1 00:00:00,260 --> 00:00:06,660 zebras Equestria's enemies the creatures 2 00:00:05,099 --> 00:00:08,399 who slaughtered us by the millions and 3 00:00:06,660 --> 00:00:11,789 destroyed our lands with poison clouds 4 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,349 and balefire bombs the creatures which 5 00:00:11,789 --> 00:00:16,368 were constantly portrayed as demonic 6 00:00:13,349 --> 00:00:18,300 nightmarish virtually without Souls 7 00:00:16,368 --> 00:00:20,100 creatures who according to the 8 00:00:18,300 --> 00:00:23,570 propaganda of the Ministry of image and 9 00:00:20,100 --> 00:00:26,880 bodied the antithesis of pony virtues 10 00:00:23,570 --> 00:00:28,410 yeah I thought looking out into a caged 11 00:00:26,879 --> 00:00:31,379 arena where ponies murdered each other 12 00:00:28,410 --> 00:00:35,579 brutally for the sport of slaves because 13 00:00:31,379 --> 00:00:37,289 we ponies are so noble was it fair to 14 00:00:35,579 --> 00:00:39,109 paint Zenith with all the wrongdoings of 15 00:00:37,289 --> 00:00:41,460 the members of her race centuries dead 16 00:00:39,109 --> 00:00:43,170 no more so than to blame me for the 17 00:00:41,460 --> 00:00:46,308 things ponies must have done to them I 18 00:00:43,170 --> 00:00:49,020 had my own sins to bear guilt for and 19 00:00:46,308 --> 00:00:51,179 now assuming a Raider buck named 20 00:00:49,020 --> 00:00:53,940 daffodil didn't strike her down I was 21 00:00:51,179 --> 00:00:56,878 expected to fight the zebra and either 22 00:00:53,939 --> 00:00:59,399 kill her or die by her hooves most 23 00:00:56,878 --> 00:01:00,710 likely the latter I had been stripped of 24 00:00:59,399 --> 00:01:02,759 everything that I could use as a weapon 25 00:01:00,710 --> 00:01:04,409 even the screwdriver I had fought so 26 00:01:02,759 --> 00:01:04,978 hard for and felt I had earned had been 27 00:01:04,409 --> 00:01:08,219 taken 28 00:01:04,978 --> 00:01:12,030 I had my horns my hopes my single spell 29 00:01:08,219 --> 00:01:15,118 and SATs my brawling skills were to put 30 00:01:12,030 --> 00:01:17,280 a bluntly pathetic it would be a miracle 31 00:01:15,118 --> 00:01:20,250 if I survived 32 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:22,290 I had managed miracles before that was 33 00:01:20,250 --> 00:01:24,030 red eyes intention that either I should 34 00:01:22,290 --> 00:01:26,610 die or that I should be forced to kill 35 00:01:24,030 --> 00:01:28,469 other slaves this zebra being only one 36 00:01:26,609 --> 00:01:30,118 of many compromising the parts of me 37 00:01:28,469 --> 00:01:32,849 that I held sacred just so that I might 38 00:01:30,118 --> 00:01:35,368 live long enough to kill him either way 39 00:01:32,849 --> 00:01:37,530 would be a victory for him although the 40 00:01:35,368 --> 00:01:40,920 latter if I did manage to kill him would 41 00:01:37,530 --> 00:01:43,019 be a Pyrrhic victory at best I thought 42 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:45,680 of the image in the mirror littlepip as 43 00:01:43,019 --> 00:01:50,250 a Raider soaked in blood and dying that 44 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:52,979 was not my soul that I was certain but I 45 00:01:50,250 --> 00:01:54,329 knew that I could become that I was 46 00:01:52,978 --> 00:01:57,569 already swimming in the slaughter of my 47 00:01:54,329 --> 00:01:59,549 enemies I realized that I was Monterey 48 00:01:57,569 --> 00:02:01,559 Jack forced between destroying what 49 00:01:59,549 --> 00:02:06,200 allowed me to live with myself or just 50 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:06,200 dying I needed another option 51 00:02:07,239 --> 00:02:11,229 the heat of the Sun pushed down through 52 00:02:09,068 --> 00:02:14,409 black clouds baking the red tinged 53 00:02:11,229 --> 00:02:14,889 hellscape of Philadelphia daffodil stood 54 00:02:14,409 --> 00:02:16,840 firm 55 00:02:14,889 --> 00:02:18,250 snorting heavily the mangled corpse of 56 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:21,189 cinderblock oozing blood that soaked 57 00:02:18,250 --> 00:02:23,409 into the ground round daffs hooves the 58 00:02:21,189 --> 00:02:25,719 body of blood - Schrader companion lay 59 00:02:23,409 --> 00:02:29,139 not far away her own blood drying and 60 00:02:25,719 --> 00:02:32,080 caking Daffy looked at her and I could 61 00:02:29,139 --> 00:02:33,789 see hurt on his face I realized that she 62 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:35,489 was just gonna lay there baking in the 63 00:02:33,789 --> 00:02:36,989 heat until all the fights were over I 64 00:02:35,489 --> 00:02:40,209 wanted to scream 65 00:02:36,989 --> 00:02:44,080 he wasn't even given time to mourn the 66 00:02:40,209 --> 00:02:46,180 next fight had already begun Daffy 67 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:48,940 turned locking his gaze on the zebra 68 00:02:46,180 --> 00:02:51,189 named zennith an extremely rare sight in 69 00:02:48,939 --> 00:02:54,669 equestrian wasteland possibly even more 70 00:02:51,189 --> 00:02:56,829 so than a Pegasus then has been working 71 00:02:54,669 --> 00:02:58,359 this late phase for years commented the 72 00:02:56,830 --> 00:03:00,700 blue-coated Pony assigned to fight after 73 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:02,200 I did we worked near each other on the 74 00:03:00,699 --> 00:03:02,889 alchemy Hut's in the north side for 75 00:03:02,199 --> 00:03:04,539 about three months 76 00:03:02,889 --> 00:03:07,029 most the recycling flame through our 77 00:03:04,539 --> 00:03:09,549 fuel all the time she never said a word 78 00:03:07,030 --> 00:03:11,199 way I heard it the slavers who captured 79 00:03:09,550 --> 00:03:12,390 her cut out her tongue after sets on the 80 00:03:11,199 --> 00:03:15,849 offensive to him 81 00:03:12,389 --> 00:03:17,469 number four paused her being a zebra and 82 00:03:15,849 --> 00:03:22,599 all it was probably something down rig 83 00:03:17,469 --> 00:03:24,699 Regius like hello I watched as the zebra 84 00:03:22,599 --> 00:03:26,079 stepped forward moving up to DAF and 85 00:03:24,699 --> 00:03:27,458 lowering her head and what struck me as 86 00:03:26,079 --> 00:03:31,090 a sign of respect from her mortal 87 00:03:27,459 --> 00:03:33,329 opponent DAF didn't see it that way he 88 00:03:31,090 --> 00:03:35,650 saw an opportunity and he took it 89 00:03:33,329 --> 00:03:38,260 spinning around he delivered a brutal 90 00:03:35,650 --> 00:03:42,039 buck right into her neck the zebra fell 91 00:03:38,259 --> 00:03:43,679 sprawling daffy turn rearing up lifting 92 00:03:42,039 --> 00:03:45,699 both hooves over the Fallen zebra 93 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:47,049 zennith rolled onto her back and kicked 94 00:03:45,699 --> 00:03:48,458 out with her hind hooks planting the 95 00:03:47,049 --> 00:03:51,280 ferociously into the rearing ponies 96 00:03:48,459 --> 00:03:53,650 exposed stomach that fell clutching his 97 00:03:51,280 --> 00:03:56,580 belly and coughing bloody spittle 98 00:03:53,650 --> 00:03:58,840 the zebra somersaulted onto her hooves 99 00:03:56,580 --> 00:04:01,030 Daffy grunted and pushed himself back up 100 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:03,039 only for the zebra crouch and spin on 101 00:04:01,030 --> 00:04:04,590 1/4 of her outstretched hind leg 102 00:04:03,039 --> 00:04:09,370 sweeping daffs legs out from under him 103 00:04:04,590 --> 00:04:10,780 he went down again I stared my jaw 104 00:04:09,370 --> 00:04:14,200 falling nearly to the ground 105 00:04:10,780 --> 00:04:16,060 I watched the Zebras fluid motions she 106 00:04:14,199 --> 00:04:18,250 wasn't brawling this is more of a 107 00:04:16,060 --> 00:04:19,560 fighting art form I'd never seen 108 00:04:18,250 --> 00:04:23,860 anything like it 109 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:24,930 hey looks like fallen guys our style not 110 00:04:23,860 --> 00:04:28,660 that I'm an expert 111 00:04:24,930 --> 00:04:31,660 number four noted with casual aw his 112 00:04:28,660 --> 00:04:32,740 eyebrows shot up at my blank look they 113 00:04:31,660 --> 00:04:33,910 don't tell me you entered the pit 114 00:04:32,740 --> 00:04:36,280 without having read at least a few 115 00:04:33,910 --> 00:04:41,470 martial arts at the zebra books how do 116 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:42,788 you expect to win no I stammered of all 117 00:04:41,470 --> 00:04:44,740 the books had stumbled across my 118 00:04:42,788 --> 00:04:48,969 wasteland track I'd somehow managed to 119 00:04:44,740 --> 00:04:50,310 Mesa that one of course not I turned 120 00:04:48,970 --> 00:04:52,630 back to the fight 121 00:04:50,310 --> 00:04:55,449 Daffy had gotten back on his hooves and 122 00:04:52,629 --> 00:04:57,009 was circling the zebra the zebra watched 123 00:04:55,449 --> 00:04:59,770 him waiting for his attack with an 124 00:04:57,009 --> 00:05:01,659 almost eerie calm he lunged and she 125 00:04:59,769 --> 00:05:03,009 tossed herself down planting hoof onto 126 00:05:01,660 --> 00:05:05,380 his breast and using his momentum to 127 00:05:03,009 --> 00:05:09,000 fling him over her daffy at the dirt 128 00:05:05,379 --> 00:05:13,719 sprawling she was a far better fighter 129 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:19,209 this was unfair but Daffy was stronger 130 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:21,610 and he fought dirtier zennith trotted 131 00:05:19,209 --> 00:05:22,930 cautiously closer I suspected she was 132 00:05:21,610 --> 00:05:24,460 looking to end the fight while the piste 133 00:05:22,930 --> 00:05:27,069 colored buck was still face down in the 134 00:05:24,459 --> 00:05:29,019 dirt Daffy was trembling as if in 135 00:05:27,069 --> 00:05:30,939 exhaustion and he moaned as he tried to 136 00:05:29,019 --> 00:05:33,639 push himself up only to have his legs go 137 00:05:30,939 --> 00:05:36,250 out from under him his weakness was a 138 00:05:33,639 --> 00:05:37,990 ruse the moment zennith got close enough 139 00:05:36,250 --> 00:05:39,399 Daffy twisted about on the ground and 140 00:05:37,990 --> 00:05:43,870 kicked a cloud of dirt and grit into her 141 00:05:39,399 --> 00:05:45,189 eyes she whinnied backing up blinded her 142 00:05:43,870 --> 00:05:47,810 body sunk into a defensive position 143 00:05:45,189 --> 00:05:49,668 prepared for immediate attack 144 00:05:47,810 --> 00:05:51,860 but Daffy had seen something she 145 00:05:49,668 --> 00:05:53,930 apparently had not and instead of 146 00:05:51,860 --> 00:05:56,540 turning to fight her he dashed forward 147 00:05:53,930 --> 00:05:58,160 I heard the beep of the undetonated mind 148 00:05:56,540 --> 00:05:59,750 has galloped over it kicking the 149 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:04,220 explosive back towards the zebra with a 150 00:05:59,750 --> 00:06:06,050 hind hoof zennith heard her - she flung 151 00:06:04,220 --> 00:06:07,460 herself away as best she could the mine 152 00:06:06,050 --> 00:06:08,960 exploding in the air with almost two 153 00:06:07,459 --> 00:06:12,409 ponies lengths between itself and the 154 00:06:08,959 --> 00:06:13,879 zebra not lethal or even crippling but 155 00:06:12,410 --> 00:06:17,740 enough to send her tumbling the wind 156 00:06:13,879 --> 00:06:19,930 knocked out of her I felt myself gasp oh 157 00:06:17,740 --> 00:06:23,210 she can handle a lot more than that 158 00:06:19,930 --> 00:06:24,889 number four commented the slavers 159 00:06:23,209 --> 00:06:27,289 regularly did a number on her back in 160 00:06:24,889 --> 00:06:29,540 the huts seemed to take a great delight 161 00:06:27,290 --> 00:06:32,229 and taking everything out on her made it 162 00:06:29,540 --> 00:06:34,610 a lot easier on the rest of us i 163 00:06:32,228 --> 00:06:36,529 bristled wincing at both the mental 164 00:06:34,610 --> 00:06:40,040 images his words conjured up and a 165 00:06:36,529 --> 00:06:41,418 distinct the powder that the slaver had 166 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:43,900 trapped against my cutie mark was 167 00:06:41,418 --> 00:06:46,909 thinking it's nasty teeth into my flesh 168 00:06:43,899 --> 00:06:48,228 well I remember one time a unicorn slave 169 00:06:46,910 --> 00:06:49,300 messed up with the recycling is set 170 00:06:48,228 --> 00:06:51,259 herself on fire 171 00:06:49,300 --> 00:06:52,750 slavers shot her so she didn't run 172 00:06:51,259 --> 00:06:55,909 around setting the whole place ablaze 173 00:06:52,750 --> 00:06:57,319 then after the flames had gone out just 174 00:06:55,910 --> 00:07:00,740 for fun they chopped off the unicorns 175 00:06:57,319 --> 00:07:02,240 head and raped the zebra with it number 176 00:07:00,740 --> 00:07:05,900 four at least have the decency to cringe 177 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:07,639 a little I was staring in horror come to 178 00:07:05,899 --> 00:07:11,299 think of it I was just before she 179 00:07:07,639 --> 00:07:13,550 volunteered for the pit zennith was 180 00:07:11,300 --> 00:07:15,560 pulling herself up Daffy had used the 181 00:07:13,550 --> 00:07:16,699 moment of reprieve not to attack but to 182 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:18,860 run across another of the pressure 183 00:07:16,699 --> 00:07:20,599 plates the latch above the barrel 184 00:07:18,860 --> 00:07:23,259 clicked free and the bottom opened 185 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:25,520 releasing gallons of glowing green slush 186 00:07:23,259 --> 00:07:28,788 yep now that's what most of them have 187 00:07:25,519 --> 00:07:30,409 number four commented something large 188 00:07:28,788 --> 00:07:33,168 fell out of the goop hitting the ground 189 00:07:30,410 --> 00:07:35,150 with a wet thud Daffy was out of the way 190 00:07:33,168 --> 00:07:37,310 of all but a few splashing drops but 191 00:07:35,149 --> 00:07:39,469 those pulled a scream out of him he 192 00:07:37,310 --> 00:07:41,649 danced shaking the glowing crap off then 193 00:07:39,470 --> 00:07:44,350 turn to see his prize 194 00:07:41,649 --> 00:07:48,149 an auto accident luminescent green 195 00:07:44,350 --> 00:07:50,230 puddle glistening wetly Daffy grimaced 196 00:07:48,149 --> 00:07:52,060 having just felt a few drops on his 197 00:07:50,230 --> 00:07:53,410 flanks he didn't seem inclined to put 198 00:07:52,060 --> 00:07:56,259 something bathed in that goop into his 199 00:07:53,410 --> 00:07:58,840 mouth his Dennis moved cautiously 200 00:07:56,259 --> 00:08:00,279 forward again she'd gleaned enough of 201 00:07:58,839 --> 00:08:01,719 his tactics - no she didn't wish to 202 00:08:00,279 --> 00:08:04,329 engage Daffy anywhere near that glowing 203 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:06,280 puddle they began to circle the spill 204 00:08:04,329 --> 00:08:08,289 office of each other each keeping their 205 00:08:06,279 --> 00:08:11,799 distance from the slosh zennith even 206 00:08:08,290 --> 00:08:14,200 more so than Daffy the ponies and the 207 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:16,860 bleachers began to stomp in unison fight 208 00:08:14,199 --> 00:08:19,810 fight fight 209 00:08:16,860 --> 00:08:21,520 Daffy made a move he had managed to 210 00:08:19,810 --> 00:08:23,560 circle around so he was within range of 211 00:08:21,519 --> 00:08:26,049 cinderblocks corpse with Zenith on the 212 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:27,970 other side of the pool dashing over 213 00:08:26,050 --> 00:08:32,019 cinderblocks remains he drove his hind 214 00:08:27,970 --> 00:08:36,160 hose buck cinderblocks corpse flew 215 00:08:32,019 --> 00:08:39,009 behind him sploosh a wave of the Green 216 00:08:36,159 --> 00:08:40,509 sludge surged toward zennith the zebra 217 00:08:39,009 --> 00:08:41,620 pin wheeled to the side in a maneuver 218 00:08:40,509 --> 00:08:46,899 that I didn't even think was possible 219 00:08:41,620 --> 00:08:48,250 she charged towards Daffy the large 220 00:08:46,899 --> 00:08:49,649 Bucks are coming and crouched down 221 00:08:48,250 --> 00:08:52,000 holding his ground 222 00:08:49,649 --> 00:08:53,319 he drove both hind hooves toward her in 223 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:56,309 a powerful strike the moment she got 224 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:59,050 within hooves reach but zennith jumped 225 00:08:56,309 --> 00:09:01,379 she left clean over daffodil striking 226 00:08:59,049 --> 00:09:04,089 the nape of his neck with a passing hoof 227 00:09:01,379 --> 00:09:06,720 she landed in a graceful roll that ended 228 00:09:04,090 --> 00:09:10,090 with her back on her hooves facing him 229 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:11,910 Daffy seemed frozen in place he stared 230 00:09:10,090 --> 00:09:14,530 on moving 231 00:09:11,909 --> 00:09:16,929 paralysing Huff number four announced 232 00:09:14,529 --> 00:09:20,230 now that's definitely fallen guys our 233 00:09:16,929 --> 00:09:22,479 style she could paralyze a pony with a 234 00:09:20,230 --> 00:09:26,670 hoof strike how the hell was I supposed 235 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:28,840 to fight against that Daffy toppled over 236 00:09:26,669 --> 00:09:31,179 zennith trotted up to the Fallen Pony 237 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:34,269 her sad gaze looking into his wide and 238 00:09:31,179 --> 00:09:37,539 fearful eyes the crowd began to chant 239 00:09:34,269 --> 00:09:39,329 and pound with their hooves kill kill 240 00:09:37,539 --> 00:09:41,649 kill 241 00:09:39,330 --> 00:09:47,259 Stern's voice called out bizarrely 242 00:09:41,649 --> 00:09:50,049 magnified finish it the zebra planted 243 00:09:47,259 --> 00:09:51,909 one hoof on daffs neck she lowered her 244 00:09:50,049 --> 00:09:54,149 head her muzzle lingering next to his 245 00:09:51,909 --> 00:09:56,199 ear moment before she bit into his mane 246 00:09:54,149 --> 00:10:01,029 she pulled her head back with a hard 247 00:09:56,200 --> 00:10:03,640 jerk I heard daffs neck crack sans teeth 248 00:10:01,029 --> 00:10:04,870 let go of the dead pony's mane she 249 00:10:03,639 --> 00:10:09,929 trotted towards the center of the arena 250 00:10:04,870 --> 00:10:09,929 and waited for her next opponent me 251 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:14,830 the midday heat was becoming stifling 252 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:17,620 under the thick choking blanket of the 253 00:10:14,830 --> 00:10:20,290 Philadelphia cloud cover my cracked rib 254 00:10:17,620 --> 00:10:23,350 ached my flank was stinging so badly had 255 00:10:20,289 --> 00:10:25,419 to wipe tears from my eyes Zanna stood 256 00:10:23,350 --> 00:10:28,659 watching me with those sad eyes as I 257 00:10:25,419 --> 00:10:30,578 plotted them to the arena now that I was 258 00:10:28,659 --> 00:10:34,149 inside rather than watching through a 259 00:10:30,578 --> 00:10:36,489 gate I could see more of the pit but it 260 00:10:34,149 --> 00:10:38,589 was mostly just more of the same there 261 00:10:36,490 --> 00:10:40,360 was a third entrance a set of double 262 00:10:38,589 --> 00:10:41,980 doors behind which I imagined slaver 263 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:43,269 guards were waiting ready to gallop into 264 00:10:41,980 --> 00:10:44,860 what had once been an ice skating rink 265 00:10:43,269 --> 00:10:47,289 at the first sign of real trouble 266 00:10:44,860 --> 00:10:49,060 I could see Stern standing on a raised 267 00:10:47,289 --> 00:10:51,309 and barricaded platform above and behind 268 00:10:49,059 --> 00:10:53,078 the bleachers she was wearing an odd 269 00:10:51,309 --> 00:10:55,899 pre-war headset that I suspected was 270 00:10:53,078 --> 00:10:57,489 responsible for amplifying her voice she 271 00:10:55,899 --> 00:11:01,509 was also wearing her anti machine rifle 272 00:10:57,490 --> 00:11:03,310 slung back over her talent armor and I 273 00:11:01,509 --> 00:11:05,289 could see the mob of ponies staring down 274 00:11:03,309 --> 00:11:09,219 into the arena with gleeful anticipation 275 00:11:05,289 --> 00:11:11,889 I nursed a few were eating snacks I felt 276 00:11:09,220 --> 00:11:13,360 a flare of anger a pony wouldn't want to 277 00:11:11,889 --> 00:11:16,929 see me brutally murdered on empty 278 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:19,930 stomach after all I'm trying to save you 279 00:11:16,929 --> 00:11:23,078 all of you why I screamed out of them 280 00:11:19,929 --> 00:11:24,759 for just a moment I could understand how 281 00:11:23,078 --> 00:11:26,289 redeye morally justify putting these 282 00:11:24,759 --> 00:11:29,439 ponies through such suffering to build a 283 00:11:26,289 --> 00:11:33,338 better world I didn't agree but I could 284 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:35,920 comprehend it you see little pony mr. 285 00:11:33,339 --> 00:11:38,290 topaz had said look at what you ponies 286 00:11:35,919 --> 00:11:40,870 are doing to each other up there look at 287 00:11:38,289 --> 00:11:42,370 what you did to each other in here what 288 00:11:40,870 --> 00:11:43,810 makes you think you're pathetic wicked 289 00:11:42,370 --> 00:11:46,259 species is worth being anything other 290 00:11:43,809 --> 00:11:50,008 than dragon food 291 00:11:46,259 --> 00:11:52,229 I tried to remember my answer zennith 292 00:11:50,009 --> 00:11:54,028 step closer to me I could see that her 293 00:11:52,229 --> 00:11:56,729 body bore many scars under her striped 294 00:11:54,028 --> 00:11:58,409 coat her cutie mark the were whatever 295 00:11:56,729 --> 00:12:00,619 zebras have on their flanks in place of 296 00:11:58,409 --> 00:12:03,028 one was a squiggly jumble of lines 297 00:12:00,619 --> 00:12:05,879 looking more like a complex a glyph than 298 00:12:03,028 --> 00:12:07,318 a proper cutie mark icon on her right 299 00:12:05,879 --> 00:12:09,589 flank it looked like somepony had 300 00:12:07,318 --> 00:12:12,509 snuffed out cigars against it she 301 00:12:09,589 --> 00:12:13,919 lowered her head as she neared me the 302 00:12:12,509 --> 00:12:17,519 same posture which I had taken him 303 00:12:13,918 --> 00:12:19,678 before it's a show of respect then very 304 00:12:17,519 --> 00:12:25,470 softly so that only I could hear Senath 305 00:12:19,678 --> 00:12:26,909 whispered I'm sorry I froze stunned the 306 00:12:25,470 --> 00:12:28,288 zebra who hadn't spoken out when the 307 00:12:26,909 --> 00:12:30,298 slave masters were raping her with a 308 00:12:28,288 --> 00:12:35,369 dead bonis horn broke her silence for me 309 00:12:30,298 --> 00:12:36,928 a sign of respect indeed of course I 310 00:12:35,369 --> 00:12:38,369 realized she had played the mute because 311 00:12:36,928 --> 00:12:40,220 doing anything else would have resulted 312 00:12:38,369 --> 00:12:42,449 in her actually losing her tongue she 313 00:12:40,220 --> 00:12:45,809 could break it to me because I was about 314 00:12:42,448 --> 00:12:47,519 to die I also realized a moment too late 315 00:12:45,808 --> 00:12:50,428 that her words had effectively dropped 316 00:12:47,519 --> 00:12:52,230 my guard Santas struck me with her 317 00:12:50,428 --> 00:12:55,470 forehooves driving them into my wounded 318 00:12:52,230 --> 00:12:57,028 side I heard and felt as my cracked rib 319 00:12:55,470 --> 00:12:59,970 broke and punctured into one of my lungs 320 00:12:57,028 --> 00:13:02,730 I collapsed sliding backwards from the 321 00:12:59,970 --> 00:13:05,850 force of the blow the world swam was I 322 00:13:02,730 --> 00:13:07,438 struggled for air it was like she'd 323 00:13:05,850 --> 00:13:09,989 known just where to strike to cause the 324 00:13:07,438 --> 00:13:11,368 most injury as opposed to Daffy who had 325 00:13:09,989 --> 00:13:15,929 just known where to cause the most pain 326 00:13:11,369 --> 00:13:18,359 I looked into the sky a red fog seeping 327 00:13:15,928 --> 00:13:20,068 into the edges of my vision I saw the 328 00:13:18,359 --> 00:13:22,410 Griffins flying above their towns 329 00:13:20,068 --> 00:13:24,298 holding rifles I could hear the pounding 330 00:13:22,409 --> 00:13:26,259 of over 200 homes as the ponies and the 331 00:13:24,298 --> 00:13:29,588 bleachers called from my death 332 00:13:26,259 --> 00:13:31,688 a shadow fell over me I turned to cease 333 00:13:29,589 --> 00:13:33,669 anethe rearing up her hooves raised 334 00:13:31,688 --> 00:13:37,028 above my face for a swift and final blow 335 00:13:33,668 --> 00:13:39,609 I gasped my horn flaring and kicked 336 00:13:37,028 --> 00:13:40,958 against the ground my levitation blanket 337 00:13:39,609 --> 00:13:42,579 wrapped around me making me nearly 338 00:13:40,958 --> 00:13:45,368 witness as I surged up off the ground 339 00:13:42,578 --> 00:13:46,899 like a kick balloon the Zebras slammed 340 00:13:45,369 --> 00:13:50,918 into dirt that still bore the imprint of 341 00:13:46,899 --> 00:13:52,448 my head wait I gasped again feeling the 342 00:13:50,918 --> 00:13:55,629 strain of levitating myself while I was 343 00:13:52,448 --> 00:13:59,708 struggling for proper breath we we don't 344 00:13:55,629 --> 00:14:01,298 have to do this the zebra looked up to 345 00:13:59,708 --> 00:14:04,808 me with an expression of resignation and 346 00:14:01,298 --> 00:14:07,629 pity please don't do what they want you 347 00:14:04,808 --> 00:14:08,639 to do I was sinking back towards the 348 00:14:07,629 --> 00:14:11,048 ground slowly 349 00:14:08,639 --> 00:14:14,109 zennith watched waiting for me to come 350 00:14:11,048 --> 00:14:15,808 back within reach join me we can escape 351 00:14:14,109 --> 00:14:18,189 together 352 00:14:15,808 --> 00:14:19,778 Zenoss snorted giving me a look that 353 00:14:18,188 --> 00:14:22,538 made me wonder just how many ponies had 354 00:14:19,778 --> 00:14:24,958 made this offer before but none I 355 00:14:22,538 --> 00:14:26,948 suspected who could actually succeed 356 00:14:24,958 --> 00:14:30,608 fight fight fight 357 00:14:26,948 --> 00:14:33,188 I have a plan I offered trying to sound 358 00:14:30,609 --> 00:14:34,778 more confident than I was my success 359 00:14:33,188 --> 00:14:37,538 rate with plans in the last few days had 360 00:14:34,778 --> 00:14:39,808 not been self inspiring this entire plot 361 00:14:37,538 --> 00:14:43,869 had been amazingly ill-conceived in 362 00:14:39,808 --> 00:14:46,418 truth I had been arrogant so prideful my 363 00:14:43,869 --> 00:14:47,829 ability to improvise so fooled myself 364 00:14:46,418 --> 00:14:49,208 from past victories that I actually 365 00:14:47,828 --> 00:14:53,738 thought I could walk into the enemy camp 366 00:14:49,208 --> 00:14:55,088 with nothing but my wits and when I let 367 00:14:53,739 --> 00:14:57,038 the elder convince me that this was the 368 00:14:55,089 --> 00:15:00,730 only way because it conveniently allowed 369 00:14:57,038 --> 00:15:03,698 me to protect my friends instead I had a 370 00:15:00,730 --> 00:15:04,869 homeless slave and now I was desperately 371 00:15:03,698 --> 00:15:08,129 attempting to float beyond the reach of 372 00:15:04,869 --> 00:15:10,590 a zebras devastating hoof strikes 373 00:15:08,129 --> 00:15:12,389 it was time to get out regroup and 374 00:15:10,590 --> 00:15:15,690 hopefully come up with a strategy that 375 00:15:12,389 --> 00:15:17,490 was less mind-bogglingly stupid zennith 376 00:15:15,690 --> 00:15:20,720 jumped a fort of strikingly in the 377 00:15:17,490 --> 00:15:23,340 breast pain exploded through my body I 378 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:26,100 screamed my magic imploding as I dropped 379 00:15:23,340 --> 00:15:28,980 to the ground with a thud the zebra 380 00:15:26,100 --> 00:15:30,840 landed a pony's length away gasping 381 00:15:28,980 --> 00:15:32,730 wretchedly for air I looked up as she 382 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:35,460 stood his step backwards bringing her 383 00:15:32,730 --> 00:15:38,490 hind hose into bucking range my horn 384 00:15:35,460 --> 00:15:39,930 glowed again in desperation I wrapped 385 00:15:38,490 --> 00:15:43,259 the telekinetic field around her throat 386 00:15:39,929 --> 00:15:43,559 and began to tighten as I begin to choke 387 00:15:43,259 --> 00:15:46,649 her 388 00:15:43,559 --> 00:15:48,119 zennith bucked of my unbroken ribs but 389 00:15:46,649 --> 00:15:52,079 my choking had thrown off a rein just 390 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:53,899 enough and I learned to dodge the zebra 391 00:15:52,080 --> 00:15:56,009 staggered as I typed my telekinetic grip 392 00:15:53,899 --> 00:15:58,230 there wasn't much physical force behind 393 00:15:56,009 --> 00:16:00,870 my telekinesis but I had enough to crush 394 00:15:58,230 --> 00:16:02,879 her throat I didn't want to kill the 395 00:16:00,870 --> 00:16:06,509 zebra mare but I had to take her out of 396 00:16:02,879 --> 00:16:10,169 this fight zennith wobbled eyes bulging 397 00:16:06,509 --> 00:16:11,639 nostrils flaring for a moment she gave 398 00:16:10,169 --> 00:16:14,849 me the same terrified looked at Daffy 399 00:16:11,639 --> 00:16:16,259 had given her then that look melted into 400 00:16:14,850 --> 00:16:18,210 resignation as she stopped struggling 401 00:16:16,259 --> 00:16:21,240 watching me with a gaze that told me 402 00:16:18,210 --> 00:16:23,970 she'd accepted my victory then she 403 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:27,860 passed out I released her letting her 404 00:16:23,970 --> 00:16:31,560 drop like a sack of apples what an upset 405 00:16:27,860 --> 00:16:34,379 Stern's voice boon all around me the air 406 00:16:31,559 --> 00:16:35,759 roared with thunderous applause kill 407 00:16:34,379 --> 00:16:39,179 kill kill 408 00:16:35,759 --> 00:16:39,569 I struggled upright painfully catching 409 00:16:39,179 --> 00:16:43,039 my breath 410 00:16:39,570 --> 00:16:45,640 and looked up at the crowd I hated them 411 00:16:43,039 --> 00:16:49,389 every one of them 412 00:16:45,639 --> 00:16:50,439 I trotted over to Zant's fallen form she 413 00:16:49,389 --> 00:16:54,580 was breathing slowly 414 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:56,350 I looked up with the barrels my horn 415 00:16:54,580 --> 00:16:59,259 flared again rapping one of them a 416 00:16:56,350 --> 00:17:00,909 magical field the barrel was securely 417 00:16:59,259 --> 00:17:02,350 fastened to the cage ceiling and my 418 00:17:00,909 --> 00:17:05,409 telekinesis was not strong enough to 419 00:17:02,350 --> 00:17:06,519 tear it free Stern seemed to glean that 420 00:17:05,410 --> 00:17:09,940 I was up to something because she 421 00:17:06,519 --> 00:17:13,000 unslung her anti machine rifle finish it 422 00:17:09,940 --> 00:17:16,509 the Griffon demanded couldn't Stern at 423 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:18,160 least call Zenith her my mind flashed 424 00:17:16,509 --> 00:17:20,920 the memory of how barrels opened I 425 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:24,519 didn't need to pull them down just flip 426 00:17:20,920 --> 00:17:27,370 the latches latches were easy my horn 427 00:17:24,519 --> 00:17:28,869 glowed brightly Stern pulled her anti 428 00:17:27,369 --> 00:17:32,739 machine rifle forward and peered at me 429 00:17:28,869 --> 00:17:35,709 through its scope finish it now the 430 00:17:32,740 --> 00:17:38,859 latches on the barrel sprung open all of 431 00:17:35,710 --> 00:17:41,140 them my pipbuck click click click 432 00:17:38,859 --> 00:17:42,759 urgently true to number fours 433 00:17:41,140 --> 00:17:47,140 predictions most of the barrels held 434 00:17:42,759 --> 00:17:48,819 glowing green sludge and weapons the 435 00:17:47,140 --> 00:17:51,220 barrels release their contents raining 436 00:17:48,819 --> 00:17:56,009 down influence of death magical energy 437 00:17:51,220 --> 00:17:58,950 Lance a sword a chainsaw a chainsaw and 438 00:17:56,009 --> 00:18:00,720 even a couple firearms 439 00:17:58,950 --> 00:18:04,170 I let them fall where the barrels drop 440 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:06,000 them it was the sludge I wanted the 441 00:18:04,170 --> 00:18:08,519 luminescent goop was barely translucent 442 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:10,170 I spun it around and over the inside of 443 00:18:08,519 --> 00:18:12,420 the cage creating a glowing green 444 00:18:10,170 --> 00:18:15,750 curtain thinnest film but enough to 445 00:18:12,420 --> 00:18:17,310 obscure me inside I didn't want any of 446 00:18:15,750 --> 00:18:20,160 those Griffins or Gard slavers being 447 00:18:17,309 --> 00:18:22,679 able to take shots at me immediately I 448 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:24,750 galloped into a new position as I 449 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:25,680 predicted Stern fired a shot where I had 450 00:18:24,750 --> 00:18:29,190 just been standing 451 00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:31,110 I felt tears in my eyes the pain in my 452 00:18:29,190 --> 00:18:32,789 chest was burning my breathing becoming 453 00:18:31,109 --> 00:18:34,399 more racket as I tried to maintain focus 454 00:18:32,789 --> 00:18:36,960 in so many places at once 455 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:40,380 each breath felt a little like drowning 456 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:42,269 I wrapped another telekinetic sheath 457 00:18:40,380 --> 00:18:44,430 around myself cancelling out my weight 458 00:18:42,269 --> 00:18:47,009 then extended it to wrap around the 459 00:18:44,430 --> 00:18:48,289 zebra as well there was never any 460 00:18:47,009 --> 00:18:50,609 question that I'll be taking her with me 461 00:18:48,289 --> 00:18:53,670 the thought of leaving her behind here 462 00:18:50,609 --> 00:18:57,839 had never entered my mind my vision 463 00:18:53,670 --> 00:18:59,730 blurred I forced myself to keep focus my 464 00:18:57,839 --> 00:19:01,889 horn flared brighter a layer of over 465 00:18:59,730 --> 00:19:03,150 glow erupting from it it occurred to me 466 00:19:01,890 --> 00:19:04,470 that a keen eyed Griffon might be able 467 00:19:03,150 --> 00:19:06,960 to spot the glow of my horn through the 468 00:19:04,470 --> 00:19:08,430 curtain of muck but I needed to keep 469 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:11,370 enough focus and channel enough power 470 00:19:08,430 --> 00:19:15,240 for just one more trick and I needed 471 00:19:11,369 --> 00:19:16,649 more time I telekinetically grabbed the 472 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:18,150 magical energy Lance and wedged it 473 00:19:16,650 --> 00:19:19,769 across the double doors seconds before 474 00:19:18,150 --> 00:19:22,950 slaver started slamming against them 475 00:19:19,769 --> 00:19:26,009 trying to get in the curtain weakened 476 00:19:22,950 --> 00:19:27,539 holes appearing along the top of it one 477 00:19:26,009 --> 00:19:29,640 of those tears was almost directly above 478 00:19:27,539 --> 00:19:31,829 me revealing the door on top of the cage 479 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:34,440 which I had spotted earlier bound closed 480 00:19:31,829 --> 00:19:36,599 with a simple padlock I kicked off 481 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:39,509 sending myself floating upwards my eyes 482 00:19:36,599 --> 00:19:42,699 fixed on the padlock I had no bobby pins 483 00:19:39,509 --> 00:19:47,140 my screwdriver had been stolen from me 484 00:19:42,700 --> 00:19:48,549 I should not need them manipulating 485 00:19:47,140 --> 00:19:50,950 multiple objects that were out of sight 486 00:19:48,549 --> 00:19:53,680 was tricky but I had pulled pins from 487 00:19:50,950 --> 00:19:54,250 grenades hidden in a sack and I knew 488 00:19:53,680 --> 00:19:56,769 locks 489 00:19:54,250 --> 00:19:59,170 I knew tumblers and internal mechanisms 490 00:19:56,769 --> 00:20:02,950 I should be able to pick a lock with my 491 00:19:59,170 --> 00:20:05,009 magic alone reaching out with my magic I 492 00:20:02,950 --> 00:20:07,509 enveloped the padlock in a gentle glow 493 00:20:05,009 --> 00:20:10,299 my own horn flared is a second layer of 494 00:20:07,509 --> 00:20:13,150 over glow burst around the first streams 495 00:20:10,299 --> 00:20:14,919 of light poured from my head I thought 496 00:20:13,150 --> 00:20:18,220 the bullet lash passed me followed by 497 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:19,660 the sound of a gunshot below the blows 498 00:20:18,220 --> 00:20:22,720 against the double doors were causing 499 00:20:19,660 --> 00:20:24,340 the magical energy Lance to bend I was 500 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:26,769 still floating upward carrying the 501 00:20:24,339 --> 00:20:29,289 unconscious zebra we were nearing the 502 00:20:26,769 --> 00:20:31,480 cage but our scent was slowing 503 00:20:29,289 --> 00:20:33,490 alarmingly one of the Griffins above 504 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:36,339 fired down on me but the shot sparked 505 00:20:33,490 --> 00:20:40,450 off one of the bars of the cage I can do 506 00:20:36,339 --> 00:20:41,829 this I told myself repeatedly a second 507 00:20:40,450 --> 00:20:45,400 shot sparked against the cage itself 508 00:20:41,829 --> 00:20:45,909 inches from the padlock who was I 509 00:20:45,400 --> 00:20:48,910 fooling 510 00:20:45,910 --> 00:20:52,140 I could barely breathe my magic faltered 511 00:20:48,910 --> 00:20:56,070 the swirling curtains slipping wavering 512 00:20:52,140 --> 00:20:58,710 no I can do this 513 00:20:56,069 --> 00:21:01,559 I shifted the tumblers in the place the 514 00:20:58,710 --> 00:21:05,340 padlock sprung open my vision swim again 515 00:21:01,559 --> 00:21:07,619 and I nearly lost everything the magical 516 00:21:05,339 --> 00:21:09,480 energy Lance cracked into the doors 517 00:21:07,619 --> 00:21:12,479 below is swung open and slavers tumbled 518 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:14,299 into the arena frantically i hovered the 519 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:17,009 padlock away and pushed open the gate a 520 00:21:14,299 --> 00:21:18,389 moment later we were through and I was 521 00:21:17,009 --> 00:21:20,069 running along the top of the cage as 522 00:21:18,390 --> 00:21:22,740 fast as my surviving lung would allow me 523 00:21:20,069 --> 00:21:25,439 I let everything fall except my grasp 524 00:21:22,740 --> 00:21:29,519 around myself and zennith my whole body 525 00:21:25,440 --> 00:21:31,799 screamed it in pain in exertion shots 526 00:21:29,519 --> 00:21:34,589 rang out bullets striking the cage about 527 00:21:31,799 --> 00:21:36,599 me from above and below I weaved 528 00:21:34,589 --> 00:21:39,059 erratically again doing my best to make 529 00:21:36,599 --> 00:21:42,359 a hard target I was reaching the edge of 530 00:21:39,059 --> 00:21:45,059 the cage the ice arena was at the far 531 00:21:42,359 --> 00:21:47,069 end of the Philadelphia fun farm with 532 00:21:45,059 --> 00:21:49,349 luck I could jump from it over the fence 533 00:21:47,069 --> 00:21:52,230 again putting a barrier between me and 534 00:21:49,349 --> 00:21:53,730 at least the ground bound slavers the 535 00:21:52,230 --> 00:21:54,269 end of the cage came faster than I would 536 00:21:53,730 --> 00:21:57,089 have wanted 537 00:21:54,269 --> 00:21:59,639 I jumped screaming in agony from my 538 00:21:57,089 --> 00:22:02,189 chest the two of us soared over the 539 00:21:59,640 --> 00:22:04,200 amusement park my heart sank as I 540 00:22:02,190 --> 00:22:05,730 realized I had run the wrong way and my 541 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:08,700 jump was taking me into the fun farm 542 00:22:05,730 --> 00:22:10,200 rather than away from it a tearing kick 543 00:22:08,700 --> 00:22:13,170 jerked my right fore leg with a metallic 544 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:15,059 crunch the sound of stern santi machine 545 00:22:13,170 --> 00:22:18,029 rifle followed closely after a searing 546 00:22:15,059 --> 00:22:19,919 red agony shot through my leg the bullet 547 00:22:18,029 --> 00:22:22,410 had missed just barely catching my 548 00:22:19,920 --> 00:22:25,620 pipbuck but the force of that alone felt 549 00:22:22,410 --> 00:22:27,840 like it had shattered my leg I fell my 550 00:22:25,619 --> 00:22:29,519 magical field imploding collapsing onto 551 00:22:27,839 --> 00:22:32,209 a set of track several stories above the 552 00:22:29,519 --> 00:22:32,210 amusement park below 553 00:22:32,359 --> 00:22:37,879 I mooned feeling the world thumperific 554 00:22:35,900 --> 00:22:39,980 Lee through my body as if I was riding 555 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:43,220 up a washing machine and not in the way 556 00:22:39,980 --> 00:22:45,740 young fillies do to enjoy themselves the 557 00:22:43,220 --> 00:22:48,589 world seemed crazily tilted I could only 558 00:22:45,740 --> 00:22:52,660 take shallow breaths bright pain pulse 559 00:22:48,589 --> 00:22:55,159 to my right fore leg and I heard gunfire 560 00:22:52,660 --> 00:22:58,130 memory flooded back to me as my I shot 561 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:59,480 open I looked around almost falling off 562 00:22:58,130 --> 00:23:01,160 the back of the zebra who was carrying 563 00:22:59,480 --> 00:23:04,279 me up a steep slope onto philadelphia 564 00:23:01,160 --> 00:23:06,410 fun farms roller coaster track I had 565 00:23:04,279 --> 00:23:09,440 been out for a few minutes at most long 566 00:23:06,410 --> 00:23:11,630 enough for the zebra to come to having 567 00:23:09,440 --> 00:23:12,470 and woken on the elevated tracks jumping 568 00:23:11,630 --> 00:23:14,660 hadn't been an option 569 00:23:12,470 --> 00:23:17,210 there were only two ways left for her to 570 00:23:14,660 --> 00:23:19,900 go I felt thankful that Zenith had 571 00:23:17,210 --> 00:23:22,490 returned the favor and taken me with her 572 00:23:19,900 --> 00:23:24,980 my first worry was from my pipbuck I 573 00:23:22,490 --> 00:23:26,329 lifted my for Lake but only managed to 574 00:23:24,980 --> 00:23:29,029 raise it a few inches before I let out a 575 00:23:26,329 --> 00:23:32,298 tortured scream hot pain burst through 576 00:23:29,029 --> 00:23:35,539 my leg my pipbuck had taken an indirect 577 00:23:32,298 --> 00:23:37,579 hit it was not damaged itself but the 578 00:23:35,539 --> 00:23:40,819 bullet had torn to the peripheral the 579 00:23:37,579 --> 00:23:42,970 broadcast was destroyed and with it my 580 00:23:40,819 --> 00:23:45,759 plan for escape 581 00:23:42,970 --> 00:23:48,250 I brought up my eyes forward Sparkle my 582 00:23:45,759 --> 00:23:49,480 pipbuck is flashing alerts I had taken 583 00:23:48,250 --> 00:23:50,829 more rats from being in the middle of 584 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:53,798 all that green sludge than my pipbuck 585 00:23:50,829 --> 00:23:55,779 liked my chest and right for like it 586 00:23:53,798 --> 00:23:57,220 taking crippling wounds the latter 587 00:23:55,779 --> 00:23:59,668 having suffered a wrenching sprain a 588 00:23:57,220 --> 00:24:02,350 small hairline fracture in the bone 589 00:23:59,669 --> 00:24:04,570 looking down I saw slaver ponies 590 00:24:02,349 --> 00:24:06,369 shooting at us from the ground by 591 00:24:04,569 --> 00:24:08,918 experience these mares and Bucks were 592 00:24:06,369 --> 00:24:10,599 not the best shots even a close range if 593 00:24:08,919 --> 00:24:12,909 they hit us at this distance with the 594 00:24:10,599 --> 00:24:16,089 cover of the tracks it would be by sheer 595 00:24:12,909 --> 00:24:17,830 dumb walk behind us even more were 596 00:24:16,089 --> 00:24:20,589 charging up the track but they were 597 00:24:17,829 --> 00:24:22,808 still well behind it was the Griffon 598 00:24:20,589 --> 00:24:25,089 that were the biggest threat I looked 599 00:24:22,808 --> 00:24:28,269 around but couldn't spot them which 600 00:24:25,089 --> 00:24:30,220 meant very little admittedly Zenith 601 00:24:28,269 --> 00:24:31,119 reached the apex of the track stopping 602 00:24:30,220 --> 00:24:33,730 just shy of it 603 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:35,319 a set of three colorfully painted Pony 604 00:24:33,730 --> 00:24:37,360 shaped carriages sat at the top of the 605 00:24:35,319 --> 00:24:40,240 roller coasters Hill rusting for 200 606 00:24:37,359 --> 00:24:42,189 years there wasn't any room to go around 607 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:44,950 them even the zebra no parent choice but 608 00:24:42,190 --> 00:24:46,509 to climb over them she consciously put a 609 00:24:44,950 --> 00:24:48,058 hoof onto the orange rear carriage and 610 00:24:46,509 --> 00:24:51,089 pressed her weight down on it the 611 00:24:48,058 --> 00:24:53,200 carriage gave him metallic groan she 612 00:24:51,089 --> 00:24:54,220 looked back at me with a grimace that I 613 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:57,340 was able to match 614 00:24:54,220 --> 00:24:59,980 I focused wrapping us in a levitation 615 00:24:57,339 --> 00:25:02,678 field to reduce our weight perspiration 616 00:24:59,980 --> 00:25:04,538 broke across my head hot coals formed my 617 00:25:02,679 --> 00:25:06,850 lungs only one of which could catch 618 00:25:04,538 --> 00:25:08,109 breath the effort sucked all the 619 00:25:06,849 --> 00:25:10,389 remaining strength out of me 620 00:25:08,109 --> 00:25:14,259 my magical field popped as I nearly 621 00:25:10,390 --> 00:25:16,900 blacked out again no damn it why was 622 00:25:14,259 --> 00:25:19,240 this happening now I'd overtaxed my 623 00:25:16,900 --> 00:25:21,370 magic once before and it had taken days 624 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:22,990 not to mention a magical statuette 625 00:25:21,369 --> 00:25:26,329 before I could properly lift objects 626 00:25:22,990 --> 00:25:29,210 again this felt much the same 627 00:25:26,329 --> 00:25:31,189 perhaps not a true burnout but a severe 628 00:25:29,210 --> 00:25:32,660 drop in power the result of having 629 00:25:31,190 --> 00:25:37,360 pushed so hard in such a weakened state 630 00:25:32,660 --> 00:25:40,460 and true burnout could be imminent I 631 00:25:37,359 --> 00:25:43,009 studied my breath and focused again my 632 00:25:40,460 --> 00:25:45,559 horn glowed softly the levitation field 633 00:25:43,009 --> 00:25:46,490 wrapped slowly around us I was breathing 634 00:25:45,559 --> 00:25:48,230 very quickly 635 00:25:46,490 --> 00:25:51,140 nearly hyperventilating but the field 636 00:25:48,230 --> 00:25:55,759 was holding climb I gasped 637 00:25:51,140 --> 00:25:57,710 now the zebra cautiously mounted the 638 00:25:55,759 --> 00:26:00,379 carriage then stepped down to the bench 639 00:25:57,710 --> 00:26:04,009 of the first seat well the old car 640 00:26:00,380 --> 00:26:06,350 rocked slightly groaning again step by 641 00:26:04,009 --> 00:26:09,589 step she started walking across the trio 642 00:26:06,349 --> 00:26:10,849 of carriages we were halfway across the 643 00:26:09,589 --> 00:26:12,169 purple middle carriage when a hole 644 00:26:10,849 --> 00:26:15,009 punched through the nose of the carriage 645 00:26:12,170 --> 00:26:16,940 in front followed by a distant report I 646 00:26:15,009 --> 00:26:18,650 granted his zennith took an involuntary 647 00:26:16,940 --> 00:26:21,289 step backward and fell partially into 648 00:26:18,650 --> 00:26:22,400 the carriage seat by magic imploded and 649 00:26:21,289 --> 00:26:25,700 the linked care just let out a 650 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:27,550 protesting wine I had been wrong it 651 00:26:25,700 --> 00:26:30,080 wasn't the Griffins I had to worry about 652 00:26:27,549 --> 00:26:31,149 it was the snipers and the damned Pinkie 653 00:26:30,079 --> 00:26:33,919 Pie balloons 654 00:26:31,150 --> 00:26:36,410 once we crested the top we put ourselves 655 00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:38,090 right in their crosshairs and the 656 00:26:36,410 --> 00:26:42,410 carriages slowed us to a crawl giving 657 00:26:38,089 --> 00:26:43,639 them easy shots another shot punched 658 00:26:42,410 --> 00:26:44,740 clean through the seat and carriage 659 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:46,940 frame behind us 660 00:26:44,740 --> 00:26:48,859 Zenit dumped me off her back into the 661 00:26:46,940 --> 00:26:50,470 cover of the sea well then scramble to 662 00:26:48,859 --> 00:26:53,399 take cover in the sea well ahead of us 663 00:26:50,470 --> 00:26:55,200 we were pinned 664 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:57,000 the shadow of a Griffin shot over us 665 00:26:55,200 --> 00:26:58,350 dropping something to hit the rim the 666 00:26:57,000 --> 00:27:01,349 stairwell and bounced over the edge of 667 00:26:58,349 --> 00:27:02,849 the track moment later the grenade went 668 00:27:01,349 --> 00:27:06,359 off the sound of splintering wood 669 00:27:02,849 --> 00:27:07,619 extending the explosion I felt a subtle 670 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:10,259 and unpleasant shift in the carriage 671 00:27:07,619 --> 00:27:11,308 beneath us the grenade had taken out 672 00:27:10,259 --> 00:27:13,940 some of the beams in the already 673 00:27:11,308 --> 00:27:16,440 precarious rollercoasters framework 674 00:27:13,940 --> 00:27:19,350 another Griffon soared past spreading 675 00:27:16,440 --> 00:27:20,610 his wings and banking with alarm I saw 676 00:27:19,349 --> 00:27:23,969 the creature was holding a rocket 677 00:27:20,609 --> 00:27:28,049 launcher there was no time to think we 678 00:27:23,970 --> 00:27:29,490 had to go jumping out of the sea well I 679 00:27:28,049 --> 00:27:30,960 swung around and bucked the link that 680 00:27:29,490 --> 00:27:33,509 held the two front care just at the back 681 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:35,069 one another gunshot ripped the air above 682 00:27:33,509 --> 00:27:35,700 my left flank and punched into the back 683 00:27:35,069 --> 00:27:38,069 carriage 684 00:27:35,700 --> 00:27:39,539 I noticed belatedly that the nose of 685 00:27:38,069 --> 00:27:41,099 each carriage was shaped and painted to 686 00:27:39,539 --> 00:27:44,670 look comically like the faces of pinkie 687 00:27:41,099 --> 00:27:46,169 pie's friends I flunked my forelegs back 688 00:27:44,670 --> 00:27:49,259 into the seat and bucked applejack in 689 00:27:46,170 --> 00:27:50,789 the face my body screamed in protest my 690 00:27:49,259 --> 00:27:54,029 right fore leg flaring and pain and 691 00:27:50,789 --> 00:27:55,558 slipping the orange rear carriage 692 00:27:54,029 --> 00:27:56,339 squealed and began sliding backwards 693 00:27:55,558 --> 00:27:58,170 down the track 694 00:27:56,339 --> 00:28:01,199 sparks sprang from the rust jammed 695 00:27:58,170 --> 00:28:03,210 wheels the slaver ponies charging after 696 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:05,279 a stopped abruptly standing like pins 697 00:28:03,210 --> 00:28:08,370 before a bowling ball then turned and 698 00:28:05,279 --> 00:28:09,869 tried to run the other way one of them 699 00:28:08,369 --> 00:28:12,459 tried to leap onto a lower set of tracks 700 00:28:09,869 --> 00:28:14,258 and disappeared from sight 701 00:28:12,460 --> 00:28:16,028 without the rear most carriage is the 702 00:28:14,259 --> 00:28:18,849 anchor the front too began to slowly 703 00:28:16,028 --> 00:28:20,528 slide down the forward slope I swung 704 00:28:18,849 --> 00:28:22,949 myself trying to hook my injured leg 705 00:28:20,528 --> 00:28:25,480 back around the sea wells edge I 706 00:28:22,950 --> 00:28:26,619 succeeded but the pain slammed into my 707 00:28:25,480 --> 00:28:30,538 head like a sledgehammer 708 00:28:26,618 --> 00:28:32,798 I screamed nearly slipping free entirely 709 00:28:30,538 --> 00:28:35,829 zennith jumped back into my seat well 710 00:28:32,798 --> 00:28:38,470 grabbing my mane and her teeth the 711 00:28:35,829 --> 00:28:40,480 rocket launcher Griffon fired a shriek 712 00:28:38,470 --> 00:28:42,600 of smoke shot towards us tipped with 713 00:28:40,480 --> 00:28:44,618 violent death 714 00:28:42,599 --> 00:28:46,658 zennith wrenched me to the carriage 715 00:28:44,618 --> 00:28:49,778 pushing us both down as far as we could 716 00:28:46,659 --> 00:28:51,220 go moment later the rocket struck into 717 00:28:49,778 --> 00:28:53,950 the track homeless where the rear car 718 00:28:51,220 --> 00:28:55,569 had been the explosion washed over the 719 00:28:53,950 --> 00:28:58,749 top of us cutting our backs with 720 00:28:55,569 --> 00:29:00,730 shrapnel and kissing us with flame the 721 00:28:58,749 --> 00:29:02,288 carriage lurched forward hard bucking up 722 00:29:00,730 --> 00:29:03,579 from the track and slamming back down as 723 00:29:02,288 --> 00:29:05,849 bits of metal track and chunks of 724 00:29:03,579 --> 00:29:08,319 burning wood rained into the park below 725 00:29:05,849 --> 00:29:10,329 what had once been a slow crawl forward 726 00:29:08,319 --> 00:29:14,470 those abruptly transformed into a racing 727 00:29:10,329 --> 00:29:16,960 plummet the carriages bumped and rattled 728 00:29:14,470 --> 00:29:18,639 squealing all the way down the light 729 00:29:16,960 --> 00:29:21,700 blue carriage ahead bucked and skipped 730 00:29:18,638 --> 00:29:24,548 threatening to jump the tracks if it did 731 00:29:21,700 --> 00:29:27,610 we were done for there was no calamity 732 00:29:24,548 --> 00:29:29,470 to catch me this time my stomach lurched 733 00:29:27,609 --> 00:29:31,569 violently as the downhill slide swept 734 00:29:29,470 --> 00:29:34,659 from an uphill thrust tossing us against 735 00:29:31,569 --> 00:29:36,099 the sea wells bench the upward angle of 736 00:29:34,659 --> 00:29:38,619 the carriage now left our seat while 737 00:29:36,099 --> 00:29:41,109 exposed a bullet punched into the bench 738 00:29:38,618 --> 00:29:44,288 inches from Zenoss left shoulder sprang 739 00:29:41,109 --> 00:29:45,849 rotted foam one of the Griffins I 740 00:29:44,288 --> 00:29:48,339 believe the one who tossed a grenade 741 00:29:45,849 --> 00:29:50,199 head unslung his lever-action rifle and 742 00:29:48,339 --> 00:29:52,240 was flying towards us slowly pumping 743 00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:54,910 shots in our direction 744 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:57,329 our impromptu rider put distance between 745 00:29:54,910 --> 00:29:59,800 us and them but we were already slowing 746 00:29:57,329 --> 00:30:02,919 he would be an optimal firing range in 747 00:29:59,799 --> 00:30:05,859 moments the second Griffon was reloading 748 00:30:02,920 --> 00:30:07,660 his rocket launcher a third swept around 749 00:30:05,859 --> 00:30:09,069 behind him in banked moving out of my 750 00:30:07,660 --> 00:30:11,710 line of sight beneath the wooden hills 751 00:30:09,069 --> 00:30:13,869 of the roller-coaster lever-action 752 00:30:11,710 --> 00:30:15,809 Griffon fired again and a line of blood 753 00:30:13,869 --> 00:30:19,119 spurted from the back of zenith's neck a 754 00:30:15,809 --> 00:30:20,940 grazing shot that I knew must burn but 755 00:30:19,119 --> 00:30:23,649 she gritted her teeth and kept silent 756 00:30:20,940 --> 00:30:28,690 the Griffon moved closer aiming and 757 00:30:23,650 --> 00:30:30,310 fired again the rifle was empty cursing 758 00:30:28,690 --> 00:30:33,039 the Griffon drew up into a hover and 759 00:30:30,309 --> 00:30:35,740 began to reload reloading meant he had 760 00:30:33,039 --> 00:30:37,180 less of a grip on his weapon I focus and 761 00:30:35,740 --> 00:30:39,849 telekinetically wrenched the firearm 762 00:30:37,180 --> 00:30:41,440 away closing it the Griffins eyes 763 00:30:39,849 --> 00:30:42,569 widened as his own weapon twirled around 764 00:30:41,440 --> 00:30:47,740 and pointed at him 765 00:30:42,569 --> 00:30:49,059 blam as he fell another stream of smoke 766 00:30:47,740 --> 00:30:51,430 left from the other Griffin's missile 767 00:30:49,059 --> 00:30:53,349 launcher and raced towards us the 768 00:30:51,430 --> 00:30:55,960 missile streaked past us and I heard it 769 00:30:53,349 --> 00:30:57,490 detonate somewhere ahead i urgently 770 00:30:55,960 --> 00:31:00,370 floated the lever-action rifle 771 00:30:57,490 --> 00:31:01,990 checking the shots the Griffon had only 772 00:31:00,369 --> 00:31:04,059 loaded two bullets into the rifle for 773 00:31:01,990 --> 00:31:07,539 I'd snatched it away leaving me with one 774 00:31:04,059 --> 00:31:09,069 shot I had to choose my next shot the 775 00:31:07,539 --> 00:31:10,539 third Griffon suddenly swooped up right 776 00:31:09,069 --> 00:31:12,490 next to our carriage as we crested the 777 00:31:10,539 --> 00:31:14,039 smaller Hill aiming a scatter gun 778 00:31:12,490 --> 00:31:18,400 point-blank at our faces 779 00:31:14,039 --> 00:31:19,839 blam the Griffon spiraled downward my 780 00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:22,600 barely aimed shot having gone through 781 00:31:19,839 --> 00:31:25,089 her wing zennith was cringing in the 782 00:31:22,599 --> 00:31:28,269 seat as well I dared to sit up and look 783 00:31:25,089 --> 00:31:29,619 ahead at the base of this hill the track 784 00:31:28,269 --> 00:31:30,940 took a sharp curve and shot into the 785 00:31:29,619 --> 00:31:33,819 tunnel of pass through the barn like 786 00:31:30,940 --> 00:31:36,779 ministry morale building but that second 787 00:31:33,819 --> 00:31:38,829 rocket had torn a hole in the track 788 00:31:36,779 --> 00:31:41,269 zennith muttered something in a strange 789 00:31:38,829 --> 00:31:44,629 tongue appearing at my side 790 00:31:41,269 --> 00:31:46,660 then in a low voice I hope this is still 791 00:31:44,630 --> 00:31:51,440 going according to plan 792 00:31:46,660 --> 00:31:53,269 uh yeah I lied I crawled forward 793 00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:54,740 cringing as a balloonist nine percent 794 00:31:53,269 --> 00:31:57,019 another shot at the track ahead of us 795 00:31:54,740 --> 00:31:59,960 the bullet from the anti machine rifle 796 00:31:57,019 --> 00:32:01,819 obliterating a track tie I hooked my 797 00:31:59,960 --> 00:32:04,180 flanks against the forward seat well and 798 00:32:01,819 --> 00:32:06,259 slid over the face of Twilight Sparkle a 799 00:32:04,180 --> 00:32:07,549 small horn protruding from the front 800 00:32:06,259 --> 00:32:09,920 gave me something it raised a shoulder 801 00:32:07,549 --> 00:32:12,019 against reaching down with my left four 802 00:32:09,920 --> 00:32:15,110 hoof I kicked at the latch freeing the 803 00:32:12,019 --> 00:32:17,059 light-blue forward car free to the extra 804 00:32:15,109 --> 00:32:20,479 weight the forward car began to separate 805 00:32:17,059 --> 00:32:23,299 slipping ahead it hit the turn then the 806 00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:25,700 gap and the Rainbow Dash carriage did 807 00:32:23,299 --> 00:32:28,789 what I really wanted to do it flew from 808 00:32:25,700 --> 00:32:30,830 the tracks and caught air focusing for 809 00:32:28,789 --> 00:32:32,930 all I was worth I enveloped the Twilight 810 00:32:30,829 --> 00:32:35,389 Sparkle car in a magical field negating 811 00:32:32,930 --> 00:32:37,120 our weight I prayed to Luna that it 812 00:32:35,390 --> 00:32:39,290 would be enough to let us jump the gap I 813 00:32:37,119 --> 00:32:42,679 pray just less tea that my strength 814 00:32:39,289 --> 00:32:44,210 wouldn't give out until we had if there 815 00:32:42,680 --> 00:32:46,000 had been any doubt in my mind that the 816 00:32:44,210 --> 00:32:49,990 goddesses were watching us from above it 817 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:49,990 evaporated as both prayers were answered 818 00:32:51,130 --> 00:32:55,600 the purple Twilight Sparkle carriage 819 00:32:53,569 --> 00:32:57,829 swept into the darkness of the tunnel a 820 00:32:55,599 --> 00:32:59,569 hard jolt slammed through us as our 821 00:32:57,829 --> 00:33:02,569 out-of-control ride finally skipped the 822 00:32:59,569 --> 00:33:05,269 track I felt my body being flung from 823 00:33:02,569 --> 00:33:07,339 the car as it skidded and flipped I hit 824 00:33:05,269 --> 00:33:09,079 the track roughly knew pain bit deeply 825 00:33:07,339 --> 00:33:10,699 into my shoulder an arc like electricity 826 00:33:09,079 --> 00:33:13,149 along the nerves of my left foreleg is 827 00:33:10,700 --> 00:33:15,410 my left shoulder struck the metal rail 828 00:33:13,150 --> 00:33:16,790 Zanna Thurman huddled in the seat well 829 00:33:15,410 --> 00:33:18,590 as the carriage rolled once before 830 00:33:16,789 --> 00:33:21,319 crashing against a row of clown pony 831 00:33:18,589 --> 00:33:23,269 shaped pylons I looked up 832 00:33:21,319 --> 00:33:25,490 wheezing to see the Zebras form crawl 833 00:33:23,269 --> 00:33:28,339 shakily out of the wreckage 834 00:33:25,490 --> 00:33:30,279 I struggled to my hooves both my 835 00:33:28,339 --> 00:33:33,678 forelegs protested with discordant pain 836 00:33:30,279 --> 00:33:38,808 my head swam I wondered if I was in 837 00:33:33,679 --> 00:33:41,390 shock zennith trialed up to me so my 838 00:33:38,808 --> 00:33:44,119 little pony Savior she said in her low 839 00:33:41,390 --> 00:33:48,940 exotic voice this is still part of the 840 00:33:44,119 --> 00:33:50,839 plan right I turned on my pit bugs lamp 841 00:33:48,940 --> 00:33:54,259 somewhere in here there has to be a way 842 00:33:50,839 --> 00:33:57,199 into the building the plan to escape is 843 00:33:54,259 --> 00:33:58,759 to break into red-eyes home I could hear 844 00:33:57,200 --> 00:34:02,720 the incredulity lurking behind her 845 00:33:58,759 --> 00:34:04,700 almost innocent tone I nodded we make it 846 00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:06,799 to the roof there's always a pinkie pie 847 00:34:04,700 --> 00:34:09,110 balloon anchored up there we're going to 848 00:34:06,799 --> 00:34:12,079 take it that's how we get past the moat 849 00:34:09,110 --> 00:34:14,599 in the wall I winced as I fought for 850 00:34:12,079 --> 00:34:17,750 breath I have friends waiting outside 851 00:34:14,599 --> 00:34:20,539 for us the zebra stared at me 852 00:34:17,750 --> 00:34:25,250 appraisingly are all your friends as 853 00:34:20,539 --> 00:34:28,699 crazy as you you don't have to follow me 854 00:34:25,250 --> 00:34:31,219 I noted with a sigh I had saved the 855 00:34:28,699 --> 00:34:33,469 Zebras life but in doing so I had 856 00:34:31,219 --> 00:34:36,589 kidnapped her she couldn't go back to 857 00:34:33,469 --> 00:34:38,689 the slavers we both knew that until she 858 00:34:36,590 --> 00:34:42,740 passed the wall I pretty much trapped 859 00:34:38,690 --> 00:34:45,918 her with me after that however although 860 00:34:42,739 --> 00:34:49,128 I really wish she would you saved my 861 00:34:45,918 --> 00:34:51,469 life little pony she answered you are 862 00:34:49,128 --> 00:34:54,500 responsible for us now it is up to you 863 00:34:51,469 --> 00:34:57,309 to get me to safety until then I follow 864 00:34:54,500 --> 00:35:02,110 I nodded 865 00:34:57,309 --> 00:35:04,539 and after you are still responsible she 866 00:35:02,110 --> 00:35:09,250 said firmly unless I take that 867 00:35:04,539 --> 00:35:10,900 responsibility from you I blinked it was 868 00:35:09,250 --> 00:35:13,030 one thing to be thinking such thoughts 869 00:35:10,900 --> 00:35:14,980 it was quite another to have them thrown 870 00:35:13,030 --> 00:35:17,830 back at me in some sort of insane zebra 871 00:35:14,980 --> 00:35:19,659 logic we trekked further into the tunnel 872 00:35:17,829 --> 00:35:21,309 looking for a door into the old ministry 873 00:35:19,659 --> 00:35:23,519 morale hub that red-eye and stern had 874 00:35:21,309 --> 00:35:27,070 made the center of their slave Empire I 875 00:35:23,519 --> 00:35:28,960 was badly badly hurt but in my 876 00:35:27,070 --> 00:35:30,700 experience I had a much easier time 877 00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:32,920 turning my interiors to my advantage in 878 00:35:30,699 --> 00:35:35,980 a fight I was feeling a touch of 879 00:35:32,920 --> 00:35:37,030 confidence returning the Griffon with 880 00:35:35,980 --> 00:35:39,429 the missile launcher flew into the 881 00:35:37,030 --> 00:35:41,050 tunnel behind us both Zenith and I 882 00:35:39,429 --> 00:35:43,779 shrunk into the darkness around partial 883 00:35:41,050 --> 00:35:45,460 cover and held still the Griffon began 884 00:35:43,780 --> 00:35:48,310 to walk along the track his eyes 885 00:35:45,460 --> 00:35:49,690 adjusting to the darkness I focused on 886 00:35:48,309 --> 00:35:52,329 the latch of his saddlebag where he was 887 00:35:49,690 --> 00:35:56,720 keeping his extra missiles nothing 888 00:35:52,329 --> 00:35:59,869 happened I focused again harder 889 00:35:56,719 --> 00:36:00,319 nothing not even a faint glow from my 890 00:35:59,869 --> 00:36:03,349 horn 891 00:36:00,320 --> 00:36:08,000 much less a telekinetic field I hung my 892 00:36:03,349 --> 00:36:10,549 head burn out that save jumping the gap 893 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:15,739 had taken what little I had left I was 894 00:36:10,550 --> 00:36:18,680 defenseless and useless damn it why did 895 00:36:15,739 --> 00:36:20,059 this have to happen now I've been 896 00:36:18,679 --> 00:36:23,119 counting on my levitation to at least 897 00:36:20,059 --> 00:36:25,670 get us into the balloon now we'd have to 898 00:36:23,119 --> 00:36:28,369 find another way to get into it if there 899 00:36:25,670 --> 00:36:30,500 was another way and if we survived to 900 00:36:28,369 --> 00:36:33,380 the roof which was now much more in 901 00:36:30,500 --> 00:36:35,750 doubt I looked back up in time to see a 902 00:36:33,380 --> 00:36:37,039 shadow move near the Griffon his Anna 903 00:36:35,750 --> 00:36:40,280 had slipped up right next to him 904 00:36:37,039 --> 00:36:42,920 completely unnoticed only now that I 905 00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:44,240 spot her she struck out with a hoof the 906 00:36:42,920 --> 00:36:46,400 Griffon made a choking sound and his 907 00:36:44,239 --> 00:36:48,139 body went rigid she wasted no time 908 00:36:46,400 --> 00:36:51,530 snapping his neck with her forehooves 909 00:36:48,139 --> 00:36:52,849 I looked over the Griffon as he fell 910 00:36:51,530 --> 00:36:55,510 dead beside the zebra 911 00:36:52,849 --> 00:36:57,650 I wished he'd been carrying a rifle I 912 00:36:55,510 --> 00:37:00,410 did contemplate taking the missile 913 00:36:57,650 --> 00:37:02,440 launcher but then not being steel hooves 914 00:37:00,409 --> 00:37:04,460 I decided against it 915 00:37:02,440 --> 00:37:06,280 clearly zennith preferred a stealthy 916 00:37:04,460 --> 00:37:09,139 approach to combat similar to my own 917 00:37:06,280 --> 00:37:10,550 plus with my lack of experienced teeth 918 00:37:09,139 --> 00:37:13,150 wielding high explosives inside a 919 00:37:10,550 --> 00:37:15,560 building seemed like a very bad idea I 920 00:37:13,150 --> 00:37:18,230 also wished his armor was more pony 921 00:37:15,559 --> 00:37:20,900 shaped I did however empty his 922 00:37:18,230 --> 00:37:24,260 saddlebags and take them for myself 923 00:37:20,900 --> 00:37:27,139 I peeked around the corner staring down 924 00:37:24,260 --> 00:37:28,640 a decaying pink hallway two ponies 925 00:37:27,139 --> 00:37:30,109 wearing armor and red eyes colors were 926 00:37:28,639 --> 00:37:32,089 standing guard near a wall terminal 927 00:37:30,110 --> 00:37:34,910 watching over a shallow alcove opposite 928 00:37:32,090 --> 00:37:36,500 them I thought I saw the glow of a 929 00:37:34,909 --> 00:37:38,929 sunrise sarsaparilla machine coming out 930 00:37:36,500 --> 00:37:40,969 of it these guards weren't actively 931 00:37:38,929 --> 00:37:43,759 hunting us but as best as I could tell 932 00:37:40,969 --> 00:37:46,299 there was no way around them the only 933 00:37:43,760 --> 00:37:49,460 other way up had collapsed decades ago 934 00:37:46,300 --> 00:37:50,750 still I felt a pang of guilt at the idea 935 00:37:49,460 --> 00:37:53,780 of attacking ponies who weren't even 936 00:37:50,750 --> 00:37:55,429 threatening us slavers are not this 937 00:37:53,780 --> 00:37:58,310 stretched the definition of self-defense 938 00:37:55,429 --> 00:37:59,210 I wondered if it would be possible to 939 00:37:58,309 --> 00:38:01,549 sneak past them 940 00:37:59,210 --> 00:38:03,110 but the hollow is far too narrow and 941 00:38:01,550 --> 00:38:03,760 they were standing with their tails to 942 00:38:03,110 --> 00:38:06,050 the wall 943 00:38:03,760 --> 00:38:08,510 we'd have to pass directly in front of 944 00:38:06,050 --> 00:38:11,470 them and no matter how light hoped we 945 00:38:08,510 --> 00:38:13,550 were crouching didn't make us invisible 946 00:38:11,469 --> 00:38:15,679 Zanna slipped past me before I could 947 00:38:13,550 --> 00:38:17,180 motion to her she had no moral 948 00:38:15,679 --> 00:38:20,210 hesitation while killing random members 949 00:38:17,179 --> 00:38:21,440 of red eyes forces to my surprise she 950 00:38:20,210 --> 00:38:24,170 managed to creep halfway down the hall 951 00:38:21,440 --> 00:38:25,280 before they even spotted her she crossed 952 00:38:24,170 --> 00:38:27,079 the remaining distance with a leap 953 00:38:25,280 --> 00:38:28,250 landing on her forehooves and bucking 954 00:38:27,079 --> 00:38:29,509 one of the guards in the head hard 955 00:38:28,250 --> 00:38:32,059 enough to send his helmet clattering 956 00:38:29,510 --> 00:38:34,400 down the hallway the other guard was a 957 00:38:32,059 --> 00:38:37,000 unicorn and she was already floating an 958 00:38:34,400 --> 00:38:39,260 automatic rifle towards the zebra I 959 00:38:37,000 --> 00:38:42,260 screamed out at the pain in my legs as I 960 00:38:39,260 --> 00:38:44,120 charged the guard lowering my horn the 961 00:38:42,260 --> 00:38:46,010 unicorn turn surprised by the second 962 00:38:44,119 --> 00:38:49,039 attacker giving zennith a chance to kick 963 00:38:46,010 --> 00:38:50,630 the automatic rifle the magical field 964 00:38:49,039 --> 00:38:52,039 around it and loaded as the weapon flew 965 00:38:50,630 --> 00:38:54,890 out of it and bounced against the dingy 966 00:38:52,039 --> 00:38:57,920 pink wall my horn glanced off the guards 967 00:38:54,889 --> 00:39:00,769 armor hurting me more than her her horn 968 00:38:57,920 --> 00:39:02,570 was still glowing electricity burst 969 00:39:00,769 --> 00:39:05,210 around her tearing at my nerve so I 970 00:39:02,570 --> 00:39:07,010 stumbled and fell to the floor between 971 00:39:05,210 --> 00:39:10,369 the guards legs I could see Santa the 972 00:39:07,010 --> 00:39:12,890 collapse as well I groan revering that 973 00:39:10,369 --> 00:39:15,509 unlike me other unicorns have more magic 974 00:39:12,889 --> 00:39:17,429 than my telekinesis under their hats 975 00:39:15,510 --> 00:39:19,020 the unicorn wrapped her assault rifle 976 00:39:17,429 --> 00:39:20,819 and a new sheath the magical energy and 977 00:39:19,019 --> 00:39:22,259 floated it over me apparently 978 00:39:20,820 --> 00:39:26,030 considering a unicorn attacker to be the 979 00:39:22,260 --> 00:39:28,830 most dangerous threat fatal mistake 980 00:39:26,030 --> 00:39:30,240 the automatic rifle went off peppering 981 00:39:28,829 --> 00:39:31,858 the ground next to me with bullets as 982 00:39:30,239 --> 00:39:34,889 Zanna swept the unicorns legs out from 983 00:39:31,858 --> 00:39:36,329 under her I was barely able to move but 984 00:39:34,889 --> 00:39:39,150 the Zebras seem to have recovered most 985 00:39:36,329 --> 00:39:40,559 of her faculties my shrub companion 986 00:39:39,150 --> 00:39:41,639 rolled onto the guard ponies struck her 987 00:39:40,559 --> 00:39:42,119 repeatedly in the face with her 988 00:39:41,639 --> 00:39:45,210 forehooves 989 00:39:42,119 --> 00:39:47,640 I cringed at the sound of the unicorns 990 00:39:45,210 --> 00:39:49,980 horns shattering the magic around the 991 00:39:47,639 --> 00:39:52,679 rifle evaporated and the firearm fell to 992 00:39:49,980 --> 00:39:54,570 the ground with in biting distance by 993 00:39:52,679 --> 00:39:56,460 the time I had gotten up rifle and mouth 994 00:39:54,570 --> 00:40:00,480 the Sabbath had rendered both guards 995 00:39:56,460 --> 00:40:02,340 deceased I looked around true to my 996 00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:03,929 suspicions the alcove across from the 997 00:40:02,340 --> 00:40:06,119 guards held a couple vending machines a 998 00:40:03,929 --> 00:40:07,559 sunset sasparilla machine and a 999 00:40:06,119 --> 00:40:08,240 functional looking iron shots ammo 1000 00:40:07,559 --> 00:40:10,980 Emporium 1001 00:40:08,239 --> 00:40:13,309 between them was the heavy metal door of 1002 00:40:10,980 --> 00:40:13,309 a vault 1003 00:40:14,139 --> 00:40:18,909 what is this zennith asked staring to 1004 00:40:17,650 --> 00:40:21,910 the room that had been sealed behind the 1005 00:40:18,909 --> 00:40:23,469 vault door she had been understandably 1006 00:40:21,909 --> 00:40:25,598 perturbed when I stopped to hack the 1007 00:40:23,469 --> 00:40:27,038 terminal but relented when I explained 1008 00:40:25,599 --> 00:40:29,260 that I needed to catch my breath a 1009 00:40:27,039 --> 00:40:32,170 statement my shallow harsh breathing had 1010 00:40:29,260 --> 00:40:33,579 proven altogether true the worst part of 1011 00:40:32,170 --> 00:40:35,680 my injuries was the fact that I couldn't 1012 00:40:33,579 --> 00:40:36,640 risk healing them not with a broken rib 1013 00:40:35,679 --> 00:40:38,889 and punctured lung 1014 00:40:36,639 --> 00:40:41,379 any poultice would cause those to heal 1015 00:40:38,889 --> 00:40:42,639 wrong I needed velvet remedy before I 1016 00:40:41,380 --> 00:40:45,849 could dare use anything more than a 1017 00:40:42,639 --> 00:40:47,618 healing bandage and in our situation I 1018 00:40:45,849 --> 00:40:51,579 didn't even dare use painkillers I 1019 00:40:47,619 --> 00:40:54,670 needed to be thinking straight the 1020 00:40:51,579 --> 00:40:56,829 wasteland taunting me I answered as I 1021 00:40:54,670 --> 00:40:58,150 stepped into the vault looking around at 1022 00:40:56,829 --> 00:41:00,519 the mostly empty shelves with their 1023 00:40:58,150 --> 00:41:02,170 scattering of memory orbs none of which 1024 00:41:00,518 --> 00:41:04,629 I could look into without my magic and 1025 00:41:02,170 --> 00:41:06,579 the line of passed key could wall safes 1026 00:41:04,630 --> 00:41:09,700 along the back none of which I could 1027 00:41:06,579 --> 00:41:11,200 open the equestrian wasteland loved 1028 00:41:09,699 --> 00:41:14,828 rubbing my face in every moment of 1029 00:41:11,199 --> 00:41:16,629 weakness what are they she questioned 1030 00:41:14,829 --> 00:41:21,010 looking at the dozens of orbs littering 1031 00:41:16,630 --> 00:41:23,530 the floor confessions 1032 00:41:21,010 --> 00:41:24,880 I started collecting the orbs picking 1033 00:41:23,530 --> 00:41:26,200 them up in my teeth and dropping them 1034 00:41:24,880 --> 00:41:27,700 into one of my pilfered saddlebags 1035 00:41:26,199 --> 00:41:30,069 opposite the ammo and bottles of 1036 00:41:27,699 --> 00:41:32,460 sarsaparilla moving through the shelves 1037 00:41:30,070 --> 00:41:34,420 I spotted the glow of another terminal 1038 00:41:32,460 --> 00:41:38,110 perhaps there was a way into the safes 1039 00:41:34,420 --> 00:41:41,050 after all reaching it I hoped my pipbuck 1040 00:41:38,110 --> 00:41:43,480 into the terminal and began my hack this 1041 00:41:41,050 --> 00:41:44,950 terminal was exceptionally tough the 1042 00:41:43,480 --> 00:41:46,659 little pony in my head started crying 1043 00:41:44,949 --> 00:41:48,129 out for mint tiles after the third time 1044 00:41:46,659 --> 00:41:49,839 I was forced to back out of the system 1045 00:41:48,130 --> 00:41:54,849 before security protocols could lock it 1046 00:41:49,840 --> 00:41:56,350 up I fought to silence that voice I was 1047 00:41:54,849 --> 00:41:58,900 increasingly aware of how long this was 1048 00:41:56,349 --> 00:42:00,279 taking Stern had Pony scouring the 1049 00:41:58,900 --> 00:42:02,829 building and surrounding grounds for us 1050 00:42:00,280 --> 00:42:04,620 they were spread out but eventually one 1051 00:42:02,829 --> 00:42:07,869 or more of them would stumble across us 1052 00:42:04,619 --> 00:42:10,480 one more try I insisted to zennith after 1053 00:42:07,869 --> 00:42:14,079 I backed out a fourth time if I can't 1054 00:42:10,480 --> 00:42:16,510 get it we go why are you trying to 1055 00:42:14,079 --> 00:42:17,259 unlock red eyes safes anyway what do you 1056 00:42:16,510 --> 00:42:20,470 hope to find 1057 00:42:17,260 --> 00:42:22,030 zennith asked reasonably balloon tickets 1058 00:42:20,469 --> 00:42:25,629 perhaps 1059 00:42:22,030 --> 00:42:27,310 I snorted I was about to reply probably 1060 00:42:25,630 --> 00:42:31,539 with something snide when I found the 1061 00:42:27,309 --> 00:42:33,549 password Sir Lancelot after staring at 1062 00:42:31,539 --> 00:42:36,489 that for a moment I no longer felt bad 1063 00:42:33,550 --> 00:42:38,320 about not for Green out sooner from the 1064 00:42:36,489 --> 00:42:39,639 timestamps on the terminal it became 1065 00:42:38,320 --> 00:42:42,130 clear that nope O'Neill's had figured 1066 00:42:39,639 --> 00:42:43,719 that out either the terminal had not 1067 00:42:42,130 --> 00:42:46,630 been used to access these safes in more 1068 00:42:43,719 --> 00:42:48,129 than 200 years a security notice 1069 00:42:46,630 --> 00:42:49,630 indicated that the far-left safe had 1070 00:42:48,130 --> 00:42:51,720 been accessed several times in the last 1071 00:42:49,630 --> 00:42:56,260 few years through use of a passkey I 1072 00:42:51,719 --> 00:42:57,969 opened them all the far right safe held 1073 00:42:56,260 --> 00:43:00,640 a badly damaged memory orb case with a 1074 00:42:57,969 --> 00:43:03,939 single Orban side the other three were 1075 00:43:00,639 --> 00:43:06,400 gone there was also an audio log a dingy 1076 00:43:03,940 --> 00:43:07,059 cloak a stealth buck and half a dozen 1077 00:43:06,400 --> 00:43:09,610 files 1078 00:43:07,059 --> 00:43:11,289 I caught zenith's reactions I pulled out 1079 00:43:09,610 --> 00:43:17,410 the cloak even though she recovered 1080 00:43:11,289 --> 00:43:20,199 quickly what I asked nothing she lied 1081 00:43:17,409 --> 00:43:21,759 I took the audio recording in memory orb 1082 00:43:20,199 --> 00:43:23,489 keeping them separate from the mess of 1083 00:43:21,760 --> 00:43:26,530 orbs I collected from the floor I 1084 00:43:23,489 --> 00:43:28,089 offered zennith the cloak it's dingy 1085 00:43:26,530 --> 00:43:30,250 color would provide better camouflage 1086 00:43:28,090 --> 00:43:32,950 than her stark stripes and it was too 1087 00:43:30,250 --> 00:43:35,889 large for me she nodded and put it on 1088 00:43:32,949 --> 00:43:36,460 but it slipped off the neck clasp was 1089 00:43:35,889 --> 00:43:39,250 broken 1090 00:43:36,460 --> 00:43:40,929 I opened the second safe and jumped back 1091 00:43:39,250 --> 00:43:43,989 an alarm at the pulsing swirling lights 1092 00:43:40,929 --> 00:43:45,339 that poured out inside before egg-shaped 1093 00:43:43,989 --> 00:43:49,989 objects that glowed with the hypnotic 1094 00:43:45,340 --> 00:43:51,940 dance of dark colors well what zennith 1095 00:43:49,989 --> 00:43:54,369 trotted closer studying the objects 1096 00:43:51,940 --> 00:43:56,670 without looking directly into them they 1097 00:43:54,369 --> 00:43:59,429 of fire eggs 1098 00:43:56,670 --> 00:44:02,389 I stared dumbly for a moment as my brain 1099 00:43:59,429 --> 00:44:04,558 deciphered this that's right 1100 00:44:02,389 --> 00:44:06,960 Fluttershy didn't actually design city 1101 00:44:04,559 --> 00:44:08,400 destroying spells she designed the 1102 00:44:06,960 --> 00:44:10,309 magical framework that wouldn't take the 1103 00:44:08,400 --> 00:44:12,720 normal spell and augment it to beyond 1104 00:44:10,309 --> 00:44:15,150 well beyond anything that really 1105 00:44:12,719 --> 00:44:17,389 imagined but like the healing spell 1106 00:44:15,150 --> 00:44:20,068 there had to be a magic to be amplified 1107 00:44:17,389 --> 00:44:22,699 these balefire aids were the base magic 1108 00:44:20,068 --> 00:44:26,579 for the mass-murdering balefire bombs 1109 00:44:22,699 --> 00:44:30,000 yeah how big an explosion I asked my 1110 00:44:26,579 --> 00:44:31,740 zebra companion I don't know I was never 1111 00:44:30,000 --> 00:44:36,659 alive 200 years ago fighting in a war 1112 00:44:31,739 --> 00:44:38,338 where these were used to Shea I imagined 1113 00:44:36,659 --> 00:44:40,798 the ministry morale confiscated these on 1114 00:44:38,338 --> 00:44:42,920 a raid of some sort I could see why they 1115 00:44:40,798 --> 00:44:45,210 would still be locked up 1116 00:44:42,920 --> 00:44:47,280 the third safe held what looked like a 1117 00:44:45,210 --> 00:44:49,579 Pegasus on clay helmet with a built-in 1118 00:44:47,280 --> 00:44:52,349 recollect er complete with a black opal 1119 00:44:49,579 --> 00:44:55,170 it also held a lot of paperwork labeled 1120 00:44:52,349 --> 00:44:57,780 cza including many photographs - warped 1121 00:44:55,170 --> 00:44:59,579 by age to make out I ganked the 1122 00:44:57,780 --> 00:45:00,960 paperwork out scattering it on the 1123 00:44:59,579 --> 00:45:03,048 floors I tried to get it something that 1124 00:45:00,960 --> 00:45:06,298 was hidden behind it 1125 00:45:03,048 --> 00:45:08,039 citizen zebra activities zenith's said 1126 00:45:06,298 --> 00:45:10,079 behind me reading one of the folders I 1127 00:45:08,039 --> 00:45:11,699 had knocked out of the safe your 1128 00:45:10,079 --> 00:45:15,089 government was paying close attention to 1129 00:45:11,699 --> 00:45:17,750 every zebra living in Equestria not my 1130 00:45:15,088 --> 00:45:21,078 government I correct it swiftly and the 1131 00:45:17,750 --> 00:45:23,280 Ministry morale was watching everypony 1132 00:45:21,079 --> 00:45:26,130 behind the papers was what looked like a 1133 00:45:23,280 --> 00:45:27,660 first-generation pipbuck the pipbuck was 1134 00:45:26,130 --> 00:45:30,568 still closed and there were ancient 1135 00:45:27,659 --> 00:45:31,858 bloodstains in the felt lining it had 1136 00:45:30,568 --> 00:45:34,210 been removed through amputation 1137 00:45:31,858 --> 00:45:35,949 hopefully postmortem 1138 00:45:34,210 --> 00:45:37,030 I quickly plugged the pipbuck into my 1139 00:45:35,949 --> 00:45:39,250 own and started looking through the 1140 00:45:37,030 --> 00:45:40,630 files but they were encrypted with that 1141 00:45:39,250 --> 00:45:42,159 odd dual encryption which I had 1142 00:45:40,630 --> 00:45:44,980 discovered my first night out of stable 1143 00:45:42,159 --> 00:45:47,549 two the only thing that could get from 1144 00:45:44,980 --> 00:45:50,250 it was an automat floorplan for stable 3 1145 00:45:47,550 --> 00:45:52,510 the stable looked identical a stable - 1146 00:45:50,250 --> 00:45:54,159 except that the apple orchard was only 1147 00:45:52,510 --> 00:45:56,339 2/3 the size and there were two 1148 00:45:54,159 --> 00:46:00,098 interlocking overmare's offices I 1149 00:45:56,338 --> 00:46:01,920 shuddered inexplicably the final safe 1150 00:46:00,099 --> 00:46:05,470 was the one read I had been using and 1151 00:46:01,920 --> 00:46:10,930 held the big prize the schematics for 1152 00:46:05,469 --> 00:46:12,549 the radiation powered engine zennith 1153 00:46:10,929 --> 00:46:15,159 took an involuntary step back from the 1154 00:46:12,550 --> 00:46:18,599 poster at the top of the stairwell doom 1155 00:46:15,159 --> 00:46:20,858 bunny she whispered enigmatic ly I 1156 00:46:18,599 --> 00:46:23,588 stared from my zebra companion to the 1157 00:46:20,858 --> 00:46:25,690 poster and back it was the same poster 1158 00:46:23,588 --> 00:46:27,969 I'd seen in the clinic only this time in 1159 00:46:25,690 --> 00:46:29,470 better repair Fluttershy 1160 00:46:27,969 --> 00:46:31,209 surrounded by animals with the words 1161 00:46:29,469 --> 00:46:35,618 remember we are all in this together 1162 00:46:31,210 --> 00:46:38,139 care for one another at first I thought 1163 00:46:35,619 --> 00:46:39,099 as endeth was referring to Fluttershy it 1164 00:46:38,139 --> 00:46:41,920 almost made sense 1165 00:46:39,099 --> 00:46:43,000 I could see Fluttershy being regarded as 1166 00:46:41,920 --> 00:46:44,858 a bringer of doom and destruction 1167 00:46:43,000 --> 00:46:49,420 considering her connection to the mega 1168 00:46:44,858 --> 00:46:51,219 spells and she was abundantly cute then 1169 00:46:49,420 --> 00:46:54,010 my eyes caught the little white rabbit 1170 00:46:51,219 --> 00:46:56,709 sitting on her head my eyes went up and 1171 00:46:54,010 --> 00:47:01,630 I turned to Xenophon disbelief doom 1172 00:46:56,710 --> 00:47:03,670 bunny seriously zennith snorted you 1173 00:47:01,630 --> 00:47:06,360 would not understand you've not heard 1174 00:47:03,670 --> 00:47:08,610 the tales of Fluttershy protector 1175 00:47:06,360 --> 00:47:10,349 my ears were tilted and I knew I was 1176 00:47:08,610 --> 00:47:13,050 giving her the most astoundingly dubious 1177 00:47:10,349 --> 00:47:13,909 look doom bunny was a whore on the 1178 00:47:13,050 --> 00:47:16,470 battlefield 1179 00:47:13,909 --> 00:47:18,690 Fluttershy came to heal even the zebra 1180 00:47:16,469 --> 00:47:20,309 soldiers and her protection annihilated 1181 00:47:18,690 --> 00:47:26,519 anyone foolish enough to try to attack 1182 00:47:20,309 --> 00:47:28,920 her the bunny Oh doom bunny was more 1183 00:47:26,519 --> 00:47:32,730 than just a rabbit doom bunny was death 1184 00:47:28,920 --> 00:47:36,079 with sharp pointy teeth she was messing 1185 00:47:32,730 --> 00:47:38,400 with me she had to be messing with me 1186 00:47:36,079 --> 00:47:40,259 more powerful than a creature several 1187 00:47:38,400 --> 00:47:42,740 times its size thanks to chemicals doom 1188 00:47:40,260 --> 00:47:47,870 bunny brood in secret laboratories 1189 00:47:42,739 --> 00:47:49,829 chemicals this was insane 1190 00:47:47,869 --> 00:47:53,789 zennith lowered her face to mine 1191 00:47:49,829 --> 00:47:55,699 speaking in that odd accent oh yes doom 1192 00:47:53,789 --> 00:47:57,960 bunny was a master in the laboratory I 1193 00:47:55,699 --> 00:47:59,179 also heard he could cook and stalks a 1194 00:47:57,960 --> 00:48:02,849 mean salad 1195 00:47:59,179 --> 00:48:05,879 she smiled just a little she was messing 1196 00:48:02,849 --> 00:48:10,829 with me although from the look in her 1197 00:48:05,880 --> 00:48:12,780 eyes not entirely we moved on finding 1198 00:48:10,829 --> 00:48:15,079 ourselves all too appropriately in what 1199 00:48:12,780 --> 00:48:17,280 seemed to be a research laboratory floor 1200 00:48:15,079 --> 00:48:19,860 beyond the stairwell was a single door 1201 00:48:17,280 --> 00:48:21,420 with a small window set into it through 1202 00:48:19,860 --> 00:48:23,430 the window we could see a sprawling 1203 00:48:21,420 --> 00:48:26,280 place dedicated to arcane and earth Pony 1204 00:48:23,429 --> 00:48:27,750 Sciences a huge picture window on the 1205 00:48:26,280 --> 00:48:28,950 far end of the room glowed with the 1206 00:48:27,750 --> 00:48:32,190 deepening red tinted light of 1207 00:48:28,949 --> 00:48:34,739 Philadelphia the day was ending the Sun 1208 00:48:32,190 --> 00:48:37,380 would set soon 1209 00:48:34,739 --> 00:48:39,118 we slipped through the door quietly the 1210 00:48:37,380 --> 00:48:41,789 one Pony trotting around inside did not 1211 00:48:39,119 --> 00:48:45,390 notice our entry zennith made quick work 1212 00:48:41,789 --> 00:48:47,179 of him I put down the automatic rifle 1213 00:48:45,389 --> 00:48:49,879 and started tugging off his lab coat 1214 00:48:47,179 --> 00:48:53,730 zennith raising eyebrows I chucked it on 1215 00:48:49,880 --> 00:48:54,930 it's not much protection I admitted but 1216 00:48:53,730 --> 00:48:57,630 anything is better than nothing 1217 00:48:54,929 --> 00:48:59,730 I could have taken the armor from 1218 00:48:57,630 --> 00:49:01,890 red-eyes guards but after nearly being 1219 00:48:59,730 --> 00:49:05,429 killed by a Pegasus I wasn't going to 1220 00:49:01,889 --> 00:49:10,289 make that mistake again besides I feel 1221 00:49:05,429 --> 00:49:12,329 more sciency zennith rolled her eyes 1222 00:49:10,289 --> 00:49:14,039 then trotted towards the apothecary 1223 00:49:12,329 --> 00:49:16,319 cabinets in the trotting closet towards 1224 00:49:14,039 --> 00:49:17,579 the back of the room she put a hoof 1225 00:49:16,320 --> 00:49:20,550 through the lock of the first one and 1226 00:49:17,579 --> 00:49:22,219 pulled it open I pulled out the audio 1227 00:49:20,550 --> 00:49:24,240 recording downloading it to my pipbuck 1228 00:49:22,219 --> 00:49:26,969 intending to play while we gave the room 1229 00:49:24,239 --> 00:49:28,789 a look over my eyes fell on the 1230 00:49:26,969 --> 00:49:31,108 schematics for party time meant owls 1231 00:49:28,789 --> 00:49:33,389 this research lab certainly would have 1232 00:49:31,108 --> 00:49:36,358 everything I needed to make some and I 1233 00:49:33,389 --> 00:49:38,039 was feeling increasingly desperate it 1234 00:49:36,358 --> 00:49:40,409 took a severe force of will to scroll 1235 00:49:38,039 --> 00:49:42,949 away from the recipe I found myself 1236 00:49:40,409 --> 00:49:44,960 thinking of calamity velvel remedy 1237 00:49:42,949 --> 00:49:47,299 homage 1238 00:49:44,960 --> 00:49:50,289 I remember dommages sweet voice and 1239 00:49:47,300 --> 00:49:52,849 something she said floated back to me Oh 1240 00:49:50,289 --> 00:49:54,650 a mixture of rage and painkillers a 1241 00:49:52,849 --> 00:49:56,240 friend and I found the recipe in the 1242 00:49:54,650 --> 00:49:59,869 ruins of an M o P clinic when we were 1243 00:49:56,239 --> 00:50:03,199 younger I blinked then called up the 1244 00:49:59,869 --> 00:50:04,970 zenith wait you mean to tell me that 1245 00:50:03,199 --> 00:50:11,779 fluttershy's pet rabbit invented 1246 00:50:04,969 --> 00:50:13,069 stampede hello rarities voice asked in 1247 00:50:11,780 --> 00:50:14,210 my ear bloom as I started looking 1248 00:50:13,070 --> 00:50:16,730 through the terminals and notes that 1249 00:50:14,210 --> 00:50:18,108 filled the lab it was swiftly becoming 1250 00:50:16,730 --> 00:50:18,858 clear that I was getting only one side 1251 00:50:18,108 --> 00:50:22,279 of the conversation 1252 00:50:18,858 --> 00:50:25,069 oh hello Your Majesty how delightful of 1253 00:50:22,280 --> 00:50:27,109 you to call Oh same as always 1254 00:50:25,070 --> 00:50:29,510 so much to do so many projects and so 1255 00:50:27,108 --> 00:50:31,159 little time honestly half the time I 1256 00:50:29,510 --> 00:50:32,890 feel the same about running a ministry 1257 00:50:31,159 --> 00:50:35,539 as Fluttershy felt about being a model 1258 00:50:32,889 --> 00:50:38,029 but the other half I absolutely love it 1259 00:50:35,539 --> 00:50:40,219 of course I still find time to create 1260 00:50:38,030 --> 00:50:44,450 new dresses and I do get my beauty sleep 1261 00:50:40,219 --> 00:50:46,669 I think I'd go insane if I didn't oh no 1262 00:50:44,449 --> 00:50:50,838 no a few mr. méliès never hurt any 1263 00:50:46,670 --> 00:50:53,059 pony and it helps me keep my figure yes 1264 00:50:50,838 --> 00:50:56,329 yes I did hear what happened to Sakura 1265 00:50:53,059 --> 00:50:57,858 and I was enraged white as anypony I've 1266 00:50:56,329 --> 00:50:59,690 already promised Pinkie Pie any 1267 00:50:57,858 --> 00:51:00,889 resources my ministry has to offer to 1268 00:50:59,690 --> 00:51:03,700 help her hunt down the brutes 1269 00:51:00,889 --> 00:51:06,079 responsible and bring them to justice on 1270 00:51:03,699 --> 00:51:08,829 the plus side you have to admit it the 1271 00:51:06,079 --> 00:51:11,059 new poster line is really effective 1272 00:51:08,829 --> 00:51:13,460 rarity sounded legitimately upset about 1273 00:51:11,059 --> 00:51:16,429 Sakura and only thinly please about the 1274 00:51:13,460 --> 00:51:19,789 effectiveness of a new propaganda the 1275 00:51:16,429 --> 00:51:22,039 name was familiar oh yes the zebra who 1276 00:51:19,789 --> 00:51:24,529 was Applejack's friend possibly a friend 1277 00:51:22,039 --> 00:51:26,269 of all of them I could see why rarity 1278 00:51:24,530 --> 00:51:29,150 would draw the connection 1279 00:51:26,269 --> 00:51:33,679 thank you bye she's always eccentric 1280 00:51:29,150 --> 00:51:35,180 darling no not any more than usual no 1281 00:51:33,679 --> 00:51:37,549 Princess Luna I don't think you have 1282 00:51:35,179 --> 00:51:39,769 anything to worry about strange and 1283 00:51:37,550 --> 00:51:41,180 Pinkie Pie go hoof and hoof you just 1284 00:51:39,769 --> 00:51:44,659 learn to accept that about her and love 1285 00:51:41,179 --> 00:51:46,699 her all the more for it I recalled how 1286 00:51:44,659 --> 00:51:48,679 Twilight Sparkle the Vinyl Scratch orb 1287 00:51:46,699 --> 00:51:51,889 had commented on everyone covering for 1288 00:51:48,679 --> 00:51:53,389 Pinkie Pie in her addiction I was 1289 00:51:51,889 --> 00:51:55,279 immediately thankful and resisted the 1290 00:51:53,389 --> 00:51:58,819 urge to make more party time mint towels 1291 00:51:55,280 --> 00:52:00,080 I will admit however that I'm getting a 1292 00:51:58,820 --> 00:52:03,320 bit worried about a few of my other 1293 00:52:00,079 --> 00:52:05,090 friends well I've heard of rumor just a 1294 00:52:03,320 --> 00:52:09,440 room remind you that Applejack is having 1295 00:52:05,090 --> 00:52:13,850 some trouble with in her own ministry no 1296 00:52:09,440 --> 00:52:15,950 I really couldn't say and Twilight have 1297 00:52:13,849 --> 00:52:19,069 you seen her recently she's just 1298 00:52:15,949 --> 00:52:20,179 exhausted and terribly stressed the poor 1299 00:52:19,070 --> 00:52:24,350 dear has taken on so much responsibility 1300 00:52:20,179 --> 00:52:26,239 and so much work well you have to admit 1301 00:52:24,349 --> 00:52:27,589 other than me of course Twilight Sparkle 1302 00:52:26,239 --> 00:52:29,389 is the only one who is really trying to 1303 00:52:27,590 --> 00:52:30,710 run her ministry rather than just 1304 00:52:29,389 --> 00:52:33,529 tossing ideas at them like horseshoes 1305 00:52:30,710 --> 00:52:36,440 and the less said about Rainbow Dash's 1306 00:52:33,530 --> 00:52:38,960 ministry the better and with the big 1307 00:52:36,440 --> 00:52:40,700 move underway and spike started 1308 00:52:38,960 --> 00:52:42,608 histrionic adolescence so you just know 1309 00:52:40,699 --> 00:52:45,618 he's a real saddle fool right now 1310 00:52:42,608 --> 00:52:47,539 no no but Princess Luna 1311 00:52:45,619 --> 00:52:52,100 I really think Twilight Sparkle needs a 1312 00:52:47,539 --> 00:52:54,279 vacation no everypony else is fine at 1313 00:52:52,099 --> 00:52:57,079 least they were the last when I saw them 1314 00:52:54,280 --> 00:52:59,540 Fluttershy's doing brilliantly I see her 1315 00:52:57,079 --> 00:53:02,029 every week I do wish I could see the 1316 00:52:59,539 --> 00:53:04,340 others more often they were my first 1317 00:53:02,030 --> 00:53:07,100 real friends my only wants to be honest 1318 00:53:04,340 --> 00:53:09,800 and I miss them all terribly but there's 1319 00:53:07,099 --> 00:53:11,000 just always so much to do I can't 1320 00:53:09,800 --> 00:53:11,570 remember the last time we were all 1321 00:53:11,000 --> 00:53:13,800 together 1322 00:53:11,570 --> 00:53:16,740 oh wait I can 1323 00:53:13,800 --> 00:53:20,310 it was Pinkie Pie's birthday party no 1324 00:53:16,739 --> 00:53:23,789 not this year's last year I think or was 1325 00:53:20,309 --> 00:53:24,659 it the year before for the first time in 1326 00:53:23,789 --> 00:53:27,269 this conversation 1327 00:53:24,659 --> 00:53:28,789 Rarity's voice faltered I could feel the 1328 00:53:27,269 --> 00:53:32,369 sadness she was trying to hide it 1329 00:53:28,789 --> 00:53:35,880 resonated deeply maybe because my heart 1330 00:53:32,369 --> 00:53:38,519 held a similar ache oh no I'm fine it's 1331 00:53:35,880 --> 00:53:40,980 just sometimes it feels like we're 1332 00:53:38,519 --> 00:53:43,230 pulling apart and I can't stand to see 1333 00:53:40,980 --> 00:53:43,800 that happen I really must do something 1334 00:53:43,230 --> 00:53:48,329 about it 1335 00:53:43,800 --> 00:53:49,680 I needed my friends I was trembling for 1336 00:53:48,329 --> 00:53:51,500 more than just pain as the audio 1337 00:53:49,679 --> 00:53:53,849 recording drew to a close 1338 00:53:51,500 --> 00:54:00,570 no Princess Luna the pleasure was all 1339 00:53:53,849 --> 00:54:01,920 mine thank you for calling I reread the 1340 00:54:00,570 --> 00:54:03,300 entries that have been concealed within 1341 00:54:01,920 --> 00:54:05,820 the terminal at the lead researchers 1342 00:54:03,300 --> 00:54:07,680 desk a desk which held an ashtray a box 1343 00:54:05,820 --> 00:54:11,610 of cigars and nearly two dozen bottle 1344 00:54:07,679 --> 00:54:13,469 caps bypass spells according to the 1345 00:54:11,610 --> 00:54:15,120 research I was seeing the Ministry of 1346 00:54:13,469 --> 00:54:16,859 arcane sciences had cracked it already 1347 00:54:15,119 --> 00:54:20,699 about a month before the end of their 1348 00:54:16,860 --> 00:54:22,620 world they'd even begun limited use not 1349 00:54:20,699 --> 00:54:24,239 for weapons but to create shield screens 1350 00:54:22,619 --> 00:54:27,299 that would only allow specific materials 1351 00:54:24,239 --> 00:54:30,119 to pass through red eyes research and 1352 00:54:27,300 --> 00:54:31,620 year had been twofold first his 1353 00:54:30,119 --> 00:54:34,409 scientists have been working to apply a 1354 00:54:31,619 --> 00:54:36,000 bypass to some sort of web in effect the 1355 00:54:34,409 --> 00:54:38,129 full details have been redacted after 1356 00:54:36,000 --> 00:54:39,989 the research have been successful from 1357 00:54:38,130 --> 00:54:42,750 what little I could read that was less 1358 00:54:39,989 --> 00:54:44,129 than a week before I had arrived I was 1359 00:54:42,750 --> 00:54:45,510 willing to extend the steel rangers 1360 00:54:44,130 --> 00:54:47,849 elder the benefit of the doubt and 1361 00:54:45,510 --> 00:54:49,860 assume she didn't know the second line 1362 00:54:47,849 --> 00:54:52,920 of research was ongoing and had met with 1363 00:54:49,860 --> 00:54:54,090 considerably less promising results red 1364 00:54:52,920 --> 00:54:55,619 I was trying to figure out how to trick 1365 00:54:54,090 --> 00:54:58,620 a bypass into ignoring something it 1366 00:54:55,619 --> 00:55:00,210 wasn't designed to ignore zennith had 1367 00:54:58,619 --> 00:55:01,859 filled a bag full of herbs and chemicals 1368 00:55:00,210 --> 00:55:03,240 from the supply closet and was trotting 1369 00:55:01,860 --> 00:55:06,119 back towards me when something outside 1370 00:55:03,239 --> 00:55:08,278 the window made her freeze in her tracks 1371 00:55:06,119 --> 00:55:09,599 I abandoned the terminal and moved to 1372 00:55:08,278 --> 00:55:12,329 her side as quickly as my legs and 1373 00:55:09,599 --> 00:55:14,009 breath would allow I stare out the 1374 00:55:12,329 --> 00:55:16,400 window is something huge came out of the 1375 00:55:14,009 --> 00:55:19,798 red glow of the Philadelphia crater it 1376 00:55:16,400 --> 00:55:21,960 was an armored black alicorn easily 1377 00:55:19,798 --> 00:55:24,778 three times the size of a normal one the 1378 00:55:21,960 --> 00:55:26,789 air about her rippling with power she 1379 00:55:24,778 --> 00:55:28,248 flew towards us leaving swaths of energy 1380 00:55:26,789 --> 00:55:32,999 in her wake 1381 00:55:28,248 --> 00:55:35,929 what what what what is that I couldn't 1382 00:55:32,998 --> 00:55:38,368 speak further my mouth had gone dry 1383 00:55:35,929 --> 00:55:39,419 she's been basking the radiation the 1384 00:55:38,369 --> 00:55:43,619 Philadelphia crater 1385 00:55:39,420 --> 00:55:46,289 zennith commented then as if explaining 1386 00:55:43,619 --> 00:55:48,480 to a child the creatures of radiation do 1387 00:55:46,289 --> 00:55:50,400 not merely heal in its presence if they 1388 00:55:48,480 --> 00:55:54,949 absorb enough of it they go stronger 1389 00:55:50,400 --> 00:55:58,220 more powerful alicorns could become 1390 00:55:54,949 --> 00:56:01,949 massive behemoth super alicorns I 1391 00:55:58,219 --> 00:56:05,730 squeaked an impotent rage that's not 1392 00:56:01,949 --> 00:56:09,239 fair I looked up towards the sky 1393 00:56:05,730 --> 00:56:10,769 cursing Celestia and Luna in turn wasn't 1394 00:56:09,239 --> 00:56:13,848 enough that they were magically far more 1395 00:56:10,768 --> 00:56:17,038 depth than I they were smart crafty 1396 00:56:13,849 --> 00:56:18,180 fucking telepathic with shields only a 1397 00:56:17,039 --> 00:56:22,259 small number of things could apparently 1398 00:56:18,179 --> 00:56:26,338 get through and they could fly oh and go 1399 00:56:22,259 --> 00:56:29,429 invisible or teleport I found enough 1400 00:56:26,338 --> 00:56:32,670 voice to rasp with the heavens what do 1401 00:56:29,429 --> 00:56:36,509 you want from me in your names what the 1402 00:56:32,670 --> 00:56:38,150 fuck do you want a field of dark blue 1403 00:56:36,509 --> 00:56:41,608 light wrapped around the enormous window 1404 00:56:38,150 --> 00:56:43,139 the glass began to vibrate I had a 1405 00:56:41,608 --> 00:56:47,190 sudden image of the abattoir that I 1406 00:56:43,139 --> 00:56:51,108 turned the maze of mirrors into run I 1407 00:56:47,190 --> 00:56:52,880 whispered to zennith we turned and fled 1408 00:56:51,108 --> 00:56:55,998 as we dive through the door to the 1409 00:56:52,880 --> 00:56:57,499 stairwell I heard the window shatter and 1410 00:56:55,998 --> 00:56:59,988 I heard none of the shards at the ground 1411 00:56:57,498 --> 00:57:01,730 I spun and shoved the door closed behind 1412 00:56:59,989 --> 00:57:03,380 us in an eye blink before the super 1413 00:57:01,730 --> 00:57:06,440 alicorn said hundreds of little shards 1414 00:57:03,380 --> 00:57:08,568 of glass into the door when the barrage 1415 00:57:06,440 --> 00:57:10,630 ended I lifted myself up and dared to 1416 00:57:08,568 --> 00:57:13,338 peek to the little window on the door I 1417 00:57:10,630 --> 00:57:15,160 watched as the huge black alicorn swept 1418 00:57:13,338 --> 00:57:17,630 into the room and activated her shield a 1419 00:57:15,159 --> 00:57:19,038 bubble of scintillating force expanding 1420 00:57:17,630 --> 00:57:21,019 around her with enough power to tear 1421 00:57:19,039 --> 00:57:24,049 into the floor and ceiling blasting of 1422 00:57:21,018 --> 00:57:25,488 our desks and chemistry sets the energy 1423 00:57:24,048 --> 00:57:27,559 slough off the bubble caused nearby 1424 00:57:25,489 --> 00:57:30,440 terminals to explode in sprays of sparks 1425 00:57:27,559 --> 00:57:32,180 I saw the automatic rifle which had left 1426 00:57:30,440 --> 00:57:36,200 behind fall through the broken floor to 1427 00:57:32,179 --> 00:57:37,129 the level below well at least I didn't 1428 00:57:36,199 --> 00:57:40,578 have to worry about destroying the 1429 00:57:37,130 --> 00:57:41,900 research I turned away terrified and 1430 00:57:40,579 --> 00:57:43,789 discovered that I could make myself 1431 00:57:41,900 --> 00:57:47,480 galloped far faster than my body wanted 1432 00:57:43,789 --> 00:57:51,819 to let me it hurt I just raged as if I 1433 00:57:47,480 --> 00:57:51,818 was breathing liquid fire but I ran 1434 00:57:52,949 --> 00:57:57,449 the ala qualms blasted up through the 1435 00:57:54,840 --> 00:57:58,740 floor into the hallway her size was too 1436 00:57:57,449 --> 00:58:01,769 big to comfortably move through the 1437 00:57:58,739 --> 00:58:03,179 space but hardly mattered her shield is 1438 00:58:01,769 --> 00:58:04,800 too ripped away the walls as she pressed 1439 00:58:03,179 --> 00:58:07,829 near them chewing up parts of the 1440 00:58:04,800 --> 00:58:09,060 offices on either side the thought 1441 00:58:07,829 --> 00:58:10,409 flashed through my mind that she might 1442 00:58:09,059 --> 00:58:11,960 just bring the whole building down on 1443 00:58:10,409 --> 00:58:14,429 top of three of us 1444 00:58:11,960 --> 00:58:17,039 her horn blazed with an almost black 1445 00:58:14,429 --> 00:58:18,509 light her shield dropped briefly as she 1446 00:58:17,039 --> 00:58:21,079 lashed out with the dark energies that 1447 00:58:18,510 --> 00:58:23,700 only crudely resembled black lightning I 1448 00:58:21,079 --> 00:58:25,230 tore around a corner my body feeling 1449 00:58:23,699 --> 00:58:26,719 like it was about to explode and then 1450 00:58:25,230 --> 00:58:29,070 explode again 1451 00:58:26,719 --> 00:58:31,289 zennith was in front of me moving far 1452 00:58:29,070 --> 00:58:32,940 more gracefully the hallway behind us 1453 00:58:31,289 --> 00:58:34,019 was shredded into a smell of ozone and 1454 00:58:32,940 --> 00:58:36,720 black licorice 1455 00:58:34,019 --> 00:58:39,000 I followed her up another flight of 1456 00:58:36,719 --> 00:58:40,379 stairs screaming out in agony hating the 1457 00:58:39,000 --> 00:58:42,769 building for making us climb when the 1458 00:58:40,380 --> 00:58:44,940 damn monster behind us didn't have to 1459 00:58:42,769 --> 00:58:46,650 the super alicorn tore through the 1460 00:58:44,940 --> 00:58:49,440 ceiling hovering in front of us as we 1461 00:58:46,650 --> 00:58:51,599 made it to the top I stumbled and 1462 00:58:49,440 --> 00:58:52,829 crashed to a stop realizing with utter 1463 00:58:51,599 --> 00:58:56,639 loathing that we would have to go back 1464 00:58:52,829 --> 00:58:59,279 down only my body didn't want to move 1465 00:58:56,639 --> 00:58:59,639 any more my body just wanted to give up 1466 00:58:59,280 --> 00:59:03,090 and die 1467 00:58:59,639 --> 00:59:07,049 I felt the zennith bite into my Mane 1468 00:59:03,090 --> 00:59:08,760 tossed me onto her back the giant black 1469 00:59:07,050 --> 00:59:11,460 alicorn spread your wings and pointed 1470 00:59:08,760 --> 00:59:13,170 her horn a point of light flickered in 1471 00:59:11,460 --> 00:59:16,230 front of her shield then spiraled to 1472 00:59:13,170 --> 00:59:18,180 create an opening I realized with dismay 1473 00:59:16,230 --> 00:59:21,300 in amazement that even if I had my magic 1474 00:59:18,179 --> 00:59:23,159 it would be useless the alicorn shield 1475 00:59:21,300 --> 00:59:25,030 was so powerful even she couldn't cast a 1476 00:59:23,159 --> 00:59:27,670 spell through it 1477 00:59:25,030 --> 00:59:32,140 zennith went down dropping me like a 1478 00:59:27,670 --> 00:59:34,840 sack of pain i saw our twitching heart 1479 00:59:32,139 --> 00:59:37,650 attack spell she would be permanently 1480 00:59:34,840 --> 00:59:40,780 damaged or dead within seconds I 1481 00:59:37,650 --> 00:59:42,639 screamed at the super alicorn for being 1482 00:59:40,780 --> 00:59:45,160 so ridiculously powerful and evil and 1483 00:59:42,639 --> 00:59:46,809 totally unfair at the goddesses for 1484 00:59:45,159 --> 00:59:48,250 allowing such a nightmare to exist and 1485 00:59:46,809 --> 00:59:51,070 for making me face it just after I'd 1486 00:59:48,250 --> 00:59:53,699 lost my magic too at the Philadelphia 1487 00:59:51,070 --> 00:59:56,320 crater for being so damn radioactive 1488 00:59:53,699 --> 00:59:58,599 with a rage fueled strength beyond what 1489 00:59:56,320 --> 01:00:00,070 I could actually muster I wrenched my 1490 00:59:58,599 --> 01:00:01,150 suffering body off the floor and 1491 01:00:00,070 --> 01:00:02,680 galloped at the creature which I 1492 01:00:01,150 --> 01:00:04,980 suddenly realized look an awful lot like 1493 01:00:02,679 --> 01:00:06,099 those old pictures of Nightmare Moon I 1494 01:00:04,980 --> 01:00:07,809 left 1495 01:00:06,099 --> 01:00:11,230 jumping partway into the opening of the 1496 01:00:07,809 --> 01:00:12,820 super alicorn shield the edge got deeply 1497 01:00:11,230 --> 01:00:15,820 into my chest like I was hanging on a 1498 01:00:12,820 --> 01:00:18,400 curved razor blade I struggled cutting 1499 01:00:15,820 --> 01:00:20,080 myself even worse my blood pouring down 1500 01:00:18,400 --> 01:00:23,019 both the inside and outside of the 1501 01:00:20,079 --> 01:00:25,360 shield the alicorn at least had the 1502 01:00:23,019 --> 01:00:27,219 grace to look shocked I had successfully 1503 01:00:25,360 --> 01:00:27,910 caused her to drop the spell attacking 1504 01:00:27,219 --> 01:00:31,629 zenith's heart 1505 01:00:27,909 --> 01:00:33,519 I couldn't get inside with her but with 1506 01:00:31,630 --> 01:00:35,320 a mortally wounded crime I tossed my 1507 01:00:33,519 --> 01:00:36,639 head back pulled up with one of my 1508 01:00:35,320 --> 01:00:40,600 saddlebags and dumped the contents 1509 01:00:36,639 --> 01:00:41,859 inside the shield dozens of memory orbs 1510 01:00:40,599 --> 01:00:44,679 scattered along the bottom of the 1511 01:00:41,860 --> 01:00:46,230 magical bubble the alicorn glanced at 1512 01:00:44,679 --> 01:00:49,569 them one was very unimpressed 1513 01:00:46,230 --> 01:00:51,460 she turned her attention to me in a 1514 01:00:49,570 --> 01:00:53,080 panic I realized what was about to 1515 01:00:51,460 --> 01:00:55,840 happen and kicked myself away before the 1516 01:00:53,079 --> 01:00:58,239 hole in the shield seist closed if I've 1517 01:00:55,840 --> 01:01:00,280 been any slower the super alicorn shield 1518 01:00:58,239 --> 01:01:02,289 would have cut me in half 1519 01:01:00,280 --> 01:01:07,120 I collapsed bleeding heavily on the 1520 01:01:02,289 --> 01:01:12,039 floor that was it I was done time to 1521 01:01:07,119 --> 01:01:14,019 sleep now but as I passed out there was 1522 01:01:12,039 --> 01:01:18,969 a slight smile on my face despite all 1523 01:01:14,019 --> 01:01:20,199 the pain I had saves an earth and I had 1524 01:01:18,969 --> 01:01:23,169 proven that he could trick one of these 1525 01:01:20,199 --> 01:01:24,669 fucking cunts the same way twice the 1526 01:01:23,170 --> 01:01:26,289 last thing I saw before darkness 1527 01:01:24,670 --> 01:01:28,150 overwhelmed me was the alicorn floating 1528 01:01:26,289 --> 01:01:29,619 in her impervious bubble cut off from 1529 01:01:28,150 --> 01:01:35,039 every danger except for a few dozen 1530 01:01:29,619 --> 01:01:38,529 memory orbs and for balefire eggs I 1531 01:01:35,039 --> 01:01:43,980 never heard the explosion but zennith 1532 01:01:38,530 --> 01:01:43,980 later told me it was loud only louder 1533 01:01:46,019 --> 01:01:51,719 when I awoke we were in a box bathroom I 1534 01:01:48,949 --> 01:01:53,939 was propped up in a stall looking out at 1535 01:01:51,719 --> 01:01:57,179 a poster of Pinkie Pie watching you piss 1536 01:01:53,940 --> 01:01:58,108 forever I didn't hurt anywhere near as 1537 01:01:57,179 --> 01:02:01,199 much as I should 1538 01:01:58,108 --> 01:02:03,029 assuming I simply wasn't dead and really 1539 01:02:01,199 --> 01:02:05,879 who would put a pinkie pie poster in a 1540 01:02:03,030 --> 01:02:08,310 bathroom in heaven or for that mo sir in 1541 01:02:05,880 --> 01:02:08,940 a bathroom anywhere which worried me 1542 01:02:08,309 --> 01:02:14,460 considerably 1543 01:02:08,940 --> 01:02:17,099 I felt lightheaded and odd I looked down 1544 01:02:14,460 --> 01:02:19,108 I was wrapped in healing bandages 1545 01:02:17,099 --> 01:02:21,300 probably three or four medical kits 1546 01:02:19,108 --> 01:02:24,750 worth there are more on the floor next 1547 01:02:21,300 --> 01:02:27,660 to me blood drenched and spent I've been 1548 01:02:24,750 --> 01:02:30,500 here for some time my mind grudgingly 1549 01:02:27,659 --> 01:02:34,980 realized I was doped up on painkillers 1550 01:02:30,500 --> 01:02:38,099 this escape plan was going well zennith 1551 01:02:34,980 --> 01:02:42,570 trotted back into view you are an insane 1552 01:02:38,099 --> 01:02:45,000 pony thank you I wish I could let you 1553 01:02:42,570 --> 01:02:48,510 rest some more but we must go we are 1554 01:02:45,000 --> 01:02:51,440 being hunted I nodded and tried to get 1555 01:02:48,510 --> 01:02:53,880 up my limbs didn't want to cooperate a 1556 01:02:51,440 --> 01:02:55,889 moment later I once again found myself 1557 01:02:53,880 --> 01:02:58,710 riding the zebra slung over her back 1558 01:02:55,889 --> 01:03:00,000 like an old carpet I blushed with 1559 01:02:58,710 --> 01:03:02,699 embarrassment and hoped I didn't bleed 1560 01:03:00,000 --> 01:03:04,170 all over her I wonder what riding like 1561 01:03:02,699 --> 01:03:06,179 this would do to my wounds on my breast 1562 01:03:04,170 --> 01:03:08,460 and how all the magical bandages had 1563 01:03:06,179 --> 01:03:10,289 healed my other injuries my left 1564 01:03:08,460 --> 01:03:13,159 shoulder no longer hurt and my right leg 1565 01:03:10,289 --> 01:03:15,420 felt only mildly sprained 1566 01:03:13,159 --> 01:03:16,980 zennith picked up my saddlebags with her 1567 01:03:15,420 --> 01:03:18,450 teeth and then added them across her 1568 01:03:16,980 --> 01:03:22,429 flanks along with her sack of petha 1569 01:03:18,449 --> 01:03:24,689 carry supplies helps tie to her securely 1570 01:03:22,429 --> 01:03:27,088 my shroud companion crept through the 1571 01:03:24,690 --> 01:03:28,970 floor swiftly yet cautiously clearly 1572 01:03:27,088 --> 01:03:31,049 trying to keep us ahead of something I 1573 01:03:28,969 --> 01:03:33,539 knew we were being hunted by stern 1574 01:03:31,050 --> 01:03:37,230 slavers but something about this felt 1575 01:03:33,539 --> 01:03:39,119 different my thoughts turned dark after 1576 01:03:37,230 --> 01:03:42,059 the super alicorn I wasn't ready for 1577 01:03:39,119 --> 01:03:46,490 another surprise opponent what's after 1578 01:03:42,059 --> 01:03:50,699 us I asked dreading the answer winter 1579 01:03:46,489 --> 01:03:52,618 zennith whispered in an ominous tone my 1580 01:03:50,699 --> 01:03:57,439 painkiller fog mind fought to make sense 1581 01:03:52,619 --> 01:04:01,608 of that it's summer a respondent blandly 1582 01:03:57,440 --> 01:04:06,030 the zebra snorted red-eye cyberdog 1583 01:04:01,608 --> 01:04:07,858 winter is tracking our scent my mind 1584 01:04:06,030 --> 01:04:10,580 replayed part of the broadcast from red 1585 01:04:07,858 --> 01:04:13,619 either I drown particularly striking I 1586 01:04:10,579 --> 01:04:15,319 was fortunate beyond my deserving to be 1587 01:04:13,619 --> 01:04:17,430 blessed with safe places in to roam 1588 01:04:15,320 --> 01:04:18,920 security from the fiends and whores of 1589 01:04:17,429 --> 01:04:21,149 the equestrian wasteland and 1590 01:04:18,920 --> 01:04:26,880 companionship in the form of my beloved 1591 01:04:21,150 --> 01:04:29,519 dog winter oh the adventures we had if 1592 01:04:26,880 --> 01:04:30,809 he was but a coal to that time the dog 1593 01:04:29,519 --> 01:04:34,019 should have passed away naturally from 1594 01:04:30,809 --> 01:04:35,070 old age but now I imagined that instead 1595 01:04:34,019 --> 01:04:36,710 of letting that happen 1596 01:04:35,070 --> 01:04:39,440 he'd cybernetically enhanced it 1597 01:04:36,710 --> 01:04:42,289 replacing part after part as each failed 1598 01:04:39,440 --> 01:04:45,528 it was Makabe 1599 01:04:42,289 --> 01:04:49,099 I groaned I really really needed to get 1600 01:04:45,528 --> 01:04:51,588 out of Philadelphia we made it up two 1601 01:04:49,099 --> 01:04:52,009 flights of stairs without trouble three 1602 01:04:51,588 --> 01:04:53,869 times 1603 01:04:52,009 --> 01:04:57,228 zennith managed to creep past slavers 1604 01:04:53,869 --> 01:04:59,209 unnoticed even with me on her back as we 1605 01:04:57,228 --> 01:05:00,788 passed an open office I could see the 1606 01:04:59,208 --> 01:05:02,598 overhang of eaves out the window 1607 01:05:00,789 --> 01:05:04,278 shattering the light of a Setting Sun 1608 01:05:02,599 --> 01:05:06,949 that turned the world outside the color 1609 01:05:04,278 --> 01:05:11,568 of a bloody River we were almost to the 1610 01:05:06,949 --> 01:05:13,759 roof I heard a low tinny growl I looked 1611 01:05:11,568 --> 01:05:15,739 back behind us 1612 01:05:13,759 --> 01:05:18,498 I saw a half robotic dog stalking 1613 01:05:15,739 --> 01:05:21,108 towards us winter was more machine than 1614 01:05:18,498 --> 01:05:22,608 animal his brain was encased in a 1615 01:05:21,108 --> 01:05:24,318 lightly glowing tank which looked so 1616 01:05:22,608 --> 01:05:26,808 shockingly like that of a brain bot that 1617 01:05:24,318 --> 01:05:28,639 I began to assume it wasn't ponies but 1618 01:05:26,809 --> 01:05:31,999 pet dogs his brains were used in those 1619 01:05:28,639 --> 01:05:33,259 awful things winters for paws ended in 1620 01:05:31,998 --> 01:05:37,009 claws that looked like they were made 1621 01:05:33,259 --> 01:05:38,528 from the claw tips of hellhounds even 1622 01:05:37,009 --> 01:05:41,449 zennith didn't want to fight that thing 1623 01:05:38,528 --> 01:05:44,119 the zebra bolted galloping as fast as 1624 01:05:41,449 --> 01:05:46,039 she could winter howled and gave chase 1625 01:05:44,119 --> 01:05:48,769 the glow of his brain case shifting the 1626 01:05:46,039 --> 01:05:51,439 crimson I wished I still had the 1627 01:05:48,768 --> 01:05:54,828 automatic rifle or for that matter any 1628 01:05:51,438 --> 01:05:57,158 weapon at all somehow I didn't think I 1629 01:05:54,829 --> 01:05:59,509 could strike it down with baleful looks 1630 01:05:57,159 --> 01:06:02,028 we made it to the stairwell marked roof 1631 01:05:59,509 --> 01:06:04,880 access the cyber dog nipping at Zenoss 1632 01:06:02,028 --> 01:06:06,048 hoofs I realized the relatedly that the 1633 01:06:04,880 --> 01:06:09,588 dog could have jumped and started 1634 01:06:06,048 --> 01:06:12,438 tearing me apart but it chose not to we 1635 01:06:09,588 --> 01:06:15,318 were being corralled I turned to warn 1636 01:06:12,438 --> 01:06:16,799 zennith before I could we burst out onto 1637 01:06:15,318 --> 01:06:19,259 the roof 1638 01:06:16,800 --> 01:06:20,880 zennith skidded to a stop trapped 1639 01:06:19,260 --> 01:06:24,480 between the Ministry of morale roof and 1640 01:06:20,880 --> 01:06:26,640 the cloudy blood red sky the anchored 1641 01:06:24,480 --> 01:06:28,469 Pinkie Pie balloon was still there but 1642 01:06:26,639 --> 01:06:31,469 so were two others with a third closing 1643 01:06:28,469 --> 01:06:34,019 in half a dozen anti machine rifles were 1644 01:06:31,469 --> 01:06:34,919 trained in our direction with a clear 1645 01:06:34,019 --> 01:06:37,559 note of sarcasm 1646 01:06:34,920 --> 01:06:38,130 zennith asked still going according to 1647 01:06:37,559 --> 01:06:41,880 plan 1648 01:06:38,130 --> 01:06:45,680 right winter came up behind us and 1649 01:06:41,880 --> 01:06:45,680 stopped as if guarding the door back 1650 01:06:47,909 --> 01:06:53,449 I closed my eyes waiting for the shot 1651 01:06:50,960 --> 01:06:57,000 but the sniper ponies were hesitating 1652 01:06:53,449 --> 01:07:00,689 waiting for something the growl behind 1653 01:06:57,000 --> 01:07:05,338 this game's Anitha Kalu rid eyes is 1654 01:07:00,690 --> 01:07:06,530 coming so the bastard was gonna take 1655 01:07:05,338 --> 01:07:10,440 care of us himself 1656 01:07:06,530 --> 01:07:12,450 fuck that oh come on 1657 01:07:10,440 --> 01:07:16,318 I yelled up with a giant inflated pinkie 1658 01:07:12,449 --> 01:07:18,808 pie heads just do it already I was 1659 01:07:16,318 --> 01:07:20,489 exhausted the painkillers were wearing 1660 01:07:18,809 --> 01:07:24,089 off and the pain was beginning to flood 1661 01:07:20,489 --> 01:07:25,709 back in a pillar of golden flame tinged 1662 01:07:24,088 --> 01:07:28,288 with balefire green shot out of the 1663 01:07:25,710 --> 01:07:29,940 philadelphia crater the bolt of light 1664 01:07:28,289 --> 01:07:31,680 reached his apex and spread out wings 1665 01:07:29,940 --> 01:07:34,858 that flared across the sky like a second 1666 01:07:31,679 --> 01:07:36,838 Sun higher light dipped in swooped 1667 01:07:34,858 --> 01:07:38,460 towards us burning with an aura of 1668 01:07:36,838 --> 01:07:42,690 emerald and gold nearly a hundred times 1669 01:07:38,460 --> 01:07:44,789 her size the creatures of radiation do 1670 01:07:42,690 --> 01:07:46,530 not merely heal in its presence if they 1671 01:07:44,789 --> 01:07:49,160 absorb enough of it they grow stronger 1672 01:07:46,530 --> 01:07:52,410 more powerful 1673 01:07:49,159 --> 01:07:55,649 sorry Celestia and Luna for every bad 1674 01:07:52,409 --> 01:07:57,598 thing I thought the incoming Pinkie Pie 1675 01:07:55,650 --> 01:08:00,269 balloon erupted in flames just at pilots 1676 01:07:57,599 --> 01:08:01,769 passing the majestic harbinger opened 1677 01:08:00,269 --> 01:08:03,989 her beak and bright green balefire 1678 01:08:01,769 --> 01:08:06,778 blasted out tearing across the roof 1679 01:08:03,989 --> 01:08:09,989 above us all three of the Pinkie Pie 1680 01:08:06,778 --> 01:08:11,730 balloons ignited becoming infernos bits 1681 01:08:09,989 --> 01:08:13,348 of burning balloon and slaver flesh rain 1682 01:08:11,730 --> 01:08:15,480 down on us as the blazing Zeppelin's 1683 01:08:13,349 --> 01:08:17,579 began to collapse sinking towards the 1684 01:08:15,480 --> 01:08:19,470 amusement park below 1685 01:08:17,579 --> 01:08:22,170 I hoped nastily that it was full of 1686 01:08:19,470 --> 01:08:24,539 slavers surrounding the building go 1687 01:08:22,170 --> 01:08:27,810 Pilate I cheered clapping my hooves and 1688 01:08:24,539 --> 01:08:30,689 applause Zanna stared upwards having 1689 01:08:27,810 --> 01:08:33,440 lost the very notion of speech the cyber 1690 01:08:30,689 --> 01:08:36,419 dog panicked and fled down the stairwell 1691 01:08:33,439 --> 01:08:37,889 Pilate swooped around I could see the 1692 01:08:36,420 --> 01:08:39,659 energy she absorbed was already bleeding 1693 01:08:37,890 --> 01:08:42,838 off of her like the scintillating waves 1694 01:08:39,659 --> 01:08:44,159 that came off the black alicorn the bird 1695 01:08:42,838 --> 01:08:45,720 dived and I thought I could hear the 1696 01:08:44,159 --> 01:08:46,858 crackling of fire and the sound of 1697 01:08:45,720 --> 01:08:49,949 slaver screams below 1698 01:08:46,859 --> 01:08:51,300 I was so overjoyed at the turn of events 1699 01:08:49,949 --> 01:08:53,039 but it took me several minutes to 1700 01:08:51,300 --> 01:08:55,949 realize pilot had incinerated what I had 1701 01:08:53,039 --> 01:08:59,000 hoped to be our ride we were still 1702 01:08:55,949 --> 01:08:59,000 trapped in Philadelphia 1703 01:09:01,259 --> 01:09:06,988 our capture was as ignominiously 1704 01:09:04,380 --> 01:09:09,779 I found myself staring through a haze of 1705 01:09:06,988 --> 01:09:11,219 red not a fault of my own vision but a 1706 01:09:09,779 --> 01:09:14,520 property of the room we had been marched 1707 01:09:11,220 --> 01:09:17,640 into the air was filled with some sort 1708 01:09:14,520 --> 01:09:19,200 of odd steam my already strained lungs 1709 01:09:17,640 --> 01:09:22,470 pitched a fit as I attempted to breathe 1710 01:09:19,199 --> 01:09:23,699 it red lamps lined the room diffusing 1711 01:09:22,470 --> 01:09:27,239 their light to make the air take on a 1712 01:09:23,699 --> 01:09:28,769 sickening scarlet tint there was a line 1713 01:09:27,238 --> 01:09:30,769 on the floor that the well I'm Griffin's 1714 01:09:28,770 --> 01:09:33,690 beside us had warned us not to cross 1715 01:09:30,770 --> 01:09:36,480 winter crouched nearby ready to launch 1716 01:09:33,689 --> 01:09:38,159 himself at the first to run with his 1717 01:09:36,479 --> 01:09:39,389 Anna's skills I thought it might still 1718 01:09:38,159 --> 01:09:42,238 be possible to fight our way out of the 1719 01:09:39,390 --> 01:09:44,970 situation but the very idea made me want 1720 01:09:42,238 --> 01:09:46,199 to derive from weariness red eyes 1721 01:09:44,970 --> 01:09:47,789 trotted in through a door on the 1722 01:09:46,199 --> 01:09:51,179 opposite wall next to a large dark 1723 01:09:47,789 --> 01:09:52,380 screen he raised a hoof and the Griffins 1724 01:09:51,180 --> 01:09:54,750 flanking us took their leaves 1725 01:09:52,380 --> 01:10:00,469 I heard them lock and bar the door 1726 01:09:54,750 --> 01:10:06,380 behind us little PIP he said graciously 1727 01:10:00,469 --> 01:10:08,698 see it relax I mean you no harm 1728 01:10:06,380 --> 01:10:11,519 obviously the same couldn't be said for 1729 01:10:08,698 --> 01:10:13,018 us I was still processing the mere 1730 01:10:11,519 --> 01:10:14,610 notion that read I would lock himself in 1731 01:10:13,019 --> 01:10:18,030 a room with us when zennith charged at 1732 01:10:14,609 --> 01:10:19,648 him murder in your eyes she slammed 1733 01:10:18,029 --> 01:10:20,969 against an invisible wall hard enough 1734 01:10:19,649 --> 01:10:24,269 that she was lucky she didn't break her 1735 01:10:20,969 --> 01:10:25,349 neck I stayed around and realized 1736 01:10:24,269 --> 01:10:28,649 suddenly the reason for the odd 1737 01:10:25,349 --> 01:10:30,869 atmosphere you're reddening the mist to 1738 01:10:28,649 --> 01:10:34,099 conceal an alicorn shield I surmised 1739 01:10:30,868 --> 01:10:36,208 aloud I was actually slightly impressed 1740 01:10:34,099 --> 01:10:37,679 you must have at least two of the green 1741 01:10:36,208 --> 01:10:41,840 ones doing their Statue thing just 1742 01:10:37,679 --> 01:10:44,550 behind the walls red I beamed to me 1743 01:10:41,840 --> 01:10:45,958 literally in the mist the line of red 1744 01:10:44,550 --> 01:10:49,168 shooting from the cybernetic eye was 1745 01:10:45,958 --> 01:10:51,300 clearly visible I wanted us to be able 1746 01:10:49,168 --> 01:10:54,208 to talk freely without any pony 1747 01:10:51,300 --> 01:10:58,168 attacking anypony else he shot a wry 1748 01:10:54,208 --> 01:10:58,529 look at the recovering zebra what do you 1749 01:10:58,168 --> 01:11:01,738 want 1750 01:10:58,529 --> 01:11:03,448 I asked dourly there was only one reason 1751 01:11:01,738 --> 01:11:07,558 I could think of him for sparing us and 1752 01:11:03,448 --> 01:11:09,029 I didn't like it all I want you to do is 1753 01:11:07,559 --> 01:11:11,309 something you were gonna do anyway right 1754 01:11:09,029 --> 01:11:14,398 I said in a tone both casual and 1755 01:11:11,309 --> 01:11:18,510 infuriatingly confident I just want you 1756 01:11:14,399 --> 01:11:21,510 to do it on my time skill great my 1757 01:11:18,510 --> 01:11:26,890 mortal enemy had a quest for me my life 1758 01:11:21,510 --> 01:11:32,050 sucked I want you to kill the goddess 1759 01:11:26,890 --> 01:11:36,420 my jaw hit the floor okay I did not see 1760 01:11:32,050 --> 01:11:40,659 that coming but you serve the goddess 1761 01:11:36,420 --> 01:11:44,500 you're her high fucking priest red eye 1762 01:11:40,659 --> 01:11:47,979 Scout slightly sitting back I like to 1763 01:11:44,500 --> 01:11:49,810 think of us more like partners and sadly 1764 01:11:47,979 --> 01:11:53,649 the partnership is no longer beneficial 1765 01:11:49,810 --> 01:11:56,980 to my goals he looked me over ignoring 1766 01:11:53,649 --> 01:11:59,469 zennith completely and after your 1767 01:11:56,979 --> 01:12:00,729 handling of the crater alicorn I really 1768 01:11:59,470 --> 01:12:06,699 do think you have what it takes to 1769 01:12:00,729 --> 01:12:08,679 succeed do tell i glowered as I'm sure 1770 01:12:06,699 --> 01:12:12,069 you've noticed the goddess controls her 1771 01:12:08,680 --> 01:12:13,810 children telepathically they're not so 1772 01:12:12,069 --> 01:12:16,479 much individuals as they are extensions 1773 01:12:13,810 --> 01:12:18,930 of her will and they will remain so 1774 01:12:16,479 --> 01:12:22,839 until she is finally put to rest I 1775 01:12:18,930 --> 01:12:24,310 nodded solemnly there is no point 1776 01:12:22,840 --> 01:12:27,159 working towards the freedom of all 1777 01:12:24,310 --> 01:12:30,250 ponies if unity comes with chains redeye 1778 01:12:27,159 --> 01:12:32,829 pontificated there is no room in the new 1779 01:12:30,250 --> 01:12:37,359 Equestria for slave masters and no room 1780 01:12:32,829 --> 01:12:40,659 for slaves Zanna snickered not much room 1781 01:12:37,359 --> 01:12:42,670 for you then I smiled my own sentiment 1782 01:12:40,659 --> 01:12:47,319 echoing hers 1783 01:12:42,670 --> 01:12:50,199 redeye regarded us calmly no no there is 1784 01:12:47,319 --> 01:12:53,189 not okay 1785 01:12:50,199 --> 01:12:55,779 second time he caught me by surprise 1786 01:12:53,189 --> 01:12:57,210 what do you intend to do then kill 1787 01:12:55,779 --> 01:13:00,340 yourself 1788 01:12:57,210 --> 01:13:04,779 he laughed red I had a charismatic 1789 01:13:00,340 --> 01:13:08,680 likeable laugh I hated him for that no 1790 01:13:04,779 --> 01:13:10,899 no I plan to ascend once you've taken 1791 01:13:08,680 --> 01:13:14,079 care of the goddess it will finally be 1792 01:13:10,899 --> 01:13:16,899 time for me to join unity myself but not 1793 01:13:14,079 --> 01:13:18,220 as one of the rest of you somepony will 1794 01:13:16,899 --> 01:13:19,989 have to take up the tasks that the 1795 01:13:18,220 --> 01:13:22,750 princess and pegasi left to run wild 1796 01:13:19,989 --> 01:13:24,819 after all somepony will have to regulate 1797 01:13:22,750 --> 01:13:31,079 the weather to raise the Sun in the moon 1798 01:13:24,819 --> 01:13:35,619 I blinked okay I've got a new theory 1799 01:13:31,079 --> 01:13:37,269 your Looney seriously the goddess 1800 01:13:35,619 --> 01:13:40,840 couldn't manage these things much less 1801 01:13:37,270 --> 01:13:44,770 an alicorn earth pony again he laughed 1802 01:13:40,840 --> 01:13:47,650 setting my nerves on edge well then I 1803 01:13:44,770 --> 01:13:49,810 will fail but either way I will be out 1804 01:13:47,649 --> 01:13:51,909 of your Mane you won't have to worry 1805 01:13:49,810 --> 01:13:56,039 about me further and what would that be 1806 01:13:51,909 --> 01:13:59,979 nice crushing two eggs under one hoof I 1807 01:13:56,039 --> 01:14:04,539 really hated the stallion and what about 1808 01:13:59,979 --> 01:14:06,099 all of your work I argued dammit the one 1809 01:14:04,539 --> 01:14:08,019 reason I was at all hesitant to take 1810 01:14:06,100 --> 01:14:09,190 down this monster was because even I 1811 01:14:08,020 --> 01:14:13,000 could see the good his efforts would 1812 01:14:09,189 --> 01:14:15,399 eventually bring about I could admire 1813 01:14:13,000 --> 01:14:18,159 what he was building even if I hated how 1814 01:14:15,399 --> 01:14:20,949 he was doing it what about the school's 1815 01:14:18,159 --> 01:14:22,059 the hospital's rebuilding an 1816 01:14:20,949 --> 01:14:23,349 infrastructure that will allow a 1817 01:14:22,060 --> 01:14:25,789 question to pull itself out of this 1818 01:14:23,350 --> 01:14:31,039 post-apocalyptic pit 1819 01:14:25,789 --> 01:14:32,659 red I feigned contemplation oh dear well 1820 01:14:31,039 --> 01:14:36,289 then I suppose you'll just have to take 1821 01:14:32,659 --> 01:14:39,349 my place and see you through my jaw was 1822 01:14:36,289 --> 01:14:43,840 on the floor again once more he had 1823 01:14:39,350 --> 01:14:48,919 blindsided me how did he keep doing that 1824 01:14:43,840 --> 01:14:54,110 you want me to what 1825 01:14:48,918 --> 01:14:56,630 red I smiled want you to or just expect 1826 01:14:54,109 --> 01:14:58,578 II won't let this all fall apart of 1827 01:14:56,630 --> 01:15:00,050 course I'm sure you'll try to find a way 1828 01:14:58,578 --> 01:15:03,558 to accomplish all this without the 1829 01:15:00,050 --> 01:15:05,029 regrettable whores of slavery and with 1830 01:15:03,559 --> 01:15:09,050 at least the foundation I've managed to 1831 01:15:05,029 --> 01:15:11,840 put in place you might even succeed he 1832 01:15:09,050 --> 01:15:12,729 gave me a gracious bow I certainly hope 1833 01:15:11,840 --> 01:15:16,578 so 1834 01:15:12,729 --> 01:15:19,309 then I had it in a businesslike tone the 1835 01:15:16,578 --> 01:15:22,668 goddess is still in her home in maripony 1836 01:15:19,309 --> 01:15:27,409 I realized there was another horseshoe 1837 01:15:22,668 --> 01:15:32,050 waiting to drop and so you'll just let 1838 01:15:27,408 --> 01:15:35,898 me go the black mane cyber Pony nodded 1839 01:15:32,050 --> 01:15:38,659 somewhat implicit in the request without 1840 01:15:35,899 --> 01:15:40,369 even looking at Zenith he added and you 1841 01:15:38,658 --> 01:15:43,549 can take your new zebra friend with you 1842 01:15:40,368 --> 01:15:48,609 the two of you seem to be effective 1843 01:15:43,550 --> 01:15:50,899 together agree and she has a freedom 1844 01:15:48,609 --> 01:15:53,898 Zenoss terribly with unfathomable 1845 01:15:50,899 --> 01:15:56,030 expression I knew she wanted her for you 1846 01:15:53,899 --> 01:15:59,209 enough to risk her life for it to kill 1847 01:15:56,029 --> 01:16:02,118 other slaves for it was she asking me to 1848 01:15:59,208 --> 01:16:05,748 accept or was she warning me about deals 1849 01:16:02,118 --> 01:16:08,859 with the Devils and if I refused to kill 1850 01:16:05,748 --> 01:16:11,748 the goddess red I frowned 1851 01:16:08,859 --> 01:16:13,938 well I'll prefer not to resort to 1852 01:16:11,748 --> 01:16:16,099 threats but let's just say the by 1853 01:16:13,939 --> 01:16:20,659 succeeding you will save the lives of 1854 01:16:16,099 --> 01:16:21,860 your friends in the tower no I should 1855 01:16:20,658 --> 01:16:25,679 never have sent them into that place 1856 01:16:21,859 --> 01:16:27,779 alone o goddesses what did I done 1857 01:16:25,679 --> 01:16:30,389 what what have you done with calamity 1858 01:16:27,779 --> 01:16:34,578 velvet ravening steel loves I demanded 1859 01:16:30,389 --> 01:16:36,929 in a frightened voice are they okay 1860 01:16:34,578 --> 01:16:40,228 red eyes one real I blinked 1861 01:16:36,929 --> 01:16:42,868 oh you mean you a cell team with the 1862 01:16:40,229 --> 01:16:44,610 philadelphia tower station i sent sir 1863 01:16:42,868 --> 01:16:46,920 nan ahead with a full squad of a best to 1864 01:16:44,609 --> 01:16:50,279 give them a warm greeting I'm sure least 1865 01:16:46,920 --> 01:16:52,288 one of them survived I swallowed hard 1866 01:16:50,279 --> 01:16:58,738 feeling all the quest you fought from 1867 01:16:52,288 --> 01:17:01,078 under me I want to see them red eye not 1868 01:16:58,738 --> 01:17:03,988 aggression Slee he tried to a button on 1869 01:17:01,078 --> 01:17:07,198 the wall beneath the large screen Stern 1870 01:17:03,988 --> 01:17:10,708 report I have somepony here who wants to 1871 01:17:07,198 --> 01:17:13,859 see the captives the monitor screen lit 1872 01:17:10,708 --> 01:17:17,399 up for a moment all it showed was ruins 1873 01:17:13,859 --> 01:17:21,779 and blood then hoof rose up tapping on 1874 01:17:17,399 --> 01:17:24,748 the screen Hey clammy smiling face and 1875 01:17:21,779 --> 01:17:28,050 orange mane came into view I think this 1876 01:17:24,748 --> 01:17:30,078 year thing just turned down I could hear 1877 01:17:28,050 --> 01:17:34,498 the low grumble of steelo's voice 1878 01:17:30,078 --> 01:17:38,279 calamity don't mess with it oh hold on 1879 01:17:34,498 --> 01:17:39,868 clam he said looking slightly up hey I 1880 01:17:38,279 --> 01:17:42,889 can see little PIP through this thing 1881 01:17:39,868 --> 01:17:45,109 now hey your kid 1882 01:17:42,890 --> 01:17:47,660 this was obviously not the response read 1883 01:17:45,109 --> 01:17:49,339 I had been expecting I felt a crippling 1884 01:17:47,659 --> 01:17:53,840 surge of relief and collapsed the floor 1885 01:17:49,340 --> 01:17:56,289 oh and he almost reread I gained say 1886 01:17:53,840 --> 01:17:59,539 it's a pleasure to whoa 1887 01:17:56,289 --> 01:18:02,930 y'all a cyber pony I didn't think those 1888 01:17:59,539 --> 01:18:07,100 things were real red I finally found his 1889 01:18:02,930 --> 01:18:10,730 voice calamity is it I take it you've 1890 01:18:07,100 --> 01:18:13,310 killed he a welcoming party that who you 1891 01:18:10,729 --> 01:18:14,809 was expecting sorry but they can't all 1892 01:18:13,310 --> 01:18:19,610 make it on account of them being most of 1893 01:18:14,810 --> 01:18:21,770 blown up mostly we kept your Griffin gal 1894 01:18:19,609 --> 01:18:23,960 off safe and cozy trust me she ain't 1895 01:18:21,770 --> 01:18:26,210 hardly hurt and she ain't feeling a bit 1896 01:18:23,960 --> 01:18:27,680 of pain Clem Leigh said with a mock 1897 01:18:26,210 --> 01:18:30,500 friendliness that didn't touch the steel 1898 01:18:27,680 --> 01:18:32,030 went in his eyes figured things might 1899 01:18:30,500 --> 01:18:34,130 gone a bit south for our friend little 1900 01:18:32,029 --> 01:18:38,149 pip so uh I decide we ought to keep 1901 01:18:34,130 --> 01:18:41,029 someone for trade I watched as a 1902 01:18:38,149 --> 01:18:42,859 drawbridge lowered over the moat on the 1903 01:18:41,029 --> 01:18:44,989 other side through the electrified gate 1904 01:18:42,859 --> 01:18:46,549 I could see velvet Remmy and steel is 1905 01:18:44,989 --> 01:18:49,460 flanking a thoroughly trussed up and 1906 01:18:46,550 --> 01:18:52,390 glowering Stern calamity was sitting 1907 01:18:49,460 --> 01:18:54,710 sniper at an undisclosed location I 1908 01:18:52,390 --> 01:18:56,329 could almost feel the air grow colder 1909 01:18:54,710 --> 01:18:59,210 when see love's gaze fell on my striped 1910 01:18:56,329 --> 01:19:02,090 companion red I stood next to me 1911 01:18:59,210 --> 01:19:03,439 protected inside an alicorn shield the 1912 01:19:02,090 --> 01:19:05,180 projecting alicorns were hidden in a 1913 01:19:03,439 --> 01:19:07,479 sewer passage right beneath us yet 1914 01:19:05,180 --> 01:19:10,400 safely out of calamities feel of you 1915 01:19:07,479 --> 01:19:12,799 remember my offer little pip kill the 1916 01:19:10,399 --> 01:19:14,299 goddess he whispered to me clearly 1917 01:19:12,800 --> 01:19:16,760 unconcerned that the goddesses children 1918 01:19:14,300 --> 01:19:18,619 might hear judging from my experience on 1919 01:19:16,760 --> 01:19:20,030 the roof of Horseshoe Tower I strongly 1920 01:19:18,619 --> 01:19:21,099 suspected they couldn't hear a thing at 1921 01:19:20,029 --> 01:19:23,559 all 1922 01:19:21,099 --> 01:19:25,929 and you not only get rid of her would 1923 01:19:23,559 --> 01:19:29,979 you get rid of me and save your friends 1924 01:19:25,929 --> 01:19:33,340 in the tower I blinked then turned him 1925 01:19:29,979 --> 01:19:35,378 with a cross there I think we've already 1926 01:19:33,340 --> 01:19:38,109 established that threat is pretty stupid 1927 01:19:35,378 --> 01:19:40,809 I pointed a hoof my friends waiting for 1928 01:19:38,109 --> 01:19:43,329 me on the other side of the gate red I 1929 01:19:40,809 --> 01:19:47,800 cocked his head and for a moment I think 1930 01:19:43,328 --> 01:19:50,018 he was actually confused ah I apologize 1931 01:19:47,800 --> 01:19:52,479 for the misunderstanding I don't mean 1932 01:19:50,019 --> 01:19:54,219 these friends in that Tower he said 1933 01:19:52,479 --> 01:19:56,918 nodding towards the rising white needle 1934 01:19:54,219 --> 01:20:00,908 of Philadelphia tower I mean your 1935 01:19:56,918 --> 01:20:05,319 friends in tenpony tower I felt my blood 1936 01:20:00,908 --> 01:20:06,728 go cold now I know that the damn 1937 01:20:05,319 --> 01:20:09,158 building has always survived one 1938 01:20:06,729 --> 01:20:11,969 balefire bomb but do you really think it 1939 01:20:09,158 --> 01:20:11,969 could survive another