1 00:00:00,410 --> 00:00:05,759 family it wasn't a word that had much 2 00:00:03,629 --> 00:00:08,189 use for nor concept I'd felt any 3 00:00:05,759 --> 00:00:10,500 connection to I had never known my 4 00:00:08,189 --> 00:00:13,469 father a quite uncommon situation for a 5 00:00:10,500 --> 00:00:15,269 filly growing up and stable too when my 6 00:00:13,468 --> 00:00:17,820 mother had been my age she's been a 7 00:00:15,269 --> 00:00:19,679 large portion of her time being well 8 00:00:17,820 --> 00:00:22,050 there were other words I could use to 9 00:00:19,679 --> 00:00:24,320 describe other ponies but this was my 10 00:00:22,050 --> 00:00:28,859 mother and for her I chose the words 11 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:31,859 promiscuous and inebriated growing up I 12 00:00:28,859 --> 00:00:33,090 did have my mother but my memories of 13 00:00:31,859 --> 00:00:34,469 her were largely of thee 14 00:00:33,090 --> 00:00:37,680 sit quietly while the grown-ups are 15 00:00:34,469 --> 00:00:41,250 talking variety however she did teach me 16 00:00:37,679 --> 00:00:43,649 games and even I came to realize even as 17 00:00:41,250 --> 00:00:45,390 a blank flank that she did so more to 18 00:00:43,649 --> 00:00:47,370 alleviate her own boredom than my own I 19 00:00:45,390 --> 00:00:49,469 cherished each happy memory of playing 20 00:00:47,369 --> 00:00:50,968 with her every game of boards and 21 00:00:49,469 --> 00:00:53,698 strategies and brightly colored pieces 22 00:00:50,969 --> 00:00:55,558 that this table had to offer but even 23 00:00:53,698 --> 00:00:57,269 then I never really thought of us as 24 00:00:55,558 --> 00:01:00,509 family in a way that attached special 25 00:00:57,270 --> 00:01:03,899 meaning to the word now through a haze 26 00:01:00,509 --> 00:01:04,709 of pain I realized this was changing had 27 00:01:03,899 --> 00:01:07,829 changed already 28 00:01:04,709 --> 00:01:09,389 in fact without my knowing with the 29 00:01:07,829 --> 00:01:11,548 painkillers worn off an adrenaline no 30 00:01:09,390 --> 00:01:15,239 longer propping up my body I could feel 31 00:01:11,549 --> 00:01:16,770 just how much pain I was in the bandages 32 00:01:15,239 --> 00:01:18,329 had helped and probably spared me from 33 00:01:16,769 --> 00:01:21,298 bleeding out through the deep slashes in 34 00:01:18,329 --> 00:01:22,739 my chest however continuing to push 35 00:01:21,299 --> 00:01:25,470 myself while injured had harmed more 36 00:01:22,739 --> 00:01:27,750 than just my magic but I was with my 37 00:01:25,469 --> 00:01:30,359 friends now there was a feeling of 38 00:01:27,750 --> 00:01:33,069 completeness and safety my body could 39 00:01:30,359 --> 00:01:35,299 finally relax and just hurt 40 00:01:33,069 --> 00:01:37,699 del Romney had slipped into mother 41 00:01:35,299 --> 00:01:39,140 doctor mode almost the sight of me now 42 00:01:37,700 --> 00:01:40,280 that I wasn't mentally sniffing between 43 00:01:39,140 --> 00:01:42,590 her hind legs anymore 44 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:44,420 I found myself comforted by her fretful 45 00:01:42,590 --> 00:01:45,439 administration's particularly 46 00:01:44,420 --> 00:01:47,030 considering that she did a much better 47 00:01:45,438 --> 00:01:50,898 job of mothering me that my actual 48 00:01:47,030 --> 00:01:53,719 mother ever had in truth these ponies 49 00:01:50,899 --> 00:01:55,070 have become my family family and that 50 00:01:53,719 --> 00:01:57,319 deeper sense of the word that means 51 00:01:55,069 --> 00:01:59,089 finding home not just from the location 52 00:01:57,319 --> 00:02:02,148 you're at but through the people you're 53 00:01:59,090 --> 00:02:04,299 with and my family was having an 54 00:02:02,149 --> 00:02:04,299 argument 55 00:02:04,810 --> 00:02:10,939 she's a zebra steelo's exclaimed he kept 56 00:02:09,349 --> 00:02:13,310 his silence until we were well away from 57 00:02:10,939 --> 00:02:15,560 the wall but as we had approached the 58 00:02:13,310 --> 00:02:17,150 crumbling ruins of Java's cup steel hose 59 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:19,519 it finally questioned the presence of my 60 00:02:17,150 --> 00:02:23,000 new companion I made the mistake of 61 00:02:19,519 --> 00:02:26,719 simply saying she was a friend yes she 62 00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:28,250 is I was weary and hurting my breathing 63 00:02:26,719 --> 00:02:31,250 was shallow and I felt like I was 64 00:02:28,250 --> 00:02:32,689 constantly drowning I won in the bath to 65 00:02:31,250 --> 00:02:34,909 wash off the blood cake with my coat 66 00:02:32,689 --> 00:02:37,250 staying power still chewing at my flank 67 00:02:34,909 --> 00:02:38,959 and the last of the nasty biting insects 68 00:02:37,250 --> 00:02:42,139 that were somehow surviving alongside me 69 00:02:38,959 --> 00:02:45,229 and I won in the bed that was at least 70 00:02:42,139 --> 00:02:47,869 softer than cement what I did not want 71 00:02:45,229 --> 00:02:49,818 was this argument 72 00:02:47,870 --> 00:02:53,060 who has clearly manipulated you into 73 00:02:49,818 --> 00:02:56,689 trusting her still have surmised you 74 00:02:53,060 --> 00:02:58,610 can't trust them zennith had wisely 75 00:02:56,689 --> 00:03:00,079 remained silent simply choosing to 76 00:02:58,610 --> 00:03:01,989 follow as we moved away from the wall in 77 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:04,849 this late bits of Stern's Philadelphia 78 00:03:01,989 --> 00:03:06,680 but now settled and perhaps feeling 79 00:03:04,848 --> 00:03:09,649 bolstered by my assertion of friendship 80 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:12,560 the zebra retorted the war is long over 81 00:03:09,650 --> 00:03:14,150 and I had no part in it just because I 82 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:15,949 have stripes does not make me an enemy 83 00:03:14,150 --> 00:03:18,939 combatant any more than that Alma makes 84 00:03:15,949 --> 00:03:21,339 you a soldier in nightmare moons army 85 00:03:18,939 --> 00:03:24,829 brilliant 86 00:03:21,340 --> 00:03:26,930 princess Lunas army snapped the Steel 87 00:03:24,829 --> 00:03:29,689 Ranger who had indeed served in the war 88 00:03:26,930 --> 00:03:32,079 two hundred years over not that your 89 00:03:29,689 --> 00:03:36,229 kind as any right to even speak the name 90 00:03:32,079 --> 00:03:38,750 he turned to me little pip what are your 91 00:03:36,229 --> 00:03:40,518 intentions regarding the zebra tell me 92 00:03:38,750 --> 00:03:45,348 you don't actually expect her to travel 93 00:03:40,519 --> 00:03:48,379 with us oh heavens no though the remedy 94 00:03:45,348 --> 00:03:49,669 chimed in I'm sure she doesn't after all 95 00:03:48,378 --> 00:03:50,870 they would just be foolish to travel 96 00:03:49,669 --> 00:03:54,219 with the sort of creature known for 97 00:03:50,870 --> 00:03:56,900 degenerating to mindless flesh-eating 98 00:03:54,219 --> 00:03:58,099 zennith drew up staring at the charcoal 99 00:03:56,900 --> 00:04:00,519 coated unicorn with a look of 100 00:03:58,099 --> 00:04:04,159 bewilderment bordering on resentment oh 101 00:04:00,519 --> 00:04:08,629 wait those aren't zebras velvet casually 102 00:04:04,159 --> 00:04:10,879 finished there was a ghouls seal he'll 103 00:04:08,629 --> 00:04:13,729 stop now too and I was sure that behind 104 00:04:10,879 --> 00:04:17,238 his visor he was glaring zennith huffed 105 00:04:13,729 --> 00:04:20,389 still confused in her exotic accent she 106 00:04:17,238 --> 00:04:22,489 slowly asked velvet are you saying I 107 00:04:20,389 --> 00:04:25,129 look like a ghoul 108 00:04:22,490 --> 00:04:27,340 I hung my head this was going downhill 109 00:04:25,129 --> 00:04:29,538 fast 110 00:04:27,339 --> 00:04:30,829 velvet Romney's eyes widened as she 111 00:04:29,538 --> 00:04:32,810 realized how Zenith had taken the 112 00:04:30,829 --> 00:04:35,089 statement no of course not 113 00:04:32,810 --> 00:04:38,000 she assured the newcomer then 114 00:04:35,089 --> 00:04:41,810 cryptically mused but somepony here sure 115 00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:45,649 smells like one zan sniffed at her own 116 00:04:41,810 --> 00:04:46,038 coat I rolled my eyes then just to be 117 00:04:45,649 --> 00:04:49,159 sure 118 00:04:46,038 --> 00:04:55,068 sniffed at my own and gagged a little I 119 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:56,180 was ranked calamity swooped up to us he 120 00:04:55,069 --> 00:04:58,250 had been waiting for us in front of 121 00:04:56,180 --> 00:05:00,949 Jabba's Spitfire splendour held in his 122 00:04:58,250 --> 00:05:02,689 mouth Java had apparently been based on 123 00:05:00,949 --> 00:05:04,400 the large sign collapsed over the door a 124 00:05:02,689 --> 00:05:05,810 milk covered stallion whose main was a 125 00:05:04,399 --> 00:05:07,489 wavy light brown with the dark brown 126 00:05:05,810 --> 00:05:08,990 streaks and whose cutie mark was a 127 00:05:07,490 --> 00:05:12,408 steaming cup of what I hope was coffee 128 00:05:08,990 --> 00:05:15,740 beans but when we stopped moving forward 129 00:05:12,408 --> 00:05:18,288 he decided to close the gap himself he 130 00:05:15,740 --> 00:05:19,879 landed next to me slipping the magically 131 00:05:18,288 --> 00:05:21,500 enchanted anti machine rifle into a 132 00:05:19,879 --> 00:05:23,860 newly fashioned holster on his battle 133 00:05:21,500 --> 00:05:29,389 saddle and offers Anitha hoof and smile 134 00:05:23,860 --> 00:05:31,129 well Haddie I wanted to kiss him which 135 00:05:29,389 --> 00:05:32,379 was not a desire I normally associated 136 00:05:31,129 --> 00:05:35,509 with bucks 137 00:05:32,379 --> 00:05:37,310 zennith looked hesitant she reached out 138 00:05:35,509 --> 00:05:39,348 with a hoof tentatively and then shrank 139 00:05:37,310 --> 00:05:42,228 back wide eyed as Kalama took it in both 140 00:05:39,348 --> 00:05:45,468 for hose and shook vigorously pleased to 141 00:05:42,228 --> 00:05:48,019 meet you I'm calamity her for like was 142 00:05:45,468 --> 00:05:52,459 still shaking after he let go welcome to 143 00:05:48,019 --> 00:05:54,500 the team this is it she asked 144 00:05:52,459 --> 00:05:56,198 consciously still looking at calamity as 145 00:05:54,500 --> 00:05:58,610 if she'd never seen a Pegasus before 146 00:05:56,199 --> 00:06:01,038 which I realized suddenly was probably 147 00:05:58,610 --> 00:06:04,158 the case Oh shucks 148 00:06:01,038 --> 00:06:06,019 calamity said still grinning I saw y'all 149 00:06:04,158 --> 00:06:08,029 through the scope clearly l'apicio 150 00:06:06,019 --> 00:06:10,609 trusty ax and a sheet rest yeah that's 151 00:06:08,029 --> 00:06:13,038 good enough for me yes 152 00:06:10,610 --> 00:06:16,009 velvet said in a drawing yet ladylike 153 00:06:13,038 --> 00:06:18,360 sigh because little pips judgment has 154 00:06:16,009 --> 00:06:20,129 been Celestia Tia recently 155 00:06:18,360 --> 00:06:23,759 she was looking over my injuries with 156 00:06:20,129 --> 00:06:27,110 growing dismay okay okay 157 00:06:23,759 --> 00:06:30,569 yeah it was a stupid plan I'm sorry I 158 00:06:27,110 --> 00:06:31,860 looked to my friends desperately I knew 159 00:06:30,569 --> 00:06:32,848 it was gonna be bad in there and I 160 00:06:31,860 --> 00:06:35,038 didn't want to put any of you through 161 00:06:32,848 --> 00:06:36,750 that I know I should have trusted you to 162 00:06:35,038 --> 00:06:38,579 handle yourselves and that we should 163 00:06:36,750 --> 00:06:42,379 have stayed together we're stronger 164 00:06:38,579 --> 00:06:44,698 together I'm pathetic without you I 165 00:06:42,379 --> 00:06:48,120 collapsed to my knees suddenly overcome 166 00:06:44,699 --> 00:06:49,650 with fatigue Velva remedies Hornby and 167 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:50,879 the glow she waved everyone else to be 168 00:06:49,649 --> 00:06:54,109 quiet and stand back 169 00:06:50,879 --> 00:06:57,960 a moment later my unicorn friend gasped 170 00:06:54,110 --> 00:07:02,968 by the goddesses little pip what 171 00:06:57,959 --> 00:07:04,560 happened to you in there velvet Remini 172 00:07:02,968 --> 00:07:06,240 knelt next to me as I stretched out on a 173 00:07:04,560 --> 00:07:06,709 mattress in what had once been a child's 174 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:08,879 bedroom 175 00:07:06,709 --> 00:07:10,079 we had invaded a small apartment 176 00:07:08,879 --> 00:07:11,729 building that had once shared a 177 00:07:10,079 --> 00:07:14,038 Philadelphia city block with Java and 178 00:07:11,728 --> 00:07:16,348 his cups I could see the others in the 179 00:07:14,038 --> 00:07:17,639 next room calamity was sorting through 180 00:07:16,348 --> 00:07:18,329 the small items he had scavenged from 181 00:07:17,639 --> 00:07:21,538 the apartment 182 00:07:18,329 --> 00:07:25,318 zennith was cooking steelo's was 183 00:07:21,538 --> 00:07:27,930 glowering i gotta wonder why they even 184 00:07:25,319 --> 00:07:29,250 bothered calamity mused as he stared at 185 00:07:27,930 --> 00:07:31,829 the boards which he pried from across 186 00:07:29,250 --> 00:07:34,709 the door an hour ago then I'll serve his 187 00:07:31,829 --> 00:07:36,180 wood for a cook fire ain't luck anypony 188 00:07:34,709 --> 00:07:37,408 who's determined and capable enough to 189 00:07:36,180 --> 00:07:38,728 brave in a city ruins is gonna be 190 00:07:37,408 --> 00:07:40,769 stopped by a couple planks of wood 191 00:07:38,728 --> 00:07:44,038 why bother boarding up the door in the 192 00:07:40,769 --> 00:07:45,538 first place zennith had found some 193 00:07:44,038 --> 00:07:47,848 cooking pots and was brewing something 194 00:07:45,538 --> 00:07:49,800 sweet-smelling over the fire several 195 00:07:47,848 --> 00:07:52,740 other pots at around her each waiting 196 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:55,228 for its turn under the flames I marveled 197 00:07:52,740 --> 00:07:57,120 our good fortune ever since I've left 198 00:07:55,228 --> 00:07:59,069 homage I had been moaned or lack of a 199 00:07:57,120 --> 00:08:02,129 skilled chef 200 00:07:59,069 --> 00:08:03,139 I winced what I wouldn't give to see her 201 00:08:02,129 --> 00:08:06,649 right now 202 00:08:03,139 --> 00:08:09,329 instead she was in mortal peril and I I 203 00:08:06,649 --> 00:08:10,679 felt myself flush with angry guilt but I 204 00:08:09,329 --> 00:08:14,909 wasn't doing something to help her right 205 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:18,240 that instant I cursed red eye why did he 206 00:08:14,910 --> 00:08:20,580 have to go after homage I don't figure 207 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:23,069 he did calamity suggested from the other 208 00:08:20,579 --> 00:08:25,109 room I reckon he's aimed at DJ pony 209 00:08:23,069 --> 00:08:26,699 Buck's been broadcasting good things 210 00:08:25,110 --> 00:08:28,379 about you for a while now so that 211 00:08:26,699 --> 00:08:29,610 probably gets him chalked up as a friend 212 00:08:28,379 --> 00:08:32,939 that red eye figures you'd want to keep 213 00:08:29,610 --> 00:08:34,560 from harm assuming that he hasn't simply 214 00:08:32,940 --> 00:08:38,220 surmised that you want to keep every 215 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:40,109 soul from harm steel is added grimly and 216 00:08:38,220 --> 00:08:43,889 that you will go to absurd and dangerous 217 00:08:40,110 --> 00:08:45,539 lengths to do so I felt the urge to 218 00:08:43,889 --> 00:08:47,610 remind him that it was a steel ranger 219 00:08:45,539 --> 00:08:50,579 elder who pitched the plan but I bit 220 00:08:47,610 --> 00:08:52,019 back steel had never suggested or 221 00:08:50,580 --> 00:08:53,940 pressured me to go along with the solo 222 00:08:52,019 --> 00:08:56,610 mission merely supported me when I made 223 00:08:53,940 --> 00:08:58,020 the decision to considering the tones of 224 00:08:56,610 --> 00:09:00,539 his previous conversation with elder 225 00:08:58,019 --> 00:09:02,100 blueberry saber I suspected steel hose 226 00:09:00,539 --> 00:09:03,509 would have justice swiftly backed me if 227 00:09:02,100 --> 00:09:06,480 my decision had involved telling her to 228 00:09:03,509 --> 00:09:08,580 sit on my horn and spin I looked from 229 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,840 steel hose to calamity again struck by 230 00:09:08,580 --> 00:09:13,530 the difference between them when it came 231 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:17,820 to support calamity was loyal steel hose 232 00:09:13,529 --> 00:09:20,730 was obedient not necessarily to me but 233 00:09:17,820 --> 00:09:24,180 to whomever he accepted as in charge he 234 00:09:20,730 --> 00:09:25,950 was a soldier buck even now though 235 00:09:24,179 --> 00:09:28,199 remedies glowing horn passed over me 236 00:09:25,950 --> 00:09:31,560 once more she was making sure she'd 237 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:33,150 found every injury as I had expected my 238 00:09:31,559 --> 00:09:35,250 broken rib and punctured lung had drawn 239 00:09:33,149 --> 00:09:36,990 the most reaction from her including a 240 00:09:35,250 --> 00:09:39,330 whole host of dark looks at Zenith that 241 00:09:36,990 --> 00:09:41,039 steel hose couldn't match but she 242 00:09:39,330 --> 00:09:42,870 commended the zebra not feeding me any 243 00:09:41,039 --> 00:09:44,759 healing potions voicing confidence or 244 00:09:42,870 --> 00:09:46,799 mending spells 245 00:09:44,759 --> 00:09:51,269 she gasped as she started to pass her 246 00:09:46,799 --> 00:09:52,859 horn over my tail little PIP she leaned 247 00:09:51,269 --> 00:09:55,259 close her voice scandalized and 248 00:09:52,860 --> 00:09:58,919 sympathetic how did you get wounded 249 00:09:55,259 --> 00:10:00,750 there that wasn't me 250 00:09:58,919 --> 00:10:05,819 Zhaan's voice sounded from the other 251 00:10:00,750 --> 00:10:08,970 room what calamity looked up tensely we 252 00:10:05,820 --> 00:10:10,050 were a little bit away now I buried my 253 00:10:08,970 --> 00:10:12,259 face in my for ghost 254 00:10:10,049 --> 00:10:14,039 feeling my cheeks red with embarrassment 255 00:10:12,259 --> 00:10:16,110 never you mind 256 00:10:14,039 --> 00:10:17,669 velvet told the pegasus sternly she 257 00:10:16,110 --> 00:10:20,129 opened her saddlebags and floated out an 258 00:10:17,669 --> 00:10:21,719 array of medical supplies clam Lea 259 00:10:20,129 --> 00:10:24,870 scavenging had restocked as well in that 260 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:26,459 regard it didn't help that my worry over 261 00:10:24,870 --> 00:10:28,019 Arjun brought with it half formed 262 00:10:26,458 --> 00:10:29,489 daydreams of that wonderful unicorn 263 00:10:28,019 --> 00:10:30,889 kissing that very wound to make it 264 00:10:29,490 --> 00:10:32,730 better 265 00:10:30,889 --> 00:10:34,740 gracefully returning us to the earlier 266 00:10:32,730 --> 00:10:37,740 conversation Belleville remedy suggested 267 00:10:34,740 --> 00:10:39,350 I know you're worried about homage but 268 00:10:37,740 --> 00:10:41,639 please try not to let it eat at you 269 00:10:39,350 --> 00:10:43,019 remember so long as redeye doesn't act 270 00:10:41,639 --> 00:10:45,959 on his threat he has something to 271 00:10:43,019 --> 00:10:48,690 threaten you with once he does all he 272 00:10:45,958 --> 00:10:50,129 has is an angry little pip and if he's 273 00:10:48,690 --> 00:10:51,750 half as smart as you make him out to be 274 00:10:50,129 --> 00:10:55,169 then he's plenty bright enough to know 275 00:10:51,750 --> 00:10:58,879 that he doesn't want that I bit my lower 276 00:10:55,169 --> 00:11:02,219 lip calamity stood up shaking his head I 277 00:10:58,879 --> 00:11:04,110 hate to be the voice of worry but the 278 00:11:02,220 --> 00:11:07,500 Pegasus paused uncomfortably brushing a 279 00:11:04,110 --> 00:11:08,909 hoof over his orange mane well I figure 280 00:11:07,500 --> 00:11:10,828 if he put that Meg spell at tenpony 281 00:11:08,909 --> 00:11:12,838 tower must have done so before he'd 282 00:11:10,828 --> 00:11:14,129 hatched this plan to use you so the only 283 00:11:12,839 --> 00:11:18,500 thing keeping her from use it is that 284 00:11:14,129 --> 00:11:20,659 dealios i frowned 285 00:11:18,500 --> 00:11:22,570 so do you think he'll set it off the 286 00:11:20,659 --> 00:11:26,689 moment he knows the guys is dead I 287 00:11:22,570 --> 00:11:28,540 hadn't even considered that that is if I 288 00:11:26,690 --> 00:11:33,650 even do that 289 00:11:28,539 --> 00:11:36,289 calamity nudged his hat I don't rightly 290 00:11:33,649 --> 00:11:39,259 know but DJ Pony is a dissenting voice 291 00:11:36,289 --> 00:11:42,379 with a huge audience calamities frown 292 00:11:39,259 --> 00:11:43,909 deepened most dictatorships I know of 293 00:11:42,379 --> 00:11:45,500 tend to go hell and high water to either 294 00:11:43,909 --> 00:11:49,039 discredit or destroy opposing voices 295 00:11:45,500 --> 00:11:51,740 like that I almost asked of how many 296 00:11:49,039 --> 00:11:53,480 dictatorships clearly knew but the words 297 00:11:51,740 --> 00:11:56,299 died on my lips as a memory floated to 298 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:58,820 the surface of my mind don't you believe 299 00:11:56,299 --> 00:12:00,259 him calamity had once told me the 300 00:11:58,820 --> 00:12:02,060 Enclave has a vested interest in making 301 00:12:00,259 --> 00:12:06,319 anypony who bucks their ideas into a 302 00:12:02,059 --> 00:12:09,889 monster instead I nodded trying to give 303 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:11,629 him a supportive look stone cuts out the 304 00:12:09,889 --> 00:12:13,789 tongues of anyone speak ill of red-eye 305 00:12:11,629 --> 00:12:15,759 zennith reminded me putting a little 306 00:12:13,789 --> 00:12:18,110 extra loathing into the Griffins name I 307 00:12:15,759 --> 00:12:21,289 spent several years speaking nothing so 308 00:12:18,110 --> 00:12:24,009 that I might keep mine she added it is 309 00:12:21,289 --> 00:12:27,379 good to finally use it freely again 310 00:12:24,009 --> 00:12:29,240 steelo's grunted now that we're all 311 00:12:27,379 --> 00:12:31,879 together I don't see why we don't just 312 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:36,909 call his bluff flying in level his 313 00:12:31,879 --> 00:12:39,620 operation take him out I sighed deeply 314 00:12:36,909 --> 00:12:40,299 first because taking him out wouldn't be 315 00:12:39,620 --> 00:12:42,500 that easy 316 00:12:40,299 --> 00:12:44,839 elder blueberry saber was right about 317 00:12:42,500 --> 00:12:47,080 that he's always protected and he can 318 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:49,430 get out faster than we can get to him 319 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:51,340 what I didn't say was that I wasn't sure 320 00:12:49,429 --> 00:12:53,989 I wanted to flatten his operation in 321 00:12:51,340 --> 00:12:55,280 fact I was sure that I didn't want to 322 00:12:53,990 --> 00:12:58,490 destroy the work he was doing 323 00:12:55,279 --> 00:13:01,659 I wanted to free all the slaves but that 324 00:12:58,490 --> 00:13:05,000 wasn't the same thing was it 325 00:13:01,659 --> 00:13:06,379 dammit it was easier to know my moral 326 00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:08,419 stance before I discovered the evil 327 00:13:06,379 --> 00:13:11,750 fucker was also as I could best see it 328 00:13:08,419 --> 00:13:15,319 right he was building a better future 329 00:13:11,750 --> 00:13:17,299 or at least parts of one and he was 330 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:20,390 sacrificing everything for it from his 331 00:13:17,299 --> 00:13:21,979 own home to Euro freedom I recalled a 332 00:13:20,389 --> 00:13:24,319 conversation with watcher regarding how 333 00:13:21,980 --> 00:13:25,820 without what he called the spark the 334 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:28,940 virtues he valued could become twisted 335 00:13:25,820 --> 00:13:33,050 lost parodies of themselves I had found 336 00:13:28,940 --> 00:13:34,880 another in red eye generosity even 337 00:13:33,049 --> 00:13:37,429 generosity could wander down twisted 338 00:13:34,879 --> 00:13:38,629 dark paths especially when you're trying 339 00:13:37,429 --> 00:13:40,359 to give away something that shouldn't be 340 00:13:38,629 --> 00:13:43,580 yours to give 341 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:46,450 Stilo snickered you don't actually 342 00:13:43,580 --> 00:13:50,480 believe red eye has a mega spell do you 343 00:13:46,450 --> 00:13:52,700 hi grimaced an undead native balefire 344 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:56,529 bomb when would you've acquired 345 00:13:52,700 --> 00:13:58,850 something like that seals question where 346 00:13:56,529 --> 00:14:02,569 it's not like you can just stumble over 347 00:13:58,850 --> 00:14:05,920 something like that laying around velvet 348 00:14:02,570 --> 00:14:11,560 remedy clan lee and i exchanged looks oh 349 00:14:05,919 --> 00:14:14,179 no steel is ground what did you three do 350 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:15,559 the building was silent say for the 351 00:14:14,179 --> 00:14:17,209 crackling of the fire and the bubbling 352 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:20,419 of the cook pot for several long mates 353 00:14:17,210 --> 00:14:23,060 in the wake of our explanation you gave 354 00:14:20,419 --> 00:14:25,639 a balefire bomb over to new Appaloosa 355 00:14:23,059 --> 00:14:27,859 Steel's exploded pacing in his heavy 356 00:14:25,639 --> 00:14:30,350 armor his metal sheath tail flicking an 357 00:14:27,860 --> 00:14:32,269 emphasis with every word a town 358 00:14:30,350 --> 00:14:34,360 notorious for trading with red eyes 359 00:14:32,269 --> 00:14:39,220 slavers 360 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:43,119 yep which one of you idiots came up with 361 00:14:39,220 --> 00:14:45,699 that idea still have demanded I silently 362 00:14:43,119 --> 00:14:47,110 tore through my memories I remembered 363 00:14:45,698 --> 00:14:50,048 being concerned about sending the freed 364 00:14:47,110 --> 00:14:51,759 slaves back to new Appaloosa stunningly 365 00:14:50,048 --> 00:14:54,539 I couldn't recall having the same 366 00:14:51,759 --> 00:14:57,039 concerns about giving them a mega spell 367 00:14:54,539 --> 00:14:59,129 Clemen you raised this off a chagrined 368 00:14:57,039 --> 00:15:02,980 expression on his face 369 00:14:59,129 --> 00:15:05,220 this is zennith asked why they call you 370 00:15:02,980 --> 00:15:07,449 calamity yes 371 00:15:05,220 --> 00:15:12,100 velvet remy moved to sit by calamity 372 00:15:07,448 --> 00:15:13,838 side steelo's was fuming you do realize 373 00:15:12,100 --> 00:15:16,839 that red eyes the only reason there is 374 00:15:13,839 --> 00:15:18,489 even a new Appaloosa right his visor 375 00:15:16,839 --> 00:15:22,509 turned towards us and only found blank 376 00:15:18,489 --> 00:15:24,100 expressions that place was a small town 377 00:15:22,509 --> 00:15:26,188 dying in the dust before red eye 378 00:15:24,100 --> 00:15:29,790 Princeton and gave them a water talisman 379 00:15:26,188 --> 00:15:31,988 you've got to figure they owe him 380 00:15:29,789 --> 00:15:34,988 calamity shook his head genuinely 381 00:15:31,989 --> 00:15:38,889 surprised sorry partner but that one's 382 00:15:34,989 --> 00:15:42,429 new to me I however really grown putting 383 00:15:38,889 --> 00:15:44,709 my hooves over my eyes I saw the bounty 384 00:15:42,428 --> 00:15:46,208 of our stable shared the water towel has 385 00:15:44,708 --> 00:15:48,068 been given to a struggle in town which 386 00:15:46,208 --> 00:15:52,748 now knows the joy of clean and pure 387 00:15:48,068 --> 00:15:55,349 water on which was going to die and it 388 00:15:52,749 --> 00:15:55,350 was all my fault 389 00:15:56,318 --> 00:15:59,858 my pipbuck was clicking at me not 390 00:15:58,659 --> 00:16:03,009 letting me ignore the water I was 391 00:15:59,859 --> 00:16:04,749 bathing was radioactive Vella Romney had 392 00:16:03,009 --> 00:16:06,129 a dose of radaway sitting nearby for me 393 00:16:04,749 --> 00:16:09,220 to consume as soon as I got out of the 394 00:16:06,129 --> 00:16:11,409 grossly stained tub pure water was a 395 00:16:09,220 --> 00:16:12,879 rare treat in the wasteland even those 396 00:16:11,409 --> 00:16:15,999 who had it did not think to squander it 397 00:16:12,879 --> 00:16:17,499 on baths not unless they lived someplace 398 00:16:15,999 --> 00:16:20,979 with a water talisman like tenpony tower 399 00:16:17,499 --> 00:16:24,028 at least and the philadelphia ruins all 400 00:16:20,979 --> 00:16:26,229 the water to be found was irradiated the 401 00:16:24,028 --> 00:16:27,788 clicking of my pipbuck reminded me that 402 00:16:26,229 --> 00:16:31,479 my weeks of knee questioned wasteland 403 00:16:27,788 --> 00:16:32,739 had been in many ways blessed I had 404 00:16:31,479 --> 00:16:34,449 avoided some of the more repulsive 405 00:16:32,739 --> 00:16:36,999 hardships that many ponies faced every 406 00:16:34,448 --> 00:16:38,558 day I had never been reduced to drinking 407 00:16:36,999 --> 00:16:41,739 radioactive water from the bowl of a 408 00:16:38,558 --> 00:16:43,118 toilet there wasn't much of a wall left 409 00:16:41,739 --> 00:16:45,038 between this apartments bedroom in the 410 00:16:43,119 --> 00:16:47,229 living room so I was effectively bathing 411 00:16:45,038 --> 00:16:50,109 in front of them zennith was still 412 00:16:47,229 --> 00:16:51,639 tending your boiling pots velvet Remini 413 00:16:50,109 --> 00:16:53,139 moved between helping me scrub places 414 00:16:51,639 --> 00:16:54,818 that I normally call it on my own magic 415 00:16:53,139 --> 00:16:56,499 to reach and watching calamities he 416 00:16:54,818 --> 00:16:58,418 tinkered with broken radios he found in 417 00:16:56,499 --> 00:17:00,879 the other apartments rebuilding one with 418 00:16:58,418 --> 00:17:04,269 parts cannibalize from the others stilo 419 00:17:00,879 --> 00:17:05,889 stood guard near the door the radio 420 00:17:04,269 --> 00:17:09,480 clammy had been rebuilding flared to 421 00:17:05,888 --> 00:17:12,609 life yeaaaah 422 00:17:09,480 --> 00:17:14,740 welcome tony's of philadelphia this is 423 00:17:12,609 --> 00:17:16,119 DJ pony beaming a light into even the 424 00:17:14,740 --> 00:17:19,028 darkest parts of the equestrian 425 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:21,878 wasteland you can't stop the signal baby 426 00:17:19,028 --> 00:17:23,859 and thanks to that kid from stable to 427 00:17:21,878 --> 00:17:25,509 the message is reaching even the sole 428 00:17:23,859 --> 00:17:26,168 strapping that celestial forsaken 429 00:17:25,509 --> 00:17:28,148 hellhole 430 00:17:26,169 --> 00:17:29,830 looks like our plucky stable dweller 431 00:17:28,148 --> 00:17:31,628 galloped into the heart of redeye slaver 432 00:17:29,829 --> 00:17:34,329 operation and gave that old bastard a 433 00:17:31,628 --> 00:17:35,980 big black eye in the form of losing 434 00:17:34,329 --> 00:17:38,619 nearly half his durables and a small 435 00:17:35,980 --> 00:17:41,288 armies worth of slavers not to mention 436 00:17:38,619 --> 00:17:43,000 dilating the crater boss and she even 437 00:17:41,288 --> 00:17:46,148 took red eyes right off Griffin stern 438 00:17:43,000 --> 00:17:49,359 down a peg and that's not all 439 00:17:46,148 --> 00:17:51,428 our little wasteland heroine our bringer 440 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:52,479 of light bucked right through the wall 441 00:17:51,429 --> 00:17:54,490 the red I had built around 442 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:56,079 Philadelphia's airwaves bringing my 443 00:17:54,490 --> 00:17:58,509 humble message into the one place I can 444 00:17:56,079 --> 00:18:00,089 never reach before Thank You stable 445 00:17:58,509 --> 00:18:02,190 dweller 446 00:18:00,089 --> 00:18:05,129 I sucked deeper into the bath and moaned 447 00:18:02,190 --> 00:18:07,470 the elation I felt adhering homages 448 00:18:05,130 --> 00:18:09,299 voice disguised as it was in this 449 00:18:07,470 --> 00:18:11,038 horrible place battle the humiliation 450 00:18:09,298 --> 00:18:14,038 and dismay of hearing my royal fuckup 451 00:18:11,038 --> 00:18:17,548 described as a brilliant victory I did 452 00:18:14,038 --> 00:18:19,259 not earn this if any of you should 453 00:18:17,548 --> 00:18:21,690 happen to see I alive bring her give her 454 00:18:19,259 --> 00:18:23,429 a big thanks she'll be easy recognize 455 00:18:21,690 --> 00:18:25,019 she keeping the company of the zebra 456 00:18:23,429 --> 00:18:27,929 slave she rescued is icing on the 457 00:18:25,019 --> 00:18:29,278 cupcake for latest escapade and for the 458 00:18:27,929 --> 00:18:31,288 rest of you still toiling away in 459 00:18:29,278 --> 00:18:33,798 Philadelphia our hearts go out to you 460 00:18:31,288 --> 00:18:36,629 and your plight has not been forgotten 461 00:18:33,798 --> 00:18:39,269 plus I offer these small words of hope 462 00:18:36,630 --> 00:18:43,020 knowing our Lightbringer I don't think 463 00:18:39,269 --> 00:18:44,668 she's done with redeye yet zennith 464 00:18:43,019 --> 00:18:49,528 stared at the little radio blinking 465 00:18:44,669 --> 00:18:51,120 slowly how does he know so much we'd 466 00:18:49,528 --> 00:18:54,210 walked across the moat an outside the 467 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:56,668 wall less than three hours ago the zebra 468 00:18:54,210 --> 00:18:59,038 looked to my companions and why does he 469 00:18:56,669 --> 00:19:00,059 not give you the credit you deserve much 470 00:18:59,038 --> 00:19:01,950 as the victory was yours 471 00:19:00,058 --> 00:19:05,819 as was our escape for which I am most 472 00:19:01,950 --> 00:19:09,830 thankful calamity chuckled Oh shucks 473 00:19:05,819 --> 00:19:13,700 weren't nothin Vella remedy purred 474 00:19:09,829 --> 00:19:15,928 because we asked DJ pony not mention us 475 00:19:13,700 --> 00:19:21,319 little pip here should get all of the 476 00:19:15,929 --> 00:19:23,340 credits I groaned it was a conspiracy I 477 00:19:21,319 --> 00:19:24,778 started to get up and say something 478 00:19:23,339 --> 00:19:27,599 but velvet Romani put a hoof to my 479 00:19:24,778 --> 00:19:29,759 muzzle then was spring to my ear oh and 480 00:19:27,599 --> 00:19:32,969 don't think I forgot about that bond or 481 00:19:29,759 --> 00:19:34,140 comment she smiled as I collapsed with a 482 00:19:32,970 --> 00:19:37,019 splash under the weight of my 483 00:19:34,140 --> 00:19:38,940 embarrassment deejays ponies voice 484 00:19:37,019 --> 00:19:40,759 continued bringing news and advice the 485 00:19:38,940 --> 00:19:43,470 ponies of the Equestrian wasteland I 486 00:19:40,759 --> 00:19:45,569 felt a chill as DJ Pony talked openly 487 00:19:43,470 --> 00:19:49,200 with us having no idea she was in mortal 488 00:19:45,569 --> 00:19:51,240 danger warning to all those travelling 489 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:52,710 central Equestria keep your hooves away 490 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:54,990 from the area surrounding Ponyville I'm 491 00:19:52,710 --> 00:19:57,120 getting reports of fires along the back 492 00:19:54,990 --> 00:19:58,769 end of the everfree forest they seemed 493 00:19:57,119 --> 00:20:00,418 to be spreading slowly but the advancing 494 00:19:58,769 --> 00:20:02,009 flames and smoke are pushing many of the 495 00:20:00,419 --> 00:20:03,509 forests unpleasant inhabitance towards 496 00:20:02,009 --> 00:20:05,519 the Ponyville side of the nightmare zone 497 00:20:03,509 --> 00:20:06,960 and at least a couple monsters have 498 00:20:05,519 --> 00:20:10,109 actually wandered their way into the old 499 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:12,329 town itself fortunately the only ponies 500 00:20:10,109 --> 00:20:13,689 living in that area are Raiders so do 501 00:20:12,329 --> 00:20:16,898 the monsters I say 502 00:20:13,690 --> 00:20:19,778 Bon Appetit well if it ain't one thing 503 00:20:16,898 --> 00:20:20,979 is another calamity needed pointing out 504 00:20:19,778 --> 00:20:23,099 that splendid valley was beyond 505 00:20:20,980 --> 00:20:25,360 Ponyville in the opposite direction 506 00:20:23,099 --> 00:20:27,128 fortunately we would be crossing the 507 00:20:25,359 --> 00:20:28,269 area while above ground level so it 508 00:20:27,128 --> 00:20:31,089 should be able to fly clear of any 509 00:20:28,269 --> 00:20:32,528 trouble unless of course the critters 510 00:20:31,089 --> 00:20:36,638 wander out that place include manna 511 00:20:32,528 --> 00:20:38,619 cause it like knowing my luck and the 512 00:20:36,638 --> 00:20:42,459 question wastelands maliciousness they 513 00:20:38,619 --> 00:20:44,229 will be angry dragons well it's another 514 00:20:42,460 --> 00:20:46,210 hard day in this equestrian wasteland 515 00:20:44,230 --> 00:20:48,639 but I've got the news and the music to 516 00:20:46,210 --> 00:20:51,009 get you through so say bye-bye to stupid 517 00:20:48,638 --> 00:20:56,258 static and hello to magnificent music 518 00:20:51,009 --> 00:20:58,120 this has been your host DJ Pony the 519 00:20:56,259 --> 00:20:59,798 voice of homages broadcast persona gave 520 00:20:58,119 --> 00:21:02,378 away to one of the newer songs on DJ 521 00:20:59,798 --> 00:21:08,440 pony's playlist something from a record 522 00:21:02,378 --> 00:21:10,019 I had rescued out of stable 29 i felt 523 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:12,399 immensely better after the bath as 524 00:21:10,019 --> 00:21:14,589 velvet remi wove her horn around my 525 00:21:12,398 --> 00:21:16,538 broken body mending my ribbon long with 526 00:21:14,589 --> 00:21:21,428 her beautiful magic i began to drift to 527 00:21:16,538 --> 00:21:27,250 sleep steel hose walked in little pip 528 00:21:21,429 --> 00:21:31,450 can we talk about the zebra i released a 529 00:21:27,250 --> 00:21:33,519 long suffering sigh this again lamely 530 00:21:31,450 --> 00:21:36,190 pretending to miss here i replied 531 00:21:33,519 --> 00:21:41,069 candy hawk sorry don't think i've heard 532 00:21:36,190 --> 00:21:45,480 of her funny still have said dryly 533 00:21:41,069 --> 00:21:48,808 littlepip I need to talk with you you 534 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:51,660 need to go to the zoo fine need the four 535 00:21:48,808 --> 00:21:53,730 of us to come with you I put a little 536 00:21:51,660 --> 00:21:55,200 emphasis on the number four only to 537 00:21:53,730 --> 00:21:56,029 realize that with pyar light it should 538 00:21:55,200 --> 00:21:59,690 have been five 539 00:21:56,029 --> 00:22:02,519 where was that magnificent bird anyway 540 00:21:59,690 --> 00:22:04,019 snickering softly nobody stood up and 541 00:22:02,519 --> 00:22:06,779 trotted over to the Steel Ranger head 542 00:22:04,019 --> 00:22:08,190 down she pressed against him wrapping 543 00:22:06,779 --> 00:22:09,928 him with a telekinetic field of her own 544 00:22:08,190 --> 00:22:11,630 reducing the massive weight of his armor 545 00:22:09,929 --> 00:22:13,890 so she could shove him out the door 546 00:22:11,630 --> 00:22:16,200 sorry steal those too busy saving 547 00:22:13,890 --> 00:22:20,090 Equestria today all prejudice has been 548 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:23,340 rescheduled is next month good for you 549 00:22:20,089 --> 00:22:24,720 CeeLo snickered with a stomp you might 550 00:22:23,339 --> 00:22:27,298 accept having one of those travelling 551 00:22:24,720 --> 00:22:28,890 with you but even if I did there is no 552 00:22:27,298 --> 00:22:32,220 way the steel rangers would let her trot 553 00:22:28,890 --> 00:22:33,870 into the citadel and live he looked at 554 00:22:32,220 --> 00:22:36,720 me over velvet scarlet and gold streak 555 00:22:33,869 --> 00:22:41,009 white mane or am i wrong that you have 556 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:42,450 further business there I buried my face 557 00:22:41,009 --> 00:22:45,150 as I realized the ghoul stallion had a 558 00:22:42,450 --> 00:22:48,440 point stable Tex old headquarters of my 559 00:22:45,150 --> 00:22:51,990 first intended stop I had some things to 560 00:22:48,440 --> 00:22:53,190 discuss with elder blueberry saber but 561 00:22:51,990 --> 00:22:55,589 that wasn't some place I could take 562 00:22:53,190 --> 00:22:57,269 Zenith I'd have more like walking into 563 00:22:55,589 --> 00:22:58,619 steel Rangers Citadel with an alicorn in 564 00:22:57,269 --> 00:23:02,339 tow and trying to convince them she was 565 00:22:58,619 --> 00:23:03,979 friendly velvet remedy had him all the 566 00:23:02,339 --> 00:23:06,750 way through the door when I finally said 567 00:23:03,980 --> 00:23:09,240 steel love's I've welcomed Zanna to join 568 00:23:06,750 --> 00:23:11,880 us she's here as long as she wants to be 569 00:23:09,240 --> 00:23:14,009 if that's a problem for you then you're 570 00:23:11,880 --> 00:23:15,810 free to be elsewhere 571 00:23:14,009 --> 00:23:19,470 I stared at him with what I hoped was a 572 00:23:15,809 --> 00:23:21,000 gentle expression remember Applejack 573 00:23:19,470 --> 00:23:24,509 yourself offered her hose and friendship 574 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:28,410 to a zebra the response I got back was 575 00:23:24,509 --> 00:23:30,509 an unexpected growl yes and if you only 576 00:23:28,410 --> 00:23:32,850 knew how that ended you wouldn't speak 577 00:23:30,509 --> 00:23:37,740 of it Wow 578 00:23:32,849 --> 00:23:39,329 minefield okay but somehow I become the 579 00:23:37,740 --> 00:23:42,569 leader of this merry band of ponies and 580 00:23:39,329 --> 00:23:44,269 I've decided to give her a chance if you 581 00:23:42,569 --> 00:23:46,349 want to stay with us you will too I 582 00:23:44,269 --> 00:23:49,220 won't have Zenith mysteriously 583 00:23:46,349 --> 00:23:51,449 disappearing when my back is turned 584 00:23:49,220 --> 00:23:54,059 velvet Remnick gasps sharply my 585 00:23:51,450 --> 00:23:55,529 insinuation she didn't know the patterns 586 00:23:54,059 --> 00:23:57,000 of behavior I'd seen in Apple snacks 587 00:23:55,529 --> 00:23:58,589 memories and looked at all that I could 588 00:23:57,000 --> 00:24:02,910 even suggest one of us was capable of 589 00:23:58,589 --> 00:24:07,349 such things I envied her innocence steal 590 00:24:02,910 --> 00:24:09,750 of himself was silence so as long as 591 00:24:07,349 --> 00:24:11,209 you're with us you will love and 592 00:24:09,750 --> 00:24:15,269 tolerate the shit out of her 593 00:24:11,210 --> 00:24:19,890 consider that an order I stared at him 594 00:24:15,269 --> 00:24:22,920 giving him one chance that said I added 595 00:24:19,890 --> 00:24:25,080 reluctantly you are absolutely right 596 00:24:22,920 --> 00:24:26,340 about the steel Rangers I won't be 597 00:24:25,079 --> 00:24:30,629 bringing her with us into the stable 598 00:24:26,339 --> 00:24:35,019 tech building which uh means we'll have 599 00:24:30,630 --> 00:24:37,299 to split up again if only briefly anyhow 600 00:24:35,019 --> 00:24:40,210 Steele has stood there for a moment then 601 00:24:37,298 --> 00:24:42,069 gave a rigid nod as he turned to trot 602 00:24:40,210 --> 00:24:43,720 away he nearly ran to Zenith 603 00:24:42,069 --> 00:24:46,808 he was trotting up with a small covered 604 00:24:43,720 --> 00:24:48,339 cookpot hanging from her mouth they 605 00:24:46,808 --> 00:24:49,528 stared at each other awkwardly then 606 00:24:48,339 --> 00:24:52,000 danced about each other 607 00:24:49,528 --> 00:24:53,528 velvet remedy backed up letting zennith 608 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:54,990 through the doorway then closed it 609 00:24:53,528 --> 00:24:57,398 behind her 610 00:24:54,990 --> 00:25:00,009 Sana's lowered her neck placing the pot 611 00:24:57,398 --> 00:25:02,979 on the floor once again it would seem 612 00:25:00,009 --> 00:25:06,460 that I am subject of an argument you 613 00:25:02,980 --> 00:25:08,890 were the subject of an argument is that 614 00:25:06,460 --> 00:25:11,200 not what I said the zebra asked 615 00:25:08,890 --> 00:25:14,288 perplexed I covered a snicker with a 616 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:18,069 hoof velvet Romney gave up and rolled 617 00:25:14,288 --> 00:25:20,440 her eyes and what is that she asked 618 00:25:18,069 --> 00:25:23,710 pointing at the cook pot with a hoof her 619 00:25:20,440 --> 00:25:26,710 ears tilted back please tell me there is 620 00:25:23,710 --> 00:25:28,990 no meat in that zennith looked quite 621 00:25:26,710 --> 00:25:31,899 surprised of course not 622 00:25:28,990 --> 00:25:33,909 zebras are vegetarians as I thought were 623 00:25:31,898 --> 00:25:37,689 ponies are you not 624 00:25:33,909 --> 00:25:40,659 I can see relief wash of Ravello tremie 625 00:25:37,690 --> 00:25:44,048 as a look of joy broke over her face yes 626 00:25:40,659 --> 00:25:47,200 yes we are thank Celestia 627 00:25:44,048 --> 00:25:48,579 finally she slid up to Zenith wrapping a 628 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:50,140 four leg around her neck seemingly 629 00:25:48,579 --> 00:25:52,269 oblivious to the ways Anat suddenly 630 00:25:50,140 --> 00:25:56,080 tensed oh we are going to be best 631 00:25:52,269 --> 00:25:59,168 friends you and I velvet Romney backed 632 00:25:56,079 --> 00:26:00,668 up looking over Zenith and little pip 633 00:25:59,169 --> 00:26:02,009 isn't the only one in need of medical 634 00:26:00,669 --> 00:26:04,450 attention 635 00:26:02,009 --> 00:26:06,099 the mother doctor side of Vella was 636 00:26:04,450 --> 00:26:07,690 instantly back in control as she pulled 637 00:26:06,099 --> 00:26:10,439 the top mattress off a set of bunk beds 638 00:26:07,690 --> 00:26:13,028 and insistently got it zennith on to it 639 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:15,788 but the nudge to lie down was the final 640 00:26:13,028 --> 00:26:17,079 sraw ZENIT's jumped away spinning and 641 00:26:15,788 --> 00:26:18,700 knocking back velvet remedies nudging 642 00:26:17,079 --> 00:26:20,879 hope with enough force to send velvet 643 00:26:18,700 --> 00:26:25,420 stumbling back with a tear in her eye I 644 00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:27,880 do not like to be touched the zebra spat 645 00:26:25,420 --> 00:26:29,350 doublet Remini blinked falling onto her 646 00:26:27,880 --> 00:26:32,170 haunches holding her bruised hoof 647 00:26:29,349 --> 00:26:34,779 against her breast I felt like I was 648 00:26:32,170 --> 00:26:37,808 frozen part of me needed to jump between 649 00:26:34,779 --> 00:26:39,490 them to do something but the situation 650 00:26:37,808 --> 00:26:43,960 had changed so rapidly my brain was 651 00:26:39,490 --> 00:26:45,819 still catching up Oh Bella remedy 652 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:49,539 blinked her eyes widened 653 00:26:45,819 --> 00:26:50,919 oh she stared back at the tenth zebra 654 00:26:49,539 --> 00:26:55,889 mare with an expression flooding with 655 00:26:50,920 --> 00:26:58,450 compassion oh it's Santa I'm so sorry I 656 00:26:55,890 --> 00:27:00,820 had not told anypony what number four 657 00:26:58,450 --> 00:27:03,400 had told me about ZENIT's abuse I did 658 00:27:00,819 --> 00:27:04,029 not feel I had the right velvet remedy 659 00:27:03,400 --> 00:27:07,240 didn't need to 660 00:27:04,029 --> 00:27:10,740 she'd figured it out herself not the 661 00:27:07,240 --> 00:27:12,849 details thank the goddesses but enough 662 00:27:10,740 --> 00:27:15,150 gingerly putting her sort of down and 663 00:27:12,849 --> 00:27:18,750 standing velvet remedy apologized again 664 00:27:15,150 --> 00:27:20,710 but with that apology came insistence I 665 00:27:18,750 --> 00:27:23,950 will not touch you casually without 666 00:27:20,710 --> 00:27:25,750 permission that was wrong of me but I am 667 00:27:23,950 --> 00:27:29,230 a medical Pony and I will need to touch 668 00:27:25,750 --> 00:27:30,849 you to treat your physical wounds I can 669 00:27:29,230 --> 00:27:35,110 do that well enough on my own 670 00:27:30,849 --> 00:27:38,949 zennith knickers velvet knotted I'm sure 671 00:27:35,109 --> 00:27:41,979 you can but I can do it better that was 672 00:27:38,950 --> 00:27:43,779 no boast and after velvet remedy had 673 00:27:41,980 --> 00:27:46,599 been able to treat my ribbon lung there 674 00:27:43,779 --> 00:27:48,190 was no question she was right you 675 00:27:46,599 --> 00:27:50,439 deserve a lot better treatment than what 676 00:27:48,190 --> 00:27:53,410 you've been getting from others in the 677 00:27:50,440 --> 00:27:54,970 extreme but also from yourself let me 678 00:27:53,410 --> 00:27:57,910 give you the level of care you need 679 00:27:54,970 --> 00:28:00,029 velvet we need at least to the best of 680 00:27:57,910 --> 00:28:03,360 my ability 681 00:28:00,029 --> 00:28:05,220 zennith nade I came here to deliver a 682 00:28:03,359 --> 00:28:08,639 gift for the little one not to be 683 00:28:05,220 --> 00:28:10,980 prodded and treated by medical Pony they 684 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:12,330 both turned to look at me I was half 685 00:28:10,980 --> 00:28:17,099 tempted to pretend I couldn't hear them 686 00:28:12,329 --> 00:28:18,569 again our family had clearly grown big 687 00:28:17,099 --> 00:28:21,119 enough that somepony needed to lay 688 00:28:18,569 --> 00:28:23,849 ground rules but why should that fall to 689 00:28:21,119 --> 00:28:27,500 me considering my whole lack of family 690 00:28:23,849 --> 00:28:31,619 experience wasn't I the least qualified 691 00:28:27,500 --> 00:28:32,700 zennith I said gently in this group we 692 00:28:31,619 --> 00:28:35,129 have to trust each other with our lives 693 00:28:32,700 --> 00:28:36,870 every day we care for each other 694 00:28:35,130 --> 00:28:39,990 and each one of us uses our talents to 695 00:28:36,869 --> 00:28:41,959 help all of us I stopped as I recognized 696 00:28:39,990 --> 00:28:45,839 my line of thought was wandering 697 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:48,840 readjusted you are very welcome here and 698 00:28:45,839 --> 00:28:50,220 I do hope you stay with us but being a 699 00:28:48,839 --> 00:28:52,529 part of this group will call for some 700 00:28:50,220 --> 00:28:54,720 sacrifices you told me that I was 701 00:28:52,529 --> 00:28:56,009 responsible for you now that includes 702 00:28:54,720 --> 00:28:58,860 making sure you're properly cared for 703 00:28:56,009 --> 00:29:00,180 and this is how I choose to do that by 704 00:28:58,859 --> 00:29:03,029 having velvet remedy care for you like 705 00:29:00,180 --> 00:29:06,029 she cares to the rest of us I looked at 706 00:29:03,029 --> 00:29:08,869 the zebra adding unless you choose to 707 00:29:06,029 --> 00:29:12,359 release me from my responsibilities 708 00:29:08,869 --> 00:29:16,769 Zenoss eyes narrowed but slowly she laid 709 00:29:12,359 --> 00:29:20,279 down the mattress no I do not little 710 00:29:16,769 --> 00:29:23,190 pony I let out her breath I hadn't 711 00:29:20,279 --> 00:29:25,680 realized I've been holding velvet Remini 712 00:29:23,190 --> 00:29:27,210 moved carefully towards the zebra she 713 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:29,880 stabbed as she passed the small cook bot 714 00:29:27,210 --> 00:29:34,250 still resting on the floor she sniffed 715 00:29:29,880 --> 00:29:38,270 at it santé 'the what is this gift 716 00:29:34,250 --> 00:29:40,130 it is a restorative brew zeth told us it 717 00:29:38,269 --> 00:29:42,910 will replenish and heal your horn of the 718 00:29:40,130 --> 00:29:46,730 magics you overtaxed in our rescue I 719 00:29:42,910 --> 00:29:49,250 blinked on one hoof this was extremely 720 00:29:46,730 --> 00:29:52,160 welcome news the last time I had burned 721 00:29:49,250 --> 00:29:53,960 out it had taken days to recover with 722 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:55,310 red-eyes threat hanging over homage I 723 00:29:53,960 --> 00:29:55,940 couldn't afford to be ineffective that 724 00:29:55,309 --> 00:29:58,309 long 725 00:29:55,940 --> 00:29:59,539 on the other hoof I couldn't help but 726 00:29:58,309 --> 00:30:02,119 question what a zebra could know of 727 00:29:59,539 --> 00:30:05,869 unicorn magics much less remedies for 728 00:30:02,119 --> 00:30:07,969 uniquely unicorn ailments I know many of 729 00:30:05,869 --> 00:30:11,899 the ancient mystical recipes once 730 00:30:07,970 --> 00:30:14,509 secured to an axe and to harm Zenith 731 00:30:11,900 --> 00:30:16,610 told us if I have the right ingredients 732 00:30:14,509 --> 00:30:18,650 I can brew potions that will permanently 733 00:30:16,609 --> 00:30:22,329 alter and strengthen you making you 734 00:30:18,650 --> 00:30:25,940 better fit for the fight ahead alter I 735 00:30:22,329 --> 00:30:28,039 didn't think I wanted to be altered this 736 00:30:25,940 --> 00:30:30,100 is no such potion but I have what is 737 00:30:28,039 --> 00:30:32,180 necessary to craft one of these elixirs 738 00:30:30,099 --> 00:30:33,799 one which will strengthen your bones 739 00:30:32,180 --> 00:30:36,799 such that they will be much harder to 740 00:30:33,799 --> 00:30:39,950 break I will brew this for you if you 741 00:30:36,799 --> 00:30:43,009 allow me to delve addres me look 742 00:30:39,950 --> 00:30:46,299 skeptical I'm not sure that's such a 743 00:30:43,009 --> 00:30:49,069 good idea nor this gift for that matter 744 00:30:46,299 --> 00:30:51,470 before either of us could protest velvet 745 00:30:49,069 --> 00:30:53,740 reminded me little pip had some bad 746 00:30:51,470 --> 00:30:56,360 experiences with zebra medicine before 747 00:30:53,740 --> 00:30:58,430 she is particularly susceptible to their 748 00:30:56,359 --> 00:31:01,849 dangers 749 00:30:58,430 --> 00:31:03,890 zennith look between us I would not 750 00:31:01,849 --> 00:31:06,949 offer addictive draught nor give a cup 751 00:31:03,890 --> 00:31:10,250 to fool the zebra frowned it's valid 752 00:31:06,950 --> 00:31:11,779 then turn to me you just said that here 753 00:31:10,250 --> 00:31:14,480 you allow each other to share the 754 00:31:11,779 --> 00:31:16,089 talents will you not let me share this 755 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:18,319 one with you 756 00:31:16,089 --> 00:31:20,990 velvet nikkor dat the way zennith used 757 00:31:18,319 --> 00:31:23,480 my own argument so swiftly the zebra 758 00:31:20,990 --> 00:31:26,000 cocked her head you have seen red eye 759 00:31:23,480 --> 00:31:27,799 have you not that pony has augmented 760 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:30,230 himself with machines and technology if 761 00:31:27,799 --> 00:31:32,299 the little one truely chooses for him to 762 00:31:30,230 --> 00:31:34,039 be her mortal enemy then should she not 763 00:31:32,299 --> 00:31:37,430 take advantage of the gifts I offer her 764 00:31:34,039 --> 00:31:40,519 a red eye is also my enemy should I not 765 00:31:37,430 --> 00:31:42,380 offer them my answer was they get up 766 00:31:40,519 --> 00:31:45,289 walk to the cook pot and lift away the 767 00:31:42,380 --> 00:31:47,810 lid the brew inside smelled sweetly 768 00:31:45,289 --> 00:31:50,329 spicy the steam the rush now cleared my 769 00:31:47,809 --> 00:31:54,159 sinuses with only the slightest 770 00:31:50,329 --> 00:31:54,159 hesitation I began to drink 771 00:31:54,799 --> 00:31:59,869 my magic had been completely spent after 772 00:31:58,039 --> 00:32:01,519 drinking ZENIT's potion and a night of 773 00:31:59,869 --> 00:32:04,849 rest I still couldn't lift the now-empty 774 00:32:01,519 --> 00:32:07,369 cookpot but I believed I can feel the 775 00:32:04,849 --> 00:32:08,629 stirrings of my magic and I knew one 776 00:32:07,369 --> 00:32:11,959 test which would call for only the 777 00:32:08,630 --> 00:32:13,490 tiniest spark of focus and power I laid 778 00:32:11,960 --> 00:32:13,910 one of the memory orbs on the apartment 779 00:32:13,490 --> 00:32:16,519 floor 780 00:32:13,910 --> 00:32:18,050 I had sacrificed all saved for the two I 781 00:32:16,519 --> 00:32:21,319 had taken from the safes in my battle 782 00:32:18,049 --> 00:32:23,720 with the super alicorn but those two had 783 00:32:21,319 --> 00:32:26,089 been put in my other saddlebag I laid 784 00:32:23,720 --> 00:32:30,470 down leaning forward and concentrating 785 00:32:26,089 --> 00:32:32,990 as I touched my horn to the orb flashes 786 00:32:30,470 --> 00:32:34,640 of light burst across the night scores 787 00:32:32,990 --> 00:32:37,609 of cameras capturing the moment for a 788 00:32:34,640 --> 00:32:39,080 mob of news ponies in paparazzi they 789 00:32:37,609 --> 00:32:40,879 mixed with a throng of ponies shouting 790 00:32:39,079 --> 00:32:43,669 protests and holding signs in their 791 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:45,530 mouths my host was standing on a set of 792 00:32:43,670 --> 00:32:46,910 marbled steps looking down on them and 793 00:32:45,529 --> 00:32:49,819 watching a quartet of armored police 794 00:32:46,910 --> 00:32:51,769 ponies pushed their way through I was 795 00:32:49,819 --> 00:32:53,119 encased in armor but unlike my 796 00:32:51,769 --> 00:32:54,829 experience in the mind of Apple snack 797 00:32:53,119 --> 00:32:58,219 this Armour did not feel heavy or 798 00:32:54,829 --> 00:33:01,669 claustrophobic I could in fact barely 799 00:32:58,220 --> 00:33:03,259 feel it at all the limited vision the 800 00:33:01,670 --> 00:33:05,210 eyes forward sparkle that played behind 801 00:33:03,259 --> 00:33:06,799 the visor and the smell of trapped Pony 802 00:33:05,210 --> 00:33:10,340 sweat were the swiftest indications of 803 00:33:06,799 --> 00:33:11,930 how I was clad a very nice scent of Mara 804 00:33:10,339 --> 00:33:14,629 sweat I could not help myself from 805 00:33:11,930 --> 00:33:17,840 thinking with an unpleasant shock I 806 00:33:14,630 --> 00:33:19,960 realized I could feel my wings I was in 807 00:33:17,839 --> 00:33:22,089 a pegasus pony 808 00:33:19,960 --> 00:33:24,130 to each side of me stood more pegasi 809 00:33:22,089 --> 00:33:25,720 wearing the sleek black carapace armor I 810 00:33:24,130 --> 00:33:28,420 had come to associate with the Enclave 811 00:33:25,720 --> 00:33:30,160 as the police ponies broke through the 812 00:33:28,420 --> 00:33:31,810 front of the crown below and started up 813 00:33:30,160 --> 00:33:33,790 the steps I could see they were 814 00:33:31,809 --> 00:33:37,000 escorting a zebra bound in chains and 815 00:33:33,789 --> 00:33:38,349 encircled by the armored ponies one of 816 00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:41,140 them stepped forward speaking to 817 00:33:38,349 --> 00:33:43,240 somepony just behind me we got her in 818 00:33:41,140 --> 00:33:44,470 the iron-shod firearms red hoofed trying 819 00:33:43,240 --> 00:33:47,799 to steal the schematics for the anti 820 00:33:44,470 --> 00:33:50,410 machine rifle the zebra protested her 821 00:33:47,799 --> 00:33:54,099 mistreatment I have not broken any rule 822 00:33:50,410 --> 00:33:56,380 I was invited that you fool her accent 823 00:33:54,099 --> 00:33:57,939 was like Zenith's and I recognized the 824 00:33:56,380 --> 00:34:00,640 odd rhyming that seemed to follow in all 825 00:33:57,940 --> 00:34:04,150 of her speech lowering her voice loudly 826 00:34:00,640 --> 00:34:09,340 Zecora asked the lead pony so are you 827 00:34:04,150 --> 00:34:10,930 always such a tool I knew it cried an 828 00:34:09,340 --> 00:34:13,570 equally familiar voice from behind me 829 00:34:10,929 --> 00:34:16,809 the pink party pony advanced into view 830 00:34:13,570 --> 00:34:18,640 glaring daggers at the zebra and to 831 00:34:16,809 --> 00:34:24,239 think I let you trick us into trusting 832 00:34:18,639 --> 00:34:26,650 you you you trickster Sakura looked hurt 833 00:34:24,239 --> 00:34:29,289 pinkie pie didn't relent breaking in a 834 00:34:26,650 --> 00:34:31,769 furious singsong she's an evil 835 00:34:29,289 --> 00:34:34,719 enchantress and she does evil dances 836 00:34:31,769 --> 00:34:38,139 Pinkie Pie you have me wrong I am NOT 837 00:34:34,719 --> 00:34:41,879 like you're fuller song don't even try 838 00:34:38,139 --> 00:34:45,759 to entrace music aura I never again 839 00:34:41,880 --> 00:34:47,260 Pinkie Pie turn from her scowling it was 840 00:34:45,760 --> 00:34:49,690 the first time I had seen the mayor of 841 00:34:47,260 --> 00:34:53,110 the Ministry of morale angry and it was 842 00:34:49,690 --> 00:34:57,190 terrifying in a low voice she grumbled I 843 00:34:53,110 --> 00:34:58,780 hope you really like rocks Pinkie Pie 844 00:34:57,190 --> 00:35:00,429 looked up at me then jabbed a hoof 845 00:34:58,780 --> 00:35:04,180 towards two of the armored pegasi on my 846 00:35:00,429 --> 00:35:06,730 right you and you helped escort my old 847 00:35:04,179 --> 00:35:09,569 friend Pinkie Pie hissed the words 848 00:35:06,730 --> 00:35:11,500 between clenched teeth to the convoy 849 00:35:09,570 --> 00:35:14,170 Sakura will be spending the rest of her 850 00:35:11,500 --> 00:35:15,639 life as a guest in shattered hoof tell 851 00:35:14,170 --> 00:35:20,059 them that I want all of that zebras 852 00:35:15,639 --> 00:35:22,429 memories and don't be too gentle 853 00:35:20,059 --> 00:35:25,090 the two pegasi on my right rushed to 854 00:35:22,429 --> 00:35:27,909 obey Pinkie Pie pointed her hoof at me 855 00:35:25,090 --> 00:35:30,289 you with me 856 00:35:27,909 --> 00:35:31,730 the pink earth ponies stomped back up 857 00:35:30,289 --> 00:35:34,369 the steps and into what I assume was a 858 00:35:31,730 --> 00:35:35,840 ministry building my host turned and 859 00:35:34,369 --> 00:35:37,460 trotted after her following behind 860 00:35:35,840 --> 00:35:39,940 Pinkie Pie she crossed the darkened 861 00:35:37,460 --> 00:35:42,679 spacious Lobby towards the elevators 862 00:35:39,940 --> 00:35:45,440 under her breath Pinkie Pie continued to 863 00:35:42,679 --> 00:35:46,819 sing venomously she'll mix up an evil 864 00:35:45,440 --> 00:35:51,039 brew and swallow you up in a big tasty 865 00:35:46,820 --> 00:35:53,330 stew she stopped singing in the elevator 866 00:35:51,039 --> 00:35:54,769 which was good since the song would have 867 00:35:53,329 --> 00:35:56,420 clashed unpleasantly with the lullaby 868 00:35:54,769 --> 00:35:59,630 version of March of the Paris price that 869 00:35:56,420 --> 00:36:00,680 was playing inside the lift Pinkie Pie 870 00:35:59,630 --> 00:36:03,950 turned and pushed all the buttons 871 00:36:00,679 --> 00:36:05,480 simultaneously with her rump the 872 00:36:03,949 --> 00:36:07,250 elevator took us directly to a large 873 00:36:05,480 --> 00:36:10,840 office with a huge plate glass window 874 00:36:07,250 --> 00:36:13,190 that looked out over Canterlot 875 00:36:10,840 --> 00:36:15,410 thank you bye Schrodinger ously in the 876 00:36:13,190 --> 00:36:16,849 middle of the room then turn fixie moves 877 00:36:15,409 --> 00:36:18,469 are sort of malevolent expression that 878 00:36:16,849 --> 00:36:21,889 made me think she might carve me up and 879 00:36:18,469 --> 00:36:24,049 make me into a cupcake then in a magical 880 00:36:21,889 --> 00:36:25,159 instant she broke into a huge smile that 881 00:36:24,050 --> 00:36:27,650 seemed to light up the room 882 00:36:25,159 --> 00:36:32,750 she waved a hoof in a sweeping bow her 883 00:36:27,650 --> 00:36:34,070 voice bursting with joy acting the aging 884 00:36:32,750 --> 00:36:38,889 pink earth pony collapsed on the floor 885 00:36:34,070 --> 00:36:38,890 in a fit of giggles best prank ever 886 00:36:39,010 --> 00:36:44,900 my host humped and trotted over to the 887 00:36:41,630 --> 00:36:46,070 window looking down below the eyes 888 00:36:44,900 --> 00:36:48,369 forward Sparkle started identifying 889 00:36:46,070 --> 00:36:51,050 ponies and wagons in the street below 890 00:36:48,369 --> 00:36:52,519 the convoy carrying the cord a shattered 891 00:36:51,050 --> 00:36:54,080 hoof was already rolling out under a 892 00:36:52,519 --> 00:36:57,259 light guard supplemented by the two 893 00:36:54,079 --> 00:36:59,929 pegasi magically powered Armour I felt 894 00:36:57,260 --> 00:37:02,270 myself lift the visor in the window 895 00:36:59,929 --> 00:37:03,710 my reflected face was blue with magenta 896 00:37:02,269 --> 00:37:06,440 eyes and a shock of rainbow coloured 897 00:37:03,710 --> 00:37:07,789 hair matted between them pinkie pie's a 898 00:37:06,440 --> 00:37:11,570 reflection appeared on the window next 899 00:37:07,789 --> 00:37:13,130 to me the car is gonna be alright she 900 00:37:11,570 --> 00:37:16,269 asked a note of true concern in her 901 00:37:13,130 --> 00:37:20,019 voice won't she - II 902 00:37:16,269 --> 00:37:21,309 I saw and felt my hosts nod she's in 903 00:37:20,019 --> 00:37:23,349 with the best trainers the Ministry of 904 00:37:21,309 --> 00:37:26,889 Awesome has I wouldn't let this move 905 00:37:23,349 --> 00:37:28,360 forward if it were otherwise Pinkie Pie 906 00:37:26,889 --> 00:37:31,059 nodded and turned her stare to the 907 00:37:28,360 --> 00:37:35,079 convoy below it was already two blocks 908 00:37:31,059 --> 00:37:39,880 away Pinkie Pie paused lifting her left 909 00:37:35,079 --> 00:37:42,719 for woof and wiggling it huh Rainbow 910 00:37:39,880 --> 00:37:44,619 Dash ignored this eyes narrowing 911 00:37:42,719 --> 00:37:48,519 extraction by traitorous zebra 912 00:37:44,619 --> 00:37:50,019 sympathizers and three - Thank You pie 913 00:37:48,519 --> 00:37:52,119 looked down excited 914 00:37:50,019 --> 00:37:57,670 Oh as a chorus gonna make such a good 915 00:37:52,119 --> 00:37:58,989 spy one there was a flash down below as 916 00:37:57,670 --> 00:38:01,990 the first wagon in the prisoner convoy 917 00:37:58,989 --> 00:38:04,379 exploded dark figures rushed in from all 918 00:38:01,989 --> 00:38:07,229 sides emits flashes of muzzle fire 919 00:38:04,380 --> 00:38:11,430 Rainbow Dash pushed down her visor and 920 00:38:07,230 --> 00:38:11,429 here we go 921 00:38:12,389 --> 00:38:17,489 i sat in the apartment common room 922 00:38:14,190 --> 00:38:19,079 trying to float small objects I had made 923 00:38:17,489 --> 00:38:21,389 it up to levitating a pack of bubble gum 924 00:38:19,079 --> 00:38:22,710 which honestly was the only thing I 925 00:38:21,389 --> 00:38:25,768 imagined the package was good for 926 00:38:22,710 --> 00:38:28,920 anymore who would even try to eat 200 927 00:38:25,768 --> 00:38:30,389 year old bubble gum over breakfast a 928 00:38:28,920 --> 00:38:32,099 meal which in content was 929 00:38:30,389 --> 00:38:33,629 indistinguishable from dinner the 930 00:38:32,099 --> 00:38:35,548 conversation had turned towards more 931 00:38:33,630 --> 00:38:36,989 open introductions and an attempt by the 932 00:38:35,548 --> 00:38:38,369 others to get to know zennith a little 933 00:38:36,989 --> 00:38:39,929 better return for regaling her with 934 00:38:38,369 --> 00:38:43,440 stories of our adventures over the past 935 00:38:39,929 --> 00:38:46,618 five weeks I have never seen a blood 936 00:38:43,440 --> 00:38:48,269 wing Zenith admitted but I have seen the 937 00:38:46,619 --> 00:38:51,660 desiccated husk step praying leaves 938 00:38:48,268 --> 00:38:54,838 behind still wouldn't a missile be a 939 00:38:51,659 --> 00:38:56,159 little excessive for killing one still 940 00:38:54,838 --> 00:39:00,808 lives ain't never been one for under 941 00:38:56,159 --> 00:39:03,088 kill the ghoul snorted huh you should 942 00:39:00,809 --> 00:39:05,359 talk tell her about your solution to the 943 00:39:03,088 --> 00:39:08,818 alicorns chasing us through Manhattan 944 00:39:05,358 --> 00:39:11,449 actually novel remedy interrupted I 945 00:39:08,818 --> 00:39:13,829 think it's the Senate's turn to share 946 00:39:11,449 --> 00:39:16,169 she gave the zebra an encouraging look 947 00:39:13,829 --> 00:39:17,430 and suggested why don't you tell us a 948 00:39:16,170 --> 00:39:20,278 little bit about where you learned those 949 00:39:17,429 --> 00:39:21,899 brewing skills of yours velvet was 950 00:39:20,278 --> 00:39:23,429 purposefully suggesting tales of a time 951 00:39:21,900 --> 00:39:25,559 that must have been before Philadelphia 952 00:39:23,429 --> 00:39:27,088 steering the Zebras memories and our 953 00:39:25,559 --> 00:39:29,599 conversation away from the more 954 00:39:27,088 --> 00:39:32,159 dangerous and hurtful paths 955 00:39:29,599 --> 00:39:33,239 zennith hesitated but relented as the 956 00:39:32,159 --> 00:39:36,028 silence stretched out 957 00:39:33,239 --> 00:39:38,249 I learned the brewing of potions and 958 00:39:36,028 --> 00:39:41,130 remedies both mundane a magical from my 959 00:39:38,248 --> 00:39:43,018 grandparents in their youth they have 960 00:39:41,130 --> 00:39:45,210 been adventurers of sorts prying into 961 00:39:43,018 --> 00:39:46,798 all sorts of forbidden places even 962 00:39:45,210 --> 00:39:48,900 delving into everfree forest in search 963 00:39:46,798 --> 00:39:50,788 of the hut of Zecora and braving Luca 964 00:39:48,900 --> 00:39:53,009 plateau that rises above the dark tombs 965 00:39:50,789 --> 00:39:55,289 of froggy bottom bog along the vilest 966 00:39:53,009 --> 00:39:57,298 stretch of the Pony Tomek searching at 967 00:39:55,289 --> 00:39:58,680 old recipes and lore of zebra kind have 968 00:39:57,298 --> 00:40:01,139 been lost for over a century 969 00:39:58,679 --> 00:40:04,199 it is from them that I learned the ways 970 00:40:01,139 --> 00:40:05,818 and tales of the zebra people or as much 971 00:40:04,199 --> 00:40:08,068 as I know of them 972 00:40:05,818 --> 00:40:10,278 I looked up for my task of stacking 973 00:40:08,068 --> 00:40:12,599 bubblegum and bullets into a tiny fort 974 00:40:10,278 --> 00:40:14,309 somehow the idea of the Zebras is 975 00:40:12,599 --> 00:40:17,278 equestrian scavengers not unlike myself 976 00:40:14,309 --> 00:40:21,269 was surprising I don't know what I 977 00:40:17,278 --> 00:40:24,599 expected something more militaristic and 978 00:40:21,268 --> 00:40:25,919 uniquely zebra I guessed my 979 00:40:24,599 --> 00:40:28,109 great-grandparents were amongst the 980 00:40:25,920 --> 00:40:30,900 survivors of stable three as were most 981 00:40:28,108 --> 00:40:32,848 zebras in the equestrian wasteland as is 982 00:40:30,900 --> 00:40:34,349 typical for youth my grandparents 983 00:40:32,849 --> 00:40:35,729 rebelled against their parents waves and 984 00:40:34,349 --> 00:40:37,229 sought to learn more about the Zebras 985 00:40:35,728 --> 00:40:39,679 beyond the tales passed down through 986 00:40:37,228 --> 00:40:41,909 oral tradition since the sealing I 987 00:40:39,679 --> 00:40:44,308 didn't need clarification on what the 988 00:40:41,909 --> 00:40:47,009 ceiling was no pony who lived in a 989 00:40:44,309 --> 00:40:48,839 stable wood but I did wish to know more 990 00:40:47,009 --> 00:40:53,338 about the stable whose floorplan I had 991 00:40:48,838 --> 00:40:56,699 in my pipbuck stable three steel is 992 00:40:53,338 --> 00:40:59,880 grunted the let's get a long stable 993 00:40:56,699 --> 00:41:03,209 he started derisive Lee I saw Velvets 994 00:40:59,880 --> 00:41:05,690 ears perk at bat it was clearly an 995 00:41:03,208 --> 00:41:07,978 experimental stable Steel's rumbled 996 00:41:05,690 --> 00:41:09,989 virtually all of the zebra citizens of 997 00:41:07,978 --> 00:41:12,448 Equestria were randomly assigned to 998 00:41:09,989 --> 00:41:15,838 stable three they would have made up 999 00:41:12,449 --> 00:41:17,400 half the stables population zennith 1000 00:41:15,838 --> 00:41:18,838 Brown of the unpleasantness of the 1001 00:41:17,400 --> 00:41:21,869 interruption but not of its steel hooves 1002 00:41:18,838 --> 00:41:23,940 assessment it was long before even my 1003 00:41:21,869 --> 00:41:25,650 grandparents time but the stories passed 1004 00:41:23,940 --> 00:41:28,349 down say the overmare's told all the 1005 00:41:25,650 --> 00:41:30,059 stable why they had been chosen and why 1006 00:41:28,349 --> 00:41:33,349 the stable had no texts of history or 1007 00:41:30,059 --> 00:41:35,759 posters of current events ah 1008 00:41:33,349 --> 00:41:37,229 instead of altering things school and 1009 00:41:35,759 --> 00:41:38,818 her friends had simply filtered out as 1010 00:41:37,228 --> 00:41:42,018 much of the Ministry of images influence 1011 00:41:38,818 --> 00:41:45,550 as possible velvet Remini questioned 1012 00:41:42,018 --> 00:41:51,009 over mass plural 1013 00:41:45,550 --> 00:41:52,630 zennith nodded one pony and one zebra my 1014 00:41:51,010 --> 00:41:55,630 experience with stables was Klong at the 1015 00:41:52,630 --> 00:42:00,820 back of my mind still if there were 1016 00:41:55,630 --> 00:42:02,829 survivors what went wrong why would you 1017 00:42:00,820 --> 00:42:05,110 assume something went wrong as Anitha 1018 00:42:02,829 --> 00:42:06,429 gave me a questioning look the zebras 1019 00:42:05,110 --> 00:42:08,710 and ponies can live together quite 1020 00:42:06,429 --> 00:42:12,099 harmoniously if each gives the other the 1021 00:42:08,710 --> 00:42:15,250 opportunity steelo's again provided the 1022 00:42:12,099 --> 00:42:16,809 answer I was looking for stable three 1023 00:42:15,250 --> 00:42:18,369 was built within the limits of the one 1024 00:42:16,809 --> 00:42:22,059 city in Equestria with more than a hoof 1025 00:42:18,369 --> 00:42:27,849 full of zebras he informed us Canterlot 1026 00:42:22,059 --> 00:42:30,849 Oh No zennith saw my expression and not 1027 00:42:27,849 --> 00:42:33,610 a glumly not even the stables could hold 1028 00:42:30,849 --> 00:42:35,259 back the pink cloud forever still three 1029 00:42:33,610 --> 00:42:38,289 lasted over a century before the cloud 1030 00:42:35,260 --> 00:42:40,510 ate its way inside within a generation 1031 00:42:38,289 --> 00:42:43,420 more those who still could were focused 1032 00:42:40,510 --> 00:42:46,480 on unsealing the door and fleeing many 1033 00:42:43,420 --> 00:42:47,800 did not survive the exposure my 1034 00:42:46,480 --> 00:42:50,159 great-grandparents were among those who 1035 00:42:47,800 --> 00:42:50,160 did 1036 00:42:51,880 --> 00:42:59,140 you kill the dragon zenith's tear 1037 00:42:55,989 --> 00:43:02,139 between calamity me her eyes wide they 1038 00:42:59,139 --> 00:43:06,068 narrowed us she asked me is this true or 1039 00:43:02,139 --> 00:43:06,578 is this the revenge for doom bunny doom 1040 00:43:06,068 --> 00:43:09,788 bunny 1041 00:43:06,579 --> 00:43:12,460 Elwood asked curiously calamity pulled a 1042 00:43:09,789 --> 00:43:15,309 book from his saddlebags I'm guessing 1043 00:43:12,460 --> 00:43:16,990 something to do with this I focused 1044 00:43:15,309 --> 00:43:17,470 trying to wrap the book in my field of 1045 00:43:16,989 --> 00:43:20,229 magic 1046 00:43:17,469 --> 00:43:21,699 I broke a sweat but the book dutifully 1047 00:43:20,230 --> 00:43:24,940 floated over to me in a cushion of 1048 00:43:21,699 --> 00:43:28,088 levitating energy martial arts of the 1049 00:43:24,940 --> 00:43:30,009 zebra announced the title where did you 1050 00:43:28,088 --> 00:43:32,949 find this I asked as I flipped the book 1051 00:43:30,009 --> 00:43:33,699 open to the contents page filing cabinet 1052 00:43:32,949 --> 00:43:36,399 at the station 1053 00:43:33,699 --> 00:43:40,000 calamity said matter-of-factly strangely 1054 00:43:36,400 --> 00:43:42,818 enough who's on the pea I shrugged that 1055 00:43:40,000 --> 00:43:44,889 off the prologue spoke of the Zebras 1056 00:43:42,818 --> 00:43:46,119 rich history of martial artistry from 1057 00:43:44,889 --> 00:43:47,980 the many fighting styles that been 1058 00:43:46,119 --> 00:43:50,259 perfected over the centuries such as 1059 00:43:47,980 --> 00:43:53,289 fallen kaiser style to the newer ones 1060 00:43:50,259 --> 00:43:54,818 the newest of these styles had only been 1061 00:43:53,289 --> 00:43:56,440 in existence for a couple years of the 1062 00:43:54,818 --> 00:43:58,599 time this pre apocalyptic book had been 1063 00:43:56,440 --> 00:44:02,259 written and focused on a drug enhanced 1064 00:43:58,599 --> 00:44:03,880 martial prowess doom bunny style the 1065 00:44:02,259 --> 00:44:05,740 book's author spoke ill of it for having 1066 00:44:03,880 --> 00:44:08,950 undefined influences from the lands of 1067 00:44:05,739 --> 00:44:12,038 the ponies I closed the book intending 1068 00:44:08,949 --> 00:44:14,710 to read it later Zenoss tapped a hoof 1069 00:44:12,039 --> 00:44:16,210 and thought little pip with your 1070 00:44:14,710 --> 00:44:18,608 permission there is someplace I would 1071 00:44:16,210 --> 00:44:20,619 like us to go I understand there are 1072 00:44:18,608 --> 00:44:23,239 other matters that are pressing but this 1073 00:44:20,619 --> 00:44:26,660 is important to me 1074 00:44:23,239 --> 00:44:28,929 of course we wait how come this is my 1075 00:44:26,659 --> 00:44:31,549 decision I looked at the others 1076 00:44:28,929 --> 00:44:37,190 why do ponies keep acting like I'm the 1077 00:44:31,550 --> 00:44:38,900 leader libs ride clamonade anyway we do 1078 00:44:37,190 --> 00:44:41,360 have more pressing matters so I think we 1079 00:44:38,900 --> 00:44:44,800 should first hear that plan what's next 1080 00:44:41,360 --> 00:44:46,789 I'm not thankfully and laid out the plan 1081 00:44:44,800 --> 00:44:49,010 we need to go to stable tech 1082 00:44:46,789 --> 00:44:51,320 headquarters first I have something the 1083 00:44:49,010 --> 00:44:52,850 elder blueberry saber once and I plan to 1084 00:44:51,320 --> 00:44:55,910 use it to barter at for access to stable 1085 00:44:52,849 --> 00:44:59,150 tech mainframe silos winning 1086 00:44:55,909 --> 00:45:00,349 questioningly red eye is building a 1087 00:44:59,150 --> 00:45:03,289 fortress called the Cathedral where 1088 00:45:00,349 --> 00:45:04,789 stable 101 used to be I figure the 1089 00:45:03,289 --> 00:45:07,070 stable tech mainframe has record of the 1090 00:45:04,789 --> 00:45:08,389 location of all the stables so that's 1091 00:45:07,070 --> 00:45:11,450 the fastest way to find out where red 1092 00:45:08,389 --> 00:45:14,779 eyes main base is located I look to 1093 00:45:11,449 --> 00:45:16,489 calamity after that I say we fly as fast 1094 00:45:14,780 --> 00:45:20,030 as we can to tenpony power and begin an 1095 00:45:16,489 --> 00:45:23,209 evacuation calamity smirked and turn to 1096 00:45:20,030 --> 00:45:25,340 zennith I'm sorry for interrupting just 1097 00:45:23,210 --> 00:45:31,070 proving a point now go on with what you 1098 00:45:25,340 --> 00:45:32,769 were asking I blinked lost huh what 1099 00:45:31,070 --> 00:45:34,539 point 1100 00:45:32,769 --> 00:45:37,210 XANA that gave her own smirk back 1101 00:45:34,539 --> 00:45:38,588 answering kindly I believe you just 1102 00:45:37,210 --> 00:45:43,900 demonstrated to everyone but yourself 1103 00:45:38,588 --> 00:45:46,150 why you are the leader I stared what did 1104 00:45:43,900 --> 00:45:48,849 she oh fuck 1105 00:45:46,150 --> 00:45:52,829 I shot Clem the dark look but the buck 1106 00:45:48,849 --> 00:45:55,990 just grinned Luna clop me with her wings 1107 00:45:52,829 --> 00:45:58,000 you could go yourself still have 1108 00:45:55,989 --> 00:45:58,769 suggested does anitha's nan nastily as 1109 00:45:58,000 --> 00:46:02,380 he could 1110 00:45:58,769 --> 00:46:05,170 zennith nodded yes but the journey would 1111 00:46:02,380 --> 00:46:06,809 be a long and dangerous one I refer to 1112 00:46:05,170 --> 00:46:09,880 arrive later than not at all 1113 00:46:06,809 --> 00:46:11,889 she looked to me although should you 1114 00:46:09,880 --> 00:46:13,390 refuse then I will take my leave as soon 1115 00:46:11,889 --> 00:46:16,739 as your travels bring us within a few 1116 00:46:13,389 --> 00:46:18,879 days of my destination and nodded I 1117 00:46:16,739 --> 00:46:21,579 wanted to immediately agree but it 1118 00:46:18,880 --> 00:46:26,970 seemed wise to ask where do you need to 1119 00:46:21,579 --> 00:46:29,199 go I need to return to my tribal home 1120 00:46:26,969 --> 00:46:31,088 the village that had been mine and my 1121 00:46:29,199 --> 00:46:36,129 family's until Stern slavers descended 1122 00:46:31,088 --> 00:46:38,440 upon it your family my parents and 1123 00:46:36,130 --> 00:46:40,720 husband was slain in the flight my 1124 00:46:38,440 --> 00:46:43,720 daughter the zebra choked before 1125 00:46:40,719 --> 00:46:46,569 ploughing on my daughter was too young 1126 00:46:43,719 --> 00:46:49,449 for stern slave bits and not a pony so 1127 00:46:46,570 --> 00:46:51,070 she had no place in red-eyes schools so 1128 00:46:49,449 --> 00:46:53,069 Stern left her there along with the 1129 00:46:51,070 --> 00:46:55,630 other children 1130 00:46:53,070 --> 00:46:57,309 Zelda REM knew whimpered shedding the 1131 00:46:55,630 --> 00:47:00,519 tears that the zebra seemed unable or 1132 00:46:57,309 --> 00:47:01,960 unwilling to my own thoughts traveled 1133 00:47:00,519 --> 00:47:04,059 back to the words of one of the Raiders 1134 00:47:01,960 --> 00:47:05,409 and shattered of speaking about how her 1135 00:47:04,059 --> 00:47:07,210 own town had been treated to the same 1136 00:47:05,409 --> 00:47:08,219 with the children left behind to fend 1137 00:47:07,210 --> 00:47:10,570 for themselves 1138 00:47:08,219 --> 00:47:12,098 she'd fled into the life of a Raider to 1139 00:47:10,570 --> 00:47:13,780 escape the horror her town had descended 1140 00:47:12,099 --> 00:47:17,140 into under the rule of slaughter scarred 1141 00:47:13,780 --> 00:47:20,349 bullies and traumatized children it was 1142 00:47:17,139 --> 00:47:22,710 long ago years I doubt my daughter would 1143 00:47:20,349 --> 00:47:25,119 still know me should she still survive 1144 00:47:22,710 --> 00:47:27,970 Zenoss face was sorrowful but your voice 1145 00:47:25,119 --> 00:47:30,329 was steady any claim I had as her guide 1146 00:47:27,969 --> 00:47:34,049 and guardian I lost in the years since I 1147 00:47:30,329 --> 00:47:34,049 only wish to know 1148 00:47:34,849 --> 00:47:39,630 you really shouldn't be going anywhere 1149 00:47:37,440 --> 00:47:41,760 velvet remedy chided as we made our way 1150 00:47:39,630 --> 00:47:43,320 towards the stable tech building itself 1151 00:47:41,760 --> 00:47:46,590 walled off from the rest of Philadelphia 1152 00:47:43,320 --> 00:47:47,850 like Stern City and miniature except to 1153 00:47:46,590 --> 00:47:52,050 a medical clinic for a week or two of 1154 00:47:47,849 --> 00:47:54,539 recovery she was probably right but we 1155 00:47:52,050 --> 00:47:56,220 couldn't afford a week I felt guilty for 1156 00:47:54,539 --> 00:47:59,279 having selfishly stolen most of a day 1157 00:47:56,219 --> 00:48:01,500 for resting but once my magic and groans 1158 00:47:59,280 --> 00:48:04,470 rung up to lift little Macintosh I knew 1159 00:48:01,500 --> 00:48:05,940 it was time to move a small family 1160 00:48:04,469 --> 00:48:08,939 scavenger spotted us on the streets 1161 00:48:05,940 --> 00:48:10,289 carried for cover it hurt to think that 1162 00:48:08,940 --> 00:48:13,079 ponies once greet each other as they 1163 00:48:10,289 --> 00:48:14,610 passed on the street that cheerin opened 1164 00:48:13,079 --> 00:48:17,190 neighborliness had once been the social 1165 00:48:14,610 --> 00:48:18,990 norm in the equestrian wasteland a 1166 00:48:17,190 --> 00:48:20,940 stranger Pony was met with the guarded 1167 00:48:18,989 --> 00:48:23,969 suspicion assessed first for threat 1168 00:48:20,940 --> 00:48:26,820 potential I gave the scavengers a smile 1169 00:48:23,969 --> 00:48:28,469 and friendly hoof wave as we passed it 1170 00:48:26,820 --> 00:48:30,000 wasn't returned as they cringed the 1171 00:48:28,469 --> 00:48:31,799 adults hiding the younger ponies behind 1172 00:48:30,000 --> 00:48:35,519 them weapons ready should we attack like 1173 00:48:31,800 --> 00:48:40,200 a band of Raiders I hated the equestrian 1174 00:48:35,519 --> 00:48:43,320 wasteland especially Philadelphia 1175 00:48:40,199 --> 00:48:44,309 oh my velvet remedy bursts out her eyes 1176 00:48:43,320 --> 00:48:48,480 wide with Wonder 1177 00:48:44,309 --> 00:48:51,179 aren't you just magnificent she trotted 1178 00:48:48,480 --> 00:48:52,380 quickly ahead of us Peyer light was 1179 00:48:51,179 --> 00:48:55,319 perched on the fountain statue of 1180 00:48:52,380 --> 00:48:56,910 Sweetie Belle glowing brilliantly she 1181 00:48:55,320 --> 00:48:59,070 bled off most of the endowment from the 1182 00:48:56,909 --> 00:49:01,049 Philadelphia crater but her ara was 1183 00:48:59,070 --> 00:49:02,430 still five times her size lighting up 1184 00:49:01,050 --> 00:49:06,810 the steel rangers outer courtyard with 1185 00:49:02,429 --> 00:49:08,699 golden radiance my heart went out to the 1186 00:49:06,809 --> 00:49:10,529 Belle fire Phoenix immensely grateful 1187 00:49:08,699 --> 00:49:13,500 her companionship when I was behind the 1188 00:49:10,530 --> 00:49:17,280 wall I too began to trot towards her a 1189 00:49:13,500 --> 00:49:19,050 tear of my eye my pipbuck started 1190 00:49:17,280 --> 00:49:20,640 clicking informing me that being in 1191 00:49:19,050 --> 00:49:22,730 pilots with Cindy was even less healthy 1192 00:49:20,639 --> 00:49:24,809 than bathing at Philadelphia water I 1193 00:49:22,730 --> 00:49:26,490 drew up short and watched his velvet 1194 00:49:24,809 --> 00:49:29,489 round he floated out a bottle of RAD say 1195 00:49:26,489 --> 00:49:30,989 from a saddle box she downed more than 1196 00:49:29,489 --> 00:49:32,250 the recommended dose before trotting 1197 00:49:30,989 --> 00:49:33,348 right up to the radioactive burden 1198 00:49:32,250 --> 00:49:38,099 nuzzling her gently 1199 00:49:33,349 --> 00:49:39,390 firelight coud well at least velvet 1200 00:49:38,099 --> 00:49:40,950 remedy wasn't spending nearly as much 1201 00:49:39,389 --> 00:49:43,588 time inside that fluttershy orb since 1202 00:49:40,949 --> 00:49:47,039 buyer Lite joined us I had mixed 1203 00:49:43,588 --> 00:49:48,269 feelings about the trade all the ponies 1204 00:49:47,039 --> 00:49:50,630 in this crowd are crazy 1205 00:49:48,269 --> 00:49:55,139 zennith mutters she walked past me I 1206 00:49:50,630 --> 00:49:57,300 moved up to Zenith um this building 1207 00:49:55,139 --> 00:49:59,730 belongs to the seal Rangers I think 1208 00:49:57,300 --> 00:50:03,030 maybe it's not safe for you to come with 1209 00:49:59,730 --> 00:50:04,980 us would you mind waiting outside it 1210 00:50:03,030 --> 00:50:08,930 won't be alone and I hope it won't be 1211 00:50:04,980 --> 00:50:12,409 for too long is Anitha considered me and 1212 00:50:08,929 --> 00:50:14,789 whom did you intend to keep me company I 1213 00:50:12,409 --> 00:50:17,009 knew I needed calamities combat prowess 1214 00:50:14,789 --> 00:50:20,099 backing me up just in case my meeting 1215 00:50:17,010 --> 00:50:21,510 with blueberry saber went south and not 1216 00:50:20,099 --> 00:50:23,369 only did I want a steel ranger at my 1217 00:50:21,510 --> 00:50:24,569 side for diplomatic reasons I didn't 1218 00:50:23,369 --> 00:50:27,180 trust him alone with his anethe quite 1219 00:50:24,568 --> 00:50:28,318 yet well what remedy on the other hoof 1220 00:50:27,179 --> 00:50:31,078 would enjoy having some time with 1221 00:50:28,318 --> 00:50:32,608 firelight and I certainly wasn't going 1222 00:50:31,079 --> 00:50:33,568 to take the glowing ball of regal 1223 00:50:32,608 --> 00:50:36,710 radiation with me 1224 00:50:33,568 --> 00:50:40,219 I told zennith my decision 1225 00:50:36,710 --> 00:50:41,809 does Hebrew nodded as you wish I will 1226 00:50:40,219 --> 00:50:46,098 remain here with the unicorn Fluttershy 1227 00:50:41,809 --> 00:50:51,108 and her balefire doom bunny okie dokie 1228 00:50:46,099 --> 00:50:53,240 Loki perhaps you could work on that brew 1229 00:50:51,108 --> 00:50:56,059 you offered me I suggested taking a 1230 00:50:53,239 --> 00:50:58,098 plunge I wanted to show the zebra my 1231 00:50:56,059 --> 00:50:59,239 trust and give her something to do while 1232 00:50:58,099 --> 00:51:01,849 we were gone that she would find 1233 00:50:59,239 --> 00:51:03,889 productive I didn't really want to be 1234 00:51:01,849 --> 00:51:05,420 altered and I had a hard enough time 1235 00:51:03,889 --> 00:51:06,710 entering the memories of folks whose 1236 00:51:05,420 --> 00:51:09,019 bodies were significantly different than 1237 00:51:06,710 --> 00:51:13,130 my own I didn't know how well I could 1238 00:51:09,019 --> 00:51:16,820 handle living in one but zennith was 1239 00:51:13,130 --> 00:51:18,320 right red I had his own advantages I had 1240 00:51:16,820 --> 00:51:20,030 to at least seriously consider putting 1241 00:51:18,320 --> 00:51:26,289 my squeamishness aside and taking those 1242 00:51:20,030 --> 00:51:26,290 offered to me zan smiled as you wish 1243 00:51:27,190 --> 00:51:30,800 though as far as a report yesterday 1244 00:51:29,358 --> 00:51:33,139 appeared to be the work of red eyes 1245 00:51:30,800 --> 00:51:34,760 private army Griffins sporting the 1246 00:51:33,139 --> 00:51:36,230 slaver King's colors were spotted flying 1247 00:51:34,760 --> 00:51:39,349 over the far side of the everfree forest 1248 00:51:36,230 --> 00:51:41,179 carrying incinerators but where any 1249 00:51:39,349 --> 00:51:42,800 other woods we consumed inflamed by now 1250 00:51:41,179 --> 00:51:45,618 these fires have been spreading 1251 00:51:42,800 --> 00:51:49,550 extremely slowly looks to me like every 1252 00:51:45,619 --> 00:51:51,170 forest is fighting back DJ ponies voice 1253 00:51:49,550 --> 00:51:53,660 came out the wall speakers in the stable 1254 00:51:51,170 --> 00:51:56,750 tech visitor's lounge we listened as I 1255 00:51:53,659 --> 00:51:58,118 waited impatiently and one last bit of 1256 00:51:56,750 --> 00:52:00,199 news for all you faithful listeners 1257 00:51:58,119 --> 00:52:02,809 looks like red eyes set his sights on 1258 00:52:00,199 --> 00:52:04,309 tenpony tower fortunately for the folks 1259 00:52:02,809 --> 00:52:06,650 in that place is built like a fortress 1260 00:52:04,309 --> 00:52:09,650 and the only entrance is both well 1261 00:52:06,650 --> 00:52:11,269 defended and tricky to access the ponies 1262 00:52:09,650 --> 00:52:13,849 of tenpony tower are barricaded inside 1263 00:52:11,269 --> 00:52:15,679 safe and sound for now there's plenty of 1264 00:52:13,849 --> 00:52:17,030 stockpiled food and water and the new 1265 00:52:15,679 --> 00:52:19,098 constable chief is doing her best to 1266 00:52:17,030 --> 00:52:21,609 organize rationing so they should be 1267 00:52:19,099 --> 00:52:25,670 able to hold out until help arrives I 1268 00:52:21,608 --> 00:52:27,710 jumped to my hooves at that no I shouted 1269 00:52:25,670 --> 00:52:30,070 the speaker they're not trying to invade 1270 00:52:27,710 --> 00:52:33,099 they're trying to seal you in 1271 00:52:30,070 --> 00:52:35,289 and now for something a bit unusual 1272 00:52:33,099 --> 00:52:36,940 I don't normally read mail on the air 1273 00:52:35,289 --> 00:52:38,409 but I have a personal message here for 1274 00:52:36,940 --> 00:52:40,500 my assistant homage to the stable 1275 00:52:38,409 --> 00:52:43,719 dweller ahem 1276 00:52:40,500 --> 00:52:44,320 dearest little pip oh now ain't that 1277 00:52:43,719 --> 00:52:48,219 sweet 1278 00:52:44,320 --> 00:52:50,620 I think somepony has a crush dearest 1279 00:52:48,219 --> 00:52:52,269 little pip I know things sound bad here 1280 00:52:50,619 --> 00:52:54,429 and I know it's your nature to try to 1281 00:52:52,269 --> 00:52:56,409 rush to our rescue but we're OK for now 1282 00:52:54,429 --> 00:52:58,899 and you have more pressing matters 1283 00:52:56,409 --> 00:53:02,139 closer to home do what you need to do 1284 00:52:58,900 --> 00:53:04,300 take care of them first then later we 1285 00:53:02,139 --> 00:53:06,069 can meet where we met before and I 1286 00:53:04,300 --> 00:53:08,500 promise to give you so many organ 1287 00:53:06,070 --> 00:53:10,900 oh well that's not something I'm 1288 00:53:08,500 --> 00:53:12,190 comfortable reading on the air I think 1289 00:53:10,900 --> 00:53:15,730 maybe I'll have a little talk with my 1290 00:53:12,190 --> 00:53:17,440 assistant meanwhile here the silky 1291 00:53:15,730 --> 00:53:18,789 smooth tones of velvet Remini singing 1292 00:53:17,440 --> 00:53:22,079 about what gets her through life in this 1293 00:53:18,789 --> 00:53:24,789 opposed to apocalyptic wasteland I 1294 00:53:22,079 --> 00:53:26,889 stared at the speaker my body locked up 1295 00:53:24,789 --> 00:53:30,719 my jaw on the floor and he rushed into 1296 00:53:26,889 --> 00:53:32,769 my face not to mention other places 1297 00:53:30,719 --> 00:53:34,509 doublet remedies voice poured through 1298 00:53:32,769 --> 00:53:38,980 the speaker replacing the voice of DJ 1299 00:53:34,510 --> 00:53:40,870 Pony but I barely heard it what I meant 1300 00:53:38,980 --> 00:53:43,690 to say was I can't believe she just did 1301 00:53:40,869 --> 00:53:47,380 that what I actually said was closer to 1302 00:53:43,690 --> 00:53:49,000 a squeak calamity snickered tears in his 1303 00:53:47,380 --> 00:53:51,539 eyes then collapsed onto his back and 1304 00:53:49,000 --> 00:53:51,539 laughter 1305 00:53:51,949 --> 00:53:57,748 what do you mean the elder isn't here 1306 00:53:55,880 --> 00:53:59,519 the elder has been called away on an 1307 00:53:57,748 --> 00:54:02,639 urgent crusade and is not available 1308 00:53:59,518 --> 00:54:03,929 night poppy seed claimed however she 1309 00:54:02,639 --> 00:54:06,798 said that in the case you should return 1310 00:54:03,929 --> 00:54:10,259 I may receive what you have recovered I 1311 00:54:06,798 --> 00:54:11,818 stomped I wasn't under the impression 1312 00:54:10,259 --> 00:54:14,460 that these things were important to you 1313 00:54:11,818 --> 00:54:17,460 ponies or at least to her considering I 1314 00:54:14,460 --> 00:54:19,170 risked my life for them at all she 1315 00:54:17,460 --> 00:54:22,710 wasn't actually expecting you to survive 1316 00:54:19,170 --> 00:54:23,909 she'll have deciphered from his tone he 1317 00:54:22,710 --> 00:54:26,880 wanted a few words with the elder 1318 00:54:23,909 --> 00:54:30,328 himself I glowered the mayor the 1319 00:54:26,880 --> 00:54:31,619 magically powered armor fine I can 1320 00:54:30,329 --> 00:54:33,180 report that red eyes research into 1321 00:54:31,619 --> 00:54:36,838 bypass spells has been destroyed 1322 00:54:33,179 --> 00:54:38,548 I hadn't scavenged any of it and would 1323 00:54:36,838 --> 00:54:41,278 have not given to these ponies even if I 1324 00:54:38,548 --> 00:54:42,478 had but I did know that at least part of 1325 00:54:41,278 --> 00:54:46,018 the research have been successfully 1326 00:54:42,478 --> 00:54:49,828 completed I could tell her that but 1327 00:54:46,018 --> 00:54:51,088 really fuck these ponies I have 1328 00:54:49,829 --> 00:54:53,400 recovered the schematics to the 1329 00:54:51,088 --> 00:54:55,949 radiation powered engine and I'm ready 1330 00:54:53,400 --> 00:54:57,869 to turn them over to you after having 1331 00:54:55,949 --> 00:55:00,449 made copies but I didn't feel the need 1332 00:54:57,869 --> 00:55:02,269 to tell her that I had no problem giving 1333 00:55:00,449 --> 00:55:04,468 the steel rangers this technology I 1334 00:55:02,268 --> 00:55:06,988 intended to give it out to any pony with 1335 00:55:04,469 --> 00:55:08,700 a chance of implementing it this was the 1336 00:55:06,989 --> 00:55:10,949 sort of step forward that all Equestria 1337 00:55:08,699 --> 00:55:12,268 could potentially benefit from but not 1338 00:55:10,949 --> 00:55:16,108 if it was being jealously guarded by 1339 00:55:12,268 --> 00:55:17,189 only a few that said I'd be damned if I 1340 00:55:16,108 --> 00:55:20,308 wasn't going to start getting something 1341 00:55:17,190 --> 00:55:23,650 returned this time in exchange for 1342 00:55:20,309 --> 00:55:26,440 access to the stable tech mainframe 1343 00:55:23,650 --> 00:55:30,730 night poppy seed sputtered at that that 1344 00:55:26,440 --> 00:55:32,250 but I'm sorry there's no no there is no 1345 00:55:30,730 --> 00:55:34,480 way 1346 00:55:32,250 --> 00:55:37,989 calamity stepped up next to me fixing 1347 00:55:34,480 --> 00:55:40,630 her with a dangerous stare I reckon we 1348 00:55:37,989 --> 00:55:44,259 ain't exactly asking y'all a little PIP 1349 00:55:40,630 --> 00:55:47,740 and what taken payment now why don't we 1350 00:55:44,260 --> 00:55:50,890 do it all friendly like the nightmare 1351 00:55:47,739 --> 00:55:53,649 looked to steel hose for support I'm a 1352 00:55:50,889 --> 00:55:56,109 star paladin my armor encased campaign 1353 00:55:53,650 --> 00:55:57,760 you're mine addressed smoothly in the 1354 00:55:56,110 --> 00:56:01,090 absence of the elder I'm the ranking 1355 00:55:57,760 --> 00:56:04,090 Ranger on this base and I order you to 1356 00:56:01,090 --> 00:56:06,730 take us to the stable tech mainframe he 1357 00:56:04,090 --> 00:56:08,680 turned his stare to me I will personally 1358 00:56:06,730 --> 00:56:10,449 make sure little PIP doesn't access any 1359 00:56:08,679 --> 00:56:12,639 information vital to the security of the 1360 00:56:10,449 --> 00:56:16,269 steel rangers or the ministry of wartime 1361 00:56:12,639 --> 00:56:18,809 technology night poppy seed knickers 1362 00:56:16,269 --> 00:56:25,030 but turned obediently and began to lead 1363 00:56:18,809 --> 00:56:27,159 permission to speak freely sir no the 1364 00:56:25,030 --> 00:56:29,920 room was cold and dark save for the 1365 00:56:27,159 --> 00:56:31,599 blinking lights of the mainframe from 1366 00:56:29,920 --> 00:56:33,250 the locks on the door the turrets 1367 00:56:31,599 --> 00:56:35,289 outside and the hoof prints and the dust 1368 00:56:33,250 --> 00:56:39,010 I could tell this room was not only 1369 00:56:35,289 --> 00:56:40,719 restricted but rarely entered I hooked 1370 00:56:39,010 --> 00:56:43,660 the lights Britch but the room remained 1371 00:56:40,719 --> 00:56:46,149 dark I turned on my pipbuck lamp and 1372 00:56:43,659 --> 00:56:48,250 looked around the spotlight on steel 1373 00:56:46,150 --> 00:56:50,530 hose helmet hums softly to life cutting 1374 00:56:48,250 --> 00:56:52,909 a beam of light through the darkness he 1375 00:56:50,530 --> 00:56:54,530 followed me in 1376 00:56:52,909 --> 00:56:56,839 instead of moving directly for the 1377 00:56:54,530 --> 00:56:59,450 mainframe allowed my curiosity to drag 1378 00:56:56,840 --> 00:57:01,400 me around the huge basement room at the 1379 00:56:59,449 --> 00:57:03,980 far end was a huge gear shaped door of 1380 00:57:01,400 --> 00:57:07,369 the stable it rested against an open 1381 00:57:03,980 --> 00:57:09,349 doorway not attached by removing my 1382 00:57:07,369 --> 00:57:11,750 saddlebags I was barely able to shimmy 1383 00:57:09,349 --> 00:57:15,829 through the entrance according to the 1384 00:57:11,750 --> 00:57:17,389 number this was stable zero beyond 1385 00:57:15,829 --> 00:57:19,940 stretched the rooms and hallways of a 1386 00:57:17,389 --> 00:57:21,940 stable maintenance wing but the hallways 1387 00:57:19,940 --> 00:57:25,730 dead ended in shallow caverns of dirt 1388 00:57:21,940 --> 00:57:26,720 the rooms were unfinished toolboxes and 1389 00:57:25,730 --> 00:57:29,389 construction equipment lay scattered 1390 00:57:26,719 --> 00:57:32,599 everywhere several directions of the 1391 00:57:29,389 --> 00:57:34,489 walls and ceilings had collapsed in one 1392 00:57:32,599 --> 00:57:37,009 corner I found the curled up skeleton of 1393 00:57:34,489 --> 00:57:39,739 an earth pony the floor around the pony 1394 00:57:37,010 --> 00:57:41,000 was littered with empty bottles I shook 1395 00:57:39,739 --> 00:57:44,989 my head and noticed that liquor had been 1396 00:57:41,000 --> 00:57:46,309 Applejack there was a black opal laying 1397 00:57:44,989 --> 00:57:49,069 on the floor next the tattered remains 1398 00:57:46,309 --> 00:57:50,360 of recollect er the lower bone of the 1399 00:57:49,070 --> 00:57:53,600 earth ponies left foreleg wore an 1400 00:57:50,360 --> 00:57:55,130 early-model pipbuck I plugged my pipbuck 1401 00:57:53,599 --> 00:57:58,400 onto it and found a single audio 1402 00:57:55,130 --> 00:58:00,829 recording sitting down I let it begin to 1403 00:57:58,400 --> 00:58:02,840 play the voice on the recording was 1404 00:58:00,829 --> 00:58:04,309 solved almost overwhelmed by the 1405 00:58:02,840 --> 00:58:07,730 background noises of sirens and 1406 00:58:04,309 --> 00:58:09,529 bombardment I don't really know what to 1407 00:58:07,730 --> 00:58:12,019 say or for that matter whom I'm saying 1408 00:58:09,530 --> 00:58:13,490 it to good news is that Sweetie Belle's 1409 00:58:12,019 --> 00:58:15,769 got my family safe and sound and stable 1410 00:58:13,489 --> 00:58:19,069 too I don't know where studios at but 1411 00:58:15,769 --> 00:58:20,509 I'm glad she's not a particularly loud 1412 00:58:19,070 --> 00:58:22,340 roar drowned out everything else 1413 00:58:20,510 --> 00:58:23,660 followed by the sounds of metal and 1414 00:58:22,340 --> 00:58:25,550 concrete collapsing within the 1415 00:58:23,659 --> 00:58:29,289 unfinished stable as a Malstrom devoured 1416 00:58:25,550 --> 00:58:32,560 the city above Philadelphia was just hit 1417 00:58:29,289 --> 00:58:35,210 that's it then it's all over 1418 00:58:32,559 --> 00:58:38,269 everypony is dead except for the ones we 1419 00:58:35,210 --> 00:58:39,860 could save Celestia damnit Applejack 1420 00:58:38,269 --> 00:58:43,059 couldn't you stop this from happening 1421 00:58:39,860 --> 00:58:46,240 couldn't anypony stop this 1422 00:58:43,059 --> 00:58:47,739 I heard a furious clicking I checked my 1423 00:58:46,239 --> 00:58:51,729 pipbuck but the radiation meter was 1424 00:58:47,739 --> 00:58:52,059 safely in the green no no I didn't mean 1425 00:58:51,730 --> 00:58:54,849 that 1426 00:58:52,059 --> 00:58:57,250 it ain't Apple Jacks fault hates more my 1427 00:58:54,849 --> 00:58:58,389 fault than theirs and I know it ain't 1428 00:58:57,250 --> 00:59:00,639 supposed to feel that way but I do 1429 00:58:58,389 --> 00:59:03,639 sometimes and I guess it don't really 1430 00:59:00,639 --> 00:59:04,539 matter anymore everypony is dead now I'm 1431 00:59:03,639 --> 00:59:06,819 dead now 1432 00:59:04,539 --> 00:59:09,130 I didn't survive the mega spell just cuz 1433 00:59:06,820 --> 00:59:13,630 I lived through the blast we never got 1434 00:59:09,130 --> 00:59:16,140 the door on radiation I'll kill me the 1435 00:59:13,630 --> 00:59:18,400 clicking was coming from the recording I 1436 00:59:16,139 --> 00:59:21,039 just want to tell anypony this listening 1437 00:59:18,400 --> 00:59:23,110 that I'm sorry even if it's not my fault 1438 00:59:21,039 --> 00:59:25,719 that all those kids are dead I'm so 1439 00:59:23,110 --> 00:59:31,360 sorry I tried to make up for it I really 1440 00:59:25,719 --> 00:59:34,019 did Steelers was calling for me I'm fine 1441 00:59:31,360 --> 00:59:37,840 I called back wiping tears from my eyes 1442 00:59:34,019 --> 00:59:40,239 I'll be out in just a minute before 1443 00:59:37,840 --> 00:59:42,000 warming my way back out I knelt down and 1444 00:59:40,239 --> 00:59:44,739 picked up the memory orb in my teeth 1445 00:59:42,000 --> 00:59:46,420 once back in the basement proper I put 1446 00:59:44,739 --> 00:59:49,629 the orbit my saddlebags and proceeded to 1447 00:59:46,420 --> 00:59:51,760 the stable tech mainframe the mainframe 1448 00:59:49,630 --> 00:59:53,829 was a tricky hack but either I had grown 1449 00:59:51,760 --> 00:59:56,680 more skilled or pinkie pie's had been 1450 00:59:53,829 --> 00:59:58,449 easier I downloaded all the information 1451 00:59:56,679 --> 00:59:59,769 I could on various tables and began 1452 00:59:58,449 --> 01:00:01,259 sifting through for the one piece of 1453 00:59:59,769 --> 01:00:06,009 information that interested me the most 1454 01:00:01,260 --> 01:00:09,550 the location of stable 101 I found it 1455 01:00:06,010 --> 01:00:11,200 and the answer surprised me once I was 1456 01:00:09,550 --> 01:00:13,210 reunited with all my friends outside the 1457 01:00:11,199 --> 01:00:14,799 steel ranger Citadel having given night 1458 01:00:13,210 --> 01:00:18,389 poppy see the schematics I'd promised in 1459 01:00:14,800 --> 01:00:20,800 return I told everyone what I'd learned 1460 01:00:18,389 --> 01:00:23,019 stable 101 was built within the everfree 1461 01:00:20,800 --> 01:00:25,390 forest itself 1462 01:00:23,019 --> 01:00:26,789 the looks and gasps or exactly what I 1463 01:00:25,389 --> 01:00:28,779 expected 1464 01:00:26,789 --> 01:00:30,400 apparently there used to be an old cast 1465 01:00:28,780 --> 01:00:30,990 on a safe patch of land in the middle of 1466 01:00:30,400 --> 01:00:33,039 the place 1467 01:00:30,989 --> 01:00:37,029 that's where stables like built their 1468 01:00:33,039 --> 01:00:40,090 last completely stable zennith was the 1469 01:00:37,030 --> 01:00:41,619 first to make a particular connection so 1470 01:00:40,090 --> 01:00:44,230 red-eyes building his fortress in the 1471 01:00:41,619 --> 01:00:45,900 middle of the everfree forest and is 1472 01:00:44,230 --> 01:00:50,769 burning down the forest around it 1473 01:00:45,900 --> 01:00:52,480 why all fahadh maintain a growing army a 1474 01:00:50,769 --> 01:00:55,000 space with a wildlife once a decent 1475 01:00:52,480 --> 01:00:59,139 valiant suck the juices I imagined clam 1476 01:00:55,000 --> 01:01:01,570 Lee theorized agriculture I answered 1477 01:00:59,139 --> 01:01:03,909 with my own guess you said it yourself 1478 01:01:01,570 --> 01:01:06,640 calamity the everfree forest was never 1479 01:01:03,909 --> 01:01:08,440 hit by a mega spell as far as cropland 1480 01:01:06,639 --> 01:01:09,879 goes the everfree forest is one of the 1481 01:01:08,440 --> 01:01:12,269 few places that isn't poisoned with 1482 01:01:09,880 --> 01:01:14,349 radiation or taint 1483 01:01:12,269 --> 01:01:17,349 zennith agreed with my line of thought 1484 01:01:14,349 --> 01:01:19,710 and after the burning the soil would be 1485 01:01:17,349 --> 01:01:22,449 rich with nutrients from the ashes 1486 01:01:19,710 --> 01:01:23,980 she looked grim slipping unconsciously 1487 01:01:22,449 --> 01:01:26,980 into sort of rhyming speech that I was 1488 01:01:23,980 --> 01:01:28,480 used to hearing from Sakura I worked for 1489 01:01:26,980 --> 01:01:28,980 months recycling for them I feel for 1490 01:01:28,480 --> 01:01:31,480 Stan 1491 01:01:28,980 --> 01:01:35,440 clearly he was stockpiling plenty for 1492 01:01:31,480 --> 01:01:36,760 this burn and what he's done he'll put 1493 01:01:35,440 --> 01:01:38,340 up a wall around the whole place and 1494 01:01:36,760 --> 01:01:40,000 have complete control over the food 1495 01:01:38,340 --> 01:01:41,858 Steel has agreed 1496 01:01:40,000 --> 01:01:43,358 glancing backwards towards the wall at 1497 01:01:41,858 --> 01:01:47,789 red I had erected around two-thirds of 1498 01:01:43,358 --> 01:01:47,789 the city it's what he does 1499 01:01:48,318 --> 01:01:53,279 do you think she'll like it Applebloom 1500 01:01:51,179 --> 01:01:56,639 asked fretting over an exquisite model 1501 01:01:53,280 --> 01:01:58,740 of an almost monastic walk village the 1502 01:01:56,639 --> 01:02:00,269 design looked familiar I had seen the 1503 01:01:58,739 --> 01:02:02,509 remains of this model on display outside 1504 01:02:00,269 --> 01:02:05,548 of elder blueberry Sabres chambers 1505 01:02:02,510 --> 01:02:08,339 she'll love it I felt and heard myself 1506 01:02:05,548 --> 01:02:10,259 say the voice was not immediately 1507 01:02:08,338 --> 01:02:13,019 familiar and completely lacked the 1508 01:02:10,260 --> 01:02:14,579 country draw of the younger mare this 1509 01:02:13,019 --> 01:02:16,139 apple bloom dressed in the manner of 1510 01:02:14,579 --> 01:02:19,349 formal attire that she had not yet grown 1511 01:02:16,139 --> 01:02:20,219 comfortable with was no older than me do 1512 01:02:19,349 --> 01:02:23,160 you think she'll like the cran you 1513 01:02:20,219 --> 01:02:26,489 lations she'll love the crunchy lesions 1514 01:02:23,159 --> 01:02:29,219 my host assured her gently the Croatians 1515 01:02:26,489 --> 01:02:29,969 are fine how about the moon in the 1516 01:02:29,219 --> 01:02:31,828 center courtyard 1517 01:02:29,969 --> 01:02:34,108 maybe I should gone with a full moon 1518 01:02:31,829 --> 01:02:37,400 rather than a crescent moon she'll love 1519 01:02:34,108 --> 01:02:39,598 the moon the moon is fine 1520 01:02:37,400 --> 01:02:41,838 Apple Bloom trotted nervously around the 1521 01:02:39,599 --> 01:02:44,220 table eyeing the model from every angle 1522 01:02:41,838 --> 01:02:45,960 the room we stood in was a glowing white 1523 01:02:44,219 --> 01:02:48,538 marble with flowing curtains and golden 1524 01:02:45,960 --> 01:02:50,130 filigree and all the accents if it 1525 01:02:48,539 --> 01:02:51,240 weren't in a palace then somepony had 1526 01:02:50,130 --> 01:02:54,240 gone to great lengths to give the 1527 01:02:51,239 --> 01:02:57,439 impression of one half of the tower is 1528 01:02:54,239 --> 01:02:59,338 it too short or maybe it's too tall 1529 01:02:57,440 --> 01:03:02,429 Apple Bloom's hoof to your ears in 1530 01:02:59,338 --> 01:03:04,858 frustration uh I don't even know 1531 01:03:02,429 --> 01:03:08,278 princess luna likes towers why didn't I 1532 01:03:04,858 --> 01:03:11,489 ask that earlier my host leaded a long 1533 01:03:08,278 --> 01:03:14,909 suffering whinny she'll love the towers 1534 01:03:11,489 --> 01:03:18,419 the towers a very nice Apple Bloom 1535 01:03:14,909 --> 01:03:19,649 reacted like she'd been struck nice but 1536 01:03:18,420 --> 01:03:22,440 they need to be perfect 1537 01:03:19,650 --> 01:03:24,599 I have a blooms agitation was strong 1538 01:03:22,440 --> 01:03:25,500 enough that she nearly hovered I thought 1539 01:03:24,599 --> 01:03:29,160 the young mare could spontaneously 1540 01:03:25,500 --> 01:03:31,230 combust from the stress calm down child 1541 01:03:29,159 --> 01:03:34,679 I'm sure Princess Luna will love all of 1542 01:03:31,230 --> 01:03:36,929 it I felt myself smile as soothing words 1543 01:03:34,679 --> 01:03:39,000 came from my muzzle Princess Celestia 1544 01:03:36,929 --> 01:03:41,489 one of the greatest architect in all of 1545 01:03:39,000 --> 01:03:43,440 Equestria for this project and she made 1546 01:03:41,489 --> 01:03:45,899 sure she got it 1547 01:03:43,440 --> 01:03:49,079 Applebloom quaked a moment then calm 1548 01:03:45,900 --> 01:03:51,050 with a breath Thank You alga orange for 1549 01:03:49,079 --> 01:03:53,039 accompanying me to meet the princess I 1550 01:03:51,050 --> 01:03:53,839 don't think I could have done this on my 1551 01:03:53,039 --> 01:03:55,949 own 1552 01:03:53,838 --> 01:03:58,289 you're doing a far sight better than 1553 01:03:55,949 --> 01:04:00,989 your sister ever managed but try to 1554 01:03:58,289 --> 01:04:02,670 watch the country draw remember sound 1555 01:04:00,989 --> 01:04:06,029 sophisticated and you show everypony 1556 01:04:02,670 --> 01:04:09,230 that you are sophisticated yes ugh 1557 01:04:06,030 --> 01:04:11,940 orange @ I'll remember 1558 01:04:09,230 --> 01:04:14,460 Apple Bloom returned to fretting but a 1559 01:04:11,940 --> 01:04:15,119 more subdued fretting you should be 1560 01:04:14,460 --> 01:04:17,849 proud 1561 01:04:15,119 --> 01:04:19,318 uncle orange said encouragingly this is 1562 01:04:17,849 --> 01:04:23,309 the sort of project that will make you 1563 01:04:19,318 --> 01:04:25,920 renowned across all of Equestria Apple 1564 01:04:23,309 --> 01:04:28,949 Bloom simply nodded the fame didn't seem 1565 01:04:25,920 --> 01:04:32,068 to interest her however with the bits I 1566 01:04:28,949 --> 01:04:36,750 get from this out sorry I'll be able to 1567 01:04:32,068 --> 01:04:37,889 expand my my business hi more help maybe 1568 01:04:36,750 --> 01:04:41,239 start looking into other sorts of 1569 01:04:37,889 --> 01:04:43,440 designs she looked up with a smile 1570 01:04:41,239 --> 01:04:45,659 school ooh says she'd like to invest now 1571 01:04:43,440 --> 01:04:48,750 that red racer is doing so well may 1572 01:04:45,659 --> 01:04:51,328 build a company together Apple Bloom's 1573 01:04:48,750 --> 01:04:55,679 voice fell away another presence entered 1574 01:04:51,329 --> 01:04:58,289 the room an exalted one my hosts dropped 1575 01:04:55,679 --> 01:05:01,949 gracefully into a bow Apple Bloom 1576 01:04:58,289 --> 01:05:05,608 swiftly followed his example I was in 1577 01:05:01,949 --> 01:05:07,799 the company of a goddess not one of 1578 01:05:05,608 --> 01:05:08,460 those blasphemous pseudo goddess alicorn 1579 01:05:07,800 --> 01:05:10,890 monsters 1580 01:05:08,460 --> 01:05:12,630 I found myself kneeling before the 1581 01:05:10,889 --> 01:05:17,279 goddess of the Sun in my prey too since 1582 01:05:12,630 --> 01:05:19,849 I was a little filly Celestia herself 1583 01:05:17,280 --> 01:05:23,880 she was majestic beyond description a 1584 01:05:19,849 --> 01:05:26,069 tall white proper alicorn whose main and 1585 01:05:23,880 --> 01:05:27,480 tail flowed with color her flank 1586 01:05:26,070 --> 01:05:28,190 emblazoned with the symbol of the Sun 1587 01:05:27,480 --> 01:05:31,349 itself 1588 01:05:28,190 --> 01:05:35,099 she was graceful kind and altogether 1589 01:05:31,349 --> 01:05:38,369 sovereign pleased she dressed us 1590 01:05:35,099 --> 01:05:41,789 graciously rise My Little Ponies it is a 1591 01:05:38,369 --> 01:05:44,039 joy to see you as my hosts stood 1592 01:05:41,789 --> 01:05:44,750 Princess Celestia squeeze squeeze 1593 01:05:44,039 --> 01:05:47,250 squeeze 1594 01:05:44,750 --> 01:05:50,820 moved around the table eyeing the model 1595 01:05:47,250 --> 01:05:54,900 favorably so this is to be Lunas new 1596 01:05:50,820 --> 01:05:58,550 Academy Applebloom not nervously unable 1597 01:05:54,900 --> 01:06:01,050 to speak it looks lovely 1598 01:05:58,550 --> 01:06:06,240 Applebloom squeaked thank you your 1599 01:06:01,050 --> 01:06:06,930 majesty Celeste his ears perked oh here 1600 01:06:06,239 --> 01:06:09,449 she comes 1601 01:06:06,929 --> 01:06:13,139 if you'd be so kind as let me speak 1602 01:06:09,449 --> 01:06:15,839 first of course your majesty my host 1603 01:06:13,139 --> 01:06:17,429 said quickly Celestia turned in both 1604 01:06:15,840 --> 01:06:20,880 Apple loom and her uncle followed the 1605 01:06:17,429 --> 01:06:22,980 glorious princesses gaze Princess Luna 1606 01:06:20,880 --> 01:06:25,019 walked in between two curtains her dark 1607 01:06:22,980 --> 01:06:26,460 blue colors looked striking yet starkly 1608 01:06:25,019 --> 01:06:29,099 out of place in the rest of the palace 1609 01:06:26,460 --> 01:06:31,559 she was much smaller than her regal 1610 01:06:29,099 --> 01:06:34,380 older sister or for that matter than the 1611 01:06:31,559 --> 01:06:37,259 pseudo goddesses almost the size of a 1612 01:06:34,380 --> 01:06:38,940 normal pony in fact while Princess 1613 01:06:37,260 --> 01:06:43,260 Celestia was resplendent Princess Luna 1614 01:06:38,940 --> 01:06:44,820 struck me as cute the sort of cute that 1615 01:06:43,260 --> 01:06:46,470 I would have impure thoughts about if 1616 01:06:44,820 --> 01:06:48,360 the pony my head wasn't already too busy 1617 01:06:46,469 --> 01:06:51,719 bouncing around Pinkie Pie style letting 1618 01:06:48,360 --> 01:06:54,079 off a barrage of squealing noises sister 1619 01:06:51,719 --> 01:06:57,359 you called for me 1620 01:06:54,079 --> 01:06:58,769 yes Luna dear I've been thinking about 1621 01:06:57,360 --> 01:07:01,530 that school of magic you've been 1622 01:06:58,769 --> 01:07:04,920 proposing and I've decided to send all 1623 01:07:01,530 --> 01:07:08,870 of your students to the moon luna froze 1624 01:07:04,920 --> 01:07:12,599 her mouth hung open then slowly closed 1625 01:07:08,869 --> 01:07:15,679 you wouldn't I could see the gears in 1626 01:07:12,599 --> 01:07:17,909 her head start spinning and you couldn't 1627 01:07:15,679 --> 01:07:19,139 without The Elements of Harmony you 1628 01:07:17,909 --> 01:07:24,469 don't have anywhere near that kind of 1629 01:07:19,139 --> 01:07:27,359 power dear sister what was going on here 1630 01:07:24,469 --> 01:07:29,730 Apple Bloom apparently either not quite 1631 01:07:27,360 --> 01:07:31,620 in on the joke or simply unable to bear 1632 01:07:29,730 --> 01:07:33,900 seeing Luna made uncomfortable quickly 1633 01:07:31,619 --> 01:07:37,529 spoke up she means the crescent moon 1634 01:07:33,900 --> 01:07:39,150 Canyon Princess Celestia smiled but 1635 01:07:37,530 --> 01:07:40,560 tilted her head towards Apple Bloom with 1636 01:07:39,150 --> 01:07:42,420 a look that suggested the regal princess 1637 01:07:40,559 --> 01:07:45,960 hadn't wanted the young architect spill 1638 01:07:42,420 --> 01:07:47,880 that quite yet Princess Luna shot her 1639 01:07:45,960 --> 01:07:52,409 sister a look then moved on to the table 1640 01:07:47,880 --> 01:07:54,559 her eyes going wide this she looked up 1641 01:07:52,409 --> 01:07:56,659 with tears in her eyes 1642 01:07:54,559 --> 01:07:59,329 this is going to be the Luna Academy for 1643 01:07:56,659 --> 01:08:02,259 young unicorns a magical school of my 1644 01:07:59,329 --> 01:08:04,670 very own just like yours 1645 01:08:02,260 --> 01:08:07,760 Princess Celestia smiled and nuzzled her 1646 01:08:04,670 --> 01:08:11,630 younger sister happy birthday little 1647 01:08:07,760 --> 01:08:13,220 sister Apple Bloom's mouth hung open 1648 01:08:11,630 --> 01:08:15,470 until my hosts tapped his own with his 1649 01:08:13,219 --> 01:08:18,739 hoof blushing 1650 01:08:15,469 --> 01:08:21,649 she waved a hoof over the model princess 1651 01:08:18,739 --> 01:08:23,119 less he is given she paused looking up 1652 01:08:21,649 --> 01:08:25,909 at the princess to make sure it was okay 1653 01:08:23,119 --> 01:08:29,269 to speak princess Celestia smiled with a 1654 01:08:25,909 --> 01:08:30,949 nod and softness in her eyes us little 1655 01:08:29,270 --> 01:08:33,560 horn Valley in the crescent moon Canyon 1656 01:08:30,949 --> 01:08:37,519 to build on his isolated far away from 1657 01:08:33,560 --> 01:08:39,560 any dangers or any villages Princess 1658 01:08:37,520 --> 01:08:43,100 Luna noted giving her sister a gentler 1659 01:08:39,560 --> 01:08:45,250 look but a look nonetheless and far away 1660 01:08:43,100 --> 01:08:48,800 from Canterlot and your own school 1661 01:08:45,250 --> 01:08:50,569 Princess Celestia nodded I want you to 1662 01:08:48,800 --> 01:08:51,859 have this fairly without ponies making 1663 01:08:50,569 --> 01:08:54,050 the comparisons they would if the 1664 01:08:51,859 --> 01:08:56,350 schools were side by side and without 1665 01:08:54,050 --> 01:08:59,029 the students being attracted by rivalry 1666 01:08:56,350 --> 01:09:01,460 the princess flicked her gazed at bloom 1667 01:08:59,029 --> 01:09:03,829 as she nodded and I know you were 1668 01:09:01,460 --> 01:09:05,390 considering Ponyville but I didn't want 1669 01:09:03,829 --> 01:09:08,630 young Colts and fillies wandering off 1670 01:09:05,390 --> 01:09:11,119 into the everfree forest Luna rolled her 1671 01:09:08,630 --> 01:09:13,338 eyes come on big sister 1672 01:09:11,119 --> 01:09:15,649 no filly is foolish enough to go 1673 01:09:13,338 --> 01:09:17,809 wandering around that place have faith 1674 01:09:15,649 --> 01:09:19,888 in my students 1675 01:09:17,809 --> 01:09:21,298 Applebloom was making the sort of face 1676 01:09:19,889 --> 01:09:23,118 that suggests that you really wanted to 1677 01:09:21,298 --> 01:09:25,528 be someplace else 1678 01:09:23,118 --> 01:09:28,768 the only thing within a day's ride of 1679 01:09:25,529 --> 01:09:31,679 little horn or some zebra jungles yes 1680 01:09:28,769 --> 01:09:33,449 princess celestia nodded there will be 1681 01:09:31,679 --> 01:09:35,759 friendly zebras not far away if they 1682 01:09:33,448 --> 01:09:37,259 need assistance and soon several of your 1683 01:09:35,759 --> 01:09:39,899 students will have baby dragons of their 1684 01:09:37,259 --> 01:09:44,788 own so if anypony needs to contact you 1685 01:09:39,899 --> 01:09:46,229 you'll only be a sneeze away we were 1686 01:09:44,788 --> 01:09:48,929 airborne between Philadelphia and 1687 01:09:46,229 --> 01:09:51,028 Manhattan as much as I wanted to go 1688 01:09:48,929 --> 01:09:52,679 straight to tenpony tower the warning 1689 01:09:51,029 --> 01:09:54,690 that DJ Pony had sent me was at the 1690 01:09:52,679 --> 01:09:56,639 front of my thoughts so I had directed 1691 01:09:54,689 --> 01:09:59,219 calamity to take us to Junction r7 first 1692 01:09:56,639 --> 01:10:01,050 if something nasty was brewing in 1693 01:09:59,219 --> 01:10:02,429 shattered hoof something that all inch 1694 01:10:01,050 --> 01:10:05,239 thought I needed to take care of first 1695 01:10:02,429 --> 01:10:07,469 then I wasn't going to waste any time 1696 01:10:05,238 --> 01:10:10,018 that still left me a lot of time to 1697 01:10:07,469 --> 01:10:11,730 think and most of that time was spent 1698 01:10:10,019 --> 01:10:14,760 thinking about the memory orb I'd found 1699 01:10:11,729 --> 01:10:16,498 beside poor Apple Bloom's skeleton my 1700 01:10:14,760 --> 01:10:18,239 inner pony had taken over a day to stop 1701 01:10:16,498 --> 01:10:20,189 dancing at having seen the goddesses and 1702 01:10:18,238 --> 01:10:22,049 it was almost harder to prevent myself 1703 01:10:20,189 --> 01:10:23,578 from reliving the memory over and over 1704 01:10:22,050 --> 01:10:26,309 than it was to fight the urge for party 1705 01:10:23,578 --> 01:10:27,868 time in Taos and at least with the 1706 01:10:26,309 --> 01:10:30,659 ladder I had the help of simply not 1707 01:10:27,868 --> 01:10:32,759 carrying any to take the cravings came 1708 01:10:30,658 --> 01:10:35,308 without an easy way to sate them but 1709 01:10:32,760 --> 01:10:37,710 this I couldn't throw away a memory 1710 01:10:35,309 --> 01:10:41,489 orbit the goddess's it deserved to be 1711 01:10:37,710 --> 01:10:43,170 enshrined I momentarily pleased with the 1712 01:10:41,488 --> 01:10:45,629 idea of taking the Cathedral for myself 1713 01:10:43,170 --> 01:10:47,219 wanting to transform it into a temple to 1714 01:10:45,630 --> 01:10:50,400 Celestia and Luna with the memory orb is 1715 01:10:47,219 --> 01:10:52,399 a sacred relic it was a silly daydream 1716 01:10:50,399 --> 01:10:54,738 and it passed 1717 01:10:52,399 --> 01:10:56,119 I also caught myself revisiting the 1718 01:10:54,738 --> 01:10:58,729 notion of Luna clapping me with her 1719 01:10:56,119 --> 01:11:01,760 wings only this time as a fantasy rather 1720 01:10:58,729 --> 01:11:03,649 than a swear I caught myself before my 1721 01:11:01,760 --> 01:11:05,239 imagination could get too far and 1722 01:11:03,649 --> 01:11:06,889 punished myself by banging my head 1723 01:11:05,238 --> 01:11:09,339 repeatedly against the side of the sky 1724 01:11:06,890 --> 01:11:11,449 band until calamity threatened to land 1725 01:11:09,340 --> 01:11:13,130 it took a while before the other 1726 01:11:11,448 --> 01:11:17,539 implications of what I had seen started 1727 01:11:13,130 --> 01:11:19,969 to sink in little horn it was a name I'd 1728 01:11:17,539 --> 01:11:22,939 heard before on several contexts but 1729 01:11:19,969 --> 01:11:24,380 Watchers words stood out the massacre at 1730 01:11:22,939 --> 01:11:26,809 little horn bro Princess Celestia's 1731 01:11:24,380 --> 01:11:27,319 heart after that nearly win way through 1732 01:11:26,810 --> 01:11:29,030 the war 1733 01:11:27,319 --> 01:11:31,488 Princess Celestia decided she wasn't the 1734 01:11:29,029 --> 01:11:33,590 right Pony to lead Equestria anymore so 1735 01:11:31,488 --> 01:11:37,099 she stepped down abdicated her position 1736 01:11:33,590 --> 01:11:39,800 to her sister Princess Luna I looked 1737 01:11:37,100 --> 01:11:42,890 around velvet Romney was lost inside the 1738 01:11:39,800 --> 01:11:45,710 Fluttershy memory orb once more pyre 1739 01:11:42,890 --> 01:11:47,270 light her ara merely twice her size had 1740 01:11:45,710 --> 01:11:49,149 cradled herself against Velvets left 1741 01:11:47,270 --> 01:11:51,530 shoulder and was snoring loftily I 1742 01:11:49,149 --> 01:11:52,039 shared the sky banded with steelo's and 1743 01:11:51,529 --> 01:11:55,969 Zenith 1744 01:11:52,039 --> 01:11:58,640 clan when he was ahead pulling us well 1745 01:11:55,969 --> 01:12:02,060 if there was any pony who would know it 1746 01:11:58,640 --> 01:12:04,050 was Steele loves what happened at little 1747 01:12:02,060 --> 01:12:06,090 horn 1748 01:12:04,050 --> 01:12:08,100 stills and Zenith both started the 1749 01:12:06,090 --> 01:12:10,640 question they looked at each other 1750 01:12:08,100 --> 01:12:15,210 before steel Holmes answered me simply 1751 01:12:10,640 --> 01:12:17,640 disaster I shivered knowing I didn't 1752 01:12:15,210 --> 01:12:23,340 really want to hear this but part of me 1753 01:12:17,640 --> 01:12:26,340 needed to tell me little horn will 1754 01:12:23,340 --> 01:12:28,350 school Peter corns Phillies and Colts 1755 01:12:26,340 --> 01:12:29,940 many of whom were too young to even have 1756 01:12:28,350 --> 01:12:31,050 their cutie marks lived there being 1757 01:12:29,939 --> 01:12:33,719 drained by some of the best of 1758 01:12:31,050 --> 01:12:37,110 equestrian magicians steel have started 1759 01:12:33,720 --> 01:12:39,350 slowly one evening around Twilight a 1760 01:12:37,109 --> 01:12:41,729 little over nine years into the war a 1761 01:12:39,350 --> 01:12:44,760 zebra convoy rolled into little Warren 1762 01:12:41,729 --> 01:12:47,339 Valley two dozen zero Legionnaires and 1763 01:12:44,760 --> 01:12:49,500 three large covered wagons when they 1764 01:12:47,340 --> 01:12:50,789 didn't respond a peaceful overtures the 1765 01:12:49,500 --> 01:12:53,609 matron of the school activated the 1766 01:12:50,789 --> 01:12:56,069 school's defenses they didn't know your 1767 01:12:53,609 --> 01:12:58,859 language Zenith abruptly interrupted 1768 01:12:56,069 --> 01:13:01,769 they weren't frontline soldiers it was a 1769 01:12:58,859 --> 01:13:03,119 refugee convoy mayors and small zebra 1770 01:13:01,770 --> 01:13:07,170 children just trying to get out of the 1771 01:13:03,119 --> 01:13:10,409 killing zone I know that steel shot back 1772 01:13:07,170 --> 01:13:12,090 harshly they realized that when the 1773 01:13:10,409 --> 01:13:15,319 first wagon was struck and they saw the 1774 01:13:12,090 --> 01:13:20,100 dead but by then it was too late he 1775 01:13:15,319 --> 01:13:21,630 turned to me it was too late the zebra 1776 01:13:20,100 --> 01:13:25,530 convoy had assassins wearing zebra 1777 01:13:21,630 --> 01:13:28,230 stealth cloaks they had one zennith 1778 01:13:25,529 --> 01:13:30,619 corrected a father whose family was 1779 01:13:28,229 --> 01:13:34,339 killed in your school surprise attack 1780 01:13:30,619 --> 01:13:38,159 they only needed Warner steel to ground 1781 01:13:34,340 --> 01:13:41,100 the school was full of children and the 1782 01:13:38,159 --> 01:13:42,349 Zebras set off a gas bomb inside it was 1783 01:13:41,100 --> 01:13:46,110 Canterlot in miniature 1784 01:13:42,350 --> 01:13:48,590 the striped bastards killed everypony in 1785 01:13:46,109 --> 01:13:54,289 little horn 1786 01:13:48,590 --> 01:13:58,460 I felt myself crying okay please I don't 1787 01:13:54,289 --> 01:14:01,639 want to hear any more they weren't 1788 01:13:58,460 --> 01:14:04,279 paying attention to me but then I wasn't 1789 01:14:01,639 --> 01:14:06,770 being very assertive I was still numb 1790 01:14:04,279 --> 01:14:08,630 with heartache little horn had been the 1791 01:14:06,770 --> 01:14:10,040 turning point of the war and the pony in 1792 01:14:08,630 --> 01:14:11,779 my mind was realizing with tearful 1793 01:14:10,039 --> 01:14:15,079 slowness how little horn had rippled out 1794 01:14:11,779 --> 01:14:18,319 to destroy everypony it touched I began 1795 01:14:15,079 --> 01:14:19,939 to understand the architect Applebloom's 1796 01:14:18,319 --> 01:14:22,908 sense of guilt and how it steered her 1797 01:14:19,939 --> 01:14:24,589 choices and that would have been nothing 1798 01:14:22,908 --> 01:14:26,960 compared to the guilt and sorrow of then 1799 01:14:24,590 --> 01:14:29,659 Princess Celestia who had herself chosen 1800 01:14:26,960 --> 01:14:31,340 the location or the effects on Princess 1801 01:14:29,658 --> 01:14:35,179 Luna whose beloved students were the 1802 01:14:31,340 --> 01:14:37,010 ones slaughtered to the last it was 1803 01:14:35,179 --> 01:14:39,859 after little horn that the damn zebras 1804 01:14:37,010 --> 01:14:41,810 went totally Manticore shit every fight 1805 01:14:39,859 --> 01:14:45,469 became one too annihilation of one side 1806 01:14:41,810 --> 01:14:48,320 or the other we struck one wagon and yes 1807 01:14:45,469 --> 01:14:50,029 it was a mistake they massacred hundreds 1808 01:14:48,319 --> 01:14:53,238 of small children and then went 1809 01:14:50,029 --> 01:14:55,670 completely insane over it that had 1810 01:14:53,238 --> 01:14:58,309 nothing to do with little horn zan said 1811 01:14:55,670 --> 01:15:00,560 solemnly the war had changed 1812 01:14:58,310 --> 01:15:05,480 it wasn't about coal or gemstones 1813 01:15:00,560 --> 01:15:08,179 anymore kohler gemstones but then that 1814 01:15:05,479 --> 01:15:10,579 made a lot of sense zebras weren't like 1815 01:15:08,179 --> 01:15:13,010 unicorns they couldn't cast spells or 1816 01:15:10,579 --> 01:15:15,229 use magic directly they had to brew into 1817 01:15:13,010 --> 01:15:17,239 potions infuse it into fetishes or 1818 01:15:15,229 --> 01:15:20,178 otherwise bind it into objects get their 1819 01:15:17,238 --> 01:15:22,399 magic to work and with the possible 1820 01:15:20,179 --> 01:15:23,868 exception of Sol jars gemstones were the 1821 01:15:22,399 --> 01:15:26,569 ultimate receptacle for magical 1822 01:15:23,868 --> 01:15:28,069 enchantment any society advancing 1823 01:15:26,569 --> 01:15:31,219 through arcane sciences would require 1824 01:15:28,069 --> 01:15:33,738 trains full of gemstones that was easy 1825 01:15:31,219 --> 01:15:36,889 for ponies we had land a rich with them 1826 01:15:33,738 --> 01:15:39,129 rock barns for growing them but if the 1827 01:15:36,889 --> 01:15:42,609 zebra lands didn't have gems 1828 01:15:39,130 --> 01:15:44,109 but they did have coal I was pulled out 1829 01:15:42,609 --> 01:15:47,079 of my mental distraction when Steele was 1830 01:15:44,109 --> 01:15:50,009 advanced on Zenith then admit your whole 1831 01:15:47,079 --> 01:15:54,698 damn species had a fucking mental break 1832 01:15:50,010 --> 01:15:55,900 not mine zennith insisted we saw that 1833 01:15:54,698 --> 01:15:58,599 you ponies had fallen under the 1834 01:15:55,899 --> 01:16:00,488 influence of the Stars no cortical be 1835 01:15:58,600 --> 01:16:03,750 given and no mercy expected from a 1836 01:16:00,488 --> 01:16:08,339 nation under the sway of cosmic evil 1837 01:16:03,750 --> 01:16:11,260 what I mouthed what steel have screamed 1838 01:16:08,340 --> 01:16:13,449 did you or did you not choose to follow 1839 01:16:11,260 --> 01:16:15,179 the champion of the evil stars Nightmare 1840 01:16:13,448 --> 01:16:21,369 Moon 1841 01:16:15,179 --> 01:16:23,350 what are you what she loves turn 1842 01:16:21,369 --> 01:16:24,550 stomping and pace until calamity once 1843 01:16:23,350 --> 01:16:28,539 again threatened to lay in the sky 1844 01:16:24,550 --> 01:16:29,969 abandoned give us all talking to wait I 1845 01:16:28,539 --> 01:16:32,500 said slowly 1846 01:16:29,969 --> 01:16:35,170 are you saying that the reason the war 1847 01:16:32,500 --> 01:16:36,369 got so bad is because zebras couldn't 1848 01:16:35,170 --> 01:16:40,300 tell the difference between Princess 1849 01:16:36,369 --> 01:16:42,340 Luna and Nightmare Moon from a struggle 1850 01:16:40,300 --> 01:16:46,230 of resources to holy war in ten seconds 1851 01:16:42,340 --> 01:16:49,060 flat they are not the same fucking pony 1852 01:16:46,229 --> 01:16:50,589 still have screamed at Zenith although 1853 01:16:49,060 --> 01:16:53,949 more now because he couldn't scream at 1854 01:16:50,590 --> 01:16:55,929 the zebras of the past we we weren't 1855 01:16:53,948 --> 01:16:57,759 following Nightmare Moon any more than 1856 01:16:55,929 --> 01:17:00,179 Princess Celestia bruisin Luna on the 1857 01:16:57,760 --> 01:17:03,579 fucking moon for a thousand years the 1858 01:17:00,179 --> 01:17:06,329 Steel Ranger was shaking they are not 1859 01:17:03,579 --> 01:17:06,329 the same 1860 01:17:07,000 --> 01:17:10,119 velvet remedy had come out of the 1861 01:17:08,619 --> 01:17:12,729 Fluttershy Orban was looking on in 1862 01:17:10,119 --> 01:17:16,960 confusion steel hooves turned to the two 1863 01:17:12,729 --> 01:17:17,619 of us and barked toe her they are not 1864 01:17:16,960 --> 01:17:20,380 the same 1865 01:17:17,619 --> 01:17:22,989 I said firmly then took note of the 1866 01:17:20,380 --> 01:17:26,650 silence beside me I turned to look 1867 01:17:22,989 --> 01:17:28,960 towards Velvet remedy honestly she 1868 01:17:26,649 --> 01:17:31,359 whispered I was never really clear on 1869 01:17:28,960 --> 01:17:34,350 that myself I always figured with some 1870 01:17:31,359 --> 01:17:34,349 kind of psychotic break 1871 01:17:35,039 --> 01:17:40,149 steel hose sounded murderous which 1872 01:17:38,199 --> 01:17:43,510 considering this was steel us actually 1873 01:17:40,149 --> 01:17:47,319 scared me psychotic breaks don't come 1874 01:17:43,510 --> 01:17:49,869 with physical transformations I nodded 1875 01:17:47,319 --> 01:17:51,609 in firm agreement unless you were pinkie 1876 01:17:49,869 --> 01:17:53,170 pie's hair I thought remembering that 1877 01:17:51,609 --> 01:17:56,409 weird change at the end of her argument 1878 01:17:53,170 --> 01:17:59,109 with Twilight Sparkle steel was visibly 1879 01:17:56,409 --> 01:18:02,859 shook his voice changed from an angered 1880 01:17:59,109 --> 01:18:05,139 yell to a low even blade then there was 1881 01:18:02,859 --> 01:18:09,009 never any real chance of diplomacy after 1882 01:18:05,140 --> 01:18:09,579 that was there I get tailed the behind 1883 01:18:09,010 --> 01:18:13,239 his visor 1884 01:18:09,579 --> 01:18:14,800 his eyes were locked on Zenoss the 1885 01:18:13,239 --> 01:18:17,409 invitation to shattered her fridge for 1886 01:18:14,800 --> 01:18:21,400 peace talks there was never going to be 1887 01:18:17,409 --> 01:18:23,949 any peace talks were there zanna's ears 1888 01:18:21,399 --> 01:18:25,569 flattened she tried to be reasonable 1889 01:18:23,949 --> 01:18:28,989 apparently realizing that this was no 1890 01:18:25,569 --> 01:18:31,239 longer even an unfriendly argument I was 1891 01:18:28,989 --> 01:18:33,399 not there please remember that these 1892 01:18:31,239 --> 01:18:36,498 were other people zebras and ponies 1893 01:18:33,399 --> 01:18:41,859 alike not us 1894 01:18:36,498 --> 01:18:44,899 answer the question as Ennis looked away 1895 01:18:41,859 --> 01:18:49,038 from the tails I was told she sighed 1896 01:18:44,899 --> 01:18:50,569 sadly peace was what to his hoped but 1897 01:18:49,038 --> 01:18:52,059 there could only be peace if Nightmare 1898 01:18:50,569 --> 01:18:54,288 Moon was removed 1899 01:18:52,059 --> 01:18:57,920 unfortunately the Pony sent the wrong 1900 01:18:54,288 --> 01:19:00,710 princess to shattered overage the night 1901 01:18:57,920 --> 01:19:02,449 turned infinitely colder I waited my 1902 01:19:00,710 --> 01:19:05,840 nerves on edge for what steel hose would 1903 01:19:02,448 --> 01:19:07,368 do with a final growl steel hoods 1904 01:19:05,840 --> 01:19:09,409 removed himself to the farthest end of 1905 01:19:07,368 --> 01:19:12,558 the sky bed and crouched down pretending 1906 01:19:09,408 --> 01:19:16,518 to sleep which I knew he didn't but I 1907 01:19:12,559 --> 01:19:17,320 thankfully played along the awl okay 1908 01:19:16,519 --> 01:19:21,079 back there 1909 01:19:17,319 --> 01:19:23,228 calamity called back my answer echoed 1910 01:19:21,078 --> 01:19:26,228 steel Holmes answered a night poppy seed 1911 01:19:23,229 --> 01:19:26,229 No 1912 01:19:27,189 --> 01:19:30,610 we picked up the signal near within an 1913 01:19:29,198 --> 01:19:35,009 hour of setting down injunction our 1914 01:19:30,609 --> 01:19:35,009 seven it wasn't from shatter tough 1915 01:19:35,279 --> 01:19:41,768 automated distress call from stable tech 1916 01:19:37,719 --> 01:19:43,658 stable to message begins the mechanized 1917 01:19:41,769 --> 01:19:46,239 voice gave way to one I had written off 1918 01:19:43,658 --> 01:19:50,859 every hearing again the voice of our 1919 01:19:46,238 --> 01:19:52,839 overmare little pip velvet remedy if 1920 01:19:50,859 --> 01:19:54,518 either of you can hear this I pray 1921 01:19:52,840 --> 01:19:57,069 you're still alive still out there to 1922 01:19:54,519 --> 01:19:59,469 hear this please if you or if any 1923 01:19:57,069 --> 01:20:01,569 friendly Pony can hear this stable - is 1924 01:19:59,469 --> 01:20:03,578 under attack we don't know who they are 1925 01:20:01,569 --> 01:20:05,018 or where they came from but they have 1926 01:20:03,578 --> 01:20:06,429 somehow opened the front door and they 1927 01:20:05,019 --> 01:20:08,679 are killing everypony inside 1928 01:20:06,429 --> 01:20:11,260 I've evacuated all the survivors into 1929 01:20:08,679 --> 01:20:12,550 the security and over mares wing but now 1930 01:20:11,260 --> 01:20:14,409 that we are cut off from the orchard we 1931 01:20:12,550 --> 01:20:16,570 are running out of food these invaders 1932 01:20:14,408 --> 01:20:21,248 seem content to wait us out if you can 1933 01:20:16,569 --> 01:20:24,759 hear this please save us my blood turn 1934 01:20:21,248 --> 01:20:26,288 to ice I analyze the signal the 1935 01:20:24,760 --> 01:20:27,760 broadcast was being piped through the 1936 01:20:26,288 --> 01:20:29,438 same transmitter that the father of a 1937 01:20:27,760 --> 01:20:31,449 dying cult had once tapped into from the 1938 01:20:29,439 --> 01:20:36,300 cistern under the big McIntosh Memorial 1939 01:20:31,448 --> 01:20:39,158 the mechanical voice returned home 1940 01:20:36,300 --> 01:20:41,349 message repeats this is an automated 1941 01:20:39,158 --> 01:20:46,698 distress call from stable tech stable - 1942 01:20:41,349 --> 01:20:50,000 message begins Oh goddesses 1943 01:20:46,698 --> 01:20:55,039 okay click Clementi turn now we have to 1944 01:20:50,000 --> 01:20:57,310 get this table to fast a little bit I'm 1945 01:20:55,039 --> 01:20:59,448 about to collapse here what's the I 1946 01:20:57,310 --> 01:21:02,390 pulled out my ear bloom and played the 1947 01:20:59,448 --> 01:21:03,948 message aloud within 10 words clam news 1948 01:21:02,390 --> 01:21:05,230 already banking and pulling us unto our 1949 01:21:03,948 --> 01:21:10,928 new heading 1950 01:21:05,229 --> 01:21:14,829 no steals whispered damn them no I 1951 01:21:10,929 --> 01:21:19,760 swiveled towards my steel ranger friend 1952 01:21:14,829 --> 01:21:21,829 know what and then I realized what 1953 01:21:19,760 --> 01:21:24,190 crusade elder blueberry saber had rushed 1954 01:21:21,829 --> 01:21:29,029 off to the moment I was out of the way 1955 01:21:24,189 --> 01:21:30,769 I'm sorry little pip I did everything I 1956 01:21:29,029 --> 01:21:34,359 could to make them believe taking stable 1957 01:21:30,770 --> 01:21:36,949 to was a mistake I have been for decades 1958 01:21:34,359 --> 01:21:38,448 but after you two showed up and they 1959 01:21:36,948 --> 01:21:43,309 realized there was still a functional 1960 01:21:38,448 --> 01:21:47,539 stable down there this was your mission 1961 01:21:43,310 --> 01:21:49,039 I strode forward my glare alone almost 1962 01:21:47,539 --> 01:21:54,560 strong enough to disintegrate the earth 1963 01:21:49,039 --> 01:21:58,760 pony ghoul assess if stable two could be 1964 01:21:54,560 --> 01:22:01,730 safely taken he cringed back from me 1965 01:21:58,760 --> 01:22:03,570 I even tried giving them stable 29 1966 01:22:01,729 --> 01:22:06,419 instead 1967 01:22:03,569 --> 01:22:07,979 I rocked on my hooves my mind teetering 1968 01:22:06,420 --> 01:22:10,170 on the edge of a dark chasm as I 1969 01:22:07,979 --> 01:22:12,359 struggled to remember if in my own hack 1970 01:22:10,170 --> 01:22:14,130 of stable 29th entrance I might have 1971 01:22:12,359 --> 01:22:15,689 left clues that the tech-savvy agents of 1972 01:22:14,130 --> 01:22:17,130 the Ministry for time technology could 1973 01:22:15,689 --> 01:22:21,059 have used to figure their way through my 1974 01:22:17,130 --> 01:22:24,449 own stables door velvet Remini wrapped a 1975 01:22:21,060 --> 01:22:25,920 hoof about me holding me back if the 1976 01:22:24,449 --> 01:22:28,979 steel rangers are assaulting our home 1977 01:22:25,920 --> 01:22:32,279 she said with steel in her voice we 1978 01:22:28,979 --> 01:22:34,469 might need him well maybe it's just best 1979 01:22:32,279 --> 01:22:34,949 we drop you off here calamity called 1980 01:22:34,470 --> 01:22:36,300 back 1981 01:22:34,949 --> 01:22:38,939 fixing the steel hose with an even 1982 01:22:36,300 --> 01:22:41,550 Claire because I'm heading to stable - 1983 01:22:38,939 --> 01:22:45,379 and when I get there I'm planning to 1984 01:22:41,550 --> 01:22:45,380 kill me a whole lot of Steel Rangers