conceive anymore.” As she says this, she gently lays a hoof on my shoulder. When what she has told me hits me, one of my forehooves moves to my belly and I hold it like I was carrying a foal. Never to be a mother. Tears start to well up in my eyes.

“I am sorry to have to tell you that Mollygirl. The damage was so severe that even if we had used Hydra it would not have mattered. We have tried the best we could for you.”

“I know you have, doctor, it’s just really hard to hear. All my life I wanted to be a mother, and now it is too late.”

“I’m very sorry Mollygirl. I truly am. Just so you know, I am recommending you stay hospitalized for another week of bed rest. I know how you military ponies are. I want you healed far enough along I will not have to go back in, just after I release you.”

“Ok, doctor, thank you. Nurse Tendercare, it was good to meet both of you.” I tell them both as they leave.

Magpie comes over and sits on the bed next to me again. I feel her hoof run through my mane and on my neck. “I am so sorry Mollygirl. I wish there was something I could do to help. All I can say is I still love you and I know Badger does too.”

At the mention of his name, I start to sob into my pillow. “Magpie, will he still want a mare who can’t give him foals. I am useless now. I'm barely even a mare anymore.”

She moves on the bed to shift her position. She leans in and kisses me. “Believe me, my love, you are all mare still. I know it does not matter to him or me about you being able to have foals. We are just thanking the Goddesses that we did not lose you too.”

“Thank you for still loving me. I need to hear that. I still can’t believe it happened.”

“I know Mol, I know, neither can we.” She says as she just holds me and lets me cry into her coat.

After a couple of hours of just crying and being held I hear another knock on the door. I look up and I see Emerado and Archer in the door frame behind them I see Broadcast and Soundwaves, it seems that some of the staff ponies have come to visit me. They come in and start to talk.

“Hey Mollygirl, welcome to the wonderful world of being a staff pony, I will be bringing you some work in the morning,” Emerado tells me.

“Gee, thanks Ivy, I mean Em. I’m sorry, I did not mean to call you her name.” I say as I put my head down, my ears at the side.

“It's ok Mol, I understand. I miss her too and she was just my stall mate and friend.” She returns with a tired and sad smile.

“Hi Mollygirl, it sure is good to see you again.” I hear Archer say. “I hope you do not mind me coming with the rest of the staff, but we are still trying to decide on how best to rotate the artillery. Hopefully, we can find some more guns soon.”

“No, Archer, I do not mind at all. It is good to see you again too sir,” I tell him with a smile, in part to let him know I see his new rank insignia.

“Oh, also I have something to share between all of us, you are an Old Overmare, mare if I remember correctly.” He says as he digs into a saddlebag and drags out a bottle.

I have to smile. The tradition continues. I take the bottle from him and am about to remove the cork when I am stunned to see the Colonel walk in.

“Glad to see my newest staff member is awake finally.” He tells me

“Thank you, Colonel, I am glad I did not let you down on that,” I said with a smile.

“I am not too late for the first toast, am I?” He asks.

“No sir, I was just going to open the bottle and make it.”

“Good, I am glad to hear that. That is the toast that has always meant so much to me Sargent, Excuse me, Cadet.”

I pull the cork. “To lost loves, lost family, and fallen comrades.” I take a big drink and pass the bottle, we all take a drink including Magpie. I see the tears in her eyes that she is holding back at the toast.

As the bottle comes back, the Colonel stops it, “To the regiment” we echo it, and again the bottle goes around. This time Em stops it on its return “To the Co-op, Our home, Our Sanctuary.”

The bottle is starting to get a bit light, so when It is stopped by Broadcast this time, he gives the toast that is usually reserved for the final round “For Friends, For Family, For Herd.” After that round, we have killed the bottle. While I like the feeling of it, and it was always my favorite, today the whiskey just tastes off to me. It must be the meds, or from the injury. I hope it does not become a permanent problem.

We all chat a bit longer than the Colonel is the first to bid farewell “I will see you again soon, Cadet. Rest up you have a lot of work to do. In fact, we have some old after-action reports from the war I want you to study and see if you can figure out how we can incorporate them into our forces training. Cadet Emerado will be bringing them to you in the morning.”

“Thank you, Colonel. I look forward to them sir.”

With that, he turns and leaves. Emerado turns and looks at Magpie. “I hear you have some experience with memory orbs and readers. I have a portable one at the stable I will be bringing over tomorrow for her to use, do you think you could help me set it up?”

Wait, some of the after-action reports are on memory orbs. This should really be interesting. Perhaps I can sneak in a couple from Millie also. Before I can ask Soundwaves approaches with another bottle, this time it is Wild Pegasus. Oh goodness, not more whiskey. I still have not had anything solid to eat. Oh, to hell with it. If I get drunk, I deserve it.

“Soundwaves, I will let you have the honor of opening it and the first toast.”

“Thank you Mollygirl.” He opens it then turns to us “To the newest pony on the Co-op Guard staff. Welcome aboard Cadet, it has been a long time coming.” He says then takes a drink before handing it to me. Well at least it is not only the Old Overmare that is off, but I act like I enjoy it and pass it to the next pony.

As we are passing the bottle around and talking, I look up and see Stitches standing there.

“Hi Stitches, what are you doing here? I thought you would be out with the rest of the squad?”

“Well, Mollygirl, I had to stop back here at the hospital to pick up a few medical supplies. Annnddd, since I was here, I figured I should stop in to see how you were doing and say hello. I know that this will help Badger immensely, he has been worried sick about you. He said if you were awake to say he would be here to see you as soon as he can. He misses both you and Magpie.”

“I am really glad you stopped by. It seems I have you to thank for still being on this side of the dirt. I really appreciate it and owe you.”

“Well, your welcome, but I could not have done it without Chance helping. By the way, how are your ribs doing.” She asks and without thinking starts to examine my chest, “Hmmm, looks like they are healing fairly well, healing spell bandages are also placed well.”

I realize she is habitually checking me out as she would with any patient, right before she does herself. I simply look at her and smile. “Sorry Mollygirl, old habits. But I am really glad to see you doing so well. By the way, if I am around and you need to talk, let me know. I am here for you.”

“Thanks, Stitches, I really do appreciate it. Would you like a sip of Wild P since you are here?”

“I would love one, but I am technically on duty. Once I get back to Dairyanne, if anything happens to the company, I need to be ready.”

“Oh, I understand. Just wanted to make sure I did not disappoint you by not asking you to have a drink with us.”

“No problem sar, I mean cadet. Wow, that will take some getting used to Mollygirl. I wish I did not have to say it, but I need to get a move on before it gets too late. I try to not be out by myself after dark anymore.” I look down and notice she has her revolver on her hip. It makes me realize why she doesn’t want to be out after dark so much.

“Take care Stitches, and please give everyone in the squad my regards and tell them thank you,” I look at Magpie, “and give Badger a hug from me, tell him I am sorry.”

“I will do that. Take care Mollygirl. Good to see you again Magpie. You too Soundwaves and Broadcast. Lieutenant Archer, a pleasure as always sir.” She says with a smile and she leaves.

We continue to talk and drink together, after a bit one of the hospital staff members shows up with a meal for me. She is followed by Nurse Tendercare. The meal is placed before me. I look down and am highly disappointed. I only see what I would consider a poor gruel of very liquidy oatmeal. Even I could do better than that.

Seeing my face Tendercare smiles and looks back at me with his deep green eyes. Sorry Mollygirl, but it has been a while since you have had anything to eat that was not out of a bag and needle. I promise we will be building you back up to real food” he tells me as he begins doing a very similar check to what I had just had with Stitches, Medical ponies, I think as I resign myself to another round of probing and prodding.

When he is done, he looks at me again, “Mollygirl, I know it is tradition, but you need to lay off the alcohol for a bit. You are still healing and we do not want to hinder that at all.”

“Ok, I swear, I will lay off it until I am released then. But I do have to say it does make me feel better.”

“I understand, but still, we need to take care of you. In fact, I would like most of your visitors to leave soon so you can get some more rest. Magpie, I understand you have been staying here most nights, but either tonight or tomorrow, you need to start trying to sleep at your home so you can get some real rest too.”

“But Tendercare, I am just”

She is cut off by him in mid-sentence. “Magpie, I really understand how you feel, but you need to get some real rest too. Please promise me you will do so soon.”

“Oh, Ok I will Tendercare, but I am not happy about it.” She tells him.

“I am not asking you to be happy about it. I just want to make sure you all stay healthy. Now if you will excuse me, I have some more patients to check on.”

I watch him leave. “Guys, you heard the buck, I guess I should get some more rest. However, that does not mean you can not stop back in and visit soon. Please do.”

Both Soundwaves and Broadcast smile and say they will be back in a day or two as they leave. Archer comes over to my bed. “My friend, I thought I had lost another comrade, I am so glad I was wrong,” He looks at Magpie and then me, “Mollygirl, if you do not mind, may I give you a hug?”

In response, I hold out my hooves to him. He carefully embraces me, and I return the hug. Quietly in my ear, he whispers “We know who they are and will get those responsible for this. I promise you, and when we do, we will end them. I only wish I could do more.”

“Thank you, Archer. I will see you again soon, I hope?”

He smiles back, “Hopefully, yes. I still have a lot of work to do with my crews, but when I can I will visit again.

Soon it is only Emerado, Magpie and I left. Em comes over. She gives me a quick hug and peck on the cheek. “Mollygirl, it is so good to be able to see you and talk to you again. I will be back in the morning with the information that the colonel wants you to review.”

“Thanks, Emerado. I really appreciate it. I look forward to starting on it. I will see you in the morning then.” I say as I reach out to give her another hug. It feels so good just to feel another pony. It helps me to know I am still alive. We release the embrace and as she leaves the room, she stops at the doorway “Good night Magpie, I hope to see you in the morning too. Take good care of her for us please.”

I am starting to feel tired again. I finish my dinner and have Magpie move the remains away from the bed. “Mags, can you come here?”

“Sure dear, what do you need love?”

“Magpie, you have not hugged or kissed me. I am sorry, I did not mean to fail you all. Please forgive me. I love you, please do not hate me.” I say as tears start to fall that I have been holding it for hours.

She takes me in her hooves. “Beloved, I could never hate you.” Finally, for the first time I remember since I have become conscious, she gives me a kiss. Gently and tenderly. I try not to sniffle and ruin it for us. “Mollygirl, you did not fail us. You did everything a pony could and then some. You even made it where the squad was able to take prisoner one of those who took them from us.”

“Still Mags, I should have been able to do more. I should never have let them go by themselves.”

“Shhh, Shhh, it's ok love, it's ok. You did good my love. We just thank the Goddesses that we did not lose you too.” She says as she lightly kisses my forelock cradling my head and neck in her forehooves.

“Magpie, could, could you sleep with me tonight. I am sorry, but I hurt so bad. I just want to be held right now.”

“It's ok, Mol, if you can move over a bit I will.”

I slide over as much as I can. She climbs onto the bed the best she can and cradles me. Just holding me until I fall asleep once more, into a drug and alcohol-induced unconsciousness.

I awake several hours later. It is very dark in my room. Nurse Tenderheart is there checking on me again. I notice Magpie is not in bed with me. I almost panic. Then I realize I can still feel her hoof on mine. I look next to me. She has moved the reclining chair next to the bed. She has a light blanket covering most of her, but she still has her hoof touching mine. Suddenly I see her eyes are open. Quietly she tells me “Go back to sleep love, I am still here. I will not leave you alone like that.” I begin to relax and fall asleep again.

I was woken twice more during the night to be checked by Tenderheart or another nurse. Come morning when I finally awake, I see Magpie getting herself ready for the day. She has just come out of the restroom from brushing her teeth, combing her mane, and quickly washing up.

“Good morning beautiful, I see you are up and at ‘em already.”

“Morning love. Sorry, I hope I did not wake you. I need to run down and grab something to eat, do you want anything while I am out?”

“Surprise me if you want, but otherwise I am ok. So long as they bring me something to really eat. That stuff last night was horrid.”

She laughs at me “I bet it was, hopefully, the whiskey helped it go down. By the way, is that common for what happens when one of you gets hurt?”

“Is what common?”

“You know, the group of friends showing up and everyone getting drunk?”

“Well it is a tradition for our squamates to do so, at least in the Door Kickers, but I do not know If I would call the Colonel my friend.”

“Mollygirl, he may not be your buddy, but he likes you. I can see it, there is a respect there.”

“Maybe he just was being polite. I do not know, to tell the truth, I never thought about it.”

“Well, either way, I will be back in a bit.” She gives me a quick kiss before she heads out.

For the first time since I have regained consciousness, I am alone. So much has changed in my life. Where do I even begin? I mean, no longer a Door Kicker, Now a staff pony. Most importantly, Ivy and Epona. Goddesses does that hurt. I want to be strong for everyone else, but I feel like a part of my soul has been torn away. How come they died and I lived. They both had so much more to live for, and me. I am not able to, I am just a barren mare. Magpie and Badger, they, I mean, why wouldn’t they have rather had them survive than me? Celestia and Luna, I wish they would have survived and not me. They deserved to live. I cannot help but cry, I have my face in my pillow and I hear a voice.

“Don’t you dare think that. Do not feel that you do not deserve to live. I know what you are thinking young mare.” I look up and see Sumac standing next to my bed. “Molly, I miss the hell out of both of them too. But you matter too dear. I hope you still consider me a mother, even with them gone.”

Without thinking I almost throw myself at her and hug her. She keeps me from falling on the floor and just holds me back. “It's ok Mollygirl, It's ok. Momma Sumac is here for you too.”

“Thank you, Ma, I did not think you would want me around anymore. I mean, I failed to protect or save them for you.” I tell her through my tears.

“Mollygirl, you were there for them, you could not save them, but in part you avenged them. What you did to that one raider with your kick. Every buck who saw or heard about it has cringed at the thought. But most of all, at the end, my girl and grandfoal, knew they were loved and cared about. You made sure they knew it. You almost lost your life trying to save them. That says a lot.”

“Thank you, ma, I really appreciate it. I, I am still trying to wrap my head around it all.”

“Well let me take this seat and we can talk. Have they cleared you to eat solid meals yet?”

“They have not said yet, why?”

“Well, I have this nice loaf of sweet rye bread I made for you, I also brought some muffins to share between us. I was hoping Magpie would be here, but I see I have missed her.”

“Magpie will be back in a bit. She went to go get breakfast.”

“Oh, good, well then I shall go see about getting some hot water for tea. I will be right back.”

Shortly after she leaves, I have another visitor. I see an enfield pup come flying into my room from out in the hall. As it lands on my bed from out in the hall, I hear Memory, “Woofer, what did I tell you. Thank you for being a good pup Tweeter.”

I have to smile. It seems I will have plenty of company today. Woofer comes forward on my bed puts his front talons on my chest and starts to lick my cheek. I needed this. I can not help but give him a light hug and then start to pet him. “Hi Woofers, good to see you again boy.”

Memory comes in. “Sorry about that, I am still trying to teach him manners.”

“No problem Memory, I understand, besides, he actually cheered me up some. Thank you for bringing him.”

Before we can get more involved in the conversation Sumac returns. “Hi Memory, it is good to see you again dear, I hope you are feeling well.”

“As good as I can, all things considered. It is good to see you too Sumac. I was expecting you to visit later. I am sorry if I am interrupting.”

“No, no problem at all Memory. Would you care to join us for some tea?”

“If you do not mind, I would love the company. I tend to spend a lot of time alone anymore. Badger is in the field so much, and Whiskey, well with him working at the hospital he is not home often. So usually it is just me, Woofers and Tweeters, here.”

Sumac takes the chair, and Memory climbs back onto the bed, I can tell it is not easy for her, she is only as big as most older fillies. Once she sits down, she has to rest. “Sorry, give me a minute, I feel a bit dizzy,” after a short break, “Ok, better now, sorry about that.”

Sumac just smiles at her. “No problem dear we understand. Would you like some honey or milk in your tea?”

Both mine and Memory’s eyes open wide. Honey and milk in our tea, that is not cheap. We both tell her yes, to both.

“Do not be too surprised. Xavier was able to get some milk from my neighbor's Waffles and Mud Pie’s farm. Waffles was more than glad to sell some as her calf Nettie is getting ready to wean. The honey I picked up at the market on the way here. I figured it would be more than worth it.”

“Thank you again, Sumac. I really appreciate it.” I tell her.

After our tea is ready, we begin to eat and talk with each other for a while. I learn more about Ivy and her family as she grew up from Sumac. I also get to hear more about what it is like to live with both Badger and Whiskey. Wow, it seems quite lively there. In a way, I am really surprised that Badger even decided to take the risk of a relationship again. But I sure am glad he has.

As we are talking Emerado shows up with Soundwaves helping her carry some boxes and equipment with her. Right behind them is Magpie.

“Hey Moll, just brought up that portable recollector unit as well as a box of old after-action reports. We found them tucked into the back of a drawer of a desk in the Ministry of War Technology branch office at the carriage factory. We are still trying to figure out why they were there. In a bit, I will go over some of them with you and I know you will understand why we are trying to figure it out.”

Magpie slides past them and comes over, gives me a quick kiss, and then begins to work with Sound Waves on setting up what they call a portable memory reader. It is about the size of a desk in all reality, but I guess they figure it can be moved by hoof, so it must be portable.

Seeing all the commotion and so many ponies in the room Sumac and Memory both decide it is about time to leave.

As she gets ready to leave, Memory turns to me, “It is good seeing you again Mollygirl. I will be back tomorrow for a bit if you want. I am glad to see that you and Woofer get along so well though.” She says with a smile. It is then that I realize that I have been absentmindedly rubbing his belly while I was drinking my tea. “Well, we best go. I will see you in the morning, come on Woofer, come Tweeter.”

As she calls Tweeter jumps off the top of my hospital bed. I had not even realized she was there. When did she get up there? I realize she had to fly up there. At least they seem to like me.

“I will see you in the Morning Memory. Have a good day, and thanks for coming to see me again.”

“I will see you then Mollygirl.” She says with a smile as she leaves. Tweeters and Woofers wrestling with each other as they fly behind her.

Sumac comes over and gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, “I will see you again soon, perhaps an evening visit next time. Also, would you mind if Xavier and his family come with me?”

“I think a visit in the evening would be really good ma, please do bring them too. I would like to see them too.”

“Ok, I will then.” She turns and gives a hug and a kiss on the forelock to Magpie, “I hope I will see you then too dear. Remember, you too are still my daughter. I meant it before, I mean it still.”

As she says it, I see Magpie tear up a bit. “Thank you, momma Sumac, it means more to me than you can ever know.”

After she leaves Emerado looks at Magpie and then me. “I would ask you to leave for this Magpie, but I already know you will probably find out anyways what all this is.” Smiling she opens a box filled with files and papers and several memory orbs. “Molly, we do not know what is on the memory orbs, seeing you have some experience with using them we figured it would be best to have you try them. The real kicker, and the part that confuses us it why all these after-action reports from Rainbow Dash and some other ponies from the war were located here in an MWT backwater office. It’s almost like someone was trying to hide them or something. But anyway, here they are for you to read through. See if you can learn anything of the tactics used by either side. These may be able to help us against future, uhm, problems.”

“Sounds interesting. But why me, why not have you study them?”

She smiles at me. “Mollygirl, the first reason is that the Colonel told us to have you do so. Secondly, if you want to move above being a staff pony and have your own command, then having an understanding of tactics, logistics and the consequences of large unit actions is necessary.”

“Ok, I can see that, I guess. Do you have any paper and pencils so I can take some mouth-written notes?”

She sighs, “Sorry, I had not expected you to ask for them. I will see if I can get some for you when I get back to the stable.”

“Thanks, Em, I appreciate it. Sorry for being such a nuisance.”

“No problem. Besides I want to go through some of these with you too.”

“Oh, when do we get to try the memory orbs?” I ask.

“As soon as Magpie and Soundwaves say the reader is ready you can.”

“Excellent. I really am looking forward to seeing what is on them.”

“Well until then, here is the first report.” She tells me as she picks it up in her mouth and brings it to me.

I start to read the report. I see the official stamp of the Ministry of Awesome on it. Again, why was this here in Manesville? As I read, I see the designations of the units involved, where they started, and when. What their logistics setup was. All rather boring. Then I begin to find the interesting part. It was a raid behind the Zebra lines. The whole point was not to kill the enemy, but instead to snarl up their supply lines. To cause some front-line units to run low on supplies so that they could not fight as efficiently. The Zebras had not thought Equestria capable of penetrating their lines like that, so they had very little security to protect the rear echelon units. It was very similar to a snatch and grab or snatch and smash as we liked to call them.

Finally, the report was finished off by estimating the amount of damage done to the Zebra supply columns that they had found. This was balanced by casualties that were taken by the Pegasi forces that were on the raid as well as how much ammo and equipment had been expended.

I sit stunned for a bit when I notice the signature is Rainbow Dashes. It is hard for me to comprehend that I was being honored enough to not only read but to evaluate a report from one of the Ministry Mares.

After a bit, I start to think about what she had said about the mission, what she thought the strong points and successes of it were, and what lessons could be learned from it. While a simple raid, it was still behind the front lines and required a breakthrough force to open the door. Very interesting. Their extraction route was very similar to that in which they went in. The fact they could fly had to help a lot. But how much, and can we use a modification of these tactics ourselves?

I spend the next couple of hours just reading the reports. By the third one, I have seen that the Zebras were beginning to improve the security in their rear areas. It is really interesting to see as this caused Rainbow Dash and her forces to react to them and adapt to the new situations. It was like watching a game of chess between masters. This is a whole new level of thought concerning combat for me as I begin to see faints, thrusts, counter-thrusts, blocks, and blows not on the level of individuals, but instead on the level of companies, regiments, and even brigades. I read about using artillery to not only soften up a position but instead to make the enemy think the main thrust of an attack would come there, with no major risk to ponies' lives instead.

After I finish one, I hand it to Emerado for her to read. When I finish the third one, she looks at me. “How about we take a break, I know I could use one. Besides I really would like to start discussing what we have read in these reports. I am pretty impressed by what I read, but I am not really sure how much of this we can use.

“A break does sound really good Em. I sure could use one. That and I am starting to get hungry again. I guess work is good for the appetite.” I then look over and see Magpie looking up from her book with a bored expression on her face. “Sorry Magpie, I do not mean to be ignoring you. Really love, I am so sorry.”

“It is ok Mollygirl. I understand. I know it is your job. It is just a little boring right now. By the way, Sound Wave and I have the memory recollector set up when you’re ready.” Then she whispers to me, “Sorry I was gone so long, but I ran to the library and picked up one of Millie’s orbs too. I figured if you had this much time on your hooves, and a reader available.”

“Excellent, I look forward to trying it out in a bit then,” I say with a smile.

The hospital staff has provided me with another meal of oatmeal, but this time there is dried apple with it. They also provided me with some apple juice. It all looks edible, but for some reason, I have a craving for carrots instead. The others leave for a bit so that they can go get something to eat as well. Well, all except Magpie. She has already brought a couple of dandelion sandwiches with her for lunch. When I tell her of my craving for carrots. She simply smiles, reaches into her saddlebag, and pulls out some for both of us.

Laughing lightly, “That is funny that you have a craving for carrots too. I just wanted some so bad this morning I had to stop and buy some.”

“Thank you, love, for sharing your stash with me then. I really do appreciate it.” I tell her as I get ready to take a big bite of carrot. I look up and see Magpie doing the same, we both look at each other and laugh. How strange that we can be so close that our cravings match as well as the way we both go to eat those carrots at the same time. Ivy would be howling at us. Ivy, once again, it hits me. I see the look in Magpie's eyes, she can tell my mood has changed.

“Mollygirl, are you ok?”

“Yeah, yeah I am Mags, I was just thinking of how she would be laughing at us right now if she was still here with us.”

“I understand Mol, I miss her too. We all do.”

“I know, but I feel I should be strong enough not to keep thinking of her and Pona. I should be able to move on.”

“Mol, it's hard for me and I have had over a week already, you have not even had a full day to start dealing with it. It may take us years. We do not learn how to forget them or to move on, we only learn how to live our lives without them.”

“I know Mags, but I am a war pony, I have seen so much and lost so many, I should be able to handle this.”

“Molly, look at me. I mean it, look at me. Sure, you lost others before, but how close were they to you? How many were your best friend for so long and had just become your lover and was going to be your sister wife. I was not as close to her as you, but it still is like a buck upside the head and in the heart every time I think of her and Pona. It is only natural to hurt, and it will take time to heal, ok my love.”

“Thank you, dearest, I understand what you are telling me. It is just hard to deal with right now.”

“I know, but I am here for you, ok?”

I simply nod my head and smile at her, despite the tears in my eyes that I have fought back.

We finish our lunch and she sits on the bed, cuddling me until the others get back. Then with a light lick on my cheek and hers, she gets up and moves out of the way, over to the control panel for the recollector.

Em looks at me. “Are you ready to start to see what is on these orbs?”

“Sure, why not. Probably nothing really notable. My luck it will be Zebra propaganda or some staff officer’s private porn.” I say with a laugh.

Soundwave puts the headpiece for the reader on me. Magpie puts the first memory orb in the reader. “Ready?” she asks.

I nod my head and hear myself nervously answer “Yes.” Then the world drifts away and I am someone else.

The body is female, I can tell that, but it feels just different enough to make me try and figure out the difference. Not like Millie or Bertha. Hmmm, Let's see, I feel wings, and, I FEEL WINGS! COOOL! As she, I, us, look into the mirror I see a middle-aged pegasus mare with a multicolored mane and tail. Her mane hangs over her right eye and a blue coat. I can feel the aches and pains in her joints. She is wearing a memory recorder. That is when she begins to speak.

“I cannot believe I am doing this.” She says as she puts one of her wingtips on her face. “For the love of; Pinkie and her Pinkie Sense. The other times were not enough. I turn off the recorder and sure enough, one more future pony to help. The things we do for our friends” She shakes her head I can tell how frustrated she must be.

She looks straight at the mirror again. “Mollygirl, According to Pinkie Pie, it seems you have some pretty important work to do to support some other mares. While you may not be the main threat, I know as a military mare, you will understand the concept of a diversion and drawing off forces from the enemy. I am here to help you learn more and to teach you, an earth pony how Pegasi fight as well as how to engage in raids and deep reconnaissance missions.”

What the Buck? No, No, No, she did not just call me out by name. But How in the world did she? Wonderful, more things to wrap my mind around. Maybe if I just go insane, yep that sounds good, just go insane and we can all feel better. Yeah, right, all except that duty thing. I am needed, again.

“Mollygirl, in this orb I will try and teach you some of the basics of flying and formations. Nothing complicated. In the accompanying orbs, you will see how some of the missions you are reading the after-action reports really went. You will be able to see in a few cases the difference between what was written down and what really happened. I, we need you to be able to read between the lines and really learn from this. Not only for your sake but for all of Equestria. Those that you help may never know it, but just like a firefight, every bit matters.”

She turns away from the mirror, I feel her wings fold in tight against our/her side as we make our way out of the office, down the hall, and to the flight line. There I see several other Pegasi moving in formation.

“First, I need to show you the basics of flight, I know it seems easy, and any pegasi foal can learn to do it, however, there is a bit more to it. The first thing we need to teach you is taking off and landing.”

She takes me through these basics and then level flight, changing altitudes, and even hovering. Next, she enters into formation with three other Pegasi and goes through the basic formation maneuvers. Including splitting the formation and reforming it on the move.

“Okay, enough of the basics. Either you are already getting sick, or bored, so let’s make sure you’re not bored.”. With that, she takes off and performs several maneuvers including barrel rolls, twists, and turns with the others in her flight. We dive for the ground and pull up at the last minute just barely above the trees, we fly under bridges and over the mountains. The entire time the whole flight of trainees seems to be having a blast.

Finally, we land. “Thank you, trainees, for the formation practice. Good job to all of you.” She tells them. As she walks away I can hear them excitedly talking about how this will give them bragging rights to having been able to fly with Rainbow Dash and even briefly be one of her trainees.

She returns to the office and looks into the mirror again. “Mollygirl, I know this has been a very brief explanation, but I hope it helps you as much as Pinkie wants it to. I wish I had more time, but I don’t. Also, I hope I did not make you sick either.” She says with a smirk. “Remember, study the reports, use the orbs, and figure out what you can use.”

With that, the world disappears. I am back in my bed in my room.

“THAT WAS AWESOME!” I exclaim much to everyone’s surprise.

They all look at me like I am insane. I look back at them, “What, that was Awesome, do you know how much fun it is to fly.”

“Um, so Mollygirl what was on the orb?” Emerado ask. Behind her I see Magpie trying to determine if she should be laughing or be worried, as she puts a hoof in front of her mouth.

“Em, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. You really need to see it to believe me.”

“Why do I think both me and the Colonel are going to regret this?” She asks as she puts her hoof to her face while shaking her head.

“I really don’t know what to say other than Rainbow Dash taught me how to fly. Well, not as an earth pony mind you but. How the Pegasi fly.”

“Ok, so she was teaching Pegasi how to fly then, ok, no big deal.”

I put my hoof on her shoulder, “No, you didn’t listen, she taught ME, how to fly.”

“So, you learned how they fly, no big deal, we have information on how to fly.”

“Um, Emerado, my friend, my fellow cadet. I mean she called me by name.”

“Mollygirl, really, I am sure you just imagined it.”

“Emerado, I swear I did not imagine it. Maybe you should see for yourself.”

“You know what, it was only a couple of hours. Fine, I will do just that. I will prove that you were just imagining it.”

She sits in the recliner, Soundwaves dutifully puts the headset on her as I sit there with a smug smirk on my face. Magpie asks her if she is ready and she says yes.

A short time later I see her move as she tries to adjust to the feel of a different body. I can tell when Rainbow Dash starts to speak by the look on her face, and then suddenly we hear her say, “Oh, Buck me running, are you kidding me. Dammit, Mollygirl. “

I have to say I take a sadistic glee watching her expression as she moves her body with the motions of Rainbow Dash in the memory orb. When it is finished, she looks flushed, she jumps up from the chair and runs to the bathroom where I hear her throwing up. After a bit, she returns to the room, and looks me straight in the face, “And you actually enjoyed that. You really are one sick earth pony Mollygirl. Really sick. And you did not lie, mishear or exaggerate.”

I look up and see Magpie smiling proudly at me.

I shyly look up at Emerado, “I guess we better hit the books again, then.” As I pick up another paper and hide my smirk.

As I read the next report though I could not help but keep looking at the box. I really wanted to try another memory orb. To see what was on it and to learn what I could from it. Ok, that is what I am telling myself at least. Let’s be real, what I really want, is to fly again, to be somepony else for a little while, to forget about my hurts, even if I feel theirs instead.

The flying though, that was a big one. I never imagined what it had to be like before. I wonder if any of the Pegasi know how lucky they are to have been born with that gift. To know that, that freedom and release. Now, I understand the scorn in the term ground-bound. They think of it as a curse and to me now, they are right, however, it is not because they call us earth ponies that, it is because we can not share the freedom of the skies. Goddess how I wish I had been born with wings, but alas, it was not my path. I am a simple earth pony, I will do what needs to be done, and figure out how to do it to the best of my abilities.

Enough of the wool-gathering, I have work to do. After all these marching orders come directly from a Ministry Mare. I know I will not save the world, but I damn sure will do my best to support those who will.

I continue to read the report I had on my lap. It involves a raid that started from our side of the lines of No Mares land. A large zebra supply dump has been discovered being built about 30 kilometers behind the lines. Not much of an apparent defense around it. Must be due to the zebra’s thinking it was so far behind the lines we could not reach it.

As I read it, it looks so straightforward. Then I see something I never expected. Ambush. It appears that Rainbow Dash had been caught flat-hooved. Tanks and anti-air artillery. How in the world did they hide them? Heavy casualties on the part of the Equestrian forces, only a partial mission success as most of the supplies there survived. More importantly, how did she pull the troops out? I really hope this is on one of those memory orbs. I never knew that Rainbow Dash was ever denied a clean overwhelming victory, it always seemed she was unbeatable from the history books.

This gives me something to think about. Maybe something we can use if we ever have to go against the Enclave even. Or if we make a raid, what we have to watch for.

Finally, I stop and look up at Em, “How about we stop for the day. I really am getting tired and could use a break. Besides I am sure you could use one too.

“Not a bad idea. Besides maybe tomorrow you can watch another memory orb. See what is on it and then compare it to the after-action report. It might give us both a completely different perspective. I tell you what Mollygirl, I am going to head back to the stable for the night. I will be back in the morning. I figure Soundwaves will come back with me, so we can give Magpie a break and she can do what she needs to tomorrow.”

“Em, I really do not mind helping, but I do appreciate the forethought. I really should go to work tomorrow. I hope you do not mind Mollygirl?” Magpie replies.

“I do not mind Mags, I understand. I just hope you will stay here for a little while tonight.”

“Ok, I will dear.”

“Well guys, on that note I will take off. Have a good night you two. Come on Soundwaves, let’s go get something to eat on the way back.”

I watch them head off. Finally, I am alone with my Magpie again. “Mags, can you climb up here with me please?”

“Sure, no problem love. I have been wanting to cuddle all day. That and just talk to you.”

I smile. “I have been craving that too love. I mean it was interesting reading those papers, and the memory orb, well that was just. I do not even know what to say about that.”

She climbs onto the bed next to me, “Honestly Mollygirl, I have to say that shook me up the way you came out of that one. I have never seen a pony so excited after one. I almost burst out laughing. And the way Emerado handled it so differently, it was amazing.”

I look at her for a moment. “Would you like to use that one, my love? I mean seriously, that was so awesome. I mean to experience flying like that.”

I see her lying there next to me, with that smile in her eyes. “No, not right now Molly dearest. I am still a little leery after the one time I have used one. But thank you for asking. In fact, before I leave tonight If you want, I can set you up to watch Millie’s that I brought for you.”

“That sounds good, but I will see how I feel before you go. Ok?”

In response, she cuddles closer and quietly answers me “Ok, sounds good.” As she traces the side of my face and neck with her hoof. I cannot believe how good that feels and how much it relaxes me. I start to feel drowsy and almost fall asleep. I lay there just enjoying her embrace, and returning her touches as I hold her in one hoof and stroke her with the other. We lay like that for a couple of hours. Finally, she decides she needs to go home soon. “Sorry, Mollygirl, but I really need to get home and get some sleep if I am going to go to work tomorrow.”

“I understand love, I will miss you tonight, but you do have to get back to work. I am sorry I cost you so much time.”

“Molly, you did not cost me anything. I wanted to be here. I do love you, you are going to be my wife along with Badger our husband. You are a part of me, of us. I hope you realize this. You do still want to get married, don’t you?” She says suddenly nervous.

“Yes, Magpie, I want to be both of your bride. I do love you both. Ivy is a part of us we lost, but I do not want to lose the rest of us.”

“Ok, before I go, I will set the memory orb back up for you. My love.” With that, she gets up. Leans over the bedside, takes my face in both hooves, and gently kisses me. Without thinking my mouth opens for her and I wait for her to explore it. I feel my body want to react, and I know it would if I was not so badly injured. Once the kiss breaks, I look at her, “You do not know how bad I want you right now my dearest. Thank you again.”

She smiles a weak smile, “You are welcome, I am sorry if I hurt you, I, I just miss being with you so much. I was so afraid I had lost you once already. I had to let you know how much you mean to me.”

"I know, believe me I know, now let’s get this thing going and I will let you get going. You do need to go soon.”

I put the recollector unit on my head as she adjusts the unit and gets ready to start it. “Are you ready Molly?”

“Yes, I am, Goodnight Magpie, I will see you tomorrow night I hope.”

“Good night dear, see you after work, here we go.”

I see her push a button and then I am no longer in my room.

Suddenly I am back into Millie again. I feel her breathing heavy and her body feeling tired. She is next to Mootilda behind some boulders. Gun Shots are striking nearby.

“Sorry Moo, I thought this would be a better way.”

“Not your fault Millie. Who would have thought we had raiders trailing us since we left Manehatten. Even Whiskers thought this was a safer route.” She replies as she tries to catch her breath, pain obvious on her face.

“Well, we have bought the rest some more time to get up into that cave up there. If you are ready to move, I will cover you.”

“Sounds good Mill, on the count of three I will break for it. One, Two, Three.”

I pop up over the rocks and lay down suppressive fire. As she starts to run, I hear several shots fire back and I see Mootilda get hit just before she reaches the next set of rocks above Millie. Mootilda bleeding heavily from the hits drags herself the rest of the way behind the boulders and starts to lay down cover fire for Millie.

I feel myself jump up and start to dodge as I run. Several rounds striking close by. I feel the bite of rock chips hit me in my face as a round strikes next to my head. Millie looks over at Mootilda and sees how bad she has been hit.

“Aw Goddesses damn it. I am so sorry Moo. I thought we could make it no problem.”

Struggling to catch her breath, Mootilda tries putting bandages on the several holes in her hip. I see the damage to her hind leg. It is even worse than what Chance received. She is at risk of bleeding out, and there is no way she can walk much less run on that leg. Mille starts to help her dress the wound and gives her a Med-x injection. Then she peaks around the boulders and sees the raiders closing in on their position.

“Well Moo, I am sorry, but this is it. Time to make our last stand.”

“No Mill, I’ll cover you. Go, one of us needs to survive this. Go catch up with the rest.”

“Moo, I am not leaving you. That is not up for an argument.”

“No, my friend it is not. I am not going to make it anyway. How about making my death mean something, like saving my best friend?”

“Moo, I can’t just leave, damn it, after all these years, what am I going to do without you?”

“Millie, live, live for me. Perhaps have that other foal you and Oatie wanted. Please do not throw your life away. I love you like a sister, I do not want to die knowing I caused you to. Now go. I will cover you.”

“Ok, ok, I will. I love you too Moo, you are my sister, no matter what. I will see you on the other side someday.”

With that I see Mootilda pop up over the boulders and start firing as fast as she can. I feel myself jump up and run as fast as I can. Barely making it to the top before the bullets start to close in on me.

Millie looks back down and sees Mootilda making her final stand. As they come over the rocks at her. She gets one more of them before the last two come over the rocks and fire their shotgun and rifle into her.

Millie turns and walks into the mouth of the cave. She can not bear to watch them strip the equipment from her best friend and Goddesses knows what else. Once inside the cave, she looks at everyone else. "Ok, medical check."

Cookie reports “Got grazed on a foreleg and on my hip”

Tourniquet says “Minor cuts and I think I lost the tip of my right ear.”

Whisker in a shaky voice “I’ll be ok, a through and through in my left foreleg. Not much to do but bandage it and let it heal.”

Finally, I hear Hoofcrack “Millie, I took a good one in the shoulder, but I think I can make it.”

“Ok, Tourniquet, do what you can for everyone. Let me know when you are done.”

Millie goes back up toward the cave entrance. She turns on her PipBuck E.F.S. The raiders have fallen back some, there are only five more left. We watch them fall back on E.F.S. until they disappear. I may not be able to see them, but I know they are not gone. I am sure they will be back later.

Cookie comes up to the mouth of the cave. “Hey, Millie. I will take the watch if you want to take a break. Go see Tourniquet and get those cuts taken care of too.”

"Thanks, Cookie, I appreciate it.”

“No problem. I am sorry about Moo. I know how close you guys were.”

I feel myself start to choke up. Tears form in Millie’s eyes, but she fights them back. “Thanks, Cookie, I really appreciate it. I will be back in a while.”

We go back and Millie has Tourniquet treat her wounds from the rock fragments. A couple she has to use forceps on to pull them out of her face. “Sorry Millie, but those two will probably cause some scarring. They are pretty jagged around the edges.”

“It's ok, I know you did your best. I hope Oatie will understand and not mind too much.”

She looks at the others. “Has anyone checked this cave out further?” she asks.

They all shake their heads or tell her no. “Ok, I will be back in a bit I want to check it out more. She goes further into the cave, into the dark and after coming around a corner she sits down and just starts to cry.

After a bit, she hears a voice quietly ask “Are you ok?” She nods her head yes and then seems to realize that she can not be seen in the dark. “Yes, I, I guess I am, it just hurts so much to lose Moo, we have known each other all our lives and now, now she is gone.”

She feels a hoof on her shoulder, “I am sorry to hear about your loss” The voice tells her. That is when Millie seems to realize she does not recognize the voice. “Who are you?” Millie asks.

“Oh, me, I am George. Now you know my name, what should I call you?”

“I am Millie. How come I hear your voice from way over there, and I feel your hoof on my shoulder?” At this point, Millie turns on the light for her PipBuck and points it toward the area the voice came from. At first, we see the light being reflected back at us with a large eye behind it. Mille moves the light and we start to see very dark blue scales as well as light blue ones, then we see horns, and moving the light more, teeth. Mille aims the light at her shoulder and finds it is not a hoof on her shoulder, but instead a single claw. I feel our bladder empty. Goddesses, I hope I did not do that in my body too. But I share how she feels as I realize about the same time that Mille sees too, that George is a dragon.

“Ewwww, do you want something to clean that up?” George asks.

“I, I, I, please don’t eat me, please. I have a foal and stallion at home.” I feel her shake.

“Millie, I am not going to eat you. If I was going to, I already would have. I just wanted to see who was in my home and why. But let’s get something to clean this up. I know I saw ponies rub their dogs’ noses in it when they did that? Am I supposed to do that to ponies, or is that not based on size?” I hear George ask.

“No, No you do not need to rub my nose in it,” I hear Millie reply. Then she asks something I wanted to myself, “Um George, are you wearing glasses?”

“Yes Millie, I have worn them since shortly after coming out of my egg. Should I light a lantern for us to see by while we find something to clean this mess up with?”

“Yes, I think that would be good. George, what are you doing here?”

“Oh, that is easy, I live here. I have since before the final day. I was hiding here ever since I snuck up to the peace talks and saw the attack at Shatterhoof Ridge. Once the attacks happened, I just stayed here and took a long nap.”

“George, why are you hiding?” she asks as she follows George deeper into the cave.

“Was Millie, Was. I was young then. I thought perhaps I had caused the Zebras to attack. I was curious and wanted to see history being made. I was a distance away on another hill. But I saw Big Mac go down, I saw the fight as they evacuated Princess Celestia. It was a close thing. I was so scared. Now I do not think I caused it, but I was afraid of how much trouble I would be in if any pony knew I was there.”

“So, you hid here? I guess you did see history made there then.”

“Yes, I did, History really is not so fun at the times when it is being made. I never saw dragons carrying zebras before that. The Zebras would shoot at our Pegasi from the dragons’ backs. I never have forgotten that. I would love to do that with a pony. Millie, would you like to try flying like that? I mean I found some of their old harnesses and made a good one.”

“Um, George, no thanks, I am good on that. I am an earth pony so I think perhaps my hoofs should stay on the ground. But thanks again.” Oh, Millie, you should have said yes. I would have in her place, I think to myself.

“Too bad, perhaps another time.” I hear George say with a bit of disappointment in her voice. “So, what happened to your friend, Millie? How did she die?”

Choking back a sob, “She was killed by raiders. She died saving me.”

“She sounds like a good pony. How long ago was that?”
“Just a bit ago. They are waiting for us to come out I think.”

“Really? Do you want me to eat them?”

“I, Uh, I, what kind of question is that?” Millie answers in a startled voice.

“Well, they would no longer be waiting for you. And I am feeling a bit peckish. I normally do not eat ponies, but in this case, I could make an exception.”

“We could really use your help getting out of here, I will not ask you to eat them, George. In fact, I would prefer if you didn’t, but if you or us have to kill them to escape, I am ok with that.”

“Hmm, I really hate to kill and not eat it, but, ok Millie. So where are you and your friends heading?”

“Well most of them are not really friends just people I work with. We are heading back to our stable by Manesville. Do you know what a Stable is?”

“Sure, I heard all about them when they were being built. I just never got to see any. I guess they figured no one but ponies needed them.”

“I can not speak for all of them, but I know we had many cows in with us ponies when they shut the doors.”

“I wonder if there are many of us Dragons left? I have not seen any in so many years.”

“To be honest George, I really do not know. I have not seen any others. Part of the reason for my reaction I guess when we first met up.”

As we sit there in that part of the cave I watch as George reaches over and starts to eat a couple of Gems. "Oh, where're my manners. Would you like a gem or two to eat Millie?”

“No thank you, but I appreciate the offer,” Millie tells her. “I really should get back to the others soon.”

“Do you have to go so soon? I had not realized how much I miss having company, and I am enjoying your company, Millie.”

“I know dragons are supposed to hoard gems, gold, and the like, but I have not seen much here, what do you do normally to keep from being lonely George?”

“Oh, this and that I guess. I went over some of the battlefields and recovered some parts for a dragon harness like the zebra’s used to use. I even have a couple of their own harnesses that attached them to the dragon Harness. Would you like to see them?”

“Actually, I would. I had not heard about dragon riders. No offense, I can not imagine flying George. I have this thing about heights.”

As they walk further into the cave Millie sees more piles of gems and gold. She also sees skeletons of deer and other creatures. I can feel her body getting nervous at seeing these. We also see several shelves of books and even some barrels of scrolls.

“So, what do you like to read George?”

“I ah, a bit of this and that. I really like to study the scrolls from the old dragons’ seers. They wrote some interesting prophecies.”

“Are they religious prophecies? I did not know dragons had a religion. As a foal, it was hard for me to grasp that the cows had other beliefs than us ponies. I just assumed that everyone would have worshipped the Goddesses.” Millie tells George.

“No, they are not really religious in nature. To tell the truth, I was isolated most of my youth, so I really did not learn much about dragon culture. Part of why I read so much is to try and figure out culture and beliefs.”

“That is interesting. I wish I had more time here, I would love to learn more about dragons too. But I really do need to get home to my family.”

“Millie, would you really want to spend more time with me? I never had anyone say that before. I was always the runt, the one no one wanted around it seemed. I, would you really want me to be your friend?”

“George, you seem nice. You are intelligent, interesting, and seem to care about others even if you do not show it like others. So, yes, I would, but I can not stay here. I have to get home,” Millie says with a sense of sadness in her voice.

“I can understand that. Millie, let me know before you all leave. I will make sure you are not followed or harmed by those raiders. Where is home, Millie? What is it like there?”

“George, we come from Stable 48, just outside of Manesville. We have formed a cooperative agreement of self-defense and support with a local village. Hopefully, we can make a go of it. To be honest George, I am scared for all of us. I mean there are so many dangers to the stable and Emerald Grove.”

“Wait, Millie, did you say, Emerald Grove? Do they farm gems there? Sounds delicious.”

“Sorry George, but as far as I know there are no gem farms there. But I did see a lot of rocks alongside the fields, so who knows.”

“Could I, um, visit there, I mean without ponies hating me or being afraid of me?”

“George, I can not say that for sure. But I would welcome you there. Now I really should get back to the others. Do you have anything for me to clean up my mess with? so, I can take care of it on my way back?”

“Here Millie, take this old rag, do you think I could meet the rest of your party? I promise I will not eat any of them.”

“Ok George, why not. If you are going to help us you should meet us anyway.”

With that, they start to head back down the cave toward the entrance. They come to the corner where Millie first met George when George stops. “Remember Millie, you need to clean up the mess.”

“Whoops sorry, George. I almost forgot.” She cleans up her mess, I can only imagine how mortified she feels. I know I would be. Afterward, they continue to the mouth of the cave. As they approach the party Millie calls out.

“Hey everyone, I have found someone in the cave I would like you to meet. But before you meet her, I must tell you that she, uh, well she is a dragon, and she has offered to help us.”

I hear several startled voices all crying out, you brought a dragon to us. Are you trying to get us eaten?

Finally, I see Cookie, step forward “Millie, if you trust her, so will I. Please introduce me to her.”

“Cookie, this is George.” She says as George steps around the corner.

Everyone except Millie’s eyes go wide. George just sits there with a slight smile and gives a small wave of her front foot. “Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you,” she says.

They are all nervous, including George as the introductions are made by Millie. Finally, George looks at them. “You all look very tired. If you want, get some sleep and I will stand lookout for you. In the morning I will help you get out of here.”

“Thank you, George, Millie tells her.

“I know we all appreciate that,” Tourniquet tells her.

“Oh, no problem. I had offered to eat them for all of you, but Millie asked me not to.” She says matter of factly.

“Ok, George, let’s not talk about eating anyone ok?”

“Alright Millie, what should we talk about?”

“Why don’t you tell everyone a little bit about yourself dear. You are a very interesting dragon after all.”

So, she starts to tell about herself and her early years. She talks about the war and how she has hidden here since then. Then she starts to ask about ourselves and our lives. She is very surprised at the difference between most of ours in the stable and that of Whiskers who has lived above ground his entire life.

After a while Tourniquet asks, “George, maybe you should consider moving over towards Manesville, if this is not your real home? You have some ponies you know now. Besides if you break your glasses somehow, we should be able to repair them for you.”

I see something I never thought I would at this point. An anxious-looking dragon. She looks at them and says. “Dragons normally do not move once we get established. I mean, it takes a lot of time and effort. During the time I am away someone might sneak in and take my stuff. I really do not want to lose it.”

“Well George, it is an option, just letting you know,” Millie tells her. “Ok folks, it is getting late, we really should take advantage of George's offer and get some sleep.”

George moves up toward the cave entrance and lays down. At which time the rest of the party lays down to get some sleep. As Millie gets ready to lay down, I see her hoof come up alongside her head and hear her voice “Dang, I forgot all about this thing being on.” She moves her hoof and I am back in my room.

As I come out of the memory orb, I notice the room is dark except for what light comes in the door from the hall and from the equipment in the room. Then I see a shadow.

It approaches my bed and I suddenly feel a knife to my throat. I hear Tar Waters's voice tell me “Move or make a sound and I will end your zebra-loving life. I just wanted you to know I could have had you now. But I have decided to have some more fun instead. I will be leaving your miserable, weak Co-op for now. However, remember I will be back and I will get you and each and every one of you back for what you have done to me. If you understand me, nod your head.”

I slowly move my head up and down; I feel the sharp blade lightly break the skin where it touches. I am afraid to do any more than what she says at this point.

“Good little filly. I will be leaving here soon, and when I do you will not tell anyone, or else I will make sure I kill your remaining mare and maybe a couple of your friends too. By the way, Silver Spite sends his love and wants you to know, that he is so disappointed he missed one. Now close your eyes and put your hooves to the rails of the bed.”

I do as she tells me to. She is in control of this situation and we both know it. If I live through this, she is number 2 on my list to personally assist in crossing over. Silver Spite topping the list.

I feel her tie my hooves to the rails. “Remember what I said, stripe lover. I will be back for you, you just do not know when, or where. Now keep quiet or I will keep my promise so much sooner.”

With that she quietly walks out of the room turns into the hallway, pocketing the knife into a white coat like the staff wears, and quickly disappears down the hall.

It is a half-hour later when I am found as the on-shift nurse makes her rounds. The hospital staff calls out security and puts the hospital in lockdown, but it is too late, Tar Waters has escaped and is nowhere to be seen. The only evidence she may have been there is a discarded white coat at the bottom of the stairwell.

Yep, now it is personal. I want both of their ears on my belt, I will go full raider on them. They have taken those I love from me and threatened those I have left. Part of me is angered beyond belief, but another part of me cannot help but think, how did she get in here and what can I do to stop her.

Ok children of the Wastelands, this is DJ Pon3. All too often we forget that the same story can be shared by more than one pony, and have different results, here is a song to remind us of that from the archives here is Two Soldiers.

I again would like to KKat for having developed the world of Fallout Equestria, as well as Somber and FuzzyVeeVee for adding to it so much.

I also owe a big thank you to my test and proofreaders.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you who have continued reading as I have built up this part of the Wastelands and its inhabitants.

The particular version of Two Solider found appropriate for this chapter can be found on the youtube link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWkGNYPAyaU

The embedded artwork is original for the story. It can be seen along with other pieces at:
https://www.deviantart.com/skybound1998