Chapter 7-2: Warm Heart, Cold Shoulder

Wings and Cassie had been sent on a patrol for Plottawa activity. Cassie had protested fiercely to Iron Sights, demanding to see her sister, but the Elder had coldly informed her that she would not see Breeze until I yielded the necessary information. The two fliers had stalked out shortly after and, now that there was no more reason to observe, I was returned to my cell until I decided to yield said information.

Not gonna happen, rusty, I know you’re bluffing. Breeze is far from here. She’s probably still with Naiara. You’ve got nothing.

Well… almost nothing. I was still at the mercy of Neighlway hospitality and, as I was not watching alone, Iron Sights would soon learn a little bit of what I was hiding. No doubt 5-of-10 would be telling him all about the Memory Orb.

I didn’t even know it was possible for an fixed mask to look smug until now.

Once the old Ranger discovered that Wings and Cassie had my Orb, things would get complicated in a hurry.

I needed to find a way to complicate them in our favour. And soon.

I sat on the plain bunk of the cell, the magic nullifier whirring quietly in the background. I had to think about my next move. How could I do this? So far the Rangers had been above torturing me for information because they thought they had Breeze as leverage. They would probably threaten her again, because they didn’t know that I had been with her during the time she was ‘captive’.

Could I use that? Act like I still didn’t know they didn’t have her? I’d have to give them something though, or else they might catch on. What could I give them? Could I make something up about the memory in the Orb?

I shook my head. No, that wouldn’t work. They already don’t trust my word after the last time. They’d want to get the Memory Orb themselves to make sure. That would mean having Wings and Cassie give it to them in exchange for Breeze’s safety…

Vexed, I buried my face in the thin blanket of the cot and let out an exasperated sigh. It all hinged on the Breeze deception. I knew, and the Rangers knew, but Cassie and Wings didn’t know. I’d need help to get out of my current predicament, but Cassie wouldn’t make a move without knowing Breeze wouldn’t suffer for it.

Somehow, I had to let them know.

But what could I say? The Rangers weren’t just going to let me have a casual chat with them. They couldn’t risk that I’d say something to spoil their plans. Not to mention that Wings and Cassie would be less than enthusiastic about divulging anything to me, since at least part of their plan, whatever it was, rested on my being in the dark about their actions. Cassie wouldn’t give up anything until she knew Breeze was safe, and Wings would go along with the Pegasus’ wishes since she didn’t yet consider the debt she owed to Ms. Venatici repaid, just like any good griffon.

My eyes widened.

It’s as good a chance as any. Wings was, by her own admission, NOT a good griffon. She forsook literal obligations for doing what she saw as the right thing. I could use that to try to convince her to forget Cassie’s favour and keep the Memory Orb and Pipbuck away from the Rangers.

If I get that far. First I have to have to try to convince Iron Sights that he should let me try to convince Wings to give up my things by trying to convince her that doing that is the right thing to do.

I twitched as my mind tried to jumble that mess into something that made sense. It was already giving me a painful headache.

This plan was still very basic and already relied on so many things happening; Iron Sights needed to trust me even though he didn’t, Wings needed to listen to me even though she wouldn’t, Cassie needed to be open to compromising on Breeze’s safety even though she wasn’t and Wings also needed to act like a good-natured Stable dweller even though she was a morally complicated griffon.

I was going to have to be more cunning and convincing than I ever had been before.

If I pull this off, it’ll be Red Ice’s finest moment.

I flopped back onto the cold, hard pillow and sat staring at the ceiling, the gentle hum of the dampening field surrounding me as my mind remained stubbornly blank.

~~~~~~

The latch of my cell clicked open and the door swung on its hinges. A fully-armoured Ranger, not 5-of-10 this time, perhaps 4-of-10, stood silently in the door for a moment before stepping aside as Elder Iron Sights and Dr. Happy Pills entered side-by-side.

Good timing, boys, I’ve just about got all the details down.

“Hi, princess!” Happy Pills was as chipper as ever, waving jauntily at me while his eyes travelled over my reclining form. Thankfully, he made no further comment.

Iron Sights did. “Your minder during your Monitor duty, Paladin Sticky Buns, has relayed to me what was said between the griffon and the Pegasus under your watch, and how it relates to you. It gave us some answers, but also raised more questions. I am giving you one last chance to give us the remaining information, or else you and your Pegasus friend’s sister will suffer the consequences.”

A big smile blossomed on the doctor’s face. His eyes were also glazing over in apparent delight. “I’ve already called dibs on the Pegasus. Oh, such fun I shall have-”

“Yes, thank you, Doctor.” Iron Sights’ reply was swift and cutting, instantly conveying the idea that Happy Pills should stop talking.

The Elder’s gaze returned to me as he continued. “Much as I have my doubts on the matter, I feel that you might perhaps have formed the wrong idea about us. It is not a personal matter that we have invested so much in your apprehension, rather we simply are following our doctrine and believe you may be of help to us in this matter. In fact, I am willing to offer, conditional to your cooperation, a place within the Rangers for you, Snowflake. I assure you that you would want for nothing within our ranks, and all previous transgressions would be forgotten.”

Everybody in the room, most definitely including myself, was looking at him in shock, even the armoured Knight. Was this a spur of the moment idea on the olive stallion’s part?

It was damn bold, either way.

Finally, I blinked. “That’s… uh… wow. I wasn’t expecting that. You want me to be a Ranger?”

“She would look good in armour…” Mused the doctor to himself.

The armoured pony said nothing, he-or-she just stared impassively at me.

“Obviously you wouldn’t be a soldier,” Iron Sights continued offhoofedly, “I suggest Scribe or technician work for you. Unicorns often do well in those areas, plus they don’t have to worry about helmets damaging their horns.”

“Uh… no?” I found that I was so surprised by the offer that, even in turning it down, I could not put any force behind the words.

“Hmph,” he sniffed, “A pity. In that case, I am sorry but we will not be kind from now on.”

“Waitwaitwait!” I bounced off the bed and waved my hooves in a frantic halting motion, “Might I make a suggestion?”

He had already half-turned to leave. “About what, my dear?”

I indicated at the entire room and everyone in it. “About this! I don’t wanna be a Ranger but I have an idea that you might like instead.”

He still had his shoulder to me, but made no further move to leave the cell. “Go on.”

Now or never. Trying to calm my suddenly-accelerated heart rate, I martialled my thoughts as best I could. “Well… like I said, I don’t want to be a Steel Ranger, buuut I also don’t want to be a ‘guest’ in Neighlway forever either. So I would like to negotiate for both mine and Aqua Breeze’s release.”

Happy Pills barked out a harsh laugh. “You’ve got guts, princess. This oughta be good!” He cantered over to the bed and flopped down on it, content to lounge through the bartering process.

Iron Sights gathered his robes about him and turned back to me, a thin smile on his face. “How interesting. Normally, the only Sprinkles Supplies pony I bargain with is Fedexi Lexi. I do hope you can argue as well as she can. You will need to, given how tenuous your position is.”

I didn’t want him getting the wrong idea when he finally found out that I was tricking him again, so I decided to correct that assumption as an opener. “I don’t actually work for Sprinkles Supplies. I was taken on as extra muscle for that one delivery run to Grindstone. I don’t have anything else to do with the company.”

The prompted a raised eyebrow. “I begin to gain a clearer picture of what kind of pony you are, Snowflake. Do make your offer.”

That did not sound good. “Well, as… Sticky Buns?”

“Paladin Sticky Buns.”

“Right. As Paladin Sticky Buns has no doubt told you, I had a Memory Orb in my possession. It is quite a special Orb. I have only viewed a few minutes of the Memory, not the whole thing, but I c-“

“I’m sorry, what?” Iron Sights was all business now, “How is that possible? Memory Orbs must be viewed from beginning to end.”

“… As I said, it is a very special Orb,” there was no reason to reveal that it was damaged just yet, “and those few minutes, of a days long memory, hinted at an incredible secret that could alter the balance of power in the Wasteland forever in the favour of the Rangers. A secret unicorn project that was near to completion at the time of the memory.” Probably

Happy Pills was facing the ceiling as he mulled over the information I was providing. “Days long… secret unicorn magic… it could be a hidden Ministry of Magic Megaspell! Why, if we had it in our possession…”

“Doctor, please,” The earth stallion was frowning, “these claims are obviously fabrications, born of a desperation to save herself further hardship. Snowflake is a liar and I have no more patience for her treachery!”

He indicated to the statue-like warrior stationed at the cell entrance. “Knight! Take this time-wasting annoyance to be processed. I tire of her pathetic attempts at deception.”

“At once, Elder.” The Ranger stepped forward and placed a firm guiding hoof around my shoulders, irresistibly forcing me towards the open door. Neither the Doctor nor the Elder moved with us, the former pouting and the latter directing a withering glare at me.

I had to try again! Everything depended on my success. I’d have to give up more than I wanted but there was nothing else for it. “Wait! I have more! I can… I can… I can give you other Memory Orbs!”

“Stop resisting, prisoner!” The guard’s augmented strength was unyielding and I was rapidly being dragged from the cell. Still, I resisted as much as I could, fighting with hoof and tooth to get back to the cell and make a deal. Eventually the Knight seemed to tire of the struggles and hoisted me up over his shoulder, pinning me to his paldron.

“No, let me go! I have to talk to Iron Sights!” I battered my hooves against his metal fruitlessly.

“Knock it off,” he shook his head against my blows before uttering, in a much lower tone, “svara.”

My jaw dropped. Svara? That’s…

“Who are you?” I challenged.

He shucked me in warning. “Not so loud! Iyanda tunyel roga.”

“You’re a zebra!” I hissed, “How?”

A metallic chuckle came from his helmet’s speakers. “We have been watching you. My clanmate speaks highly of you.”

I was still held by the idea that a zebra was walking around Neighlway in full Ranger power armour. “Your clanmate?”

Another chuckle. “I am told she introduced herself to you as Two-tone?”

Astonished delight escaped me in a huge gasp. “Is she here?”

“Nearby. You shall be reunited with her soon. But first we must take you from this place.” Glancing around quickly, my nameless stripy saviour ducked into an empty alcove and set me down. As I recovered from my shock, he produced a set of robes, like those Caramel had been wearing in the Orb memory, and held them out to me. “Put these on, quickly, and then follow me. Be sure to keep your head down. We do not want you to be recognised.”

Doing as bid, I struggled into the coarse fabric. Damn, this stuff’s worse than the Plottawa uniform. Do all these nutcase groups have something against comfort?

Finally I managed to get the attire to cover my form and tugged the hood down as low as I possible while still being able to see. I nodded to the zebra, who wordlessly set off at a brisk pace. I had to half trot to keep up.

Walking close behind a living siege platform and keeping my head low made me all but invisible to those we passed, who made way for the imposing soldier but ignored the slight acolyte. For all the success that we might have had so far, I was always waiting for Iron Sights or Happy Pills to discover that I was not where I should have been. It was only a matter of-

ALERT! ALERT! PRISONER ON THE LOOSE! PRISONER ON THE LOOSE! ALL PERSONNEL BE ON GUARD! REPEAT! ALERT! ALERT…

-time.

Kicking at the ground, my new svara cocked his head forward. “Mua leija! No more time for tricks. Now we run!”

I was more than happy to oblige. Using the ample weight of his armoured form, he barrelled through the suddenly pony-filled halls with me sprinting at his heels. I had no idea where we are, and asking directions would be an obvious giveaway, so I had to trust that my rescuer had done his homework. He seemed sure enough, taking corners and choosing doors with confidence.

I almost cried with joy as the entrance, still recognisable from my Hissyflit-poison daze, was before my eyes after more twists and turns than I could keep track of.

I almost cried with despair when the two Knights at the entrance barred our path and yelled “HALT!”

I almost cried with artistic appreciation as my Zebra Ranger flew at them and effortlessly incapacitated them in a master-class display of Fallen Ceasar style combat. How he managed to move like that while lugging all that plating was beyond me. In seconds the two Rangers were staggering around, punch-drunk, and we passed between them with no further trouble. It didn’t look like getting your head rattled around inside those helmets was any fun.

The outside air was the sweetest I’d tasted since leaving the Stable.

“FOLLOW ME! AND DON’T LOOK BACK!”

I sure as hell wasn’t about to argue with him after all this. Still, it couldn’t be this easy. “They’ll come after us!”

“Do not worry, svara! They will not have the opportunity.” He didn’t break stride, just called back vigorously.

What does he mean? I couldn’t help myself, I had to look back. They must be coming after us! My eyes fought their way around until I was looking back at the Neighlway gate. The doorway slid open and the two recovered Knights, plus unarmoured support troops boiled out like a swarm of Hissyflits.

They got maybe 10 meters out before it began to rain. This was no water though. This rain clanked off armour and floored unshielded ponies. These raindrops were half a hoof across and a far greater distraction. As I watched, the metal precipitation fired out hooks and barbs which grabbed at joints and seals and robes and flesh, and as soon as they found purchase they retracted. The two front runner Rangers found themselves being slammed together as the unknown weapon pulled them towards each other. The uncovered acolytes fared much worse, whole groups were knocked unconscious as they collided.

Unable to free themselves, the pursuit was momentarily stymied. Though even that wouldn’t hold them for longer than a few seconds. We’d need more…

More turned out to be four. Four familiar shafts slammed into the dirt around the gateway.

“Breeze!” I gasped as I rain, the Shock Lock cage forming a semi-circle around the Neighlway entrance, barring any Rangers from moving further than the small space where the snarl was still going on. A few ponies, unhindered by the initial trap, prodded experimentally at the sparking cage, instantly dropping in shuddering heaps as the electricity overwhelmed their systems.

Finally the Pegasus herself made an appearance, swooping in low for a single strafing run, loosing more waterless rain on the confused Rangers. There were no fancy tricks this time.

Just a whole bunch of explosions.

“Eyes forward, Snowflake! We have a lot of distance to cover!” The snapped command brought an end to my entertainment. I turned to discover that I’d lost a fair amount of ground to the zebra, and had to hustle to draw level.

As I did, the sound of beating wings reached me from the other side. “Been a while, Red Ice. How ya been?” Breeze wore an easy grin, as if she hadn’t just ruined several dozen ponies’ day.

I could do nothing but puff heavily, and blink away sudden tears. “Breeze! You have no idea how glad I am to see you!”

“You’re not the worst sight in the Wasteland either, Snow. What are you doing here? We lost you after Whinniepeg.”

I stumbled a little at her words. “After Whinniepeg? You left before Whinniepeg!”

The smug smile returned. “You really thought we were gonna leave you to go meet your ‘Watcher’ and ‘Wings’ all by yourself? Naiara’d never leave me be if I did that.”

I almost choked as I gaped. “Naiara’s here too?!”

Breeze’s grin grew even wider, and she nodded in the direction of our third member. “Follow the boxed zebra. She’s waiting a few hours out in a safe place. He knows the way.” She flew close enough to give me a small, friendly nudge, “I’ll keep you company too.”

“NO!” I cried, startling them both.

“What is the matter?” He called back.

“I dunno,” Breeze replied before turning to me, “What’s the deal, Snowflake?”

“Breeze, you need to go back! Cassie’s nearby!”

Instantly I had her full attention. “Where?!”

“She’s being blackmailed by the Rangers. She thinks they have you! You need to get to her. Stay high, out of range but in plain sight. Cassie’s got good eyes, she’ll see you!”

Breeze’s eyes were watering, but her jaw was set firm. “Got it. I’ll bring her to the meeting point later.”

“She’ll have a griffon with her. Bring. Her. Too. I want a word with both of them!” I could not stress that enough.

Without another word, Breeze peeled off and started winging back towards Neighlway.

“Ira leija!” The stallion cried as she sped off, to find the most important pony in the world to her.

I couldn’t agree more. Good luck indeed, Breeze. Bring them both back safe.

That was all that was said during our escape. The zebra passed me a hit of Buck, and then we simply ran.

~~~~~~

“SNOWFLAKE!” A blur shot out of the undergrowth and pounced on me.

“NAIARA!” Still hopped up on Buck energy, I was able to grab her in mid-leap. We went down in a pile, rolling and laughing.

“IfoundyouIfoundyouIfoundyouIfoundyou!” We happily chanted together.

It was good to have a simple relationship with one of my friends.

We’d run for hours with no sign of pursuit. No way they would catch up to us any time soon. The Rangers would certainly come, of that there was no doubt, but for now they would have given up the chase to concentrate on fixing the mess we’d caused. I was in more long-term danger than ever, but at least I could take a short breather. This was a good place for it too. A small wood with surprisingly thick foliage, given the overall barren nature of the Wasteland, it was the perfect place for a joyful reunion.

Naiara slugged me in the shoulder.

“OW! What was that for?” It really hurt. She didn’t hold back,.

“Messing around with the Rangers! I told you they were bad news!”

“I had a plan.” I sulkily responded.

She rolled her eyes. “Sure, just like your plan to surrender at Grindstone so me an’ Breeze could get away?” She raised her hoof again, and I flinched back, expecting another punch, but she just made a non-committal annoyed grunt and fussed over me, “Relax, I’m just checking for anything the Rangers might have done. They’re tricky, you should watch out more.”

Apparently satisfied with her search, she strolled over to have a hushed conversation in zebra with the still-armoured stallion under the tree canopy..

For my part, now that things were slowing down, I was starting to feel a little bit cheated. “Plan was totally gonna work,” I muttered, “Was gonna be Red Ice’s finest moment… all for nuthin’ now.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing,” I grumbled, before scuffing at the ground and moaning quietly to myself at the unfairness of having my plan ignored, “I can be tricky too… Rangers aren’t so smart… never gonna get my Pipbuck back now.”

Their conversation finished, the two zebra were walking over. Naiara was sporting a bright smile that made it really hard to stay mad at the glory-stealing rescue. “About time we all got introduced, don’tcha think? Snowflake, this is my clanmate… “ She waited, giving him the opportunity to provide his own name.

Reaching up, the zebra stallion triggered the release of the helmet. A short puff of air announced the breaking of the seal, and then he tugged the constricting apparatus off his head.

I almost laughed.

He had a major case of helmet mane. Like, ludicrously so. Sweat had caked his frizzy mane over his eyes.

“How did you even see with that thing on?” I joked.

Grinning back, he tried to wipe the hair away, almost knocking himself out with his armour hoof in the process. Naiara scoffed, before jumping up and dragging him down so she could do it for him. Their close proximity highlighted the difference in their manes. Hers, long, wavy and lustrous. His, cropped short and coarse.

His grooming complete, he stood back up to full height, finally revealing a pair of dark gold eyes. “I greet you again, Snowflake. Wiv pec Cept.”

I bowed in response, “Iyanda tunyel roga, Cept. It’s an honour to meet Naiara’s clanmate. And you have my thanks for all your help.”

He clanked out a bow himself. “I could do no less for one who has been so kind to my clan. You showed kindness to Naiara when others would not. This is a rare thing in Equestria.”

I glanced at Naiara as he spoke, and she flushed slightly in embarrassment. I was just glad I could show that I didn’t hate zebras, even if the rest of the Wasteland did.

“So, what is your clan doing in the Wasteland? It’s pretty far from the zebra lands.”

I’d meant the question to be innocent and friendly, but the look the two shared in response told me that perhaps I was prying into something I shouldn’t. Cept coughed and abruptly changed the subject. “That is for another time. For now, I must rid myself of their armour. It is... restrictive.”

“We’ll help!” Naiara had an impish twinkle in her jade eye, “Cept, you and I can work on the top half, while Snow can focus on those… hard to reach places.”

It was my turn to flush. “Naiara!”

Still, as we worked to free Cept from his bindings, it became very clear that the Fallen Ceasar prowess he’d displayed in the tunnel was well earned. He could give Peanut a run for his money in fitness.

Definitely no tubby Raider, this one.

No matter what Naiara said, I stuck stubbornly to the top sections of armour during the removal. Naiara didn’t displaying an ease and comfort around her clanmate that made it clear they’d known each other for a while. She didn’t even look away when the undercarriage was removed. Wow.

Ten minutes passed before we finally removed the last piece and tossed it onto the pile. “Well, now what? Do we leave it here?”

Cept shook his head. “If the Rangers found it, they might use it to track us. It would be best to destroy it.”

“I don’t think so!” Breeze crashed through the tree canopy next to the armour. I jumped back into Naiara, unbalancing us both.

Cept had started as well, but recovered faster since he didn’t have to untangle himself from another filly. “Ah, Aqua Breeze. I am overjoyed to see you unharmed. Were you successful?”

When she didn’t immediately respond, I raised my head to look at her. She stood stock still in the pose she’d landed in, but her eyes were slightly unfocused and there was a girlish shyness in her demeanour as she looked at the now armour-free stallion. “H-hi, Cept. Um… successful?”

As the stallion took a small step forward, Breeze’s blush grew. “Your xilia? Your sister? Did you find her?” I might have been imagining it, but it seemed like Cept was subtly flexing while speaking with her.

“Oh! Yes, thank you. I did. She’s up there right now. She didn’t wanna come down because of Snowflake.” She managed to break away from drinking in Cept’s physique to shoot me an apologetic smile.

Now they get sensitive to my wishes. Of course. I sighed. “Just tell ‘em to come down, Breeze. Both of them. I don’t plan on starting anything at present.”

It was to her credit that she was trying to apologise to me on behalf of her sister, but I really needed to hear it from the source. The tense atmosphere still didn’t keep her from her fancies though. Somehow, she was staring even more hungrily at the armour than the zebra. “Okay, I’ll bring them down. Just don’t destroy that armour. I had to leave some of my custom tech with the Rangers to spring you, and if they’re getting something of mine to poke through, then I deserve something of theirs!”

As she took flight again, I clued in the clanmates. “This is gonna be uncomfortable as all hell. Just try to stay calm while we work this out. Stay calm… but be ready if it goes south.”

“I gotcha.”

“Understood.”

While we waited, I poked at the armour pile for a clue as to what Breeze might want from it, but it might just have been so much scrap to me. Fixing gadgets was not in my limited skill pool. I remembered one time I’d tried magical toaster repair…

~~~~~~

It wasn’t long before the fliers returned, not with a bang, but with a whisper. All three touched down light as their feathers. I watched silently as they landed in a tight group. None of them seemed all that interested in looking at me.

Well Breeze is interested in looking at other stuff. Still… what the hay am I supposed to say?

The other two had robbed me, ostensibly to screw over the Rangers. I could have lived with that… if they’d thought to clue me in, but they hadn’t.

That was why it still hurt, even after all I’d heard on the monitor.

“Snowflake.” Cassie said by way of greeting.

“Cassiopeia Venatici.” I responded, equally formally.

“Snowflake.” The griffon repeated.

“Wings.”

“Naiara.” “Cept.” “Breeze.” The three bystanders shared a quick chuckle between themselves, which broke the tension a little.

Naiara looked between the two pegasi. “Your sister really looks like you, Breeze, are you twins?”

“Yeah. Been together our whole lives.”

“So who’s the pretty one?” Naiara found her fun wherever she could, it seemed.

“She is.” The twins answered together, before shooting a surprised look at each other. Naiara’s hooting laughter further cracked the tension.

Cassie broke it a little more. “Snowflake, regardless of everything else, I extend my thanks to you for all you have done for my sister and I.”

That’s something, at least. “You’re welcome. I know what it is like to have siblings you worry about. Be happy you have yours back.”

She had the decency to look ashamed.

“If you brought us here to guilt trip us, Snowflake, make sure you’ve got the whole story. There’s more at stake than you know.” Wings might have been ashamed, but she went on the attack instead of shrinking back.

Luckily, I had a few bullets in my chamber too. “Babysitting and Dashites, Wings. I know enough.”

All three fliers looked surprised at that. Especially Breeze. “Who told you about that?”

Still facing Wings, my lips curled up in a grim smile. “Technically, nobody told me… but you’d be surprised how far sound carries along Steel walls.”

They looked impressed, and a little bit scared. It wasn’t an expression I’d seen them send my way before.

That’s right. Little Snowflake is growing up. The Wasteland is a fast teacher.

“So,” Wings stood a little bit straighter, though whether it was out of respect or she was getting ready for action was hard to tell, “What now?”

Again, all eyes went to me. I took a few seconds to mull my options. Mostly I still wished I could brush it under the rug, forget the whole thing, and invite them back to a party at Hoofshine. Wings could call me her friend again, Cassie and Breeze could be together in comfort for a little while, Breeze could ogle Cept, and, if Bosco and Schwarzwald showed up, we could all get acquainted.

It still sounded tempting. Oh, how it still sounded tempting. However, there were two things standing in the way of that.

The Pipbuck and the Memory Orb.

“Where are my things, you two?”

Both the Pegasus and the griffon looked like they’d been expecting that. “In a safe place.”

“What’s going on?” Naiara broke her silence, looking less than happy as she examined our faces. Cept was not smiling either.

I stayed silent. I wanted them to admit what they’d done with their own lips. “We stole Snowflake’s Pipbuck and Memory Orb.”

“You WHAT?!” At least this time Breeze wasn’t a part of it. She and Naiara seemed to be developing a vitriolic friendship. I didn’t want to ruin that.

“The Rangers want them. No doubt others will too once word gets out,” I thought of Latvi and Plottawa, and definitely felt the truth in those words, “and Snowflake is not strong enough to keep them safe.”

It is very annoying just how clearly you can realise somebody is right about your shortcomings.

I rubbed the bare leg where the Pipbuck should be. “You’re not going to give them back, are you?”

“No.”

Damn. This is it then. I turned to the two zebra and the one Pegasus present that I was actually fond of. “Can you let me talk to these two in private for a moment? I promise it won’t turn nasty.” I had to add that last part when Breeze began to frown.

Hesitantly, the three onlookers backed off enough that Wings, Cassie and I could talk in low voices without being overheard. I kept up a smile as they gave us our space, before finally dropping it when I turned back to the two thieves.

“That Pipbuck... and the Orb... are not things I can just let go. They mean too much to me.” The mix of emotions running through me were making this hard.

“We can’t... we can’t give them back.” I was both happy and sad at Wings’ breaking voice. On one hoof, it meant that she didn’t want to do this. On the other, it showed she still planned on keeping them.

Cassie said nothing, just morosely looked back and forth between me and her sister. I thought it might have been cruel to do this where Breeze was watching, but it was too late by this point.

“I... have to chase you. I don’t have another option.”

“I know.” They chorused.

It was a very sad situation where trying to find a friend brought this much heartache. Try as I might, I still couldn’t simply hate either of them. I didn’t regret feeling that way, but I was a long way from liking it, too.

“Please,” I begged them, losing the battle to hide how much it hurt, “please just go.”

~~~~~~

“You sure you wanna do this, girl?”

Fedexi Lexi really was a good boss. She hadn’t cared much when I showed up and asked to use her gear. Wouldn’t even accept payment. Not an eyelash was batted about the zebra filly with me. Naiara had stayed, citing her worries that I was troubling her, while Cept returned to his other clanmates.

I appreciated the gesture from both Naiara and Lexi, and wished Cept well.

“I’m sure. I promise I won’t put Sprinkles Supplies in any danger.”

“Hell, Snowflake, I ain’t worried about that! What you think I got all mah boys fer? I wanna make you’re doin’ the right thing for you.” Her posture indicated that this should have been obvious.

“… Thanks, boss.”

She flipped a few strands of frizzy orange mane away from her purple snout. “Anytime. We take care of our own. Jus’… do me a favour and say yeh’re someplace else. Mebbe we don’t have THAT many guards.”

“You got it. I’ll get started now.”

The Sprinkles Supplies boss and also medic nodded and laid a hoof on Naiara’s shoulder. “Awright, we’ll git outta yer way. C’mon Naiara, bring your pretty self o’er to the bar an’ we’ll talk about Snow behind ‘er back. I gotta tell ya ‘bout her first time here.”

Once they were out of the room, I keyed the comm button. The signal would spread out to all receivers that could pick it up, sending out my message. It would be the single craziest thing I’d ever done, even more than reaching out for an Orb about to roll over a precipice in Stable 61.

Here goes.

“Greetings from Whinniepeg, Equestrian Wasteland. My name is Snowflake, though I have been known by another name. Tell me if it rings a bell.

Red Ice?

Now that I hopefully have your attention, I feel like I need to set a few things straight. First things first, that was me who attacked Plottawa, not Red Eye. I have never met Red Eye and I definitely don’t work for him. Anyone who has been told differently and expects something from me on his behalf will be very disappointed. Back on topic. Plottawa is not a friend of mine. They tried to get me once at Grindstone, and instead killed a lot of Buffalo. I actually like Buffalo, for the most part, so I didn’t like that.

I also don’t like Steel Rangers. As soon as he hears this, Iron Sights, their so-called ‘Elder’, will be kicking himself, because I just strolled out of a Neighlway cell a few days ago, and they couldn’t stop me. The Rangers and I will not be friends, and they also won’t get anything from me.

In fact, I’ll generalise that. Anybody who thinks they can take something from me, without my permission, will not be my friend and they will not get anything from me.

Finally, There’s another name I feel I must mention. Blue Fire.. Contrary to previous reports, she is no pegasus. She is, however, my prey. Anybody who gets between us will be in danger. I will not be held responsible for their safety. Do. Not. Interfere.

That is all.”

I shut down the mic with a sigh. I’d done it. I’d announced who I was to the entire Wasteland.

Latvi, Peanut, Iron Sights… Wings.

Your move.

~~~~~~

Level Up!

Perks gained: Spoiler Warning – Snow has gained a reputation among the ponies of the Wasteland, resulting in changing dialogue and reactions.

~~~~~~

Author's Notes:

As always, a big thank you to KKat, Y1, Auramane, Cascadejackal (he did the original cover art, which is still on the Fallout Equestria wiki), Void Heart (he did the new cover art), Shunketsunoponi and you, the readers. Please read and comment, and pass the word along if you like the story. Finally, because I find it a really funny coincidence to have another fic with a Stable 61 that’s set in Equestrian Canada, go read Fallout Equestria: Pure Hearts.

That’s all for now, folks. Please keep reading, commenting, and spreading the word on Old Souls. I really appreciate your feedback.