1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:06,960 alone I had given my possessions even my 2 00:00:04,139 --> 00:00:08,730 barding to calamity night poppy seed had 3 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:11,429 brought me soil to filthy slave clothes 4 00:00:08,730 --> 00:00:13,080 to wrap myself in thick wrappings had 5 00:00:11,429 --> 00:00:14,969 gone around my right fore leg to hide my 6 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:16,559 pipbuck complete with twigs and 7 00:00:14,968 --> 00:00:19,350 bloodstains to suggest my leg had been 8 00:00:16,559 --> 00:00:20,879 cruelly wounded if anypony asked I 9 00:00:19,350 --> 00:00:23,850 intended to tell them that I've been run 10 00:00:20,879 --> 00:00:26,399 through with a piece of rebar then I had 11 00:00:23,850 --> 00:00:28,109 been shackled as with the slavers before 12 00:00:26,399 --> 00:00:29,788 night poppy seed had been unable to 13 00:00:28,109 --> 00:00:31,650 shackle me properly at the hoof thanks 14 00:00:29,789 --> 00:00:34,410 to my pipbuck so she'd locked the 15 00:00:31,649 --> 00:00:36,420 manacles above my knees I had floated 16 00:00:34,409 --> 00:00:38,369 myself into the cage of a slave wagon 17 00:00:36,420 --> 00:00:41,010 and bedded down in moldy hay filled with 18 00:00:38,369 --> 00:00:42,179 small itchy bugs it had only taken 19 00:00:41,009 --> 00:00:44,579 minutes to become wretchedly 20 00:00:42,179 --> 00:00:46,200 uncomfortable between that and nearly 21 00:00:44,579 --> 00:00:47,850 getting fucked in the tail by a giant 22 00:00:46,200 --> 00:00:50,039 flaming Pinkie Pie that evening before 23 00:00:47,850 --> 00:00:52,739 I'd been deemed to look decently 24 00:00:50,039 --> 00:00:54,929 pathetic I've been allowed to attach a 25 00:00:52,738 --> 00:00:56,009 few bobby pins to my rags but I would 26 00:00:54,929 --> 00:00:57,269 have to hope that I could find a 27 00:00:56,009 --> 00:01:00,358 screwdriver somewhere else on the other 28 00:00:57,270 --> 00:01:02,430 side of the wall then with worried 29 00:01:00,359 --> 00:01:04,769 goodbyes my companions left me alone I 30 00:01:02,429 --> 00:01:06,209 was to lay there and wait for a member 31 00:01:04,769 --> 00:01:07,920 of red-eyes of slavers with whom the 32 00:01:06,209 --> 00:01:10,349 seal Rangers had sufficiently bribed or 33 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:12,420 perhaps ensured the cooperation of in 34 00:01:10,349 --> 00:01:15,239 less wholesome ways to come and get the 35 00:01:12,420 --> 00:01:17,700 slave wagon I'd forgotten what it felt 36 00:01:15,239 --> 00:01:20,519 like to be alone I had spent my whole 37 00:01:17,700 --> 00:01:23,490 previous life alone I hadn't had any 38 00:01:20,519 --> 00:01:25,349 friends growing up and my mother as much 39 00:01:23,489 --> 00:01:28,589 as I loved her wasn't the sort of parent 40 00:01:25,349 --> 00:01:32,009 a filly could feel together with alone 41 00:01:28,590 --> 00:01:34,409 is cold dull and miserable it's a void 42 00:01:32,009 --> 00:01:36,090 that aches to be filled and the little 43 00:01:34,409 --> 00:01:37,460 hobbies and distractions that I turned 44 00:01:36,090 --> 00:01:39,509 to had never really filled that hole 45 00:01:37,459 --> 00:01:42,899 because it was a hole that could only be 46 00:01:39,509 --> 00:01:44,340 filled with companionship growing up the 47 00:01:42,899 --> 00:01:46,530 closest thing I had come to that was 48 00:01:44,340 --> 00:01:49,228 music the singing on the stable tube 49 00:01:46,530 --> 00:01:50,700 broadcast at least with music 50 00:01:49,228 --> 00:01:52,859 there was another pony involved who was 51 00:01:50,700 --> 00:01:54,210 trying to make a connection and I could 52 00:01:52,859 --> 00:01:55,859 pretend that Pony was trying to make a 53 00:01:54,209 --> 00:01:58,548 connection specifically with me 54 00:01:55,859 --> 00:02:00,739 not just any pony who was listening 55 00:01:58,549 --> 00:02:03,020 the illusion was never perfect and I 56 00:02:00,739 --> 00:02:04,879 couldn't be held beyond the song but 57 00:02:03,019 --> 00:02:06,560 while the music was playing the mirage a 58 00:02:04,879 --> 00:02:10,368 friendship helped protect me against the 59 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:11,750 cold needless to say it was the songs of 60 00:02:10,368 --> 00:02:14,659 velvet remedy which I had cherished the 61 00:02:11,750 --> 00:02:17,659 most I had even fallen in love I think 62 00:02:14,659 --> 00:02:19,098 with my dream of her I still remembered 63 00:02:17,659 --> 00:02:20,509 the hurt when my ridiculous and 64 00:02:19,098 --> 00:02:22,039 unrealistic mental image of her was 65 00:02:20,509 --> 00:02:24,379 shattered by the real thing standing in 66 00:02:22,039 --> 00:02:28,459 a train car a non prisoner in a slave 67 00:02:24,379 --> 00:02:30,019 town and even then I think I still clung 68 00:02:28,459 --> 00:02:33,500 to little fragments of my dream remedy 69 00:02:30,019 --> 00:02:35,000 until the day she shot me that said I 70 00:02:33,500 --> 00:02:36,439 wouldn't have traded my very real 71 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:38,539 friendship with the actual Pony for 72 00:02:36,439 --> 00:02:41,090 anything much less for a relationship 73 00:02:38,539 --> 00:02:44,419 with my two-dimensional daydream what I 74 00:02:41,090 --> 00:02:48,650 had was better far better because it was 75 00:02:44,419 --> 00:02:50,958 real when I left stable - my life 76 00:02:48,650 --> 00:02:53,120 changed forever and the most drastic 77 00:02:50,959 --> 00:02:54,769 change wasn't the vast open wasteland or 78 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:55,759 the sickly sunlight that pushed its way 79 00:02:54,769 --> 00:02:58,129 through the clouds 80 00:02:55,759 --> 00:03:00,199 it wasn't Horrors and wickedness and 81 00:02:58,129 --> 00:03:02,299 cruelty I had seen what the daunting 82 00:03:00,199 --> 00:03:04,099 mite of pain I had suffered or even the 83 00:03:02,299 --> 00:03:07,459 growing river of pony blood drowning my 84 00:03:04,099 --> 00:03:09,949 hooves the most drastic change was 85 00:03:07,459 --> 00:03:11,750 friendship and it had started just a few 86 00:03:09,949 --> 00:03:15,108 days out of the stable but the pony 87 00:03:11,750 --> 00:03:17,719 named calamity calamity was unlike any 88 00:03:15,109 --> 00:03:19,310 pony I had ever met he was fearless and 89 00:03:17,719 --> 00:03:22,069 noble and just in a way that I could 90 00:03:19,310 --> 00:03:24,170 only aspire to and he cared about me in 91 00:03:22,069 --> 00:03:27,259 a way no pony not even my mother ever 92 00:03:24,169 --> 00:03:29,809 did he was willing to stand by me even 93 00:03:27,259 --> 00:03:31,759 when I was being foolish and wrong not 94 00:03:29,810 --> 00:03:34,280 that we never disagreed because we did 95 00:03:31,759 --> 00:03:36,739 often enough but he gave me the benefit 96 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:38,090 of the doubt he trusted me and he was 97 00:03:36,739 --> 00:03:39,400 somepony that I can heal I could trust 98 00:03:38,090 --> 00:03:41,979 and return 99 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:43,329 I freely admit that I had been jealous 100 00:03:41,979 --> 00:03:44,679 when calamity and velvet remedy had 101 00:03:43,329 --> 00:03:47,950 started to gravitate towards each other 102 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:49,209 and in retrospect I have to wonder was 103 00:03:47,949 --> 00:03:50,828 my conviction that they were a couple 104 00:03:49,209 --> 00:03:54,039 already accurate or a self-fulfilling 105 00:03:50,829 --> 00:03:57,250 prophecy how foolish I was to feel that 106 00:03:54,039 --> 00:03:57,548 way but friendship was and is still new 107 00:03:57,250 --> 00:03:59,769 to me 108 00:03:57,549 --> 00:04:02,590 and I had many lessons to learn about it 109 00:03:59,769 --> 00:04:03,879 and many many more to go if the sheer 110 00:04:02,590 --> 00:04:07,509 number of spiked stories are to be 111 00:04:03,878 --> 00:04:09,039 believed only after I come to accept 112 00:04:07,509 --> 00:04:10,840 their closeness and take comfort in it 113 00:04:09,039 --> 00:04:11,709 was my heart really open enough to 114 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:14,348 embrace homage 115 00:04:11,709 --> 00:04:16,720 I had friendship but the void goes 116 00:04:14,348 --> 00:04:19,509 deeper than that I wanted more than 117 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:20,410 companionship I yearned for love and 118 00:04:19,509 --> 00:04:23,379 physical intimacy 119 00:04:20,410 --> 00:04:25,240 I will also admit that when homage first 120 00:04:23,379 --> 00:04:28,139 opened the possibility I was drawn to 121 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:32,139 her out of desperation but that changed 122 00:04:28,139 --> 00:04:33,370 she changed that likewise I would not 123 00:04:32,139 --> 00:04:35,949 blame a pony for thinking that our 124 00:04:33,370 --> 00:04:37,209 relationship had been fast and brief but 125 00:04:35,949 --> 00:04:38,710 while it is true that I had not met her 126 00:04:37,209 --> 00:04:40,719 in the coat and mane until telling Pony 127 00:04:38,709 --> 00:04:42,848 tower I had gotten to know much of her 128 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:45,370 before seeing her face to face as she 129 00:04:42,848 --> 00:04:47,348 had gotten to know me in truth 130 00:04:45,370 --> 00:04:50,978 I've known Tom which almost as long as I 131 00:04:47,348 --> 00:04:52,598 have known calamity true I had not known 132 00:04:50,978 --> 00:04:55,089 her deeply and personally until tenpony 133 00:04:52,598 --> 00:04:57,788 tower but who really knows their friends 134 00:04:55,089 --> 00:04:59,319 well in the first few weeks and I can 135 00:04:57,788 --> 00:05:00,788 safely say that the connection we built 136 00:04:59,319 --> 00:05:03,519 before meeting was laid on a solid 137 00:05:00,788 --> 00:05:04,870 foundation I can say this thanks to the 138 00:05:03,519 --> 00:05:07,538 great part to the honesty that I 139 00:05:04,870 --> 00:05:10,120 realized all engine bodies the homage I 140 00:05:07,538 --> 00:05:12,668 grew to know is DJ pony was and is the 141 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:15,430 real homage not all of her granted and 142 00:05:12,668 --> 00:05:19,299 not without trappings but real all the 143 00:05:15,430 --> 00:05:21,030 same I'm which knows of me my best but 144 00:05:19,300 --> 00:05:23,379 she's also seen me at my worst and 145 00:05:21,029 --> 00:05:26,228 instead of being scared away she's 146 00:05:23,379 --> 00:05:28,569 embraced me and let me in she's held and 147 00:05:26,228 --> 00:05:30,430 comforted me and she's done much much 148 00:05:28,569 --> 00:05:31,978 more allowing me an intimacy that I'd 149 00:05:30,430 --> 00:05:34,699 only day dreamed about before and 150 00:05:31,978 --> 00:05:39,079 usually to my private shame 151 00:05:34,699 --> 00:05:40,579 with homage i don't feel ashamed having 152 00:05:39,079 --> 00:05:42,620 seen the memories of steel wolves a 153 00:05:40,579 --> 00:05:44,959 melancholy realization and crept into my 154 00:05:42,620 --> 00:05:46,430 thoughts he was the only one of my 155 00:05:44,959 --> 00:05:48,289 companions who had been in a similar 156 00:05:46,430 --> 00:05:50,060 relationship yet 157 00:05:48,290 --> 00:05:51,620 unless calamity in velvet remedy had 158 00:05:50,060 --> 00:05:53,180 managed to be up on things with a far 159 00:05:51,620 --> 00:05:56,180 greater degree of sneakiness and stealth 160 00:05:53,180 --> 00:05:57,980 and i tribute to either of them like me 161 00:05:56,180 --> 00:06:00,530 he had a companion whom he could trust 162 00:05:57,980 --> 00:06:02,530 to be open and honest with him and like 163 00:06:00,529 --> 00:06:04,399 me he chose to keep things from her I'm 164 00:06:02,529 --> 00:06:06,069 quite sure he did not reveal to 165 00:06:04,399 --> 00:06:09,219 Applejack the murder he committed 166 00:06:06,069 --> 00:06:13,569 whereas in my case I've kept from homage 167 00:06:09,220 --> 00:06:15,860 well another murder Steele has committed 168 00:06:13,569 --> 00:06:18,579 thinking on these things I suddenly 169 00:06:15,860 --> 00:06:20,930 found the parallel downright creepy 170 00:06:18,579 --> 00:06:23,149 steelo's once told me that I would learn 171 00:06:20,930 --> 00:06:25,490 he wasn't a better Pony which I 172 00:06:23,149 --> 00:06:28,279 certainly have seen it's true just like 173 00:06:25,490 --> 00:06:30,319 she did and while I can only guess of 174 00:06:28,279 --> 00:06:31,789 what befell their friendship I do know 175 00:06:30,319 --> 00:06:34,519 that he and Applejack were together on 176 00:06:31,790 --> 00:06:35,780 the day the bombs fell I must assume 177 00:06:34,519 --> 00:06:38,449 they at least worked at mending any 178 00:06:35,779 --> 00:06:40,669 damage his dark secrets had caused and I 179 00:06:38,449 --> 00:06:43,579 also know that ultimately she left him 180 00:06:40,670 --> 00:06:46,310 she chose her family over him and she 181 00:06:43,579 --> 00:06:48,909 left him behind and he's been living 182 00:06:46,310 --> 00:06:53,329 with that abandonment for 200 years 183 00:06:48,910 --> 00:06:55,430 alone with an aching heart and a sense 184 00:06:53,329 --> 00:06:58,609 of unease I found myself desperately 185 00:06:55,430 --> 00:07:00,620 needing to talk to homage with any luck 186 00:06:58,610 --> 00:07:02,740 I would be able to do so as soon as my 187 00:07:00,620 --> 00:07:04,699 friends had the override installed I 188 00:07:02,740 --> 00:07:07,550 wondered if I would be able to speak to 189 00:07:04,699 --> 00:07:08,990 her just by talking to the air but from 190 00:07:07,550 --> 00:07:10,250 what I had heard it seemed more likely 191 00:07:08,990 --> 00:07:11,870 that I would need to get to the station 192 00:07:10,250 --> 00:07:14,810 myself to have real communication with 193 00:07:11,870 --> 00:07:18,949 her either way I was determined to come 194 00:07:14,810 --> 00:07:20,420 clean for better or for worse unlike the 195 00:07:18,949 --> 00:07:22,459 hobbies and distractions of my lonely 196 00:07:20,420 --> 00:07:24,460 youth friendship really can fill the 197 00:07:22,459 --> 00:07:26,449 void enough for a pony to be happy and 198 00:07:24,459 --> 00:07:27,919 while I wouldn't normally consider my 199 00:07:26,449 --> 00:07:29,870 experience in the equestrian wasteland 200 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:31,460 to be happy ones I really have been 201 00:07:29,870 --> 00:07:34,189 happy out here than I ever was and 202 00:07:31,459 --> 00:07:36,529 stable to being with friends is a 203 00:07:34,189 --> 00:07:38,689 blanket against the cold a bulwark that 204 00:07:36,529 --> 00:07:41,599 makes you stronger a connection that 205 00:07:38,689 --> 00:07:46,430 makes you bigger without friends I was 206 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:52,730 exposed weak and small and on an 207 00:07:46,430 --> 00:07:54,500 unrelated note itchy chain-link fencing 208 00:07:52,730 --> 00:07:57,230 crackled with energy surrounding a 209 00:07:54,500 --> 00:07:58,819 barricaded outer gate guards watched 210 00:07:57,230 --> 00:08:02,600 with amusement as the slaver pulled my 211 00:07:58,819 --> 00:08:05,240 wagon up to the wall only one a guard 212 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:06,710 mare called out she was heavily barded 213 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:09,350 and more battle saddle bearing for 214 00:08:06,709 --> 00:08:13,969 combat shotguns the sight made me cringe 215 00:08:09,350 --> 00:08:17,420 a whole wagon for just one been slacking 216 00:08:13,970 --> 00:08:19,910 Nash the slaver pulling my wagon just 217 00:08:17,420 --> 00:08:21,259 grunted I scratched up my neck with the 218 00:08:19,910 --> 00:08:22,850 hind hoof and tried not to wince every 219 00:08:21,259 --> 00:08:24,670 time the wagon jolted as it rolled over 220 00:08:22,850 --> 00:08:26,840 the broken rocky streets I 221 00:08:24,670 --> 00:08:30,890 unrealistically hoped that slaves were 222 00:08:26,839 --> 00:08:32,740 given baths such a small one to a guard 223 00:08:30,889 --> 00:08:34,789 buck and a similar barding called out I 224 00:08:32,740 --> 00:08:36,349 noticed that I couldn't see any weapons 225 00:08:34,789 --> 00:08:39,289 on him save for his horn and hooves 226 00:08:36,349 --> 00:08:42,229 I wondered if that made him less or more 227 00:08:39,289 --> 00:08:44,769 dangerous if it wasn't a unicorn I'd say 228 00:08:42,229 --> 00:08:47,290 toss it back in the lake 229 00:08:44,769 --> 00:08:50,289 bitching badly I really wished I would 230 00:08:47,289 --> 00:08:51,938 just be tossed in the lake it occurred 231 00:08:50,289 --> 00:08:53,528 to me however that this was not the 232 00:08:51,938 --> 00:08:55,178 first time a slaver had suggested 233 00:08:53,528 --> 00:08:58,419 unicorns were considered an extra 234 00:08:55,178 --> 00:09:00,129 valuable prize not entirely surprising 235 00:08:58,419 --> 00:09:01,628 considering that the unicorns in stable 236 00:09:00,129 --> 00:09:03,039 - were often expected to go into 237 00:09:01,629 --> 00:09:04,629 technical works thanks to the fine 238 00:09:03,039 --> 00:09:07,618 manipulation our magic allowed 239 00:09:04,629 --> 00:09:11,399 I wondered what red I was putting us - 240 00:09:07,619 --> 00:09:14,379 I'd probably find out soon enough 241 00:09:11,399 --> 00:09:16,149 while quadruple combat shotgun pony kept 242 00:09:14,379 --> 00:09:18,129 aim on me her male counterpart threw a 243 00:09:16,149 --> 00:09:20,678 lever killing the electric crackle of 244 00:09:18,129 --> 00:09:22,209 the chain-link fence he hooked a button 245 00:09:20,678 --> 00:09:24,419 and a section of the fence began to roll 246 00:09:22,208 --> 00:09:26,948 open with a considerable clatter 247 00:09:24,419 --> 00:09:28,419 quadruple combat shotgun pony continued 248 00:09:26,948 --> 00:09:30,909 to keep her battle saddle trained on me 249 00:09:28,419 --> 00:09:33,368 a single unicorn ponies shackle and cage 250 00:09:30,909 --> 00:09:34,899 as did two snipers hidden within steel 251 00:09:33,369 --> 00:09:37,629 bunker towers on either side of the 252 00:09:34,899 --> 00:09:38,798 walls inner gate the heads of patrol 253 00:09:37,629 --> 00:09:40,239 ponies could be seen walking the 254 00:09:38,798 --> 00:09:43,208 perimeter of the wall on a raised 255 00:09:40,239 --> 00:09:45,189 platform just behind it even knowing me 256 00:09:43,208 --> 00:09:48,428 it felt like a ridiculous amount of 257 00:09:45,188 --> 00:09:50,318 overkill a Griffon arced overhead 258 00:09:48,428 --> 00:09:54,669 checking out the latest arrival and flew 259 00:09:50,318 --> 00:09:56,110 away laughing by the you-know-who Nash 260 00:09:54,669 --> 00:09:57,039 when I first saw this one I thought 261 00:09:56,110 --> 00:09:59,048 you'd bucked your horseshoes and 262 00:09:57,039 --> 00:10:01,298 actually brought in a filly the mare 263 00:09:59,048 --> 00:10:03,129 snickered making me feel even smaller I 264 00:10:01,298 --> 00:10:05,490 was thinking maybe I ought to blow your 265 00:10:03,129 --> 00:10:09,749 head off before Stern got ahold of you 266 00:10:05,490 --> 00:10:13,149 Nash my chauffeur merely grunted again 267 00:10:09,749 --> 00:10:15,970 what's this the guard buck asked peering 268 00:10:13,149 --> 00:10:17,740 in at me his horn glowed and the jagged 269 00:10:15,970 --> 00:10:18,499 rusty spear jetted between the bars at 270 00:10:17,740 --> 00:10:21,798 me 271 00:10:18,499 --> 00:10:23,028 I cringed back the unicorn frowned at me 272 00:10:21,798 --> 00:10:24,348 and tipped the Spears with the head of 273 00:10:23,028 --> 00:10:26,619 it caught on the blood-soaked wrapping 274 00:10:24,349 --> 00:10:29,479 around my pipbuck and pulled it away 275 00:10:26,619 --> 00:10:33,769 crap I wasn't even in the gate and the 276 00:10:29,479 --> 00:10:36,288 plane was falling apart oh he said with 277 00:10:33,769 --> 00:10:40,849 a smiling grunt think you're clever pony 278 00:10:36,288 --> 00:10:46,668 do you he gave me a cruel leer let's see 279 00:10:40,849 --> 00:10:48,589 how clever you feel inside inside did he 280 00:10:46,668 --> 00:10:50,778 intend to rape me I wondered with a shot 281 00:10:48,589 --> 00:10:53,989 of panic or just let me go through the 282 00:10:50,778 --> 00:10:57,229 gate the guard mare shot him a looking 283 00:10:53,989 --> 00:11:00,288 then gave a cruel laugh no please do it 284 00:10:57,229 --> 00:11:03,408 here let me help you hold her down she 285 00:11:00,288 --> 00:11:05,838 gave her companion evil smirk fifteen 286 00:11:03,408 --> 00:11:07,308 minutes of fun if that and you'll be 287 00:11:05,839 --> 00:11:10,789 scratching at the hay bugs biting her 288 00:11:07,308 --> 00:11:13,938 sheath for a week I felt suddenly 289 00:11:10,788 --> 00:11:15,828 thankful for the infested hay the bug 290 00:11:13,938 --> 00:11:18,618 backed up with a fearful look then 291 00:11:15,828 --> 00:11:23,108 scouted the mayor you'd really enjoy 292 00:11:18,619 --> 00:11:28,389 that wouldn't you more than life itself 293 00:11:23,109 --> 00:11:30,100 what a disgusting couple that 294 00:11:28,389 --> 00:11:31,659 he hit the button to close the outer 295 00:11:30,100 --> 00:11:35,889 gate and waved it off towards his diaper 296 00:11:31,659 --> 00:11:37,629 ponies let it through he give me one 297 00:11:35,889 --> 00:11:40,840 more look this one barely contained 298 00:11:37,629 --> 00:11:42,309 revulsion his eyes moved my pipbuck now 299 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:46,269 partially visible through the wrappings 300 00:11:42,309 --> 00:11:47,649 o Integra see doc slaughter she's got 301 00:11:46,269 --> 00:11:51,579 one of them leg terminals at her bitch 302 00:11:47,649 --> 00:11:53,079 to get off for a pony who'd been so 303 00:11:51,580 --> 00:11:55,450 sorely disappointed that she had a pit 304 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:56,620 buck for a cutie mark I was remarkably 305 00:11:55,450 --> 00:11:59,500 terrified at the thought that I might 306 00:11:56,620 --> 00:12:01,360 lose it as best as I could parse the 307 00:11:59,500 --> 00:12:04,210 Bucks attitude these slavers has seen 308 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:07,419 pit bucks before and had ways to remove 309 00:12:04,210 --> 00:12:08,920 them the buck threw the lever and the 310 00:12:07,419 --> 00:12:11,829 fence around us once again crackled and 311 00:12:08,919 --> 00:12:13,360 hummed with a rending grind the huge 312 00:12:11,830 --> 00:12:15,879 metal inner gate of the wall began to 313 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:17,620 lower on massive chains a drawbridge 314 00:12:15,879 --> 00:12:20,379 complete with a moat on the inner side 315 00:12:17,620 --> 00:12:21,639 of the wall my pipbuck began to click 316 00:12:20,379 --> 00:12:24,490 urgently as it picked up radiation 317 00:12:21,639 --> 00:12:25,870 seeping out of the sludge the wall was 318 00:12:24,490 --> 00:12:27,820 clearly meant to keep anypony from 319 00:12:25,870 --> 00:12:31,389 getting out as much as prevent ponies 320 00:12:27,820 --> 00:12:32,530 from getting in beyond I got my first 321 00:12:31,389 --> 00:12:36,039 glimpse of the inner city of 322 00:12:32,529 --> 00:12:37,959 Philadelphia slave master stood guard or 323 00:12:36,039 --> 00:12:40,179 mesh covered work pits wearing boardings 324 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:41,650 and gas masks pointing weapons down to 325 00:12:40,179 --> 00:12:44,199 her poor ponies laboured beyond the 326 00:12:41,649 --> 00:12:46,059 point of exhaustion I couldn't tell what 327 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:48,960 work they were doing but I could tell 328 00:12:46,059 --> 00:12:51,539 they were filthy sick and trembling a 329 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:54,070 chimney rose out of the nearest work pit 330 00:12:51,539 --> 00:12:57,009 hellish red tinted exhaust poured out of 331 00:12:54,070 --> 00:13:00,730 it I gagged on the stench of unwashed 332 00:12:57,009 --> 00:13:02,169 ponies and noxious fumes a swath of 333 00:13:00,730 --> 00:13:03,700 bright yellow and green fluttered around 334 00:13:02,169 --> 00:13:07,509 the chimney before purging on a nearby 335 00:13:03,700 --> 00:13:08,830 pile of rubble higher light she cocked 336 00:13:07,509 --> 00:13:15,220 her head at me 337 00:13:08,830 --> 00:13:17,860 I was not alone behold called out the 338 00:13:15,220 --> 00:13:20,590 voice of redeye we stand on the 339 00:13:17,860 --> 00:13:23,230 threshold of a new dawn with every 340 00:13:20,590 --> 00:13:25,899 factory we recover every mill we rebuild 341 00:13:23,230 --> 00:13:27,580 we move one big step forward towards in 342 00:13:25,899 --> 00:13:29,379 Equestria where our children can live in 343 00:13:27,580 --> 00:13:32,110 the safety and comfort of modern cities 344 00:13:29,379 --> 00:13:35,080 not groveling the dilapidated ruins of 345 00:13:32,110 --> 00:13:37,960 the past with the stone and glass and 346 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:39,970 steel forged by these we can rebuild the 347 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:41,620 homes and towers and lanes of mass 348 00:13:39,970 --> 00:13:44,129 transportation that will bestow freedom 349 00:13:41,620 --> 00:13:47,289 and prosperity upon generations to come 350 00:13:44,129 --> 00:13:49,210 this my children is the very last 351 00:13:47,289 --> 00:13:51,459 generation that needs to cringe in caves 352 00:13:49,210 --> 00:13:55,690 and scramble for 200 year old scraps of 353 00:13:51,460 --> 00:13:58,360 food the Philadelphia broadcasts poured 354 00:13:55,690 --> 00:14:00,640 out of speakers everywhere the messages 355 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:02,440 and music were non stop the constant 356 00:14:00,639 --> 00:14:05,679 champion of both slave masters and 357 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:07,090 slaves Nash pulled the wagon past 358 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:08,500 several more work that's before drawing 359 00:14:07,090 --> 00:14:13,330 to a stop and what had once been a 360 00:14:08,500 --> 00:14:15,100 chariot lot I coughed my pipbuck was not 361 00:14:13,330 --> 00:14:16,600 shy but informed me that the gas pouring 362 00:14:15,100 --> 00:14:19,870 out of the work pit smoked sacks was 363 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:21,009 poisonous the guards had masks but they 364 00:14:19,870 --> 00:14:25,179 apparently couldn't spare any for the 365 00:14:21,009 --> 00:14:27,120 slaves I trembled with anger the rate of 366 00:14:25,179 --> 00:14:30,039 attrition here must be unconscionable 367 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:31,600 the lot was full of caged wagons most of 368 00:14:30,039 --> 00:14:33,159 them recently emptied by other wagon 369 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:35,710 pullers who were amassing slaves in an 370 00:14:33,159 --> 00:14:37,689 open area of the pavement the gate I'd 371 00:14:35,710 --> 00:14:40,810 come through was not the only one and I 372 00:14:37,690 --> 00:14:42,700 was not the only new arrival Nash opened 373 00:14:40,809 --> 00:14:43,899 my cage and stuck his head in biting on 374 00:14:42,700 --> 00:14:46,750 the chain between my shackles and 375 00:14:43,899 --> 00:14:49,149 hauling me roughly out I was dragged 376 00:14:46,750 --> 00:14:50,529 into a throng of suffering ponies each 377 00:14:49,149 --> 00:14:53,220 of whom had clearly been through weeks 378 00:14:50,529 --> 00:14:56,019 of torment before even getting here a 379 00:14:53,220 --> 00:14:57,730 large black Griffin in dark gray town 380 00:14:56,019 --> 00:14:59,049 barding landed on the roof adjacent to 381 00:14:57,730 --> 00:15:02,080 the chariot Lawton turned her white 382 00:14:59,049 --> 00:15:04,289 feathered head to scowl at us above her 383 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:07,680 Rose a banner that fluttered in the wind 384 00:15:04,289 --> 00:15:09,629 the red-eye flag she had a whip curled 385 00:15:07,679 --> 00:15:12,959 under one wing and an anti machine rifle 386 00:15:09,629 --> 00:15:15,990 strapped to her back the work is hard 387 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:17,340 yes red eyes voice continued out of the 388 00:15:15,990 --> 00:15:18,810 nearest speakers as the Griffon above 389 00:15:17,340 --> 00:15:21,120 scanned the miserable group of ponies 390 00:15:18,809 --> 00:15:22,799 beneath her but only through the 391 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:24,659 generous gift of our effort can our 392 00:15:22,799 --> 00:15:27,299 children and our children's children 393 00:15:24,659 --> 00:15:28,919 have a better world we must selflessly 394 00:15:27,299 --> 00:15:32,339 give all that we have so in a new 395 00:15:28,919 --> 00:15:34,939 Equestria we may rise and that is not 396 00:15:32,340 --> 00:15:38,040 such an easier thing to ask 397 00:15:34,940 --> 00:15:41,910 honestly red eye I don't see much acting 398 00:15:38,039 --> 00:15:44,909 going on tribals only care about their 399 00:15:41,909 --> 00:15:47,549 small groups unable or unwilling to view 400 00:15:44,909 --> 00:15:49,129 a larger picture Raiders and steel 401 00:15:47,549 --> 00:15:51,389 Rangers of the epitome of selfishness 402 00:15:49,129 --> 00:15:53,939 Karin only for their own base desires 403 00:15:51,389 --> 00:15:55,289 and outdated codes taking what they want 404 00:15:53,940 --> 00:15:59,520 from the rest of us and giving nothing 405 00:15:55,289 --> 00:16:03,480 back but here today and every day we 406 00:15:59,519 --> 00:16:07,379 give back we create where others no only 407 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:11,430 to tear down we build and that my 408 00:16:07,379 --> 00:16:12,899 children is how we pave the way for one 409 00:16:11,429 --> 00:16:14,729 of the other wagon pullers shouted at us 410 00:16:12,899 --> 00:16:16,279 making many ponies cringe and one 411 00:16:14,730 --> 00:16:18,750 actually burst into tears 412 00:16:16,279 --> 00:16:23,370 make yourselves presentable young 413 00:16:18,750 --> 00:16:24,450 worthless mules the Griffin's expression 414 00:16:23,370 --> 00:16:27,230 suddenly turned from something 415 00:16:24,450 --> 00:16:29,730 resembling mild contempt to cold anger 416 00:16:27,230 --> 00:16:30,779 she drew the massive anti machine rifle 417 00:16:29,730 --> 00:16:33,750 faster than I would have thought 418 00:16:30,779 --> 00:16:36,480 possible the report of the gun was like 419 00:16:33,750 --> 00:16:38,340 the righteous anger of Luna the wagon 420 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:39,779 puller was ripped into the bullet 421 00:16:38,340 --> 00:16:42,600 punching through the asphalt and bearing 422 00:16:39,779 --> 00:16:45,299 itself deep in the ground a few ponies 423 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:47,250 screamed a magenta mare with an orange 424 00:16:45,299 --> 00:16:48,629 mane began backpedaling trying to keep 425 00:16:47,250 --> 00:16:50,399 her hooves out of the spreading pool of 426 00:16:48,629 --> 00:16:51,929 blood her terror stricken face 427 00:16:50,399 --> 00:16:55,409 splattered with what looked like part of 428 00:16:51,929 --> 00:16:56,129 the dead slavers stomach lining we are 429 00:16:55,409 --> 00:16:59,939 not animals 430 00:16:56,129 --> 00:17:02,009 we are not zebras we are ponies we have 431 00:16:59,940 --> 00:17:05,220 a better nature and a higher calling 432 00:17:02,009 --> 00:17:07,329 we know that the road is hard yet we 433 00:17:05,220 --> 00:17:09,279 stand and face the challenge 434 00:17:07,329 --> 00:17:11,019 we know that many of us may suffer in 435 00:17:09,279 --> 00:17:13,750 perish and never taste the sweet fruits 436 00:17:11,019 --> 00:17:16,750 of our labor but out of generosity and 437 00:17:13,750 --> 00:17:18,940 hope we give of ourselves anyway so that 438 00:17:16,750 --> 00:17:21,450 others may know a better future because 439 00:17:18,940 --> 00:17:24,730 that future is worth any sacrifice and 440 00:17:21,450 --> 00:17:31,620 yes the new Equestria does demands 441 00:17:24,730 --> 00:17:34,990 sacrifices ok but pony sacrifices 442 00:17:31,619 --> 00:17:38,169 red-eyes speech ended the music began 443 00:17:34,990 --> 00:17:40,150 again uplifting and regal the Griffon 444 00:17:38,170 --> 00:17:44,170 looked not to us but at the cowering 445 00:17:40,150 --> 00:17:48,430 slavers you do not interrupt when redeye 446 00:17:44,170 --> 00:17:51,580 is talking she then turned to us my name 447 00:17:48,430 --> 00:17:57,120 is Stan the Griffon stated looking down 448 00:17:51,579 --> 00:17:57,119 on her new slaves and this is my town 449 00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:03,309 you are workers CERN informed us as she 450 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:04,450 paced along the rooftop above you work 451 00:18:03,309 --> 00:18:07,240 towards the building of a brighter 452 00:18:04,450 --> 00:18:09,009 future a brighter tomorrow towards the 453 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:12,130 new Equestria which will be populated by 454 00:18:09,009 --> 00:18:14,200 unity your work is the gift that you 455 00:18:12,130 --> 00:18:16,270 give to the future and you can either 456 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:16,960 give it willingly or red I will give it 457 00:18:16,269 --> 00:18:21,309 for you 458 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:23,140 I found myself conflicted I see that the 459 00:18:21,309 --> 00:18:24,639 treatment of the ponies which amounted 460 00:18:23,140 --> 00:18:28,360 nothing short of slow and torturous 461 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:32,259 murder and yet I understood red eyes 462 00:18:28,359 --> 00:18:34,359 goal maybe not all of it the whole unity 463 00:18:32,259 --> 00:18:36,879 thing was getting downright creepy but 464 00:18:34,359 --> 00:18:39,549 the progress the shrine to make the 465 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:41,380 world a better place at any cost the 466 00:18:39,549 --> 00:18:45,119 same drive had left me flanked even 467 00:18:41,380 --> 00:18:47,410 blood and I was not apologetic for it 468 00:18:45,119 --> 00:18:48,729 red I will put you to work doing things 469 00:18:47,410 --> 00:18:51,160 we probably should be working towards 470 00:18:48,730 --> 00:18:54,640 together anyway although by choice and 471 00:18:51,160 --> 00:18:55,870 in safer conditions me I'll put a bull 472 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:58,690 through your head if you're a raping 473 00:18:55,869 --> 00:19:00,819 murdering blood on ponykind in both 474 00:18:58,690 --> 00:19:02,620 cases we decided that ponies who didn't 475 00:19:00,819 --> 00:19:04,240 choose their own lives the right way had 476 00:19:02,619 --> 00:19:05,919 forfeited their right to live freely if 477 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:09,190 at all 478 00:19:05,920 --> 00:19:12,279 there was a difference there was a line 479 00:19:09,190 --> 00:19:15,400 between redeye and me it just wasn't as 480 00:19:12,279 --> 00:19:16,930 thick as I would have liked even so it 481 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:18,700 didn't change the pain I was seeing and 482 00:19:16,930 --> 00:19:22,420 hearing all around me and that these 483 00:19:18,700 --> 00:19:23,559 horrors had to stop but most of you 484 00:19:22,420 --> 00:19:25,810 ponies don't really care about the 485 00:19:23,559 --> 00:19:27,849 future do you I can see it in your eyes 486 00:19:25,809 --> 00:19:30,519 you don't give a crap about other ponies 487 00:19:27,849 --> 00:19:32,619 you just care about your freedom well 488 00:19:30,519 --> 00:19:35,740 then listen closely because I'm going to 489 00:19:32,619 --> 00:19:37,689 tell you how to free yourselves Stern 490 00:19:35,740 --> 00:19:40,180 said her voice gruff with disgusting 491 00:19:37,690 --> 00:19:42,730 conviction part of me wanted to cry out 492 00:19:40,180 --> 00:19:45,130 that I did care but a much stronger part 493 00:19:42,730 --> 00:19:46,599 of me listened intently unless I could 494 00:19:45,130 --> 00:19:48,700 find a screwdriver and an unguarded 495 00:19:46,599 --> 00:19:53,079 place to hide this might be my best 496 00:19:48,700 --> 00:19:55,720 chance you earn it of course you do I 497 00:19:53,079 --> 00:19:58,179 thought but Stern was quick to expound 498 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:59,500 on that concept you can toil in the 499 00:19:58,180 --> 00:20:00,700 mills and the factories and the work 500 00:19:59,500 --> 00:20:02,829 houses until you drop 501 00:20:00,700 --> 00:20:06,700 or you can volunteer from more dangerous 502 00:20:02,829 --> 00:20:08,649 jobs those who do are reward redeye is a 503 00:20:06,700 --> 00:20:12,190 very generous stallion he gives you 504 00:20:08,650 --> 00:20:13,990 three options the Griffon held up three 505 00:20:12,190 --> 00:20:16,600 razor-sharp towns and began taking them 506 00:20:13,990 --> 00:20:18,849 down you can choose to work on a stable 507 00:20:16,599 --> 00:20:20,769 recovery team there are a lot of stables 508 00:20:18,849 --> 00:20:22,839 in the Philadelphia area each written 509 00:20:20,769 --> 00:20:24,759 resources but stables tend to be 510 00:20:22,839 --> 00:20:28,500 dangerous they often have their own 511 00:20:24,759 --> 00:20:31,259 security or their own unique dangers I 512 00:20:28,500 --> 00:20:34,569 shuddered feeling a fresh wave of fury 513 00:20:31,259 --> 00:20:36,250 the Griffon scowled and of course there 514 00:20:34,569 --> 00:20:38,439 are the steel rangers who are also after 515 00:20:36,250 --> 00:20:40,779 the same prizes and before you start 516 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:42,700 getting any wrong ideas let me warn you 517 00:20:40,779 --> 00:20:44,200 the steel rangers have adopted a 518 00:20:42,700 --> 00:20:45,730 slaughter first attitude towards anyone 519 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:47,759 that stands in their way of reclaiming 520 00:20:45,730 --> 00:20:49,990 old stable-tec property for themselves 521 00:20:47,759 --> 00:20:52,420 they will slaughter you just as quickly 522 00:20:49,990 --> 00:20:53,799 as they will slaughter us and in those 523 00:20:52,420 --> 00:20:55,600 rare cases when the stables have 524 00:20:53,799 --> 00:20:58,480 still-living residents they usually 525 00:20:55,599 --> 00:21:01,209 started them to at least read I give the 526 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:05,628 same options he gives you 527 00:21:01,210 --> 00:21:09,048 my eyes went wide by jaw-dropping Luna 528 00:21:05,628 --> 00:21:10,490 raped them with her horn you were two 529 00:21:09,048 --> 00:21:12,679 years on a stable recovery team and 530 00:21:10,490 --> 00:21:14,960 survived and red.i promises you freedom 531 00:21:12,679 --> 00:21:17,869 he'll be tagged and you'll be allowed to 532 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:20,450 live whatever life you choose the 533 00:21:17,868 --> 00:21:24,470 Griffin gave a knowing smirk so long as 534 00:21:20,450 --> 00:21:27,639 you don't decide to become a bother two 535 00:21:24,470 --> 00:21:30,019 years that was not an option 536 00:21:27,638 --> 00:21:32,269 but I was really thinking about that I 537 00:21:30,019 --> 00:21:33,618 was thinking about how blueberry saber 538 00:21:32,269 --> 00:21:36,319 and I were going to have some very very 539 00:21:33,618 --> 00:21:39,829 harsh words I was already considering 540 00:21:36,319 --> 00:21:42,980 what ammo to use as punctuation curling 541 00:21:39,829 --> 00:21:45,230 her second claw stern continued you can 542 00:21:42,980 --> 00:21:46,999 work in the Philadelphia crater redeye 543 00:21:45,230 --> 00:21:49,159 has needed radioactive materials and 544 00:21:46,999 --> 00:21:51,710 that crater is a treasure trove of the 545 00:21:49,159 --> 00:21:53,690 month if blueberry saber was to be 546 00:21:51,710 --> 00:21:55,909 believed and it would be stupid for her 547 00:21:53,690 --> 00:21:58,580 to lie about my objectives then I knew 548 00:21:55,909 --> 00:22:01,399 why red I was mining the crater he 549 00:21:58,579 --> 00:22:03,288 needed material for his rad engine but 550 00:22:01,398 --> 00:22:06,079 working at ground zero of a mega spell 551 00:22:03,288 --> 00:22:10,069 strike even radiation protective barding 552 00:22:06,079 --> 00:22:11,628 that was a death sentence red eye has 553 00:22:10,069 --> 00:22:13,128 stated that anypony who works for six 554 00:22:11,628 --> 00:22:14,928 months worth full workdays in 555 00:22:13,128 --> 00:22:18,230 Philadelphia crater will be treated for 556 00:22:14,929 --> 00:22:21,230 radiation sickness and freed a falsely 557 00:22:18,230 --> 00:22:23,509 kind smile crossed her beak but since he 558 00:22:21,230 --> 00:22:25,308 is such a terrible stallion red eye has 559 00:22:23,509 --> 00:22:28,970 recently reduced it to only four months 560 00:22:25,308 --> 00:22:32,240 I suspected most ponies suffered fatal 561 00:22:28,970 --> 00:22:35,240 radiation poisoning within three your 562 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:37,579 third option Stern informed us holding 563 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:41,269 up the remaining talon is to fight in 564 00:22:37,579 --> 00:22:44,058 the pit the pit is the arena combat Pony 565 00:22:41,269 --> 00:22:45,499 against Pony each event has six rounds 566 00:22:44,058 --> 00:22:47,868 and there is usually an event once every 567 00:22:45,499 --> 00:22:49,920 week more if redeye himself Grace's us 568 00:22:47,868 --> 00:22:52,409 with his presence 569 00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:55,440 the Griffins stared down at us assessing 570 00:22:52,410 --> 00:22:57,750 pathetic herd of new slaves if you 571 00:22:55,440 --> 00:23:00,000 survived six consecutive events not only 572 00:22:57,750 --> 00:23:02,480 do you gain your beloved freedom but you 573 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:07,230 gain an honored place in red eyes army 574 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:08,610 she stood up tall glowering but frankly 575 00:23:07,230 --> 00:23:12,410 none of you look worthy of such an 576 00:23:08,609 --> 00:23:15,649 honour the black body Griffin snorted 577 00:23:12,410 --> 00:23:17,940 still I'm honorbound give you the option 578 00:23:15,650 --> 00:23:21,000 just try not to make it too easy for 579 00:23:17,940 --> 00:23:24,269 your opponent if you do then scowling at 580 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:26,640 us yet again she warned these are the 581 00:23:24,269 --> 00:23:29,339 ways to earn your freedom but there are 582 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:32,460 two more ways to gain it you may at any 583 00:23:29,339 --> 00:23:34,470 time choose to join the unity if you do 584 00:23:32,460 --> 00:23:37,590 your fate will be in the hooves of the 585 00:23:34,470 --> 00:23:41,460 goddess she said the word as if she was 586 00:23:37,589 --> 00:23:45,119 distasteful or of course you can gain 587 00:23:41,460 --> 00:23:45,900 freedom through death try anything 588 00:23:45,119 --> 00:23:50,069 stupid 589 00:23:45,900 --> 00:23:52,970 try to rebel try to fight try to run any 590 00:23:50,069 --> 00:23:57,149 of those are fine ways to die horribly 591 00:23:52,970 --> 00:24:02,160 Stern fixed us all with a stare but that 592 00:23:57,150 --> 00:24:05,400 is all they are welcome to the 593 00:24:02,160 --> 00:24:07,350 philadelphia fun farm a weathered 594 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:08,790 oversized image of pinkie pie's head in 595 00:24:07,349 --> 00:24:11,849 four loaves peaked over the top of the 596 00:24:08,789 --> 00:24:13,319 arched wrought iron gate way beyond lay 597 00:24:11,849 --> 00:24:16,168 the decaying ruins of what had once been 598 00:24:13,319 --> 00:24:17,808 a massive amusement park I remembered it 599 00:24:16,169 --> 00:24:19,860 from the poster and steel of Shack 600 00:24:17,808 --> 00:24:22,759 everything from the grand galloping gala 601 00:24:19,859 --> 00:24:24,959 should have been every day forever 602 00:24:22,759 --> 00:24:27,359 we were herded through the gateway a 603 00:24:24,960 --> 00:24:30,029 fair bulk of the old amusement park had 604 00:24:27,359 --> 00:24:31,619 been converted into slaves quarters I've 605 00:24:30,029 --> 00:24:33,178 been assigned a straw mat somewhere an 606 00:24:31,619 --> 00:24:34,829 enclosure where ponies once galloped 607 00:24:33,179 --> 00:24:37,740 around and mock-ups of plow wagons 608 00:24:34,829 --> 00:24:40,109 ramming into each other for fun being 609 00:24:37,740 --> 00:24:43,440 new I didn't rate for walls only a roof 610 00:24:40,109 --> 00:24:46,069 and I was told to be glad for that the 611 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:49,009 rain in Philadelphia they warned me burn 612 00:24:46,069 --> 00:24:51,169 on the path up to the Gateway 613 00:24:49,009 --> 00:24:53,269 I spotted slaves harness to actual plow 614 00:24:51,170 --> 00:24:55,429 wagons pushing mounds of rubble as they 615 00:24:53,269 --> 00:24:57,079 pull the cherry behind them carrying the 616 00:24:55,429 --> 00:25:00,320 slave Pony master who whipped them if 617 00:24:57,079 --> 00:25:02,000 they weren't going fast enough or if the 618 00:25:00,319 --> 00:25:03,619 slave master liked the sounds the poor 619 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:08,299 Pony made when struck brutally with the 620 00:25:03,619 --> 00:25:09,919 lash or if she was just bored I wondered 621 00:25:08,299 --> 00:25:11,299 if any of those tortured ponies spent 622 00:25:09,920 --> 00:25:15,308 their nights sleeping in the bumper plow 623 00:25:11,299 --> 00:25:18,049 pit sometimes irony sucked 624 00:25:15,308 --> 00:25:19,700 once Colts and fillies would drag their 625 00:25:18,049 --> 00:25:21,409 parents from miles around to romp and 626 00:25:19,700 --> 00:25:24,890 play in the silly rides and spectacles 627 00:25:21,410 --> 00:25:26,600 to Philadelphia fun farm provided now it 628 00:25:24,890 --> 00:25:29,590 was a monstrous monument to slavery and 629 00:25:26,599 --> 00:25:34,699 death wrapped in garish peeling paint 630 00:25:29,589 --> 00:25:36,589 Pinkie Pie would not approve above us 3 631 00:25:34,700 --> 00:25:38,140 Pinkie Pie balloons floated in constant 632 00:25:36,589 --> 00:25:40,909 orbit over the decayed amusement park 633 00:25:38,140 --> 00:25:42,800 one moved freely the other two were 634 00:25:40,910 --> 00:25:44,000 angered one apiece to the two tallest 635 00:25:42,799 --> 00:25:46,849 buildings still standing within the 636 00:25:44,000 --> 00:25:48,859 curtain of the wall the first was leased 637 00:25:46,849 --> 00:25:50,719 to an old hotel beaten but unbroken 638 00:25:48,859 --> 00:25:52,279 which towered just a few blocks beyond 639 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:54,980 the eastern edge at the Philadelphia fun 640 00:25:52,279 --> 00:25:56,869 farm the huge lettering on the 20th 641 00:25:54,980 --> 00:25:59,299 floor balcony was nearly rusted away and 642 00:25:56,869 --> 00:26:01,039 had long ago lost its lighting but even 643 00:25:59,299 --> 00:26:02,990 without it I would have recognized the 644 00:26:01,039 --> 00:26:04,279 Alpha Omega hotel from its small picture 645 00:26:02,990 --> 00:26:05,470 in that old news article I'd seen a 646 00:26:04,279 --> 00:26:07,910 couple days ago 647 00:26:05,470 --> 00:26:09,230 the second Pinkie Pie balloon was bound 648 00:26:07,910 --> 00:26:10,070 to a building rising out of the fund 649 00:26:09,230 --> 00:26:12,549 farm itself 650 00:26:10,069 --> 00:26:14,659 it was clearly stylized as a barn 651 00:26:12,549 --> 00:26:16,159 looking like nothing so much as a 652 00:26:14,660 --> 00:26:17,200 colossal version of the old building on 653 00:26:16,160 --> 00:26:19,519 sweet Apple acres 654 00:26:17,200 --> 00:26:21,259 the first floors were covered in gaily 655 00:26:19,519 --> 00:26:22,970 colored murals and fairytale characters 656 00:26:21,259 --> 00:26:24,679 most of which had slid from the 657 00:26:22,970 --> 00:26:27,410 precipice of childlike frivolity into 658 00:26:24,679 --> 00:26:28,610 the valley of disturbing imagery the 659 00:26:27,410 --> 00:26:30,019 roller coaster that looked all around 660 00:26:28,609 --> 00:26:31,279 the amusement park actually passed 661 00:26:30,019 --> 00:26:34,190 through the building on the sixth floor 662 00:26:31,279 --> 00:26:36,259 a huge radio tower dubbed up from the 663 00:26:34,190 --> 00:26:37,890 top modified to look like a comically 664 00:26:36,259 --> 00:26:40,799 oversized weather vane 665 00:26:37,890 --> 00:26:42,390 I realized that I was looking at the 666 00:26:40,799 --> 00:26:45,740 Philadelphia hub of the Ministry of 667 00:26:42,390 --> 00:26:48,030 morale I should have known 668 00:26:45,740 --> 00:26:50,460 pinky buying her ministry had created a 669 00:26:48,029 --> 00:26:51,930 spray bots the source of the spritebot a 670 00:26:50,460 --> 00:26:52,529 broadcast had been the ministry hub 671 00:26:51,930 --> 00:26:54,840 somewhere 672 00:26:52,529 --> 00:26:56,519 it wasn't powerful enough to reach all 673 00:26:54,839 --> 00:26:58,889 the way to Manhattan but with each 674 00:26:56,519 --> 00:27:00,150 spritebot rebroadcasting the signal the 675 00:26:58,890 --> 00:27:02,880 ministry of Morales reach have been 676 00:27:00,150 --> 00:27:04,920 effectively infinite when read I had 677 00:27:02,880 --> 00:27:07,740 taken in a hub he'd simply added his 678 00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:09,269 sermons to the playlist the music itself 679 00:27:07,740 --> 00:27:10,710 was the same songs at the Ministry of 680 00:27:09,269 --> 00:27:14,670 morality in broadcasting since before 681 00:27:10,710 --> 00:27:16,470 the war as if mocking me fra revelation 682 00:27:14,670 --> 00:27:18,090 the plucky harpsichord number playing 683 00:27:16,470 --> 00:27:22,049 over the speaker suffered an influx of 684 00:27:18,089 --> 00:27:26,039 lyrics he got a share he got a care it's 685 00:27:22,049 --> 00:27:30,210 the right thing to do I really really 686 00:27:26,039 --> 00:27:32,009 wanted the gun oh look called out a 687 00:27:30,210 --> 00:27:33,079 blood-red mare whose dark green Mane was 688 00:27:32,009 --> 00:27:35,129 dumping spikes 689 00:27:33,079 --> 00:27:37,279 she was lounging on the spectator 690 00:27:35,130 --> 00:27:41,160 railing of the bumper plow arena 691 00:27:37,279 --> 00:27:43,440 freshmeat the slave master ponies 692 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:44,880 walking with us took their leave Nash 693 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:47,940 gave me a parting look that I couldn't 694 00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:51,960 interpret then we were alone with the 695 00:27:47,940 --> 00:27:53,580 other slaves many paid us no mind most 696 00:27:51,960 --> 00:27:56,940 that even spared us a glance did so with 697 00:27:53,579 --> 00:27:59,189 sad resigned expressions I felt sickened 698 00:27:56,940 --> 00:28:00,480 at the sight of several of them many 699 00:27:59,190 --> 00:28:02,400 were shedding the remains and coats 700 00:28:00,480 --> 00:28:04,559 revealing boils or discolored flesh 701 00:28:02,400 --> 00:28:07,050 beneath or suffered from withered limbs 702 00:28:04,559 --> 00:28:09,799 or slowing facial features the slowly 703 00:28:07,049 --> 00:28:14,129 dying victims of radiation poisoning and 704 00:28:09,799 --> 00:28:15,629 then there were the bullies the 705 00:28:14,130 --> 00:28:18,810 blood-red mayor slid from the railing in 706 00:28:15,630 --> 00:28:21,990 stock towards us listen up my little 707 00:28:18,809 --> 00:28:24,259 grub worms she barked her cutie mark 708 00:28:21,990 --> 00:28:26,759 looked like an eyeball on a pike I 709 00:28:24,259 --> 00:28:29,700 shuddered wondering just how you end up 710 00:28:26,759 --> 00:28:30,839 getting back as a cutie mark blueberry 711 00:28:29,700 --> 00:28:32,580 saber had warned me that I might have 712 00:28:30,839 --> 00:28:36,750 more to fear from my inmates than my 713 00:28:32,579 --> 00:28:38,730 guards another Pony joined her a hulking 714 00:28:36,750 --> 00:28:40,410 piss colored male pony with an ugly scar 715 00:28:38,730 --> 00:28:43,259 and a kid you mark of a very angry 716 00:28:40,410 --> 00:28:45,440 yellow flower I got the absurd feeling 717 00:28:43,259 --> 00:28:47,930 that the flower wanted to kill me 718 00:28:45,440 --> 00:28:51,049 the school in stable 2 had bullies and 719 00:28:47,930 --> 00:28:52,850 these ponies reminded me of them no 720 00:28:51,049 --> 00:28:54,259 matter how powerless we all were they 721 00:28:52,849 --> 00:28:55,629 could find power above making the rest 722 00:28:54,259 --> 00:28:59,180 of us even more miserable 723 00:28:55,630 --> 00:29:01,130 it was contemptible at best with 724 00:28:59,180 --> 00:29:02,660 everypony suffering I felt it was vile 725 00:29:01,130 --> 00:29:03,800 that some of the slaves themselves would 726 00:29:02,660 --> 00:29:06,529 go out of their way to make it worse for 727 00:29:03,799 --> 00:29:08,799 others I'd learned that the best way to 728 00:29:06,529 --> 00:29:12,109 gain strength was through friendship 729 00:29:08,799 --> 00:29:14,299 shouldn't we all be working together but 730 00:29:12,109 --> 00:29:18,049 this was faster and easier for the 731 00:29:14,299 --> 00:29:19,339 shellfish I'm blood the appropriately 732 00:29:18,049 --> 00:29:21,799 colored mare with the spiked mane 733 00:29:19,339 --> 00:29:25,819 announced then introducing the over 734 00:29:21,799 --> 00:29:26,599 muscled buck and this is Daffy the lug 735 00:29:25,819 --> 00:29:29,809 stared at us 736 00:29:26,599 --> 00:29:31,639 his eyes lingering on the mares I know 737 00:29:29,809 --> 00:29:34,159 you all just heard Stern's big spiel 738 00:29:31,640 --> 00:29:36,290 about how Philadelphia is her town blood 739 00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:37,990 said which I bet she wouldn't have dared 740 00:29:36,289 --> 00:29:42,519 at the Griffin where anywhere nearby 741 00:29:37,990 --> 00:29:45,319 well the bumper plow pit is our domain 742 00:29:42,519 --> 00:29:47,269 what a glorious Empire you have there I 743 00:29:45,319 --> 00:29:50,179 snark under my breath before I could 744 00:29:47,269 --> 00:29:55,970 stop myself blood looked like she'd been 745 00:29:50,180 --> 00:29:59,330 slapped excuse me she trotted up eyes 746 00:29:55,970 --> 00:30:01,430 narrowing did you just talk because 747 00:29:59,329 --> 00:30:03,159 sounded like you just talked and I don't 748 00:30:01,430 --> 00:30:05,509 remember telling you to 749 00:30:03,160 --> 00:30:07,790 why couldn't I keep my mouth shut 750 00:30:05,509 --> 00:30:09,170 well at least maybe she kicked the crap 751 00:30:07,789 --> 00:30:10,849 out of me she'd managed to crush all the 752 00:30:09,170 --> 00:30:14,300 biting bugs on my coat while she was at 753 00:30:10,849 --> 00:30:17,209 it then again maybe it was a good thing 754 00:30:14,299 --> 00:30:19,159 I'd gotten her attention if I be him the 755 00:30:17,210 --> 00:30:20,390 bully's new chew toy then that would 756 00:30:19,160 --> 00:30:23,150 spare the other slaves at least some of 757 00:30:20,390 --> 00:30:26,230 their attentions I'd faced a dragon I 758 00:30:23,150 --> 00:30:29,330 could take the crap these two could dish 759 00:30:26,230 --> 00:30:31,210 okay so I ran away from the dragon but 760 00:30:29,329 --> 00:30:35,210 that's just getting nitpicky 761 00:30:31,210 --> 00:30:37,850 well did you just talk blood demanded 762 00:30:35,210 --> 00:30:39,289 sticking her snout against mine she had 763 00:30:37,849 --> 00:30:42,230 to lower her head a little to do so 764 00:30:39,289 --> 00:30:43,730 something I could see she enjoyed my 765 00:30:42,230 --> 00:30:48,170 small stature made me a particularly 766 00:30:43,730 --> 00:30:50,930 appealing target I I just said what a 767 00:30:48,170 --> 00:30:52,660 glorious Empire you have you know with 768 00:30:50,930 --> 00:30:56,120 the crumbling amusement park ride I 769 00:30:52,660 --> 00:30:57,519 stammered cringing back you must be so 770 00:30:56,119 --> 00:31:02,509 proud 771 00:30:57,519 --> 00:31:04,750 her eyes widened oh you you're just 772 00:31:02,509 --> 00:31:06,980 begging me to mess you up 773 00:31:04,750 --> 00:31:08,869 she lifted up a hoof and brought it down 774 00:31:06,980 --> 00:31:12,230 on the chain of my manacles driving my 775 00:31:08,869 --> 00:31:14,509 face into the dirt okay filly this is 776 00:31:12,230 --> 00:31:16,610 life from now on you speak when I tell 777 00:31:14,509 --> 00:31:18,559 you to speak you lick where I tell you 778 00:31:16,609 --> 00:31:21,919 to lick and you give me half your food 779 00:31:18,559 --> 00:31:23,929 rations every night and maybe just maybe 780 00:31:21,920 --> 00:31:25,550 I'll keep you for myself rather than 781 00:31:23,930 --> 00:31:28,029 letting Daffy here have you every lunar 782 00:31:25,549 --> 00:31:30,169 damned night till he splits in two I 783 00:31:28,029 --> 00:31:33,859 looked up at her putting on a pitiful 784 00:31:30,170 --> 00:31:38,930 expression Daffy she called back to the 785 00:31:33,859 --> 00:31:40,189 piss colored brute fuck her up bad the 786 00:31:38,930 --> 00:31:44,330 lumbering buck approached me with a 787 00:31:40,190 --> 00:31:48,230 nasty grin with pleasure he spun and 788 00:31:44,329 --> 00:31:50,480 kicked hard pain exploded through my 789 00:31:48,230 --> 00:31:53,000 breasts I found myself flying back 790 00:31:50,480 --> 00:31:54,500 through the air I crashed through the 791 00:31:53,000 --> 00:31:55,460 rotted remains of what had once been a 792 00:31:54,500 --> 00:31:57,109 hotdog stand 793 00:31:55,460 --> 00:31:59,569 with a picture of Pinkie Pie slathering 794 00:31:57,109 --> 00:32:01,069 on the mustard I was struggling to get 795 00:31:59,569 --> 00:32:02,950 on my feet when he slammed into me at 796 00:32:01,069 --> 00:32:05,960 full gallop sending me sprawling I 797 00:32:02,950 --> 00:32:08,210 thought I heard a rib crack breathing 798 00:32:05,960 --> 00:32:10,130 was becoming painful 799 00:32:08,210 --> 00:32:12,289 the buck trotted up to me as I fought to 800 00:32:10,130 --> 00:32:14,720 catch my breath and reared up without 801 00:32:12,289 --> 00:32:17,659 armor I was afraid he'd break my back so 802 00:32:14,720 --> 00:32:19,339 I twisted he compensated his hopes 803 00:32:17,660 --> 00:32:22,310 coming down in my stomach knocking any 804 00:32:19,339 --> 00:32:25,789 wind I had out of me I coughed tasting 805 00:32:22,309 --> 00:32:29,119 blood the huge buck positioned himself 806 00:32:25,789 --> 00:32:30,470 over me my horn glowed soft as I wrapped 807 00:32:29,119 --> 00:32:32,209 a very tender part of him with my 808 00:32:30,470 --> 00:32:36,339 telekinetic sheath and gave him a 809 00:32:32,210 --> 00:32:39,920 warning squeeze Daffy stopped abruptly 810 00:32:36,339 --> 00:32:42,379 here's the deal I whispered half moaning 811 00:32:39,920 --> 00:32:45,320 in pain you decide I'm not worthy of 812 00:32:42,380 --> 00:32:48,320 your attentions that way you get to save 813 00:32:45,319 --> 00:32:51,159 face in return I don't show you just how 814 00:32:48,319 --> 00:32:53,210 good I am at this particular trick I 815 00:32:51,160 --> 00:32:56,480 squeezed a little harder and the buck 816 00:32:53,210 --> 00:32:59,059 jolted with pain sweating now and you 817 00:32:56,480 --> 00:33:02,559 keep yourself to yourself and away from 818 00:32:59,059 --> 00:33:04,669 all the other slaves or the deal's off a 819 00:33:02,559 --> 00:33:06,470 slight bit tighter and Daffy nodded 820 00:33:04,670 --> 00:33:11,000 fervently tears spilling from his eyes 821 00:33:06,470 --> 00:33:12,650 as he tried down to scream deal I asked 822 00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:14,480 even though I knew he'd already agreed 823 00:33:12,650 --> 00:33:17,800 as I gave the telekinetic field a slight 824 00:33:14,480 --> 00:33:19,069 twist his reaction was utterly worth it 825 00:33:17,799 --> 00:33:21,980 good 826 00:33:19,069 --> 00:33:24,980 i ground my mouth tasting of warm copper 827 00:33:21,980 --> 00:33:28,660 I released him dropping my head back as 828 00:33:24,980 --> 00:33:31,500 my vision swam I needed a medical pony I 829 00:33:28,660 --> 00:33:33,659 needed velvet remedy 830 00:33:31,500 --> 00:33:35,700 shaking himself Daffy made a show of 831 00:33:33,659 --> 00:33:39,409 staring me down and then dismissed me 832 00:33:35,700 --> 00:33:43,529 with a huff fuck that he said too loudly 833 00:33:39,409 --> 00:33:45,690 she's so tiny be like fucking a kid he 834 00:33:43,529 --> 00:33:48,990 turned around blood was looking in with 835 00:33:45,690 --> 00:33:50,610 one eye narrowed and disbelief Daffy 836 00:33:48,990 --> 00:33:52,679 glanced back over his shoulder at me 837 00:33:50,609 --> 00:33:55,048 snorting apparently deciding what he 838 00:33:52,679 --> 00:33:56,580 could and couldn't get away with he 839 00:33:55,048 --> 00:33:58,230 drove his right hind over back with a 840 00:33:56,579 --> 00:34:00,990 gruesomely hard half bucket landed 841 00:33:58,230 --> 00:34:02,730 directly between my hind legs then he 842 00:34:00,990 --> 00:34:05,669 trotted the way basking the blood 843 00:34:02,730 --> 00:34:10,108 colored mares obvious approval I'd never 844 00:34:05,669 --> 00:34:11,099 screamed so hard in my life I have 845 00:34:10,108 --> 00:34:13,440 walked through the streets of 846 00:34:11,099 --> 00:34:15,480 Philadelphia cleared of rubble and seen 847 00:34:13,440 --> 00:34:17,849 the steel mill producing steel the 848 00:34:15,480 --> 00:34:21,449 textiles mill producing cloth and the 849 00:34:17,849 --> 00:34:22,859 power plant producing power realized 850 00:34:21,449 --> 00:34:24,779 voice sign up round through the tinny 851 00:34:22,858 --> 00:34:27,929 speakers on steel poles that jut into 852 00:34:24,780 --> 00:34:31,109 the writing evening air it is a start 853 00:34:27,929 --> 00:34:36,119 but such a glorious start and we owe it 854 00:34:31,108 --> 00:34:37,858 all to each other what is this I asked 855 00:34:36,119 --> 00:34:39,629 half whimpering is above indescribable 856 00:34:37,858 --> 00:34:42,539 mushy stuff was shoved in front of my 857 00:34:39,628 --> 00:34:46,500 nose the smell made my deeply bruised 858 00:34:42,539 --> 00:34:48,628 stomach convulsing revulsion oatmeal the 859 00:34:46,500 --> 00:34:50,219 slave Pony claim flatly scooping up a 860 00:34:48,628 --> 00:34:54,440 bowl full the same discoloured glop for 861 00:34:50,219 --> 00:34:57,179 the next Pony oatmeal are you crazy I 862 00:34:54,440 --> 00:35:00,588 stared in disbelief this doesn't look 863 00:34:57,179 --> 00:35:02,639 anything like oatmeal or smell or I 864 00:35:00,588 --> 00:35:07,070 added as another portion of the mocks 865 00:35:02,639 --> 00:35:09,319 loud from ladle to bowl sound 866 00:35:07,070 --> 00:35:11,980 I gave half of the oatmeal to blood 867 00:35:09,320 --> 00:35:14,150 feeling like I was the one being cruel 868 00:35:11,980 --> 00:35:15,679 then I limped around until I found 869 00:35:14,150 --> 00:35:18,170 another Pony who had been bullied out of 870 00:35:15,679 --> 00:35:20,029 his share and gave him the rest I was in 871 00:35:18,170 --> 00:35:22,269 too much pain in tender places including 872 00:35:20,030 --> 00:35:24,980 my stomach to attempt eating anyway in 873 00:35:22,269 --> 00:35:26,900 turn he gave me very depressing advice 874 00:35:24,980 --> 00:35:29,530 on continued existence as a worker in 875 00:35:26,900 --> 00:35:31,700 Philadelphia don't choose the crater 876 00:35:29,530 --> 00:35:34,550 most ponies who go in there don't live 877 00:35:31,699 --> 00:35:36,919 even three months much less for don't 878 00:35:34,550 --> 00:35:38,750 choose the pit you'll have to survive as 879 00:35:36,920 --> 00:35:40,789 many as 36 battles against other slaves 880 00:35:38,750 --> 00:35:44,420 to make it and the battles were always 881 00:35:40,789 --> 00:35:45,650 to the death I moaned at that I couldn't 882 00:35:44,420 --> 00:35:50,480 see myself taking the life of another 883 00:35:45,650 --> 00:35:54,110 slave well maybe blood and Daffy but 884 00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:55,940 certainly not the innocent ones he 885 00:35:54,110 --> 00:35:57,769 himself worked in the scrap yards using 886 00:35:55,940 --> 00:35:59,450 a tool he called an auto accident arts 887 00:35:57,769 --> 00:36:01,849 and other large hunks of metal for 888 00:35:59,449 --> 00:36:03,619 melting down the steel mill it was 889 00:36:01,849 --> 00:36:05,299 dangerous work and they were kept under 890 00:36:03,619 --> 00:36:08,449 supervision by guards in high places but 891 00:36:05,300 --> 00:36:09,800 there weren't any whips no slave master 892 00:36:08,449 --> 00:36:11,179 was going to get into a scrap yard with 893 00:36:09,800 --> 00:36:12,920 a slave wielding a spinning blade 894 00:36:11,179 --> 00:36:15,829 magically enchanted to slash easily 895 00:36:12,920 --> 00:36:18,349 through metal he regaled me with the 896 00:36:15,829 --> 00:36:19,759 many ways to die in Philadelphia one of 897 00:36:18,349 --> 00:36:22,369 the least pleasant ways was to work in 898 00:36:19,760 --> 00:36:25,070 the pits I'd seen on the way in but 899 00:36:22,369 --> 00:36:27,049 fortunately he said those were reserved 900 00:36:25,070 --> 00:36:31,990 for ponies to try to escape or worse 901 00:36:27,050 --> 00:36:33,769 sabotage realized work what are they 902 00:36:31,989 --> 00:36:35,779 Philadelphia is a bit of a Paris my 903 00:36:33,769 --> 00:36:38,030 problem the pony told me as he ate the 904 00:36:35,780 --> 00:36:39,680 remainder of my clop apparently there 905 00:36:38,030 --> 00:36:41,290 was a massive infestation maybe three or 906 00:36:39,679 --> 00:36:43,489 four decades before the mega spells 907 00:36:41,289 --> 00:36:46,759 supposedly they wiped it out but Paris 908 00:36:43,489 --> 00:36:48,729 plates are still really persistent he 909 00:36:46,760 --> 00:36:50,930 licked the bowl while I tried not to gag 910 00:36:48,730 --> 00:36:51,980 couple years back red-eyes Bucks for 911 00:36:50,929 --> 00:36:53,210 blasting their way into one of the 912 00:36:51,980 --> 00:36:54,590 stables that was pretty close to the 913 00:36:53,210 --> 00:36:56,510 crater and cleared open a pocket full of 914 00:36:54,590 --> 00:36:59,960 damn things all irradiated the Hellen 915 00:36:56,510 --> 00:37:01,570 nastier than ever bloat sprites I asked 916 00:36:59,960 --> 00:37:04,179 but he shook his head 917 00:37:01,570 --> 00:37:06,370 now bloats prices what happens to Paris 918 00:37:04,179 --> 00:37:08,049 bites when they get himself stated big 919 00:37:06,369 --> 00:37:10,259 and mean but don't tend to reproduce and 920 00:37:08,050 --> 00:37:13,630 that's a blessing you trust me on that 921 00:37:10,260 --> 00:37:17,850 he looked at me gravely these little 922 00:37:13,630 --> 00:37:19,420 buggers are irradiated big difference so 923 00:37:17,849 --> 00:37:22,929 what do they do 924 00:37:19,420 --> 00:37:25,599 Oh same thing they've always done eaten 925 00:37:22,929 --> 00:37:30,219 spit out more the pony fixed me with a 926 00:37:25,599 --> 00:37:35,949 stare only now they're carnivorous they 927 00:37:30,219 --> 00:37:40,539 eat ponies Oh Celestia and those 928 00:37:35,949 --> 00:37:42,009 chimneys the buck cocked his head well 929 00:37:40,539 --> 00:37:43,840 that's where we incinerate the nests 930 00:37:42,010 --> 00:37:45,190 they find only way to make sure they 931 00:37:43,840 --> 00:37:49,480 stop reproducing is to kill him with 932 00:37:45,190 --> 00:37:51,010 fire he scowled problem is there are 933 00:37:49,480 --> 00:37:52,510 some ones in the DPS that don't get 934 00:37:51,010 --> 00:37:55,660 properly cooked by the exterminators 935 00:37:52,510 --> 00:37:56,920 they wake up from the heat fly out the 936 00:37:55,659 --> 00:37:59,199 mesh and the work pits make sure they 937 00:37:56,920 --> 00:38:01,539 don't get too far and one of the guards 938 00:37:59,199 --> 00:38:02,679 always has a flamethrower especially 939 00:38:01,539 --> 00:38:05,139 after that one layer had one of them 940 00:38:02,679 --> 00:38:09,129 buggies flying to her throat they ate 941 00:38:05,139 --> 00:38:12,539 her from the inside out pure nightmare 942 00:38:09,130 --> 00:38:15,579 fuel I really wished I could unhear that 943 00:38:12,539 --> 00:38:19,119 but as bad as that was on the top of his 944 00:38:15,579 --> 00:38:21,219 list of way to die was unity I know what 945 00:38:19,119 --> 00:38:22,449 that bastard redeye says but I've known 946 00:38:21,219 --> 00:38:24,879 plenty of ponies who volunteered for 947 00:38:22,449 --> 00:38:27,639 unity and not one of mera came back he 948 00:38:24,880 --> 00:38:29,200 confided in me according to some ponies 949 00:38:27,639 --> 00:38:30,339 the goddess whatever that's supposed to 950 00:38:29,199 --> 00:38:32,949 be his turning them into those big 951 00:38:30,340 --> 00:38:34,510 alicorn critters we see hereabouts but 952 00:38:32,949 --> 00:38:36,730 if that was true then I figured there'd 953 00:38:34,510 --> 00:38:38,170 be a lot more oh and you think one of 954 00:38:36,730 --> 00:38:40,900 them bother come back and say hello to 955 00:38:38,170 --> 00:38:43,210 friends Venus they can fly at all 956 00:38:40,900 --> 00:38:44,380 I didn't think it helpful to tell him 957 00:38:43,210 --> 00:38:46,720 that there were probably more of them 958 00:38:44,380 --> 00:38:49,090 than he thought my mind was already 959 00:38:46,719 --> 00:38:50,919 processing the other information the 960 00:38:49,090 --> 00:38:51,789 pseudo goddesses had no cutie marks and 961 00:38:50,920 --> 00:38:54,430 were at least guided through a 962 00:38:51,789 --> 00:38:56,110 telepathic source my mind reeled to the 963 00:38:54,429 --> 00:38:57,639 possibility that transformation removed 964 00:38:56,110 --> 00:39:00,720 their individuality and sense of cells 965 00:38:57,639 --> 00:39:04,230 completely doing that to a pony would be 966 00:39:00,719 --> 00:39:04,230 worse than murder 967 00:39:04,949 --> 00:39:10,689 night was chilly and I had no blanket 968 00:39:08,099 --> 00:39:12,009 I'll and the rat chewed old nap which 969 00:39:10,690 --> 00:39:14,760 have been the bed of the slaves before 970 00:39:12,010 --> 00:39:17,260 me most of whom were probably dead now 971 00:39:14,760 --> 00:39:19,180 the mat was so worn it felt harder than 972 00:39:17,260 --> 00:39:20,400 the cement beneath it and so stained 973 00:39:19,179 --> 00:39:24,369 that I didn't really want to touch it 974 00:39:20,400 --> 00:39:26,070 but it was all I had my body was badly 975 00:39:24,369 --> 00:39:28,750 bruised and it's still eight to breathe 976 00:39:26,070 --> 00:39:29,320 my rib been cracked but thankfully not 977 00:39:28,750 --> 00:39:31,480 broken 978 00:39:29,320 --> 00:39:34,390 I tried wholeheartedly to ignore the 979 00:39:31,480 --> 00:39:35,920 worst of the lower pain part of me 980 00:39:34,389 --> 00:39:38,379 wanted to kill Daffy as painfully and 981 00:39:35,920 --> 00:39:42,539 bloody as possible part of me wanted to 982 00:39:38,380 --> 00:39:44,769 curl up and cry I fought down both urges 983 00:39:42,539 --> 00:39:47,170 considering what I did and threatened to 984 00:39:44,769 --> 00:39:48,340 do to the piss colored bastard I think 985 00:39:47,170 --> 00:39:50,550 part of me wanted to show that I could 986 00:39:48,340 --> 00:39:53,350 take what I was willing to dish out 987 00:39:50,550 --> 00:39:56,200 mostly though I had told him so he could 988 00:39:53,349 --> 00:39:57,639 save face and as much as I hated it 989 00:39:56,199 --> 00:40:01,149 I had to acknowledge that that is 990 00:39:57,639 --> 00:40:03,039 exactly what he did the sky above was 991 00:40:01,150 --> 00:40:05,889 black with reflective Dingess of orange 992 00:40:03,039 --> 00:40:07,239 and red with the fall of night all the 993 00:40:05,889 --> 00:40:09,190 forages and fires and other glowing 994 00:40:07,239 --> 00:40:12,399 things were more pronounced giving the 995 00:40:09,190 --> 00:40:14,170 Philadelphia ruins an infernal cast the 996 00:40:12,400 --> 00:40:15,910 worst was the subtle red tinged the air 997 00:40:14,170 --> 00:40:17,230 that became a luminescent glow within 998 00:40:15,909 --> 00:40:19,509 the massive pit with a mega spell 999 00:40:17,230 --> 00:40:21,099 carrying missile it struck missing the 1000 00:40:19,510 --> 00:40:22,360 massive industrial sectors of the city 1001 00:40:21,099 --> 00:40:25,449 to find the heart of the civilian 1002 00:40:22,360 --> 00:40:27,720 housing darkness never truly fell in the 1003 00:40:25,449 --> 00:40:29,848 core of Philadelphia crater 1004 00:40:27,719 --> 00:40:31,409 a gust of wind brought a deeper chill on 1005 00:40:29,849 --> 00:40:34,410 a choking acred smell with it from 1006 00:40:31,409 --> 00:40:35,608 somewhere deeper in Philadelphia a few 1007 00:40:34,409 --> 00:40:38,159 of the other slaves coughed in their 1008 00:40:35,608 --> 00:40:41,630 sleep I shivered and tried to breathe 1009 00:40:38,159 --> 00:40:45,269 without inhaling I missed my friends I 1010 00:40:41,630 --> 00:40:46,559 wondered if they were okay in my mind I 1011 00:40:45,269 --> 00:40:48,599 had begun playing through all the 1012 00:40:46,559 --> 00:40:51,509 mistakes I've made all the waifus my 1013 00:40:48,599 --> 00:40:53,789 plan could have gone wrong somewhere not 1014 00:40:51,510 --> 00:40:56,520 far away I caught sight of a small burst 1015 00:40:53,789 --> 00:40:58,679 of green flame getting up 1016 00:40:56,519 --> 00:41:00,179 I slipped quietly out bringing up my 1017 00:40:58,679 --> 00:41:03,389 eyes for its sparkle to help me find the 1018 00:41:00,179 --> 00:41:05,009 balefire Phoenix my hurt felt thankful 1019 00:41:03,389 --> 00:41:06,750 for the companies I spotted her perched 1020 00:41:05,010 --> 00:41:09,119 on a sign shaped like a smiley Pinkie 1021 00:41:06,750 --> 00:41:11,940 Pie holding up a hoof you must be this 1022 00:41:09,119 --> 00:41:13,530 tall to ride the fun farm wheel behind 1023 00:41:11,940 --> 00:41:14,820 her the massive iron structure of the 1024 00:41:13,530 --> 00:41:17,750 wheel rose above the park like a 1025 00:41:14,820 --> 00:41:21,809 mechanical eye watching us balefully 1026 00:41:17,750 --> 00:41:21,989 firelight who to musically at me thank 1027 00:41:21,809 --> 00:41:25,049 you 1028 00:41:21,989 --> 00:41:27,799 I told her earnestly I didn't think I 1029 00:41:25,050 --> 00:41:30,080 could make it through this trial alone I 1030 00:41:27,800 --> 00:41:32,160 considered asking her questions or 1031 00:41:30,079 --> 00:41:34,650 requesting that she ferry a message to 1032 00:41:32,159 --> 00:41:38,368 vel remedy or half a dozen other things 1033 00:41:34,650 --> 00:41:40,410 that I dismissed in turn instead I chose 1034 00:41:38,369 --> 00:41:41,700 to just sit there resting my head 1035 00:41:40,409 --> 00:41:44,989 against the two-dimensional Pinkie Pie 1036 00:41:41,699 --> 00:41:44,989 and enjoying her company 1037 00:41:45,969 --> 00:41:51,939 well let's put you to work mr. shiny 1038 00:41:49,000 --> 00:41:53,469 said looking me over mr. shiny was the 1039 00:41:51,940 --> 00:41:55,809 slave master Pony in charge of assigning 1040 00:41:53,469 --> 00:41:58,838 work to new slaves and I thought he had 1041 00:41:55,809 --> 00:42:01,000 a deceptively kindly voice I see you've 1042 00:41:58,838 --> 00:42:03,429 got a pip buck and you should be tagged 1043 00:42:01,000 --> 00:42:06,219 for a visit dr. slaughter but I figure 1044 00:42:03,429 --> 00:42:08,139 we can hold off on that he gave me a 1045 00:42:06,219 --> 00:42:10,568 smile it seemed personable but had no 1046 00:42:08,139 --> 00:42:14,078 real warmth what'd he say we put that 1047 00:42:10,568 --> 00:42:15,519 thing to use instead I was still 1048 00:42:14,079 --> 00:42:17,769 terribly sore and walked with a slight 1049 00:42:15,519 --> 00:42:20,559 limp but he didn't seem to notice or at 1050 00:42:17,769 --> 00:42:23,259 least not care I was sure he put ponies 1051 00:42:20,559 --> 00:42:26,619 to work who are much worse shape what do 1052 00:42:23,260 --> 00:42:27,910 I have to do well there's a building in 1053 00:42:26,619 --> 00:42:30,190 town that's been infested with Paris 1054 00:42:27,909 --> 00:42:32,559 brights but this time we can't just 1055 00:42:30,190 --> 00:42:34,510 going with flamethrowers so we could use 1056 00:42:32,559 --> 00:42:37,389 a pony with a pipbuck mr. shiny 1057 00:42:34,510 --> 00:42:39,460 explained that think ins about targets 1058 00:42:37,389 --> 00:42:40,989 for you right we'll send you in there 1059 00:42:39,460 --> 00:42:42,579 with environmental barding and with a 1060 00:42:40,989 --> 00:42:44,588 lower powered magical energy weapon 1061 00:42:42,579 --> 00:42:50,318 shoot the damn things until their piles 1062 00:42:44,588 --> 00:42:51,608 of ash how tell me you're in there the 1063 00:42:50,318 --> 00:42:54,989 fretful nightmares of the night before 1064 00:42:51,608 --> 00:42:58,000 were played themselves in my mind Oh 1065 00:42:54,989 --> 00:42:59,199 shouldn't be more than 50 they haven't 1066 00:42:58,000 --> 00:43:01,269 had anything to snack on since the 1067 00:42:59,199 --> 00:43:04,539 infestation was discovered poor 1068 00:43:01,269 --> 00:43:06,449 whitetail within a half an hour 1069 00:43:04,539 --> 00:43:09,730 he had me equipped and ready to go 1070 00:43:06,449 --> 00:43:11,529 except for ammo I get that after I 1071 00:43:09,730 --> 00:43:14,068 entered the building they'd shove it 1072 00:43:11,530 --> 00:43:14,069 through a mail slot 1073 00:43:14,170 --> 00:43:18,409 beams of bright magenta magical energy 1074 00:43:16,820 --> 00:43:20,630 lands to the air at me from the security 1075 00:43:18,409 --> 00:43:22,129 turret in the hallway ceiling one of the 1076 00:43:20,630 --> 00:43:23,930 blasts struck my environmental suit 1077 00:43:22,130 --> 00:43:25,490 melting a hole into the size of a hoof 1078 00:43:23,929 --> 00:43:28,009 just below my cutie mark and burning my 1079 00:43:25,489 --> 00:43:30,079 flesh underneath as I threw myself 1080 00:43:28,010 --> 00:43:33,290 behind a desk I hoped it wouldn't scar 1081 00:43:30,079 --> 00:43:35,269 like the slash on my neck the terminal 1082 00:43:33,289 --> 00:43:36,769 on the desk glowed softly the same 1083 00:43:35,269 --> 00:43:39,380 sickly pale green that almost all of 1084 00:43:36,769 --> 00:43:41,960 them did I hid myself behind it as I 1085 00:43:39,380 --> 00:43:43,640 began to hack into the system it took me 1086 00:43:41,960 --> 00:43:44,179 a moment the terminal security was 1087 00:43:43,639 --> 00:43:47,239 pathetic 1088 00:43:44,179 --> 00:43:50,539 and I was in luck the terminal could 1089 00:43:47,239 --> 00:43:52,149 shut down the turrets but turret let 1090 00:43:50,539 --> 00:43:54,230 loose another barrage of pink energy 1091 00:43:52,150 --> 00:43:56,510 several lancing bolt struck the back 1092 00:43:54,230 --> 00:44:00,380 side of the terminal it exploded in my 1093 00:43:56,510 --> 00:44:02,240 face to the blast of sparks I would have 1094 00:44:00,380 --> 00:44:03,860 been prominent blinded if not outright 1095 00:44:02,239 --> 00:44:06,069 killed had the environmental suit not 1096 00:44:03,860 --> 00:44:08,090 included a gas mask and heavy goggles I 1097 00:44:06,070 --> 00:44:11,840 cringed back behind the desk and 1098 00:44:08,090 --> 00:44:13,660 considered my options until now the bug 1099 00:44:11,840 --> 00:44:16,100 hunt was more frustrating than dangerous 1100 00:44:13,659 --> 00:44:17,779 the barding had been made to effectively 1101 00:44:16,099 --> 00:44:19,219 immune to the fair sprites and I become 1102 00:44:17,780 --> 00:44:20,690 so practiced in the art of stealth that 1103 00:44:19,219 --> 00:44:23,539 I could sneak right up behind one for 1104 00:44:20,690 --> 00:44:25,400 the half-blind things spotted me which 1105 00:44:23,539 --> 00:44:28,130 was good since I had almost no skill 1106 00:44:25,400 --> 00:44:31,070 with magical energy weapons even a close 1107 00:44:28,130 --> 00:44:32,579 range even with SATs I missed as often 1108 00:44:31,070 --> 00:44:34,980 as I hit 1109 00:44:32,579 --> 00:44:37,199 as the turret spewed out another barrage 1110 00:44:34,980 --> 00:44:39,240 a little yellow parasprite flew towards 1111 00:44:37,199 --> 00:44:41,939 me drawn by the smell of my burned flesh 1112 00:44:39,239 --> 00:44:45,119 I slipped into SATs as it drew close 1113 00:44:41,940 --> 00:44:46,740 aiming the laser and firing I hit it 1114 00:44:45,119 --> 00:44:49,859 with the third shot and it disintegrates 1115 00:44:46,739 --> 00:44:51,299 into a flash of turquoise ash I dropped 1116 00:44:49,860 --> 00:44:52,680 the targeting spell and then kicked it 1117 00:44:51,300 --> 00:44:54,930 back up a second later to help me take 1118 00:44:52,679 --> 00:44:56,279 down two Moors parasprites one of which 1119 00:44:54,929 --> 00:44:59,819 was approximately the color of dead 1120 00:44:56,280 --> 00:45:02,780 flesh I think I'm in trouble 1121 00:44:59,820 --> 00:45:04,980 I checked the magical spark pack a 1122 00:45:02,780 --> 00:45:08,720 second too had taken me five shots to 1123 00:45:04,980 --> 00:45:10,980 vaporize better but still not good 1124 00:45:08,719 --> 00:45:13,079 according to my pit bucks initial scan 1125 00:45:10,980 --> 00:45:15,000 there were 52 pair spreads in the 1126 00:45:13,079 --> 00:45:16,829 building that I had to wipe out and I 1127 00:45:15,000 --> 00:45:20,610 just killed parasprites number 19 1128 00:45:16,829 --> 00:45:22,110 through 21 that left 31 more to go most 1129 00:45:20,610 --> 00:45:24,539 of which I knew were swarming around the 1130 00:45:22,110 --> 00:45:25,890 building's factory floor an area which I 1131 00:45:24,539 --> 00:45:29,070 had been avoiding choosing to clear out 1132 00:45:25,889 --> 00:45:32,159 the rest of the building first only now 1133 00:45:29,070 --> 00:45:37,410 they smelled flesh I had seven shots 1134 00:45:32,159 --> 00:45:39,179 left really in trouble my turret poured 1135 00:45:37,409 --> 00:45:41,039 out even more magical energy trying to 1136 00:45:39,179 --> 00:45:42,629 strike me down not smart enough to 1137 00:45:41,039 --> 00:45:45,420 realize there was a whole big metal desk 1138 00:45:42,630 --> 00:45:48,269 in the way the desk was getting warm to 1139 00:45:45,420 --> 00:45:50,880 the touch if I didn't find more ammo in 1140 00:45:48,269 --> 00:45:54,670 this place or even better another weapon 1141 00:45:50,880 --> 00:45:58,809 I opened the desk just to check 1142 00:45:54,670 --> 00:46:01,630 bottlecaps three of them I let out a 1143 00:45:58,809 --> 00:46:03,220 scream of frustration I looked around 1144 00:46:01,630 --> 00:46:05,650 spotting a door marked maintenance 1145 00:46:03,219 --> 00:46:07,568 nearby wrapping the desk in a field of 1146 00:46:05,650 --> 00:46:10,119 levitation I carried it alongside me as 1147 00:46:07,568 --> 00:46:12,909 a shield while I dash for the door it 1148 00:46:10,119 --> 00:46:15,660 was locked I still didn't have a 1149 00:46:12,909 --> 00:46:17,920 screwdriver looking towards the heavens 1150 00:46:15,659 --> 00:46:18,248 if either views you were actually up 1151 00:46:17,920 --> 00:46:20,318 there 1152 00:46:18,248 --> 00:46:24,009 I'm really sorry for doubting really 1153 00:46:20,318 --> 00:46:28,079 sorry I apologize now could you please 1154 00:46:24,009 --> 00:46:31,358 send me a break the turret fired again 1155 00:46:28,079 --> 00:46:34,180 the desk was no longer just warm it was 1156 00:46:31,358 --> 00:46:36,038 beginning to radiate heat three more 1157 00:46:34,179 --> 00:46:39,608 parents birds flew into the room drawn 1158 00:46:36,039 --> 00:46:42,549 to my smell well fuck you too both of 1159 00:46:39,608 --> 00:46:45,670 you I shouted upwards go lick each 1160 00:46:42,548 --> 00:46:47,409 other's I slid into SATs and sent a 1161 00:46:45,670 --> 00:46:50,170 flurry of targeting spell guided shots 1162 00:46:47,409 --> 00:46:52,088 the parasprites too turned to ash 1163 00:46:50,170 --> 00:46:54,730 the third was struck falling to the 1164 00:46:52,088 --> 00:47:00,038 floor but not dying the other shots 1165 00:46:54,730 --> 00:47:01,568 missed and now I was out i panted my rib 1166 00:47:00,039 --> 00:47:03,900 injury burning and making it hard to 1167 00:47:01,568 --> 00:47:07,480 breathe dammit 1168 00:47:03,900 --> 00:47:11,259 the turret fired again the desk was now 1169 00:47:07,480 --> 00:47:13,920 glowing in frustration I snapped you 1170 00:47:11,259 --> 00:47:15,818 want this so much here take it 1171 00:47:13,920 --> 00:47:17,798 keeping the desk between me and the 1172 00:47:15,818 --> 00:47:19,268 turret I floated up to the offending 1173 00:47:17,798 --> 00:47:21,509 machine slammed at it over and over 1174 00:47:19,268 --> 00:47:23,798 until it stopped working with a crunch I 1175 00:47:21,509 --> 00:47:25,449 then floated past me the other way 1176 00:47:23,798 --> 00:47:26,739 flipping it over and dropping the 1177 00:47:25,449 --> 00:47:29,159 glowing little surface on the window 1178 00:47:26,739 --> 00:47:29,159 blue bug 1179 00:47:29,199 --> 00:47:34,210 I managed to close myself in an office 1180 00:47:31,780 --> 00:47:35,710 above the buildings main floor the 1181 00:47:34,210 --> 00:47:37,750 hallway that heard have been protecting 1182 00:47:35,710 --> 00:47:40,659 had led to this room the equivalent of 1183 00:47:37,750 --> 00:47:42,280 an over mayor's office there was a small 1184 00:47:40,659 --> 00:47:44,469 door on one side that probably led to a 1185 00:47:42,280 --> 00:47:47,470 closet massive plate glass windows it 1186 00:47:44,469 --> 00:47:48,939 looked over the main work area I stared 1187 00:47:47,469 --> 00:47:51,009 at one of the windows of the massive 1188 00:47:48,940 --> 00:47:52,480 cute colorful predator swarming between 1189 00:47:51,010 --> 00:47:55,750 the catwalks above and the printing 1190 00:47:52,480 --> 00:47:58,329 presses below same aesthetic I noted 1191 00:47:55,750 --> 00:48:00,929 dourly it was like the world before had 1192 00:47:58,329 --> 00:48:03,429 a hard-on for industrial accidents I 1193 00:48:00,929 --> 00:48:05,429 also now understood why going in with 1194 00:48:03,429 --> 00:48:08,559 flamethrowers was not so much an option 1195 00:48:05,429 --> 00:48:10,649 the building was a printing house and a 1196 00:48:08,559 --> 00:48:12,969 lot of it was full of books posters a 1197 00:48:10,650 --> 00:48:15,880 veritable cornucopia fuel for an 1198 00:48:12,969 --> 00:48:17,469 out-of-control fire such a fire would 1199 00:48:15,880 --> 00:48:20,820 probably destroy the very things I was 1200 00:48:17,469 --> 00:48:24,339 sure a red eye was after the presses I 1201 00:48:20,820 --> 00:48:28,539 had to applaud the stallion he had power 1202 00:48:24,340 --> 00:48:31,840 steel textiles and now he was working on 1203 00:48:28,539 --> 00:48:33,429 bringing back mass publication as far as 1204 00:48:31,840 --> 00:48:35,650 I could tell the only book that had been 1205 00:48:33,429 --> 00:48:38,289 written and distributed on egg mine as 1206 00:48:35,650 --> 00:48:39,760 far as I could tell the only book that 1207 00:48:38,289 --> 00:48:41,230 had been written distributed on any 1208 00:48:39,760 --> 00:48:44,260 significant scale since the apocalypse 1209 00:48:41,230 --> 00:48:45,639 was the wasteland Survival Guide getting 1210 00:48:44,260 --> 00:48:48,700 this place running would be a major step 1211 00:48:45,639 --> 00:48:51,839 forward those schools he was promising 1212 00:48:48,699 --> 00:48:53,919 suddenly began to look very real I 1213 00:48:51,840 --> 00:48:56,440 spotted several more automated turrets 1214 00:48:53,920 --> 00:48:57,940 covering the main work floor damn things 1215 00:48:56,440 --> 00:48:59,470 ignore the bugs but I knew that they'd 1216 00:48:57,940 --> 00:49:01,990 attack if I so much as stepped a hoof 1217 00:48:59,469 --> 00:49:04,059 into that room I was in no shape to deal 1218 00:49:01,989 --> 00:49:05,639 with that many parasprites much less the 1219 00:49:04,059 --> 00:49:07,440 damn turrets 1220 00:49:05,639 --> 00:49:09,900 the room had a desk with a still 1221 00:49:07,440 --> 00:49:11,670 functioning terminal I sat down and 1222 00:49:09,900 --> 00:49:14,190 began to hack hoping that I could turn 1223 00:49:11,670 --> 00:49:16,528 off any other turrets from here the 1224 00:49:14,190 --> 00:49:17,809 password interestingly was generous 1225 00:49:16,528 --> 00:49:19,679 Souls 1226 00:49:17,809 --> 00:49:22,470 welcome to the ministry of image 1227 00:49:19,679 --> 00:49:24,929 Philadelphia hawa miss periwinkle how 1228 00:49:22,469 --> 00:49:27,449 are you this fine morning it has been 1229 00:49:24,929 --> 00:49:29,248 two hundred two years 37 days one hour 1230 00:49:27,449 --> 00:49:32,419 and 13 minutes since your last login 1231 00:49:29,248 --> 00:49:37,259 would you like to check your messages 1232 00:49:32,420 --> 00:49:39,749 wait this was a hub but there was 1233 00:49:37,259 --> 00:49:42,179 anything here it was a small building a 1234 00:49:39,748 --> 00:49:46,159 little more than a print shop there was 1235 00:49:42,179 --> 00:49:49,108 nothing here that made no sense 1236 00:49:46,159 --> 00:49:51,629 this wasn't a tower it was two stories 1237 00:49:49,108 --> 00:49:52,828 tall and I had seen enough of the 1238 00:49:51,630 --> 00:49:55,079 building to be pretty sure it didn't 1239 00:49:52,829 --> 00:49:56,849 have secret sub levels there weren't 1240 00:49:55,079 --> 00:49:57,960 many offices nothing more than what 1241 00:49:56,849 --> 00:50:01,528 would be expected from a small 1242 00:49:57,960 --> 00:50:04,079 publishing house I got up and started 1243 00:50:01,528 --> 00:50:06,119 looking around there were posters on the 1244 00:50:04,079 --> 00:50:08,818 wall of the office and many more visible 1245 00:50:06,119 --> 00:50:11,220 down in the printing floor below I had 1246 00:50:08,818 --> 00:50:12,808 seen most of them before everything from 1247 00:50:11,219 --> 00:50:14,639 progress posters of the Ministry of 1248 00:50:12,809 --> 00:50:16,410 wartime technology to the image of 1249 00:50:14,639 --> 00:50:18,420 Twilight Sparkle above the words reading 1250 00:50:16,409 --> 00:50:19,949 his magic the poster I'd seen the 1251 00:50:18,420 --> 00:50:23,309 Ponyville library only without the 1252 00:50:19,949 --> 00:50:24,868 disfiguring graffiti I glanced back to 1253 00:50:23,309 --> 00:50:28,349 the terminal noticed something else on 1254 00:50:24,869 --> 00:50:29,730 the desk was an old album I opened it 1255 00:50:28,349 --> 00:50:32,579 and began magically flipping through the 1256 00:50:29,730 --> 00:50:34,920 pages all full of collected scraps old 1257 00:50:32,579 --> 00:50:37,890 newspaper articles flyers public 1258 00:50:34,920 --> 00:50:40,588 notifications most were decayed beyond 1259 00:50:37,889 --> 00:50:43,018 readability of those that weren't many 1260 00:50:40,588 --> 00:50:46,009 were familiar the clinic warning about 1261 00:50:43,018 --> 00:50:47,569 wartime stress disorder for example 1262 00:50:46,010 --> 00:50:50,270 one of the barely readable newspaper 1263 00:50:47,570 --> 00:50:52,970 articles that caught my eye dragon over 1264 00:50:50,269 --> 00:50:54,650 Huffington the shadowbolts led by 1265 00:50:52,969 --> 00:50:56,149 Rainbow Dash engaged the dragon 1266 00:50:54,650 --> 00:50:57,829 brimstone of the skies of Huffington 1267 00:50:56,150 --> 00:50:59,210 last weekend at zebra forces managed 1268 00:50:57,829 --> 00:51:02,480 their deepest strike into Equestria in 1269 00:50:59,210 --> 00:51:03,769 the wars 13-year history all rumors that 1270 00:51:02,480 --> 00:51:05,090 the Zebras have enlisted the aid of the 1271 00:51:03,769 --> 00:51:07,639 Dragons native that her homeland has 1272 00:51:05,090 --> 00:51:10,970 been confirmed Princess Luna vows to 1273 00:51:07,639 --> 00:51:13,909 expand Equestria's Pegasus the rest was 1274 00:51:10,969 --> 00:51:15,139 supposedly continued on another page the 1275 00:51:13,909 --> 00:51:16,519 rest of this one was a picture of 1276 00:51:15,139 --> 00:51:19,969 Rainbow Dash standing proudly at the 1277 00:51:16,519 --> 00:51:21,199 head of the Fallen monster it was the 1278 00:51:19,969 --> 00:51:22,849 sort of image that would have branded 1279 00:51:21,199 --> 00:51:26,059 Rainbow Dash as a national hero in the 1280 00:51:22,849 --> 00:51:27,349 minds of ponies for generations I closed 1281 00:51:26,059 --> 00:51:32,900 the book and looked back at the screen 1282 00:51:27,349 --> 00:51:34,279 and I began to understand I thought back 1283 00:51:32,900 --> 00:51:35,570 to the Pinkie Pie poster that first 1284 00:51:34,280 --> 00:51:38,480 alerted me to the existence of the 1285 00:51:35,570 --> 00:51:39,830 ministry's if I've been asked I would 1286 00:51:38,480 --> 00:51:43,449 have said the Ministry of morale in the 1287 00:51:39,829 --> 00:51:46,069 first I had seen I would have been wrong 1288 00:51:43,449 --> 00:51:49,069 the ministry of image was the first one 1289 00:51:46,070 --> 00:51:51,859 I had seen only it hadn't gone by that 1290 00:51:49,070 --> 00:51:55,309 name it almost never went by that name 1291 00:51:51,858 --> 00:51:57,409 at least not externally in fact I 1292 00:51:55,309 --> 00:51:58,969 suspected that principles of proper Pony 1293 00:51:57,409 --> 00:52:01,969 speech was supposed to be an internal 1294 00:51:58,969 --> 00:52:04,339 document the Ministry of image didn't 1295 00:52:01,969 --> 00:52:06,618 seem to do projects of its own it worked 1296 00:52:04,340 --> 00:52:08,450 in service of the other ministries it 1297 00:52:06,619 --> 00:52:11,329 created their materials their books 1298 00:52:08,449 --> 00:52:14,599 their posters their fliers and in one 1299 00:52:11,329 --> 00:52:15,710 case even their armor every poster 1300 00:52:14,599 --> 00:52:18,679 associated with one of the other 1301 00:52:15,710 --> 00:52:20,119 ministries hell probably every time I 1302 00:52:18,679 --> 00:52:22,509 had seen or heard anything from any of 1303 00:52:20,119 --> 00:52:26,170 them I was seeing the Ministry of image 1304 00:52:22,510 --> 00:52:29,170 the invisible ministry that was 1305 00:52:26,170 --> 00:52:29,170 everywhere 1306 00:52:30,230 --> 00:52:34,670 I downloaded miss periwinkles messages 1307 00:52:32,449 --> 00:52:36,199 into my pipbuck for later perusal then 1308 00:52:34,670 --> 00:52:37,190 moved on to the more pressing task of 1309 00:52:36,199 --> 00:52:39,829 dealing with the turrets 1310 00:52:37,190 --> 00:52:41,119 I had hoped I could turn off the turrets 1311 00:52:39,829 --> 00:52:43,608 through the term home what I considered 1312 00:52:41,119 --> 00:52:45,800 the overmare's office but the terminal 1313 00:52:43,608 --> 00:52:47,299 allowed me to do one better it allowed 1314 00:52:45,800 --> 00:52:50,150 me to reprogram the turrets to wipe out 1315 00:52:47,300 --> 00:52:52,130 the parasprites I crouched behind the 1316 00:52:50,150 --> 00:52:54,280 desk listening to the barrage of turret 1317 00:52:52,130 --> 00:52:56,570 fire filled the main floor of the mi hub 1318 00:52:54,280 --> 00:52:58,850 the parasprite kill counted my pipbuck 1319 00:52:56,570 --> 00:53:01,789 it shot up to 39 and was only now 1320 00:52:58,849 --> 00:53:03,710 beginning to slow I realized I would 1321 00:53:01,789 --> 00:53:05,769 have to hunt down the last ones the ones 1322 00:53:03,710 --> 00:53:10,460 in rooms in spaces that hers to in cover 1323 00:53:05,769 --> 00:53:12,829 but suddenly my job was a lot easier my 1324 00:53:10,460 --> 00:53:14,530 luck just kept improving there was a 1325 00:53:12,829 --> 00:53:17,090 bathroom off to the side of this office 1326 00:53:14,530 --> 00:53:18,470 the toilet water made my pipbuck freak 1327 00:53:17,090 --> 00:53:20,960 and the sink was completely 1328 00:53:18,469 --> 00:53:22,159 non-functional a plumber pony had been 1329 00:53:20,960 --> 00:53:25,340 working on it when the mega spell hit 1330 00:53:22,159 --> 00:53:26,539 her skeleton was still in the room she 1331 00:53:25,340 --> 00:53:29,600 had been killed by a chunk that fell 1332 00:53:26,539 --> 00:53:31,759 from the ceiling there wasn't much left 1333 00:53:29,599 --> 00:53:32,719 of her maintenance uniform but it was 1334 00:53:31,760 --> 00:53:33,890 enough to patch the hole in my 1335 00:53:32,719 --> 00:53:36,199 environmental suit with the aid of 1336 00:53:33,889 --> 00:53:37,489 wonder glue and there have been several 1337 00:53:36,199 --> 00:53:40,639 bottles of the ladder in the pony's 1338 00:53:37,489 --> 00:53:44,750 toolbox along with a wrench and squee a 1339 00:53:40,639 --> 00:53:46,279 screwdriver there had also been a feebly 1340 00:53:44,750 --> 00:53:47,929 locked medical box with a few healing 1341 00:53:46,280 --> 00:53:51,610 bandages and a couple extra bobby pins 1342 00:53:47,929 --> 00:53:54,719 and a tin of may towels 1343 00:53:51,610 --> 00:53:56,860 I stare at the tin for the longest time 1344 00:53:54,719 --> 00:54:01,419 fighting the urge to just go ahead and 1345 00:53:56,860 --> 00:54:01,960 take one just one it took after to shut 1346 00:54:01,420 --> 00:54:06,250 the box 1347 00:54:01,960 --> 00:54:10,210 leaving them inside Irie locked it never 1348 00:54:06,250 --> 00:54:12,610 again I was finally out of these damn 1349 00:54:10,210 --> 00:54:13,929 shackles I noticed that most of the 1350 00:54:12,610 --> 00:54:15,280 other slaves weren't wearing them so I 1351 00:54:13,929 --> 00:54:17,649 was fairly certain I could get away with 1352 00:54:15,280 --> 00:54:19,390 not wearing them but if I hadn't gotten 1353 00:54:17,650 --> 00:54:20,440 them off myself I suspected there wasn't 1354 00:54:19,389 --> 00:54:21,969 anybody out there with the better 1355 00:54:20,440 --> 00:54:26,920 know-how and kindness to have helped me 1356 00:54:21,969 --> 00:54:29,439 out I really hated Philadelphia the turd 1357 00:54:26,920 --> 00:54:30,789 fire stopped to be on the safe side I 1358 00:54:29,440 --> 00:54:33,070 shut them down completely before 1359 00:54:30,789 --> 00:54:34,420 stepping out of the office my pipbuck 1360 00:54:33,070 --> 00:54:38,440 said I had five to go 1361 00:54:34,420 --> 00:54:42,220 and I was still out of ammo I needed a 1362 00:54:38,440 --> 00:54:43,990 plan moving back the way I had arrived 1363 00:54:42,219 --> 00:54:46,209 I tried unlocking the maintenance room I 1364 00:54:43,989 --> 00:54:48,129 had been kept out of earlier with any 1365 00:54:46,210 --> 00:54:52,179 luck there will be more magical spark 1366 00:54:48,130 --> 00:54:54,970 packs inside the door clicked open but 1367 00:54:52,179 --> 00:54:57,369 my streak of luck it ended there were no 1368 00:54:54,969 --> 00:55:00,429 magical spark packs no weapons our ammo 1369 00:54:57,369 --> 00:55:01,779 of any kind instead there was the 1370 00:55:00,429 --> 00:55:03,879 skeleton of a Pegasus Pony who had 1371 00:55:01,780 --> 00:55:05,620 locked himself inside alone with an 1372 00:55:03,880 --> 00:55:08,530 empty bottle of puck and a case of 1373 00:55:05,619 --> 00:55:10,139 painkillers from the position of the 1374 00:55:08,530 --> 00:55:12,660 skeleton and the disarray of the room I 1375 00:55:10,139 --> 00:55:16,359 suspected he died in severe convulsions 1376 00:55:12,659 --> 00:55:18,609 but hopefully unable to feel them there 1377 00:55:16,360 --> 00:55:20,050 were a few posters well-preserved on the 1378 00:55:18,610 --> 00:55:20,440 wall of this room that I'd never seen 1379 00:55:20,050 --> 00:55:23,769 before 1380 00:55:20,440 --> 00:55:25,300 a rather fantastic poster for a pegasi 1381 00:55:23,769 --> 00:55:27,039 aerial acrobatics team called the 1382 00:55:25,300 --> 00:55:28,480 Wonderbolts whose bright blue uniforms 1383 00:55:27,039 --> 00:55:31,719 are clearly copied from the darker 1384 00:55:28,480 --> 00:55:34,630 militaristic shadowbolts design or was 1385 00:55:31,719 --> 00:55:37,299 the other way around a framed newspaper 1386 00:55:34,630 --> 00:55:38,860 article on the wall read Wonderbolts 1387 00:55:37,300 --> 00:55:41,050 heroic attempt to free zebra captives 1388 00:55:38,860 --> 00:55:42,280 leaves for dead this morning 1389 00:55:41,050 --> 00:55:44,230 Princess Celestia announced the 1390 00:55:42,280 --> 00:55:45,790 successful rescue of the 17 ponies held 1391 00:55:44,230 --> 00:55:48,490 captive for two weeks by zebra gem 1392 00:55:45,789 --> 00:55:49,869 pirates the Wonderbolts Equestria's 1393 00:55:48,489 --> 00:55:51,009 greatest fliers volunteered for the 1394 00:55:49,869 --> 00:55:54,880 secret mission that sent them into the 1395 00:55:51,010 --> 00:55:56,770 zebra waters however success came at a 1396 00:55:54,880 --> 00:55:58,329 grave cost as for members of the elite 1397 00:55:56,769 --> 00:55:59,170 pegasi team were killed in the ensuing 1398 00:55:58,329 --> 00:56:01,029 battle 1399 00:55:59,170 --> 00:56:02,559 thankfully none of the captives were 1400 00:56:01,030 --> 00:56:03,630 killed and only one received serious 1401 00:56:02,559 --> 00:56:05,980 injury 1402 00:56:03,630 --> 00:56:07,690 throughout this two-week crisis the 1403 00:56:05,980 --> 00:56:09,039 zebra Kai's are repeatedly denounced the 1404 00:56:07,690 --> 00:56:11,470 actions of the Pirates and offered 1405 00:56:09,039 --> 00:56:13,088 support to princess celestia but he 1406 00:56:11,469 --> 00:56:15,250 denied permission for equestrian ponies 1407 00:56:13,088 --> 00:56:17,548 to enter zebra territories claiming it 1408 00:56:15,250 --> 00:56:19,750 would increase existing tensions and 1409 00:56:17,548 --> 00:56:20,949 insisting that his Army's intelligence 1410 00:56:19,750 --> 00:56:23,798 indicated that the Pirates were 1411 00:56:20,949 --> 00:56:25,629 operating in international seas the 1412 00:56:23,798 --> 00:56:27,068 zebra Kaiser continues to disavow any 1413 00:56:25,630 --> 00:56:29,858 knowledge of where the pirates ship is 1414 00:56:27,068 --> 00:56:31,329 anchor'd princess celestia claims that 1415 00:56:29,858 --> 00:56:32,980 the Wonderbolts operation in zebra 1416 00:56:31,329 --> 00:56:34,660 territory was the result of a happy 1417 00:56:32,980 --> 00:56:38,318 miscommunication and apologised 1418 00:56:34,659 --> 00:56:39,730 personally to the Kaiser the article 1419 00:56:38,318 --> 00:56:42,489 clearly predated the beginning of the 1420 00:56:39,730 --> 00:56:44,108 war one more thing to think about later 1421 00:56:42,489 --> 00:56:45,519 when I wasn't trying to find a way to 1422 00:56:44,108 --> 00:56:47,889 disintegrate parasprites without a 1423 00:56:45,519 --> 00:56:50,588 magical energy weapon or incinerate them 1424 00:56:47,889 --> 00:56:52,328 without fire the maintenance room 1425 00:56:50,588 --> 00:56:53,019 included a workbench and a variety of 1426 00:56:52,329 --> 00:56:55,119 odds and ends 1427 00:56:53,019 --> 00:56:57,099 including the Bucs Wonderbolts lunchbox 1428 00:56:55,119 --> 00:56:58,380 and a sack filled with some ponies badly 1429 00:56:57,099 --> 00:57:00,519 decayed porn collection 1430 00:56:58,380 --> 00:57:06,119 mostly old copies of wing burner 1431 00:57:00,519 --> 00:57:09,969 magazine I managed not to look no really 1432 00:57:06,119 --> 00:57:15,099 okay maybe just a little pegasus mares 1433 00:57:09,969 --> 00:57:17,798 are kind of exotic after all inspiration 1434 00:57:15,099 --> 00:57:20,289 struck I dumped out the magazines and 1435 00:57:17,798 --> 00:57:21,639 set the sack aside then I emptied the 1436 00:57:20,289 --> 00:57:24,338 lunchbox of the muck that the food 1437 00:57:21,639 --> 00:57:25,779 inside had wrought into I brought up the 1438 00:57:24,338 --> 00:57:28,119 schematic that did sea-doo had given me 1439 00:57:25,780 --> 00:57:29,619 as a gift I didn't really expect a 1440 00:57:28,119 --> 00:57:31,568 homemade mind would be any good against 1441 00:57:29,619 --> 00:57:33,390 parasprites but that didn't mean I 1442 00:57:31,568 --> 00:57:35,829 wouldn't find the east for one later I 1443 00:57:33,389 --> 00:57:38,889 was about to put my new mind to sack 1444 00:57:35,829 --> 00:57:40,780 while I had another idea I couldn't set 1445 00:57:38,889 --> 00:57:44,558 the damn Pony eating bugs on fire inside 1446 00:57:40,780 --> 00:57:46,119 the building but half an hour later I 1447 00:57:44,559 --> 00:57:47,890 trotted out of the printing house with a 1448 00:57:46,119 --> 00:57:49,349 sack full of angry parasites floating 1449 00:57:47,889 --> 00:57:54,618 next to me 1450 00:57:49,349 --> 00:57:54,619 Oh pyre light I sing song with a smile 1451 00:57:54,920 --> 00:58:00,450 mr. shiny was most impressed and I felt 1452 00:57:57,900 --> 00:58:01,979 myself flush with pride only for the 1453 00:58:00,449 --> 00:58:03,358 pride to be swiftly followed by shame 1454 00:58:01,978 --> 00:58:06,179 and anger that I was letting myself feel 1455 00:58:03,358 --> 00:58:08,098 happy about slave work and worse 1456 00:58:06,179 --> 00:58:11,338 thankful to one of the slavers for 1457 00:58:08,099 --> 00:58:13,140 praising me the reward for my efforts 1458 00:58:11,338 --> 00:58:15,449 was to have the magical energy gun taken 1459 00:58:13,139 --> 00:58:17,969 from me but in return he offered me a 1460 00:58:15,449 --> 00:58:20,308 resent of ragged slave barting it 1461 00:58:17,969 --> 00:58:22,259 offered little protection but little was 1462 00:58:20,309 --> 00:58:23,569 better than none and it would help 1463 00:58:22,259 --> 00:58:26,429 against the chilly nights 1464 00:58:23,568 --> 00:58:28,139 the former where according to mr. shiny 1465 00:58:26,429 --> 00:58:31,588 was no longer able to use it do to 1466 00:58:28,139 --> 00:58:34,558 decapitation working swiftly did not 1467 00:58:31,588 --> 00:58:35,909 lead to more rest but to more work I was 1468 00:58:34,559 --> 00:58:38,819 assigned to the scrap yard for the rest 1469 00:58:35,909 --> 00:58:40,288 of the day I spent all of 10 minutes 1470 00:58:38,818 --> 00:58:41,818 getting instructions on the use of a 1471 00:58:40,289 --> 00:58:44,670 gruesome looking auto acts before the 1472 00:58:41,818 --> 00:58:46,288 yard foreman a slave himself decided he 1473 00:58:44,670 --> 00:58:47,460 didn't want such a dangerous tool in the 1474 00:58:46,289 --> 00:58:51,028 hopes of such a small and weak-looking 1475 00:58:47,460 --> 00:58:52,440 mayor i pointed out that as a unicorn i 1476 00:58:51,028 --> 00:58:53,789 was more than capable of wielding the 1477 00:58:52,440 --> 00:58:57,088 metal cutting saw regardless of my 1478 00:58:53,789 --> 00:58:58,380 physical size or strength in response he 1479 00:58:57,088 --> 00:59:00,358 put me to work gathering the bits of 1480 00:58:58,380 --> 00:59:02,818 scrap that the other workers slaves 1481 00:59:00,358 --> 00:59:04,409 dammit were slicing off old passenger 1482 00:59:02,818 --> 00:59:07,949 wagons and other sizeable metal 1483 00:59:04,409 --> 00:59:09,558 artifacts of the past i trudged into the 1484 00:59:07,949 --> 00:59:11,548 ear-splitting din of the scrap yard 1485 00:59:09,559 --> 00:59:13,349 dozens of ponies were pitting the 1486 00:59:11,548 --> 00:59:15,719 spinning magically edged blades against 1487 00:59:13,349 --> 00:59:17,999 metal at least a dozen more run scrap 1488 00:59:15,719 --> 00:59:20,159 collection duty I looked up to see the 1489 00:59:17,998 --> 00:59:21,238 slaver guards staring down at us armed 1490 00:59:20,159 --> 00:59:23,129 with the battle saddles or assault 1491 00:59:21,239 --> 00:59:26,278 carbines keeping well out of range of 1492 00:59:23,130 --> 00:59:27,838 the auto axes a daring unicorn could try 1493 00:59:26,278 --> 00:59:29,099 to float one up at them but she would 1494 00:59:27,838 --> 00:59:31,500 just be gunned down before she could 1495 00:59:29,099 --> 00:59:33,720 kill more than one 1496 00:59:31,500 --> 00:59:35,159 out of the corner of my eye I saw the 1497 00:59:33,719 --> 00:59:37,259 gorgeous yellow and green plumage of 1498 00:59:35,159 --> 00:59:39,029 pilot as she circled a Wonder balls 1499 00:59:37,260 --> 00:59:42,390 lunchbox clutched in her talons before a 1500 00:59:39,030 --> 00:59:44,910 soaring out of sight smiling to myself a 1501 00:59:42,389 --> 00:59:48,989 little despite my jury situation I got 1502 00:59:44,909 --> 00:59:50,909 to work enslaved ponies crying out under 1503 00:59:48,989 --> 00:59:52,500 the whips of the slavers pulled wagons 1504 00:59:50,909 --> 00:59:55,529 pol will scavenge metal into the steel 1505 00:59:52,500 --> 00:59:57,059 yard for slicing I was shocked when 1506 00:59:55,530 --> 00:59:59,130 several ponies tried to wearily to the 1507 00:59:57,059 --> 01:00:01,849 scrap yard pulling a wagon Ladin with a 1508 00:59:59,130 --> 01:00:04,110 massive gear shaped door from a stable 1509 01:00:01,849 --> 01:00:06,779 my work was much easier than theirs 1510 01:00:04,110 --> 01:00:08,010 thanks to my magic and it afforded me 1511 01:00:06,780 --> 01:00:10,590 the chance to talk with some of the 1512 01:00:08,010 --> 01:00:12,510 other slaves they were not a chatty 1513 01:00:10,590 --> 01:00:14,670 Bunch quick to remind you that too much 1514 01:00:12,510 --> 01:00:17,760 talk made the slavers nervous and it was 1515 01:00:14,670 --> 01:00:19,440 a quick wit hate your tongue cut out but 1516 01:00:17,760 --> 01:00:20,940 I was still able to glean a few tidbits 1517 01:00:19,440 --> 01:00:22,619 which convinced me that the only places 1518 01:00:20,940 --> 01:00:24,630 likely to find either the schematics of 1519 01:00:22,619 --> 01:00:26,429 the rat engine or red ice research into 1520 01:00:24,630 --> 01:00:30,269 bypass spells where the Alpha Omega 1521 01:00:26,429 --> 01:00:32,009 hotel or the Ministry of morale hub the 1522 01:00:30,269 --> 01:00:34,739 Alpha Omega was being used for special 1523 01:00:32,010 --> 01:00:37,050 housing for the lower floors this meant 1524 01:00:34,739 --> 01:00:38,399 housing for pit fighters being on the 1525 01:00:37,050 --> 01:00:39,720 fast track to brutal death at the hooves 1526 01:00:38,400 --> 01:00:42,360 of other slaves didn't come without 1527 01:00:39,719 --> 01:00:45,449 compensations a much nicer place to bed 1528 01:00:42,360 --> 01:00:49,349 down shorter work hours and if rumors 1529 01:00:45,449 --> 01:00:50,669 are true access to a still who or what 1530 01:00:49,349 --> 01:00:53,219 was housed in the upper floors was 1531 01:00:50,670 --> 01:00:54,630 apparently a closely guarded secret the 1532 01:00:53,219 --> 01:00:56,819 only other place to get booze nalle' 1533 01:00:54,630 --> 01:00:58,590 Philadelphia one of the slaves claimed 1534 01:00:56,820 --> 01:01:00,480 as she led her otto axle down before 1535 01:00:58,590 --> 01:01:01,950 going again to the 3-yard long section 1536 01:01:00,480 --> 01:01:05,280 of what had once been a stable wall is 1537 01:01:01,949 --> 01:01:08,429 the Roma bar slaver hang out on the 1538 01:01:05,280 --> 01:01:09,690 other side of the wall a shame as I 1539 01:01:08,429 --> 01:01:12,269 decided that I could definitely use some 1540 01:01:09,690 --> 01:01:14,730 Apple whiskey staring hates the stuff 1541 01:01:12,269 --> 01:01:17,019 says booze makes slavers stupid and she 1542 01:01:14,730 --> 01:01:18,760 ain't got use for stupid 1543 01:01:17,019 --> 01:01:20,289 the slave mayor with a really strange 1544 01:01:18,760 --> 01:01:22,090 accent chomped down on the bit of the 1545 01:01:20,289 --> 01:01:24,759 auto acts kicking it on again and 1546 01:01:22,090 --> 01:01:26,110 starting cutting I hung around long 1547 01:01:24,760 --> 01:01:27,760 enough to bundle the first chunks cut 1548 01:01:26,110 --> 01:01:32,550 from the wall then floating them back 1549 01:01:27,760 --> 01:01:34,869 down to the waiting bins then I moved on 1550 01:01:32,550 --> 01:01:36,460 from the ponies willing to talk 1551 01:01:34,869 --> 01:01:38,170 everything about the comically barn 1552 01:01:36,460 --> 01:01:39,670 shaped mo and building was a mystery 1553 01:01:38,170 --> 01:01:41,349 save that there was always a pinkie pie 1554 01:01:39,670 --> 01:01:43,000 balloon anchored there that's erm 1555 01:01:41,349 --> 01:01:44,440 roosted in the upper tower and that 1556 01:01:43,000 --> 01:01:47,440 red-eye himself had private chamber 1557 01:01:44,440 --> 01:01:49,389 somewhere within I found myself speaking 1558 01:01:47,440 --> 01:01:51,099 with another of the slaves this time a 1559 01:01:49,389 --> 01:01:53,769 unicorn buck with a cancerous eye and 1560 01:01:51,099 --> 01:01:55,360 only three legs the result not of an 1561 01:01:53,769 --> 01:01:56,949 accident or cruelty but a birth defect 1562 01:01:55,360 --> 01:01:58,180 from having been born to a tribe who had 1563 01:01:56,949 --> 01:02:01,419 lived too close to the Philadelphia 1564 01:01:58,179 --> 01:02:03,730 crater before the wall our conversation 1565 01:02:01,420 --> 01:02:05,289 was interrupted when one by one the 1566 01:02:03,730 --> 01:02:08,079 slaves paused their work to look up into 1567 01:02:05,289 --> 01:02:11,529 the sky of black clouds several pointed 1568 01:02:08,079 --> 01:02:13,360 many whispered I turned my own head 1569 01:02:11,530 --> 01:02:17,110 upwards trying to spot the cause of the 1570 01:02:13,360 --> 01:02:18,910 commotion it wasn't hard to spot a sky 1571 01:02:17,110 --> 01:02:21,608 cherry was flying overhead pulled by two 1572 01:02:18,909 --> 01:02:25,239 Griffin's surrounding it was a wing of 1573 01:02:21,608 --> 01:02:28,980 alicorns well the Dean formed buck 1574 01:02:25,239 --> 01:02:28,979 muttered looks like a red-eyes here 1575 01:02:30,608 --> 01:02:34,900 I stood in the same la pride stood 1576 01:02:32,559 --> 01:02:36,548 yesterday the blood of the slaver 1577 01:02:34,900 --> 01:02:39,489 executed by stern still stained the 1578 01:02:36,548 --> 01:02:42,639 ground all around me other slaves had 1579 01:02:39,489 --> 01:02:44,019 gathered pressing closed the rooftops 1580 01:02:42,639 --> 01:02:46,389 around us were lined with Griffin's and 1581 01:02:44,018 --> 01:02:49,028 Talon Armour Stern took her favorite 1582 01:02:46,389 --> 01:02:50,798 spot and stared out over us her anti 1583 01:02:49,028 --> 01:02:53,980 machine rifle was slung to her back but 1584 01:02:50,798 --> 01:02:55,838 I remembered the speed of her draw the 1585 01:02:53,980 --> 01:02:58,349 speaker's fell silent march of the 1586 01:02:55,838 --> 01:03:00,548 parasprites cutting off in mid song a 1587 01:02:58,349 --> 01:03:03,369 couple of the ponies beside me whinny 1588 01:03:00,548 --> 01:03:05,889 nervously I spotted blood and Daffy in 1589 01:03:03,369 --> 01:03:10,119 the crowd blood look bored inspecting 1590 01:03:05,889 --> 01:03:16,268 her hoof Daffy looked grandma and then I 1591 01:03:10,119 --> 01:03:18,369 finally saw him read I flanked by an 1592 01:03:16,268 --> 01:03:19,629 escort of alicorns the pony who I'd come 1593 01:03:18,369 --> 01:03:21,400 to blame for a great deal of the 1594 01:03:19,630 --> 01:03:22,778 equestrian wastelands wrongness walked 1595 01:03:21,400 --> 01:03:25,720 up from ramp on the right side of the 1596 01:03:22,778 --> 01:03:27,639 building where Stern was perched red I 1597 01:03:25,719 --> 01:03:29,558 was a strong able-bodied earth pony 1598 01:03:27,639 --> 01:03:30,909 stallion with a crimson coat and a few 1599 01:03:29,559 --> 01:03:33,670 light scars around the blank flank 1600 01:03:30,909 --> 01:03:35,108 rescue marks should have been he had a 1601 01:03:33,670 --> 01:03:37,059 jet black mane and tail which were 1602 01:03:35,108 --> 01:03:38,650 practically groomed and he wore a black 1603 01:03:37,059 --> 01:03:41,230 cape that was slung to droop off his 1604 01:03:38,650 --> 01:03:42,849 right side I could only see the left 1605 01:03:41,230 --> 01:03:44,829 side of his body clearly as he strode 1606 01:03:42,849 --> 01:03:48,489 towards the center of the roof but his 1607 01:03:44,829 --> 01:03:50,829 left eye was distinctly blue I wasn't 1608 01:03:48,489 --> 01:03:53,409 sure what I've been expecting how I 1609 01:03:50,829 --> 01:03:55,930 think I'd been expecting alicorn monster 1610 01:03:53,409 --> 01:03:57,998 the size of pinkie pie's balloon some 1611 01:03:55,929 --> 01:04:00,969 twisted and evil being radiating 1612 01:03:57,998 --> 01:04:06,689 explosions of power or something equally 1613 01:04:00,969 --> 01:04:09,568 as absurd red I was just a pony 1614 01:04:06,690 --> 01:04:11,760 I could end this all now I just needed 1615 01:04:09,568 --> 01:04:13,920 something big and heavy I could float it 1616 01:04:11,760 --> 01:04:14,849 over his head and drop it even if the 1617 01:04:13,920 --> 01:04:17,519 Griffon spotted me 1618 01:04:14,849 --> 01:04:19,230 even if Stern gunned me down I could 1619 01:04:17,519 --> 01:04:22,349 accept that just as long as I could take 1620 01:04:19,230 --> 01:04:23,309 him with me one of the alicorns looked 1621 01:04:22,349 --> 01:04:26,309 out over the crowd 1622 01:04:23,309 --> 01:04:28,019 her eyes quickly finding me she spread 1623 01:04:26,309 --> 01:04:31,828 her wings and took to the air keeping a 1624 01:04:28,019 --> 01:04:33,449 perfective watch damnit they remembered 1625 01:04:31,829 --> 01:04:37,050 and they weren't going to let me pull 1626 01:04:33,449 --> 01:04:38,789 the same trick twice I realized with the 1627 01:04:37,050 --> 01:04:42,269 chill that the alicorns knew I was here 1628 01:04:38,789 --> 01:04:45,108 and so did their goddess which I 1629 01:04:42,269 --> 01:04:50,338 suspected meant redeye did too 1630 01:04:45,108 --> 01:04:51,779 this was a stupid plan in the middle of 1631 01:04:50,338 --> 01:04:54,838 the roof was a strip of railing which 1632 01:04:51,780 --> 01:04:56,609 had once held a sign redeye trot up to 1633 01:04:54,838 --> 01:04:58,400 it the other two alicorns taking 1634 01:04:56,608 --> 01:05:01,019 positions on either side of him he 1635 01:04:58,400 --> 01:05:02,490 turned towards us putting his four 1636 01:05:01,019 --> 01:05:05,639 hooves up spread out on the railing as 1637 01:05:02,489 --> 01:05:06,899 he stared down I gasped my world 1638 01:05:05,639 --> 01:05:11,219 suddenly lurching out from under my 1639 01:05:06,900 --> 01:05:13,950 hooves workers welcome and thank you for 1640 01:05:11,219 --> 01:05:16,379 joining me when I was even more 1641 01:05:13,949 --> 01:05:18,679 charismatic in person his words are 1642 01:05:16,380 --> 01:05:21,960 really smooth and devilishly persuasive 1643 01:05:18,679 --> 01:05:23,759 but I was barely hearing them my gaze 1644 01:05:21,960 --> 01:05:24,990 transfixed on the red glow that came out 1645 01:05:23,760 --> 01:05:27,900 of the metal sheath around what should 1646 01:05:24,989 --> 01:05:31,689 have been his right eye socket a cyber 1647 01:05:27,900 --> 01:05:33,639 Pony red I was a cyber pony 1648 01:05:31,690 --> 01:05:35,139 I was staring in the face of a level of 1649 01:05:33,639 --> 01:05:37,170 technological advancement that soared 1650 01:05:35,139 --> 01:05:41,920 way beyond terminals and Sprite BOTS 1651 01:05:37,170 --> 01:05:44,139 read I had cybernetic implants how where 1652 01:05:41,920 --> 01:05:46,740 did he get them when did that sort of 1653 01:05:44,139 --> 01:05:49,629 technology even become possible 1654 01:05:46,739 --> 01:05:51,098 my gaze traveled down his body searching 1655 01:05:49,630 --> 01:05:54,039 for other science of augmentation and 1656 01:05:51,099 --> 01:05:57,160 locked on his right four leg red I was 1657 01:05:54,039 --> 01:06:01,000 wearing a pipbuck red I was a stable 1658 01:05:57,159 --> 01:06:03,460 dweller I have demanded a lot from you 1659 01:06:01,000 --> 01:06:05,050 in the name of the future red I was 1660 01:06:03,460 --> 01:06:07,929 saying as I shook myself out of my utter 1661 01:06:05,050 --> 01:06:09,460 stupor the Crimson cyber augmented 1662 01:06:07,929 --> 01:06:12,759 stallion even more his pipbuck on his 1663 01:06:09,460 --> 01:06:16,000 right for Lake which was uncommon just 1664 01:06:12,760 --> 01:06:17,500 like me but I would not call for 1665 01:06:16,000 --> 01:06:20,469 anything from you that I would not 1666 01:06:17,500 --> 01:06:23,318 demand from myself red I claimed looking 1667 01:06:20,469 --> 01:06:26,679 over us the red beam of that targeting 1668 01:06:23,318 --> 01:06:29,050 eye flashed as it swept over me as you 1669 01:06:26,679 --> 01:06:30,940 can see I was gifted through no merit of 1670 01:06:29,050 --> 01:06:32,800 my own with a privileged upbringing that 1671 01:06:30,940 --> 01:06:35,889 the good ponies of equestrian wasteland 1672 01:06:32,800 --> 01:06:38,019 could only dream of I lived in a stable 1673 01:06:35,889 --> 01:06:40,108 of such luxuries as safety food and 1674 01:06:38,019 --> 01:06:42,250 clean water were taken for granted our 1675 01:06:40,108 --> 01:06:44,068 water towels me alone could have given 1676 01:06:42,250 --> 01:06:46,780 life sustaining nourishment of thousands 1677 01:06:44,068 --> 01:06:50,079 but was instead being used for frivolous 1678 01:06:46,780 --> 01:06:53,880 joys like how a tree was fountain he 1679 01:06:50,079 --> 01:06:56,140 frowned shaking his head observe my eye 1680 01:06:53,880 --> 01:06:58,210 my stable offered medical and 1681 01:06:56,139 --> 01:07:01,449 technological advancements for an excess 1682 01:06:58,210 --> 01:07:02,679 of even pre-war civilization ponies in 1683 01:07:01,449 --> 01:07:04,269 the highest rank of stable tech 1684 01:07:02,679 --> 01:07:06,129 conspired to make my stable and 1685 01:07:04,269 --> 01:07:07,659 experiment in rulership the earth pony 1686 01:07:06,130 --> 01:07:12,050 way 1687 01:07:07,659 --> 01:07:14,690 Celestia's suckle me stable ii had 1688 01:07:12,050 --> 01:07:16,190 always known a unicorn overmare i tried 1689 01:07:14,690 --> 01:07:17,720 to imagine a stable under earth pony 1690 01:07:16,190 --> 01:07:19,010 rule driven by the same push for 1691 01:07:17,719 --> 01:07:20,359 progress an industry that had dominated 1692 01:07:19,010 --> 01:07:23,510 the thinking of the Ministry of 1693 01:07:20,360 --> 01:07:26,410 Technology what could they possibly have 1694 01:07:23,510 --> 01:07:31,030 accomplished over 200 years of isolation 1695 01:07:26,409 --> 01:07:33,109 well cybernetic implants for one I 1696 01:07:31,030 --> 01:07:35,180 realized I had lost track of red-eyes 1697 01:07:33,110 --> 01:07:36,470 speech and chided myself for not paying 1698 01:07:35,179 --> 01:07:39,169 closer attention now that he was 1699 01:07:36,469 --> 01:07:40,849 actually right in front of me but I 1700 01:07:39,170 --> 01:07:42,440 couldn't help the oozing sense that I 1701 01:07:40,849 --> 01:07:45,920 was looking into a dark and supremely 1702 01:07:42,440 --> 01:07:48,470 fucked-up mirror I saw the equestrian 1703 01:07:45,920 --> 01:07:51,860 wasteland for what it is but more than 1704 01:07:48,469 --> 01:07:54,439 that I saw what it should be and what it 1705 01:07:51,860 --> 01:07:56,930 could be again that night for the first 1706 01:07:54,440 --> 01:08:01,550 time the goddess whispered to me 1707 01:07:56,929 --> 01:08:03,109 I found myself resisting a face off the 1708 01:08:01,550 --> 01:08:05,090 idea that the alicorns goddess was 1709 01:08:03,110 --> 01:08:06,559 speaking to red eye or at least that he 1710 01:08:05,090 --> 01:08:09,530 could be under that impression made a 1711 01:08:06,559 --> 01:08:10,789 lot more sense I knew a pony in stable 1712 01:08:09,530 --> 01:08:12,380 to who would sometimes pick up the 1713 01:08:10,789 --> 01:08:15,110 stable broadcast her metalwork in his 1714 01:08:12,380 --> 01:08:16,730 jaw Celeste they only knew what all the 1715 01:08:15,110 --> 01:08:18,739 wetware and red-eyes head was capable of 1716 01:08:16,729 --> 01:08:21,829 receiving by intentional design or 1717 01:08:18,739 --> 01:08:24,289 otherwise the goddess communicated 1718 01:08:21,829 --> 01:08:26,838 telepathically with the alicorns was she 1719 01:08:24,289 --> 01:08:29,630 communicating with him too or was he 1720 01:08:26,838 --> 01:08:31,460 just picking up stray signals preacher 1721 01:08:29,630 --> 01:08:34,640 had suggested to velvel remedy that read 1722 01:08:31,460 --> 01:08:36,140 I was getting garbled messages and the 1723 01:08:34,640 --> 01:08:38,779 first thing that she showed me was how 1724 01:08:36,140 --> 01:08:40,579 wrong my stables teachings were how 1725 01:08:38,779 --> 01:08:43,700 actually repulsive our beliefs in earth 1726 01:08:40,579 --> 01:08:46,130 Pony supremacy were no breeder Pony is 1727 01:08:43,699 --> 01:08:48,829 greater than another we are all slaves 1728 01:08:46,130 --> 01:08:50,298 to the equestrian wasteland and it is 1729 01:08:48,829 --> 01:08:51,949 only through our work that we can be 1730 01:08:50,298 --> 01:08:55,100 free 1731 01:08:51,949 --> 01:08:56,750 as read I talked I could remember the 1732 01:08:55,100 --> 01:09:00,079 twisted versions of stories in history 1733 01:08:56,750 --> 01:09:02,090 that I had seen in stable 24 even the 1734 01:09:00,079 --> 01:09:03,739 tale of the mare in the moon the tale of 1735 01:09:02,090 --> 01:09:06,020 Princess Luna thousand years fall to 1736 01:09:03,739 --> 01:09:07,369 madness as Nightmare Moon a madness 1737 01:09:06,020 --> 01:09:09,170 she'd been rescued from by a group of 1738 01:09:07,369 --> 01:09:12,079 friends who Luna had subsequently chosen 1739 01:09:09,170 --> 01:09:13,850 to be the mayors of registries had been 1740 01:09:12,079 --> 01:09:16,970 altered into the tale of a fallen Prince 1741 01:09:13,850 --> 01:09:18,140 I could only guess if this is what's 1742 01:09:16,970 --> 01:09:19,970 they will take it done to ensure a 1743 01:09:18,140 --> 01:09:22,130 male-dominated experience in that stable 1744 01:09:19,970 --> 01:09:25,100 what the teachings in red-eyes stable 1745 01:09:22,130 --> 01:09:27,770 would have been but that work is 1746 01:09:25,100 --> 01:09:30,280 worthless unless it is shared until we 1747 01:09:27,770 --> 01:09:35,150 are all free none of us are truly free 1748 01:09:30,279 --> 01:09:38,779 nor do we deserve to be read I glanced 1749 01:09:35,149 --> 01:09:40,639 away looking strangely ashamed then with 1750 01:09:38,779 --> 01:09:43,219 a fierceness I hadn't expected he told 1751 01:09:40,640 --> 01:09:45,800 us and that is why my stable was the 1752 01:09:43,220 --> 01:09:48,079 first to be dismantled its doors and 1753 01:09:45,800 --> 01:09:50,000 supports torn out melted down its 1754 01:09:48,079 --> 01:09:51,439 concrete walls and floors cut apart to 1755 01:09:50,000 --> 01:09:53,569 make the foundation stones of the 1756 01:09:51,439 --> 01:09:55,669 Cathedral the fortress we are building 1757 01:09:53,569 --> 01:09:58,189 on the site of my former home to be the 1758 01:09:55,670 --> 01:10:02,470 new capital of our new Equestria and the 1759 01:09:58,189 --> 01:10:04,909 new home of our living goddess I reeled 1760 01:10:02,470 --> 01:10:06,710 the ponies of my home were the first to 1761 01:10:04,909 --> 01:10:09,529 join the army of the children of unity 1762 01:10:06,710 --> 01:10:11,210 or in the case of many they became the 1763 01:10:09,529 --> 01:10:12,139 first workers in these very yards where 1764 01:10:11,210 --> 01:10:14,869 you work today 1765 01:10:12,140 --> 01:10:16,730 I saw the bounty of our stable shared 1766 01:10:14,869 --> 01:10:18,649 the water tile has been given to a 1767 01:10:16,729 --> 01:10:21,799 struggle in town which now knows the joy 1768 01:10:18,649 --> 01:10:23,689 of clean and pure water I focused the 1769 01:10:21,800 --> 01:10:27,110 great minds of our best science ponies 1770 01:10:23,689 --> 01:10:29,389 towards the task of our coming age the 1771 01:10:27,109 --> 01:10:31,819 only thing the remains of my home is the 1772 01:10:29,390 --> 01:10:35,510 cloak I wear as a reminder red eyes 1773 01:10:31,819 --> 01:10:39,500 claimed smiling down at us everything I 1774 01:10:35,510 --> 01:10:42,110 ever had I have given as you do today 1775 01:10:39,500 --> 01:10:44,840 his eyes both mechanical and natural 1776 01:10:42,109 --> 01:10:47,569 looked over the ponies in the crowd his 1777 01:10:44,840 --> 01:10:51,440 voice was paternal and I could not 1778 01:10:47,569 --> 01:10:54,739 prouder of all of you he glanced back to 1779 01:10:51,439 --> 01:10:56,449 stern the black colored Griffin nodded 1780 01:10:54,739 --> 01:10:58,099 her white feathered head but her beak 1781 01:10:56,449 --> 01:11:00,769 twisted into a scowl of dislike the 1782 01:10:58,100 --> 01:11:02,690 moment he turned away the alicorn of the 1783 01:11:00,770 --> 01:11:05,350 air continued to circle keeping her eyes 1784 01:11:02,689 --> 01:11:08,089 off her unidentified floating objects 1785 01:11:05,350 --> 01:11:09,650 looking to us again bathing us in his 1786 01:11:08,090 --> 01:11:13,880 smile beneath the slate colored clouds 1787 01:11:09,649 --> 01:11:16,549 red I announced and so I can't bringing 1788 01:11:13,880 --> 01:11:20,390 this gift of respite tomorrow shall be a 1789 01:11:16,550 --> 01:11:22,789 day of rest none shall labor furthermore 1790 01:11:20,390 --> 01:11:24,890 the bounty of the roma bar stills will 1791 01:11:22,789 --> 01:11:26,329 be made freely available to you for 1792 01:11:24,890 --> 01:11:30,440 those who wish taste the finest horse 1793 01:11:26,329 --> 01:11:32,029 whiskey Philadelphia has to offer the 1794 01:11:30,439 --> 01:11:33,799 words of the leader of our slavers was 1795 01:11:32,029 --> 01:11:38,269 met with clapping applause and shouts of 1796 01:11:33,800 --> 01:11:39,920 joy it was insanity the gratitude of the 1797 01:11:38,270 --> 01:11:42,170 crowd made as much sense as our oatmeal 1798 01:11:39,920 --> 01:11:44,480 I looked around and found a few ponies 1799 01:11:42,170 --> 01:11:46,399 who were not celebrating one of them was 1800 01:11:44,479 --> 01:11:49,429 Daffy although blood seemed to be 1801 01:11:46,399 --> 01:11:51,250 cheering for both of them red I grinned 1802 01:11:49,430 --> 01:11:53,539 kindly and then waved his hoof for quiet 1803 01:11:51,250 --> 01:11:57,920 the roars and stomping died away 1804 01:11:53,539 --> 01:12:00,439 uneasily as if strangled and I have also 1805 01:11:57,920 --> 01:12:02,270 arranged for Entertainment to full 1806 01:12:00,439 --> 01:12:05,629 events in the pit with seeing for 1807 01:12:02,270 --> 01:12:08,420 everypony to enjoy he looked down over 1808 01:12:05,630 --> 01:12:10,989 us there is of course if I can get some 1809 01:12:08,420 --> 01:12:10,989 volunteers 1810 01:12:11,010 --> 01:12:17,850 the quiet became a hard silence the 1811 01:12:14,069 --> 01:12:20,819 slave ponies looked to each other and we 1812 01:12:17,850 --> 01:12:25,140 have one read I announced as he looked 1813 01:12:20,819 --> 01:12:26,819 into the crowd anymore I looked around 1814 01:12:25,140 --> 01:12:29,220 to see which Pony had volunteered for 1815 01:12:26,819 --> 01:12:32,809 the bloodsport Daffy was holding up a 1816 01:12:29,220 --> 01:12:36,300 hoof blood was staring at him and shock 1817 01:12:32,810 --> 01:12:37,800 then slowly and a show of companionship 1818 01:12:36,300 --> 01:12:39,840 that I thought beyond the vicious axe 1819 01:12:37,800 --> 01:12:41,430 Raider mayor blood stood next to the 1820 01:12:39,840 --> 01:12:44,880 piss colored stallion erase her own huff 1821 01:12:41,430 --> 01:12:49,220 blowing her head - sigh fuck you 1822 01:12:44,880 --> 01:12:54,590 daffodil she muttered I hate you so much 1823 01:12:49,220 --> 01:12:54,590 Renee's voice counted out that's two 1824 01:12:55,789 --> 01:13:00,989 everything went to hell about an hour 1825 01:12:57,960 --> 01:13:02,310 after red eyes speech I was making my 1826 01:13:00,989 --> 01:13:03,929 way back towards the bumper blouse 1827 01:13:02,310 --> 01:13:06,420 structure when a mayor scream guilted me 1828 01:13:03,930 --> 01:13:07,860 into a run the scream was coming from 1829 01:13:06,420 --> 01:13:09,899 inside a building whose decaying paint 1830 01:13:07,859 --> 01:13:12,439 job proclaimed Philadelphia fun farm 1831 01:13:09,899 --> 01:13:15,029 near amazin House of wacky reflections 1832 01:13:12,439 --> 01:13:18,329 the mayor screamed again and I charged 1833 01:13:15,029 --> 01:13:20,670 inside the interior of the building was 1834 01:13:18,329 --> 01:13:23,210 dark and dusty the air filled with moats 1835 01:13:20,670 --> 01:13:25,920 the floor covered and shattered glass i 1836 01:13:23,210 --> 01:13:28,529 levitated myself a little as I moved not 1837 01:13:25,920 --> 01:13:31,739 wanting to cut my hooves the place was a 1838 01:13:28,529 --> 01:13:33,090 maze just as advertised but very few of 1839 01:13:31,739 --> 01:13:34,619 the mirror frames held anything more 1840 01:13:33,090 --> 01:13:37,199 than a few nasty shards are jutting 1841 01:13:34,619 --> 01:13:38,939 against their back boards old graffiti 1842 01:13:37,199 --> 01:13:41,029 suggested that a Raider bandit once used 1843 01:13:38,939 --> 01:13:42,239 this place for fun of their own design 1844 01:13:41,029 --> 01:13:45,059 No 1845 01:13:42,239 --> 01:13:46,679 get off me the mayor cried out and I 1846 01:13:45,060 --> 01:13:49,780 skidded to a stop as I recognized the 1847 01:13:46,680 --> 01:13:52,510 voice it was blood 1848 01:13:49,779 --> 01:13:54,759 I heard laughter and a bucks voice husky 1849 01:13:52,510 --> 01:13:56,949 and cruel now why shouldn't you have 1850 01:13:54,760 --> 01:13:58,119 some fun tonight it's only right scene 1851 01:13:56,948 --> 01:14:01,299 is how you gonna die in the pit tomorrow 1852 01:13:58,118 --> 01:14:04,058 I heard a grunt that sounded like Daffy 1853 01:14:01,300 --> 01:14:07,059 and then the sound of wood impacting 1854 01:14:04,059 --> 01:14:08,739 Pony flesh I trotted forward until I 1855 01:14:07,059 --> 01:14:11,079 caught a scene reflecting the remaining 1856 01:14:08,738 --> 01:14:12,698 third of a shattered mirror - slave 1857 01:14:11,078 --> 01:14:14,920 master ponies had blood pressed against 1858 01:14:12,698 --> 01:14:16,419 the wall I could see blood flowing from 1859 01:14:14,920 --> 01:14:17,590 her back where the jagged fragments of 1860 01:14:16,420 --> 01:14:20,319 the mirror behind her were cutting into 1861 01:14:17,590 --> 01:14:22,090 her tails and flanks one of the raiders 1862 01:14:20,319 --> 01:14:23,889 was a unicorn and he was floating a 1863 01:14:22,090 --> 01:14:26,860 lever-action shotgun at bloods face he 1864 01:14:23,889 --> 01:14:28,050 pressed lewdly against her the buck next 1865 01:14:26,859 --> 01:14:30,339 him covered her with a sawed-off shotgun 1866 01:14:28,050 --> 01:14:31,770 almost identical to the first firearm I 1867 01:14:30,340 --> 01:14:35,469 had ever seen 1868 01:14:31,770 --> 01:14:36,940 three more slavers were piled on daf1 a 1869 01:14:35,469 --> 01:14:39,849 mare was trying to beat him into 1870 01:14:36,939 --> 01:14:42,428 submission with the butt of a rifle my 1871 01:14:39,849 --> 01:14:45,489 heart flared with rage I felt my nerves 1872 01:14:42,429 --> 01:14:47,368 ignite a pony in my head tried to remind 1873 01:14:45,488 --> 01:14:49,569 me that I couldn't start killing slavers 1874 01:14:47,368 --> 01:14:51,429 that my only chance to get it read I 1875 01:14:49,569 --> 01:14:53,679 required keeping a low profile until I 1876 01:14:51,429 --> 01:14:57,849 could get close but I still had a lot of 1877 01:14:53,679 --> 01:14:59,590 work to do that I really didn't want to 1878 01:14:57,849 --> 01:15:01,960 save that sadistic bitch and her rapist 1879 01:14:59,590 --> 01:15:03,969 buck friend anyway what the hell was I 1880 01:15:01,960 --> 01:15:05,929 doing risking my life risking everything 1881 01:15:03,969 --> 01:15:09,109 for them 1882 01:15:05,929 --> 01:15:10,819 and absolutely none of that mattered as 1883 01:15:09,109 --> 01:15:12,289 the slavers learned when the glare from 1884 01:15:10,819 --> 01:15:13,849 my horn was matched by the light that 1885 01:15:12,289 --> 01:15:17,359 flooded over hundreds of deadly sharp 1886 01:15:13,850 --> 01:15:18,800 shards of meer glass the slaver Pony 1887 01:15:17,359 --> 01:15:20,119 with the sawed-off shotgun managed to 1888 01:15:18,800 --> 01:15:20,750 get a shot off before the room became a 1889 01:15:20,119 --> 01:15:26,090 Cuisinart 1890 01:15:20,750 --> 01:15:28,810 he missed the particularly bloody murder 1891 01:15:26,090 --> 01:15:31,069 of five slavers was not going unnoticed 1892 01:15:28,810 --> 01:15:33,110 the one shot fired had drawn attention 1893 01:15:31,069 --> 01:15:34,670 and now was runnin through the maze 1894 01:15:33,109 --> 01:15:36,559 trying desperately to figure out my way 1895 01:15:34,670 --> 01:15:39,560 outlaw slavery guards and heavy barding 1896 01:15:36,560 --> 01:15:42,020 and battle saddles gave chase I'd left 1897 01:15:39,560 --> 01:15:43,580 blood and Daffy alive and in shock the 1898 01:15:42,020 --> 01:15:45,400 corridor decorated with a scene so 1899 01:15:43,579 --> 01:15:47,600 bloody would have made Raiders envious 1900 01:15:45,399 --> 01:15:49,819 I'd snatch up the lever-action shotgun 1901 01:15:47,600 --> 01:15:50,989 and the mayor's rifle but I hadn't had 1902 01:15:49,819 --> 01:15:53,448 time to search the remains 1903 01:15:50,988 --> 01:15:55,879 I had only the ammo currently in the 1904 01:15:53,448 --> 01:15:58,519 firearms according to my eyes forward 1905 01:15:55,880 --> 01:16:02,150 Sparkle that wasn't much two shots in 1906 01:15:58,520 --> 01:16:03,980 the shotgun 12 in the rifle red marks on 1907 01:16:02,149 --> 01:16:06,259 my EFS compass told me that two more 1908 01:16:03,979 --> 01:16:09,259 guards were ahead of me they undoubtedly 1909 01:16:06,260 --> 01:16:10,610 had the building surrounded outside my 1910 01:16:09,260 --> 01:16:12,140 only hope was get out of here and 1911 01:16:10,609 --> 01:16:13,849 changed terrain before there was enough 1912 01:16:12,140 --> 01:16:17,060 time for more than the closest slavers 1913 01:16:13,850 --> 01:16:18,380 forces to be brought to bear I wished 1914 01:16:17,060 --> 01:16:22,219 I'd chosen to bring the stealth buck 1915 01:16:18,380 --> 01:16:25,429 after all the red marks moved weaving 1916 01:16:22,219 --> 01:16:28,288 through the maze drawn closer I crouched 1917 01:16:25,429 --> 01:16:29,760 down hiding shotgun ready 1918 01:16:28,288 --> 01:16:31,408 the moment the first guards head 1919 01:16:29,760 --> 01:16:34,019 appeared in the corridor I slid into 1920 01:16:31,408 --> 01:16:35,788 SATs and opened fire the slaver guard 1921 01:16:34,019 --> 01:16:38,130 went down hard leading from a hole in 1922 01:16:35,788 --> 01:16:38,759 her torn throat the second was right 1923 01:16:38,130 --> 01:16:41,190 behind her 1924 01:16:38,760 --> 01:16:44,699 I put the only other shot I had into her 1925 01:16:41,189 --> 01:16:46,500 face centered on her left eye then I 1926 01:16:44,698 --> 01:16:47,308 discarded the lever-action shotgun and 1927 01:16:46,500 --> 01:16:50,340 galloped ahead 1928 01:16:47,309 --> 01:16:51,750 I heard shouts and the galloping sounds 1929 01:16:50,340 --> 01:16:55,559 of armor shod hooves on the shattered 1930 01:16:51,750 --> 01:16:57,510 glass behind me ahead I spotted an open 1931 01:16:55,559 --> 01:16:59,909 doorway Twilight pouring in around the 1932 01:16:57,510 --> 01:17:01,739 slaver Pony positioned there she was a 1933 01:16:59,908 --> 01:17:03,210 unicorn and was floating a riot shield 1934 01:17:01,738 --> 01:17:08,069 in front of her she finished setting up 1935 01:17:03,210 --> 01:17:09,658 a chain gun in the entrance fuck I drove 1936 01:17:08,069 --> 01:17:12,029 into another passage him back towards a 1937 01:17:09,658 --> 01:17:14,479 dead end as I weighed my options the 1938 01:17:12,029 --> 01:17:16,649 slavers behind you were getting closer I 1939 01:17:14,479 --> 01:17:18,658 bumped into the mirror behind me a 1940 01:17:16,649 --> 01:17:21,328 splash of cold washing over my body from 1941 01:17:18,658 --> 01:17:22,738 the touch I turned looking into the only 1942 01:17:21,328 --> 01:17:27,090 fully intact mirror in the house of 1943 01:17:22,738 --> 01:17:33,209 whacky reflections and froze staring 1944 01:17:27,090 --> 01:17:34,500 back at me was me but not me the little 1945 01:17:33,210 --> 01:17:36,989 PIP staring back him he was wearing 1946 01:17:34,500 --> 01:17:39,569 cobbled-together Raider armor she was 1947 01:17:36,988 --> 01:17:40,888 shot to hell dying her body giving out 1948 01:17:39,569 --> 01:17:43,018 as she glared up with a swiftly 1949 01:17:40,889 --> 01:17:45,239 deteriorating battle stance her gaze 1950 01:17:43,019 --> 01:17:48,719 daring me to make another move i shrank 1951 01:17:45,238 --> 01:17:51,779 back in horror turned and ran right into 1952 01:17:48,719 --> 01:17:53,038 the path of the chain gun I would have 1953 01:17:51,779 --> 01:17:54,569 been bloody giblets of my sudden 1954 01:17:53,038 --> 01:17:57,268 appearance hadn't completely surprised 1955 01:17:54,569 --> 01:17:58,979 the unicorn mare the moment it took her 1956 01:17:57,269 --> 01:18:00,570 to recover was just enough time for me 1957 01:17:58,979 --> 01:18:03,598 to telekinetically grab the gun and spin 1958 01:18:00,569 --> 01:18:05,340 it around opening fire the riot shield 1959 01:18:03,599 --> 01:18:08,788 was sorely insufficient to it's rather 1960 01:18:05,340 --> 01:18:10,230 awesome firepower I pause for a moment 1961 01:18:08,788 --> 01:18:11,840 in a futile attempt to pull the chain 1962 01:18:10,229 --> 01:18:14,738 gun off its mounting and take it with me 1963 01:18:11,840 --> 01:18:16,630 then I dashed out the door 1964 01:18:14,738 --> 01:18:18,939 a sniper in one of the Pinkie Pie 1965 01:18:16,630 --> 01:18:20,889 balloons took a shot the bullet whizzed 1966 01:18:18,939 --> 01:18:23,948 past me tearing into a ruined popcorn 1967 01:18:20,889 --> 01:18:26,559 cart I started weaving making myself as 1968 01:18:23,948 --> 01:18:29,069 difficult of target as possible I needed 1969 01:18:26,559 --> 01:18:31,960 someplace safe preferably someplace high 1970 01:18:29,069 --> 01:18:32,920 it was time to call calamity this whole 1971 01:18:31,960 --> 01:18:36,340 plan was a bust 1972 01:18:32,920 --> 01:18:38,710 a Griffin swooped overhead strafing at 1973 01:18:36,340 --> 01:18:41,190 me with a submachine gun I changed 1974 01:18:38,710 --> 01:18:44,980 course hoping I wasn't being corralled I 1975 01:18:41,189 --> 01:18:46,058 was the path in front of me dead ended 1976 01:18:44,979 --> 01:18:48,428 at the wrought iron fence that 1977 01:18:46,059 --> 01:18:51,969 surrounded the amusement park they have 1978 01:18:48,429 --> 01:18:54,609 maneuvered me into a trap at least that 1979 01:18:51,969 --> 01:18:57,099 was their intention I was a gal to pass 1980 01:18:54,609 --> 01:18:59,649 an overturned confectionery stand pinkie 1981 01:18:57,099 --> 01:19:01,480 pie's pink pies I magically scooped up a 1982 01:18:59,649 --> 01:19:04,058 dozen scattered pie tins floating them 1983 01:19:01,479 --> 01:19:06,149 ahead of me i levitated them each higher 1984 01:19:04,059 --> 01:19:08,288 than the last forming stepping stairs 1985 01:19:06,149 --> 01:19:10,299 wrapping myself with a levitation field 1986 01:19:08,288 --> 01:19:11,889 to virtually negate my own weight I ran 1987 01:19:10,300 --> 01:19:14,739 up the stairway pie tins and left over 1988 01:19:11,889 --> 01:19:16,630 the fence the pinkie pie balloon sniper 1989 01:19:14,738 --> 01:19:19,388 fired again putting a hole through the 1990 01:19:16,630 --> 01:19:21,359 last tin just as my hoof left it the 1991 01:19:19,389 --> 01:19:24,368 Griffon turned and continued the chase 1992 01:19:21,359 --> 01:19:27,299 but at least for the moment I had 1993 01:19:24,368 --> 01:19:29,198 reduced my opponents to two i do' 1994 01:19:27,300 --> 01:19:30,940 rolling and brought up my targeting 1995 01:19:29,198 --> 01:19:32,169 spell unleashing half the bullets from 1996 01:19:30,939 --> 01:19:35,018 the rifle into the Griffins armored 1997 01:19:32,170 --> 01:19:37,269 underbelly she flew over me talon armor 1998 01:19:35,019 --> 01:19:39,760 turned out to be very good she was not 1999 01:19:37,269 --> 01:19:41,320 dead not even bloodied but the impacts 2000 01:19:39,760 --> 01:19:44,139 had knocked the wind from her driving 2001 01:19:41,319 --> 01:19:45,729 her to land roughly I rolled back to my 2002 01:19:44,139 --> 01:19:47,139 hooves as another sniper shot struck the 2003 01:19:45,729 --> 01:19:49,388 ground right where my head had been I 2004 01:19:47,139 --> 01:19:52,480 needed to get out from under this sniper 2005 01:19:49,389 --> 01:19:54,880 pony she was no calamity but she was a 2006 01:19:52,479 --> 01:19:57,759 frighteningly good shot and it would 2007 01:19:54,880 --> 01:19:59,679 only take one hit I ran for the nearest 2008 01:19:57,760 --> 01:20:00,969 intact building firing the last of my 2009 01:19:59,679 --> 01:20:03,489 bullets into the two guard ponies 2010 01:20:00,969 --> 01:20:05,319 standing watch in front of it I tossed 2011 01:20:03,488 --> 01:20:06,848 the rifle telekinetically swooping up 2012 01:20:05,319 --> 01:20:08,799 one of the guards automatic pistols as a 2013 01:20:06,849 --> 01:20:11,909 replacement and burst of the doors of 2014 01:20:08,800 --> 01:20:11,909 the Alpha Omega hotel 2015 01:20:12,590 --> 01:20:16,469 the hotel which had once hosted the 2016 01:20:14,939 --> 01:20:19,500 Summer Sun celebration had seen better 2017 01:20:16,469 --> 01:20:21,118 centuries the are of runed opulence 2018 01:20:19,500 --> 01:20:23,639 clung to the interior like it's faded 2019 01:20:21,118 --> 01:20:25,170 and peeling wallpaper the air was dingy 2020 01:20:23,639 --> 01:20:27,389 and filled with light motes of dust and 2021 01:20:25,170 --> 01:20:28,710 decay small rains of plaster 2022 01:20:27,389 --> 01:20:32,100 occasionally fell from cracks in the 2023 01:20:28,710 --> 01:20:34,399 ceiling the hotel was home to ponies who 2024 01:20:32,100 --> 01:20:36,929 knew they were on a glorified death row 2025 01:20:34,399 --> 01:20:39,420 ponies sat along the bar drinking their 2026 01:20:36,929 --> 01:20:40,679 night away knowing that tomorrow most 2027 01:20:39,420 --> 01:20:41,940 them would be slaughtered in a bloody 2028 01:20:40,679 --> 01:20:44,908 spectacle for the amusement of the 2029 01:20:41,939 --> 01:20:46,589 crowds crowds full of fellow slaves who 2030 01:20:44,908 --> 01:20:49,670 would somehow look into the pit and not 2031 01:20:46,590 --> 01:20:53,550 see themselves who could look and 2032 01:20:49,670 --> 01:20:54,960 actually cheer my heart felt sick as I 2033 01:20:53,550 --> 01:20:57,750 walked quickly through the small throng 2034 01:20:54,960 --> 01:21:00,630 of silence slave ponies they glanced my 2035 01:20:57,750 --> 01:21:02,069 way briefly if at all they didn't care 2036 01:21:00,630 --> 01:21:05,368 why should they 2037 01:21:02,069 --> 01:21:08,340 we were apparently incapable of clearing 2038 01:21:05,368 --> 01:21:10,618 about each other I brushed dampness from 2039 01:21:08,340 --> 01:21:11,639 my eyes and look for the stairs if I 2040 01:21:10,618 --> 01:21:13,079 could make it to the roof 2041 01:21:11,639 --> 01:21:16,199 I could call calamity and get the hell 2042 01:21:13,079 --> 01:21:16,859 out of here I made my way up to the 2043 01:21:16,198 --> 01:21:19,948 alpha-omega 2044 01:21:16,859 --> 01:21:21,689 who was plotting on a rotting carpet my 2045 01:21:19,948 --> 01:21:24,569 EFS was picking up a host of friendly 2046 01:21:21,689 --> 01:21:27,689 marks but no sign of any pony or Griffin 2047 01:21:24,569 --> 01:21:29,158 who was hostile I passed a painting of 2048 01:21:27,689 --> 01:21:30,988 Celestia standing gracefully in what 2049 01:21:29,158 --> 01:21:32,009 looked like a grand ballroom a kind 2050 01:21:30,988 --> 01:21:33,779 smile on her face 2051 01:21:32,010 --> 01:21:36,329 surrounded by colorful ponies in the 2052 01:21:33,779 --> 01:21:38,210 fever of a party the Summer Sun 2053 01:21:36,329 --> 01:21:40,649 celebration in full swing 2054 01:21:38,210 --> 01:21:44,730 the painting was graying from age and 2055 01:21:40,649 --> 01:21:47,129 dust goddesses this is such a depressing 2056 01:21:44,729 --> 01:21:49,349 place I muttered almost wishing for more 2057 01:21:47,130 --> 01:21:50,819 guards to come charging up behind me if 2058 01:21:49,350 --> 01:21:52,020 only to the adrenalin when shield me 2059 01:21:50,819 --> 01:21:53,750 from the blanket of despair that was 2060 01:21:52,020 --> 01:21:56,750 beginning to smother me 2061 01:21:53,750 --> 01:21:58,939 why weren't they I should have all of 2062 01:21:56,750 --> 01:22:00,229 Stearns armies on my tail by now it's 2063 01:21:58,939 --> 01:22:01,419 not like that sniper I didn't see where 2064 01:22:00,229 --> 01:22:04,759 I went 2065 01:22:01,420 --> 01:22:06,800 maybe they considered me trapped but 2066 01:22:04,760 --> 01:22:08,090 even then I can't imagine why they would 2067 01:22:06,800 --> 01:22:11,960 just sit back and let me make a home in 2068 01:22:08,090 --> 01:22:13,520 here why weren't they coming up I found 2069 01:22:11,960 --> 01:22:16,698 the next flight of stairs and started up 2070 01:22:13,520 --> 01:22:18,199 I was just clearing the top when all the 2071 01:22:16,698 --> 01:22:20,779 friendly lights on my EFS started 2072 01:22:18,198 --> 01:22:23,689 turning red I was picking up dozens of 2073 01:22:20,779 --> 01:22:25,609 hostels now far too many the lights 2074 01:22:23,689 --> 01:22:27,169 blurred together making it impossible to 2075 01:22:25,609 --> 01:22:29,929 identify the positions of individual 2076 01:22:27,170 --> 01:22:32,090 opponents I floated up the automatic 2077 01:22:29,930 --> 01:22:35,989 pistol and crouched low hoping I'd sneak 2078 01:22:32,090 --> 01:22:38,779 past most of them the door opened not by 2079 01:22:35,988 --> 01:22:40,899 hoof or horn but by the telekinetic pool 2080 01:22:38,779 --> 01:22:43,698 of the unicorn Pony on the other side I 2081 01:22:40,899 --> 01:22:47,119 immediately slid into SATs targeting the 2082 01:22:43,698 --> 01:22:52,789 coal before he even saw me and froze 2083 01:22:47,119 --> 01:22:54,349 again a colt the child who was floating 2084 01:22:52,789 --> 01:22:56,000 a single shot shotgun next to him 2085 01:22:54,350 --> 01:22:59,329 inexpertly wasn't even old enough to 2086 01:22:56,000 --> 01:23:01,729 have a cutie mark beyond him I saw other 2087 01:22:59,329 --> 01:23:03,529 children young fillies and Colts all 2088 01:23:01,729 --> 01:23:07,698 looking well-nourished well cared for 2089 01:23:03,529 --> 01:23:09,500 and annoyingly well-armed the room 2090 01:23:07,698 --> 01:23:11,960 itself was a brightly lit and recently 2091 01:23:09,500 --> 01:23:14,000 painted in cheery colors the worst of 2092 01:23:11,960 --> 01:23:16,189 the cracks had been repaired I suspected 2093 01:23:14,000 --> 01:23:18,829 by magic and the air was considerably 2094 01:23:16,189 --> 01:23:21,349 cleaner unlike every other building used 2095 01:23:18,829 --> 01:23:22,488 by they're slavers or slaves this floor 2096 01:23:21,350 --> 01:23:25,430 had been restored to a fair reflection 2097 01:23:22,488 --> 01:23:26,899 of its former glory my eyes widened 2098 01:23:25,430 --> 01:23:28,460 further but I spotted what was clearly a 2099 01:23:26,899 --> 01:23:31,369 schoolroom through the doorway opposite 2100 01:23:28,460 --> 01:23:34,939 this one realized words echoed through 2101 01:23:31,369 --> 01:23:37,130 my head our nation's young ones are and 2102 01:23:34,939 --> 01:23:40,639 have always been my highest priority all 2103 01:23:37,130 --> 01:23:43,489 that we sacrifice we do for them to give 2104 01:23:40,640 --> 01:23:45,810 them a better place 2105 01:23:43,489 --> 01:23:49,010 the scene before my eyes was 2106 01:23:45,810 --> 01:23:51,570 simultaneously wonderful and horrifying 2107 01:23:49,010 --> 01:23:53,250 young children ripped from their homes 2108 01:23:51,569 --> 01:23:55,439 of their families and given to the 2109 01:23:53,250 --> 01:23:58,590 caring of loving approving mares and 2110 01:23:55,439 --> 01:24:00,509 stallions their real families were dying 2111 01:23:58,590 --> 01:24:03,239 in the city below trapped and enslaved 2112 01:24:00,510 --> 01:24:05,239 behind the wall while they themselves 2113 01:24:03,239 --> 01:24:07,949 are being given the best possible care 2114 01:24:05,239 --> 01:24:10,859 probably the best possible life in the 2115 01:24:07,949 --> 01:24:15,109 equestrian wasteland and they were being 2116 01:24:10,859 --> 01:24:17,789 taught education indoctrination of 2117 01:24:15,109 --> 01:24:20,369 course they loved him they would be 2118 01:24:17,789 --> 01:24:22,500 ready to kill for him read I was 2119 01:24:20,369 --> 01:24:23,670 building schools and he was about to 2120 01:24:22,500 --> 01:24:26,100 have the ability to print his own 2121 01:24:23,670 --> 01:24:30,090 textbooks this scene was going to be 2122 01:24:26,100 --> 01:24:33,900 repeated everywhere I couldn't do it 2123 01:24:30,090 --> 01:24:36,119 I killed SATs I couldn't sneak past all 2124 01:24:33,899 --> 01:24:38,369 of them and I couldn't just couldn't 2125 01:24:36,119 --> 01:24:40,739 fight them Hey 2126 01:24:38,369 --> 01:24:44,309 the cult called down the stairs she's up 2127 01:24:40,739 --> 01:24:46,260 here I turned to flee only to see a 2128 01:24:44,310 --> 01:24:49,350 midnight blue alicorn moving silently up 2129 01:24:46,260 --> 01:24:51,020 the stairs towards me I would have faced 2130 01:24:49,350 --> 01:24:53,220 soft if I had been given the chance I 2131 01:24:51,020 --> 01:24:56,430 had actually wondered why no one was 2132 01:24:53,220 --> 01:24:57,780 coming in after me by the goddesses how 2133 01:24:56,430 --> 01:25:01,140 could I forgotten some of these monsters 2134 01:24:57,779 --> 01:25:03,630 can turn invisible the alicorn horn was 2135 01:25:01,140 --> 01:25:06,390 glowing a metal Apple floated towards me 2136 01:25:03,630 --> 01:25:09,180 the pin pulled the Alacran would survive 2137 01:25:06,390 --> 01:25:12,810 but even if I didn't the goal next to me 2138 01:25:09,180 --> 01:25:14,310 would not if there was time I would have 2139 01:25:12,810 --> 01:25:15,570 stopped to wonder why the alicorn were 2140 01:25:14,310 --> 01:25:18,180 threatened a child if they were so 2141 01:25:15,569 --> 01:25:21,149 clearly precious to red eye but there 2142 01:25:18,180 --> 01:25:22,560 was no time instinctively I lashed out 2143 01:25:21,149 --> 01:25:24,779 with my magic trying to knock the 2144 01:25:22,560 --> 01:25:26,730 grenade away 2145 01:25:24,779 --> 01:25:28,979 I realized my mistake as the world 2146 01:25:26,729 --> 01:25:30,328 started to slip away from me the last 2147 01:25:28,979 --> 01:25:31,678 thing I saw in this world was the 2148 01:25:30,328 --> 01:25:34,380 alicorn dropping the illusion that 2149 01:25:31,679 --> 01:25:37,980 surrounded the memory or be' they 2150 01:25:34,380 --> 01:25:43,500 remembered they learned and I had been 2151 01:25:37,979 --> 01:25:46,259 bested by my own trick everything shot 2152 01:25:43,500 --> 01:25:48,630 and almost brutal sharpness colors were 2153 01:25:46,260 --> 01:25:51,210 more colorful the lines around objects 2154 01:25:48,630 --> 01:25:53,788 almost vibrant the sunlight was sunnier 2155 01:25:51,210 --> 01:25:56,118 than I ever imagined it could be bright 2156 01:25:53,788 --> 01:25:58,259 and warm and glorious beyond belief I 2157 01:25:56,118 --> 01:26:01,339 could smell the bush I was standing 2158 01:25:58,260 --> 01:26:03,420 beside the flowers the nearby grass I 2159 01:26:01,340 --> 01:26:05,760 could smell the two ponies I was 2160 01:26:03,420 --> 01:26:07,260 watching the sweat on Applejack would 2161 01:26:05,760 --> 01:26:09,530 have made me stir in recently wounded 2162 01:26:07,260 --> 01:26:13,079 places if this had been my own body it 2163 01:26:09,529 --> 01:26:15,809 was not however a fact to which I was 2164 01:26:13,078 --> 01:26:17,698 hyper aware I could feel a slight 2165 01:26:15,809 --> 01:26:20,429 burning on my left four hoof as if I'd 2166 01:26:17,698 --> 01:26:22,859 recently touched a hot stove I had an 2167 01:26:20,429 --> 01:26:25,199 itch on my cheek an odd pain in my hind 2168 01:26:22,859 --> 01:26:28,019 legs that was barely noticeable a tingle 2169 01:26:25,198 --> 01:26:29,399 along my back there was a familiar and 2170 01:26:28,020 --> 01:26:34,500 delicious peppermint taste on my tongue 2171 01:26:29,399 --> 01:26:36,118 Oh No with dawning horror I realized 2172 01:26:34,500 --> 01:26:40,010 that my pony host was high on mint 2173 01:26:36,118 --> 01:26:42,089 towels oh please no I can't take this 2174 01:26:40,010 --> 01:26:44,070 the effects were nowhere near as 2175 01:26:42,090 --> 01:26:45,420 pronounced I was getting the heightened 2176 01:26:44,069 --> 01:26:49,710 perceptions but none of the other 2177 01:26:45,420 --> 01:26:51,309 effects still it was too comfortable too 2178 01:26:49,710 --> 01:26:54,550 alluring 2179 01:26:51,309 --> 01:26:55,779 howdy Fluttershy Applejack said greeting 2180 01:26:54,550 --> 01:26:57,670 her friend with a smile as the yellow 2181 01:26:55,779 --> 01:26:59,189 Pegasus land gently on the grass as if 2182 01:26:57,670 --> 01:27:03,029 worried about hurting it 2183 01:26:59,189 --> 01:27:05,698 hello Applejack the Pegasus said meekly 2184 01:27:03,029 --> 01:27:08,769 so what brings around these parts 2185 01:27:05,698 --> 01:27:12,868 well the shy Pegasus looked down 2186 01:27:08,770 --> 01:27:17,619 crossing one leg over the other I um 2187 01:27:12,868 --> 01:27:19,328 that is Applejack rolled her eyes good 2188 01:27:17,618 --> 01:27:23,139 gravy girl just spit it out already 2189 01:27:19,328 --> 01:27:25,509 something wrong the Pegasus took a deep 2190 01:27:23,139 --> 01:27:27,550 breath and then said in a rush are you 2191 01:27:25,510 --> 01:27:32,559 looking for clothes my friend cuz if you 2192 01:27:27,550 --> 01:27:34,719 were um we could um you know she paused 2193 01:27:32,559 --> 01:27:36,369 all too obviously having no clue what 2194 01:27:34,719 --> 01:27:38,069 good MIRR friends did in the privacy of 2195 01:27:36,368 --> 01:27:40,538 their own beds 2196 01:27:38,069 --> 01:27:41,558 my host stifled a giggle as Apple Jacks 2197 01:27:40,538 --> 01:27:44,229 eyes went wide 2198 01:27:41,559 --> 01:27:45,969 then she scowled trotting past the 2199 01:27:44,229 --> 01:27:48,578 deeply blushing Pegasus to slam her head 2200 01:27:45,969 --> 01:27:51,939 repeatedly against a tree when she 2201 01:27:48,578 --> 01:27:54,609 finished she turned to fluttershy all 2202 01:27:51,939 --> 01:27:56,169 right that's enough what is it with all 2203 01:27:54,609 --> 01:27:59,198 my friends hitting on me pretend I'm a 2204 01:27:56,170 --> 01:28:02,340 filly fooler y'all know better and y'all 2205 01:27:59,198 --> 01:28:05,669 are straight she took a step forward 2206 01:28:02,340 --> 01:28:08,828 fluttershy even took one step back 2207 01:28:05,670 --> 01:28:10,319 Fluttershy I know you so be straight 2208 01:28:08,828 --> 01:28:15,229 with me 2209 01:28:10,319 --> 01:28:17,658 the pun was probably not intended well I 2210 01:28:15,229 --> 01:28:21,359 did Rainbow Dash put you up with this 2211 01:28:17,658 --> 01:28:25,558 Applejack demanded Oh Fluttershy 2212 01:28:21,359 --> 01:28:28,710 squeaked but shook her head no Applejack 2213 01:28:25,559 --> 01:28:31,788 was dubious so you're saying he just 2214 01:28:28,710 --> 01:28:34,038 thought this up all by your lonesome 2215 01:28:31,788 --> 01:28:37,889 Fluttershy shook her head 2216 01:28:34,038 --> 01:28:41,670 so Rainbow Dash did put you up to it huh 2217 01:28:37,889 --> 01:28:43,380 no she insisted softly my host began to 2218 01:28:41,670 --> 01:28:48,090 move silently creepin out from behind 2219 01:28:43,380 --> 01:28:53,719 the brush but somepony did Applejack 2220 01:28:48,090 --> 01:28:56,400 sussed out her yellow friend nodded who 2221 01:28:53,719 --> 01:28:58,288 my host had moved up behind Applejack so 2222 01:28:56,399 --> 01:29:01,198 quickly and safely even I hadn't seen it 2223 01:28:58,288 --> 01:29:02,488 happen still it bewildered me how we 2224 01:29:01,198 --> 01:29:05,000 could possibly been standing this close 2225 01:29:02,488 --> 01:29:08,428 and neither the Oni seemed to notice us 2226 01:29:05,000 --> 01:29:09,868 were we invisible it certainly wouldn't 2227 01:29:08,429 --> 01:29:11,489 be the first time I'd found myself and a 2228 01:29:09,868 --> 01:29:14,250 magically hidden being who was spying on 2229 01:29:11,488 --> 01:29:18,388 the ministry mares but I was clearly an 2230 01:29:14,250 --> 01:29:19,679 earth pony Applejack turned round only 2231 01:29:18,389 --> 01:29:22,710 to find herself nose to nose with my 2232 01:29:19,679 --> 01:29:26,550 host spooked she jumped away so fast she 2233 01:29:22,710 --> 01:29:29,130 toppled on her back Pinkie Pie hiya I 2234 01:29:26,550 --> 01:29:31,469 felt my muzzle say hearing the words and 2235 01:29:29,130 --> 01:29:35,609 a high-pitched but pretty voice ah you 2236 01:29:31,469 --> 01:29:38,639 caught me what in tarnation are you the 2237 01:29:35,609 --> 01:29:40,139 blond mane orange pony stopped then 2238 01:29:38,639 --> 01:29:42,230 faced earth while still lying on her 2239 01:29:40,139 --> 01:29:45,239 back in the most undignified position 2240 01:29:42,229 --> 01:29:47,658 you this is bobbing one a year in 2241 01:29:45,238 --> 01:29:48,928 Rainbow Dash's practical jokes ain't it 2242 01:29:47,658 --> 01:29:51,420 yep 2243 01:29:48,929 --> 01:29:54,469 I heard myself say happily as I began to 2244 01:29:51,420 --> 01:29:56,389 bounce bounce 2245 01:29:54,469 --> 01:29:57,948 I will Jack pulled herself back onto her 2246 01:29:56,389 --> 01:30:02,300 hooves staring at me and my host 2247 01:29:57,948 --> 01:30:03,948 Crossley care if I ask why well you've 2248 01:30:02,300 --> 01:30:07,998 been a total no pony since the funeral 2249 01:30:03,948 --> 01:30:10,279 of course I have Applejack shot I buried 2250 01:30:07,998 --> 01:30:13,728 my brother and even working really 2251 01:30:10,279 --> 01:30:15,109 really hard Pinkie Pie ploughed on and 2252 01:30:13,729 --> 01:30:17,449 you haven't been getting any time out or 2253 01:30:15,109 --> 01:30:19,130 going to parties or seeing your friends 2254 01:30:17,448 --> 01:30:20,859 and you haven't talked to a buck in like 2255 01:30:19,130 --> 01:30:23,929 forever 2256 01:30:20,859 --> 01:30:26,929 Applejack huffed how would you know if 2257 01:30:23,929 --> 01:30:28,130 I've she stopped abruptly realizing just 2258 01:30:26,929 --> 01:30:30,010 how stupid a question that was 2259 01:30:28,130 --> 01:30:32,420 considering who she was asking 2260 01:30:30,010 --> 01:30:35,119 fluttershy it's the back aways almost 2261 01:30:32,420 --> 01:30:36,319 hiding and you're all worked up and 2262 01:30:35,118 --> 01:30:37,609 stressed out and you're gonna burn 2263 01:30:36,319 --> 01:30:39,948 yourself out for not careful and you 2264 01:30:37,609 --> 01:30:45,139 like really really really need to get 2265 01:30:39,948 --> 01:30:49,728 laid Applejack hung her head Pinkie Pie 2266 01:30:45,139 --> 01:30:51,199 was incorrigible at best this ain't 2267 01:30:49,729 --> 01:30:53,019 gonna end if I get myself a buck friend 2268 01:30:51,198 --> 01:30:56,299 is it nope 2269 01:30:53,019 --> 01:30:57,800 Pinkie Pie announced bounce Ally how the 2270 01:30:56,300 --> 01:31:00,199 help she bounced on all hoods like that 2271 01:30:57,800 --> 01:31:03,139 I was inside her and I still couldn't 2272 01:31:00,198 --> 01:31:05,439 figure it out well would it help if I 2273 01:31:03,139 --> 01:31:07,489 said there is a buck I've had my eye on 2274 01:31:05,439 --> 01:31:09,859 Thank You pie stopped bouncing and 2275 01:31:07,488 --> 01:31:11,649 stared off into space the itch on the 2276 01:31:09,859 --> 01:31:15,439 side of her cheek migrated to her chin 2277 01:31:11,649 --> 01:31:16,098 she looked back to Applejack hmm yep 2278 01:31:15,439 --> 01:31:17,658 that's the truth 2279 01:31:16,099 --> 01:31:21,590 but itchy chin means you haven't told 2280 01:31:17,658 --> 01:31:22,988 and yet you got talk to him Applejack 2281 01:31:21,590 --> 01:31:25,920 side 2282 01:31:22,988 --> 01:31:28,179 and if I do this nonsense stops I 2283 01:31:25,920 --> 01:31:31,480 watched the world Rockets bring you by 2284 01:31:28,180 --> 01:31:33,489 not enthusiastically my house started 2285 01:31:31,479 --> 01:31:34,750 chanting do it rambunctious Lee as she 2286 01:31:33,488 --> 01:31:39,669 bounced around in circles around 2287 01:31:34,750 --> 01:31:42,100 Applejack fine Applejack reached out it 2288 01:31:39,670 --> 01:31:42,869 often stopped Pinkie Pie on one 2289 01:31:42,100 --> 01:31:48,310 condition 2290 01:31:42,869 --> 01:31:51,488 what y'all got a swear Applejack turned 2291 01:31:48,310 --> 01:31:55,120 that Fluttershy bow Thea that Rainwood I 2292 01:31:51,488 --> 01:31:57,939 don't here wear this but thank you pi 2293 01:31:55,119 --> 01:31:59,109 started if Rainbow Dash doesn't know how 2294 01:31:57,939 --> 01:32:03,488 wish now it's time to stop the prank 2295 01:31:59,109 --> 01:32:07,329 silly I can deal with it from Rainbow 2296 01:32:03,488 --> 01:32:08,619 Dash Applejack said sternly least now 2297 01:32:07,329 --> 01:32:11,199 that I know where it's coming from a 2298 01:32:08,619 --> 01:32:13,449 buck friend of mine well he's got a kind 2299 01:32:11,199 --> 01:32:14,769 of fine name and I think rainbow might 2300 01:32:13,449 --> 01:32:19,349 not be able to keep herself from messing 2301 01:32:14,770 --> 01:32:22,600 things up wow that came out badly 2302 01:32:19,350 --> 01:32:24,700 Applejack seemed to realize it too look 2303 01:32:22,600 --> 01:32:27,520 I'll tell her myself when I'm ready not 2304 01:32:24,699 --> 01:32:31,179 before she looked at her two friends 2305 01:32:27,520 --> 01:32:33,910 now y'all Pinkie Pie swear on it thank 2306 01:32:31,180 --> 01:32:36,310 you I swear my host reaction was 2307 01:32:33,909 --> 01:32:38,019 immediate I struggled to keep track of 2308 01:32:36,310 --> 01:32:39,190 the odd motions which ended up with 2309 01:32:38,020 --> 01:32:41,110 sticking a hoof in my eye that 2310 01:32:39,189 --> 01:32:42,519 accompanied the little singsong that 2311 01:32:41,109 --> 01:32:45,250 Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy managed to do 2312 01:32:42,520 --> 01:32:46,719 in perfect synchronicity cross my heart 2313 01:32:45,250 --> 01:32:48,210 and hope to fly stick a cupcake in my 2314 01:32:46,719 --> 01:32:51,130 eye 2315 01:32:48,210 --> 01:32:52,989 Applejack breathed a sigh of relief the 2316 01:32:51,130 --> 01:32:56,590 three friends began to walk my host 2317 01:32:52,988 --> 01:32:57,479 falling slowly behind ooh there it is 2318 01:32:56,590 --> 01:32:59,560 again 2319 01:32:57,479 --> 01:33:03,209 Applejack and Fluttershy both stopped 2320 01:32:59,560 --> 01:33:04,800 looking back there what is 2321 01:33:03,210 --> 01:33:07,109 mmm burning up means little pips 2322 01:33:04,800 --> 01:33:10,529 watching me Pinkie Pie blurted out and 2323 01:33:07,109 --> 01:33:13,039 possibly or will be watching me I'm not 2324 01:33:10,529 --> 01:33:18,899 sure yet she bounced after her friends 2325 01:33:13,039 --> 01:33:20,460 whose little pimp the furnace pits Stern 2326 01:33:18,899 --> 01:33:22,949 suggested glaring at me 2327 01:33:20,460 --> 01:33:25,949 I was bounded and shackled to the floor 2328 01:33:22,949 --> 01:33:27,779 and as if that was not enough to green 2329 01:33:25,949 --> 01:33:31,260 coated alicorn stood frozen beside me 2330 01:33:27,779 --> 01:33:32,639 trapping me inside a shield not only had 2331 01:33:31,260 --> 01:33:34,619 I done most of the things that Stern 2332 01:33:32,640 --> 01:33:37,410 considered a death sentence I had done 2333 01:33:34,619 --> 01:33:39,300 them with aggressive results I had still 2334 01:33:37,409 --> 01:33:41,099 failed but she took the time to name 2335 01:33:39,300 --> 01:33:45,000 each slaver I managed to kill before my 2336 01:33:41,100 --> 01:33:46,380 inevitable capture no said redeye 2337 01:33:45,000 --> 01:33:48,510 eliciting a look of shock and 2338 01:33:46,380 --> 01:33:50,400 displeasure from the Griffon the 2339 01:33:48,510 --> 01:33:52,860 cybernetically augmented Stein walked up 2340 01:33:50,399 --> 01:33:56,549 to face me I'm feeling particularly 2341 01:33:52,859 --> 01:33:57,809 generous today I doubted I would not 2342 01:33:56,550 --> 01:34:00,449 much care for his definition of 2343 01:33:57,810 --> 01:34:02,130 generosity but the horrific tale of a 2344 01:34:00,449 --> 01:34:03,689 pony being devoured from inside by an 2345 01:34:02,130 --> 01:34:06,900 ever growing number of parasprites left 2346 01:34:03,689 --> 01:34:09,960 me thankful all the same addressing me 2347 01:34:06,899 --> 01:34:16,379 directly red I asked do you think I'm a 2348 01:34:09,960 --> 01:34:19,079 monster bluntly I answered yes he 2349 01:34:16,380 --> 01:34:21,719 shrugged because of course I am 2350 01:34:19,079 --> 01:34:24,269 and you stable dweller can probably see 2351 01:34:21,719 --> 01:34:25,529 it more clearly than most because you 2352 01:34:24,270 --> 01:34:29,820 and I are a lot alike 2353 01:34:25,529 --> 01:34:33,569 are we not not even slightly 2354 01:34:29,819 --> 01:34:37,579 i hissed lying through my teeth red I 2355 01:34:33,569 --> 01:34:39,869 chuckled I've heard of your exploits I 2356 01:34:37,579 --> 01:34:43,319 think we are more the same than you 2357 01:34:39,869 --> 01:34:48,329 would like you've just had it easy so 2358 01:34:43,319 --> 01:34:50,960 far enraged I spat easy you think what 2359 01:34:48,329 --> 01:34:53,369 I've been through out here has been easy 2360 01:34:50,960 --> 01:34:56,279 red eye gave me and almost fatherly 2361 01:34:53,369 --> 01:34:59,010 smile the fact that you can still stand 2362 01:34:56,279 --> 01:35:01,590 there and judge me tells me so you have 2363 01:34:59,010 --> 01:35:03,210 had hardships I'm sure but you've never 2364 01:35:01,590 --> 01:35:05,699 been forced to give up your principles 2365 01:35:03,210 --> 01:35:07,500 for the greater good just sacrifice 2366 01:35:05,699 --> 01:35:10,679 yourself and become a monster because it 2367 01:35:07,500 --> 01:35:14,279 was the right thing to do oh how I 2368 01:35:10,680 --> 01:35:17,190 disagreed you couldn't do it even to 2369 01:35:14,279 --> 01:35:20,189 escape he noted for which by the way I 2370 01:35:17,189 --> 01:35:23,009 am very grateful had you harmed even a 2371 01:35:20,189 --> 01:35:26,659 hair on one of those children he paused 2372 01:35:23,010 --> 01:35:30,150 then simply said it thank you 2373 01:35:26,659 --> 01:35:32,250 red eye turned toward Stern his cape 2374 01:35:30,149 --> 01:35:35,309 fell into view a rough rectangle made 2375 01:35:32,250 --> 01:35:37,289 from stable security barding the number 2376 01:35:35,310 --> 01:35:40,710 101 was visible and yellow against the 2377 01:35:37,289 --> 01:35:43,380 black cloth take her back downstairs and 2378 01:35:40,710 --> 01:35:46,069 keep her under shield tomorrow she 2379 01:35:43,380 --> 01:35:46,069 fights in the pit 2380 01:35:46,369 --> 01:35:50,239 mind up in the darkness with five other 2381 01:35:48,199 --> 01:35:52,359 ponies I spent an hour rummaging through 2382 01:35:50,239 --> 01:35:54,800 the recorded messages of Miss periwinkle 2383 01:35:52,359 --> 01:35:57,649 most were worthless but one was actually 2384 01:35:54,800 --> 01:36:02,270 from ministry mayor and not the one I 2385 01:35:57,649 --> 01:36:05,119 was expecting dear miss periwinkle the 2386 01:36:02,270 --> 01:36:06,560 voice began I found it odd to hear an 2387 01:36:05,119 --> 01:36:09,590 audio message addressed like it was a 2388 01:36:06,560 --> 01:36:11,450 letter it was a pleasure to hear from 2389 01:36:09,590 --> 01:36:13,940 you again the new posters for the 2390 01:36:11,449 --> 01:36:15,380 libraries are absolutely perfect I hope 2391 01:36:13,939 --> 01:36:19,309 it will not be a burden to have 200 2392 01:36:15,380 --> 01:36:22,730 produced by next week I also have a more 2393 01:36:19,310 --> 01:36:24,320 delicate matter to ask you about let me 2394 01:36:22,729 --> 01:36:26,209 preface this by saying that for decades 2395 01:36:24,319 --> 01:36:28,279 now ever since she taught me her gem 2396 01:36:26,210 --> 01:36:29,899 finding spell rarity I have gotten 2397 01:36:28,279 --> 01:36:30,920 together at irregular intervals to swap 2398 01:36:29,899 --> 01:36:33,710 magical spells 2399 01:36:30,920 --> 01:36:35,930 I must admit and please believe I did 2400 01:36:33,710 --> 01:36:37,279 not say this to brag it has been a long 2401 01:36:35,930 --> 01:36:39,650 time since she brought anything that I 2402 01:36:37,279 --> 01:36:42,979 hadn't already learned myself that is 2403 01:36:39,649 --> 01:36:44,329 until three days ago I was thrilled to 2404 01:36:42,979 --> 01:36:45,229 see that she learned a trick that I had 2405 01:36:44,329 --> 01:36:47,960 never seen before 2406 01:36:45,229 --> 01:36:50,269 she didn't anted a small mirror to look 2407 01:36:47,960 --> 01:36:53,029 into it you would see reflection just as 2408 01:36:50,270 --> 01:36:55,340 with any mirror but as you touched it or 2409 01:36:53,029 --> 01:36:58,219 focused your magic on it that spell with 2410 01:36:55,340 --> 01:36:59,840 in the mirror took well the way she put 2411 01:36:58,220 --> 01:37:02,270 it the mirror took a picture of your 2412 01:36:59,840 --> 01:37:04,760 soul then a second chairman allowed the 2413 01:37:02,270 --> 01:37:06,800 mirror to show that image as rarity told 2414 01:37:04,760 --> 01:37:09,170 me the mirror could show you what you 2415 01:37:06,800 --> 01:37:13,250 would look like on the outside or on the 2416 01:37:09,170 --> 01:37:15,380 inside I must admit I wasn't ready for 2417 01:37:13,250 --> 01:37:19,369 what I saw and I'm still not sure about 2418 01:37:15,380 --> 01:37:20,779 it but that's personal rather I wanted 2419 01:37:19,369 --> 01:37:21,979 to ask you if you could give me any clue 2420 01:37:20,779 --> 01:37:22,880 as to where rarity may have learned in 2421 01:37:21,979 --> 01:37:25,159 chants like that 2422 01:37:22,880 --> 01:37:27,020 I know rarity would refashion any 2423 01:37:25,159 --> 01:37:29,059 magical spell until it was customized to 2424 01:37:27,020 --> 01:37:30,740 her wishes but honestly I've been 2425 01:37:29,060 --> 01:37:32,240 scouring my books but I found nothing 2426 01:37:30,739 --> 01:37:34,609 that even remotely resembles these 2427 01:37:32,239 --> 01:37:36,769 spells I know you've worked closely with 2428 01:37:34,609 --> 01:37:39,649 her for the last few months so I hope 2429 01:37:36,770 --> 01:37:43,130 you have an idea also it's hardly worth 2430 01:37:39,649 --> 01:37:45,769 mentioning but the spell felt cold not 2431 01:37:43,130 --> 01:37:47,029 like rarity spells at all anyway this is 2432 01:37:45,770 --> 01:37:48,710 mostly just a matter of rampant 2433 01:37:47,029 --> 01:37:50,689 curiosity and I ask that you please not 2434 01:37:48,710 --> 01:37:52,430 mention this to her but if you have any 2435 01:37:50,689 --> 01:37:55,939 idea I would really appreciate it if you 2436 01:37:52,430 --> 01:37:58,969 let me know your friend Twilight Sparkle 2437 01:37:55,939 --> 01:38:02,389 I deleted the messages from my pipbuck 2438 01:37:58,969 --> 01:38:03,800 but kept that one i sat in the silent 2439 01:38:02,390 --> 01:38:08,390 darkness with five other marked souls 2440 01:38:03,800 --> 01:38:09,680 and waited the noise outside told me 2441 01:38:08,390 --> 01:38:12,500 that the seating around the arena was 2442 01:38:09,680 --> 01:38:14,420 quickly filling I heard Stern her voice 2443 01:38:12,500 --> 01:38:17,270 magnified over the speakers welcoming 2444 01:38:14,420 --> 01:38:19,719 everypony to the bloody show I heard 2445 01:38:17,270 --> 01:38:21,980 hooves pounding bleachers and applause 2446 01:38:19,719 --> 01:38:27,920 my face twisted and disgust 2447 01:38:21,979 --> 01:38:29,869 how could they this was sick earlier a 2448 01:38:27,920 --> 01:38:31,930 slave master Pony had attached a sheet 2449 01:38:29,869 --> 01:38:34,250 to my flank covering my cutie mark 2450 01:38:31,930 --> 01:38:35,810 she had snarled and whispered to me her 2451 01:38:34,250 --> 01:38:39,409 fondest desires that my suffering be 2452 01:38:35,810 --> 01:38:42,050 deep and excruciating and very slow she 2453 01:38:39,409 --> 01:38:43,369 had known one of the rapist slavers the 2454 01:38:42,050 --> 01:38:45,020 only reason I had survived being 2455 01:38:43,369 --> 01:38:47,180 numbered was because Stern was watching 2456 01:38:45,020 --> 01:38:48,560 but she still got away with covering the 2457 01:38:47,180 --> 01:38:49,850 bottom side of the sheet with some sort 2458 01:38:48,560 --> 01:38:52,550 of stinging powder that was making it 2459 01:38:49,850 --> 01:38:55,640 hard for me to concentrate I was number 2460 01:38:52,550 --> 01:38:56,449 three blood and dad for numbers one and 2461 01:38:55,640 --> 01:38:59,270 two respectively 2462 01:38:56,448 --> 01:39:01,549 they sat closest to the gate looking out 2463 01:38:59,270 --> 01:39:02,989 of the arena a large plant of broken 2464 01:39:01,550 --> 01:39:05,390 cement underneath a cage from which 2465 01:39:02,988 --> 01:39:06,738 several barrels were suspended I could 2466 01:39:05,390 --> 01:39:09,590 see pressure plates set up like mines 2467 01:39:06,738 --> 01:39:11,269 all over neither of them had spoken to 2468 01:39:09,590 --> 01:39:13,760 me going out of their way to ignore my 2469 01:39:11,270 --> 01:39:17,540 existence I couldn't decide whether to 2470 01:39:13,760 --> 01:39:19,670 be hurt or relieved he used to be an ice 2471 01:39:17,539 --> 01:39:20,930 skating rink the blue-colored buck with 2472 01:39:19,670 --> 01:39:23,149 number four on his flank said 2473 01:39:20,930 --> 01:39:24,739 conversationally apparently the owner of 2474 01:39:23,149 --> 01:39:27,109 the fun farm had a thing for ice skating 2475 01:39:24,738 --> 01:39:28,399 I just be thankful red eye removed the 2476 01:39:27,109 --> 01:39:30,619 water talisman and put it to better use 2477 01:39:28,399 --> 01:39:32,689 these fights are brutal enough without 2478 01:39:30,619 --> 01:39:35,029 having to do them on ice 2479 01:39:32,689 --> 01:39:37,698 I tried to imagine that and just 2480 01:39:35,029 --> 01:39:39,380 couldn't outside the crowds begin to 2481 01:39:37,698 --> 01:39:40,819 chant for the first fight their hoof 2482 01:39:39,380 --> 01:39:43,699 stomps falling into a unity that would 2483 01:39:40,819 --> 01:39:45,920 make the goddess proud part of me wanted 2484 01:39:43,698 --> 01:39:48,799 to hurt them and these were the ponies I 2485 01:39:45,920 --> 01:39:51,710 was trying to save hey consider yourself 2486 01:39:48,800 --> 01:39:52,279 lucky the blue buck joked being number 2487 01:39:51,710 --> 01:39:54,230 three ain't bad 2488 01:39:52,279 --> 01:39:58,550 and he Pony told you how these things 2489 01:39:54,229 --> 01:40:01,069 work I shook my head the roar outside 2490 01:39:58,550 --> 01:40:03,140 rose to a crescendo there was a loud 2491 01:40:01,069 --> 01:40:05,000 buzz then a clanging sound as the gate 2492 01:40:03,140 --> 01:40:08,780 was levitated up by a unicorn no pony 2493 01:40:05,000 --> 01:40:12,619 inside could see round one Stern's voice 2494 01:40:08,779 --> 01:40:15,079 boomed the red gate all the way from the 2495 01:40:12,619 --> 01:40:16,460 rock farms we have cinderblock this is a 2496 01:40:15,079 --> 01:40:18,469 second event so you know he's got some 2497 01:40:16,460 --> 01:40:21,020 hooves on him and from the Black Gate 2498 01:40:18,469 --> 01:40:22,550 she's tough she's mean she's a Raider 2499 01:40:21,020 --> 01:40:26,989 with a body count higher than the spikes 2500 01:40:22,550 --> 01:40:28,940 in her hair it's blood blood got up 2501 01:40:26,988 --> 01:40:31,039 looking dejected Lee at the open gate 2502 01:40:28,939 --> 01:40:32,839 for a moment then held her head up and 2503 01:40:31,039 --> 01:40:35,420 trotted out putting on a brave face that 2504 01:40:32,840 --> 01:40:38,029 I didn't believe even a little bit you 2505 01:40:35,420 --> 01:40:40,909 see number four was telling me there are 2506 01:40:38,029 --> 01:40:43,488 two gates where the Black Gate et8 has 2507 01:40:40,909 --> 01:40:44,719 six fighters randomly numbered if he 2508 01:40:43,488 --> 01:40:45,979 survived her first round you'll be 2509 01:40:44,719 --> 01:40:48,409 pitted against the next opponent from 2510 01:40:45,979 --> 01:40:50,750 the Red Gate event last two holly 2511 01:40:48,409 --> 01:40:52,279 ponents from one gator dead the 2512 01:40:50,750 --> 01:40:55,069 survivors from the other gate lived to 2513 01:40:52,279 --> 01:40:58,219 fight in the next event I looked at 2514 01:40:55,069 --> 01:41:01,579 blood and winced so basically it sucks 2515 01:40:58,219 --> 01:41:03,289 to be number one I couldn't believe I 2516 01:41:01,579 --> 01:41:06,529 was feeling sympathy for the vile Raider 2517 01:41:03,289 --> 01:41:09,289 mayor well it's a give and take 2518 01:41:06,529 --> 01:41:10,689 number four said I looked at him 2519 01:41:09,289 --> 01:41:12,369 quizzically 2520 01:41:10,689 --> 01:41:14,439 I mean if you're a high enough number 2521 01:41:12,369 --> 01:41:16,689 it's possible you wanted to fight at all 2522 01:41:14,439 --> 01:41:18,669 and then he ponies to five six events is 2523 01:41:16,689 --> 01:41:19,659 set free doesn't matter if he actually 2524 01:41:18,670 --> 01:41:22,449 fought or not 2525 01:41:19,659 --> 01:41:23,859 I got the feeling that number four had 2526 01:41:22,448 --> 01:41:26,979 made it at least through one event just 2527 01:41:23,859 --> 01:41:29,819 that way you can get a spot and red eyes 2528 01:41:26,979 --> 01:41:31,779 are me he had enthusiastically I 2529 01:41:29,819 --> 01:41:33,250 considered pointing out to him the sort 2530 01:41:31,779 --> 01:41:34,859 of position red eye would likely appoint 2531 01:41:33,250 --> 01:41:38,710 him to if he never actually won a fight 2532 01:41:34,859 --> 01:41:40,269 but I kept my muzzle shut the sudden 2533 01:41:38,710 --> 01:41:43,239 roar of the crowd snapped my attention 2534 01:41:40,270 --> 01:41:47,500 back to the arena blood was down soaking 2535 01:41:43,238 --> 01:41:49,209 in a pool of her own well blood cinder 2536 01:41:47,500 --> 01:41:51,029 block an athletic looking light gray 2537 01:41:49,210 --> 01:41:54,819 buck was rearing his hooves in victory 2538 01:41:51,029 --> 01:41:58,000 the fight had lasted only seconds my 2539 01:41:54,819 --> 01:42:01,389 heart sank what are the benefits of 2540 01:41:58,000 --> 01:42:03,039 being first again I asked dolly number 2541 01:42:01,390 --> 01:42:05,890 four leaned close apparently unable to 2542 01:42:03,039 --> 01:42:08,369 comprehend personal space well I see 2543 01:42:05,890 --> 01:42:12,280 those barrels and you see those plates I 2544 01:42:08,369 --> 01:42:14,680 nodded to each step on a plate barrel 2545 01:42:12,279 --> 01:42:17,738 above drops now the barrels are full of 2546 01:42:14,680 --> 01:42:19,239 nasty stuff usually radioactive goo but 2547 01:42:17,738 --> 01:42:21,488 sometimes it's something worse 2548 01:42:19,238 --> 01:42:25,269 I heard they once had one filled with 2549 01:42:21,488 --> 01:42:26,679 tainted ooze I shuddered looking up with 2550 01:42:25,270 --> 01:42:28,800 a cage they've been constructed over the 2551 01:42:26,680 --> 01:42:31,300 arena and the barrels hanging from it a 2552 01:42:28,800 --> 01:42:32,770 few Griffin's flew high above watching 2553 01:42:31,300 --> 01:42:35,650 the show with binoculars or through 2554 01:42:32,770 --> 01:42:37,420 rifle scopes my eyes caught a swinging 2555 01:42:35,649 --> 01:42:41,859 door built into the cage kept closed by 2556 01:42:37,420 --> 01:42:45,640 simple padlock round to stern cried out 2557 01:42:41,859 --> 01:42:47,289 from the black gate we have daffodil the 2558 01:42:45,640 --> 01:42:48,730 crowd broke into Snickers and chortles 2559 01:42:47,289 --> 01:42:51,640 his DAF got up and stepped out into the 2560 01:42:48,729 --> 01:42:53,379 arena he took one look at the bloody 2561 01:42:51,640 --> 01:42:54,880 corpse of his companion and then locked 2562 01:42:53,380 --> 01:42:57,119 cinderblock with a hard stare that I 2563 01:42:54,880 --> 01:42:59,579 could almost feel from behind him 2564 01:42:57,119 --> 01:43:03,250 daffodil charged at the light gray pony 2565 01:42:59,579 --> 01:43:05,670 soon drew luck ran not towards him but 2566 01:43:03,250 --> 01:43:08,210 towards one of the pressure plates 2567 01:43:05,670 --> 01:43:10,949 the barrel above didn't exactly drop 2568 01:43:08,210 --> 01:43:12,840 rather as the gray pony raced across the 2569 01:43:10,949 --> 01:43:14,699 plate the underside of the barrel swung 2570 01:43:12,840 --> 01:43:16,470 open and dozens of mines rained down 2571 01:43:14,699 --> 01:43:17,329 hitting the ground and bouncing in all 2572 01:43:16,470 --> 01:43:19,530 directions 2573 01:43:17,329 --> 01:43:22,769 Daffy changed direction with a deafness 2574 01:43:19,529 --> 01:43:25,469 I would not have expected the mines were 2575 01:43:22,770 --> 01:43:27,000 rigged for fast detonation only beeping 2576 01:43:25,470 --> 01:43:29,670 once before exploding in a flash of 2577 01:43:27,000 --> 01:43:31,289 smoke and shrapnel cinderblock had 2578 01:43:29,670 --> 01:43:32,699 always been fast enough but his hind 2579 01:43:31,289 --> 01:43:35,250 legs were peppered and torn as he was 2580 01:43:32,699 --> 01:43:36,750 flung forward he was still struggling to 2581 01:43:35,250 --> 01:43:39,779 get back on his bleeding legs when Daffy 2582 01:43:36,750 --> 01:43:42,600 reached him I knew how hard those hopes 2583 01:43:39,779 --> 01:43:44,099 hit but seeing this I suspected that 2584 01:43:42,600 --> 01:43:46,590 Daffy had held back when he bucked the 2585 01:43:44,100 --> 01:43:50,039 living fuck out of me even with his last 2586 01:43:46,590 --> 01:43:51,539 low blow the crowd beat their hooves and 2587 01:43:50,039 --> 01:43:53,340 crying out for more as Daffy pummeled 2588 01:43:51,539 --> 01:43:55,439 the other buck breaking first his legs 2589 01:43:53,340 --> 01:44:00,510 then every other bone he could before 2590 01:43:55,439 --> 01:44:03,710 killing him I tasted bile mines number 2591 01:44:00,510 --> 01:44:07,500 four mused well that was a new one i 2592 01:44:03,710 --> 01:44:09,989 Sean to a dark look hey like I was 2593 01:44:07,500 --> 01:44:11,760 saying those barrels of nasty things but 2594 01:44:09,989 --> 01:44:13,679 they also always have a weapon or two in 2595 01:44:11,760 --> 01:44:15,949 them so if you're first to get your pick 2596 01:44:13,680 --> 01:44:18,240 of the prizes and if you go last 2597 01:44:15,949 --> 01:44:19,439 well you go up against an opponent with 2598 01:44:18,239 --> 01:44:21,239 their choice of weapons in an arena 2599 01:44:19,439 --> 01:44:23,839 filled with us and goddess knows what 2600 01:44:21,239 --> 01:44:26,869 else and all you have are your hooves 2601 01:44:23,840 --> 01:44:30,210 fighting last sucks 2602 01:44:26,869 --> 01:44:31,859 round three Stern finally announced 2603 01:44:30,210 --> 01:44:33,539 after die fat stop and brutalizing 2604 01:44:31,859 --> 01:44:36,779 cinderblock and started just beating a 2605 01:44:33,539 --> 01:44:38,550 dead Pony from the Blackgate we still 2606 01:44:36,779 --> 01:44:40,829 have daffodil after a surprising and 2607 01:44:38,550 --> 01:44:42,060 entertaining first performance I don't 2608 01:44:40,829 --> 01:44:44,970 think any of you ponies are snickering 2609 01:44:42,060 --> 01:44:46,470 at his name now are you the crowd 2610 01:44:44,970 --> 01:44:48,210 applauded the crimson splattered buck 2611 01:44:46,470 --> 01:44:49,890 who's angry flower Cutie Mark was now 2612 01:44:48,210 --> 01:44:51,779 partially visible behind his number-two 2613 01:44:49,890 --> 01:44:53,699 patch which was sagging in wet with 2614 01:44:51,779 --> 01:44:55,439 cinder blocks lifeblood 2615 01:44:53,698 --> 01:44:58,738 and now for the one I know you've all 2616 01:44:55,439 --> 01:45:01,919 been waiting for the crowd hushed with 2617 01:44:58,738 --> 01:45:04,799 gleeful anticipation from the Red Gate 2618 01:45:01,920 --> 01:45:07,199 she's demonic she's exotic and she's 2619 01:45:04,800 --> 01:45:11,489 never lost a fight give it up for our 2620 01:45:07,198 --> 01:45:13,619 champion for events running zennith my 2621 01:45:11,488 --> 01:45:16,889 first thought struck in my brain at the 2622 01:45:13,619 --> 01:45:18,510 word exotic was a Pegasus mayor the idea 2623 01:45:16,890 --> 01:45:19,590 faced in the flying opponent in this 2624 01:45:18,510 --> 01:45:22,320 arena was terrifying 2625 01:45:19,590 --> 01:45:23,730 and if she was as good as advertised I 2626 01:45:22,319 --> 01:45:27,448 will be facing her as soon as she 2627 01:45:23,729 --> 01:45:29,099 finished killing Daffy the red gate 2628 01:45:27,448 --> 01:45:30,629 opened and zenith's stepped out into the 2629 01:45:29,100 --> 01:45:33,690 arena to absolutely thunderous 2630 01:45:30,630 --> 01:45:36,079 overwhelming applause from her grim 2631 01:45:33,689 --> 01:45:38,849 expression she was enjoying it one bit 2632 01:45:36,079 --> 01:45:39,769 from the look she gave Daffy she was 2633 01:45:38,850 --> 01:45:42,300 going to kill him 2634 01:45:39,770 --> 01:45:45,150 she knew it and it brought her no 2635 01:45:42,300 --> 01:45:48,449 pleasure at all from her lack of wings 2636 01:45:45,149 --> 01:45:50,599 she wasn't a Pegasus from her stripes 2637 01:45:48,448 --> 01:45:54,259 she wasn't even a pony 2638 01:45:50,600 --> 01:45:54,260 she's a zebra