1 00:00:00,030 --> 00:00:04,710 breakfast I hoped a small pile of bottle 2 00:00:03,089 --> 00:00:06,628 caps across the sheetmetal counter while 3 00:00:04,710 --> 00:00:08,219 a scarred Pony with a dark tan coat in a 4 00:00:06,628 --> 00:00:09,980 roasting meat cutiemark pulled a rabbit 5 00:00:08,220 --> 00:00:12,690 shish kebob from the barbecue grill 6 00:00:09,980 --> 00:00:14,820 guests are not we were expected to pay 7 00:00:12,689 --> 00:00:17,460 for our food I'm not sure why I'd 8 00:00:14,820 --> 00:00:19,829 expected otherwise I picked up my meal 9 00:00:17,460 --> 00:00:20,939 the savory aroma salting my nostrils and 10 00:00:19,829 --> 00:00:22,379 carried it over to the table where 11 00:00:20,939 --> 00:00:24,960 calamity was already digging into his 12 00:00:22,379 --> 00:00:27,299 bowl of oatmeal little PIP what are you 13 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:29,730 doing velvet remedy nearly shrieked as 14 00:00:27,300 --> 00:00:32,489 she saw me approach I stopped short 15 00:00:29,730 --> 00:00:35,100 looking at her quizzically velvet remedy 16 00:00:32,488 --> 00:00:39,089 looked stricken you're not going to eat 17 00:00:35,100 --> 00:00:40,609 that are you I nodded unable to respond 18 00:00:39,090 --> 00:00:44,010 with the shish kebab still in my mouth 19 00:00:40,609 --> 00:00:45,450 my stomach was rumbling I sucked up a 20 00:00:44,009 --> 00:00:47,579 bit of escaping drool and was hit by the 21 00:00:45,450 --> 00:00:48,690 flavors of the barbecued rabbit it 22 00:00:47,579 --> 00:00:49,259 wasn't quite as good as what I was 23 00:00:48,689 --> 00:00:51,390 expecting 24 00:00:49,259 --> 00:00:55,320 made my stomach do with nod lurch but it 25 00:00:51,390 --> 00:00:56,670 was good little pip velvet raised her 26 00:00:55,320 --> 00:01:01,890 hoof to her chest and exaggerated 27 00:00:56,670 --> 00:01:03,510 offense that's meat uh-huh i mouthed 28 00:01:01,890 --> 00:01:05,250 through our breakfast hoping in vain 29 00:01:03,509 --> 00:01:06,798 that having established this fact i 30 00:01:05,250 --> 00:01:09,868 would be allowed to eat in peace 31 00:01:06,799 --> 00:01:13,229 velvet remedies eyes narrowed we're 32 00:01:09,868 --> 00:01:16,290 vegetarians she said flatly I paused at 33 00:01:13,228 --> 00:01:18,599 that true all I had ever eaten in stable 34 00:01:16,290 --> 00:01:19,920 to was apples but I assumed that was 35 00:01:18,599 --> 00:01:22,199 because it was the only thing we had for 36 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:23,728 eating and I felt are we perfectly happy 37 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:26,130 never eating another Apple as long as I 38 00:01:23,728 --> 00:01:28,769 lived I thought back to my first meals 39 00:01:26,129 --> 00:01:29,459 outside how I'd found cooked meat stored 40 00:01:28,769 --> 00:01:31,019 in a refrigerator 41 00:01:29,459 --> 00:01:33,328 and simply assumed that's what ponies 42 00:01:31,019 --> 00:01:34,920 ate in this wasteland my stomach had 43 00:01:33,328 --> 00:01:36,059 fought it uncomfortably but a figure 44 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:38,100 that was more the result of a lifetime 45 00:01:36,060 --> 00:01:40,350 of apples and that outside food was just 46 00:01:38,099 --> 00:01:43,919 taking some getting used to for the most 47 00:01:40,349 --> 00:01:45,569 part I'd acclimated well of course now 48 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:48,890 that I thought about it it had been a 49 00:01:45,569 --> 00:01:50,908 raider refrigerator so diet was suspect 50 00:01:48,890 --> 00:01:52,769 clam but he finally pulled his head out 51 00:01:50,909 --> 00:01:55,049 of his oatmeal bowl winging in on the 52 00:01:52,769 --> 00:01:57,599 conversation we can eat meat alright 53 00:01:55,049 --> 00:01:59,010 just don't like too much and really good 54 00:01:57,599 --> 00:02:00,780 for our diet 55 00:01:59,010 --> 00:02:03,600 clearly looked sideways his oatmeal 56 00:02:00,780 --> 00:02:05,010 covered lips curling into a frown my 57 00:02:03,599 --> 00:02:06,929 brothers used the challenge made hot dog 58 00:02:05,010 --> 00:02:08,250 eating contest but mostly meant them 59 00:02:06,930 --> 00:02:08,840 shoving the disgusting things down my 60 00:02:08,250 --> 00:02:12,180 throat 61 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:13,439 velvet Remy looked appalled course they 62 00:02:12,180 --> 00:02:14,909 will probably disgust more because they 63 00:02:13,439 --> 00:02:19,620 were 200 years old and cuz they were 64 00:02:14,909 --> 00:02:21,120 meat I felt my appetite slip ah by 65 00:02:19,620 --> 00:02:24,330 Celestia's grace I hope they at least 66 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:25,800 been kept frozen that entire time velvet 67 00:02:24,330 --> 00:02:28,080 remedy turned up her nose and trotted 68 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:29,820 away from our table she was just leaving 69 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:30,740 his god alighted next to us at the plate 70 00:02:29,819 --> 00:02:33,060 of roasted racks 71 00:02:30,740 --> 00:02:35,430 she watched velvet shudder and disgust 72 00:02:33,060 --> 00:02:37,229 and quickened her pace sucking up a rat 73 00:02:35,430 --> 00:02:40,490 by the tail and swallowing whole God 74 00:02:37,229 --> 00:02:42,119 turned to ask me what's her issue you I 75 00:02:40,490 --> 00:02:44,700 suppose you'd be heading out after 76 00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:46,259 breakfast then God asked between bites 77 00:02:44,699 --> 00:02:48,810 of grilled vegetables and rabbit meat I 78 00:02:46,259 --> 00:02:51,389 told God about red eyes forces she'd 79 00:02:48,810 --> 00:02:54,090 taken to them with grave expression do 80 00:02:51,389 --> 00:02:56,219 you want that escort it was a question 81 00:02:54,090 --> 00:02:57,959 that had plagued me all night not the 82 00:02:56,219 --> 00:03:00,419 escort issue but leaving now in the 83 00:02:57,959 --> 00:03:02,009 first place we could leave now 84 00:03:00,419 --> 00:03:04,469 but shattered have completely behind us 85 00:03:02,009 --> 00:03:05,849 get out before the impending drama and 86 00:03:04,469 --> 00:03:09,030 leave these ponies to the fates they 87 00:03:05,849 --> 00:03:11,759 created for themselves it was I had to 88 00:03:09,030 --> 00:03:13,560 admit not without its appeal especially 89 00:03:11,759 --> 00:03:15,329 considering that the alternatives most 90 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:17,939 certainly involved getting shot at with 91 00:03:15,330 --> 00:03:19,830 a high chance of dying was there anyone 92 00:03:17,939 --> 00:03:24,150 or anything here or risking my life or 93 00:03:19,830 --> 00:03:27,480 the lives of my companions I have been 94 00:03:24,150 --> 00:03:28,170 considering staying I admitted just for 95 00:03:27,479 --> 00:03:30,539 a little longer 96 00:03:28,169 --> 00:03:32,488 God smirked it bad 97 00:03:30,539 --> 00:03:34,259 on the other side of the bottle cap I 98 00:03:32,489 --> 00:03:37,230 didn't have anyplace else pressing to be 99 00:03:34,259 --> 00:03:38,938 I didn't have a home the one friendly 100 00:03:37,229 --> 00:03:41,459 town I had countered so far just kicked 101 00:03:38,938 --> 00:03:44,009 me out I was still as lost and adrift as 102 00:03:41,459 --> 00:03:45,269 ever before I felt like I had in stable 103 00:03:44,009 --> 00:03:48,479 to when I was without my cutie mark 104 00:03:45,269 --> 00:03:51,060 without a place same feeling only the 105 00:03:48,479 --> 00:03:52,408 walls had changed even the ceiling was 106 00:03:51,060 --> 00:03:54,719 gray just a little higher 107 00:03:52,408 --> 00:03:56,608 I was the pony with the pipbuck on her 108 00:03:54,719 --> 00:03:58,469 flank a symbol that didn't mean anything 109 00:03:56,609 --> 00:04:01,319 special in stable to didn't mean 110 00:03:58,469 --> 00:04:03,719 anything at all in the wasteland watch 111 00:04:01,318 --> 00:04:07,219 her told me to search my virtue what 112 00:04:03,719 --> 00:04:10,579 virtue did I have if I walked away okay 113 00:04:07,219 --> 00:04:15,120 sanity perhaps was sanity of virtue 114 00:04:10,579 --> 00:04:17,759 self-preservation truth be told I didn't 115 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:19,949 really have a larger mission personally 116 00:04:17,759 --> 00:04:22,288 I found slavery a vile practice and I 117 00:04:19,949 --> 00:04:23,850 wanted to take it out on redeye and yes 118 00:04:22,288 --> 00:04:25,800 I had seen signs that read I was 119 00:04:23,850 --> 00:04:27,389 involved in something big but was only 120 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:30,180 curiosity and worried that cajoled me 121 00:04:27,389 --> 00:04:31,800 into investigating I could leave under 122 00:04:30,180 --> 00:04:33,930 the auspice that I was moving forward in 123 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:36,240 the goal of stopping redeye if indeed 124 00:04:33,930 --> 00:04:37,978 that was going to be my goal but the 125 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:40,139 small army here just over those hills or 126 00:04:37,978 --> 00:04:43,038 red-eyes ponies and if I really wanted 127 00:04:40,139 --> 00:04:45,840 to take the slavers on why not here 128 00:04:43,038 --> 00:04:48,060 maybe we should talk Calamity told me 129 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:50,689 pointedly God was staring me 130 00:04:48,060 --> 00:04:53,848 thoughtfully obviously weighing options 131 00:04:50,689 --> 00:04:55,529 finally she came to a decision if you're 132 00:04:53,848 --> 00:04:56,129 interested in staying I have a contract 133 00:04:55,529 --> 00:05:01,138 to offer you 134 00:04:56,129 --> 00:05:03,959 I raised my eyebrows oh how would you 135 00:05:01,139 --> 00:05:06,769 feel and taking out dead eyes for me my 136 00:05:03,959 --> 00:05:12,149 ears shot up clammy stared in surprise 137 00:05:06,769 --> 00:05:13,228 me why God rarest because if you don't 138 00:05:12,149 --> 00:05:14,459 have to do it myself 139 00:05:13,228 --> 00:05:16,319 why don't convinced it's within the 140 00:05:14,459 --> 00:05:17,908 wingspan my contract with mr. topaz to 141 00:05:16,319 --> 00:05:19,740 do so the political fallout wouldn't be 142 00:05:17,908 --> 00:05:21,300 good dead eyes has got a lot of 143 00:05:19,740 --> 00:05:24,120 supporters and I don't relish watching 144 00:05:21,300 --> 00:05:25,710 for the spear of my back I don't see how 145 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:28,680 hi nice to take this fell out is gonna 146 00:05:25,709 --> 00:05:32,310 make you any less of a target might not 147 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:33,810 God agreed but it's worth a try if she 148 00:05:32,310 --> 00:05:36,120 added turning her stare towards me 149 00:05:33,810 --> 00:05:39,209 you're up for it 150 00:05:36,120 --> 00:05:41,790 my mind reeled was I up to killing dead 151 00:05:39,209 --> 00:05:44,039 eyes he'll adore been waiting to do that 152 00:05:41,790 --> 00:05:48,000 I've been contemplating that and more 153 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:49,800 but to be hired to do so I was already a 154 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:52,918 vigilante but was I ready to be an 155 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:55,410 assassin I'd been out of the stable more 156 00:05:52,918 --> 00:05:58,019 than a week less than two if I did this 157 00:05:55,410 --> 00:06:03,419 now what will I become by the end of the 158 00:05:58,019 --> 00:06:06,389 month by my next birthday um I'll think 159 00:06:03,418 --> 00:06:08,430 about that I answered honestly God 160 00:06:06,389 --> 00:06:10,079 frowned of course she would want an 161 00:06:08,430 --> 00:06:12,689 answer right away there wasn't exactly 162 00:06:10,079 --> 00:06:14,099 much time we had less than a day before 163 00:06:12,689 --> 00:06:17,370 red-eyes people marched in the chatter 164 00:06:14,100 --> 00:06:19,379 tough it occurred to me that considering 165 00:06:17,370 --> 00:06:21,990 what I knew of God in the towns she did 166 00:06:19,379 --> 00:06:24,350 more respect for me if I asked what 167 00:06:21,990 --> 00:06:26,519 would we get out of it what's the pay I 168 00:06:24,350 --> 00:06:29,879 swear the end of a smile touch God's 169 00:06:26,519 --> 00:06:32,370 beak dead eyes as a key keeps it hidden 170 00:06:29,879 --> 00:06:34,019 in his tail at all times key opens a 171 00:06:32,370 --> 00:06:37,649 vault under shattered hoof down where 172 00:06:34,019 --> 00:06:38,819 the old mines are made sense naturally a 173 00:06:37,649 --> 00:06:41,069 place like Chateau d'If would be built 174 00:06:38,819 --> 00:06:42,449 on top of a set of gem mines they 175 00:06:41,069 --> 00:06:44,519 couldn't have always relied on just the 176 00:06:42,449 --> 00:06:46,560 rock farms when the gem mines ran dry 177 00:06:44,519 --> 00:06:49,259 what else was there to do with them but 178 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:50,430 use them as storage Diamond tiara's last 179 00:06:49,259 --> 00:06:53,699 message even said something about 180 00:06:50,430 --> 00:06:54,259 sending the best gems below what's in 181 00:06:53,699 --> 00:06:57,629 the vault 182 00:06:54,259 --> 00:06:59,969 God smirked your payment whatever that 183 00:06:57,629 --> 00:07:01,889 happens to be Gibby gems could be 184 00:06:59,970 --> 00:07:03,210 weapons free apocalypse ponies use 185 00:07:01,889 --> 00:07:05,728 gemstones from shattered rock to build 186 00:07:03,209 --> 00:07:06,930 magical any weapons considering that the 187 00:07:05,728 --> 00:07:07,978 armor was filled with them it's a fair 188 00:07:06,930 --> 00:07:11,129 assumption that the vault might have 189 00:07:07,978 --> 00:07:12,538 even more the idea of storing a mass of 190 00:07:11,129 --> 00:07:14,310 magical energy weapons just beneath the 191 00:07:12,538 --> 00:07:16,829 prison seem more than marginally insane 192 00:07:14,310 --> 00:07:20,220 to me after all surely they didn't build 193 00:07:16,829 --> 00:07:22,439 the things there but then if I killed 194 00:07:20,220 --> 00:07:27,210 dead eyes it wasn't going to be for the 195 00:07:22,439 --> 00:07:28,800 reward anyway you can't do this velvet 196 00:07:27,209 --> 00:07:31,899 remedy stomped and snorted about the 197 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:34,660 Kalakaar empty but for the three of us 198 00:07:31,899 --> 00:07:37,810 littlepip it's one thing to kill him 199 00:07:34,660 --> 00:07:40,510 self-defense or to protect others but 200 00:07:37,810 --> 00:07:43,509 this she turned on me with a stare that 201 00:07:40,509 --> 00:07:48,550 could petrify the overmare herself this 202 00:07:43,509 --> 00:07:50,230 is murder calamity was scowling I have 203 00:07:48,550 --> 00:07:51,910 to agree with velvel remedy on this one 204 00:07:50,230 --> 00:07:55,000 little PIP he said flatly 205 00:07:51,910 --> 00:07:58,360 I understand towns can even respect him 206 00:07:55,000 --> 00:08:03,668 just a bit but I am a mercenary you do 207 00:07:58,360 --> 00:08:04,960 this I am with you velvet cut deeper you 208 00:08:03,668 --> 00:08:07,689 know that song I was writing about 209 00:08:04,959 --> 00:08:10,539 staying Noble and true that was about 210 00:08:07,689 --> 00:08:13,839 you little pip and this is you failing 211 00:08:10,540 --> 00:08:17,200 that on every level to even consider 212 00:08:13,839 --> 00:08:21,299 this she backed away from me her voice 213 00:08:17,199 --> 00:08:25,509 softening with her red I am so 214 00:08:21,300 --> 00:08:28,750 disappointed in you I felt like I was 215 00:08:25,509 --> 00:08:30,879 bleeding out dying but the more they 216 00:08:28,750 --> 00:08:33,278 yelled at me the more I realized I had 217 00:08:30,879 --> 00:08:37,139 already chosen my course I just had to 218 00:08:33,278 --> 00:08:40,620 make them understand why silver bell 219 00:08:37,139 --> 00:08:43,899 both of them collided staring at me 220 00:08:40,620 --> 00:08:46,299 after a long pregnant pause clam Lea 221 00:08:43,899 --> 00:08:49,899 asked what silver Bell got to do with 222 00:08:46,299 --> 00:08:52,929 any of this I felt weak but I clamped 223 00:08:49,899 --> 00:08:54,610 down on my resolve silver bells mother 224 00:08:52,929 --> 00:08:56,829 and father were murdered by Raiders and 225 00:08:54,610 --> 00:09:00,669 they made silver Belle and her sister 226 00:08:56,830 --> 00:09:02,759 watch do you remember that I could see 227 00:09:00,669 --> 00:09:07,620 velvet Remedies expression quiver of 228 00:09:02,759 --> 00:09:09,970 course we they made them watch I 229 00:09:07,620 --> 00:09:13,240 emphasized each word with a stomp of a 230 00:09:09,970 --> 00:09:16,230 hoof and they made it slow really slow 231 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:20,750 and really painful and really horrible I 232 00:09:16,230 --> 00:09:24,379 asked again do you remember that 233 00:09:20,750 --> 00:09:26,778 my companions were both silent those 234 00:09:24,379 --> 00:09:29,149 Raiders came from here I told them 235 00:09:26,778 --> 00:09:33,078 finally and they were acting on dead 236 00:09:29,149 --> 00:09:36,169 eyes as orders spitting I saw it for 237 00:09:33,078 --> 00:09:40,989 myself in his ledger calamity spoke 238 00:09:36,169 --> 00:09:43,578 first well now this changes things 239 00:09:40,990 --> 00:09:47,568 Vella remedy shook a little but stayed 240 00:09:43,578 --> 00:09:48,078 firm what does it change ain't murder no 241 00:09:47,568 --> 00:09:50,809 more 242 00:09:48,078 --> 00:09:55,278 Clemmy stayed without reservation it's 243 00:09:50,809 --> 00:09:58,338 justice Villa took her main revenge you 244 00:09:55,278 --> 00:10:01,789 mean nope I mean justice 245 00:09:58,339 --> 00:10:04,660 pure and simple Clemmy nodded at me I'm 246 00:10:01,789 --> 00:10:09,289 in he glanced at my horn meaningfully 247 00:10:04,659 --> 00:10:10,370 how's utk rested wonders I won't be 248 00:10:09,289 --> 00:10:12,500 juggling train cars 249 00:10:10,370 --> 00:10:16,100 I admitted but I think I can manage 250 00:10:12,500 --> 00:10:17,688 barrels as your wing fellow remedies 251 00:10:16,100 --> 00:10:20,240 eyes jumped between the two of us and 252 00:10:17,688 --> 00:10:23,448 over and over with a touch of 253 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:24,680 desperation in her voice she tried are 254 00:10:23,448 --> 00:10:26,240 you planning on finding out which 255 00:10:24,679 --> 00:10:28,578 Raiders were involved in killing them 256 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:31,610 too or he just going to lay waste to the 257 00:10:28,578 --> 00:10:34,149 whole shattered hoof their Raiders 258 00:10:31,610 --> 00:10:36,139 calamity said evenly stretching his wing 259 00:10:34,149 --> 00:10:38,269 honestly I've been wondering just why 260 00:10:36,139 --> 00:10:39,909 we're helping them out at all I figured 261 00:10:38,269 --> 00:10:44,078 let him win this lei was a Duke it out 262 00:10:39,909 --> 00:10:47,318 stomp down was left I had another idea 263 00:10:44,078 --> 00:10:49,489 actually not every pony here is bad I 264 00:10:47,318 --> 00:10:51,110 was thinking of the rock breaker I'd 265 00:10:49,490 --> 00:10:55,009 talked with while he escorted me out I 266 00:10:51,110 --> 00:10:57,740 think I believe this place could be 267 00:10:55,009 --> 00:11:00,500 turned around maybe become a trading 268 00:10:57,740 --> 00:11:02,329 town instead for raider fortress even as 269 00:11:00,500 --> 00:11:05,208 the words came out I knew they were 270 00:11:02,328 --> 00:11:09,229 stupidly idealistic but I pressed on I'm 271 00:11:05,208 --> 00:11:11,599 thinking kill dead eyes find master 272 00:11:09,230 --> 00:11:14,839 topaz in the open amiably if possible 273 00:11:11,600 --> 00:11:17,080 Leith flee if not and then leave God in 274 00:11:14,839 --> 00:11:19,010 charge 275 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:20,259 deadeyes had told me to come back for 276 00:11:19,009 --> 00:11:22,250 one more job 277 00:11:20,259 --> 00:11:24,439 feeling the comforting weight of little 278 00:11:22,250 --> 00:11:26,330 Macintosh in my saddlebags my sniper 279 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:28,850 rifle an assault carbine now returned to 280 00:11:26,330 --> 00:11:31,190 my back inside I suspected this wasn't 281 00:11:28,850 --> 00:11:33,460 the job he had in mind but his 282 00:11:31,190 --> 00:11:35,810 invitation was the perfect opportunity I 283 00:11:33,460 --> 00:11:37,220 left calamity back in the yard 284 00:11:35,809 --> 00:11:40,069 reading through zebra infiltration 285 00:11:37,220 --> 00:11:42,230 tactics as I went in alone he didn't 286 00:11:40,070 --> 00:11:44,300 like that one bit but I explained that I 287 00:11:42,230 --> 00:11:45,528 plan to take the long way explore some 288 00:11:44,299 --> 00:11:48,049 wings of shattered hoof that I hadn't 289 00:11:45,528 --> 00:11:50,929 seen yet including how to get down to 290 00:11:48,049 --> 00:11:52,189 the mine below sitting the yard in 291 00:11:50,929 --> 00:11:54,169 daylight for the first time 292 00:11:52,190 --> 00:11:56,420 clammy immediately spotted the metal 293 00:11:54,169 --> 00:11:59,028 plates of a hydraulic cargo lift but the 294 00:11:56,419 --> 00:12:00,799 controls were damaged beyond repair if 295 00:11:59,028 --> 00:12:03,439 it worked at all it would only be from 296 00:12:00,799 --> 00:12:06,199 the inside of the mine itself there had 297 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:07,730 to be another way somewhere there was a 298 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:11,330 door that went beneath the prison itself 299 00:12:07,730 --> 00:12:14,659 I wanted to know where it was now I 300 00:12:11,330 --> 00:12:15,770 suspected I had found it I was behind 301 00:12:14,659 --> 00:12:18,620 the stage in the mess hall 302 00:12:15,769 --> 00:12:20,659 to one side the curtains heavy and stain 303 00:12:18,620 --> 00:12:22,519 concealed this darkened space from the 304 00:12:20,659 --> 00:12:25,129 large catwalk area where the Raiders ate 305 00:12:22,519 --> 00:12:26,659 whatever pass for their meals enough 306 00:12:25,129 --> 00:12:28,279 dust had accumulated back here that I 307 00:12:26,659 --> 00:12:31,399 could tell no pony adventure behind that 308 00:12:28,279 --> 00:12:32,870 curtain why would they the space was 309 00:12:31,399 --> 00:12:34,509 full of rotting stage props and the 310 00:12:32,870 --> 00:12:36,470 skeletons of hundreds of ponies 311 00:12:34,509 --> 00:12:38,659 countless bones were stuffed into 312 00:12:36,470 --> 00:12:40,070 cabinets spilled out of metal boxes and 313 00:12:38,659 --> 00:12:42,039 formed piles it must have been three 314 00:12:40,070 --> 00:12:44,420 ponies high when they still had flesh 315 00:12:42,039 --> 00:12:46,099 the guests of shattered hoof had 316 00:12:44,419 --> 00:12:48,169 spiraled into barbarism and cannibalism 317 00:12:46,100 --> 00:12:51,409 and eventually every one of them had 318 00:12:48,169 --> 00:12:53,870 repairs tear I'd found logs I'd found 319 00:12:51,409 --> 00:12:56,799 graffiti I had wondered why I wasn't 320 00:12:53,870 --> 00:13:00,190 tripping over their skeletons 321 00:12:56,799 --> 00:13:02,539 above a huge mural span the wall a 322 00:13:00,190 --> 00:13:04,670 painting of the same noble looking 323 00:13:02,539 --> 00:13:08,240 soldier pony I had seen a statue back in 324 00:13:04,669 --> 00:13:09,889 Ponyville rearing up behind him clear 325 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:11,990 even though the mural was badly faded 326 00:13:09,889 --> 00:13:14,389 and chipped was the goddess Celestia 327 00:13:11,990 --> 00:13:18,110 herself her divine features beaming with 328 00:13:14,389 --> 00:13:19,669 approval originally I realized this is 329 00:13:18,110 --> 00:13:21,110 what everypony who was a guest of 330 00:13:19,669 --> 00:13:24,079 shattered hoof would have seen each time 331 00:13:21,110 --> 00:13:27,560 they ate a meal until the stage had been 332 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:29,600 built hiding it away there was a barred 333 00:13:27,559 --> 00:13:32,359 gate set into the wall why I didn't have 334 00:13:29,600 --> 00:13:34,430 to pull a wagon through beyond a small 335 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:36,139 kill zone only a few yards deep with two 336 00:13:34,429 --> 00:13:39,528 magical energy turrets set and alcoves 337 00:13:36,139 --> 00:13:42,139 on the side powered down beyond a thick 338 00:13:39,528 --> 00:13:44,028 metal door based on the dead light above 339 00:13:42,139 --> 00:13:47,720 I could tell the door had no power 340 00:13:44,028 --> 00:13:48,919 I wanted inside and not because there 341 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:51,740 was a vault filled with possible 342 00:13:48,919 --> 00:13:53,809 treasure only did I set a key to the 343 00:13:51,740 --> 00:13:56,959 vault and only dead eyes had ever seen 344 00:13:53,809 --> 00:13:59,149 mr. topaz face to face if mr. topaz 345 00:13:56,958 --> 00:14:01,849 really existed at all I was dead certain 346 00:13:59,149 --> 00:14:03,440 he was down in that vault my mind was 347 00:14:01,850 --> 00:14:05,000 conjuring up images of everything from a 348 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:06,410 dedicated computer terminal that allowed 349 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:09,440 dead eyes to speak with the very remote 350 00:14:06,409 --> 00:14:12,559 mr. topaz to the vault being a stable - 351 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:15,079 mr. topaz the brain bot the gate was 352 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:17,119 locked I had to push aside mounds of 353 00:14:15,078 --> 00:14:18,679 crumbling bones to get to it holding my 354 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:21,230 breath as white flakes turned into the 355 00:14:18,679 --> 00:14:22,789 air it took several minutes of effort 356 00:14:21,230 --> 00:14:25,789 but the gate finally opened to my 357 00:14:22,789 --> 00:14:28,278 talents the metal door however was 358 00:14:25,789 --> 00:14:29,659 another story entirely it could only be 359 00:14:28,278 --> 00:14:31,250 opened by a terminal elsewhere in the 360 00:14:29,659 --> 00:14:34,730 building and only then if I could 361 00:14:31,250 --> 00:14:36,289 restore power to it I must have spent 362 00:14:34,730 --> 00:14:39,320 hours poking around shattered hoof 363 00:14:36,289 --> 00:14:40,819 seeking to restore power to the door it 364 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:42,470 was just a simple matter of replacing a 365 00:14:40,820 --> 00:14:44,540 mouthful of fuses and swapping out a row 366 00:14:42,470 --> 00:14:47,600 of spark batteries but those proved 367 00:14:44,539 --> 00:14:48,980 annoyingly difficult to find I did find 368 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:51,320 the armory through a side room of the 369 00:14:48,980 --> 00:14:53,509 guard barracks was completely devoid of 370 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:54,920 weapons no surprise as most of the 371 00:14:53,509 --> 00:14:56,120 Raiders seemed to be armed with magical 372 00:14:54,919 --> 00:14:57,809 energy weapons that I assumed were 373 00:14:56,120 --> 00:15:00,330 looted from the armory 374 00:14:57,809 --> 00:15:02,599 there was however a framed news article 375 00:15:00,330 --> 00:15:05,670 on the back wall and behind it as safe 376 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:08,460 as I took the frame off the wall the 377 00:15:05,669 --> 00:15:09,860 photograph caught my eye the scene was 378 00:15:08,460 --> 00:15:13,889 in the midst of a light winter snowfall 379 00:15:09,860 --> 00:15:16,230 the picture was of a funeral from the 380 00:15:13,889 --> 00:15:17,970 looks of it a very important one is the 381 00:15:16,230 --> 00:15:19,589 shadowy figures of two wing unicorns 382 00:15:17,970 --> 00:15:20,360 stood in the background badly out of 383 00:15:19,589 --> 00:15:22,730 focus 384 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:25,110 one was markedly shorter than the other 385 00:15:22,730 --> 00:15:27,990 my mind wanted to turn them into the 386 00:15:25,110 --> 00:15:29,700 goddess of Celestia and Luna but that 387 00:15:27,990 --> 00:15:32,190 wasn't what had captured my attention 388 00:15:29,700 --> 00:15:34,920 the photographer's eyes had focused on a 389 00:15:32,190 --> 00:15:36,540 mayor a single orange pony who unlike 390 00:15:34,919 --> 00:15:38,278 all around her it shunned the formal 391 00:15:36,539 --> 00:15:40,559 black dresses worn by the others to wear 392 00:15:38,278 --> 00:15:42,088 only a black cowgirl hat and a black her 393 00:15:40,559 --> 00:15:44,579 she's run her neck with an image of half 394 00:15:42,089 --> 00:15:45,930 an apple embroidered into the front the 395 00:15:44,580 --> 00:15:47,550 camera had caught a splash of light 396 00:15:45,929 --> 00:15:49,109 glistening off of falling tears he 397 00:15:47,549 --> 00:15:52,229 dropped a single beautiful flower onto 398 00:15:49,110 --> 00:15:53,940 the casket the mares cutie mark three 399 00:15:52,230 --> 00:15:57,330 apples was identical to the design a 400 00:15:53,940 --> 00:15:59,670 little McIntosh all the quest Rhea 401 00:15:57,330 --> 00:16:02,430 Morton's big McIntosh hero of shattered 402 00:15:59,669 --> 00:16:04,889 Ridge two weeks ago we didn't even know 403 00:16:02,429 --> 00:16:06,449 his name but when big McIntosh slept in 404 00:16:04,889 --> 00:16:08,939 front of a zebra assassin's bullet meant 405 00:16:06,450 --> 00:16:10,410 for Princess Celestia dying instantly he 406 00:16:08,940 --> 00:16:12,540 also left into the hearts and minds of 407 00:16:10,409 --> 00:16:14,399 every loving and patriotic Pony becoming 408 00:16:12,539 --> 00:16:16,789 a paragon of courage bravery and 409 00:16:14,399 --> 00:16:18,629 self-sacrifice to all the quest RIA 410 00:16:16,789 --> 00:16:20,099 funeral services were held this 411 00:16:18,629 --> 00:16:22,639 afternoon in the western courtyard of 412 00:16:20,100 --> 00:16:26,930 ministry walk by decree of Princess Luna 413 00:16:22,639 --> 00:16:26,929 Pegasus ponies arranged for a light snow 414 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:29,970 the safe had opened to reveal to stealth 415 00:16:29,580 --> 00:16:32,160 bucks 416 00:16:29,970 --> 00:16:34,050 the last spark batteries I needed in a 417 00:16:32,159 --> 00:16:35,279 variety of ammo clips which according to 418 00:16:34,049 --> 00:16:37,859 the documents found with them were 419 00:16:35,279 --> 00:16:40,289 magically enchanted bullets for little 420 00:16:37,860 --> 00:16:43,050 McIntosh the needle gun even calamity 421 00:16:40,289 --> 00:16:44,399 saddle saddle plus two types of weapons 422 00:16:43,049 --> 00:16:46,588 of a caliber I was unfamiliar with 423 00:16:44,399 --> 00:16:48,000 although I suspected one type was for 424 00:16:46,589 --> 00:16:51,209 the multi-barreled battle sounds I'd 425 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:52,589 seen the slavers use I just saddlebag my 426 00:16:51,208 --> 00:16:54,149 new treasures and was putting the framed 427 00:16:52,589 --> 00:16:56,580 article back in place when the sound of 428 00:16:54,149 --> 00:16:58,439 Raiders talking froze me 429 00:16:56,580 --> 00:16:59,759 sure then gonna blow themselves all the 430 00:16:58,440 --> 00:17:03,270 hell back on the land mines 431 00:16:59,759 --> 00:17:05,400 one voice a stallion a youthful sounding 432 00:17:03,269 --> 00:17:07,500 mare snorted like I'd care all that much 433 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:10,530 if they did you have any idea what those 434 00:17:07,500 --> 00:17:12,000 damned slavers did to my town I hastily 435 00:17:10,529 --> 00:17:13,588 finished replacing the frame and hugged 436 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:16,529 a wall behind one of the empty sets of 437 00:17:13,588 --> 00:17:18,539 ammo shells ears alert and y'all from 438 00:17:16,529 --> 00:17:22,829 little horn herd they massacred that 439 00:17:18,539 --> 00:17:23,909 place man but have been kinda - they 440 00:17:22,829 --> 00:17:25,619 took all the mayor's and bucks they 441 00:17:23,910 --> 00:17:27,630 could killed the rest and left them dead 442 00:17:25,619 --> 00:17:29,759 and rotting where they fell but the 443 00:17:27,630 --> 00:17:31,800 Colts and fillies redeye doesn't have 444 00:17:29,759 --> 00:17:34,559 any use for kids so they just left us 445 00:17:31,799 --> 00:17:35,669 behind a fend for ourselves after a 446 00:17:34,559 --> 00:17:38,359 moment of awkward silence 447 00:17:35,670 --> 00:17:40,769 she continued place went bad real fast 448 00:17:38,359 --> 00:17:41,969 hell was bad to start with soon many of 449 00:17:40,769 --> 00:17:44,059 us seeing our parents sliced and 450 00:17:41,970 --> 00:17:46,319 splattered but I got a whole lot worse 451 00:17:44,059 --> 00:17:48,659 got my tail out of there as quick as I 452 00:17:46,319 --> 00:17:50,279 could so personal em be more than happy 453 00:17:48,660 --> 00:17:52,580 if a good deal this raiding party died 454 00:17:50,279 --> 00:17:54,509 screaming with their legs blown off I 455 00:17:52,579 --> 00:17:56,039 could see the shadows of the two 456 00:17:54,509 --> 00:17:57,329 shattered of Raiders move across the 457 00:17:56,039 --> 00:17:59,549 floor of the Armory's they walked past 458 00:17:57,329 --> 00:18:03,419 to deepen their conversation to notice 459 00:17:59,549 --> 00:18:05,460 if anything was amiss hit I get that but 460 00:18:03,420 --> 00:18:07,860 if their eyes traps work of a whole mess 461 00:18:05,460 --> 00:18:09,240 of those slivers as our slaves then he 462 00:18:07,859 --> 00:18:11,549 can take it out on them all slow and 463 00:18:09,240 --> 00:18:13,200 personal like sure dead eyes won't mind 464 00:18:11,549 --> 00:18:15,529 for few of his new rock breakers and 465 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:17,850 missing some non vital internal organs 466 00:18:15,529 --> 00:18:20,190 their voices faded as they turned a 467 00:18:17,849 --> 00:18:22,099 corner somewhere out of sight it let out 468 00:18:20,190 --> 00:18:24,720 of breath I didn't realize I was holding 469 00:18:22,099 --> 00:18:27,539 my mind raced to put together what I had 470 00:18:24,720 --> 00:18:29,400 just heard dead eyes wasn't then 471 00:18:27,539 --> 00:18:31,920 betraying shattered hoof to the slavers 472 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:34,320 after all he was just tricking red eyes 473 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:37,680 as forces into thinking he was luring 474 00:18:34,319 --> 00:18:39,529 them into a trap of course he wanted 475 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:42,029 them to get in without any difficulties 476 00:18:39,529 --> 00:18:45,000 and he was deceiving God and acting 477 00:18:42,029 --> 00:18:47,430 against him which if this plan had the 478 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:50,539 hoof stamp of approval from mr. topaz or 479 00:18:47,430 --> 00:18:52,799 worse was actually mr. topaz's plan I 480 00:18:50,539 --> 00:18:55,029 need to speak to God before I went 481 00:18:52,799 --> 00:18:59,019 shooting anypony 482 00:18:55,029 --> 00:19:02,319 I want you to kill God I stared at dead 483 00:18:59,019 --> 00:19:04,930 eyes this was the second task he had for 484 00:19:02,319 --> 00:19:10,179 me feigning ignorance as best as I could 485 00:19:04,930 --> 00:19:13,150 yet again who did I snorted got the 486 00:19:10,180 --> 00:19:15,539 green feathers good even scarring of her 487 00:19:13,150 --> 00:19:18,880 beak in the cross her face only one I 488 00:19:15,539 --> 00:19:21,819 can't miss her he leaned forward with a 489 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:25,210 sadistic smile you do this you're in 490 00:19:21,819 --> 00:19:26,819 part of my crew seeming pleased with 491 00:19:25,210 --> 00:19:29,860 himself he sweetened the deal 492 00:19:26,819 --> 00:19:32,049 he'll I'll make you one of my personal 493 00:19:29,859 --> 00:19:35,199 guards you'll get a nice room with some 494 00:19:32,049 --> 00:19:39,309 of the better food I was at a loss for 495 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:41,950 words he was playing me I knew it but I 496 00:19:39,309 --> 00:19:43,419 was still totally thrown I looked around 497 00:19:41,950 --> 00:19:46,029 like a drowning Pony looking for a 498 00:19:43,420 --> 00:19:47,500 helping huff and once again my eyes fell 499 00:19:46,029 --> 00:19:50,319 on the picture of stable to his first 500 00:19:47,500 --> 00:19:51,759 overmare Sweetie Belle I remembered 501 00:19:50,319 --> 00:19:54,389 something that velvet remedy had told me 502 00:19:51,759 --> 00:19:56,710 something the overmare had told her 503 00:19:54,390 --> 00:20:00,910 looking straight back at Dead Eye slate 504 00:19:56,710 --> 00:20:01,620 gray eyes and nodded firmly okay not a 505 00:20:00,910 --> 00:20:06,070 problem 506 00:20:01,619 --> 00:20:07,569 he blinked is that all I asked as if 507 00:20:06,069 --> 00:20:11,409 killing God was the easiest thing in 508 00:20:07,569 --> 00:20:15,069 Equestria he raised his eyebrows no I 509 00:20:11,410 --> 00:20:17,340 think that will do I turned as if to 510 00:20:15,069 --> 00:20:20,710 leave took a few steps and stopped 511 00:20:17,339 --> 00:20:22,599 looking over my shoulder it's not like 512 00:20:20,710 --> 00:20:25,600 ponies here won't suspect you you should 513 00:20:22,599 --> 00:20:29,079 have an alibi his eyebrows raised 514 00:20:25,599 --> 00:20:30,129 further tell you what I've got a plan 515 00:20:29,079 --> 00:20:33,159 that will take care of your Griffon 516 00:20:30,130 --> 00:20:37,600 problem and leave you looking clean his 517 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:40,810 eyes narrowed now well do you please do 518 00:20:37,599 --> 00:20:44,019 tell never heard of a pony named Sweetie 519 00:20:40,809 --> 00:20:46,269 Belle dead eyes blinking surprised then 520 00:20:44,019 --> 00:20:49,180 laughed he pointed the picture on the 521 00:20:46,269 --> 00:20:51,639 wall heard of her a very song for as you 522 00:20:49,180 --> 00:20:53,590 can find in the waist one do you realize 523 00:20:51,640 --> 00:20:54,480 she actually performed here right down 524 00:20:53,589 --> 00:20:56,740 on that stage 525 00:20:54,480 --> 00:20:58,690 he pointed itself in the direction of 526 00:20:56,740 --> 00:21:00,220 the mass home take the stairs just 527 00:20:58,690 --> 00:21:01,600 outside my office and he'll take you to 528 00:21:00,220 --> 00:21:03,480 the balcony with a friendship word and 529 00:21:01,599 --> 00:21:06,549 watch the performance 530 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:08,200 Wow I had hoped dead eyes was at least 531 00:21:06,549 --> 00:21:10,389 familiar with the merry had on his wall 532 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:11,640 but I never imagined the sadistic 533 00:21:10,390 --> 00:21:14,110 bastard was a fan 534 00:21:11,640 --> 00:21:21,100 he stopped gushing his voice turning 535 00:21:14,109 --> 00:21:23,039 colder boy I took a deep breath well by 536 00:21:21,099 --> 00:21:25,509 now you know I didn't travel here alone 537 00:21:23,039 --> 00:21:27,009 one of the ponies traveling with me just 538 00:21:25,509 --> 00:21:29,230 so happens to be a direct descendant of 539 00:21:27,009 --> 00:21:32,529 Sweetie Belle and as it turns out 540 00:21:29,230 --> 00:21:35,019 musical talent runs in the family I had 541 00:21:32,529 --> 00:21:36,220 his attention her knee was velvet and 542 00:21:35,019 --> 00:21:37,839 she's on her way to Maine Hatton to 543 00:21:36,220 --> 00:21:41,049 record some new music for DJ ponies 544 00:21:37,839 --> 00:21:43,209 radio station wait that's actually a 545 00:21:41,049 --> 00:21:44,559 pretty good idea and it would give me a 546 00:21:43,210 --> 00:21:48,430 way to talk with the wastelands most 547 00:21:44,559 --> 00:21:49,929 famous buck what I'm thinking I think I 548 00:21:48,430 --> 00:21:53,170 can talk her into putting on performance 549 00:21:49,930 --> 00:21:54,670 here using that very stage my mind was 550 00:21:53,170 --> 00:21:56,610 racing trying to put together a decent 551 00:21:54,670 --> 00:21:59,289 sounding plan as quickly as I spoke 552 00:21:56,609 --> 00:22:03,089 we'll do it tonight invite every pony in 553 00:21:59,289 --> 00:22:05,589 to see it and gaudy Negrin feathers two 554 00:22:03,089 --> 00:22:08,019 dead eyes I could see was liking this 555 00:22:05,589 --> 00:22:10,149 idea and with the battle coming tomorrow 556 00:22:08,019 --> 00:22:11,650 morning he had to be figuring the timing 557 00:22:10,150 --> 00:22:14,320 from morale-boosting celebration was 558 00:22:11,650 --> 00:22:17,170 perfect I'll be hiding up on the balcony 559 00:22:14,319 --> 00:22:19,000 I'll take two shots one through the head 560 00:22:17,170 --> 00:22:20,769 of the Griffon the other into your table 561 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:23,170 close enough to look like you were also 562 00:22:20,769 --> 00:22:25,720 a target i levitated out one of the 563 00:22:23,170 --> 00:22:28,180 South bucks I'll be gone before any Pony 564 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:30,490 can catch me or even see who it was you 565 00:22:28,180 --> 00:22:33,640 can blame it on a slaver assassin who 566 00:22:30,490 --> 00:22:35,380 wouldn't buy that especially if every 567 00:22:33,640 --> 00:22:38,440 pony knew the slavers were due to attack 568 00:22:35,380 --> 00:22:39,970 and mask the next morning dead eyes 569 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:42,880 contemplated the plan while I stood 570 00:22:39,970 --> 00:22:44,410 there feeling increasingly nervous he 571 00:22:42,880 --> 00:22:46,450 had to realize this plan put him in the 572 00:22:44,410 --> 00:22:48,790 same crosshairs as God and he already 573 00:22:46,450 --> 00:22:51,190 thought of me as her spy would he 574 00:22:48,789 --> 00:22:54,789 believe I would really that my loyalty 575 00:22:51,190 --> 00:22:56,860 was up for grabs I like it did I was 576 00:22:54,789 --> 00:23:00,389 broke into a grin he clumped us those 577 00:22:56,859 --> 00:23:04,469 together just one stipulation 578 00:23:00,390 --> 00:23:05,759 um is velvet up yours I want to hear at 579 00:23:04,470 --> 00:23:07,829 least two songs before you go 580 00:23:05,759 --> 00:23:11,910 interrupting the show including 581 00:23:07,829 --> 00:23:12,949 something by Sweetie Belle um any 582 00:23:11,910 --> 00:23:17,279 particular one 583 00:23:12,950 --> 00:23:21,450 he smiled he'll I love them all he 584 00:23:17,279 --> 00:23:23,069 leaned back surprised me as I walked out 585 00:23:21,450 --> 00:23:25,620 of dead eyes his office I took another 586 00:23:23,069 --> 00:23:27,029 look around I remembered how dead eyes 587 00:23:25,619 --> 00:23:28,559 and his guards had gone off a different 588 00:23:27,029 --> 00:23:31,230 way before I stole the ledger 589 00:23:28,559 --> 00:23:32,669 now I've surprised to find the passage 590 00:23:31,230 --> 00:23:36,170 led to stairs that wrapped around the 591 00:23:32,670 --> 00:23:38,970 balcony above I looked it over shadowed 592 00:23:36,170 --> 00:23:42,150 occluded it was a perfect sniping 593 00:23:38,970 --> 00:23:44,009 position on my way back down the steps I 594 00:23:42,150 --> 00:23:45,290 noticed a sickly apple colored glow 595 00:23:44,009 --> 00:23:47,789 which I hadn't seen before 596 00:23:45,289 --> 00:23:49,079 one of the terminals in one of the desks 597 00:23:47,789 --> 00:23:51,450 in the room outside of dead eyes his 598 00:23:49,079 --> 00:23:54,389 office was powered up I was sure it 599 00:23:51,450 --> 00:23:55,920 hadn't been before replacing those fuses 600 00:23:54,390 --> 00:23:58,740 and spark batteries must have powered it 601 00:23:55,920 --> 00:24:02,039 up pulling out my access tool I hacked 602 00:23:58,740 --> 00:24:05,480 into the terminal there are no menus no 603 00:24:02,039 --> 00:24:07,710 entries instead just a single function I 604 00:24:05,480 --> 00:24:11,579 had found the terminal that opened the 605 00:24:07,710 --> 00:24:13,319 door to the minds involved below I'll 606 00:24:11,579 --> 00:24:15,809 put a bullet through dead eyes as head I 607 00:24:13,319 --> 00:24:18,179 told God and another into your table 608 00:24:15,809 --> 00:24:20,639 then using a stealth buck to slip out 609 00:24:18,180 --> 00:24:21,630 before anypony can identify me you can 610 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:24,420 blame it on the slavers who were 611 00:24:21,630 --> 00:24:27,120 attacking tomorrow God was pondering the 612 00:24:24,420 --> 00:24:29,009 idea skeptically sure some ponies might 613 00:24:27,119 --> 00:24:31,259 slip suspicions but not the kind that 614 00:24:29,009 --> 00:24:32,609 they could act on particularly if you 615 00:24:31,259 --> 00:24:35,819 take over the lead and grant them 616 00:24:32,609 --> 00:24:39,059 victory against the slavers God shook 617 00:24:35,819 --> 00:24:41,819 her head we've got to hand it to you you 618 00:24:39,059 --> 00:24:42,899 one hell of a devious plotter I felt a 619 00:24:41,819 --> 00:24:45,089 rush of pride and then immediately 620 00:24:42,900 --> 00:24:48,090 questioned if enjoying such praise spoke 621 00:24:45,089 --> 00:24:49,740 good oral of me a few minutes later I 622 00:24:48,089 --> 00:24:50,480 joined calamity and velvet remedy in the 623 00:24:49,740 --> 00:24:52,410 cattle car 624 00:24:50,480 --> 00:24:55,380 velvet remedy was prancing around 625 00:24:52,410 --> 00:24:58,190 nervously a show with only hours to 626 00:24:55,380 --> 00:25:00,870 prepare and why we're doing this again 627 00:24:58,190 --> 00:25:02,059 calamity was confused whose side are we 628 00:25:00,869 --> 00:25:04,819 on now 629 00:25:02,059 --> 00:25:07,609 same as before basic plan shouldn't 630 00:25:04,819 --> 00:25:10,039 change but first I want to get these two 631 00:25:07,609 --> 00:25:11,539 in the same room together with velvet 632 00:25:10,039 --> 00:25:14,539 Remy opened one of her saddle boxes 633 00:25:11,539 --> 00:25:16,759 pulling out a notebook who what songs 634 00:25:14,539 --> 00:25:19,069 will I do most of my music isn't really 635 00:25:16,759 --> 00:25:21,410 right or appropriate somehow I don't 636 00:25:19,069 --> 00:25:24,490 think song is about peace and love or 637 00:25:21,410 --> 00:25:27,560 nobility or freedom or really their fair 638 00:25:24,490 --> 00:25:29,960 calamity win eating well most lot of 639 00:25:27,559 --> 00:25:32,569 escaped slaves velvet remedy was 640 00:25:29,960 --> 00:25:36,410 checking down her list of songs well 641 00:25:32,569 --> 00:25:38,029 that one's out that one might work no 642 00:25:36,410 --> 00:25:40,250 that could be fun but it was originally 643 00:25:38,029 --> 00:25:41,690 meant as a duet I read in an old 644 00:25:40,250 --> 00:25:43,150 magazine that Pinkie Pie and Vinyl 645 00:25:41,690 --> 00:25:46,039 Scratch once performed at hoof beats 646 00:25:43,150 --> 00:25:48,100 yeah I could tweak it for one Pony but 647 00:25:46,039 --> 00:25:51,349 it really requires musical accompaniment 648 00:25:48,099 --> 00:25:53,329 maybe your velvet Remy original how 649 00:25:51,349 --> 00:25:56,389 about I blinked 650 00:25:53,329 --> 00:25:58,849 remembering well dead eyes is expecting 651 00:25:56,390 --> 00:26:00,670 two songs before the attack he says one 652 00:25:58,849 --> 00:26:03,949 of them has to be sung by Sweetie Belle 653 00:26:00,670 --> 00:26:06,289 velvet hood and you were going to tell 654 00:26:03,950 --> 00:26:11,539 me this when um 655 00:26:06,289 --> 00:26:14,899 just now she niggard great two songs one 656 00:26:11,539 --> 00:26:17,119 by my great great etc grandmother well 657 00:26:14,900 --> 00:26:20,240 at least I know most of those by heart 658 00:26:17,119 --> 00:26:22,489 but the other I couldn't help but roll 659 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:24,019 my eyes as much as I adored velvet 660 00:26:22,490 --> 00:26:25,759 remedies music and fell in love with her 661 00:26:24,019 --> 00:26:27,889 every song tonight we were just looking 662 00:26:25,759 --> 00:26:30,109 for distraction it didn't have to be 663 00:26:27,890 --> 00:26:32,390 perfect do you think y'all be able to 664 00:26:30,109 --> 00:26:34,909 keep every set of eyes on you Calamity 665 00:26:32,390 --> 00:26:38,150 asked velvet remedy looked playfully 666 00:26:34,910 --> 00:26:39,680 insulted why of course dear there won't 667 00:26:38,150 --> 00:26:43,009 be any eye for anypony else in that room 668 00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:44,480 I believed it I believed velvet remedy 669 00:26:43,009 --> 00:26:46,000 could keep every eye on her even if 670 00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:49,630 getsy do is an audience 671 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:52,849 suddenly velvet remedy gasped every eye 672 00:26:49,630 --> 00:26:56,020 I'll need a bath don't know what am I 673 00:26:52,849 --> 00:26:59,179 going to wear I can help with that 674 00:26:56,019 --> 00:27:01,809 felwood contra head No thank you I can 675 00:26:59,180 --> 00:27:04,910 bathe myself quite well enough dear I 676 00:27:01,809 --> 00:27:06,289 stammered flushing hotly that wasn't 677 00:27:04,910 --> 00:27:07,759 what I meant but now she said it I 678 00:27:06,289 --> 00:27:10,819 couldn't drive the image out of my mind 679 00:27:07,759 --> 00:27:13,279 my heart fluttered in my chest Clemmy 680 00:27:10,819 --> 00:27:15,230 name turned away I'll give you two some 681 00:27:13,279 --> 00:27:15,829 private time for he waved the hook 682 00:27:15,230 --> 00:27:18,829 between us 683 00:27:15,829 --> 00:27:20,599 whatever this is he made a quick exit 684 00:27:18,829 --> 00:27:22,579 muttering something about helping gods 685 00:27:20,599 --> 00:27:24,139 ponies get the radical plasma cannon up 686 00:27:22,579 --> 00:27:26,809 and running before red-eyes forces could 687 00:27:24,140 --> 00:27:28,700 get here I wasn't paying any attention I 688 00:27:26,809 --> 00:27:32,329 only had eyes Ravello trem bee and i 689 00:27:28,700 --> 00:27:34,220 could feel my face burning I I stomped I 690 00:27:32,329 --> 00:27:37,399 meant I have the perfect thing for you 691 00:27:34,220 --> 00:27:38,660 to wear focusing my magic I opened my 692 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:40,850 saddlebag and slid out the most 693 00:27:38,660 --> 00:27:45,920 beautiful dress in the wasteland my fine 694 00:27:40,849 --> 00:27:49,490 from carousel boutique how can I fix 695 00:27:45,920 --> 00:27:52,250 this how many times must I try please 696 00:27:49,490 --> 00:27:54,759 this time let me get it right get it 697 00:27:52,250 --> 00:27:54,759 right 698 00:27:55,119 --> 00:28:00,109 velvet Remy was gorgeous the dress was 699 00:27:58,400 --> 00:28:02,450 perfect on her making her more stunning 700 00:28:00,109 --> 00:28:04,159 than I had ever seen her before her horn 701 00:28:02,450 --> 00:28:06,019 was aglow and the stage was awash with 702 00:28:04,160 --> 00:28:08,630 warm colored light that shifted with her 703 00:28:06,019 --> 00:28:11,900 voice in the mood of the song i rear up 704 00:28:08,630 --> 00:28:15,400 on my hooves throw a buck in the air let 705 00:28:11,900 --> 00:28:17,570 firm resolve overwhelm my despair she 706 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:19,190 chosen as her first number that same 707 00:28:17,569 --> 00:28:21,589 incredibly heartbreaking song from the 708 00:28:19,190 --> 00:28:23,960 radio something everypony would be 709 00:28:21,589 --> 00:28:28,939 familiar with she was more than doing it 710 00:28:23,960 --> 00:28:30,590 justice she was magnificent I crouched 711 00:28:28,940 --> 00:28:33,230 on the balcony covered in the ever 712 00:28:30,589 --> 00:28:35,539 disgusting mattress cover SATs was ready 713 00:28:33,230 --> 00:28:38,450 my sniper rifle was loaded and tucked to 714 00:28:35,539 --> 00:28:41,329 my side I actually hated myself for 715 00:28:38,450 --> 00:28:43,490 planning to ruin her performance dead 716 00:28:41,329 --> 00:28:44,089 eyes hadn't been stupid while I entered 717 00:28:43,490 --> 00:28:47,029 the balcony 718 00:28:44,089 --> 00:28:49,429 I found a noted and left for me one shot 719 00:28:47,029 --> 00:28:50,720 to the target one to the table the stage 720 00:28:49,430 --> 00:28:54,650 is rigged to explode if you shoot 721 00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:56,480 anything else Celestia burned him even 722 00:28:54,650 --> 00:28:58,009 if I could get a message to calamity he 723 00:28:56,480 --> 00:29:00,799 was no better at disarming explosives 724 00:28:58,009 --> 00:29:04,460 and I was out of petty spite I stole his 725 00:29:00,799 --> 00:29:06,919 copy of apply gemstones well remedy drew 726 00:29:04,460 --> 00:29:08,990 the song to a tear-jerking close the 727 00:29:06,920 --> 00:29:11,860 audience scores of Raider ponies said 728 00:29:08,990 --> 00:29:13,849 utterly stunned even gods bika dropped 729 00:29:11,859 --> 00:29:15,979 there were several seconds of dense 730 00:29:13,849 --> 00:29:18,109 quiet the stage going dark safe for the 731 00:29:15,980 --> 00:29:20,750 faintest glow of remedies horn 732 00:29:18,109 --> 00:29:22,759 then an explosion of hoofbeats shook the 733 00:29:20,750 --> 00:29:24,289 mess hall vibrating the balcony and 734 00:29:22,759 --> 00:29:26,000 sending bits of debris down from the 735 00:29:24,289 --> 00:29:28,609 roof as dozens of ponies hoofs stomped 736 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:31,400 in applause I caught dead eyes shooting 737 00:29:28,609 --> 00:29:32,240 a glance up at the balcony out of the 738 00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:34,850 corner of her eye 739 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:36,859 God caught it too she dipped her beacon 740 00:29:34,849 --> 00:29:39,649 to attend drinking cup her gaze never 741 00:29:36,859 --> 00:29:41,509 leaving him new music began to swallow 742 00:29:39,650 --> 00:29:44,450 up from the stage an orchestra and 743 00:29:41,509 --> 00:29:47,420 single horn Lovett remedy being clapping 744 00:29:44,450 --> 00:29:49,100 hoof on the stage setting rhythm soon 745 00:29:47,420 --> 00:29:52,160 most of the ponies in the hall world 746 00:29:49,099 --> 00:29:53,808 matching her stop enough with the slow 747 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:56,419 stuff who's here to party she bellowed 748 00:29:53,808 --> 00:29:59,058 out drawing a roar from the crowd my 749 00:29:56,419 --> 00:30:00,590 ears went up my eyes widened and for a 750 00:29:59,058 --> 00:30:02,690 moment I completely forgot about the 751 00:30:00,589 --> 00:30:04,279 sniper rifle at my side all that 752 00:30:02,690 --> 00:30:07,370 mattered was that I didn't recognize the 753 00:30:04,279 --> 00:30:09,410 music I'd never heard this song yeah 754 00:30:07,369 --> 00:30:11,569 don't drive nights burning up don't make 755 00:30:09,410 --> 00:30:13,419 me wait to go bands playing loud screams 756 00:30:11,569 --> 00:30:16,129 of the crowd this is what feeds my soul 757 00:30:13,419 --> 00:30:18,890 if you're not smiling you're not trying 758 00:30:16,130 --> 00:30:20,450 start oh right don't be quite hooked to 759 00:30:18,890 --> 00:30:25,100 the flow just give me some more I need 760 00:30:20,450 --> 00:30:27,289 my rock and roll yeah by Celestia's 761 00:30:25,099 --> 00:30:30,048 grace she's gonna solve any explosive 762 00:30:27,289 --> 00:30:31,909 into the stage herself I floated up my 763 00:30:30,048 --> 00:30:34,039 sniper rifle now terrified lennier 764 00:30:31,910 --> 00:30:35,750 complete the song with the light and 765 00:30:34,039 --> 00:30:37,369 sound now bursting from the stage 766 00:30:35,750 --> 00:30:40,730 velvet remedy had absolutely every 767 00:30:37,369 --> 00:30:42,079 ponies and Griffin's attention by Luna I 768 00:30:40,730 --> 00:30:43,279 could probably start shooting an open he 769 00:30:42,079 --> 00:30:46,730 would notice until half the room was 770 00:30:43,279 --> 00:30:49,910 down well if the stage didn't go up in a 771 00:30:46,730 --> 00:30:52,970 fireball don't be lazy just go crazy why 772 00:30:49,910 --> 00:30:54,620 don't you get it's a party flowing into 773 00:30:52,970 --> 00:30:56,450 the perfection of my pipbuck starting 774 00:30:54,619 --> 00:31:00,829 spell I locked on to a sequence of three 775 00:30:56,450 --> 00:31:02,750 targets blam blam my first shot tore 776 00:31:00,829 --> 00:31:04,339 through the tin cup splashing God with 777 00:31:02,750 --> 00:31:07,130 her drink and digging into the table 778 00:31:04,339 --> 00:31:08,569 before anypony could react the second 779 00:31:07,130 --> 00:31:09,020 drip the top half of dead eise's head 780 00:31:08,569 --> 00:31:10,730 clean off 781 00:31:09,019 --> 00:31:12,889 splattering several of the ponies in 782 00:31:10,730 --> 00:31:14,480 front of him my third target was 783 00:31:12,890 --> 00:31:15,500 developed remedy who glowed with a light 784 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:17,000 not of her own making as i 785 00:31:15,500 --> 00:31:19,250 telekinetically shoved her back through 786 00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:21,380 the heavy curtains and off the stage 787 00:31:19,250 --> 00:31:23,000 truth to dead eise's word the entire 788 00:31:21,380 --> 00:31:24,650 front of the stage detonated an Aurora 789 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:27,319 fire and splinters not a breath later 790 00:31:24,650 --> 00:31:30,080 waves of ponies in the front row fell I 791 00:31:27,319 --> 00:31:32,450 saw a God stagger bleeding from wooden 792 00:31:30,079 --> 00:31:34,819 shrapnel I activated the south bucking 793 00:31:32,450 --> 00:31:35,360 gallop silently towards the stairs from 794 00:31:34,819 --> 00:31:36,919 below 795 00:31:35,359 --> 00:31:38,619 I could hear somepony yelling it's the 796 00:31:36,920 --> 00:31:40,910 slavers they're attacking early 797 00:31:38,619 --> 00:31:42,949 completely fair assumption I thought as 798 00:31:40,910 --> 00:31:44,330 I hit the stairs I was half way down 799 00:31:42,950 --> 00:31:45,769 when an explosion from somewhere outside 800 00:31:44,329 --> 00:31:48,019 let me know that the panicking Pony 801 00:31:45,769 --> 00:31:49,730 hadn't been completely wrong as I raced 802 00:31:48,019 --> 00:31:52,579 for the terminal my mind boggled the 803 00:31:49,730 --> 00:31:54,110 coincidence but no I realized as I got 804 00:31:52,579 --> 00:31:54,769 to the desk and activated the terminal 805 00:31:54,109 --> 00:31:57,949 single-function 806 00:31:54,769 --> 00:31:59,529 it wasn't coincidence at all red eyes as 807 00:31:57,950 --> 00:32:01,759 slavers weren't going to trust dead eyes 808 00:31:59,529 --> 00:32:04,129 justice dead eyes plan to betray them 809 00:32:01,759 --> 00:32:07,220 they must have always intended to attack 810 00:32:04,130 --> 00:32:09,710 early and right now every single Pony 811 00:32:07,220 --> 00:32:12,019 was in here in accordance with the plan 812 00:32:09,710 --> 00:32:14,539 even God was in attendance as were her 813 00:32:12,019 --> 00:32:16,369 loyalists we pulled all the ponies into 814 00:32:14,539 --> 00:32:19,039 one place and left the outskirts and 815 00:32:16,369 --> 00:32:22,549 guard posts undefended of course they 816 00:32:19,039 --> 00:32:23,990 were attacked now the Southwick was just 817 00:32:22,549 --> 00:32:24,859 wearing off as I dashed into the room 818 00:32:23,990 --> 00:32:27,109 behind the curtains 819 00:32:24,859 --> 00:32:29,539 I found Vella Remini pulling herself out 820 00:32:27,109 --> 00:32:32,389 of a pile of skeletons her perfect dress 821 00:32:29,539 --> 00:32:35,180 had bones hanging from it panting I 822 00:32:32,390 --> 00:32:37,340 apologized explaining about the note she 823 00:32:35,180 --> 00:32:39,049 waved it off oh that's quite all right 824 00:32:37,339 --> 00:32:41,659 I'd much rather be buried in a pile of 825 00:32:39,049 --> 00:32:43,009 skeletons and actually joined them with 826 00:32:41,660 --> 00:32:46,519 a smile that melted my heart 827 00:32:43,009 --> 00:32:48,710 Thank You little pip then as an 828 00:32:46,519 --> 00:32:52,670 afterthought couldn't let me finish the 829 00:32:48,710 --> 00:32:54,460 song though sheepishly I was afraid 830 00:32:52,670 --> 00:32:57,140 you'd set off the explosives yourself I 831 00:32:54,460 --> 00:32:58,519 looked back towards the curtains from 832 00:32:57,140 --> 00:32:59,990 the flickering light around their edges 833 00:32:58,519 --> 00:33:02,089 the front side of the curtains was on 834 00:32:59,990 --> 00:33:03,319 fire they were thick enough that the 835 00:33:02,089 --> 00:33:03,679 flames hadn't chewed their way through 836 00:33:03,319 --> 00:33:06,559 yet 837 00:33:03,680 --> 00:33:08,630 I looked up black smoke was beginning to 838 00:33:06,559 --> 00:33:10,519 coat the ceiling on the other side of 839 00:33:08,630 --> 00:33:12,980 the curtains I heard gunfire magical 840 00:33:10,519 --> 00:33:15,500 energy blast being exchanged I looked 841 00:33:12,980 --> 00:33:17,450 around for calamity the rust-coloured 842 00:33:15,500 --> 00:33:19,400 pegasus galloped in a moment later his 843 00:33:17,450 --> 00:33:21,740 black cow pony had nearly falling off a 844 00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:24,380 key dangled from a chain between his 845 00:33:21,740 --> 00:33:26,779 teeth velvet Remini rolled her eyes with 846 00:33:24,380 --> 00:33:27,840 a laugh he actually stopped to get the 847 00:33:26,779 --> 00:33:29,908 key 848 00:33:27,839 --> 00:33:31,259 Calamity turned his head hooking the 849 00:33:29,909 --> 00:33:33,720 chain to one of the guns on his battle 850 00:33:31,259 --> 00:33:35,759 saddle Hales yeah he grinned a velvet 851 00:33:33,720 --> 00:33:37,169 depend on who wins here I'm already 852 00:33:35,759 --> 00:33:39,658 making plans to swoop back in loot the 853 00:33:37,169 --> 00:33:43,140 bodies fell flat remedy turned up her 854 00:33:39,659 --> 00:33:46,710 nose even I rolled my eyes then I turned 855 00:33:43,140 --> 00:33:48,419 and tried for the gate come on Clare 856 00:33:46,710 --> 00:33:51,329 when you bit the tip of my tail stopping 857 00:33:48,419 --> 00:33:53,100 me whoa there dumpling he nodded his 858 00:33:51,329 --> 00:33:55,649 head towards the gate I turned the look 859 00:33:53,099 --> 00:33:57,689 on the other side of the gate between us 860 00:33:55,650 --> 00:34:00,149 in the now of a metal door were four 861 00:33:57,690 --> 00:34:02,370 turrets pointing right at me I groaned 862 00:34:00,148 --> 00:34:05,009 turning back on the power turned on the 863 00:34:02,369 --> 00:34:06,359 turrets - how could I been so stupid as 864 00:34:05,009 --> 00:34:08,519 to not realize that would happen 865 00:34:06,359 --> 00:34:11,789 I could have disabled them before when 866 00:34:08,519 --> 00:34:16,909 it was safe we take off all at once 867 00:34:11,789 --> 00:34:19,710 calamity asked No hold on let me think 868 00:34:16,909 --> 00:34:21,659 why are we still going down there anyway 869 00:34:19,710 --> 00:34:24,119 velvet asked clearly assuming the rest 870 00:34:21,659 --> 00:34:27,869 of the plan was a bust I was tempted to 871 00:34:24,119 --> 00:34:30,629 agree now more than anything I'm kind of 872 00:34:27,869 --> 00:34:33,269 hoping there's a back way out I lifted 873 00:34:30,628 --> 00:34:35,250 my pipbuck and looked at it okay we're 874 00:34:33,269 --> 00:34:37,168 in luck I've got one more stealth puck I 875 00:34:35,250 --> 00:34:38,909 can use it to get up to the turrets and 876 00:34:37,168 --> 00:34:41,190 reprogram them just like the ones back 877 00:34:38,909 --> 00:34:42,659 at the Pegasus convoy that way they'll 878 00:34:41,190 --> 00:34:46,079 let us through and keep anypony who gets 879 00:34:42,659 --> 00:34:47,878 the idea to follow us out we had a plan 880 00:34:46,079 --> 00:34:50,219 I pulled the dead stealth buck out of my 881 00:34:47,878 --> 00:34:53,338 pipbuck and slotted in my last one then 882 00:34:50,219 --> 00:34:54,928 I got to work we found ourselves 883 00:34:53,338 --> 00:34:56,940 creeping through caves converted to 884 00:34:54,929 --> 00:34:57,990 storage piled with crates emblazoned 885 00:34:56,940 --> 00:35:00,450 with the name of shattered hoof or 886 00:34:57,989 --> 00:35:01,829 reeducation 'el stockyard if you were 887 00:35:00,449 --> 00:35:03,358 marked with a circle proclaiming them 888 00:35:01,829 --> 00:35:07,139 celestial to your property and branded 889 00:35:03,358 --> 00:35:08,608 with the initials mas or mwt well I 890 00:35:07,139 --> 00:35:11,250 whispered conversationally to my 891 00:35:08,608 --> 00:35:12,598 companions I know mas is Ministry of 892 00:35:11,250 --> 00:35:15,179 Magic but I haven't heard of the other 893 00:35:12,599 --> 00:35:17,869 one calamity stopped an expression of 894 00:35:15,179 --> 00:35:20,549 confusion clouding his face how does 895 00:35:17,869 --> 00:35:22,200 Ministry of arcane sciences with all 896 00:35:20,550 --> 00:35:24,720 that remedy explained casually before he 897 00:35:22,199 --> 00:35:26,579 heard something a voice low and deep 898 00:35:24,719 --> 00:35:29,789 Rumble through the caves brain is all to 899 00:35:26,579 --> 00:35:31,289 a halt so you're the little ponies who 900 00:35:29,789 --> 00:35:33,570 have come to my town and made such a 901 00:35:31,289 --> 00:35:36,369 mess of things you've killed my 902 00:35:33,570 --> 00:35:39,849 lieutenant and now you've come for me 903 00:35:36,369 --> 00:35:42,309 mr. topaz claimed he asked echoing my 904 00:35:39,849 --> 00:35:44,380 own thoughts either he was using an 905 00:35:42,309 --> 00:35:45,969 impressively well in speaker system or 906 00:35:44,380 --> 00:35:49,269 he was using magic to augment his voice 907 00:35:45,969 --> 00:35:52,659 I suspected the latter and that probably 908 00:35:49,268 --> 00:35:55,988 meant a unicorn or a worse idea struck 909 00:35:52,659 --> 00:35:58,929 me one of those pseudo goddess things 910 00:35:55,989 --> 00:36:02,469 like the creature from old Appaloosa and 911 00:35:58,929 --> 00:36:04,358 here I was all out of boxcars I quickly 912 00:36:02,469 --> 00:36:06,039 passed out the magical ammo giving a 913 00:36:04,358 --> 00:36:08,199 prayer to Celestia and another to Luna 914 00:36:06,039 --> 00:36:09,789 if mister topaz was one of those 915 00:36:08,199 --> 00:36:12,429 monsters we need all the divine 916 00:36:09,789 --> 00:36:14,219 assistance we get clam he quickly 917 00:36:12,429 --> 00:36:16,838 changed the load on his battle saddle 918 00:36:14,219 --> 00:36:19,179 velop remedy however looked unimpressed 919 00:36:16,838 --> 00:36:21,518 her horn began to glow and when she 920 00:36:19,179 --> 00:36:23,368 opened her mouth her voice cried out 921 00:36:21,518 --> 00:36:27,578 from every rock and timber in the mines 922 00:36:23,369 --> 00:36:28,180 not impressed her Nicky rang off the 923 00:36:27,579 --> 00:36:30,309 walls 924 00:36:28,179 --> 00:36:31,598 velvet remedy turned down the awesome 925 00:36:30,309 --> 00:36:34,900 until her voice is only a little more 926 00:36:31,599 --> 00:36:37,210 terrifying than his now why don't you be 927 00:36:34,900 --> 00:36:40,239 polite stop playing games and come and 928 00:36:37,210 --> 00:36:41,619 say hello I floated up little macintosh 929 00:36:40,239 --> 00:36:43,210 prepared for the appearance of what I 930 00:36:41,619 --> 00:36:46,210 had now convinced myself as one of those 931 00:36:43,210 --> 00:36:48,099 pseudo goddesses as the orange scale 932 00:36:46,210 --> 00:36:52,228 dragon loomed around the corner licking 933 00:36:48,099 --> 00:36:55,119 his teeth I realized I was so very wrong 934 00:36:52,228 --> 00:36:56,739 well clam Lea shouted as his wings 935 00:36:55,119 --> 00:36:58,869 propelled him down the caverns faster 936 00:36:56,739 --> 00:37:00,869 than velvet Remini or I could gallop at 937 00:36:58,869 --> 00:37:03,460 least he's not a full-grown dragon I 938 00:37:00,869 --> 00:37:06,369 poured on the speed somehow managing to 939 00:37:03,460 --> 00:37:08,349 keep up with relat relat II calamity was 940 00:37:06,369 --> 00:37:10,479 right for what good it did us 941 00:37:08,349 --> 00:37:12,880 mr. topaz was slightly smaller than a 942 00:37:10,478 --> 00:37:15,368 train car not counting his sharply 943 00:37:12,880 --> 00:37:17,588 spiked tail he could swallow me in one 944 00:37:15,369 --> 00:37:20,289 bite but for calamity he might require 945 00:37:17,588 --> 00:37:23,318 to I don't see how that benefited him 946 00:37:20,289 --> 00:37:24,849 much using my magic I ripped another 947 00:37:23,318 --> 00:37:27,518 support beam out of the walls we raced 948 00:37:24,849 --> 00:37:29,890 past I could hear rocks crashing down as 949 00:37:27,518 --> 00:37:31,478 the ceiling caved in it wasn't stopping 950 00:37:29,889 --> 00:37:34,389 him but at least I was slowing him down 951 00:37:31,478 --> 00:37:36,308 enough to stay ahead of those teeth we 952 00:37:34,389 --> 00:37:37,538 could have tried to plum with sea velvet 953 00:37:36,309 --> 00:37:40,660 cried out as she ran for her life 954 00:37:37,539 --> 00:37:42,009 if calamity hadn't shot first my 955 00:37:40,659 --> 00:37:43,690 breathing was becoming labored and 956 00:37:42,009 --> 00:37:46,929 stitches of fire were growing through my 957 00:37:43,690 --> 00:37:48,880 lungs I could hear mr. topaz tearing 958 00:37:46,929 --> 00:37:52,089 through the newest collapse 959 00:37:48,880 --> 00:37:54,280 left ahead I gasped I was unable to stop 960 00:37:52,090 --> 00:37:55,930 and check my pit box automap but my eyes 961 00:37:54,280 --> 00:37:58,780 forward Sparkle compass indicated we 962 00:37:55,929 --> 00:38:01,480 were circling around lisanova mo works 963 00:37:58,780 --> 00:38:03,010 clam Li spun in place firing off twin 964 00:38:01,480 --> 00:38:05,740 shots at the dragon then took a hard 965 00:38:03,010 --> 00:38:08,680 left disappearing around the corner we 966 00:38:05,739 --> 00:38:10,839 followed not far behind the hall we had 967 00:38:08,679 --> 00:38:14,199 just left turn into an inferno the walls 968 00:38:10,840 --> 00:38:16,390 shaking from the Dragons roar the mo was 969 00:38:14,199 --> 00:38:18,279 working the shots punctured right 970 00:38:16,389 --> 00:38:19,900 through the Dragons armored hide but he 971 00:38:18,280 --> 00:38:22,930 was so big that they mostly seem to just 972 00:38:19,900 --> 00:38:24,550 make him mad without slowing velvet 973 00:38:22,929 --> 00:38:26,379 laughed as he ran past a large metal 974 00:38:24,550 --> 00:38:29,140 door well there's your vault 975 00:38:26,380 --> 00:38:32,050 anypony went to stop and open it smart 976 00:38:29,139 --> 00:38:33,429 ass rhetorical question Clem he stopped 977 00:38:32,050 --> 00:38:35,800 at the next Junction hovering in a 978 00:38:33,429 --> 00:38:38,980 nicely controlled panic little pip which 979 00:38:35,800 --> 00:38:41,530 way should be right ahead this time at 980 00:38:38,980 --> 00:38:43,840 least I really hope so if not I was 981 00:38:41,530 --> 00:38:47,080 sending us into a dead-end with extra 982 00:38:43,840 --> 00:38:49,660 stress on dead Clem he disappeared down 983 00:38:47,079 --> 00:38:51,610 the right passage Luna and Celestia were 984 00:38:49,659 --> 00:38:52,869 with us the choice had been right in the 985 00:38:51,610 --> 00:38:55,390 passageway led us back to the first 986 00:38:52,869 --> 00:38:56,710 tunnel recognising it claimed he had 987 00:38:55,389 --> 00:38:57,940 already flown back into shattered hoof 988 00:38:56,710 --> 00:39:00,909 for the battle between the Raiders and 989 00:38:57,940 --> 00:39:03,159 slavers was fully engaged Velvet remedy 990 00:39:00,909 --> 00:39:06,159 was next out but as I raced for the door 991 00:39:03,159 --> 00:39:08,829 mr. topaz finally caught up he opened 992 00:39:06,159 --> 00:39:11,409 his huge mall teeth glistening a drop of 993 00:39:08,829 --> 00:39:13,779 saliva fell onto my neck the turrets 994 00:39:11,409 --> 00:39:16,269 opened fires I raced through them the 995 00:39:13,780 --> 00:39:17,769 dragons screamed the sound rocked the 996 00:39:16,269 --> 00:39:19,329 mess hall and brought a temporary halt 997 00:39:17,769 --> 00:39:20,710 to the fighting is everypony turned to 998 00:39:19,329 --> 00:39:22,989 stare at the now quite wounded and 999 00:39:20,710 --> 00:39:25,380 extremely pissed-off dragon as mr. topaz 1000 00:39:22,989 --> 00:39:27,549 blasted all four turrets with fire 1001 00:39:25,380 --> 00:39:28,570 internal components melted with a static 1002 00:39:27,550 --> 00:39:31,060 hiss as they stopped 1003 00:39:28,570 --> 00:39:32,710 I felt the fire wash over me my coat 1004 00:39:31,059 --> 00:39:36,820 blackening my skin blistering under the 1005 00:39:32,710 --> 00:39:39,250 heat one of my saddlebags caught fire my 1006 00:39:36,820 --> 00:39:40,570 sides burned from exertion I tried to 1007 00:39:39,250 --> 00:39:42,460 yell out to the others but I couldn't 1008 00:39:40,570 --> 00:39:45,130 get the breath I wasn't going to make it 1009 00:39:42,460 --> 00:39:46,420 outside before I collapsed I veered away 1010 00:39:45,130 --> 00:39:47,740 from the others as the fire began 1011 00:39:46,420 --> 00:39:49,960 spreading from the saddlebag to the 1012 00:39:47,739 --> 00:39:51,399 harness that held my sniper rifle I was 1013 00:39:49,960 --> 00:39:53,889 running for a hallway too narrow for the 1014 00:39:51,400 --> 00:39:55,079 dragon behind me the mess hall was 1015 00:39:53,889 --> 00:39:57,849 squashed in flames 1016 00:39:55,079 --> 00:39:59,588 mr. topaz was burning to death slaver 1017 00:39:57,849 --> 00:40:03,759 and Raider ponies alike 1018 00:39:59,588 --> 00:40:05,139 and then the dragon was gone I collapsed 1019 00:40:03,759 --> 00:40:06,579 against the wall of a washroom two 1020 00:40:05,139 --> 00:40:09,578 corridors away from the mess hall 1021 00:40:06,579 --> 00:40:11,798 panting hard water filled the sink next 1022 00:40:09,579 --> 00:40:14,199 to me soaking my saddlebags and pouring 1023 00:40:11,798 --> 00:40:17,108 onto the floor next to me it felt cool 1024 00:40:14,199 --> 00:40:18,849 against my burn tortured skin i flopped 1025 00:40:17,108 --> 00:40:20,558 over wallowing in the warming pool 1026 00:40:18,849 --> 00:40:24,130 wishing I could dip every part of me 1027 00:40:20,559 --> 00:40:26,048 that hurt into it was crying I tried not 1028 00:40:24,130 --> 00:40:26,729 to think of how much it hurt to focus 1029 00:40:26,048 --> 00:40:30,759 elsewhere 1030 00:40:26,728 --> 00:40:32,978 it wasn't easy the dragon I assumed it 1031 00:40:30,759 --> 00:40:34,778 headed back into the mines he could fly 1032 00:40:32,978 --> 00:40:35,919 around the mess hall all he wanted but 1033 00:40:34,778 --> 00:40:38,548 the rest of the halls were too narrow 1034 00:40:35,920 --> 00:40:40,749 for him he's probably born down there or 1035 00:40:38,548 --> 00:40:43,208 velvet remedy collapsed next to me 1036 00:40:40,748 --> 00:40:44,528 breathing heavily there's nothing short 1037 00:40:43,208 --> 00:40:46,828 of miraculous that neither of us were 1038 00:40:44,528 --> 00:40:49,420 more gravely injured much less dead I 1039 00:40:46,829 --> 00:40:51,989 tried to get up but now that I'd stopped 1040 00:40:49,420 --> 00:40:58,059 my legs were refusing to work again 1041 00:40:51,989 --> 00:41:00,458 where's the dragon i panted searching 1042 00:40:58,059 --> 00:41:02,969 for confirmation of my theory velvet 1043 00:41:00,458 --> 00:41:11,788 remedy shook her head she didn't know 1044 00:41:02,969 --> 00:41:13,289 where's calamity I don't know lost track 1045 00:41:11,789 --> 00:41:15,099 damn it 1046 00:41:13,289 --> 00:41:17,579 calamity wasn't foolish enough to go 1047 00:41:15,099 --> 00:41:21,099 back down there after him or the vault 1048 00:41:17,579 --> 00:41:23,769 was he no of course not 1049 00:41:21,099 --> 00:41:25,179 he just got separated that's all but if 1050 00:41:23,768 --> 00:41:26,768 the slavers and raiders were still going 1051 00:41:25,179 --> 00:41:28,588 at each other in the yard it wasn't safe 1052 00:41:26,768 --> 00:41:31,238 to stand around at the rendezvous point 1053 00:41:28,588 --> 00:41:33,489 would he fly back to Junction r7 and 1054 00:41:31,239 --> 00:41:38,039 wait for us there or engage the ponies 1055 00:41:33,489 --> 00:41:40,539 fighting in Oh blessed Luna little paper 1056 00:41:38,039 --> 00:41:43,269 velvet remedy as exhausted as she was 1057 00:41:40,539 --> 00:41:44,679 held her years alert I'd realized that 1058 00:41:43,268 --> 00:41:46,298 the giant hole torn in the razor wire 1059 00:41:44,679 --> 00:41:49,269 over the yard must have been the work of 1060 00:41:46,298 --> 00:41:50,920 the dragon and that led me to the cargo 1061 00:41:49,268 --> 00:41:53,468 elevator the dragons going to come up 1062 00:41:50,920 --> 00:41:55,630 through the rock yard i hissed in pain 1063 00:41:53,469 --> 00:41:58,809 as I tried to move fell what remedy 1064 00:41:55,630 --> 00:41:59,880 looked at me with alarm little pip here 1065 00:41:58,809 --> 00:42:01,839 let me 1066 00:41:59,880 --> 00:42:03,608 she weakly opened one of the yellow 1067 00:42:01,838 --> 00:42:04,900 medical boxes she used his saddlebags 1068 00:42:03,608 --> 00:42:07,460 and pulled out the very last of our 1069 00:42:04,900 --> 00:42:10,639 healing bandages as well as a syringe 1070 00:42:07,460 --> 00:42:13,690 this will dull the pain she banned it 1071 00:42:10,639 --> 00:42:16,759 slowly trust me you'll need it 1072 00:42:13,690 --> 00:42:20,420 she was very right the painkiller helped 1073 00:42:16,760 --> 00:42:22,250 I screamed anyways when velvet remedy 1074 00:42:20,420 --> 00:42:24,650 had finished I felt lightheaded my 1075 00:42:22,250 --> 00:42:26,659 vision was blurred with tears I moaned 1076 00:42:24,650 --> 00:42:30,079 weakly my knees trembling as I finally 1077 00:42:26,659 --> 00:42:32,599 got to my hooves littlepip you're in no 1078 00:42:30,079 --> 00:42:36,110 condition but there was no conviction 1079 00:42:32,599 --> 00:42:37,579 drill at Remedies voice just sorrow she 1080 00:42:36,110 --> 00:42:39,620 knew as well as I that we couldn't stay 1081 00:42:37,579 --> 00:42:43,699 here and she knew that I had to try and 1082 00:42:39,619 --> 00:42:46,969 help calamity do we have any buck in our 1083 00:42:43,699 --> 00:42:49,519 supplies I bit my lower lip hitting to 1084 00:42:46,969 --> 00:42:51,559 ask her for such a thing velvet remedy 1085 00:42:49,519 --> 00:42:52,969 spared me her usual gasp of disapproval 1086 00:42:51,559 --> 00:42:54,380 simply bringing out the bottle and 1087 00:42:52,969 --> 00:42:57,769 passing me a few of the yellowish orange 1088 00:42:54,380 --> 00:42:58,570 pills inside thanks I whispered floating 1089 00:42:57,769 --> 00:43:00,530 them into my mouth 1090 00:42:58,570 --> 00:43:02,120 stuck my head under the waterfall 1091 00:43:00,530 --> 00:43:04,220 spilling out of the faucet and swallowed 1092 00:43:02,119 --> 00:43:05,719 them without chewing it took a few 1093 00:43:04,219 --> 00:43:07,099 moments long enough that I feared it 1094 00:43:05,719 --> 00:43:09,829 wasn't going to have the effect I needed 1095 00:43:07,099 --> 00:43:12,679 a burst of energy flooded through me I 1096 00:43:09,829 --> 00:43:16,400 felt stronger faster lest exhausted in 1097 00:43:12,679 --> 00:43:18,829 more awake this this was good this would 1098 00:43:16,400 --> 00:43:20,389 definitely do I lifted my soaked 1099 00:43:18,829 --> 00:43:22,489 saddlebag out of the sink and back onto 1100 00:43:20,389 --> 00:43:25,369 my flanks hissing as they rub against my 1101 00:43:22,489 --> 00:43:27,289 bandaged skin on second thought I 1102 00:43:25,369 --> 00:43:29,719 thought lifting it off and then letting 1103 00:43:27,289 --> 00:43:31,250 it float beside me turning developing 1104 00:43:29,719 --> 00:43:34,099 remedy I made an effort to keep from 1105 00:43:31,250 --> 00:43:36,559 sounding bossy velvet would you please 1106 00:43:34,099 --> 00:43:41,079 try and find calamity just be careful 1107 00:43:36,559 --> 00:43:43,279 don't get caught by anypony she nodded 1108 00:43:41,079 --> 00:43:47,090 what are you going to try and do little 1109 00:43:43,280 --> 00:43:49,040 bit I glanced towards the door I'm going 1110 00:43:47,090 --> 00:43:51,200 back down I'm going to get to that vault 1111 00:43:49,039 --> 00:43:52,759 if we're lucky there will be something 1112 00:43:51,199 --> 00:43:57,019 inside that'll give us a chance against 1113 00:43:52,760 --> 00:44:00,530 that dragon but velvet remedy frowned a 1114 00:43:57,019 --> 00:44:03,230 little pip you don't have the key with a 1115 00:44:00,530 --> 00:44:05,609 smile when if I ever needed the key to 1116 00:44:03,230 --> 00:44:08,469 get past a lock 1117 00:44:05,608 --> 00:44:09,969 the mess hall was a slaughterhouse the 1118 00:44:08,469 --> 00:44:12,099 charred frame of the stage was still 1119 00:44:09,969 --> 00:44:14,528 licked with flame the air was choked 1120 00:44:12,099 --> 00:44:16,149 with smoke the smell of roasted ponies 1121 00:44:14,528 --> 00:44:19,088 some of them still on fire tried to 1122 00:44:16,148 --> 00:44:20,438 strangle me I was in a hurry but I still 1123 00:44:19,088 --> 00:44:21,998 took the time to snag a few of the 1124 00:44:20,438 --> 00:44:23,558 random less damaged weapons from the 1125 00:44:21,998 --> 00:44:26,528 floor before I made my way past the heat 1126 00:44:23,559 --> 00:44:28,119 twisted gate in slag turret behind me 1127 00:44:26,528 --> 00:44:29,380 the flame broiled crossed from me that 1128 00:44:28,119 --> 00:44:31,989 once to hell the stage curtains came 1129 00:44:29,380 --> 00:44:34,239 crashing down I made my way towards the 1130 00:44:31,989 --> 00:44:35,889 vault turning a corner 1131 00:44:34,239 --> 00:44:37,599 I found myself face to face with a 1132 00:44:35,889 --> 00:44:40,058 ponying leather armor wielding a magical 1133 00:44:37,599 --> 00:44:42,489 energy Lance I couldn't tell which side 1134 00:44:40,059 --> 00:44:43,839 she had been on but it didn't matter she 1135 00:44:42,489 --> 00:44:47,619 immediately dropped into a combative 1136 00:44:43,838 --> 00:44:50,018 stance weight she thrust the glowing tip 1137 00:44:47,619 --> 00:44:52,028 of the Lance at me I tried to dodge my 1138 00:44:50,018 --> 00:44:53,798 side slamming to the cave wall the line 1139 00:44:52,028 --> 00:44:57,028 of sting agony swept across the side of 1140 00:44:53,798 --> 00:44:59,768 my neck my flesh bubbling and melting ow 1141 00:44:57,028 --> 00:45:01,358 the pony backed up swinging the tip of 1142 00:44:59,768 --> 00:45:03,668 the magic Lance towards my head I 1143 00:45:01,358 --> 00:45:05,318 dropped to my belly the Lance passing 1144 00:45:03,668 --> 00:45:09,248 over me and flung my saddlebags into her 1145 00:45:05,318 --> 00:45:10,958 face the pony stumbled back as she 1146 00:45:09,248 --> 00:45:12,879 recovered I kicked into SATs and aimed 1147 00:45:10,958 --> 00:45:14,168 one of the random weapons at her my 1148 00:45:12,880 --> 00:45:15,669 heart sank as I realized it was a 1149 00:45:14,168 --> 00:45:18,219 magical energy rifle and I had no idea 1150 00:45:15,668 --> 00:45:19,838 how to fire it the phony thrust the 1151 00:45:18,219 --> 00:45:22,568 Lance towards my eyes and swung the 1152 00:45:19,838 --> 00:45:24,159 rifle in his path deflecting it the 1153 00:45:22,568 --> 00:45:27,159 rifle hissed and warped where the lances 1154 00:45:24,159 --> 00:45:28,919 tip connected I dropped everything I was 1155 00:45:27,159 --> 00:45:31,389 floating in charge of the pony head down 1156 00:45:28,918 --> 00:45:33,548 she swung the Lance again but I was 1157 00:45:31,389 --> 00:45:34,929 inside of its reach the shaft slapped 1158 00:45:33,548 --> 00:45:36,248 against my side with enough force to 1159 00:45:34,929 --> 00:45:37,659 bruise through my armored utility 1160 00:45:36,248 --> 00:45:40,238 barding but not enough to knock me off 1161 00:45:37,659 --> 00:45:41,798 course my horn punched through her armor 1162 00:45:40,239 --> 00:45:44,259 and buried itself deep into her chest 1163 00:45:41,798 --> 00:45:46,358 I thought the Lance bounced off my head 1164 00:45:44,259 --> 00:45:48,188 is it dropped from her mouth she tried 1165 00:45:46,358 --> 00:45:49,748 to pull back but I pushed forward until 1166 00:45:48,188 --> 00:45:53,498 I felt her weaken her body becoming 1167 00:45:49,748 --> 00:45:56,708 deadweight I stepped back my horn coated 1168 00:45:53,498 --> 00:45:58,719 in blood but pony fell at my feet still 1169 00:45:56,708 --> 00:46:00,399 breathing slowly 1170 00:45:58,719 --> 00:46:02,529 I thought the blood trickled down my 1171 00:46:00,400 --> 00:46:06,160 head a drop fell into my left eye 1172 00:46:02,530 --> 00:46:10,150 tinting my sight with scarlet weekly she 1173 00:46:06,159 --> 00:46:12,250 whimpered I don't want to die I cringed 1174 00:46:10,150 --> 00:46:15,250 I tried to blink the blood out of my eye 1175 00:46:12,250 --> 00:46:18,699 but instead more drops fell in blurring 1176 00:46:15,250 --> 00:46:23,880 my vision it's too late I'm sorry 1177 00:46:18,699 --> 00:46:26,799 I was honestly I can't save you I 1178 00:46:23,880 --> 00:46:28,390 contemplated breaking her neck she was 1179 00:46:26,800 --> 00:46:32,670 already dead why make her suffer 1180 00:46:28,389 --> 00:46:35,559 I raised my hoof and stepped over her I 1181 00:46:32,670 --> 00:46:37,180 couldn't do that no matter what I was 1182 00:46:35,559 --> 00:46:40,449 allowing the wasteland to make me I 1183 00:46:37,179 --> 00:46:42,399 hadn't changed that much yet I walked 1184 00:46:40,449 --> 00:46:44,919 down the shaft a few more feet then 1185 00:46:42,400 --> 00:46:46,510 stopped and turned I floated my 1186 00:46:44,920 --> 00:46:49,059 saddlebags to me opening them and 1187 00:46:46,510 --> 00:46:52,060 drawing out my blanket I gently laid it 1188 00:46:49,059 --> 00:46:53,650 across her then I floated the weapons up 1189 00:46:52,059 --> 00:46:55,389 from the ground leaving the magical 1190 00:46:53,650 --> 00:46:57,789 energy Zweifel but adding her last my 1191 00:46:55,389 --> 00:47:01,659 collection I didn't have any further 1192 00:46:57,789 --> 00:47:03,309 trouble before reaching the vaults the 1193 00:47:01,659 --> 00:47:04,989 tumblers fell into place in the old 1194 00:47:03,309 --> 00:47:08,219 middle door of the vault unlocked with a 1195 00:47:04,989 --> 00:47:10,358 click and then all the alarms went off 1196 00:47:08,219 --> 00:47:12,429 apparently while I didn't need a key to 1197 00:47:10,358 --> 00:47:15,309 open the door I did need to do so 1198 00:47:12,429 --> 00:47:17,289 quietly I planted my four robes on the 1199 00:47:15,309 --> 00:47:19,389 heavy metal door and straining and 1200 00:47:17,289 --> 00:47:20,739 pushed it open something I almost 1201 00:47:19,389 --> 00:47:23,049 certainly couldn't have done if I wasn't 1202 00:47:20,739 --> 00:47:25,059 hyped on buck I stepped into the 1203 00:47:23,050 --> 00:47:26,680 darkness beyond focused increasingly 1204 00:47:25,059 --> 00:47:29,049 alight from my horn to eliminate the 1205 00:47:26,679 --> 00:47:33,159 room there were many things I've been 1206 00:47:29,050 --> 00:47:34,660 expecting this wasn't any of them the 1207 00:47:33,159 --> 00:47:37,239 room was filled atop the bottom with 1208 00:47:34,659 --> 00:47:39,699 shelves of memory orbs each or was 1209 00:47:37,239 --> 00:47:42,459 tagged with a date and guest number must 1210 00:47:39,699 --> 00:47:44,348 have been hundreds of them my ears and 1211 00:47:42,460 --> 00:47:48,010 tail drooped there was nothing here that 1212 00:47:44,349 --> 00:47:52,900 would help me against well well aren't 1213 00:47:48,010 --> 00:47:54,400 you insistent I spun around mister topaz 1214 00:47:52,900 --> 00:47:57,369 was crouched at the door of the vault 1215 00:47:54,400 --> 00:47:59,200 the dragon's head sticking in he was too 1216 00:47:57,369 --> 00:48:01,750 brawn at the shoulders to fit but he 1217 00:47:59,199 --> 00:48:02,829 completely blocked my only exit and one 1218 00:48:01,750 --> 00:48:04,869 breath of fire would incinerate 1219 00:48:02,829 --> 00:48:07,509 everything in the vault 1220 00:48:04,869 --> 00:48:09,849 I was on my way up to chomp a few your 1221 00:48:07,509 --> 00:48:11,619 friends outside particularly that 1222 00:48:09,849 --> 00:48:14,650 delicious-looking Pegasus when you just 1223 00:48:11,619 --> 00:48:16,180 had to ring the dinner bell I was able 1224 00:48:14,650 --> 00:48:17,740 to back just out of chomping range 1225 00:48:16,179 --> 00:48:19,538 before my tail hit the back shelf 1226 00:48:17,739 --> 00:48:22,419 sending memory orbs falling to the floor 1227 00:48:19,539 --> 00:48:25,480 I looked around frantically but there 1228 00:48:22,420 --> 00:48:27,099 was no place to hide flee you just had 1229 00:48:25,480 --> 00:48:30,369 to get yourself eaten first 1230 00:48:27,099 --> 00:48:35,230 I admire that perseverance the dragon 1231 00:48:30,369 --> 00:48:37,119 joked wickedly first mr. topaz was 1232 00:48:35,230 --> 00:48:39,490 sadistic well at least he was talkative 1233 00:48:37,119 --> 00:48:41,950 if I could keep him speaking maybe I 1234 00:48:39,489 --> 00:48:43,659 could figure a way out I tried racking 1235 00:48:41,949 --> 00:48:46,689 my brain for some telekinetic trick that 1236 00:48:43,659 --> 00:48:49,449 could save my hide the gemstones a 1237 00:48:46,690 --> 00:48:52,809 desert of course you ponies are the main 1238 00:48:49,449 --> 00:48:55,989 course the Dragon Scale making me want 1239 00:48:52,809 --> 00:48:58,720 to scream of course you went and mucked 1240 00:48:55,989 --> 00:49:00,429 everything up I spend all this time and 1241 00:48:58,719 --> 00:49:03,429 effort ensuring a harvest perfect for a 1242 00:49:00,429 --> 00:49:06,190 final pre-sleep meal and now most of 1243 00:49:03,429 --> 00:49:08,828 them are dead his glare was filled with 1244 00:49:06,190 --> 00:49:12,400 hatred you little ponies taste so much 1245 00:49:08,829 --> 00:49:13,960 better alive I backpedaled pressing 1246 00:49:12,400 --> 00:49:15,670 myself into the Shelf knocking down 1247 00:49:13,960 --> 00:49:17,349 dozens of the little mystical orbs with 1248 00:49:15,670 --> 00:49:19,019 each scattered across the floor rolling 1249 00:49:17,349 --> 00:49:21,700 in all directions 1250 00:49:19,018 --> 00:49:24,969 the Dragons gaze was drawn momentarily 1251 00:49:21,699 --> 00:49:26,528 to one of the rolling balls what exactly 1252 00:49:24,969 --> 00:49:30,308 were you expecting to find in here 1253 00:49:26,528 --> 00:49:31,960 anyways mountains of gems because you 1254 00:49:30,309 --> 00:49:33,579 thought I'd enjoy needing to call down 1255 00:49:31,960 --> 00:49:36,068 that imbecile dead eyes every time I get 1256 00:49:33,579 --> 00:49:41,440 a bit peckish did you even look in the 1257 00:49:36,068 --> 00:49:43,058 crates no he laughed the breath of his 1258 00:49:41,440 --> 00:49:45,639 merriment heating the room until I felt 1259 00:49:43,059 --> 00:49:47,048 I would faint I lost all focus my 1260 00:49:45,639 --> 00:49:49,449 saddlebags and collected weapons 1261 00:49:47,048 --> 00:49:51,788 clattering to the ground he glanced at 1262 00:49:49,449 --> 00:49:54,548 them with amusement or was it weapons 1263 00:49:51,789 --> 00:49:57,849 did you hope to find a magical shotgun 1264 00:49:54,548 --> 00:49:59,889 of dragon slaying perhaps because there 1265 00:49:57,849 --> 00:50:01,329 would ever be a dragon suicidal enough 1266 00:49:59,889 --> 00:50:06,338 to keep something like that around the 1267 00:50:01,329 --> 00:50:08,460 house no no no I said again although 1268 00:50:06,338 --> 00:50:10,659 this time you've been fairly on the nose 1269 00:50:08,460 --> 00:50:11,920 the dragon reached into the room and 1270 00:50:10,659 --> 00:50:15,549 flicked one of the orbs at me with a 1271 00:50:11,920 --> 00:50:18,970 claw go ahead try one 1272 00:50:15,550 --> 00:50:21,730 you died for this after all I was going 1273 00:50:18,969 --> 00:50:23,529 to die hesitantly I reached a hoof 1274 00:50:21,730 --> 00:50:27,070 towards one of the orbs but then drew 1275 00:50:23,530 --> 00:50:28,690 back I was sweating profusely the heat 1276 00:50:27,070 --> 00:50:30,630 in the room was draining my strength and 1277 00:50:28,690 --> 00:50:33,429 soon I wouldn't be able to stand and 1278 00:50:30,630 --> 00:50:37,559 still the only strategy I had was to 1279 00:50:33,429 --> 00:50:40,799 keep him talking what what are they 1280 00:50:37,559 --> 00:50:43,389 confessions the dragon's mouth truly 1281 00:50:40,800 --> 00:50:45,760 seems the old mayor of your Ministry of 1282 00:50:43,389 --> 00:50:48,579 morale inte exactly trust normal methods 1283 00:50:45,760 --> 00:50:51,310 of interrogation some incident in our 1284 00:50:48,579 --> 00:50:53,230 youth or something so instead they 1285 00:50:51,309 --> 00:50:55,750 trained a Buren's like yourself this 1286 00:50:53,230 --> 00:50:57,550 sift through other ponies memories find 1287 00:50:55,750 --> 00:50:59,250 the condemning thoughts our experiences 1288 00:50:57,550 --> 00:51:01,660 and ripped them out for public record 1289 00:50:59,250 --> 00:51:05,309 didn't want any innocent ponies getting 1290 00:51:01,659 --> 00:51:09,789 sent to shattered hoof after all what 1291 00:51:05,309 --> 00:51:11,500 but that's of course not every pony came 1292 00:51:09,789 --> 00:51:14,800 out of the process in the same condition 1293 00:51:11,500 --> 00:51:17,590 they went in mentally speaking but what 1294 00:51:14,800 --> 00:51:20,350 is it you ponies say can't make a pie 1295 00:51:17,590 --> 00:51:22,930 without dicing some apples he laughed 1296 00:51:20,349 --> 00:51:25,839 again this time I did lose consciousness 1297 00:51:22,929 --> 00:51:27,039 only for a moment I think but I found 1298 00:51:25,840 --> 00:51:30,990 myself laying on the floor with no 1299 00:51:27,039 --> 00:51:34,329 memory of falling that's awful 1300 00:51:30,989 --> 00:51:37,359 the Dragons stopped laughing you see 1301 00:51:34,329 --> 00:51:39,969 little Bodhi look at what you ponies are 1302 00:51:37,360 --> 00:51:42,910 doing to each other up there look at 1303 00:51:39,969 --> 00:51:44,799 what you did to each other in here what 1304 00:51:42,909 --> 00:51:46,690 makes you think you're pathetic and 1305 00:51:44,800 --> 00:51:49,990 wicked species is worth being anything 1306 00:51:46,690 --> 00:51:53,380 other than dragon food and tried to get 1307 00:51:49,989 --> 00:51:55,719 up I just couldn't he was making all my 1308 00:51:53,380 --> 00:51:56,559 burns blaze in agony I felt like I was 1309 00:51:55,719 --> 00:52:00,000 on fire again 1310 00:51:56,559 --> 00:52:02,920 only this time it was worse I cried out 1311 00:52:00,000 --> 00:52:05,739 the dragon was going to eat me there 1312 00:52:02,920 --> 00:52:09,450 were no options no tricks no other ways 1313 00:52:05,739 --> 00:52:12,309 out I was going to die here like this 1314 00:52:09,449 --> 00:52:16,710 alone in a tiny metal room underneath of 1315 00:52:12,309 --> 00:52:21,838 a prison but still I tried to answer 1316 00:52:16,710 --> 00:52:23,059 not all of us are bad some of us are 1317 00:52:21,838 --> 00:52:25,949 good 1318 00:52:23,059 --> 00:52:29,970 the dragon snorted adding smoke to the 1319 00:52:25,949 --> 00:52:32,038 heat yes I can sue you lout he was 1320 00:52:29,969 --> 00:52:33,538 staring at me and it took a moment for 1321 00:52:32,039 --> 00:52:37,109 me to realize he was staring at my horn 1322 00:52:33,539 --> 00:52:39,690 the Heat had caked the blood mockingly 1323 00:52:37,108 --> 00:52:42,058 he offered well 1324 00:52:39,690 --> 00:52:45,059 I suppose some of you are good with 1325 00:52:42,059 --> 00:52:48,869 ketchup makes you ponies nice and 1326 00:52:45,059 --> 00:52:51,210 slippery going down I cringed fearing 1327 00:52:48,869 --> 00:52:54,088 you would laugh again the air was almost 1328 00:52:51,210 --> 00:52:58,230 too hot to breathe although I personally 1329 00:52:54,088 --> 00:53:00,420 before mustered the mine shaft outside 1330 00:52:58,230 --> 00:53:02,190 or upped it in green liquid fire the 1331 00:53:00,420 --> 00:53:03,568 blast catching the dragon the side with 1332 00:53:02,190 --> 00:53:07,099 enough force to yank his head out of the 1333 00:53:03,568 --> 00:53:09,509 room sending him sprawling yeehaw 1334 00:53:07,099 --> 00:53:11,400 blessed cool air swam into the room I'm 1335 00:53:09,510 --> 00:53:13,559 clearing my head that was calamities 1336 00:53:11,400 --> 00:53:15,838 voice how do you like them apples 1337 00:53:13,559 --> 00:53:17,970 calamity flapped into view carrying the 1338 00:53:15,838 --> 00:53:20,788 magical plasma cannon from Junction r7 1339 00:53:17,969 --> 00:53:22,798 hey little pip boy am I glad to see 1340 00:53:20,789 --> 00:53:23,970 you're okay sorry took me so long to get 1341 00:53:22,798 --> 00:53:26,548 back these things are awfully heavy 1342 00:53:23,969 --> 00:53:27,989 we're not properly mounted the monstrous 1343 00:53:26,548 --> 00:53:30,000 try barreled weapon was bigger than he 1344 00:53:27,989 --> 00:53:31,588 was strapped to his underbelly with its 1345 00:53:30,000 --> 00:53:34,139 power array attached to the top of his 1346 00:53:31,588 --> 00:53:37,230 battle saddle with rope I found myself 1347 00:53:34,139 --> 00:53:38,328 giggling half hysterically you you look 1348 00:53:37,230 --> 00:53:42,088 ridiculous 1349 00:53:38,329 --> 00:53:45,778 yeah well clammed his jovial voice cut 1350 00:53:42,088 --> 00:53:47,578 off oh you've got to be kidding me what 1351 00:53:45,778 --> 00:53:50,880 he's getting back up 1352 00:53:47,579 --> 00:53:53,220 run run was a bit more than I could 1353 00:53:50,880 --> 00:53:55,588 manage a third of my body felt like it 1354 00:53:53,219 --> 00:53:58,048 was being held to a flame I staggered 1355 00:53:55,588 --> 00:54:00,960 trying to focus my saddlebag started to 1356 00:53:58,048 --> 00:54:02,849 lift calamity fired again the blasts 1357 00:54:00,960 --> 00:54:04,440 from the cannon obliterating the air the 1358 00:54:02,849 --> 00:54:07,109 kick sending the Pegasus Pony hurling 1359 00:54:04,440 --> 00:54:09,900 backwards the dragon roared in pain and 1360 00:54:07,108 --> 00:54:12,929 rage glorious Luna what does it take to 1361 00:54:09,900 --> 00:54:14,430 kill one of these things telekinetically 1362 00:54:12,929 --> 00:54:15,679 grabbing the rest of my possessions i 1363 00:54:14,429 --> 00:54:17,578 dashed out the door 1364 00:54:15,679 --> 00:54:19,798 calamity was biting off the ropes 1365 00:54:17,579 --> 00:54:21,300 holding the cannon can't carry this and 1366 00:54:19,798 --> 00:54:24,000 you were the same time 1367 00:54:21,300 --> 00:54:26,850 I look back the dragon was badly wounded 1368 00:54:24,000 --> 00:54:29,099 possibly mortally one of his wings was 1369 00:54:26,849 --> 00:54:30,799 warped and deformed the scales on his 1370 00:54:29,099 --> 00:54:33,679 side have melted back against his ribs 1371 00:54:30,800 --> 00:54:36,150 one of his legs was a deformed stump and 1372 00:54:33,679 --> 00:54:38,519 still he was getting back up his eyes 1373 00:54:36,150 --> 00:54:41,700 filled with rage he opened his mouth to 1374 00:54:38,519 --> 00:54:43,650 bellow fire the fire was only a fraction 1375 00:54:41,699 --> 00:54:45,750 of the blast he had managed before I 1376 00:54:43,650 --> 00:54:47,099 felt the wave of superheated air that 1377 00:54:45,750 --> 00:54:49,800 rode in front of it but the flames 1378 00:54:47,099 --> 00:54:51,089 didn't reach us moments later 1379 00:54:49,800 --> 00:54:52,950 calamity was pulling me through the air 1380 00:54:51,090 --> 00:54:54,570 about the hole left by the lowered 1381 00:54:52,949 --> 00:54:58,319 hydraulic cargo lifted into the cloudy 1382 00:54:54,570 --> 00:55:00,150 sky we shot past God engaged in a brutal 1383 00:54:58,320 --> 00:55:02,340 aerial combat with the two Griffins from 1384 00:55:00,150 --> 00:55:04,289 the slaver camp at the corner of my nan 1385 00:55:02,340 --> 00:55:06,059 blooded I I saw her draw that magical 1386 00:55:04,289 --> 00:55:07,489 energy shotgun an MP a point-blank into 1387 00:55:06,059 --> 00:55:10,079 the breast of one of her opponents 1388 00:55:07,489 --> 00:55:12,119 beneath us the chaos of warring ponies 1389 00:55:10,079 --> 00:55:13,590 filled the rock yard explosions and 1390 00:55:12,119 --> 00:55:15,449 bursts of magical energy forming a 1391 00:55:13,590 --> 00:55:18,269 violent dance of carnage around the dark 1392 00:55:15,449 --> 00:55:21,599 hollow square of the list the dragon 1393 00:55:18,269 --> 00:55:23,610 impossibly followed even with it's 1394 00:55:21,599 --> 00:55:25,679 ruined wing the dragon was faster than 1395 00:55:23,610 --> 00:55:27,170 we were tearing through the hole in the 1396 00:55:25,679 --> 00:55:29,279 razor mesh in pursuit of us 1397 00:55:27,170 --> 00:55:30,690 clammy would have been more maneuverable 1398 00:55:29,280 --> 00:55:32,910 had his wing been fully healed and he 1399 00:55:30,690 --> 00:55:35,360 wasn't carrying the extra weight as it 1400 00:55:32,909 --> 00:55:38,399 was we were a to pony flying brick as 1401 00:55:35,360 --> 00:55:39,500 the dragon drew closer mr. topaz opened 1402 00:55:38,400 --> 00:55:41,910 his mall wide 1403 00:55:39,500 --> 00:55:43,559 glancing back I saw rows of viciously 1404 00:55:41,909 --> 00:55:45,839 sharp teeth surrounding a dark and 1405 00:55:43,559 --> 00:55:49,049 satiable gullet I had an idea 1406 00:55:45,840 --> 00:55:50,760 keep flying straight clam he grunted 1407 00:55:49,050 --> 00:55:53,640 straining his wings for more speed I 1408 00:55:50,760 --> 00:55:55,080 hope you know what you're doing I opened 1409 00:55:53,639 --> 00:55:58,920 my saddlebags and pulled out the rest of 1410 00:55:55,079 --> 00:56:00,360 my grenades all of them I noted with 1411 00:55:58,920 --> 00:56:03,210 terror Tianjin easement that they really 1412 00:56:00,360 --> 00:56:05,099 did look like metal apples how do you 1413 00:56:03,210 --> 00:56:06,599 like I whispered as I let go of 1414 00:56:05,099 --> 00:56:08,159 everything but the stems sending the 1415 00:56:06,599 --> 00:56:09,568 grenades right to the Dragons ravenous 1416 00:56:08,159 --> 00:56:11,938 mouth 1417 00:56:09,568 --> 00:56:13,048 even as they disappeared it occurred to 1418 00:56:11,938 --> 00:56:15,989 me that I might have made a horrible 1419 00:56:13,048 --> 00:56:18,418 mistake dragons can breathe fire and eat 1420 00:56:15,989 --> 00:56:19,619 gems what do you think a few grenades 1421 00:56:18,418 --> 00:56:23,038 could cause anything more than 1422 00:56:19,619 --> 00:56:24,568 indigestion moment later I learned my 1423 00:56:23,039 --> 00:56:26,159 reservations are right as the grenade 1424 00:56:24,568 --> 00:56:28,588 said absolutely no harm to the healthy 1425 00:56:26,159 --> 00:56:31,139 parts of the Dragon but blew out his 1426 00:56:28,588 --> 00:56:33,179 damaged side warped and deteriorated by 1427 00:56:31,139 --> 00:56:34,999 potent assaults of magical plasma in a 1428 00:56:33,179 --> 00:56:37,679 sick blast of gore 1429 00:56:34,998 --> 00:56:39,898 mr. topaz a gaping hole in his side 1430 00:56:37,679 --> 00:56:41,278 larger than three full ponies was almost 1431 00:56:39,898 --> 00:56:43,739 certainly dead before he hit the ground 1432 00:56:41,278 --> 00:56:46,159 messily and skidded 30 yards leaving a 1433 00:56:43,739 --> 00:56:48,688 swath of blood and internal fluids 1434 00:56:46,159 --> 00:56:50,939 calamity turned in banked taking us back 1435 00:56:48,688 --> 00:56:53,098 to the junction there were still battles 1436 00:56:50,938 --> 00:56:54,418 raging in parts of shattered hoof but we 1437 00:56:53,099 --> 00:56:57,749 had both had enough excitement for the 1438 00:56:54,418 --> 00:57:00,058 night uh horse apples clam he said 1439 00:56:57,748 --> 00:57:02,488 wearily I almost forgot about velvet 1440 00:57:00,059 --> 00:57:04,349 remedy before I could panic he informed 1441 00:57:02,489 --> 00:57:07,068 me she's hit a sail from the visitors 1442 00:57:04,349 --> 00:57:09,749 center I told her I'd be right back for 1443 00:57:07,068 --> 00:57:11,429 gently he set me down and then flapped 1444 00:57:09,748 --> 00:57:14,668 it back into the night looking utterly 1445 00:57:11,429 --> 00:57:19,159 exhausted i sat there waiting for him to 1446 00:57:14,668 --> 00:57:19,158 return and at some point I fell asleep