1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,459 hope finally I had found another mayor 2 00:00:03,419 --> 00:00:08,250 whom I respected and admired and who 3 00:00:05,459 --> 00:00:08,750 respected and maybe even admired me in 4 00:00:08,250 --> 00:00:11,550 return 5 00:00:08,750 --> 00:00:12,809 one who was attracted to mayor's and who 6 00:00:11,550 --> 00:00:15,210 I could believe was at least a little 7 00:00:12,808 --> 00:00:18,210 physically attracted to me we weren't in 8 00:00:15,210 --> 00:00:20,670 love we barely knew each other but there 9 00:00:18,210 --> 00:00:25,410 was the possibility for love there was 10 00:00:20,670 --> 00:00:28,140 in a word hope the last 16 hours had 11 00:00:25,410 --> 00:00:29,219 made for a very long day as much as I 12 00:00:28,140 --> 00:00:31,289 would have loved to spend the next 13 00:00:29,219 --> 00:00:32,640 several hours with homage she'd realized 14 00:00:31,289 --> 00:00:35,370 straightaway that I was in no shape for 15 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:37,320 anything but sleep so she sent me off 16 00:00:35,369 --> 00:00:38,699 back to my suite Ravel at remedy had 17 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:40,109 puttered and hissed about my wounds 18 00:00:38,700 --> 00:00:43,290 until I had fallen into a dreamless 19 00:00:40,109 --> 00:00:46,409 sleep out of sheer exhaustion I woke up 20 00:00:43,289 --> 00:00:47,929 very late in the morning hungry and for 21 00:00:46,409 --> 00:00:50,218 more than just food 22 00:00:47,929 --> 00:00:51,780 velvet Remini had already awoken and 23 00:00:50,219 --> 00:00:53,308 disappeared to the shops to get the best 24 00:00:51,780 --> 00:00:54,989 caps for everything calamity had decided 25 00:00:53,308 --> 00:00:56,839 to swipe from the ruins of the red racer 26 00:00:54,988 --> 00:00:59,189 factory in the Ministry of morale hub 27 00:00:56,840 --> 00:01:01,500 most of what velvet and I had scavenge 28 00:00:59,189 --> 00:01:03,718 was intended for our own uses food and 29 00:01:01,500 --> 00:01:06,569 ammo mostly as well as the poison glands 30 00:01:03,719 --> 00:01:08,219 I cut out of the mana chorus after what 31 00:01:06,569 --> 00:01:09,658 she had been through I had decided to 32 00:01:08,219 --> 00:01:10,650 allow the sea blue Pony to keep my 33 00:01:09,659 --> 00:01:12,659 poison dart gun 34 00:01:10,650 --> 00:01:14,299 I had everything needed to create 35 00:01:12,659 --> 00:01:16,290 another one once we returned home 36 00:01:14,299 --> 00:01:18,270 calamity had seemed to the purchase of a 37 00:01:16,290 --> 00:01:20,430 work station currently very disassembled 38 00:01:18,269 --> 00:01:22,978 where she would install a junction r7 39 00:01:20,430 --> 00:01:24,900 when we arrived which thanks to the part 40 00:01:22,978 --> 00:01:27,569 needed to repair the sky Bend shouldn't 41 00:01:24,900 --> 00:01:28,969 be more than a few days I wasn't about 42 00:01:27,569 --> 00:01:33,539 to leave until I had a chance to spend 43 00:01:28,969 --> 00:01:35,938 quality time with homage out of more 44 00:01:33,540 --> 00:01:37,290 than curiosity I tuned my pipbuck to DJ 45 00:01:35,938 --> 00:01:38,819 pony station and listen to the music 46 00:01:37,290 --> 00:01:41,130 playing while I cleaned and groomed 47 00:01:38,819 --> 00:01:42,989 myself on which had already begun to 48 00:01:41,129 --> 00:01:45,780 integrate the new music into DJ's ponies 49 00:01:42,989 --> 00:01:47,250 playlists that unusually upbeat song 50 00:01:45,780 --> 00:01:48,659 about mending friendships with homage 51 00:01:47,250 --> 00:01:50,040 and I had danced to his playing while I 52 00:01:48,659 --> 00:01:52,100 cleaned my teeth and tried to work all 53 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:55,439 the tangles out of my mane and tail 54 00:01:52,099 --> 00:01:58,109 hoorah DJ ponies voice thundered of the 55 00:01:55,438 --> 00:02:01,529 airwaves as the song ended Celestia and 56 00:01:58,109 --> 00:02:04,259 Luna bless us we have new music and with 57 00:02:01,530 --> 00:02:08,239 new music comes some new news ready for 58 00:02:04,259 --> 00:02:10,649 this last night our wasteland Saviour my 59 00:02:08,239 --> 00:02:11,490 telekinesis imploded dropping everything 60 00:02:10,649 --> 00:02:14,469 I was floating 61 00:02:11,490 --> 00:02:16,000 that kid from stable to found and 62 00:02:14,469 --> 00:02:18,250 rescued the good folks of gutter Ville 63 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:21,009 and what whore did she saved them from 64 00:02:18,250 --> 00:02:22,509 you ask a psychotic ghoul scientist who 65 00:02:21,009 --> 00:02:24,099 was performing experiments with taint 66 00:02:22,509 --> 00:02:24,899 and who had bred himself a small army of 67 00:02:24,099 --> 00:02:27,969 manticores 68 00:02:24,900 --> 00:02:30,520 that folks is what they mean by crushing 69 00:02:27,969 --> 00:02:32,139 to radroaches with one hoof she not only 70 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:34,240 saved the lives of over two dozen ponies 71 00:02:32,139 --> 00:02:37,209 but she solved Maine hands Manticore 72 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:39,820 problem too I dropped my head into the 73 00:02:37,210 --> 00:02:41,680 sink letting out a whimpering sigh my 74 00:02:39,819 --> 00:02:43,870 reputation was totally out of control I 75 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:45,460 barely heard the door to the suite open 76 00:02:43,870 --> 00:02:48,009 as i angered over what ponies would be 77 00:02:45,460 --> 00:02:49,870 thinking of and expecting of me now part 78 00:02:48,009 --> 00:02:54,039 of me swore Amish just like making me 79 00:02:49,870 --> 00:02:56,620 squirm hell you see the kid tell her to 80 00:02:54,039 --> 00:02:59,590 stop by and visit old DJ pony wants to 81 00:02:56,620 --> 00:03:01,480 give her a big kiss for that one my head 82 00:02:59,590 --> 00:03:05,620 shot up catching my horn painfully on 83 00:03:01,479 --> 00:03:07,239 the faucet ow you do know there are more 84 00:03:05,620 --> 00:03:09,120 civilized ways to get a drink of water 85 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:11,379 than slurping out of the sink right 86 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:14,110 velvet remedies voice rang out from the 87 00:03:11,379 --> 00:03:16,030 other room wincing I touched my horn 88 00:03:14,110 --> 00:03:18,340 looking at myself in the mirror then 89 00:03:16,030 --> 00:03:20,289 turned to velvet she was pulling a small 90 00:03:18,340 --> 00:03:22,689 red wagon behind her loaded with 91 00:03:20,289 --> 00:03:24,129 supplies and dresses I stared the rather 92 00:03:22,689 --> 00:03:26,859 fancy neligan gowns 93 00:03:24,129 --> 00:03:30,519 I thought we'd want to look our best for 94 00:03:26,860 --> 00:03:32,230 DJ pony she stated simply crap I'd 95 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:34,810 forgot about velvet remedies impending 96 00:03:32,229 --> 00:03:36,669 edition don't worry I know your size 97 00:03:34,810 --> 00:03:39,310 I've wrapped you in bandages often 98 00:03:36,669 --> 00:03:42,280 enough that I ought to I felt myself 99 00:03:39,310 --> 00:03:44,620 blushing velvet remedy floated a pair of 100 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:47,919 dresses both simple yet graceful towards 101 00:03:44,620 --> 00:03:49,209 me they look perfect on you trust me the 102 00:03:47,919 --> 00:03:50,889 one on the right will really bring out 103 00:03:49,209 --> 00:03:52,030 your eyes and the one on the Left will 104 00:03:50,889 --> 00:03:56,199 beautifully complement your mane and 105 00:03:52,030 --> 00:03:58,919 tail which one should I wear then up to 106 00:03:56,199 --> 00:04:01,269 you or if you want to be mysterious both 107 00:03:58,919 --> 00:04:02,409 find an excuse to step out and change 108 00:04:01,270 --> 00:04:05,860 halfway through the evening 109 00:04:02,409 --> 00:04:07,659 velvet remedy smiled brightly go on take 110 00:04:05,860 --> 00:04:09,100 them a girl can never have too many 111 00:04:07,659 --> 00:04:11,259 dresses 112 00:04:09,099 --> 00:04:13,359 I nodded floating them onto my bed with 113 00:04:11,259 --> 00:04:17,289 care then jumped and gave velvet remedy 114 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:17,770 a big hug thank you Oh think nothing of 115 00:04:17,290 --> 00:04:22,270 a dear 116 00:04:17,769 --> 00:04:25,120 she whinnied kindly velvet remedy was 117 00:04:22,269 --> 00:04:26,439 expecting to meet DJ pony I needed to 118 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:28,750 talk with homage and find out how she 119 00:04:26,439 --> 00:04:30,610 wanted to handle this if I'm which was 120 00:04:28,750 --> 00:04:32,560 willing to reveal herself to me trusting 121 00:04:30,610 --> 00:04:33,970 me with such a big secret then it stood 122 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:36,430 the reason she would be equally willing 123 00:04:33,970 --> 00:04:37,840 in regard to my friends part of me 124 00:04:36,430 --> 00:04:41,170 however didn't want her to 125 00:04:37,839 --> 00:04:43,389 I wanted to rein our little secret just 126 00:04:41,170 --> 00:04:43,870 homage and I something special between 127 00:04:43,389 --> 00:04:46,419 us 128 00:04:43,870 --> 00:04:48,340 I wanted her not to want to trust any 129 00:04:46,420 --> 00:04:51,129 other pony not even velvet remedy with 130 00:04:48,339 --> 00:04:52,689 such a gift it was a selfish thought I 131 00:04:51,129 --> 00:04:55,149 knew I should be ashamed of myself for 132 00:04:52,689 --> 00:04:56,920 having it but I can told myself that 133 00:04:55,149 --> 00:04:58,779 this was homages secret to tell or keep 134 00:04:56,920 --> 00:05:01,629 so the fact that I was keeping it from 135 00:04:58,779 --> 00:05:02,409 my friends was an act of virtue on the 136 00:05:01,629 --> 00:05:05,019 way to the elevator 137 00:05:02,410 --> 00:05:07,810 I passed a poster pinkie pie and 138 00:05:05,019 --> 00:05:10,990 insisted was still watching me forever 139 00:05:07,810 --> 00:05:13,540 on the opposite wall was a poster of 140 00:05:10,990 --> 00:05:14,259 Fluttershy this time not modeling for 141 00:05:13,540 --> 00:05:16,950 sparkle-cola 142 00:05:14,259 --> 00:05:21,659 but an actual post of her own ministry 143 00:05:16,949 --> 00:05:26,139 war fear death we must do better 144 00:05:21,660 --> 00:05:29,610 Ministry of peace we must do better we 145 00:05:26,139 --> 00:05:31,930 should be better I should be better I 146 00:05:29,610 --> 00:05:34,629 understood why velvet remedy loved that 147 00:05:31,930 --> 00:05:37,000 yellow Pegasus pony if only there had 148 00:05:34,629 --> 00:05:40,029 been more like her then the equestrian 149 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:41,439 wasteland may never have been I was 150 00:05:40,029 --> 00:05:43,569 still contemplating the poster when 151 00:05:41,439 --> 00:05:45,779 Hommage stepped out of the elevator her 152 00:05:43,569 --> 00:05:47,920 face brightened as she spotted me ah 153 00:05:45,779 --> 00:05:50,649 just the toast to repair pony I was 154 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:54,160 looking for I would never live that one 155 00:05:50,649 --> 00:05:55,839 down on which I breathed feeling my 156 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:57,340 heart flutter a bit as I fully drank in 157 00:05:55,839 --> 00:05:58,899 the fact that this pretty grey unicorn 158 00:05:57,339 --> 00:05:59,909 with the vibrant blue mane actually had 159 00:05:58,899 --> 00:06:03,279 feelings for me 160 00:05:59,910 --> 00:06:04,840 possibly romantic feelings or at least 161 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:07,179 she was willing to entertain the idea of 162 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:09,729 them that alone was more than I'd ever 163 00:06:07,180 --> 00:06:12,900 had from a mare before and from mare 164 00:06:09,730 --> 00:06:16,230 whom I really liked and he was cute too 165 00:06:12,899 --> 00:06:19,019 yes she said playfully making me stammer 166 00:06:16,230 --> 00:06:23,580 aye aye 167 00:06:19,019 --> 00:06:26,969 that is we when and how did you want to 168 00:06:23,579 --> 00:06:27,509 do the thing at the place the thing at 169 00:06:26,970 --> 00:06:30,950 the place 170 00:06:27,509 --> 00:06:34,589 I waved a hoof in flustered exasperation 171 00:06:30,949 --> 00:06:39,089 you know velvet remedy DJ pony recording 172 00:06:34,589 --> 00:06:42,449 her music oh um trend that thing at that 173 00:06:39,089 --> 00:06:44,279 place he trusts her right the ponies of 174 00:06:42,449 --> 00:06:46,259 tenpony tower know me as DJ ponies 175 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:47,429 errand girl but I can't really let it go 176 00:06:46,259 --> 00:06:51,449 out then I move it closer to him than 177 00:06:47,430 --> 00:06:53,639 that she can keep a secret part of me 178 00:06:51,449 --> 00:06:58,740 hated sharing the truth about homage but 179 00:06:53,639 --> 00:06:59,550 it would be wrong not to forever you are 180 00:06:58,740 --> 00:07:02,670 DJ pony 181 00:06:59,550 --> 00:07:05,790 I'm smiled clearly enjoying velvet 182 00:07:02,670 --> 00:07:07,470 remedy disbelief velvet remedy had made 183 00:07:05,790 --> 00:07:08,220 herself up gorgeously and donned one of 184 00:07:07,470 --> 00:07:10,110 her new dresses 185 00:07:08,220 --> 00:07:11,730 a stunning purple number all with the 186 00:07:10,110 --> 00:07:12,389 intention of making a breathtaking first 187 00:07:11,730 --> 00:07:14,819 impression 188 00:07:12,389 --> 00:07:17,189 now she was shooting me crossed glances 189 00:07:14,819 --> 00:07:18,839 I've got the whole recording studio in 190 00:07:17,189 --> 00:07:21,300 here so the recording Lee as good as you 191 00:07:18,839 --> 00:07:24,119 are Alex said stepping between Assoc 192 00:07:21,300 --> 00:07:26,250 spoke to velvet I found myself staring 193 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:27,840 at ominous flanks covered with a silky 194 00:07:26,250 --> 00:07:31,019 silver dress that sparkled as a clung so 195 00:07:27,839 --> 00:07:33,359 tightly to velvet was looking at me 196 00:07:31,019 --> 00:07:36,240 she'd caught me staring and little smile 197 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:37,680 in her face made my heart sink I'd be 198 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:39,060 lucky if the rest of our travels worked 199 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:42,180 to the soundtrack of little bit and 200 00:07:39,060 --> 00:07:43,829 homage sitting in an apple tree on which 201 00:07:42,180 --> 00:07:45,660 gave velvet Romney a much abbreviated 202 00:07:43,829 --> 00:07:47,189 tour skipping the roof in the Atheneum 203 00:07:45,660 --> 00:07:49,320 altogether but showing off the small 204 00:07:47,189 --> 00:07:52,160 recording studio that exited off the MAS 205 00:07:49,319 --> 00:07:54,689 EBS velvet looked like she was in heaven 206 00:07:52,160 --> 00:07:55,860 no matter how much she protested no 207 00:07:54,689 --> 00:07:58,139 matter how much she longed to be a 208 00:07:55,860 --> 00:07:59,430 medical Pony the only one velvet could 209 00:07:58,139 --> 00:08:01,289 hope to convince that she didn't get 210 00:07:59,430 --> 00:08:04,290 unparalleled joy from singing was velvet 211 00:08:01,290 --> 00:08:05,939 herself as the velvet Remini entered the 212 00:08:04,290 --> 00:08:06,990 studio chamber on which turned her 213 00:08:05,939 --> 00:08:09,240 attention to the recording equipment 214 00:08:06,990 --> 00:08:11,790 waving her horn over a desk of switches 215 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:14,280 and dials rows of colourful lights lit 216 00:08:11,790 --> 00:08:17,640 up in response I was left to sit in a 217 00:08:14,279 --> 00:08:19,889 corner and watch the show velvet Remini 218 00:08:17,639 --> 00:08:23,099 approached the microphone soundcheck 219 00:08:19,889 --> 00:08:23,968 dahee me clearly DJ what should I call 220 00:08:23,100 --> 00:08:26,249 you 221 00:08:23,968 --> 00:08:28,949 I'm which we'll add together the gray 222 00:08:26,249 --> 00:08:30,479 unicorn replied I felt a completely 223 00:08:28,949 --> 00:08:33,509 irrational twinge of jealousy at the 224 00:08:30,478 --> 00:08:35,818 mention of them mend together I clapped 225 00:08:33,509 --> 00:08:38,699 my forehead such feelings were as 226 00:08:35,818 --> 00:08:40,259 unbecoming as they were ridiculous stop 227 00:08:38,698 --> 00:08:42,899 being a silly pony little PIP I 228 00:08:40,259 --> 00:08:44,850 whispered to myself under my breath this 229 00:08:42,899 --> 00:08:47,698 is an amazing setup homage Lovett 230 00:08:44,850 --> 00:08:49,620 admired then almost too casually she 231 00:08:47,698 --> 00:08:51,469 asked would you happen to have a 232 00:08:49,620 --> 00:08:53,429 workbench anywhere around here 233 00:08:51,470 --> 00:08:58,649 almonds looked up from the recording 234 00:08:53,429 --> 00:09:00,088 desk yes why oh good little pip has a 235 00:08:58,649 --> 00:09:03,720 project she needs a private workspace 236 00:09:00,089 --> 00:09:05,100 for velvet remedy claimed now I felt 237 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:07,410 really stupid for having felt that 238 00:09:05,100 --> 00:09:08,730 involuntary twinge even on the verge of 239 00:09:07,409 --> 00:09:10,799 giving a performance that would be heard 240 00:09:08,730 --> 00:09:14,610 Equestria why'd velvet remedy was still 241 00:09:10,799 --> 00:09:16,258 thinking about melting me I suspect the 242 00:09:14,610 --> 00:09:19,500 project will take her all night 243 00:09:16,259 --> 00:09:20,850 velvet purred conspiratorial II it's all 244 00:09:19,500 --> 00:09:24,750 right she spends the night with you 245 00:09:20,850 --> 00:09:28,800 isn't it solar flare orgasms of Celestia 246 00:09:24,750 --> 00:09:32,639 oh I'd love the chance to hurt homage 247 00:09:28,799 --> 00:09:35,599 back entertain her for night I was 248 00:09:32,639 --> 00:09:38,519 doomed ready when you are 249 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:39,930 velvet remedies horn began to glow the 250 00:09:38,519 --> 00:09:42,839 recording chamber filled with colorful 251 00:09:39,929 --> 00:09:45,539 light in rich electric music homage was 252 00:09:42,839 --> 00:09:48,170 struck with awe I smiled and knowing the 253 00:09:45,539 --> 00:09:51,990 impact of a velvet rummy performance 254 00:09:48,169 --> 00:09:53,759 music is my remedy four hours later 255 00:09:51,990 --> 00:09:56,399 homage and I strolled the mall of 256 00:09:53,759 --> 00:09:59,220 tenpony tower velvet remedy had been 257 00:09:56,399 --> 00:10:00,990 amazing at her insistence ommited let 258 00:09:59,220 --> 00:10:02,910 velvet perform each song multiple times 259 00:10:00,990 --> 00:10:05,579 making sure she had the best possible 260 00:10:02,909 --> 00:10:07,289 recording for each once her performance 261 00:10:05,578 --> 00:10:08,818 was completed my charcoal koe de 262 00:10:07,289 --> 00:10:11,219 campaña had been exhausted and had 263 00:10:08,818 --> 00:10:12,778 taken her leave of us to take a nap on 264 00:10:11,220 --> 00:10:14,959 which I been gushing about the 265 00:10:12,778 --> 00:10:17,250 performance and the new music since 266 00:10:14,958 --> 00:10:20,518 thankfully I felt no repeat pangs of 267 00:10:17,250 --> 00:10:23,250 jealousy at this I was in fact rather in 268 00:10:20,519 --> 00:10:24,870 awe myself homage and I had spent over 269 00:10:23,250 --> 00:10:26,250 an hour just reliving the performance 270 00:10:24,870 --> 00:10:29,159 like a couple of fan fillies after a 271 00:10:26,250 --> 00:10:31,169 concert the first song had been a long 272 00:10:29,159 --> 00:10:32,578 stable two favorite if I was to 273 00:10:31,169 --> 00:10:34,620 attribute to her a theme song it would 274 00:10:32,578 --> 00:10:37,039 have been that one and the second also 275 00:10:34,620 --> 00:10:38,870 popular one from her days in the staple 276 00:10:37,039 --> 00:10:40,579 the third was her rendition of a song 277 00:10:38,870 --> 00:10:42,259 she'd once told me was originally 278 00:10:40,580 --> 00:10:44,540 performed by Pinkie Pie in the original 279 00:10:42,259 --> 00:10:47,629 DJ Pony at hoofbeats something she'd 280 00:10:44,539 --> 00:10:49,219 chosen especially for DJ pony it was the 281 00:10:47,629 --> 00:10:51,169 song she's started to sing a shattered 282 00:10:49,220 --> 00:10:53,660 hoof and I was thrilled to finally hear 283 00:10:51,169 --> 00:10:55,759 it to completion the effect on homage 284 00:10:53,659 --> 00:10:59,059 was thrilling I loved seeing a little 285 00:10:55,759 --> 00:11:00,409 gray unicorn squee the final number had 286 00:10:59,059 --> 00:11:02,929 been one I had heard velvet Remini 287 00:11:00,409 --> 00:11:04,959 constructing during our travels the one 288 00:11:02,929 --> 00:11:07,519 she had once claimed was about me I 289 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:10,700 couldn't decide if I wanted to melt or 290 00:11:07,519 --> 00:11:12,169 to hide we had reached the edge of a 291 00:11:10,700 --> 00:11:14,660 mezzanine staring down at the lower 292 00:11:12,169 --> 00:11:17,029 floor of tenpony mall filled with classy 293 00:11:14,659 --> 00:11:18,289 shops including one just for wine in 294 00:11:17,029 --> 00:11:20,899 another across from it they had been 295 00:11:18,289 --> 00:11:23,719 just for cheese but that was now closed 296 00:11:20,899 --> 00:11:26,840 as we approached the stairs down I 297 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:28,730 stopped at sight below steel Holmes was 298 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:30,379 trotting about peering into storefront 299 00:11:28,730 --> 00:11:33,110 windows and taking in displays of art 300 00:11:30,379 --> 00:11:35,029 casual as you please all around him 301 00:11:33,110 --> 00:11:37,580 ponies were stopping and staring some 302 00:11:35,029 --> 00:11:39,370 shying away I saw a mother pull her 303 00:11:37,580 --> 00:11:41,509 Curie's filly behind her protectively 304 00:11:39,370 --> 00:11:45,830 your friend is causing quite a stir 305 00:11:41,509 --> 00:11:47,480 Amrish noted I chuckled I guess the high 306 00:11:45,830 --> 00:11:49,509 society of ten ponies and used to seeing 307 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:51,409 a pony and magical power armor I 308 00:11:49,509 --> 00:11:52,909 wondered if his armored hooves were 309 00:11:51,409 --> 00:11:56,360 scuffing their pretentiously polished 310 00:11:52,909 --> 00:11:59,959 marble floor well he is a steel ranger 311 00:11:56,360 --> 00:12:01,700 that gives most ponies pause this was 312 00:11:59,960 --> 00:12:03,440 not the first time I'd heard somepony I 313 00:12:01,700 --> 00:12:06,620 trusted suggest the steel rangers had 314 00:12:03,440 --> 00:12:10,820 less than a sterling reputation why is 315 00:12:06,620 --> 00:12:12,950 that I looked at me with surprise you're 316 00:12:10,820 --> 00:12:15,230 traveling with a steel ranger she said 317 00:12:12,950 --> 00:12:18,350 slowly and you don't know anything about 318 00:12:15,230 --> 00:12:22,039 them I opened my muzzle to say that I 319 00:12:18,350 --> 00:12:23,659 knew that they were what I knew them 320 00:12:22,039 --> 00:12:26,449 from the posters but those were two 321 00:12:23,659 --> 00:12:28,459 hundred years old truth was I didn't 322 00:12:26,450 --> 00:12:31,190 know the steel Rangers I knew steel 323 00:12:28,460 --> 00:12:32,930 hooves at least more than my companions 324 00:12:31,190 --> 00:12:35,240 knew the enigmatic Pony completely 325 00:12:32,929 --> 00:12:37,489 concealed by his armor I had seen a 326 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:40,220 memory orb ax one of a memory I'd 327 00:12:37,490 --> 00:12:44,899 assumed with reason was his 328 00:12:40,220 --> 00:12:46,670 no I suppose I really don't tell me I'm 329 00:12:44,899 --> 00:12:48,319 misguided this away from the stairs and 330 00:12:46,669 --> 00:12:51,110 doors a table at a small but expensive 331 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:52,910 eatery a waitress Pony brought us menus 332 00:12:51,110 --> 00:12:54,409 the moment we sat down managing to look 333 00:12:52,909 --> 00:12:56,929 haughty as if her customers were beneath 334 00:12:54,409 --> 00:12:58,309 her looking at the menu I once again 335 00:12:56,929 --> 00:13:00,579 discover that everything on it was a 336 00:12:58,309 --> 00:13:03,729 fancified version of pre-war food I 337 00:13:00,580 --> 00:13:06,139 shook my head pushing the menu aside 338 00:13:03,730 --> 00:13:07,730 fifty bottle caps for a banana puree 339 00:13:06,139 --> 00:13:10,730 that I can find the refrigerator of a 340 00:13:07,730 --> 00:13:12,860 ruined building for free no thanks 341 00:13:10,730 --> 00:13:14,590 frying it into strips and weaving it to 342 00:13:12,860 --> 00:13:18,259 look like a basket isn't worth that much 343 00:13:14,590 --> 00:13:19,670 I'll much lifted an eyebrow try to 344 00:13:18,259 --> 00:13:21,860 remember that most ponies here wouldn't 345 00:13:19,669 --> 00:13:24,110 last a day on the outside they are rated 346 00:13:21,860 --> 00:13:25,879 slavers renegade security robots and 347 00:13:24,110 --> 00:13:28,789 even a few stray manticores between them 348 00:13:25,879 --> 00:13:30,379 and their free food she looked around to 349 00:13:28,789 --> 00:13:32,990 the other patrons so then leaned forward 350 00:13:30,379 --> 00:13:34,100 and whispered honestly I don't think 351 00:13:32,990 --> 00:13:36,320 many of these ponies could handle 352 00:13:34,100 --> 00:13:37,460 radroaches they'd stomp one and then the 353 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:38,810 other adverse would kill and while 354 00:13:37,460 --> 00:13:39,769 they're trying to scrape the Grad roach 355 00:13:38,809 --> 00:13:43,189 gunk from their hooves in an 356 00:13:39,769 --> 00:13:44,809 uncontrolled disgust I looked around at 357 00:13:43,190 --> 00:13:48,770 he'll eat mares and gentle stallions of 358 00:13:44,809 --> 00:13:50,509 tempo nyan she was probably right stock 359 00:13:48,769 --> 00:13:52,879 miles from tenpony tower itself ran out 360 00:13:50,509 --> 00:13:54,289 generations ago what they sell now has 361 00:13:52,879 --> 00:13:55,970 been acquired from scavenger ponies 362 00:13:54,289 --> 00:13:58,399 specialists and plumbing the ruins of 363 00:13:55,970 --> 00:13:59,870 Manhattan for foodstuffs fortunately 364 00:13:58,399 --> 00:14:01,340 there were food shops restaurants and 365 00:13:59,870 --> 00:14:03,560 grocery stores the law in the city 366 00:14:01,340 --> 00:14:05,690 before the bomb so scavenging has been 367 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:07,099 fruitful as it is dangerous but 368 00:14:05,690 --> 00:14:09,920 scavenger ponies don't risk their necks 369 00:14:07,100 --> 00:14:11,720 for cheap and with how raided all the 370 00:14:09,919 --> 00:14:14,089 water ease it's hard for a Pony family 371 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:16,100 to purify enough for a tiny garden for a 372 00:14:14,090 --> 00:14:19,460 restaurant like this fresh crops out of 373 00:14:16,100 --> 00:14:22,460 the question I considered that then 374 00:14:19,460 --> 00:14:24,350 picked up the menu again i ordered the 375 00:14:22,460 --> 00:14:26,900 fried banana puree basket and a bottle 376 00:14:24,350 --> 00:14:27,430 of wine it was surprisingly full of 377 00:14:26,899 --> 00:14:30,649 flavor 378 00:14:27,429 --> 00:14:33,559 the steel ranges are much explained or 379 00:14:30,649 --> 00:14:36,169 our glasses of wine are the old guard of 380 00:14:33,559 --> 00:14:37,519 the Ministry of wartime technology they 381 00:14:36,169 --> 00:14:39,379 see themselves as the Knights of the 382 00:14:37,519 --> 00:14:40,850 greatness of the past which they 383 00:14:39,379 --> 00:14:42,649 consider to be tied to a question-- 384 00:14:40,850 --> 00:14:44,870 advancements in technology and Industry 385 00:14:42,649 --> 00:14:46,659 armed as custodians of the technology 386 00:14:44,870 --> 00:14:49,070 that they our ministry helped create 387 00:14:46,659 --> 00:14:50,569 honestly most of them would be more 388 00:14:49,070 --> 00:14:52,778 interested in saving your pipbuck and 389 00:14:50,570 --> 00:14:55,610 saving you 390 00:14:52,778 --> 00:14:58,100 after lunch I treated homage to an early 391 00:14:55,610 --> 00:14:59,659 evening at the spa the last time between 392 00:14:58,100 --> 00:15:02,720 so utterly delightful that I had to 393 00:14:59,659 --> 00:15:04,219 share the experience with her on which 394 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:07,160 had asked that the small radio in the 395 00:15:04,220 --> 00:15:08,810 spa be turned a DJ pony station from the 396 00:15:07,159 --> 00:15:09,980 expression the spa ponies gave her 397 00:15:08,809 --> 00:15:11,778 they didn't much approve of the ghoul 398 00:15:09,980 --> 00:15:14,449 loving renegade but were used to this 399 00:15:11,778 --> 00:15:16,338 request with the new music playing I 400 00:15:14,448 --> 00:15:19,159 suspected that the broadcast popularity 401 00:15:16,339 --> 00:15:20,660 was peaking one of the pretty spa ponies 402 00:15:19,159 --> 00:15:22,458 was dabbing my face with cleansing and 403 00:15:20,659 --> 00:15:24,519 revitalizing mud when the voice of DJ 404 00:15:22,458 --> 00:15:28,578 Pony blasted out of the little radio 405 00:15:24,519 --> 00:15:30,889 good evening children I looks to homage 406 00:15:28,578 --> 00:15:32,179 and surprise she winked back before they 407 00:15:30,889 --> 00:15:34,850 covered her eyes with the slices of 408 00:15:32,179 --> 00:15:37,399 cucumber got a question for all you 409 00:15:34,850 --> 00:15:40,778 faithful listeners out there have any 410 00:15:37,399 --> 00:15:44,480 Hugh mares of Bucks ever seen a ghost 411 00:15:40,778 --> 00:15:46,549 now DJ pony I hear you say there's no 412 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,600 such things as ghosts then ghost tours 413 00:15:46,549 --> 00:15:49,099 about Maine Hatton ever since my 414 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:51,069 grandmother's grandmother was a filly 415 00:15:49,100 --> 00:15:53,528 and no ponies ever actually seen one 416 00:15:51,068 --> 00:15:57,588 Ghost Tours all made up you know 417 00:15:53,528 --> 00:15:59,389 well now what if i DJ pony your voice in 418 00:15:57,589 --> 00:16:01,880 the wasteland worth to tell you that i 419 00:15:59,389 --> 00:16:03,769 have seen a ghost and I don't mean 420 00:16:01,879 --> 00:16:05,328 heroic stable dwellers who miraculously 421 00:16:03,769 --> 00:16:09,679 survived falling off cliffs and drains 422 00:16:05,328 --> 00:16:10,818 not this time I groaned aloud I would 423 00:16:09,679 --> 00:16:12,759 have clenched my eyes but they were 424 00:16:10,818 --> 00:16:15,620 already being covered with vegetables 425 00:16:12,759 --> 00:16:17,208 now it was several years ago when I had 426 00:16:15,620 --> 00:16:19,429 just got myself out of a tight spot with 427 00:16:17,208 --> 00:16:22,039 one of those manticores so I was riding 428 00:16:19,429 --> 00:16:25,009 - and stampy at the time but she was 429 00:16:22,039 --> 00:16:26,480 there Celestia's honest truth never seen 430 00:16:25,009 --> 00:16:28,458 her again I found the exact spot I'd 431 00:16:26,480 --> 00:16:29,930 stumbled onto but there are more crazy 432 00:16:28,458 --> 00:16:32,049 things in the Wild Wasteland than you 433 00:16:29,929 --> 00:16:34,879 believe 434 00:16:32,049 --> 00:16:36,789 later as the spa ponies gave us a pony 435 00:16:34,879 --> 00:16:39,289 Petty and Horne treatment I asked olive 436 00:16:36,789 --> 00:16:41,509 what is Stampede 437 00:16:39,289 --> 00:16:44,509 oh it's a mixture of rage and pain 438 00:16:41,509 --> 00:16:46,339 killers homage answered a friend and I 439 00:16:44,509 --> 00:16:49,310 found the recipe in the ruins of an MLP 440 00:16:46,339 --> 00:16:53,620 clinic when we were younger my curiosity 441 00:16:49,309 --> 00:16:56,778 took hold a friend liked it to meet her 442 00:16:53,620 --> 00:16:58,759 now I'm afraid my friend didn't survive 443 00:16:56,778 --> 00:17:02,448 the efforts to get us into tenpony tower 444 00:16:58,759 --> 00:17:04,970 I felt amazingly refreshed and relaxed 445 00:17:02,448 --> 00:17:06,798 our time when the spa had been pleasant 446 00:17:04,970 --> 00:17:09,439 and intimate and I had high hopes for 447 00:17:06,798 --> 00:17:11,389 the rest of the evening as we stepped 448 00:17:09,439 --> 00:17:14,089 out of the spa homage leaned close and 449 00:17:11,390 --> 00:17:16,040 whispered had that last bit pre-recorded 450 00:17:14,088 --> 00:17:18,078 it's a good idea to be seen in public 451 00:17:16,039 --> 00:17:22,000 occasionally while DJ ponies live on the 452 00:17:18,078 --> 00:17:24,500 radio I nodded staring her just a little 453 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:26,209 the mudbath been the first time I had 454 00:17:24,500 --> 00:17:28,970 seen her wearing either a dress nor a 455 00:17:26,209 --> 00:17:30,789 spa robe her cutie mark looked like it 456 00:17:28,970 --> 00:17:32,900 could be either a speaker or a megaphone 457 00:17:30,789 --> 00:17:35,869 either way it was perfectly appropriate 458 00:17:32,900 --> 00:17:37,429 to her and I could see why she chose to 459 00:17:35,869 --> 00:17:39,558 keep it private through dressing finally 460 00:17:37,429 --> 00:17:41,630 if anyone suspected she was more than 461 00:17:39,558 --> 00:17:44,418 just DJ ponies errant filly the key to 462 00:17:41,630 --> 00:17:46,370 mark was all but a dead giveaway three 463 00:17:44,419 --> 00:17:48,980 little ponies galloped up to us to 464 00:17:46,369 --> 00:17:50,629 Colton a younger filly the youngest had 465 00:17:48,980 --> 00:17:51,769 tears in their eyes the Colt trying to 466 00:17:50,630 --> 00:17:53,210 hold his back while the filly was 467 00:17:51,769 --> 00:17:55,849 blinking hers away with a hopeful 468 00:17:53,210 --> 00:17:59,450 expression I heard homage moan at their 469 00:17:55,849 --> 00:18:01,908 approach miss homage the oldest one 470 00:17:59,450 --> 00:18:03,380 called as they drew close DJ Pony says 471 00:18:01,909 --> 00:18:04,669 that daddy tried to rob the hero one of 472 00:18:03,380 --> 00:18:04,940 the wasteland and that's why he's in 473 00:18:04,669 --> 00:18:08,990 jail 474 00:18:04,940 --> 00:18:13,039 is it true did he really do that daddy 475 00:18:08,990 --> 00:18:16,298 wouldn't oh fuck me with the moon moon 476 00:18:13,039 --> 00:18:18,950 son both of them raped me hard 477 00:18:16,298 --> 00:18:22,240 homage looked if anything even less 478 00:18:18,950 --> 00:18:26,659 comfortable but she stood by the truth 479 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:29,150 yes children I'm afraid he did but he's 480 00:18:26,659 --> 00:18:30,799 really sorry I interjected even though I 481 00:18:29,150 --> 00:18:32,360 knew the only thing Monterey Jack was 482 00:18:30,798 --> 00:18:34,849 actually sorry about was that I had put 483 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:38,719 him in a bad place and I'm sure they let 484 00:18:34,849 --> 00:18:41,240 him go I I pause wincing as I chose my 485 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:43,009 words speaking more slowly 486 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:45,769 I know the stable dweller is really 487 00:18:43,009 --> 00:18:47,809 upset about seeing him in jail well she 488 00:18:45,769 --> 00:18:49,369 saved him the filly blurted out with so 489 00:18:47,809 --> 00:18:52,730 much open her voice it nearly knocked me 490 00:18:49,369 --> 00:18:54,799 over why would she do that her eldest 491 00:18:52,730 --> 00:18:57,680 brother retorted he threatened her and 492 00:18:54,799 --> 00:18:58,839 tried to rob her I looked down with 493 00:18:57,680 --> 00:19:01,250 jealously 494 00:18:58,839 --> 00:19:03,169 they ain't gonna let him go said the 495 00:19:01,250 --> 00:19:07,190 middle brother you're gonna hang him in 496 00:19:03,170 --> 00:19:09,100 two days I paced back and forth from the 497 00:19:07,190 --> 00:19:13,690 atheneum Assam which watched me sadly 498 00:19:09,099 --> 00:19:17,439 you can't interfere oh yes I can 499 00:19:13,690 --> 00:19:20,480 how much gave a melancholy sigh I 500 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:22,789 understand why you feel you should even 501 00:19:20,480 --> 00:19:24,380 if he did lay in his own hay but from 502 00:19:22,789 --> 00:19:27,190 what you said it really doesn't sound 503 00:19:24,380 --> 00:19:29,750 like he wants to be helped I snorted 504 00:19:27,190 --> 00:19:30,950 then I'm not gonna leave it up to him he 505 00:19:29,750 --> 00:19:33,079 is three children the need looking after 506 00:19:30,950 --> 00:19:36,680 they need to come before his twisted up 507 00:19:33,079 --> 00:19:39,679 code of honor little pip homage 508 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:42,170 whispered we've just met I don't want to 509 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:47,240 lose you already I stopped 510 00:19:42,170 --> 00:19:49,610 shocked lose me in exasperation how much 511 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:51,140 pointed out if you do anything and 512 00:19:49,609 --> 00:19:52,789 survived the guards with their battle 513 00:19:51,140 --> 00:19:54,110 saddles you and your friends will never 514 00:19:52,789 --> 00:19:56,930 be allowed to set off in tenpony tower 515 00:19:54,109 --> 00:20:00,969 again I turned and looked her in the 516 00:19:56,930 --> 00:20:04,730 eyes they were glistening ready to cry 517 00:20:00,970 --> 00:20:07,850 I'll be with you always pretty much 518 00:20:04,730 --> 00:20:11,660 wherever you go just tune in to DJ pony 519 00:20:07,849 --> 00:20:15,139 and I'll be there but you won't be able 520 00:20:11,660 --> 00:20:16,670 to be with me I fell back on my haunches 521 00:20:15,140 --> 00:20:21,950 as the dead weight of what I would be 522 00:20:16,670 --> 00:20:23,870 sacrificing defended fully upon me night 523 00:20:21,950 --> 00:20:26,750 was falling as I walked slowly along the 524 00:20:23,869 --> 00:20:28,969 celestial line valid remedy and steel 525 00:20:26,750 --> 00:20:31,789 hills walked in line behind me calamity 526 00:20:28,970 --> 00:20:33,140 was flying scout all I had told the 527 00:20:31,789 --> 00:20:35,389 others was that I was going for a walk 528 00:20:33,140 --> 00:20:38,150 every one of them insisted on coming 529 00:20:35,390 --> 00:20:39,920 with me only velvet remedy asked if 530 00:20:38,150 --> 00:20:42,590 there was a reason why and she did so in 531 00:20:39,920 --> 00:20:44,300 private she could tell I was distressed 532 00:20:42,589 --> 00:20:45,909 and she was alarmed that I was not 533 00:20:44,299 --> 00:20:48,049 spending the evening with homage 534 00:20:45,910 --> 00:20:50,900 calamity I think was looking for an 535 00:20:48,049 --> 00:20:52,669 excuse to stretch his wings steel hooves 536 00:20:50,900 --> 00:20:54,830 simply fell in behind me without comment 537 00:20:52,670 --> 00:20:58,550 I felt like he would go anywhere I did 538 00:20:54,829 --> 00:20:59,899 and I still had no idea why truth was as 539 00:20:58,549 --> 00:21:01,909 much as I wanted to spend the night with 540 00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:05,269 homage I was too messed up inside to 541 00:21:01,910 --> 00:21:08,860 enjoy it I needed fresh air I needed to 542 00:21:05,269 --> 00:21:11,000 clear my head I needed a distraction 543 00:21:08,859 --> 00:21:13,509 fortunately the grey unicorn had not 544 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:16,039 only understood but had encouraged me 545 00:21:13,509 --> 00:21:18,339 velvet remedies horn provided light I 546 00:21:16,039 --> 00:21:20,569 didn't even need the one from my pipbuck 547 00:21:18,339 --> 00:21:22,429 the quiet of the night wrapped us like a 548 00:21:20,569 --> 00:21:25,579 blanket punctured by the occasional 549 00:21:22,430 --> 00:21:27,580 distant screams or gunshots each time 550 00:21:25,579 --> 00:21:29,269 calamity swooped away to investigate 551 00:21:27,579 --> 00:21:31,250 sometimes you would come back with 552 00:21:29,269 --> 00:21:33,799 reports of scavengers fighting off wild 553 00:21:31,250 --> 00:21:35,079 animals most of the time he returned no 554 00:21:33,799 --> 00:21:37,430 wiser than before 555 00:21:35,079 --> 00:21:39,529 once the disappearance was followed by 556 00:21:37,430 --> 00:21:41,470 several little Thunder cracks I knew the 557 00:21:39,529 --> 00:21:44,299 sound of his battle saddle by heart I 558 00:21:41,470 --> 00:21:47,480 heard no return fire but we all stopped 559 00:21:44,299 --> 00:21:48,889 and waited and worried all the same it 560 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:50,900 took him a quarter of an hour to return 561 00:21:48,890 --> 00:21:53,930 and when he did so he was gliding with 562 00:21:50,900 --> 00:21:55,700 sacks of pilfered goods Raiden asked a 563 00:21:53,930 --> 00:21:57,560 bunch of earth Pony Raiders with Spears 564 00:21:55,700 --> 00:22:02,180 and sledgehammers he explained with a 565 00:21:57,559 --> 00:22:03,589 grin no pony expects a Pegasus he landed 566 00:22:02,180 --> 00:22:06,350 and passed me a sack full of metal 567 00:22:03,589 --> 00:22:09,409 apples they didn't have any ammo either 568 00:22:06,349 --> 00:22:11,929 but they had these steel hooves offered 569 00:22:09,410 --> 00:22:13,550 to take grenades of the lot of us he was 570 00:22:11,930 --> 00:22:15,080 the only one who actually had any skill 571 00:22:13,549 --> 00:22:16,909 with the things 572 00:22:15,079 --> 00:22:19,329 one of these days we got to get you 573 00:22:16,910 --> 00:22:21,920 something that don't do no splash damage 574 00:22:19,329 --> 00:22:23,599 calamity passed another sack this one 575 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:27,140 holding a square box with beveled edges 576 00:22:23,599 --> 00:22:29,240 inside touvell remedy medical kit de a-- 577 00:22:27,140 --> 00:22:32,360 had was locked so I just brung the whole 578 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:35,559 thing brought velvet corrected as she 579 00:22:32,359 --> 00:22:37,729 took the sack that's what I said 580 00:22:35,559 --> 00:22:39,799 velvet rolled her eyes to me before 581 00:22:37,730 --> 00:22:42,289 slinging the sack over her clasping it 582 00:22:39,799 --> 00:22:44,089 by her saddlebag harness there was no 583 00:22:42,289 --> 00:22:45,559 Russian opening it I can pick the lock 584 00:22:44,089 --> 00:22:48,470 when we reached our next four-star 585 00:22:45,559 --> 00:22:52,460 station presidents delivered clam when 586 00:22:48,470 --> 00:22:54,049 he flew ahead again the next four-star 587 00:22:52,460 --> 00:22:56,329 station was the site of a massacre 588 00:22:54,049 --> 00:22:59,210 I watched seal host read between the 589 00:22:56,329 --> 00:23:00,379 bodies of over 30 ghouls most of them 590 00:22:59,210 --> 00:23:03,470 looked like they had been mowed down by 591 00:23:00,380 --> 00:23:04,730 heavy mini gunfire powerful explosions 592 00:23:03,470 --> 00:23:05,990 had torn holes in the walls of the 593 00:23:04,730 --> 00:23:08,870 station and the homes that have been 594 00:23:05,990 --> 00:23:10,250 built into and around it the place was a 595 00:23:08,869 --> 00:23:12,679 rank with the white smell of Google 596 00:23:10,250 --> 00:23:14,299 corpses the buzzing of flies was a 597 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:17,570 constant drone that reminded me of the 598 00:23:14,299 --> 00:23:19,339 high whine of stable tubes lights velvet 599 00:23:17,569 --> 00:23:22,579 Remini had fled up the line about 300 600 00:23:19,339 --> 00:23:25,819 yards unable to stomach this calamity 601 00:23:22,579 --> 00:23:28,009 was looting the bodies rotting tails a 602 00:23:25,819 --> 00:23:29,240 group steelo's finally announced long 603 00:23:28,009 --> 00:23:31,759 after I had come into the same 604 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:34,039 realization he kept his deep voice 605 00:23:31,759 --> 00:23:36,299 neutral I wish I could see his 606 00:23:34,039 --> 00:23:39,450 expression behind the mask 607 00:23:36,299 --> 00:23:43,079 steelo's I asked cautiously you all 608 00:23:39,450 --> 00:23:47,250 right why wouldn't I be he asked again 609 00:23:43,079 --> 00:23:49,079 keeping his voice neutral to neutral he 610 00:23:47,250 --> 00:23:51,180 was refraining from something whether 611 00:23:49,079 --> 00:23:54,509 was laughing enjoy or raging offense I 612 00:23:51,180 --> 00:23:56,539 couldn't guess how about you you're not 613 00:23:54,509 --> 00:23:58,529 indulging in diluting I notice as 614 00:23:56,539 --> 00:23:59,879 calamity would say it's not like these 615 00:23:58,529 --> 00:24:00,269 creatures are using anything here 616 00:23:59,880 --> 00:24:04,200 anymore 617 00:24:00,269 --> 00:24:06,690 might as well go to our use to steel 618 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:09,450 hose looting ghouls was okay but looting 619 00:24:06,690 --> 00:24:11,880 steel Rangers was not I didn't like that 620 00:24:09,450 --> 00:24:13,200 although with consideration I had to 621 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:15,060 admit to myself that I would probably 622 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:16,590 react considerably worse towards the 623 00:24:15,059 --> 00:24:20,579 looting of the bodies of stable dwellers 624 00:24:16,589 --> 00:24:21,869 I'm going to burn them I announced soon 625 00:24:20,579 --> 00:24:24,829 as claim he's done with the scavenging 626 00:24:21,869 --> 00:24:27,389 if you want you should join him in that 627 00:24:24,829 --> 00:24:28,109 interesting steelo's intoned but 628 00:24:27,390 --> 00:24:31,320 remained with me 629 00:24:28,109 --> 00:24:32,789 I found his reaction to my reaction as 630 00:24:31,319 --> 00:24:35,549 interesting as he apparently found my 631 00:24:32,789 --> 00:24:37,440 reaction to be as morbid and repulsive 632 00:24:35,549 --> 00:24:40,740 as the setting was I decided to attempt 633 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:43,019 to fathom our new friend I heard about 634 00:24:40,740 --> 00:24:46,890 the steel rangers they don't exactly 635 00:24:43,019 --> 00:24:47,579 have a heroic reputation is that how you 636 00:24:46,890 --> 00:24:52,380 see yourself 637 00:24:47,579 --> 00:24:55,529 he replied you're a hero I flinched but 638 00:24:52,380 --> 00:24:58,770 quickly suspected he was deflecting how 639 00:24:55,529 --> 00:25:02,910 about you how do you see yourself as a 640 00:24:58,769 --> 00:25:06,599 traditionalist okay what the hell did 641 00:25:02,910 --> 00:25:07,890 that mean I tried again I'm told that 642 00:25:06,599 --> 00:25:09,769 most steel rangers are more interested 643 00:25:07,890 --> 00:25:13,920 in saving technology than saving ponies 644 00:25:09,769 --> 00:25:17,190 how about you steel hose was quiet 645 00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:20,670 I pressed are you following us around to 646 00:25:17,190 --> 00:25:23,250 keep my pipbuck safe steel host snorted 647 00:25:20,670 --> 00:25:26,850 a laugh then sombrely he revealed a 648 00:25:23,250 --> 00:25:29,759 little of himself steel rangers each and 649 00:25:26,849 --> 00:25:32,429 everyone swears the same oath but there 650 00:25:29,759 --> 00:25:34,259 is some divergence of opinion as to 651 00:25:32,430 --> 00:25:36,029 whether our fealty is owed to the mayor 652 00:25:34,259 --> 00:25:39,210 of the ministry or to the ministry 653 00:25:36,029 --> 00:25:41,849 itself he spoke of the ministry as if 654 00:25:39,210 --> 00:25:44,730 there was only one or at least only one 655 00:25:41,849 --> 00:25:47,759 of any importance are they that 656 00:25:44,730 --> 00:25:49,319 different I asked but calamity return 657 00:25:47,759 --> 00:25:50,670 before I could get an answer and steel 658 00:25:49,319 --> 00:25:53,339 hose was not willing to share with an 659 00:25:50,670 --> 00:25:56,400 audience I think I get everything we 660 00:25:53,339 --> 00:25:59,309 might want you were strong back for a 661 00:25:56,400 --> 00:26:01,430 pegasus steel of ribbed are you sure you 662 00:25:59,309 --> 00:26:04,129 don't want to get the furniture as well 663 00:26:01,430 --> 00:26:06,210 clam he grunted flapping his wings 664 00:26:04,130 --> 00:26:07,920 ignoring the jime from steel hoofs 665 00:26:06,210 --> 00:26:10,590 comment I considered the underlying 666 00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:12,060 truth calamity why don't you fly back 667 00:26:10,589 --> 00:26:14,099 and unload that stuff back at the suite 668 00:26:12,059 --> 00:26:16,919 you can catch up with us we'll still be 669 00:26:14,099 --> 00:26:20,339 on the celestial line calamity smiled 670 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:23,759 tipping him back his hat will do then he 671 00:26:20,339 --> 00:26:25,669 was off I focused the bodies of the 672 00:26:23,759 --> 00:26:28,950 ghouls wrapped in light one by one i 673 00:26:25,670 --> 00:26:30,390 levitated them into a pile then walking 674 00:26:28,950 --> 00:26:31,799 out ahead of one of the mile rails with 675 00:26:30,390 --> 00:26:35,160 steel hose following on the other I 676 00:26:31,799 --> 00:26:36,720 reached a safe distance I turn floating 677 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:39,029 up the zebra rifle and sent half a clip 678 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:42,420 into the mound of ghoul cadavers the 679 00:26:39,029 --> 00:26:43,859 pile began to burn who watched velvet 680 00:26:42,420 --> 00:26:46,710 remedy who was staring at the ghoulish 681 00:26:43,859 --> 00:26:48,509 pyre with strange fascination I looked 682 00:26:46,710 --> 00:26:51,930 back trying to figure out why the site 683 00:26:48,509 --> 00:26:55,359 held her gaze so a balefire Phoenix was 684 00:26:51,930 --> 00:26:58,340 circling the bonfire of corpses 685 00:26:55,359 --> 00:27:00,139 repeating message again this is black 686 00:26:58,339 --> 00:27:01,519 wing and black wings talons sending out 687 00:27:00,140 --> 00:27:03,800 a distress call on every friendly 688 00:27:01,519 --> 00:27:05,930 frequency please send this message on to 689 00:27:03,799 --> 00:27:06,889 any talent companies in the area my team 690 00:27:05,930 --> 00:27:09,080 and I are trapped on the roof of 691 00:27:06,890 --> 00:27:10,430 horseshoe tower by enemy forces we are 692 00:27:09,079 --> 00:27:10,849 low on ammo and cannot hold out much 693 00:27:10,430 --> 00:27:14,930 longer 694 00:27:10,849 --> 00:27:16,789 oh no here come more of them the radio 695 00:27:14,930 --> 00:27:18,289 message ended abruptly then looped 696 00:27:16,789 --> 00:27:21,200 repeating the words of the female 697 00:27:18,289 --> 00:27:24,319 Griffon she sounded younger than God and 698 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:26,059 not quite as hard my pipbuck had started 699 00:27:24,319 --> 00:27:27,379 receiving distress signal over a mile 700 00:27:26,059 --> 00:27:29,990 away from Horseshoe Tower 701 00:27:27,380 --> 00:27:31,370 the signal was weak but horseshoe tower 702 00:27:29,990 --> 00:27:33,140 had been one of the tallest buildings in 703 00:27:31,369 --> 00:27:35,179 all of Equestria and was the largest 704 00:27:33,140 --> 00:27:37,520 skyscraper remaining in Manhattan ruins 705 00:27:35,180 --> 00:27:39,890 easily dwarfing tenpony by over double 706 00:27:37,519 --> 00:27:41,240 its height to anyone receiving this 707 00:27:39,890 --> 00:27:43,460 message this is black wing and black 708 00:27:41,240 --> 00:27:44,509 wings talons please we need help were 709 00:27:43,460 --> 00:27:46,730 pinned on the roof of the horseshoe 710 00:27:44,509 --> 00:27:48,109 tower by overwhelming enemy forces we're 711 00:27:46,730 --> 00:27:49,940 low on ammo and food and we've lost 712 00:27:48,109 --> 00:27:52,129 three of our team already we are in 713 00:27:49,940 --> 00:27:53,630 desperate need of assistance if anyone 714 00:27:52,130 --> 00:27:54,680 can hear this message please bring help 715 00:27:53,630 --> 00:27:56,660 please hurry 716 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:58,549 we can't hold out much longer this is a 717 00:27:56,660 --> 00:28:01,910 repeating message again this is black 718 00:27:58,549 --> 00:28:03,470 wing I removed my ear bloom and played 719 00:28:01,910 --> 00:28:04,190 the recording aloud as we got within a 720 00:28:03,470 --> 00:28:06,200 few blocks 721 00:28:04,190 --> 00:28:08,029 I had hoped calamity would catch up with 722 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:10,279 us before we reached the skyscrapers for 723 00:28:08,029 --> 00:28:12,769 star station but I wasn't willing to 724 00:28:10,279 --> 00:28:15,039 wait each loop of the message pressed 725 00:28:12,769 --> 00:28:18,319 upon me with mounting sense of urgency 726 00:28:15,039 --> 00:28:21,769 we're going in I announced then 727 00:28:18,319 --> 00:28:23,179 reconsidering my words I'm going in you 728 00:28:21,769 --> 00:28:27,200 do can stay behind if you want I 729 00:28:23,180 --> 00:28:28,789 understand I switched my tail besides 730 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:33,080 somepony should let calamity know where 731 00:28:28,789 --> 00:28:34,490 we are steel hose niggard personally I 732 00:28:33,079 --> 00:28:37,480 look forward to the chance to meet those 733 00:28:34,490 --> 00:28:40,519 noble ghoul Slayers he looked at me and 734 00:28:37,480 --> 00:28:42,650 you're going because are you being the 735 00:28:40,519 --> 00:28:44,779 hero win' you enjoy risking your life 736 00:28:42,650 --> 00:28:47,960 for strangers or is there something else 737 00:28:44,779 --> 00:28:51,170 about horseshoe tower I glared at my 738 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:52,610 companion then smurt oh I just want to 739 00:28:51,170 --> 00:28:54,940 know how much of Griffins could get 740 00:28:52,609 --> 00:28:57,679 trapped on the roof of a building 741 00:28:54,940 --> 00:29:00,680 steelo's chuckled I turned to Vella 742 00:28:57,680 --> 00:29:03,140 remedy you are not going it alone 743 00:29:00,680 --> 00:29:04,130 velvet insisted with a grim smile and a 744 00:29:03,140 --> 00:29:06,860 stomp 745 00:29:04,130 --> 00:29:11,330 and we can leave Kalama you note she 746 00:29:06,859 --> 00:29:15,129 paused he can read can't he I rolled my 747 00:29:11,329 --> 00:29:17,720 eyes yes and you know it then 748 00:29:15,130 --> 00:29:19,940 considering the idea I found myself at a 749 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:21,410 loss I still had the clipboard and 750 00:29:19,940 --> 00:29:23,779 pencil that I had taken from the tenpony 751 00:29:21,410 --> 00:29:25,160 tower Constabulary but a note left under 752 00:29:23,779 --> 00:29:27,950 a chunk of crumbled concrete would 753 00:29:25,160 --> 00:29:29,419 easily be missed for calamity to see it 754 00:29:27,950 --> 00:29:30,970 we'd need to paint the message in big 755 00:29:29,419 --> 00:29:33,140 letters on the roof of the station and 756 00:29:30,970 --> 00:29:35,419 even then he would miss it if we didn't 757 00:29:33,140 --> 00:29:38,419 illuminate it somehow I pointed these 758 00:29:35,419 --> 00:29:39,679 problems out develop a remedy in case 759 00:29:38,419 --> 00:29:41,470 you missed light show earlier dear 760 00:29:39,679 --> 00:29:43,220 illumination will not be a problem 761 00:29:41,470 --> 00:29:45,620 velvet smiled wryly 762 00:29:43,220 --> 00:29:48,589 I can guess a spell on the letters that 763 00:29:45,619 --> 00:29:51,408 would make them quite eye-catching can 764 00:29:48,589 --> 00:29:54,079 you just make glowing words velvet 765 00:29:51,409 --> 00:29:56,000 Romney shook her head yes but only if I 766 00:29:54,079 --> 00:29:57,470 stayed here to maintain them to leave 767 00:29:56,000 --> 00:29:59,869 them behind I would have to enchant 768 00:29:57,470 --> 00:30:03,259 existing writing paint preferably unless 769 00:29:59,869 --> 00:30:05,000 we can find a really big ink pot steel 770 00:30:03,259 --> 00:30:06,408 hose we need as he trotted past us the 771 00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:09,109 station's double doors that led into 772 00:30:06,409 --> 00:30:10,370 horseshoe tower then we'll paint it in 773 00:30:09,109 --> 00:30:11,349 the blood of the first enemy we 774 00:30:10,369 --> 00:30:13,639 encounter 775 00:30:11,349 --> 00:30:15,199 he turned and bucked the doors hard 776 00:30:13,640 --> 00:30:16,940 enough to not only swing them open but 777 00:30:15,200 --> 00:30:19,640 send one flying across the waiting room 778 00:30:16,940 --> 00:30:21,019 inside I cringed and thanked the 779 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:23,240 goddesses that the room wasn't full of 780 00:30:21,019 --> 00:30:26,750 enemies are you coming 781 00:30:23,240 --> 00:30:28,669 I heard velvet remedy step over the body 782 00:30:26,750 --> 00:30:30,288 of the Griffon his bulk nearly doubled 783 00:30:28,669 --> 00:30:32,750 by the twin minigun battle saddle that 784 00:30:30,288 --> 00:30:34,250 was still strapped to his corpse it was 785 00:30:32,750 --> 00:30:36,710 the first body that we had encountered 786 00:30:34,250 --> 00:30:38,210 which wasn't centuries-old the floor was 787 00:30:36,710 --> 00:30:40,850 littered with bullet casings making 788 00:30:38,210 --> 00:30:43,909 walking around it treacherous I couldn't 789 00:30:40,849 --> 00:30:45,469 tell what killed him that worried me it 790 00:30:43,909 --> 00:30:47,120 worried me even more when developer Oni 791 00:30:45,470 --> 00:30:50,179 diagnosed at his natural causes 792 00:30:47,119 --> 00:30:52,099 her voice loaded with disbelief at least 793 00:30:50,179 --> 00:30:54,200 we know they came this way steel has 794 00:30:52,099 --> 00:30:55,959 observed I was beginning to worry that 795 00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:58,269 there was no way up 796 00:30:55,960 --> 00:31:00,399 much of horseshoe towers interiors had 797 00:30:58,269 --> 00:31:03,519 collapsed stairwells had crumbled 798 00:31:00,398 --> 00:31:05,498 hallways it gave din the entire building 799 00:31:03,519 --> 00:31:06,759 had become a maze forcing us to weave in 800 00:31:05,499 --> 00:31:08,048 and out of rooms in order to make it 801 00:31:06,759 --> 00:31:10,329 from one end of a hallway to the other 802 00:31:08,048 --> 00:31:13,148 making us go down a floor to find stairs 803 00:31:10,329 --> 00:31:15,460 that would take us up to a head 804 00:31:13,148 --> 00:31:18,819 we heard the spray of water my pipbuck 805 00:31:15,460 --> 00:31:20,379 started click clicking softly the only 806 00:31:18,819 --> 00:31:21,638 way to get to the next set of stairs was 807 00:31:20,378 --> 00:31:24,248 through a collapsed section of wall 808 00:31:21,638 --> 00:31:25,778 between two bathrooms the building's 809 00:31:24,249 --> 00:31:27,999 water talisman was still pumping water 810 00:31:25,778 --> 00:31:30,009 through the shattered pipes the water 811 00:31:27,999 --> 00:31:32,230 was alive with low levels of radiation 812 00:31:30,009 --> 00:31:35,889 the balefire bomb had probably 813 00:31:32,230 --> 00:31:37,480 irradiated the talisman itself I checked 814 00:31:35,888 --> 00:31:38,558 with velvet remedy making sure we had 815 00:31:37,480 --> 00:31:40,899 enough right away with us 816 00:31:38,558 --> 00:31:42,628 the radioactive shower would be minor 817 00:31:40,898 --> 00:31:44,678 nothing worth getting concerned about 818 00:31:42,628 --> 00:31:46,418 but if this was a sign of bigger 819 00:31:44,679 --> 00:31:49,899 problems ahead I wanted to make sure 820 00:31:46,419 --> 00:31:51,460 that we were prepared holding my breath 821 00:31:49,898 --> 00:31:52,418 I pushed myself through the spray as 822 00:31:51,460 --> 00:31:54,249 quickly as I could 823 00:31:52,419 --> 00:31:55,869 I stumbled a little as the wet 824 00:31:54,249 --> 00:32:01,298 floorboards on the other side gave an 825 00:31:55,868 --> 00:32:02,470 inch okie dokie Loki steel hooves I'll 826 00:32:01,298 --> 00:32:04,839 be floating you through and setting you 827 00:32:02,470 --> 00:32:06,519 down over there I said pointing at the 828 00:32:04,839 --> 00:32:10,839 far corner of the room near the door way 829 00:32:06,519 --> 00:32:13,749 out this floor is not stable velvet 830 00:32:10,839 --> 00:32:15,278 remedy stayed back I focused on steel 831 00:32:13,749 --> 00:32:18,519 hoofs wrapping him in a telekinetic 832 00:32:15,278 --> 00:32:20,169 blanket slowly I lifted the heavy steel 833 00:32:18,519 --> 00:32:22,628 ranger up half a yard and brought him 834 00:32:20,169 --> 00:32:24,639 through the shower I took a single step 835 00:32:22,628 --> 00:32:26,648 back feeling the floor wobble alarmingly 836 00:32:24,638 --> 00:32:27,758 once again and glided him past me 837 00:32:26,648 --> 00:32:31,689 towards a corner that was fairly 838 00:32:27,759 --> 00:32:33,220 certainly dry and stable steel hooves 839 00:32:31,690 --> 00:32:34,778 made it half way there when something he 840 00:32:33,220 --> 00:32:36,610 saw through the open doorway caused him 841 00:32:34,778 --> 00:32:39,730 to thrash trying to find purchase on the 842 00:32:36,609 --> 00:32:41,648 floor before I could put him down before 843 00:32:39,730 --> 00:32:44,769 I could even ask what he saw the alicorn 844 00:32:41,648 --> 00:32:46,888 stepped into the doorway my levitation 845 00:32:44,769 --> 00:32:49,450 magic imploded as I gasped in shock 846 00:32:46,888 --> 00:32:50,918 Steel has dropped hard turning to fire 847 00:32:49,450 --> 00:32:52,230 the alicorn and the floor gave way 848 00:32:50,919 --> 00:32:54,210 beneath him 849 00:32:52,230 --> 00:32:57,480 Steele Hills dropped out of sight I 850 00:32:54,210 --> 00:32:59,159 heard splashes beneath the alicorn took 851 00:32:57,480 --> 00:33:01,919 a step forward looking down at the hole 852 00:32:59,159 --> 00:33:03,659 and the rest of the floor collapsed the 853 00:33:01,919 --> 00:33:05,100 alicorn tried to thrust out her wings to 854 00:33:03,659 --> 00:33:06,509 fly but they struck the signs at the 855 00:33:05,099 --> 00:33:09,748 doorframe when she fell into the floor 856 00:33:06,509 --> 00:33:11,849 below with him I found myself standing 857 00:33:09,749 --> 00:33:13,608 on a wet sagging plank jutting out over 858 00:33:11,849 --> 00:33:15,988 the floor below like a diving board 859 00:33:13,608 --> 00:33:18,989 which was appropriate since the floor 860 00:33:15,989 --> 00:33:20,730 below was a swimming pool my pipbuck 861 00:33:18,989 --> 00:33:23,970 started click click clicking with great 862 00:33:20,730 --> 00:33:26,368 enthusiasm scrambling on the floating 863 00:33:23,970 --> 00:33:29,069 debris the alicorn thrashed her horn 864 00:33:26,368 --> 00:33:30,808 beginning to glow steel Holmes was 865 00:33:29,069 --> 00:33:33,778 nowhere in sight having surely sunk to 866 00:33:30,808 --> 00:33:36,928 the bottom I wished for the bag of 867 00:33:33,778 --> 00:33:39,298 grenades I had to act fast but my mind 868 00:33:36,929 --> 00:33:40,470 wasn't thinking fast enough the alicorn 869 00:33:39,298 --> 00:33:41,898 would have her shield up before I 870 00:33:40,470 --> 00:33:45,690 figured out what to do 871 00:33:41,898 --> 00:33:48,089 KaBlam an explosion right next to my 872 00:33:45,690 --> 00:33:50,149 head blew out my eardrums the world 873 00:33:48,089 --> 00:33:52,079 became a strained high buzz I 874 00:33:50,148 --> 00:33:55,319 immediately lost all sense of balance 875 00:33:52,079 --> 00:33:56,668 tumbling from my position I landed on a 876 00:33:55,319 --> 00:33:59,908 floating chunk of flooring then 877 00:33:56,669 --> 00:34:01,230 immediately began to capsize I grasped 878 00:33:59,909 --> 00:34:02,970 the chunk of floor telekinetically 879 00:34:01,230 --> 00:34:05,278 letting out a scream I could feel but 880 00:34:02,970 --> 00:34:08,159 not here focusing had become 881 00:34:05,278 --> 00:34:10,010 excruciating in front of me I saw the 882 00:34:08,159 --> 00:34:12,269 alicorn floating in debris in blood 883 00:34:10,010 --> 00:34:14,040 velvet rowdy had blown a large chunk of 884 00:34:12,269 --> 00:34:16,289 the creatures neck away with the shotgun 885 00:34:14,039 --> 00:34:17,789 it wasn't dead but was a race between 886 00:34:16,289 --> 00:34:20,548 blood loss and drowning as to which 887 00:34:17,789 --> 00:34:22,259 would finish her off first I watched in 888 00:34:20,548 --> 00:34:25,318 horror as it began to heal the wound 889 00:34:22,260 --> 00:34:30,659 slowly closing they fucking regenerate 890 00:34:25,318 --> 00:34:32,759 that was not fair it was not okay with a 891 00:34:30,659 --> 00:34:34,740 flash of anger I started telekinetically 892 00:34:32,760 --> 00:34:36,540 grasping jagged floating bits of floor 893 00:34:34,739 --> 00:34:39,058 and jabbing at the alicorns neck until I 894 00:34:36,539 --> 00:34:40,529 had crudely sawed it off the creature 895 00:34:39,059 --> 00:34:44,579 began to sink beneath the reading 896 00:34:40,530 --> 00:34:46,909 radioactive water Velvet Remini crouched 897 00:34:44,579 --> 00:34:49,079 over me her horn pointing at my left ear 898 00:34:46,909 --> 00:34:52,349 she'd already restored hearing to my 899 00:34:49,079 --> 00:34:54,149 right seal hooves stood next to us at 900 00:34:52,349 --> 00:34:55,470 the edge of the swimming pool dripping 901 00:34:54,148 --> 00:34:57,449 with water that was making my pipbuck 902 00:34:55,469 --> 00:34:59,159 clickety-click wildly 903 00:34:57,449 --> 00:35:01,069 he was arguing with the velvet-- over 904 00:34:59,159 --> 00:35:03,179 how much radaway he needed to drink 905 00:35:01,070 --> 00:35:05,579 velvet was leaning towards every last 906 00:35:03,179 --> 00:35:08,338 packet we had steel hose was insisting 907 00:35:05,579 --> 00:35:11,070 he didn't need any at all my left ear 908 00:35:08,338 --> 00:35:13,349 began to mend we don't have time for 909 00:35:11,070 --> 00:35:15,630 this steel have stopped cracking the 910 00:35:13,349 --> 00:35:18,690 tiles under his armored hoof those 911 00:35:15,630 --> 00:35:20,460 creatures always travel in groups then 912 00:35:18,690 --> 00:35:23,780 take the rat away and stop being a baby 913 00:35:20,460 --> 00:35:25,858 my shotgun certain spat back glowering 914 00:35:23,780 --> 00:35:28,800 seriously do all of my patients have to 915 00:35:25,858 --> 00:35:30,389 be so difficult I wanted to point out 916 00:35:28,800 --> 00:35:33,900 that I was laying there being very non 917 00:35:30,389 --> 00:35:37,368 difficult thank you very much Steel is 918 00:35:33,900 --> 00:35:42,150 bristled at that finally I spoke up 919 00:35:37,369 --> 00:35:44,940 steel hoes tell her both of them turned 920 00:35:42,150 --> 00:35:47,608 to stare at me or at least I assume 921 00:35:44,940 --> 00:35:51,059 steel those was staring at me his visor 922 00:35:47,608 --> 00:35:54,358 was pointed in my direction tell me what 923 00:35:51,059 --> 00:36:00,269 velvet asked slowly then turning to 924 00:35:54,358 --> 00:36:00,900 steel hooks tell me what steel hose was 925 00:36:00,269 --> 00:36:03,360 silent 926 00:36:00,900 --> 00:36:05,670 I sighed 927 00:36:03,360 --> 00:36:07,890 look if I was able to figure it out so 928 00:36:05,670 --> 00:36:10,590 will she she's smarter than I am 929 00:36:07,889 --> 00:36:12,980 I could tell velvet remedy was forcing 930 00:36:10,590 --> 00:36:18,200 herself not to react to the compliment 931 00:36:12,980 --> 00:36:20,909 steel was finally relented I'm a ghoul 932 00:36:18,199 --> 00:36:21,659 velvet remedy to her credit didn't take 933 00:36:20,909 --> 00:36:25,139 a step back 934 00:36:21,659 --> 00:36:27,989 didn't even gasp she was just strangely 935 00:36:25,139 --> 00:36:29,369 quiet for a while long enough that I 936 00:36:27,989 --> 00:36:30,959 would have worried I had lost my hearing 937 00:36:29,369 --> 00:36:32,639 again if it wasn't for the drip drip 938 00:36:30,960 --> 00:36:37,050 drip on the tiles underneath the Steel 939 00:36:32,639 --> 00:36:40,469 Ranger radiation is regenerative for 940 00:36:37,050 --> 00:36:44,280 ghouls steel have submitted I was more 941 00:36:40,469 --> 00:36:45,569 in danger of drowning in truth there had 942 00:36:44,280 --> 00:36:47,160 been little danger of that with 943 00:36:45,570 --> 00:36:50,700 rebreather and his magically powered 944 00:36:47,159 --> 00:36:53,489 armor of course I realized feeling slow 945 00:36:50,699 --> 00:36:55,859 and stupid the alicorn was regenerating 946 00:36:53,489 --> 00:36:59,159 because she was in the pool radiation 947 00:36:55,860 --> 00:37:01,370 must affect them the same way well then 948 00:36:59,159 --> 00:37:03,569 I guess you won't need the right away 949 00:37:01,369 --> 00:37:05,130 Velvet remedy concluded casually 950 00:37:03,570 --> 00:37:09,420 slipping the packs back into one of her 951 00:37:05,130 --> 00:37:11,579 open medical boxes knowing I was by far 952 00:37:09,420 --> 00:37:14,070 the most capable of stealth I determined 953 00:37:11,579 --> 00:37:15,840 that I should scout ahead I spotted the 954 00:37:14,070 --> 00:37:18,269 alicorns two sisters in the room on the 955 00:37:15,840 --> 00:37:20,160 next floor their tails were to me 956 00:37:18,269 --> 00:37:21,659 oblivious to my presence as they seemed 957 00:37:20,159 --> 00:37:23,509 to be focusing on magically trying to 958 00:37:21,659 --> 00:37:25,859 rip the door of a safe off its hinges 959 00:37:23,510 --> 00:37:29,210 their coats were a deep purple almost 960 00:37:25,860 --> 00:37:32,349 black and that was not all I noticed 961 00:37:29,210 --> 00:37:34,509 they have no cutie marks 962 00:37:32,349 --> 00:37:37,528 I slipped my sniper rifle out and slid 963 00:37:34,509 --> 00:37:40,509 into the zone of SATs blam 964 00:37:37,528 --> 00:37:41,829 the first alicorn went down hard blamed 965 00:37:40,509 --> 00:37:43,769 blasting out the front of her skull to 966 00:37:41,829 --> 00:37:46,329 paint the safe she'd been so focused on 967 00:37:43,768 --> 00:37:49,028 the second began to turn her shield 968 00:37:46,329 --> 00:37:51,640 already starting to form but I was 969 00:37:49,028 --> 00:37:52,869 faster and these creatures were not that 970 00:37:51,639 --> 00:37:54,009 much tougher than the rest of us have 971 00:37:52,869 --> 00:37:58,869 caught unawares him without the 972 00:37:54,009 --> 00:38:00,670 protective spells cast blam I slipped 973 00:37:58,869 --> 00:38:03,190 out of SATs as the second alicorns body 974 00:38:00,670 --> 00:38:05,349 slumped to the floor I looked at the 975 00:38:03,190 --> 00:38:06,940 safe a splatter of blood brains and bone 976 00:38:05,349 --> 00:38:10,289 reminding me that we never did go back 977 00:38:06,940 --> 00:38:13,778 and paint that note for calamity wait 978 00:38:10,289 --> 00:38:16,539 stop I'm looking at the gore from 979 00:38:13,778 --> 00:38:19,349 somepony or at least some thing that I 980 00:38:16,539 --> 00:38:23,140 have just murdered and I'm thinking that 981 00:38:19,349 --> 00:38:24,700 am I really becoming that callous to the 982 00:38:23,139 --> 00:38:27,848 horrors and violence of the equestrian 983 00:38:24,699 --> 00:38:29,618 wasteland I wondered where this would 984 00:38:27,849 --> 00:38:32,798 fit on Monterey Jack's slide of loss of 985 00:38:29,619 --> 00:38:34,229 self I also wondered what the hell the 986 00:38:32,798 --> 00:38:37,659 alicorns had been after 987 00:38:34,228 --> 00:38:39,759 so I trotted up to pick the lock the 988 00:38:37,659 --> 00:38:42,699 safe however refused to be unlocked 989 00:38:39,759 --> 00:38:44,259 after examination and struggling I 990 00:38:42,699 --> 00:38:46,929 realized that it wasn't jammed or broken 991 00:38:44,259 --> 00:38:47,818 by the Alcorn's I just wasn't good 992 00:38:46,929 --> 00:38:50,469 enough 993 00:38:47,818 --> 00:38:53,409 well I knew how to fix that 994 00:38:50,469 --> 00:38:54,940 I found myself smiling is the party time 995 00:38:53,409 --> 00:38:56,379 min tile washed me clean of all the 996 00:38:54,940 --> 00:38:59,338 stupidity and dullness that was holding 997 00:38:56,380 --> 00:39:02,920 me back I took a deep breath of relief 998 00:38:59,338 --> 00:39:04,719 finally I was the real me again my smile 999 00:39:02,920 --> 00:39:07,400 faded as I turned to see velvet remedy 1000 00:39:04,719 --> 00:39:09,780 watching me sadly 1001 00:39:07,400 --> 00:39:12,599 three more alicorns stood on the other 1002 00:39:09,780 --> 00:39:14,519 side of a gaping divide at least five 1003 00:39:12,599 --> 00:39:16,170 internal floors at collapse leaving a 1004 00:39:14,519 --> 00:39:18,750 honeycomb of half rooms ringing a 1005 00:39:16,170 --> 00:39:22,079 massive bit moats of debris and ash 1006 00:39:18,750 --> 00:39:23,460 floated in the void between us steel 1007 00:39:22,079 --> 00:39:25,349 hooves opened fire with his grenade 1008 00:39:23,460 --> 00:39:27,780 machine gun taking out one of them and 1009 00:39:25,349 --> 00:39:30,480 all the rooms around her before she 1010 00:39:27,780 --> 00:39:31,769 could fully erect her shield the others 1011 00:39:30,480 --> 00:39:33,389 that launched themselves into the air 1012 00:39:31,769 --> 00:39:36,150 spreading their wings as their shield 1013 00:39:33,389 --> 00:39:37,710 bubbled around them I gave a prayer to 1014 00:39:36,150 --> 00:39:39,269 Luna and floated out a memory orbit 1015 00:39:37,710 --> 00:39:40,769 making sure was the one of Pinkie Pie's 1016 00:39:39,269 --> 00:39:42,030 last party and not the one I had 1017 00:39:40,769 --> 00:39:42,719 retrieved from the safe seven floors 1018 00:39:42,030 --> 00:39:45,360 below 1019 00:39:42,719 --> 00:39:48,029 I began levitating the orb towards the 1020 00:39:45,360 --> 00:39:49,769 closer of the two of them the alicorn 1021 00:39:48,030 --> 00:39:51,269 let out a wicked bitter and majestic 1022 00:39:49,769 --> 00:39:54,449 laugh that echoed off the walls of the 1023 00:39:51,269 --> 00:39:56,070 pic using telekinesis of her own she 1024 00:39:54,449 --> 00:39:58,859 knocked it free of my telekinetic shield 1025 00:39:56,070 --> 00:40:00,330 hurled chair the orb containing the 1026 00:39:58,860 --> 00:40:02,309 memory of pinkie pie's last party 1027 00:40:00,329 --> 00:40:04,079 plunged into the depths below bounced 1028 00:40:02,309 --> 00:40:07,769 rolled and disappeared through a crack 1029 00:40:04,079 --> 00:40:09,569 lost forever the dark purple coated 1030 00:40:07,769 --> 00:40:14,009 alicorns voice rumbled with undeniable 1031 00:40:09,570 --> 00:40:18,120 superiority do you think we are fools we 1032 00:40:14,010 --> 00:40:21,630 remember how you killed us before oh we 1033 00:40:18,119 --> 00:40:23,069 were so fucked run I yelled 1034 00:40:21,630 --> 00:40:26,160 turning tail and racing towards the 1035 00:40:23,070 --> 00:40:28,200 stairs velvet remedy and steel Love's 1036 00:40:26,159 --> 00:40:29,849 galloped after me overtaking me as I 1037 00:40:28,199 --> 00:40:33,239 charged up and out of the stairwell into 1038 00:40:29,849 --> 00:40:35,940 a hallway turning I order steel hopes to 1039 00:40:33,239 --> 00:40:37,679 collapse the entrance behind us his 1040 00:40:35,940 --> 00:40:40,320 grenade machine gun was useless answer 1041 00:40:37,679 --> 00:40:41,759 shielded alicorn but it was more than a 1042 00:40:40,320 --> 00:40:44,580 match for the crumbling structure we 1043 00:40:41,760 --> 00:40:47,700 were in concrete and wood rained down in 1044 00:40:44,579 --> 00:40:49,989 a thunderous cloud of dust what happened 1045 00:40:47,699 --> 00:40:53,649 she loves demanded 1046 00:40:49,989 --> 00:40:56,409 panting I explained there's some sort of 1047 00:40:53,650 --> 00:40:58,990 telepathy involved my fears have been 1048 00:40:56,409 --> 00:41:01,960 proven true not just between the ones 1049 00:40:58,989 --> 00:41:03,839 that are together all of them every time 1050 00:41:01,960 --> 00:41:05,889 we kill one they learn from it I 1051 00:41:03,840 --> 00:41:09,760 wouldn't be able to trick them the same 1052 00:41:05,889 --> 00:41:12,099 way twice our ploy bought us time but 1053 00:41:09,760 --> 00:41:15,310 not much I could hear them on the other 1054 00:41:12,099 --> 00:41:16,929 side clearing a path to us with a flash 1055 00:41:15,309 --> 00:41:20,610 of light one of the alicorns appeared 1056 00:41:16,929 --> 00:41:23,500 right between us they can teleport to 1057 00:41:20,610 --> 00:41:25,150 velvet remedy blurted finally reaching 1058 00:41:23,500 --> 00:41:28,360 the same level of hateful disbelief I 1059 00:41:25,150 --> 00:41:29,970 felt towards the creatures the alicorn 1060 00:41:28,360 --> 00:41:31,960 herself seemed a little surprised 1061 00:41:29,969 --> 00:41:34,179 apparently teleporting into someplace 1062 00:41:31,960 --> 00:41:36,490 you can't see was a tricky work even for 1063 00:41:34,179 --> 00:41:39,339 these creatures I didn't think she 1064 00:41:36,489 --> 00:41:40,689 expected to be this close too bad she 1065 00:41:39,340 --> 00:41:43,840 hadn't appeared a yard to either side 1066 00:41:40,690 --> 00:41:47,849 stuck herself in a wall but no we 1067 00:41:43,840 --> 00:41:50,890 couldn't be that lucky or could we I 1068 00:41:47,849 --> 00:41:52,360 realized something very peculiar the 1069 00:41:50,889 --> 00:41:54,699 alicorn sphere of shielding was up at 1070 00:41:52,360 --> 00:41:56,858 full strength but she appeared literally 1071 00:41:54,699 --> 00:41:59,529 in the center of us part of each of us 1072 00:41:56,858 --> 00:42:02,559 were inside of the barrier including Cee 1073 00:41:59,530 --> 00:42:05,560 Lo's metal rear end the alicorn began 1074 00:42:02,559 --> 00:42:07,900 casting a spell I felt a vise tighten 1075 00:42:05,559 --> 00:42:12,429 around my heart my hose began to tingle 1076 00:42:07,900 --> 00:42:14,019 a hardtack spell feeling panic well up 1077 00:42:12,429 --> 00:42:15,879 inside me as my heart struggled to beat 1078 00:42:14,019 --> 00:42:17,380 I suddenly knew how these creatures had 1079 00:42:15,880 --> 00:42:20,260 killed the Griffins through natural 1080 00:42:17,380 --> 00:42:22,740 causes move I yelled as I 1081 00:42:20,260 --> 00:42:25,180 telekinetically grasp the Sakura nades 1082 00:42:22,739 --> 00:42:27,849 steel hooves dashed forward leaving the 1083 00:42:25,179 --> 00:42:29,379 grenades inside the sack without opening 1084 00:42:27,849 --> 00:42:30,819 to reveal the contents I focused and 1085 00:42:29,380 --> 00:42:31,890 tried to pull as many of the pins as I 1086 00:42:30,820 --> 00:42:34,030 could 1087 00:42:31,889 --> 00:42:35,618 unfortunately moving objects I couldn't 1088 00:42:34,030 --> 00:42:37,420 directly see was as difficult for me as 1089 00:42:35,619 --> 00:42:39,789 teleporting into an unknown space was 1090 00:42:37,420 --> 00:42:41,320 for an alicorn I only managed to pull 1091 00:42:39,789 --> 00:42:43,570 the pins on three before I backed out of 1092 00:42:41,320 --> 00:42:45,160 the shield the alicorn looked 1093 00:42:43,570 --> 00:42:48,070 questioningly down at the sack as a 1094 00:42:45,159 --> 00:42:50,279 fella to her feet her shield contained 1095 00:42:48,070 --> 00:42:55,380 the explosion quite effectively 1096 00:42:50,280 --> 00:42:57,450 it was a gory and brilliant sight well 1097 00:42:55,380 --> 00:43:01,019 that would explain how Griffins can get 1098 00:42:57,449 --> 00:43:02,339 trapped on a roof I said flatly we had 1099 00:43:01,019 --> 00:43:03,719 to fight our way through four more of 1100 00:43:02,340 --> 00:43:06,450 the creatures before we made it to the 1101 00:43:03,719 --> 00:43:08,250 roof the combination of my stealth and 1102 00:43:06,449 --> 00:43:10,859 steel hose massive firepower kept us 1103 00:43:08,250 --> 00:43:13,079 alive but it was getting harder they 1104 00:43:10,860 --> 00:43:16,170 were all alert for us now and seemed to 1105 00:43:13,079 --> 00:43:17,940 be coordinating their defenses we had to 1106 00:43:16,170 --> 00:43:19,740 run anytime they got their spells up and 1107 00:43:17,940 --> 00:43:21,240 we were not fast enough to take out more 1108 00:43:19,739 --> 00:43:24,269 than two before the others were able to 1109 00:43:21,239 --> 00:43:27,209 cast their shields on the roof for four 1110 00:43:24,269 --> 00:43:28,289 more alicorns they were sitting frozen 1111 00:43:27,210 --> 00:43:31,260 at the four corners of the building 1112 00:43:28,289 --> 00:43:32,849 their attentions focused inward instead 1113 00:43:31,260 --> 00:43:34,200 of surrounding themselves with a sphere 1114 00:43:32,849 --> 00:43:35,880 of protective magic they were 1115 00:43:34,199 --> 00:43:37,439 cooperatively maintaining a hemisphere 1116 00:43:35,880 --> 00:43:41,280 of magical force so is keeping the three 1117 00:43:37,440 --> 00:43:44,340 Griffon mercs engaged new one to me Cee 1118 00:43:41,280 --> 00:43:46,410 Lo's muttered from beside me oh thank 1119 00:43:44,340 --> 00:43:48,420 the great egg one of them blurted out 1120 00:43:46,409 --> 00:43:49,619 seeing us to the glowing shell a force 1121 00:43:48,420 --> 00:43:53,159 that trapped her and the other two 1122 00:43:49,619 --> 00:43:56,789 surviving Griffins she stopped where the 1123 00:43:53,159 --> 00:43:58,579 rest of you I looked around well-lit 1124 00:43:56,789 --> 00:44:01,110 remedy and steel hose were flanking me 1125 00:43:58,579 --> 00:44:03,480 the goddesses only knew where calamity 1126 00:44:01,110 --> 00:44:05,599 was I suspected he was circling the 1127 00:44:03,480 --> 00:44:07,500 celestial line hoping to spot us I 1128 00:44:05,599 --> 00:44:09,539 winced at the thought and hoped he 1129 00:44:07,500 --> 00:44:11,070 wasn't too worried I could see the 1130 00:44:09,539 --> 00:44:14,400 faintest suggestion of approaching dawn 1131 00:44:11,070 --> 00:44:16,230 on the skyline a chill wind blew of my 1132 00:44:14,400 --> 00:44:18,809 Mane bringing the salty smell of the 1133 00:44:16,230 --> 00:44:19,889 harbor it was almost a shame that we'd 1134 00:44:18,809 --> 00:44:23,239 reached the roof in the dark of night 1135 00:44:19,889 --> 00:44:26,009 the view in the daytime must be amazing 1136 00:44:23,239 --> 00:44:29,069 then again the view could also paralyze 1137 00:44:26,010 --> 00:44:31,920 me with her to go so probably better 1138 00:44:29,070 --> 00:44:34,500 that we were here now after all turning 1139 00:44:31,920 --> 00:44:37,820 back to the three Griffins this is it 1140 00:44:34,500 --> 00:44:40,639 just us well this isn't much of a rescue 1141 00:44:37,820 --> 00:44:43,099 one of the riffin said bitterly 1142 00:44:40,639 --> 00:44:45,048 gratitude look it up 1143 00:44:43,099 --> 00:44:47,450 I turned away and looked over the 1144 00:44:45,048 --> 00:44:49,909 alicorns they were statuesque in their 1145 00:44:47,449 --> 00:44:51,318 concentration I wasn't even sure they 1146 00:44:49,909 --> 00:44:53,748 realized we were on the roof with them 1147 00:44:51,318 --> 00:44:56,568 and they were outside the shield they 1148 00:44:53,748 --> 00:44:58,149 were creating we could take the three of 1149 00:44:56,568 --> 00:45:00,108 them down with a coordinated attack 1150 00:44:58,150 --> 00:45:02,690 surely the Griffins could take out the 1151 00:45:00,108 --> 00:45:05,659 last one what kind of firepower do you 1152 00:45:02,690 --> 00:45:07,190 guys still have I could hear steel hose 1153 00:45:05,659 --> 00:45:09,858 whistles the Griffin in the back stepped 1154 00:45:07,190 --> 00:45:11,659 forward she was wearing what looked like 1155 00:45:09,858 --> 00:45:14,239 magically powered armor of her own 1156 00:45:11,659 --> 00:45:16,098 a Griffin design nowhere near as 1157 00:45:14,239 --> 00:45:18,139 complicated or as encompassing of steel 1158 00:45:16,099 --> 00:45:20,960 loaves leaving her talons legs and wings 1159 00:45:18,139 --> 00:45:23,239 bare as well as most of her face with a 1160 00:45:20,960 --> 00:45:27,409 huge try barreled biggest battle saddle 1161 00:45:23,239 --> 00:45:30,440 I had ever seen dismounted a a cannon 1162 00:45:27,409 --> 00:45:31,909 still have said appreciatively I had no 1163 00:45:30,440 --> 00:45:33,619 idea what that meant but this looked 1164 00:45:31,909 --> 00:45:35,118 like the non magical energy version of 1165 00:45:33,619 --> 00:45:38,210 the plasma can the calamity had used 1166 00:45:35,119 --> 00:45:41,599 against the dragon well we definitely 1167 00:45:38,210 --> 00:45:45,380 had the firepower only five shots left 1168 00:45:41,599 --> 00:45:46,759 the Griffin said glumly still five shots 1169 00:45:45,380 --> 00:45:50,298 from that thing should be more than 1170 00:45:46,759 --> 00:45:52,219 enough there for wings these horny 1171 00:45:50,298 --> 00:45:54,528 bastards on their way the first Griffon 1172 00:45:52,219 --> 00:45:57,079 announced from her voice I finally 1173 00:45:54,528 --> 00:45:58,190 identified her as Blackwing I noted 1174 00:45:57,079 --> 00:46:00,700 mentally that I would not have chosen 1175 00:45:58,190 --> 00:46:02,809 the word horny to describe the alicorns 1176 00:46:00,699 --> 00:46:08,288 unless black-winged knew something I did 1177 00:46:02,809 --> 00:46:12,619 not for wings I asked you mean to more 1178 00:46:08,289 --> 00:46:20,749 know steel opes interjected she means 12 1179 00:46:12,619 --> 00:46:23,749 oh wow moon rocks made sense a wing then 1180 00:46:20,748 --> 00:46:24,978 must be a group of three explains why 1181 00:46:23,748 --> 00:46:27,949 there were three of them hunting steel 1182 00:46:24,978 --> 00:46:29,179 loves outside fetlock these four have 1183 00:46:27,949 --> 00:46:30,468 just been keeping us pinned here while 1184 00:46:29,179 --> 00:46:34,608 their reinforcements arrive 1185 00:46:30,469 --> 00:46:35,679 black-winged informed us wait I perked 1186 00:46:34,608 --> 00:46:38,139 up 1187 00:46:35,679 --> 00:46:40,299 we're okay then I'm pretty sure we took 1188 00:46:38,139 --> 00:46:43,409 them out on the way up I mentally 1189 00:46:40,300 --> 00:46:46,690 counted one in the pool two in the safe 1190 00:46:43,409 --> 00:46:48,369 three in the pit one of those had lived 1191 00:46:46,690 --> 00:46:53,039 and joined up with three more so we 1192 00:46:48,369 --> 00:46:55,299 killed nine they were still three left 1193 00:46:53,039 --> 00:46:56,710 somehow we managed to go right past a 1194 00:46:55,300 --> 00:46:59,230 whole wing of alicorns without either 1195 00:46:56,710 --> 00:47:00,670 party realizing it and they would 1196 00:46:59,230 --> 00:47:03,070 probably be bursting into the roof in 1197 00:47:00,670 --> 00:47:07,000 any minute we had to work fast 1198 00:47:03,070 --> 00:47:09,550 I quickly laid out the plan and everyone 1199 00:47:07,000 --> 00:47:11,260 started taking their positions as they 1200 00:47:09,550 --> 00:47:14,200 did so I couldn't help but voice my 1201 00:47:11,260 --> 00:47:15,730 suspicions to Blackwing what is it that 1202 00:47:14,199 --> 00:47:19,000 you mercenaries were after in this place 1203 00:47:15,730 --> 00:47:20,559 that these creatures want so badly codes 1204 00:47:19,000 --> 00:47:22,389 to crack a safe in the ministry of image 1205 00:47:20,559 --> 00:47:25,570 on ministry walk black wing said 1206 00:47:22,389 --> 00:47:26,769 surprisingly forthcoming safe contains 1207 00:47:25,570 --> 00:47:28,930 an artifact that our employer would 1208 00:47:26,769 --> 00:47:30,550 really like the possession of turns out 1209 00:47:28,929 --> 00:47:35,079 the goddess these monsters served once 1210 00:47:30,550 --> 00:47:36,730 it - what kind of artifact I asked as I 1211 00:47:35,079 --> 00:47:38,860 levitated out little macintosh and check 1212 00:47:36,730 --> 00:47:41,710 the load i was going to use a magic 1213 00:47:38,860 --> 00:47:44,110 bullet for this just to be sure the 1214 00:47:41,710 --> 00:47:46,449 black book well the black book of 1215 00:47:44,110 --> 00:47:48,640 something or other a tome with some of 1216 00:47:46,449 --> 00:47:51,639 the phallus zebra magics stuff like a 1217 00:47:48,639 --> 00:47:54,179 tarot Pony soul part they say or race 1218 00:47:51,639 --> 00:47:57,489 spirits from the grave 1219 00:47:54,179 --> 00:47:59,379 necromancy the very thought that such 1220 00:47:57,489 --> 00:48:02,259 spells and powers actually existed gave 1221 00:47:59,380 --> 00:48:04,990 me nightmarish chills to my knowledge no 1222 00:48:02,260 --> 00:48:06,550 Pony had ever used such dark arts it was 1223 00:48:04,989 --> 00:48:09,489 horrifying to imagine that the Zebras 1224 00:48:06,550 --> 00:48:11,470 actually could necromancy wasn't even 1225 00:48:09,489 --> 00:48:13,000 supposed to be real just a horror story 1226 00:48:11,469 --> 00:48:15,939 to scare young fillies at slumber 1227 00:48:13,000 --> 00:48:17,469 parties it was the sort of phallus that 1228 00:48:15,940 --> 00:48:19,720 the ministry of image was casting their 1229 00:48:17,469 --> 00:48:21,809 nets to catch the purging of books took 1230 00:48:19,719 --> 00:48:23,980 on a whole new and terrifying light I 1231 00:48:21,809 --> 00:48:26,139 began to wonder if the purpose behind 1232 00:48:23,980 --> 00:48:28,360 the confiscation of ideologically 1233 00:48:26,139 --> 00:48:31,900 incompatible books wasn't at least in 1234 00:48:28,360 --> 00:48:33,730 part a smokescreen for this because by 1235 00:48:31,900 --> 00:48:35,440 the goddesses you couldn't tell the 1236 00:48:33,730 --> 00:48:37,329 public that the zebra has had necromancy 1237 00:48:35,440 --> 00:48:39,190 much less than books on the stuff we're 1238 00:48:37,329 --> 00:48:41,739 slipping into Equestria 1239 00:48:39,190 --> 00:48:43,599 the notion of zebra necromancy breathes 1240 00:48:41,739 --> 00:48:45,549 an uncomfortable new dimension to how 1241 00:48:43,599 --> 00:48:47,259 being on the fringe of mega spell Aventa 1242 00:48:45,550 --> 00:48:50,590 turned ponies into ghoul ponies and 1243 00:48:47,260 --> 00:48:52,330 zombie ponies while I was talking to 1244 00:48:50,590 --> 00:48:54,340 Blackwing and pondering the implications 1245 00:48:52,329 --> 00:48:56,889 of the black book steel homes in velvet 1246 00:48:54,340 --> 00:48:59,890 remedy were disgusting our foes I caught 1247 00:48:56,889 --> 00:49:02,019 the end of the conversation don't all 1248 00:48:59,889 --> 00:49:03,699 have the same spells only the deep 1249 00:49:02,019 --> 00:49:05,829 purple coated ones like the wings below 1250 00:49:03,699 --> 00:49:09,329 can teleport Steel has explained to her 1251 00:49:05,829 --> 00:49:12,909 the midnight blue coats invisibility 1252 00:49:09,329 --> 00:49:14,460 velvet remedy interjected oh yes I 1253 00:49:12,909 --> 00:49:17,679 remember 1254 00:49:14,460 --> 00:49:19,990 the dark green ones I haven't seen them 1255 00:49:17,679 --> 00:49:21,429 do anything the others can't do steelo's 1256 00:49:19,989 --> 00:49:23,109 walked up close to one of the statue 1257 00:49:21,429 --> 00:49:25,449 like alicorns and took a close look at 1258 00:49:23,110 --> 00:49:28,769 its coat a forest green so deep it was 1259 00:49:25,449 --> 00:49:31,059 nearly black until now 1260 00:49:28,769 --> 00:49:32,230 butcher the Griffon with the heavy gun 1261 00:49:31,059 --> 00:49:34,599 stood at the ready in front of the 1262 00:49:32,230 --> 00:49:35,740 farthest alicorn bill hoofs had locked 1263 00:49:34,599 --> 00:49:39,219 onto the one on my left 1264 00:49:35,739 --> 00:49:40,779 velvet remedy had her formerly my combat 1265 00:49:39,219 --> 00:49:43,209 shotgun hovering an inch from the temple 1266 00:49:40,780 --> 00:49:44,769 of the one on my right floated little 1267 00:49:43,210 --> 00:49:47,340 McIntosh between the eyes of the one in 1268 00:49:44,769 --> 00:49:52,840 front of me on the count of three 1269 00:49:47,340 --> 00:49:55,050 one two in a thunderous crash of gunshot 1270 00:49:52,840 --> 00:49:58,300 and explosions three alicorns went down 1271 00:49:55,050 --> 00:50:01,450 so did the shield the last alicorn 1272 00:49:58,300 --> 00:50:03,370 immediately sprang to life alert and the 1273 00:50:01,449 --> 00:50:04,329 Griffon supergun let out a boom that can 1274 00:50:03,369 --> 00:50:09,029 be heard on the moon 1275 00:50:04,329 --> 00:50:09,029 the fourth alicorn simply was no more 1276 00:50:09,320 --> 00:50:13,080 black-winged swooped forward and took me 1277 00:50:11,579 --> 00:50:14,429 in his talents as the other lightly 1278 00:50:13,079 --> 00:50:15,929 encumbered Griffin scooped up velvet 1279 00:50:14,429 --> 00:50:18,509 taking off into the air 1280 00:50:15,929 --> 00:50:19,909 I threw a telekinetic sheath around Cee 1281 00:50:18,510 --> 00:50:22,590 Lo's carrying him with us 1282 00:50:19,909 --> 00:50:25,859 the last Griffon took off circling to 1283 00:50:22,590 --> 00:50:27,690 cover our tail we were a few blocks away 1284 00:50:25,860 --> 00:50:30,120 when the last three alicorns burst onto 1285 00:50:27,690 --> 00:50:32,730 the roof part of me wanted to laughs 1286 00:50:30,119 --> 00:50:35,940 tauntingly then they reminds us that 1287 00:50:32,730 --> 00:50:37,199 they could fly too and unencumbered they 1288 00:50:35,940 --> 00:50:40,170 were much faster and much more 1289 00:50:37,199 --> 00:50:42,029 maneuverable wrapping themselves in 1290 00:50:40,170 --> 00:50:45,329 magical shields they swooped too close 1291 00:50:42,030 --> 00:50:47,250 the distance I closed my eyes trying to 1292 00:50:45,329 --> 00:50:50,190 force my PTM enhance the brain to think 1293 00:50:47,250 --> 00:50:52,460 of something for the first time party 1294 00:50:50,190 --> 00:50:55,409 time in towns were failing me 1295 00:50:52,460 --> 00:50:58,530 well now y'all looked like you can use 1296 00:50:55,409 --> 00:51:00,629 some help only once before had I ever 1297 00:50:58,530 --> 00:51:03,050 been so happy here calamities voice and 1298 00:51:00,630 --> 00:51:06,000 that was when I was facing a dragon I 1299 00:51:03,050 --> 00:51:09,210 opened my eyes staring to him thankfully 1300 00:51:06,000 --> 00:51:12,929 I hope you have a plan because I've got 1301 00:51:09,210 --> 00:51:15,119 nothing y'all just follow me calamity 1302 00:51:12,929 --> 00:51:18,029 smiled and shot out ahead of us dropping 1303 00:51:15,119 --> 00:51:19,440 altitude in turns out the one direction 1304 00:51:18,030 --> 00:51:22,470 that heavily Latin Griffins could fly 1305 00:51:19,440 --> 00:51:25,280 even faster than alicorns was down they 1306 00:51:22,469 --> 00:51:27,659 gave trace but we were pulling ahead 1307 00:51:25,280 --> 00:51:29,700 most were diving for a mattress factory 1308 00:51:27,659 --> 00:51:33,119 black wings squawked this will be a 1309 00:51:29,699 --> 00:51:35,339 really short trip I glanced back there 1310 00:51:33,119 --> 00:51:37,289 was a good distance between us and three 1311 00:51:35,340 --> 00:51:38,970 creatures now only visible is glowing 1312 00:51:37,289 --> 00:51:41,940 bubbles of sickly green energy that 1313 00:51:38,969 --> 00:51:45,209 zipped through the sky towards us stop 1314 00:51:41,940 --> 00:51:48,000 pulling up now calamity called back does 1315 00:51:45,210 --> 00:51:50,940 he have any idea the Gryphon carrying 1316 00:51:48,000 --> 00:51:53,670 velvet Remini grunted how hard it is to 1317 00:51:50,940 --> 00:51:56,760 pull up at this speed carrying this much 1318 00:51:53,670 --> 00:51:59,610 weight I could see the street coming up 1319 00:51:56,760 --> 00:52:01,230 fast as we began to level I smiled 1320 00:51:59,610 --> 00:52:03,750 thinking of just how much the junk 1321 00:52:01,230 --> 00:52:06,780 calamity had a habit of scavenging I had 1322 00:52:03,750 --> 00:52:08,340 no doubt that the answer was yes the 1323 00:52:06,780 --> 00:52:10,560 three Griffins finally pulled straight 1324 00:52:08,340 --> 00:52:13,410 with only yards to spare skimming over 1325 00:52:10,559 --> 00:52:14,759 the tops of the taller wagons I felt a 1326 00:52:13,409 --> 00:52:17,339 hoof dragged along the top of a 1327 00:52:14,760 --> 00:52:18,890 passenger wagon the alicorns were 1328 00:52:17,340 --> 00:52:20,720 beginning to close the gap 1329 00:52:18,889 --> 00:52:24,108 Lightning ripped from the one of their 1330 00:52:20,719 --> 00:52:25,838 horns shooting past us up ahead the 1331 00:52:24,108 --> 00:52:28,548 street ended in a massive parking lot 1332 00:52:25,838 --> 00:52:31,429 rows upon rows of delivery wagons were 1333 00:52:28,548 --> 00:52:33,349 lined up before a long building with the 1334 00:52:31,429 --> 00:52:35,149 exceptional visual clarity provided by 1335 00:52:33,349 --> 00:52:36,410 party time into house I was able to make 1336 00:52:35,150 --> 00:52:39,170 out a logo on the roof of the building 1337 00:52:36,409 --> 00:52:41,028 as we approached it a filled-in black 1338 00:52:39,170 --> 00:52:42,528 Omega symbol with a white earth ponies 1339 00:52:41,028 --> 00:52:43,010 seeming to levitate the package on her 1340 00:52:42,528 --> 00:52:46,880 back 1341 00:52:43,010 --> 00:52:48,970 I suddenly realized the plan and I blink 1342 00:52:46,880 --> 00:52:51,769 before calamity started shooting I 1343 00:52:48,969 --> 00:52:54,649 turned on my eyes forward Sparkle making 1344 00:52:51,768 --> 00:52:56,509 a quick scan for life down there I only 1345 00:52:54,650 --> 00:52:57,920 had a moment but at least I had party 1346 00:52:56,510 --> 00:53:00,710 time meant aisles boosting my keenness 1347 00:52:57,920 --> 00:53:03,318 and judgement all I was seeing were red 1348 00:53:00,710 --> 00:53:06,260 blips scurrying about below probably 1349 00:53:03,318 --> 00:53:08,179 radroaches I could hear a series of pops 1350 00:53:06,260 --> 00:53:11,299 as we shot past the delivery wagons and 1351 00:53:08,179 --> 00:53:13,068 over the rooftop the alicorns were just 1352 00:53:11,298 --> 00:53:14,900 reaching the parking lot moving too fast 1353 00:53:13,068 --> 00:53:16,548 to stop when the first delivery wagons 1354 00:53:14,900 --> 00:53:19,789 exploded like mega spell bombs an 1355 00:53:16,548 --> 00:53:21,949 extreme miniature the first explosions 1356 00:53:19,789 --> 00:53:24,049 instantly set off the rest and three 1357 00:53:21,949 --> 00:53:27,078 city blocks erupted in a vibrant cascade 1358 00:53:24,048 --> 00:53:30,108 of insanely coloured light their shields 1359 00:53:27,079 --> 00:53:31,700 couldn't protect them against that the 1360 00:53:30,108 --> 00:53:32,869 blast of radiation couldn't heal them 1361 00:53:31,699 --> 00:53:35,538 from a force that ripped them apart 1362 00:53:32,869 --> 00:53:37,838 beneath a cellular level they could not 1363 00:53:35,539 --> 00:53:42,230 even mentally scream there was no time 1364 00:53:37,838 --> 00:53:43,909 the three alicorns were simply gone the 1365 00:53:42,230 --> 00:53:46,429 building shielded us just enough to save 1366 00:53:43,909 --> 00:53:48,199 us before it was vaporized my pipbuck 1367 00:53:46,429 --> 00:53:51,230 screamed as we were hit by a wash of 1368 00:53:48,199 --> 00:53:52,759 heat and radiation my EFS flashed a red 1369 00:53:51,230 --> 00:53:54,380 warning that I was suffering radiation 1370 00:53:52,759 --> 00:53:57,858 poisoning before it collapsed altogether 1371 00:53:54,380 --> 00:54:00,400 my pipbuck crashing a moment later we 1372 00:53:57,858 --> 00:54:00,400 crashed to