Fallout: Equestria (IC)

[New Willow]

Sulphur looked around, she didn't know what she was expecting the building to look like. Maybe not as trashed? She noticed Bright was talking about making a secure fire pit. 'For all I care I hope this place burns down.' She thought, before face hoofing herself for even having a thought like that. 'What is wrong with me?' She looked over at Bright with conflicted emotions. 'On one hoof I can tell him my feeling and hopefully he'll have stronger feelings towards me then her... or maybe he'll just call me a silly filly and tell me he only likes me as a friend. Uhg... what do I do?' She felt her ears droop.

[North German Confederation]

Aurora stood in the middle of a unseen darkness, she caught the faint sounds of a yell. Were they crying for help? "Am I dead!?" She blurted out to the empty void. There was nopony in sight, until she was startled by a sudden response.

"Not yet, my little pony. You are severely wounded and on the cusp of death, but if you seek to live, follow my instructions to the very last breath." A gentle voice caught her attention. A navy blue Alicorn landed gracefully next to Aurora, who hugged her in return. "Mother! I knew it was you!" Both Alicorns giggled like schoolfillies, her mother quickly returned to a more serious visage.

"Little one, you do not have much time, listen to me or else you'll die." The Alicorn rhymed to her, Aurora looked down and sobbed as her mother continued, "To the south of this building is a radioactive pit, for you must quickly search and bask in it." Aurora looked with teary bloodshot eyes, "How? I-If I'm dreaming?"

"Because filly, you are indeed strong, I have faith you'll awake before long!" Her voice shaken, her mother began to cry too as she stroked her daughter's mane. Aurora glanced up at her, she didn't know how and neither did her mother, she didn't want to go, Aurora had so much to tell her mother, "Please! Aurora open your eyes! I cannot bear to watch my daughter die!"

Aurora shivered at those words, focusing hard to bring herself to real life, all she did was think. Determining to awake, she felt numb all over, her mother smiled as she faded away, was it working? Or was she merely ascending to the afterlife? Her eyes slowly opened, peering at a dark and damp ceiling clouded by smoke, her body stung all over as the smell of burnt flesh was stuck in her nose. She realized exactly were she was at. Aurora caught sight of a unicorn, "H-help!" She said as loudly as possible through her raspy voice, trying to get his attention. To the south of this building? Behind it? Sterling might know.

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

Shademane was surprised when Aurora raced around the corner and down the stairs. Unsure as to what to do immediately, he stood there for a few seconds. Then, stumbling abot, he jumped from the closet. Unfortunately, his cloak got caught on something and he fell on his face. Recovering from the fall, he sprinted down the hallway and turned to the stairs. Withdrawing his knife and descending the stairs as fast as he could, Shademane found he was already late to the firefight. The robots were melted and destroyed and Aurora—"Aw, bloody fuck! Aurora!"

Completely ignoring the presence of the new orange unicorn, Shademane went to Aurora's side and saw her blackened and charred skin. Staring at the wounds he remembered something. 'Alicorns need radiation, don't they?' Turning to the purple unicorn, Shademane hurriedly asked him "quick, are there any radiation zones nearby?" He was not going to let her die. He just wished he had some healing potions.

[New Aksarben]

While Aurora had been stupidly going against the robots head on, Sterling had actually left the building, jumping out an open window and levitating himself to the ground floor. It was a simple matter for a levitation expert like Sterling, but it tired him out a bit more from the difficulty of it. Sterling had levitated himself before, but it was a difficult thing to pull off successfully. Sterling had landed quite heavily on the broken concrete between this building and the next, before dusting himself off with a fore-hoof. Then he started trotting off, as his business here was basically done.

But luckily for the others, Sterling did not go far. This Securitron and other robots were intruding on his territory violently to attack someone who he declared his guest. That means they were intruders and thus must be killed or disabled in some way. And Sterling knew the perfect way to disable a Securitron. The others should be fragile enough to just destroy with a few shotgun blasts. But Sterling wanted to reprogram said securitron for himself. Thus he needed to disable it before ripping out its programming and wiring then putting them back in a way that would make it loyal to only Sterling.

But first, Sterling needed some backup. A securitron or two might be useful. Luckily, Sterling managed to find one of his loyal robots wandering around nearby on patrol. Instead of its normal face, the securitron had a certain symbol. Said symbol was what Sterling had begun using to After a few quick orders, the securitron began following the unicorn back to the building, at a fast trot. One would have to do if Sterling wished to save his guests. IT would not reflect nicely on him to let guests be murdered by a robot in his territory after all.

"Securitron. Destroy those hostile floating robots. I can take care of that cousin of yours." Sterling commanded the securitron, who responded by rumbing through the door and into the building. The door was much too small for it, thus a loud cracking sound came as the door frame was splintered apart under the force of the robot ramming into it and refusing to give up. Sterling calmly trotted in after it, ignoring the dust and drywall raining around him whenever the securitron forced its way through a door. The unicorn was levitating his shotgun next to him, and scanned for the securitron as his own began opening fire on the other robots in the building indiscriminately. And as a robot, it cared nothing for missing its target and hiting other ponies, or collateral damage.

Sterling on the other hand, calmly trotted over to the hostile securitron and began unloading his shotgun at its tire, to either destroy its ability to move and balance or to destroy the part that held the tire. IT was a sound strategy in his mind. IF it wasn't he wad probably in for a lot of pain. and burning. and fire.

[The Flutterlands]

After calling for help and getting nowhere, Phoenix stormed back into the building, not noticing the pony with more of those metal beast inside, to try to help her himself. Now, he never truly knew why he was helping a mare he hardly knows, but can only assume, that it's the right thing to do. But how could he? How could he get her out of the inferno?! During most of his life, when he tries to levitate objects, they would often burst into flames. In fact, it was only under the good teaching of his mentor, Zach, that he learned to levitate objects without such problems. But to try to levitate a living thing, now that's something he dreaded to try. What if he screwed up?! What if he looses focus? That mare could die at his own hoofs, and then he would have the blood of two on his concision. Then Phoenix realized the ugly turth, her death will still be on his concision, for he is responsible for this inferno and he would fail Zach's teachings. But now, it didn't matter! Time is of the essence. He must rescue her at all cost. When the unicorn reached the area where he found her, he noticed that somepony got to her first.
"Oh, thank Celestia!" he cried, rushing towards the poy, "I thought I would never find help! Now quickly we must get her out of here!"

[Fantrum]

Eris' smile continued, undaunted, "Silly pony!" She helped him stand up, seeing as he was pretty much back to normal, "When you have done things as I have, you learn the importance of other ponies." She moved away, making for the harness once more. She stopped before she fully exited the interior, "I guess you could say that I value friendship more than caps." She felt a large part of herself scream in revolt, 'NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CAPS!' It shouted at her, she forced that part of her down, then bludgeoned it to death.

No Name stood uneasily for a moment. Movement was easier now, but the plethora of bandaging made such a tad difficult. Careful not to reopen the wounds, No Name buckled himself into the Carriage and sat there still. The anesthetic effects of Med-X were gone and his chest felt sore. No Name levitated Timberwolf and a long shard of glass from his saddlebag. "Uhm, Eris? I haven't thanked you for saving my life. So, uh... Thank you." No Name's voice got that shaky verve back and he began to get choked up, "I've never had a friend before either." He looked down to Timberwolf now silent and went to work adding three new notches to the grip with the jagged glass.

Eris was pulling the cart once more, being well versed in getting in and out at this point, "So where did you get that kickin' piece?" She had eyed the personalized shotgun the night before, but hadnt asked into it. She thought that her luck would be that the gun went off in No Name's face while he was cleaning it, she visibly shuttered at the thought. Her hair was stuck in a purgatory of straight and curly as her mind wondered around at random.

[Fantrum]

The inside of the Council's room was a bloodbath. The deactivated remains of a pair of Sentinel robots dominated the Center of the room while the walls were blackened from laser strikes and missile craters.

The corpses of two Unicorns and a Zebra lay on the far side of the room, next to a armoured shutter over a window. A fourth body, that of a Griffin, was slumped over a cloud terminal, barely breathing as he glanced backwards and smiled slightly.

"Help...." He croaked weakly.

Marciline was startled by the voice that answered her, but she regained her composure in a split second, "You will need to deactivate the magical shielding before we can get in." She didnt know what awaited her in the room, but judging by the voice, it wasnt going to be a pretty sight. She turned to Thunder, "Get ready, we may need to go in shooting." She haddnt noticed any guns on the stallion, and still overlooked whether he did or not.

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

Marciline was startled by the voice that answered her, but she regained her composure in a split second, "You will need to deactivate the magical shielding before we can get in." She didnt know what awaited her in the room, but judging by the voice, it wasnt going to be a pretty sight. She turned to Thunder, "Get ready, we may need to go in shooting." She haddnt noticed any guns on the stallion, and still overlooked whether he did or not.

Thunder Flare stood in shock at the horrific sight staring him down. He had witnessed death before, but, nothing like this. Well, not in a long time, for that matter. His smile from moments ago faded off his face and developed a far-off expression. The sound of Marci's voice made Thunder snap-to. "Yea, will do." Pulling out his 10mm, holding it's leather-wrapped in his mouth, and putting his tongue on the trigger, Thunder prepared himself for whatever may be waiting for the two inside the room, other than the dying gryphon in need of their help.

[Neo Byzantine Empire]

The hour was growing late; Ponies returned from scouring the surrounding buildings with tables, chairs, and odds and ends for decorative purposes. Somepony even discovered an old painting of the Princess' half-frozen in the ground; carefully thawed and dried, a little weather-worn, but otherwise in good condition, compared to most older works of art in the wastes. Crossfire organized and aided in the efforts to position everything, decorate, and tidy up a bit; planning the layout of and moving furniture with the help of other ponies; her active participation proving she at least understood the concept of manual labor and teamwork. Finally; a ring of stones was made from those they could manage to dig up from the garden outside, dead wood placed within and ignited; which likely wasn't good for the tile floor, but Bright Steel had been right; the Fireplace would probably be too risky to even consider using.

With all their work done in several hours; the group of ponies gathered around the fire made and kept alive by the abundant supply of dead wood from the garden.

"Good job, everypony;" Crossfire complimented as they all gathered, save for Sentries who kept a vigilant eye out for trouble. "Now imagine what we could accomplish if everypony else was as coordinated and organized." She commented, receiving several nods from the group gathered around her. "What we have here may not be much, but it's ours. Humble beginnings from which another Equestria may form, grow, and flourish. It may not seem so now, but perhaps we may even undo some of the terrible wrongs done unto this world and all living in it. Still; there will be time for wishful thinking later; for now I will inform you that you are not all obligated to stay, though I would wish for several to remain on premises at all times, to keep this place secure against whatever threats may wander this way from the wastes."

[Fralinia]

The hour was growing late; Ponies returned from scouring the surrounding buildings with tables, chairs, and odds and ends for decorative purposes. Somepony even discovered an old painting of the Princess' half-frozen in the ground; carefully thawed and dried, a little weather-worn, but otherwise in good condition, compared to most older works of art in the wastes. Crossfire organized and aided in the efforts to position everything, decorate, and tidy up a bit; planning the layout of and moving furniture with the help of other ponies; her active participation proving she at least understood the concept of manual labor and teamwork. Finally; a ring of stones was made from those they could manage to dig up from the garden outside, dead wood placed within and ignited; which likely wasn't good for the tile floor, but Bright Steel had been right; the Fireplace would probably be too risky to even consider using.

With all their work done in several hours; the group of ponies gathered around the fire made and kept alive by the abundant supply of dead wood from the garden.

"Good job, everypony;" Crossfire complimented as they all gathered, save for Sentries who kept a vigilant eye out for trouble. "Now imagine what we could accomplish if everypony else was as coordinated and organized." She commented, receiving several nods from the group gathered around her. "What we have here may not be much, but it's ours. Humble beginnings from which another Equestria may form, grow, and flourish. It may not seem so now, but perhaps we may even undo some of the terrible wrongs done unto this world and all living in it. Still; there will be time for wishful thinking later; for now I will inform you that you are not all obligated to stay, though I would wish for several to remain on premises at all times, to keep this place secure against whatever threats may wander this way from the wastes."

"Yes, we will need a guard. Glory knows when the factions at the Tower or the Octagon might hear about this. However, we're going to need someone to lead a guard, if we have one. There's no good in having an army if it has no idea what to do."
Brightsteel sat down in a chair next to the table closest to the fire. He motioned for a pen and something to write on. It was quickly produced. Bright began writing on it furiously.
"Yes, defense is key. And the key to defense is organization."
He held up the paper to reveal a rough diagram for a small guard. At this point, it was more of a gang hierarchy, but it would suit the current purpose.

[Ozzy]

Seaddle Institute

"Well, Thistle..." A grey Unicorn clad in battered Combat Barding asked as he trotted into the room. "I'm Gunner, for obvious reasons." He glanced up the stairs. "The other two are Belts and Steels, they'll warm up to you later. We don't get many visitors out here, what with the snow and the rumours about the Silencers."

The white filly laid on her stomach with legs tucked in, she was speechless to say the least, never seeing a Ranger up close. Thistle breathed slowly to avoid stirring attention, her pistols were easily noticeable in the holsters underneath her small wings, hoping they wouldn't liquidate her for packing so much heat. Thistle's cybernetic forehooves were covered by pink leggings, a electronic whir can be heard from them as she maintained her current bodily position. Thistle started to slowly calm herself, her spectacles informing her they are indeed friendly. Despite her inability to read, the green indicators on the HUD was a good thing.

Thistle has witness situations of being so shy to the point of annoyance, no matter how intimidating it is; she decided it is for the best to speak, "W-what's a Silencer?" She meekly responded to Gunner, resisting the urge to facehoof for starting the conversation with a probably rhetorical question. The filly was cut off from the horrors of the wasteland, disciplined to the point she is nearly dead inside, a perpetual fear of doing something wrong to earn a beating; ignorance was not one of her 'mistakes'.

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

After calling for help and getting nowhere, Phoenix stormed back into the building, not noticing the pony with more of those metal beast inside, to try to help her himself. Now, he never truly knew why he was helping a mare he hardly knows, but can only assume, that it's the right thing to do. But how could he? How could he get her out of the inferno?! During most of his life, when he tries to levitate objects, they would often burst into flames. In fact, it was only under the good teaching of his mentor, Zach, that he learned to levitate objects without such problems. But to try to levitate a living thing, now that's something he dreaded to try. What if he screwed up?! What if he looses focus? That mare could die at his own hoofs, and then he would have the blood of two on his concision. Then Phoenix realized the ugly turth, her death will still be on his concision, for he is responsible for this inferno and he would fail Zach's teachings. But now, it didn't matter! Time is of the essence. He must rescue her at all cost. When the unicorn reached the area where he found her, he noticed that somepony got to her first.
"Oh, thank Celestia!" he cried, rushing towards the poy, "I thought I would never find help! Now quickly we must get her out of here!"

Quickly turning on the orange pony, Shademane drew his sword and stood there, staring down the unicorn. Discerning that the unicorn meant no harm, and actually meant to aid, Shademane quickly turned his back to him and returned his frightened gaze to the burned Aurora, laying on the floor. What the orange unicorn said irritated him and he responded in a frustrated voice "you think I don't bloody know that?" But, he figured, he could be irritated another time. Right now it was crucial that he do whatever he can to save Aurora. Removing his cloak and carefully dousing it with his the little remaining water in his canteen, Shademane draped the wet cloak over the most severe burns.

"We have to get her to radiation. Sterling," he said, his voice shaking with worry, "you know this area best, where's the closest radiation zone?—Sterling?" Noticing that Sterling was disabling one of the enemy bots, Shademane orders this orange, flamed unicorn "help Sterling disable that bot; don't destroy it, though." He really didn't care if it was destroyed, but he wanted Sterling in a good mood to help. Kneeling down to Aurora he brought his face as close as he could to her own. 'Good, she's breathing. Goddesses, don't ya dare leave me here, Aurora.' He brought his head to one of her unscathed areas of her body and nudged it. Whispering to her, or possibly himself, "please, please, Aurora. We just met, but I don't want to be alone again. Don't leave me here."

[The Flutterlands]

After calling for help and getting nowhere, Phoenix stormed back into the building, not noticing the pony with more of those metal beast inside, to try to help her himself. Now, he never truly knew why he was helping a mare he hardly knows, but can only assume, that it's the right thing to do. But how could he? How could he get her out of the inferno?! During most of his life, when he tries to levitate objects, they would often burst into flames. In fact, it was only under the good teaching of his mentor, Zach, that he learned to levitate objects without such problems. But to try to levitate a living thing, now that's something he dreaded to try. What if he screwed up?! What if he looses focus? That mare could die at his own hoofs, and then he would have the blood of two on his concision. Then Phoenix realized the ugly turth, her death will still be on his concision, for he is responsible for this inferno and he would fail Zach's teachings. But now, it didn't matter! Time is of the essence. He must rescue her at all cost. When the unicorn reached the area where he found her, he noticed that somepony got to her first.
"Oh, thank Celestia!" he cried, rushing towards the poy, "I thought I would never find help! Now quickly we must get her out of here!"

Quickly turning on the orange pony, Shademane drew his sword and stood there, staring down the unicorn. Discerning that the unicorn meant no harm, and actually meant to aid, Shademane quickly turned his back to him and returned his frightened gaze to the burned Aurora, laying on the floor. What the orange unicorn said irritated him and he responded in a frustrated voice "you think I don't bloody know that?" But, he figured, he could be irritated another time. Right now it was crucial that he do whatever he can to save Aurora. Removing his cloak and carefully dousing it with his the little remaining water in his canteen, Shademane draped the wet cloak over the most severe burns.

"We have to get her to radiation. Sterling," he said, his voice shaking with worry, "you know this area best, where's the closest radiation zone?—Sterling?" Noticing that Sterling was disabling one of the enemy bots, Shademane orders this orange, flamed unicorn "help Sterling disable that bot; don't destroy it, though." He really didn't care if it was destroyed, but he wanted Sterling in a good mood to help. Kneeling down to Aurora he brought his face as close as he could to her own. 'Good, she's breathing. Goddesses, don't ya dare leave me here, Aurora.' He brought his head to one of her unscathed areas of her body and nudged it. Whispering to her, or possibly himself, "please, please, Aurora. We just met, but I don't want to be alone again. Don't leave me here."

Phoenix nodded, he began to feel devastated about this. He began to think that he shouldn't have interfered in the conflict. Once again, he has misused his devastating pyrokinesis and now another pony may die because of his curse.
"Oh, this my fault!" Phoenix cried out, taking the blame for everything that just happened, and also trying to keep his fiery coat cooled down, inorder to not make a bigger mess.
He felt that it was due to his devastating power, that things went from bad, to worse. Phoenix, however, did not know that it wasn't really his fault.
"I shouldn't have interfered in this! Damn me and this curse of mine! There must be something we can do."
Phoenix's fiery mane died down in shame as he trotted over towards Sterlng, but was still hot enough for combat. But then he fired up once got another idea that he may still be able help and fix things.
"Wait!" said Phoenix, turning back to the pony near Aurora, "If you're looking for a radiation pit, there's one near the south, but that one is to farway. Unless you want to take a shortcut and use the one down in the sewers, the pit itself is practically right below us, but that place would be dangerous to get to. Are you up for it?"
True, the closest pit that he knew about other than the one in the south, is right below them. But the sewers below, this area being worst of all, are highly infested with Darkfire, the most dangerous element in the wasteland.

[Mooseolini]

Minor edit.

Pitch Black, a dark ghoul Unicorn, stared into his campfire under the night sky. It's been two weeks since he arrived in the ruins of Seaddel, with hopes of working out his pranks and schemes. Since then, he had explored the ruins, knowing every location and hot spot he could find. Though, there have been problems, like a recent attack on Moon Tower, and rumors of horrible creatures called 'Silencers" running amok. But that doesn't really bother him much. Besides, there's work to be done; Mischief to spread, pranks to pull, and poor old saps to trick.

Yesterday, he took audience to certain mare's speech. She spoke of forming a new Celestain Monarchy... or something, not that he really cared much for politics. But, still, Pitch sought to exploit this little pony, and use her for his gain. So, when she left the crowds, along with a certain number of other ponies, Pitch followed them. They lead him to an abandoned shack. There, he secretly seated up camp for the night and silently watched the little group, waiting and listening for a perfect opportunity to make his move.

Suddenly, Pitch came up of with a wonderful, awful, little scheme. He learned that raiders do in fact have territory in Seaddel, and that they are holding many wonderful things, like bags and bags of Caps, and a few magical items, and this group of ponies do seem like to be a bunch of compassionate saps. So, Pitch ready himself. He used his invisibility charm on his belongings, extinguished his campfire, and trotted down to introduce himself to his new toys. It'll be easy, all he has to do is to tell them that he has been robbed by raiders and persuade them into "helping" him get his stuff back. He chuckled at the idea. It's simple! He'd done the act countless times, how could it fail now?

When he arrived at the house, it wasn't long before he got noticed by the group, it's time to put his scheme into action! All he has to do is play it cool and not show any sign of hostile intent.

"Hi, fellas." he greeted, nervously, (all part of the act), "I'm Pitch Black, but you can just call me Pitch, and I'm... sorta in need of your help."

[Fralinia]

Pitch Black, a dark ghoul Unicorn, stared into his campfire under the night sky. It's been two weeks since he arrived in the ruins of Seaddel, with hopes of working out his pranks and schemes. Since then, he had explored the ruins, knowing every location and hot spot he could find. Though, there have been problems, like a recent attack on Moon Tower, and rumors of horrible creatures called 'Silencers" running amok. But that doesn't really bother him much. Besides, there's work to be done; Mischief to spread, pranks to pull, and poor old saps to trick.

Yesterday, he took audience to certain mare's speech. She spoke of forming a new Celestain Monarchy... or something, not that he really cared much for politics. But, still, Pitch sought to exploit this little pony, and use her for his gain. So, when she left the crowds, along with a certain number of other ponies, Pitch followed them. They lead him to an abandoned shack. There, he secretly seated up camp for the night and silently watched the little group, waiting and listening for a perfect opportunity to make his move.

Suddenly, Pitch came up of with a wonderful, awful, little scheme. He learned that raiders do in fact have territory in Seaddel, and that they are holding many wonderful things, like bags and bags of Caps, and a few magical items, and this group of ponies do seem like to be a bunch of compassionate saps. So, Pitch ready himself. He used his invisibility charm on his belongings, extinguished his campfire, and trotted down to introduce himself to his new toys. It'll be easy, all he has to do is to tell them that he has been robbed by raiders and persuade them into "helping" him get his stuff back. He chuckled at the idea. It's simple! He'd done the act countless times, how could it fail now?

When he arrived at the house, it wasn't long before he got noticed by the group, it's time to put his scheme into action! All he has to do is play it cool and not show any sign of hostile intent.

"Yeah, fellas." he greeted, nervously, (all part of the act), "I'm Pitch Black, but you can just call me Pitch, and I'm... sorta in need of your help."

Looking suddenly over towards the doorway, Brightsteel noticed a nervous looking pony leaning against the doorframe. Bright looked towards one of the self-designated guards. "Was he here before? Has he been here the whole time?"
The guards shrugged nervously, showing Bright that they didn't really know.
"You, stranger! State your business!" he barked.

[Mooseolini]

Pitch Black, a dark ghoul Unicorn, stared into his campfire under the night sky. It's been two weeks since he arrived in the ruins of Seaddel, with hopes of working out his pranks and schemes. Since then, he had explored the ruins, knowing every location and hot spot he could find. Though, there have been problems, like a recent attack on Moon Tower, and rumors of horrible creatures called 'Silencers" running amok. But that doesn't really bother him much. Besides, there's work to be done; Mischief to spread, pranks to pull, and poor old saps to trick.

Yesterday, he took audience to certain mare's speech. She spoke of forming a new Celestain Monarchy... or something, not that he really cared much for politics. But, still, Pitch sought to exploit this little pony, and use her for his gain. So, when she left the crowds, along with a certain number of other ponies, Pitch followed them. They lead him to an abandoned shack. There, he secretly seated up camp for the night and silently watched the little group, waiting and listening for a perfect opportunity to make his move.

Suddenly, Pitch came up of with a wonderful, awful, little scheme. He learned that raiders do in fact have territory in Seaddel, and that they are holding many wonderful things, like bags and bags of Caps, and a few magical items, and this group of ponies do seem like to be a bunch of compassionate saps. So, Pitch ready himself. He used his invisibility charm on his belongings, extinguished his campfire, and trotted down to introduce himself to his new toys. It'll be easy, all he has to do is to tell them that he has been robbed by raiders and persuade them into "helping" him get his stuff back. He chuckled at the idea. It's simple! He'd done the act countless times, how could it fail now?

When he arrived at the house, it wasn't long before he got noticed by the group, it's time to put his scheme into action! All he has to do is play it cool and not show any sign of hostile intent.

"Yeah, fellas." he greeted, nervously, (all part of the act), "I'm Pitch Black, but you can just call me Pitch, and I'm... sorta in need of your help."

Looking suddenly over towards the doorway, Brightsteel noticed a nervous looking pony leaning against the doorframe. Bright looked towards one of the self-designated guards. "Was he here before? Has he been here the whole time?"
The guards shrugged nervously, showing Bright that they didn't really know.
"You, stranger! State your business!" he barked.

"Well..." Pitch replied, "I believe that... that... I have been robbed! I just got into town, I made camp for the night, went to sleep, and when I woke up, I... I... noticed that everything I owned, every single cap I had, was gone, everything gone! I was struck by thieves "
Pitch cringed in fear, secretly enjoying every minute of this.
"I can only guess that because I'm as black as the night, that those scoundrels didn't slit my throat in the process. But I if I noticed anything, it was a few figures flying over me, one of them carrying what I noticed to be my precious cap sack, heading towards the western part of the ruins!"
Pitch, knew that the west was Raider territory, and that raiders were among the most ruthless ponies imaginable. While posing as a raider himself, he found their little treasury, an entire treasure trove of caps and other valuables. Now, all he had to do was to send in the bait.
"I would go after them myself, but as a practical foreigner in these parts, I don't really know what I'm really up against. So..."
Pitch was "reluctant" to ask, he laughed inside, still keeping up with the act. Now it's time to reel them in.
"Please, I would do anything in return, please, help me reek vengeance against these scoundrels and take back what is mine! I will do anything, just say the word. All I ask is for your compassion and trust."

[Das Metro]

No Name stood uneasily for a moment. Movement was easier now, but the plethora of bandaging made such a tad difficult. Careful not to reopen the wounds, No Name buckled himself into the Carriage and sat there still. The anesthetic effects of Med-X were gone and his chest felt sore. No Name levitated Timberwolf and a long shard of glass from his saddlebag. "Uhm, Eris? I haven't thanked you for saving my life. So, uh... Thank you." No Name's voice got that shaky verve back and he began to get choked up, "I've never had a friend before either." He looked down to Timberwolf now silent and went to work adding three new notches to the grip with the jagged glass.

Eris was pulling the cart once more, being well versed in getting in and out at this point, "So where did you get that kickin' piece?" She had eyed the personalized shotgun the night before, but hadnt asked into it. She thought that her luck would be that the gun went off in No Name's face while he was cleaning it, she visibly shuttered at the thought. Her hair was stuck in a purgatory of straight and curly as her mind wondered around at random.

No Name ignored her question for a moment as he finished engraving the second notch. Once the glass game free of the polished wooden stock, No Name looked admiringly at the new tallymark laid into the guns furniture. He looked up to Eris and sighed wearily, "Well, like I said, I was sold into slavery at birth. My buyer," No Name rasped the word with apparent distaste, "...Thought he could make a mercenary out of me, ridiculous and horrible idea. Training a little foal to fight... Anyways, this was what he gave me to defend myself. It's the one thing from my old life I cared enough about to hold onto."

[New Willow]

Sulphur looked at Bright, then towards the upset pony. Personally she wouldn't do a thing; it was cold out and the fire felt nice on her fur... though knowing Bright he wouldn't tolerate it. 'And hey, this'll give me something to take my mind off of the happy new couple,' She thought, scowling at the thought. She sighed, getting annoyed at how she still remained so jealous. '...Just focus on the matter at hoof, no need to think about that... other thing.' She wiped her face with her hoof, trying not to think about them being together now.

[Das Metro]

Opium kept on galloping through the thick snow. It felt like days due to Dash's effect on a Ponies sense of time, but truly, Opium had been running for hours. The Seaddle Institute got ever closer and Opium felt a sense of nostalgia as he though back to his trek to Moon Tower that now seemed like an eternity ago. His legs felt like lead and like there was acid in his veins, but he wanted to establish distance from those bastard Robots. Opium had saw Aurora wounded. Burns were bad, even in the winter. Alicorn or not, as far as Opium was concerned they were all dead.

The white colt giggled to himself at the thought. They could all be dead, and he was still alive! Well, it looks like Dash saved the day again! Opium continued to grin as he galloped to the looming Institute when a new idea dawned... What if they weren't dead? Would they be mad? Opium shook his head and thought, "Don't be silly! You left a note!" He nodded to himself and willed his legs to go faster. Opium wanted some nice indoor shelter, a hot meal, and paying customers. Shade did say some would shoot up Combat Drugs, Luna knows he has plenty!

It didn't seem he would have to wait long as he came upon the entrance. Opium stopped and looked up before obnoxiously declaring, "I want service! Service I say!"

[Fralinia]

Looking suddenly over towards the doorway, Brightsteel noticed a nervous looking pony leaning against the doorframe. Bright looked towards one of the self-designated guards. "Was he here before? Has he been here the whole time?"
The guards shrugged nervously, showing Bright that they didn't really know.
"You, stranger! State your business!" he barked.

"Well..." Pitch replied, "I believe that... that... I have been robbed! I just got into town, I made camp for the night, went to sleep, and when I woke up, I... I... noticed that everything I owned, every single cap I had, was gone, everything gone! I was struck by thieves "
Pitch cringed in fear, secretly enjoying every minute of this.
"I can only guess that because I'm as black as the night, that those scoundrels didn't slit my throat in the process. But I if I noticed anything, it was a few figures flying over me, one of them carrying what I noticed to be my precious cap sack, heading towards the western part of the ruins!"
Pitch, knew that the west was Raider territory, and that raiders were among the most ruthless ponies imaginable. While posing as a raider himself, he found their little treasury, an entire treasure trove of caps and other valuables. Now, all he had to do was to send in the bait.
"I would go after them myself, but as a practical foreigner in these parts, I don't really know what I'm really up against. So..."
Pitch was "reluctant" to ask, he laughed inside, still keeping up with the act. Now it's time to reel them in.
"Please, I would do anything in return, please, help me reek vengeance against these scoundrels and take back what is mine! I will do anything, just say the word. All I ask is for your compassion and trust."

"Robbed, huh? And may I ask of you, what exactly was stolen from you, to the cap? And why do you think that we of all ponies are in any position to help you? And for that matter, what is your name?"
Bright asked these things in a very inquisitive tone, but he wasn't entirely condescending. His inner urge to immediately drop everything and help the pony was driving him crazy like a flea on a dog. He wanted to just stop the meeting and go help this stranger, but he withheld himself. He could not afford to give up what was at stake.

He noticed that Sulphur was still sulking by the fire.
Why won't she just come out and tell me what's bothering her? I'm not being fooled by this act.

Glory, what if she thinks I'm with Crossfire?

Are you "with" Crossfire?

Well, no, but if she thinks so...

This assuming she's interested in you at all.

Oh, she's interested. I see it in her eyes. And there's no explanation that makes this much sense.

Keep dreaming, lovercolt.

[Mooseolini]

"Well..." Pitch replied, "I believe that... that... I have been robbed! I just got into town, I made camp for the night, went to sleep, and when I woke up, I... I... noticed that everything I owned, every single cap I had, was gone, everything gone! I was struck by thieves "
Pitch cringed in fear, secretly enjoying every minute of this.
"I can only guess that because I'm as black as the night, that those scoundrels didn't slit my throat in the process. But I if I noticed anything, it was a few figures flying over me, one of them carrying what I noticed to be my precious cap sack, heading towards the western part of the ruins!"
Pitch, knew that the west was Raider territory, and that raiders were among the most ruthless ponies imaginable. While posing as a raider himself, he found their little treasury, an entire treasure trove of caps and other valuables. Now, all he had to do was to send in the bait.
"I would go after them myself, but as a practical foreigner in these parts, I don't really know what I'm really up against. So..."
Pitch was "reluctant" to ask, he laughed inside, still keeping up with the act. Now it's time to reel them in.
"Please, I would do anything in return, please, help me reek vengeance against these scoundrels and take back what is mine! I will do anything, just say the word. All I ask is for your compassion and trust."

"Robbed, huh? And may I ask of you, what exactly was stolen from you, to the cap? And why do you think that we of all ponies are in any position to help you? And for that matter, what is your name?"
Bright asked these things in a very inquisitive tone, but he wasn't entirely condescending. His inner urge to immediately drop everything and help the pony was driving him crazy like a flea on a dog. He wanted to just stop the meeting and go help this stranger, but he withheld himself. He could not afford to give up what was at stake.

He noticed that Sulphur was still sulking by the fire.
Why won't she just come out and tell me what's bothering her? I'm not being fooled by this act.

Glory, what if she thinks I'm with Crossfire?

Are you "with" Crossfire?

Well, no, but if she thinks so...

This assuming she's interested in you at all.

Oh, she's interested. I see it in her eyes. And there's no explanation that makes this much sense.

Keep dreaming, lovercolt.

"What they stole from me?!" Pitch cried, pretending to be surprised, he knew that there's still a lot more to his game, "Bottle Caps, food, all that I ever had and worked for was gone! Taken form me just like that!"
Pitch's hoof met his face, he sniffed, trying to relax.
"It's all... gone! And I want it all back. if you help me, I'll also give you half of my stolen possessions, in addition to paying you back! I believe that you are the ones to help me because I trust you. I would gladly seek help somewhere else, but I heard that Seaddel can be a very nasty place. So, please, will you help me? If not then... I'll just go and take on these brutes myself, besides the only things they didn't take from me, thank Celestia , is my black vest, and a range of small weapons I keep with me, at all time."
Pitch used his Unicorn magic, open an almost invisible pouch, perfectly blending in with his black coat, and took out a small, but, sharp knife, then place it back gently into its slot.

[The Grey Wolf]

Ruby walked through the deserted landscape, revolver in holster, and rope tied firmly around her. Above, her hot air balloon floated through the sky, kept tethered by the strong earth pony.

She didn't know what time it was, although she suspected it was about dawn. She had to keep up the pace. There were things lurking around. Things better left forgotten...

The red furred, blue haired pony looked up at the sky. She was heading East. Her compass, which she had recently picked up on the ground, kept her sane. She had some grip, some control over where she was going. It provided her a crutch.

"Don't worry, Ruby, you can do it." she told herself.

[Fralinia]

"Robbed, huh? And may I ask of you, what exactly was stolen from you, to the cap? And why do you think that we of all ponies are in any position to help you? And for that matter, what is your name?"
Bright asked these things in a very inquisitive tone, but he wasn't entirely condescending. His inner urge to immediately drop everything and help the pony was driving him crazy like a flea on a dog. He wanted to just stop the meeting and go help this stranger, but he withheld himself. He could not afford to give up what was at stake.

He noticed that Sulphur was still sulking by the fire.
Why won't she just come out and tell me what's bothering her? I'm not being fooled by this act.

Glory, what if she thinks I'm with Crossfire?

Are you "with" Crossfire?

Well, no, but if she thinks so...

This assuming she's interested in you at all.

Oh, she's interested. I see it in her eyes. And there's no explanation that makes this much sense.

Keep dreaming, lovercolt.

"What they stole from me?!" Pitch cried, pretending to be surprised, he knew that there's still a lot more to his game, "Bottle Caps, food, all that I ever had and worked for was gone! Taken form me just like that!"
Pitch's hoof met his face, he sniffed, trying to relax.
"It's all... gone! And I want it all back. if you help me, I'll also give you half of my stolen possessions, in addition to paying you back! I believe that you are the ones to help me because I trust you. I would gladly seek help somewhere else, but I heard that Seaddel can be a very nasty place. So, please, will you help me? If not then... I'll just go and take on these brutes myself, besides the only things they didn't take from me, thank Celestia , is my black vest, and a range of small weapons I keep with me, at all time."
Pitch used his Unicorn magic, open an almost invisible pouch, perfectly blending in with his black coat, and took out a small, but, sharp knife, then place it back gently into its slot.

Bright thought about what the unicorn had said, then he tipped his helmet and chuckled under his breath.
"It seems that you've done an excellent job of dodging all my questions, stranger. Now, let me call your bluff and let's talk. You wouldn't take on the raiders alone unless you were dumber than a drunk radroach, so sit down," he slammed his hoof on the table "tell me your damn name and answer the questions, son. Else you can be off, and I've got several ponies more than willing to escort you from the premises." Now, tell me, exactly how much was stolen from you, and why in the name of all things holy do you think that we can help you? Speak!"
Bright leaned forward in his chair, staring at the pony in the doorway. I don't trust this bloody unicorn, he seems to be a terribly good liar. And that's my job.

[Fantrum]

Eris was pulling the cart once more, being well versed in getting in and out at this point, "So where did you get that kickin' piece?" She had eyed the personalized shotgun the night before, but hadnt asked into it. She thought that her luck would be that the gun went off in No Name's face while he was cleaning it, she visibly shuttered at the thought. Her hair was stuck in a purgatory of straight and curly as her mind wondered around at random.

No Name ignored her question for a moment as he finished engraving the second notch. Once the glass game free of the polished wooden stock, No Name looked admiringly at the new tallymark laid into the guns furniture. He looked up to Eris and sighed wearily, "Well, like I said, I was sold into slavery at birth. My buyer," No Name rasped the word with apparent distaste, "...Thought he could make a mercenary out of me, ridiculous and horrible idea. Training a little foal to fight... Anyways, this was what he gave me to defend myself. It's the one thing from my old life I cared enough about to hold onto."

Eris looked to the Moon Tower, now looming over them, as she spoke, "I know what you mean about that. Starting over I mean." She was thankful that her eyes were turned away from No Name, and she closed them against the tears that were forcing themselves out, "I only wish I could go back to my old life." Her voice was strangely even as she spoke through her sadness, "The ponies may have been mean sometimes, but at least Mom and Dad were there..." She trails off, finally giving in to her depression. This wasnt the first time she had dipped low in the morale department, but she knew that if you didnt shed a few tears now and again, you would likely go insane from all the pent up emotions.

[The Grey Wolf]

Ruby continued her way through the East, her hot air balloon tethered to her. It was probably not the best idea, since the balloon could be sign by anyone, friend or foe. But it was easier than dragging. And if she was attacked, Ruby felt she could climb up the rope.

After munching on some nearby berries, which she began worrying were poisonous, she continued across the landscape. She felt tempted to look back, but she didn't. This land was evil. It was ridden by plague and hatred. Most of all, it was ridden by ghost. Not literally, but to the cracked mind of Ruby, that is what it appeared as. A land of phantoms.

She lapped up water, almost like a dog, before vomiting. The berries hadn't set well with her stomach. At least if they were poisonous, they were out of her. But now her stomach was growling, and she and the vile taste of vomit in her mouth. She lapped up more water until her stomach growled more.

She saw a bridge a short distance away, near the waterfall. She looked around carefully, before trying to cross it.