1 00:00:00,110 --> 00:00:04,560 industry spike had said he didn't 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:07,649 understand the earth pony way until he 3 00:00:04,559 --> 00:00:09,178 had seen Philadelphia even now with the 4 00:00:07,649 --> 00:00:12,530 ruins of the city looming on the edge of 5 00:00:09,179 --> 00:00:14,490 the horizon I began to understand why 6 00:00:12,529 --> 00:00:17,339 industry have been the secret heart of 7 00:00:14,490 --> 00:00:18,778 Equestria since long before the war how 8 00:00:17,339 --> 00:00:20,339 could you have Pony pulled trains 9 00:00:18,778 --> 00:00:22,439 without steel mills creating metal for 10 00:00:20,339 --> 00:00:24,179 the rails how could you have the tall 11 00:00:22,439 --> 00:00:25,528 skyscrapers of Manhattan without glass 12 00:00:24,179 --> 00:00:28,259 companies producing windows by the 13 00:00:25,528 --> 00:00:29,789 hundreds how could a small town like 14 00:00:28,260 --> 00:00:31,529 Ponyville have a dressmakers shop with 15 00:00:29,789 --> 00:00:34,890 all the finest fabrics without a textile 16 00:00:31,528 --> 00:00:37,049 industry still most ponies had barely 17 00:00:34,890 --> 00:00:40,590 thought about it out of sight out of 18 00:00:37,049 --> 00:00:42,628 mind living in the idyllic pastoral 19 00:00:40,590 --> 00:00:45,149 towns and halcion cities of Equestria it 20 00:00:42,628 --> 00:00:47,039 had been easy to forget unless you were 21 00:00:45,149 --> 00:00:49,558 Pony living in Equestria single center 22 00:00:47,039 --> 00:00:53,520 of manufacturing a mecca of earth Pony 23 00:00:49,558 --> 00:00:56,099 industry Philadelphia I learned these 24 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:57,120 things from steel hooks I had sought his 25 00:00:56,100 --> 00:00:58,620 knowledge when it became abundantly 26 00:00:57,119 --> 00:01:00,089 clear that we were heading towards 27 00:00:58,619 --> 00:01:02,549 something far greater than just a really 28 00:01:00,090 --> 00:01:04,019 big version of old Appaloosa because 29 00:01:02,549 --> 00:01:05,700 less than half way between Main hatton 30 00:01:04,019 --> 00:01:07,969 and Philadelphia my pit bucket started 31 00:01:05,700 --> 00:01:10,650 picking up broadcasts from Philadelphia 32 00:01:07,969 --> 00:01:12,599 it was the same musical program in the 33 00:01:10,650 --> 00:01:14,299 spritebot kept playing interrupted 34 00:01:12,599 --> 00:01:16,709 occasionally for messages from redeye 35 00:01:14,299 --> 00:01:18,509 but now that I had a constant feed I 36 00:01:16,709 --> 00:01:20,429 realized those little speeches were far 37 00:01:18,509 --> 00:01:23,459 from frequent and carried more substance 38 00:01:20,430 --> 00:01:25,229 than I had assumed now read I was able 39 00:01:23,459 --> 00:01:27,959 to talk to me as he did to the ponies of 40 00:01:25,228 --> 00:01:32,670 Philadelphia and his words worried me a 41 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:34,769 lot we have uncle anon fruit cup a 42 00:01:32,670 --> 00:01:36,780 peaceful and loving couple married for 43 00:01:34,769 --> 00:01:38,158 nearly a decade now living in their 44 00:01:36,780 --> 00:01:40,739 quaint little house with their tiny 45 00:01:38,159 --> 00:01:43,140 garden on the outskirts of Roma no 46 00:01:40,739 --> 00:01:45,769 children two dogs and a sunflower that 47 00:01:43,140 --> 00:01:48,649 on fruit cup is named Celestia 48 00:01:45,769 --> 00:01:50,390 what kind of monster I have been asked 49 00:01:48,649 --> 00:01:52,129 would rude up aunt and uncle fruit cup 50 00:01:50,390 --> 00:01:54,049 tear them away from their peaceful 51 00:01:52,129 --> 00:01:56,679 pointless lives and set them to work 52 00:01:54,049 --> 00:01:59,780 hauling carts heavy with scrap metal a 53 00:01:56,679 --> 00:02:02,539 monster indeed but one with his eyes 54 00:01:59,780 --> 00:02:05,420 open and cast upon our future the future 55 00:02:02,539 --> 00:02:07,879 of Equestria two hundred years ago we 56 00:02:05,420 --> 00:02:10,549 lost our great nation but we will have 57 00:02:07,879 --> 00:02:11,959 it again and what would the fruit cups 58 00:02:10,549 --> 00:02:12,819 and their little homestead be in two 59 00:02:11,959 --> 00:02:16,489 hundred years 60 00:02:12,818 --> 00:02:20,389 nothing meaningless not even hoof notes 61 00:02:16,489 --> 00:02:22,060 in the annals of history but what will 62 00:02:20,389 --> 00:02:26,328 have meaning two hundred years from now 63 00:02:22,060 --> 00:02:28,098 this Factory and it is from this Factory 64 00:02:26,329 --> 00:02:30,620 and the others like it that Equestria 65 00:02:28,098 --> 00:02:32,598 will be rebuilt it is from the work that 66 00:02:30,620 --> 00:02:34,730 uncle Anan fruit cup do now that a new 67 00:02:32,598 --> 00:02:37,518 national infrastructure will be created 68 00:02:34,729 --> 00:02:40,609 and a new golden age will be born the 69 00:02:37,519 --> 00:02:42,439 golden age of the unity Equestria will 70 00:02:40,610 --> 00:02:45,470 rise like a phoenix from her own ashes 71 00:02:42,439 --> 00:02:49,969 but not without our help and not without 72 00:02:45,469 --> 00:02:55,568 our labor this is what is important this 73 00:02:49,969 --> 00:02:55,568 will make a difference this will last 74 00:02:55,659 --> 00:02:58,840 the words of redeye were met by the 75 00:02:57,370 --> 00:03:01,090 clapping applause of at least a hundred 76 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:03,250 hooves the roar of the crowd was 77 00:03:01,090 --> 00:03:06,129 abruptly cut off replaced by a gravelly 78 00:03:03,250 --> 00:03:07,930 voice and there you have it 79 00:03:06,129 --> 00:03:09,519 redeye speech marking the reopening 80 00:03:07,930 --> 00:03:11,830 ceremony of the honest steel factory 81 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:13,630 word has it bread I will be making a 82 00:03:11,830 --> 00:03:16,180 return visit later this week to inspect 83 00:03:13,629 --> 00:03:18,789 the factory's output and now for some 84 00:03:16,180 --> 00:03:21,490 music starting with my favorite march of 85 00:03:18,789 --> 00:03:22,959 the parasprites the broadcast began 86 00:03:21,490 --> 00:03:26,469 playing the familiar marching music 87 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:29,200 heavy on tuba and harmonica I turned off 88 00:03:26,469 --> 00:03:30,909 the station pulling out my ear bloom red 89 00:03:29,199 --> 00:03:33,879 eye it seemed didn't live in 90 00:03:30,909 --> 00:03:36,669 Philadelphia but he made visits and one 91 00:03:33,879 --> 00:03:39,759 was coming up very soon I informed my 92 00:03:36,669 --> 00:03:41,109 companions of this velvet remedy was 93 00:03:39,759 --> 00:03:42,639 curled up on one of the bench sheets of 94 00:03:41,110 --> 00:03:44,620 the sky banded with pyre life sleeping 95 00:03:42,639 --> 00:03:47,469 next to her a glowing patch of emerald 96 00:03:44,620 --> 00:03:48,939 and gold against her charcoal coat I was 97 00:03:47,469 --> 00:03:51,729 amazed at how the balefire Phoenix had 98 00:03:48,939 --> 00:03:55,000 stayed with her normally even a pet bird 99 00:03:51,729 --> 00:03:57,159 would need a cage suho's nodded not 100 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:58,810 turning towards me he'd been keeping 101 00:03:57,159 --> 00:04:00,460 watch on the ground sweeping below ever 102 00:03:58,810 --> 00:04:03,039 since we had flown from the last rubble 103 00:04:00,460 --> 00:04:06,099 of the Maine Hatton suburbs I tried to 104 00:04:03,039 --> 00:04:06,849 avoid doing that I got some bad news 105 00:04:06,099 --> 00:04:08,769 folks 106 00:04:06,849 --> 00:04:11,500 calamity called from in front of the sky 107 00:04:08,770 --> 00:04:12,700 bandit she's done to sag give you 108 00:04:11,500 --> 00:04:14,050 people's out for some place to put her 109 00:04:12,699 --> 00:04:17,349 down long enough to swap out smog 110 00:04:14,050 --> 00:04:19,600 batteries all I've got his dirt rocks 111 00:04:17,350 --> 00:04:22,590 and dead trees Steele has called back 112 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:24,939 nothing you want to land on out here i 113 00:04:22,589 --> 00:04:26,769 flowed out the binoculars and moved to 114 00:04:24,939 --> 00:04:29,319 the edge of one of the windows braving 115 00:04:26,769 --> 00:04:30,979 the possible vertigo what are we looking 116 00:04:29,319 --> 00:04:32,689 for 117 00:04:30,980 --> 00:04:35,480 Steele hopes continued to scan the 118 00:04:32,689 --> 00:04:38,019 ground below any place the hellhounds 119 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:41,600 are less likely to get at us 120 00:04:38,019 --> 00:04:43,339 hellhounds I recalled homage as DJ Pony 121 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:44,420 warning ponies about hellhounds in the 122 00:04:43,339 --> 00:04:47,000 stretch between Manhattan and 123 00:04:44,420 --> 00:04:49,040 Philadelphia I've been picturing rabbit 124 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:53,360 dogs like the ones uncle and aunt fruit 125 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:56,510 cup had only vicious possibly overgrown 126 00:04:53,360 --> 00:04:57,830 a mutated like the blood wings sure the 127 00:04:56,509 --> 00:04:59,240 first time I heard of a hellhound 128 00:04:57,829 --> 00:05:02,209 I would learned that just one could take 129 00:04:59,240 --> 00:05:05,170 out a wagon train of slavers but then so 130 00:05:02,209 --> 00:05:08,029 could i and I was hardly frightening 131 00:05:05,170 --> 00:05:11,030 Steele has even voice however betrayed a 132 00:05:08,029 --> 00:05:12,589 hint of worry and nothing my mind had 133 00:05:11,029 --> 00:05:15,769 been conjuring up would even Shrek alarm 134 00:05:12,589 --> 00:05:18,919 in an ancient steel clad soldier what 135 00:05:15,769 --> 00:05:21,589 are hellhounds I caught a shiver pass 136 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:23,210 through pyre light I suspected the 137 00:05:21,589 --> 00:05:25,250 answer being something much worse than I 138 00:05:23,209 --> 00:05:28,729 dismissed them to be when even an i 139 00:05:25,250 --> 00:05:30,199 immortal bird was worried the suspicion 140 00:05:28,730 --> 00:05:31,460 was nailed home when steal hopes and 141 00:05:30,199 --> 00:05:34,519 claim when he both turned to look at me 142 00:05:31,459 --> 00:05:36,919 as if I'd asked what a gun was you don't 143 00:05:34,519 --> 00:05:39,469 know what a hellhound is she loves asked 144 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:42,020 evenly and you decided we should all go 145 00:05:39,470 --> 00:05:45,140 to Philadelphia anyway without finding 146 00:05:42,019 --> 00:05:47,509 out what lies between Bella Romney 147 00:05:45,139 --> 00:05:50,839 chimed in I've never heard of a 148 00:05:47,509 --> 00:05:53,180 hellhound steelo's face off with a Clank 149 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:55,479 of metal on metal calamity muttered 150 00:05:53,180 --> 00:05:58,400 something about stable folk from ahead 151 00:05:55,480 --> 00:06:00,650 he could fill us in velvet remedy 152 00:05:58,399 --> 00:06:03,769 suggested or the two of you can just 153 00:06:00,649 --> 00:06:05,259 keep being melodramatic Steele's 154 00:06:03,769 --> 00:06:08,409 bristled 155 00:06:05,259 --> 00:06:09,670 the hellhounds he Nick 'red are simply 156 00:06:08,410 --> 00:06:12,310 the most dangerous creatures in the 157 00:06:09,670 --> 00:06:15,790 equestrian wasteland my brother face-off 158 00:06:12,310 --> 00:06:19,930 against Alec horns well for a marine I 159 00:06:15,790 --> 00:06:22,629 exchanged looks she deadpan Wow 160 00:06:19,930 --> 00:06:25,720 informative what are these things a 161 00:06:22,629 --> 00:06:27,519 secret I smirked calamity pushed back 162 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:31,210 his hat glancing over his left wing at 163 00:06:27,519 --> 00:06:34,599 us either you folks heard about splendid 164 00:06:31,209 --> 00:06:37,599 Valley My yes came simultaneously with 165 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:38,770 velvet remedies no while hellhounds had 166 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:39,700 not struck much of a note in my 167 00:06:38,769 --> 00:06:41,529 imagination 168 00:06:39,699 --> 00:06:43,329 a terrifying specter a splendid Valley 169 00:06:41,529 --> 00:06:44,829 been painted in my mind by all the dark 170 00:06:43,329 --> 00:06:47,500 rumors and foreboding mentions of the 171 00:06:44,829 --> 00:06:49,689 place I looked down over the ruin Plains 172 00:06:47,500 --> 00:06:52,329 below all brown dirt and blackened trees 173 00:06:49,689 --> 00:06:54,339 I didn't like the barren landscape in 174 00:06:52,329 --> 00:06:55,419 the picture of Twilight's atheneum but 175 00:06:54,339 --> 00:06:59,919 that have been before the end of the 176 00:06:55,420 --> 00:07:02,290 world it could be is that what's between 177 00:06:59,920 --> 00:07:06,759 Manhattan Philadelphia splendid Valley 178 00:07:02,290 --> 00:07:08,830 are we over it right now I scan for what 179 00:07:06,759 --> 00:07:11,289 could be maripony a structure in the 180 00:07:08,829 --> 00:07:13,569 distance caught my eye a large building 181 00:07:11,290 --> 00:07:16,330 top with smokestacks it looked fairly 182 00:07:13,569 --> 00:07:17,259 intact giant metal skeletons fanned out 183 00:07:16,329 --> 00:07:20,889 from the building in all directions 184 00:07:17,259 --> 00:07:24,189 holding up lines of cable clam debarked 185 00:07:20,889 --> 00:07:27,879 laughs aahana Splenda Valley's close to 186 00:07:24,189 --> 00:07:29,379 Ponyville into Philadelphia I was 187 00:07:27,879 --> 00:07:30,730 suddenly grateful for the slavers who 188 00:07:29,379 --> 00:07:33,699 captured me my first night out of the 189 00:07:30,730 --> 00:07:35,730 stable without Vama what pony could say 190 00:07:33,699 --> 00:07:38,769 the direction I would have struck often 191 00:07:35,730 --> 00:07:43,180 but what all do you know by splendid 192 00:07:38,769 --> 00:07:45,519 Valley well that's where maripony is I 193 00:07:43,180 --> 00:07:47,350 started trying to remember everything I 194 00:07:45,519 --> 00:07:50,199 had heard all while wondering where clam 195 00:07:47,350 --> 00:07:51,760 knew was leading with all this elos was 196 00:07:50,199 --> 00:07:53,079 silent which could mean that he thought 197 00:07:51,759 --> 00:07:55,990 that calamity was taking us the right 198 00:07:53,079 --> 00:07:57,769 track or just that steel hopes what 199 00:07:55,990 --> 00:07:59,699 steel loves 200 00:07:57,769 --> 00:08:01,289 maripony used to be there because of all 201 00:07:59,699 --> 00:08:02,819 the gemstones they mined out of splendid 202 00:08:01,290 --> 00:08:04,550 valley but it was converted to something 203 00:08:02,819 --> 00:08:07,550 else once the gems were all gone I 204 00:08:04,550 --> 00:08:10,110 licked my lips trying to think of more 205 00:08:07,550 --> 00:08:11,460 they stored all sorts of magical toxins 206 00:08:10,110 --> 00:08:13,710 in the caves underneath splendid Valley 207 00:08:11,459 --> 00:08:17,129 and it was the second place hit by a 208 00:08:13,709 --> 00:08:20,669 mega spell second place huh calamity we 209 00:08:17,129 --> 00:08:23,850 need I didn't know that you're missing 210 00:08:20,670 --> 00:08:25,710 the most important thing more important 211 00:08:23,850 --> 00:08:28,410 than mega spells radiation and magical 212 00:08:25,709 --> 00:08:32,129 toxins I looked from calamity to steal 213 00:08:28,410 --> 00:08:33,690 hooves be it when the ponies decided to 214 00:08:32,129 --> 00:08:37,759 - Linda Valley they had one small 215 00:08:33,690 --> 00:08:40,370 problem the the valley was inhabited 216 00:08:37,759 --> 00:08:44,669 velvet Remy's eyes widened 217 00:08:40,370 --> 00:08:47,480 wait they mind ponies homes not ponies 218 00:08:44,669 --> 00:08:49,769 steel halves answered interjecting 219 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:52,470 gemstones met magical energy weapons 220 00:08:49,769 --> 00:08:53,699 crucial for the war effort it was 221 00:08:52,470 --> 00:08:56,070 decided that the creatures living in 222 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:57,870 splendid valley had to move the valley 223 00:08:56,070 --> 00:09:01,290 belonged to the nation of Equestria and 224 00:08:57,870 --> 00:09:04,889 it was deeded I felt a rock growing in 225 00:09:01,289 --> 00:09:07,019 my stomach only not all the inhabitants 226 00:09:04,889 --> 00:09:08,279 seem to get the message and after ponies 227 00:09:07,019 --> 00:09:10,549 had stripped the place clean several 228 00:09:08,279 --> 00:09:13,769 families moved back into those cabins 229 00:09:10,549 --> 00:09:15,539 back in to where the Ministry of arcane 230 00:09:13,769 --> 00:09:18,870 sciences was touring hazardous magical 231 00:09:15,539 --> 00:09:23,069 wastes and toured the zebras set off a 232 00:09:18,870 --> 00:09:26,929 balefire bomb goddess's velvet remedy 233 00:09:23,070 --> 00:09:29,519 gasped and they survived that was poor 234 00:09:26,929 --> 00:09:32,899 what were they again 235 00:09:29,519 --> 00:09:39,360 Diamond Dogs calamity called back I 236 00:09:32,899 --> 00:09:40,740 froze wait hold on are you trying to 237 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:42,600 tell us that the creatures that rarity 238 00:09:40,740 --> 00:09:44,869 defeated by whining have become the most 239 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:48,749 terrifying monsters in Equestria 240 00:09:44,869 --> 00:09:51,360 hey if I look to steel hose and 241 00:09:48,749 --> 00:09:53,699 disbelief but his helmet nodded they're 242 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:56,129 big they're fast and they're extremely 243 00:09:53,698 --> 00:09:57,508 aggressive they have claws that can tear 244 00:09:56,129 --> 00:09:59,579 through Armour like a with soft cloth 245 00:09:57,509 --> 00:10:04,399 I've even seen one claw their way 246 00:09:59,578 --> 00:10:06,868 through an alicorn magical shield 247 00:10:04,399 --> 00:10:08,519 well makes me glad we're up here where 248 00:10:06,869 --> 00:10:13,678 we can shoot them and they can't get at 249 00:10:08,519 --> 00:10:16,249 us I paused they can't fly can they nope 250 00:10:13,678 --> 00:10:20,039 calamity said much my short-lived relief 251 00:10:16,249 --> 00:10:21,959 but they can dig fast and pretty much 252 00:10:20,039 --> 00:10:23,159 through anything when they come after 253 00:10:21,958 --> 00:10:24,989 you they can stay on the ground - 254 00:10:23,159 --> 00:10:26,759 they're all right beneath you grab my 255 00:10:24,990 --> 00:10:28,230 tremble a bit that's all the warning 256 00:10:26,759 --> 00:10:30,149 y'all get before they reindeer pot and 257 00:10:28,230 --> 00:10:33,269 they sure ain't gonna stand around 258 00:10:30,149 --> 00:10:34,678 outside way you can shoot at him worse 259 00:10:33,269 --> 00:10:37,470 still has asserted 260 00:10:34,678 --> 00:10:39,749 they're smart these aren't animals like 261 00:10:37,470 --> 00:10:41,339 manticores of blood wings they've gotten 262 00:10:39,749 --> 00:10:42,720 hold of magical energy weapons reverse 263 00:10:41,339 --> 00:10:44,790 engineered them and rebuilt them for 264 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:46,259 holding in their claws they don't have 265 00:10:44,789 --> 00:10:47,519 the magic to create the new ones but 266 00:10:46,259 --> 00:10:48,928 they slice their way into splinted 267 00:10:47,519 --> 00:10:51,240 Valley armory and stole over a hundred 268 00:10:48,928 --> 00:10:55,438 weapons all of which we can assume have 269 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:58,619 been repurposed so velvet remedy said 270 00:10:55,438 --> 00:11:00,278 slowly they can shoot us and we can't 271 00:10:58,619 --> 00:11:02,350 get at them 272 00:11:00,278 --> 00:11:04,990 cocking your head towards me she snart 273 00:11:02,350 --> 00:11:10,060 well thank you little pip I adore the 274 00:11:04,990 --> 00:11:12,490 places you take me what is this place 275 00:11:10,059 --> 00:11:14,169 I asked staring at a huge smokestacks as 276 00:11:12,490 --> 00:11:15,459 I stepped out of the sky bandit and onto 277 00:11:14,169 --> 00:11:17,708 the broken roof of the building that I 278 00:11:15,458 --> 00:11:19,869 had spotted in the distance all around 279 00:11:17,708 --> 00:11:21,938 metal structures like the skeletons of 280 00:11:19,870 --> 00:11:23,889 standing giants stretched out across the 281 00:11:21,938 --> 00:11:26,620 plains most marching towards Maine 282 00:11:23,889 --> 00:11:28,299 Patton or Philadelphia the building was 283 00:11:26,620 --> 00:11:31,778 huge and offered the best protection 284 00:11:28,299 --> 00:11:34,328 against hellhounds power station Steel 285 00:11:31,778 --> 00:11:36,039 has answered massive furnaces burned 286 00:11:34,328 --> 00:11:37,479 coal to generate the power necessary to 287 00:11:36,039 --> 00:11:38,528 operate a lot of the non-magical 288 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:40,409 conveniences that came out of 289 00:11:38,528 --> 00:11:42,399 Equestria's technological revolution 290 00:11:40,409 --> 00:11:45,909 there were hundreds of these oliver 291 00:11:42,399 --> 00:11:47,230 equestria before the war he pointed the 292 00:11:45,909 --> 00:11:49,838 hoof to the cables that the metal 293 00:11:47,230 --> 00:11:52,470 skeletons were holding up those carried 294 00:11:49,839 --> 00:11:55,899 the power to create adhere to the cities 295 00:11:52,470 --> 00:11:57,339 Wow I floated out the binoculars and 296 00:11:55,899 --> 00:12:00,068 gazed out along one of the marching 297 00:11:57,339 --> 00:12:01,959 lines of metal structures about a mile 298 00:12:00,068 --> 00:12:03,338 away several had collapsed the line 299 00:12:01,958 --> 00:12:05,979 severed and dangling from there still 300 00:12:03,339 --> 00:12:07,420 standing up a tree 'it's this was so 301 00:12:05,980 --> 00:12:09,100 much bigger than the once coal powered 302 00:12:07,419 --> 00:12:12,188 train engines I had seen new Appaloosa 303 00:12:09,100 --> 00:12:13,750 in junction r7 calamity had detached 304 00:12:12,188 --> 00:12:14,860 himself from the sky banditz harness and 305 00:12:13,750 --> 00:12:16,269 was preparing to crawl under the 306 00:12:14,860 --> 00:12:17,800 passenger wagon as his auto remedy 307 00:12:16,269 --> 00:12:20,919 fished spare spark batteries out of her 308 00:12:17,799 --> 00:12:21,878 saddle boxes floating my binoculars back 309 00:12:20,919 --> 00:12:24,878 into my saddlebags 310 00:12:21,879 --> 00:12:27,399 I cast a look about the roof on one end 311 00:12:24,879 --> 00:12:29,199 was a small tower with the door my 312 00:12:27,399 --> 00:12:30,990 curiosity woke up and began digging into 313 00:12:29,198 --> 00:12:33,278 my mind that persistent Huff 314 00:12:30,990 --> 00:12:35,110 shrugging I trotted towards the door 315 00:12:33,278 --> 00:12:37,838 pulling on my screwdriver and bobby pin 316 00:12:35,110 --> 00:12:40,778 in anticipation no reason not to just 317 00:12:37,839 --> 00:12:41,910 take a look I was thrilled when the door 318 00:12:40,778 --> 00:12:46,568 was locked 319 00:12:41,909 --> 00:12:48,189 crouching I got to work click such a 320 00:12:46,568 --> 00:12:51,939 sweet sound 321 00:12:48,190 --> 00:12:53,860 a nudge the door open stairs up to the 322 00:12:51,940 --> 00:12:56,920 tower and down to the power plant itself 323 00:12:53,860 --> 00:13:00,389 as I stepped into the darkness a deep 324 00:12:56,919 --> 00:13:01,689 rumbling voice asked where are you going 325 00:13:00,389 --> 00:13:05,259 exploring 326 00:13:01,690 --> 00:13:07,270 I smiled back Steele's just shook his 327 00:13:05,259 --> 00:13:10,120 head but took up position behind me as I 328 00:13:07,269 --> 00:13:11,799 headed up the stairs the tower stairwell 329 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:13,029 opened into a single room with a balcony 330 00:13:11,799 --> 00:13:15,849 that looked as if it was designed for 331 00:13:13,029 --> 00:13:17,169 Pegasus wagon landings the back half of 332 00:13:15,850 --> 00:13:20,649 the room was nothing more than a huge 333 00:13:17,169 --> 00:13:22,839 cargo elevator a circular company logo 334 00:13:20,649 --> 00:13:26,110 painted on the elevator door hippocampus 335 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:28,290 energy hydroelectric coal and sewage was 336 00:13:26,110 --> 00:13:30,639 flaking and peeling into slow oblivion 337 00:13:28,289 --> 00:13:32,169 the rest of the room had large windows 338 00:13:30,639 --> 00:13:34,629 looking out towards the Philadelphia and 339 00:13:32,169 --> 00:13:36,039 main hatton skylines both were far 340 00:13:34,629 --> 00:13:38,139 enough away that the horizon hid them 341 00:13:36,039 --> 00:13:39,719 but Philadelphia was closer and I could 342 00:13:38,139 --> 00:13:42,429 see the clouds on the horizon hung low 343 00:13:39,720 --> 00:13:45,370 black angry clouds lit by reddish light 344 00:13:42,429 --> 00:13:47,500 from below Philadelphia's ivory tower 345 00:13:45,370 --> 00:13:51,340 was clearly visible slashing up into the 346 00:13:47,500 --> 00:13:54,570 clouds like a needle wow the sky over 347 00:13:51,340 --> 00:13:56,920 Philadelphia actually looks kinda evil 348 00:13:54,570 --> 00:14:00,910 red I must have several of the factories 349 00:13:56,919 --> 00:14:03,069 going again steelo's commented I nodded 350 00:14:00,909 --> 00:14:05,620 although I had no idea why that would 351 00:14:03,070 --> 00:14:07,120 change the cloud cover then again I 352 00:14:05,620 --> 00:14:10,379 fought as I looked out across the power 353 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:12,820 plants massive chimneys maybe it would 354 00:14:10,379 --> 00:14:14,409 there were four boxes of ammo sitting 355 00:14:12,820 --> 00:14:14,800 under a bank of dead lights with labels 356 00:14:14,409 --> 00:14:18,100 like 357 00:14:14,799 --> 00:14:21,129 generator 11 output and sector 7 load an 358 00:14:18,100 --> 00:14:23,649 out by the ammo boxes two were empty the 359 00:14:21,129 --> 00:14:25,029 other two locked I opened one easily 360 00:14:23,649 --> 00:14:26,799 enough retrieving em with it didn't 361 00:14:25,029 --> 00:14:29,919 match any firearm I it seemed before a 362 00:14:26,799 --> 00:14:32,949 big and frightening caliber the other 363 00:14:29,919 --> 00:14:34,569 box to my surprise was jammed somepony 364 00:14:32,950 --> 00:14:36,850 had tried picking the lock and failed 365 00:14:34,570 --> 00:14:38,410 badly it was literally the first 366 00:14:36,850 --> 00:14:39,790 evidence I had seen that any pony in the 367 00:14:38,409 --> 00:14:42,519 equestrian wasteland other than me 368 00:14:39,789 --> 00:14:44,500 learned lock-picking unfortunately for 369 00:14:42,519 --> 00:14:47,088 both of us this Pony wasn't very good at 370 00:14:44,500 --> 00:14:49,610 it i sat back 371 00:14:47,089 --> 00:14:51,410 I had no idea how to open a force jammed 372 00:14:49,610 --> 00:14:52,938 lock aside from the sort of massive 373 00:14:51,409 --> 00:14:55,338 firepower that would likely destroy the 374 00:14:52,938 --> 00:14:56,748 contents of the armored box the damn 375 00:14:55,339 --> 00:15:00,110 thing was designed so you couldn't just 376 00:14:56,749 --> 00:15:02,028 shoot the lock at telekinetically lifted 377 00:15:00,110 --> 00:15:04,699 the box and tried to pry at it but that 378 00:15:02,028 --> 00:15:05,749 was utterly futile a pony might think 379 00:15:04,698 --> 00:15:06,889 that having the strength to lift a 380 00:15:05,749 --> 00:15:09,550 training car would give me more than 381 00:15:06,889 --> 00:15:12,110 enough power to tear open a box but no 382 00:15:09,549 --> 00:15:13,938 the levitation field of my telekinesis 383 00:15:12,110 --> 00:15:15,889 makes the objects trapped inside like 384 00:15:13,938 --> 00:15:18,969 the boxcar and Appaloosa virtually 385 00:15:15,889 --> 00:15:21,259 weightless until of course I let it go 386 00:15:18,970 --> 00:15:22,910 there simply wasn't enough force behind 387 00:15:21,259 --> 00:15:25,300 my single magical spell to break a lock 388 00:15:22,909 --> 00:15:29,568 I'd have better luck with a crowbar 389 00:15:25,299 --> 00:15:31,758 but I tried anyway and failed and tried 390 00:15:29,568 --> 00:15:34,399 again and fail again 391 00:15:31,759 --> 00:15:34,850 I finally tossed the Mach as hard as I 392 00:15:34,399 --> 00:15:37,068 could 393 00:15:34,850 --> 00:15:38,808 it hit with a thud that did no further 394 00:15:37,068 --> 00:15:42,078 damage to the box but left a small crack 395 00:15:38,808 --> 00:15:44,448 in the plaster covering the wall done 396 00:15:42,078 --> 00:15:46,399 now a smooth feminine voice asked from 397 00:15:44,448 --> 00:15:49,448 the stairwell or would you like to jump 398 00:15:46,399 --> 00:15:53,198 on it with your hose for a while first I 399 00:15:49,448 --> 00:15:57,318 blushed looking at velvet remedy um 400 00:15:53,198 --> 00:15:58,729 house calamity doing she sighed looking 401 00:15:57,318 --> 00:16:01,578 out the window at the sky banded on the 402 00:15:58,730 --> 00:16:03,350 roof below do you think there's any 403 00:16:01,578 --> 00:16:06,558 chance of getting him to take a bath in 404 00:16:03,350 --> 00:16:09,889 Philadelphia she looked across at Stu 405 00:16:06,558 --> 00:16:12,379 loves I suspect an actual spies right 406 00:16:09,889 --> 00:16:14,480 out I laughed 407 00:16:12,379 --> 00:16:17,539 good luck trying to get calamity into a 408 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:19,710 spa even if there is one 409 00:16:17,539 --> 00:16:22,349 the stairwell down led to a set of 410 00:16:19,710 --> 00:16:23,850 offices adjacent to a break room while 411 00:16:22,350 --> 00:16:25,950 steel Holmes and I took the offices 412 00:16:23,850 --> 00:16:27,540 Velva remedy trotted towards the ladder 413 00:16:25,950 --> 00:16:28,650 to scavenge any foodstuffs from what 414 00:16:27,539 --> 00:16:31,139 might have once been the employee 415 00:16:28,649 --> 00:16:32,399 refrigerator I felt confident that 416 00:16:31,139 --> 00:16:35,179 everything she would find would be 417 00:16:32,399 --> 00:16:37,620 vegetarian no matter the actual contents 418 00:16:35,179 --> 00:16:40,229 the offices had windows on opposite 419 00:16:37,620 --> 00:16:42,028 sides to the back the windows had once 420 00:16:40,230 --> 00:16:43,379 peered outside but they had been so 421 00:16:42,028 --> 00:16:44,490 caked with dust over the centuries that 422 00:16:43,379 --> 00:16:46,139 the weakened sunlight that made it 423 00:16:44,490 --> 00:16:49,470 through the clouds above was not strong 424 00:16:46,139 --> 00:16:50,909 enough to penetrate it opposite their 425 00:16:49,470 --> 00:16:52,860 windows that stared out like the power 426 00:16:50,909 --> 00:16:56,399 plants main floor filled with enormous 427 00:16:52,860 --> 00:16:58,589 generators and walls of furnaces a metal 428 00:16:56,399 --> 00:16:59,909 catwalk bisected the air above leading 429 00:16:58,589 --> 00:17:01,320 from the offices here to what looked 430 00:16:59,909 --> 00:17:02,209 like an over mayor's office on the far 431 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:04,650 side 432 00:17:02,210 --> 00:17:07,828 how did catwalks up for heavy machinery 433 00:17:04,650 --> 00:17:09,329 become the dominant aesthetic horrifying 434 00:17:07,828 --> 00:17:11,209 memories of iron-shod firearms were 435 00:17:09,328 --> 00:17:13,169 flashing through my head although 436 00:17:11,209 --> 00:17:15,600 fortunately this place seemed utterly 437 00:17:13,170 --> 00:17:17,429 deserted looking around I could see 438 00:17:15,599 --> 00:17:18,389 where there been turret emplacements but 439 00:17:17,429 --> 00:17:20,880 they were destroyed 440 00:17:18,390 --> 00:17:22,470 further catwalks and suspended seriuos 441 00:17:20,880 --> 00:17:24,390 led down to the floor of the plant and 442 00:17:22,470 --> 00:17:26,720 one was the crumpled remains of a brain 443 00:17:24,390 --> 00:17:28,890 bot and few piles of mildly pink ash 444 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:31,980 further evidence of the scavengers who 445 00:17:28,890 --> 00:17:33,390 had come before us I turned back already 446 00:17:31,980 --> 00:17:36,150 having decided to cross the catwalk and 447 00:17:33,390 --> 00:17:38,610 explore the office beyond but not with 448 00:17:36,150 --> 00:17:39,990 steel hooves previous experience told me 449 00:17:38,609 --> 00:17:41,490 that having someone as heavy as he was 450 00:17:39,990 --> 00:17:44,789 on those catwalks would be a four hose 451 00:17:41,490 --> 00:17:48,058 of no steel hose was looking at a frame 452 00:17:44,789 --> 00:17:49,769 sheet high up on another wall a badly 453 00:17:48,058 --> 00:17:52,740 faded page from a newspaper stared back 454 00:17:49,769 --> 00:17:53,940 I trotted over having to plant my four 455 00:17:52,740 --> 00:17:56,339 hubs on the wall to get the height to 456 00:17:53,940 --> 00:17:58,250 read it the pony who hung the frame was 457 00:17:56,339 --> 00:18:00,539 clearly not thinking of shorter ponies 458 00:17:58,250 --> 00:18:02,970 the main article featured a picture of 459 00:18:00,539 --> 00:18:05,420 this power plant or at least one that 460 00:18:02,970 --> 00:18:08,130 could be its identical sister 461 00:18:05,420 --> 00:18:10,620 hippocampus energy plant number 12 opens 462 00:18:08,130 --> 00:18:13,190 amidst controversy pegasus and unicorn 463 00:18:10,619 --> 00:18:15,808 protesters decried environmental impact 464 00:18:13,190 --> 00:18:18,090 the story dominated the page pushing 465 00:18:15,808 --> 00:18:20,279 aside lesser entries Philadelphia's 466 00:18:18,089 --> 00:18:21,899 prestigious alpha-omega hotel to host 467 00:18:20,279 --> 00:18:24,149 this year's Summer Sun celebration and 468 00:18:21,900 --> 00:18:25,560 coal prices continued to rise as 469 00:18:24,150 --> 00:18:27,750 relations with Sieber nation remained 470 00:18:25,559 --> 00:18:30,740 strained princess celestia promises 471 00:18:27,750 --> 00:18:33,900 amiable resolution soon to make room i 472 00:18:30,740 --> 00:18:36,450 thought hit me back in new Appaloosa 473 00:18:33,900 --> 00:18:38,340 Clementi had said something all the 474 00:18:36,450 --> 00:18:42,240 coals in strange faraway lands full of 475 00:18:38,339 --> 00:18:45,899 zebras I dropped all those turning my 476 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:47,670 head towards steel hoofs hold on I said 477 00:18:45,900 --> 00:18:50,759 feeling dumbstruck for the second time 478 00:18:47,670 --> 00:18:53,370 in as many hours a question didn't have 479 00:18:50,759 --> 00:18:56,819 any coal I waved a hoof at the power 480 00:18:53,369 --> 00:18:58,709 plant are you telling me you ponies 481 00:18:56,819 --> 00:19:02,549 built inquest reason tire infrastructure 482 00:18:58,710 --> 00:19:06,870 on a power source you didn't have steel 483 00:19:02,549 --> 00:19:11,279 have said nothing that's insane 484 00:19:06,869 --> 00:19:12,779 what pony does that seal was just stared 485 00:19:11,279 --> 00:19:16,559 as I had a mental meltdown trying to 486 00:19:12,779 --> 00:19:18,329 parse that idea finally he stated why 487 00:19:16,559 --> 00:19:20,428 would it be a problem we had the 488 00:19:18,329 --> 00:19:25,678 resources the zebras needed they had 489 00:19:20,429 --> 00:19:29,640 coal we trade everyone's happy yeah sure 490 00:19:25,679 --> 00:19:30,690 until somepony or some zebra figures out 491 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:33,390 that they don't have enough to go around 492 00:19:30,690 --> 00:19:36,509 anymore or decides that they just don't 493 00:19:33,390 --> 00:19:38,070 want to share I turned away my eyes 494 00:19:36,509 --> 00:19:40,339 falling on a desk and a strangely 495 00:19:38,069 --> 00:19:42,329 pristine coffee mug sitting atop it I 496 00:19:40,339 --> 00:19:44,369 allowed myself the distraction of 497 00:19:42,329 --> 00:19:46,470 marveling at how and all these dusty 498 00:19:44,369 --> 00:19:48,859 tattered decaying ruins a coffee mug 499 00:19:46,470 --> 00:19:51,390 would be the thing in finest condition I 500 00:19:48,859 --> 00:19:52,789 glanced across the other desks and a 501 00:19:51,390 --> 00:19:55,110 table beyond 502 00:19:52,789 --> 00:19:57,569 yes there wasn't one that I wouldn't 503 00:19:55,109 --> 00:19:58,979 have felt safe drinking out of except 504 00:19:57,569 --> 00:20:01,129 for the one where a baby radroach had 505 00:19:58,980 --> 00:20:03,569 apparently decided to drown itself I 506 00:20:01,130 --> 00:20:05,220 shuddered a little and decided the 507 00:20:03,569 --> 00:20:07,950 coffee mug maker had employed some minor 508 00:20:05,220 --> 00:20:09,299 magic in their creation a little spell 509 00:20:07,950 --> 00:20:10,890 meant to keep him from being stained by 510 00:20:09,299 --> 00:20:12,788 the confident them the cleanest things 511 00:20:10,890 --> 00:20:14,749 in all of Equestria 512 00:20:12,788 --> 00:20:17,538 several of the mugs of the company 513 00:20:14,749 --> 00:20:19,240 emblem hippocampus energy hydroelectric 514 00:20:17,538 --> 00:20:22,038 coal and sewage 515 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:24,589 okay so Equestria hadn't been entirely 516 00:20:22,038 --> 00:20:26,240 dependent on trade with zebras but this 517 00:20:24,589 --> 00:20:29,148 power plant spoke volumes of just how 518 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:31,548 much it had been I snorted in wry 519 00:20:29,148 --> 00:20:33,558 amusement unicorns gave us power through 520 00:20:31,548 --> 00:20:36,440 magic earth ponies had given us power 521 00:20:33,558 --> 00:20:38,928 through rocks water and Oh horse apples 522 00:20:36,440 --> 00:20:43,070 I said suddenly realizing we had all 523 00:20:38,929 --> 00:20:44,749 left calamity on the rooftop alone we 524 00:20:43,069 --> 00:20:47,089 all galloped back only to find calamity 525 00:20:44,749 --> 00:20:49,190 still at work shouldn't be more than a 526 00:20:47,089 --> 00:20:52,099 few minutes he said half of his body 527 00:20:49,190 --> 00:20:55,220 hidden under the sky bandit why what's 528 00:20:52,099 --> 00:20:56,898 got all y'all a kin spooked pilot was 529 00:20:55,220 --> 00:21:02,379 circling overhead keeping an eye out for 530 00:20:56,898 --> 00:21:05,628 danger or food or small shiny things 531 00:21:02,378 --> 00:21:07,490 nothing steel have started to reply but 532 00:21:05,628 --> 00:21:08,689 velvet remedy stepped forward levitating 533 00:21:07,490 --> 00:21:10,009 a rolled sheet of paper that she had 534 00:21:08,690 --> 00:21:12,798 slipped through the straps of her saddle 535 00:21:10,009 --> 00:21:14,860 boxes I found something I wanted you to 536 00:21:12,798 --> 00:21:17,210 take a look at velvet almost purred 537 00:21:14,859 --> 00:21:20,388 building and fixing things as your forte 538 00:21:17,210 --> 00:21:22,119 after all Kalani pushed himself out from 539 00:21:20,388 --> 00:21:24,408 under the sky bandit to take a look 540 00:21:22,118 --> 00:21:27,709 velvet remedy cringed back slightly 541 00:21:24,409 --> 00:21:30,410 he was as filthy as she had feared sure 542 00:21:27,710 --> 00:21:32,789 what you got from me 543 00:21:30,410 --> 00:21:34,500 taking a few steps back from calamity 544 00:21:32,789 --> 00:21:37,500 velvet floated the roll of paper between 545 00:21:34,500 --> 00:21:39,420 them uncurling the schematic the paper 546 00:21:37,500 --> 00:21:41,029 was darkly stained with blood but most 547 00:21:39,420 --> 00:21:43,550 of the writing was still legible 548 00:21:41,029 --> 00:21:46,379 calamity leaned forward to study it out 549 00:21:43,549 --> 00:21:49,019 of the corner of my eye I saw a pilot 550 00:21:46,380 --> 00:21:50,900 dive down below the roofline moment 551 00:21:49,019 --> 00:21:53,190 later there was a crackle of green flame 552 00:21:50,900 --> 00:21:56,160 the majestic predator returned with a 553 00:21:53,190 --> 00:21:57,690 roasted squirrel in her beak she dropped 554 00:21:56,160 --> 00:22:00,840 it on the roof next to velvet remedy and 555 00:21:57,690 --> 00:22:02,430 began pecking at it I boggled internally 556 00:22:00,839 --> 00:22:03,750 as a velvet who not minutes ago wood 557 00:22:02,430 --> 00:22:06,420 edged back from a dirt and grease 558 00:22:03,750 --> 00:22:07,920 smeared calamity only smiled at the very 559 00:22:06,420 --> 00:22:11,509 carnivorous actions of the balefire 560 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:12,810 Phoenix clammy let out a low whistle 561 00:22:11,509 --> 00:22:17,009 well 562 00:22:12,809 --> 00:22:19,139 somepony sure was inventive he looked up 563 00:22:17,009 --> 00:22:22,259 to velvet remedy where do y'all find 564 00:22:19,140 --> 00:22:24,480 this on a table beneath the remains of a 565 00:22:22,259 --> 00:22:26,609 dead unicorn Pony velvet remedy fretted 566 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:28,460 I could guess by the wave in her voice 567 00:22:26,609 --> 00:22:30,959 that the body had not been a skeleton 568 00:22:28,460 --> 00:22:33,600 somepony more recent one of the 569 00:22:30,960 --> 00:22:37,500 scavengers I assumed I think she may 570 00:22:33,599 --> 00:22:39,379 have died for that how she died calamity 571 00:22:37,500 --> 00:22:42,000 asked with an odd sense of urgency 572 00:22:39,380 --> 00:22:44,520 velvet remedy ever the medical Pony was 573 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:46,440 swift answer she was hit by a magical 574 00:22:44,519 --> 00:22:48,059 weapon he didn't turn her to ash but it 575 00:22:46,440 --> 00:22:51,090 melted half of her face and neck 576 00:22:48,059 --> 00:22:56,369 she said grimly clearly nodded with a 577 00:22:51,089 --> 00:22:58,558 frown well that rules about nothing 578 00:22:56,369 --> 00:23:00,058 the power plant had robotic security the 579 00:22:58,558 --> 00:23:02,428 wield of magical energy weapons I 580 00:23:00,058 --> 00:23:04,069 informed him I've seen the sort of thing 581 00:23:02,429 --> 00:23:07,200 before 582 00:23:04,069 --> 00:23:09,000 calamity let out a sigh of relief higher 583 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:11,929 light looked up from her meal a strip of 584 00:23:09,000 --> 00:23:14,278 barbecued squirrel hanging from her beak 585 00:23:11,929 --> 00:23:15,809 this he is a design for creating a 586 00:23:14,278 --> 00:23:18,058 helmet using the claws of a hail hand 587 00:23:15,808 --> 00:23:21,359 thing is I don't think a unicorn could 588 00:23:18,058 --> 00:23:23,759 use it he told us I can imagine why I 589 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:26,699 had no desire to trade in my horn for 590 00:23:23,759 --> 00:23:28,740 such a helmet but it would make one oh 591 00:23:26,700 --> 00:23:30,240 but a wood shall make one hell of a 592 00:23:28,740 --> 00:23:33,960 weapon if I have gave up shooting for 593 00:23:30,240 --> 00:23:37,798 head button one of the children asked me 594 00:23:33,960 --> 00:23:39,450 redeye what is your cutie mark the cur 595 00:23:37,798 --> 00:23:41,129 is mattock voice of red I spoke to me in 596 00:23:39,450 --> 00:23:43,769 my ear bloom as I moved back down into 597 00:23:41,130 --> 00:23:46,140 the powerplant this time I left steel 598 00:23:43,769 --> 00:23:48,148 hose behind with calamity in return 599 00:23:46,140 --> 00:23:52,830 novel remedy insisted on accompanying me 600 00:23:48,148 --> 00:23:57,089 no splitting up to that child I answered 601 00:23:52,829 --> 00:23:57,960 I do not have one I paused lifting hoof 602 00:23:57,089 --> 00:23:59,908 to my ear bloomer 603 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:02,909 i recalled with a shudder how the 604 00:23:59,909 --> 00:24:05,429 alicorn for blank flanked was read i an 605 00:24:02,909 --> 00:24:08,669 alicorn he certainly didn't speak like 606 00:24:05,429 --> 00:24:10,788 one I racked my brain trying to remember 607 00:24:08,669 --> 00:24:14,759 if I'd ever encountered a male alicorn I 608 00:24:10,788 --> 00:24:18,089 couldn't think of one of course the next 609 00:24:14,759 --> 00:24:20,849 question was why redeye why don't I have 610 00:24:18,089 --> 00:24:24,178 a cutie mark because I chose not to have 611 00:24:20,849 --> 00:24:25,528 a cutie mark why would I want one am I 612 00:24:24,179 --> 00:24:28,500 really going to let a picture on my 613 00:24:25,528 --> 00:24:29,909 flank determine my future if I found 614 00:24:28,500 --> 00:24:32,429 something that I really enjoy 615 00:24:29,909 --> 00:24:35,160 do I need an icon on my ass to tell me 616 00:24:32,429 --> 00:24:38,070 of course not 617 00:24:35,160 --> 00:24:40,259 - too many bonus cutie marks are more 618 00:24:38,069 --> 00:24:41,849 about what you can't be how can you 619 00:24:40,259 --> 00:24:44,339 expect to be a great scientist if your 620 00:24:41,849 --> 00:24:46,139 cutie mark is a rake or an amazing 621 00:24:44,339 --> 00:24:49,079 artist if your fling is a picture of a 622 00:24:46,140 --> 00:24:52,890 pile of hay who's going to give you that 623 00:24:49,079 --> 00:24:55,289 chance but if your fling is bare then 624 00:24:52,890 --> 00:24:58,860 the possibilities are endless and the 625 00:24:55,289 --> 00:25:01,259 choice is up to you that is why I had my 626 00:24:58,859 --> 00:25:03,059 cutie mark removed and while the 627 00:25:01,259 --> 00:25:06,210 children of unity have all chosen to do 628 00:25:03,059 --> 00:25:08,730 the same in the new Equestria we will 629 00:25:06,210 --> 00:25:11,150 all be lifted up by the goddesses freed 630 00:25:08,730 --> 00:25:13,349 from the shackles of cutie mark coercion 631 00:25:11,150 --> 00:25:16,290 but there are still much work to be done 632 00:25:13,349 --> 00:25:18,359 before that day so in anticipation for 633 00:25:16,289 --> 00:25:22,319 it we have chosen to take the first step 634 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:24,889 ourselves as I took my first step onto 635 00:25:22,319 --> 00:25:26,609 the catwalk I shut off the broadcast I 636 00:25:24,890 --> 00:25:28,230 didn't need any of that nonsense 637 00:25:26,609 --> 00:25:30,379 threatening my concentration if a 638 00:25:28,230 --> 00:25:33,059 section of the catwalk started to give 639 00:25:30,380 --> 00:25:35,820 felt let you stay here I'm just gonna go 640 00:25:33,059 --> 00:25:37,769 across to that office because that's 641 00:25:35,819 --> 00:25:40,919 what not splitting up means to you right 642 00:25:37,769 --> 00:25:43,319 velvet sided I sighed and tapped at the 643 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:45,990 catwalk because I don't want to risk 644 00:25:43,319 --> 00:25:49,859 putting extra weight I clammed up two 645 00:25:45,990 --> 00:25:52,529 words too late so you're saying I'm 646 00:25:49,859 --> 00:25:54,409 heavy Velva remedy said with a voice 647 00:25:52,529 --> 00:25:56,779 like chocolate silk 648 00:25:54,410 --> 00:25:59,390 is that why you no longer seem attracted 649 00:25:56,779 --> 00:26:02,960 to me and here I thought it was because 650 00:25:59,390 --> 00:26:07,820 of the wagon but no it's because you 651 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:09,019 think I'm fat I face offed velvet I Oh 652 00:26:07,819 --> 00:26:10,549 No 653 00:26:09,019 --> 00:26:12,079 she said putting an extra splain her 654 00:26:10,549 --> 00:26:14,029 hips she stepped onto the catwalk in 655 00:26:12,079 --> 00:26:16,939 front of me it's good that you finally 656 00:26:14,029 --> 00:26:22,309 told me all this adventuring I firstly 657 00:26:16,940 --> 00:26:24,019 let myself go haven't I velvet the warm 658 00:26:22,309 --> 00:26:25,159 Witcher unicorn mare tossed her Mane as 659 00:26:24,019 --> 00:26:27,980 she turned to look at me over her 660 00:26:25,160 --> 00:26:29,600 shoulder pouting alluringly I felt the 661 00:26:27,980 --> 00:26:31,970 flush of arousal mixed with cringing 662 00:26:29,599 --> 00:26:35,119 shame she lifted a hoof to her muzzle 663 00:26:31,970 --> 00:26:39,130 suckling it and thought I suppose I'm 664 00:26:35,119 --> 00:26:41,689 getting old too Luna's title married I 665 00:26:39,130 --> 00:26:43,730 began to follow behind her head hung low 666 00:26:41,690 --> 00:26:46,220 using my levitation to keep most of my 667 00:26:43,730 --> 00:26:48,500 own weight off the catwalk she tortured 668 00:26:46,220 --> 00:26:52,970 me the whole trip it was the longest 669 00:26:48,500 --> 00:26:54,289 catwalk in history I was working the 670 00:26:52,970 --> 00:26:55,819 lock on the door to what I mentally 671 00:26:54,289 --> 00:26:57,710 labelled the power plants over mares 672 00:26:55,819 --> 00:27:00,379 office when della Remini bit my armored 673 00:26:57,710 --> 00:27:01,990 utility barding gave a tug my mind 674 00:27:00,380 --> 00:27:04,760 immediately conjured two possibilities 675 00:27:01,990 --> 00:27:06,519 either something was wrong the sort of 676 00:27:04,759 --> 00:27:09,259 wrong that required silent notification 677 00:27:06,519 --> 00:27:11,259 or velvet remedy he decided to ramp up 678 00:27:09,259 --> 00:27:14,140 my punishment with nozzles and nips 679 00:27:11,259 --> 00:27:18,950 either really seemed just as likely I 680 00:27:14,140 --> 00:27:20,140 heard a shuffling noise below okay not a 681 00:27:18,950 --> 00:27:22,549 punishment 682 00:27:20,140 --> 00:27:24,200 carefully I set down my tools not 683 00:27:22,549 --> 00:27:26,509 wanting to risk a shock making me drop 684 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:29,750 them I peeked over the edge of the 685 00:27:26,509 --> 00:27:31,460 catwalk below us hidden behind the last 686 00:27:29,750 --> 00:27:34,309 of the massive generators was the 687 00:27:31,460 --> 00:27:35,900 shredded body of a steel ranger gasping 688 00:27:34,309 --> 00:27:39,589 in horror I almost call it out steel 689 00:27:35,900 --> 00:27:40,790 hoes name but this wasn't steelo's the 690 00:27:39,589 --> 00:27:42,199 armor had subtle differences in the 691 00:27:40,789 --> 00:27:44,509 design which told me that this Ranger 692 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:47,210 had been a mayor lumbering over the 693 00:27:44,509 --> 00:27:49,609 corpse was a hulking demonic creature k9 694 00:27:47,210 --> 00:27:51,440 only in the broadest comparison three 695 00:27:49,609 --> 00:27:52,819 times the size of the armored Pony whom 696 00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:54,200 it was tearing to ribbons with deadly 697 00:27:52,819 --> 00:27:55,730 claws that sliced through Armour like it 698 00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:58,350 was paper mache 699 00:27:55,730 --> 00:28:01,200 the hellhound stopped sniffing at the 700 00:27:58,349 --> 00:28:03,928 air it raised itself up to full height 701 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:06,569 then let out a pain how dropping back to 702 00:28:03,929 --> 00:28:09,298 all fours again one of the creatures 703 00:28:06,569 --> 00:28:10,889 legs was crippled and deformed the co 704 00:28:09,298 --> 00:28:13,918 Ranger had gotten in one good hit before 705 00:28:10,890 --> 00:28:15,659 falling to the monster the monster 706 00:28:13,919 --> 00:28:17,340 reached over and picked up a bizarrely 707 00:28:15,659 --> 00:28:20,870 designed magical energy rifle from the 708 00:28:17,339 --> 00:28:23,099 floor again it began to look around 709 00:28:20,869 --> 00:28:26,308 velvet Remedy crouched flat against the 710 00:28:23,099 --> 00:28:30,148 catwalk I shied away from the edge we 711 00:28:26,308 --> 00:28:34,079 held our breaths we heard a grunt then a 712 00:28:30,148 --> 00:28:37,259 whimper and shuffling it was moving but 713 00:28:34,079 --> 00:28:39,329 to where I carefully lifted the 714 00:28:37,259 --> 00:28:40,710 screwdriver and bobby pin again hoping 715 00:28:39,329 --> 00:28:43,379 that this office offered a back way out 716 00:28:40,710 --> 00:28:45,960 I didn't want to crawl back across the 717 00:28:43,380 --> 00:28:49,080 long catwalk if it could smell us I 718 00:28:45,960 --> 00:28:51,509 wanted out of this room quickly the 719 00:28:49,079 --> 00:28:54,359 tumblers fell into place that were open 720 00:28:51,509 --> 00:28:56,069 with a click that felt deafening we both 721 00:28:54,359 --> 00:28:59,250 heard an odd vocal sound from somewhere 722 00:28:56,069 --> 00:29:01,200 below we both rushed into the room as 723 00:28:59,250 --> 00:29:03,538 quietly as we could and I gently pushed 724 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:06,509 the door closed behind us but it was too 725 00:29:03,538 --> 00:29:09,089 late I could see the monster climbing up 726 00:29:06,509 --> 00:29:12,210 one set of stairs like a monkey if that 727 00:29:09,089 --> 00:29:13,319 monkey was made out of death I looked 728 00:29:12,210 --> 00:29:14,490 immediately to the wall where the 729 00:29:13,319 --> 00:29:18,689 elevator had been in the iron-shod 730 00:29:14,490 --> 00:29:21,870 firearms factory no such luck I took in 731 00:29:18,690 --> 00:29:24,600 the room quickly desk terminal wall 732 00:29:21,869 --> 00:29:27,889 weapons cabinet a weapons cabinet and a 733 00:29:24,599 --> 00:29:31,048 powerplant filing cabinet office fridge 734 00:29:27,890 --> 00:29:33,240 miscellaneous badly decayed furniture no 735 00:29:31,048 --> 00:29:34,980 other exit at all 736 00:29:33,240 --> 00:29:36,650 I figured it would take the hellhound 737 00:29:34,980 --> 00:29:39,360 all of seconds to claw through the door 738 00:29:36,650 --> 00:29:41,970 it would take longer with its bad leg to 739 00:29:39,359 --> 00:29:43,799 get across the catwalk velvet round me 740 00:29:41,970 --> 00:29:47,130 gouge to the far corner horn beginning 741 00:29:43,799 --> 00:29:49,109 to glow damn it if these things had 742 00:29:47,130 --> 00:29:52,080 cloth or an alicorn shield what good 743 00:29:49,109 --> 00:29:54,299 would Velvets do I floated that little 744 00:29:52,079 --> 00:29:55,649 Macintosh in my sniper rifle although it 745 00:29:54,299 --> 00:29:56,879 would only been the slowest chance to 746 00:29:55,650 --> 00:29:58,230 get a shot off with the ladder before 747 00:29:56,880 --> 00:30:02,550 the monster closed the distance and 748 00:29:58,230 --> 00:30:04,589 killed me we waited as the seconds 749 00:30:02,549 --> 00:30:06,389 dragged on I started counting the missed 750 00:30:04,589 --> 00:30:09,089 opportunities to swap out ammunition for 751 00:30:06,390 --> 00:30:11,070 something with more punch but as much as 752 00:30:09,089 --> 00:30:12,569 I yearned to do so I was certain at the 753 00:30:11,069 --> 00:30:13,889 moment I emptied little macintosh will 754 00:30:12,569 --> 00:30:16,679 be the moment the hellhound came through 755 00:30:13,890 --> 00:30:19,800 the door velvet remedy was trembling 756 00:30:16,680 --> 00:30:20,880 tensely holding her spell she was 757 00:30:19,799 --> 00:30:22,740 treating me furtive looks that I 758 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:26,540 couldn't interpret but didn't dare even 759 00:30:22,740 --> 00:30:29,160 whisper we waited several more seconds 760 00:30:26,539 --> 00:30:31,799 by my estimation the hellhound should 761 00:30:29,160 --> 00:30:34,350 have already reached the door was it 762 00:30:31,799 --> 00:30:37,289 just sitting outside or had it gone away 763 00:30:34,349 --> 00:30:39,990 I forced myself to think about the 764 00:30:37,289 --> 00:30:41,940 clouding effect of fear still have said 765 00:30:39,990 --> 00:30:44,930 these things were smart it could be 766 00:30:41,940 --> 00:30:47,009 planning but what would it be planning 767 00:30:44,930 --> 00:30:51,420 what would I plan if I was an 768 00:30:47,009 --> 00:30:52,980 incarnation of death a wounded one what 769 00:30:51,420 --> 00:30:54,360 I wouldn't do is charge through the door 770 00:30:52,980 --> 00:30:58,259 where the pony's on the other side were 771 00:30:54,359 --> 00:31:01,779 waiting to shoot me no I set a trap 772 00:30:58,259 --> 00:31:03,970 it was setting a trap 773 00:31:01,779 --> 00:31:06,279 my mind had snatched that idea when 774 00:31:03,970 --> 00:31:09,009 velvet whispered one of her own it 775 00:31:06,279 --> 00:31:11,829 tracks by scent she hissed what if it 776 00:31:09,009 --> 00:31:14,019 went the wrong way I didn't think that 777 00:31:11,829 --> 00:31:14,970 was likely it must have heard me shut 778 00:31:14,019 --> 00:31:18,009 the door behind us 779 00:31:14,970 --> 00:31:19,240 but if velvet remedy was right then that 780 00:31:18,009 --> 00:31:21,309 meant it was heading upstairs to where 781 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:22,900 it still isn't calamity and we were 782 00:31:21,309 --> 00:31:26,470 wasting precious seconds that we didn't 783 00:31:22,900 --> 00:31:28,330 have of course if I was right 784 00:31:26,470 --> 00:31:30,100 rushing out to save them would be 785 00:31:28,329 --> 00:31:34,089 exactly the trap springing mistake it 786 00:31:30,099 --> 00:31:36,789 was looking for cautiously I inch 787 00:31:34,089 --> 00:31:38,109 towards the door I was nearly to it when 788 00:31:36,789 --> 00:31:40,619 I heard a sound of him somewhere on the 789 00:31:38,109 --> 00:31:44,079 other side Frank and brief and 790 00:31:40,619 --> 00:31:46,019 unfathomable I jumped back pedaling 791 00:31:44,079 --> 00:31:48,759 until my tail hit the far wall I 792 00:31:46,019 --> 00:31:52,859 crouched cowering and readied my weapons 793 00:31:48,759 --> 00:31:52,859 to shoot all of them 794 00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:58,669 with a sense of utter dread I grew tired 795 00:31:56,028 --> 00:32:01,339 of waiting my nerves were frazzled from 796 00:31:58,669 --> 00:32:02,659 adrenaline the rooms musty dilapidated 797 00:32:01,339 --> 00:32:05,509 odor was giving me a headache 798 00:32:02,659 --> 00:32:07,340 I thought I had heard the strange sound 799 00:32:05,509 --> 00:32:08,450 a few more times but it was so faint 800 00:32:07,339 --> 00:32:10,069 through the door that it could have just 801 00:32:08,450 --> 00:32:13,370 as easily been the whispers of my mind 802 00:32:10,069 --> 00:32:14,990 playing tricks on me by now if the 803 00:32:13,369 --> 00:32:18,018 monster had gone after see lives and 804 00:32:14,990 --> 00:32:18,859 calamity they were already dead if it 805 00:32:18,019 --> 00:32:21,308 was stalking us 806 00:32:18,859 --> 00:32:25,579 it was clearly willing to wait forever 807 00:32:21,308 --> 00:32:27,168 fine i hissed I'm going to find out what 808 00:32:25,579 --> 00:32:30,558 we're going to die for and then I'm 809 00:32:27,169 --> 00:32:35,179 leaving slow and careful I'm expecting a 810 00:32:30,558 --> 00:32:38,440 trap Louisville remedy nodded just stay 811 00:32:35,179 --> 00:32:41,990 out of the hellhounds way I have a plan 812 00:32:38,440 --> 00:32:44,389 velvet remedy had a plan velvet 813 00:32:41,990 --> 00:32:48,288 I quickly chided myself for being so 814 00:32:44,388 --> 00:32:49,819 surprised she was smart and capable it's 815 00:32:48,288 --> 00:32:52,429 not exactly what I considered wasteland 816 00:32:49,819 --> 00:32:55,490 wise and besides it was bound to happen 817 00:32:52,429 --> 00:32:57,409 sooner or later I started with the 818 00:32:55,490 --> 00:32:59,179 weapons Locker only to find that like 819 00:32:57,409 --> 00:33:00,769 the ammo box upstairs the lock had been 820 00:32:59,179 --> 00:33:04,669 mangled by an amateurish lock-picking 821 00:33:00,769 --> 00:33:06,888 attempt I felt a flare of hatred steel 822 00:33:04,669 --> 00:33:09,380 hose in calamity might be dead we might 823 00:33:06,888 --> 00:33:11,240 be about to die and this idiot had 824 00:33:09,380 --> 00:33:13,309 up the lock 825 00:33:11,240 --> 00:33:15,769 I moved onto the desk only to find that 826 00:33:13,308 --> 00:33:17,720 had been unlocked and emptied the filing 827 00:33:15,769 --> 00:33:19,700 cabinet had been unlocked as well but 828 00:33:17,720 --> 00:33:21,289 inside I found mostly ashes with the 829 00:33:19,700 --> 00:33:22,819 burnt remains of documents and folders 830 00:33:21,289 --> 00:33:25,700 as well as a partially melted audio 831 00:33:22,819 --> 00:33:27,019 recorder with no recording remaining my 832 00:33:25,700 --> 00:33:28,250 arrival lock-picker had opened this 833 00:33:27,019 --> 00:33:31,058 filing cabinet with the intent to 834 00:33:28,250 --> 00:33:34,009 destroy the contents not lewd them I 835 00:33:31,058 --> 00:33:35,899 turned to the terminal hacking it was 836 00:33:34,009 --> 00:33:38,509 hard but not as hard as pinkie pie's 837 00:33:35,900 --> 00:33:40,429 terminal but either my arrival had 838 00:33:38,509 --> 00:33:41,869 gotten into it before me or the terminal 839 00:33:40,429 --> 00:33:44,210 spell matrix had been programmed to wipe 840 00:33:41,869 --> 00:33:47,689 out all the contents the terminal was 841 00:33:44,210 --> 00:33:50,779 blank that left the wall safe which I 842 00:33:47,690 --> 00:33:52,549 had purposely left for last looking it 843 00:33:50,779 --> 00:33:55,700 over I had to bite back a whistle at the 844 00:33:52,549 --> 00:33:57,470 craftsmanship the lock was by far the 845 00:33:55,700 --> 00:34:00,130 most complicated and demanding I'd ever 846 00:33:57,470 --> 00:34:02,509 attempted not to mention the sturdiest 847 00:34:00,130 --> 00:34:04,340 my rival had clearly tried and failed 848 00:34:02,509 --> 00:34:07,700 here too but the lock resists even 849 00:34:04,339 --> 00:34:09,289 jamming the bit should respond by 850 00:34:07,700 --> 00:34:10,550 breaking off a bobby pin in a mean 851 00:34:09,289 --> 00:34:13,219 attempt to prevent me from getting to 852 00:34:10,550 --> 00:34:16,519 the prize it had it denied her I pulled 853 00:34:13,219 --> 00:34:19,839 out with simple telekinesis my first 854 00:34:16,519 --> 00:34:22,489 attempt failed as did my second I 855 00:34:19,840 --> 00:34:25,119 thought I had it a third time but was 856 00:34:22,489 --> 00:34:28,819 only rewarded with a broken bobby pin 857 00:34:25,119 --> 00:34:30,500 dammit I wasn't sure if without the 858 00:34:28,820 --> 00:34:34,429 benefits of party time in tiles I could 859 00:34:30,500 --> 00:34:37,429 manage it no I wasn't going down that 860 00:34:34,429 --> 00:34:40,099 path again not again 861 00:34:37,429 --> 00:34:41,599 instead I pulled out every lock-picking 862 00:34:40,099 --> 00:34:44,899 tool I had at my disposal and tried 863 00:34:41,599 --> 00:34:47,780 again and again and again until I 864 00:34:44,898 --> 00:34:50,929 finally got it right the safe clicked 865 00:34:47,780 --> 00:34:53,450 open inside was a fair amount of pre-war 866 00:34:50,929 --> 00:34:56,059 gold coins two clips of those very scary 867 00:34:53,449 --> 00:34:58,969 bullets and a stealth buck and a memory 868 00:34:56,059 --> 00:35:01,730 orbit and a golden iron Pony saddle 869 00:34:58,969 --> 00:35:06,578 buckle if it's an iron Pony buckle why 870 00:35:01,730 --> 00:35:08,780 is colored gold the last I left behind 871 00:35:06,579 --> 00:35:11,019 motioning velvet remedy behind the desk 872 00:35:08,780 --> 00:35:13,130 I crouched down and focused on the door 873 00:35:11,019 --> 00:35:14,719 telekinetic field enveloped the door 874 00:35:13,130 --> 00:35:17,450 depressing the handle with a click and 875 00:35:14,719 --> 00:35:19,068 pulling it open the first thing I saw 876 00:35:17,449 --> 00:35:20,808 was the hellhound crouched the far end 877 00:35:19,068 --> 00:35:23,449 of the walkway holding its rifles 878 00:35:20,809 --> 00:35:24,920 attract a target I couldn't see the 879 00:35:23,449 --> 00:35:26,689 first thing I heard with the symphony of 880 00:35:24,920 --> 00:35:27,829 beeps is the magical energy mines at the 881 00:35:26,690 --> 00:35:33,860 hellhound it attached to the door 882 00:35:27,829 --> 00:35:35,570 prepared to detonate beep beep beep 883 00:35:33,860 --> 00:35:37,940 my instinct was to slam the door shut 884 00:35:35,570 --> 00:35:39,970 but even if the backlash didn't kill us 885 00:35:37,940 --> 00:35:42,139 the explosion would destroy the bridge 886 00:35:39,969 --> 00:35:43,549 instead I grasped a niche with my 887 00:35:42,139 --> 00:35:44,960 telekinesis and shot a prayer to the 888 00:35:43,550 --> 00:35:46,310 goddess that the actual strength of my 889 00:35:44,960 --> 00:35:47,110 spell was enough to pry them off the 890 00:35:46,309 --> 00:35:49,519 door 891 00:35:47,110 --> 00:35:52,130 the hellhound turned and fired a beam of 892 00:35:49,519 --> 00:35:54,889 orange light at me it struck inside the 893 00:35:52,130 --> 00:35:56,360 open wall safe scorching the back the 894 00:35:54,889 --> 00:35:59,179 energy splash turned the iron Pony 895 00:35:56,360 --> 00:35:59,990 buckle brightly hot the damn mines 896 00:35:59,179 --> 00:36:01,519 wouldn't budge 897 00:35:59,989 --> 00:36:04,009 the hellhound might as well have 898 00:36:01,519 --> 00:36:07,670 attached them with wonder glue and in 899 00:36:04,010 --> 00:36:11,150 retrospect he probably did beep beep 900 00:36:07,670 --> 00:36:13,909 beep there was no more time I slammed 901 00:36:11,150 --> 00:36:16,880 the door shut and ducked the explosion 902 00:36:13,909 --> 00:36:18,409 melted the wall it also turned enough of 903 00:36:16,880 --> 00:36:20,780 the floor to goo that the desk fell into 904 00:36:18,409 --> 00:36:21,139 the room below us without thinking about 905 00:36:20,780 --> 00:36:23,720 it 906 00:36:21,139 --> 00:36:25,190 Belvin I left down after it the last 907 00:36:23,719 --> 00:36:27,109 thing I saw before I plunged into the 908 00:36:25,190 --> 00:36:28,849 darkness below was pilot soaring across 909 00:36:27,110 --> 00:36:30,559 the wide open space above the generators 910 00:36:28,849 --> 00:36:33,230 the hellhound trying to track her with 911 00:36:30,559 --> 00:36:37,759 its rifle the last thing I heard was the 912 00:36:33,230 --> 00:36:40,490 rending sound of metal pane lanced up my 913 00:36:37,760 --> 00:36:42,530 left foreleg with every step considering 914 00:36:40,489 --> 00:36:43,250 what we had momentarily escaped I was 915 00:36:42,530 --> 00:36:46,730 happy for it 916 00:36:43,250 --> 00:36:49,019 I had merely twisted my hoof I still had 917 00:36:46,730 --> 00:36:51,579 all of my limbs attached 918 00:36:49,019 --> 00:36:53,199 the hallway led past bathrooms on one 919 00:36:51,579 --> 00:36:54,789 side and one suspected was the 920 00:36:53,199 --> 00:36:57,369 supervisors break room complete with 921 00:36:54,789 --> 00:36:58,960 vending machines the opposite side of 922 00:36:57,369 --> 00:37:00,880 the hallway bore a set of three framed 923 00:36:58,960 --> 00:37:02,349 and backlit posters each with a 924 00:37:00,880 --> 00:37:04,559 different illustration but the same 925 00:37:02,349 --> 00:37:09,250 proclamation in big bold letters 926 00:37:04,559 --> 00:37:11,679 progress the highly stylized images were 927 00:37:09,250 --> 00:37:13,840 in order a train engine billowing smoke 928 00:37:11,679 --> 00:37:14,440 and hauling multiple passenger cars all 929 00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:16,210 by itself 930 00:37:14,440 --> 00:37:18,369 ponies staring up in marvel at a 931 00:37:16,210 --> 00:37:20,320 monorail train passing overhead and a 932 00:37:18,369 --> 00:37:21,909 mayor marveling and knee orgasmic glaze 933 00:37:20,320 --> 00:37:22,800 her spider like hover BOTS dusted her 934 00:37:21,909 --> 00:37:25,119 furniture 935 00:37:22,800 --> 00:37:27,850 the last posters backlighting was 936 00:37:25,119 --> 00:37:29,650 flickering maddeningly we found two more 937 00:37:27,849 --> 00:37:32,139 slashed apart steel rangers before we 938 00:37:29,650 --> 00:37:33,910 made it to the stairwell to my dismay 939 00:37:32,139 --> 00:37:36,609 the only way out was back into the 940 00:37:33,909 --> 00:37:39,129 generator room feller Remini whispered 941 00:37:36,610 --> 00:37:42,160 to me when I say the word gallop for all 942 00:37:39,130 --> 00:37:44,680 you're worth a shot of fear went through 943 00:37:42,159 --> 00:37:47,230 my breast I don't know how much running 944 00:37:44,679 --> 00:37:48,669 I can manage right now I said but my 945 00:37:47,230 --> 00:37:51,639 real fear was that her plan was self 946 00:37:48,670 --> 00:37:52,930 endangering try self levitating just 947 00:37:51,639 --> 00:37:54,759 enough so the aren't putting any real 948 00:37:52,929 --> 00:37:58,690 weight on your hood hoof she recommended 949 00:37:54,760 --> 00:38:03,940 and don't worry I know that look I'll be 950 00:37:58,690 --> 00:38:05,860 right behind you promise honesty a pony 951 00:38:03,940 --> 00:38:09,159 in my head reminded me was not vel 952 00:38:05,860 --> 00:38:10,780 remedies virtue you better be or I'm 953 00:38:09,159 --> 00:38:13,929 coming back 954 00:38:10,780 --> 00:38:15,610 she nodded I had little Macintosh out in 955 00:38:13,929 --> 00:38:19,899 front of me now would with magically 956 00:38:15,610 --> 00:38:21,220 enhanced bullets I took a deep breath we 957 00:38:19,900 --> 00:38:23,460 stepped cautiously out onto the main 958 00:38:21,219 --> 00:38:25,480 floor hippocampus energy plant number 12 959 00:38:23,460 --> 00:38:27,730 we were able to spot the injured 960 00:38:25,480 --> 00:38:29,559 hellhound almost immediately it was 961 00:38:27,730 --> 00:38:31,570 perched on top of a generator shooting a 962 00:38:29,559 --> 00:38:32,409 pilot who in turn was twirling and 963 00:38:31,570 --> 00:38:33,970 dancing in the air 964 00:38:32,409 --> 00:38:36,849 occasionally sending puffs of green 965 00:38:33,969 --> 00:38:39,730 flame in the monsters direction higher 966 00:38:36,849 --> 00:38:41,349 light was distracting for us belatedly I 967 00:38:39,730 --> 00:38:42,670 realized those odd sounds I've been 968 00:38:41,349 --> 00:38:45,909 hearing were shots from the magical 969 00:38:42,670 --> 00:38:48,909 energy rifle muffled by the door notes 970 00:38:45,909 --> 00:38:50,980 to self first pilot is willing to risk 971 00:38:48,909 --> 00:38:54,190 yourself Revell at remedy and possibly 972 00:38:50,980 --> 00:38:58,000 me as well secondly pilot is an 973 00:38:54,190 --> 00:38:59,619 amazingly agile flier third hellhounds 974 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:02,489 may be 50 different flavors of murder 975 00:38:59,619 --> 00:39:04,869 but they aren't necessarily good shots 976 00:39:02,489 --> 00:39:05,739 the hellhound took less than a second to 977 00:39:04,869 --> 00:39:07,329 notice our presence 978 00:39:05,739 --> 00:39:10,569 leaving savagely ass and bloodthirsty 979 00:39:07,329 --> 00:39:12,400 claws outstretched it gave a slight yell 980 00:39:10,570 --> 00:39:13,870 was a through and leg hit the floor but 981 00:39:12,400 --> 00:39:15,099 it's good they pushed it forward towards 982 00:39:13,869 --> 00:39:20,739 us with a speed that caught me off guard 983 00:39:15,099 --> 00:39:22,239 I froze forgetting to fire the light 984 00:39:20,739 --> 00:39:24,339 around Velva remedies horn pulled away 985 00:39:22,239 --> 00:39:26,399 becoming a ball of light soared towards 986 00:39:24,340 --> 00:39:28,900 the hellhound striking in the shoulder 987 00:39:26,400 --> 00:39:30,730 the monster seemed to instantly lose all 988 00:39:28,900 --> 00:39:32,440 coordination collapsing in a jumble of 989 00:39:30,730 --> 00:39:35,590 limbs skidding towards us on the floor 990 00:39:32,440 --> 00:39:37,420 and I sheer momentum go velvet remedy 991 00:39:35,590 --> 00:39:39,070 yelled as she started galloping giving 992 00:39:37,420 --> 00:39:40,930 the monster a wide berth as she made for 993 00:39:39,070 --> 00:39:42,280 the end leaping over bits of the catwalk 994 00:39:40,929 --> 00:39:45,849 which he collapsed into the room 995 00:39:42,280 --> 00:39:47,320 I followed taking her suggestion the 996 00:39:45,849 --> 00:39:48,029 pain still slowed me but it was 997 00:39:47,320 --> 00:39:50,230 manageable 998 00:39:48,030 --> 00:39:52,990 the hellhound slashed out of me with 999 00:39:50,230 --> 00:39:55,360 those huge terrible claws I darted 1000 00:39:52,989 --> 00:39:57,659 deathly out of the way it tried to crawl 1001 00:39:55,360 --> 00:40:00,160 after me managing only a wicked slither 1002 00:39:57,659 --> 00:40:03,399 the hellhound had fallen and couldn't 1003 00:40:00,159 --> 00:40:04,869 seem to get up ahead of me velvet remedy 1004 00:40:03,400 --> 00:40:05,829 stomped in motion for me to continue 1005 00:40:04,869 --> 00:40:08,889 ahead 1006 00:40:05,829 --> 00:40:10,389 I worried but didn't argue as I reached 1007 00:40:08,889 --> 00:40:14,679 the opposite stairwell I heard her 1008 00:40:10,389 --> 00:40:15,129 calling out to Pilate behind me did you 1009 00:40:14,679 --> 00:40:17,259 kill it 1010 00:40:15,130 --> 00:40:18,550 I asked panting hard as Pilate swooped 1011 00:40:17,260 --> 00:40:19,030 into the sky bend through a shattered 1012 00:40:18,550 --> 00:40:21,130 window 1013 00:40:19,030 --> 00:40:24,310 Belva remedy galloping up just a pace 1014 00:40:21,130 --> 00:40:26,789 behind the charcoal coated unicorn toss 1015 00:40:24,309 --> 00:40:28,869 herself into the passenger wagon I 1016 00:40:26,789 --> 00:40:30,070 derived just enough ahead of them to 1017 00:40:28,869 --> 00:40:31,509 yell the warning to seal those in 1018 00:40:30,070 --> 00:40:34,390 calamity while gulping for breath I 1019 00:40:31,510 --> 00:40:36,670 think what I said amounted to aah 1020 00:40:34,389 --> 00:40:40,210 hellhounds generators rifle velvet spell 1021 00:40:36,670 --> 00:40:41,500 go-go-go Clem he had barely gotten the 1022 00:40:40,210 --> 00:40:44,409 harness attached from velvet had dashed 1023 00:40:41,500 --> 00:40:45,969 out onto the roof calamity spread his 1024 00:40:44,409 --> 00:40:48,789 wings in with a firm beat pulled us off 1025 00:40:45,969 --> 00:40:50,469 of the roof and into the air double 1026 00:40:48,789 --> 00:40:53,440 remedy cocked her head to me even as she 1027 00:40:50,469 --> 00:40:55,599 caught her own breath killed it why ever 1028 00:40:53,440 --> 00:41:00,250 would I do that I'm not in the habit of 1029 00:40:55,599 --> 00:41:01,429 killing my patients blink it was a what 1030 00:41:00,250 --> 00:41:04,429 now 1031 00:41:01,429 --> 00:41:08,000 an aesthetic spell she smiled the poor 1032 00:41:04,429 --> 00:41:09,679 thing was clearly in pain I stirred at 1033 00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:12,710 velvet like she'd completely spit her 1034 00:41:09,679 --> 00:41:14,058 bit plus it does have the very helpful 1035 00:41:12,710 --> 00:41:16,130 side effect of preventing the patient 1036 00:41:14,059 --> 00:41:17,559 from running around very hard to do when 1037 00:41:16,130 --> 00:41:20,150 you can't feel your legs 1038 00:41:17,559 --> 00:41:26,349 she smiled cleverly her eyes twinkling 1039 00:41:20,150 --> 00:41:31,369 and fell to my haunches damn that plan 1040 00:41:26,349 --> 00:41:34,640 Sam recovering a little you didn't 1041 00:41:31,369 --> 00:41:38,059 actually heal it did you velvet rolled 1042 00:41:34,639 --> 00:41:39,679 her eyes I took that as a no personally 1043 00:41:38,059 --> 00:41:42,800 I would have killed it if I realized I 1044 00:41:39,679 --> 00:41:45,858 was virtually helpless but in a way I 1045 00:41:42,800 --> 00:41:47,210 was happy that velvet had not I had been 1046 00:41:45,858 --> 00:41:48,650 worried that the waistline was robbing 1047 00:41:47,210 --> 00:41:52,338 her of that compassion which made her so 1048 00:41:48,650 --> 00:41:54,619 special it had eroded her spirit there 1049 00:41:52,338 --> 00:41:56,989 was no getting away from that but it was 1050 00:41:54,619 --> 00:42:01,369 good to see that my velvet remedy in a 1051 00:41:56,989 --> 00:42:03,019 my Pinkie Pie sense was still there even 1052 00:42:01,369 --> 00:42:04,730 if contemplating those three steel 1053 00:42:03,019 --> 00:42:07,818 Rangers I had really disagreed with this 1054 00:42:04,730 --> 00:42:08,568 particular decision when did you learn 1055 00:42:07,818 --> 00:42:12,230 to do that 1056 00:42:08,568 --> 00:42:14,869 I asked amazed velvet tossed her Mane 1057 00:42:12,230 --> 00:42:18,650 and smiled back in tempo neat hour while 1058 00:42:14,869 --> 00:42:20,358 you were out doctor helping off had 1059 00:42:18,650 --> 00:42:23,298 quite a nice selection of old Ministry 1060 00:42:20,358 --> 00:42:25,818 of peace medical spells for sale Velva 1061 00:42:23,298 --> 00:42:27,079 Romney smiled wistfully apparently 1062 00:42:25,818 --> 00:42:28,759 fluttershy's ministry had a whole 1063 00:42:27,079 --> 00:42:32,000 department of unicorn ponies dedicated 1064 00:42:28,760 --> 00:42:35,119 to magical research the pony my head 1065 00:42:32,000 --> 00:42:39,369 perked with alarm but was ignored you 1066 00:42:35,119 --> 00:42:41,838 can buy spells velvet remedy niggard if 1067 00:42:39,369 --> 00:42:43,579 by that you mean bought her for tutelage 1068 00:42:41,838 --> 00:42:46,009 then yes 1069 00:42:43,579 --> 00:42:48,079 but doctor helping hoof was an earth 1070 00:42:46,009 --> 00:42:51,380 pony yes 1071 00:42:48,079 --> 00:42:53,959 Bella patronized but his assistant was a 1072 00:42:51,380 --> 00:42:55,489 nice unicorn buck anyway don't feel too 1073 00:42:53,958 --> 00:42:57,858 bad I doubt you've missed out on 1074 00:42:55,489 --> 00:42:58,940 anything all the teaching in the world 1075 00:42:57,858 --> 00:43:00,348 won't help if you don't have a natural 1076 00:42:58,940 --> 00:43:02,389 talent field type of spell you're trying 1077 00:43:00,349 --> 00:43:03,979 to learn I'll never be able to cast 1078 00:43:02,389 --> 00:43:06,379 lightning from my horn or turn a rock 1079 00:43:03,978 --> 00:43:09,228 into a top hat or conjured or out of 1080 00:43:06,380 --> 00:43:12,249 thin air no matter how many bottle caps 1081 00:43:09,228 --> 00:43:14,328 I tried to spend or hours I try to learn 1082 00:43:12,248 --> 00:43:19,488 Entertainment and medical spells are my 1083 00:43:14,329 --> 00:43:21,619 gift I tried not to visibly droop yeah 1084 00:43:19,489 --> 00:43:23,778 and mine is through the same spell every 1085 00:43:21,619 --> 00:43:27,890 single other unicorn can do the first 1086 00:43:23,778 --> 00:43:29,478 one we learn and that's it it was kind 1087 00:43:27,889 --> 00:43:34,028 of like having a pick buck as a cutie 1088 00:43:29,478 --> 00:43:37,368 mark the epitome of non special no 1089 00:43:34,028 --> 00:43:38,989 Velvets voice chided your gift is to do 1090 00:43:37,369 --> 00:43:42,259 that spell better than anybody else at 1091 00:43:38,989 --> 00:43:44,749 least 200 years I gave her a weak but 1092 00:43:42,259 --> 00:43:49,400 thankful smile that did make it sound 1093 00:43:44,748 --> 00:43:51,018 better sorry about this Clem Lee said is 1094 00:43:49,400 --> 00:43:53,298 he hung from the harness wing drooping 1095 00:43:51,018 --> 00:43:54,649 the entire sky bandit was wrapped in a 1096 00:43:53,298 --> 00:43:56,538 soft light of my levitation spell 1097 00:43:54,650 --> 00:43:57,889 glowing against the darkened sky as I 1098 00:43:56,539 --> 00:44:01,039 drifted a slowly towards a free-standing 1099 00:43:57,889 --> 00:44:02,900 section of overpass three piers long he 1100 00:44:01,039 --> 00:44:05,150 looked plenty sturdy and should be safe 1101 00:44:02,900 --> 00:44:06,349 from hellhounds a place to spend the 1102 00:44:05,150 --> 00:44:10,160 night 1103 00:44:06,349 --> 00:44:11,690 no need to apologize I insisted Calamity 1104 00:44:10,159 --> 00:44:13,339 have been flying for hours on end with 1105 00:44:11,690 --> 00:44:15,619 only the stop at the hippocampus energy 1106 00:44:13,340 --> 00:44:18,800 to plan to take a break I envied the 1107 00:44:15,619 --> 00:44:21,769 Pegasus his endurance megiddo Van Gogh 1108 00:44:18,800 --> 00:44:24,769 Clemmy B Mon just kind of got up and 1109 00:44:21,769 --> 00:44:28,809 went he looked out towards the standing 1110 00:44:24,769 --> 00:44:33,079 chunk of overpass you gonna make FF ah 1111 00:44:28,809 --> 00:44:35,389 no sweat actually much sweat 1112 00:44:33,079 --> 00:44:37,279 I was already beginning to feel the 1113 00:44:35,389 --> 00:44:39,829 strain and the overpass was at least 1114 00:44:37,280 --> 00:44:41,030 half an hour away I would have said 1115 00:44:39,829 --> 00:44:44,000 there was no way I could hold on that 1116 00:44:41,030 --> 00:44:45,320 long but after all calamity did I'd be 1117 00:44:44,000 --> 00:44:48,230 damned if I couldn't find the fortitude 1118 00:44:45,320 --> 00:44:49,640 to take us this tiny bit farther we 1119 00:44:48,230 --> 00:44:53,630 moved across the sky with aching 1120 00:44:49,639 --> 00:44:55,699 slowness I still can't believe I fretted 1121 00:44:53,630 --> 00:44:59,059 I mean the idea that he could barter for 1122 00:44:55,699 --> 00:45:02,149 spells never even cross my mind I let 1123 00:44:59,059 --> 00:45:03,889 out a sigh I guess that explains why 1124 00:45:02,150 --> 00:45:07,369 velvet remedies our diplomat and master 1125 00:45:03,889 --> 00:45:09,949 trader and I'm just a toast to her pea 1126 00:45:07,369 --> 00:45:10,759 Pony calamity supplied when I was at a 1127 00:45:09,949 --> 00:45:14,899 loss for words 1128 00:45:10,760 --> 00:45:16,490 I laughed and nodded pilot fluttered out 1129 00:45:14,900 --> 00:45:18,320 and perched on the rust-coloured Pegasus 1130 00:45:16,489 --> 00:45:21,589 battle saddle clamping onto it with her 1131 00:45:18,320 --> 00:45:23,720 claws she spread her wings and flapped 1132 00:45:21,590 --> 00:45:25,990 as if with my magic in place she could 1133 00:45:23,719 --> 00:45:29,569 hope to pull the sky bender herself 1134 00:45:25,989 --> 00:45:32,809 drat calamity chuckled pretty soon 1135 00:45:29,570 --> 00:45:37,880 y'all won't need me for anything my eyes 1136 00:45:32,809 --> 00:45:40,340 widened an alarm what don't say that 1137 00:45:37,880 --> 00:45:42,079 well it ain't passed my attention that 1138 00:45:40,340 --> 00:45:43,700 I've been not with you on you adventures 1139 00:45:42,079 --> 00:45:46,849 far more later than I have been with you 1140 00:45:43,699 --> 00:45:50,389 I opened my mouth to tell him how not 1141 00:45:46,849 --> 00:45:53,650 true that was and stopped is the reality 1142 00:45:50,389 --> 00:45:56,359 of the statement sank into me instead 1143 00:45:53,650 --> 00:45:56,900 Calamity you're my closest and dearest 1144 00:45:56,360 --> 00:45:59,349 friend 1145 00:45:56,900 --> 00:46:01,910 not including homage I mentally added 1146 00:45:59,349 --> 00:46:05,480 you keep me strong you keep me from 1147 00:46:01,909 --> 00:46:08,449 losing it I will always need you sure 1148 00:46:05,480 --> 00:46:11,469 sure you say that now and the next 1149 00:46:08,449 --> 00:46:15,859 adventure will go together you and me 1150 00:46:11,469 --> 00:46:17,689 promise the Setting Sun dipped below the 1151 00:46:15,860 --> 00:46:18,980 cloud line setting the clouds ablaze 1152 00:46:17,690 --> 00:46:21,800 with brilliant oranges and dark 1153 00:46:18,980 --> 00:46:23,179 Crimson's the effect was magnified 1154 00:46:21,800 --> 00:46:24,740 against the black clouds that hung over 1155 00:46:23,179 --> 00:46:27,399 Philadelphia turning the whole 1156 00:46:24,739 --> 00:46:31,459 post-apocalyptic city into a fiery hell 1157 00:46:27,400 --> 00:46:33,740 damn there were a few dark spots 1158 00:46:31,460 --> 00:46:35,659 floating around over the city we were 1159 00:46:33,739 --> 00:46:36,429 close enough to make them out but just 1160 00:46:35,659 --> 00:46:38,989 barely 1161 00:46:36,429 --> 00:46:41,779 clan we had spotted them too and he 1162 00:46:38,989 --> 00:46:43,219 asked me to float him the binoculars he 1163 00:46:41,780 --> 00:46:44,990 scanned the air between the silhouetted 1164 00:46:43,219 --> 00:46:47,329 ruins of Philadelphia and the compliment 1165 00:46:44,989 --> 00:46:49,609 sky ah hail 1166 00:46:47,329 --> 00:46:52,340 he said motioning for me to take a look 1167 00:46:49,610 --> 00:46:53,720 myself I floated the binoculars to my 1168 00:46:52,340 --> 00:46:55,820 own eyes and stared out towards 1169 00:46:53,719 --> 00:46:58,849 Philadelphia seeing hundreds of molten 1170 00:46:55,820 --> 00:47:01,309 fires in the black shadows chimneys 1171 00:46:58,849 --> 00:47:03,110 poured out constant smoke the draconic 1172 00:47:01,309 --> 00:47:06,139 skeleton of a massive roller coaster had 1173 00:47:03,110 --> 00:47:07,849 an alien touched the city skyline the 1174 00:47:06,139 --> 00:47:10,609 dark silhouette of the Philadelphia town 1175 00:47:07,849 --> 00:47:12,610 shot upwards into the sky falling it 1176 00:47:10,610 --> 00:47:15,170 with my gaze I saw them 1177 00:47:12,610 --> 00:47:17,210 dozens of pink durga balls shaped like 1178 00:47:15,170 --> 00:47:18,889 creepy pink smiley faces complete with 1179 00:47:17,210 --> 00:47:21,090 ears and mane floated around the sky 1180 00:47:18,889 --> 00:47:24,210 above the city ruins 1181 00:47:21,090 --> 00:47:25,070 thank you pie balloons there's a name 1182 00:47:24,210 --> 00:47:28,679 for them 1183 00:47:25,070 --> 00:47:29,970 calamity gave a shudder anyway I was 1184 00:47:28,679 --> 00:47:32,819 more looking at what the ponies knows 1185 00:47:29,969 --> 00:47:35,909 Pinkie Pie balloons a packet we sure as 1186 00:47:32,820 --> 00:47:37,710 hell can't fly into that I looked up 1187 00:47:35,909 --> 00:47:38,579 again turning up the magnification as 1188 00:47:37,710 --> 00:47:41,190 high as it would go 1189 00:47:38,579 --> 00:47:43,590 I saw earth ponies attending Mounted 1190 00:47:41,190 --> 00:47:46,740 Rifles easily two ponies long scoped and 1191 00:47:43,590 --> 00:47:50,100 terrifying they were what my sniper 1192 00:47:46,739 --> 00:47:52,849 rifle be what was all grown-up and sound 1193 00:47:50,099 --> 00:47:55,529 machine rifles calamity informed me I 1194 00:47:52,849 --> 00:47:58,409 now had a very good idea what my scary 1195 00:47:55,530 --> 00:48:01,080 new bullets were supposed to be for he 1196 00:47:58,409 --> 00:48:02,730 was right taking the Pegasus pulled bomb 1197 00:48:01,079 --> 00:48:06,779 anywhere near that skyline was a death 1198 00:48:02,730 --> 00:48:09,530 sentence from here on in we walked we'd 1199 00:48:06,780 --> 00:48:11,850 be sneaking into Philadelphia boyhood I 1200 00:48:09,530 --> 00:48:16,230 sincerely hoped we were out of hellhound 1201 00:48:11,849 --> 00:48:17,699 territory by now how much did the d5 1202 00:48:16,230 --> 00:48:20,460 Princess Celestia and Princess Luna 1203 00:48:17,699 --> 00:48:21,929 allow our lane to become like this how 1204 00:48:20,460 --> 00:48:23,880 did the mayor's the ministries allow the 1205 00:48:21,929 --> 00:48:26,940 greatest and most glorious nation in the 1206 00:48:23,880 --> 00:48:31,590 world to die and balefire agony the 1207 00:48:26,940 --> 00:48:33,510 answer is quite simple incompetence for 1208 00:48:31,590 --> 00:48:35,460 generations the hard-working ponies of 1209 00:48:33,510 --> 00:48:37,860 Equestria tore the build this great land 1210 00:48:35,460 --> 00:48:41,490 and the leaders sat back and reap the 1211 00:48:37,860 --> 00:48:43,370 benefits not only them but a great 1212 00:48:41,489 --> 00:48:45,839 majority of ponies throughout the land 1213 00:48:43,369 --> 00:48:48,750 they enjoyed the fruits of hard labor 1214 00:48:45,840 --> 00:48:52,019 without lifting a hoof themselves they 1215 00:48:48,750 --> 00:48:54,210 let back stepped on clouds idle their 1216 00:48:52,019 --> 00:48:57,030 days away like parasites feeding on the 1217 00:48:54,210 --> 00:49:00,780 sweat of the workers workers like you 1218 00:48:57,030 --> 00:49:05,519 workers like me they became selfish and 1219 00:49:00,780 --> 00:49:07,210 lazy and laziness My Little Ponies breed 1220 00:49:05,519 --> 00:49:09,309 stupidity 1221 00:49:07,210 --> 00:49:13,389 the destruction they brought down on us 1222 00:49:09,309 --> 00:49:15,190 was in a word inevitable they couldn't 1223 00:49:13,389 --> 00:49:19,079 do any better because they weren't any 1224 00:49:15,190 --> 00:49:22,360 better but today we all work and 1225 00:49:19,079 --> 00:49:24,099 tomorrow when our toil is done we will 1226 00:49:22,360 --> 00:49:25,960 step forward and be accepted into the 1227 00:49:24,099 --> 00:49:29,860 loving embrace of the goddess and be 1228 00:49:25,960 --> 00:49:31,990 transformed and in the coming unity we 1229 00:49:29,860 --> 00:49:38,260 will all read the rewards of our own 1230 00:49:31,989 --> 00:49:41,709 brows together as equals I shut off red 1231 00:49:38,260 --> 00:49:44,440 eyes broadcast somehow they always left 1232 00:49:41,710 --> 00:49:46,320 me feeling twisted inside he was 1233 00:49:44,440 --> 00:49:49,030 unpleasantly convincing sometimes a 1234 00:49:46,320 --> 00:49:51,210 study died of this fodder and I might 1235 00:49:49,030 --> 00:49:53,290 find myself biting his poison novel 1236 00:49:51,210 --> 00:49:54,550 calamity had collapsed from exhaustion 1237 00:49:53,289 --> 00:49:57,329 the moment we touched down on the 1238 00:49:54,550 --> 00:49:59,350 overpass and was snoring softly nearby 1239 00:49:57,329 --> 00:50:01,539 there were other vehicles up here 1240 00:49:59,349 --> 00:50:03,039 including a large sunrise sarsaparilla 1241 00:50:01,539 --> 00:50:05,320 delivery wagon had been headed towards 1242 00:50:03,039 --> 00:50:07,119 Philadelphia a faded painting of a 1243 00:50:05,320 --> 00:50:09,750 smiling Celestia watching over happy 1244 00:50:07,119 --> 00:50:12,190 sarsaparilla drinkers adoring its side a 1245 00:50:09,750 --> 00:50:14,409 couple of camouflage painted chariots 1246 00:50:12,190 --> 00:50:16,210 were abandoned on the far edge part of a 1247 00:50:14,409 --> 00:50:17,289 military convoy the rest of which was 1248 00:50:16,210 --> 00:50:18,909 crushed and buried underneath the 1249 00:50:17,289 --> 00:50:23,590 collapse section of the overpass beyond 1250 00:50:18,909 --> 00:50:26,349 I wanted to poke around explore but I 1251 00:50:23,590 --> 00:50:27,880 promised calamity and while looking in 1252 00:50:26,349 --> 00:50:29,799 the backs of a few wagons wasn't really 1253 00:50:27,880 --> 00:50:31,750 an adventure I was sure he'd be sore 1254 00:50:29,800 --> 00:50:35,019 with me if I didn't wait for him with 1255 00:50:31,750 --> 00:50:37,869 good reason velvet remedy was asleep as 1256 00:50:35,019 --> 00:50:39,550 well pilot was perched on her shoulder 1257 00:50:37,869 --> 00:50:42,759 plumage seemed to glow in the dying 1258 00:50:39,550 --> 00:50:45,060 light the balefire Phoenix looked proud 1259 00:50:42,760 --> 00:50:47,099 and if it wasn't my imagination 1260 00:50:45,059 --> 00:50:50,130 possessive 1261 00:50:47,099 --> 00:50:52,829 steel hose was on guard again I didn't 1262 00:50:50,130 --> 00:50:57,950 think I'd ever seen him sleep did gules 1263 00:50:52,829 --> 00:50:59,309 even need sleep so much I didn't know I 1264 00:50:57,949 --> 00:51:01,848 liked you 1265 00:50:59,309 --> 00:51:05,789 I said smiling to the mythical bird 1266 00:51:01,849 --> 00:51:08,220 you're the word that came to mind was 1267 00:51:05,789 --> 00:51:10,229 simple but after my mistake with velvet 1268 00:51:08,219 --> 00:51:14,488 remedy earlier I was watching my choice 1269 00:51:10,228 --> 00:51:15,689 of vocabulary straightforward I don't 1270 00:51:14,489 --> 00:51:18,978 have to worry about any hidden agendas 1271 00:51:15,690 --> 00:51:23,579 or dark secrets with you you watched us 1272 00:51:18,978 --> 00:51:25,338 dare I say out of curiosity if so it's 1273 00:51:23,579 --> 00:51:27,778 something we have in common 1274 00:51:25,338 --> 00:51:30,929 the balefire Phoenix let out a Pleasant 1275 00:51:27,778 --> 00:51:34,559 whistle velvet remedy helped you and you 1276 00:51:30,929 --> 00:51:39,538 decide to stay with her friendship pure 1277 00:51:34,559 --> 00:51:40,259 and uncomplicated the Phoenix Breen he 1278 00:51:39,539 --> 00:51:43,829 chose well 1279 00:51:40,259 --> 00:51:45,809 I added looking developed remedy she 1280 00:51:43,829 --> 00:51:48,869 really is a very good very special pony 1281 00:51:45,809 --> 00:51:51,839 I reached over and put a hoof on her 1282 00:51:48,869 --> 00:51:55,559 flank touching her cutie mark a singing 1283 00:51:51,838 --> 00:51:58,288 bird pilots scowled giving a hoot backed 1284 00:51:55,559 --> 00:52:00,390 by a little burst of green flame my 1285 00:51:58,289 --> 00:52:03,390 pipbuck briefly clicked clicked then was 1286 00:52:00,389 --> 00:52:07,650 quiet again I drew back my hoof with a 1287 00:52:03,389 --> 00:52:08,338 laugh don't worry I'm not a rival she's 1288 00:52:07,650 --> 00:52:12,019 all yours 1289 00:52:08,338 --> 00:52:15,799 a touch a grand I added 1290 00:52:12,019 --> 00:52:19,130 maybe I would have once been but things 1291 00:52:15,800 --> 00:52:22,599 have changed the green and gold Phoenix 1292 00:52:19,130 --> 00:52:25,970 cocked her head I found a way to explain 1293 00:52:22,599 --> 00:52:26,599 the velvet put me in a cage it was for 1294 00:52:25,969 --> 00:52:30,108 my own good 1295 00:52:26,599 --> 00:52:36,320 I was sick and hurting myself but after 1296 00:52:30,108 --> 00:52:38,179 that I paused or just good friends 1297 00:52:36,320 --> 00:52:40,400 higher light seems satisfied with that 1298 00:52:38,179 --> 00:52:45,049 but I wasn't going to pet velvet Remy's 1299 00:52:40,400 --> 00:52:47,059 flank to find out I was having trouble 1300 00:52:45,050 --> 00:52:48,680 sleeping the fright earlier and the 1301 00:52:47,059 --> 00:52:50,119 worries of what lay ahead merged into a 1302 00:52:48,679 --> 00:52:52,279 constant buzz in my head 1303 00:52:50,119 --> 00:52:54,079 I couldn't afford to go in this new 1304 00:52:52,280 --> 00:52:56,150 direction half stupid from lack of rest 1305 00:52:54,079 --> 00:52:59,840 but that worry only made it worse 1306 00:52:56,150 --> 00:53:03,019 I couldn't force myself to sleep I tried 1307 00:52:59,840 --> 00:53:05,019 a distraction might help derail the 1308 00:53:03,019 --> 00:53:07,099 worried thoughts swarming in my head I 1309 00:53:05,019 --> 00:53:09,409 pulled up the memory warp from the power 1310 00:53:07,099 --> 00:53:11,650 plant I stared at it for a moment 1311 00:53:09,409 --> 00:53:14,000 running through a mental checklist I 1312 00:53:11,650 --> 00:53:17,480 wasn't in battle or an imminent danger 1313 00:53:14,000 --> 00:53:19,900 so it should be safe on the other hoof 1314 00:53:17,480 --> 00:53:22,010 these orbs are always a gamble I 1315 00:53:19,900 --> 00:53:24,550 remembered the sickening experience of 1316 00:53:22,010 --> 00:53:26,840 the damaged memory orb all too vividly 1317 00:53:24,550 --> 00:53:28,400 part of me also wondered if I was just 1318 00:53:26,840 --> 00:53:33,470 using lack of sleep as an excuse to 1319 00:53:28,400 --> 00:53:36,500 indulge my curiosity I probably was well 1320 00:53:33,469 --> 00:53:38,679 that was okay who didn't have their 1321 00:53:36,500 --> 00:53:38,679 vices 1322 00:53:39,059 --> 00:53:47,969 the memory held within it something 1323 00:53:41,579 --> 00:53:50,730 amazing wondrous inspiring sunlight pure 1324 00:53:47,969 --> 00:53:53,639 radiant sunlight unfiltered and 1325 00:53:50,730 --> 00:53:55,079 unmolested by a cover of clouds the ball 1326 00:53:53,639 --> 00:53:57,779 of fire in the sky was at once 1327 00:53:55,079 --> 00:53:59,779 terrifying and majestic the living 1328 00:53:57,780 --> 00:54:02,460 symbol of the goddess Celestia herself 1329 00:53:59,780 --> 00:54:03,870 it's light was powerful capable of 1330 00:54:02,460 --> 00:54:07,139 slashing through darkness and shadows 1331 00:54:03,869 --> 00:54:09,299 revealing and cleansing it was warm and 1332 00:54:07,139 --> 00:54:12,359 compassionate and it brought in a sense 1333 00:54:09,300 --> 00:54:14,130 of peace and hope sunlight was as 1334 00:54:12,360 --> 00:54:15,570 miraculous to me as a pit buck was to 1335 00:54:14,130 --> 00:54:18,990 the ponies of the equestrian wasteland 1336 00:54:15,570 --> 00:54:21,059 and likewise it was as pedestrian to a 1337 00:54:18,989 --> 00:54:25,049 pony I was riding as the pit buck was to 1338 00:54:21,059 --> 00:54:26,940 me I was standing on a balcony with 1339 00:54:25,050 --> 00:54:29,010 several smartly dressed gentle Stein's 1340 00:54:26,940 --> 00:54:30,599 staring down into a huge sunlit foyer 1341 00:54:29,010 --> 00:54:32,180 lined with clear windows of glass that 1342 00:54:30,599 --> 00:54:35,579 rose at least three storeys in height 1343 00:54:32,179 --> 00:54:37,440 the seat outside was idyllic colorful 1344 00:54:35,579 --> 00:54:39,059 ponies finely dressed went about their 1345 00:54:37,440 --> 00:54:41,420 business long cobblestone sidewalks 1346 00:54:39,059 --> 00:54:43,380 bordering a boulevard of grass a 1347 00:54:41,420 --> 00:54:45,210 geometrically perfect field of green 1348 00:54:43,380 --> 00:54:47,280 divided in precision shapes by 1349 00:54:45,210 --> 00:54:49,860 cobblestone paths and a huge reflective 1350 00:54:47,280 --> 00:54:52,200 pool the buildings on the other side 1351 00:54:49,860 --> 00:54:53,340 were largely obscured by trees but I 1352 00:54:52,199 --> 00:54:56,609 could tell what they were as regal and 1353 00:54:53,340 --> 00:54:58,350 impressive as the one I was in balconies 1354 00:54:56,610 --> 00:55:01,050 and mezzanine arced around the area of 1355 00:54:58,349 --> 00:55:03,509 an atrium large gardening boxes held 1356 00:55:01,050 --> 00:55:07,530 full grown apple trees and everywhere 1357 00:55:03,510 --> 00:55:09,510 ponies moved about busily after looking 1358 00:55:07,530 --> 00:55:11,310 about briefly my host focused on the 1359 00:55:09,510 --> 00:55:12,690 light-colored marble floor below were 1360 00:55:11,309 --> 00:55:16,380 throng of ponies were causing 1361 00:55:12,690 --> 00:55:18,059 disturbance it was a small mob pressing 1362 00:55:16,380 --> 00:55:23,070 indoors the single figure in the center 1363 00:55:18,059 --> 00:55:24,299 a zebra go back where you came from did 1364 00:55:23,070 --> 00:55:27,570 you think you could just trot into the 1365 00:55:24,300 --> 00:55:31,620 ministry better wiped and striped what 1366 00:55:27,570 --> 00:55:33,630 are you doing here you a spy a voice 1367 00:55:31,619 --> 00:55:35,130 rang out over the crowd as a familiar 1368 00:55:33,630 --> 00:55:36,630 orange pony with a blond mane and tail 1369 00:55:35,130 --> 00:55:39,660 came trotting down in the arcing 1370 00:55:36,630 --> 00:55:42,960 stairway simmered down Sally succour 1371 00:55:39,659 --> 00:55:44,549 ain't no spy Applejack reached the 1372 00:55:42,960 --> 00:55:45,869 throng and quickly dispersed the ponies 1373 00:55:44,550 --> 00:55:48,000 who grumbled as they went back to work 1374 00:55:45,869 --> 00:55:49,889 in just over a minute 1375 00:55:48,000 --> 00:55:52,619 it was just her standing alone with the 1376 00:55:49,889 --> 00:55:53,989 extremely out of place zebra other 1377 00:55:52,619 --> 00:55:58,139 ponies were giving them a wide berth 1378 00:55:53,989 --> 00:56:00,029 shooting stairs Applejack shot back even 1379 00:55:58,139 --> 00:56:03,839 better stairs causing several to shy 1380 00:56:00,030 --> 00:56:05,610 away picking up their pace finally she 1381 00:56:03,840 --> 00:56:07,039 turned to the zebra looking deeply 1382 00:56:05,610 --> 00:56:09,480 apologetic 1383 00:56:07,039 --> 00:56:11,250 Zecora you know you really ought to not 1384 00:56:09,480 --> 00:56:13,800 be walking around like that taint safe 1385 00:56:11,250 --> 00:56:16,079 these days I thought I could visit a 1386 00:56:13,800 --> 00:56:18,630 friend the zebra replied in an exotic 1387 00:56:16,079 --> 00:56:20,539 and strangely poetic voice I should have 1388 00:56:18,630 --> 00:56:23,640 known this was how it would end 1389 00:56:20,539 --> 00:56:26,099 well there's a war on Applejack said 1390 00:56:23,639 --> 00:56:27,980 reasonably she lifted a hoof to scratch 1391 00:56:26,099 --> 00:56:30,449 beneath her ear looking embarrassed 1392 00:56:27,980 --> 00:56:33,539 ponies hate and fear me still no better 1393 00:56:30,449 --> 00:56:35,849 than in Ponyville the Zebras voice was 1394 00:56:33,539 --> 00:56:38,250 deep with disappointment to you folks 1395 00:56:35,849 --> 00:56:41,618 zebras may seem strange though to ponies 1396 00:56:38,250 --> 00:56:44,980 ponies never change 1397 00:56:41,619 --> 00:56:48,400 gee thanks Applejack frown wristing a 1398 00:56:44,980 --> 00:56:51,719 little then she let out a sigh let's 1399 00:56:48,400 --> 00:56:54,249 just get you outside okay come with me 1400 00:56:51,719 --> 00:56:56,558 Applejack paused looking around the huge 1401 00:56:54,248 --> 00:56:57,808 atrium should have an office in here 1402 00:56:56,559 --> 00:56:59,920 somewhere 1403 00:56:57,809 --> 00:57:02,710 this is her ministry and she doesn't 1404 00:56:59,920 --> 00:57:05,829 even know where her office is lady 1405 00:57:02,710 --> 00:57:07,269 Applejack how good to a gentle stallion 1406 00:57:05,829 --> 00:57:09,430 called out approaching from a different 1407 00:57:07,268 --> 00:57:15,338 stairwell he stopped as he spotted the 1408 00:57:09,429 --> 00:57:18,248 zebra oh my uh Applejack grimaced face 1409 00:57:15,338 --> 00:57:19,869 something not you to star shine ain't 1410 00:57:18,248 --> 00:57:22,328 nothin wrong with the core she's my 1411 00:57:19,869 --> 00:57:25,119 friend oh of course 1412 00:57:22,329 --> 00:57:26,950 the gentle Stein said gracefully I have 1413 00:57:25,119 --> 00:57:28,420 nothing against zebras in fact my 1414 00:57:26,949 --> 00:57:30,328 company is one of the only in cattle odd 1415 00:57:28,420 --> 00:57:33,970 who make a practice of hiring zebras 1416 00:57:30,329 --> 00:57:36,599 well wasn't he a smarmy buck let the 1417 00:57:33,969 --> 00:57:40,528 Ministry of propaganda say what it will 1418 00:57:36,599 --> 00:57:43,660 Ministry of image Al Jack corrected I 1419 00:57:40,528 --> 00:57:45,248 believe that's what I said star shine 1420 00:57:43,659 --> 00:57:48,159 stated dismissively turning his 1421 00:57:45,248 --> 00:57:51,038 attention fully to the zebra anyway 1422 00:57:48,159 --> 00:57:52,420 Sakura is it should you ever find 1423 00:57:51,039 --> 00:57:54,489 yourself looking for work look me up 1424 00:57:52,420 --> 00:57:57,130 anyone who has lady Applejack's hoof 1425 00:57:54,489 --> 00:58:00,429 print of approval was it something he 1426 00:57:57,130 --> 00:58:03,670 wanted Starshine Applejack interrupted 1427 00:58:00,429 --> 00:58:05,889 impatiently oh yes I just wanted to pass 1428 00:58:03,670 --> 00:58:07,150 on little thanks for the mwt support for 1429 00:58:05,889 --> 00:58:08,949 our styling rat and mane hatun 1430 00:58:07,150 --> 00:58:10,599 expansion's everything's working 1431 00:58:08,949 --> 00:58:14,288 smoothly and I expect nothing short of a 1432 00:58:10,599 --> 00:58:14,980 stellar success uh I told you before 1433 00:58:14,289 --> 00:58:17,349 star shine 1434 00:58:14,980 --> 00:58:20,769 we don't take buck backs and how we 1435 00:58:17,349 --> 00:58:22,838 operate here of course of course banish 1436 00:58:20,768 --> 00:58:25,719 the thought the gentle stallion said 1437 00:58:22,838 --> 00:58:28,989 with genial apology no this is just a 1438 00:58:25,719 --> 00:58:31,118 friendly gift but never mind you then he 1439 00:58:28,989 --> 00:58:33,849 didn't want to offend of course greasy 1440 00:58:31,119 --> 00:58:35,380 get absolutely everything about this 1441 00:58:33,849 --> 00:58:38,798 Pony was striking a negative note with 1442 00:58:35,380 --> 00:58:40,720 me from the look on her face Applejack 1443 00:58:38,798 --> 00:58:43,750 didn't seem to like him much either 1444 00:58:40,719 --> 00:58:46,118 now Sakura he said turning back to the 1445 00:58:43,750 --> 00:58:49,119 zebra woman how do you feel about public 1446 00:58:46,119 --> 00:58:50,680 transportation the stallion standing on 1447 00:58:49,119 --> 00:58:52,660 the balcony next to me spoke in a quiet 1448 00:58:50,679 --> 00:58:55,989 voice drawing my attention away from the 1449 00:58:52,659 --> 00:58:57,489 scene below now she's trotting around 1450 00:58:55,989 --> 00:59:00,339 publicly announcing friendship with 1451 00:58:57,489 --> 00:59:03,309 zebras the publicity alone could sink us 1452 00:59:00,340 --> 00:59:06,579 I felt my hosts nodding along with the 1453 00:59:03,309 --> 00:59:10,809 others gentle Colts I think it's time we 1454 00:59:06,579 --> 00:59:13,329 discussed Applejack's retirement I came 1455 00:59:10,809 --> 00:59:15,460 out of the memory feeling cold it was 1456 00:59:13,329 --> 00:59:18,369 appalling the sort of memory you only 1457 00:59:15,460 --> 00:59:23,220 capture blackmail I pushed the memory 1458 00:59:18,369 --> 00:59:26,340 orb far away from me steal oaths I 1459 00:59:23,219 --> 00:59:28,329 approached the steel ranger cautiously I 1460 00:59:26,340 --> 00:59:31,269 want to talk to you about Applejack and 1461 00:59:28,329 --> 00:59:33,909 her ministry the helmet of the 1462 00:59:31,269 --> 00:59:37,719 armor-clad Ranger turned towards me he 1463 00:59:33,909 --> 00:59:39,190 said nothing you knew her probably 1464 00:59:37,719 --> 00:59:43,149 better than anyone other than her family 1465 00:59:39,190 --> 00:59:48,690 and her lifelong friends what what 1466 00:59:43,150 --> 00:59:54,338 happened mega spells foe steals deadband 1467 00:59:48,690 --> 00:59:58,340 everypony died I sighed he was gonna be 1468 00:59:54,338 --> 01:00:00,019 that way about it I tried again 1469 00:59:58,340 --> 01:00:03,829 what happened between her in the 1470 01:00:00,019 --> 01:00:08,800 Ministry of Technology are you ordering 1471 01:00:03,829 --> 01:00:10,969 me to tell you he asked strangely no I 1472 01:00:08,800 --> 01:00:16,310 said the question making you feel 1473 01:00:10,969 --> 01:00:18,980 awkward I'm asking you I just I wanted 1474 01:00:16,309 --> 01:00:20,449 to know because he know we'll be 1475 01:00:18,980 --> 01:00:23,329 tactically advantageous to have that 1476 01:00:20,449 --> 01:00:28,969 information I hung my head in 1477 01:00:23,329 --> 01:00:33,319 exasperation now because I stopped 1478 01:00:28,969 --> 01:00:37,879 unsure because as dumb as this probably 1479 01:00:33,320 --> 01:00:41,900 sounds I care my words surprised me as 1480 01:00:37,880 --> 01:00:43,640 did the truth behind them somehow I'd 1481 01:00:41,900 --> 01:00:45,320 come to actually care for this group of 1482 01:00:43,639 --> 01:00:48,769 six ponies from two hundred years ago 1483 01:00:45,320 --> 01:00:52,580 the ministry mares I didn't understand 1484 01:00:48,769 --> 01:00:54,769 why it made no sense but at some point 1485 01:00:52,579 --> 01:00:56,779 my glimpses into the past had evolved 1486 01:00:54,769 --> 01:00:59,980 from mere academic curiosity to a 1487 01:00:56,780 --> 01:01:02,500 genuine feeling of attachment maybe 1488 01:00:59,980 --> 01:01:04,519 maybe it was the meeting with spike 1489 01:01:02,500 --> 01:01:06,829 hearing his stories of a bright and 1490 01:01:04,519 --> 01:01:08,389 Joy's past of the adventures these close 1491 01:01:06,829 --> 01:01:11,269 friends certainly sealed the 1492 01:01:08,389 --> 01:01:13,989 transformation part of me one of the 1493 01:01:11,269 --> 01:01:16,309 happy ending for at least one of them 1494 01:01:13,989 --> 01:01:20,000 reality painted the chance that that is 1495 01:01:16,309 --> 01:01:22,059 heart-wrenching ly bleak I knew that but 1496 01:01:20,000 --> 01:01:24,920 I wasn't willing to stop hoping anyway 1497 01:01:22,059 --> 01:01:28,009 looking past Delos I took in the night 1498 01:01:24,920 --> 01:01:29,780 shrouded equestrian wasteland the low 1499 01:01:28,010 --> 01:01:33,700 clouds of her Philadelphia glow to dark 1500 01:01:29,780 --> 01:01:37,480 red reflecting the lights from below how 1501 01:01:33,699 --> 01:01:39,009 we were literally going into hell 1502 01:01:37,480 --> 01:01:42,608 the low rumble of steel halves voice 1503 01:01:39,010 --> 01:01:43,630 startled me Applejack had no taste for 1504 01:01:42,608 --> 01:01:46,900 being an administrator 1505 01:01:43,630 --> 01:01:49,000 he began I turned toward the ghoul pony 1506 01:01:46,900 --> 01:01:50,789 who had I was certain once been 1507 01:01:49,000 --> 01:01:54,130 Applejack's lover 1508 01:01:50,789 --> 01:01:57,820 it wasn't like running a farm or 1509 01:01:54,130 --> 01:01:59,880 organizing the winter wrap-up I heard a 1510 01:01:57,820 --> 01:02:02,349 snort of laughter from inside the helmet 1511 01:01:59,880 --> 01:02:05,890 which come to think of it she needed 1512 01:02:02,349 --> 01:02:08,170 Twilight Sparkle's help for anyway so 1513 01:02:05,889 --> 01:02:09,338 she just hired a whole bunch of business 1514 01:02:08,170 --> 01:02:12,550 ponies to do it for her 1515 01:02:09,338 --> 01:02:16,239 I wondered how many of those I had just 1516 01:02:12,550 --> 01:02:18,609 shared a balcony with Apple Jacks 1517 01:02:16,239 --> 01:02:22,239 intention Steel has continued with a 1518 01:02:18,608 --> 01:02:23,650 touch of Ankara stick nostalgia was for 1519 01:02:22,239 --> 01:02:25,539 the Ministry of Technology to help 1520 01:02:23,650 --> 01:02:27,130 encourage and subsidize enterprises that 1521 01:02:25,539 --> 01:02:29,739 were pushing greater technological and 1522 01:02:27,130 --> 01:02:30,940 industrial advancement the ministry 1523 01:02:29,739 --> 01:02:33,039 promoted the principles of the earth 1524 01:02:30,940 --> 01:02:36,119 pony way and sought to help make austria 1525 01:02:33,039 --> 01:02:38,969 better for all ponies through that ethic 1526 01:02:36,119 --> 01:02:43,240 Seelos was looking out at the horizon at 1527 01:02:38,969 --> 01:02:44,379 philadelphia his voice held firm but i 1528 01:02:43,239 --> 01:02:45,909 could tell this was an emotional thing 1529 01:02:44,380 --> 01:02:49,088 for the ghoul Pony to talk about 1530 01:02:45,909 --> 01:02:52,960 I listened reverently knowing that this 1531 01:02:49,088 --> 01:02:54,400 was a gift Applejack didn't want to 1532 01:02:52,960 --> 01:02:55,929 stick her hooves into any other ponies 1533 01:02:54,400 --> 01:02:58,838 business any more than she wanted 1534 01:02:55,929 --> 01:03:00,309 anypony messing around with her farm she 1535 01:02:58,838 --> 01:03:02,199 believed in the inherently good nature 1536 01:03:00,309 --> 01:03:05,318 of ponies and felt they should be left 1537 01:03:02,199 --> 01:03:07,029 to the guidance of their own virtues he 1538 01:03:05,318 --> 01:03:09,300 turned to me suddenly a note of 1539 01:03:07,030 --> 01:03:11,550 bitterness creeping into his voice 1540 01:03:09,300 --> 01:03:14,190 the problem is industries and 1541 01:03:11,550 --> 01:03:15,570 corporations aren't ponies they don't 1542 01:03:14,190 --> 01:03:19,889 have a good nature 1543 01:03:15,570 --> 01:03:22,320 they're like mainframes calculating risk 1544 01:03:19,889 --> 01:03:24,420 and profit if the numbers are strong 1545 01:03:22,320 --> 01:03:25,830 enough they throw baby fillies into the 1546 01:03:24,420 --> 01:03:28,829 gears of their own machinery to grease 1547 01:03:25,829 --> 01:03:30,059 the flow of capital I suddenly found 1548 01:03:28,829 --> 01:03:34,440 myself thinking of the Crusader 1549 01:03:30,059 --> 01:03:36,090 mainframe in stable 29 when Applejack 1550 01:03:34,440 --> 01:03:38,010 returned to the Ministry of Technology 1551 01:03:36,090 --> 01:03:39,630 after the death of her brother her only 1552 01:03:38,010 --> 01:03:41,280 intention was to focus the efforts of 1553 01:03:39,630 --> 01:03:44,309 the ministry for as long as it took to 1554 01:03:41,280 --> 01:03:45,810 create a new better suit of armor one 1555 01:03:44,309 --> 01:03:47,579 that would not fail to protect a pony 1556 01:03:45,809 --> 01:03:51,210 like Big Macintosh his armor had failed 1557 01:03:47,579 --> 01:03:53,190 to save him but the longer she stayed 1558 01:03:51,210 --> 01:03:56,070 the deeper the pit of horrors she began 1559 01:03:53,190 --> 01:03:58,320 to uncover what wasn't corrupt was out 1560 01:03:56,070 --> 01:04:00,780 of control and so she tried to fix 1561 01:03:58,320 --> 01:04:02,670 things tried to put bid and reins on 1562 01:04:00,780 --> 01:04:06,350 development regulate corporate 1563 01:04:02,670 --> 01:04:10,079 misconduct steel hose fell silent 1564 01:04:06,349 --> 01:04:12,239 staring me for a long time I felt he was 1565 01:04:10,079 --> 01:04:14,869 assessing my understanding and perhaps 1566 01:04:12,239 --> 01:04:18,989 with it my worthiness of this gift 1567 01:04:14,869 --> 01:04:20,579 finally he finished by adding and that's 1568 01:04:18,989 --> 01:04:23,729 not something any pony was going to be 1569 01:04:20,579 --> 01:04:26,569 happy about and that some ponies 1570 01:04:23,730 --> 01:04:26,570 wouldn't stand for 1571 01:04:27,139 --> 01:04:35,118 do you know what would I hate more than 1572 01:04:29,509 --> 01:04:37,519 any other slave yes we are all bound in 1573 01:04:35,119 --> 01:04:39,499 the chains of Industry but even more 1574 01:04:37,518 --> 01:04:42,318 there is a great chain that holds us 1575 01:04:39,498 --> 01:04:44,838 together is the chain and mutual 1576 01:04:42,318 --> 01:04:46,579 responsibility and to break free of that 1577 01:04:44,838 --> 01:04:48,978 chain has become nothing better than a 1578 01:04:46,579 --> 01:04:52,309 Raider the most loathsome repugnance 1579 01:04:48,978 --> 01:04:54,558 with a leech on our great Equestria if 1580 01:04:52,309 --> 01:04:56,450 I'm a slave because I'm not independent 1581 01:04:54,559 --> 01:04:59,349 to virtue and accountability to my 1582 01:04:56,449 --> 01:05:02,618 fellow pony then I did not want freedom 1583 01:04:59,349 --> 01:05:05,809 the freedom to be worthless destructive 1584 01:05:02,619 --> 01:05:07,838 unproductive license to abandon the 1585 01:05:05,809 --> 01:05:11,690 future that only together we may achieve 1586 01:05:07,838 --> 01:05:14,748 this is not Liberty is anarchy at its 1587 01:05:11,690 --> 01:05:16,579 most vile and the good hardworking and 1588 01:05:14,748 --> 01:05:21,409 honorable ponies of Equestria will not 1589 01:05:16,579 --> 01:05:24,349 stand for it will you Raiders are the 1590 01:05:21,409 --> 01:05:28,848 epitome of the sins of the past selfish 1591 01:05:24,349 --> 01:05:31,430 lazy greedy they take what they cannot 1592 01:05:28,849 --> 01:05:34,459 build for themselves and they destroy 1593 01:05:31,429 --> 01:05:36,048 what they cannot take they infest the 1594 01:05:34,458 --> 01:05:38,899 equestrian wasteland like termites 1595 01:05:36,048 --> 01:05:40,268 chewing away the over the frail bones of 1596 01:05:38,900 --> 01:05:42,798 our once great nation 1597 01:05:40,268 --> 01:05:45,348 they even scatter about in the ruins of 1598 01:05:42,798 --> 01:05:46,420 Philadelphia chittering just outside the 1599 01:05:45,349 --> 01:05:49,818 wall 1600 01:05:46,420 --> 01:05:52,278 rest assured My Little Ponies that when 1601 01:05:49,818 --> 01:05:54,139 the rebirth comes there will be no room 1602 01:05:52,278 --> 01:05:56,958 for such harmful and parasitical insects 1603 01:05:54,139 --> 01:05:58,909 in our new world those who do not join 1604 01:05:56,958 --> 01:06:03,889 the unity will be crushed under our 1605 01:05:58,909 --> 01:06:05,478 hooves stamped out once and for all we 1606 01:06:03,889 --> 01:06:09,018 may not even have to wait that short 1607 01:06:05,478 --> 01:06:11,629 time even today the glorious army of the 1608 01:06:09,018 --> 01:06:14,358 children a unity grow stronger my dear 1609 01:06:11,630 --> 01:06:17,539 in the goddess she sends out her 1610 01:06:14,358 --> 01:06:21,949 children created in her image to scour 1611 01:06:17,539 --> 01:06:25,339 the wasteland yes to those of you out 1612 01:06:21,949 --> 01:06:27,920 there who are termites to the Raiders to 1613 01:06:25,338 --> 01:06:29,519 the steel rangers and cannibals I have 1614 01:06:27,920 --> 01:06:33,349 this to say 1615 01:06:29,519 --> 01:06:33,349 the purge is coming