1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:07,290 Souls souls are the spirit and essence 2 00:00:04,740 --> 00:00:08,940 of a pony the fundamental core of their 3 00:00:07,290 --> 00:00:10,980 nature and the kernel of life that 4 00:00:08,939 --> 00:00:14,879 exists beyond the biology of flesh and 5 00:00:10,980 --> 00:00:16,500 blood and mental synapses I had seen 6 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:20,399 empirical evidence of the reality of 7 00:00:16,500 --> 00:00:21,990 souls beyond that my beliefs in an 8 00:00:20,399 --> 00:00:24,358 afterlife were the souls of dead ponies 9 00:00:21,989 --> 00:00:26,038 continued on in eternal peace and in the 10 00:00:24,359 --> 00:00:27,840 transcendent souls of Celestia and Luna 11 00:00:26,039 --> 00:00:30,689 as goddesses who watched over us with 12 00:00:27,839 --> 00:00:32,250 love and pity and hope these surpassed 13 00:00:30,689 --> 00:00:35,759 the foundations of knowledge and were 14 00:00:32,250 --> 00:00:37,230 the architecture of faith but there were 15 00:00:35,759 --> 00:00:41,099 two things I knew with absolute 16 00:00:37,229 --> 00:00:45,000 certainty Souls had a living power and a 17 00:00:41,100 --> 00:00:46,439 soul was a hard thing to kill there was 18 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:48,719 no way I could know for sure if the 19 00:00:46,439 --> 00:00:50,820 black book had been destroyed but if it 20 00:00:48,719 --> 00:00:53,570 was not then it was either buried under 21 00:00:50,820 --> 00:00:55,890 rubble or fused into a crater of glass 22 00:00:53,570 --> 00:00:57,689 the black book had needed to be the 23 00:00:55,890 --> 00:00:59,698 conduit of some eldritch cosmic horror 24 00:00:57,689 --> 00:01:01,729 wort Spade is filled with blasphemous 25 00:00:59,698 --> 00:01:04,109 magic to corrupt those close to it it 26 00:01:01,729 --> 00:01:06,629 was enough that the book was the host to 27 00:01:04,109 --> 00:01:10,709 a wicked and twisted soul the soul of an 28 00:01:06,629 --> 00:01:12,390 insane of Maleficent zebra the black 29 00:01:10,709 --> 00:01:14,809 book called out to those around it who 30 00:01:12,390 --> 00:01:18,000 are susceptible to its influence to 31 00:01:14,810 --> 00:01:20,340 alicorns walked into the throne room one 32 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:23,368 sense the presence of the black book the 33 00:01:20,340 --> 00:01:25,409 other did not calamity had not reacted 34 00:01:23,368 --> 00:01:26,519 to it when I had found it my other 35 00:01:25,409 --> 00:01:29,250 friends had been near it as they 36 00:01:26,519 --> 00:01:31,199 traveled with me but it sunk its barbed 37 00:01:29,250 --> 00:01:33,719 hooks into my mind even before I had 38 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:35,070 retrieved it we'd encountered two 39 00:01:33,719 --> 00:01:36,929 alicorns who had been affected by the 40 00:01:35,069 --> 00:01:39,139 temptations of the black book without 41 00:01:36,930 --> 00:01:41,400 ever having seen or opened its pages 42 00:01:39,140 --> 00:01:44,280 Knights ear had been transformed by the 43 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:45,780 books proximity she had been one of 44 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:48,118 those who the goddess sent to find the 45 00:01:45,780 --> 00:01:50,879 book did her telepathy leave her 46 00:01:48,118 --> 00:01:52,438 especially defenseless I the black book 47 00:01:50,879 --> 00:01:54,649 filled the void in her mind left by the 48 00:01:52,438 --> 00:01:58,539 absence of the goddess 49 00:01:54,650 --> 00:02:01,580 I was vulnerable to it my weaknesses 50 00:01:58,540 --> 00:02:04,190 addiction curiosity and the shame of 51 00:02:01,579 --> 00:02:07,849 only having a single spell all played to 52 00:02:04,189 --> 00:02:09,409 his strengths the soul of the black book 53 00:02:07,849 --> 00:02:11,960 had been particularly ancient and 54 00:02:09,409 --> 00:02:13,879 powerful I had possessed the black book 55 00:02:11,960 --> 00:02:16,430 for less than two days and it had 56 00:02:13,879 --> 00:02:18,650 already begun to tempt me clumsily 57 00:02:16,430 --> 00:02:22,219 perhaps at first the book wasn't 58 00:02:18,650 --> 00:02:23,719 telepathic like the goddess most of the 59 00:02:22,219 --> 00:02:27,080 horrors in my nightmare I had provided 60 00:02:23,719 --> 00:02:29,680 myself the book merely used the tools 61 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:32,690 why fevered night terrors gave it and 62 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:35,200 still I did not have the strength alone 63 00:02:32,689 --> 00:02:37,400 to withstand its first probing attacks 64 00:02:35,199 --> 00:02:39,199 to be able to stand against that 65 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:41,780 influence as it continuously tried to 66 00:02:39,199 --> 00:02:44,239 erode you away to hold on to any part of 67 00:02:41,780 --> 00:02:45,979 yourself after years with the book much 68 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:47,420 less to take his twisted gifts and 69 00:02:45,979 --> 00:02:49,969 create something Noble and good from 70 00:02:47,419 --> 00:02:51,708 them that would take a level of moral 71 00:02:49,969 --> 00:02:57,319 endurance and fortitude almost beyond 72 00:02:51,709 --> 00:02:58,640 comprehension be unwavering how often 73 00:02:57,319 --> 00:03:00,289 had those six ponies from the past 74 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:02,208 through the radiance of their souls 75 00:03:00,289 --> 00:03:04,669 given me insights I couldn't have had 76 00:03:02,209 --> 00:03:05,959 myself or allowed me to tap reserves of 77 00:03:04,669 --> 00:03:09,589 strength and will that I shouldn't have 78 00:03:05,959 --> 00:03:11,180 been able to muster they had saved and 79 00:03:09,590 --> 00:03:13,310 guided me since finding Applejack and 80 00:03:11,180 --> 00:03:16,189 old Appaloosa their influence growing 81 00:03:13,310 --> 00:03:17,539 with each statuette I found but it was 82 00:03:16,189 --> 00:03:19,250 only after I brought them all together 83 00:03:17,539 --> 00:03:22,609 that they have been able to intervene on 84 00:03:19,250 --> 00:03:24,319 my behalf more directly I believe it was 85 00:03:22,610 --> 00:03:27,140 no coincidence that rarity was the first 86 00:03:24,319 --> 00:03:28,729 to appear my mind and soul had ever so 87 00:03:27,139 --> 00:03:31,579 briefly become the battleground for two 88 00:03:28,729 --> 00:03:34,159 warring influences one powerful soul of 89 00:03:31,580 --> 00:03:35,840 evil and madness against six shards that 90 00:03:34,159 --> 00:03:38,609 shone with the virtue of hope of rarity 91 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:40,620 and her five closest friends 92 00:03:38,610 --> 00:03:42,410 the shards of the statuettes were not 93 00:03:40,620 --> 00:03:44,700 truly those of the ministry mares I 94 00:03:42,409 --> 00:03:47,340 suppose they were more like rarity soul 95 00:03:44,699 --> 00:03:49,219 wearing perfect disguises but they shone 96 00:03:47,340 --> 00:03:51,420 with a true nature of those other ponies 97 00:03:49,219 --> 00:03:53,580 they burned with the love and compassion 98 00:03:51,419 --> 00:03:56,519 and virtue and nobility of each of the 99 00:03:53,580 --> 00:03:58,590 ministry mares in turn they were eternal 100 00:03:56,520 --> 00:04:01,110 metaphysical images of the deepest 101 00:03:58,590 --> 00:04:03,390 truest nature of those ponies lit up 102 00:04:01,110 --> 00:04:06,690 like beacons fueled by a shiny piece of 103 00:04:03,389 --> 00:04:08,549 rarity herself rarity 104 00:04:06,689 --> 00:04:10,590 whose magical talent had always been in 105 00:04:08,550 --> 00:04:12,360 the shadow of Twilight Sparkle must have 106 00:04:10,590 --> 00:04:15,530 seemed like easy prey to the zebra soul 107 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:17,580 within the black book it had been wrong 108 00:04:15,530 --> 00:04:19,170 she was one of the bearers of The 109 00:04:17,579 --> 00:04:21,238 Elements of Harmony for a reason and 110 00:04:19,170 --> 00:04:23,400 when the sole images of the ministry 111 00:04:21,238 --> 00:04:25,079 mares were brought together they brought 112 00:04:23,399 --> 00:04:27,569 the inner fire that fuels the elements 113 00:04:25,079 --> 00:04:30,120 of harmony with them they had proven 114 00:04:27,569 --> 00:04:32,159 more powerful even as mere shards than 115 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:34,350 the whole soul residing in the book or 116 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:38,460 at least powerful enough to give me the 117 00:04:34,350 --> 00:04:39,990 strength I needed to fend it off if the 118 00:04:38,459 --> 00:04:41,759 black book could not stand against the 119 00:04:39,990 --> 00:04:43,918 gestalt of the mainstream aerosols when 120 00:04:41,759 --> 00:04:45,180 they were merely shards how could it 121 00:04:43,918 --> 00:04:46,109 have stood against the whole soul of 122 00:04:45,180 --> 00:04:47,790 Twilight Sparkle 123 00:04:46,110 --> 00:04:50,090 combined in unity with three of the most 124 00:04:47,790 --> 00:04:53,310 magically powerful mayors of her time 125 00:04:50,089 --> 00:04:54,599 the black book was not telepathic but it 126 00:04:53,310 --> 00:04:56,129 could send souls around it 127 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:59,639 knowing instinctively whom it could 128 00:04:56,129 --> 00:05:01,829 manipulate and whom it could not 129 00:04:59,639 --> 00:05:04,590 that last temptation of the book had an 130 00:05:01,829 --> 00:05:06,240 air of desperation to it the zebra soul 131 00:05:04,589 --> 00:05:08,818 had no way of knowing how he's about to 132 00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:11,848 destroy its soul jar it had been 133 00:05:08,819 --> 00:05:14,999 reacting to something else the black 134 00:05:11,848 --> 00:05:18,628 book had sensed the goddess and it had 135 00:05:14,999 --> 00:05:21,360 been afraid what happens to a soul when 136 00:05:18,629 --> 00:05:24,599 it no longer has a body to hold it does 137 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:26,819 it truly transcend does it spread out no 138 00:05:24,598 --> 00:05:28,649 longer contained like the hydrogen in a 139 00:05:26,819 --> 00:05:30,778 balloon that has been popped until it is 140 00:05:28,649 --> 00:05:32,329 no longer truly a soul indistinguishable 141 00:05:30,778 --> 00:05:34,589 from the environment 142 00:05:32,329 --> 00:05:38,278 what of the souls trapped together in 143 00:05:34,589 --> 00:05:39,989 the horror that was the goddess my goal 144 00:05:38,278 --> 00:05:41,459 had been to destroy the physical reality 145 00:05:39,990 --> 00:05:44,879 of the goddess and freed the Souls 146 00:05:41,459 --> 00:05:46,859 trapped inside to allow Twilight Sparkle 147 00:05:44,879 --> 00:05:49,710 Trixie and the others the rest they 148 00:05:46,860 --> 00:05:51,300 deserved and had been denied I had not 149 00:05:49,709 --> 00:05:54,028 expected the goddess to try to save her 150 00:05:51,300 --> 00:05:57,360 children but I had not expected the 151 00:05:54,028 --> 00:05:59,009 impact of the six memory orbs either by 152 00:05:57,360 --> 00:06:02,218 showing those memories to the goddess I 153 00:05:59,009 --> 00:06:04,468 had awoken something in Trixie the 154 00:06:02,218 --> 00:06:06,088 goddess had become lost and I believe 155 00:06:04,468 --> 00:06:08,908 part of her was able to find herself in 156 00:06:06,088 --> 00:06:11,639 those memories the star orbit been 157 00:06:08,908 --> 00:06:13,829 created for comparison by showing that 158 00:06:11,639 --> 00:06:17,399 memory to the goddess I had acted like 159 00:06:13,829 --> 00:06:18,718 rarities mirror had for Pinkie Pie just 160 00:06:17,399 --> 00:06:20,338 like I had hoped the memories of the 161 00:06:18,718 --> 00:06:23,819 balloon or bite sir whatever still 162 00:06:20,338 --> 00:06:27,449 remained of Twilight Sparkle and one of 163 00:06:23,819 --> 00:06:29,699 my own soul if I had died here with 164 00:06:27,449 --> 00:06:33,330 Celestia and Luna welcomed me or turn me 165 00:06:29,699 --> 00:06:35,610 away in horror and disgust I knew what I 166 00:06:33,329 --> 00:06:36,500 had done and my soul was blackened from 167 00:06:35,610 --> 00:06:38,509 it 168 00:06:36,500 --> 00:06:41,000 I had finally taken that step off the 169 00:06:38,509 --> 00:06:42,680 cliff I had sacrificed my own morality 170 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:46,189 and goodness to save the equestrian 171 00:06:42,680 --> 00:06:48,530 wasteland I was read I now through and 172 00:06:46,189 --> 00:06:51,889 through and there will be a price to pay 173 00:06:48,529 --> 00:06:54,379 for that 38 minutes would have been 174 00:06:51,889 --> 00:06:56,779 plenty of time but that time was never 175 00:06:54,379 --> 00:06:59,659 meant for me it was time enough for 176 00:06:56,779 --> 00:07:03,679 Zenith and calamity to escape I had been 177 00:06:59,660 --> 00:07:04,880 willing to forfeit my own life 38 178 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,290 minutes would have been enough for the 179 00:07:04,879 --> 00:07:08,810 Alcorn's of the goddess to have scoured 180 00:07:06,290 --> 00:07:10,610 maripony found the bomb and disarmed 181 00:07:08,810 --> 00:07:13,490 whatever timer red I had constructed for 182 00:07:10,610 --> 00:07:17,419 it but the balefire bomb had never been 183 00:07:13,490 --> 00:07:18,829 in maripony 38 minutes was not long 184 00:07:17,418 --> 00:07:20,209 enough for the Alcorn's to have fought 185 00:07:18,829 --> 00:07:22,399 their way through the maze of hellhound 186 00:07:20,209 --> 00:07:24,519 warrants and find the bomb hidden dozens 187 00:07:22,399 --> 00:07:27,079 of yards beneath Mary ponies foundations 188 00:07:24,519 --> 00:07:29,000 the balefire bomb had gone off in a 189 00:07:27,079 --> 00:07:31,300 subterranean detonation directly beneath 190 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:31,300 us 191 00:07:32,759 --> 00:07:40,409 I awoke in pitch darkness I felt sick 192 00:07:36,629 --> 00:07:42,449 even worse than in days past my body was 193 00:07:40,410 --> 00:07:45,120 hot my mouth was dry 194 00:07:42,449 --> 00:07:47,849 my stomach was twisted painfully but 195 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:48,920 there was nothing in it to heave my body 196 00:07:47,850 --> 00:07:51,150 was covered in sweat 197 00:07:48,920 --> 00:07:52,680 there was a crushing weight on my lower 198 00:07:51,149 --> 00:07:55,009 body that brought back memories of a 199 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:57,420 nightmare being trapped under a wall 200 00:07:55,009 --> 00:07:59,420 crying out while I watched calamity and 201 00:07:57,420 --> 00:08:01,939 velvet Remini walk away 202 00:07:59,420 --> 00:08:04,670 there was a hiss form the darkness below 203 00:08:01,939 --> 00:08:06,870 the floor beneath me slanted away I 204 00:08:04,670 --> 00:08:10,590 would have slid down into that hissing 205 00:08:06,870 --> 00:08:14,490 blackness but I was pinned my pipbuck 206 00:08:10,589 --> 00:08:18,449 was clicking slowly for a few terrifying 207 00:08:14,490 --> 00:08:21,660 minutes I had no idea where I was then I 208 00:08:18,449 --> 00:08:23,789 remembered the bomb remembered running 209 00:08:21,660 --> 00:08:24,240 for the safe room bucking the emergency 210 00:08:23,790 --> 00:08:27,080 button 211 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:31,439 I didn't recall a whole lot after that 212 00:08:27,079 --> 00:08:33,478 my memories were jumbled but I did 213 00:08:31,439 --> 00:08:35,909 remember feeling the almighty fwump from 214 00:08:33,479 --> 00:08:37,440 somewhere underneath of us the feeling 215 00:08:35,909 --> 00:08:39,149 of the whole room being thrust upwards 216 00:08:37,440 --> 00:08:41,700 as the bomb annihilated everything above 217 00:08:39,149 --> 00:08:47,419 it a brief moment of weightlessness and 218 00:08:41,700 --> 00:08:49,430 the rush of falling click-click 219 00:08:47,419 --> 00:08:51,259 I turned on my eyes forward Sparkle 220 00:08:49,429 --> 00:08:55,250 wondering when I had turned it off a 221 00:08:51,259 --> 00:08:56,929 dozen mornings flashed across it the 222 00:08:55,250 --> 00:09:00,320 safe room had survived two mega spells 223 00:08:56,929 --> 00:09:01,519 one almost point-blank but there was a 224 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:03,440 micro fracture somewhere in his 225 00:09:01,519 --> 00:09:06,049 protective walls and radiation was 226 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:08,269 leaking in considering how hot it must 227 00:09:06,049 --> 00:09:09,979 be outside the fact that I was alive in 228 00:09:08,269 --> 00:09:11,629 the room wasn't an unbearable oven 229 00:09:09,980 --> 00:09:14,810 spoke amazing praise of Twilight and her 230 00:09:11,629 --> 00:09:18,708 ministry but I was swiftly reaching 231 00:09:14,809 --> 00:09:20,899 fatal levels of exposure I floated a rat 232 00:09:18,708 --> 00:09:23,809 away from my saddlebags bracing against 233 00:09:20,899 --> 00:09:25,759 the horrid taste according to my 234 00:09:23,809 --> 00:09:27,588 inventory sorter the other medical 235 00:09:25,759 --> 00:09:29,328 supplies I had packed several healing 236 00:09:27,589 --> 00:09:32,690 potions and a vial of than it's bleeding 237 00:09:29,328 --> 00:09:34,489 stopper goop were all gone I had been 238 00:09:32,690 --> 00:09:38,029 conscious before but I had no 239 00:09:34,490 --> 00:09:39,379 recollection of it the magic of the safe 240 00:09:38,028 --> 00:09:41,028 room must have prevented me from being 241 00:09:39,379 --> 00:09:44,179 turned to paste by the concussive force 242 00:09:41,028 --> 00:09:45,828 of the blast alone even still with the 243 00:09:44,179 --> 00:09:49,028 fall I must have taken I was lucky I 244 00:09:45,828 --> 00:09:52,129 didn't break my neck or anything else 245 00:09:49,028 --> 00:09:56,500 according to my EFS I was remarkably 246 00:09:52,129 --> 00:09:58,820 unmannered for a Merida was dying wait 247 00:09:56,500 --> 00:10:02,269 hadn't there been somepony else in here 248 00:09:58,820 --> 00:10:05,510 with me peering into the darkness I 249 00:10:02,269 --> 00:10:08,089 tried to remember my EFS compass was 250 00:10:05,509 --> 00:10:11,659 telling me I was alone I lifted my Pip 251 00:10:08,089 --> 00:10:14,100 leg and turned on the light merciful 252 00:10:11,659 --> 00:10:15,839 goddesses 253 00:10:14,100 --> 00:10:19,320 my pipbuck light shone down a room 254 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:21,720 tilted at an insane angle the terminal 255 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,830 Bank had torn from the wall the concrete 256 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:24,960 of the ceiling had collapsed in 257 00:10:22,830 --> 00:10:27,629 revealing the shiny purple tinted metal 258 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:31,590 above it a large slab of concrete lay 259 00:10:27,629 --> 00:10:32,909 across me pinning me in place below the 260 00:10:31,590 --> 00:10:35,310 lower third of the room was filled with 261 00:10:32,909 --> 00:10:38,339 discolored water rubble and the mangled 262 00:10:35,309 --> 00:10:39,509 filing cabinet a small spray was coming 263 00:10:38,340 --> 00:10:42,000 from a section in the wall which had 264 00:10:39,509 --> 00:10:45,809 torn open something floated in the dark 265 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:47,450 pool beneath me well it was a more 266 00:10:45,809 --> 00:10:49,469 spacious coffin than the healing booth 267 00:10:47,450 --> 00:10:52,320 but I had been foolish to think this 268 00:10:49,470 --> 00:10:55,700 room would save me I was trapped locked 269 00:10:52,320 --> 00:11:00,420 inside and even if I could escape 270 00:10:55,700 --> 00:11:02,040 outside was instant death I'm out of 271 00:11:00,419 --> 00:11:04,110 food in the safe rooms water talisman 272 00:11:02,039 --> 00:11:07,019 seems to have been corrupted Twilight 273 00:11:04,110 --> 00:11:08,340 had said at least I'm fairly certain 274 00:11:07,019 --> 00:11:11,879 that pure water isn't supposed to be 275 00:11:08,340 --> 00:11:15,060 that color the water talisman was 276 00:11:11,879 --> 00:11:18,919 tainted the body avoided once been 277 00:11:15,059 --> 00:11:21,539 ambrosia was beneath that water mostly 278 00:11:18,919 --> 00:11:23,459 her body had bulged and metastasized 279 00:11:21,539 --> 00:11:26,610 under the taint straining against the 280 00:11:23,460 --> 00:11:28,080 armor a blob of mouth warm flesh had 281 00:11:26,610 --> 00:11:31,919 pushed out to the open visor like a 282 00:11:28,080 --> 00:11:33,600 tongue a fleshy grotesquely misshapen 283 00:11:31,919 --> 00:11:36,479 worm floated on the surface of the water 284 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:39,750 I screamed as I realized it was one of 285 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:42,000 my hind legs after several long minutes 286 00:11:39,750 --> 00:11:45,149 of Terror I realized I could feel both 287 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:47,460 of my hind legs barely able to breathe I 288 00:11:45,149 --> 00:11:50,639 shifted my light trying to look under 289 00:11:47,460 --> 00:11:52,940 the slab that was crushing me both my 290 00:11:50,639 --> 00:11:55,319 hind legs were there intact and healthy 291 00:11:52,940 --> 00:11:58,000 except one was the pink of exposed skin 292 00:11:55,320 --> 00:12:01,570 with only a light fuzz of a coat 293 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:04,809 I had lost my leg in the fall and I had 294 00:12:01,570 --> 00:12:07,530 regrown it I didn't think it was 295 00:12:04,809 --> 00:12:10,149 possible to feel any sicker but I did a 296 00:12:07,529 --> 00:12:11,559 deep soul aching horror filled me as I 297 00:12:10,149 --> 00:12:15,850 realized that I wasn't even a pony 298 00:12:11,559 --> 00:12:20,649 anymore I was something else I wanted to 299 00:12:15,850 --> 00:12:23,529 cry to scream was I a ghoul transformed 300 00:12:20,649 --> 00:12:24,279 by the bomb or was this from my exposure 301 00:12:23,529 --> 00:12:26,889 to the taint 302 00:12:24,279 --> 00:12:29,919 how far removed was I now from becoming 303 00:12:26,889 --> 00:12:31,449 one of the goddesses children at least 304 00:12:29,919 --> 00:12:33,419 the radiation would kill me before the 305 00:12:31,450 --> 00:12:35,950 room filled enough for me to drown 306 00:12:33,419 --> 00:12:37,740 unless I was enough of a pseudo alicorn 307 00:12:35,950 --> 00:12:42,960 that the radiation wouldn't kill me I 308 00:12:37,740 --> 00:12:48,220 prayed that it was please please 309 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:51,100 Celestia I beg you have mercy on me 310 00:12:48,220 --> 00:12:53,610 I turned off my light it was better not 311 00:12:51,100 --> 00:12:53,610 seeing 312 00:12:55,309 --> 00:12:59,688 something wrenched the safe room the 313 00:12:57,980 --> 00:13:01,480 concrete slab scraped against me as it 314 00:12:59,688 --> 00:13:03,679 shifted drawn blood 315 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:05,659 the wounds were already closing as I 316 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:09,289 tried to brace myself worried that this 317 00:13:05,659 --> 00:13:13,009 lab might slide off then I felt the 318 00:13:09,289 --> 00:13:14,688 whole room lift soaring into the air the 319 00:13:13,009 --> 00:13:17,539 tainted water washed over me as the room 320 00:13:14,688 --> 00:13:18,948 righted itself the misshapen flesh blob 321 00:13:17,539 --> 00:13:21,799 that had once been my leg washed up 322 00:13:18,948 --> 00:13:23,688 against me I screamed in horror at the 323 00:13:21,799 --> 00:13:27,169 slimy touch of my desecrated former 324 00:13:23,688 --> 00:13:28,938 flesh a violent grinding filled the air 325 00:13:27,169 --> 00:13:31,219 and the metal shutters over the window 326 00:13:28,938 --> 00:13:33,639 is pulled away revealing a purple tinted 327 00:13:31,220 --> 00:13:36,079 sky of clouds filled with blowing ash 328 00:13:33,639 --> 00:13:37,818 the armored glass shattered the 329 00:13:36,078 --> 00:13:41,179 razor-sharp shards hovering and then 330 00:13:37,818 --> 00:13:44,990 whisking away my pipbuck began to click 331 00:13:41,179 --> 00:13:46,938 rapidly somewhere above I spotted the 332 00:13:44,990 --> 00:13:49,730 dark silhouette of a wagon and a glowing 333 00:13:46,938 --> 00:13:52,578 light of green and gold for a moment I 334 00:13:49,730 --> 00:13:53,959 thought it was pirate light but then I 335 00:13:52,578 --> 00:13:57,008 realized the glow was coming from a 336 00:13:53,958 --> 00:13:59,628 Pegasus had my friends come to rescue me 337 00:13:57,009 --> 00:14:04,250 how and at what cost 338 00:13:59,629 --> 00:14:07,519 Oh calamity I fought weeping without 339 00:14:04,250 --> 00:14:11,850 tears what had he done 340 00:14:07,519 --> 00:14:13,980 but something was wrong a purple glow 341 00:14:11,850 --> 00:14:15,870 enveloped me a second floating the slab 342 00:14:13,980 --> 00:14:19,080 off my leg as I was levitated out 343 00:14:15,870 --> 00:14:21,269 through the obliterated window the super 344 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:22,860 alicorn her coated dark purple to the 345 00:14:21,269 --> 00:14:24,629 point of black stared at me with a 346 00:14:22,860 --> 00:14:25,440 glowing eyes as she casually tossed away 347 00:14:24,629 --> 00:14:27,120 the safe room 348 00:14:25,440 --> 00:14:30,390 performing telekinesis that would have 349 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:32,159 overstrained me with effortless ease the 350 00:14:30,389 --> 00:14:37,279 clouds above seemed awfully close I 351 00:14:32,159 --> 00:14:39,959 glanced downward we were very very high 352 00:14:37,279 --> 00:14:43,889 below the second crater a splendid 353 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:45,840 valley glowed in the aftermath with a 354 00:14:43,889 --> 00:14:47,909 beat of her wings she flew up level with 355 00:14:45,840 --> 00:14:50,790 the wagon above us bringing me with her 356 00:14:47,909 --> 00:14:53,279 I realized that once that the wagon was 357 00:14:50,789 --> 00:14:59,490 not the sky bandit and that the glowing 358 00:14:53,279 --> 00:15:01,500 Pegasus was not calamity it's he do the 359 00:14:59,490 --> 00:15:03,960 super irradiated Gould rend happily at 360 00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:07,320 me a sickly golden green light emanating 361 00:15:03,960 --> 00:15:08,700 from her mouth and around her teeth the 362 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,830 creatures of radiation do not merely 363 00:15:08,700 --> 00:15:13,259 heal in its presence if they absorb 364 00:15:10,830 --> 00:15:16,560 enough of it they grow stronger more 365 00:15:13,259 --> 00:15:18,960 powerful did she do had come into 366 00:15:16,559 --> 00:15:23,029 splendid Valley looking for me she had 367 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:23,030 saved me she and 368 00:15:23,190 --> 00:15:26,430 the super alicorn sent me on the front 369 00:15:25,110 --> 00:15:29,300 bench of the absolutely everything 370 00:15:26,429 --> 00:15:32,278 delivery wagon right behind ditzy Doo 371 00:15:29,299 --> 00:15:34,139 without the Glover magic the purple tint 372 00:15:32,278 --> 00:15:37,379 vanished from the sky traded for a 373 00:15:34,139 --> 00:15:40,139 sickly green my pit bucks clicking what 374 00:15:37,379 --> 00:15:41,519 insane we were high enough above the 375 00:15:40,139 --> 00:15:43,709 crater for the radiation levels to be 376 00:15:41,519 --> 00:15:45,120 merely bad but ditzy Doo was shedding 377 00:15:43,708 --> 00:15:48,539 enough radiation to make this a very 378 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:51,028 short rescue the glowing ghoul smiled 379 00:15:48,539 --> 00:15:54,740 and pointed back at the wagon I turned 380 00:15:51,028 --> 00:15:54,740 around looking in through a small window 381 00:15:54,799 --> 00:15:59,429 inside the wagon were crates of radaway 382 00:15:57,028 --> 00:16:02,458 the packets glowing and inviting orange 383 00:15:59,429 --> 00:16:05,059 I quickly levitated several and began to 384 00:16:02,458 --> 00:16:07,258 drink turning back to thank her I 385 00:16:05,059 --> 00:16:10,198 stopped as my eyes caught on the cutie 386 00:16:07,259 --> 00:16:12,688 mark on the super alicorns flank a large 387 00:16:10,198 --> 00:16:16,429 pink star surrounded by smaller white 388 00:16:12,688 --> 00:16:19,919 ones the super alicorn was silent 389 00:16:16,429 --> 00:16:22,009 impassive her gay seemed fixed on my 390 00:16:19,919 --> 00:16:25,159 saddlebags 391 00:16:22,009 --> 00:16:27,679 I was struck by a flash of insight the 392 00:16:25,159 --> 00:16:29,659 goddess had sent her children away but 393 00:16:27,679 --> 00:16:32,059 she was telepathic maintaining contact 394 00:16:29,659 --> 00:16:34,039 with them when her body was destroyed 395 00:16:32,059 --> 00:16:35,419 and the souls of the countless ponies 396 00:16:34,039 --> 00:16:38,259 who had been consumed in her were set 397 00:16:35,419 --> 00:16:40,429 free some of them the strongest ones 398 00:16:38,259 --> 00:16:44,750 found their way into the bodies of her 399 00:16:40,429 --> 00:16:47,239 fleeing children possession but those 400 00:16:44,750 --> 00:16:50,960 bodies already had souls of their own it 401 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:52,460 was unlikely this could last already the 402 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:56,330 cutie mark on the super alicorn was 403 00:16:52,460 --> 00:16:58,550 beginning to fade I scrambled if this 404 00:16:56,330 --> 00:17:00,910 was Twilight Sparkle in any way there 405 00:16:58,549 --> 00:17:03,379 was something she needed to hear I 406 00:17:00,909 --> 00:17:05,180 turned up the volume on my ear bloom and 407 00:17:03,379 --> 00:17:08,630 levitated it towards her as I found the 408 00:17:05,180 --> 00:17:12,140 file the voice of Pinkie Pie Kenny and 409 00:17:08,630 --> 00:17:15,670 distorted crackled through the air hi 410 00:17:12,140 --> 00:17:15,670 Twilight it's me 411 00:17:17,078 --> 00:17:22,568 I mean I have you with me now so you'll 412 00:17:20,109 --> 00:17:23,198 kind of be with me anyway but it's not 413 00:17:22,568 --> 00:17:27,119 the same 414 00:17:23,199 --> 00:17:31,690 I'm with the real Twilight Sparkle I I 415 00:17:27,119 --> 00:17:33,928 want my friend back please I'll do 416 00:17:31,690 --> 00:17:33,929 anything 417 00:17:35,049 --> 00:17:38,829 the super alicorn had hovered seeming 418 00:17:37,269 --> 00:17:43,299 transfixed by the sound until the 419 00:17:38,829 --> 00:17:46,419 message ended then wordlessly she turned 420 00:17:43,299 --> 00:17:49,259 and began to fly away the cutie mark on 421 00:17:46,420 --> 00:17:52,240 her flank was already completely gone 422 00:17:49,259 --> 00:17:54,849 Twilight wait I cried out after the 423 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:59,559 disappearing alicorn star Sparkle is 424 00:17:54,849 --> 00:18:01,119 still alive and spiked but whatever part 425 00:17:59,559 --> 00:18:03,419 of Twilight Sparkle my words might have 426 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:07,179 once been able to reach we're now gone 427 00:18:03,420 --> 00:18:12,130 evaporated or if my heart could just 428 00:18:07,180 --> 00:18:13,210 hope asleep I wanted to cry but my body 429 00:18:12,130 --> 00:18:16,270 couldn't produce tears 430 00:18:13,210 --> 00:18:18,160 I drank another one of those horrid 431 00:18:16,269 --> 00:18:21,450 Radda ways as ditzy Doo turned and began 432 00:18:18,160 --> 00:18:21,450 flying us out of splendid Valley 433 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:28,350 ditzy Doo brought the wagon low as we 434 00:18:25,919 --> 00:18:32,520 reached the edge of the valley we began 435 00:18:28,349 --> 00:18:34,829 flying along the border moving slowly we 436 00:18:32,519 --> 00:18:39,079 were searching for something I wanted to 437 00:18:34,829 --> 00:18:44,519 ask what but is he new couldn't speak 438 00:18:39,079 --> 00:18:46,048 what did you do what did you just do the 439 00:18:44,519 --> 00:18:50,849 voice of Ambrosia fluttered through my 440 00:18:46,048 --> 00:18:53,418 mind I fought to remember I told her 441 00:18:50,849 --> 00:18:55,709 about the bomb I was sure of that I 442 00:18:53,419 --> 00:18:58,080 couldn't recall exactly what I had said 443 00:18:55,710 --> 00:18:59,610 but a nancy mare with a magical energy 444 00:18:58,079 --> 00:19:03,689 battle saddle didn't exactly engender 445 00:18:59,609 --> 00:19:04,829 desire to lie her response have been to 446 00:19:03,690 --> 00:19:07,860 try to call Harbinger through the 447 00:19:04,829 --> 00:19:09,569 broadcaster built into her helmet the 448 00:19:07,859 --> 00:19:12,479 broom was designed to stop mega spells I 449 00:19:09,569 --> 00:19:15,869 recall telling her your radio isn't 450 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:18,990 going to penetrate she had looked at me 451 00:19:15,869 --> 00:19:20,519 with panic I have to tell Harbinger he 452 00:19:18,990 --> 00:19:23,909 has to get out of here we have to pull 453 00:19:20,519 --> 00:19:25,548 back her words it sparked a burst of 454 00:19:23,909 --> 00:19:29,659 fear in my breasts 455 00:19:25,548 --> 00:19:29,658 how many ponies do you have outside 456 00:19:29,660 --> 00:19:34,160 the ground passed slowly beneath us I 457 00:19:32,259 --> 00:19:37,519 couldn't remember anymore 458 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:39,500 I caught them on my eyes forward sparkle 459 00:19:37,519 --> 00:19:41,269 friendly lights appearing on my EFS 460 00:19:39,500 --> 00:19:44,000 compass before I actually spotted my 461 00:19:41,269 --> 00:19:45,680 friends as we approached the clearing 462 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:48,109 not far from the devastated redeye camp 463 00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:50,750 Steel has appeared pulling camouflage 464 00:19:48,109 --> 00:19:52,399 netting off of the sky bandit Belleville 465 00:19:50,750 --> 00:19:56,210 Romney's anathan calamity emerged from 466 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:59,000 within they all looked worn weary and 467 00:19:56,210 --> 00:20:00,740 bedraggled calamity immediately took to 468 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:04,819 the air while velvet and Zenith scanned 469 00:20:00,740 --> 00:20:07,940 the skies pyre light was oddly absent 470 00:20:04,819 --> 00:20:11,289 from the group did you find anything 471 00:20:07,940 --> 00:20:14,330 this time my Pegasus friend shouted I 472 00:20:11,289 --> 00:20:18,259 tried to jump up but my body just didn't 473 00:20:14,329 --> 00:20:20,569 have the energy so instead I waved he 474 00:20:18,259 --> 00:20:24,049 couldn't see me anyway ditzy Doo was 475 00:20:20,569 --> 00:20:25,759 just too bright ditzy Doo flew ascend 476 00:20:24,049 --> 00:20:29,029 closer pulling up and hovering at the 477 00:20:25,759 --> 00:20:30,680 edge of the clearing I downed yet 478 00:20:29,029 --> 00:20:35,720 another right away as she waved calamity 479 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:39,130 back I felt weak sick and half-dead my 480 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:41,539 body was alien to me I wasn't me anymore 481 00:20:39,130 --> 00:20:43,370 but all of that paled in comparison to 482 00:20:41,539 --> 00:20:47,299 the wash of joy at the impending reunion 483 00:20:43,369 --> 00:20:48,589 I needed to get the tempo neat our get 484 00:20:47,299 --> 00:20:51,079 cleansed of the taint I'd suffered 485 00:20:48,589 --> 00:20:53,359 assess what was left of me and if 486 00:20:51,079 --> 00:20:56,049 ammad would still have me spend a 487 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:59,678 forever with her and my friends 488 00:20:56,049 --> 00:21:01,269 short forever unfortunately I had 489 00:20:59,679 --> 00:21:03,190 cleared the way for redeye to ascend and 490 00:21:01,269 --> 00:21:06,819 he had a host of unicorns he planned to 491 00:21:03,190 --> 00:21:08,170 sacrifice in the process with the 492 00:21:06,819 --> 00:21:10,509 threats of the goddess in the Black Book 493 00:21:08,170 --> 00:21:13,029 taken care of I now had a new quest 494 00:21:10,509 --> 00:21:15,190 before me to brave the everfree forest 495 00:21:13,029 --> 00:21:18,369 and rescue those unicorns from red eyes 496 00:21:15,190 --> 00:21:20,980 Cathedral I probably didn't have a lot 497 00:21:18,369 --> 00:21:23,079 of time now that read I couldn't count 498 00:21:20,980 --> 00:21:26,110 on Alec ones for protection anymore he 499 00:21:23,079 --> 00:21:27,939 would likely act fast but I was in no 500 00:21:26,109 --> 00:21:31,000 shape to fight a radroach much less 501 00:21:27,940 --> 00:21:33,090 infiltrate a stronghold my body was 502 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:35,289 weeping for me to give it care and rest 503 00:21:33,089 --> 00:21:40,178 it would be possible to push myself 504 00:21:35,289 --> 00:21:42,609 further until I had done so hey hey it's 505 00:21:40,179 --> 00:21:46,150 little PIP calamity shouted 506 00:21:42,609 --> 00:21:50,189 enthusiastically hey everypony dis is 507 00:21:46,150 --> 00:21:50,190 brought back little PIP she's alive 508 00:21:50,250 --> 00:21:55,329 velvet remedy and zennith began to stop 509 00:21:52,539 --> 00:21:59,170 an applause velvet gave out a thankful 510 00:21:55,329 --> 00:22:03,279 shout Steelers win Eden thanked 511 00:21:59,170 --> 00:22:05,590 Applejack he turned to the others ok 512 00:22:03,279 --> 00:22:06,490 let's get out of here I don't like being 513 00:22:05,589 --> 00:22:09,699 in one place too long 514 00:22:06,490 --> 00:22:12,489 especially this close to 515 00:22:09,700 --> 00:22:13,869 the ground erupted it fountains of dirt 516 00:22:12,489 --> 00:22:15,369 bursts into the air as half-a-dozen 517 00:22:13,868 --> 00:22:18,608 hellhounds toward themselves out of the 518 00:22:15,368 --> 00:22:20,378 ground de to do pulled up as one of them 519 00:22:18,608 --> 00:22:22,778 swung a magical energy rifle around and 520 00:22:20,378 --> 00:22:23,548 fired at us though a remedy let out a 521 00:22:22,778 --> 00:22:26,138 scream 522 00:22:23,548 --> 00:22:28,440 clammy spun in the air kicking the lever 523 00:22:26,138 --> 00:22:30,788 of his battle saddle switching his ammo 524 00:22:28,440 --> 00:22:34,419 one of the hellhounds closed on zennith 525 00:22:30,788 --> 00:22:35,558 taking a swipe as he reduct turning and 526 00:22:34,419 --> 00:22:39,099 locking the hellhound in the chest 527 00:22:35,558 --> 00:22:40,690 dropping it steelo's began to fire his 528 00:22:39,098 --> 00:22:42,338 grenade machine gun tearing apart one of 529 00:22:40,690 --> 00:22:43,929 the hellhounds as she aimed a multigem 530 00:22:42,338 --> 00:22:47,708 magical shotgun towards velvet and 531 00:22:43,929 --> 00:22:49,749 zenith get to the wagon calamity shouted 532 00:22:47,709 --> 00:22:51,129 as he took a shot staggering a hellhound 533 00:22:49,749 --> 00:22:54,848 who was trying to climb into the sky 534 00:22:51,128 --> 00:22:56,439 bandit the earth mini steel hose blasted 535 00:22:54,848 --> 00:22:58,898 upwards as a hellhound lashed up out of 536 00:22:56,440 --> 00:23:00,999 the ground the hellhounds cloth slashed 537 00:22:58,898 --> 00:23:04,478 in a long arc slicing through Seelos 538 00:23:00,999 --> 00:23:07,749 armor steel hose armored body fell to 539 00:23:04,479 --> 00:23:11,420 the broken ground with a heavy thud his 540 00:23:07,749 --> 00:23:13,860 armored head rolled a few yards away 541 00:23:11,420 --> 00:23:17,489 the world stopped 542 00:23:13,859 --> 00:23:20,519 the battle still raged but it was 543 00:23:17,489 --> 00:23:23,700 someplace far away all the color and 544 00:23:20,519 --> 00:23:26,099 sound seemed to mute leaving just me the 545 00:23:23,700 --> 00:23:32,740 beating of my heart and the slow rocking 546 00:23:26,099 --> 00:23:35,889 of steelo's head steelo's was dead 547 00:23:32,740 --> 00:23:38,980 a cold wet chill ran down my body there 548 00:23:35,890 --> 00:23:42,610 was no coming back from that I'd seen 549 00:23:38,980 --> 00:23:44,049 zennith decapitate a Canterlot zebra but 550 00:23:42,609 --> 00:23:45,209 the little pony in my head was shaking 551 00:23:44,049 --> 00:23:50,139 in denial 552 00:23:45,210 --> 00:23:52,420 no no she insisted there will be an ugly 553 00:23:50,140 --> 00:23:57,309 warping sound and he'll be right back 554 00:23:52,420 --> 00:24:01,050 with us just like always steelo's was 555 00:23:57,308 --> 00:24:04,808 dead I couldn't move couldn't feel 556 00:24:01,049 --> 00:24:08,710 couldn't breathe my mind was locked up 557 00:24:04,808 --> 00:24:09,759 the gears jammed the hellhounds weren't 558 00:24:08,710 --> 00:24:13,779 going to give me a moment to process 559 00:24:09,759 --> 00:24:15,058 much less grieve the hellhound who 560 00:24:13,779 --> 00:24:16,928 killed steel who stepped forward 561 00:24:15,058 --> 00:24:19,299 skewered his claws through steel hose 562 00:24:16,929 --> 00:24:21,009 helmet then spun and hurled the armored 563 00:24:19,299 --> 00:24:24,519 head of my companion trying to knock us 564 00:24:21,009 --> 00:24:26,140 out of the sky ditzy Doo dodged and 565 00:24:24,519 --> 00:24:30,069 steel hose head slammed against her 566 00:24:26,140 --> 00:24:32,640 wagon next to me splintering wood the 567 00:24:30,069 --> 00:24:37,119 impact cracked his helmets headlamp 568 00:24:32,640 --> 00:24:39,790 something snapped inside of me 569 00:24:37,119 --> 00:24:41,709 my horn burst with light layer upon 570 00:24:39,789 --> 00:24:44,740 layer of over glow brighter than even 571 00:24:41,710 --> 00:24:46,240 ditzy do the hellhounds were surrounded 572 00:24:44,740 --> 00:24:49,150 with light as they shot upwards into the 573 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:52,240 sky all of them higher and higher until 574 00:24:49,150 --> 00:24:56,009 they were nothing but dark specks then 575 00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:58,870 they weren't visible at all Steve loves 576 00:24:56,009 --> 00:25:00,099 velvet screamed dashing to the Fallen 577 00:24:58,869 --> 00:25:04,029 headless body and rapping in her 578 00:25:00,099 --> 00:25:05,500 forelegs all the others turned eyes wide 579 00:25:04,029 --> 00:25:11,589 as they realized we had lost one of our 580 00:25:05,500 --> 00:25:13,720 own thawed the ground shook is the first 581 00:25:11,589 --> 00:25:16,619 hellhound fell out of the sky the 582 00:25:13,720 --> 00:25:19,480 mangled broken body used on the ground 583 00:25:16,619 --> 00:25:24,159 seconds later the rest of the hellhounds 584 00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:27,970 joined their companion on the ground do 585 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:29,470 you even know what balefire is another 586 00:25:27,970 --> 00:25:32,440 flash of memory tugged at me as we 587 00:25:29,470 --> 00:25:34,710 approached new Appaloosa we were flying 588 00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:37,150 low moving quickly 589 00:25:34,710 --> 00:25:39,640 zennith stood on the sky Bennet watching 590 00:25:37,150 --> 00:25:41,530 the clouds I got the impression we 591 00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:43,000 should be walking but my condition was 592 00:25:41,529 --> 00:25:47,500 far too severe for me to even try the 593 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:49,779 journey ain't safe to fly no more clam 594 00:25:47,500 --> 00:25:51,099 he called out to me flying as close as 595 00:25:49,779 --> 00:25:53,849 he could to the absolutely everything 596 00:25:51,099 --> 00:25:56,559 wagon without suffering dizzy exposure 597 00:25:53,849 --> 00:25:58,299 damn man clever patrols everywhere and 598 00:25:56,559 --> 00:26:01,389 anything airborne tends to catch their 599 00:25:58,299 --> 00:26:03,609 attention not that the sky been exactly 600 00:26:01,390 --> 00:26:07,240 has a low profile consider knock loud 601 00:26:03,609 --> 00:26:09,909 breach last month we just couldn't catch 602 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:11,890 a break could we 603 00:26:09,910 --> 00:26:14,560 you sure was our Binger you saw back in 604 00:26:11,890 --> 00:26:18,670 maripony calamity asked as we began to 605 00:26:14,559 --> 00:26:20,589 slow that's who he said he was I called 606 00:26:18,670 --> 00:26:25,660 back hitting how much effort it took to 607 00:26:20,589 --> 00:26:27,099 shout damn I figured this had to be big 608 00:26:25,660 --> 00:26:30,009 when a whole regiment of the Enclave 609 00:26:27,099 --> 00:26:32,980 descended on maripony Xen is not barely 610 00:26:30,009 --> 00:26:34,599 made it out of there but you're telling 611 00:26:32,980 --> 00:26:37,240 me we blew up a member of the enclave 612 00:26:34,599 --> 00:26:40,779 High Council how can use one of your 613 00:26:37,240 --> 00:26:44,500 creative swears about now littlepip clam 614 00:26:40,779 --> 00:26:49,079 me frowned congratulations we just 615 00:26:44,500 --> 00:26:52,029 declared war on the Enclave ouch 616 00:26:49,079 --> 00:26:53,439 but even as i grimaced I realized that 617 00:26:52,029 --> 00:26:54,970 the Enclave had shown up knowing that 618 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:58,000 red I was plotting against the goddess 619 00:26:54,970 --> 00:26:59,920 if anything they would suspect he had 620 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:03,339 been behind the bomb and I have been his 621 00:26:59,920 --> 00:27:06,279 agent which on a very real level was 622 00:27:03,339 --> 00:27:08,740 absolutely accurate from the enclaves 623 00:27:06,279 --> 00:27:12,220 perspective red I had just declared war 624 00:27:08,740 --> 00:27:15,730 I could see pilots circling above the 625 00:27:12,220 --> 00:27:17,920 city a single bird of prey she let out a 626 00:27:15,730 --> 00:27:19,269 hoot as the two wagons landed gets he do 627 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:22,180 setting down a little distance from the 628 00:27:19,269 --> 00:27:24,950 sky wagon firelight douve out of the air 629 00:27:22,180 --> 00:27:30,200 disappearing into the town 630 00:27:24,950 --> 00:27:32,539 maybe he got out I offered weekly yeah 631 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:35,990 not much chance of that calamity called 632 00:27:32,539 --> 00:27:37,220 back mom the Alcorn's are clear a huge 633 00:27:35,990 --> 00:27:40,130 alicorn shield wrapped all around 634 00:27:37,220 --> 00:27:42,799 maripony I reckon she was trying to trap 635 00:27:40,130 --> 00:27:46,730 you inside with her nope only got out of 636 00:27:42,799 --> 00:27:48,859 there or maybe she was trying to contain 637 00:27:46,730 --> 00:27:52,099 the blast to protect her fleeing 638 00:27:48,859 --> 00:27:55,009 children with a shield that powerful 639 00:27:52,099 --> 00:27:56,179 generated by the god of herself the only 640 00:27:55,009 --> 00:27:59,119 thing that would get out through it was 641 00:27:56,180 --> 00:28:02,480 her telepathy until the second that bomb 642 00:27:59,119 --> 00:28:03,889 killed her that was assuming she didn't 643 00:28:02,480 --> 00:28:07,849 realize that the bomb wasn't within her 644 00:28:03,890 --> 00:28:09,500 shield in truth the balefire bomb was 645 00:28:07,849 --> 00:28:10,849 planted far enough beneath the facility 646 00:28:09,500 --> 00:28:12,140 that was very well possible that it 647 00:28:10,849 --> 00:28:15,799 could have been outside of her shield 648 00:28:12,140 --> 00:28:19,280 and if she had expected that maybe she 649 00:28:15,799 --> 00:28:22,159 was trying to save herself either way it 650 00:28:19,279 --> 00:28:23,569 didn't matter the mega spell augmented 651 00:28:22,160 --> 00:28:28,610 balefire had proven greater than the 652 00:28:23,569 --> 00:28:30,980 goddesses power its magical fire I had 653 00:28:28,609 --> 00:28:32,329 offered answering ambrosia even as I 654 00:28:30,980 --> 00:28:34,730 realized I really didn't know what 655 00:28:32,329 --> 00:28:38,629 balefire was other than green and 656 00:28:34,730 --> 00:28:41,289 radioactive it's bottled necromancy and 657 00:28:38,630 --> 00:28:43,700 hats dragon's breath ambrosia told me 658 00:28:41,289 --> 00:28:44,839 the magical disintegrate of type of 659 00:28:43,700 --> 00:28:47,470 dragon's breath that can send you 660 00:28:44,839 --> 00:28:50,389 someplace else in the case of balefire 661 00:28:47,470 --> 00:28:52,370 probably straight to hell 662 00:28:50,390 --> 00:28:54,530 based on the possession of the super 663 00:28:52,369 --> 00:28:56,119 alicorn who had probably been a new 664 00:28:54,529 --> 00:28:57,589 aware alicorn until Twilight Sparkle 665 00:28:56,119 --> 00:29:00,500 flew around the new crater in splendid 666 00:28:57,589 --> 00:29:03,379 Valley searching for survivors and roses 667 00:29:00,500 --> 00:29:06,289 guest was almost certainly wrong but the 668 00:29:03,380 --> 00:29:09,500 concept was still chilling something 669 00:29:06,289 --> 00:29:11,539 rarity had said struck me I even tried 670 00:29:09,500 --> 00:29:14,710 to have spike burn it all that did was 671 00:29:11,539 --> 00:29:16,970 send it to Princess Celestia I 672 00:29:14,710 --> 00:29:19,910 remembered thinking of spike roasting an 673 00:29:16,970 --> 00:29:22,339 enclave pony inside her armor it was 674 00:29:19,910 --> 00:29:23,660 horrid and sickening to witness but I 675 00:29:22,339 --> 00:29:25,189 felt a little better about it if I could 676 00:29:23,660 --> 00:29:28,670 imagine he was sending her soul straight 677 00:29:25,190 --> 00:29:30,410 to Celestia which led to the hurting 678 00:29:28,670 --> 00:29:33,050 reality of the body being carried inside 679 00:29:30,410 --> 00:29:38,060 the sky bandit should we have Steel's 680 00:29:33,049 --> 00:29:38,869 cremated would spike be willing we can't 681 00:29:38,059 --> 00:29:41,539 stay here 682 00:29:38,869 --> 00:29:45,619 calamity said the normal cheer gone from 683 00:29:41,539 --> 00:29:49,940 his voice he looked at ditzy do none of 684 00:29:45,619 --> 00:29:51,469 us did she do nodded sadly she dropped 685 00:29:49,940 --> 00:29:56,000 one of her chalkboards and rode on it is 686 00:29:51,470 --> 00:29:57,589 this permanent na i recognition bleed 687 00:29:56,000 --> 00:29:59,720 off just like when pilots soaked up in 688 00:29:57,589 --> 00:30:03,919 the philadelphia crater calamity is 689 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:04,460 shorter but pilot took days to return to 690 00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:07,430 normal 691 00:30:04,460 --> 00:30:10,250 velvet remedy reminded them her eyes 692 00:30:07,430 --> 00:30:11,690 were still wet and puffy with tears she 693 00:30:10,250 --> 00:30:14,960 had been riding with steel his body and 694 00:30:11,690 --> 00:30:16,460 head keeping watch over it and it see 695 00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:20,308 dew had taken far more radiation that 696 00:30:16,460 --> 00:30:23,710 pilot did it could take weeks 697 00:30:20,308 --> 00:30:25,178 the sweet ghoul mare looked panicked she 698 00:30:23,710 --> 00:30:29,200 quickly erased her chalkboard and wrote 699 00:30:25,179 --> 00:30:32,710 silver bail in large letters velvet 700 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:35,558 remedy nodded smiling sadly I'll stay 701 00:30:32,710 --> 00:30:39,519 here and watch over her for you you 702 00:30:35,558 --> 00:30:43,178 can't I said speaking up finally her not 703 00:30:39,519 --> 00:30:44,308 allowed inside of town zennith looked up 704 00:30:43,179 --> 00:30:47,950 in surprise 705 00:30:44,308 --> 00:30:50,829 we are not she asked her exotic voice 706 00:30:47,950 --> 00:30:54,190 betraying her own depression but when 707 00:30:50,829 --> 00:30:55,089 did we offend this town it was before 708 00:30:54,190 --> 00:30:58,150 your time 709 00:30:55,089 --> 00:31:01,869 calamity sadder back wound was just 710 00:30:58,150 --> 00:31:04,860 little bit velvet me well then I'm not 711 00:31:01,869 --> 00:31:08,069 bard it would seem zennith asserted 712 00:31:04,859 --> 00:31:10,298 turning to ditzy - she - smiled gently 713 00:31:08,069 --> 00:31:13,379 it would be a pleasure to watch silver 714 00:31:10,298 --> 00:31:16,089 bell for you ell you have to be away 715 00:31:13,380 --> 00:31:17,520 ditzy Doo forgot herself swooping up to 716 00:31:16,089 --> 00:31:22,178 the zebra and giving Xena that white 717 00:31:17,519 --> 00:31:25,329 albeit squishy hug zennith stiffened but 718 00:31:22,179 --> 00:31:27,460 bit back any response the ghoul pegasus 719 00:31:25,329 --> 00:31:32,589 swiftly backed away writing sari on her 720 00:31:27,460 --> 00:31:34,960 chalkboard Hey look ditzy calamity 721 00:31:32,589 --> 00:31:37,119 offered I might know we could get some 722 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:38,410 help there's a mare up in friendship 723 00:31:37,119 --> 00:31:40,869 city who's been researched and radiation 724 00:31:38,410 --> 00:31:42,910 and its effects on creatures if anypony 725 00:31:40,869 --> 00:31:45,149 can help you shed this off quicker it'll 726 00:31:42,910 --> 00:31:45,150 be her 727 00:31:45,380 --> 00:31:49,580 dits he smiled brightly one of her eyes 728 00:31:47,929 --> 00:31:51,940 rolling upward as she visibly fought her 729 00:31:49,579 --> 00:31:54,500 urge dog calamity right now 730 00:31:51,940 --> 00:31:57,440 why don't you travel with us for a spell 731 00:31:54,500 --> 00:31:59,298 calamity offered ain't safe to travel 732 00:31:57,440 --> 00:32:03,169 alone and we headed that way 733 00:31:59,298 --> 00:32:05,720 ain't we little pip tenpony tower I 734 00:32:03,169 --> 00:32:10,100 nodded realizing we couldn't cremate 735 00:32:05,720 --> 00:32:12,440 steal his body he wasn't ours Setlock 736 00:32:10,099 --> 00:32:16,490 first we have to take stealers back to 737 00:32:12,440 --> 00:32:18,950 stable 29 the massive gate to new 738 00:32:16,490 --> 00:32:20,599 Appaloosa rumbled open the Griffon 739 00:32:18,950 --> 00:32:22,700 bodyguard who might seem with ditzy Doo 740 00:32:20,599 --> 00:32:25,668 before flew out silver Belle scampering 741 00:32:22,700 --> 00:32:28,850 after him her eyes went wide she saw 742 00:32:25,669 --> 00:32:32,538 Dixie do mommy looked just like pie 743 00:32:28,849 --> 00:32:33,980 alight the little lavender filly began 744 00:32:32,538 --> 00:32:37,250 to charge across the road between us 745 00:32:33,980 --> 00:32:40,450 trying to reach her zennith swiftly 746 00:32:37,250 --> 00:32:40,450 caught her holding her back 747 00:32:40,950 --> 00:32:44,610 I heard silver belt let out a frustrated 748 00:32:43,138 --> 00:32:48,168 scream when zennith refused to let her 749 00:32:44,609 --> 00:32:50,158 pass I also heard a strangled sound I 750 00:32:48,169 --> 00:32:53,490 wasn't sure if it was from velvet or 751 00:32:50,159 --> 00:32:55,440 from ditzy do the glowing Pegasus rubbed 752 00:32:53,490 --> 00:32:57,269 her hoof against her chalkboard erasing 753 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:58,740 silver bells name and wrote something 754 00:32:57,269 --> 00:33:01,740 else before picking the chalkboard up 755 00:32:58,740 --> 00:33:05,419 again silver Belle struggled against the 756 00:33:01,740 --> 00:33:07,528 restraining legs of Zenith began to cry 757 00:33:05,419 --> 00:33:09,690 ditzy Doo trotted halfway to where a 758 00:33:07,528 --> 00:33:11,609 zennith was holding silver bell as close 759 00:33:09,690 --> 00:33:15,210 as she dared to get and set the 760 00:33:11,609 --> 00:33:15,829 chalkboard down on the street stay away 761 00:33:15,210 --> 00:33:19,278 love 762 00:33:15,829 --> 00:33:19,278 mommy's poison 763 00:33:20,470 --> 00:33:24,559 the clouds have begun to darken 764 00:33:22,539 --> 00:33:27,619 threatening the equestrian wasteland 765 00:33:24,559 --> 00:33:29,529 with another storm dark shadows moved 766 00:33:27,619 --> 00:33:32,629 just behind the surface of the clouds as 767 00:33:29,529 --> 00:33:34,609 we watched the shadows took the shape of 768 00:33:32,630 --> 00:33:37,970 great black warships descending beneath 769 00:33:34,609 --> 00:33:40,369 the cloud curtain each warship was a 770 00:33:37,970 --> 00:33:42,440 huge deployment hangar and platforms a 771 00:33:40,369 --> 00:33:44,029 massive magical energy cannons flanked 772 00:33:42,440 --> 00:33:45,789 by blackest Thunder clouds and moving 773 00:33:44,029 --> 00:33:48,740 through the air on a dozen propellers 774 00:33:45,789 --> 00:33:50,420 through my binoculars I could barely 775 00:33:48,740 --> 00:33:52,490 make out the swarms of black dots that 776 00:33:50,420 --> 00:33:57,019 were armored pegasi flying in formations 777 00:33:52,490 --> 00:33:58,759 between the warships Raptors clam Lee 778 00:33:57,019 --> 00:34:00,680 announced grimly watching as the 779 00:33:58,759 --> 00:34:05,339 warships ascended lower alternating 780 00:34:00,680 --> 00:34:08,280 course slightly dragon killers 781 00:34:05,339 --> 00:34:10,579 I allowed my magic to expire dropping my 782 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:12,810 binoculars onto the ground next to me I 783 00:34:10,579 --> 00:34:15,898 was at a loss for an appropriately 784 00:34:12,809 --> 00:34:17,549 colorful metaphor at the moment anything 785 00:34:15,898 --> 00:34:21,059 involving Lunas horn now struck me as 786 00:34:17,550 --> 00:34:23,450 grievously inappropriate my gaze found 787 00:34:21,059 --> 00:34:26,088 it see do the brightest point of light 788 00:34:23,449 --> 00:34:28,199 she was in wrapped in a lead-lined cloak 789 00:34:26,088 --> 00:34:31,259 something she had the Griffon fetch from 790 00:34:28,199 --> 00:34:34,138 her shop an old mailbag hung from her 791 00:34:31,260 --> 00:34:36,500 side but her hooves face and wings still 792 00:34:34,139 --> 00:34:38,550 burned like an emerald furnace I 793 00:34:36,500 --> 00:34:40,710 recalled something how much it said his 794 00:34:38,550 --> 00:34:44,280 DJ pony claiming a male pony and 795 00:34:40,710 --> 00:34:46,139 delivered a letter from Dixie do beneath 796 00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:48,409 the anti-radiation barding did see to it 797 00:34:46,139 --> 00:34:50,849 provided me and my own barding beneath 798 00:34:48,409 --> 00:34:55,950 my own coat was growing back over my 799 00:34:50,849 --> 00:34:59,039 hind leg my new hind leg just thinking 800 00:34:55,949 --> 00:35:00,750 about that felt deeply wrong I've been 801 00:34:59,039 --> 00:35:02,849 drinking enough rad away to purge most 802 00:35:00,750 --> 00:35:04,289 of the radiation with my system even 803 00:35:02,849 --> 00:35:07,260 traveling in the back of the absolutely 804 00:35:04,289 --> 00:35:11,159 everything delivery wagon but I still 805 00:35:07,260 --> 00:35:12,720 felt weak and twisted up inside we were 806 00:35:11,159 --> 00:35:16,230 just a hill back from Trixie's cottage 807 00:35:12,719 --> 00:35:19,649 in theory we had stopped for lunch but 808 00:35:16,230 --> 00:35:22,079 no pony was eating it I couldn't stomach 809 00:35:19,650 --> 00:35:24,240 anything dizzy do didn't have to eat and 810 00:35:22,079 --> 00:35:25,069 neither velvet nor clammy had an 811 00:35:24,239 --> 00:35:27,569 appetite 812 00:35:25,070 --> 00:35:29,670 they both just stared at their cans of 813 00:35:27,570 --> 00:35:31,769 beans until Dixie do trotted up dropping 814 00:35:29,670 --> 00:35:33,659 her chalkboard which send your poor 815 00:35:31,769 --> 00:35:35,900 beans are getting all lonely they want 816 00:35:33,659 --> 00:35:37,769 to be with their stomach friends 817 00:35:35,900 --> 00:35:40,200 calamity had chuckled and nibbled a 818 00:35:37,769 --> 00:35:43,199 little after that Velva remedy had just 819 00:35:40,199 --> 00:35:45,389 given me a sad smile i drank another 820 00:35:43,199 --> 00:35:47,129 ride away 821 00:35:45,389 --> 00:35:49,558 they've been coming down out of the sky 822 00:35:47,130 --> 00:35:52,230 like that the last two days clamming he 823 00:35:49,559 --> 00:35:53,760 informed me ponies are freaking out 824 00:35:52,230 --> 00:35:55,829 going into hiding 825 00:35:53,760 --> 00:35:59,460 whole damn wasteland feels like it's 826 00:35:55,829 --> 00:36:02,339 under martial law he looked askance at 827 00:35:59,460 --> 00:36:06,269 me they took over the broadcast this 828 00:36:02,338 --> 00:36:10,528 morning both redeye and DJ Pony radios 829 00:36:06,268 --> 00:36:12,389 now all enclave all the time I put in my 830 00:36:10,528 --> 00:36:14,400 ear bloom and turned on my pit box radio 831 00:36:12,389 --> 00:36:16,068 trying to ignore the squirming feeling 832 00:36:14,400 --> 00:36:18,900 in my insides 833 00:36:16,068 --> 00:36:21,239 instead of homages music or DJ ponies 834 00:36:18,900 --> 00:36:25,289 voice I caught the end of a pegasus 835 00:36:21,239 --> 00:36:27,209 anthem readings ponies of Equestria by 836 00:36:25,289 --> 00:36:27,859 now you've seen our ships in the sky 837 00:36:27,210 --> 00:36:30,179 overhead 838 00:36:27,858 --> 00:36:32,429 perhaps our pegasi have even landed in 839 00:36:30,179 --> 00:36:34,558 your streets but there is no need for 840 00:36:32,429 --> 00:36:35,759 alarm our scouts are merely assessing 841 00:36:34,559 --> 00:36:38,778 the current situation before we 842 00:36:35,760 --> 00:36:42,420 determine how best we can help you I 843 00:36:38,778 --> 00:36:46,798 switched it off I drew better propaganda 844 00:36:42,420 --> 00:36:47,250 from redeye I'm trying not to dab myself 845 00:36:46,798 --> 00:36:50,369 here 846 00:36:47,250 --> 00:36:52,108 Calamity admitted I left cuz I realized 847 00:36:50,369 --> 00:36:54,778 the Enclave never intended to rejoin the 848 00:36:52,108 --> 00:36:57,358 rest of Equestria The Enclave wasn't 849 00:36:54,778 --> 00:37:00,509 interested in helping down here now I'm 850 00:36:57,358 --> 00:37:02,068 second-guessing a lot of things they 851 00:37:00,509 --> 00:37:06,340 tried to make a deal with the goddess I 852 00:37:02,068 --> 00:37:10,480 told him they aren't here to help 853 00:37:06,340 --> 00:37:12,760 yeah Calamity said sourly I didn't 854 00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:16,449 really think they were this is just a 855 00:37:12,760 --> 00:37:19,510 back-up plan Clement Lee started packing 856 00:37:16,449 --> 00:37:20,259 up the camouflage netting again where 857 00:37:19,510 --> 00:37:27,340 did you get that 858 00:37:20,260 --> 00:37:29,530 I asked steel hooves clam it aside when 859 00:37:27,340 --> 00:37:32,110 the Enclave first appeared he procured 860 00:37:29,530 --> 00:37:33,610 this from crossroads said we needed to 861 00:37:32,110 --> 00:37:38,710 keep the sky bandit covered up whenever 862 00:37:33,610 --> 00:37:40,329 we weren't moving I swallowed I started 863 00:37:38,710 --> 00:37:43,240 to think of all the time steel hope had 864 00:37:40,329 --> 00:37:45,429 protected us but I just ended up 865 00:37:43,239 --> 00:37:47,409 thinking about his voice that deep 866 00:37:45,429 --> 00:37:50,529 masculine Rumble kind of like flutter 867 00:37:47,409 --> 00:37:53,009 guy's voice watcher had claimed and how 868 00:37:50,530 --> 00:37:58,210 I'd never hear from him again 869 00:37:53,010 --> 00:37:59,010 my eyes burned wanting to cry he was 870 00:37:58,210 --> 00:38:02,230 real good at that 871 00:37:59,010 --> 00:38:06,040 calamity said solemnly thick and 872 00:38:02,230 --> 00:38:09,820 tactically you know we shared a moment 873 00:38:06,039 --> 00:38:13,090 of silence minutes later we were flying 874 00:38:09,820 --> 00:38:14,320 again we've been trying to keep low but 875 00:38:13,090 --> 00:38:16,809 the terrain was about to make that 876 00:38:14,320 --> 00:38:18,519 difficult calamity winged upwards 877 00:38:16,809 --> 00:38:21,429 gaining altitude as we passed over the 878 00:38:18,519 --> 00:38:23,860 ruins of Trixie's cottage there were 879 00:38:21,429 --> 00:38:24,969 several Alcorn's standing around it they 880 00:38:23,860 --> 00:38:28,240 didn't pay us more than a fleeting 881 00:38:24,969 --> 00:38:30,750 glance if anything I would have said 882 00:38:28,239 --> 00:38:30,750 they looked lost 883 00:38:33,650 --> 00:38:41,150 tomorrow crossroads told us I blinked 884 00:38:38,088 --> 00:38:44,929 the surprise we were in the security 885 00:38:41,150 --> 00:38:48,048 center of stable 29 a somber air hung 886 00:38:44,929 --> 00:38:49,338 over the entire stable steel his body 887 00:38:48,048 --> 00:38:51,518 had been taken into the Crusader 888 00:38:49,338 --> 00:38:52,818 mainframe room by an honor guard 889 00:38:51,518 --> 00:38:57,048 tomorrow 890 00:38:52,818 --> 00:39:00,588 I asked swaying lightly my body felt so 891 00:38:57,048 --> 00:39:02,059 weak my hooves wanted to rest my mind 892 00:39:00,588 --> 00:39:03,710 was fogged but I was fairly sure that 893 00:39:02,059 --> 00:39:09,619 the new acting elders announcement was 894 00:39:03,710 --> 00:39:12,858 abnormal isn't that awfully fast SAR 895 00:39:09,619 --> 00:39:14,480 appalling crossroads made every steel 896 00:39:12,858 --> 00:39:16,598 ranger outcast to be able to make it as 897 00:39:14,480 --> 00:39:21,019 already here 898 00:39:16,599 --> 00:39:22,940 Applejack's ranges calamity spoke up at 899 00:39:21,018 --> 00:39:25,699 Crossroads queering look calamity 900 00:39:22,940 --> 00:39:27,679 explained I know that ain't the official 901 00:39:25,699 --> 00:39:31,568 name but that's how Steel's thought e 902 00:39:27,679 --> 00:39:36,710 all looking down at his hopes he added 903 00:39:31,568 --> 00:39:40,548 Madonna a solemn saying the brown mare 904 00:39:36,710 --> 00:39:42,499 with the crop Gilliam a nodded as I said 905 00:39:40,548 --> 00:39:44,119 all of the Applejack's Rangers who will 906 00:39:42,498 --> 00:39:48,108 be able to attend the elders funeral are 907 00:39:44,119 --> 00:39:50,088 already here there is no delay it would 908 00:39:48,108 --> 00:39:53,960 be unseemly to allow his body to go 909 00:39:50,088 --> 00:39:57,018 unburied I imagine there were internal 910 00:39:53,960 --> 00:39:58,489 matters to address as well Steele hopes 911 00:39:57,018 --> 00:40:00,828 have been the leader and symbol that all 912 00:39:58,489 --> 00:40:01,519 these Rangers had rallied around with 913 00:40:00,829 --> 00:40:03,318 him gone 914 00:40:01,518 --> 00:40:06,318 crossroads had to act quickly to keep 915 00:40:03,318 --> 00:40:08,028 the Rangers from falling apart everypony 916 00:40:06,318 --> 00:40:10,429 seemed to expect crossroads to step into 917 00:40:08,028 --> 00:40:13,190 the role of Elder many already acted as 918 00:40:10,429 --> 00:40:15,679 if she was but I sensed there was still 919 00:40:13,190 --> 00:40:17,420 official protocol to be attended to 920 00:40:15,679 --> 00:40:18,828 and crossroads was not willing to take 921 00:40:17,420 --> 00:40:21,710 those steps while steel has remained 922 00:40:18,829 --> 00:40:25,339 unburied her love and respect for him 923 00:40:21,710 --> 00:40:28,849 were too much to allow that will he be 924 00:40:25,338 --> 00:40:32,539 able to attend while manicou is good and 925 00:40:28,849 --> 00:40:34,190 drag us away Calamity said i quickly 926 00:40:32,539 --> 00:40:35,920 offered a prayer to Luna the calamities 927 00:40:34,190 --> 00:40:39,679 words didn't beg prophecy 928 00:40:35,920 --> 00:40:43,389 I'm nodded I couldn't travel any more 929 00:40:39,679 --> 00:40:46,389 tonight if I wanted to I smiled grimly I 930 00:40:43,389 --> 00:40:49,250 was having trouble standing right now 931 00:40:46,389 --> 00:40:51,318 we'll stay the night so long as it's 932 00:40:49,250 --> 00:40:55,369 alright with you and you have a place 933 00:40:51,318 --> 00:40:59,599 for ditsy do to stay safely crossroads 934 00:40:55,369 --> 00:41:01,099 smiled grimly your glowing friend we can 935 00:40:59,599 --> 00:41:01,519 put her in one of the shielded rooms and 936 00:41:01,099 --> 00:41:05,088 maintenance 937 00:41:01,519 --> 00:41:06,670 she explained I'm not going to turn away 938 00:41:05,088 --> 00:41:08,539 somepony just because she's a ghoul 939 00:41:06,670 --> 00:41:10,608 especially not on the eve of Steel of 940 00:41:08,539 --> 00:41:12,739 Steel neural but I can't have her 941 00:41:10,608 --> 00:41:15,980 trotting around the stable either she's 942 00:41:12,739 --> 00:41:21,729 dangerous to those around her I nodded 943 00:41:15,980 --> 00:41:25,818 I knew ditzy Doo would understand where 944 00:41:21,730 --> 00:41:27,108 nope and that was it my legs decided 945 00:41:25,818 --> 00:41:28,989 that they were done with this standing 946 00:41:27,108 --> 00:41:33,380 thing and wanted to try something else 947 00:41:28,989 --> 00:41:35,049 how about falling over yeah that sounded 948 00:41:33,380 --> 00:41:37,400 pretty good 949 00:41:35,050 --> 00:41:41,460 thump 950 00:41:37,400 --> 00:41:46,289 littlepip what's wrong clammy reared his 951 00:41:41,460 --> 00:41:49,769 voice full of worry I am I'm fine I told 952 00:41:46,289 --> 00:41:52,190 him quickly floors nice I think I'll 953 00:41:49,769 --> 00:41:55,559 just stay down here for a little while 954 00:41:52,190 --> 00:41:58,710 crossroad stepped forward what's wrong 955 00:41:55,559 --> 00:42:00,259 with her little pip was in splendid 956 00:41:58,710 --> 00:42:03,480 Valley when the mega spell went off 957 00:42:00,260 --> 00:42:05,040 calamity told her worriedly she keeps 958 00:42:03,480 --> 00:42:06,840 breaking all the rules and surviving the 959 00:42:05,039 --> 00:42:09,719 impossible and I think reality's 960 00:42:06,840 --> 00:42:12,680 starting to kick your tail for it I'll 961 00:42:09,719 --> 00:42:15,779 have our medics crossroads was saying 962 00:42:12,679 --> 00:42:17,789 I'm getting velvet calamity swore 963 00:42:15,780 --> 00:42:23,430 turning and flying out of the room 964 00:42:17,789 --> 00:42:27,440 I sighed all this fuss I just needed to 965 00:42:23,429 --> 00:42:27,440 rest for a little bit take a little nap 966 00:42:28,130 --> 00:42:32,450 dark gray clouds hung over the 967 00:42:30,300 --> 00:42:35,610 equestrian wasteland the next morning a 968 00:42:32,449 --> 00:42:38,699 cold wind blew across the grass bringing 969 00:42:35,610 --> 00:42:40,170 the scent of impending rain soft rumbles 970 00:42:38,699 --> 00:42:42,989 of thunder growled in the depths of the 971 00:42:40,170 --> 00:42:44,820 cloud garden somewhere in the distance 972 00:42:42,989 --> 00:42:48,629 the cracking booms of some sort of 973 00:42:44,820 --> 00:42:50,070 gunfire echoed across the landscape we 974 00:42:48,630 --> 00:42:53,070 were gathered on the greens of rolling 975 00:42:50,070 --> 00:42:56,550 hills near steel Shack the wind rippled 976 00:42:53,070 --> 00:42:58,289 the dark water of the lake behind us get 977 00:42:56,550 --> 00:42:59,240 seduced and near a single large tree on 978 00:42:58,289 --> 00:43:01,679 the hilltop 979 00:42:59,239 --> 00:43:03,719 she had draped a large black sheet over 980 00:43:01,679 --> 00:43:05,269 her LED cloak her glowing face and 981 00:43:03,719 --> 00:43:07,829 hooves shining out from under it 982 00:43:05,269 --> 00:43:10,820 the ghoul Pegasus had somehow known to 983 00:43:07,829 --> 00:43:10,819 bring several such sheets 984 00:43:11,380 --> 00:43:15,250 i sat in a wheelchair just up the hill 985 00:43:13,480 --> 00:43:17,400 from the rows of armor-clad rangers that 986 00:43:15,250 --> 00:43:20,099 flying to both sides of the procession 987 00:43:17,400 --> 00:43:22,180 I've been up for a little over an hour I 988 00:43:20,099 --> 00:43:23,650 had passed out on the floor of the 989 00:43:22,179 --> 00:43:26,529 Security Center and slept all night in 990 00:43:23,650 --> 00:43:28,570 stable clinic the rest had done me a 991 00:43:26,530 --> 00:43:32,650 world of good but I still felt terrible 992 00:43:28,570 --> 00:43:34,690 an alien my own body Velva remedy had 993 00:43:32,650 --> 00:43:37,630 washed me hardly speaking a word the 994 00:43:34,690 --> 00:43:41,590 entire time then she insisted I attend 995 00:43:37,630 --> 00:43:43,090 the funeral off of my hooves calamity 996 00:43:41,590 --> 00:43:44,769 had created black tresses for both 997 00:43:43,090 --> 00:43:47,079 velvet and myself out of the additional 998 00:43:44,769 --> 00:43:48,639 sheets provided by ditzy Doo again 999 00:43:47,079 --> 00:43:51,549 demonstrating his freaky knowledge of 1000 00:43:48,639 --> 00:43:54,819 sewing the cloth matched the color of my 1001 00:43:51,550 --> 00:43:57,789 heart I was drowning in sorrow but I 1002 00:43:54,820 --> 00:44:00,260 still hadn't managed to cry I felt like 1003 00:43:57,789 --> 00:44:01,880 I was broken 1004 00:44:00,260 --> 00:44:04,430 the Rangers on each side of the aisle 1005 00:44:01,880 --> 00:44:07,910 stomped slowly in unison a processional 1006 00:44:04,429 --> 00:44:10,730 beat six Rangers and ceremonial barding 1007 00:44:07,909 --> 00:44:12,319 walk slowly down the cleared Iowa their 1008 00:44:10,730 --> 00:44:13,880 mouths holding the rods that held up the 1009 00:44:12,320 --> 00:44:17,269 platform upon which steel hoes body 1010 00:44:13,880 --> 00:44:20,240 rested a nurse that strawberry lemon-aid 1011 00:44:17,269 --> 00:44:21,769 was one of the pallbearers tears were 1012 00:44:20,239 --> 00:44:23,839 spilling from her eyes so she kept step 1013 00:44:21,769 --> 00:44:25,039 with the largest aliens walking steel 1014 00:44:23,840 --> 00:44:27,309 hooves to the hole in the ground that 1015 00:44:25,039 --> 00:44:29,719 would be his final resting place 1016 00:44:27,309 --> 00:44:34,449 son bony had welded steel hoes head back 1017 00:44:29,719 --> 00:44:37,069 on somehow that was what got me the most 1018 00:44:34,449 --> 00:44:40,039 my breath caught then came out and 1019 00:44:37,070 --> 00:44:44,480 shudders my whole body began to tremble 1020 00:44:40,039 --> 00:44:47,239 racked with sobs velvet remedy reached 1021 00:44:44,480 --> 00:44:48,829 up hoof and held me gently she been 1022 00:44:47,239 --> 00:44:50,599 crying softly since we left stable 1023 00:44:48,829 --> 00:44:51,670 twenty-nine and most of the trip here 1024 00:44:50,599 --> 00:44:54,409 yesterday 1025 00:44:51,670 --> 00:44:57,858 now she comforted me while the damned 1026 00:44:54,409 --> 00:45:01,069 inside me broke my eyes burn fiercely I 1027 00:44:57,858 --> 00:45:04,849 still had no tears but my whole body did 1028 00:45:01,070 --> 00:45:06,260 what my eyes could not star pout and 1029 00:45:04,849 --> 00:45:09,349 crossroads stepped forward as the 1030 00:45:06,260 --> 00:45:10,490 pallbearers reached the pit she began to 1031 00:45:09,349 --> 00:45:15,139 say the words she had written the night 1032 00:45:10,489 --> 00:45:19,219 before words spoken on steel hose behalf 1033 00:45:15,139 --> 00:45:23,059 Applejack's Rangers crossroads began 1034 00:45:19,219 --> 00:45:26,329 that's what elder steel has called us 1035 00:45:23,059 --> 00:45:28,739 my mind drifted his crossroads spoke I 1036 00:45:26,329 --> 00:45:33,630 went back to when steel hose first began 1037 00:45:28,739 --> 00:45:34,169 traveling with us so why are you still 1038 00:45:33,630 --> 00:45:38,519 with us 1039 00:45:34,170 --> 00:45:41,358 I had asked steelo's maybe I have 1040 00:45:38,519 --> 00:45:41,358 nothing better to do 1041 00:45:41,719 --> 00:45:46,719 live through more than any of us could 1042 00:45:43,519 --> 00:45:49,130 possibly imagine crossroads was saying 1043 00:45:46,719 --> 00:45:51,679 he survived more than we could fathom 1044 00:45:49,130 --> 00:45:52,970 and through the centuries his heart 1045 00:45:51,679 --> 00:45:56,839 never strayed from his love and 1046 00:45:52,969 --> 00:45:59,689 commitment for a single mare I doubted 1047 00:45:56,840 --> 00:46:01,579 him he kept his motivations like his 1048 00:45:59,690 --> 00:46:04,220 feelings close to his chest 1049 00:46:01,579 --> 00:46:05,809 I remembered with pain that there was a 1050 00:46:04,219 --> 00:46:09,529 time I considered bucking him to the 1051 00:46:05,809 --> 00:46:10,909 curb I follow you because you're a 1052 00:46:09,530 --> 00:46:14,630 better pony than I am 1053 00:46:10,909 --> 00:46:16,309 and you remind me of somepony else you 1054 00:46:14,630 --> 00:46:19,010 honestly strive to help him protect 1055 00:46:16,309 --> 00:46:22,759 these ponies I believe she would have 1056 00:46:19,010 --> 00:46:26,270 approved of you he'd said that when I 1057 00:46:22,760 --> 00:46:29,270 called him into question I haven't been 1058 00:46:26,269 --> 00:46:33,280 faithful to my oath for a long time but 1059 00:46:29,269 --> 00:46:33,280 at your side I can be again 1060 00:46:33,909 --> 00:46:37,588 nothing more appropriate than to repeat 1061 00:46:35,829 --> 00:46:39,910 the words he spoke to us all 1062 00:46:37,588 --> 00:46:42,849 crossroads reminded the Rangers gathered 1063 00:46:39,909 --> 00:46:44,980 before her in the words of steel hooves 1064 00:46:42,849 --> 00:46:47,710 I call on you to stop and consider your 1065 00:46:44,980 --> 00:46:49,869 oath consider where you are and what you 1066 00:46:47,710 --> 00:46:52,119 are doing your loyalties lie with 1067 00:46:49,869 --> 00:46:54,400 Applejack with a mayor of the Ministry 1068 00:46:52,119 --> 00:46:56,530 of wartime technology the creator of the 1069 00:46:54,400 --> 00:46:58,838 Steel Ranger Armour and the mayor who by 1070 00:46:56,530 --> 00:47:00,849 her own hopes the sweat of her brow and 1071 00:46:58,838 --> 00:47:05,019 the honesty of her heart forged the 1072 00:47:00,849 --> 00:47:07,720 steel rangers another memory galloped on 1073 00:47:05,019 --> 00:47:09,759 the hooves of the last steel loves and I 1074 00:47:07,719 --> 00:47:13,358 staring out over the harbor looking 1075 00:47:09,760 --> 00:47:15,060 towards friendship city I need to thank 1076 00:47:13,358 --> 00:47:20,309 you little pip 1077 00:47:15,059 --> 00:47:23,849 for what I had asked for failing ste 1078 00:47:20,309 --> 00:47:26,659 loves it answered surprising me all this 1079 00:47:23,849 --> 00:47:29,539 time you've been somepony to look up to 1080 00:47:26,659 --> 00:47:32,899 you've made me want to be a better pony 1081 00:47:29,539 --> 00:47:36,599 but at the same time you were too good 1082 00:47:32,900 --> 00:47:38,430 you were an impossible standard tonight 1083 00:47:36,599 --> 00:47:42,809 you've made it easier for me to live 1084 00:47:38,429 --> 00:47:46,730 with myself I curled up against velvet 1085 00:47:42,809 --> 00:47:48,690 remedy burying my face in her dress 1086 00:47:46,730 --> 00:47:50,369 Applejack was put in charge of the 1087 00:47:48,690 --> 00:47:52,019 Ministry of wartime technology because 1088 00:47:50,369 --> 00:47:53,909 she was the bear of one of the elements 1089 00:47:52,019 --> 00:47:56,759 of harmony and the rule of Equestria 1090 00:47:53,909 --> 00:47:58,559 recognized the caliber of that do you 1091 00:47:56,760 --> 00:48:00,060 think it was her virtue and her soul for 1092 00:47:58,559 --> 00:48:03,360 the jewelry on her neck that made 1093 00:48:00,059 --> 00:48:04,739 Applejack a bear the mayor who was soon 1094 00:48:03,360 --> 00:48:06,210 to replace steel hopes contained to 1095 00:48:04,739 --> 00:48:09,839 speak his words with a reverence they 1096 00:48:06,210 --> 00:48:14,309 deserved today you must choose with whom 1097 00:48:09,840 --> 00:48:16,559 your oath lies another memory surfaced 1098 00:48:14,309 --> 00:48:20,489 filling me with fresh pain for my friend 1099 00:48:16,559 --> 00:48:23,190 and for all he had lost it's better that 1100 00:48:20,489 --> 00:48:26,159 my children never knew me 1101 00:48:23,190 --> 00:48:28,139 steel homes have been a haunted pony the 1102 00:48:26,159 --> 00:48:31,368 shadows of his past his sins and 1103 00:48:28,139 --> 00:48:34,679 mistakes all pressed down on him I'm 1104 00:48:31,369 --> 00:48:36,358 sorry little pip I did everything I 1105 00:48:34,679 --> 00:48:37,379 could to make them believe taking stable 1106 00:48:36,358 --> 00:48:40,559 to was a mistake 1107 00:48:37,380 --> 00:48:42,480 I have been for decades but after you 1108 00:48:40,559 --> 00:48:45,588 showed up and they realized there was 1109 00:48:42,480 --> 00:48:48,480 still a functional stable down there I 1110 00:48:45,588 --> 00:48:51,630 had been so angry with him even though 1111 00:48:48,480 --> 00:48:54,240 he had tried his best part of me had 1112 00:48:51,630 --> 00:48:57,960 wanted to kill him on the spot he didn't 1113 00:48:54,239 --> 00:49:00,358 resist or fight back instead he had 1114 00:48:57,960 --> 00:49:02,240 stepped up become the better pony he had 1115 00:49:00,358 --> 00:49:05,449 wanted to be 1116 00:49:02,239 --> 00:49:08,489 thank you Steve loves Zanna that said 1117 00:49:05,449 --> 00:49:10,019 for helping my daughter's village I know 1118 00:49:08,489 --> 00:49:13,618 it must be hard for an old soldier to 1119 00:49:10,019 --> 00:49:15,389 help zebra kin Applejack would have 1120 00:49:13,619 --> 00:49:19,280 wanted her Rangers to protect all good 1121 00:49:15,389 --> 00:49:19,279 people not just ponies 1122 00:49:19,298 --> 00:49:23,648 he'd struggled with his own prejudice 1123 00:49:21,248 --> 00:49:26,798 and was finally beginning to overcome 1124 00:49:23,648 --> 00:49:28,328 that - he had taken steps on a path to 1125 00:49:26,798 --> 00:49:32,048 recovery that he would now never be able 1126 00:49:28,329 --> 00:49:34,959 to complete I tried to remember the last 1127 00:49:32,048 --> 00:49:37,659 thing I heard him say a warning urging 1128 00:49:34,958 --> 00:49:41,438 us to move but the words themselves 1129 00:49:37,659 --> 00:49:43,209 slipped from my memory instead the 1130 00:49:41,438 --> 00:49:46,298 actual words I clearly remembered my 1131 00:49:43,208 --> 00:49:48,698 friend speaking were the rest of you can 1132 00:49:46,298 --> 00:49:50,168 go on ahead if you wish but Applejack 1133 00:49:48,699 --> 00:49:52,769 would not want her steel rangers to 1134 00:49:50,168 --> 00:49:55,778 ignore a cry for help 1135 00:49:52,768 --> 00:49:59,758 carry on in his name and in his memory 1136 00:49:55,778 --> 00:50:02,858 crossroads said concluding her eulogy 1137 00:49:59,759 --> 00:50:04,509 there was a pregnant silence broken only 1138 00:50:02,858 --> 00:50:06,219 by the wind and the sounds of strange 1139 00:50:04,509 --> 00:50:07,269 gunfire that continued in the distance 1140 00:50:06,219 --> 00:50:11,338 unabated 1141 00:50:07,268 --> 00:50:13,868 is there any Pony who wishes to speak 1142 00:50:11,338 --> 00:50:17,139 Crossroads offered the sadness soaking 1143 00:50:13,869 --> 00:50:20,009 her voice before we lower steel hooves 1144 00:50:17,139 --> 00:50:20,009 to his final rest 1145 00:50:20,409 --> 00:50:24,569 I pulled myself in velvet remedy and 1146 00:50:22,239 --> 00:50:26,949 focused my magic rolling forward 1147 00:50:24,570 --> 00:50:30,519 she walked beside me as we made our way 1148 00:50:26,949 --> 00:50:33,369 down to the front I turned towards the 1149 00:50:30,519 --> 00:50:35,679 expectant head as the Rangers I opened 1150 00:50:33,369 --> 00:50:36,750 my muzzle but my voice caught in my 1151 00:50:35,679 --> 00:50:40,230 throat 1152 00:50:36,750 --> 00:50:43,780 another sob shuddered through me I 1153 00:50:40,230 --> 00:50:45,490 stared down again 1154 00:50:43,780 --> 00:50:53,320 velvet put a steadying hoof on my 1155 00:50:45,489 --> 00:50:55,289 shoulder I I swallowed heavily I only 1156 00:50:53,320 --> 00:50:59,110 knew Apple snack for a short time 1157 00:50:55,289 --> 00:51:02,519 but but I may have known him better than 1158 00:50:59,110 --> 00:51:08,610 anypony else he shared things with me 1159 00:51:02,519 --> 00:51:12,360 memories I stopped I couldn't continue 1160 00:51:08,610 --> 00:51:16,530 instead I lifted my pipbuck infused leg 1161 00:51:12,360 --> 00:51:16,530 velvet remedies horn began to glow 1162 00:51:17,110 --> 00:51:20,849 I 1163 00:51:19,170 --> 00:51:24,088 there's nothing I can say to do him 1164 00:51:20,849 --> 00:51:27,028 justice but as Apple snack is lowered I 1165 00:51:24,088 --> 00:51:32,268 went to play his song it was his and 1166 00:51:27,028 --> 00:51:34,619 Applejack song I started the music 1167 00:51:32,268 --> 00:51:36,748 Velvets magic amplified it beautifully 1168 00:51:34,619 --> 00:51:39,450 allowing it to carry across the grassy 1169 00:51:36,748 --> 00:51:42,659 hills wafting over the pits of sand and 1170 00:51:39,449 --> 00:51:45,808 out across the lake like a breeze I want 1171 00:51:42,659 --> 00:51:48,748 to calm the storm but the war is in your 1172 00:51:45,809 --> 00:51:52,349 eyes how can I shield you from the 1173 00:51:48,748 --> 00:51:54,689 horror and the lies when all that once 1174 00:51:52,349 --> 00:51:57,119 held meaning is shattered ruined and 1175 00:51:54,690 --> 00:52:02,068 bleeding and the whispers in the 1176 00:51:57,119 --> 00:52:03,930 darkness tell me we won't survive as the 1177 00:52:02,068 --> 00:52:06,028 song played the Knights stepped forward 1178 00:52:03,929 --> 00:52:08,608 setting down the platform where steal 1179 00:52:06,028 --> 00:52:10,528 his body arrested encased still in his 1180 00:52:08,608 --> 00:52:12,268 steel Rangers armor in Dorne with red 1181 00:52:10,528 --> 00:52:15,358 trim and Applejack's cutie mark painted 1182 00:52:12,268 --> 00:52:17,758 on the flank the platform rested over 1183 00:52:15,358 --> 00:52:21,719 the pit the poles rested on the edges of 1184 00:52:17,759 --> 00:52:24,509 the freshly dug earth all things will 1185 00:52:21,719 --> 00:52:28,199 end in time this common storm won't 1186 00:52:24,509 --> 00:52:31,139 linger why should we live as if there's 1187 00:52:28,199 --> 00:52:33,358 nothing more so hold me Neath the 1188 00:52:31,139 --> 00:52:36,179 thunder clouds my heart held in your 1189 00:52:33,358 --> 00:52:38,929 hooves our love will keep the monsters 1190 00:52:36,179 --> 00:52:38,929 from our door 1191 00:52:39,809 --> 00:52:43,920 the song was only marred by the rumble 1192 00:52:41,940 --> 00:52:47,220 of distant thunder and the persistent 1193 00:52:43,920 --> 00:52:49,470 sound of weapons fire strawberry 1194 00:52:47,219 --> 00:52:52,230 lemonade stepped away her tea red and 1195 00:52:49,469 --> 00:52:56,730 eyes meeting mine then she turned away 1196 00:52:52,230 --> 00:52:58,170 looking into the distance I heard the 1197 00:52:56,730 --> 00:53:01,170 sharp intake of air a strawberry 1198 00:52:58,170 --> 00:53:04,829 lemon-aid gasped I lifted my gaze in the 1199 00:53:01,170 --> 00:53:06,480 direction she was staring far far away I 1200 00:53:04,829 --> 00:53:08,460 could see the mountain range that ran 1201 00:53:06,480 --> 00:53:09,690 through Equestria the silhouette of 1202 00:53:08,460 --> 00:53:12,300 Canterlot jutting from the tallest 1203 00:53:09,690 --> 00:53:13,769 cliffside wrapped in a haze of pink that 1204 00:53:12,300 --> 00:53:17,280 had been slowly bleeding out over the 1205 00:53:13,769 --> 00:53:19,500 last few days dark forms hovered around 1206 00:53:17,280 --> 00:53:23,760 the city sparking flashes of colored 1207 00:53:19,500 --> 00:53:27,389 light for I know tomorrow will be a 1208 00:53:23,760 --> 00:53:31,680 better day yes I believe tomorrow can be 1209 00:53:27,389 --> 00:53:34,019 a better day a few other Rangers were 1210 00:53:31,679 --> 00:53:37,379 turning to look all the most kept their 1211 00:53:34,019 --> 00:53:39,449 focus reverently on steelo's against the 1212 00:53:37,380 --> 00:53:40,950 better judgment of my aching heart I've 1213 00:53:39,449 --> 00:53:46,009 floated out my binoculars and turned 1214 00:53:40,949 --> 00:53:48,299 them towards Canterlot enclave Raptors 1215 00:53:46,010 --> 00:53:50,160 several of them were firing on the ruins 1216 00:53:48,300 --> 00:53:53,460 of Canterlot 1217 00:53:50,159 --> 00:53:56,368 no I realized as a spike of disbelief in 1218 00:53:53,460 --> 00:54:01,230 dread Lance through me they were firing 1219 00:53:56,369 --> 00:54:03,400 underneath the city goddesses they 1220 00:54:01,230 --> 00:54:05,650 couldn't 1221 00:54:03,400 --> 00:54:07,088 but even as I thought the words the 1222 00:54:05,650 --> 00:54:10,180 reinforced supports beneath the Royal 1223 00:54:07,088 --> 00:54:12,190 City gave away the city above shifted 1224 00:54:10,179 --> 00:54:13,960 white towers cracking and breaking apart 1225 00:54:12,190 --> 00:54:17,409 as the whole of Canterlot crashed down 1226 00:54:13,960 --> 00:54:19,838 the mountainside the rumble echoed over 1227 00:54:17,409 --> 00:54:21,250 all of the equestrian wasteland almost 1228 00:54:19,838 --> 00:54:24,730 indistinguishable from the rest of the 1229 00:54:21,250 --> 00:54:28,568 distant Thunder a black pit swallowed my 1230 00:54:24,730 --> 00:54:34,480 heart we'll come back for her I had 1231 00:54:28,568 --> 00:54:37,630 promised until then she's safe here my 1232 00:54:34,480 --> 00:54:40,990 last promise to steal lives and now I 1233 00:54:37,630 --> 00:54:42,700 would never be able to keep it the 1234 00:54:40,989 --> 00:54:45,308 Enclave had just destroyed the Canterlot 1235 00:54:42,699 --> 00:54:47,939 ruins casually killing everypony in 1236 00:54:45,309 --> 00:54:47,940 stable City 1237 00:54:51,039 --> 00:54:54,519 the wind cut-and-dry main as I stood 1238 00:54:53,050 --> 00:54:57,580 before they rave marker that one of the 1239 00:54:54,519 --> 00:54:59,380 Ranger ponies had already created it was 1240 00:54:57,579 --> 00:55:00,819 a beautiful stately marker fashioned 1241 00:54:59,380 --> 00:55:02,530 from a large chunk of polished rose 1242 00:55:00,820 --> 00:55:05,820 granite that had been scavenged from the 1243 00:55:02,530 --> 00:55:10,990 fetlock Chamber of Commerce red and gray 1244 00:55:05,820 --> 00:55:14,260 steel of scullers he arrests elder steel 1245 00:55:10,989 --> 00:55:17,319 hubs Apple snack for father of Apple 1246 00:55:14,260 --> 00:55:22,980 snacks Rangers forefather of Applejack's 1247 00:55:17,320 --> 00:55:26,309 Rangers steadfast enduring unwavering a 1248 00:55:22,980 --> 00:55:26,309 true friend 1249 00:55:26,420 --> 00:55:34,070 Calamity stood beside me velvet remedy 1250 00:55:29,210 --> 00:55:36,860 just behind sans should be here i noted 1251 00:55:34,070 --> 00:55:41,440 mournfully yep 1252 00:55:36,860 --> 00:55:45,620 agreed calamity she's here in spirit 1253 00:55:41,440 --> 00:55:47,570 doublet Remy reminded us I looked down 1254 00:55:45,619 --> 00:55:48,949 at the base of the gravestone and a 1255 00:55:47,570 --> 00:55:53,360 special holder that had been fashioned 1256 00:55:48,949 --> 00:55:58,519 there she ain't the only one calamity 1257 00:55:53,360 --> 00:56:00,710 said following my gaze in that special 1258 00:55:58,519 --> 00:56:02,509 niche rested the orange statuette with 1259 00:56:00,710 --> 00:56:04,130 the blonde mane and tail which I had 1260 00:56:02,510 --> 00:56:07,970 told crossroads that she would find in 1261 00:56:04,130 --> 00:56:09,530 steelo's Shack the words be strong were 1262 00:56:07,969 --> 00:56:13,309 barely visible where the base was set 1263 00:56:09,530 --> 00:56:16,070 into the granite his little pony would 1264 00:56:13,309 --> 00:56:20,170 watch over him forever the spirit of 1265 00:56:16,070 --> 00:56:20,170 Applejack would never leave his side 1266 00:56:22,150 --> 00:56:26,798 I rolled slowly down the Hall of stable 1267 00:56:24,278 --> 00:56:30,358 29 my thoughts filled with shadows and 1268 00:56:26,798 --> 00:56:34,838 regrets and pain I'd failed steel those 1269 00:56:30,358 --> 00:56:37,719 he was dead and I had failed him he'd 1270 00:56:34,838 --> 00:56:42,190 only asked one thing of me he'd asked me 1271 00:56:37,719 --> 00:56:45,068 to save just one Pony instead I had left 1272 00:56:42,190 --> 00:56:48,880 sir Sparkle in Canterlot and now she was 1273 00:56:45,068 --> 00:56:50,259 dead I wondered if the Enclave even knew 1274 00:56:48,880 --> 00:56:53,349 they had wiped out a village of ponies 1275 00:56:50,260 --> 00:56:56,260 if they had bothered to check before 1276 00:56:53,349 --> 00:57:00,250 they started their attack if they even 1277 00:56:56,260 --> 00:57:01,930 cared I reached the end of the hall and 1278 00:57:00,250 --> 00:57:06,460 looked up with a lit banner above the 1279 00:57:01,929 --> 00:57:11,769 door Vinyl Scratch I lifted a hoof and 1280 00:57:06,460 --> 00:57:16,230 clop it against the door velvet a voice 1281 00:57:11,769 --> 00:57:19,210 drifted from one side I want to be alone 1282 00:57:16,230 --> 00:57:21,159 velvet please 1283 00:57:19,210 --> 00:57:23,470 I knew she was taking the loss of steel 1284 00:57:21,159 --> 00:57:24,940 hooks hard but I had really begun to 1285 00:57:23,469 --> 00:57:27,179 worry when calamity had told me she had 1286 00:57:24,940 --> 00:57:32,320 locked herself in vinyl scratches room 1287 00:57:27,179 --> 00:57:35,259 it's time for us to go I said I wanted 1288 00:57:32,320 --> 00:57:40,769 to be alone she shot it from behind the 1289 00:57:35,260 --> 00:57:43,530 door making me flinch velvet 1290 00:57:40,769 --> 00:57:50,230 something was wrong even more wrong than 1291 00:57:43,530 --> 00:57:53,290 I knew velvet please talk to me 1292 00:57:50,230 --> 00:57:56,710 I heard the door unlock the metal slid 1293 00:57:53,289 --> 00:57:58,239 away with a pneumatic hiss double remedy 1294 00:57:56,710 --> 00:58:01,869 was standing there looking wrecked 1295 00:57:58,239 --> 00:58:03,989 across expression on her face her horn 1296 00:58:01,869 --> 00:58:06,039 was glowing 1297 00:58:03,989 --> 00:58:11,289 you don't want to talk to me right now 1298 00:58:06,039 --> 00:58:14,199 little pip now go I focused beginning to 1299 00:58:11,289 --> 00:58:15,880 roll inside she telekinetically threw 1300 00:58:14,199 --> 00:58:19,329 something at me hitting me in the chest 1301 00:58:15,880 --> 00:58:21,450 I looked down at the object which had 1302 00:58:19,329 --> 00:58:25,690 bounced off of me and fallen into my lap 1303 00:58:21,449 --> 00:58:31,179 it was a box of memory orbs Steele loves 1304 00:58:25,690 --> 00:58:34,590 memory orbs you knew velvet said firmly 1305 00:58:31,179 --> 00:58:37,719 but surprisingly without accusation 1306 00:58:34,590 --> 00:58:42,300 calamity told me that much but I didn't 1307 00:58:37,719 --> 00:58:45,419 realize steel is new to all of you did 1308 00:58:42,300 --> 00:58:47,769 goddesses she looked at his memories 1309 00:58:45,420 --> 00:58:49,420 she'd seen him dying on the battlefield 1310 00:58:47,769 --> 00:58:54,880 the day that fluttershy first tested the 1311 00:58:49,420 --> 00:58:56,320 mega spells velvet I began only to find 1312 00:58:54,880 --> 00:59:00,300 there was nothing I could possibly say 1313 00:58:56,320 --> 00:59:05,930 other than I'm sorry 1314 00:59:00,300 --> 00:59:10,210 just go I choked 1315 00:59:05,929 --> 00:59:14,179 I I was I was trying I I should have 1316 00:59:10,210 --> 00:59:17,059 told me she questioned a pain smirk 1317 00:59:14,179 --> 00:59:19,219 crossing her muzzle I know why you 1318 00:59:17,059 --> 00:59:22,430 didn't you were trying to spare me the 1319 00:59:19,219 --> 00:59:27,338 truth trying to save me and others I 1320 00:59:22,429 --> 00:59:29,328 suspect that's what you do isn't it 1321 00:59:27,338 --> 00:59:32,179 there was something in her voice that I 1322 00:59:29,329 --> 00:59:34,369 deeply disliked I had been fearing this 1323 00:59:32,179 --> 00:59:35,868 day for weeks sure that the truth about 1324 00:59:34,369 --> 00:59:38,568 fluttershy's role in the end of things 1325 00:59:35,869 --> 00:59:43,660 would devastate remedy but I was 1326 00:59:38,568 --> 00:59:46,250 expecting rage screaming not this 1327 00:59:43,659 --> 00:59:49,159 Fluttershy she made a mistake 1328 00:59:46,250 --> 00:59:50,659 I offered wanting to tell velvet that 1329 00:59:49,159 --> 00:59:53,449 the mega spell bombs weren't really 1330 00:59:50,659 --> 00:59:54,920 fluttershy's fault that all the death 1331 00:59:53,449 --> 00:59:57,799 and destruction shouldn't be late at her 1332 00:59:54,920 --> 01:00:02,809 idols hooves but it was okay to still 1333 00:59:57,800 --> 01:00:05,780 love Fluttershy she created Fluttershy 1334 01:00:02,809 --> 01:00:08,150 created something beautiful velvet 1335 01:00:05,780 --> 01:00:11,109 remedy injected sternly Brooking no room 1336 01:00:08,150 --> 01:00:16,240 for argument the only mistake she made 1337 01:00:11,108 --> 01:00:19,250 was that she gave it to anypony that 1338 01:00:16,239 --> 01:00:21,539 well I should be relieved to hear her 1339 01:00:19,250 --> 01:00:27,119 saying that right 1340 01:00:21,539 --> 01:00:28,889 so why wasn't I now if you'll excuse me 1341 01:00:27,119 --> 01:00:32,789 I want to be alone 1342 01:00:28,889 --> 01:00:35,329 she said gravely I don't think I can 1343 01:00:32,789 --> 01:00:39,179 travel with you anymore 1344 01:00:35,329 --> 01:00:42,259 what I breathed my wounded heart 1345 01:00:39,179 --> 01:00:44,179 breaking I couldn't lose another friend 1346 01:00:42,260 --> 01:00:49,619 not now 1347 01:00:44,179 --> 01:00:53,159 what why valve a remedy huffed becoming 1348 01:00:49,619 --> 01:00:55,619 truly cross you really want to leave 1349 01:00:53,159 --> 01:00:59,129 little PIP before I say something we 1350 01:00:55,619 --> 01:01:02,730 will both regret she began to walk away 1351 01:00:59,130 --> 01:01:04,769 trying to close the door behind her it 1352 01:01:02,730 --> 01:01:09,010 refused to shut sensing that I was in 1353 01:01:04,769 --> 01:01:12,699 the way but 1354 01:01:09,010 --> 01:01:14,200 velvel remedy spun stomping fluttershy's 1355 01:01:12,699 --> 01:01:14,889 mistake was giving the mega spells to 1356 01:01:14,199 --> 01:01:17,108 other ponies 1357 01:01:14,889 --> 01:01:20,588 she created magics of life and healing 1358 01:01:17,108 --> 01:01:24,130 how could I not love her for that she 1359 01:01:20,588 --> 01:01:25,809 glared but it was beyond naive to think 1360 01:01:24,130 --> 01:01:27,430 she could give mega spells to anyone 1361 01:01:25,809 --> 01:01:31,989 without them being turned into something 1362 01:01:27,429 --> 01:01:34,809 horrible I thought to respond but my 1363 01:01:31,989 --> 01:01:36,549 brain wasn't working I felt paralyzed as 1364 01:01:34,809 --> 01:01:37,509 I watched one of my dearest friends seem 1365 01:01:36,550 --> 01:01:41,260 to self-destruct 1366 01:01:37,510 --> 01:01:42,750 oh I understand why she thought other 1367 01:01:41,260 --> 01:01:46,180 ponies would use the spells for good 1368 01:01:42,750 --> 01:01:47,769 I've been just as stupid I've spent all 1369 01:01:46,179 --> 01:01:51,069 my life wanting to help ponies because 1370 01:01:47,769 --> 01:01:53,710 I've held on to this idiotic naive 1371 01:01:51,070 --> 01:01:56,050 belief that deep inside we're all 1372 01:01:53,710 --> 01:02:00,338 inherently good that we deserve to be 1373 01:01:56,050 --> 01:02:04,320 helped to be saved her words were giving 1374 01:02:00,338 --> 01:02:07,349 me unpleasant flashbacks to mr. topaz we 1375 01:02:04,320 --> 01:02:10,210 we are basically good 1376 01:02:07,349 --> 01:02:12,880 velvet remedy laughter broken nasty 1377 01:02:10,210 --> 01:02:16,420 laughs haven't you been paying attention 1378 01:02:12,880 --> 01:02:18,760 little bit she scolded did you somehow 1379 01:02:16,420 --> 01:02:20,680 miss our boo how about Fluttershy's 1380 01:02:18,760 --> 01:02:24,240 cottage would every other damn thing 1381 01:02:20,679 --> 01:02:29,529 we've seen she shook her head 1382 01:02:24,239 --> 01:02:34,169 deep inside we're all Raiders my muzzle 1383 01:02:29,530 --> 01:02:37,450 hung open no that's not true velvet a 1384 01:02:34,170 --> 01:02:39,880 new velvet remedy was hurting I prayed 1385 01:02:37,449 --> 01:02:41,818 this was her pain speaking I couldn't 1386 01:02:39,880 --> 01:02:45,760 bear to see her like this 1387 01:02:41,818 --> 01:02:48,789 no she countered even the best of us 1388 01:02:45,760 --> 01:02:50,079 fall to evil at the drop of a hat do you 1389 01:02:48,789 --> 01:02:53,920 know what the worst thing I've ever done 1390 01:02:50,079 --> 01:02:55,059 in my life was I suspected she was about 1391 01:02:53,920 --> 01:02:58,559 to bring up killing the Raiders and 1392 01:02:55,059 --> 01:03:01,180 fluttershy's home but she surprised me 1393 01:02:58,559 --> 01:03:04,980 it was when I tried to use you to make 1394 01:03:01,179 --> 01:03:10,108 calamity jealous I knew you loved me and 1395 01:03:04,980 --> 01:03:13,318 I she lowered her head 1396 01:03:10,108 --> 01:03:17,278 it was horrible what I tried to do was 1397 01:03:13,318 --> 01:03:21,449 cruel and unkind I didn't deserve 1398 01:03:17,278 --> 01:03:26,309 forgiveness I wanted to reach out and 1399 01:03:21,449 --> 01:03:30,710 hug her to hold her but I forgave you I 1400 01:03:26,309 --> 01:03:34,920 told her softly we all have moments of 1401 01:03:30,710 --> 01:03:37,739 evil she interrupted that's the point 1402 01:03:34,920 --> 01:03:39,749 little pip hell you're probably the most 1403 01:03:37,739 --> 01:03:42,059 selfless noble Pony in the wasteland and 1404 01:03:39,748 --> 01:03:43,768 look what you've done who are attending 1405 01:03:42,059 --> 01:03:47,430 steel of funeral because you decided to 1406 01:03:43,768 --> 01:03:51,419 set off a mega spell in their den a real 1407 01:03:47,429 --> 01:03:54,480 as if she had bucked me honestly I know 1408 01:03:51,420 --> 01:03:56,608 you think of them as just monsters and I 1409 01:03:54,480 --> 01:03:57,960 even know why you had to do it the 1410 01:03:56,608 --> 01:04:01,619 goddess was a threat to everyone and 1411 01:03:57,960 --> 01:04:07,528 everything but you were up there home to 1412 01:04:01,619 --> 01:04:09,869 get to her little pip o goddesses you 1413 01:04:07,528 --> 01:04:13,190 massacred all those monster families 1414 01:04:09,869 --> 01:04:16,818 with their little monster children 1415 01:04:13,190 --> 01:04:18,289 her tone was sad and without malice but 1416 01:04:16,818 --> 01:04:22,670 each Ward slammed into me with the force 1417 01:04:18,289 --> 01:04:23,680 of a sledgehammer honestly what did you 1418 01:04:22,670 --> 01:04:28,849 expect him to do 1419 01:04:23,679 --> 01:04:33,469 roll over play dead she looked directly 1420 01:04:28,849 --> 01:04:37,869 into my eyes steal hopes is dead because 1421 01:04:33,469 --> 01:04:41,328 of what you did my whole body went numb 1422 01:04:37,869 --> 01:04:43,990 and the worst part is that it was the 1423 01:04:41,329 --> 01:04:43,990 right thing to do 1424 01:04:44,739 --> 01:04:51,479 all of this steel of death it was all my 1425 01:04:49,420 --> 01:04:51,480 fault 1426 01:04:51,820 --> 01:04:58,539 and you you're the best of us little pip 1427 01:04:56,130 --> 01:05:02,140 she reached up and pushed me out of the 1428 01:04:58,539 --> 01:05:04,509 doorway with a hoof I'm not coming with 1429 01:05:02,139 --> 01:05:06,069 you little pip I can't help save the 1430 01:05:04,510 --> 01:05:09,730 wasteland if I can't believe the ponies 1431 01:05:06,070 --> 01:05:13,150 in it are worth saving the metal door 1432 01:05:09,730 --> 01:05:14,460 slid shut between us and fell out of my 1433 01:05:13,150 --> 01:05:18,820 wheelchair and curled up on the floor 1434 01:05:14,460 --> 01:05:24,210 hurt beyond the telling of it finally 1435 01:05:18,820 --> 01:05:24,210 the tears came and they wouldn't stop 1436 01:05:26,409 --> 01:05:34,839 calamity came looking for me I didn't 1437 01:05:29,230 --> 01:05:40,119 want to move I just wanted to die I did 1438 01:05:34,840 --> 01:05:43,780 this I did this I moan unable to cry 1439 01:05:40,119 --> 01:05:44,559 anymore now you stop that right now 1440 01:05:43,780 --> 01:05:47,860 you're here 1441 01:05:44,559 --> 01:05:49,989 calamity ordered you risked your own 1442 01:05:47,860 --> 01:05:51,190 life and nearly lost her to saving the 1443 01:05:49,989 --> 01:05:53,619 question wasteland from one of the 1444 01:05:51,190 --> 01:05:56,019 biggest threats I could imagine you're a 1445 01:05:53,619 --> 01:06:01,809 big damn hero and I won't stand for none 1446 01:05:56,019 --> 01:06:07,360 of this self-pity that bomb killed how 1447 01:06:01,809 --> 01:06:10,329 many hellhounds pegasi how many 1448 01:06:07,360 --> 01:06:13,840 unintended dead just to take out the 1449 01:06:10,329 --> 01:06:16,889 goddess I imagined even red I would be 1450 01:06:13,840 --> 01:06:20,130 appalled at how I discarded my morals 1451 01:06:16,889 --> 01:06:23,500 way I see it you saved every pony 1452 01:06:20,130 --> 01:06:25,059 calamity told me and it weren't your 1453 01:06:23,500 --> 01:06:28,619 fault the damn Enclave showed up when 1454 01:06:25,059 --> 01:06:32,940 they did no pony could predicted that 1455 01:06:28,619 --> 01:06:38,500 how about the hellhounds Clemen occurred 1456 01:06:32,940 --> 01:06:39,789 how damn it velvet he stomped the hill 1457 01:06:38,500 --> 01:06:41,500 hands are nothing but murderous 1458 01:06:39,789 --> 01:06:43,509 territorial monsters that killed ponies 1459 01:06:41,500 --> 01:06:44,309 indiscriminately they had been for 1460 01:06:43,510 --> 01:06:46,990 centuries 1461 01:06:44,309 --> 01:06:49,559 y'all save countless lives by wiping so 1462 01:06:46,989 --> 01:06:49,559 many of them out 1463 01:06:49,679 --> 01:06:53,940 he was right but that didn't stop me 1464 01:06:52,349 --> 01:06:55,980 from thinking of magical dragons fire 1465 01:06:53,940 --> 01:06:59,789 burning away monster families filled 1466 01:06:55,980 --> 01:07:03,420 with helpless screaming children let's 1467 01:06:59,789 --> 01:07:08,869 go get you away a little pip I blinked 1468 01:07:03,420 --> 01:07:10,789 looking up at him you're coming with me 1469 01:07:08,869 --> 01:07:14,358 I was actually surprised when the 1470 01:07:10,789 --> 01:07:17,749 Pegasus nodded I wanted to stay with 1471 01:07:14,358 --> 01:07:21,139 velvet be here for clam he told me 1472 01:07:17,748 --> 01:07:23,328 flapping his wings in discomfort but she 1473 01:07:21,139 --> 01:07:25,909 all need to get to Manhattan and it 1474 01:07:23,329 --> 01:07:29,240 ain't safe for y'all to travel alone the 1475 01:07:25,909 --> 01:07:30,429 secure one and a ghoul merchant he shook 1476 01:07:29,239 --> 01:07:33,258 his head 1477 01:07:30,429 --> 01:07:34,368 she'll be hurting something fierce but 1478 01:07:33,259 --> 01:07:37,369 if I don't come along 1479 01:07:34,369 --> 01:07:38,960 I reckon y'all might not make it and I 1480 01:07:37,369 --> 01:07:41,349 ain't aimin to lose any more friends 1481 01:07:38,960 --> 01:07:41,349 this week 1482 01:07:41,559 --> 01:07:50,839 Manhattan homage my heart was bleeding 1483 01:07:46,219 --> 01:07:52,838 out I needed her so badly but the idea 1484 01:07:50,838 --> 01:07:55,338 of seeing her again filled me with dread 1485 01:07:52,838 --> 01:07:57,548 how could she possibly want anything to 1486 01:07:55,338 --> 01:08:02,690 do with me after all I had done after 1487 01:07:57,548 --> 01:08:06,108 what I had become Calamity leaned down 1488 01:08:02,690 --> 01:08:10,338 and gave me a little nuzzle I especially 1489 01:08:06,108 --> 01:08:12,108 don't want to lose my first one I felt a 1490 01:08:10,338 --> 01:08:15,619 brush of warmth against my bleak dying 1491 01:08:12,108 --> 01:08:18,619 heart thank you 1492 01:08:15,619 --> 01:08:22,760 I I'm sorry for pulling you away from 1493 01:08:18,619 --> 01:08:24,949 her yeah well from what I gather y'all 1494 01:08:22,760 --> 01:08:26,210 giving her more help than I could if 1495 01:08:24,949 --> 01:08:28,639 there's any way out of the darkness 1496 01:08:26,210 --> 01:08:30,319 she's in right now those little statue 1497 01:08:28,640 --> 01:08:32,350 fingers are the best guys she could hope 1498 01:08:30,319 --> 01:08:32,349 for 1499 01:08:32,439 --> 01:08:37,869 sometimes my Pegasus friend was 1500 01:08:35,060 --> 01:08:37,870 startlingly wise 1501 01:08:40,319 --> 01:08:44,230 slamming and I huddled together in the 1502 01:08:42,338 --> 01:08:47,229 back of the delivery wagon cloud in the 1503 01:08:44,229 --> 01:08:48,789 anti-radiation barding our ghoul friend 1504 01:08:47,229 --> 01:08:50,019 had smiled broadly as she produced the 1505 01:08:48,789 --> 01:08:52,390 second suit from the back of the wagon 1506 01:08:50,020 --> 01:08:54,969 this one tailored for a Pegasus stallion 1507 01:08:52,390 --> 01:08:56,710 I was beginning to think that DC do 1508 01:08:54,969 --> 01:09:00,219 really did carry absolutely everything 1509 01:08:56,710 --> 01:09:01,838 we might need calamity had strapped his 1510 01:09:00,219 --> 01:09:05,380 battle saddle on over the anti-radiation 1511 01:09:01,838 --> 01:09:07,210 parting forgoing his normal armor even 1512 01:09:05,380 --> 01:09:09,179 with the barding we were having to 1513 01:09:07,210 --> 01:09:11,259 consume radaway at least once an hour 1514 01:09:09,179 --> 01:09:14,890 clam he didn't have to be in here with 1515 01:09:11,259 --> 01:09:19,329 me but he insisted I was both thankful 1516 01:09:14,890 --> 01:09:20,619 and annoyed with him for it calamity 1517 01:09:19,329 --> 01:09:23,140 didn't want to risk taking the sky 1518 01:09:20,619 --> 01:09:24,789 bandit into Manhattan crossroads had 1519 01:09:23,140 --> 01:09:28,179 confirmed reports of a lot of enclave 1520 01:09:24,789 --> 01:09:30,250 operating within the city so we would 1521 01:09:28,179 --> 01:09:33,039 either have to go in on hoof or indeed 1522 01:09:30,250 --> 01:09:35,289 sea-doos wagon the trip shouldn't take 1523 01:09:33,039 --> 01:09:38,229 more than a few hours we were going to 1524 01:09:35,289 --> 01:09:39,729 stop at tenpony first drop me off then 1525 01:09:38,229 --> 01:09:42,579 calamity was going to go with Dixie due 1526 01:09:39,729 --> 01:09:44,439 to Friendship City if I would still have 1527 01:09:42,579 --> 01:09:46,559 me I hope she just spend a week wrapped 1528 01:09:44,439 --> 01:09:50,129 in her embrace 1529 01:09:46,560 --> 01:09:55,130 Oh pony feathers calamity said looking 1530 01:09:50,130 --> 01:09:57,300 up from our 14th game best to the 39 I 1531 01:09:55,130 --> 01:10:00,690 was beginning to suspect that he was 1532 01:09:57,300 --> 01:10:02,159 letting me win really no pony could be 1533 01:10:00,689 --> 01:10:08,279 this bad at tic-tac-toe 1534 01:10:02,159 --> 01:10:11,340 I felt the wagon slow all hail calamity 1535 01:10:08,279 --> 01:10:14,599 spat as two enclave pegasi shot past the 1536 01:10:11,340 --> 01:10:15,779 wagon and yard circling back towards us 1537 01:10:14,600 --> 01:10:19,410 halt 1538 01:10:15,779 --> 01:10:21,479 Pegasus one of them called out her armor 1539 01:10:19,409 --> 01:10:25,979 magnifying her voice and altering with 1540 01:10:21,479 --> 01:10:29,369 an intimidating reverb identity great 1541 01:10:25,979 --> 01:10:34,859 leaders what the hell is that thing not 1542 01:10:29,369 --> 01:10:35,519 good and then the shooting began they're 1543 01:10:34,859 --> 01:10:39,059 shooting at us 1544 01:10:35,520 --> 01:10:41,650 I gasped the two Enclave pegasi had 1545 01:10:39,060 --> 01:10:44,280 opened fire on ditzy Doo 1546 01:10:41,649 --> 01:10:46,389 the wagon went into an abrupt dive 1547 01:10:44,279 --> 01:10:49,779 clamming I tumble again through the Wold 1548 01:10:46,390 --> 01:10:51,850 wagon along with several crates one 1549 01:10:49,779 --> 01:10:54,039 containing dozens of packets of radaway 1550 01:10:51,850 --> 01:10:55,440 spilled open scattering glowing orange 1551 01:10:54,039 --> 01:10:57,279 packets everywhere 1552 01:10:55,439 --> 01:10:59,129 several fell through the window that 1553 01:10:57,279 --> 01:11:01,210 looked out the front of the wagon I 1554 01:10:59,130 --> 01:11:02,650 pulled myself to the window and peeked 1555 01:11:01,210 --> 01:11:04,779 out as the wagon began to pull up 1556 01:11:02,649 --> 01:11:07,379 twisting his ditzy Doo made a hard turn 1557 01:11:04,779 --> 01:11:09,579 weaving through the peers of Luna Line 1558 01:11:07,380 --> 01:11:10,989 smoke curled off a hole in her LED 1559 01:11:09,579 --> 01:11:12,939 barding just behind her left wing 1560 01:11:10,989 --> 01:11:18,699 blowing Icarus seeping from her wounded 1561 01:11:12,939 --> 01:11:21,279 flesh more energy shots fired above me 1562 01:11:18,699 --> 01:11:24,489 part of the roof glowed a hole the size 1563 01:11:21,279 --> 01:11:26,649 of a foal disintegrating away I floated 1564 01:11:24,489 --> 01:11:28,300 that little Macintosh pushing myself 1565 01:11:26,649 --> 01:11:29,679 onto a toppled crate till I could see 1566 01:11:28,300 --> 01:11:33,880 one of the attacking pegasi through the 1567 01:11:29,680 --> 01:11:35,260 opening I slid into SATs calamity 1568 01:11:33,880 --> 01:11:37,150 launched himself out of the back of the 1569 01:11:35,260 --> 01:11:38,680 wagon taking wing as I fired several 1570 01:11:37,149 --> 01:11:41,259 shots into the black carapace of The 1571 01:11:38,680 --> 01:11:43,300 Enclave soldier two of the bullets 1572 01:11:41,260 --> 01:11:44,079 glanced off of the armor but the third 1573 01:11:43,300 --> 01:11:47,409 penetrated 1574 01:11:44,079 --> 01:11:49,149 I ducked back down needing to reload 1575 01:11:47,409 --> 01:11:53,079 with either armor-piercing or magical 1576 01:11:49,149 --> 01:11:55,569 bullets another shot and the wagon 1577 01:11:53,079 --> 01:11:57,550 shifted again all the crates sliding 1578 01:11:55,569 --> 01:12:00,159 towards the open rear gate as dc2 tried 1579 01:11:57,550 --> 01:12:02,079 to gain altitude I cast out of 1580 01:12:00,159 --> 01:12:03,309 levitation net trying to keep ditzy Doo 1581 01:12:02,079 --> 01:12:06,340 from losing all the where she was 1582 01:12:03,310 --> 01:12:08,110 carrying a bowls of magical energy flew 1583 01:12:06,340 --> 01:12:09,940 into the wagon striking one of the metal 1584 01:12:08,109 --> 01:12:13,239 boxes and melting it destroying whatever 1585 01:12:09,939 --> 01:12:16,329 had been inside I can hear calamities 1586 01:12:13,239 --> 01:12:19,550 battle saddle firing dead shot calamity 1587 01:12:16,329 --> 01:12:22,010 I was sure he hit his mark 1588 01:12:19,550 --> 01:12:24,350 one of the Enclave pegasi was swooping 1589 01:12:22,010 --> 01:12:26,180 in right behind us the gems in her 1590 01:12:24,350 --> 01:12:27,470 battle saddle crackled glowing brighter 1591 01:12:26,180 --> 01:12:29,619 as the Pegasus switched to more 1592 01:12:27,470 --> 01:12:32,539 powerfully charged Sparkle packs I 1593 01:12:29,619 --> 01:12:33,920 lifted little McIntosh my targeting 1594 01:12:32,539 --> 01:12:34,970 spell allowing me to lock onto the 1595 01:12:33,920 --> 01:12:38,090 Pegasus his head 1596 01:12:34,970 --> 01:12:40,220 I hadn't had time to swap bullets but if 1597 01:12:38,090 --> 01:12:43,250 I could hit the visor I was sure my shot 1598 01:12:40,220 --> 01:12:45,020 would go through I was thrown back 1599 01:12:43,250 --> 01:12:47,720 violently as ditzy Doo suddenly came to 1600 01:12:45,020 --> 01:12:49,850 a complete stop the chasing Pegasus 1601 01:12:47,720 --> 01:12:52,909 tried to pull up but slammed jarring 1602 01:12:49,850 --> 01:12:54,170 lean to the back of the wagons roof we 1603 01:12:52,909 --> 01:12:55,849 started moving again as the black 1604 01:12:54,170 --> 01:12:59,840 carapace clad pegasi dropped to the 1605 01:12:55,850 --> 01:13:01,970 ground unconscious I was cleaning up the 1606 01:12:59,840 --> 01:13:05,510 crates levitating them in order when 1607 01:13:01,970 --> 01:13:07,460 calamity flew back in sorry little PIP 1608 01:13:05,510 --> 01:13:10,159 but I couldn't bring myself to kill the 1609 01:13:07,460 --> 01:13:12,920 fellow he said his muzzle itched in a 1610 01:13:10,159 --> 01:13:14,569 grimace I grounded him with a shot 1611 01:13:12,920 --> 01:13:17,119 through the wing but we're likely to 1612 01:13:14,569 --> 01:13:20,239 have more trouble from that lot he 1613 01:13:17,119 --> 01:13:24,510 looked away I used to be one of them 1614 01:13:20,239 --> 01:13:27,840 soldiers I understood what he was saying 1615 01:13:24,510 --> 01:13:31,980 you want to talk about it clam he shook 1616 01:13:27,840 --> 01:13:35,180 his head not right yet let's get you 1617 01:13:31,979 --> 01:13:39,000 better first he said looking for time 1618 01:13:35,180 --> 01:13:41,579 but yeah I reckon I'm gonna have to talk 1619 01:13:39,000 --> 01:13:48,270 about this and sooner rather than later 1620 01:13:41,579 --> 01:13:51,090 oh it just keeps getting better I 1621 01:13:48,270 --> 01:13:54,210 groaned as we spotted the Enclave array 1622 01:13:51,090 --> 01:13:56,039 on top of tenpony tower ditzy Doo veered 1623 01:13:54,210 --> 01:13:59,250 away looking for a safe place to land 1624 01:13:56,039 --> 01:14:01,829 someplace out of sight we would have to 1625 01:13:59,250 --> 01:14:05,399 approach tenpony on hoof or more 1626 01:14:01,829 --> 01:14:07,079 precisely I would be on clay presence in 1627 01:14:05,399 --> 01:14:10,469 tenpony meant that this was no place for 1628 01:14:07,079 --> 01:14:15,180 either of my pegasi friends a memory 1629 01:14:10,470 --> 01:14:17,280 resurfaced open it back up and bros you 1630 01:14:15,180 --> 01:14:18,720 had yelled ordering me as the antennae 1631 01:14:17,279 --> 01:14:21,630 like weapons of her battle saddle had 1632 01:14:18,720 --> 01:14:23,159 glowed threatening Lee you open this 1633 01:14:21,630 --> 01:14:24,420 room right now but I swear by the 1634 01:14:23,159 --> 01:14:29,099 council I'll teach what it's like to 1635 01:14:24,420 --> 01:14:31,770 melt I couldn't I had tried to reason 1636 01:14:29,100 --> 01:14:33,660 with her I'm just as trapped as you are 1637 01:14:31,770 --> 01:14:37,740 this room can only be open from the 1638 01:14:33,659 --> 01:14:39,989 outside and based on the videos I had 1639 01:14:37,739 --> 01:14:44,099 seen on my first trip to maripony only 1640 01:14:39,989 --> 01:14:46,920 by the goddess that was all just a flash 1641 01:14:44,100 --> 01:14:49,250 a fragment of those 30 plus minutes I 1642 01:14:46,920 --> 01:14:51,480 was missing 1643 01:14:49,250 --> 01:14:54,149 ditzy Doo landed in the darkened mouth 1644 01:14:51,479 --> 01:14:56,069 of a crumbling chariot wash she 1645 01:14:54,149 --> 01:14:57,389 unhitched herself from the wagon digging 1646 01:14:56,069 --> 01:15:01,789 a healing potion out of the mailbag 1647 01:14:57,390 --> 01:15:04,740 slung on her side did she do calamity 1648 01:15:01,789 --> 01:15:08,220 can you wait here for me I asked 1649 01:15:04,739 --> 01:15:10,199 plaintively just a few hours in case I 1650 01:15:08,220 --> 01:15:14,570 can't get in or in case something goes 1651 01:15:10,199 --> 01:15:17,789 wrong in case Amish kicks me out 1652 01:15:14,569 --> 01:15:19,670 ditzy knew not it swiftly then dropped 1653 01:15:17,789 --> 01:15:25,109 her chalkboard and wrote a single word 1654 01:15:19,670 --> 01:15:29,460 muffins I smiled if I can get Amish to 1655 01:15:25,109 --> 01:15:31,380 make some absolutely a few minutes later 1656 01:15:29,460 --> 01:15:34,289 I was walking through the rubble towards 1657 01:15:31,380 --> 01:15:36,779 tenpony tower the building seemed much 1658 01:15:34,289 --> 01:15:38,850 more imposing from street level it 1659 01:15:36,779 --> 01:15:40,170 towered upwards the only truly intact 1660 01:15:38,850 --> 01:15:41,880 building anywhere close to its size 1661 01:15:40,170 --> 01:15:43,680 rising out of the graveyard of Manhattan 1662 01:15:41,880 --> 01:15:47,730 like a lighthouse serving as both a 1663 01:15:43,680 --> 01:15:50,340 beacon and a warning my hooves trodden 1664 01:15:47,729 --> 01:15:51,779 emptied cans of food old campfires and a 1665 01:15:50,340 --> 01:15:53,159 dozen other reminders that part of 1666 01:15:51,779 --> 01:15:55,439 red-eyes army had camped around this 1667 01:15:53,159 --> 01:15:57,300 tower cutting it off from the rest of 1668 01:15:55,439 --> 01:16:00,779 the equestrian wasteland and threatening 1669 01:15:57,300 --> 01:16:02,760 to destroy it with a balefire bomb the 1670 01:16:00,779 --> 01:16:04,259 very same balefire bomb I had talked 1671 01:16:02,760 --> 01:16:05,909 redeye into sending two splendid Valley 1672 01:16:04,260 --> 01:16:08,619 so I could use it to kill the goddess 1673 01:16:05,909 --> 01:16:11,260 and destroy the black book 1674 01:16:08,619 --> 01:16:13,739 and to kill countless others including 1675 01:16:11,260 --> 01:16:16,780 steal those in the act of it 1676 01:16:13,739 --> 01:16:20,130 the thought clawed at my heart the 1677 01:16:16,779 --> 01:16:24,429 little pony in my head wept silently I 1678 01:16:20,130 --> 01:16:25,989 stopped leaning against a giant s one of 1679 01:16:24,430 --> 01:16:27,310 the more intact letters which had come 1680 01:16:25,989 --> 01:16:30,219 crashing down from the face of the 1681 01:16:27,310 --> 01:16:32,890 building I wasn't breathing right 1682 01:16:30,220 --> 01:16:34,150 I wanted to collapse again and I 1683 01:16:32,890 --> 01:16:35,980 couldn't tell if it was from the sorrow 1684 01:16:34,149 --> 01:16:38,529 threatening to overwhelm me or the 1685 01:16:35,979 --> 01:16:41,309 weakness that was wracking my body they 1686 01:16:38,529 --> 01:16:44,259 felt like one in the same at the moment 1687 01:16:41,310 --> 01:16:46,780 ahead I saw the may entrance to tenpony 1688 01:16:44,260 --> 01:16:48,430 tower had been armored over the whole 1689 01:16:46,779 --> 01:16:51,099 lower floors were barricaded with a yard 1690 01:16:48,430 --> 01:16:53,320 of magically fused rubble the only way 1691 01:16:51,100 --> 01:16:56,289 in other than the roof was through the 1692 01:16:53,319 --> 01:16:59,139 four star station above me I had known 1693 01:16:56,289 --> 01:17:00,970 this of course but it didn't make the 1694 01:16:59,140 --> 01:17:05,140 idea of levitating up to the station any 1695 01:17:00,970 --> 01:17:07,090 less exhausting I looked upwards and saw 1696 01:17:05,140 --> 01:17:08,890 the black insectoid form of an armored 1697 01:17:07,090 --> 01:17:11,560 Enclave soldier striding across one of 1698 01:17:08,890 --> 01:17:14,170 the tracks above me with a flick of my 1699 01:17:11,560 --> 01:17:17,400 hoof I turned on the mg stealth but - 1700 01:17:14,170 --> 01:17:17,399 and became invisible 1701 01:17:19,289 --> 01:17:25,590 what do you mean she's not here I cried 1702 01:17:22,050 --> 01:17:26,940 as I followed life bloom life loom led 1703 01:17:25,590 --> 01:17:29,550 me through the secret parts of damn pony 1704 01:17:26,939 --> 01:17:31,469 tower places that neither the citizens 1705 01:17:29,550 --> 01:17:34,980 of the tower nor its new armor clad 1706 01:17:31,470 --> 01:17:38,579 guests knew of I mean just that little 1707 01:17:34,979 --> 01:17:40,919 pip by flume affirmed the Enclave shut 1708 01:17:38,579 --> 01:17:42,630 down her broadcast apparently they have 1709 01:17:40,920 --> 01:17:43,770 the ability to override whatever any of 1710 01:17:42,630 --> 01:17:47,970 the rest of us are doing with these 1711 01:17:43,770 --> 01:17:51,210 towers but it'll still be my project 1712 01:17:47,970 --> 01:17:54,390 right Rainbow Dash should ask it'll 1713 01:17:51,210 --> 01:17:56,039 still be the Ministry of Awesome the 1714 01:17:54,390 --> 01:17:58,440 enclave didn't control the central hub 1715 01:17:56,039 --> 01:18:00,029 for the single Pegasus project but they 1716 01:17:58,439 --> 01:18:02,059 controlled who knew how many Ministry of 1717 01:18:00,029 --> 01:18:03,989 Awesome hubs above the clouds and 1718 01:18:02,060 --> 01:18:05,520 Rainbow Dash had assured that the 1719 01:18:03,989 --> 01:18:09,719 Ministry of Awesome had overriding 1720 01:18:05,520 --> 01:18:12,420 authority I knew my homage she wouldn't 1721 01:18:09,720 --> 01:18:15,720 stand for being shut down she would see 1722 01:18:12,420 --> 01:18:19,440 the truth got out if it killed her when 1723 01:18:15,720 --> 01:18:21,240 did she leave I asked worried more for 1724 01:18:19,439 --> 01:18:24,779 her now than I had been when tenpony 1725 01:18:21,239 --> 01:18:28,189 tower faced red-eyes bomb that at least 1726 01:18:24,779 --> 01:18:30,569 I had been in a position to prevent 1727 01:18:28,189 --> 01:18:32,819 yesterday morning just a few hours after 1728 01:18:30,569 --> 01:18:34,559 they took control of the airwaves life 1729 01:18:32,819 --> 01:18:35,759 Bloom told me as we reached the chamber 1730 01:18:34,560 --> 01:18:39,180 where he would purge the taint still 1731 01:18:35,760 --> 01:18:40,739 trapped in my body she took a bunch of 1732 01:18:39,180 --> 01:18:43,079 those override devices like the one she 1733 01:18:40,739 --> 01:18:45,829 gave you for the Philadelphia Tower she 1734 01:18:43,079 --> 01:18:45,829 said she had an idea 1735 01:18:45,979 --> 01:18:52,709 you go homage I whispered wanting to 1736 01:18:50,609 --> 01:18:55,009 cheer for der despite all of my worries 1737 01:18:52,710 --> 01:18:55,010 and fears