1 00:00:00,030 --> 00:00:04,318 home relinquish your rights to the 2 00:00:03,149 --> 00:00:04,710 contents of the vault and she's all 3 00:00:04,318 --> 00:00:06,719 yours 4 00:00:04,710 --> 00:00:11,309 God explained she pointed away at 5 00:00:06,719 --> 00:00:13,080 Junction r7 do you accept a vault full 6 00:00:11,308 --> 00:00:16,410 of memory orbs torn from the minds of 7 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:19,140 ponies 200 years dead or a place to call 8 00:00:16,410 --> 00:00:23,100 my home won't you need it 9 00:00:19,140 --> 00:00:24,300 I asked cautiously for defense now that 10 00:00:23,100 --> 00:00:26,400 I'm running the show I'll be moving in 11 00:00:24,300 --> 00:00:27,719 the shadow to a proper we don't have the 12 00:00:26,399 --> 00:00:29,729 numbers to effectively spread between 13 00:00:27,719 --> 00:00:32,098 all the outposts any more we have to 14 00:00:29,730 --> 00:00:34,170 consolidate and build up new defenses if 15 00:00:32,098 --> 00:00:35,939 we're lucky red Isis slavers will scurry 16 00:00:34,170 --> 00:00:39,480 back to their dens and lick their wounds 17 00:00:35,939 --> 00:00:42,119 I don't trust in luck God gave a hard 18 00:00:39,479 --> 00:00:44,339 smile I prefer to count on people being 19 00:00:42,119 --> 00:00:49,078 greedy tends to work much better that 20 00:00:44,340 --> 00:00:52,440 way I nodded slowly and the ponies here 21 00:00:49,079 --> 00:00:54,660 they won't loot a while away God smirked 22 00:00:52,439 --> 00:00:56,390 I was getting good at asking what she 23 00:00:54,659 --> 00:00:59,788 seemed to consider the right questions 24 00:00:56,390 --> 00:01:01,320 not if I tell him not to they won't with 25 00:00:59,789 --> 00:01:03,750 an uncharacteristic touch of warmth she 26 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:05,790 added everyone acknowledges for what he 27 00:01:03,750 --> 00:01:06,900 did for them back there those who don't 28 00:01:05,790 --> 00:01:08,368 feel like they owe you at least have the 29 00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:11,400 good sense not to draw the eye or the 30 00:01:08,368 --> 00:01:13,228 local Dragon Slayer I looked at the 31 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:16,469 disabled train and scrap metal shacks 32 00:01:13,228 --> 00:01:19,079 seeing it in an entirely new light this 33 00:01:16,469 --> 00:01:20,548 could be my home our home 34 00:01:19,079 --> 00:01:23,908 if calamity in velvet remedy were 35 00:01:20,549 --> 00:01:26,340 willing a place to rest for calamity to 36 00:01:23,909 --> 00:01:27,810 hang his hat figuratively at least 37 00:01:26,340 --> 00:01:29,850 considering he even slept with it on 38 00:01:27,810 --> 00:01:32,629 just like he slept in that under barding 39 00:01:29,849 --> 00:01:36,059 for that battle saddle I trotted around 40 00:01:32,629 --> 00:01:38,908 drinking it in there was a water pump 41 00:01:36,060 --> 00:01:40,500 out back grills for cooking a small 42 00:01:38,909 --> 00:01:42,570 water purifier would have been God's 43 00:01:40,500 --> 00:01:44,578 private quarters as well as the 44 00:01:42,569 --> 00:01:47,459 passenger car the Train included several 45 00:01:44,578 --> 00:01:48,929 lockable cattle cars and two boxcars we 46 00:01:47,459 --> 00:01:51,780 could each have our own space and plenty 47 00:01:48,930 --> 00:01:53,070 of room for storage generator in one of 48 00:01:51,780 --> 00:01:55,170 the shacks kept the lights on at night 49 00:01:53,069 --> 00:01:58,019 and the refrigerator in the back box car 50 00:01:55,170 --> 00:01:59,420 running I glanced at the guard platform 51 00:01:58,019 --> 00:02:01,978 over what had been God's office 52 00:01:59,420 --> 00:02:04,019 Calamity waved his bandaged wing back at 53 00:02:01,978 --> 00:02:05,489 me he was almost finished mounting the 54 00:02:04,019 --> 00:02:08,758 Tri barreled plasma cannon in his 55 00:02:05,489 --> 00:02:10,288 position I wondered Clement was the only 56 00:02:08,758 --> 00:02:12,109 one the three of us who had any skill 57 00:02:10,288 --> 00:02:13,699 and shooting that monster manually 58 00:02:12,110 --> 00:02:16,280 but would it be possible for me to rig 59 00:02:13,699 --> 00:02:18,079 it up like an automated turret thinking 60 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:21,439 of the sky camouflage convoy I knew a 61 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:23,810 perfect place to get the parts true the 62 00:02:21,439 --> 00:02:26,599 place was rusted filthy full of moldy 63 00:02:23,810 --> 00:02:29,539 hay but that could all be set right with 64 00:02:26,599 --> 00:02:30,859 lots of hard work and a little TLC the 65 00:02:29,539 --> 00:02:32,659 horrible reek from the station house 66 00:02:30,860 --> 00:02:35,300 it's a bathroom overflowing with manure 67 00:02:32,659 --> 00:02:38,030 was another matter entirely I glanced 68 00:02:35,300 --> 00:02:39,380 over to it gagging slightly but that 69 00:02:38,030 --> 00:02:42,349 would be an arduous and entirely 70 00:02:39,379 --> 00:02:44,959 unpleasant task to fix Velva remedy 71 00:02:42,349 --> 00:02:46,400 caught my expression in singsong don't 72 00:02:44,959 --> 00:02:49,129 you think of it as years of piled up 73 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:52,900 pony pies littlepip think of it as free 74 00:02:49,129 --> 00:02:55,459 fertilizer we could start a garden we 75 00:02:52,900 --> 00:02:57,050 the word filled with more warmth and joy 76 00:02:55,459 --> 00:02:59,239 than direct sunlight possibly could 77 00:02:57,050 --> 00:03:00,439 my home in the equestrian wasteland 78 00:02:59,239 --> 00:03:04,129 would be the former house of God 79 00:03:00,439 --> 00:03:06,020 including her office any hesitation or 80 00:03:04,129 --> 00:03:07,459 concern about why God suddenly wanted a 81 00:03:06,020 --> 00:03:11,409 vault full of memory orbs it was washed 82 00:03:07,459 --> 00:03:13,099 away by the wonderful we I'll take it I 83 00:03:11,409 --> 00:03:15,229 don't get it 84 00:03:13,099 --> 00:03:18,169 clammy muttered she's helping Raiders 85 00:03:15,229 --> 00:03:19,488 now together calamity and I walked 86 00:03:18,169 --> 00:03:22,159 through the rock yard of shatter tough 87 00:03:19,489 --> 00:03:24,019 slightly behind God velvet remedy was 88 00:03:22,159 --> 00:03:25,639 elsewhere insisting that she do what she 89 00:03:24,019 --> 00:03:27,069 could demand the injured despite having 90 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:29,569 completely run out of medical supplies 91 00:03:27,069 --> 00:03:31,789 both our own and those of shatter tough 92 00:03:29,569 --> 00:03:34,489 the second morning after the battle and 93 00:03:31,789 --> 00:03:36,199 even though was entirely possible the 94 00:03:34,489 --> 00:03:37,700 vile monsters who killed silver Elle's 95 00:03:36,199 --> 00:03:41,030 parents were amongst the wounded rather 96 00:03:37,699 --> 00:03:42,979 than the dead won't be Raiders anymore 97 00:03:41,030 --> 00:03:44,199 the voice of God held a finality that 98 00:03:42,979 --> 00:03:47,629 was hard to question 99 00:03:44,199 --> 00:03:48,919 calamity being calamity did anyway don't 100 00:03:47,629 --> 00:03:51,859 change a horrible things some of them 101 00:03:48,919 --> 00:03:54,949 did he shook his Mane I still don't like 102 00:03:51,860 --> 00:03:56,180 it that was under dead eyes gaudy and 103 00:03:54,949 --> 00:03:57,979 grim feather had led the embattled 104 00:03:56,180 --> 00:04:00,830 ponies of shattered hoof to victory and 105 00:03:57,979 --> 00:04:03,379 spread Isis slavers now with both the 106 00:04:00,830 --> 00:04:04,910 dead eyes and mr. topaz eliminated she 107 00:04:03,379 --> 00:04:07,400 was the one the ponies of shattered hoof 108 00:04:04,909 --> 00:04:08,840 would be turning to for leadership I've 109 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:11,209 got big plans for this place 110 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:12,259 rope any room for honorless monsters and 111 00:04:11,209 --> 00:04:15,379 my shattered hoof 112 00:04:12,259 --> 00:04:17,988 I watched her admiring her words in the 113 00:04:15,379 --> 00:04:20,319 way she moved I didn't like godina 114 00:04:17,988 --> 00:04:23,569 but I couldn't help but respect her and 115 00:04:20,319 --> 00:04:24,930 yes she was sleek and powerful and very 116 00:04:23,569 --> 00:04:26,849 attractive for a non pony 117 00:04:24,930 --> 00:04:29,400 and so what if she's a Griffin there's 118 00:04:26,850 --> 00:04:31,050 nothing wrong with just looking god 119 00:04:29,399 --> 00:04:32,579 herself had taken on both of the enemy 120 00:04:31,050 --> 00:04:34,978 Griffin's felling them with her magical 121 00:04:32,579 --> 00:04:36,779 energy shotgun and her talons she'd 122 00:04:34,978 --> 00:04:38,459 picked up a few new scars in the battle 123 00:04:36,779 --> 00:04:39,089 I thought they only made her look more 124 00:04:38,459 --> 00:04:41,459 impressive 125 00:04:39,089 --> 00:04:43,168 I hoped other mares could find 126 00:04:41,459 --> 00:04:45,089 themselves I was wearing a scar of my 127 00:04:43,168 --> 00:04:46,889 own now burns 128 00:04:45,089 --> 00:04:49,288 however horribly painful could be healed 129 00:04:46,889 --> 00:04:51,120 fully with magical remedies but the 130 00:04:49,288 --> 00:04:52,829 malignant damage caused by the warping 131 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:55,860 and destructive magical power could not 132 00:04:52,829 --> 00:04:57,359 be so easily undone the small line of 133 00:04:55,860 --> 00:04:59,069 corrupted flesh where the magical energy 134 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:02,460 Lancet touched my neck would be with me 135 00:04:59,069 --> 00:05:03,689 for the rest of my life we'll have a few 136 00:05:02,459 --> 00:05:06,019 rotten eggs but they'll be dealt with 137 00:05:03,689 --> 00:05:08,250 Godin was speaking to calamity I 138 00:05:06,019 --> 00:05:10,709 realized my attention had drifted and 139 00:05:08,250 --> 00:05:12,839 been admiring her flanks in a perfectly 140 00:05:10,709 --> 00:05:15,629 respectful way in lost part of the 141 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:16,948 conversation every other ponies realized 142 00:05:15,629 --> 00:05:18,478 they've spent the last years of breaking 143 00:05:16,949 --> 00:05:21,030 their hopes for a dragon who intended to 144 00:05:18,478 --> 00:05:22,680 eat him as a reward they're reassessing 145 00:05:21,029 --> 00:05:25,739 their life paths and will most likely be 146 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:28,259 ready for change Gardena smirk looking 147 00:05:25,740 --> 00:05:31,530 calamity I put the fear of God in any 148 00:05:28,259 --> 00:05:33,030 who won't over the last few days I had 149 00:05:31,529 --> 00:05:34,739 learned that mr. topaz had lowered the 150 00:05:33,029 --> 00:05:37,198 cargo lift and was just emerging to the 151 00:05:34,740 --> 00:05:38,970 rock yard when I set off that alarm the 152 00:05:37,199 --> 00:05:41,370 dragon's voice was loud and carried all 153 00:05:38,970 --> 00:05:42,449 the way into the yard while no pony had 154 00:05:41,370 --> 00:05:43,079 been privy to my side of the 155 00:05:42,449 --> 00:05:45,030 conversation 156 00:05:43,079 --> 00:05:48,240 several doesn't had heard everything the 157 00:05:45,029 --> 00:05:50,339 dragon had to say word it spread amongst 158 00:05:48,240 --> 00:05:52,769 the survivors everypony knew my 159 00:05:50,339 --> 00:05:56,609 companion to me my name now and had 160 00:05:52,769 --> 00:05:58,049 formed an opinion hey little pip a shout 161 00:05:56,610 --> 00:05:59,729 ring across the yard from a group of 162 00:05:58,050 --> 00:06:02,009 ponies sorting armor stripped off the 163 00:05:59,728 --> 00:06:04,319 dead found any good bullet to dragon 164 00:06:02,009 --> 00:06:07,649 slaying yet did you try mr. topaz his 165 00:06:04,319 --> 00:06:09,839 pantry some less empowering than others 166 00:06:07,649 --> 00:06:12,719 I rolled my eyes and tried to ignore 167 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:16,579 them focusing forward I broke into the 168 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:19,050 conversation what big plans do you have 169 00:06:16,579 --> 00:06:21,810 God stopped and turned looking me over 170 00:06:19,050 --> 00:06:23,340 appraisingly clearly I tried to pry it 171 00:06:21,810 --> 00:06:26,310 secret she preferred to keep close to 172 00:06:23,339 --> 00:06:27,689 her breasts after a long moment she gave 173 00:06:26,310 --> 00:06:29,129 me as much of an answer as I was going 174 00:06:27,689 --> 00:06:30,240 to get and nothing more than I would 175 00:06:29,129 --> 00:06:33,300 have learned naturally in a matter of 176 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:34,800 weeks in the wake of mr. topaz as 177 00:06:33,300 --> 00:06:36,389 untimely splattering we have enough 178 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,980 gemstones to entice caravans and 179 00:06:36,389 --> 00:06:39,360 established trade routes 180 00:06:37,980 --> 00:06:41,310 shattered oaf lies within a few days 181 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:43,530 Caravan travel both main and new 182 00:06:41,310 --> 00:06:46,019 Appaloosa gone fix me with a knowing 183 00:06:43,529 --> 00:06:47,629 grin and I hear the a pollutions are 184 00:06:46,019 --> 00:06:50,639 looking for some new trade partners I 185 00:06:47,629 --> 00:06:53,250 tried not to wince just how much did 186 00:06:50,639 --> 00:06:55,319 gottena known and I've got a bond and 187 00:06:53,250 --> 00:06:57,810 candle out to sell you calamity scoffed 188 00:06:55,319 --> 00:06:59,040 giving God a wry smile if you expect me 189 00:06:57,810 --> 00:07:00,269 to believe a hardened mercenary like 190 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:03,420 gaudy and grim feathers is looking to 191 00:07:00,269 --> 00:07:06,180 settle down and play a mayor God laughed 192 00:07:03,420 --> 00:07:09,240 it was a rich and seasoned laugh you're 193 00:07:06,180 --> 00:07:12,240 right I'm also sending out she paused 194 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:14,030 finding the right words invitations to 195 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:16,590 talents not currently under contract 196 00:07:14,029 --> 00:07:19,349 she didn't elaborate further but I was 197 00:07:16,589 --> 00:07:20,129 beginning to get the picture and the 198 00:07:19,350 --> 00:07:22,700 memory orbs 199 00:07:20,129 --> 00:07:24,899 I asked mostly out of curiosity as 200 00:07:22,699 --> 00:07:27,539 pleased as I was with the way Junction 201 00:07:24,899 --> 00:07:29,370 r7 was shaping up especially now that 202 00:07:27,540 --> 00:07:30,810 we'd sealed up the vomit-inducing stink 203 00:07:29,370 --> 00:07:32,970 and started turning my designs for a 204 00:07:30,810 --> 00:07:34,649 turret array into reality I had begun to 205 00:07:32,970 --> 00:07:37,740 suspect I had gotten the shorter end of 206 00:07:34,649 --> 00:07:40,589 the deal the idea didn't upset me I had 207 00:07:37,740 --> 00:07:42,360 my saddlebags full as it was if anything 208 00:07:40,589 --> 00:07:46,079 I admired how shrewd Guardian appeared 209 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:50,250 to be God's eyes narrowed none of your 210 00:07:46,079 --> 00:07:51,629 concern about what I expected as we 211 00:07:50,250 --> 00:07:52,470 reached the end of the yard and stepped 212 00:07:51,629 --> 00:07:54,810 into the guard tower 213 00:07:52,470 --> 00:07:56,430 I could hear a radio playing the ending 214 00:07:54,810 --> 00:07:58,370 of an ancient song by sapphire Shores 215 00:07:56,430 --> 00:08:00,900 gave way to the voice of DJ pony 216 00:07:58,370 --> 00:08:03,449 good evening wastelanders how's 217 00:08:00,899 --> 00:08:05,849 everypony doing got some great news for 218 00:08:03,449 --> 00:08:07,529 you today remember that little stable 219 00:08:05,850 --> 00:08:09,780 gal who took on the slavers of Appaloosa 220 00:08:07,529 --> 00:08:11,459 and saved all those ponies well don't 221 00:08:09,779 --> 00:08:12,959 ask me how but she survived taking a 222 00:08:11,459 --> 00:08:14,849 nosedive off a cliff and a speeding 223 00:08:12,959 --> 00:08:18,029 train that's right fillies and 224 00:08:14,850 --> 00:08:19,830 gentlecolts she's back God had kept 225 00:08:18,029 --> 00:08:21,689 walking but calamity had stopped and was 226 00:08:19,829 --> 00:08:24,359 staring at me eyebrows raised and hat 227 00:08:21,689 --> 00:08:26,550 tipped back I felt myself blushing hotly 228 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:29,040 and not knowing why and what's she been 229 00:08:26,550 --> 00:08:30,660 up to now I hear you ask we'll sit down 230 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:32,580 and put on your listening ears guess 231 00:08:30,660 --> 00:08:37,680 it's time for DJ Pony to tell you a 232 00:08:32,580 --> 00:08:40,740 story ready good this is the story of a 233 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:43,019 little filly named silver Belle I look 234 00:08:40,740 --> 00:08:44,159 to calamity in distress I did not like 235 00:08:43,019 --> 00:08:46,799 getting credit for what was really 236 00:08:44,159 --> 00:08:48,389 velvet remedies good deed all I did was 237 00:08:46,799 --> 00:08:49,579 push watch her into recruiting ditzy to 238 00:08:48,389 --> 00:08:51,350 his help 239 00:08:49,580 --> 00:08:53,710 wait till it starts calling you Dragon 240 00:08:51,350 --> 00:08:56,330 Slayer calamity made merry my discomfort 241 00:08:53,710 --> 00:08:58,340 DJ Pony didn't mention my Pegasus friend 242 00:08:56,330 --> 00:09:01,160 at all and clammy seemed unduly pleased 243 00:08:58,340 --> 00:09:02,300 by that I looked back over the rock yard 244 00:09:01,159 --> 00:09:04,519 and the ponies hard at work in the 245 00:09:02,299 --> 00:09:06,759 aftermath of the battle a slightly 246 00:09:04,519 --> 00:09:08,449 melancholy feeling took hold in my chest 247 00:09:06,759 --> 00:09:11,120 the end of the week 248 00:09:08,450 --> 00:09:12,890 I thought by then I would have the 249 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:15,710 turret scavenge from the sky convoy up 250 00:09:12,889 --> 00:09:18,139 and running by then we'll be fully 251 00:09:15,710 --> 00:09:19,370 mended and rested my coat was growing 252 00:09:18,139 --> 00:09:21,649 back nicely over where it had been 253 00:09:19,370 --> 00:09:23,710 burned off velvet remedy had already 254 00:09:21,649 --> 00:09:25,789 stopped fussing over calamities winged 255 00:09:23,710 --> 00:09:28,190 clam and he was already getting restless 256 00:09:25,789 --> 00:09:29,689 he had joined me because like him I 257 00:09:28,190 --> 00:09:32,300 wasn't content to do nothing while 258 00:09:29,690 --> 00:09:34,100 others were being abused and murdered he 259 00:09:32,299 --> 00:09:35,750 respected the idea of Junction r7 as a 260 00:09:34,100 --> 00:09:37,340 base of operations and was already 261 00:09:35,750 --> 00:09:39,769 drawing up plans for a workshop in one 262 00:09:37,340 --> 00:09:41,060 of the cattle cars but my Pegasus friend 263 00:09:39,769 --> 00:09:44,149 was never going to settle down and play 264 00:09:41,059 --> 00:09:45,589 happy homemaker velvet remedy was still 265 00:09:44,149 --> 00:09:47,419 fretting over the most gravely injured 266 00:09:45,590 --> 00:09:48,500 whom she had been able to save but I 267 00:09:47,419 --> 00:09:50,029 could tell that she was beginning to 268 00:09:48,500 --> 00:09:51,200 accept that there was nothing more she 269 00:09:50,029 --> 00:09:54,350 could do which other ponies were not 270 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:56,840 capable of soon she too would desire to 271 00:09:54,350 --> 00:10:00,529 leave this place the nightingale wasn't 272 00:09:56,840 --> 00:10:02,060 done flying yet I myself wanted to stomp 273 00:10:00,529 --> 00:10:03,589 out the cruel shadow of red eyes is 274 00:10:02,059 --> 00:10:06,139 slavery in the dark in the soul of the 275 00:10:03,590 --> 00:10:09,590 quest reah but that was a goal both 276 00:10:06,139 --> 00:10:11,330 vague and absurdly ambitious I approve 277 00:10:09,590 --> 00:10:12,860 and I could save individuals but I 278 00:10:11,330 --> 00:10:14,480 wasn't so arrogant as to believe I could 279 00:10:12,860 --> 00:10:17,180 actually change the course of armies and 280 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:19,399 economies in truth the only tangible 281 00:10:17,179 --> 00:10:21,709 goal leaded me was meeting with DJ pony 282 00:10:19,399 --> 00:10:24,199 I was rather counting on him to point me 283 00:10:21,710 --> 00:10:26,210 the way Plus after listening to his 284 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:27,920 radio broadcast for the last few days I 285 00:10:26,210 --> 00:10:29,800 really did fancy the idea of getting 286 00:10:27,919 --> 00:10:32,269 Velva remedies music onto the airwaves 287 00:10:29,799 --> 00:10:38,240 by the end of the week it would be time 288 00:10:32,269 --> 00:10:39,740 to go we were ready to go except that 289 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:41,840 was for velvet remedy 290 00:10:39,740 --> 00:10:43,159 I watched her laying on the floor of the 291 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:45,139 train car she'd claimed his her own 292 00:10:43,159 --> 00:10:46,490 batting the memory orb we had scavenge 293 00:10:45,139 --> 00:10:49,009 from the wreckage of Dixie do deliveries 294 00:10:46,490 --> 00:10:52,100 between her forehooves you still haven't 295 00:10:49,009 --> 00:10:53,450 viewed that I asked with surprise velvet 296 00:10:52,100 --> 00:10:56,210 remedy looked up at me with a cutely 297 00:10:53,450 --> 00:10:56,660 meek stare after what we found in the 298 00:10:56,210 --> 00:10:59,330 vault 299 00:10:56,659 --> 00:11:02,329 how can I I've been hoping that it's 300 00:10:59,330 --> 00:11:03,170 about Fluttershy but now she caught it 301 00:11:02,330 --> 00:11:05,360 between her hooves and 302 00:11:03,169 --> 00:11:09,259 right up to her eyes what if it's a 303 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:11,870 confession what if it's bad I could 304 00:11:09,259 --> 00:11:13,939 understand I remembered my reaction upon 305 00:11:11,870 --> 00:11:16,459 realizing velvet Remy was not a prisoner 306 00:11:13,940 --> 00:11:17,720 of the old Appaloosa slavers and even 307 00:11:16,458 --> 00:11:19,819 though that it turned out before 308 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:21,528 laudable reasons I knew how much it hurt 309 00:11:19,820 --> 00:11:24,589 to see the pony you idealize fall from 310 00:11:21,528 --> 00:11:25,759 the pedestal you put them on would you 311 00:11:24,589 --> 00:11:28,670 like me to view it for you first 312 00:11:25,759 --> 00:11:31,069 I offered velvet remedy smiled 313 00:11:28,669 --> 00:11:34,669 gratefully and nodded she set the memory 314 00:11:31,070 --> 00:11:36,470 orb down and backed away I took a deep 315 00:11:34,669 --> 00:11:39,019 breath swallowing back a sudden 316 00:11:36,470 --> 00:11:41,839 hesitation I'd never actually viewed a 317 00:11:39,019 --> 00:11:44,000 memory orb before logically I knew what 318 00:11:41,839 --> 00:11:46,519 to expect a reliving of some other 319 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:48,429 ponies experience I've been told such 320 00:11:46,519 --> 00:11:51,769 memories were visual auditory tactile 321 00:11:48,429 --> 00:11:54,169 even taste and smell are preserved but 322 00:11:51,769 --> 00:11:57,110 it would be crisp and vivid or blurred 323 00:11:54,169 --> 00:11:59,088 by age would I see things that they had 324 00:11:57,110 --> 00:12:00,500 really been or would it be filtered by 325 00:11:59,089 --> 00:12:02,750 the perceptions and biases of the 326 00:12:00,500 --> 00:12:05,269 rememberer what I sensed the pony's 327 00:12:02,750 --> 00:12:07,850 thoughts and would I be able to tell 328 00:12:05,269 --> 00:12:10,909 them from my own I felt a little weak 329 00:12:07,850 --> 00:12:12,949 but also intensely curious velvet remedy 330 00:12:10,909 --> 00:12:16,549 was watching me her presence reminded me 331 00:12:12,948 --> 00:12:18,078 why I was doing this I knelt leaning 332 00:12:16,549 --> 00:12:21,259 forward at hush my horn to the memory 333 00:12:18,078 --> 00:12:23,299 Orban focused ever so slightly a strange 334 00:12:21,259 --> 00:12:25,159 flushing sensation washed over me as the 335 00:12:23,299 --> 00:12:27,139 train car valid remedy in the entire 336 00:12:25,159 --> 00:12:28,278 equestrian wasteland was obliterated and 337 00:12:27,139 --> 00:12:31,939 replaced with an entirely different 338 00:12:28,278 --> 00:12:34,669 reality I was standing on a stage or 339 00:12:31,940 --> 00:12:36,199 more precisely the pony whose eyes I was 340 00:12:34,669 --> 00:12:38,990 seeing through and years I was hearing 341 00:12:36,198 --> 00:12:41,929 through had stood on a stage it was 342 00:12:38,990 --> 00:12:43,789 strangely like being paralyzed I could 343 00:12:41,929 --> 00:12:46,189 feel what she felt but I couldn't move 344 00:12:43,789 --> 00:12:48,349 on my own I suddenly had the urgent 345 00:12:46,190 --> 00:12:49,850 desire to bite my lower lip the desire 346 00:12:48,350 --> 00:12:52,310 followed by a flash of panic when I 347 00:12:49,850 --> 00:12:54,110 couldn't I was looking over a crowded 348 00:12:52,309 --> 00:12:56,599 auditorium in a large and rather nice 349 00:12:54,110 --> 00:12:58,730 indoor theatre many ponies in the crowd 350 00:12:56,600 --> 00:13:00,440 were engaged in conversation and a low 351 00:12:58,730 --> 00:13:02,959 storm of overlapping voices filled the 352 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:04,940 room everything was slightly muted and 353 00:13:02,958 --> 00:13:06,649 out of focus but I could still make out 354 00:13:04,940 --> 00:13:08,750 the faces of each individual pony a 355 00:13:06,649 --> 00:13:10,490 level of detail that defined this is a 356 00:13:08,750 --> 00:13:12,500 raw recording of the events by the brain 357 00:13:10,490 --> 00:13:15,110 of the pony I was for lack of a better 358 00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:16,220 word riding rather than what the pony 359 00:13:15,110 --> 00:13:18,649 could have naturally 360 00:13:16,220 --> 00:13:20,330 on her own I wanted to take a closer 361 00:13:18,649 --> 00:13:22,250 look at the walls of the auditorium I 362 00:13:20,330 --> 00:13:24,530 had a distinct impression that they were 363 00:13:22,250 --> 00:13:25,970 not wood paneling rather actually formed 364 00:13:24,529 --> 00:13:29,750 from growing trees much like the 365 00:13:25,970 --> 00:13:31,600 Ponyville library but of course I could 366 00:13:29,750 --> 00:13:34,039 only watch what this Pony had watched 367 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:35,659 she concentrated on an elder yet 368 00:13:34,039 --> 00:13:37,309 adorably cute yellow Pegasus with a 369 00:13:35,659 --> 00:13:39,110 flowing pink mane falling over much of 370 00:13:37,309 --> 00:13:40,609 her face and a matching pink tail who 371 00:13:39,110 --> 00:13:41,990 walked reluctantly past her towards a 372 00:13:40,610 --> 00:13:44,870 podium standing in the front and center 373 00:13:41,990 --> 00:13:46,519 of the stage the yellow Pony stared the 374 00:13:44,870 --> 00:13:48,139 floor she walked as if afraid to make 375 00:13:46,519 --> 00:13:49,759 eye contact with the crowd before she 376 00:13:48,139 --> 00:13:53,149 had the podium between her and then like 377 00:13:49,759 --> 00:13:54,710 a shield I was struck by the distinct 378 00:13:53,149 --> 00:13:56,090 similarity between this pony and the one 379 00:13:54,710 --> 00:13:58,160 on the Billboard I had seen a week go 380 00:13:56,090 --> 00:13:59,629 although what string of fortunes could 381 00:13:58,159 --> 00:14:01,279 take a pony from being the spokesmodel 382 00:13:59,629 --> 00:14:02,570 for a care of flavored Cola to serving 383 00:14:01,279 --> 00:14:07,759 as one of the most powerful mayor's in 384 00:14:02,570 --> 00:14:08,570 government was beyond me um hello can I 385 00:14:07,759 --> 00:14:12,319 have your attention please 386 00:14:08,570 --> 00:14:13,940 if you don't mind the mass of speaker 387 00:14:12,320 --> 00:14:15,680 system of the auditorium magnified the 388 00:14:13,940 --> 00:14:17,060 pony's voice boosting it up to what 389 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:19,759 nearly reached the volume of normal 390 00:14:17,059 --> 00:14:22,250 conversation and yet the crowd hushed 391 00:14:19,759 --> 00:14:23,600 instantly every buck and mare in the 392 00:14:22,250 --> 00:14:24,830 crowd turned their attention fully to 393 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:26,740 the yellow mare with the three pink 394 00:14:24,830 --> 00:14:28,960 butterflies as her cutie mark I 395 00:14:26,740 --> 00:14:31,340 immediately recognized the pattern 396 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:32,660 velvet remedy hung the medical boxes in 397 00:14:31,340 --> 00:14:34,629 your amp blues a boxcar so there 398 00:14:32,659 --> 00:14:35,839 butterflies would look exactly like that 399 00:14:34,629 --> 00:14:38,210 thank you 400 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:39,800 the Pegasus squeaked seeming surprised 401 00:14:38,210 --> 00:14:42,560 at being so abruptly the focus of so 402 00:14:39,799 --> 00:14:44,059 much attention it dawned on me she 403 00:14:42,559 --> 00:14:46,339 didn't have the assertiveness to command 404 00:14:44,059 --> 00:14:47,569 their attention like this the ponies in 405 00:14:46,340 --> 00:14:49,430 the crowd didn't listen them out of 406 00:14:47,570 --> 00:14:53,000 obedience much less fear of a mare in 407 00:14:49,429 --> 00:14:58,039 charge no in fact this wasn't even 408 00:14:53,000 --> 00:15:01,639 respect I was seeing this was love now 409 00:14:58,039 --> 00:15:04,399 um I know everypony is really really 410 00:15:01,639 --> 00:15:07,909 busy so I'll try not to take too much of 411 00:15:04,399 --> 00:15:08,500 your time I got it but I don't think she 412 00:15:07,909 --> 00:15:10,189 got it 413 00:15:08,500 --> 00:15:12,919 Fluttershy was worried about offending 414 00:15:10,190 --> 00:15:14,360 them or inconveniencing them from their 415 00:15:12,919 --> 00:15:18,229 expressions I doubted that was even 416 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:21,119 possible Princess Luna has given us that 417 00:15:18,230 --> 00:15:24,239 is she's allowed us to 418 00:15:21,119 --> 00:15:25,528 we have a new project I heard a few 419 00:15:24,239 --> 00:15:27,778 knickers and nays were playing through 420 00:15:25,528 --> 00:15:29,428 the crowd no matter how much they loved 421 00:15:27,778 --> 00:15:32,369 the mare on the stage this was clearly 422 00:15:29,428 --> 00:15:35,629 not welcome news the yellow Pegasus eeep 423 00:15:32,369 --> 00:15:38,668 cringing slightly please it's okay I 424 00:15:35,629 --> 00:15:41,129 know we're all overworked and everypony 425 00:15:38,668 --> 00:15:43,408 has so much to do already and you're all 426 00:15:41,129 --> 00:15:45,149 doing just wonderful and she added that 427 00:15:43,408 --> 00:15:47,458 last statement she smiled warmly to all 428 00:15:45,149 --> 00:15:49,109 of them they follow the water and stable 429 00:15:47,458 --> 00:15:53,098 to it frozen that smile could have 430 00:15:49,109 --> 00:15:55,349 melted it but this is really important 431 00:15:53,099 --> 00:15:58,189 I've been talking with Princess Luna and 432 00:15:55,349 --> 00:16:01,319 I really really want to do this project 433 00:15:58,188 --> 00:16:03,958 I'm behind it completely and I really 434 00:16:01,318 --> 00:16:04,889 hope you will be too the dissenting 435 00:16:03,958 --> 00:16:08,638 sound stopped 436 00:16:04,889 --> 00:16:10,649 everypony listened this horrible 437 00:16:08,639 --> 00:16:13,408 terrible war has gone on far far too 438 00:16:10,649 --> 00:16:14,958 long and hurt so many people I could 439 00:16:13,408 --> 00:16:17,428 hear the sadness and heard in your voice 440 00:16:14,958 --> 00:16:19,588 sweet merciful Celestia I want him to 441 00:16:17,428 --> 00:16:20,848 gallop over and give her a hug I want to 442 00:16:19,589 --> 00:16:22,099 lie to her and tell her everything was 443 00:16:20,849 --> 00:16:24,839 gonna be all right 444 00:16:22,099 --> 00:16:26,369 so Luna says the Ministry of peace 445 00:16:24,839 --> 00:16:29,879 should work on a way to end the war and 446 00:16:26,369 --> 00:16:31,999 bring everyone pony and zebra like back 447 00:16:29,879 --> 00:16:35,158 to the table of diplomacy 448 00:16:31,999 --> 00:16:37,528 somepony whom I had the distinct urge to 449 00:16:35,158 --> 00:16:39,918 buck in the face actually asked if the 450 00:16:37,528 --> 00:16:42,719 war ends won't we all be out of a job I 451 00:16:39,918 --> 00:16:46,859 heard Fluttershy whisper the prayer from 452 00:16:42,719 --> 00:16:48,659 Celestia's lips to your ears I stumbled 453 00:16:46,859 --> 00:16:50,339 gasping as if I've been holding my 454 00:16:48,658 --> 00:16:51,328 breath as my own world burst through 455 00:16:50,339 --> 00:16:54,289 flooding over me 456 00:16:51,328 --> 00:16:56,248 I spent a moment steadying myself 457 00:16:54,288 --> 00:16:59,428 Daleville remedy was looking out for me 458 00:16:56,249 --> 00:17:01,229 with big beautiful eyes I smiled to her 459 00:16:59,428 --> 00:17:03,178 levitating the memory orb back to her 460 00:17:01,229 --> 00:17:04,980 being careful to focus around it rather 461 00:17:03,178 --> 00:17:10,009 than directly at it so as not to be lost 462 00:17:04,980 --> 00:17:12,389 in the memory again it's not bad 463 00:17:10,009 --> 00:17:15,389 we had travelled for most of a day and 464 00:17:12,388 --> 00:17:17,638 with the slate grey skies the cold dead 465 00:17:15,388 --> 00:17:20,519 bones mane Hatton loomed ahead still at 466 00:17:17,638 --> 00:17:22,618 least a day off but even this far out 467 00:17:20,519 --> 00:17:25,078 the balefire bombs destructive power had 468 00:17:22,618 --> 00:17:26,849 been felt the flames had not reach 469 00:17:25,078 --> 00:17:28,558 anywhere near here but the massive 470 00:17:26,849 --> 00:17:31,589 shockwave had flattened trees and caved 471 00:17:28,558 --> 00:17:33,000 in homes we approached a small very 472 00:17:31,589 --> 00:17:34,740 humble home set apart from all the 473 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:36,210 others a few miles farther from main 474 00:17:34,740 --> 00:17:38,700 and the rest of the suburbs which had 475 00:17:36,210 --> 00:17:40,650 surrounded the city the front door of 476 00:17:38,700 --> 00:17:42,000 the hut faced away from the city as if 477 00:17:40,650 --> 00:17:43,910 the home itself felt shunned by the 478 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:45,960 urban monoliths in the background 479 00:17:43,910 --> 00:17:47,700 because of this the front door had 480 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:49,429 survived entirely intact while most of 481 00:17:47,700 --> 00:17:52,049 the hut beyond it collapsed into itself 482 00:17:49,429 --> 00:17:53,280 at this distance damage from the bomb 483 00:17:52,049 --> 00:17:55,558 couldn't have been any more than that of 484 00:17:53,279 --> 00:17:56,730 a strong wind storm but it had weakened 485 00:17:55,558 --> 00:17:58,500 the other side of the home enough for 486 00:17:56,730 --> 00:18:02,670 the decaying effects of age to ravage it 487 00:17:58,500 --> 00:18:05,069 as we got closer calamity whispered some 488 00:18:02,670 --> 00:18:06,600 ponies home he lifted off into the air 489 00:18:05,069 --> 00:18:08,789 stealthily flying forward he had a 490 00:18:06,599 --> 00:18:10,829 better look moment later he returned 491 00:18:08,789 --> 00:18:12,420 with a smile we're good 492 00:18:10,829 --> 00:18:14,369 got ourselves a wandering merchant he's 493 00:18:12,420 --> 00:18:17,460 holed up in the room don't mind the AL 494 00:18:14,369 --> 00:18:18,839 I'm pretty sure it's tame Clem nice pun 495 00:18:17,460 --> 00:18:21,808 on his wings and blue a head degree the 496 00:18:18,839 --> 00:18:23,459 merchant velvet remedy trotted after him 497 00:18:21,808 --> 00:18:26,670 moving around the small buildings lack 498 00:18:23,460 --> 00:18:28,200 of a west side as I followed I noticed 499 00:18:26,670 --> 00:18:30,660 that some bony had nailed a recording to 500 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:32,970 the front door it looked ancient and 501 00:18:30,660 --> 00:18:34,200 badly weathered I suspected it had been 502 00:18:32,970 --> 00:18:37,200 there since the owner of the hut had 503 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:38,819 died a changed course trotting towards 504 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:40,380 the door and my pipbuck flashed an 505 00:18:38,819 --> 00:18:42,210 enigmatic notice on my eyes forward 506 00:18:40,380 --> 00:18:43,740 Sparkle letting me know that it decided 507 00:18:42,210 --> 00:18:46,799 to label this particular ruined hut 508 00:18:43,740 --> 00:18:48,480 Trixie's cottage had long since given up 509 00:18:46,799 --> 00:18:51,750 trying to understand why my pipbuck kept 510 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:54,000 marking seemingly random locations the 511 00:18:51,750 --> 00:18:55,319 recording was in horrible shape I pulled 512 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:57,049 it down intending to work on it while 513 00:18:55,319 --> 00:18:59,909 calamity haggled with the merchants in 514 00:18:57,049 --> 00:19:01,200 the back of my mind a voice insisted 515 00:18:59,910 --> 00:19:04,170 that this might be hard enough to call 516 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:05,759 for some party time in sales I knew the 517 00:19:04,170 --> 00:19:09,090 voice was lying and I tried to ignore it 518 00:19:05,759 --> 00:19:10,650 as I rejoined the others the merchants 519 00:19:09,089 --> 00:19:12,419 and grizzled unicorn stallion with a 520 00:19:10,650 --> 00:19:14,429 dust colored Mainwaring trader barding 521 00:19:12,420 --> 00:19:16,039 was telling calamity in velvet remedy 522 00:19:14,429 --> 00:19:18,660 tall tales of the mane hat and ruins 523 00:19:16,039 --> 00:19:20,129 from the looks he kept giving velvet it 524 00:19:18,660 --> 00:19:24,410 was clear he had not seen so lovely a 525 00:19:20,130 --> 00:19:25,559 Marin well a very long time if ever 526 00:19:24,410 --> 00:19:28,470 ghosts 527 00:19:25,558 --> 00:19:29,670 devil remedy asked skeptically yep 528 00:19:28,470 --> 00:19:31,950 that's why I don't venture any farther 529 00:19:29,670 --> 00:19:35,279 than fetlock myself well then with a 530 00:19:31,950 --> 00:19:37,440 manticores mana cause clearly questioned 531 00:19:35,279 --> 00:19:39,058 world forest creatures like those be 532 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:42,029 doing in the ruins of some major pre-war 533 00:19:39,058 --> 00:19:43,940 city dunno what the place is lousy with 534 00:19:42,029 --> 00:19:46,470 him best steer clear 535 00:19:43,940 --> 00:19:50,220 velvet wasn't going to give up 536 00:19:46,470 --> 00:19:52,200 and with ghosts The Merchant unicorn 537 00:19:50,220 --> 00:19:54,360 nodded that's what they say at least 538 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:55,860 keep in mind Manhattan isn't like 539 00:19:54,359 --> 00:19:58,229 Canterlot where the ponies died slow and 540 00:19:55,859 --> 00:20:00,418 painful mein Aten it was like nothing 541 00:19:58,230 --> 00:20:02,480 happened so fast the ponies spirits 542 00:20:00,419 --> 00:20:03,750 didn't even realize they were dead 543 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:06,720 nonsense 544 00:20:03,750 --> 00:20:09,659 velvet made the pony finally noticed my 545 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:12,480 approach and gave me a big grin another 546 00:20:09,659 --> 00:20:14,309 customer welcome - he waved a hoof at 547 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:17,429 the collapsed building around him the 548 00:20:14,308 --> 00:20:19,558 Luna damned shithole behind him a 549 00:20:17,429 --> 00:20:21,960 robotic Alward and hooted from the top 550 00:20:19,558 --> 00:20:23,639 of a doorless cabinet when it opened its 551 00:20:21,960 --> 00:20:25,110 metal beak I could see the gleam of a 552 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:28,460 small magical energy weapon hidden 553 00:20:25,109 --> 00:20:31,709 inside it ain't much but it's all mine 554 00:20:28,460 --> 00:20:32,370 curiosity got the better of me how much 555 00:20:31,710 --> 00:20:35,579 for the bird 556 00:20:32,369 --> 00:20:37,250 the merchant pony laughed roughly sorry 557 00:20:35,579 --> 00:20:39,000 miss old gear wing ain't for sale 558 00:20:37,250 --> 00:20:40,259 merchants don't live long in the 559 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:42,298 wasteland he doesn't travel without 560 00:20:40,259 --> 00:20:44,759 backup I nodded 561 00:20:42,298 --> 00:20:46,440 I passed clam into the magical energy 562 00:20:44,759 --> 00:20:48,109 Lance to add to his bartering load and 563 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:49,980 sat back down to work on the recording 564 00:20:48,109 --> 00:20:51,538 these things were designed to your 565 00:20:49,980 --> 00:20:54,120 ridiculously Hardy but this one had 566 00:20:51,538 --> 00:20:55,589 taken one hell of a beating as I floated 567 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:57,089 that a few of my precision tools I 568 00:20:55,589 --> 00:20:59,609 realized it would be a small miracle if 569 00:20:57,089 --> 00:21:01,199 I could get anything off of it I just 570 00:20:59,609 --> 00:21:05,009 started working when velvet Remini gave 571 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:06,630 a stomp no no no I looked up wondering 572 00:21:05,009 --> 00:21:08,150 why she objected to my efforts only to 573 00:21:06,630 --> 00:21:10,080 realize she was neighing to calamity 574 00:21:08,150 --> 00:21:12,538 lowering her head she pushed him away 575 00:21:10,079 --> 00:21:15,119 from the merchant was guy.you tail in a 576 00:21:12,538 --> 00:21:17,940 twist he huffed he were letting him rob 577 00:21:15,119 --> 00:21:19,529 you that's what she retorted here let a 578 00:21:17,940 --> 00:21:23,360 pony who knows a thing or two handle 579 00:21:19,529 --> 00:21:25,349 this I watched my companions bemused 580 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:28,019 merchants pony was staring at them with 581 00:21:25,349 --> 00:21:29,399 a slight frown Bella remedy returned and 582 00:21:28,019 --> 00:21:30,990 while calamity watched from behind she 583 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:32,490 ignored the pile of goods he was trying 584 00:21:30,990 --> 00:21:35,069 to sell the pony not to mention 585 00:21:32,490 --> 00:21:36,179 everything he'd been hoping to buy she 586 00:21:35,069 --> 00:21:37,529 slaughtered her eyelashes at the 587 00:21:36,179 --> 00:21:39,210 merchant giving him a look that sparked 588 00:21:37,529 --> 00:21:41,639 a twitch of jealousy my breast and asked 589 00:21:39,210 --> 00:21:45,419 that dress over there that one the 590 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:47,070 spring colors how much is that she had 591 00:21:45,419 --> 00:21:48,600 turning on the charm while de merely 592 00:21:47,069 --> 00:21:51,178 noting the poor condition of each dress 593 00:21:48,599 --> 00:21:52,558 he floated over to her before long she'd 594 00:21:51,179 --> 00:21:55,259 already purchased four dresses for the 595 00:21:52,558 --> 00:21:57,148 cost of two trotting over to calamity 596 00:21:55,259 --> 00:21:57,960 her dresses in tow she asked him 597 00:21:57,148 --> 00:22:00,388 politely 598 00:21:57,960 --> 00:22:01,919 now would you be a wonderful D renews 599 00:22:00,388 --> 00:22:03,628 the fabric from these to fix the damage 600 00:22:01,919 --> 00:22:05,309 our awful fight with that dragon did to 601 00:22:03,628 --> 00:22:08,209 the Magnificent gown little pip gave me 602 00:22:05,308 --> 00:22:10,019 I felt my heart do a little leap 603 00:22:08,210 --> 00:22:12,869 calamity was just staring at her 604 00:22:10,019 --> 00:22:15,710 nonplussed the merchant slowly mouthed 605 00:22:12,868 --> 00:22:18,569 fight with that dragon as he watched her 606 00:22:15,710 --> 00:22:21,600 now what'd you do that for you didn't 607 00:22:18,569 --> 00:22:23,849 even get any medical supplies velvet 608 00:22:21,599 --> 00:22:26,128 shrugged off the question pretty please 609 00:22:23,849 --> 00:22:28,589 she added smiling at calamity who 610 00:22:26,128 --> 00:22:30,839 quickly got to work I went back to 611 00:22:28,589 --> 00:22:32,459 tinkering with the recording after the 612 00:22:30,839 --> 00:22:35,339 better part of an hour I was pleased by 613 00:22:32,460 --> 00:22:36,450 my progress I realized the contents of 614 00:22:35,339 --> 00:22:38,009 the recording wouldn't be worth the 615 00:22:36,450 --> 00:22:40,200 effort but by now it had become a 616 00:22:38,009 --> 00:22:42,599 challenge the actual message didn't 617 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:45,058 matter calamity had finished preparing 618 00:22:42,599 --> 00:22:47,959 Zelda remedies gorgeous dress I was 619 00:22:45,058 --> 00:22:50,249 impressed I almost looked as good as new 620 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:52,139 pelvis smiled and gave him a small kiss 621 00:22:50,249 --> 00:22:54,509 on the cheek eliciting another flutter 622 00:22:52,138 --> 00:22:56,099 of jealousy from me then took the dress 623 00:22:54,509 --> 00:22:58,259 and trotted around back behind some 624 00:22:56,099 --> 00:23:00,048 rubble to put it on which truth be told 625 00:22:58,259 --> 00:23:02,519 made no sense to me 626 00:23:00,048 --> 00:23:05,038 my pipbuck made its last scan of the 627 00:23:02,519 --> 00:23:07,499 message reconstructing it I'd salvaged 628 00:23:05,038 --> 00:23:08,819 almost the entire thing I slipped in my 629 00:23:07,499 --> 00:23:10,950 ear bloom and listened to what an hour's 630 00:23:08,819 --> 00:23:12,808 work had gotten me I knew better than to 631 00:23:10,950 --> 00:23:14,879 expect much but if it turned out to be a 632 00:23:12,808 --> 00:23:16,190 door-to-door advert recording for ties I 633 00:23:14,878 --> 00:23:18,418 was going to be a little miffed 634 00:23:16,190 --> 00:23:19,950 wait Liv I'm sorry to miss you this week 635 00:23:18,419 --> 00:23:21,330 you know that seeing is one of the high 636 00:23:19,950 --> 00:23:24,149 points of my week but I just got the 637 00:23:21,329 --> 00:23:26,878 most amazing call Twilight Sparkle yes 638 00:23:24,148 --> 00:23:29,428 the Twilight Sparkle called me right out 639 00:23:26,878 --> 00:23:30,839 of the blue isn't that amazing I mean I 640 00:23:29,429 --> 00:23:33,929 knew her back when she was nothing and I 641 00:23:30,839 --> 00:23:36,209 was never mind I'm just so surprised she 642 00:23:33,929 --> 00:23:37,590 even remembers me but no she invited me 643 00:23:36,210 --> 00:23:40,528 to mein hatun this weekend talk about a 644 00:23:37,589 --> 00:23:42,720 proposal can you imagine me working for 645 00:23:40,528 --> 00:23:44,038 the Ministry of Magic when the mayor of 646 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:45,600 the ministry herself personally calls 647 00:23:44,038 --> 00:23:49,349 you to pitch the offer you know it has 648 00:23:45,599 --> 00:23:52,558 to be important I hesitate to say it but 649 00:23:49,349 --> 00:23:55,089 I'm back oh yes Trixie's life is about 650 00:23:52,558 --> 00:23:57,190 to finally turn around 651 00:23:55,089 --> 00:23:58,990 I don't know how long I'll be in 652 00:23:57,190 --> 00:24:00,130 Manhattan but just to be safe go ahead 653 00:23:58,990 --> 00:24:02,170 and leave my usual order on the 654 00:24:00,130 --> 00:24:03,670 doorsteps three bottles milk and a 655 00:24:02,170 --> 00:24:08,380 carton of butter I'll pay you next week 656 00:24:03,670 --> 00:24:10,330 I promise all that effort and I'd 657 00:24:08,380 --> 00:24:13,060 salvaged in order to the local milk buck 658 00:24:10,329 --> 00:24:17,019 I promised myself I wouldn't be bothered 659 00:24:13,059 --> 00:24:19,119 but I kinda was fella remedy had 660 00:24:17,019 --> 00:24:21,309 reemerged looking impossibly stunning 661 00:24:19,119 --> 00:24:23,619 I'd already seen her in this dress and 662 00:24:21,309 --> 00:24:25,659 it was still making my legs weak The 663 00:24:23,619 --> 00:24:28,299 Merchant Pony had not and was clearly 664 00:24:25,660 --> 00:24:28,990 smitten now if n let's get down to 665 00:24:28,299 --> 00:24:30,639 business 666 00:24:28,990 --> 00:24:32,440 Belle was said with a gracious smile 667 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:33,640 floating the magical energy Lancer in 668 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:36,460 the pile of goods clam you've been 669 00:24:33,640 --> 00:24:37,930 trying to sell now I'm not sure if you 670 00:24:36,460 --> 00:24:39,450 have calves for something like this but 671 00:24:37,930 --> 00:24:42,850 I'm sure we can come to an arrangement 672 00:24:39,450 --> 00:24:44,980 not not sure I have the merchants tried 673 00:24:42,849 --> 00:24:48,359 to regain his footing lady I'd say 674 00:24:44,980 --> 00:24:51,309 that's worth quite a lot velvet smiled 675 00:24:48,359 --> 00:24:53,500 consider all the power of magical energy 676 00:24:51,309 --> 00:24:55,029 weapon but in the form of a lance that 677 00:24:53,500 --> 00:24:57,759 anypony can use without special training 678 00:24:55,029 --> 00:24:59,500 a devastatingly effective weapon that 679 00:24:57,759 --> 00:25:01,869 will never run out of bullets or Sparkle 680 00:24:59,500 --> 00:25:04,269 packs not spending your hard-earned caps 681 00:25:01,869 --> 00:25:06,179 on ammo no threat of having to stop and 682 00:25:04,269 --> 00:25:07,930 reload at a critical point in battle 683 00:25:06,180 --> 00:25:09,910 Deauville remedy lifted it up 684 00:25:07,930 --> 00:25:12,310 dramatically and just look at its 685 00:25:09,910 --> 00:25:13,690 condition why the gemstone alone is 686 00:25:12,309 --> 00:25:15,399 worth more than the meager medical 687 00:25:13,690 --> 00:25:18,580 supplies your delightful little shithole 688 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:21,370 has to offer she paused eyeing the 689 00:25:18,579 --> 00:25:23,289 magical energy Lance why on second 690 00:25:21,369 --> 00:25:26,619 thought I just can't imagine parting 691 00:25:23,289 --> 00:25:27,519 with it sure it's little heavy but no 692 00:25:26,619 --> 00:25:29,979 alright alright 693 00:25:27,519 --> 00:25:32,440 The Merchant unicorn broke in what'd he 694 00:25:29,980 --> 00:25:34,509 want for it I looked over to calamity 695 00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:37,450 from his expression he was thinking the 696 00:25:34,509 --> 00:25:40,059 same thing from now on Bella remedy 697 00:25:37,450 --> 00:25:41,799 would do all of our borrowing the body 698 00:25:40,059 --> 00:25:44,349 of the radroach crunched grossly under 699 00:25:41,799 --> 00:25:46,240 my hoof I quickly scraped the radroach 700 00:25:44,349 --> 00:25:48,969 gunk from my hoof using a collapsed road 701 00:25:46,240 --> 00:25:50,680 sign we'd slept at Trixie's cottage the 702 00:25:48,970 --> 00:25:53,049 night before and it made good time over 703 00:25:50,680 --> 00:25:55,150 the course of the morning according to 704 00:25:53,049 --> 00:25:56,470 my pipbuck the maze of blackened ruined 705 00:25:55,150 --> 00:25:59,019 homes we were pushing through had once 706 00:25:56,470 --> 00:26:01,539 been the suburb of fetlock we were 707 00:25:59,019 --> 00:26:03,279 taking it slow stir large-area meant 708 00:26:01,539 --> 00:26:05,319 there was still a dusting of scavenge or 709 00:26:03,279 --> 00:26:07,079 the items to be found even outside of 710 00:26:05,319 --> 00:26:10,558 locked safes and trunks 711 00:26:07,079 --> 00:26:12,058 sadly no medical supplies Velva was 712 00:26:10,558 --> 00:26:13,710 trying to use the few supplies we got 713 00:26:12,058 --> 00:26:15,329 from the merchants sparingly cutting 714 00:26:13,710 --> 00:26:17,340 healing bandages in to have their thirds 715 00:26:15,329 --> 00:26:18,749 but still insisted on cleaning and 716 00:26:17,339 --> 00:26:21,689 dressing cuts and scrapes to avoid 717 00:26:18,749 --> 00:26:23,220 infection velvet remedy squealed happily 718 00:26:21,690 --> 00:26:24,600 as she opened up an old refrigerator and 719 00:26:23,220 --> 00:26:27,058 found several bottles of still pure 720 00:26:24,599 --> 00:26:28,949 water inside our canteens were almost 721 00:26:27,058 --> 00:26:30,690 empty and the few working flaws as I had 722 00:26:28,950 --> 00:26:32,970 found made my pipbuck clickety-click at 723 00:26:30,690 --> 00:26:35,210 the radiation levels of the water her 724 00:26:32,970 --> 00:26:37,889 fine was a blessing shriek from Luna 725 00:26:35,210 --> 00:26:40,019 there was no shelter to speak of and red 726 00:26:37,888 --> 00:26:42,508 spots were always crawling across my EFS 727 00:26:40,019 --> 00:26:44,659 system mostly radroaches are the 728 00:26:42,509 --> 00:26:46,769 occasional giant mutant hedgehogs the 729 00:26:44,659 --> 00:26:48,299 magical radiation that had soaked him to 730 00:26:46,769 --> 00:26:49,798 the water had twisted a multitude of the 731 00:26:48,298 --> 00:26:51,628 wastelands animal inhabitants into 732 00:26:49,798 --> 00:26:54,298 grotesque and often monstrous versions 733 00:26:51,628 --> 00:26:57,418 of their original species most creatures 734 00:26:54,298 --> 00:27:00,118 had not survived the transformations but 735 00:26:57,419 --> 00:27:01,470 at least it wasn't Raiders or slavers it 736 00:27:00,118 --> 00:27:03,808 was a relief not to be battling other 737 00:27:01,470 --> 00:27:05,489 ponies velvet remedy was beginning to 738 00:27:03,808 --> 00:27:07,470 develop skill with her needler pistol 739 00:27:05,489 --> 00:27:09,210 her moral reservations about killing 740 00:27:07,470 --> 00:27:12,269 clearly did not apply to ravenous and 741 00:27:09,210 --> 00:27:15,119 hostile beasts calamity swooped up to us 742 00:27:12,269 --> 00:27:16,829 having been scouting ahead when look I 743 00:27:15,118 --> 00:27:19,470 think I spotted some place for us to 744 00:27:16,829 --> 00:27:22,168 crash for the night velvet remedy and I 745 00:27:19,470 --> 00:27:23,819 let him lead the way two blocks later we 746 00:27:22,169 --> 00:27:25,919 came upon the Hulk of a passenger sky 747 00:27:23,819 --> 00:27:27,298 wagon this one was in far better shape 748 00:27:25,919 --> 00:27:28,799 than the one I had taken a shortcut 749 00:27:27,298 --> 00:27:31,230 threw it back under the cloud sale 750 00:27:28,798 --> 00:27:33,089 outskirts the paint was blackened by 751 00:27:31,230 --> 00:27:34,798 fire and flaking away with age and what 752 00:27:33,089 --> 00:27:37,199 lay beneath was as much rust as metal 753 00:27:34,798 --> 00:27:38,819 but it was fully intact having been 754 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:40,259 resting at the wagons stop when the mega 755 00:27:38,819 --> 00:27:43,319 spell went off rather than having fallen 756 00:27:40,259 --> 00:27:45,480 from the sky it had also been loaded 757 00:27:43,319 --> 00:27:46,829 with passengers who along with the wagon 758 00:27:45,480 --> 00:27:48,509 pony harnessed at the front had been 759 00:27:46,829 --> 00:27:51,148 burned alive by the rolling wall of bale 760 00:27:48,509 --> 00:27:52,589 flame that had swept through fetlock the 761 00:27:51,148 --> 00:27:55,589 passenger wagon was full of charred 762 00:27:52,589 --> 00:27:58,349 skeletons and burnt luggage you want us 763 00:27:55,589 --> 00:28:01,308 to bed down here though remedy asked 764 00:27:58,349 --> 00:28:05,278 looking appalled calamity that's grim 765 00:28:01,308 --> 00:28:06,628 even for you I stared at the wagon full 766 00:28:05,278 --> 00:28:09,148 of pony skeletons and found myself 767 00:28:06,628 --> 00:28:11,219 wondering who they had been what had 768 00:28:09,148 --> 00:28:13,949 their lives been like had they been 769 00:28:11,220 --> 00:28:16,440 happy I wondered if the wagon had been 770 00:28:13,950 --> 00:28:18,359 heading into Manhattan were these ponies 771 00:28:16,440 --> 00:28:18,870 all headed to work or some of them 772 00:28:18,358 --> 00:28:20,189 friends 773 00:28:18,869 --> 00:28:23,039 chatting about the shopping they would 774 00:28:20,190 --> 00:28:25,529 do I schools those thoughts under a 775 00:28:23,039 --> 00:28:26,909 strong huff the apocalypse was already a 776 00:28:25,529 --> 00:28:28,440 daily Assault of horror and sadness 777 00:28:26,910 --> 00:28:30,660 without making it worse by actually 778 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:33,470 thinking about it doing that could only 779 00:28:30,660 --> 00:28:36,210 drive a pony to suicide or madness 780 00:28:33,470 --> 00:28:37,650 looking away I felt a tiny ember of joys 781 00:28:36,210 --> 00:28:39,329 I spotted the flickering light of a 782 00:28:37,650 --> 00:28:40,500 sparkle-cola machine tucked into a nook 783 00:28:39,329 --> 00:28:43,558 just around the corner from the wagon 784 00:28:40,500 --> 00:28:45,420 stop I'll be right back I announced 785 00:28:43,558 --> 00:28:47,879 leaving calamity in velvet to clean out 786 00:28:45,420 --> 00:28:51,900 the passenger wagon or argue about it 787 00:28:47,880 --> 00:28:53,250 whichever I trotted around the wall into 788 00:28:51,900 --> 00:28:56,009 the Nook which I immediately realized 789 00:28:53,250 --> 00:28:57,900 was much larger than I had imagined the 790 00:28:56,009 --> 00:28:59,279 red dots on my EFS have become so 791 00:28:57,900 --> 00:29:03,420 ubiquitous that I'd stop paying 792 00:28:59,279 --> 00:29:05,190 attention to them big mistake the 793 00:29:03,420 --> 00:29:06,840 manticore turned took one look at the 794 00:29:05,190 --> 00:29:08,759 intruder who just blithely clop in to 795 00:29:06,839 --> 00:29:11,399 its den and let out a roar that blasted 796 00:29:08,759 --> 00:29:14,429 my Mane back the carrying stench of its 797 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:16,140 breath let me know I was dinner I stared 798 00:29:14,429 --> 00:29:18,120 up the huge brood monster with its 799 00:29:16,140 --> 00:29:19,800 mighty four paws huge wings and venomous 800 00:29:18,119 --> 00:29:21,739 tail and was very glad I hadn't had 801 00:29:19,799 --> 00:29:23,940 anything to drink in several hours I 802 00:29:21,740 --> 00:29:26,069 didn't have any of my weapons ready I 803 00:29:23,940 --> 00:29:27,390 hadn't wanted to waste precious ammo on 804 00:29:26,069 --> 00:29:29,849 things I could kill with a buck or a 805 00:29:27,390 --> 00:29:31,679 stomp the manticore certainly didn't 806 00:29:29,849 --> 00:29:33,269 fall into that category but I spun 807 00:29:31,679 --> 00:29:35,910 throwing a kick with both hind hoofs 808 00:29:33,269 --> 00:29:38,099 into its nose it was like bucking a 809 00:29:35,910 --> 00:29:40,200 brick wall instead of the knocking the 810 00:29:38,099 --> 00:29:42,779 manticore back I sent myself forward in 811 00:29:40,200 --> 00:29:44,640 a faceplant the manticore lifted of paul 812 00:29:42,779 --> 00:29:46,589 full of large claws and swept at my back 813 00:29:44,640 --> 00:29:47,910 if it hadn't been for did sea-doos 814 00:29:46,589 --> 00:29:50,970 armoring the blow might have cut through 815 00:29:47,910 --> 00:29:53,400 my spine instead pain splashed through 816 00:29:50,970 --> 00:29:56,160 my bruised back I scrambled onto my 817 00:29:53,400 --> 00:29:58,830 hooves and ran the manticore gave chase 818 00:29:56,160 --> 00:30:00,540 bouncing after me I am short and it was 819 00:29:58,829 --> 00:30:04,649 bigger than several stacked applicants 820 00:30:00,539 --> 00:30:07,619 the chase was brief the manticore 821 00:30:04,650 --> 00:30:09,179 head-butted me sending me flying I hit 822 00:30:07,619 --> 00:30:10,799 the street hard and rolled until I hit 823 00:30:09,179 --> 00:30:13,140 what was left at the wall the hardware 824 00:30:10,799 --> 00:30:14,940 shop across the street the manticore 825 00:30:13,140 --> 00:30:17,820 charged at me as I struggled to my feet 826 00:30:14,940 --> 00:30:19,110 dazed the sounds calamities battle 827 00:30:17,819 --> 00:30:21,119 saddle cracked through the air 828 00:30:19,109 --> 00:30:22,949 blood erupted from one of the mad chorus 829 00:30:21,119 --> 00:30:25,919 front legs and it stumbled missing me a 830 00:30:22,950 --> 00:30:27,330 crash instead into an old lamppost the 831 00:30:25,920 --> 00:30:28,789 lamppost tore out of the ground and 832 00:30:27,329 --> 00:30:31,549 toppled with an iron thud 833 00:30:28,789 --> 00:30:32,869 as the manticore recovered a half-burned 834 00:30:31,549 --> 00:30:34,399 dress that must have come from the 835 00:30:32,869 --> 00:30:35,929 luggage lettering the wagon flew through 836 00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:37,250 the air on a field of velvet remedies 837 00:30:35,930 --> 00:30:39,950 magic and tied itself around the 838 00:30:37,250 --> 00:30:41,480 manticores head like a blindfold the 839 00:30:39,950 --> 00:30:44,090 manticore lashed out blindly with his 840 00:30:41,480 --> 00:30:45,680 poisonous scorpion like tail one of the 841 00:30:44,089 --> 00:30:46,809 strikes hit the broken sidewalk less 842 00:30:45,680 --> 00:30:49,100 than a foot from me 843 00:30:46,809 --> 00:30:51,200 Clementi fired again this time to the 844 00:30:49,099 --> 00:30:53,029 side of the creature I floated that 845 00:30:51,200 --> 00:30:55,370 little Mackintosh and took aim backing 846 00:30:53,029 --> 00:30:58,099 away the manticore shook its head 847 00:30:55,369 --> 00:30:59,839 violently tossing the blindfold I got 848 00:30:58,099 --> 00:31:01,879 one good shot off hitting its tail the 849 00:30:59,839 --> 00:31:04,759 power of little McIntosh cleaved the 850 00:31:01,880 --> 00:31:07,400 manticores tail into it roared in pain 851 00:31:04,759 --> 00:31:09,410 and launched itself at me this time I 852 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:12,500 was ready and dodged swiftly out of the 853 00:31:09,410 --> 00:31:13,820 way I turned back towards it leveling 854 00:31:12,500 --> 00:31:16,190 little macintosh of the manticores 855 00:31:13,819 --> 00:31:18,019 backside the monster spread its wings 856 00:31:16,190 --> 00:31:21,110 and launched itself into the air flying 857 00:31:18,019 --> 00:31:23,450 towards calamity Clem we got one more 858 00:31:21,109 --> 00:31:25,009 shot off blossoms with Crimson sprouting 859 00:31:23,450 --> 00:31:27,340 in his chest before the creature plowed 860 00:31:25,009 --> 00:31:29,420 into him knocking calamity from the sky 861 00:31:27,339 --> 00:31:31,419 worried for my friend I turned to see 862 00:31:29,420 --> 00:31:33,860 where he had fallen as I circled back 863 00:31:31,420 --> 00:31:36,140 calamity groaned not getting up but at 864 00:31:33,859 --> 00:31:37,929 least looking intact his aunt was laying 865 00:31:36,140 --> 00:31:41,300 the street not far away 866 00:31:37,930 --> 00:31:43,180 velvet rubber he trotted up to me here 867 00:31:41,299 --> 00:31:45,529 the telekinetic expert try these 868 00:31:43,180 --> 00:31:47,060 she was levitating along with her a 869 00:31:45,529 --> 00:31:49,670 stack of saw blades from the hardware 870 00:31:47,059 --> 00:31:53,349 store as the manticore swooped towards 871 00:31:49,670 --> 00:31:53,350 us I filled the air with spinning death 872 00:31:53,799 --> 00:31:57,440 velvet remedies finished watching the 873 00:31:55,880 --> 00:31:59,060 Ministry of peace memory orb for at 874 00:31:57,440 --> 00:32:00,470 least the 12th time and was now 875 00:31:59,059 --> 00:32:02,809 pretending not to watch me cooking 876 00:32:00,470 --> 00:32:05,450 Manticore meat according to my pipbuck 877 00:32:02,809 --> 00:32:08,029 it was relatively healthy at least as 878 00:32:05,450 --> 00:32:11,299 far as meat went velvet was eating the 879 00:32:08,029 --> 00:32:13,129 last can of corn calamity had polished 880 00:32:11,299 --> 00:32:14,299 off our last two cans of beans the 881 00:32:13,130 --> 00:32:15,890 better part of an hour ago and then 882 00:32:14,299 --> 00:32:18,230 crawled under to the passenger wagon to 883 00:32:15,890 --> 00:32:21,980 look at something he'd yet to come up 884 00:32:18,230 --> 00:32:23,599 for air was getting quite dark the wagon 885 00:32:21,980 --> 00:32:25,220 was still the best option for a place to 886 00:32:23,599 --> 00:32:28,669 sleep but we would have to do it and 887 00:32:25,220 --> 00:32:30,920 shift my whole body ate from the getting 888 00:32:28,670 --> 00:32:32,060 knocked around by the manticore was 889 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:34,640 almost getting used to being in a 890 00:32:32,059 --> 00:32:35,809 constant state of pain clam Oni had 891 00:32:34,640 --> 00:32:38,480 gotten the worst of it but his 892 00:32:35,809 --> 00:32:40,309 concussion seemed mercifully minor only 893 00:32:38,480 --> 00:32:42,118 velvet Remmy made it through unscathed 894 00:32:40,309 --> 00:32:44,668 still the fight 895 00:32:42,118 --> 00:32:46,259 worth my aches and pains the venom sacs 896 00:32:44,669 --> 00:32:47,969 from the medic or stinging tale were the 897 00:32:46,259 --> 00:32:49,499 last things I needed to build the poison 898 00:32:47,969 --> 00:32:52,679 dart gun from the schematics I'd found 899 00:32:49,499 --> 00:32:54,749 in the old lab loose' armory with a sigh 900 00:32:52,679 --> 00:32:56,879 velvet remedy clumped over to the wagon 901 00:32:54,749 --> 00:32:59,459 and crouched down peering under it 902 00:32:56,878 --> 00:33:01,438 o come out there's nothing under there 903 00:32:59,459 --> 00:33:04,409 that could be this interesting she 904 00:33:01,439 --> 00:33:06,058 judged you really took a bad fall back 905 00:33:04,409 --> 00:33:08,278 there and you still won't let me examine 906 00:33:06,058 --> 00:33:10,558 you with a fierce determination she 907 00:33:08,278 --> 00:33:12,058 added and this time I want you to trip 908 00:33:10,558 --> 00:33:14,848 completely out of that saddle and let me 909 00:33:12,058 --> 00:33:16,469 give you a full examination I popped 910 00:33:14,848 --> 00:33:17,638 over one of the sparkle coals I found 911 00:33:16,469 --> 00:33:20,429 inside the vending machine after the 912 00:33:17,638 --> 00:33:23,908 battle and took a sip warm but not quite 913 00:33:20,429 --> 00:33:25,379 flat and deliciously kerrity calamity 914 00:33:23,909 --> 00:33:28,019 crawled obediently out from under the 915 00:33:25,378 --> 00:33:30,738 wagon a big grin on his face great news 916 00:33:28,019 --> 00:33:33,509 he announced it's pretty much intact 917 00:33:30,739 --> 00:33:35,749 whatever are you talking about bubble 918 00:33:33,509 --> 00:33:37,709 remedy asked cocking her head 919 00:33:35,749 --> 00:33:38,548 calamity nodded back towards the 920 00:33:37,709 --> 00:33:40,798 passenger wagon 921 00:33:38,548 --> 00:33:43,348 I found myself questioning his 922 00:33:40,798 --> 00:33:44,548 definition of intact the windows were 923 00:33:43,348 --> 00:33:47,218 all shattered and there were several 924 00:33:44,548 --> 00:33:48,689 gaping holes in the roof spot the size 925 00:33:47,219 --> 00:33:51,359 of two hoofs had rusted through the left 926 00:33:48,689 --> 00:33:52,829 side what I'm talking about is that 927 00:33:51,358 --> 00:33:54,658 unlike any of the ones y'all saw before 928 00:33:52,828 --> 00:33:55,828 this beauty is more than just an 929 00:33:54,659 --> 00:33:58,349 explosion waiting to happen 930 00:33:55,828 --> 00:34:00,598 Clemmy turned to the wagon smiled I 931 00:33:58,348 --> 00:34:04,168 could fix her up all she needs his new 932 00:34:00,598 --> 00:34:07,318 flux regulator she loved it we need a 933 00:34:04,169 --> 00:34:11,309 hip calumny flapped his wings lifting to 934 00:34:07,318 --> 00:34:13,858 the air aya raised an eyebrow a flux 935 00:34:11,309 --> 00:34:15,929 regulator that's a pretty specific piece 936 00:34:13,858 --> 00:34:19,139 of equipment not something we're likely 937 00:34:15,929 --> 00:34:21,809 just fine laying around calamity came 938 00:34:19,139 --> 00:34:24,298 back down to earth ya know but just 939 00:34:21,809 --> 00:34:25,859 think if we did then I could pull us all 940 00:34:24,298 --> 00:34:27,809 along Plus any equipment one of the 941 00:34:25,858 --> 00:34:30,748 carry all over the questioned wasteland 942 00:34:27,809 --> 00:34:34,649 no more multi-day trials across infested 943 00:34:30,748 --> 00:34:36,028 landscape velvet remedy niggard oh yes 944 00:34:34,648 --> 00:34:38,659 because your track record with the 945 00:34:36,028 --> 00:34:42,318 vehicles been so Stella so far I 946 00:34:38,659 --> 00:34:44,818 remembered the train and the applecart 947 00:34:42,318 --> 00:34:47,248 maybe climbing into one that was also a 948 00:34:44,818 --> 00:34:49,710 bomb wasn't such a good idea I didn't 949 00:34:47,248 --> 00:34:52,408 say so however no reason to some other 950 00:34:49,710 --> 00:34:54,059 calamities enthusiasm it wasn't as if we 951 00:34:52,409 --> 00:34:55,619 had the part he needed to fix it and any 952 00:34:54,059 --> 00:34:58,019 further hesitation can be put off 953 00:34:55,619 --> 00:34:59,719 till we did which in all likelihood 954 00:34:58,019 --> 00:35:02,489 would be never 955 00:34:59,719 --> 00:35:03,779 velvet meanwhile was prodding calamity 956 00:35:02,489 --> 00:35:06,659 to get out of his battle saddle and 957 00:35:03,780 --> 00:35:08,580 barding I know you made it yourself and 958 00:35:06,659 --> 00:35:09,929 you prefer to wear it but really I've 959 00:35:08,579 --> 00:35:12,110 been with you two for over a week now 960 00:35:09,929 --> 00:35:14,489 and I still haven't seen your cutie mark 961 00:35:12,110 --> 00:35:17,390 there's fondness for a sense of fashion 962 00:35:14,489 --> 00:35:19,619 and there's just being plain ridiculous 963 00:35:17,389 --> 00:35:22,440 my attention had turned towards my 964 00:35:19,619 --> 00:35:24,329 dinner but I perked at that come to 965 00:35:22,440 --> 00:35:26,579 think of it I've never seen calamities 966 00:35:24,329 --> 00:35:27,960 cutie mark either he was always wearing 967 00:35:26,579 --> 00:35:30,989 at least his barding in saddlebags 968 00:35:27,960 --> 00:35:32,789 except when he was bathed and I'd have 969 00:35:30,989 --> 00:35:34,349 given him privacy for that I'll be it 970 00:35:32,789 --> 00:35:36,929 mostly out of disinterest in watching a 971 00:35:34,349 --> 00:35:41,699 stallion clean himself that's cuz I 972 00:35:36,929 --> 00:35:43,199 don't have one what no way my own cutie 973 00:35:41,699 --> 00:35:45,629 mark had taken forever to show but I'd 974 00:35:43,199 --> 00:35:48,409 still had it for years how could a grown 975 00:35:45,630 --> 00:35:51,000 buck not have his yet Oh 976 00:35:48,409 --> 00:35:53,670 velvet remedy looked away seeming unsure 977 00:35:51,000 --> 00:35:55,250 of how she should respond to that okay 978 00:35:53,670 --> 00:35:58,889 I'm gonna give a low humorless chuckle 979 00:35:55,250 --> 00:36:00,769 yeah ain't like that I used to have one 980 00:35:58,889 --> 00:36:03,690 I just don't have anymore 981 00:36:00,769 --> 00:36:06,570 what velvet Remmy echoed my thoughts 982 00:36:03,690 --> 00:36:08,070 I'll be it more dramatically Clementi 983 00:36:06,570 --> 00:36:12,210 looked at the two of us then let out a 984 00:36:08,070 --> 00:36:14,820 long sigh well Hale I suppose y'all 985 00:36:12,210 --> 00:36:16,170 might as well know he shucked himself 986 00:36:14,820 --> 00:36:17,550 out of his battle harness and started 987 00:36:16,170 --> 00:36:22,559 tugging at the straps of his bar ting 988 00:36:17,550 --> 00:36:26,120 it's been branded off what why velvet 989 00:36:22,559 --> 00:36:28,500 Sanford would do that my brother's 990 00:36:26,119 --> 00:36:31,769 calamity said less evenly than he 991 00:36:28,500 --> 00:36:35,159 intended to look that's just what they 992 00:36:31,769 --> 00:36:36,840 do to Pegasus like me like you 993 00:36:35,159 --> 00:36:41,009 I asked remembering what he'd said 994 00:36:36,840 --> 00:36:44,730 before Clementi nodded I told you all 995 00:36:41,010 --> 00:36:46,890 about the pegasi well they say that when 996 00:36:44,730 --> 00:36:48,929 the mega spell wiped out glance Dale all 997 00:36:46,889 --> 00:36:51,389 the Pegasus ponies abandon Equestrian 998 00:36:48,929 --> 00:36:55,440 hid behind that ceiling of clouds all 999 00:36:51,389 --> 00:36:59,190 that is except one I'd stop eating it 1000 00:36:55,440 --> 00:37:00,929 seemed disrespectful but I still took a 1001 00:36:59,190 --> 00:37:02,400 swig from the sparkle-cola as I listened 1002 00:37:00,929 --> 00:37:04,079 to what was obviously going to be a long 1003 00:37:02,400 --> 00:37:06,088 story 1004 00:37:04,079 --> 00:37:08,039 they say Rainbow Dash saw what the other 1005 00:37:06,088 --> 00:37:09,420 Pegasus ponies were doing and turned 1006 00:37:08,039 --> 00:37:12,838 away from them just as they turned away 1007 00:37:09,420 --> 00:37:14,809 from all the ponies below who velvet 1008 00:37:12,838 --> 00:37:18,690 Remini interrupted as politely she could 1009 00:37:14,809 --> 00:37:22,259 calamity smiled Rainbow Dash 1010 00:37:18,690 --> 00:37:24,210 best of us in some ponies opinion one 1011 00:37:22,260 --> 00:37:26,130 who trained the pegasi of the most elite 1012 00:37:24,210 --> 00:37:28,920 and feared fighting force both in and 1013 00:37:26,130 --> 00:37:33,329 Beyond Equestria the mayor the Ministry 1014 00:37:28,920 --> 00:37:34,920 of Awesome the one who I swear clam had 1015 00:37:33,329 --> 00:37:37,289 been waiting until I was taking another 1016 00:37:34,920 --> 00:37:39,119 drink to say that I coughed violently 1017 00:37:37,289 --> 00:37:41,730 sparkle-cola spring out my mouth and 1018 00:37:39,119 --> 00:37:42,150 nostrils I'd be smelling carrots for a 1019 00:37:41,730 --> 00:37:46,019 week 1020 00:37:42,150 --> 00:37:48,599 the Ministry of what I gasped tears in 1021 00:37:46,019 --> 00:37:50,960 my eyes I knew it was further derailing 1022 00:37:48,599 --> 00:37:53,730 calamity story but I didn't care 1023 00:37:50,960 --> 00:37:56,579 calamity grinned at my reaction the 1024 00:37:53,730 --> 00:37:59,780 Ministry of Awesome and what pray tell 1025 00:37:56,579 --> 00:38:02,489 did they do without remedy inquired 1026 00:37:59,780 --> 00:38:06,570 calamity shrugged as far as I know 1027 00:38:02,489 --> 00:38:08,209 nothing he elaborated remember when 1028 00:38:06,570 --> 00:38:11,269 watcher told us about the ministry's 1029 00:38:08,210 --> 00:38:13,440 well I'd heard it in a bit different 1030 00:38:11,269 --> 00:38:15,480 pegasi never told about any of those 1031 00:38:13,440 --> 00:38:18,570 other mayors but they always talk about 1032 00:38:15,480 --> 00:38:20,039 Rainbow Dash and a story I heard was 1033 00:38:18,570 --> 00:38:21,660 when Princess Luna told her that she 1034 00:38:20,039 --> 00:38:24,420 would be giving her own ministry Rainbow 1035 00:38:21,659 --> 00:38:26,569 Dash immediately proclaimed well the 1036 00:38:24,420 --> 00:38:29,099 mine will be the Ministry of Awesome and 1037 00:38:26,570 --> 00:38:31,940 when asked what such a ministry would do 1038 00:38:29,099 --> 00:38:34,019 she replied oh they'll figure it out 1039 00:38:31,940 --> 00:38:35,490 Rainbow Dash herself was too busy 1040 00:38:34,019 --> 00:38:38,579 fighting to win the war to be bothered 1041 00:38:35,489 --> 00:38:43,519 with a run some government office I just 1042 00:38:38,579 --> 00:38:47,029 stared there were simply no words that's 1043 00:38:43,519 --> 00:38:49,769 interesting velvet remedy finally stated 1044 00:38:47,030 --> 00:38:53,540 so this Rainbow Dash was a hero to the 1045 00:38:49,769 --> 00:38:57,449 Pegasus ponies calamities eyes narrowed 1046 00:38:53,539 --> 00:39:00,119 emphasis on was she didn't cotton to 1047 00:38:57,449 --> 00:39:02,789 their closing up the sky and retreat so 1048 00:39:00,119 --> 00:39:06,000 she flew off never was seen again 1049 00:39:02,789 --> 00:39:07,440 and the pegasi they tossed the opinion 1050 00:39:06,000 --> 00:39:08,630 of her faster than a filly whose hat is 1051 00:39:07,440 --> 00:39:10,588 on fire 1052 00:39:08,630 --> 00:39:13,079 calamity finished on strapping his 1053 00:39:10,588 --> 00:39:16,019 barding it fell away revealing a flank 1054 00:39:13,079 --> 00:39:16,809 marred by a magical brand his cutie mark 1055 00:39:16,019 --> 00:39:18,579 had been obliterated 1056 00:39:16,809 --> 00:39:21,219 replaced by a gruesome scar that looked 1057 00:39:18,579 --> 00:39:24,670 like a cloud the lightning bolt I'm a - 1058 00:39:21,219 --> 00:39:26,759 at calamity said to them that means 1059 00:39:24,670 --> 00:39:30,519 traitor 1060 00:39:26,760 --> 00:39:32,290 thunder rumbled overhead it wasn't even 1061 00:39:30,519 --> 00:39:35,139 noon in the sky had grown dark enough to 1062 00:39:32,289 --> 00:39:36,789 be mistaken for early night the first 1063 00:39:35,139 --> 00:39:40,329 drop of rain touched down on my nose 1064 00:39:36,789 --> 00:39:41,920 followed by a second on my left ear we 1065 00:39:40,329 --> 00:39:43,900 had moved beyond fetlock into a rolling 1066 00:39:41,920 --> 00:39:46,780 area of grassy hills occasionally marred 1067 00:39:43,900 --> 00:39:48,250 by incongruous patches of sand there was 1068 00:39:46,780 --> 00:39:50,110 a lake visible the bottom of the next 1069 00:39:48,250 --> 00:39:52,840 hill with a Shack and several second row 1070 00:39:50,110 --> 00:39:54,670 boats on the shore as we approached my 1071 00:39:52,840 --> 00:39:58,260 pipbuck ever so helpfully told me it was 1072 00:39:54,670 --> 00:40:00,400 steal if shack and that i had found it i 1073 00:39:58,260 --> 00:40:02,920 floated that little macintosh and used 1074 00:40:00,400 --> 00:40:04,690 the scope to get a closer look there 1075 00:40:02,920 --> 00:40:06,550 were tools lined up against the wall and 1076 00:40:04,690 --> 00:40:08,349 i could see the glow from an operational 1077 00:40:06,550 --> 00:40:13,150 terminal in a sheltered outside alcove 1078 00:40:08,349 --> 00:40:14,679 and were those turrets there were metal 1079 00:40:13,150 --> 00:40:17,920 things in the ground near each corner of 1080 00:40:14,679 --> 00:40:19,119 the shack hidden by camouflage it might 1081 00:40:17,920 --> 00:40:20,650 have just been my recent work on 1082 00:40:19,119 --> 00:40:23,109 junction r7 that had me thinking that 1083 00:40:20,650 --> 00:40:26,320 way if they were turrets they were 1084 00:40:23,110 --> 00:40:27,700 mostly buried wait I called out now 1085 00:40:26,320 --> 00:40:29,200 spotting marred holes in the grassy 1086 00:40:27,699 --> 00:40:32,619 hillside all around the shack the 1087 00:40:29,199 --> 00:40:33,909 aftermath of mines that it exploded the 1088 00:40:32,619 --> 00:40:35,440 grass was just high enough that the 1089 00:40:33,909 --> 00:40:37,839 mines would be fully concealed until you 1090 00:40:35,440 --> 00:40:39,400 were standing on them calamity and 1091 00:40:37,840 --> 00:40:42,010 velvel remedy both stopped looking 1092 00:40:39,400 --> 00:40:43,809 towards me with concern I opened my 1093 00:40:42,010 --> 00:40:47,140 mouth to explain about the mines but 1094 00:40:43,809 --> 00:40:51,159 another voice cut me off well look who 1095 00:40:47,139 --> 00:40:54,159 we have the voice was regal majestic and 1096 00:40:51,159 --> 00:40:55,359 terrifying the winged unicorn suddenly 1097 00:40:54,159 --> 00:40:58,269 appeared directly in front of us 1098 00:40:55,360 --> 00:41:01,390 shimmering into existence velvet Remini 1099 00:40:58,269 --> 00:41:07,079 let out a short squeal we remember you 1100 00:41:01,389 --> 00:41:09,639 from Appaloosa my jaw dropped no no way 1101 00:41:07,079 --> 00:41:11,230 but as I stared I knew this was a 1102 00:41:09,639 --> 00:41:13,449 different pseudo goddess than the one in 1103 00:41:11,230 --> 00:41:14,829 this labor town her coloration was 1104 00:41:13,449 --> 00:41:17,099 nearly identical but there was a 1105 00:41:14,829 --> 00:41:19,150 difference in her face Mane and flanks 1106 00:41:17,099 --> 00:41:20,679 patches of air on either side it was 1107 00:41:19,150 --> 00:41:23,760 rippling to more of the wicked winged 1108 00:41:20,679 --> 00:41:25,569 unicorns appeared invisibility spells 1109 00:41:23,760 --> 00:41:26,950 devil remedy complained 1110 00:41:25,570 --> 00:41:28,390 apparently beginning to join in my 1111 00:41:26,949 --> 00:41:29,618 conviction that the wasteland simply 1112 00:41:28,389 --> 00:41:32,900 hated us 1113 00:41:29,619 --> 00:41:35,300 the pseudo goddesses surrounded us each 1114 00:41:32,900 --> 00:41:38,000 one was different but only subtly they 1115 00:41:35,300 --> 00:41:39,980 were all siblings I looked around 1116 00:41:38,000 --> 00:41:43,039 frantically but the Rolling Hills were 1117 00:41:39,980 --> 00:41:45,710 completely bereft of boxcars second row 1118 00:41:43,039 --> 00:41:48,079 boat wasn't going to cut it you're the 1119 00:41:45,710 --> 00:41:51,230 prize we were looking for one of them 1120 00:41:48,079 --> 00:41:52,069 said but it will be a joy killing you 1121 00:41:51,230 --> 00:41:55,570 anyways 1122 00:41:52,070 --> 00:41:55,570 the third almost purred