Fallout: Equestria (IC)

[Lunas Legion]

"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?"

Opium's ears perked up and he craned his head lazily up to the Seaddle Institute. Finally! Some service! He pranced in place for a moment before sitting down onto his haunched in the snow, turning his nose up before shouting like a madpony, "FIIIIIINALLY! Took you long enough! I want in, I am a merchant of ill repute and have plenty of combat stimulants if you are ever so interested! Oh! And my two best friends forever and 'ever are being violently assaulted by a few monstrous robots, they're probably dead, but whatevs'! I'm pretty hungry too, I ran all the way here and I'm still buzzed!"

"I already said this isn't a bloody soup kitchen!" Gunner repeated as he brushed a few flakes of snow off his muzzle. "And we aren't interested in your bloody combat stims! Go sell them to the Blackhounds or Tolltakers or something! Come in anyway, just in case you've got anything else we might be interested in."

[The Flutterlands]

"Very well." said Hope, "All right men, this way."
Hope went through the hole first. As the gang followed, Spot looked at the Alicorn intently. Just looking at it ran shivers down his spine. But, with his question still unanswered, he looked at the Alicorn in the eyes, and asked for the third time, "What is the Silence?".
"Come on, move it!" scowled a gang member behind him.
"Actually," said Hope sticking her head, out of the hole, "That is a good question. What is the Silence?"

"A good question. The Silence are a old foe made new, a hidden foe that has become visible. They are a counterpoint to the Voice; bringing the cold depths of Silence wherever they go while the Voice brings enlightenment and knowledge. Do not trifle with them; death follows wherever they go no matter how far you run. Time is their ally, not yours. You would do well to remember that. The Voice has foreseen it."

"Made new?" asked Hope quizzically, "What does that mean? Was it defeated before, only to come back? How?"
"And what's the voice?" asked Spot, still with many questions boiling in his head.

[Lunas Legion]

The merchant smiled grimly. "Moon Tower's a place of wealth. You only get what you can pay for, everypony knows that and everypony gets the same treatment. But, since I'm a nice pony, I'll make you a deal; all the medicine that I have in stock and you pay me back later." He gestured to a few other merchants standing off from the scene. "Money is the only language we understand, but since you're a mare who should keep her word, I have no doubt they'll be willing to part with supplies in exchange for being paid later. Debt is something we all understand, after all."

Crossfire scowled at the idea a pony could only care about profit, even in a dire situation such as this. Still; on the bright side, he hadn't demanded a down payment, at least, and she was a Mare of her word. They would be repaid for their assistance, eventually. "Very well; it's a deal." She said, nodding to those around her who took the liberty of taking the Medicine the merchant had in stock, to put it to good use caring for the injured.

While Crossfire made her deal with the Merchants; ponies affiliated with her and Moon Tower picked over the dead and dying; sorting out who was who, allowing families to claim the corpses of sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters claimed during the terror attack; while the injured were taken into the care of those with some medical knowledge; Bright and Sulphur discovered and taken to a portion of the courtyard covered with wounded; ponies with talents for medicine or medical care tending to a wide variety of ponies. Those taking orders from Crossfire were doing as she said; tending to those worst-off, regardless of wealth. Other doctors, however, whose skills might have been better put to use treating those who actually needed it, were either being harassed by or paid to tend to wealthier clients whose injuries ranged from nowhere near as grave to just as desperate, though much to the dismay of ponies such as Crossfire; the former seemed to be the case far more than the latter.

She walked through row after row of wounded; finding one such doctor tending to a Mare with a few cuts and scrapes; nothing as serious as what she herself had endured. "Doctor; why are you tending to this mare when there are others in more serious condition than her?" She asked, studying the victim of the attack closely to ensure her assumption was correct. As far as she could tell, it was; no injury that could possibly warrant priority above others who had been as close to the blast as Crossfire and survived.

The Doctor glanced upwards. "Have you never heard of the Golden Binding Chain? Those who have wealth are priortized over those who do not; it encourages the common pony to work harder and generally try to rise above the competition, a literal survival of the fittest if you will."

---

The Warrens

"Defeated... No, sealed would be a better word. Evil in a can, so to speak. And do not ask about the Voice; it is our way of bringing back the old, recreating Our Golden Age." The Alicorn glanced up to the tops of the cargo containers that formed a canyon around them. "You must go; they come."

[Das Metro]

Opium's ears perked up and he craned his head lazily up to the Seaddle Institute. Finally! Some service! He pranced in place for a moment before sitting down onto his haunched in the snow, turning his nose up before shouting like a madpony, "FIIIIIINALLY! Took you long enough! I want in, I am a merchant of ill repute and have plenty of combat stimulants if you are ever so interested! Oh! And my two best friends forever and 'ever are being violently assaulted by a few monstrous robots, they're probably dead, but whatevs'! I'm pretty hungry too, I ran all the way here and I'm still buzzed!"

"I already said this isn't a bloody soup kitchen!" Gunner repeated as he brushed a few flakes of snow off his muzzle. "And we aren't interested in your bloody combat stims! Go sell them to the Blackhounds or Tolltakers or something! Come in anyway, just in case you've got anything else we might be interested in."

Opium laughed pompously and trotted inside with another upturn of his nose. He looked around with a broad grin and empty stare. All this technology! It made Opium feel dizzy and insecure about his own equipment. Damnit, he always hated technology... Despite his raging hate for all things magical (except Horns) Opium pranced up to pour himself some soup. Nonchalantly, he brushed off his cloak and stuffed ot into his saddlebags. Opium shot an admiring gaze at his Slaver Barding. He poured himself a bowl of soup and trotted over to a corner to eat alone. Between a mouthful he added a comment, "Just like home! A cold, impassive place full of impassive ponies, but lukewarm soup... I miss home."

[The Flutterlands]

Crossfire scowled at the idea a pony could only care about profit, even in a dire situation such as this. Still; on the bright side, he hadn't demanded a down payment, at least, and she was a Mare of her word. They would be repaid for their assistance, eventually. "Very well; it's a deal." She said, nodding to those around her who took the liberty of taking the Medicine the merchant had in stock, to put it to good use caring for the injured.

While Crossfire made her deal with the Merchants; ponies affiliated with her and Moon Tower picked over the dead and dying; sorting out who was who, allowing families to claim the corpses of sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters claimed during the terror attack; while the injured were taken into the care of those with some medical knowledge; Bright and Sulphur discovered and taken to a portion of the courtyard covered with wounded; ponies with talents for medicine or medical care tending to a wide variety of ponies. Those taking orders from Crossfire were doing as she said; tending to those worst-off, regardless of wealth. Other doctors, however, whose skills might have been better put to use treating those who actually needed it, were either being harassed by or paid to tend to wealthier clients whose injuries ranged from nowhere near as grave to just as desperate, though much to the dismay of ponies such as Crossfire; the former seemed to be the case far more than the latter.

She walked through row after row of wounded; finding one such doctor tending to a Mare with a few cuts and scrapes; nothing as serious as what she herself had endured. "Doctor; why are you tending to this mare when there are others in more serious condition than her?" She asked, studying the victim of the attack closely to ensure her assumption was correct. As far as she could tell, it was; no injury that could possibly warrant priority above others who had been as close to the blast as Crossfire and survived.

The Doctor glanced upwards. "Have you never heard of the Golden Binding Chain? Those who have wealth are priortized over those who do not; it encourages the common pony to work harder and generally try to rise above the competition, a literal survival of the fittest if you will."

---

The Warrens

"Defeated... No, sealed would be a better word. Evil in a can, so to speak. And do not ask about the Voice; it is our way of bringing back the old, recreating Our Golden Age." The Alicorn glanced up to the tops of the cargo containers that formed a canyon around them. "You must go; they come."

"All right" said Hope, now finished, "Men, move out."
"Dose this have anything to do with Vault, uh... (what was it?) 132?" asked Spot.
Spot was surprised to find the question coming out of his mouth. It was only a day dream after all. Was it?
"SPOT!" Hope hissed. "Come on let's go, no further questions, you heard the Alicorn, move."

[Neo Byzantine Empire]

Crossfire scowled at the idea a pony could only care about profit, even in a dire situation such as this. Still; on the bright side, he hadn't demanded a down payment, at least, and she was a Mare of her word. They would be repaid for their assistance, eventually. "Very well; it's a deal." She said, nodding to those around her who took the liberty of taking the Medicine the merchant had in stock, to put it to good use caring for the injured.

While Crossfire made her deal with the Merchants; ponies affiliated with her and Moon Tower picked over the dead and dying; sorting out who was who, allowing families to claim the corpses of sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters claimed during the terror attack; while the injured were taken into the care of those with some medical knowledge; Bright and Sulphur discovered and taken to a portion of the courtyard covered with wounded; ponies with talents for medicine or medical care tending to a wide variety of ponies. Those taking orders from Crossfire were doing as she said; tending to those worst-off, regardless of wealth. Other doctors, however, whose skills might have been better put to use treating those who actually needed it, were either being harassed by or paid to tend to wealthier clients whose injuries ranged from nowhere near as grave to just as desperate, though much to the dismay of ponies such as Crossfire; the former seemed to be the case far more than the latter.

She walked through row after row of wounded; finding one such doctor tending to a Mare with a few cuts and scrapes; nothing as serious as what she herself had endured. "Doctor; why are you tending to this mare when there are others in more serious condition than her?" She asked, studying the victim of the attack closely to ensure her assumption was correct. As far as she could tell, it was; no injury that could possibly warrant priority above others who had been as close to the blast as Crossfire and survived.

The Doctor glanced upwards. "Have you never heard of the Golden Binding Chain? Those who have wealth are priortized over those who do not; it encourages the common pony to work harder and generally try to rise above the competition, a literal survival of the fittest if you will."

---

The Warrens

"Defeated... No, sealed would be a better word. Evil in a can, so to speak. And do not ask about the Voice; it is our way of bringing back the old, recreating Our Golden Age." The Alicorn glanced up to the tops of the cargo containers that formed a canyon around them. "You must go; they come."

"And do you not know that a dead pony is useless to everypony else, doctor? Do you really believe laziness can be quelled with incentive such as this? No; this is not the way. I demand you take your attentions elsewhere, to save the life of somepony who truly needs it; to Tartarus with a few pieces of ancient scrap metal. Tell me; what amount of wealth in this world could ever equal the value of another's life? Now for Celestia's sake; stand and do the right thing, Doctor. Do unto others as you would wish done unto yourself. How might you feel if your life was in the hooves of another, another who ignored your plight for the sake of some undeserving sod?" The way this system worked... It only served to further solidify Crossfire's resolve to change things for the better. Ponies had apparently forgotten that the only thing which mattered, in this world more than ever, was each other. All around her, she saw corruption and vile decadence brought about by a lack of purpose, of true leadership. It sickened her, to see society brought so low. She had nothing against those who endeavored to make profit, but at the expense of their fellow ponies? This was far too much, and if they would not listen to reason; somepony would have to make them see reason.

[The Flutterlands]

The Doctor glanced upwards. "Have you never heard of the Golden Binding Chain? Those who have wealth are priortized over those who do not; it encourages the common pony to work harder and generally try to rise above the competition, a literal survival of the fittest if you will."

---

The Warrens

"Defeated... No, sealed would be a better word. Evil in a can, so to speak. And do not ask about the Voice; it is our way of bringing back the old, recreating Our Golden Age." The Alicorn glanced up to the tops of the cargo containers that formed a canyon around them. "You must go; they come."

"And do you not know that a dead pony is useless to everypony else, doctor? Do you really believe laziness can be quelled with incentive such as this? No; this is not the way. I demand you take your attentions elsewhere, to save the life of somepony who truly needs it; to Tartarus with a few pieces of ancient scrap metal. Tell me; what amount of wealth in this world could ever equal the value of another's life? Now for Celestia's sake; stand and do the right thing, Doctor. Do unto others as you would wish done unto yourself. How might you feel if your life was in the hooves of another, another who ignored your plight for the sake of some undeserving sod?" The way this system worked... It only served to further solidify Crossfire's resolve to change things for the better. Ponies had apparently forgotten that the only thing which mattered, in this world more than ever, was each other. All around her, she saw corruption and vile decadence brought about by a lack of purpose, of true leadership. It sickened her, to see society brought so low. She had nothing against those who endeavored to make profit, but at the expense of their fellow ponies? This was far too much, and if they would not listen to reason; somepony would have to make them see reason.

Red Dawn felt like she just had to bump in on the conversation.
"LOOK, SIR!" she roared.
Red Dawn Stared down the pony, Alicorn to Alicorn.
"There are ponies dying because of an attack, and all you care for is MONEY? I've worked with kleptomaniacs that have better respect for their fellow ponies than you! Now, stop being such a cheapskate, AND HELP THESE PONIES FOR ONCE!"

[Lunas Legion]

The Doctor glanced upwards. "Have you never heard of the Golden Binding Chain? Those who have wealth are priortized over those who do not; it encourages the common pony to work harder and generally try to rise above the competition, a literal survival of the fittest if you will."

---

The Warrens

"Defeated... No, sealed would be a better word. Evil in a can, so to speak. And do not ask about the Voice; it is our way of bringing back the old, recreating Our Golden Age." The Alicorn glanced up to the tops of the cargo containers that formed a canyon around them. "You must go; they come."

"And do you not know that a dead pony is useless to everypony else, doctor? Do you really believe laziness can be quelled with incentive such as this? No; this is not the way. I demand you take your attentions elsewhere, to save the life of somepony who truly needs it; to Tartarus with a few pieces of ancient scrap metal. Tell me; what amount of wealth in this world could ever equal the value of another's life? Now for Celestia's sake; stand and do the right thing, Doctor. Do unto others as you would wish done unto yourself. How might you feel if your life was in the hooves of another, another who ignored your plight for the sake of some undeserving sod?" The way this system worked... It only served to further solidify Crossfire's resolve to change things for the better. Ponies had apparently forgotten that the only thing which mattered, in this world more than ever, was each other. All around her, she saw corruption and vile decadence brought about by a lack of purpose, of true leadership. It sickened her, to see society brought so low. She had nothing against those who endeavored to make profit, but at the expense of their fellow ponies? This was far too much, and if they would not listen to reason; somepony would have to make them see reason.

"I'll think you'll find, miss, that the value of life is rather low in the Wasteland." The doctor replied as he finished off the small amount of medical care that his patient needed. "Some of these cases are beyond my skills to heal; I am paid by my clients, one of whom you just saw, to priortize them over others. Money buys anything in this settlement; you didn't grow up with our ways. That's why this settlement has lasted as long as it has, because it has structure where everything has a set value. The days of the Followers are long gone; these days, money keeps you alive. Money and friends."

He turned to the enraged Alicorn behind him. "And what would you have me do, hmm? Neglect my loyalties to my clients? All these ponies would do the exact same as I am doing. Now let me get back to work. Go bother the Council or something."

[The Flutterlands]

"And do you not know that a dead pony is useless to everypony else, doctor? Do you really believe laziness can be quelled with incentive such as this? No; this is not the way. I demand you take your attentions elsewhere, to save the life of somepony who truly needs it; to Tartarus with a few pieces of ancient scrap metal. Tell me; what amount of wealth in this world could ever equal the value of another's life? Now for Celestia's sake; stand and do the right thing, Doctor. Do unto others as you would wish done unto yourself. How might you feel if your life was in the hooves of another, another who ignored your plight for the sake of some undeserving sod?" The way this system worked... It only served to further solidify Crossfire's resolve to change things for the better. Ponies had apparently forgotten that the only thing which mattered, in this world more than ever, was each other. All around her, she saw corruption and vile decadence brought about by a lack of purpose, of true leadership. It sickened her, to see society brought so low. She had nothing against those who endeavored to make profit, but at the expense of their fellow ponies? This was far too much, and if they would not listen to reason; somepony would have to make them see reason.

"I'll think you'll find, miss, that the value of life is rather low in the Wasteland." The doctor replied as he finished off the small amount of medical care that his patient needed. "Some of these cases are beyond my skills to heal; I am paid by my clients, one of whom you just saw, to priortize them over others. Money buys anything in this settlement; you didn't grow up with our ways. That's why this settlement has lasted as long as it has, because it has structure where everything has a set value. The days of the Followers are long gone; these days, money keeps you alive. Money and friends."

He turned to the enraged Alicorn behind him. "And what would you have me do, hmm? Neglect my loyalties to my clients? All these ponies would do the exact same as I am doing. Now let me get back to work. Go bother the Council or something."

"I want you to ACT LIKE A FUCKING PONY FOR ONCE! And maybe you didn't notice, but the council is dead. They've died in the Silence's attack. Now, if you won't help them, then you'll have a lot more to worry about than your clients."

[Lunas Legion]

"I'll think you'll find, miss, that the value of life is rather low in the Wasteland." The doctor replied as he finished off the small amount of medical care that his patient needed. "Some of these cases are beyond my skills to heal; I am paid by my clients, one of whom you just saw, to priortize them over others. Money buys anything in this settlement; you didn't grow up with our ways. That's why this settlement has lasted as long as it has, because it has structure where everything has a set value. The days of the Followers are long gone; these days, money keeps you alive. Money and friends."

He turned to the enraged Alicorn behind him. "And what would you have me do, hmm? Neglect my loyalties to my clients? All these ponies would do the exact same as I am doing. Now let me get back to work. Go bother the Council or something."

"I want you to ACT LIKE A FUCKING PONY FOR ONCE! And maybe you didn't notice, but the council is dead. They've died in the Silence's attack. Now, if you won't help them, then you'll have a lot more to worry about than your clients."

The doctor snorted. "And what are you going to do about it, hmmm? Kill me? Threaten me? Then who will treat them? As I said, some of these wounds are beyond my skills, but if you want to help, there should be a few healing potions back in my clinic. Get them, and you might actually help rather than stopping me treating these ponies!"

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

Pitch noticed that his plan failed. Seeing the cursed pegasus mare unharmed made his blood boil. Upon seeing the charging pegasus, and noticing that he's out of weapons. Pitch simply dematerialized in the collision, and rematerialized, a short distance away from Thunder. After giving a sarcastic bow to the victorious Pegasus.
"Pleasure fighting with you," he said, with a crackle, "But, again, my fight is with Crossfire. If I am to die, it would be by Crossfire's hooves. You, on the other hoof, are not worthy to even taste my blood. Ta-ta. Tell Crossfire, I said, hello."
And with a demonic laugh, the ghoul dematerialized for the last time, not before taking the falling knives with him.
Pitch rematerialized in his carraige. With big plans for Crossfire on his mind.
'Soon,' he thought, 'Soon.'

Butch, Dustbowl and Red Dawn, arrived at a Moon Tower in chaos. Death stunk the air.
"What the hell happened?" cried Dustbowl, in shock of what the pegasus was seeing.
Red Dawn looked around, finally seeing a bloody Crossfire, Red Dawn ordered her friends to split up, and help out as many wounded as they can. The Alicorn, Red Dawn swooped towards Crossfire, hoping that there's still time. Ignoring the first-aid kit, next to her, Red Dawn used her Alicorn Magic to heal Crossfire's wounds.
'Please,' she begged in her thoughts, 'Don't die on me now!'
Meanwhile, the griffin, Butch saw a pegasus, hovering, high in the air. He looked injured. Butch rushed towards the pony.
"What the bloody hell happened?" he shouted, "Who or what did this?"
Dusty, found the pony, Sulphur, weeping near by. He swooped down to aid her.

Marciline haddn't seen the fight, not in it's entirety, but she knew something was wrong. She had heard Thunder's 'Be right back!' And had seen him take off, but she didnt know where in the Goddess' name he had gone off to. Her eyes were drawn to the distinctive flash of somepony teleporting, and she found Thunder there. Walking up slowly, Marci extended a greeting, "Hey Thunder, what have you been up to..." She trailed off, taking in his gashes and the scattering of sharp knives around the area, "By the Goddess! Whats happened to you!?" She forced her voice to stay calm as she rushed to his side, looking for anything still lodged inside the stallion.

Thunder Flare was floating in the air, adrenaline wearing off. 'Gosh dang it! Eh, oh well…' Feeling a painful and cold ache in his leg, he looked down to be rememinded about how he had been stabbed and cut. Added to that was a sensation he associated with that of cracked ribs. 'Must've gotten those from the crash.'Believing the injury warranted a response, Thunder gave off a nonchalant "ouch." Descending slowly to the ground, Thunder Flare was suddenly assaulted by a question from one of those strange bird-things. He didn't understand why it was shouting at him; the battle was over and there wasn't any other particularly loud event transpiring. "Well, as t' what: some dead-looking unicorn thought he'd have some a' his own fun. Can't really say I agree with his taste. As t' who: like I said before, some crazed—ugh—unicorn." Like the cloud of darkness that crawls over the land when the sun sets, so too did a darkness begin to slowly seep over Thunder Flare's mind. He still maintained consciousness, but he was loosing blood. Laughing weakly, Thunder dryly joked "guess muh wounds are a bit worse than I thought."

Touching hoof against the ground, Thunder Flare saw Marci standing in front of him moments later. "Heya, Marce-y", he greeted her with a meagre smile. Replying to her questions, he joked, "Me? Oh, Mr. Crazed-Dead-Pony an' muhself jus' had a bit a fun. An' would ya look at that!", he said, motioning towards his wounded leg, "I'm holy, now!" Laughing at his own, pathetic joke, he developed a slight grin. "I think I also have a couple a' cracked ribs. It'd, actually, be pretty nice if ya were t' patch me up, Marci."

[The Flutterlands]

"I want you to ACT LIKE A FUCKING PONY FOR ONCE! And maybe you didn't notice, but the council is dead. They've died in the Silence's attack. Now, if you won't help them, then you'll have a lot more to worry about than your clients."

The doctor snorted. "And what are you going to do about it, hmmm? Kill me? Threaten me? Then who will treat them? As I said, some of these wounds are beyond my skills, but if you want to help, there should be a few healing potions back in my clinic. Get them, and you might actually help rather than stopping me treating these ponies!"

"Then..." said Red Dawn, thinking about it, she knows that violence really isn't the answer here.
Then the Alicorn remembered that she had her life savings with her. She has been holding onto it for most of her life, while hiding it from the kleptos, but she wasn't really sure what to do with it . Maybe it could find use here.
"Then, I'll pay for it." she said finally.
The Alicorn untied a small bag of caps from her belt, lending it to the doctor.
"IS THIS ENOUGH?!" she asked intently.

[Lunas Legion]

The doctor snorted. "And what are you going to do about it, hmmm? Kill me? Threaten me? Then who will treat them? As I said, some of these wounds are beyond my skills, but if you want to help, there should be a few healing potions back in my clinic. Get them, and you might actually help rather than stopping me treating these ponies!"

"Then..." said Red Dawn, thinking about it, she knows that violence really isn't the answer here.
Then the Alicorn remembered that she had her life savings with her. She has been holding onto it for most of her life, while hiding it from the kleptos, but she wasn't really sure what to do with it . Maybe it could find use here.
"Then, I'll pay for it." she said finally.
The Alicorn untied a small bag of caps from her belt, lending it to the doctor.
"IS THIS ENOUGH?!" she asked intently.

"Caps doesn't mean time. Stop bothering me and let me go about my work; treatment is free, the only question is when they recieve the treatment and whether they're still alive. I think you'll find that nearly everypony here was covered under one doctor or another, and we don't interfere with each others clients. We all work out of the same building, so we do our best to avoid conflict. Just let me be about my work and pay afterwards."

[The Flutterlands]

Thunder Flare was floating in the air, adrenaline wearing off. 'Gosh dang it! Eh, oh well…' Feeling a painful and cold ache in his leg, he looked down to be rememinded about how he had been stabbed and cut. Added to that was a sensation he associated with that of cracked ribs. 'Must've gotten those from the crash.'Believing the injury warranted a response, Thunder gave off a nonchalant "ouch." Descending slowly to the ground, Thunder Flare was suddenly assaulted by a question from one of those strange bird-things. He didn't understand why it was shouting at him; the battle was over and there wasn't any other particularly loud event transpiring. "Well, as t' what: some dead-looking unicorn thought he'd have some a' his own fun. Can't really say I agree with his taste. As t' who: like I said before, some crazed—ugh—unicorn." Like the cloud of darkness that crawls over the land when the sun sets, so too did a darkness begin to slowly seep over Thunder Flare's mind. He still maintained consciousness, but he was loosing blood. Laughing weakly, Thunder dryly joked "guess muh wounds are a bit worse than I thought."

Touching hoof against the ground, Thunder Flare saw Marci standing in front of him moments later. "Heya, Marce-y", he greeted her with a meagre smile. Replying to her questions, he joked, "Me? Oh, Mr. Crazed-Dead-Pony an' muhself jus' had a bit a fun. An' would ya look at that!", he said, motioning towards his wounded leg, "I'm holy, now!" Laughing at his own, pathetic joke, he developed a slight grin. "I think I also have a couple a' cracked ribs. It'd, actually, be pretty nice if ya were t' patch me up, Marci."

'An unicorn?' Butch thought, noticing how high they were, 'That can... fly? Don't he mean an Alicorn? Or is there something else going on here?'
Butch scoffed, there's something rotten afoot and he didn't like it.
Butch followed the injured Pegasus, to the ground.
"Where's Crossfire?" he asked, catching up with Thunder, "Is she alright?"

---

"Then..." said Red Dawn, thinking about it, she knows that violence really isn't the answer here.
Then the Alicorn remembered that she had her life savings with her. She has been holding onto it for most of her life, while hiding it from the kleptos, but she wasn't really sure what to do with it . Maybe it could find use here.
"Then, I'll pay for it." she said finally.
The Alicorn untied a small bag of caps from her belt, lending it to the doctor.
"IS THIS ENOUGH?!" she asked intently.

"Caps doesn't mean time. Stop bothering me and let me go about my work; treatment is free, the only question is when they recieve the treatment and whether they're still alive. I think you'll find that nearly everypony here was covered under one doctor or another, and we don't interfere with each others clients. We all work out of the same building, so we do our best to avoid conflict. Just let me be about my work and pay afterwards."

Red Dawn nodded. Then, after tying her bag back to her belt, the mare turned to Crossfire.
"What happened here, Crossfire?" the Alicorn asked, "Did the Silence attack again? Or is this something worse?"
Then again, what could be worse than the Silence?

[Neo Byzantine Empire]

The apathy... The insolence... Bother the council? Oh, they would be bothered, soon enough. Attitudes such as these were what kept the Wastes from growing and developing into anything beyond that; simple wastes. These ponies could live their lies and perish, for all she cared; there was nothing more to be gained at Moon Tower now. She dropped the issue entirely; helping tend to those whom she knew needed it.

'So they consider the value of life to be low?' She asked herself as she went from patient to patient; helping doctors in whatever way they needed it, that was within her ability to accomplish. 'Do they not know that such an attitude is self-destructive? We'll see whose policy is superior soon enough; in the meantime, dedicate yourself to those who have invested their faith in you. They look up to you; don't let them down.'

"It's a possibility, though I have reasonable cause to believe a very different party was responsible." She said in answer to Red Dawn's questions, turning back to find Bright Steel and Sulphur laid down next to each other; their wounds being tended to by Loyalist "doctors"; idealistic young doctors and medical students drawn into the service of the Revivalists by Crossfire's speeches in favor of Monarchy. Their presence here, helping those involved with and disassociated with the Movement, restored some of Crossfire's faith in ponykind; seeing how she could draw to her the best of a generation, which would only allow the message to strike that much deeper when she finally gathered her growing following and left these walls for the outlying city, which they would rebuild block by block if they had to.

"Well, it certainly is a small world, isn't it?" She asked upon noticing her two friends, smiling as she sat down someplace out of the way. "How are you feeling, friends?"

[The Flutterlands]

The apathy... The insolence... Bother the council? Oh, they would be bothered, soon enough. Attitudes such as these were what kept the Wastes from growing and developing into anything beyond that; simple wastes. These ponies could live their lies and perish, for all she cared; there was nothing more to be gained at Moon Tower now. She dropped the issue entirely; helping tend to those whom she knew needed it.

'So they consider the value of life to be low?' She asked herself as she went from patient to patient; helping doctors in whatever way they needed it, that was within her ability to accomplish. 'Do they not know that such an attitude is self-destructive? We'll see whose policy is superior soon enough; in the meantime, dedicate yourself to those who have invested their faith in you. They look up to you; don't let them down.'

"It's a possibility, though I have reasonable cause to believe a very different party was responsible." She said in answer to Red Dawn's questions, turning back to find Bright Steel and Sulphur laid down next to each other; their wounds being tended to by Loyalist "doctors"; idealistic young doctors and medical students drawn into the service of the Revivalists by Crossfire's speeches in favor of Monarchy. Their presence here, helping those involved with and disassociated with the Movement, restored some of Crossfire's faith in ponykind; seeing how she could draw to her the best of a generation, which would only allow the message to strike that much deeper when she finally gathered her growing following and left these walls for the outlying city, which they would rebuild block by block if they had to.

"Well, it certainly is a small world, isn't it?" She asked upon noticing her two friends, smiling as she sat down someplace out of the way. "How are you feeling, friends?"

"Good," she said, "I kinda gotten the feeling to come back here. Butch and Dustbowl are here as well, helping those they can. We would like to aid you in your monarchy. I may not like how it starts, but if we work at it, maybe we'll actually achieve something."

[Fralinia]

The apathy... The insolence... Bother the council? Oh, they would be bothered, soon enough. Attitudes such as these were what kept the Wastes from growing and developing into anything beyond that; simple wastes. These ponies could live their lies and perish, for all she cared; there was nothing more to be gained at Moon Tower now. She dropped the issue entirely; helping tend to those whom she knew needed it.

'So they consider the value of life to be low?' She asked herself as she went from patient to patient; helping doctors in whatever way they needed it, that was within her ability to accomplish. 'Do they not know that such an attitude is self-destructive? We'll see whose policy is superior soon enough; in the meantime, dedicate yourself to those who have invested their faith in you. They look up to you; don't let them down.'

"It's a possibility, though I have reasonable cause to believe a very different party was responsible." She said in answer to Red Dawn's questions, turning back to find Bright Steel and Sulphur laid down next to each other; their wounds being tended to by Loyalist "doctors"; idealistic young doctors and medical students drawn into the service of the Revivalists by Crossfire's speeches in favor of Monarchy. Their presence here, helping those involved with and disassociated with the Movement, restored some of Crossfire's faith in ponykind; seeing how she could draw to her the best of a generation, which would only allow the message to strike that much deeper when she finally gathered her growing following and left these walls for the outlying city, which they would rebuild block by block if they had to.

"Well, it certainly is a small world, isn't it?" She asked upon noticing her two friends, smiling as she sat down someplace out of the way. "How are you feeling, friends?"

"Yeah, the world's small enough. Small enough that when things blow up, the shrapnel hits everyone." Bright winced as one of the projectiles lodged in his side was removed by a unicorn doctor. "But I'm not dead, and neither is Sulphur. I think we've both lost a lot of blood, though. Not exactly in good shape." He thought back a few seconds to Crossfire and an Alicorn yelling at a doctor. "Say, Crossfire, at were you yelling at that doctor for?"

[The Flutterlands]

The apathy... The insolence... Bother the council? Oh, they would be bothered, soon enough. Attitudes such as these were what kept the Wastes from growing and developing into anything beyond that; simple wastes. These ponies could live their lies and perish, for all she cared; there was nothing more to be gained at Moon Tower now. She dropped the issue entirely; helping tend to those whom she knew needed it.

'So they consider the value of life to be low?' She asked herself as she went from patient to patient; helping doctors in whatever way they needed it, that was within her ability to accomplish. 'Do they not know that such an attitude is self-destructive? We'll see whose policy is superior soon enough; in the meantime, dedicate yourself to those who have invested their faith in you. They look up to you; don't let them down.'

"It's a possibility, though I have reasonable cause to believe a very different party was responsible." She said in answer to Red Dawn's questions, turning back to find Bright Steel and Sulphur laid down next to each other; their wounds being tended to by Loyalist "doctors"; idealistic young doctors and medical students drawn into the service of the Revivalists by Crossfire's speeches in favor of Monarchy. Their presence here, helping those involved with and disassociated with the Movement, restored some of Crossfire's faith in ponykind; seeing how she could draw to her the best of a generation, which would only allow the message to strike that much deeper when she finally gathered her growing following and left these walls for the outlying city, which they would rebuild block by block if they had to.

"Well, it certainly is a small world, isn't it?" She asked upon noticing her two friends, smiling as she sat down someplace out of the way. "How are you feeling, friends?"

"Yeah, the world's small enough. Small enough that when things blow up, the shrapnel hits everyone." Bright winced as one of the projectiles lodged in his side was removed by a unicorn doctor. "But I'm not dead, and neither is Sulphur. I think we've both lost a lot of blood, though. Not exactly in good shape." He thought back a few seconds to Crossfire and an Alicorn yelling at a doctor. "Say, Crossfire, at were you yelling at that doctor for?"

"Oh, just money." said Red Dawn, turning to Bright, "Materialism is like a religion here. Even with growing up with it, I find it... sad, that ponies lives are valued by the size of their wallet, rather than their dignity."

[New Willow]

When the first grenade had been thrown, Bright had seen the small projectile land on the ground. He recognized it from all of the times he'd seen raiders use one, but there was nothing he could do but flinch. He was right in the line of fire.

The detonation of the first bomb knocked him back about a meter, impacting him with Crossfire's entourage before the shrapnel ripped outwards. He felt, as if his mind was in slow motion, three bits of sharp steel rip through his side like bullets. He fell, bleeding. Several ponies landed on top of him.

The second explosion wasn't as bad, mostly because Bright couldn't ear the deafening boom this time. He felt the blast wash over him, with a sickening thud, but the shrapnel was absorbed by the bodies on top of him. As the initial pain gave way to copious amounts of adrenaline, Bright looked down at the three gaping holes in his side. One had destroyed his right flank, just below his cutie mark, the other two had ripped holes in his gut. He suddenly felt rather queasy, and he quickly realized he need for medical aid.

But what if there was a third grenade? Bright could still,in his shell-shocked state, deuce who had thrown the bomb. He weakly stumbled to his feet after crawling out from underneath the ponies and grabbed his new rifle. He wasn't quite comfortable with it yet, he missed his old shotgun, but it would do. He pointed it right at Pitch Black's chest and then watched with horror as he dematerialized into nothingness.

Chase him!

To where? Crossfire's probably dead, we don't know where Sulphur is, what do you think is a smart plan of action?

Find Sulphur.

Stumbling about, he saw the small bat pony weeping and mumbling incoherently nearny. He sat down next to here, eliciting some yelps of pain.

Sulphur noticed a pony come up to her; she didn't care though, she only wanted to know if Bright and to a lesser extent Crossfire were okay. After several minutes she noticed another pony come near her. She looked up; vision blurred, tears still streaming down her face. She saw the distinct colouring of Bright's fur and immediately felt relieved, not just relieved but happy. Pain still enveloped her, but she could manage it. Her head thumped to the ground again, and she faintly smiled.

"...Yo...re okay." She essentially mumbled, her faint smile fading. "I... I thought I'd lost you..." She said in a more audible voice, her voice cracked.

Before she could say any more she passed out, due to blood loss, or losing her adrenaline after she saw at least one of her friends was okay.

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

'An unicorn?' Butch thought, noticing how high they were, 'That can... fly? Doesn't he mean an Alicorn? Or is there something else going on here?'
Butch scoffed, there's something rotten afoot and he didn't like it.
Butch followed the injured Pegasus to the ground.
"Where's Crossfire?", he asked, catching up with Thunder. "Is she alright?"

The amber pegasus lay there in a dazed stupour from the loss of blood. Apparently, the first knife had, while cutting a deep gash, left little internal damage. The second knife, on the other hand, had dug itself into an artery. The blade had failed to sever the blood-transporting artery; but, there was an awful lot of resulting blood loss, nonetheless. Not enough to kill him, but, enough to make him uncomfortably dizzy. "Crossfire?", Thunder Flare asked in a confused manner. "Oh, yeah, that monarchy-pony", he said with a smile over the thought of the leadership she had demonstrated. Smile fading slightly, he shrugged, "eh, heck if I know." Pausing, he finished, "I'm sure she's fine. Prolly' scratched up or somethin'."

[The Flutterlands]

-snip-

[The Flutterlands]

'An unicorn?' Butch thought, noticing how high they were, 'That can... fly? Doesn't he mean an Alicorn? Or is there something else going on here?'
Butch scoffed, there's something rotten afoot and he didn't like it.
Butch followed the injured Pegasus to the ground.
"Where's Crossfire?", he asked, catching up with Thunder. "Is she alright?"

The amber pegasus lay there in a dazed stupour from the loss of blood. Apparently, the first knife had, while cutting a deep gash, left little internal damage. The second knife, on the other hand, had dug itself into an artery. The blade had failed to sever the blood-transporting artery; but, there was an awful lot of resulting blood loss, nonetheless. Not enough to kill him, but, enough to make him uncomfortably dizzy. "Crossfire?", Thunder Flare asked in a confused manner. "Oh, yeah, that monarchy-pony", he said with a smile over the thought of the leadership she had demonstrated. Smile fading slightly, he shrugged, "eh, heck if I know." Pausing, he finished, "I'm sure she's fine. Prolly' scratched up or somethin'."

"Good." said Butch, thankfully, "We left here, for a short period of time, only to comeback to fine this place in a mess, what luck. This Unicorn you speak of, do you mean an alicorn? Because I never heard of a flying unicorn, if you know what I'm saying."

[Socialist Shadow Republic]

"Good." said Butch, thankfully, "We left here, for a short period of time, only to comeback to fine this place in a mess, what luck. This Unicorn you speak of, do you mean an alicorn? Because I never heard of a flying unicorn, if you know what I'm saying."

"Well, it's a lil' hard not t' know what you're sayin'. Anyway, yeah, he's definitely a unicorn. He had some cheaty, winged power armour." Chuckling about the whole affair, Thunder continued, "didn't help him too much, though. They were obviously too heavy an' drained his battery. As well that there ain't any pony that's faster than muhself; natural or otherwise." Head bobbing down and eyes closing, the amber pony's mind surrendered to the darkness of unconsciousness for a moment longer than the standard second. Returning to the land of the awake with a jerking movement, Thunder Flare yawned. 'Brrrgh—I'm cold. Eh, oh well. Maybe I'll finally put that ol' packet a' tea t' use.' Looking up at Marci, he said, "so, Doc, what's yer diagnosis?"

[Lunas Legion]

The Warrens

"Do not think of the Old World's legacy, Little One. Those numbers bring only death and suffering; it is better you do not mention it again, lest the death that surrounds the number follow you as well." The Alicorn's eyes darted nervously around. "Now go; they are here."

[Fralinia]

When the first grenade had been thrown, Bright had seen the small projectile land on the ground. He recognized it from all of the times he'd seen raiders use one, but there was nothing he could do but flinch. He was right in the line of fire.

The detonation of the first bomb knocked him back about a meter, impacting him with Crossfire's entourage before the shrapnel ripped outwards. He felt, as if his mind was in slow motion, three bits of sharp steel rip through his side like bullets. He fell, bleeding. Several ponies landed on top of him.

The second explosion wasn't as bad, mostly because Bright couldn't ear the deafening boom this time. He felt the blast wash over him, with a sickening thud, but the shrapnel was absorbed by the bodies on top of him. As the initial pain gave way to copious amounts of adrenaline, Bright looked down at the three gaping holes in his side. One had destroyed his right flank, just below his cutie mark, the other two had ripped holes in his gut. He suddenly felt rather queasy, and he quickly realized he need for medical aid.

But what if there was a third grenade? Bright could still,in his shell-shocked state, deuce who had thrown the bomb. He weakly stumbled to his feet after crawling out from underneath the ponies and grabbed his new rifle. He wasn't quite comfortable with it yet, he missed his old shotgun, but it would do. He pointed it right at Pitch Black's chest and then watched with horror as he dematerialized into nothingness.

Chase him!

To where? Crossfire's probably dead, we don't know where Sulphur is, what do you think is a smart plan of action?

Find Sulphur.

Stumbling about, he saw the small bat pony weeping and mumbling incoherently nearny. He sat down next to here, eliciting some yelps of pain.

Sulphur noticed a pony come up to her; she didn't care though, she only wanted to know if Bright and to a lesser extent Crossfire were okay. After several minutes she noticed another pony come near her. She looked up; vision blurred, tears still streaming down her face. She saw the distinct colouring of Bright's fur and immediately felt relieved, not just relieved but happy. Pain still enveloped her, but she could manage it. Her head thumped to the ground again, and she faintly smiled.

"...Yo...re okay." She essentially mumbled, her faint smile fading. "I... I thought I'd lost you..." She said in a more audible voice, her voice cracked.

Before she could say any more she passed out, due to blood loss, or losing her adrenaline after she saw at least one of her friends was okay.

As Sulphur said her weak words and then slumped over right in front of Bright, he immediately began running on overdrive. He flipped her over onot her back, frightening the doctors working on him, and then put his head up against her chest, listening for a heartbeat.
Ba-dum... ba-dum.... ba-dum...

"Oh, thank the gods." Bright sighed, relieved. He turned to the doctors that had been working on him. "You lot. Make sure there's nothing wrong with her. If she dies, I'm holding all of you personally responsible. Ya got it?"

After several nods of understanding, he watched as the unicorns began pouring over her. He laid down carefully on the ground beside her a held her hoof.

Don't die, Sulphur... I love you.