Fallout: Equestria (IC)

[Neo Byzantine Empire]

Moon Tower

Crossfire and her entourage approached the tower; the apathy of the majority capable of being just as much a help as a hinderance. The Pegasus Mare, admittedly, felt foolish for not realizing it before; but the only language these ponies might remotely understand is money. True; she had attracted plenty of good spirited-ponies with her promises of a better and brighter future, but alas; it would be the promise of greater wealth that would win over Moon Tower's residents. She began planning; armed confrontation would likely end very poorly without so e prior knowledge that the majority would either support her, or at least stay out of any fight altogether. Perhaps another speech pertaining to the promises of a Physiocracy, at least until the reclamation of more Industrial parts of the city? She was, once again, absorbed in her thoughts; unaware of the agitator within, ready and waiting to cause some chaos.

[Ozzy]

Seaddle Institute

"Not too sure." Gunner grunted as he idily stared the soup pot. "Never seen one, but I've heard rumours. Some say they're the final evolution of Ponykind, beyond Alicorns. Others say they're some Pre-war Super-Soldier project like the Alicorns but made by the Zebras. All I know is they have some wierd light manipulation spells and are bloody hard to kill. You need to rip their head clean off to down 'em properly."

Thistle couldn't believe what she was hearing, super Alicorns? This frightened the filly, very surprised that she made it here in one piece. Thistle stood up, trotting over the soup pot and peering down in it, she could see her reflection in the broth and remembered how a griffon told her how beautiful she was. She also flashbacked to him tearing her forehooves clean off because she refused to sleep with him, that permanently ended her days of ever being open and friendly towards anyone.

Thistle liked her cybernetic replacements, being much stronger and agile than her real limbs, she just didn't like the thought of maintaining them. It was a good moment of silence before she said something through a whimper, "I'm hungry."

[North German Confederation]

Phoenix hesitated before starting the levitation spell. Should he cook something first, just to meditate for awhile? No. There's no time for that. It's now or never!
'Please, Celestia,' he prayed, 'don't let Zach's teachings fail me now. If I fail and she dies, I'll never forgive myself. I can't bear to loose another pony to this curse of mine.'
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and paused as he cleansed his mind of all worry and distraught. He was ready. Suddenly, a faint orange glow surrounded the dying mare as she slowly hovered in the air, without a flame in sight. When Phoenix opened his eye, he was relived to find the mare, not on fire. After following the pony to the sewer entrance, Phoenix used his fiery light to guide them through the dark tunnels. When Phoenix reached the pit, he carefully and gently lowered Aurora into the radiation pit. He waited in anticipation, as he watch the alicorn sink into the radiation.

Aurora cried, fighting the urge to pass out. The roof she stared at was soon replaced with the dark sky before entering another dark and dreary setting, she could catch the faint glimpse of a orange light, panicking but losing all ability to move. She felt cold stone touch her where the fire haven't damaged her body, taking her full moment to realize she has been moved. It was a miracle for the Alicorn, she could feel a very charged tension though the air and realized it was radiation, though she was hoping it wasn't too late. Panting and closing her eyes to let the radiation do its job.

[Lunas Legion]

Seaddle Institute

"Not too sure." Gunner grunted as he idily stared the soup pot. "Never seen one, but I've heard rumours. Some say they're the final evolution of Ponykind, beyond Alicorns. Others say they're some Pre-war Super-Soldier project like the Alicorns but made by the Zebras. All I know is they have some wierd light manipulation spells and are bloody hard to kill. You need to rip their head clean off to down 'em properly."

Thistle couldn't believe what she was hearing, super Alicorns? This frightened the filly, very surprised that she made it here in one piece. Thistle stood up, trotting over the soup pot and peering down in it, she could see her reflection in the broth and remembered how a griffon told her how beautiful she was. She also flashbacked to him tearing her forehooves clean off because she refused to sleep with him, that permanently ended her days of ever being open and friendly towards anyone.

Thistle liked her cybernetic replacements, being much stronger and agile than her real limbs, she just didn't like the thought of maintaining them. It was a good moment of silence before she said something through a whimper, "I'm hungry."

"Eat some of the soup then. Pour it yourself though; this isn't the Followers of the Apocalypse, you have to do things yourself here. In the meantime..." Gunner glanced towards the stairs. "I'm going back on watch. Ask Steels if you want anything. He isn't nice, but he does jobs well."

With that, Gunner stood up and trotted upstairs and glanced out the window, idily noticing something that sounded suspiciously like shouting over the roar of the building's magical shield generator which was on this floor.

"What the bloody hell do you want!". He shouted out. "This ain't a bloody soup kitchen, you know?"

[Wolfmanne]

Seaddle seemed to be your typical Wasteland city. A few crazy Alicorns to the North, though they were somewhat sane seeing as all they did is take your caps or a slave, a central trading hub, a warlord turtling his arse in some pre-war fort, a small group of the renegade Applejack's Rangers and a mostly passive bunch of Hellhounds. Apparently the Enclave were in the area too, but like anywhere, they had their heads quite literally high up in the clouds, with the lucky Pegasi who lived there living out a far better existence than the Wastelanders down here. Luckily for her, she hasn't seen many Enclave military personnel, mostly some random scouting team. When they sighted Chrome, generally they left her alone, as the Steel Rangers, whilst being small in numbers, were well-equipped to the point of being the main resistance should the Enclave decide to send a large force onto the surface for whatever reason. They had done so before, back when the Vault Dweller was screwing with the power balance of the Wasteland. The Vault Dweller wasn't a popular character in the Steel Rangers, as a raid on her home Vault was the main reason for the schism with Applejack's Rangers. The Filydelphia Contingent had some especially nasty legends about the Vault Dweller.

The Steel Rangers here were capable and the Rangers performed the standard objective of preserving technology for the safety of Ponykind with distinction. However, in her mind, they were somewhat passive. To her, they seemed to be not taking opportunities as they come. There had been plenty of them as well, especially with these recent 'Silencer' raids. Sure, they should help the Wastelanders in dealing with this threat, but they shouldn't give it out for free. They deserved concessions, for they could of occupied Moon-Tower while it was still weakened by the raid. There was enough political infighting there to warrant a Steel Ranger incursion. Naturally, the Wastelanders would respond with an attempt to retake it, but the robots and sentries in the tower could probably be utilised better by the Rangers. They would gain a defensible position against these Silencers and the technology that laid inside. The Wastelanders would have to co-operate, in return for aid against the Silencers. The other factions had been hit pretty hard by the Silencer raids, but Chrome felt that this Contingent here was in a good position, even with the damage inflicted to their headquarters in the recent raid. These Silencers were insane, you had to watch their shadows in order to do any damage. There were definitely a few Ranger corpses whilst she held out in her little camping spot. She decided to go look for the Elder. There had to be something that Chrome could do to help out.

"That's not how they work. We've been using their shadows to find them which is why the entire place is darker than the subway since their invisibility doesn't seem to carry over to their shadows for some reason. Either they've discovered they're rumbled about their little trick of invisibility, the security systems kicked their sneaky asses out or they've done what they came here to do."

The Elder waved for his Rangers to get up from their positions, and seven Rangers stood, only three in Power Armour. The others were Scribes, their robes slightly torn. "Let's regroup outside and then figure out what we're going to do since this building obviously isn't safe anymore."

"Agreed" said Dark Heart, "Ponies, griffins, move out. Our work here is done."
He turned to two members, a ghoul Griffin and a normal Pegasus.
"I want you two to escort the Elder, out of here. I'll cover you."
The duo, helped the elder back onto his hoofs and escorted him out of the room, the clan followed. Dark Heart, was the last to leave the room, before turning back.
"Don't think that I don't know you." Dark Heart said, hoping that the silence hears him, "Know this, I hold the key to your destruction, left behind by my parents. I know what you fear most, I shall rain fire upon your very vault, and I vow upon Celestia's light, that I will destroy you and your precious Hive Mind."
And with that, he left the room, following his clan.

After searching around, she found the Elder. The presence of outsiders and the fact they were being used as mercenaries was something that disgusted Chrome. This contingent may as well just merge with Applejack's Rangers if they keep up the work.

"Elder Winery" the Star Paladin said. "Reporting for duty. Any ideas on what we're gonna do next?"

[Das Metro]

Deleted

[Das Metro]

No Name stared at Eris unblinking for a moment. This was the most unhappy he had ever seen her (which wasn't saying much considering he had only been in her company for a day). He bit his lip and sighed. Celestia damn it! Thus is why he normally avoided conversation with most Ponies. Spend too long a time with one Pony and soon things get difficult (which again, was not saying much). No Name adopted a calmer, more soothing voice with some difficulty. Not only did the pain of the shrapnel left in his chest bring him some discomfort, but shedding his stoic mask was difficult as well. "Hey, come on Eris, thats just life! Ponies will be well, mean. But there will always be somepony to help! Y'know, someponies shoulder to cry on. You know, growing up, I didn't exactly have a mother or father, and while the Ponies I knew weren't mean, they weren't necessarily kind either. The point is, life is just hard. Especially in the time we're in now."

He went quiet for a moment before resuming with more difficulty, "Y'know, I don't have anywhere to go. No one to meet. Nothing really. So maybe I could well... Stick with you for a bit, maybe?"

Eris perked back up, her hair poofing out of her face, "Its ok! They died fast, I think..." She thought for a second before continuing on, "I think that would be awesome! Easily 20% cooler than going off on your own!" Somewhere in her head, she felt that pink earth pony roll her eyes in exasperation. She turned the corner and stopped, "Well that isnt good." She stood facing the melted gate to the Moon Tower and the ensuing carnage inside that was only just tidied up. She limbered up the cart once more and headed for the gate, which was still just about a mile down the deserted street.

No Name peeked out the side of the cart and looked surprised as he saw the damaged gates of Moon Tower. He slumped back into his seat and finished Timberwolf's final notch. "I wonder what happened. Whoever attacked it is incredibly brave or astoundingly stupid." No Name averted his gaze down to Timberwolf. Yesterdays polishing began yo gleam brightly with the growing amount of light. "Hey Eris, uhm, thanks for saving my life. I guess I should've said so earlier too. I mean, I honestly can't say I would've done the same for somepony else..."

[The Flutterlands]

Warren

As Hope lead her team through the seemingly never-ending maze, Spot was getting tired and cold, and Hope knew it. She only hoped that they would be out of the Warren, soon enough.
'Hang in there kid,' she told her cousin in her thoughts, 'we're almost near the end, I hope.'
Soon, however, Hope began to get the feeling that they were being... watched.
"Stay on your guard." the ghoul earth pony ordered, "My gut is telling me that trouble is ahead."

As the group edged further forwards, the murmmering on the edge of their hearing grew louder. It could just have been the acoustics of the Warren; strange things happened within the maze of cranes, crates and tunnels.

But the murmmering wasn't just strange acoustics; that was made abundantly clear when a half-visible, faintly glowing magical shield slammed down over the group and a lone Alicorn with a deep purple, almost black, mane teleported in front of the group, immedately throwing up a magical shield as a precaution.

"The Warren should not be trod by those who do not know the way." The Alicorn rasped. "They might not come out otherwise." A bright blue glow enveloped the Alicorn's horn as she floated a strange looking gun out from a bench. The Silence will not silence our New Voice."

Hope halted her group, unsure wither this Alicorn is friend... or foe. She decided to make the best of the situation, while preparing for the worst.
"Then can you guide us?" Hope asked, "We are refugees; The Octogon have been attacked, and we may need a place of shelter and rest."
"What's the 'Silence'?" Spot asked in curiosity.
Spot, being a foal, was well hidden by the gang members surrounding him, but that still did not left him unnoticeable.

---

Phoenix hesitated before starting the levitation spell. Should he cook something first, just to meditate for awhile? No. There's no time for that. It's now or never!
'Please, Celestia,' he prayed, 'don't let Zach's teachings fail me now. If I fail and she dies, I'll never forgive myself. I can't bear to loose another pony to this curse of mine.'
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and paused as he cleansed his mind of all worry and distraught. He was ready. Suddenly, a faint orange glow surrounded the dying mare as she slowly hovered in the air, without a flame in sight. When Phoenix opened his eye, he was relived to find the mare, not on fire. After following the pony to the sewer entrance, Phoenix used his fiery light to guide them through the dark tunnels. When Phoenix reached the pit, he carefully and gently lowered Aurora into the radiation pit. He waited in anticipation, as he watch the alicorn sink into the radiation.

Aurora cried, fighting the urge to pass out. The roof she stared at was soon replaced with the dark sky before entering another dark and dreary setting, she could catch the faint glimpse of a orange light, panicking but losing all ability to move. She felt cold stone touch her where the fire haven't damaged her body, taking her full moment to realize she has been moved. It was a miracle for the Alicorn, she could feel a very charged tension though the air and realized it was radiation, though she was hoping it wasn't too late. Panting and closing her eyes to let the radiation do its job.

Phoenix sighed in relief at his success. In fact, he actually felt pretty good about himself. He waited along side the mare's friend.
"You, know?" asked Phoenix, trying to start a conversation, "I used to play down here as a foal. I would just climb down here and just enjoy being by myself, being down here brings back memories. Oh, forgive me, we haven't had introductions yet. Name's Phoenix, what's yours?"

---

Meanwhile, outside the Phoenix Building, Dustbowl, Butch and Red Dawn waited patiently for the clan to arrive. But something was still bugging Red Dawn.
'The Goddess,' Red Dawn thought, 'Could such an idea, really motivate a pony to do something as big as forming a monarchy? I wonder if I could have a place in it, along with Dustbowl, and of course, Butch.'
Then, for the first time in her life, Red Dawn quietly prayed.
'Oh, Goddess, if there is to be a new government, do not let it start off with division, but rather with unity. It doesn't have to be completely equal, but at least give minorities the right to take their seat, right at the get-go.'
Suddenly, Red Dawn gained a strange urge to return to Moon Tower, as if something, or someone was calling her. Red Dawn sprouted her wings and, to Butch's and Dustbowl's surprise, took flight leaving them behind.
"HEY!" Dustbowl hissed, swooping towards the Alicorn, "Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going back to Moon Tower."
"Why?" asked Butch, following Dustbowl, "We're in a bloody war! What makes you think that you can just abandoned your comrades like this? Dark Heart will use our skins as blankets if he finds out that we left."
"Then, consider this as my resignation." Red Dawn said, " Tell the Boss, I'm sorry."
"No, we won't" roared Butch.
"Why not?" asked Red Dawn.
"Because, we're coming with you." Dustbowl replied, "Both of us."
"Yeah." Butch said with a nod.
"Thank you," Red Dawn said tearfully, "You guys are the best."
And at that, the trio took flight and headed back to Moon Tower, little knowing of the battle that awaits them.

[Mooseolini]

Moon Tower

Crossfire and her entourage approached the tower; the apathy of the majority capable of being just as much a help as a hinderance. The Pegasus Mare, admittedly, felt foolish for not realizing it before; but the only language these ponies might remotely understand is money. True; she had attracted plenty of good spirited-ponies with her promises of a better and brighter future, but alas; it would be the promise of greater wealth that would win over Moon Tower's residents. She began planning; armed confrontation would likely end very poorly without so e prior knowledge that the majority would either support her, or at least stay out of any fight altogether. Perhaps another speech pertaining to the promises of a Physiocracy, at least until the reclamation of more Industrial parts of the city? She was, once again, absorbed in her thoughts; unaware of the agitator within, ready and waiting to cause some chaos.

Pitch suddenly realized that these ponies have only one language, materialism. Well, he could use that as a new tactic. Looking around, Pitch noticed that Crossfire and her group has returned, along with the trator. Now would be good time to make his next move, one he thought, that would really get their attention.
"Ponies, Griffins and Zebras..." the black ghoul unicorn announced, "These ponies, lead by the one with such foolish dreams, have come to conquer your Tower! In fact, I have reason to believe that, this mare, is the true mastermind of the previous attack on this tower! She had her goons go on a surprise attack, and used it as a way to take you under her wing! Now, she has returned to finish the job, by giving us an ultimatum; Join her and support her monarchy, or die! Are we just going to sit here and let her storm Moon Tower, and destroy everything that you love and cherish?! Or are we going to fight and defend this great symbol of civilization from the hoof of tyranny?!"

[The Flutterlands]

Seaddle seemed to be your typical Wasteland city. A few crazy Alicorns to the North, though they were somewhat sane seeing as all they did is take your caps or a slave, a central trading hub, a warlord turtling his arse in some pre-war fort, a small group of the renegade Applejack's Rangers and a mostly passive bunch of Hellhounds. Apparently the Enclave were in the area too, but like anywhere, they had their heads quite literally high up in the clouds, with the lucky Pegasi who lived there living out a far better existence than the Wastelanders down here. Luckily for her, she hasn't seen many Enclave military personnel, mostly some random scouting team. When they sighted Chrome, generally they left her alone, as the Steel Rangers, whilst being small in numbers, were well-equipped to the point of being the main resistance should the Enclave decide to send a large force onto the surface for whatever reason. They had done so before, back when the Vault Dweller was screwing with the power balance of the Wasteland. The Vault Dweller wasn't a popular character in the Steel Rangers, as a raid on her home Vault was the main reason for the schism with Applejack's Rangers. The Filydelphia Contingent had some especially nasty legends about the Vault Dweller.

The Steel Rangers here were capable and the Rangers performed the standard objective of preserving technology for the safety of Ponykind with distinction. However, in her mind, they were somewhat passive. To her, they seemed to be not taking opportunities as they come. There had been plenty of them as well, especially with these recent 'Silencer' raids. Sure, they should help the Wastelanders in dealing with this threat, but they shouldn't give it out for free. They deserved concessions, for they could of occupied Moon-Tower while it was still weakened by the raid. There was enough political infighting there to warrant a Steel Ranger incursion. Naturally, the Wastelanders would respond with an attempt to retake it, but the robots and sentries in the tower could probably be utilised better by the Rangers. They would gain a defensible position against these Silencers and the technology that laid inside. The Wastelanders would have to co-operate, in return for aid against the Silencers. The other factions had been hit pretty hard by the Silencer raids, but Chrome felt that this Contingent here was in a good position, even with the damage inflicted to their headquarters in the recent raid. These Silencers were insane, you had to watch their shadows in order to do any damage. There were definitely a few Ranger corpses whilst she held out in her little camping spot. She decided to go look for the Elder. There had to be something that Chrome could do to help out.

"Agreed" said Dark Heart, "Ponies, griffins, move out. Our work here is done."
He turned to two members, a ghoul Griffin and a normal Pegasus.
"I want you two to escort the Elder, out of here. I'll cover you."
The duo, helped the elder back onto his hoofs and escorted him out of the room, the clan followed. Dark Heart, was the last to leave the room, before turning back.
"Don't think that I don't know you." Dark Heart said, hoping that the silence hears him, "Know this, I hold the key to your destruction, left behind by my parents. I know what you fear most, I shall rain fire upon your very vault, and I vow upon Celestia's light, that I will destroy you and your precious Hive Mind."
And with that, he left the room, following his clan.

After searching around, she found the Elder. The presence of outsiders and the fact they were being used as mercenaries was something that disgusted Chrome. This contingent may as well just merge with Applejack's Rangers if they keep up the work.

"Elder Winery" the Star Paladin said. "Reporting for duty. Any ideas on what we're gonna do next?"

Dark Heart swooped down the stairs, joining his Clan. When he heard Star Paladin's question, he was determined to answer it, wither it was for him or not.
"We," Dark Heart replied, darkly, "are going to raise a great army, and we shall reek vengeance upon those infernal demons, striking them right at their vault, and we shall send the Silence back to the Tartarus pit, from which they came!"

[Fralinia]

Moon Tower

Crossfire and her entourage approached the tower; the apathy of the majority capable of being just as much a help as a hinderance. The Pegasus Mare, admittedly, felt foolish for not realizing it before; but the only language these ponies might remotely understand is money. True; she had attracted plenty of good spirited-ponies with her promises of a better and brighter future, but alas; it would be the promise of greater wealth that would win over Moon Tower's residents. She began planning; armed confrontation would likely end very poorly without so e prior knowledge that the majority would either support her, or at least stay out of any fight altogether. Perhaps another speech pertaining to the promises of a Physiocracy, at least until the reclamation of more Industrial parts of the city? She was, once again, absorbed in her thoughts; unaware of the agitator within, ready and waiting to cause some chaos.

Pitch suddenly realized that these ponies have only one language, materialism. Well, he could use that as a new tactic. Looking around, Pitch noticed that Crossfire and her group has returned, along with the trator. Now would be good time to make his next move, one he thought, that would really get their attention.
"Ponies, Griffins and Zebras..." the black ghoul unicorn announced, "These ponies, lead by the one with such foolish dreams, have come to conquer your Tower! In fact, I have reason to believe that, this mare, is the true mastermind of the previous attack on this tower! She had her goons go on a surprise attack, and used it as a way to take you under her wing! Now, she has returned to finish the job, by giving us an ultimatum; Join her and support her monarchy, or die! Are we just going to sit here and let her storm Moon Tower, and destroy everything that you love and cherish?! Or are we going to fight and defend this great symbol of civilization from the hoof of tyranny?!"

Having followed Crossfire to the Tower, Brightsteel was now confronted with this backstabbing ghoul blithering on about tyranny and oppression. Now the silver tongues were being drawn from their sheaths. Time to see who's was sharper.

Taking on the act of someone in the crowd by flipping his mane around, taking off his helmet, and adopting a slightly accented voice, Bright began to form his speech to soothe fears, dispel thoughts to the contrary, and generaly work some oratory magic.

"We should bloody well let 'er! Anypony here could tell you that the Wasteland is a rotten mess! And it'll stay that way unless somepony does somethin' to fix it! All that they're sayin' is, if we work together for a damn change, instead of running by these 'I'll kill whoever I bloody well want for whatever bloody reason and face no damn punishment for it' rules. So tell me, why are you so opposed to that, bloody ghoul! You've come up with some rotten excuses for arguments. Why is the name of this bloody little hellhole would anyone seeking power attack with intent to destroy the place where power could be truly and forcibly maintained from? Forget Utopia and his ruddy Octagon, the real business takes place at the Tower, and you bloody well know it! So what gives?"

[Mooseolini]

Pitch suddenly realized that these ponies have only one language, materialism. Well, he could use that as a new tactic. Looking around, Pitch noticed that Crossfire and her group has returned, along with the trator. Now would be good time to make his next move, one he thought, that would really get their attention.
"Ponies, Griffins and Zebras..." the black ghoul unicorn announced, "These ponies, lead by the one with such foolish dreams, have come to conquer your Tower! In fact, I have reason to believe that, this mare, is the true mastermind of the previous attack on this tower! She had her goons go on a surprise attack, and used it as a way to take you under her wing! Now, she has returned to finish the job, by giving us an ultimatum; Join her and support her monarchy, or die! Are we just going to sit here and let her storm Moon Tower, and destroy everything that you love and cherish?! Or are we going to fight and defend this great symbol of civilization from the hoof of tyranny?!"

Having followed Crossfire to the Tower, Brightsteel was now confronted with this backstabbing ghoul blithering on about tyranny and oppression. Now the silver tongues were being drawn from their sheaths. Time to see who's was sharper.

Taking on the act of someone in the crowd by flipping his mane around, taking off his helmet, and adopting a slightly accented voice, Bright began to form his speech to soothe fears, dispel thoughts to the contrary, and general work some oratory magic.

"We should bloody well let 'er! Anypony here could tell you that the Wasteland is a rotten mess! And it'll stay that way unless somepony does somethin' to fix it! All that they're sayin' is, if we work together for a damn change, instead of running by these 'I'll kill whoever I bloody well want for whatever bloody reason and face no damn punishment for it' rules. So tell me, why are you so opposed to that, bloody ghoul! You've come up with some rotten excuses for arguments. Why is the name of this bloody little hellhole would anyone seeking power attack with intent to destroy the place where power could be truly and forcibly maintained from? Forget Utopia and his ruddy Octagon, the real business takes place at the Tower, and you bloody well know it! So what gives?"

After hearing Bright's little speech. Pitch grinned with excitement and malice. He teleported, disappearing form his boulder, and reappearing in front of Bright, with the most twisted look on his face.
"HA!" Pitch laughed, turning to the pony, "Ha! HA! HA! HA! You make me laugh! Because, I have reason to believe that you would support me, all the way through."

[Fralinia]

Having followed Crossfire to the Tower, Brightsteel was now confronted with this backstabbing ghoul blithering on about tyranny and oppression. Now the silver tongues were being drawn from their sheaths. Time to see who's was sharper.

Taking on the act of someone in the crowd by flipping his mane around, taking off his helmet, and adopting a slightly accented voice, Bright began to form his speech to soothe fears, dispel thoughts to the contrary, and general work some oratory magic.

"We should bloody well let 'er! Anypony here could tell you that the Wasteland is a rotten mess! And it'll stay that way unless somepony does somethin' to fix it! All that they're sayin' is, if we work together for a damn change, instead of running by these 'I'll kill whoever I bloody well want for whatever bloody reason and face no damn punishment for it' rules. So tell me, why are you so opposed to that, bloody ghoul! You've come up with some rotten excuses for arguments. Why is the name of this bloody little hellhole would anyone seeking power attack with intent to destroy the place where power could be truly and forcibly maintained from? Forget Utopia and his ruddy Octagon, the real business takes place at the Tower, and you bloody well know it! So what gives?"

After hearing Bright's little speech. Pitch grinned with excitement and malice. He teleported, disappearing form his boulder, and reappearing in front of Bright, with the most twisted look on his face.
"HA!" Pitch laughed, turning to the pony, "Ha! HA! HA! HA! You make me laugh! Because, I have reason to believe that you would support me, all the way through."

Jumping back as the ghoul materialized in front of him, Bright managed to keep up the accent and pushed forwards with his delicate web of manipulation. "Oi! Ghoul! Keep the teleporting to a distance, thanks. Anyway, why in the world would you think that you've got me tangled up in your following? Because if you haven't noticed, and I'm willin' to fill you in on this one, I've just asked you a couple of questions, none of which seems to have been answered, aye? So why don't you just explain yourself?"

[Mooseolini]

After hearing Bright's little speech. Pitch grinned with excitement and malice. He teleported, disappearing form his boulder, and reappearing in front of Bright, with the most twisted look on his face.
"HA!" Pitch laughed, turning to the pony, "Ha! HA! HA! HA! You make me laugh! Because, I have reason to believe that you would support me, all the way through."

Jumping back as the ghoul materialized in front of him, Bright managed to keep up the accent and pushed forwards with his delicate web of manipulation. "Oi! Ghoul! Keep the teleporting to a distance, thanks. Anyway, why in the world would you think that you've got me tangled up in your following? Because if you haven't noticed, and I'm willin' to fill you in on this one, I've just asked you a couple of questions, none of which seems to have been answered, aye? So why don't you just explain yourself?"

"HA!" Pitch laughed, this laugh sounded more... demonic, "Who told me that you were all, and I quote; 'undercover from every faction at Moon Tower or the Octagon, and you don't really need to be getting your name around before you've really gotten yourselves together.' It took me awhile to catch on to your little scheme, but I saw it through eventually, and I really must say, touché friend, touché, but you can't con a con! So why don't you cut the act? Besides, none of this would have been possible without you! Be thankful, thanks to you, I'm able to stop your so-called 'friend's' little scheme, before it's even hatched!"
Pitch felt victorious as he tore apart Bright Steel's web of deception.

[Fralinia]

Jumping back as the ghoul materialized in front of him, Bright managed to keep up the accent and pushed forwards with his delicate web of manipulation. "Oi! Ghoul! Keep the teleporting to a distance, thanks. Anyway, why in the world would you think that you've got me tangled up in your following? Because if you haven't noticed, and I'm willin' to fill you in on this one, I've just asked you a couple of questions, none of which seems to have been answered, aye? So why don't you just explain yourself?"

"HA!" Pitch laughed, this laugh sounded more... demonic, "Who told me that you were all, and I quote; 'undercover from every faction at Moon Tower or the Octagon, and we don't really need to be getting our name around before we've really gotten ourselves together.' It took me awhile to catch on to your little scheme, but I saw it through eventually, and I really must say, touché friend, touché, but you can't con a con! So why don't you cut the act? Besides, none of this would have been possible without you! Be thankful, thanks to you, I'm able to stop your so-called 'friend's' little scheme, before it's even hatched!"

Damn it, he was a good liar. Now you've got a nice kettle of fish, don't you?

Dropping the accent and placing his helmet on his head in a defeated fashion, Brightsteel looked down at the ground in front of Pitch and sighed in clear sadness. Distinct and exaggerated sadness. Fake sadness.

"Oh, you've got me there, Pitch. I suppose now you'll haul me to ol' Utopia, have me shot and hung and drawn to quarters and poisoned and thrown to the dogs along with Crossfire here." He held out his hoof, as if asking to be led away. "Oh, if only you had some way of proving that this happened, I would be done for!" He dropped the sadness and looked Pitch dead in the eye. "But, as it seems, you don't! And I have some proof of my own. It's name is Reality, plain and simple, and anyone with a brain and an ounce of sense could see it. I suppose that you just don't fall into that category, Pitch. But have a nice day." Bright smirked and watched as nods of approvement swept around the courtyard. He turned around, and out of the side of his mouth, he added in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, and as for those raiders you were wanting help with, I see that you handled them, quite well. I suppose you just miraculously found all of your stolen belongings on the wayside as you followed us to the Tower?"

[Mooseolini]

"HA!" Pitch laughed, this laugh sounded more... demonic, "Who told me that you were all, and I quote; 'undercover from every faction at Moon Tower or the Octagon, and we don't really need to be getting our name around before we've really gotten ourselves together.' It took me awhile to catch on to your little scheme, but I saw it through eventually, and I really must say, touché friend, touché, but you can't con a con! So why don't you cut the act? Besides, none of this would have been possible without you! Be thankful, thanks to you, I'm able to stop your so-called 'friend's' little scheme, before it's even hatched!"

Damn it, he was a good liar. Now you've got a nice kettle of fish, don't you?

Dropping the accent and placing his helmet on his head in a defeated fashion, Brightsteel looked down at the ground in front of Pitch and sighed in clear sadness. Distinct and exaggerated sadness. Fake sadness.

"Oh, you've got me there, Pitch. I suppose now you'll haul me to ol' Utopia, have me shot and hung and drawn to quarters and poisoned and thrown to the dogs along with Crossfire here." He held out his hoof, as if asking to be led away. "Oh, if only you had some way of proving that this happened, I would be done for!" He dropped the sadness and looked Pitch dead in the eye. "But, as it seems, you don't! And I have some proof of my own. It's name is Reality, plain and simple, and anyone with a brain and an ounce of sense could see it. I suppose that you just don't fall into that category, Pitch. But have a nice day." Bright smirked and watched as nods of approvement swept around the courtyard. He turned around, and out of the side of his mouth, he added in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, and as for those raiders you were wanting help with, I see that you handled them, quite well. I suppose you just miraculously found all of your stolen belongings on the wayside as you followed us to the Tower?"

"But, why did you tell me in the first place?" Pitch asked, still not done unweaving Bright's yarn of lies.
Pitch looked at Bright, dead in the eyes as well, ignoring Bright's observation.
"Don't think that I don't know you for the stinking little traitor you are." Pitch whispered, keeping this secret between him and Bright, "We're two of a kind, you and I. In fact, if you have fought in the war, you too, would have also been a little side-jumper, just like... me."
Pitch ceased his whispering, and began talking in his normal voice.
"Now, it's my turn to ask questions. You wouldn't have told me about your scheme without a reason. Now cut the bloody act, your no better actor than I am. Now, tell me why, you gave me such vital information in the first place, other than to allow me to screw it up for you!"

[The Grey Wolf]

Ruby walked through the streets of Seaddle, timidly. She made her way to the Moon Tower, and opened the door...

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

A frown crossed Marci's face as she heard Brasswing's final words. They unsettled her, 'Who is Utopia? What experiments?' she wanted to ask him so much, but alas, he was now just a quickly cooling corpse. She closed his eyes with a hoof, "May Celestia light your path, and Luna be your shield." She turned to Thunder, "Lets get out of here, this place is nothing but a crypt." Her face was cold as steel as she flew to the doorway and took one last look over the scene of death and slaughter before turning away from it.

Staring at the bloodbath staining the room, Thunder Flare was constantly harassed by a sensation of déjà vu. Somewhere, sometime, Thunder had experienced this before. But, he couldn't place the feeling on either. Shoving the feeling aside to answer Marciline, he said somberly "yeah, that's sounds good." Following Marci out the door and through the hallways, his wings flapping half-heartedly, the whooshing sound bluntly echoing through the empty halls, Thunder Flare asked Marci mid-flap "what did that? What'm I walkin' in on, here?"

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

Phoenix sighed in relief at his success. In fact, he actually felt pretty good about himself. He waited along side the mare's friend.
"You, know?" asked Phoenix, trying to start a conversation, "I used to play down here as a foal. I would just climb down here and just enjoy being by myself, being down here brings back memories. Oh, forgive me, we haven't had introductions yet. Name's Phoenix, what's yours?"

Shademane's heart sung with joy. 'Aurora'll be safe; she's going to live.' He looked with carding eyes upon the white alicorn laying in the green, luminescent sludge. "Aurora, we have to go back up since our bodies can't handle radiation well. I'll wait for you at the sewer entrance." He hoped she had heard him. Turning to face Phoenix, Shademane ignored him for the moment and kept turning until he had completed a full one hundred-eighty degree rotation. "C'mon, Firefly," he said as he began to walk away. As they trotted the short trip to the entrance, Shademane finally replied to Phoenix's question. "Mine's Shademane, and I don't exactly hold your sentiment for sewers. My dad fell in one when the pony-hole was covered by snow. He broke his legs on the fall and, as it happened, fell half-way into a pit of bloody radiation."

[Fralinia]

Damn it, he was a good liar. Now you've got a nice kettle of fish, don't you?

Dropping the accent and placing his helmet on his head in a defeated fashion, Brightsteel looked down at the ground in front of Pitch and sighed in clear sadness. Distinct and exaggerated sadness. Fake sadness.

"Oh, you've got me there, Pitch. I suppose now you'll haul me to ol' Utopia, have me shot and hung and drawn to quarters and poisoned and thrown to the dogs along with Crossfire here." He held out his hoof, as if asking to be led away. "Oh, if only you had some way of proving that this happened, I would be done for!" He dropped the sadness and looked Pitch dead in the eye. "But, as it seems, you don't! And I have some proof of my own. It's name is Reality, plain and simple, and anyone with a brain and an ounce of sense could see it. I suppose that you just don't fall into that category, Pitch. But have a nice day." Bright smirked and watched as nods of approvement swept around the courtyard. He turned around, and out of the side of his mouth, he added in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, and as for those raiders you were wanting help with, I see that you handled them, quite well. I suppose you just miraculously found all of your stolen belongings on the wayside as you followed us to the Tower?"

"But, why did you tell me in the first place?" Pitch asked, still not done unweaving Bright's yarn of lies.
Pitch looked at Bright, dead in the eyes as well, ignoring Bright's observation.
"Don't think that I don't know you for the stinking little traitor you are." Pitch whispered, keeping this secret between him and Bright, "We're two of a kind, you and I. In fact, if you have fought in the war, you too, would have also been a little side-jumper, just like... me."
Pitch ceased his whispering, and began talking in his normal voice.
"Now, it's my turn to ask questions. You wouldn't have told me about your scheme without a reason. Now cut the bloody act, your no better actor than I am. Now, tell me why, you gave me such vital information in the first place, other than to allow me to screw it up for you!"

Now Bright was furious. The bastard! A kniving little traitorous fiend, son of a bloody pile of lascivious rapists! He's a no good, dirty-rotten side-swapping... In his mind, Bright came up with some very original titles for Pitch in all his rage.

On the outside, Bright never blinked as he stared down the ghoul before him. "An act? There's no act here, Pitch." he said the name with his teeth ground together and his voice filled with rage. "I'm spilling my bloody guts for you, and you're bloody well doing the same. You want to know why I told you what I did? Because i slipped up. I told myself that you were some mindless bum who needed help before I could stop myself, and I held the act to try and keep you from noticing. Evidently, you're just hellbent on power, glory, fame, and most importantly caps. So yeah, I misjudged you, and slipped my tongue. What are you going to do about it?"

[Mooseolini]

"But, why did you tell me in the first place?" Pitch asked, still not done unweaving Bright's yarn of lies.
Pitch looked at Bright, dead in the eyes as well, ignoring Bright's observation.
"Don't think that I don't know you for the stinking little traitor you are." Pitch whispered, keeping this secret between him and Bright, "We're two of a kind, you and I. In fact, if you have fought in the war, you too, would have also been a little side-jumper, just like... me."
Pitch ceased his whispering, and began talking in his normal voice.
"Now, it's my turn to ask questions. You wouldn't have told me about your scheme without a reason. Now cut the bloody act, your no better actor than I am. Now, tell me why, you gave me such vital information in the first place, other than to allow me to screw it up for you!"

Now Bright was furious. The bastard! A kniving little traitorous fiend, son of a bloody pile of lascivious rapists! He's a no good, dirty-rotten side-swapping... In his mind, Bright came up with some very original titles for Pitch in all his rage.

On the outside, Bright never blinked as he stared down the ghoul before him. "An act? There's no act here, Pitch." he said the name with his teeth ground together and his voice filled with rage. "I'm spilling my bloody guts for you, and you're bloody well doing the same. You want to know why I told you what I did? Because i slipped up. I told myself that you were some mindless bum who needed help before I could stop myself, and I held the act to try and keep you from noticing. Evidently, you're just hellbent on power, glory, fame, and most importantly caps. So yeah, I misjudged you, and slipped my tongue. What are you going to do about it?"

Pitch was laughing hysterically. He haven't had this much fun in his 300 year life.
"So, you're saying that you actually believed my little act?" he whispered, "Ha! You gotta try harder than that! I knew that you saw right through me!"
But then something else got into his mind.
'Wait.' thought Pitch, 'Could these ponies actually be followers of that goddess thing? They are!
Pitch has been around for sometime, so he too, heard stories of a "goddess" who created the Alicorns, her name was Trixie Lulamoon. Ha! What a fraud. He knew Trixie. When he was just a small foal, she came to his part of Manehattan, to do a little show. She was always a joke to him.
"By the way," Pitch whispered, ready to give the final blow on Bright, "your little 'goddess'... what a joke! Trixie, a goddess, HA! That'll be the day! She too was a master of tricks. Too bad she didn't go far enough, into her art of trickery, maybe I would have looked up to her then."

[Fantrum]

A frown crossed Marci's face as she heard Brasswing's final words. They unsettled her, 'Who is Utopia? What experiments?' she wanted to ask him so much, but alas, he was now just a quickly cooling corpse. She closed his eyes with a hoof, "May Celestia light your path, and Luna be your shield." She turned to Thunder, "Lets get out of here, this place is nothing but a crypt." Her face was cold as steel as she flew to the doorway and took one last look over the scene of death and slaughter before turning away from it.

Staring at the bloodbath staining the room, Thunder Flare was constantly harassed by a sensation of déjà vu. Somewhere, sometime, Thunder had experienced this before. But, he couldn't place the feeling on either. Shoving the feeling aside to answer Marciline, he said somberly "yeah, that's sounds good." Following Marci out the door and through the hallways, his wings flapping half-heartedly, the whooshing sound bluntly echoing through the empty halls, Thunder Flare asked Marci mid-flap "what did that? What'm I walkin' in on, here?"

Beginning the slow decent down the stairs, Marciline sighed deeply at the stallion's question, "Its complicated." She stated simply, she didnt want to start babbling on about the great battle that took place in Seaddle between the Tunnelers and Unity, but she didnt want to leave Thunder in the dark either. She slowed her pace so she was walking side by side with him as she began her tale. She told him everything she knew about the tunnelers, about how they were tough to kill and that she didnt know their origins, and how they were a hive mind. She filled in every little detail she could, finishing with, "And now they have reappeared on the surface, and it seems they are making their presence known. I didnt expect the Tower's leadership to be dead, we need to find the captain of the guard and speak with them." By this time, they were in the main lobby, the talk informing Thunder about Tunnelers having taken a while.

No Name peeked out the side of the cart and looked surprised as he saw the damaged gates of Moon Tower. He slumped back into his seat and finished Timberwolf's final notch. "I wonder what happened. Whoever attacked it is incredibly brave or astoundingly stupid." No Name averted his gaze down to Timberwolf. Yesterdays polishing began yo gleam brightly with the growing amount of light. "Hey Eris, uhm, thanks for saving my life. I guess I should've said so earlier too. I mean, I honestly can't say I would've done the same for somepony else..."

Eris kept her eye on the advancing gate, but spoke to No Name happily, "Dont mention it! A true true friend helps a friend in need!" For some reason, she felt an impromptu musical coming on, but the sensation passed after she took a deep breath and held it for a second. She mentally chided herself for wanting to sing- 'Wait, whats this?' A crowd had gathered in the court-yard and it seemed a heated argument was on. Eris pulled the wagon through the gate, wheels bumping into crater holes and other derbies as she did so, and turned an interested ear to the argument as she lugged the wagon to one of the mercantile stands.

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

Beginning the slow decent down the stairs, Marciline sighed deeply at the stallion's question, "Its complicated." She stated simply, she didnt want to start babbling on about the great battle that took place in Seaddle between the Tunnelers and Unity, but she didnt want to leave Thunder in the dark either. She slowed her pace so she was walking side by side with him as she began her tale. She told him everything she knew about the tunnelers, about how they were tough to kill and that she didnt know their origins, and how they were a hive mind. She filled in every little detail she could, finishing with, "And now they have reappeared on the surface, and it seems they are making their presence known. I didnt expect the Tower's leadership to be dead, we need to find the captain of the guard and speak with them." By this time, they were in the main lobby, the talk informing Thunder about Tunnelers having taken a while.

Thunder Flare provided Marci his, nearly, undivided attention for the duration of the descent trip to the lobby; so much so, that, when flying, he nearly collided with an ajar door. It was all so much to take in. 'Lean, mean, an' green Silencers? War? Geeze, could I have chosen a worse time? Well, maybe I can help!' Or, so Thunder Flare thought. When the pair finally reached the entrance/exit, Thunder noticed some other, exhausted pony walking in. While he wanted to help her, he figured that she looked like she could take care of herself.

Walking out the doorway and into the refreshing, mind-clearing cold, Thunder looked out into a forming crowd. Two ponies seemed to dominate a heated discussion going on. One of the involved was a pegasus; the other, a dead-ish looking unicorn. 'That's… odd. Maybe it's a birth defect?'

[Neo Byzantine Empire]

Crossfire had held her peace throughout the argument going on around her; taking this all in bit by bit. She had been very much aware of Bright's mistake in revealing their plans to a stranger, though had so easily been willing to assume this Ghoul could do no possible harm. In failing to order the death of one, she may very well have condemned hundreds, no; thousands to their deaths. Throughout the exchange of words, she thought of a way to resolve this issue as peacefully and painlessly as possible; preparing to join this struggle of silver-tongues, though well-aware honor may demand much more than words could muster.

"Enough!" She exclaimed, stepping forward besides Bright Steel; her expression and demeanor demanding respect and attention; the Mare putting on a brave face, with the confidence to back her bravado up. "What gives you the right, sir, to make wild accusations and assumptions of ponies you know nothing about? Has the Balefire rotted your wits as badly as it has your body? You know nothing of me, my companions, or our intentions; and it shows. The 'Goddess' was a Mare driven mad, fooled into believing she had transcended mortality into a realm only Two have ever attained, and now they too are dead and gone. There is no glory in clinging to the past, but there is power to be gained from studying it; watching the mistakes, trials, and triumphs of our predecessors and using their knowledge and experience as a foundation upon which to build a better future. You would impede those with honest intentions and good hearts from trying to pull Pony-kind, and all races, from this Dark Age we have brought down upon ourselves, and for what reason? Amusement? Money? Because you can? I don't know your reasons and I don't care to; you clearly have no grounds upon which to back your accusations, making your claims as foolish as they are invalid; nor will your insult to the honor of my friends be tolerated. I would challenge you to a duel, sir; but alas, I find that scum like you is not worth the lead."

Having said her peace to the interloper, she proceeded to turn towards the vast crowd of merchants, guards, and residents seeking shelter under the banner of one of the more powerful factions in the region. "As misguided as our friend here is; there is some legitimacy to his claims, albeit deluded by lies, but still. It is true; I wish for the establishment of a stronger state, and for good reason. If you won't join my cause for the good of your fellow Ponies, your nations, and your Princess'; then think about the wealth to be gained. Do you really want to risk it all caravan from this haven to the farther reaches of the wastes; putting all you have on the line in the hopes you won't be overwhelmed and killed by the many dangers of the Wasteland? Think about it; would it not be more profitable to settle the land; to take advantage of its resources, be they in the form of the ever-precious foodstuffs we all need to live, or in mineral form? Under the strong guidance of a state with a Centralized form of government; land can be secured, land upon which we may all benefit from; monetarily and otherwise. My intentions are to bring this country and these people back on their hooves from this desolate ruin of society you all see around you. I've said it before and will re-state myself for good measure; if you will not find it in your hearts to do better, for yourselves and your fellow Ponies; then at least think of the rewards you may reap from reclaiming land for Agriculture and Industry; a safer, much more steady source of income than driving caravans all over the wastes in search of those with the funds to pay for your products; be they medicine, weaponry, salvage, or whatever."

[Fantrum]

Beginning the slow decent down the stairs, Marciline sighed deeply at the stallion's question, "Its complicated." She stated simply, she didnt want to start babbling on about the great battle that took place in Seaddle between the Tunnelers and Unity, but she didnt want to leave Thunder in the dark either. She slowed her pace so she was walking side by side with him as she began her tale. She told him everything she knew about the tunnelers, about how they were tough to kill and that she didnt know their origins, and how they were a hive mind. She filled in every little detail she could, finishing with, "And now they have reappeared on the surface, and it seems they are making their presence known. I didnt expect the Tower's leadership to be dead, we need to find the captain of the guard and speak with them." By this time, they were in the main lobby, the talk informing Thunder about Tunnelers having taken a while.

Thunder Flare provided Marci his, nearly, undivided attention for the duration of the descent trip to the lobby; so much so, that, when flying, he nearly collided with an ajar door. It was all so much to take in. 'Lean, mean, an' green Silencers? War? Geeze, could I have chosen a worse time? Well, maybe I can help!' Or, so Thunder Flare thought. When the pair finally reached the entrance/exit, Thunder noticed some other, exhausted pony walking in. While he wanted to help her, he figured that she looked like she could take care of herself.

Walking out the doorway and into the refreshing, mind-clearing cold, Thunder looked out into a forming crowd. Two ponies seemed to dominate a heated discussion going on. One of the involved was a pegasus; the other, a dead-ish looking unicorn. 'That's… odd. Maybe it's a birth defect?'

Marci relished the breeze that made her mane flutter in the wind, it was nice to feel its oddly calming effects on her skin. She too had noticed the throng of ponies, "Oh. Crossfire is still at it?" She also saw the ghoul pony facing off with Brightsteel, "Well that should be interesting." She trotted forwards and caught the majority of Crossfire's speech, she herself didnt believe in any of that crap. But hey, it was a chance for the wasteland to grow once more. So as long as it was morally good, Marci felt she could support it. She felt odd, standing over all the other ponies, she stuck out like a sore hoof.