Paranoia.

The concept is such a powerful thing. The feeling of being threatened by anything - and everything - surrounding oneself didn’t sit well with the armored stallion lightly. Even if there was no logical reasoning for his concerns, the voice - or voices - in the back of his head wouldn’t relent.

No matter how hard he tried to turn them off.

If there were any legible dictionaries left, he imagined his conscience would be in there under ‘double-edged sword,’ which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. But right now, seated in the makeshift revamped diner the unicorn mare - Rarity - had invited both him and Rainbow to, it was a problem.

No matter how much he tried to actually let his guard down and relax because they were safe for the time being - or hell, even being happy for Rainbow - who was giddily catching up with the white unicorn sitting across from her.

He couldn’t do it.

“No way!” Rainbow chuckled, not believing what she had just heard. “There is no way you were actually put in charge of Ponyville!”

“It’s true,” Rarity replied, taking a sip of one of the recently delivered beverages to the table. “When Mayor Mare passed about ten years ago or so, I was working under her as an apprentice and we both knew that her time was coming so she taught me everything I know.” She stated with a sadden expression at the last bid.

Storm didn’t see a saddened student mourning the loss of a teacher. He saw the work of a bullshitter. A damn good one too. Nopony was that calm about something like that. They were either hollow or in a fury of rage and tears. There was no exception to that.

Suddenly, a random mare in a torn waitress’s apron had found the trio’s booth. “What’ll it be today, miss Rarity?” She asked, putting emphasis on the ‘miss’ part.

“The usual. Oh! And don’t forget to ask my friends here what they would like.” Rarity replied in a carefree tone before addressing the other two seated across from her. “Everything’s on me, so have at it, darlings!”

“I could get used to you being mayor!” Rainbow replied, earning a laugh from both mares, then she turned to the waitress. “You guys don’t have hayburgers and fries by any chance do you?”

The waitress paused upon hearing that and as subtly as she could, glanced to Rarity. No words were spoken, but a silent conversation was clearly going on between the two.

A conversation Storm didn’t like one bit.

Rarity nodded as subtly as possible before the waitress answered Rainbow’s question. “Yes, we do. Any preferences?”

“Extra ketchup, hold the mayo. Thanks.”

The mare scrawled her order down on a levitated notepad with lightning efficiently. Then she looked at Storm. “What about you, sir?”

“I’m good. Thanks.” Storm replied emotionlessly and almost forgot to add the ‘thanks’ at the end with how caught up in his examination process he was.

“If you change your mind, I’ll be around.” The waitress stated before smiling and disappearing into the kitchen.

“Anyway, where was I?” Rarity half asked Rainbow and herself. “Oh - yes! Nopony else was qualified for the position. Everypony here at the time were either traders or scavengers. They preferred to solve problems with bullets or ridiculous prices.” She scoffed.

“Why did you take the job, though?” Rainbow asked, taking a sip of her own drink. “No offense, but you are the last pony I’d expect to go through with something like that.”

“Are you implying that I can’t handle stress?” Rarity lightheartedly chuckled. “Well, to answer your question, I didn’t have any real input in this community. Dressmaking isn’t exactly a renowned trade in today's times and so I decided to do something that did matter.”

The waitress returned just as the mare finished up her sentence. In her magic, she held a tray which contained a large plate with a hayburger, fries, and a small salad were on one side. On the other, a caesar salad with all the fixings and more. Lowering the tray down to the table’s height, she used her magic to place each order in front of its respective pony.

Rarity verbally thanked her, and Rainbow’s hungry eyes at the sight of her own meal were a gesture of gratitude enough. Before leaving, the waitress asked if they needed their drinks refilled. Rainbow, who had gulped down her own gladly accepted. The mare levitated a pitcher of water over to the table and refilled both her and Rarity’s glasses. When she was about to refill the stallions, she noticed something rather odd.

His cup was full. In fact, it hadn’t even been so much as moved an inch since she placed it there twenty minutes ago.

“Do you not like the drink, sir?” She asked, earning the attention of both Rainbow and Rarity as well. “I can get you something else instead.”

“No, I’m fine.”

The waitress glanced to Rarity, who nodded. Then she left with the pitcher and tray in her magic. After watching the swinging doors to the kitchen close, Rarity turned back to her guests, finally deciding to address the distrusting glare one of them had been giving her.

“You can stop giving me that look, darling.” Rarity asked, addressing Storm. “I assure you that I don’t bite unlike those brutes out there.”

“That’s what worries me.” He replied, his tone lacking any room for bullshit.

Rarity giggled, brushing it off with a wave of her hoof. “I don’t know who you are basing me or any of these fine ponies off of, but we aren’t like the other places. I can assure you we have nothing to hide.”

“Those who don’t never feel the need to say that.” Storm replied coldly.

“That’s a fair point, but have you noticed that your weapons haven’t been taken from you at the gates?” Rarity countered. “If I wanted to do something to you, I wouldn’t have allowed you to keep everything. That is, if I could even do anything to you. You’re the most built and not to mention strapping colt I’ve seen since Big Macintosh.”

Storm didn’t reply, but he didn’t let up the glare either. This prompted Rainbow, who was trying to ignore her friend’s girly flirting, to take over the conversation. “Hey, uh... Let me talk to him for a minute, Rares.” She said while getting out of her seat.

The stallion was paying her no mind, because Rainbow had to roughly tug on his forehoof to even get him moving and out of the booth. The two exited the diner without so much as a word to each other, but judging by Rainbow’s swift yet heavy steps and body language, she wasn’t happy.

Once the duo were around the corner of the building and alone except for a large dumpster blocking the back alley, Rainbow turned on her heel and spoke her mind.

“What the hell was that?!” She demanded to know. “You’ve said nothing for the past half hour and just keep staring at my friend like she…” Suddenly, she stopped mid sentence, just barely halting herself before the realization of what was about to be said hit her.

“Like she what?” Storm furthered, almost instantly catching on to her intended words. “Killed my friends? Yeah, I know she didn’t. Not them at least.”

“What are you implying? Rarity is some sort of murderer?”

“No. But she is hiding something. I know it.” He replied, glancing over his shoulder and at the corner to the diner’s entrance momentarily.

“I’ve known her most of my life, and there is no way she would do anything even close to that. She’d probably faint at the sight of blood!” Rainbow’s voice was gradually raising as her intent to defend her friend grew stronger.

“Most of your life, huh?” He countered. “And how long is that exactly? Is she like a mother to you or something?”

“What?! Dude are you out of your mind?! We’re friends! She’s one of the six I told you about-”

“Then why is she older than me? I thought these were supposed to be your childhood friends.”

Rainbow stopped for a moment. The realization hit her like the aftershock of a sonic rainboom. How could she have not noticed Rarity’s age?! Sure, the wrinkles under her eyes and different mane style might have been a clue, but what did that mean for her?

“I uh… hadn’t even realized that…” She finally answered, embarrassed at her lack of perception.

“How old were you when shit hit the fan or when you touched that weapon or whatever your story is?”

“Twenty two, but I still am the same age somehow!”

“The only explanation for that would be some type of magic-induced cryosleep spell. That’s the only thing I can think of.”

“I don’t think I was in some cry...sleep thingy. We’re getting off hoof here!” Rainbow grunted in a frustrated tone.

“Manners are more important than solving this?” Storm asked sarcastically, earning a glare from the mare.

“For now, yes. I finally found one of my friends and have a chance to fix all of this.”

The stallion made a brief sound that was a mix of a chuckle or a scoff, prompting an irritated response from the blue pegasus.

“What?” She asked, a primary feather’s length away from punching his face in.

“Fix this? There is no fixing this, Dash!” He stated, his own voice rising at the last part. “This is what we have and so we deal with it.”

“Well I’m not going to! I’ll find all of my friends and we’ll put the world back together no matter what it takes!” She countered confidentiality.

“Looks like you’ve already got a headstart then.” He replied. “Go back to ‘miss shady’ in there and go play make believe with the others because there is no fixing this world. It's what we were dealt and it's what we’ll die in!”

“Screw you.” The mare hissed.

“I’m not trying to be an asshole, but you’ve got to accept things the way they are or you’ll die. If you want to go on some wild goose chase for a fake future, then go for it. But if I were you, I wouldn’t willingly leap into something’s jaws like that.” Storm added, trying to lower his voice to a normal tone.

Rainbow Dash didn’t respond, so he continued.

“Look, you are one of the few decent ponies left. I don’t know how you managed it all these years, but you aren’t like the others… and that's why you’re going to die. I tried to make you see that, but you're too stubborn to realize it…” Still no response, just that glaring daggers look she held. “-I can’t hold your hoof through this forever, but I know you’re barely hearing me right now. The second I walk away you’ll be preparing to be the hero and you’ll get both yourself and your friends killed because of it.” He finished, barely pushing through the last sentence.

When it was clear she wasn’t going to say anything further, Storm turned around and began walking in the opposite direction of the diner.

“You're full of shit.” She finally said when he was a few steps away.

Storm halted momentarily, mentally weighing the possible conflict he was about to get into.

Just ignore her...

Then with a sigh, he kept walking away.

“Now you’re just going to run from me - from this chance - just like you run from everything else, is that it?” She continued, louder this time.

That's it.

In a flash, he had spun around to face her - and actually got a bit closer in that simple turn. Any bystanders wouldn’t have been able to tell who had a more angry look on their faces between the two.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” He seethed, looking her dead in the eyes.

Despite the height and build difference, Rainbow didn’t falter on her own expression and continued. “Don’t think I don’t see it. The way you change the subject or get pissy when anything you can’t face comes up. You may hide it, but you’re in pain and the only way to stop it is to run. Trust me, I know-”

“You know?” Storm replied with a harsh, almost shouting tone that knocked any of the confident determination out of the mare, who flinched slightly at being suddenly and roughly cut off. “You don’t know shit! Did you ever wreck your whole family’s life?! Get your grandfather and only friends killed because of your stupid actions?! Shoot your own broken and pregnant grandmother?! Huh?!” He was full on shouting now.

Luckily, nopony was around to hear or see the outburst except for Rainbow, who was stunned at his sudden flip. Normally something like this wouldn’t have affected her, but it reminded her of times she would rather forget. Upon regaining her composure, the rainbow-maned pegasus tried to continue.

“Storm, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to-”

“You know what? Forget it.” The fuming stallion cut her off again. “My job’s done. You're here, you're safe for however long you choose not to be a dumbass, so I’m out of here.”

Rainbow couldn’t decide if she wanted to verbally lay into him for that or try and stop him from leaving on these terms. Instead, she did the only thing she could for this situation…

Nothing.

She just watched as he turned slowly and walked around the corner of the diner and out of her sight.

That was the first time she had seen any real emotion out of him, and while it was healthy to release it as an old friend had once told her, it was also terrifying. When he started yelling, the mare had fully expected punches to fly but it never ended that way.

Rainbow had just now started to look back on what she had said. In retrospect, her choice of words could have been better but they were true. While she had never experienced any of those horrible things he had mentioned, the mare had been in a dark spot herself and knew how he handled it because she was just like him.

Neither of them wanted somepony else's help - no, pity. That didn’t help. It only made her paranoid that said pony would take advantage of her the way…

No, not right now! Rainbow mentally stopped herself, looking back to the corner where she hoped he would somehow reappear either to resolve unfinished business or apologize. Hell, anything, but he wasn’t going to show.

She had blown it. Her chance at another piece of the puzzle to save the world - and possibly a new friend in all of this - were gone because of her stupid mouth. But the damage was done and she had a gut feeling he would actually shoot her if she tried chasing to confront him at this moment.

With seemingly no better options, the blue pegasus returned through the diner’s front doors and to her seat where Rarity was patiently waiting. Both mare’s orders had been replaced by some kind of chocolate desserts sometime in her absence and were sitting at the table like an offering to the gods.

Rainbow nearly forgot about the argument outside upon plopping down and preparing to dig in, but as soon as she saw Rarity watching her hold the spoon to the dessert happily, the true moment was snapped back to reality.

“What’s bothering you, darling?” She asked, her expression turning neutral. “Did something happen between you and your coltfriend?”

Rainbow nearly choked on her food upon hearing that. After composing herself and knowing that she wouldn’t be forced to waste her dessert, she replied. “He’s not my coltfriend.” Normally, she would have chuckled at the audacity of that, but right now the mare wasn’t in a joking mood. “He’s like forty. If anything, you’re more likely to be with him than me.”

“Oh, so he is on the market then?” The white unicorn chuckled, prompting an eye roll from her friend. “Joking aside, I suspect something did happen. He didn’t return after all.”

“Yeah, he’s… uh… not going to be coming back. Not for now I don’t think.” Rainbow added, avoiding Rarity’s gaze and choosing her words with care.

“I’m sorry. I truly am, darling.” She sympathized, looking out the dirty window. “If you don’t want to discuss it yet then I understand.”

“Thanks, Rares.”

The two became very quiet after that. Just the sound of fork in salad and hay crunching was heard from their booth as they finished their respective meals. Eventually, the waitress mare returned again to collect the empty plates.

“So, will you be attending the festival tonight?” Rarity asked after wiping her muzzle and chest with a napkin.

“Festival? What festival?” Rainbow asked.

“Nopony’s told you?” Rarity replied. “Well, I shall do the honor then. It's one of the new traditions we started since I took over for Mayor Mare. We call it the Remembrance Festival. It’s a magical night of song, dance, and honoring those we loved - and lost - along the way.”

“Well, here's the thing…” Rainbow said, trying to think of how to word the next part. “I’m not exactly sure who I’ve lost yet. I just woke up yesterday.”

“What do you mean?”

“This is going to sound crazy, but remember that crossbow looking thingy we found years ago? Well I touched it and got blinded by some purple light. Then I woke up here.”

Rarity looked at her concerned for a moment then replied. “Darling… that thing never did anything. Don’t you remember?”

“What?!”

“You touched it and nothing happened. I mean, you did complain the whole way back and we were a touch disappointed, but no bright purple light ever came out from it.”

“How are you not freaking out about this?! Didn’t you notice that I’m still like twice as young as you?”

“Ouch,” Rarity responded in a mocked hurt tone. “Don’t remind a lady of her age, Rainbow Dash. I know I’m not getting any younger.”

“Seriously. All jokes aside, you didn’t think anything of this?!” She asked, gesturing up and down her body with her hooves.

“Well, honestly I thought Twilight might have found some sort of deaging spell to give you and herself some more time.”

“Twilight?” Rainbow repeated, a puzzle expression coating her face. “More time? Rarity, you aren’t making any sense.”

The mentioned mare frowned before continuing. “Twilight’s research -the research she told me you had been spending all these years helping with?” She asked, attempting to jot the pegasus’ memory.

“Research? I haven’t been doing any egg-head homework - I’ve been asleep or in some cry-” Rainbow paused, trying to remember the term.

“Cryosleep?” Rarity asked, earning a nod from her friend.

“Yeah! That’s the one. I didn’t even know Twilight was alive until you told me just now.”

The white unicorn absently pushed a curl of her mane out of her eyes and glanced downward slightly before responding. “Well, to be honest I don’t even know if she is at this point. You see, Twilight had been sending me letters about her research on that item she labeled as the Harmony Enforcer.”

“The crossbow thing I touched?”

“Yes, that's the one, darling.” Rarity confirmed. “The engravings around it depict some sort of…” The mare paused, as if unsure on how to put her sentence into proper words. “Alternate timeline - if you will - that was caused by the slightest change in a pony’s actions. She claimed that there was another world not like ours. One that had not yet been overrun by these beasts.”

“I know! I just came from that one Rares!”

Rarity giggled uncomfortably, composed herself and then continued. “Twilight doesn’t know what she is talking about, Rainbow. She lost her mind years ago in all of her research about that Enforcer and the worlds and all that. I only acted like I believed her so the mare would stay in touch but recently…” She trailed off.

“Recently?” Rainbow asked, eager to hear more.

“Recently… she stopped.”

“The studies?”

“The letters. All of them. I would get one a month, maybe two if I was lucky, but for the past three months I haven’t heard or seen a word from her. I don’t even know if she is still alive.” The unicorn wiped a small tear that had formed in the corner of her eye.

“You didn’t look for her? You’re mayor for Celestia’s sake!”

“Rainbow…” She began, letting a small sigh hiss through her teeth as if trying to decide between scolding her friend or patiently explaining herself instead. “You don’t understand the first thing about running a community. I have responsibilities for my ponies. I have to make sure they are safe, fed, and alive - even if that means putting the safety of one of my best friends behind the safety of an entire town. It’s not easy and I couldn’t sleep for the first few weeks knowing that Twilight could be hurt or worse, but you live with it. You have to. I know it's hard to accept for the Element of Loyalty, but it's what I had to do.

The subtle reminder of her plan resurfed in Rainbow’s mind suddenly. “The elements! We can use them to fix all of this! All we have to do is find the girls and then both worlds or whatever is going on are fixed! I can go back to my… uh… timeline and you can all live in yours like before!”

Rarity had the smallest trace of a hopeful smile, but it quickly dropped. “That sounds truly wonderful, darling - it really does - but I have to admit that you sound like Twilight right now. We can’t go off of ‘what if’s’ and false hope. I can’t risk my ponies on search parties for Twilight and the Elements. It’s just too dangerous.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Pardon me?”

“I said I’ll do it!” Rainbow repeated with more determination that the previous time. “I’ll find Twi and then the rest. Then we find the elements and bam-” She continued, ending with a hoof pump. “-World saved!”

“I missed that brash bravery so much.” Rarity replied. “Well, I know stopping you is impossible so I won’t waste either of our time with that. But, listen to me, Rainbow…” She continued, her tone flipped to dead serious on a dime. “The outside is a terrible and dangerous place that shouldn’t be treated lightly-”

“Psh! I know how dangerous it is, Rares.” Dash interrupted with a carefree wave of her hoof. “I did make it here in one piece, didn’t I?”

Rarity’s mouth opened as if she was going to say something, but then she stopped and averted her gaze.

“What?” Rainbow asked.

After a moment of contemplating, the white unicorn finally faced her friend. “Darling, I don’t mean to be a downer when I say this but…”

“But?”

“I know you couldn’t have done it on your own.”

“What?! What makes you say that?”

“Well, the beasts and even other ponies out there require a lot of careful handling that you probably wouldn’t last long against alone.”

“Are you saying that he carried me here?” Rainbow asked, a mixture of an annoyed and pouty expression on her muzzle.

“No, no, no - not at all, darling.” Rarity quickly added. “I’m sure you helped… a bit…”

“Thanks.” Rainbow muttered.

“But judging by his distrust for us and how calculating he was, I’d say that stallion knows the outside pretty well.”

“Let me guess, you want me to go apologize to him and beg him to join me out there?” Rainbow asked, tired of this beating around the bush game.

“Guilty.” Rarity replied, a sheepish expression on her face. “I just don’t want you to end up hurt - or worse - and this is your best chance, Rainbow.”

The blue pegasus put both hooves up to her eyes and rubbed them as if trying to calm a blistering headache. “I know, I know. It’s just…” She trailed off. “I’m not that good with words and stuff. I totally pissed him off and don’t know what to say.”

“Just say whatever comes from the heart.”

Rainbow chuckled. “That is the most sappy thing I have ever heard.”

“Oh Rainbow, I think you have a better chance out there by yourself than you do attempting to learn romantics.” She teased.

An eye roll from the pegasus was her only response, earning a round of snickering from Rarity, who tried to suppress it with a hoof to her muzzle but to no avail.

“But I know she’s still out there. We just don’t know where yet.” Rarity added with a small hint of hope.

“We’ll find her.” Rainbow declared, meaning every loyal word. “I won’t rest until it's done. Well, maybe nap, but… ya know.”

Rarity giggled before facing her pegasus friend. “I wish they could see us right now in this moment - having a good time like we used to. None of survival this, survival that, kind of stuff.”

“You don’t have to wish.” Rainbow replied. “Because soon we will all be here. Just like the old days.”

“Hm, and here I thought lack of patience was your thing.” Rarity added, prompting a small series of laughs from each mare.

It may have taken the test of her patience, nearly dying, and having to partner with the world's most paranoid stallion, but in the comforting presence of the white unicorn behind the walls of a secure and friendly community, she felt safe.

She felt at home.

Meanwhile, Storm Surge was in the process of leaving the community and was heading through the rows of market booths and small buildings all the while trying to control his breathing. Throughout the walk, all the stallion could think about was mentally chastising himself for his outburst towards the blue pegasus.

It all happened so sudden. Normally, he would be able to keep his cool in any situation like that. He had taken and dealt with other’s shit for decades and had to mold his own poker face just to survive in those situations, but all it took was one sentence for her to break his mold.

He had no clue whether it was the recent revelations that made him suddenly snap or if she was just good at getting under his skin. Nevertheless, she was able to pull it off and now he had lost his only chance at not spending the rest of his days - however short those were - alone all because of his stupid mouth.

But none of that mattered now. He had blown it and there was no going back. Life was full of decisions where you only got one shot and he wasted it. Again.

As he walked, Storm took a moment to examine the community’s interior once more. There were still no guards - anywhere for that matter - posted on towers or even cutouts on the walls. No snipers on the rooftops of the few buildings that matched or surpassed the walls either. No defense of any kind besides the walls themselves.

Inside the borders, ponies were busy trading at various booths offering food, drinks, ammo, weapons, and an abundance of other things. This was normal as every community had some form of bartering whether the price be blood or bits. The factor out of the ordinary was the expression on each of the ponies’ faces.

They were all smiling.

Not slightly lifted grins or brief ones. Huge, beaming smiles that expressed real happiness. Storm looked through the crowds for even a single one that didn’t sport the creepiest smile, but could find none.

The stallion finally reached the front gates of the community and was greeted by a mare and a stallion on either side.

“Heading out?” The mare asked, her smile never faltering.

Storm eyed her suspiciously for a moment before responding. “Yeah. Can you lower the gate?”

“Sure can, pal!” The stallion replied for his female counterpart, causing Storm’s ‘what the fuck’ glare to turn towards him.

And with that, the same stallion grabbed onto a level on the side of the wall next to an electric box. Putting all of his weight down, he pulled the lever all the way down and the gate doors began to grind open.

“There ya go!”

“Thanks…”

As he walked past the two, Storm was half expecting to get jumped or halted for any reason but they let him through. Stopping to turn around, the mare waved goodbye cheerily as the stallion pulled the lever back up.

It took an internal struggle for Storm to break free from looking back at the now closed off community, but he finally turned around with a sigh. Checking his HUD, the grey pegasus found that it was currently five till noon, meaning he had a little under five hours to get back to the lighthouse. Without the boat, it would take him twice as long easy just to reach it, so he decided the best bet was to find someplace to hole up before then.

Before he took off, Storm glanced back at the walls of the community. Most ponies would have prefered to stay in there over out here any day or night, but not him. He knew the Damned. He understood them. Damned typically didn’t lie. They were straight forward and wanted him dead. He wanted them dead. It was a simple - no bullshit relationship.

What really went on in there, he didn’t want to know. Storm would have gone without any more glances if it weren't for a certain pegasus he might have left to a worse fate back there. No! That was stupid. She was finally with her friends and would make it. Maybe she’d even wisen her ass up and live a good life, er - as good as one could out here that is.

Still, it didn’t sit right with him. The lack of defenses, the smiles, the cheerful nature, Rarity - all of it didn’t add up. No community got by being that passive or careful. No leader as seemingly nice as she was ever survived their own group or others.

Right then and there, Storm decided that he would give this place one more lookover. He’d stay for the festival and if everything checked out then he would leave them be. If he did find anything amiss that threatened both himself and Dash’s lives…

Then he’d deal with it.

But right now, the stallion couldn’t bear to be inside those walls any longer. Whether it was not being able to own up to yet another mistake and apologize to Dash or the wrongness of the community, he had to leave at least until the festival.

Now the question was how he would occupy himself for half a day. Well, at least that was one thing he could do easy. Snoop and search for answers. If the eyes of the community wouldn’t allow for it, then he could search outside the walls.

Storm knew better than anypony that all it took was one single breadcrumb to find the rest of the loaf. All he needed to do was start looking. But where would be-

Then he saw it.

Or rather him.

About four buildings away from his position, Storm saw the faded golden armor and the custom sniper rifle sticking off of the wearer’s back. The blue visor wrestled with the glare of the sun overhead, but it beckoned him like the beacon it was nevertheless.

Shit… not you again… He thought while activating his helmet.

In the short few seconds the purple visor had cleared up and was snapped into place, the figure had vanished. Pulling his Sweeper off of his back and into his grasp, the stallion began to stalk the phantom figure with extreme care. His weapon was constantly ready and iron sights were matched with his eye as he rounded a few corners, scanned every building, and every crevice until he came across a wide open street with buildings on either side.

At the middle of the street and to his left was the figure. It was facing a decent sized building and looking back in his direction. Then it turned it’s head and stepped inside without a second glance.

What game are you playing? He thought, slowly advancing towards the building himself.

When he got to the front doors, Storm found that they were wide open and a dark interior was daring him to enter. Looking up provided no answer as to what kind of building it was as the sign had long since faded. The only hint was a dual set of smashed windows at each side of the entrance that sported destroyed mannequins.

Turning on his flashlight, Storm checked each immediate corner in the building’s entrance before fully stepping inside. His purple visor and white flashlight battled for illumination superiority in the dark lobby, with the latter winning the battle.

His flashlight scanner over multiple posters of elegant dress designs and accessories with some matching sets on mannequins nearby. After finding nothing of interest, Storm made his way to the only other door in the lobby and opened it.

That’s when the smell hit him.

Normally, smells didn’t bother the stallion. He was around death and decay nightly. Even if the bodies of most Damned had long since hardened into bone and the smell had stuck rather than gotten worse, he was still used to the wretched scent. It didn’t help that he rarely bathed unless a stream or generator-powered shower was on standby so he probably wasn’t going by any Playcolt standards or anything even close.

But this… this was worse. This was the smell of a thousand corpses. In one house.

The flashlight beam revealed his fears as it swept over a literal pile - no wall of bodies. The ones furthest behind were so far gone that they were brittle skeletons at best. The scene looked like an evolution chart of the stages of decay with the back being the final stage, the middle being the center, and the front being the start.

A few of the front corpses had most of their flesh on them, signaling that they had been dead no longer than a few days at best. Even with all of this, it wasn’t the smell or the sight that got him. It was the faces. Or more accurately…

-the lack of faces…

Each corpse’s face had seemingly been sliced clean off - coat, skin, and all - leaving only the inner layers of flesh and bone remaining.

“What the fuck…” Storm muttered, picking up the head of one of the fresh corpses and examining it more closely.

The head had a clean line where the skin and coat had been removed, but it was damn near perfect - almost surgical in nature. Like the work of a skilled sewer or doctor could pull off with a scalpel or needle.

Storm let the corpse’s head drop as he let go and looked around for any additional factors on the scene, only to find nothing but more dress designs on the wall and scattered papers on the floor.

This wasn’t the most uncommon sight he had ever seen. Bandits and other sick fucks got off in their own way - this being one of them - but there was no evidence of this being done by the Ponyville community other than it being so close. It made sense with how little they seemed to leave the gates to have a dumping ground of corpses within this proximity.

Maybe that was just it. Maybe this was just a grave site and nothing more. Maybe some Bandits or creatures found it and ate the faces, but at the same time he knew that wasn’t the case. The cuts were too precise - too clean - for a savage or bandit.

Every part of him wanted to march back into those walls, slam that prissy unicorn against the wall and demand answers at gunpoint, but he wasn’t stupid. Even if they didn’t show it, he knew that community was armed. Much like the mare that led it, they were full of lies.

But once again he had no real proof. So now all he had to do was wait for it to rear its ugly head and then he would strike. All he had to do was make sure he was ready for when that time came.

Back at the Ponyville Community, Rainbow Dash had been following Rarity around the town in a tour of sorts as the unicorn mare stopped to point here and there in spots of importance.

“And here is our infirmary.” She stated matter of factly with a hoof. “We can take a look at the nasty wing injury here.”

Now that she mentioned it, Rainbow’s wing was itching again from the tightly wrapped and now blood stained bandage. Dash’s wing fidgeted upon remembering the phantom pain.

“By the way…” Rarity began, pausing as if not sure how to approach the wording. “Did he do that to your wing?” She finally resumed.

“What? No, no. Storm didn’t do this.” Rainbow replied, lifting her wing up to her eye level. “Actually, if he hadn’t stepped in, I would have lost a whole lot more than a couple feathers.”

“Well, it's a shame he didn’t stay longer.” Rarity purred, then added “We have many ways to show gratitude around here…” with a wink.

Rainbow felt like throwing up in her mouth at a certain image involving the middle aged unicorn that she quickly beat out of her head. Apparently it was obvious by the sudden change in expression and possibly blush on her face, causing Rarity to address it.

“I’m just kidding, darling. Now where were we… oh, yes - getting your wing looked at. Come on.” She stated with a wave of her hoof while leading her pegasus friend inside.

The infirmary wasn’t actually a medical building at all. Instead it was what used to be Sugarcube Corner so long ago, but Rainbow wouldn’t have even noticed if it wasn’t for the shape of the building’s interior being the same cut. The many glass units and counters were replaced by rusted bed frames and old cots, acting as a makeshift sickbay which was surprisingly empty except for the two mares.

The only thing she recognized with certainty was the once golden bell on the front counter which the white unicorn rang. After a few seconds, a middle aged earth pony mare with a dirty white coat, extremely short pink mane and tail emerged from where the kitchen used to be.

“Nurse Redheart?” Rainbow half asked, half greeted.

“Doctor Redheart, actually.” Rarity correctly politely, gesturing to the stunned Earth pony mare.

“Rainbow Dash? How are you-” The doctor replied, only to be silenced by a look from Rarity. “It’s great to you, really…” Redheart then quickly replaced her intended sentence and composed herself. “What can I do for you girls?”

“My wing is pretty banged up.” Rainbow stated, displaying the wounded appendage for the mare to see. “Can you make sure there's no… uh - permanent damage to it?” She had to choke past that last part at the mere idea of it.

“Of course!” Redheart chirped. “Follow me, girls.”

The doctor led them into the backroom where a makeshift doctor’s office was set up. From the looks of things, the survivors had managed to snag a lot of Ponyville hospital’s equipment and set up shop in here with the rest of the gated community.

Redheart stopped directly next to the door after all three mares were through and looked to Rainbow. “Before we go any further, I need you to remove the suit and any electronics and lay them here.” She directed, pointing a hoof at a table placed beside the doorway. “They mess with my equipment’s readings and I’d rather not give out false information.”

“Gotcha.” Rainbow replied, trying to remember how to take off the suit.

A couple of tugs and messing with buttons while the other two watched in silence made the mare chuckled nervously while wishing she had paid more attention to what Storm had shown her. Eventually, she pressed the right button and the locks disengaged, allowing her to remove the suit like an exaggerated onesie.

The blue pegasus leaned the suit up against the table and placed her weapons on the top. She turned to join the nurse when Rarity cleared her throat and motioned to Rainbow’s ear with her muzzle.

Oh yeah! Reaching up with her hoof, Rainbow removed her Tethertech and placed the device on the table alongside the weapons and other equipment. Then she bounded after Redheart towards a corner of the room.

Rarity on the other hoof lingered where Rainbow’s discarded gear had been placed. While Redheart was getting Rainbow set up for examination, the two were discussing something - probably medical related questions - but the unicorn paid them no mind as she looked over the equipment.

A customized and lethal looking submachine gun was the first thing she noticed. It was clear that her ex-companion had some skill in the weaponsmithing trade and that thought troubled her. The blade and pistol weren’t anything special, but they meant he was well armed if he could spare guns and an entire suit for a stranger.

The mare joined the other two girls at the other end of the room after her examination of the gear.

“How are we doing?” She asked in her casual tone, turning to Redheart who smiled. “Great. There are no signs of infection or anything fatal. I’ve given her some antibiotics as a precaution just in case.”

“Excellent.”

“So when will I be back up in the air?” Rainbow asked, a hint of hopeful expectancy in her voice.

“Well, the affected parts will have to fall out naturally before the new ones grow in, so… two months or so.” Redheart answered.

“Two months?! I can’t wait that long! Is there any way you can speed it up? Maybe a spell or medicine or something?”

Rarity chuckled at her friend’s childlike impatience. “Darling, she’s no miracle worker. These things just have to be resolved naturally. And besides, after tonight you won’t even be thinking about flying with the fun we’re going to have.”

Rainbow sighed. “If you say so, Rares.”

“I still need to apply a new bandage to her, then you’ll be all set.” Redheart interjected politely, earning a nod from Rarity.

“Thank you, nurse. You’ve done wonderful as always.” She said, then turned her attention to Rainbow Dash. “I have something that needs tending to, but I’ll be in my office after if you want to stop by before tonight.” She offered to Rainbow, who gladly accepted.

With that, the white unicorn exited the infirmary building and whistled in the direction of a small group of ponies passing by. Three stallions and a mare. The four came over and crowded around patiently.

The unicorn mare of the group had a light grey coat that bordered on ash white, a dark blue mane done up in a bun, and a small set of rectangular glasses. Her visible cutie mark was a small notepad with a pen going through it diagonally.

“Planning Period,” Rarity addressed to the mare, “I need you to reserve two rooms in the hotel for our guests”

Planning used her magic to grab a notebook from a saddlebag around her back, causing a few loose sticky notes and slips of paper to go flying but neither mare paid attention as she scanned through the book’s contents.

Upon flipping to the correct page, Planning stopped and furrowed her brow slightly. “We only have one room to spare, miss Rarity.” She said, her expression almost looking afraid as if the mare would lash out or yell at her like an angry parent to a disobedient foal.

“How many beds?” Rarity asked.

“Two, just like every room on that floor, ma’am.”

“Excellent. That will work then. Book them.”

“On it.” With that, Planning turned on her own Tethertech and called the receptionist at the hotel and did as she was asked. When the mare had thanked the receptionist and hung up, she turned her attention back to the mayor. “It’s room 12. Second floor. The keys are on the front desk for when they are ready.”

“You really are the best assistant a lady could ask for, Planning.” Rarity complemented, earning a sheepish smile from the mare.

“Just doing my job, ma’am.”

“I know. And I know you’ll keep at it.”

Just as they finished up, Rainbow came out of the infirmary at that moment, sporting a new and clean bandage.

“Rainbow, your sleeping arrangements have already been made for the night.” Rarity informed, turning to her pegasus friend. “Room 12 on the second floor. Keys are at the front.”

“Thanks, Rares.”

“My pleasure, darling.” Rarity replied before turning her attention to the three stallions. “Fetch her gear and place it in the room, please.”

One of them nodded and then left the circle while the other two followed suit, leaving only the two friends and Planning.

“Wow, can you really make them do anything?” Rainbow asked, a bit stunned by the obedience of the others.

“I didn’t make them, Rainbow.” Rarity replied, chuckling slightly. “They follow me by choice. They trust me as a leader just as I trust them. Leadership is a two way streak after all.”

“Well that’s one thing we agree on.” A sudden male voice said from beside the three mares.

Planning jumped at the sudden addition as the three turned to see Storm, who was still armored but helmet was down, standing just a few steps away. His rifle was tethered by his side idly, but it was clear he had no intent to use it.

“Perfect timing.” Rarity commented before addressing the stallion. “Well, I am truly grateful we are beyond the staring stage…” She trailed off, just realizing that she did not know his name. “Say, we were never introduced properly. What is your name anyway, darling?”

“Storm…”

“I must give my thanks for your help in getting Rainbow Dash here safely, Storm. I apologize that I never got a chance to at the diner.”

“No problem.” He said, his tone lacking much care for the conversation despite it already starting.

Rarity looked from him to Rainbow and wasn’t sure which one looked more uncomfortable so she devised a plan. “Well, I see that you two have some making up to do, so we’ll leave you for the moment. Come on, Planning.” She exited with a wave of her hoof towards the other unicorn mare.

Once the two were out of sight, the heavy weight of the air didn’t relent as neither pony knew what to say or how to approach the subject. Finally, it was the mare who broke the uncomfortable silence.

“So, you’re… staying for a bit then?”

Storm inhaled then exhaled through his nose, almost how one would control their breathing after being majorly stressed before responding. “Yeah… Guess so.” Then he looked to the side for a moment, almost as if looking for something or someone. “Just for that festival tonight. Get my mind off of things…”

“Yeah, I get it. Uh… see you around then?”

“Sure…”

“Alright. I’m gonna go get settled in.”

Despite the start of the conversation, none had actually taken a shot at the elephant in the room. But with seemingly nothing to say, the pegasus mare began walking in the direction of the hotel-like building.

“Hey, listen…” He started, trailing off momentarily and causing her to pause but not turn around. “I was an asshole - am an asshole, I shouldn’t have taken that all out on you. I’m sorry.” He finished, his indifferent tone showing a hint of genuine emotion.

Rainbow was frozen in place for a moment, as if not sure how to approach the strange apology, but then she turned to face him. “I am too. I was too caught up in my own plans that I didn’t think about anything other than trying to fix this. I shouldn’t have said that and you’ve already done enough getting us here.”

After both apologizes were out, the uncomfortable silence reared its ugly head once more. The distant conversations and sound of trotting, laughing, and other noises filled in the empty silence created by the two. Then it was Storm who finally broke it.

“You really think you’ve got a shot at fixing all this?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” Rainbow sheepishly admitted. “But I’m gonna try. And thanks to Rarity, I’ve got a headstart on where to look.”

“Huh…” He mused, thinking about his next words. “Good luck then. You’ll need it.”

“I’d need it a lot less if we had your help, ya know.” She tried to convince, looking to his face for any signs of an answer only to find that indifferent expression. The mare knew the gears in his head were turning and calculating every possible outcome much like another egghead she knew, but he didn’t show it unlike the lavender unicorn.

“No, I… wouldn’t be of much help to anypony right now…” He replied cryptically, but she had a vague idea of what he meant. “I’m seeing things now. That’s why the boat crashed and why I left. I know its not real, hell your wearing his armor and the rifle is buried back there, but I can’t fucking get it all out of my head. It’s only a matter of time before I lose it and accidentally blow off someone else’s head or my own.” He honestly added.

Rainbow didn’t reply for a second as she took a page from his book at choosing her words carefully. “That's… that's normal. I would see things all the time and react to even the slightest… uh - reminders back when I had something like that happen. You can overcome it and I'll help if you’ll come with me.”

He was about to respond when Rarity bounded back over and halted the conversation indirectly. “How is everything now, darlings.”

“Fine.”

“We’re great, Rares.”

“Splendid.” The white unicorn replied. “I take it I’ll see you both at the festival tonight then?”

Rainbow nodded, but Storm eyed their host for a moment before doing the same albeit less eagerly.

“Excellent! Oh! I almost forgot - I already booked your room, Storm. It’s free of charge so don’t sweat it.” The stallion’s expression didn’t change or soften at hearing that, but she continued nevertheless. “The keys are on the front desk and it’s room 12 on the second floor.”

“Wait! That’s my room.” Rainbow realized, turning to Rarity.

“I know, but we only have one left with how booked we are for tonight. Don’t worry, the room has separate beds.” Rarity reassured before turning to Storm. “I just hope snoring doesn’t bother you.” She winked.

“Hey!” Came an agitated response from the blue pegasus.

“Great.” Storm replied in his typical monotone way.

Author's Notes:

Happy late 4th of July, everyone!

Got to say, I had a lot more fun and ease writing this chapter over last but at the same time I didn't. The finally draft before you all is my fourth attempt at building it from the ground up and I know I promised a 10,000 word chapter for Ponyville, but now I've got something better. Two at least 8,000 word chapters for the town totaling somewhere around 16,000 minimum so stay tuned!

Oh, and a couple things about the occasional art in the chapters. Yes, this drawing is also mine but it has a few differences since the last one. The drawing of Storm repairing his suit is done in my style while this new drawing is done in a messy, sketch-like style of FiM because it is easier to make it as concept art of sorts and get out quicker and has a more authentic feel to it. If you guys like it or want me to go back to my old style then let me know.