1 00:00:00,030 --> 00:00:06,839 rest sleep came in fits and starts 2 00:00:03,629 --> 00:00:08,699 I seriously desperately needed rest but 3 00:00:06,839 --> 00:00:10,920 every time I close my eyes for her 4 00:00:08,699 --> 00:00:13,558 dreams of Wasteland Horrors - themselves 5 00:00:10,919 --> 00:00:15,750 against my mind's eye I saw ponies 6 00:00:13,558 --> 00:00:18,539 loading into a passenger wagon the sky 7 00:00:15,750 --> 00:00:20,368 Banda stages in my mind they were 8 00:00:18,539 --> 00:00:21,840 families on their way to a day of laugh 9 00:00:20,368 --> 00:00:24,570 turns funded the missionary of morale 10 00:00:21,839 --> 00:00:26,129 muse mint park parents smiling warmly as 11 00:00:24,570 --> 00:00:28,500 their Colts and fillies prance Tim plays 12 00:00:26,129 --> 00:00:29,939 with anticipation I don't know why but I 13 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:31,379 was certain that the mo M had built 14 00:00:29,939 --> 00:00:33,530 amusement parks and they had been 15 00:00:31,379 --> 00:00:35,939 regularly packed full of screaming kids 16 00:00:33,530 --> 00:00:38,129 some mothers urging their Colts not to 17 00:00:35,939 --> 00:00:40,289 climb on the seats fathers checking to 18 00:00:38,128 --> 00:00:42,238 make sure their cameras at film and a 19 00:00:40,289 --> 00:00:44,250 great wall of green flame in a sinister 20 00:00:42,238 --> 00:00:47,878 rainbow sheen rushing towards them that 21 00:00:44,250 --> 00:00:49,769 somehow no pony could see I saw a pony 22 00:00:47,878 --> 00:00:51,359 named Trixie leaving a message on the 23 00:00:49,770 --> 00:00:52,949 door to her cottage grinning as she 24 00:00:51,359 --> 00:00:55,738 assured herself that her whole life was 25 00:00:52,948 --> 00:00:57,808 about to change I saw her walking away 26 00:00:55,738 --> 00:00:59,729 from that door which in the dream I had 27 00:00:57,808 --> 00:01:01,288 somehow become even as I called out to 28 00:00:59,729 --> 00:01:03,238 her to come back knowing that his fee 29 00:01:01,289 --> 00:01:04,019 left she would never live to see her 30 00:01:03,238 --> 00:01:08,609 little cottage again 31 00:01:04,019 --> 00:01:10,228 I called him pleaded and cried but she 32 00:01:08,609 --> 00:01:13,379 could not hear me and walked away 33 00:01:10,228 --> 00:01:15,000 I saw ponies giving their loved ones the 34 00:01:13,379 --> 00:01:17,938 great news they've been selected for a 35 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:19,950 stable I watched as they bright and 36 00:01:17,938 --> 00:01:21,658 colorful and living ponies trot into 37 00:01:19,950 --> 00:01:23,040 their new home the clock on the wall 38 00:01:21,659 --> 00:01:24,509 above them counting down the minutes 39 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:28,159 until an accident would doomed them all 40 00:01:24,509 --> 00:01:33,540 to horror and death I woke with a fit I 41 00:01:28,159 --> 00:01:35,219 was laying somewhere a bed but every 42 00:01:33,540 --> 00:01:37,860 time I tried to remember exactly where I 43 00:01:35,219 --> 00:01:41,938 was or how I got there the memories just 44 00:01:37,859 --> 00:01:43,618 slipped away I opened my eyes the room 45 00:01:41,938 --> 00:01:46,199 was dark but light poured in through a 46 00:01:43,618 --> 00:01:48,060 cracked open door I didn't recognize the 47 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,469 walls with their shattered posters or 48 00:01:48,060 --> 00:01:53,460 the roof with it's still in silent 49 00:01:49,469 --> 00:01:56,009 turret my body felt wrong I ate I felt 50 00:01:53,459 --> 00:01:58,228 horribly weak I had chills when I wasn't 51 00:01:56,009 --> 00:02:01,579 sweating profusely my stomach churned 52 00:01:58,228 --> 00:02:04,799 and my mouth tasted strange and mushy 53 00:02:01,578 --> 00:02:07,019 shadows trotted near the door I heard 54 00:02:04,799 --> 00:02:09,750 Calamity's voice do you think she went 55 00:02:07,019 --> 00:02:12,030 pick something up in the stable velvet 56 00:02:09,750 --> 00:02:14,050 Remedies voice soft and clear responded 57 00:02:12,030 --> 00:02:16,449 or to be brought on by 58 00:02:14,050 --> 00:02:19,060 I'm worried about her I think the 59 00:02:16,449 --> 00:02:21,489 wasteland is getting to her y'all seem 60 00:02:19,060 --> 00:02:25,180 to doing well clam be observed his voice 61 00:02:21,490 --> 00:02:27,969 low so as not to wake me velvety variety 62 00:02:25,180 --> 00:02:31,770 feminine laugh not as well as you think 63 00:02:27,969 --> 00:02:34,960 my noble outsider was that sarcasm or 64 00:02:31,770 --> 00:02:36,719 affection I couldn't tell and trying to 65 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:39,640 think about it babe my thoughts swim and 66 00:02:36,719 --> 00:02:41,530 I should do better than littlepip I'm 67 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:45,209 over a decade more mature than she is 68 00:02:41,530 --> 00:02:49,210 after all great I'm a child to her 69 00:02:45,210 --> 00:02:50,980 beautiful I'm a filly the same 70 00:02:49,210 --> 00:02:54,280 fillies the first time we met at some 71 00:02:50,979 --> 00:02:57,189 older filly skeet Senora my life just 72 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:59,289 couldn't get any better and all those 73 00:02:57,189 --> 00:03:00,990 drugs she's been taking they're 74 00:02:59,289 --> 00:03:04,479 certainly not helping at all 75 00:03:00,990 --> 00:03:06,969 my stomach convulsed violently I wanted 76 00:03:04,479 --> 00:03:07,689 to cry my eyelids were too heavy to look 77 00:03:06,969 --> 00:03:09,340 around anymore 78 00:03:07,689 --> 00:03:11,949 I didn't fight them as they closed on 79 00:03:09,340 --> 00:03:13,810 their own I turned away from the slice 80 00:03:11,949 --> 00:03:17,560 of light coming through the door falling 81 00:03:13,810 --> 00:03:18,780 again into a fitful sleep I can stay 82 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:21,459 with her all night 83 00:03:18,780 --> 00:03:23,830 clemmy's voice was a whisper very close 84 00:03:21,459 --> 00:03:25,750 to my bed and I wasn't entirely sure 85 00:03:23,830 --> 00:03:27,160 that I was awake much less at which 86 00:03:25,750 --> 00:03:28,870 point the tides of dreaming had 87 00:03:27,159 --> 00:03:31,479 deposited me onto the shore of awareness 88 00:03:28,870 --> 00:03:34,150 I vaguely recalled a change in the 89 00:03:31,479 --> 00:03:37,119 darkness a fluctuation of light perhaps 90 00:03:34,150 --> 00:03:39,310 the opening of a door at least until her 91 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:41,920 fever breaks the whisper of velvet 92 00:03:39,310 --> 00:03:46,150 Remedies voice sounded near my head my 93 00:03:41,919 --> 00:03:48,219 ears twitched she awake she's been in 94 00:03:46,150 --> 00:03:52,599 and out she'll sleep better once the 95 00:03:48,219 --> 00:03:53,469 fevers broken wonderful my body felt 96 00:03:52,599 --> 00:03:56,370 alien to me 97 00:03:53,469 --> 00:03:59,319 my mind was a horrible shifting haze I 98 00:03:56,370 --> 00:04:00,909 said a silent prayer to Celestia begging 99 00:03:59,319 --> 00:04:04,900 her to take my sickness from me and cast 100 00:04:00,909 --> 00:04:07,000 it to the moon I'm a word about you clam 101 00:04:04,900 --> 00:04:11,680 he said and not just cuz he need to 102 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:13,449 sleep - Celestia do you hate me my 103 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:16,569 sickness and misery was giving them time 104 00:04:13,449 --> 00:04:17,798 to bond my mind started tormenting me 105 00:04:16,569 --> 00:04:19,298 with images of how they might be 106 00:04:17,798 --> 00:04:21,459 spending their time together now but I 107 00:04:19,298 --> 00:04:25,329 was effectively out of the picture 108 00:04:21,459 --> 00:04:27,038 oh my fevered brain insisted that she 109 00:04:25,329 --> 00:04:28,439 sounded pleased as well as oddly 110 00:04:27,038 --> 00:04:30,579 condescending 111 00:04:28,439 --> 00:04:34,889 especially with anywhere near as strong 112 00:04:30,579 --> 00:04:38,258 as them Clement he paused alicorns I 113 00:04:34,889 --> 00:04:41,470 guess what calling me now was that 114 00:04:38,259 --> 00:04:44,520 disgusting calamities voice no not 115 00:04:41,470 --> 00:04:46,780 disgust but something else something 116 00:04:44,519 --> 00:04:50,799 unpleasant as if the word didn't taste 117 00:04:46,779 --> 00:04:52,269 good your point if you're gonna be 118 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:52,990 making happy using your body to shield 119 00:04:52,269 --> 00:04:55,689 other ponies 120 00:04:52,990 --> 00:04:59,168 you need to start wearing armor Calamity 121 00:04:55,689 --> 00:05:02,860 insisted yeh calamity I was going to 122 00:04:59,168 --> 00:05:04,109 tell her that to just never quite had 123 00:05:02,860 --> 00:05:07,660 the chance 124 00:05:04,110 --> 00:05:10,180 my head was feeling heavy just listening 125 00:05:07,660 --> 00:05:12,789 seemed to take effort my body was too 126 00:05:10,180 --> 00:05:15,639 hot the blanket drenched in sweat but my 127 00:05:12,788 --> 00:05:17,409 limbs were too heavy to move sleep was 128 00:05:15,639 --> 00:05:19,389 creeping up on me like a Manticore ready 129 00:05:17,410 --> 00:05:22,180 to pounce wanting to drag me off into 130 00:05:19,389 --> 00:05:23,978 nightmares again won't get me into 131 00:05:22,180 --> 00:05:26,470 anything one by one of those nasty rages 132 00:05:23,978 --> 00:05:28,750 velvet was saying I realized I'd missed 133 00:05:26,470 --> 00:05:33,070 part of the conversation wouldn't want 134 00:05:28,750 --> 00:05:34,589 you to slaver I'm Aneta bad idea asked 135 00:05:33,069 --> 00:05:37,538 little pip when she's up and about 136 00:05:34,589 --> 00:05:39,579 calamity whispered firmly but when we 137 00:05:37,538 --> 00:05:42,759 get tenpony we're gonna buy some profit 138 00:05:39,579 --> 00:05:45,000 does for the question wasteland my 139 00:05:42,759 --> 00:05:47,379 despondency evaporated those words a 140 00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:48,750 strange sense of relief twisted by 141 00:05:47,379 --> 00:05:51,370 illness washed over me 142 00:05:48,750 --> 00:05:54,579 part of me I realized had been afraid 143 00:05:51,370 --> 00:05:56,259 that they would leave me I felt doomed 144 00:05:54,579 --> 00:06:00,538 to wander until either I found my place 145 00:05:56,259 --> 00:06:04,930 in this house outside or or I fixed it 146 00:06:00,538 --> 00:06:06,939 at least as much as I could I suppose I 147 00:06:04,930 --> 00:06:09,009 was searching for my virtue as water had 148 00:06:06,939 --> 00:06:11,918 suggested in like a filly trying to 149 00:06:09,009 --> 00:06:13,509 invoke her cutie mark but calamity and 150 00:06:11,918 --> 00:06:16,829 zealot remedy were not burdened by my 151 00:06:13,509 --> 00:06:19,060 quest or my sense of being utterly lost 152 00:06:16,829 --> 00:06:20,469 why wouldn't they leave me do it on my 153 00:06:19,060 --> 00:06:23,978 own once they had found some place to 154 00:06:20,470 --> 00:06:24,849 stay tenpony tower for instance why 155 00:06:23,978 --> 00:06:27,459 shouldn't they 156 00:06:24,848 --> 00:06:29,560 I heard them speaking of getting velvet 157 00:06:27,459 --> 00:06:31,509 Remini armor something I firmly agreed 158 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:32,769 with calamity that she needed even 159 00:06:31,509 --> 00:06:34,360 though I couldn't picture my elegant 160 00:06:32,769 --> 00:06:35,008 Idol wearing anything other than classy 161 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:36,869 dresses 162 00:06:35,009 --> 00:06:38,278 to know that they were planning for a 163 00:06:36,869 --> 00:06:40,860 future wandering the equestrian 164 00:06:38,278 --> 00:06:42,499 wasteland presumably with me filled my 165 00:06:40,860 --> 00:06:45,119 heart with assurance and hope 166 00:06:42,499 --> 00:06:47,550 but despite the warmth of these feelings 167 00:06:45,119 --> 00:06:49,909 as I drifted back to my sleep my mind 168 00:06:47,550 --> 00:06:52,740 began to venture again down dark paths I 169 00:06:49,908 --> 00:06:53,908 found myself wondering what if anything 170 00:06:52,740 --> 00:06:57,119 could have been done to save all the 171 00:06:53,908 --> 00:06:58,889 ponies of stable 29 with exposure to the 172 00:06:57,119 --> 00:07:01,020 surface fatal and their water talisman 173 00:06:58,889 --> 00:07:02,699 dying all I could see was hundreds of 174 00:07:01,019 --> 00:07:05,728 ponies trapped in a sarcophagus under 175 00:07:02,699 --> 00:07:09,240 the ground already buried just waiting 176 00:07:05,728 --> 00:07:11,008 to die they did not my mind insisted 177 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:13,528 need to die with such a violence in 178 00:07:11,009 --> 00:07:17,939 horror but the only way I could think of 179 00:07:13,528 --> 00:07:21,778 saving even one of them no that would 180 00:07:17,939 --> 00:07:23,999 have been too important to consider the 181 00:07:21,778 --> 00:07:25,348 only way to save even one of them would 182 00:07:23,999 --> 00:07:27,028 have been to make sure the strain on the 183 00:07:25,348 --> 00:07:28,588 water talisman was so minimal this 184 00:07:27,028 --> 00:07:30,990 deterioration would have taken several 185 00:07:28,588 --> 00:07:32,759 decades something that could only have 186 00:07:30,990 --> 00:07:34,468 been done if instead of initially 187 00:07:32,759 --> 00:07:38,149 reducing the population by that minimal 188 00:07:34,468 --> 00:07:40,168 point Oh 2% I cringed away from myself 189 00:07:38,149 --> 00:07:43,288 revolted that I could even think of such 190 00:07:40,168 --> 00:07:45,448 a thing I awoke again hours later with a 191 00:07:43,288 --> 00:07:48,688 silent gasp drenched and chilled with a 192 00:07:45,449 --> 00:07:50,158 cold that sank in my soul my sense of 193 00:07:48,689 --> 00:07:51,838 what I've been dreaming collapsed into a 194 00:07:50,158 --> 00:07:54,748 dark pit that was swiftly sealed by 195 00:07:51,838 --> 00:07:56,999 wakefulness only a few shreds of memory 196 00:07:54,749 --> 00:07:58,289 remained I was fairly certain that had 197 00:07:56,999 --> 00:08:00,749 something to do with the Ponyville 198 00:07:58,288 --> 00:08:01,498 library dead cats and being burned alive 199 00:08:00,749 --> 00:08:04,528 by a dragon 200 00:08:01,499 --> 00:08:06,838 I found a canteen had been hung by the 201 00:08:04,528 --> 00:08:09,110 side of my bed I drank greedily from it 202 00:08:06,838 --> 00:08:14,158 and then fell back into horrors of sleep 203 00:08:09,110 --> 00:08:16,019 no don't go I'm trapped I cried out my 204 00:08:14,158 --> 00:08:18,028 hind legs crushed under a fallen wall 205 00:08:16,019 --> 00:08:22,879 but velvet remedy and calamity just 206 00:08:18,028 --> 00:08:25,050 walked away please don't leave me here 207 00:08:22,879 --> 00:08:27,419 velvet remedy leaned her head against 208 00:08:25,050 --> 00:08:29,309 Calamity's mane and nuzzle then the 209 00:08:27,418 --> 00:08:30,538 ground was stretching between us they 210 00:08:29,309 --> 00:08:33,149 were barely walking but they were 211 00:08:30,538 --> 00:08:34,860 getting further and further away the 212 00:08:33,149 --> 00:08:37,379 clouds were boiling down and becoming 213 00:08:34,860 --> 00:08:40,259 fog surrounding and obscuring them as my 214 00:08:37,379 --> 00:08:43,769 heart threatened to cease I knew that 215 00:08:40,259 --> 00:08:46,850 when they disappeared I would die I were 216 00:08:43,769 --> 00:08:49,370 crying and beat a hoof against my pillow 217 00:08:46,850 --> 00:08:52,220 despair dated my hope like a cupcake 218 00:08:49,370 --> 00:08:54,470 with ashes mixed into the batter they 219 00:08:52,220 --> 00:08:57,470 were staying with me but I was losing 220 00:08:54,470 --> 00:09:00,800 them to each other my ears perked up 221 00:08:57,470 --> 00:09:04,459 there were no voices Oh Luna 222 00:09:00,799 --> 00:09:07,189 I was alone they'd left me I still felt 223 00:09:04,458 --> 00:09:09,919 trapped my head jerked up looking around 224 00:09:07,190 --> 00:09:11,600 frantically gray daylight seep between 225 00:09:09,919 --> 00:09:13,639 the heavy curtains were they armored 226 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:14,860 mesh and raised the ambient illumination 227 00:09:13,639 --> 00:09:17,318 of the room 228 00:09:14,860 --> 00:09:20,509 something heavy pressed against my side 229 00:09:17,318 --> 00:09:21,828 turning I found velvet remedy asleep her 230 00:09:20,509 --> 00:09:23,269 head having falling down to the bed 231 00:09:21,828 --> 00:09:26,028 beside me painting the under the 232 00:09:23,269 --> 00:09:28,039 blankets relief was like a flood of 233 00:09:26,028 --> 00:09:29,568 painkiller numbing the irrational fears 234 00:09:28,039 --> 00:09:32,389 of my night terrors which clung to me 235 00:09:29,568 --> 00:09:36,068 like leeches I was happy for velvet and 236 00:09:32,389 --> 00:09:43,490 calamity no I really was I was just 237 00:09:36,068 --> 00:09:44,929 lonely lonely in frustrated I looked 238 00:09:43,490 --> 00:09:47,060 away from velvet and found myself 239 00:09:44,929 --> 00:09:49,129 staring at a huge wall poster garishly 240 00:09:47,059 --> 00:09:51,768 pink advertising this philadelphia fun 241 00:09:49,129 --> 00:09:53,629 farm amusement park everything the grand 242 00:09:51,769 --> 00:09:58,818 galloping gala should have been indoors 243 00:09:53,629 --> 00:10:01,240 Pinkie Pie every day forever well now I 244 00:09:58,818 --> 00:10:03,679 knew where that notion had come from on 245 00:10:01,240 --> 00:10:05,870 the opposite wall was another copy of 246 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:09,278 the recruitment poster you too can be a 247 00:10:05,870 --> 00:10:12,490 steel ranger I realized where I must be 248 00:10:09,278 --> 00:10:16,188 lifting my pipbuck I checked the automap 249 00:10:12,490 --> 00:10:18,139 steel of Shack I collapsed back onto the 250 00:10:16,188 --> 00:10:21,919 bed feeling unbearably exhausted 251 00:10:18,139 --> 00:10:25,399 physically and mentally and even worse I 252 00:10:21,919 --> 00:10:28,188 felt horny which was not a sensation 253 00:10:25,399 --> 00:10:29,929 that mixed well with illness maybe was 254 00:10:28,188 --> 00:10:31,429 having velvet remedy so close her head 255 00:10:29,929 --> 00:10:34,068 pressing against my flank as she slept 256 00:10:31,429 --> 00:10:38,359 partial in my bed my stomach twisted in 257 00:10:34,068 --> 00:10:41,509 morning I didn't care I was too hot too 258 00:10:38,360 --> 00:10:42,860 sick but still as I lay back I tried to 259 00:10:41,509 --> 00:10:44,600 summon up daydreams that would relieve 260 00:10:42,860 --> 00:10:47,240 at least one of my symptoms my hopes 261 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:49,930 beneath my blankets I turned to face 262 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:52,459 away from velvet remedy in shame I 263 00:10:49,929 --> 00:10:54,019 contemplated candy but her face and 264 00:10:52,458 --> 00:10:55,969 features were already faded in my mind 265 00:10:54,019 --> 00:10:58,509 and the ending of my relationship with 266 00:10:55,970 --> 00:11:00,560 new Appaloosa would sour any fantasy I 267 00:10:58,509 --> 00:11:02,929 considered the rainbow main mayor 268 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:04,669 their memory or be' but no matter how 269 00:11:02,929 --> 00:11:06,739 well she had aged she was still older 270 00:11:04,669 --> 00:11:09,229 than I wanted to fantasize about and 271 00:11:06,740 --> 00:11:10,639 even if I pictured her younger the link 272 00:11:09,230 --> 00:11:13,028 between her and calamity would just make 273 00:11:10,639 --> 00:11:15,830 it weird 274 00:11:13,028 --> 00:11:17,929 finally I settled on daydreaming about 275 00:11:15,830 --> 00:11:19,580 the mayor from one of my statuettes the 276 00:11:17,929 --> 00:11:21,139 breathtakingly alluring white unicorn 277 00:11:19,580 --> 00:11:21,710 Pony with her dreamy purple mane and 278 00:11:21,139 --> 00:11:24,528 tail 279 00:11:21,710 --> 00:11:27,379 I enjoyed that as much as my sickness 280 00:11:24,528 --> 00:11:30,649 addled body would allow for maybe half 281 00:11:27,379 --> 00:11:32,509 an hour then like a splash of cold water 282 00:11:30,649 --> 00:11:34,100 I realized the mayor that I was 283 00:11:32,509 --> 00:11:37,269 fantasizing about was velvet remedies 284 00:11:34,100 --> 00:11:39,980 great great something or other great ond 285 00:11:37,269 --> 00:11:42,319 that murdered my fantasy and danced 286 00:11:39,980 --> 00:11:43,940 cruelly on its corpse the weight of 287 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:46,310 velvet remedies head was suddenly much 288 00:11:43,940 --> 00:11:47,779 more present than before I could feel 289 00:11:46,309 --> 00:11:51,588 the warmth radiating from her and my 290 00:11:47,778 --> 00:11:53,990 stomach knotted with guilt suddenly I 291 00:11:51,589 --> 00:11:56,600 felt the heaving inside me and the taste 292 00:11:53,990 --> 00:11:58,399 of bile pushing to the edge of the bed I 293 00:11:56,600 --> 00:12:01,460 vomited into the crevasse between the 294 00:11:58,399 --> 00:12:03,649 bed and the wall still retching my mouth 295 00:12:01,460 --> 00:12:06,830 foul and burning my eyes shutting tears 296 00:12:03,649 --> 00:12:09,500 I heard velvet REM kneestr awake my fall 297 00:12:06,830 --> 00:12:11,690 was complete now instead of being a 298 00:12:09,500 --> 00:12:14,059 child in her eyes I'd just be vomit pony 299 00:12:11,690 --> 00:12:16,880 I had no chance of stealing her away 300 00:12:14,059 --> 00:12:19,759 from calamity now not that I ever did or 301 00:12:16,879 --> 00:12:23,240 ever would I'm not that kind of jealous 302 00:12:19,759 --> 00:12:25,189 selfish Pony but just saying if I was 303 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:26,960 that kind of pony this would be the 304 00:12:25,190 --> 00:12:29,720 final nail in the coffin of any chance I 305 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:32,960 had I felt Velvets weight lift from the 306 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:35,980 bed as she pulled back from me Oh little 307 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:38,600 pip are you okay what a stupid question 308 00:12:35,980 --> 00:12:41,440 yet I nodded my head pressed against the 309 00:12:38,600 --> 00:12:43,970 wall let me go get you some water I 310 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:45,770 waited for her to go crying just a 311 00:12:43,970 --> 00:12:47,690 little against the wall my coat matted 312 00:12:45,769 --> 00:12:51,069 in sweat and my head burning against the 313 00:12:47,690 --> 00:12:53,330 wall goddess I'm pathetic 314 00:12:51,070 --> 00:12:55,370 velvet remedy returned to give me water 315 00:12:53,330 --> 00:12:57,139 to clean the wall and floor of my vomit 316 00:12:55,370 --> 00:13:00,399 to bathe me and replace the sheets on my 317 00:12:57,139 --> 00:13:03,019 bed I was in no state to enjoy any of it 318 00:13:00,399 --> 00:13:05,838 but I could probably marvel that she 319 00:13:03,019 --> 00:13:07,458 took the time on somepony like me my 320 00:13:05,839 --> 00:13:09,230 fever finally broke sometime that 321 00:13:07,458 --> 00:13:11,409 evening and I finally slipped into a 322 00:13:09,230 --> 00:13:13,680 restorative dreamless sleep 323 00:13:11,409 --> 00:13:17,828 I awoke feeling like I hadn't in days 324 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:20,349 sane my body was weak but not feeble and 325 00:13:17,828 --> 00:13:22,239 I was warm and thankfully rested my 326 00:13:20,350 --> 00:13:24,040 mouth tasted pay steam but my stomach 327 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:26,709 was settled and I found that I was quite 328 00:13:24,039 --> 00:13:28,389 thirsty I rolled over on the bed 329 00:13:26,708 --> 00:13:30,039 wondering how long I had been half 330 00:13:28,389 --> 00:13:32,769 delirious and spotted velvet Remini 331 00:13:30,039 --> 00:13:34,299 curled up on the floor fast asleep my 332 00:13:32,769 --> 00:13:36,578 heart went out to her recognizing how 333 00:13:34,299 --> 00:13:38,769 much I owed the older unicorn her head 334 00:13:36,578 --> 00:13:39,969 rested on an old jacket and somepony had 335 00:13:38,769 --> 00:13:42,578 pulled a blanket over her while she 336 00:13:39,970 --> 00:13:45,160 slept I was sure it was calamity and I 337 00:13:42,578 --> 00:13:47,019 was pleased as I floated the canteen 338 00:13:45,159 --> 00:13:48,669 from the bedpost the deep resonating 339 00:13:47,019 --> 00:13:51,970 voice of steel hoofs carried in from the 340 00:13:48,669 --> 00:13:54,159 other room sorry but I just don't buy it 341 00:13:51,970 --> 00:13:56,649 I don't get you 342 00:13:54,159 --> 00:13:58,088 I heard clammy respond there was 343 00:13:56,649 --> 00:14:00,789 something in the tone of both ponies had 344 00:13:58,089 --> 00:14:03,639 caught my attention my ears perked and I 345 00:14:00,789 --> 00:14:05,019 drank quietly as I listened your group 346 00:14:03,639 --> 00:14:08,019 is like the beginning of a bad joke 347 00:14:05,019 --> 00:14:09,970 steel hose elaborated your group is like 348 00:14:08,019 --> 00:14:13,810 the beginning of a bad joke steel 349 00:14:09,970 --> 00:14:15,790 elaborated a covert agent a princess 350 00:14:13,809 --> 00:14:17,708 descended from pre-war aristocracy and 351 00:14:15,789 --> 00:14:19,539 an outcast from an advanced civilization 352 00:14:17,708 --> 00:14:21,448 trot into a saloon and try to tell 353 00:14:19,539 --> 00:14:24,490 ponies that they're completely normal I 354 00:14:21,448 --> 00:14:26,379 nearly choked swiftly and without a 355 00:14:24,490 --> 00:14:28,829 sound I plugged the canteen and rehung 356 00:14:26,379 --> 00:14:31,629 it on the bed you think we're lying 357 00:14:28,828 --> 00:14:34,239 Thank You calamity for sounding offended 358 00:14:31,629 --> 00:14:37,269 I think you're either lying to me or 359 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:39,399 they're lying to you I heard a stomp I 360 00:14:37,269 --> 00:14:42,669 assumed was from calamity what makes you 361 00:14:39,399 --> 00:14:45,578 think because I was conscious if barely 362 00:14:42,669 --> 00:14:46,838 I saw all of us down for the count that 363 00:14:45,578 --> 00:14:48,758 a liqueur was at full strength 364 00:14:46,839 --> 00:14:51,610 unimpaired her magical shield shrugging 365 00:14:48,759 --> 00:14:53,649 off grenades then moment later she was 366 00:14:51,610 --> 00:14:55,089 dead the low voice gave a grave 367 00:14:53,649 --> 00:14:56,818 accounting of our meeting battle like a 368 00:14:55,089 --> 00:14:59,139 schoolteacher reading test scores a 369 00:14:56,818 --> 00:15:01,629 single bullet hole right through the 370 00:14:59,139 --> 00:15:03,490 brain you want me to believe some 371 00:15:01,629 --> 00:15:06,220 innocent young mare just weeks out of a 372 00:15:03,490 --> 00:15:09,430 stable did that do you even believe that 373 00:15:06,220 --> 00:15:11,439 I didn't like how quiet calamity was 374 00:15:09,429 --> 00:15:14,438 before saying yeah I do 375 00:15:11,438 --> 00:15:18,039 because that's what happened an innocent 376 00:15:14,438 --> 00:15:19,169 young mare steals repaid just out of a 377 00:15:18,039 --> 00:15:20,909 stable 378 00:15:19,169 --> 00:15:22,649 with refined criminal skills that let 379 00:15:20,909 --> 00:15:25,318 her pick every lock and hack every 380 00:15:22,649 --> 00:15:28,499 computer even when no Pony else in 200 381 00:15:25,318 --> 00:15:30,928 years has managed the feat i frowned I 382 00:15:28,499 --> 00:15:32,189 had to admit I had wondered about the 383 00:15:30,928 --> 00:15:35,039 lack of other skilled black Pickers 384 00:15:32,188 --> 00:15:36,899 myself but then I also knew that I had 385 00:15:35,039 --> 00:15:38,368 honed my skill and precise telekinetic 386 00:15:36,899 --> 00:15:41,159 lock picking over years as part of my 387 00:15:38,369 --> 00:15:42,839 attempt to conjure my cutie mark my cat 388 00:15:41,159 --> 00:15:44,730 proved that my natural talents our focus 389 00:15:42,839 --> 00:15:46,889 towards mundane and arcane sciences and 390 00:15:44,730 --> 00:15:48,178 my studies as a pipbuck technician and 391 00:15:46,889 --> 00:15:49,649 the tools of my trade gave me the 392 00:15:48,178 --> 00:15:52,828 education to manipulate terminals that 393 00:15:49,649 --> 00:15:54,600 few Outsiders would have but most of all 394 00:15:52,828 --> 00:15:56,008 I knew that I hadn't been anywhere near 395 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:57,778 as good at either of these things when I 396 00:15:56,009 --> 00:16:00,178 left stable - as I had become since I 397 00:15:57,778 --> 00:16:04,198 had been reading books and getting a lot 398 00:16:00,178 --> 00:16:04,708 of practice steel hooves continued for 399 00:16:04,198 --> 00:16:06,539 that matter 400 00:16:04,708 --> 00:16:08,969 a stable that is still in closed 401 00:16:06,539 --> 00:16:12,058 operation it's hard enough to find a 402 00:16:08,970 --> 00:16:14,970 stable whose population survived a dark 403 00:16:12,058 --> 00:16:16,558 cloud threatened my mind at that clam 404 00:16:14,970 --> 00:16:19,350 Ernie's voice was low and perhaps a 405 00:16:16,558 --> 00:16:23,068 little dangerous I suggesting they aim 406 00:16:19,350 --> 00:16:26,449 from a stable no I'm sure they're from a 407 00:16:23,068 --> 00:16:28,948 stable the voice was cool and even I 408 00:16:26,448 --> 00:16:30,498 just find it more believable they are 409 00:16:28,948 --> 00:16:32,938 highly trained agents on a mission 410 00:16:30,499 --> 00:16:34,798 perhaps from someplace akin to the 411 00:16:32,938 --> 00:16:36,868 Ministry of Awesome blackops facility 412 00:16:34,798 --> 00:16:40,668 then wide-eyed tourists from a 413 00:16:36,869 --> 00:16:42,778 repository for civilian ponies what I 414 00:16:40,668 --> 00:16:44,629 thought calamity said the Ministry of 415 00:16:42,778 --> 00:16:49,519 Awesome didn't actually do anything 416 00:16:44,629 --> 00:16:53,129 clammin occurred that's a ridiculous 417 00:16:49,519 --> 00:16:56,360 really Steele has asked she survived a 418 00:16:53,129 --> 00:16:58,798 train jumping on four cliff Matt kata 419 00:16:56,360 --> 00:17:02,519 Steele has paused and seemed to concede 420 00:16:58,798 --> 00:17:05,359 that one how did you meet her my friend 421 00:17:02,519 --> 00:17:07,660 hesitated then with a sad breath I 422 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:09,729 nearly killed her 423 00:17:07,660 --> 00:17:12,009 she just come out of Ponyville where she 424 00:17:09,730 --> 00:17:12,699 cleared the nest of Raiders clarity 425 00:17:12,009 --> 00:17:14,799 explained it 426 00:17:12,699 --> 00:17:16,959 she was coding blood and wear an Amish 427 00:17:14,799 --> 00:17:19,629 he'd scavenge from so I mistook it for a 428 00:17:16,959 --> 00:17:22,180 Raiders elf swooped out of the sky and 429 00:17:19,630 --> 00:17:25,089 started shooting I could hear the regret 430 00:17:22,180 --> 00:17:26,920 in his voice I felt a pang in my heart 431 00:17:25,088 --> 00:17:29,529 for him thought also wins did his 432 00:17:26,920 --> 00:17:31,300 description even calamity seemed to do a 433 00:17:29,529 --> 00:17:32,950 double-take at how that sounded because 434 00:17:31,299 --> 00:17:35,440 after a pause he quickly followed with 435 00:17:32,950 --> 00:17:36,210 they were rate his minded Raiders ain't 436 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:38,860 that hard to kill 437 00:17:36,210 --> 00:17:41,200 then seeming to remember the wagon crash 438 00:17:38,859 --> 00:17:44,799 he amended if he at least a little lucky 439 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:46,660 and the terrain is on his side I see 440 00:17:44,799 --> 00:17:49,829 steel of dead Panda 441 00:17:46,660 --> 00:17:53,820 so she's not a secret agent death Pony 442 00:17:49,829 --> 00:17:55,389 she's just lucky how about the other one 443 00:17:53,819 --> 00:17:59,220 Ella remedy 444 00:17:55,390 --> 00:18:02,590 she's clammy chuckled she's a civilian 445 00:17:59,220 --> 00:18:05,829 he's a medic and a singer has that fin 446 00:18:02,589 --> 00:18:08,919 dia covert ops table theory any other 447 00:18:05,829 --> 00:18:11,619 talents does being the most beautiful 448 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:14,320 pony I've ever met can I could hear the 449 00:18:11,619 --> 00:18:17,889 smile in clemmy's voice other than that 450 00:18:14,319 --> 00:18:19,230 no I mean well she does have a freakish 451 00:18:17,890 --> 00:18:21,820 knack for getting what she wants 452 00:18:19,230 --> 00:18:24,549 bartering I mean and talking focusing 453 00:18:21,819 --> 00:18:27,639 his stuff when she's not being calamity 454 00:18:24,549 --> 00:18:31,240 shut up good buck calamity don't finish 455 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:33,700 that sentence a direct descendant of one 456 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:35,950 of the three founders of stable tech the 457 00:18:33,700 --> 00:18:37,960 founder who I believe was stable tax 458 00:18:35,950 --> 00:18:39,549 face of public relations and also the 459 00:18:37,960 --> 00:18:40,930 sister of one of the eight most powerful 460 00:18:39,549 --> 00:18:43,389 figures in the pre apocalyptic 461 00:18:40,930 --> 00:18:46,269 government a descendant with skills in 462 00:18:43,390 --> 00:18:49,900 seduction trade and diplomacy steals in 463 00:18:46,269 --> 00:18:52,599 tone Riley no you're right that does 464 00:18:49,900 --> 00:18:55,269 sound like civilian pony I groaned 465 00:18:52,599 --> 00:18:57,879 inside how the hell did steel hose 466 00:18:55,269 --> 00:18:59,889 manage to do that I was being you doubt 467 00:18:57,880 --> 00:19:04,150 my story and I'd lived it 468 00:18:59,890 --> 00:19:07,840 I heard calamity sigh I hoped it was out 469 00:19:04,150 --> 00:19:09,730 of exasperation okay let's pretend just 470 00:19:07,839 --> 00:19:11,049 for a minute that my companions have 471 00:19:09,730 --> 00:19:13,630 been lying to me through their teeth I 472 00:19:11,049 --> 00:19:16,000 don't know calamity please don't 473 00:19:13,630 --> 00:19:18,400 we've been honest I know it sounds bad 474 00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:19,480 when he says it like that but Clemmy 475 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:23,798 finished 476 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:26,409 - whoa and whoa the deep masculine voice 477 00:19:23,798 --> 00:19:28,058 rumbled they marched into the center of 478 00:19:26,409 --> 00:19:30,549 battle between Raiders and slavers 479 00:19:28,058 --> 00:19:32,168 somehow got the heads of two factions to 480 00:19:30,548 --> 00:19:34,569 sit down in the short ones crosshairs 481 00:19:32,169 --> 00:19:36,730 and then proceeded not only to eliminate 482 00:19:34,569 --> 00:19:37,869 the one they didn't like but to kill the 483 00:19:36,730 --> 00:19:39,610 dragon running the show 484 00:19:37,869 --> 00:19:42,099 assuring the one they wanted was in 485 00:19:39,609 --> 00:19:44,138 charge calamity interrupted 486 00:19:42,099 --> 00:19:46,629 how dare say I might have had too late 487 00:19:44,138 --> 00:19:49,990 to do with that myself steel has 488 00:19:46,630 --> 00:19:51,730 continued under swated to me that sounds 489 00:19:49,990 --> 00:19:53,230 like a lot of a special unit rearranging 490 00:19:51,730 --> 00:19:55,720 local power structures to suit their 491 00:19:53,230 --> 00:19:59,649 purposes whatever those purposes might 492 00:19:55,720 --> 00:20:02,230 be goddesses damn it is this what ponies 493 00:19:59,648 --> 00:20:04,209 were thinking and I had been shokran by 494 00:20:02,230 --> 00:20:04,778 my reputation when I was just supposedly 495 00:20:04,210 --> 00:20:09,850 a hero 496 00:20:04,778 --> 00:20:11,250 this was insane at least calamity seemed 497 00:20:09,849 --> 00:20:16,178 to agree with me on that one 498 00:20:11,250 --> 00:20:17,829 right okay then how about this if little 499 00:20:16,179 --> 00:20:18,340 pip was some sort of special black ops 500 00:20:17,829 --> 00:20:20,349 pony 501 00:20:18,339 --> 00:20:22,928 how in tarnation could I have nearly 502 00:20:20,349 --> 00:20:24,730 killed her because underground training 503 00:20:22,929 --> 00:20:26,490 facilities aren't exactly the best place 504 00:20:24,730 --> 00:20:28,599 to learn to fight aerial opponents I 505 00:20:26,490 --> 00:20:31,808 doubt you'd be able to get the drop on 506 00:20:28,599 --> 00:20:35,469 her again calamity was fighting not to 507 00:20:31,808 --> 00:20:38,460 fall for it to bless him look I've been 508 00:20:35,470 --> 00:20:41,100 with him y'all haven't I know that 509 00:20:38,460 --> 00:20:44,220 surprising but if you get to know him 510 00:20:41,099 --> 00:20:46,509 I'd see that they're not spies at all 511 00:20:44,220 --> 00:20:52,089 steel haves deep voice seen on the verge 512 00:20:46,509 --> 00:20:54,750 of a chuckle hip Thank You calamity not 513 00:20:52,089 --> 00:20:58,509 a slice neat hair on their manes then 514 00:20:54,750 --> 00:21:01,288 not a one did you know that when little 515 00:20:58,509 --> 00:21:06,430 pip sleeps she has a cute little snore I 516 00:21:01,288 --> 00:21:10,039 do not see oh crap 517 00:21:06,430 --> 00:21:11,930 come again I was just finishing dressing 518 00:21:10,039 --> 00:21:13,579 myself and was levitating my saddlebags 519 00:21:11,930 --> 00:21:14,900 into place when the Pony and magically 520 00:21:13,579 --> 00:21:17,720 powered armor had stepped in and made 521 00:21:14,900 --> 00:21:19,910 his announcement I will be accompanying 522 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:21,380 you to tenpony tower after risking 523 00:21:19,910 --> 00:21:22,880 yourselves to save my life 524 00:21:21,380 --> 00:21:26,480 escorting you safely to your destination 525 00:21:22,880 --> 00:21:29,480 is the least I can do I wasn't sure how 526 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:33,980 I felt about that steel hooves however 527 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:35,740 put his hopes down I insist I frowned 528 00:21:33,980 --> 00:21:38,809 looking about the room while I thought 529 00:21:35,740 --> 00:21:40,400 the shack had three rooms the bedroom 530 00:21:38,809 --> 00:21:42,889 the main room and a work room in the 531 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:44,630 back upon seeing the whole of it I 532 00:21:42,890 --> 00:21:46,220 realized that steel hose had given me 533 00:21:44,630 --> 00:21:47,570 his own bed to sleep upon and that 534 00:21:46,220 --> 00:21:50,299 everypony had slipped on the floor is 535 00:21:47,569 --> 00:21:53,269 safe for me made me feel grateful and 536 00:21:50,299 --> 00:21:55,309 guilty this was not the bedroom I'd 537 00:21:53,269 --> 00:21:56,900 spent the last several days sick in the 538 00:21:55,309 --> 00:21:58,730 main room of the shack featuring a 539 00:21:56,900 --> 00:22:00,980 dinner table rows of metal lockers a 540 00:21:58,730 --> 00:22:03,980 desk with a glowing terminal and a few 541 00:22:00,980 --> 00:22:05,930 scattered trophies as decorations above 542 00:22:03,980 --> 00:22:07,910 the desk was a banner a half apple with 543 00:22:05,930 --> 00:22:10,039 an inlay of three magical sparks ring by 544 00:22:07,910 --> 00:22:11,690 gears held by a crescent-shaped wings 545 00:22:10,039 --> 00:22:14,389 and overlaid by a sword of war with a 546 00:22:11,690 --> 00:22:15,890 mouth brace hilt it was the same emblem 547 00:22:14,390 --> 00:22:17,900 that adorned the flank of steel hoses 548 00:22:15,890 --> 00:22:20,000 battle armor right wrist cutie mark 549 00:22:17,900 --> 00:22:23,630 would be hidden beneath the steel 550 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:26,329 rangers I sighed you don't have to ask 551 00:22:23,630 --> 00:22:29,330 the others I said cinching my saddlebags 552 00:22:26,329 --> 00:22:31,909 tight I started to strap on the holsters 553 00:22:29,329 --> 00:22:33,859 in slings for my weapons I already spoke 554 00:22:31,910 --> 00:22:38,960 with them on this they've claimed you're 555 00:22:33,859 --> 00:22:41,209 their leader what why I was really the 556 00:22:38,960 --> 00:22:44,390 least qualified to be in charge because 557 00:22:41,210 --> 00:22:46,190 the radio kept saying so I had a vac tip 558 00:22:44,390 --> 00:22:49,100 list of things to talk to DJ pony about 559 00:22:46,190 --> 00:22:50,840 when we arrived tenpony tower I looked 560 00:22:49,099 --> 00:22:52,399 over to velvet remedy but she was laying 561 00:22:50,839 --> 00:22:55,069 on the floor her mind lost in the 562 00:22:52,400 --> 00:22:56,540 Fluttershy memory orb ax in the back 563 00:22:55,069 --> 00:22:58,309 room I could hear calamity working on 564 00:22:56,539 --> 00:23:00,889 the weapons he procured from stable 29 565 00:22:58,309 --> 00:23:03,049 armory our pockets were now filled with 566 00:23:00,890 --> 00:23:04,280 common low caliber ammunition that fit 567 00:23:03,049 --> 00:23:06,440 none of the weapons we preferred to use 568 00:23:04,279 --> 00:23:08,059 and calamity was swapping parts and 569 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:09,289 doing repairs on small pistols and low 570 00:23:08,059 --> 00:23:12,049 powered rifles meant to use those 571 00:23:09,289 --> 00:23:14,569 bullets not that we expected to use them 572 00:23:12,049 --> 00:23:17,210 only the armory supply of shotgun shells 573 00:23:14,569 --> 00:23:19,009 was likely to be of service to us but 574 00:23:17,210 --> 00:23:20,279 both weapons and ammo would be valuable 575 00:23:19,009 --> 00:23:22,650 trade goods 576 00:23:20,279 --> 00:23:24,720 a radio in the backroom played DJ ponies 577 00:23:22,650 --> 00:23:26,730 radio station the sounds of quartet of 578 00:23:24,720 --> 00:23:29,370 ponies singing gave way to a melody of 579 00:23:26,730 --> 00:23:31,110 sorrow fear and hope is the vocals of a 580 00:23:29,369 --> 00:23:31,739 pleasant sounding buck who was 200 years 581 00:23:31,109 --> 00:23:34,979 dead 582 00:23:31,740 --> 00:23:37,740 I want to calm the storm what the war is 583 00:23:34,980 --> 00:23:40,860 in your eyes how can I shield you from 584 00:23:37,740 --> 00:23:43,380 the horror and the lies when all the 585 00:23:40,859 --> 00:23:45,869 once held meaning is shattered ruined 586 00:23:43,380 --> 00:23:49,310 bleeding and the whispers in the 587 00:23:45,869 --> 00:23:51,779 darkness tell me we won't survive 588 00:23:49,309 --> 00:23:54,839 strapping my sniper rifle into place I 589 00:23:51,779 --> 00:23:56,460 finally looked a steel hose but my 590 00:23:54,839 --> 00:23:58,799 answer faded when I saw he was looking 591 00:23:56,460 --> 00:24:00,180 away his gaze focused on a small picture 592 00:23:58,799 --> 00:24:03,180 in the corner of the room that I hadn't 593 00:24:00,180 --> 00:24:05,160 noticed before the picture of an elder 594 00:24:03,180 --> 00:24:08,100 orange mayor her yellow mane salted with 595 00:24:05,160 --> 00:24:10,830 grey under her cow pony hat he swayed 596 00:24:08,099 --> 00:24:14,789 slightly I felt a gravity in the room 597 00:24:10,829 --> 00:24:16,109 that told me not to speak I did move 598 00:24:14,789 --> 00:24:18,149 forward for a closer look 599 00:24:16,109 --> 00:24:21,899 but I already knew I'd seen this mare 600 00:24:18,150 --> 00:24:24,300 before many times her statuette was in 601 00:24:21,900 --> 00:24:25,950 my saddlebags as was the memory of her 602 00:24:24,299 --> 00:24:29,039 when he had been at pinkie pie's last 603 00:24:25,950 --> 00:24:31,220 party I was certain now that the memory 604 00:24:29,039 --> 00:24:34,129 of Steel hose was in that orb too 605 00:24:31,220 --> 00:24:36,960 beneath the picture was a display safe 606 00:24:34,130 --> 00:24:38,430 inside perfectly preserved was yet 607 00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:41,480 another statuette of the bucking orange 608 00:24:38,430 --> 00:24:44,100 Pony be strong in the glory for youth on 609 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:45,960 the top of the case was a small silk 610 00:24:44,099 --> 00:24:48,089 client box much like the one I had found 611 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:50,910 in Vinyl Scratch is safe within which 612 00:24:48,089 --> 00:24:52,559 sat a single memory orb a steel hose 613 00:24:50,910 --> 00:24:54,269 only stirred again when the song ended 614 00:24:52,559 --> 00:24:57,659 the last refrain echoing into 615 00:24:54,269 --> 00:25:01,650 nothingness you knew her didn't you I 616 00:24:57,660 --> 00:25:04,290 asked softly gently steel halves turned 617 00:25:01,650 --> 00:25:08,280 towards me how could I have 618 00:25:04,289 --> 00:25:12,029 she died two centuries ago I gazed at 619 00:25:08,279 --> 00:25:13,440 him not judging just knowing he stood 620 00:25:12,029 --> 00:25:16,619 rigid against the gaze for several 621 00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:18,360 minutes until I finally looked away DJ 622 00:25:16,619 --> 00:25:20,879 pony's voice erupted from the back room 623 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:22,139 gachi is a faithful listeners because 624 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:24,090 I've been talking in some of you ain't 625 00:25:22,140 --> 00:25:25,680 been listening for years now I've been 626 00:25:24,089 --> 00:25:26,609 reminding you that ghouls and zombies 627 00:25:25,680 --> 00:25:28,620 ain't the same thing 628 00:25:26,609 --> 00:25:30,179 ghouls or ponies defy the misfortune of 629 00:25:28,619 --> 00:25:31,329 soaking up a major dose of magical 630 00:25:30,180 --> 00:25:34,009 radiation and not 631 00:25:31,329 --> 00:25:35,538 that stuff twisting Ross their bodies 632 00:25:34,009 --> 00:25:37,639 but unlike zombies their minds are still 633 00:25:35,538 --> 00:25:40,190 like those of any other Pony and they 634 00:25:37,638 --> 00:25:42,168 deserve to be treated as such well some 635 00:25:40,190 --> 00:25:44,480 of you ponies up in tenpony tower didn't 636 00:25:42,169 --> 00:25:45,860 get the message and when sheriff rotting 637 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:47,538 tail kept pressing for him and his 638 00:25:45,859 --> 00:25:48,979 ghouls be allowed inside just cuz they 639 00:25:47,538 --> 00:25:51,138 were sick of being hounded by manticores 640 00:25:48,980 --> 00:25:52,788 in the slaughter blood blood wings chief 641 00:25:51,138 --> 00:25:54,319 grimm star the head pone attempt own 642 00:25:52,788 --> 00:25:55,970 secured to responded by hiring a bunch 643 00:25:54,319 --> 00:25:58,009 of mercenaries to scale the tenements 644 00:25:55,970 --> 00:26:01,009 along celestial line and wipe them all 645 00:25:58,009 --> 00:26:02,929 out in an interview when asked about how 646 00:26:01,009 --> 00:26:05,679 he managed me such a supreme douchebag 647 00:26:02,929 --> 00:26:08,450 chief grimm star had this to say 648 00:26:05,679 --> 00:26:10,759 another voice gruff and irritated came 649 00:26:08,450 --> 00:26:12,230 through the radio speakers the off 650 00:26:10,759 --> 00:26:13,179 I did what was right by those I swore to 651 00:26:12,230 --> 00:26:16,669 protect 652 00:26:13,179 --> 00:26:17,929 DJ ponies voice returned just warms the 653 00:26:16,669 --> 00:26:19,700 heart to know there are some ponies that 654 00:26:17,929 --> 00:26:21,950 are steadfastly defending prejudice and 655 00:26:19,700 --> 00:26:23,929 bigotry doesn't it the Thank You chief 656 00:26:21,950 --> 00:26:27,200 Grimm star may Celestia bless you with a 657 00:26:23,929 --> 00:26:28,610 kiss from the Sun the last certainly 658 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:32,179 sounded like it was said through gritted 659 00:26:28,609 --> 00:26:33,618 teeth I shook my head on one half I 660 00:26:32,179 --> 00:26:36,019 actually felt relieved to hear a news 661 00:26:33,618 --> 00:26:37,609 report that wasn't about me but on the 662 00:26:36,019 --> 00:26:39,440 other I had experience with both the 663 00:26:37,609 --> 00:26:42,308 Google ponies like ditzy Doo and actual 664 00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:44,869 zombie ponies I knew the difference and 665 00:26:42,308 --> 00:26:46,428 the idea of somepony endorsing wholesale 666 00:26:44,868 --> 00:26:47,778 slaughter of innocent ghouls because 667 00:26:46,429 --> 00:26:49,309 they couldn't be bothered to discern the 668 00:26:47,778 --> 00:26:51,669 difference between the two of them made 669 00:26:49,308 --> 00:26:54,109 me hurt and changed my vision with red 670 00:26:51,669 --> 00:26:55,629 the deep masculine voice of Steel of 671 00:26:54,109 --> 00:26:58,278 snickered from within his metal helmet 672 00:26:55,628 --> 00:27:01,158 not a fan of ghouls supporters I take it 673 00:26:58,278 --> 00:27:03,888 I looked at him and confusion that 674 00:27:01,159 --> 00:27:05,509 bordered on several darker motions my 675 00:27:03,888 --> 00:27:07,908 disgust had clearly been evident neither 676 00:27:05,509 --> 00:27:09,169 my face or body language it hadn't 677 00:27:07,909 --> 00:27:10,940 occurred to me that my reaction could 678 00:27:09,169 --> 00:27:14,210 easily be misread it's directed towards 679 00:27:10,940 --> 00:27:15,919 DJ Pony himself one of the wisest 680 00:27:14,210 --> 00:27:18,259 kindest ponies I met in this blasted 681 00:27:15,919 --> 00:27:20,659 hellscape is a ghoul pony I spat at him 682 00:27:18,259 --> 00:27:23,089 her name is ditzy Doo she's easily worth 683 00:27:20,659 --> 00:27:24,619 any three steel Rangers put together not 684 00:27:23,089 --> 00:27:26,168 for fighting skills or fancy weapons but 685 00:27:24,618 --> 00:27:28,368 for the quality of her character I 686 00:27:26,169 --> 00:27:28,639 stomped a form of hard enough to sprain 687 00:27:28,368 --> 00:27:31,099 it 688 00:27:28,638 --> 00:27:32,599 DJ ponies right and if you don't get 689 00:27:31,099 --> 00:27:35,990 that then you have no place traveling 690 00:27:32,599 --> 00:27:37,259 with us still have said nothing but 691 00:27:35,990 --> 00:27:39,930 began to pack 692 00:27:37,259 --> 00:27:42,299 I gazed the leftover parts strewn about 693 00:27:39,930 --> 00:27:43,529 the workbench in calamities wake now 694 00:27:42,299 --> 00:27:45,180 that I had all the parts to build my 695 00:27:43,529 --> 00:27:47,579 poison dart gun I should use this 696 00:27:45,180 --> 00:27:49,410 opportunity to put it together invoking 697 00:27:47,579 --> 00:27:50,789 my single magical ability I started to 698 00:27:49,410 --> 00:27:52,290 clear away a space while simultaneously 699 00:27:50,789 --> 00:27:53,009 pulling the schematics out of my 700 00:27:52,289 --> 00:27:55,950 saddlebags 701 00:27:53,009 --> 00:27:57,990 moaning little pip clam Lee trotted into 702 00:27:55,950 --> 00:28:01,319 the room good to see you back on your 703 00:27:57,990 --> 00:28:03,420 hooves I smiled a little thinly giving 704 00:28:01,319 --> 00:28:05,039 you a nod the conversation from the 705 00:28:03,420 --> 00:28:07,289 night before still cast its shadows in 706 00:28:05,039 --> 00:28:09,149 my mind I knew what calamity and the 707 00:28:07,289 --> 00:28:10,740 Steel Ranger had talked about and just 708 00:28:09,150 --> 00:28:13,050 how convincingly steel hose had woven 709 00:28:10,740 --> 00:28:15,329 doubts claiming he knew I'd been 710 00:28:13,049 --> 00:28:18,419 eavesdropping but neither of us had said 711 00:28:15,329 --> 00:28:20,250 anything looks like we got ourselves a 712 00:28:18,420 --> 00:28:21,690 new travelling campaign least for a 713 00:28:20,250 --> 00:28:24,589 little while clam Lee said 714 00:28:21,690 --> 00:28:25,890 conversationally which a thing go I 715 00:28:24,589 --> 00:28:27,779 shrugged 716 00:28:25,890 --> 00:28:30,120 I still wasn't sure what to make of the 717 00:28:27,779 --> 00:28:32,309 Steel Ranger I'd seen the shadows of 718 00:28:30,119 --> 00:28:34,019 both good and bad in him but it was too 719 00:28:32,309 --> 00:28:36,960 soon to anything more than a hop skip 720 00:28:34,019 --> 00:28:38,190 and jump to conclusions from calamities 721 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:40,500 conscious tone I could tell he was 722 00:28:38,190 --> 00:28:42,330 having doubts about steel those I'll 723 00:28:40,500 --> 00:28:45,269 admit we could use a firepower 724 00:28:42,329 --> 00:28:46,710 he offered graciously be damn useful 725 00:28:45,269 --> 00:28:48,269 having an explosive ordnance pitches 726 00:28:46,710 --> 00:28:51,990 like that under saddle if we run any 727 00:28:48,269 --> 00:28:53,490 more of them out of cones I nodded 728 00:28:51,990 --> 00:28:55,650 having begun to worry about the next 729 00:28:53,490 --> 00:28:58,500 time we encountered those creatures if 730 00:28:55,650 --> 00:29:00,690 my suspicions were right on the other 731 00:28:58,500 --> 00:29:02,250 hoof calamity started to say been 732 00:29:00,690 --> 00:29:04,590 stopped as if questioning whether his 733 00:29:02,250 --> 00:29:05,880 opinion was worth voicing I turned to 734 00:29:04,589 --> 00:29:09,419 look at him and lifted a hoof in a way 735 00:29:05,880 --> 00:29:10,980 for him to continue onwards well let's 736 00:29:09,420 --> 00:29:12,840 just say that the steel ranges ain't 737 00:29:10,980 --> 00:29:18,170 exactly got a reputation as champions of 738 00:29:12,839 --> 00:29:20,429 the Kahlan Pony ah yes reputations 739 00:29:18,170 --> 00:29:22,740 tonight's conversation loomed in my head 740 00:29:20,430 --> 00:29:24,830 again my eyes looked over calamity 741 00:29:22,740 --> 00:29:26,910 taking in the distance between us I 742 00:29:24,829 --> 00:29:27,500 wondered if the gap was more than just 743 00:29:26,910 --> 00:29:29,880 physical 744 00:29:27,500 --> 00:29:31,559 my memories pulled back the sheaf and 745 00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:33,060 almost forgotten dream of being trapped 746 00:29:31,559 --> 00:29:36,919 under a wall and watching my friends 747 00:29:33,059 --> 00:29:39,539 walk away hey little bit you okay 748 00:29:36,920 --> 00:29:42,870 clearly I bore my worries like a cutie 749 00:29:39,539 --> 00:29:44,749 mark I snorted the dark humor of it some 750 00:29:42,869 --> 00:29:46,888 secret spy I be 751 00:29:44,749 --> 00:29:49,798 Calamity clumped up next to me and put 752 00:29:46,888 --> 00:29:52,019 us gently over my back now don't you 753 00:29:49,798 --> 00:29:54,108 worry nothing said by that lot is gonna 754 00:29:52,019 --> 00:29:57,690 sow seeds of distrust between us I 755 00:29:54,108 --> 00:30:01,019 looked up at him wide-eyed he smiled at 756 00:29:57,690 --> 00:30:03,210 me I've seen your heart little pip y'all 757 00:30:01,019 --> 00:30:05,308 genuinely want to help folk you put your 758 00:30:03,210 --> 00:30:06,869 own life at risk to do so even when some 759 00:30:05,308 --> 00:30:08,608 of them don't deserve it I ain't gonna 760 00:30:06,868 --> 00:30:10,019 stop question what I know about you just 761 00:30:08,608 --> 00:30:11,548 cause somebody who don't know what is 762 00:30:10,019 --> 00:30:14,730 yapping about can get it all twisted up 763 00:30:11,548 --> 00:30:17,038 I could feel tears gathering in my eyes 764 00:30:14,730 --> 00:30:18,599 I tossed my forelegs around the big 765 00:30:17,038 --> 00:30:21,960 rust-colored Pony and hugged him for all 766 00:30:18,599 --> 00:30:25,108 I was worth you can look into it if you 767 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:26,850 want it was the first thing steel hoofs 768 00:30:25,108 --> 00:30:27,739 had said to me since my outburst over an 769 00:30:26,849 --> 00:30:29,819 hour ago 770 00:30:27,739 --> 00:30:31,829 velvet remedy was in the room looking 771 00:30:29,819 --> 00:30:33,538 over our provisions calamity was 772 00:30:31,829 --> 00:30:36,210 refilling our canteens from silver homes 773 00:30:33,538 --> 00:30:38,548 water purifier I had finished my packing 774 00:30:36,210 --> 00:30:40,230 had been staring aimlessly my curious 775 00:30:38,548 --> 00:30:41,700 gaze had eventually fallen on the memory 776 00:30:40,230 --> 00:30:44,929 orbs sitting enthroned under the picture 777 00:30:41,700 --> 00:30:46,798 of Applejack mayor of the Ministry of I 778 00:30:44,929 --> 00:30:48,538 realized I didn't really know which 779 00:30:46,798 --> 00:30:51,089 Ministry of Lunas government Applejack 780 00:30:48,538 --> 00:30:53,480 had been in charge of I just had enough 781 00:30:51,089 --> 00:30:57,509 clues to make a few educated guesses 782 00:30:53,480 --> 00:31:01,108 go ahead steel is encouraged hasn't been 783 00:30:57,509 --> 00:31:04,980 viewed in a long long time somepony else 784 00:31:01,108 --> 00:31:08,819 should remember I regarded first the 785 00:31:04,980 --> 00:31:10,739 Steel Ranger then the orb I had wondered 786 00:31:08,819 --> 00:31:12,989 why anypony other than a unicorn would 787 00:31:10,739 --> 00:31:15,600 be keeping one since only unicorns could 788 00:31:12,989 --> 00:31:16,259 access the memory stored within it made 789 00:31:15,599 --> 00:31:17,969 no sense 790 00:31:16,259 --> 00:31:19,639 I realized unless that pointy was 791 00:31:17,970 --> 00:31:23,190 keeping it so they could be shared or 792 00:31:19,638 --> 00:31:24,628 safe keeping it but even safe keeping it 793 00:31:23,190 --> 00:31:26,100 was just the same as throwing it away if 794 00:31:24,628 --> 00:31:29,579 no pony ever witnessed what was kept 795 00:31:26,099 --> 00:31:31,798 inside I nodded respectful of what I was 796 00:31:29,579 --> 00:31:33,480 being offered then leaned forward 797 00:31:31,798 --> 00:31:35,970 pointing my horn towards the sphere and 798 00:31:33,480 --> 00:31:40,710 touching it with my magic my world fell 799 00:31:35,970 --> 00:31:42,389 away I was harnessed to something we 800 00:31:40,710 --> 00:31:45,028 were standing offstage concealed in 801 00:31:42,388 --> 00:31:47,128 darkness by heavy curtain Applejack 802 00:31:45,028 --> 00:31:49,528 stood next to me staring out at the dark 803 00:31:47,128 --> 00:31:51,839 stone stage the podium with microphones 804 00:31:49,528 --> 00:31:53,009 and speakers the mumbling throng filling 805 00:31:51,839 --> 00:31:56,038 the auditorium in front of it 806 00:31:53,009 --> 00:31:56,999 the huge brass mwt logo on the wall 807 00:31:56,038 --> 00:31:59,699 behind it 808 00:31:56,999 --> 00:32:02,639 I or at least the pony's memory I was 809 00:31:59,699 --> 00:32:03,209 riding in only had eyes for her she 810 00:32:02,638 --> 00:32:04,798 looked nervous 811 00:32:03,209 --> 00:32:08,009 not to mention uncomfortable in her 812 00:32:04,798 --> 00:32:11,219 formal business dress I can't do this 813 00:32:08,009 --> 00:32:14,749 I felt myself speak heard the words 814 00:32:11,219 --> 00:32:17,578 coming from my mouth you'll be fine 815 00:32:14,749 --> 00:32:21,088 the voice was deep and strong like steel 816 00:32:17,578 --> 00:32:23,698 hoofs but not nearly so gravelly they 817 00:32:21,088 --> 00:32:24,898 hate me half more even saddle-sore just 818 00:32:23,699 --> 00:32:26,459 because i started putting all my hose 819 00:32:24,898 --> 00:32:27,688 into the ministry instead of just 820 00:32:26,459 --> 00:32:31,439 letting him do what they wanted but 821 00:32:27,689 --> 00:32:33,269 bringing twilight's ponies from her tone 822 00:32:31,439 --> 00:32:35,788 that apparently had not gone over well 823 00:32:33,269 --> 00:32:36,179 at all I wrapped a four leg around her 824 00:32:35,788 --> 00:32:37,888 neck 825 00:32:36,179 --> 00:32:39,959 allow me to glimpse the apple green 826 00:32:37,888 --> 00:32:42,648 color of my coat and not let her gently 827 00:32:39,959 --> 00:32:45,449 a sensation that I found quite pleasant 828 00:32:42,648 --> 00:32:47,518 and after today they'll all understand 829 00:32:45,449 --> 00:32:50,788 it and they'll admire you for it 830 00:32:47,519 --> 00:32:53,009 I or more precisely the pony I was 831 00:32:50,788 --> 00:32:55,588 riding leaned close and whispered into 832 00:32:53,009 --> 00:32:58,519 her ear now go on out there and make 833 00:32:55,588 --> 00:33:02,729 history I'll be forced to spank you Oh 834 00:32:58,519 --> 00:33:04,259 goddess Celestia the orange pony blushed 835 00:33:02,729 --> 00:33:05,818 and gave her encourage or a look that I 836 00:33:04,259 --> 00:33:10,078 would have paid almost anything to have 837 00:33:05,818 --> 00:33:12,418 mare give me a later loverboy she smiled 838 00:33:10,078 --> 00:33:15,058 at least more cheerful now and she rode 839 00:33:12,419 --> 00:33:16,919 out before the crowd the pony was riding 840 00:33:15,058 --> 00:33:18,868 washed her stride his eyes strewn 841 00:33:16,919 --> 00:33:21,479 repeatedly to her flanks taking my gaze 842 00:33:18,868 --> 00:33:23,038 with his as much as I couldn't blame him 843 00:33:21,479 --> 00:33:25,588 it was making me feel distinctly 844 00:33:23,038 --> 00:33:28,408 uncomfortable this was an odd memory to 845 00:33:25,588 --> 00:33:30,239 be sharing then I noticed that she had a 846 00:33:28,409 --> 00:33:32,669 holster strapped to one leg mostly 847 00:33:30,239 --> 00:33:34,588 hidden beneath her formal attire the 848 00:33:32,669 --> 00:33:37,709 ivory handle flashed three red apples as 849 00:33:34,588 --> 00:33:39,388 she walked the reception was not the 850 00:33:37,709 --> 00:33:41,849 respectful and admiring silence which 851 00:33:39,388 --> 00:33:43,318 fluttershy received but Applejack stood 852 00:33:41,848 --> 00:33:45,989 up straight at the podium cleared her 853 00:33:43,318 --> 00:33:46,648 throat and spoke slowly and clearly now 854 00:33:45,989 --> 00:33:48,538 listen up 855 00:33:46,648 --> 00:33:49,918 I know y'all been a bit sore about 856 00:33:48,538 --> 00:33:51,449 having ponies from the Ministry of 857 00:33:49,919 --> 00:33:53,429 arcane sciences working with us 858 00:33:51,449 --> 00:33:55,379 I know y'all are dedicated to improving 859 00:33:53,429 --> 00:33:56,759 Equestria the earth pony way and magic 860 00:33:55,378 --> 00:33:58,588 kind of flies in the face all of that 861 00:33:56,759 --> 00:34:00,149 but there some things are just too 862 00:33:58,588 --> 00:34:01,078 important to let stubborn pride get in 863 00:34:00,148 --> 00:34:03,899 the way asking for help 864 00:34:01,078 --> 00:34:06,569 trust me I know 865 00:34:03,900 --> 00:34:08,280 and I want you all to know how proud I 866 00:34:06,569 --> 00:34:09,360 am to be standing here today able to 867 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:11,669 finally show you the fruits of your 868 00:34:09,360 --> 00:34:14,010 efforts most of you don't know what 869 00:34:11,668 --> 00:34:17,279 you've been working on was important to 870 00:34:14,010 --> 00:34:19,620 keep things the next word did not seem 871 00:34:17,280 --> 00:34:21,629 to come naturally to her come pop 872 00:34:19,619 --> 00:34:22,349 metallized keep this project out of 873 00:34:21,628 --> 00:34:24,739 zebra hooves 874 00:34:22,349 --> 00:34:27,269 what y'all accomplished in just one year 875 00:34:24,739 --> 00:34:28,859 ain't been a bunch earth ponies do more 876 00:34:27,269 --> 00:34:31,949 work in less time than when we built a 877 00:34:28,860 --> 00:34:33,570 Volusia until this point her words were 878 00:34:31,949 --> 00:34:36,089 undercut by resentful rumbles of 879 00:34:33,570 --> 00:34:37,800 whispered opinion now her voice dropped 880 00:34:36,090 --> 00:34:40,169 into a tone both somber and deadly 881 00:34:37,800 --> 00:34:42,659 serious the ponies in the audience began 882 00:34:40,168 --> 00:34:45,929 to hush not for her but out of reverence 883 00:34:42,659 --> 00:34:47,490 of what Jay spoke of when I was young my 884 00:34:45,929 --> 00:34:50,460 big brother Macintosh was always there 885 00:34:47,489 --> 00:34:52,918 for me he was my closest kin and he'd 886 00:34:50,460 --> 00:34:54,720 never let me down when a question needed 887 00:34:52,918 --> 00:34:57,269 him he didn't let us down either 888 00:34:54,719 --> 00:34:58,649 he served to Oakland our army fighting 889 00:34:57,269 --> 00:35:01,170 for our way of life for these three 890 00:34:58,650 --> 00:35:05,039 years and then when we needed him most 891 00:35:01,170 --> 00:35:06,300 he made the ultimate sacrifice when that 892 00:35:05,039 --> 00:35:08,279 zebra bullet punched through my 893 00:35:06,300 --> 00:35:11,100 brother's armor and pierced his heart it 894 00:35:08,280 --> 00:35:13,110 broke my heart too I could see Apple 895 00:35:11,099 --> 00:35:15,659 Jacks eyes start to tear her voice 896 00:35:13,110 --> 00:35:18,720 trembled but she pressed on the room was 897 00:35:15,659 --> 00:35:20,599 now dead silent except for her one year 898 00:35:18,719 --> 00:35:24,000 ago we bared my brother Big Macintosh 899 00:35:20,599 --> 00:35:25,559 and that day I sworn oath that no one 900 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:27,719 other Pony would die needlessly in 901 00:35:25,559 --> 00:35:30,779 battle they're risking their lives out 902 00:35:27,719 --> 00:35:33,869 there for us we owe them better and now 903 00:35:30,780 --> 00:35:35,490 starting today we give them better my 904 00:35:33,869 --> 00:35:37,949 memory escort started walking onto the 905 00:35:35,489 --> 00:35:40,049 stage I felt the ropes trailing from me 906 00:35:37,949 --> 00:35:42,480 lift and pull taut the harness day into 907 00:35:40,050 --> 00:35:43,920 my flesh I felt the resistance and heard 908 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:46,590 the wheels of the waggon I was pulling 909 00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:49,019 begin to move ponies are the Ministry of 910 00:35:46,590 --> 00:35:50,510 Technology I give it to y'all the Steel 911 00:35:49,019 --> 00:35:53,610 Ranger 912 00:35:50,510 --> 00:35:55,440 moments later the memory collapsed blast 913 00:35:53,610 --> 00:35:58,349 sight lingering in my mind is my own 914 00:35:55,440 --> 00:35:59,909 world reasserted itself a glance back of 915 00:35:58,349 --> 00:36:02,460 the display wagon and the magical power 916 00:35:59,909 --> 00:36:02,909 armor it was carrying I look to steel 917 00:36:02,460 --> 00:36:04,559 hooves 918 00:36:02,909 --> 00:36:07,559 sensing I now understood him far more 919 00:36:04,559 --> 00:36:09,449 than I had moments ago 920 00:36:07,559 --> 00:36:11,489 the light gray of the clouds had 921 00:36:09,449 --> 00:36:14,369 descended shrouding the landscape in fog 922 00:36:11,489 --> 00:36:16,049 all around us the rubble of blast 923 00:36:14,369 --> 00:36:17,900 flattened an aged demolished buildings 924 00:36:16,050 --> 00:36:20,400 created shadows and obstacles I 925 00:36:17,900 --> 00:36:21,360 regularly had to check my EFS compass to 926 00:36:20,400 --> 00:36:23,760 make sure we were headed in the right 927 00:36:21,360 --> 00:36:26,640 direction still even calamity was 928 00:36:23,760 --> 00:36:28,260 grounded to avoid losing us we were 929 00:36:26,639 --> 00:36:30,299 entering the outskirts of Manhattan now 930 00:36:28,260 --> 00:36:33,000 I felt the pang of disappointment at I 931 00:36:30,300 --> 00:36:34,289 couldn't properly see the city calamity 932 00:36:33,000 --> 00:36:35,940 in velvet remedy had taken the lead 933 00:36:34,289 --> 00:36:37,590 quint attention to my eyes forward 934 00:36:35,940 --> 00:36:40,079 Sparkle was as much to spot hostile 935 00:36:37,590 --> 00:36:41,579 creatures as it was to navigate another 936 00:36:40,079 --> 00:36:42,739 red spot flared up in front of us and 937 00:36:41,579 --> 00:36:46,349 just off to the left 938 00:36:42,739 --> 00:36:49,109 calamity seven o'clock calamity nod and 939 00:36:46,349 --> 00:36:50,789 crouched down sneaking forward the fog 940 00:36:49,110 --> 00:36:52,860 wrapped about him concealing him from my 941 00:36:50,789 --> 00:36:55,529 vision but my EFS compass marked his 942 00:36:52,860 --> 00:36:57,240 position velvet hung back a little but 943 00:36:55,530 --> 00:36:58,680 kept him locked in her sight her horn 944 00:36:57,239 --> 00:37:00,299 glowing faintly she prepared to throw a 945 00:36:58,679 --> 00:37:03,149 shield around the orange mane Pegasus in 946 00:37:00,300 --> 00:37:06,030 a black desperado hat moment later a 947 00:37:03,150 --> 00:37:09,210 single twin shot rang out clamored 948 00:37:06,030 --> 00:37:10,650 returned giant red hog one of the 949 00:37:09,210 --> 00:37:13,500 mutated piglet creatures I had 950 00:37:10,650 --> 00:37:14,970 encountered under the train bridge I do 951 00:37:13,500 --> 00:37:17,340 hope you're not planning to cook and eat 952 00:37:14,969 --> 00:37:19,919 that velvet remedy in tone disparagingly 953 00:37:17,340 --> 00:37:22,100 I can't imagine all the meat even eating 954 00:37:19,920 --> 00:37:24,000 did any good over the last few days I 955 00:37:22,099 --> 00:37:26,699 shot her a look that you probably 956 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:28,519 couldn't see and said nothing you see 957 00:37:26,699 --> 00:37:30,989 that's why y'all at a vegetarian 958 00:37:28,519 --> 00:37:33,900 calamity laughed you ain't never had 959 00:37:30,989 --> 00:37:35,129 bacon trust me if ponies were meant only 960 00:37:33,900 --> 00:37:37,019 fruits oats and grasses 961 00:37:35,130 --> 00:37:38,519 then the existence of bacon with a proof 962 00:37:37,019 --> 00:37:42,719 in the pie that the world was just cruel 963 00:37:38,519 --> 00:37:45,960 and evil oh great now I had to try 964 00:37:42,719 --> 00:37:47,789 eating rat hog a few moments later we 965 00:37:45,960 --> 00:37:49,349 had a cook fire started and calamity was 966 00:37:47,789 --> 00:37:50,929 explained they just which parts of the 967 00:37:49,349 --> 00:37:53,190 rat Huck were the most delicious 968 00:37:50,929 --> 00:37:55,769 velvet remedy had chosen to join steel 969 00:37:53,190 --> 00:37:57,389 hooves and ignoring the two of us her 970 00:37:55,769 --> 00:37:59,429 silky voice sliced through the air she 971 00:37:57,389 --> 00:38:00,750 told steel hose now for getting the 972 00:37:59,429 --> 00:38:03,509 battle I do hope you have the good sense 973 00:38:00,750 --> 00:38:05,039 to let calamity littlepip handle it no 974 00:38:03,510 --> 00:38:06,960 offense I really am thanking you for 975 00:38:05,039 --> 00:38:08,940 your coming to a rescue but I came 976 00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:10,940 closer to dying from all your explosions 977 00:38:08,940 --> 00:38:13,039 and from the alicorns 978 00:38:10,940 --> 00:38:14,500 I hadn't thought of it that way but 979 00:38:13,039 --> 00:38:17,469 Belleville remedy had a strong point 980 00:38:14,500 --> 00:38:20,568 steel hooves weapons were all extremely 981 00:38:17,469 --> 00:38:22,159 excessive and while it was very good for 982 00:38:20,568 --> 00:38:23,750 fighting manticores or alicorns at a 983 00:38:22,159 --> 00:38:25,250 good distance it could be lethal to 984 00:38:23,750 --> 00:38:25,838 everypony in close quarters or enclosed 985 00:38:25,250 --> 00:38:28,219 spaces 986 00:38:25,838 --> 00:38:29,929 I'd have to convince Steele of to keep 987 00:38:28,219 --> 00:38:31,969 himself in reserve until he was needed I 988 00:38:29,929 --> 00:38:34,129 wasn't sure how that would go over with 989 00:38:31,969 --> 00:38:35,568 the Steel Ranger traveling with others 990 00:38:34,130 --> 00:38:37,608 and having to take precautions to keep 991 00:38:35,568 --> 00:38:39,739 his own companions alive was not I 992 00:38:37,608 --> 00:38:41,119 suspected something steel hose had been 993 00:38:39,739 --> 00:38:45,649 required to deal with it for a very long 994 00:38:41,119 --> 00:38:46,910 time old song calamity was saying 995 00:38:45,650 --> 00:38:49,608 developer Emma teased the two of them 996 00:38:46,909 --> 00:38:52,098 took the lead once again if I sang a 997 00:38:49,608 --> 00:38:54,190 little bit of it badly probably could 998 00:38:52,099 --> 00:38:58,039 you magic up some music to go with it 999 00:38:54,190 --> 00:39:00,769 well velvet said uncertainly I could 1000 00:38:58,039 --> 00:39:03,650 certainly try then with a reassuring 1001 00:39:00,769 --> 00:39:05,030 smile and your voice is quite good if 1002 00:39:03,650 --> 00:39:08,079 you took some singing lessons you'd be 1003 00:39:05,030 --> 00:39:13,220 very pleasant listen to I rolled my eyes 1004 00:39:08,079 --> 00:39:16,369 that's my velvet no that's Calamity's 1005 00:39:13,219 --> 00:39:18,409 velvet I reserved to myself and then 1006 00:39:16,369 --> 00:39:20,780 wiped the whole thought clean velvet 1007 00:39:18,409 --> 00:39:23,539 remedy was Velvets velvet and would be 1008 00:39:20,780 --> 00:39:26,450 until she said otherwise and even then 1009 00:39:23,539 --> 00:39:29,269 only so long as she allowed it calamity 1010 00:39:26,449 --> 00:39:31,719 was going to be Velvets calamity and I 1011 00:39:29,269 --> 00:39:34,009 was not going to be jealous third wing a 1012 00:39:31,719 --> 00:39:36,259 steel hose was bringing up the rear 1013 00:39:34,010 --> 00:39:37,670 I dropped back choosing to engage him in 1014 00:39:36,260 --> 00:39:39,890 discourse rather than dwell on the two 1015 00:39:37,670 --> 00:39:41,300 ponies in front of me trying to strike 1016 00:39:39,889 --> 00:39:44,118 up a conversation I told him I had a 1017 00:39:41,300 --> 00:39:47,000 question about the memory I'd seen what 1018 00:39:44,119 --> 00:39:48,769 question his voice suggests that there 1019 00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:50,300 was a great many questions he expected I 1020 00:39:48,769 --> 00:39:52,239 might have and that most of them were 1021 00:39:50,300 --> 00:39:58,310 not really my business 1022 00:39:52,239 --> 00:39:59,959 the Ministry of Technology why mwt when 1023 00:39:58,309 --> 00:40:02,989 the unseen Pony spoke I could hear a 1024 00:39:59,960 --> 00:40:04,490 touch of relief in his voice officially 1025 00:40:02,989 --> 00:40:07,039 it was the Ministry of wartime 1026 00:40:04,489 --> 00:40:09,409 technologies but Applejack hated that 1027 00:40:07,039 --> 00:40:11,179 name she was always the first to point 1028 00:40:09,409 --> 00:40:13,730 out the technological innovations that 1029 00:40:11,179 --> 00:40:16,129 mwt championed and subsidized benefited 1030 00:40:13,730 --> 00:40:19,940 all of cost RIA not just the war effort 1031 00:40:16,130 --> 00:40:21,680 I nodded listening intently it was a 1032 00:40:19,940 --> 00:40:22,190 subject that still has had some warmth 1033 00:40:21,679 --> 00:40:24,919 or 1034 00:40:22,190 --> 00:40:27,619 but a small flash of green the sky above 1035 00:40:24,920 --> 00:40:30,530 us distracted my gaze I looked up but 1036 00:40:27,619 --> 00:40:31,849 saw nothing I turn to ask steal those if 1037 00:40:30,530 --> 00:40:33,290 he had seen anything but he was 1038 00:40:31,849 --> 00:40:35,989 continuing to speak about Applejack's 1039 00:40:33,289 --> 00:40:37,219 ministry I doubted the sky wagon crash 1040 00:40:35,989 --> 00:40:40,099 would have diverted his attention at 1041 00:40:37,219 --> 00:40:40,639 this point under the ministry's guidance 1042 00:40:40,099 --> 00:40:42,289 and support 1043 00:40:40,639 --> 00:40:43,670 dozens of innovative technology 1044 00:40:42,289 --> 00:40:46,219 industries blossomed across Equestria 1045 00:40:43,670 --> 00:40:48,440 and existing ones became a lot more 1046 00:40:46,219 --> 00:40:50,109 powerful their products becoming part of 1047 00:40:48,440 --> 00:40:52,639 every ponies daily life 1048 00:40:50,110 --> 00:40:54,700 companies like iron-shod four stars a 1049 00:40:52,639 --> 00:40:56,929 question robotics and even stable tech 1050 00:40:54,699 --> 00:41:00,619 he turned his helmeted gaze down towards 1051 00:40:56,929 --> 00:41:02,899 my pipbuck so why he's an aim focus on 1052 00:41:00,619 --> 00:41:07,190 war it should have been the Ministry of 1053 00:41:02,900 --> 00:41:09,619 Technology I heard music not velvet 1054 00:41:07,190 --> 00:41:11,059 remedy or calamity patriotic gallon 1055 00:41:09,619 --> 00:41:13,670 music whispering out of the Mist 1056 00:41:11,059 --> 00:41:14,929 I stopped turning in place until the 1057 00:41:13,670 --> 00:41:18,230 little blip of light appeared on my 1058 00:41:14,929 --> 00:41:20,480 compass everypony hold up please I want 1059 00:41:18,230 --> 00:41:24,349 to check on something alone 1060 00:41:20,480 --> 00:41:27,079 steel ups questioned yes I nodded it's 1061 00:41:24,349 --> 00:41:29,389 okay I'll be right back she'd do this a 1062 00:41:27,079 --> 00:41:31,279 lot I heard him ask my companions I 1063 00:41:29,389 --> 00:41:35,029 slipped off into the mist following the 1064 00:41:31,280 --> 00:41:37,460 sound do what calamity snickered wander 1065 00:41:35,030 --> 00:41:41,810 off break traveled explore random ruins 1066 00:41:37,460 --> 00:41:44,179 all the time I was approaching a 1067 00:41:41,809 --> 00:41:46,340 building half of it was a huge barn with 1068 00:41:44,179 --> 00:41:49,250 the vast shattered windows the other 1069 00:41:46,340 --> 00:41:52,280 half loomed castle like in the mist my 1070 00:41:49,250 --> 00:41:54,550 pipbuck flashed name across the EFS four 1071 00:41:52,280 --> 00:41:57,110 stars grand terminal and central offices 1072 00:41:54,550 --> 00:42:01,070 the music cut out with a loud static 1073 00:41:57,110 --> 00:42:04,640 laced pop hello watcher hello little PIP 1074 00:42:01,070 --> 00:42:08,090 I see you've made a new friend maybe I 1075 00:42:04,639 --> 00:42:10,159 said not committing either way as if on 1076 00:42:08,090 --> 00:42:14,019 cue steel hoofs deep voice resonated 1077 00:42:10,159 --> 00:42:18,190 through the mist little pip are you okay 1078 00:42:14,019 --> 00:42:19,900 Wow stealthy he was not 1079 00:42:18,190 --> 00:42:22,619 the mechanical voice of watcher 1080 00:42:19,900 --> 00:42:25,840 expressed that voice sounds familiar 1081 00:42:22,619 --> 00:42:28,239 that didn't surprise me steel Huff's 1082 00:42:25,840 --> 00:42:29,320 voice was very distinctive and if 1083 00:42:28,239 --> 00:42:30,759 watcher had been snooping on the 1084 00:42:29,320 --> 00:42:32,980 equestrian wasteland for any length of 1085 00:42:30,760 --> 00:42:36,580 time it may very well be that he had 1086 00:42:32,980 --> 00:42:38,409 spied on the steel rangers watcher now 1087 00:42:36,579 --> 00:42:40,949 there was some pony deserved be 1088 00:42:38,409 --> 00:42:43,509 suspected as a covert ops spy pony I 1089 00:42:40,949 --> 00:42:46,210 looked around for the spritebot but the 1090 00:42:43,510 --> 00:42:47,650 fog concealed it expertly instead I 1091 00:42:46,210 --> 00:42:50,400 spotted twin vending machines 1092 00:42:47,650 --> 00:42:53,230 sparkle-cola and sunrise sarsparilla and 1093 00:42:50,400 --> 00:42:56,680 the third set just a few yards down from 1094 00:42:53,230 --> 00:42:57,880 them iron shots ammo emporium the last 1095 00:42:56,679 --> 00:43:00,759 had been torn apart and thoroughly 1096 00:42:57,880 --> 00:43:02,650 looted I felt a chill imagining the kind 1097 00:43:00,760 --> 00:43:03,760 of pre-war world where he could buy ammo 1098 00:43:02,650 --> 00:43:05,170 along with your soft drinks at a 1099 00:43:03,760 --> 00:43:09,310 streetside vending machine 1100 00:43:05,170 --> 00:43:11,829 no Pony interaction necessary watcher 1101 00:43:09,309 --> 00:43:13,630 was there a Ministry of Awesome it was 1102 00:43:11,829 --> 00:43:17,590 just a leading question clearly I 1103 00:43:13,630 --> 00:43:19,090 already knew is Rainbow Dash the 1104 00:43:17,590 --> 00:43:20,740 disembodied artificial voice somehow 1105 00:43:19,090 --> 00:43:23,680 managed to sound amused even though it 1106 00:43:20,739 --> 00:43:25,239 had no inflection at all yes one of the 1107 00:43:23,679 --> 00:43:26,409 question is heroes did decide that her 1108 00:43:25,239 --> 00:43:28,419 ministry would be the Ministry of 1109 00:43:26,409 --> 00:43:30,009 Awesome they even built a ministry 1110 00:43:28,420 --> 00:43:33,300 headquarters for on ministry walk I 1111 00:43:30,010 --> 00:43:35,740 assumed calamity mentioned it I nodded 1112 00:43:33,300 --> 00:43:37,030 then realizing a watcher probably 1113 00:43:35,739 --> 00:43:39,069 couldn't see me any better than I could 1114 00:43:37,030 --> 00:43:40,690 see the spritebot although which really 1115 00:43:39,070 --> 00:43:45,370 surprised me if that was the case I 1116 00:43:40,690 --> 00:43:46,900 stayed yes ministry walk I'd heard of 1117 00:43:45,369 --> 00:43:49,659 that place before but I couldn't quite 1118 00:43:46,900 --> 00:43:51,579 put my hoof on where when after 1119 00:43:49,659 --> 00:43:54,719 pondering her fruitlessly I finally 1120 00:43:51,579 --> 00:43:57,699 asked what did the ministry awesome do I 1121 00:43:54,719 --> 00:44:00,069 hated loathed questioning something 1122 00:43:57,699 --> 00:44:02,619 calamity had told me especially based on 1123 00:44:00,070 --> 00:44:04,740 something steel ifs had said even more 1124 00:44:02,619 --> 00:44:07,630 so after clam had not done the same 1125 00:44:04,739 --> 00:44:09,549 not much watcher said to my great sense 1126 00:44:07,630 --> 00:44:11,110 of relief I mean 1127 00:44:09,550 --> 00:44:12,910 Rainbow Dash did throw two or three 1128 00:44:11,110 --> 00:44:14,410 projects their way the single Pony 1129 00:44:12,909 --> 00:44:16,389 project was one of theirs for example 1130 00:44:14,409 --> 00:44:18,549 but for the most part they just lounge 1131 00:44:16,389 --> 00:44:20,589 around did nothing after a few years 1132 00:44:18,550 --> 00:44:24,190 Luna order to create it up and began 1133 00:44:20,590 --> 00:44:26,769 using the MA w HQ for storage another 1134 00:44:24,190 --> 00:44:28,240 question came to me I activated my pit 1135 00:44:26,769 --> 00:44:30,280 bucks inventory arrangement smell and 1136 00:44:28,239 --> 00:44:31,719 opened my saddlebags then stopped 1137 00:44:30,280 --> 00:44:35,109 checking to make sure 1138 00:44:31,719 --> 00:44:38,769 can you see me yes littlepip I can see 1139 00:44:35,108 --> 00:44:42,239 you thought so I floated out to 1140 00:44:38,769 --> 00:44:44,639 statuettes I'd found what are these of 1141 00:44:42,239 --> 00:44:47,500 course watch her knew the answer 1142 00:44:44,639 --> 00:44:48,699 limited edition ponies of harmony those 1143 00:44:47,500 --> 00:44:50,798 are some pretty nice little magical 1144 00:44:48,699 --> 00:44:55,419 artifacts you have there only 42 were 1145 00:44:50,798 --> 00:44:58,780 ever made 42 I was expecting closer to 1146 00:44:55,420 --> 00:44:59,980 six Questers heroines the six Pony 1147 00:44:58,780 --> 00:45:01,809 friends whose virtues matched the 1148 00:44:59,980 --> 00:45:03,699 elements of harmony there were seven 1149 00:45:01,809 --> 00:45:04,839 sets made one for each of them and one 1150 00:45:03,699 --> 00:45:07,029 that Luna kept for herself 1151 00:45:04,838 --> 00:45:08,588 the ponies mostly gave them to each 1152 00:45:07,030 --> 00:45:10,000 other although a few of the statutes are 1153 00:45:08,588 --> 00:45:12,338 passed on to loved ones or family 1154 00:45:10,000 --> 00:45:15,280 members that made sense 1155 00:45:12,338 --> 00:45:16,568 Sweetie Belle had her sisters Applejack 1156 00:45:15,280 --> 00:45:19,119 would have given one of herself to her 1157 00:45:16,568 --> 00:45:20,619 buck for an Apple snack I wondered if 1158 00:45:19,119 --> 00:45:23,230 the one I found an old Appaloosa had 1159 00:45:20,619 --> 00:45:26,769 originally been a gift for Braeburn who 1160 00:45:23,230 --> 00:45:28,990 was I never got to finish my question a 1161 00:45:26,769 --> 00:45:30,338 crack of static replaced watcher with 1162 00:45:28,989 --> 00:45:31,929 the voice of redeye who was in the 1163 00:45:30,338 --> 00:45:33,699 middle of telling everyone that raiders 1164 00:45:31,929 --> 00:45:35,889 ghouls and hellhounds were bad 1165 00:45:33,699 --> 00:45:37,808 his voice faded is the spritebot 1166 00:45:35,889 --> 00:45:41,528 wandered aimlessly away from me until it 1167 00:45:37,809 --> 00:45:43,240 was swallowed entirely by the mist four 1168 00:45:41,528 --> 00:45:44,409 stars was an elevated train company 1169 00:45:43,239 --> 00:45:45,699 which had once provided public 1170 00:45:44,409 --> 00:45:48,519 transportation for the main hatton 1171 00:45:45,699 --> 00:45:50,288 metropolis steel who suggested that if 1172 00:45:48,519 --> 00:45:51,548 the monorails were still intact it would 1173 00:45:50,289 --> 00:45:53,589 make the easiest route through the city 1174 00:45:51,548 --> 00:45:55,088 carrying us over the maze of rubble and 1175 00:45:53,588 --> 00:45:56,858 away from the most radiation twisted 1176 00:45:55,088 --> 00:45:59,380 aberrations and occasional Raiders that 1177 00:45:56,858 --> 00:46:01,389 lurked in the ruins it sounded like a 1178 00:45:59,380 --> 00:46:03,119 good plan so I stopped at the still 1179 00:46:01,389 --> 00:46:05,500 illuminated sign mapping out the rails 1180 00:46:03,119 --> 00:46:08,079 the station was part of the Luna Line 1181 00:46:05,500 --> 00:46:09,608 the celestial line was crossed it at 1182 00:46:08,079 --> 00:46:12,460 several points led straight the tempo 1183 00:46:09,608 --> 00:46:13,960 neat our calamity finished rummaging 1184 00:46:12,460 --> 00:46:15,278 through the garbage bins returning with 1185 00:46:13,960 --> 00:46:17,980 a surprising collection of sellable 1186 00:46:15,278 --> 00:46:20,500 items and a few dozen bottle caps velvet 1187 00:46:17,980 --> 00:46:21,880 Remini rolled her eyes well I hope 1188 00:46:20,500 --> 00:46:24,730 that's enough for you to buy a bath once 1189 00:46:21,880 --> 00:46:26,410 we get to tenpony I looked across the 1190 00:46:24,730 --> 00:46:27,969 waiting station towards the heavy doors 1191 00:46:26,409 --> 00:46:30,278 into the moor castle like office 1192 00:46:27,969 --> 00:46:31,598 structure there were blackened panels 1193 00:46:30,278 --> 00:46:33,239 that looked like turret emplacements 1194 00:46:31,599 --> 00:46:35,318 which had been destroyed ages ago 1195 00:46:33,239 --> 00:46:39,189 curiously I trotted over to the door and 1196 00:46:35,318 --> 00:46:42,130 tried it locked well that was just 1197 00:46:39,190 --> 00:46:42,548 beggin for me to open it what are you 1198 00:46:42,130 --> 00:46:44,500 doing 1199 00:46:42,548 --> 00:46:45,460 Cee Lo's asked as he and the others 1200 00:46:44,500 --> 00:46:47,949 joined me 1201 00:46:45,460 --> 00:46:50,800 I want to see what's inside I said 1202 00:46:47,949 --> 00:46:51,429 simply focusing on the lock this was a 1203 00:46:50,800 --> 00:46:53,650 hard one 1204 00:46:51,429 --> 00:46:56,139 four stars did not want to give up its 1205 00:46:53,650 --> 00:46:57,550 secrets easily which only made me all 1206 00:46:56,139 --> 00:47:00,219 the more intent on learning what those 1207 00:46:57,550 --> 00:47:02,109 secrets were I heard clamoring to make a 1208 00:47:00,219 --> 00:47:02,939 snicker that clearly translated to told 1209 00:47:02,108 --> 00:47:06,250 you so 1210 00:47:02,940 --> 00:47:09,280 the lock clicked triumphantly I swung 1211 00:47:06,250 --> 00:47:10,929 the door open in an eyeblink 1212 00:47:09,280 --> 00:47:13,180 I registered the expanse of the gray 1213 00:47:10,929 --> 00:47:14,649 Lobby it's semi circular desk fortified 1214 00:47:13,179 --> 00:47:17,559 with sandbags and makeshift barricades 1215 00:47:14,650 --> 00:47:20,170 in that glimpse I saw the scattered 1216 00:47:17,559 --> 00:47:21,969 bodies of dozens of Steel Rangers suits 1217 00:47:20,170 --> 00:47:24,639 of magical power armor holding skeletal 1218 00:47:21,969 --> 00:47:26,108 Pony remains and I saw the three 1219 00:47:24,639 --> 00:47:29,049 scorched holes in the ceiling that once 1220 00:47:26,108 --> 00:47:30,579 held turrets the remaining turd of the 1221 00:47:29,050 --> 00:47:33,070 force are his lobby ceiling swung around 1222 00:47:30,579 --> 00:47:34,980 and opened fire I was taken by surprise 1223 00:47:33,070 --> 00:47:37,330 but velvet remedy had been prepared 1224 00:47:34,980 --> 00:47:38,920 their shield burst around me even as the 1225 00:47:37,329 --> 00:47:41,920 air was filled with the rat tat tat tat 1226 00:47:38,920 --> 00:47:43,480 tat of machine-gun fire however my 1227 00:47:41,920 --> 00:47:45,639 shield gave no protection the bullets 1228 00:47:43,480 --> 00:47:48,550 ripped right through it then through my 1229 00:47:45,639 --> 00:47:50,889 Armour and through me my body tore apart 1230 00:47:48,550 --> 00:47:53,109 in agony dozens of things going horribly 1231 00:47:50,889 --> 00:47:54,819 wrong inside all at once is at least six 1232 00:47:53,108 --> 00:47:56,108 shots passed clean through me and buried 1233 00:47:54,820 --> 00:47:59,230 themselves into the station's floor 1234 00:47:56,108 --> 00:48:00,730 tiles I barely heard the explosive roar 1235 00:47:59,230 --> 00:48:02,889 steel hose grenade machine gun as I 1236 00:48:00,730 --> 00:48:05,980 collapsed sound and like fleeting from 1237 00:48:02,889 --> 00:48:06,519 me It was as if I was falling down a 1238 00:48:05,980 --> 00:48:08,858 well 1239 00:48:06,519 --> 00:48:10,449 through the distant ring above I could 1240 00:48:08,858 --> 00:48:12,489 see the ceiling detonate in a mass of 1241 00:48:10,449 --> 00:48:13,899 fireballs then come raining down with a 1242 00:48:12,489 --> 00:48:18,338 distant thunder collapsing into the 1243 00:48:13,900 --> 00:48:21,730 lobby below I returned to the wasteland 1244 00:48:18,338 --> 00:48:22,509 of the living alert and in pain velvet 1245 00:48:21,730 --> 00:48:24,309 remedy was pouring another 1246 00:48:22,510 --> 00:48:28,570 extra-strength restoration potion down 1247 00:48:24,309 --> 00:48:30,880 my throat I choked gasping welcome back 1248 00:48:28,570 --> 00:48:33,750 little pip we came very close to losing 1249 00:48:30,880 --> 00:48:37,900 you velvet voice was Stern with worry 1250 00:48:33,750 --> 00:48:39,099 what what happened clemmy's voice called 1251 00:48:37,900 --> 00:48:42,039 out from somewhere further into the 1252 00:48:39,099 --> 00:48:45,250 rebel all appears in booths his voice 1253 00:48:42,039 --> 00:48:47,889 sounded disbelieving and alarmed stop or 1254 00:48:45,250 --> 00:48:49,599 de steel hooves I panicked wondering 1255 00:48:47,889 --> 00:48:50,980 what I was doing that I could stop but 1256 00:48:49,599 --> 00:48:52,289 his exclamation was directed towards 1257 00:48:50,980 --> 00:48:54,210 calamity 1258 00:48:52,289 --> 00:48:58,139 I will not let you boot the bodies of 1259 00:48:54,210 --> 00:48:59,429 fallen Rangers hey clam he shot back in 1260 00:48:58,139 --> 00:49:01,109 case you didn't notice 1261 00:48:59,429 --> 00:49:03,149 they ain't using this stuff anymore in 1262 00:49:01,110 --> 00:49:05,099 the amylin that ridiculous battle saddle 1263 00:49:03,150 --> 00:49:06,269 years throws around ain't cheap and 1264 00:49:05,099 --> 00:49:08,339 ain't the sort of stuff you find the 1265 00:49:06,269 --> 00:49:10,559 radius ammo boxes or industrials office 1266 00:49:08,340 --> 00:49:14,010 buildings we need to scavenge it from 1267 00:49:10,559 --> 00:49:15,960 wherever we can whenever we can calamity 1268 00:49:14,010 --> 00:49:19,440 quieted a moment then trotting the view 1269 00:49:15,960 --> 00:49:22,349 with a missile in his mouth Rose man he 1270 00:49:19,440 --> 00:49:24,059 ain't Mizanin he spat out the missile 1271 00:49:22,349 --> 00:49:25,259 into the pile he was collecting shooting 1272 00:49:24,059 --> 00:49:28,079 a glower at steel hose 1273 00:49:25,260 --> 00:49:31,830 I looked develop remedy who was prodding 1274 00:49:28,079 --> 00:49:33,480 me to drink more right from now on 1275 00:49:31,829 --> 00:49:37,139 sneaking buildings that might not be 1276 00:49:33,480 --> 00:49:37,590 friendly steel hoofs made his way back 1277 00:49:37,139 --> 00:49:40,019 to me 1278 00:49:37,590 --> 00:49:41,910 I wondered how covert super Death Pony 1279 00:49:40,019 --> 00:49:43,469 like I looked to him now my armor full 1280 00:49:41,909 --> 00:49:45,629 of holes and covered in my own sticky 1281 00:49:43,469 --> 00:49:48,029 blood I would need to have it cleaned 1282 00:49:45,630 --> 00:49:50,579 amended when I got to tenpony tower or 1283 00:49:48,030 --> 00:49:51,870 maybe sooner I was guessing I didn't 1284 00:49:50,579 --> 00:49:54,420 look much better than I had coming out 1285 00:49:51,869 --> 00:49:56,699 of Ponyville you've definitely got my 1286 00:49:54,420 --> 00:49:59,460 attention he said and turned towards the 1287 00:49:56,699 --> 00:50:03,960 nearest dead Ranger now I want to know 1288 00:49:59,460 --> 00:50:06,570 more about this building - I nodded okay 1289 00:50:03,960 --> 00:50:08,579 let's split up then I consider keeping 1290 00:50:06,570 --> 00:50:11,430 velvet remedy my side but realized it 1291 00:50:08,579 --> 00:50:13,110 wasn't the best play steel is with me 1292 00:50:11,429 --> 00:50:15,089 velvet would you mind saying with 1293 00:50:13,110 --> 00:50:16,380 calamity you two looking to the rest of 1294 00:50:15,090 --> 00:50:19,170 this floor in the basement we'll check 1295 00:50:16,380 --> 00:50:21,960 out the offices upstairs velvet smiled 1296 00:50:19,170 --> 00:50:24,599 but then fixed me with a harsh glare be 1297 00:50:21,960 --> 00:50:28,329 careful a lot more careful than this was 1298 00:50:24,599 --> 00:50:30,639 I promised 1299 00:50:28,329 --> 00:50:32,799 attention all four stars employees in 1300 00:50:30,639 --> 00:50:34,750 conjunction with new safety and security 1301 00:50:32,800 --> 00:50:36,720 protocols all employees will be issued a 1302 00:50:34,750 --> 00:50:39,130 standard-issue military class firearm 1303 00:50:36,719 --> 00:50:41,469 this firearm is to be worn at all times 1304 00:50:39,130 --> 00:50:43,000 while on company property failure to do 1305 00:50:41,469 --> 00:50:44,559 so or failure to keep your firearm 1306 00:50:43,000 --> 00:50:46,480 well-maintained properly loaded we 1307 00:50:44,559 --> 00:50:50,199 grounds for termination under employee 1308 00:50:46,480 --> 00:50:52,119 uniform policy 13b in the unlikely event 1309 00:50:50,199 --> 00:50:53,469 of incursion on the four-stars private 1310 00:50:52,119 --> 00:50:55,059 property by government forces all 1311 00:50:53,469 --> 00:50:56,829 employees are required to defend 1312 00:50:55,059 --> 00:50:59,259 four-stars proprietary property and 1313 00:50:56,829 --> 00:51:00,549 executive personnel all employees are 1314 00:50:59,260 --> 00:51:02,380 therefore required to attend at least 1315 00:51:00,550 --> 00:51:03,550 one of the three four stars defense and 1316 00:51:02,380 --> 00:51:05,829 teamwork building weekend training 1317 00:51:03,550 --> 00:51:07,090 programs this month failure to do so 1318 00:51:05,829 --> 00:51:10,509 will be grounds for termination under 1319 00:51:07,090 --> 00:51:11,920 employee attendance policy 6f Daisy May 1320 00:51:10,510 --> 00:51:13,060 will be providing some of her lovely 1321 00:51:11,920 --> 00:51:14,920 home baked flower cookies for 1322 00:51:13,059 --> 00:51:19,210 refreshments after the f as dtb 1323 00:51:14,920 --> 00:51:21,670 exercises YUM I read that same message 1324 00:51:19,210 --> 00:51:24,220 before it was on each term light hacked 1325 00:51:21,670 --> 00:51:26,769 into it didn't make any more sense to me 1326 00:51:24,219 --> 00:51:28,089 now than it did the first time I looked 1327 00:51:26,769 --> 00:51:29,530 over to steal hopes checking to make 1328 00:51:28,090 --> 00:51:32,470 sure everything was all right before I 1329 00:51:29,530 --> 00:51:35,470 clicked the next one I figured now is a 1330 00:51:32,469 --> 00:51:36,639 good time to as I need to ask Steve 1331 00:51:35,469 --> 00:51:40,539 loves have you ever heard of someone 1332 00:51:36,639 --> 00:51:43,659 named flutterguy ste loves whinnied why 1333 00:51:40,539 --> 00:51:46,840 do you ask oh I heard somepony say your 1334 00:51:43,659 --> 00:51:49,359 voice sounded like flutterguy steel hose 1335 00:51:46,840 --> 00:51:52,450 gave me a little stop heard that before 1336 00:51:49,360 --> 00:51:53,980 my ears perked I'd figured it was a long 1337 00:51:52,449 --> 00:51:55,539 shot at best to think Steel's would have 1338 00:51:53,980 --> 00:51:58,030 any knowledge about the pony watch heard 1339 00:51:55,539 --> 00:52:02,920 mentioned I opened my muzzle to ask but 1340 00:51:58,030 --> 00:52:05,410 he silenced me it's just a joke oh so 1341 00:52:02,920 --> 00:52:08,349 much for insight I turned back to the 1342 00:52:05,409 --> 00:52:10,839 terminal messages evacuation policy 1343 00:52:08,349 --> 00:52:12,489 employee version we here at four stars 1344 00:52:10,840 --> 00:52:14,410 Val your commitment to the company in 1345 00:52:12,489 --> 00:52:16,359 the extremely unlikely event of a 1346 00:52:14,409 --> 00:52:18,429 federal raid or worse a mega spell 1347 00:52:16,360 --> 00:52:20,200 attack it is every employees duty to 1348 00:52:18,429 --> 00:52:21,849 bodyguard key personnel and ensure the 1349 00:52:20,199 --> 00:52:25,389 safe evacuation of all employees in the 1350 00:52:21,849 --> 00:52:26,829 following order number one president of 1351 00:52:25,389 --> 00:52:30,009 four stars and any shareholders on 1352 00:52:26,829 --> 00:52:33,029 property number two members of executive 1353 00:52:30,010 --> 00:52:35,320 management number three head researchers 1354 00:52:33,030 --> 00:52:38,710 number four the president secretary 1355 00:52:35,320 --> 00:52:40,210 Daisy May number five members of 1356 00:52:38,710 --> 00:52:43,030 mid-level management 1357 00:52:40,210 --> 00:52:45,519 number six research assistants with red 1358 00:52:43,030 --> 00:52:48,160 black or gold level clearance number 1359 00:52:45,519 --> 00:52:51,070 seven research assistants with orange or 1360 00:52:48,159 --> 00:52:53,739 white level clearance number eight floor 1361 00:52:51,070 --> 00:52:55,359 supervisors once all of the above have 1362 00:52:53,739 --> 00:52:56,939 been safely evacuated from the property 1363 00:52:55,358 --> 00:52:59,440 we encourage you to seek your own safety 1364 00:52:56,940 --> 00:53:01,510 to ensure your protection we are issuing 1365 00:52:59,440 --> 00:53:05,289 military class our pure scan mode to all 1366 00:53:01,510 --> 00:53:06,640 employees of up supervisor level I sat 1367 00:53:05,289 --> 00:53:08,500 back from the terminal and promised 1368 00:53:06,639 --> 00:53:10,239 myself that if ever I was somehow hurled 1369 00:53:08,500 --> 00:53:12,969 back in time I would never go to work 1370 00:53:10,239 --> 00:53:14,799 here there was a surprising amount of 1371 00:53:12,969 --> 00:53:18,059 still functional Arcana technology in 1372 00:53:14,800 --> 00:53:20,619 this building or at least there had been 1373 00:53:18,059 --> 00:53:21,699 steel this was not subtle and every time 1374 00:53:20,619 --> 00:53:24,099 he took out one of the security 1375 00:53:21,699 --> 00:53:26,759 brainbots or spider-like garb BOTS he 1376 00:53:24,099 --> 00:53:28,750 did massive damage to everything nearby 1377 00:53:26,760 --> 00:53:30,670 scavenging had been roost to finding 1378 00:53:28,750 --> 00:53:33,550 things inside mail desks or looting 1379 00:53:30,670 --> 00:53:36,220 boxes of ammo fortunately there were 1380 00:53:33,550 --> 00:53:38,109 quite a few of each nobody had safely 1381 00:53:36,219 --> 00:53:39,848 broken into this place in centuries and 1382 00:53:38,108 --> 00:53:41,848 the sheer number of ammo boxes alone 1383 00:53:39,849 --> 00:53:44,710 could have supported a small army 1384 00:53:41,849 --> 00:53:46,539 calamity had been right not one of the 1385 00:53:44,710 --> 00:53:48,820 boxes included missiles or grenade ammo 1386 00:53:46,539 --> 00:53:50,710 but we had just enough about everything 1387 00:53:48,820 --> 00:53:53,260 else including a lot of armor-piercing 1388 00:53:50,710 --> 00:53:56,230 rounds to last a good long time with 1389 00:53:53,260 --> 00:53:57,880 extra to sell the prevalence of armor 1390 00:53:56,230 --> 00:53:58,990 piercing ammo had steel hopes convinced 1391 00:53:57,880 --> 00:54:01,320 this place has been fortifying 1392 00:53:58,989 --> 00:54:04,000 especially against the steel Rangers 1393 00:54:01,320 --> 00:54:05,920 there was one more and this one seemed a 1394 00:54:04,000 --> 00:54:10,929 private message not duplicated on any 1395 00:54:05,920 --> 00:54:12,070 other terminal yet re satin I heard the 1396 00:54:10,929 --> 00:54:15,129 Ministry of morale Gadar 1397 00:54:12,070 --> 00:54:16,150 charges of sedition mo-om agents broke 1398 00:54:15,130 --> 00:54:18,059 into her house in the middle of the 1399 00:54:16,150 --> 00:54:19,990 night last weekend and hauled her away 1400 00:54:18,059 --> 00:54:22,269 management is throwing fits on the floor 1401 00:54:19,989 --> 00:54:24,129 above me they seemed sure sadness say 1402 00:54:22,269 --> 00:54:26,739 something or worse remember something 1403 00:54:24,130 --> 00:54:28,358 all I know is I'm expecting armored 1404 00:54:26,739 --> 00:54:30,639 ministry goons to buck in the doors any 1405 00:54:28,358 --> 00:54:32,348 day now those apple seed shooters 1406 00:54:30,639 --> 00:54:36,098 I'm gonna start bringing my gun from 1407 00:54:32,349 --> 00:54:38,859 home still hopes turned away protecting 1408 00:54:36,099 --> 00:54:40,510 my flank as I snuck forward I split my 1409 00:54:38,858 --> 00:54:42,489 attention between the hall and my EFS 1410 00:54:40,510 --> 00:54:44,650 compasses I scouted the head checking 1411 00:54:42,489 --> 00:54:46,029 rooms digging into desks and looking 1412 00:54:44,650 --> 00:54:47,990 through bookshelves until another splash 1413 00:54:46,030 --> 00:54:50,180 of red lit up my compass 1414 00:54:47,989 --> 00:54:52,549 backtracking I pointed steel hubs in the 1415 00:54:50,179 --> 00:54:54,799 direction of the next hostel then I 1416 00:54:52,550 --> 00:54:56,000 lingered back in a side room not wanting 1417 00:54:54,800 --> 00:54:57,589 to be caught in the backwash that 1418 00:54:56,000 --> 00:55:00,559 accompanied any attack he made in the 1419 00:54:57,588 --> 00:55:02,570 narrow hallway a robotic voice called 1420 00:55:00,559 --> 00:55:05,358 out this is private property federal 1421 00:55:02,570 --> 00:55:07,099 pigs surrender and be annihilated it was 1422 00:55:05,358 --> 00:55:09,799 immediately followed by the whoosh of a 1423 00:55:07,099 --> 00:55:12,410 rocket the hallway erupts in flame 1424 00:55:09,800 --> 00:55:13,240 to my surprise I heard steel hose hit 1425 00:55:12,409 --> 00:55:15,829 the floor 1426 00:55:13,239 --> 00:55:18,169 Luna moon rocks that was from 1427 00:55:15,829 --> 00:55:20,960 the security robot what kind of robot 1428 00:55:18,170 --> 00:55:22,670 fires missiles I pulled out my sniper 1429 00:55:20,960 --> 00:55:25,400 rifle loading armor-piercing bullets 1430 00:55:22,670 --> 00:55:27,769 into it then crouching low I took a peek 1431 00:55:25,400 --> 00:55:29,480 around the corner the robot took up most 1432 00:55:27,769 --> 00:55:32,210 of the hall and looked like the mutant 1433 00:55:29,480 --> 00:55:34,099 child of a steel ranger and a tank it's 1434 00:55:32,210 --> 00:55:35,780 four legs end up in shredded balls to 1435 00:55:34,099 --> 00:55:38,269 propel it slowly down the corridor I 1436 00:55:35,780 --> 00:55:39,740 count at least three weapons including a 1437 00:55:38,269 --> 00:55:41,210 missile launcher turret and a minigun 1438 00:55:39,739 --> 00:55:42,829 set into a swiveling chest mount that 1439 00:55:41,210 --> 00:55:45,858 could rotate 180 degrees around the 1440 00:55:42,829 --> 00:55:47,539 robots frame my mind searched for an 1441 00:55:45,858 --> 00:55:50,539 appropriate level of profanity but came 1442 00:55:47,539 --> 00:55:52,099 up blank as a newborn's flank the thing 1443 00:55:50,539 --> 00:55:54,710 was rolling towards steel lafe's who was 1444 00:55:52,099 --> 00:55:57,109 moving but down the chest minigun swung 1445 00:55:54,710 --> 00:55:58,699 towards the Fallen Ranger I was quite 1446 00:55:57,108 --> 00:56:01,279 certain that head armor piercing ammo of 1447 00:55:58,699 --> 00:56:02,960 its own leaping around the corner I 1448 00:56:01,280 --> 00:56:03,560 swung the sniper rifle and stared down 1449 00:56:02,960 --> 00:56:05,690 scope 1450 00:56:03,559 --> 00:56:07,250 that minigun stopped pointing towards 1451 00:56:05,690 --> 00:56:09,349 steel ups and began to turn towards me 1452 00:56:07,250 --> 00:56:11,719 as I slid into SATs targeting nirvana 1453 00:56:09,349 --> 00:56:14,119 the sniper rifle roared off three shots 1454 00:56:11,719 --> 00:56:15,858 in quick succession the first two 1455 00:56:14,119 --> 00:56:17,869 bullets punched small holes in the head 1456 00:56:15,858 --> 00:56:20,389 of the tank like Sentinel seeming to 1457 00:56:17,869 --> 00:56:22,099 only slightly impairs targeting the 1458 00:56:20,389 --> 00:56:23,779 Sentinels minigun tore up the wall a 1459 00:56:22,099 --> 00:56:25,519 single bullet tearing to my armor for a 1460 00:56:23,780 --> 00:56:28,160 deeply grazing hit that crossed my left 1461 00:56:25,519 --> 00:56:29,949 flank my third shot struck into the 1462 00:56:28,159 --> 00:56:32,480 missile turret which promptly exploded 1463 00:56:29,949 --> 00:56:34,460 the rocket Simba designed take out a 1464 00:56:32,480 --> 00:56:37,338 steel ranger they were just as effective 1465 00:56:34,460 --> 00:56:39,920 in rendering the Sentinel inert my left 1466 00:56:37,338 --> 00:56:41,949 hind leg felt wobbly fresh blood mixing 1467 00:56:39,920 --> 00:56:45,320 with the matted sticky mess of my coat i 1468 00:56:41,949 --> 00:56:46,819 hobbled over his steel hose his armor 1469 00:56:45,320 --> 00:56:49,160 was administering health potions and 1470 00:56:46,820 --> 00:56:51,050 bolstering drugs the armor is self 1471 00:56:49,159 --> 00:56:52,399 repair spells consuming scrap metal from 1472 00:56:51,050 --> 00:56:55,580 an armored compartment over his right 1473 00:56:52,400 --> 00:56:57,108 flank rebuilding itself I stopped him 1474 00:56:55,579 --> 00:56:58,989 over to marvel at what Applejack and her 1475 00:56:57,108 --> 00:57:02,920 ministry had created 1476 00:56:58,989 --> 00:57:05,889 will you be okay I asked Cee Lo's nodded 1477 00:57:02,920 --> 00:57:08,019 sourly not moaning then I would be right 1478 00:57:05,889 --> 00:57:11,889 back I won't know what that monster was 1479 00:57:08,019 --> 00:57:13,000 guarding the Sentinel robot had been 1480 00:57:11,889 --> 00:57:15,519 guarding the office suite of the 1481 00:57:13,000 --> 00:57:17,619 president of four stars the desk was 1482 00:57:15,519 --> 00:57:19,739 armored designed for use as a barricade 1483 00:57:17,619 --> 00:57:22,390 and there was a hidden panel in the wall 1484 00:57:19,739 --> 00:57:25,000 well it would have been hidden if it had 1485 00:57:22,389 --> 00:57:27,190 been closed the desk was locked 1486 00:57:25,000 --> 00:57:28,659 picking it cost me a bobby pin and 1487 00:57:27,190 --> 00:57:30,880 netted me what looked like a security 1488 00:57:28,659 --> 00:57:32,318 pass card i Nick heard at the irony 1489 00:57:30,880 --> 00:57:34,630 suspecting the car would have let us 1490 00:57:32,318 --> 00:57:36,599 freely bypass all the robotic security 1491 00:57:34,630 --> 00:57:39,039 we had fought through to get here 1492 00:57:36,599 --> 00:57:41,440 several locked boxes of ammo were hidden 1493 00:57:39,039 --> 00:57:43,119 under the desk as I opened the first I 1494 00:57:41,440 --> 00:57:45,519 found half a dozen matrix disruption 1495 00:57:43,119 --> 00:57:46,930 grenades I knew immediately that they 1496 00:57:45,519 --> 00:57:48,849 were designed to disrupt the spell 1497 00:57:46,929 --> 00:57:50,500 matrixes of the steel ranger armor 1498 00:57:48,849 --> 00:57:52,140 rendering them helpless just as the 1499 00:57:50,500 --> 00:57:54,369 alicorns attack had done to steel hoofs 1500 00:57:52,139 --> 00:57:55,989 but I couldn't help but thinking how 1501 00:57:54,369 --> 00:57:57,880 such grenades could also disrupt the 1502 00:57:55,989 --> 00:58:00,750 more mundane technologies of most robots 1503 00:57:57,880 --> 00:58:03,190 including the one guarding this room 1504 00:58:00,750 --> 00:58:06,159 magical shotgun of dragons laying in the 1505 00:58:03,190 --> 00:58:07,780 Dragons chamber indeed it took me 1506 00:58:06,159 --> 00:58:09,608 several tries to hack into the computer 1507 00:58:07,780 --> 00:58:11,170 each time backing out before it could 1508 00:58:09,608 --> 00:58:12,808 recognize the intrusion and lock me out 1509 00:58:11,170 --> 00:58:16,298 completely 1510 00:58:12,809 --> 00:58:17,829 evacuation policy executive version when 1511 00:58:16,298 --> 00:58:19,659 main hatton suffers a mega spell event 1512 00:58:17,829 --> 00:58:21,730 or worse if the Ministry of morale 1513 00:58:19,659 --> 00:58:23,798 stages a raid on this property all 1514 00:58:21,730 --> 00:58:25,150 executive offices of 4 stars are to 1515 00:58:23,798 --> 00:58:27,309 proceed to the basement stable in 1516 00:58:25,150 --> 00:58:31,510 accordance to evacuation procedures zs1 1517 00:58:27,309 --> 00:58:34,540 a FD listed below please keep your 1518 00:58:31,510 --> 00:58:36,190 assigned routes the 4 star stable is 1519 00:58:34,539 --> 00:58:37,900 guaranteed to keep you safely protected 1520 00:58:36,190 --> 00:58:40,210 in the event of either catastrophe and 1521 00:58:37,900 --> 00:58:41,858 has food water and medical supplies to 1522 00:58:40,210 --> 00:58:46,119 outlast even a complete mega spell event 1523 00:58:41,858 --> 00:58:48,159 nearly 12 whole weeks worth the FSS has 1524 00:58:46,119 --> 00:58:49,599 also included an armory firing range to 1525 00:58:48,159 --> 00:58:52,179 keep in practice and plenty of reading 1526 00:58:49,599 --> 00:58:53,829 material to keep you occupied these 1527 00:58:52,179 --> 00:58:55,480 include instruction manuals on how to 1528 00:58:53,829 --> 00:58:57,579 acclimate yourself to the new exterior 1529 00:58:55,480 --> 00:58:59,108 environment once after-effects of mega 1530 00:58:57,579 --> 00:59:01,089 spell detonations have subsided and 1531 00:58:59,108 --> 00:59:03,309 proper etiquette for greeting our ruling 1532 00:59:01,088 --> 00:59:08,289 zebra benefactors 1533 00:59:03,309 --> 00:59:10,900 okie dokie Loki steel Rangers were not 1534 00:59:08,289 --> 00:59:11,590 ministry morale somepony had called in 1535 00:59:10,900 --> 00:59:13,690 the big guns 1536 00:59:11,590 --> 00:59:16,500 and worse the ponies in charge had been 1537 00:59:13,690 --> 00:59:19,329 expecting it what were they doing 1538 00:59:16,500 --> 00:59:20,800 according to the attached map the hidden 1539 00:59:19,329 --> 00:59:22,869 stairs would lead us right down to the 1540 00:59:20,800 --> 00:59:24,760 basement we will be able to meet up with 1541 00:59:22,869 --> 00:59:27,309 claming velvet remedy swiftly from there 1542 00:59:24,760 --> 00:59:29,830 I began picking the lock on the weapons 1543 00:59:27,309 --> 00:59:32,320 cabinet like the terminal they pushed 1544 00:59:29,829 --> 00:59:33,880 the limits of my skills I was tempted to 1545 00:59:32,320 --> 00:59:35,950 use one of my party time mint tiles to 1546 00:59:33,880 --> 00:59:37,960 give me that extra edge but just before 1547 00:59:35,949 --> 00:59:41,289 I gave up and did so the cabinet opened 1548 00:59:37,960 --> 00:59:43,659 inside was an armored dress unlike any I 1549 00:59:41,289 --> 00:59:46,779 had seen before red and black with 1550 00:59:43,659 --> 00:59:47,920 golden trim perfectly preserved I pulled 1551 00:59:46,780 --> 00:59:49,330 it out and draped it over my back 1552 00:59:47,920 --> 00:59:51,610 thinking velvet remedy would look 1553 00:59:49,329 --> 00:59:53,349 stunning in it the armor also came with 1554 00:59:51,610 --> 00:59:55,570 a helmet but I was tempted to leave it 1555 00:59:53,349 --> 00:59:59,230 the flourish of red feathers almost 1556 00:59:55,570 --> 01:00:00,940 screamed to target also inside were 1557 00:59:59,230 --> 01:00:03,429 several assault carbines of a peculiar 1558 01:00:00,940 --> 01:00:06,010 and impressive design one of them was 1559 01:00:03,429 --> 01:00:07,659 scoped and fitted with a silencer it had 1560 01:00:06,010 --> 01:00:10,570 a custom wood carved handle staying with 1561 01:00:07,659 --> 01:00:12,759 stripes of white and black been waiting 1562 01:00:10,570 --> 01:00:14,860 for you little PIP calamity smiled at me 1563 01:00:12,760 --> 01:00:16,300 as I joined him in the basement he 1564 01:00:14,860 --> 01:00:18,940 involved at Remedy stood before the door 1565 01:00:16,300 --> 01:00:20,530 sealed with a terminal looking at the 1566 01:00:18,940 --> 01:00:22,420 terminal I was pleased to discover that 1567 01:00:20,530 --> 01:00:24,610 had a magic eye for scanning pass cards 1568 01:00:22,420 --> 01:00:27,070 damn thing would be useful after all 1569 01:00:24,610 --> 01:00:29,079 I offered the velvet remedy the outfit 1570 01:00:27,070 --> 01:00:31,030 I'd found she shunned the helmet as 1571 01:00:29,079 --> 01:00:33,279 garish but soon had claimed me helping 1572 01:00:31,030 --> 01:00:34,930 her into the armored dress I turned my 1573 01:00:33,280 --> 01:00:37,600 attention to the terminal floating up 1574 01:00:34,929 --> 01:00:40,000 the pass card where in the hell did you 1575 01:00:37,599 --> 01:00:42,639 find that steal of his voice boomed as 1576 01:00:40,000 --> 01:00:43,960 he finally caught up with us I turned to 1577 01:00:42,639 --> 01:00:46,420 look at him as I telekinetically held 1578 01:00:43,960 --> 01:00:47,800 the pass card in place the steel hooves 1579 01:00:46,420 --> 01:00:49,650 had stopped at the bottom of the stairs 1580 01:00:47,800 --> 01:00:51,910 and was staring at velvet remedy 1581 01:00:49,650 --> 01:00:53,970 littlepip found in the locker upstairs 1582 01:00:51,909 --> 01:00:56,489 with all the remedy answered prancing 1583 01:00:53,969 --> 01:00:58,839 how do you think it looks on me 1584 01:00:56,489 --> 01:01:01,509 beautiful answered calamity with a 1585 01:00:58,840 --> 01:01:04,120 breath red and gold matches the shrieks 1586 01:01:01,510 --> 01:01:06,250 in a mane and tail then with a sheepish 1587 01:01:04,119 --> 01:01:08,500 grin and I've never seen anything like 1588 01:01:06,250 --> 01:01:10,150 it which means nobody will mistake you 1589 01:01:08,500 --> 01:01:11,320 for a Raider a slaver and accidentally 1590 01:01:10,150 --> 01:01:13,450 shoot you 1591 01:01:11,320 --> 01:01:16,000 the terminals magic I looked over the 1592 01:01:13,449 --> 01:01:16,919 pass card and bleeped happily welcome 1593 01:01:16,000 --> 01:01:20,019 mrs. president 1594 01:01:16,920 --> 01:01:22,269 our mechanics began to hiss and grind is 1595 01:01:20,019 --> 01:01:23,920 the door began to open this wasn't 1596 01:01:22,269 --> 01:01:25,420 anything as sophisticated as a stable 1597 01:01:23,920 --> 01:01:26,889 tech door but it was certainly a few 1598 01:01:25,420 --> 01:01:29,920 grades above anything I had seen in the 1599 01:01:26,889 --> 01:01:30,670 wasteland I might shoot her Steel's 1600 01:01:29,920 --> 01:01:33,010 grumbled 1601 01:01:30,670 --> 01:01:36,550 we all shot him perplexed and nasty 1602 01:01:33,010 --> 01:01:39,750 looks that he explained is a zebra 1603 01:01:36,550 --> 01:01:41,800 Legionnaires uniform calamity whistled 1604 01:01:39,750 --> 01:01:44,769 velvet remedy suddenly looked very 1605 01:01:41,800 --> 01:01:46,180 uncomfortable I turned away choosing to 1606 01:01:44,769 --> 01:01:49,239 look instead into the darkness of the 1607 01:01:46,179 --> 01:01:51,069 open mini stable in front of me gleaming 1608 01:01:49,239 --> 01:01:53,129 in the darkness the eyes of at least a 1609 01:01:51,070 --> 01:01:55,410 dozen zombie ponies stared back at me 1610 01:01:53,130 --> 01:02:00,510 then I did a double-take 1611 01:01:55,409 --> 01:02:00,509 zombies yes but not ponies