Chapter 23-7: Playing The Percentages

Leaving Naiara to back up Cept as bodyguard for Breeze and Cassie, and with Wings and Bosco manning the walls in case Peanut brought more than just himself, Undertow and I followed Schwarzwald to Amber’s office.

We passed servants at every doorway. They held the doors open for us, then ran like hell the moment we were through. We three were the only ones heading into the building, while ‘out’ was the destination of every Bernstein assistant.

The mousy maid held the last door, and didn’t even wait for us to reach the door. The moment we came into view, she hollered “They are here, Lady Bernstein!” and bolted back the way we came.

Moving into the ballroom proper, it became clear that this was not all last minute. The terminals and workstations we’d seen when we first arrived in the city were all gone. The staff were absent too, naturally. In fact, only four things remained in the room itself; the refreshment-laden dais, the now-running fountain, a giant viewscreen mounted on the wall, and Amber Bernstein herself.

As we entered, she immediately turned from the window. Her business suit was still prim and proper, but she herself seemed harried, frazzled even. “You did not all come? I asked if you were with the others?”

Her entitled tone did nothing to improve my already sour mood. “Oh, sorry we can’t all come to save your self-dooming flank, Bernstein. Turns out that we’ve got other things to worry about, like looking after the city, or making sure that Breeze doesn’t get hurt any further. Your fault, by the way.”

She brushed off my jibes, running a hoof along her sienna fringe to straighten it. “Now is not the time, Red Ice. Peanut will be here any moment, and I need you three to be ready to step in, should our talk turn violent.”

I wasn’t done, however. “Peanut’s not going to sit and talk with me here, Amber. Unlike you, I don’t have a good relationship with him.”

Amber wasn’t looking at me, but rather using her reflection in the window to make sure her appearance was immaculate. “Which is why the three of you will be out of sight, up on the balcony. I told Peanut that he could not bring any weaponry, and that the meeting would be between he and I, nopony else. You are aware of his martial prowess. I see no reason that he should come armed, when not expecting anyone else. That will be your advantage.”

Schwarzwald stepped up next to Amber, smiling widely. “You are our bait, dear Amber. You continue to surprise. I should have invited you to Lethbridle sooner.”

For once, Amber didn’t respond to Schwarzwald’s compliments, she just pointed to the balcony. “You three need to hide. I do not know how much time we have left.”

“As you wish, dahling.” The three of made our way up to the balcony, and situated ourselves so that we had a clear view of the main ballroom, but could still duck out of sight if needed.

Then we waited.

This could be it. I got away from Peanut twice before, but this time I might have to stay and fight. Reaching out invisibly, I touched Undertow with my magic, revelling in her water wizardry. Undertow and Schwarzwald haven’t fought him. I have to make sure not to let up for a moment, or else they might be in danger.

Undertow touched back, and I felt her pumping all the love she could into the meld, trying to overwhelm the fear I was failing to hide from her. A physical smile was all the acknowledgement I could give. On our other side, Schwarzwald simply sat and waited, eyes fixed on Amber.

We weren’t waiting long. Barely a minute passed before we heard a door open, and measured hoofsteps in the corridor. The breath caught in my throat, and I slapped a hoof over my mouth.

“Amber Bernstein, so good to see you looking well.” Peanut’s warm, welcoming voice had my skin crawling. Despite hearing him first, I still wasn’t prepared to see him in person. First his flowing blond mane came into view, then the rest of him. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t wearing battle armour, but rather a simple boilersuit. He wouldn’t have gotten within a mile of this office with Plottawan branding.

Amber answered in her usual, business-like way. “Peanut. A pleasure. I thank you for your assistance with the Raider situation.”

While still warm, Peanut’s next words took on a definite edge. “Yes, ‘the Raider situation’. How unlucky you and I must be, to have the Raiders attack the city just at the moment they did.”

Amber gave nothing away. “Indeed.”

Keeping his eyes on her, but turning side-on, Peanut began slowly pacing the floor. “I am afraid that this changes the parameters of our agreement somewhat, Lady Bernstein. You see, in coming to your aid, I have lost one third of the troops I brought. I understand your agents have done what they could to remove the Raider leadership, which I appreciate, but I am now at least one hundred soldiers down.”

“You also have a much better chance of winning now. The Raiders can’t hold against your fighters, as disorganised as they are. My mercenaries tell me that there are at least five hundred Raiders left. Add that on top of the other slaves you were promised, and you will definitely need your new premises.”

“Five hundred new slaves who will require much time and effort to bring to heel. This ‘bonus’ you offer does not offset the fact that I am missing far more troops than our projections predicted.” He held out a hoof. “Before we go any further, I will need you to fulfill at least part of your side of our bargain.”

Unfazed, Amber just nodded. “Agreed. I had you enter through Lethbridle’s western quarter for more than one reason. Aside from putting you in prime position to ambush the Raiders, there is also the fact that some of the city’s citizens are seeking safety in another of the tunnels, separate from the one you use to transit ponies between Plottawa and Lethbridle. I even had Red Eye’s concern take shelter there, and they will meet you there.” Amber took a step back, and swept a hoof across the food and drink on the dais. “Would you like to eat first, or will you head straight there?”

Peanut barely looked at the food. “I make it a point to, on excursions, eat the same rations as my slavers. It’s a wonderful tool for morale. That being said, I have certain ponies that I can trust to act in my stead.” Producing a two-way radio from one of his pockets, he keyed the speaker. “Peanut to Willow Wisp, come in. Over.”

“What?” I muffled into my hoof, then ducked down instantly, praying he didn’t hear. Willow Wisp? It can’t be the Overmare!

The response came through loud and clear. “Willow Wisp here. I read you Peanut, uh… over.”

My hoof had to be jammed further into my mouth. IT IS HER! How? Why?

Peanut smiled at Amber before replying. “Willow, I am here with Amber Bernstein. She will direct you to an underground shelter. Red Eye’s contingent should meet you inside. I’m putting Lady Bernstein on the line now, over.”

Taking the proffered transmitter, Amber began relaying instructions for reaching the shelter, as well as turning on the viewscreen, which displayed its location.

Up on the balcony, I was being pressed into the carpet by Schwarzwald and Undertow, to keep from freaking out. Amber’s leading them straight to the citizens, she IS selling out Lethbridle! And why is the Overmare working for Peanut?! Until Schwarzwald took her hoof off me, we couldn’t make a move, only wait for her to decide that enough was enough.

After a few minutes, three figures walked into view on the screen. One was instantly recognisable: A pegasus mare whose features I knew straight away. The other two ponies, both stallions, seemed familiar too, but I couldn’t place from where. The trio was followed by a squad of uniformed Plottawans.

The Overmare stopped dead centre in the screen, and reached for her radio. “Willow Wisp here, Lady Bernstein. We have reached the coordinates you provided. What’s next? Over.”

Smiling wider than I’d ever seen her before, Amber turned fully to face Peanut. Framed by the image at her back, she addressed the Overmare cheerily. “Acknowledged. I am opening the way to the shelter door now. I advise against going in guns blazing, lest you start a panic.” With that, she reached over and pressed a button on the dais.

On the screen, a section of wall slid back, to reveal a heavy metal door. The Overmare indicated to the two stallions to move forwards, and they did so at a shuffle. The chains around their hooves slowed them down.

It was then that I realised, with wide eyes, where I knew them from. They’re Vor- uh… Vorbis! And Contego! They work for Lexi! Why are they here?

There was no sound on the screen, only that which came through Peanut’s radio, but the sound of the heavy door beginning to open sounded out as if we were there.

Tossing the radio back to Peanut, who stood in the centre of the ballroom, Amber moved so that the dais was between the two of them. “Peanut of Plottawa, let me introduce to you Red Eye’s… Lethbridle contingent.”

“AAAAAAAHHHH!!!”

The three of us, as well as Peanut, jumped at the scream. On the screen, Willow Wisp took flight, shooting straight upwards and out of view.

“What?” Peanut raised the transmitter to his lips, but the unholy racket that emerged from it kept him from speaking.

On the monitor, the source of the noise made itself known. From the shelter, a veritable menagerie of creatures boiled out; Molar Bears, Hissyflits, Tarantubaas, and other monsters I’d never even seen before.

As we watched in horror, Vorbis and Contego disappeared under the claws and fangs of the beasts. NO! We were gonna get you out!

The stampede didn’t stop with them, however. Even as the Plottawans opened up with their weapons, the massive Molar Bears simply shrugged it off and charged into their midst.

Several more survival-minded Plottawans broke ranks and bolted, however, even then they weren’t safe. The ground gave way beneath them, and they fell, flailing, into a subterranean pool. A pool that wasn’t empty. Trident-like horns protruded from the water, and surged towards the helplessly splashing Plottawans.

I felt Undertow stir next to me. “The Poceidoceroses from my lake!” She hissed quietly.

The rushing, uncontrollable mass of radiation-spawned monstrosities utterly massacred the slavers, but in complete silence. Without Willow Wisp, Peanut could only watch as the soundless carnage played out on screen, expressionless.

After an eternity, he raised the transmitter to his lips, speaking calmly and low. “Willow Wisp, return to Plottawa. I will meet you there.” Then he unemotionally put it away. “An explanation, if you please, Lady Bernstein.”

It was obvious to all involved that Amber was trying not to smile at the situation, and was trying to cover it with a hoof held daintily in front of her mouth. “It was our arrangement that I would create a path into Lethbridle for you and your slavers. You would have free reign to capture any citizens who were not able to flee the city, and would control the city itself. I would also have you meet any Red Eye forces within the city. In exchange, I get Plottawa, and thirty percent of any future business you undertake while in control of this city.”

He nodded stoically. “Yes. Why are you breaking our agreement?”

Tittering into her hoof, Amber’s jade eyes sparkled. “I take offence to that, sir. I have broken no agreement with you. I gave you a path into the city via the tunnels, and have made no attempt to interfere with your troops’ enslaving of any pony they encounter. More so, I have just introduced you to the totality of Red Eye’s forces within the city. The deal stands, former master of Plottawa.”

Sucking in air through his nostrils, Peanut noisily blew it out past his lips. Rotating his shoulders and joints, he began softly clapping. “Well played, Lady Bernstein. I withdraw my claim that you violated our agreement. I should have included an exclusivity clause, to prevent this occurrence. I assume you also had a deal with the Raiders, yes?”

“And with McCoy’s Monsters.”

Peanut’s smile was mirthless, though it did not take away from his natural good looks. “Comprehensive. I assume that promising the city to the Raiders gives you control over their territories in exchange, as with our deal?”

Inclining her head respectfully, Amber smiled back at him. “It is a reasonable exchange, as you would agree.”

Are they still angry at each other? They’re just… chatting.

“Indeed, Lethbridle is worth far more than any satellite settlements.” Tapping his scarred hoof against his chin, Peanut shrugged. “Which, I suppose, is the only remaining question. Why do you so easily give up Lethbridle, if you know its value?”

Amber pressed a button on the dais, then walked over to the window and opened it to the cold air. “For the following reasons.”

The moment she finished talking, an explosion sounded out in the city, then another, and another, and a final rumble. Four blasts had sounded out in succession.

Nodding in appreciation, Amber closed the window again. “What you have just heard was the bombing of the north, west, and eastern gates into Lethbridle, as well as the charges planted in your entry tunnel going off. You and your forces, along with Latvi’s Raiders, are now trapped here, in the city. Only the south gate remains, and I control it. That gate, too, will fall once the withdrawal of Lethbridle’s populace is complete.”

Peanut had removed his boilersuit, and folded it neatly in a corner. He was doing some simple warm-up exercises as he spoke. “A powerful gambit, Lady Bernstein. But you are still leaving me with Lethbridle. I can handle the Raiders, and even your captured beasts. My troops and I will survive this.”

“No,” Schwarzwald spoke up, standing and revving her gatling gun. She gracefully made her way down the stairs, with Undertow and I in tow. “... you will not, Peanut-dahling.” “

I watched comprehension dawn on Peanut’s face as we locked eyes, and fought the urge to shrink back. He’s not in control here. You have backup. You can take him… probably.

Schwarzwald continued, as she strolled a wide berth around Peanut, to stand by the Bernstein leader. “My dearest Amber has thought of everything. You see, we met an interesting fellow, who told us an amusing tale. It appears that the Bernstein Conclave has opened their purse strings quite wide. Every scrap of food, clothing, ammo, and batteries have been bought before you arrived.” Schwarzwald ‘bowed’ deeply. “Lethbridle is yours, former Plottawa master, every shattered stone and empty building. Enjoy.”

Peanut hadn’t stopped staring at me. I was less than thrilled. “Well, this is an eye-opener. Red Ice in cahoots with the Bernstein Conclave. That sheds a lot more light on things.” Looking back and forth between Amber and I, Peanut kept his smile. “I am impressed, truly I am, but unfortunately not so impressed as to not kill you both right now. Bernstein is far too dangerous to let live, and Snowflake has apparently cost me my chance to work with Red Eye. I can’t allow that to happen again.”

Before I could blink, his hoof was slamming up into Undertow’s chin. The force took her off the ground, spinning in the air and slamming down again. Schwarzwald’s battle saddle opened up with both rifle and minigun, but Peanut danced away from the streams, leading them towards Amber and I.

Yelping, I cannoned into Amber, taking us both to the floor as the hail of bullets passed over us. “Stay down!” I commanded, before rising to search for Peanut.

He was still fighting Schwarzwald, who had ditched her weapons and was trying to go hoof-to-hoof with. Almost contemptuously, he parried and dodged her strikes.

Just like with Naiara. I reached out with my magic, trying to snag him with some ice.

As he raised his right front hoof for an overhead strike, it paused just long enough for me lock on. A ball of ice formed around it, dragging it down to his side.

Surprised, Peanut took a heavy punch to the jaw. Spinning with the blow, his momentum brought the iced hoof up and around in a vicious backhoof, sending Schwarzwald sprawling.

Oh shit, I gave him a blunt object! Frantically, I willed the ice to spread further down his leg. Gotta slow him down!

Peanut was having none of it. Still spinning like a whirling dervish, he came after me. I scrambled to get away, catching his spinning hoof in the shoulder instead of the face.

It hurt like hell though, and sent me back into the window, which splintered around me. Groggily, I just managed to duck before the frozen hoof broke straight through the spot in the window where my head had just been.

“Stay away!” I cried. He’s too strong! I-I can’t beat him! He’s gonna kill me! My limbs felt like jelly as I tried to crawl away from the murderous stallion.

He was still trying to extract his iceballed hoof from the hole in the window. “Don’t run, Snowflake!” He called cheerily after me. “I’ll be with you in just a moment.”

“Nonononono!” Getting to the others was the only thing on my mind. If we could get away, we could reach the others we might get out of this alive.

“This is your penance, Red Ice!” Why does him being so upbeat make it so much worse? He finally succeeded in ripping his hoof from the window. “This is the second time you’ve trapped my hoof in ice. It’s rather unpleasant.”

On the other side of the room, I pressed myself against the wall, chest heaving, as he made his way towards me. I couldn’t focus enough to use magic, and he seemed to jump back and forth in my vision.

Schwarzwald jumped at Peanut from the side, rifle held like a club. Swinging down with all her might, I thought she might get him for a split second. Pirouetting, Peanut trapped the weapon on the ground with one hind hoof, while the other came up and caught Schwarzwald above the temple. She went down and didn’t get up again.

“No, Schwarz!” My legs wouldn’t move from the wall. She was too far for me to reach. She needs to be okay, I can’t beat him alone!

Peanut wasn’t even breathing heavily. “I told you right here, as we danced, Snowflake. You might have everypony else fooled, perhaps even yourself. But I’ve seen the real you, in my office, and I know you don’t have what it takes to play at this level.” Giving a ‘what are you gonna do’ shrug, he leapt at me, ice-hoof cocked and ready.

Squealing, I covered my head with my hooves. Peanut’s shadow loomed over me, and I waited for the pain.

It didn’t come, despite Peanut’s shadow looming over me. Peeping furtively past my hooves, I almost had a heart attack at the sight of Peanut just a few steps away. “W-wha?”

Hind hooves scrabbling for purchase, just above the floor, Peanut hung suspended in the air. Water tendrils wrapped around his shoulders, ice hoof, and throat.

Across the room, standing in the fountain, was a very welcome sight. “UNDERTOW!” Thankyouthankyouthankyou! “You saved me.”

“So this is how you survived so long, Snowflake.” How Peanut could calmly muse in the situation he was in was beyond me.

Horn blazing, water swirled around Undertow as she held him tight in the air. “Don’t touch her, you… you… bastard!”

She must be really pissed off. She hardly ever swears. I didn’t mind one bit at that particular moment.

Apparently, Peanut did. “Language, young lady. There’s no call for profanity.”

“You tried to kill my sister. You don’t lecture me!” Undertow snapped back, shaking with fury.

Undertow, no! Don’t tell him that!

“Sister?” Cold calculation ran through Peanut’s hazel eyes. “That is fascinating. Snowflake, why didn’t you ever tell me you had a sister?”

Oh no. “I… I…”

Supreme confidence returned to his expression. “Perhaps this day isn’t a total loss after all.”

“No.” Replied Undertow icily. “For you, it is.”

Then, using every drop of water in the fountain, she launched him through the glass window, into the open air beyond.

~~~~~~

“I’m… I’m okay.” I waved away Undertow as she tried to help me up. She stayed close, though. I wasn’t complaining. “That was amazing, Undertow. You saved me.”

Heh, even cuter when she blushes.

Schwarzwald, once again fully equipped, was standing with Amber. The Bernstein leader was sitting on the fountain, and staring at the stallion-sized hole in the window.

Snow was already starting to blow in. Shivering lightly, Amber seemed to rouse from her stupor. “You have my thanks, all of you, for dealing with Peanut.”

Undertow’s expression was carefully blank when responding. Her goggles heightening the unnerving factor. “You are welcome. Now don’t ever make us do that again.”

Licking at her wounds, Schwarzwald disagreed. “Do not listen to her, dahling. Battles such as this are the most fun! I am already looking forward to the next one.”

I bet you wouldn’t be saying that if Wings was here. I wanted absolutely no part of another run in with Peanut, ever again. Can’t believe I ever thought he was handsome. “If Undertow hadn’t just killed him, I’d still be running the other way. Heck, my knees are still shaking!” They were, but it was also a HUGE weight of my mind to know that Peanut was gone.

Instantly, Undertow was all concern and hoof-holding. “Lean on me, big sister.”

I waved her away again. “I’m alright. I just don’t want any more action today. Let’s just get out of here, blow the south gate, then collect our skywagon.” Amber was treated to my most determined glare. “Oh yeah, don’t think I forgot.”

Amber did take the helping hoof, offered by Schwarzwald, to stand. I almost laughed at how she looked. Rather than her usual rigidly business-like look, her mane was disheveled, there was a bruise forming on her cheek from when I’d mashed her into the floor to avoid getting shot, her knees were also shaking, and Schwarzwald was openly ogling where her skirt had ridden up. “As I proved with Peanut, I stick to any deal made.”

“As you proved with Peanut, you have a very liberal understanding of ‘sticking to any deal made’.” I deadpanned in response. “Let’s just go.”

Nodding, Amber finally stood on her own hooves instead of leaning on the older mare. “Schwarzwald, will you please go and collect some of my mercenaries? I will require an escort to the south gate.”

Stretching to get the kinks out, Schwarzwald was already on her way. “Of course, Amber-dear.”

The three of us watched her go in silence. Said silence turned awkward when she was gone.

Undertow and I inspected the fountain. I ran a hoof along the bottom of the basin. “Bone dry. You really went all out, huh?”

She blushed again. “He deserved it.”

Leaning against the fountain, I slid back down to the floor bonelessly. “No argument from me, little sister. I’m just glad it’s over.”

“It will be over when Schwarzwald returns with my escort, and we are able to leave the city to the Raiders, Plottawans, and beasts.” Amber had found an angle in the mirror to use as a reflection, and was fixing her outfit.

I didn’t raise my head, but let it loll in her direction. “Can I just say that this is a hell of an endgame, Bernstein? You only showed up here in the region a little while ago. Are your plans always this complicated?”

She managed a genuine laugh, or at least a very convincing act of one, for the first time since I’d known her. “No, this is a special case.”

Undertow plopped herself down next to me. “Why?”

Still facing her reflection, Amber’s eyes flicked towards the corridor. “It is… not unpleasant to work towards something other than profit for a change. To be, for once, Amber-dah” She caught herself midway, and hastily corrected. “To be Amber, rather than ‘Lady Bernstein’.”

Aww, that’s precious. Mirroring my sister’s knowing look, I leaned back against the fountain again. “I getcha. Well, while we wait, I’m gonna help myself to some of that foo-”

A strong gust of wind cut me off, and forced all us to cover our eyes as snow swirled around us. Shivering, we all crowded down behind the fountain, but it did little good. The squall wasn’t letting up.

I tapped Undertow and Amber on the shoulders, and pointed to the door. Shielding our eyes with our hooves, we crunched along the snow-covered ballroom floor.

Halfway there, I tried to lighten the mood. “Heh, guess winter’s finally here, huh?”

“I don’t believe this is really the time, Snowflake.”

“Oh lighten up, Amber, we’ll be out of the cold in just a-”

The world between my upheld hooves darkened for a moment, then brightened again. Clicking my tongue against the roof of my mouth, I looked out of the window. The heck was that?

The thing in the blizzard that cast the shadow made another pass, and I had my answer.

“No…” I whispered, going rigid. “It’s not possible.”

“What?” Undertow frantically brushed snow from her goggles, even though they were half-covered again in seconds. “What is it?”

I have to get you out of here! “Undertow, take Amber and get down to the ground level.” It was hard to keep the quaver out of my voice.

“Huh? Why?”

Grabbing both roughly, I pushed them towards the door. “Don’t argue, just go!” Without waiting for a response, I pushed them through the corridor to the staircase.

Once they were safely inside, ignoring their questions, I slammed the door behind them, and sealed it shut with my ice.

On the other side, Undertow pounded against the blockage. “Snowflake, what are you doing? Let me through!”

“NO!” I bellowed, before calming my tone. “You two need to get out of here. I’ll handle this.”

“Handle what?”

“Just go!” I ordered, before turning and heading for the roof access. I could still hear both of them calling after me, but didn’t stop. I won’t let you anywhere near this. This isn’t up for debate.

Charging up the roof access, I double-bucked the door open. The force of the blizzard descending on Lethbridle nearly bowled me over. Dropping to one knee for stability, it was a few seconds before I pressed forwards.

Even with the blizzard, I had could see a fair amount of the city. The city… and the demon flying above it. Howling a rolling roar, the horse-shaped spirit rode the surged along the blizzard, even as the city froze beneath it.

Gritting my teeth, I yelled into the storm. “YOU CAN’T BE HERE! SHE’S SUPPOSED TO KEEP YOU OUT!”

“SNOW!” Wings burst through the swirling winds to land beside me.

My heart stopped. You’re almost worse than Undertow! My hoof slashed between her and I. “Get out of here, Wings! It’s too dangerous!”

She pointed out into the blizzard. “You know what that thing is?”

Nodding, my eyes stung with flakes as the world ended around us. “It’s a Windigo.”

Jaw dropping, and sapphire eyes widening, the griffon stilled. “That thing? But I thought that they couldn’t get past the northern mountains.”

“They shouldn’t be able to!” With the wind picking up again, it was getting harder to hear without shouting. “Chrysalis and Cadence should be keeping them back!”

“Did all the fighting draw it in?” Jaw set, Wings unslung her revolvers. “So what do we do?”

You’re asking me? “I don’t know! I’ve never seen a Windigo before!”

Her head snapped back to me, the blue fire rising in her irises. “Yes, you have. The Memory Orb! You’re the only one who saw it in person. How did they handle the Windigos?”

“I-I don’t know!” After last few days, and the fight with Peanut, my brain just wasn’t working right. “Wings, I’m not an Alicorn Princess, or a Changeling Queen. I can’t stop it!”

Her talons grabbed me around the shoulders. “I’m not asking you to, not alone. I’ll help you any way I can, but I wasn’t the one who saw these things up close in the Orb. That was you.” Her grip tightened to just short of painful. “Snow, I need you to focus and work with me here. What. Do. We. Do?”

Staring at her blue fire eyes was much easier than looking at the Windigo. “I… okay.” With a deep breath, I closed my eyes. Okay, think back. What happened in the Orb? Cadence went into the cave, met up with Chrysalis… then there was the cavern with the Windigos. They had them in cages! But we don’t have any cages… I squirmed, my hope already fading.

Wings’ voice, rough but firm, cut in from beyond my eyelids. “Keep going, Snow. You’re okay. I’m right here.”

Focusing on her voice, and the touch of her claws, I managed to dull the worry and dread. Alright… the cages are out. I don’t know the spell. What else did they do? Chrysalis, she did something. What was it? I mentally bashed at my brain to remember. She… she… I GOT IT! “She hid them with her blizzard!”

Wings’ claws left my shoulders and wrapped me in a hug. “Alright, I knew you could do it! How can I help?”

“I don’t know if this’ll work, but I’m gonna try something. If it doesn’t work, I need you to get the others out of the city.” If all else failed, I was more than happy to sacrifice the city, as Amber had done, to keep my family and friends safe.

Sheathing her weapons, she nodded and flexed her wings. “Done. What else can I do?”

You’re already doing plenty. “Watch the Windigo. See if it has any weak points.”

With a grim smile, she got into position next to me.

I really wish I had the confidence I just faked. Summoning magic into my horn, I tried to channel as much of Chrysalis’ actions from the Orb as I could. If I could focus on them, then maybe, just maybe, my spell might come out like hers.

Out over the city, the Windigo swooped low, leaving a cover of ice over every building it flew over.

Here we go. Squaring my hooves, my horn’s eye found the cold that the demon was emitting. Connecting was not gentle, like it was with Undertow. The Windigo immediately sensed my arcane presence, and the cold itself was… not like mine. Mine felt natural, like it was part of water, part of nature. The cold of the Windigo, a spirit of the north wind, was... unnatural, harsh, lifeless. Cadence thinks these things are full of love? I respectfully disagree.

The Windigo was heading straight for us now, or rather, straight for me. “Get out of here, Wings. It knows where I am!”

“Not a chance.” And that was that.

Pumping even more magic into my horn, it became harder to keep focus on the Windigo. I don’t think I’ve gone this hard since the Medical bay in the Stable. “If this… goes wrong, then I… told you so, in advance… Gigglewings.”

A warm wing, the colour of rich chocolate, settled over me. “Then you’ll just have to do it right, yeah?”

The Windigo was almost on us now, but for a brief moment, I felt no fear. All I felt was the warmth of those feathers. “Always have to win, don’t you, Blue Fire?”

I fired off the spell. A great torrent of cold and snow burst outwards, spreading into a screen in front of the Windigo. Hindered, the beast reared its legs. At my command, my blizzard spread further, into a disc a hundred metres wide under the apparition.

Roar fading to bewildered huffs, its head swung back and forth listlessly.

“It’s working!” Wings was practically vibrating beside me. “It’s confused! Keep it up, Snow.”

“R… right.” Damn this hurts. Stopping wasn’t an option, pain or not. Blessing my sister for her lessons in control, I angled the snow shield into the Windigo’s path. Shifting into a concave bowl, I gradually brought it up and around the monster, cutting it off in all but one direction: Out of the city, and back to the northern mountains.

Go home. The exit’s that way. Go back to your herd.

Snuffling, the Windigo paused, not doing anything. It didn’t roar, or howl, or move at all. It just hung there, in the twilight sky.

Please.

Seven thousand lifetimes passed in the next few seconds before, mercifully, the nightmare creature took flight out of the city.

I kept my blizzard shield with it as long as I could, but it was shrinking in real time. Finally, with the Windigo just disappearing from view, I had nothing left to give, and the shield dispersed.

I keeled over. I didn’t feel myself hit the roof. I didn’t feel Wings’ feather slip from my back.

I didn’t feel anything. All sound was muffled, and the world seemed to lack colour.

Except for a pair of sapphire blue eyes. I saw those clear as day.

The owner of those eyes pulled me back into a sitting position, one claw on my back for support. “You did it, Snow.”

I think I managed a smile, it was hard to be sure without feeling anything. “Yeah, let’s… let’s never do that again.”

Enthusiasm undiminished, Wings kept smiling. “It scared the shit out of me when that thing got close, but you totally did it! You saved the city!”

I didn’t save anything. A Windigo is here, in the Wasteland. That’s bad news for everyone. Chrysalis must be getting weaker. The thought almost put me on my back again. She couldn’t stop it. She might stop 99% of them, but she can’t stop them all. She needs our help. She needs more love.

Electricity tingled all up and down my limbs as my hoof shakily came up to tap Wings in the chest. “You.”

Smile still in place, Wings half-laughed at my actions. “You too.”

NO DAMMIT! I poked her harder. “You. Not me. You saved the city.”

Now her smile faltered, and she drew back slightly, brows creasing. “You… what?”

My tongue felt dry and papery in my mouth, but I forced the words out. “Blue Fire saved the city, beat the Windigo.”

Definitely not smiling now, Wings shook her head. “Snow, c’mon, you can’t-”

“Right.” I replied emphatically. “I can’t. Only the hero can save the day. Only Blue Fire could save Lethbridle like that.”

I might as well have punched her in the chest, rather than poked. Wings was positively repulsed by my words. “I’m not gonna do that! I can’t take credit for this!”

“You have to!” As the feeling in my flesh returned, so did the sound and colour of the world. “Wings, a Windigo got through. Whatever love is keeping Chrysalis and Cadence’s blizzard up is not enough. They NEED Blue Fire to be loved by the people. They need it.”

Her head dropped. Her feather tail brushed my mane as she stared at the floor. When she spoke, it was in a dull mumble. “Snow, this doesn’t feel right.”

“Heh, try it from my end.” Our heads tapped together gently. “We both know this is the way it has to be. This is how we’ll beat them.”

She didn’t respond, instead just staying there, head on mine.

My hoof was still on her chest, so I gave her a quick shove. “Get going. Tell them who saved Lethbridle.”

~~~~~~

On second thought, I should have asked for a ride. I staggered my way through the empty south-Lethbridle streets. The evacuation clearly well underway.

After suffering from the Windigo’s strafing, it didn’t seem like the Plottawans or Raiders were up for making another push. It was a slim silver lining, almost microscopic, but I was willing to take any good news.

To a newcomer, Lethbridle could almost be called peaceful, and I would just be another jelly-legged drunkard trying to figure out how to get home. Snickering at the image, I continued my glacial gait.

Rounding a corner, another yawn struck me. They came fast and frequently, and constantly tempted me to just close my tired eyes and lay down in the street. “Stupid gate,” I muttered. “be closer to where I am.” Should’ve just had Wings bring the sky carriage around.

Further up the street, I noticed a shrouded figure fiddling with… some gadget that threw up some light. My vision was going blurry, so I couldn’t tell much about them, but they didn’t seem to have noticed me. As I wobbled past them, I raised my voice. “You should get to the south gate, guy. ‘s weird stuff going on in town tonight.”

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, Snowflake.”

Hey, I know that vo- It was about that time that my face slammed into the wall. “Let me go!”

A silken voice whispered in my ear. “Oh, I don’t think.”

I almost fainted right there. “But… I saw you die!”

Keeping one hoof iron firm against my head, Peanut chuckled. “Well, you see, the thing about that is… you know what? I’m not going to tell you. I want you to wonder, and dream up all sorts of ideas as to how I survived, and I want you to die not knowing.” Lowering his voice, he winked at me conspiratorially. “It was cool, though.”

I beat a Windigo, I can beat him. Fight back, Red Ice! Putting both my hooves on the wall, I tried to push back against him.

“Oh please.” With barely a grunt, he rammed me back into the wall. “I saw you just now. You can barely walk.” He leaned in again, wearing a crooked smile. “I can kill you with one hoof. In fact I will, but first, I wanted to show you my new toy.”

His other hoof brought the gadget up to my eye. I recognised it immediately.

“That’s a Pipbuck!”

“I know, right?” He chortled. “How lucky can a guy get? Lives through defenestration, and then comes across a Pipbuck for free. Well, I didn’t pay for it, at least. I took it off a buffalo.”

“B-buffalo?” I twisted desperately against the wall, scraping an entire side of my face.

The look of utter satisfaction in his hazel eyes made me sick to my stomach. “Uh huh. I couldn’t believe it either. What are the chances of coming across a Stable Dweller way out here?”

Silently glaring, I said nothing.

Peanut seemed happy to pick up the slack. His confident smile unbalanced a little. “That’s not even the best part. It seems there are some recordings on here. According to this, the guy was looking for his sister.”

Bristling, I tried again and again to free myself. “If you hurt him, I swear I’ll-”

“Die. That is literally the only thing you have left on your schedule today. Was that not clear? Well, then again, now that I have this, I’m hardly going to stop with just you, am I?”

“Llleave herrr allonnne.”

For the first time, frustration seeped into Peanut’s voice. “Oh, what now?”

Stalking unsteadily out of an alley, Inbox continued to growl at Peanut. “Let go S-S-S-Stable-ny!”

Peanut’s hoof came off my back, as he turned to face the newcomer. “Listen, ghoul, I really have had a bit of a day. Could you please look the other way for a minute or two? I shouldn’t be long.”

Rubbing at my scratched up face, I couldn’t take my eyes off the two of them. “Inbox, are you…” I stopped when his one uncovered eye found me. Oh no. Even in the dim light, it was obvious. He was fading, and fast. “Inbox, don’t do it, he’ll kill you!”

Peanut made no bones about it. “She’s right, you know. I only want to kill her right now, but if you interfere then I’ll make an exception.”

Inbox wouldn’t, or more likely couldn’t, listen. His stance was dropping; shoulders low, hind legs coiled to spring, teeth bared. It was a miracle he’d lasted as long as he had, but the feral ghoul inside him was winning.

He managed one more word, choked out in a spittle-laden rage. “RrrrrrrrrrrrrUN!”

All that was Inbox faded in that moment, and the feral ghoul threw itself at Peanut.

I didn’t stop to watch. The moment they clashed, I was up and running down the street.

Peanut’s laughter, uneven as he fought back against what was left of my friend, reached me as I ran. “I’ll find you, Snowflake. You can’t hide from me and my Pipbuck now!”

I just ran. No answer would help, and I needed every bit of breath to keep going. Street after street, turn after turn, I ran. A block away from the gate, I turned a corner and ran straight into Buff. Bouncing off, I landed hard on the cobbles.

He turned, hunched up and eyes hard. “Give me back my Pipbuck you son of a-... Snow?” Hunkering down, he dragged me upright. “You’re okay!”

“Buff!” I tugged and pulled at him. “We have to go, now! Peanut has your Pipbuck, and he might be coming after us.”

Nostrils flaring, Buff looked back down the way I came. “Then I’ll-”

“NO! We run now, Buff. That’s an order.” I would not allow any member of my family to take on Peanut, not without an army.

“He surprised me last time, Snow. Don’t worry.”

“BUFF!” I shrieked in his face.

He finally got the message, slinging me up onto his shoulders. “Right, okay. Running time.”

Clinging tightly to his fur, I let him thunder along the rest of the way to the gate, and through it. Evacuees were still streaming through, but my eyes found everyone I gave a damn about. Undertow, Lo, Wings, Bosco, Naiara, Cept and the twins were standing off to the side with Amber and Rockhaunch. We had all gotten out.

We would never go back to Lethbridle again.

It was small comfort, however, given what I'd just witnessed.

Goodbye, Inbox.

If Peanut gets out, and I’m not counting anything out after that, then he can find us anywhere. He's got a Pipbuck now!

What are you, Peanut?

~~~~~~

Level up!

Perks gained:
Gambler’s Fallacy - Doubling down on the Bernstein Conclave means a boost to stamina, but drop in luck when working with/for Amber.

~~~~~~

Author's Notes:

Finally, we’re done. It’s been seven months since I release chapter 22. That was way too long. Then again, so was this chapter BP. Anyway, the chapter’s done now, and I do hope you enjoy the near 48,000 words of it. I enjoyed writing it, and hated it sometimes too, but really am glad that I kept at it.

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.

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