1 00:00:00,199 --> 00:00:07,918 rage burning explosive rage and the 2 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:10,080 moment I realized that the seal Rangers 3 00:00:07,918 --> 00:00:12,869 had invaded my home were killing the 4 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:16,879 ponies inside I saw red like I never had 5 00:00:12,869 --> 00:00:20,009 before my nerves were hot electric I 6 00:00:16,879 --> 00:00:22,469 wanted to strike out to slaughter those 7 00:00:20,010 --> 00:00:23,070 fuckers to rip them apart from the 8 00:00:22,469 --> 00:00:24,599 inside out 9 00:00:23,070 --> 00:00:28,109 and keep stomping until they were 10 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:29,939 nothing but pasted under my hooves but 11 00:00:28,109 --> 00:00:33,420 my enemies the murderers who were 12 00:00:29,939 --> 00:00:35,579 defiling my home were not here it would 13 00:00:33,420 --> 00:00:37,609 be ours even a calamities best speed 14 00:00:35,579 --> 00:00:41,280 before we could make it to stable - I 15 00:00:37,609 --> 00:00:43,769 wanted to hurt somepony now my whole 16 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:46,410 body and mind and soul screamed for 17 00:00:43,770 --> 00:00:48,840 justice and retribution and if I 18 00:00:46,409 --> 00:00:51,569 couldn't have that at least somepony to 19 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:54,840 buck but the only ponies around were my 20 00:00:51,570 --> 00:00:57,659 friends so I stood there and raged in 21 00:00:54,840 --> 00:01:01,320 silence and they were wise not to 22 00:00:57,659 --> 00:01:03,659 interfere do you think I wanted this 23 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:06,930 Stila snapped pacing through the 24 00:01:03,659 --> 00:01:09,810 interior of the sky bandit stable - was 25 00:01:06,930 --> 00:01:11,939 home to Applejack's family if anyone in 26 00:01:09,810 --> 00:01:14,909 the Apple family still lives they live 27 00:01:11,938 --> 00:01:18,029 in there I ain't saying you wanted this 28 00:01:14,909 --> 00:01:19,799 clam B shot back and I ain't saying you 29 00:01:18,030 --> 00:01:21,868 didn't go do your damn best to stop it 30 00:01:19,799 --> 00:01:24,780 I'm just saying your best weren't good 31 00:01:21,868 --> 00:01:26,579 enough the rust-coloured pegasus was 32 00:01:24,780 --> 00:01:29,400 pouring on the speed despite being at 33 00:01:26,579 --> 00:01:31,340 the point of exhaustion and now it's my 34 00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:33,530 turn 35 00:01:31,340 --> 00:01:36,439 zennith watched the argument for once 36 00:01:33,530 --> 00:01:40,009 not being the focus of the shouting she 37 00:01:36,438 --> 00:01:44,508 turned to velvet remedy eyes large this 38 00:01:40,009 --> 00:01:47,810 is your home you and the little one why 39 00:01:44,509 --> 00:01:48,879 did the steel rangers attack it velvet 40 00:01:47,810 --> 00:01:51,590 rowdy shook her head 41 00:01:48,879 --> 00:01:54,109 each blinks and fresh tears down her 42 00:01:51,590 --> 00:01:57,439 charcoal cheeks the wind whipped at her 43 00:01:54,109 --> 00:02:00,170 color streaked white mane resources 44 00:01:57,438 --> 00:02:02,779 nothing more all they see is a 45 00:02:00,170 --> 00:02:05,240 functional stable in the very least the 46 00:02:02,780 --> 00:02:08,149 water talisman is priceless the apple 47 00:02:05,239 --> 00:02:11,959 orchard nearly so she closed her eyes 48 00:02:08,149 --> 00:02:16,009 shuddering with a soft sob at most they 49 00:02:11,959 --> 00:02:18,170 wanted as a base my rage was beginning 50 00:02:16,009 --> 00:02:19,759 to ebb the fire and fury unable to 51 00:02:18,169 --> 00:02:23,809 maintain itself without a direction to 52 00:02:19,759 --> 00:02:25,818 strike I could feel numbness sorrow and 53 00:02:23,810 --> 00:02:27,590 horror lurking behind it ready to 54 00:02:25,818 --> 00:02:29,259 overwhelm me once the inferno of anger 55 00:02:27,590 --> 00:02:31,610 burnt itself out 56 00:02:29,259 --> 00:02:35,149 you can't just prance it and start 57 00:02:31,610 --> 00:02:35,720 killing Rangers still Oh stomped I don't 58 00:02:35,150 --> 00:02:38,060 see why not 59 00:02:35,719 --> 00:02:39,709 far as I can see they're nothing more 60 00:02:38,060 --> 00:02:42,379 than a gang of high-tech raiders preying 61 00:02:39,709 --> 00:02:45,289 on the innocent clam he kicked at his 62 00:02:42,379 --> 00:02:47,989 battle saddle changing the mo ponies 63 00:02:45,289 --> 00:02:52,189 like that need to die and I aimed at 64 00:02:47,989 --> 00:02:55,849 killem it's my policy Steel's turned to 65 00:02:52,189 --> 00:03:00,109 fellow remedy you talk to him 66 00:02:55,849 --> 00:03:04,579 and say what Velvets voice was hard as 67 00:03:00,110 --> 00:03:07,120 steel steel was grunted but it's suicide 68 00:03:04,580 --> 00:03:09,500 for a start he looked at us 69 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:11,030 do you ponies really think you can take 70 00:03:09,500 --> 00:03:14,509 on a few squads worth of Knights and 71 00:03:11,030 --> 00:03:16,939 paladin's a magical armor the ghouls 72 00:03:14,509 --> 00:03:19,219 words hit home the size of this was too 73 00:03:16,939 --> 00:03:20,810 much who knew how many steel Rangers 74 00:03:19,219 --> 00:03:22,520 were down there each with weapons and 75 00:03:20,810 --> 00:03:25,280 armor and combat experience far in 76 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:29,469 excess of our own how was I going to 77 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:31,849 stave stable - how could I fight that I 78 00:03:29,469 --> 00:03:35,150 began to remember each and every pony I 79 00:03:31,849 --> 00:03:37,549 had grown up with my teachers my peers 80 00:03:35,150 --> 00:03:40,250 each Pony at my first and only slumber 81 00:03:37,550 --> 00:03:41,770 party I felt myself being crushed under 82 00:03:40,250 --> 00:03:45,379 the weight of this responsibility I 83 00:03:41,770 --> 00:03:48,950 couldn't breathe y'all gonna be 84 00:03:45,379 --> 00:03:50,090 surprised just what we can do the armor 85 00:03:48,949 --> 00:03:55,069 in case the google rounded on the 86 00:03:50,090 --> 00:03:58,939 Pegasus I'm on your side here are you 87 00:03:55,069 --> 00:04:00,829 I asked finally breaking my silence 88 00:03:58,939 --> 00:04:03,770 the others all turned a collective gaze 89 00:04:00,830 --> 00:04:05,780 on steelo's the Steel Ranger the 90 00:04:03,770 --> 00:04:08,270 eternally obedient soldier buck had been 91 00:04:05,780 --> 00:04:11,409 backed into a corner forced between his 92 00:04:08,270 --> 00:04:14,240 loyalty to us and his oath to them if 93 00:04:11,409 --> 00:04:17,000 that was all it was that I knew we would 94 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:20,420 lose but I had seen into his head into 95 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:22,040 his memories still loves earth wasn't to 96 00:04:20,420 --> 00:04:26,720 the Ministry of wartime technology it 97 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:28,460 was to her Applejack and when had come 98 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:30,230 to defending her there had never been 99 00:04:28,459 --> 00:04:32,750 immoral he considered sacred enough to 100 00:04:30,230 --> 00:04:36,040 let it stand in his way if that still 101 00:04:32,750 --> 00:04:39,230 held true then we stood a chance 102 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:42,379 stealers didn't answer that was not a 103 00:04:39,230 --> 00:04:43,990 good sign but such a decision was hard 104 00:04:42,379 --> 00:04:47,019 enough without being further forced I 105 00:04:43,990 --> 00:04:51,230 didn't dare push him I needed him I 106 00:04:47,019 --> 00:04:51,889 needed all of them well that's just 107 00:04:51,230 --> 00:04:54,740 perfect 108 00:04:51,889 --> 00:04:56,120 calamity groused Guinea at least promise 109 00:04:54,740 --> 00:04:59,720 not to shoot us in the back when you 110 00:04:56,120 --> 00:05:02,300 make up your mind I wanted to tell the 111 00:04:59,720 --> 00:05:04,700 pegasus to shut up I knew calamity had a 112 00:05:02,300 --> 00:05:06,199 right to say that and right now he was 113 00:05:04,699 --> 00:05:08,719 the one going beyond the pale just to 114 00:05:06,199 --> 00:05:10,909 get us there but if I had any chance of 115 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:13,670 not letting stable two down not letting 116 00:05:10,910 --> 00:05:15,919 everypony I had ever known died I needed 117 00:05:13,670 --> 00:05:20,090 my friends to pull together we needed to 118 00:05:15,918 --> 00:05:21,589 be strong instead I was drowning and all 119 00:05:20,089 --> 00:05:24,549 about me they were splintering apart 120 00:05:21,589 --> 00:05:24,549 under the tension 121 00:05:25,189 --> 00:05:31,819 velvet Remy nicker deprecatingly whele 122 00:05:29,300 --> 00:05:34,069 for making promises maybe little pip can 123 00:05:31,819 --> 00:05:37,670 promise that if we win she won't adopt 124 00:05:34,069 --> 00:05:39,170 any of them I stumbled feeling 125 00:05:37,670 --> 00:05:42,770 sucker-punched even as I was fighting to 126 00:05:39,170 --> 00:05:45,710 breathe how come on little pip velvet 127 00:05:42,769 --> 00:05:47,120 said rolling her eyes it is not past my 128 00:05:45,709 --> 00:05:49,669 noticed you have a habit of collecting 129 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:52,459 ponies and now zebras who have nearly 130 00:05:49,670 --> 00:05:55,759 killed you she shook her mane 131 00:05:52,459 --> 00:05:57,139 I'll admit sometimes I wonder if there 132 00:05:55,759 --> 00:05:59,050 isn't a part of you that isn't doing it 133 00:05:57,139 --> 00:06:04,699 to get back at me 134 00:05:59,050 --> 00:06:06,020 what what the hell well aside from just 135 00:06:04,699 --> 00:06:08,149 being the one who patches you up every 136 00:06:06,019 --> 00:06:09,709 time you get yourself hurt I'm also the 137 00:06:08,149 --> 00:06:10,819 one who is at least a little responsible 138 00:06:09,709 --> 00:06:11,239 for you getting trapped out here to 139 00:06:10,819 --> 00:06:14,300 begin with 140 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:17,060 velvet pointed out her normally 141 00:06:14,300 --> 00:06:18,860 beautiful voice sounded frayed I could 142 00:06:17,060 --> 00:06:20,509 tell this was the return of nasty bitchy 143 00:06:18,860 --> 00:06:22,509 remedy who dealt with the horrors around 144 00:06:20,509 --> 00:06:24,769 her by thinking poorly of her friends I 145 00:06:22,509 --> 00:06:28,339 had really hoped we'd left this remedy 146 00:06:24,769 --> 00:06:30,289 behind but there she was buried under 147 00:06:28,339 --> 00:06:31,819 the surface just waiting for enough 148 00:06:30,290 --> 00:06:35,120 stress on the fault lines of Velvets 149 00:06:31,819 --> 00:06:36,139 personality to set her free are you sure 150 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:37,759 there isn't a part of you that isn't 151 00:06:36,139 --> 00:06:39,259 trying to punish me by surrounding us 152 00:06:37,759 --> 00:06:43,339 with reminders of all the times you've 153 00:06:39,259 --> 00:06:47,089 nearly died out here whoa Nelly clam Lee 154 00:06:43,339 --> 00:06:50,659 looked back is that how you think of me 155 00:06:47,089 --> 00:06:53,000 Oh goddesses please I don't know if I 156 00:06:50,660 --> 00:06:57,070 can do this even with you I can't do 157 00:06:53,000 --> 00:07:01,129 this without you stop it all of you I 158 00:06:57,069 --> 00:07:05,149 stomped with all hooves shaking we can't 159 00:07:01,129 --> 00:07:05,949 tear apart now our home my home they 160 00:07:05,149 --> 00:07:08,299 need us 161 00:07:05,949 --> 00:07:10,329 what good are we to them for already 162 00:07:08,300 --> 00:07:14,000 bleeding to death when we get there 163 00:07:10,329 --> 00:07:19,039 bits and shrews calamity exclaimed here 164 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:22,430 at little PIP I'm sorry as a my velvet 165 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:26,360 remedy said the good velvet was at least 166 00:07:22,430 --> 00:07:28,340 for now back again I I don't know what 167 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:32,720 came over me I guess I'm just not 168 00:07:28,339 --> 00:07:34,519 dealing with this well so steelo's 169 00:07:32,720 --> 00:07:37,190 inquired his voice calm as if the 170 00:07:34,519 --> 00:07:41,418 arguments had never happened do you have 171 00:07:37,189 --> 00:07:43,279 a plan I felt the wind blow through my 172 00:07:41,418 --> 00:07:44,750 coat in Maine rustling my utility 173 00:07:43,279 --> 00:07:47,209 barding under saddle packs and armor 174 00:07:44,750 --> 00:07:50,930 plating I looked at each of them 175 00:07:47,209 --> 00:07:54,788 suddenly feeling very small my eyes fell 176 00:07:50,930 --> 00:07:58,250 to velvet this can't just be my decision 177 00:07:54,788 --> 00:08:01,399 they'll let this was your home to my 178 00:07:58,250 --> 00:08:03,478 eyes pleaded with her silently I begged 179 00:08:01,399 --> 00:08:07,019 her to help me 180 00:08:03,478 --> 00:08:10,348 please velvet please don't let this be 181 00:08:07,019 --> 00:08:13,438 all on me this is home these are our 182 00:08:10,348 --> 00:08:18,058 ponies I can't have whether they live or 183 00:08:13,439 --> 00:08:20,400 die be all on me I just can't double 184 00:08:18,059 --> 00:08:21,930 returned the gaze in her teary eyes I 185 00:08:20,399 --> 00:08:23,848 saw a kindness that told me she 186 00:08:21,930 --> 00:08:26,059 understood and that she would take as 187 00:08:23,848 --> 00:08:29,968 much of this burden for me as she could 188 00:08:26,059 --> 00:08:32,099 they'll return to the others steelo's is 189 00:08:29,968 --> 00:08:34,828 right I doubt we have the firepower to 190 00:08:32,099 --> 00:08:36,658 take on the steel rangers and even if we 191 00:08:34,828 --> 00:08:39,809 do we couldn't hope to do so without 192 00:08:36,658 --> 00:08:43,948 losses so we must look for an avenue of 193 00:08:39,809 --> 00:08:48,799 diplomacy first I nodded weeping we 194 00:08:43,948 --> 00:08:48,799 thankful suddenly I could breathe again 195 00:08:49,039 --> 00:08:53,370 there was an odd orange glow on the 196 00:08:51,328 --> 00:08:56,039 horizon like an angry dawn was 197 00:08:53,370 --> 00:08:57,750 approaching but the glow is from the 198 00:08:56,039 --> 00:08:59,659 wrong direction and there were many 199 00:08:57,750 --> 00:09:02,549 hours before the first hint of daylight 200 00:08:59,659 --> 00:09:04,620 the Sun and Moon had gone wild raising 201 00:09:02,549 --> 00:09:06,000 and setting by their own whims but even 202 00:09:04,620 --> 00:09:10,578 those whims seemed to have a clockwork 203 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:13,889 precision what are we looking at fires 204 00:09:10,578 --> 00:09:15,899 calamity answered that out there's you 205 00:09:13,889 --> 00:09:19,079 have a free forest looks like red eyes 206 00:09:15,899 --> 00:09:21,870 got the whole backside ablaze is that a 207 00:09:19,078 --> 00:09:25,828 query do you think red eyes troops might 208 00:09:21,870 --> 00:09:28,948 be near stable - nah not a chance 209 00:09:25,828 --> 00:09:30,838 calamity answered those fires over a day 210 00:09:28,948 --> 00:09:34,409 away wouldn't make no sense for him to 211 00:09:30,839 --> 00:09:36,209 be anywhere near Ponyville I leaned 212 00:09:34,409 --> 00:09:38,399 against velvet remedy using her soft 213 00:09:36,208 --> 00:09:41,278 body for physical support drinking in 214 00:09:38,399 --> 00:09:43,129 the scent of her to call myself I was 215 00:09:41,278 --> 00:09:45,509 still trembling trying to steady myself 216 00:09:43,129 --> 00:09:47,570 fighting off ways of alternating rage 217 00:09:45,509 --> 00:09:49,610 and bleak sorrow 218 00:09:47,570 --> 00:09:54,290 the stress was winding me up until I 219 00:09:49,610 --> 00:09:55,519 felt I would explode or shatter velvet 220 00:09:54,289 --> 00:09:57,169 remedy was allowing herself the 221 00:09:55,519 --> 00:10:00,679 distraction of staring at the firelight 222 00:09:57,169 --> 00:10:03,110 cloud cover in the distance I remember 223 00:10:00,679 --> 00:10:04,250 when I first left stable to the cloud 224 00:10:03,110 --> 00:10:07,550 cover had breaks in it 225 00:10:04,250 --> 00:10:09,889 I could see real sunlight it was the 226 00:10:07,549 --> 00:10:10,909 most beautiful warming thing more 227 00:10:09,889 --> 00:10:14,959 beautiful than anything I'd ever 228 00:10:10,909 --> 00:10:16,689 experienced my life I thought there is 229 00:10:14,958 --> 00:10:20,778 something as wonderful as this out there 230 00:10:16,690 --> 00:10:23,720 then the outside can't be that bad she 231 00:10:20,778 --> 00:10:26,899 chuckled sadly haven't seen the Sun like 232 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:28,670 that again sometimes I wonder if that 233 00:10:26,899 --> 00:10:32,690 isn't why this world feels so dark and 234 00:10:28,669 --> 00:10:34,578 hopeless I remembered a similar break in 235 00:10:32,690 --> 00:10:36,350 the clouds pouring the soft light of 236 00:10:34,578 --> 00:10:37,969 Lunas moon down upon Monterey Jack and 237 00:10:36,350 --> 00:10:41,980 me as we faced off on the Ponyville 238 00:10:37,970 --> 00:10:45,620 bridge it seemed like a lifetime ago 239 00:10:41,980 --> 00:10:48,139 yippeee clammy replied missing the heart 240 00:10:45,620 --> 00:10:50,480 and soul Velvets comment the everfree 241 00:10:48,139 --> 00:10:51,709 forest don't work properly pegasi have 242 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:53,629 always had a tough time keeping the 243 00:10:51,708 --> 00:10:56,049 cloud cover with that place it's like 244 00:10:53,629 --> 00:10:58,068 the clouds want to move all on their own 245 00:10:56,049 --> 00:10:59,568 cloud curtain and the area's right up 246 00:10:58,068 --> 00:11:03,409 against it can get mighty patchwork II 247 00:10:59,568 --> 00:11:05,269 sometimes Steelers was staring in the 248 00:11:03,409 --> 00:11:08,689 other direction his visor gazing out 249 00:11:05,269 --> 00:11:12,019 into the darkness finally he admitted 250 00:11:08,690 --> 00:11:15,690 with a low Rumble I don't understand why 251 00:11:12,019 --> 00:11:17,580 elder blueberry saber is doing this 252 00:11:15,690 --> 00:11:20,820 I felt velvet remedy had covered that 253 00:11:17,580 --> 00:11:22,190 question fairly well earlier steelo's 254 00:11:20,820 --> 00:11:26,100 let out of breath 255 00:11:22,190 --> 00:11:27,630 this is far outside her territory elder 256 00:11:26,100 --> 00:11:29,279 blueberry sabor is the elder for the 257 00:11:27,629 --> 00:11:32,070 Philadelphia contingent of the seal 258 00:11:29,279 --> 00:11:33,779 Rangers staple too technically falls 259 00:11:32,070 --> 00:11:39,180 under the purview of my elder in the 260 00:11:33,779 --> 00:11:40,230 main doubt and contigent oh they can't 261 00:11:39,179 --> 00:11:42,629 keep Philadelphia 262 00:11:40,230 --> 00:11:44,129 I offered feeling a fresh surge of fury 263 00:11:42,629 --> 00:11:47,189 as my thoughts touch them what must be 264 00:11:44,129 --> 00:11:49,590 happening every minute now redeye keeps 265 00:11:47,190 --> 00:11:51,300 going stronger steel Rangers position 266 00:11:49,590 --> 00:11:53,490 there is stagnant if not weakening 267 00:11:51,299 --> 00:11:56,969 I think Velvets right about them needing 268 00:11:53,490 --> 00:12:00,450 a new base the ghoul nodded inside his 269 00:11:56,970 --> 00:12:03,450 armor still it should fall to elder 270 00:12:00,450 --> 00:12:05,700 cottage cheese to take stable - for him 271 00:12:03,450 --> 00:12:08,640 not to be there will be a considerable 272 00:12:05,700 --> 00:12:09,750 divergence from protocol and have to 273 00:12:08,639 --> 00:12:13,529 elders in the same place would be 274 00:12:09,750 --> 00:12:15,690 strategically unwise in front 275 00:12:13,529 --> 00:12:16,679 Clementi we need letting all legs hang 276 00:12:15,690 --> 00:12:20,100 in the air and sticking out his tongue 277 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:22,109 with an expression of disgust seriously 278 00:12:20,100 --> 00:12:24,779 now your commanding officer's name is 279 00:12:22,110 --> 00:12:28,320 cottage cheese did his folks hate him 280 00:12:24,779 --> 00:12:31,470 with something steals chuckle despite 281 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:34,210 our dark situation he does prefer to 282 00:12:31,470 --> 00:12:37,149 simply be called cottage 283 00:12:34,210 --> 00:12:41,050 I like cottage cheese I've said in a 284 00:12:37,149 --> 00:12:42,519 very small voice hey maybe your cottage 285 00:12:41,049 --> 00:12:43,719 cheese others pulling the same thing I'm 286 00:12:42,519 --> 00:12:46,259 blueberry say whether she pulled on 287 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:48,580 little pip Colette me suggested it 288 00:12:46,259 --> 00:12:51,100 sending her into that situation that he 289 00:12:48,580 --> 00:12:52,990 feels is a giant death trap after all 290 00:12:51,100 --> 00:12:54,759 don't believe a bunch of rubbish about 291 00:12:52,990 --> 00:12:57,180 the ministry awesome having black ops 292 00:12:54,759 --> 00:13:00,129 tables and nonsense like that 293 00:12:57,179 --> 00:13:02,309 well maybe not complete nonsense I 294 00:13:00,129 --> 00:13:06,629 mutter under my breath 295 00:13:02,309 --> 00:13:11,588 what'd you mean by that little pip crap 296 00:13:06,629 --> 00:13:13,210 calamity heard me well I mean that I saw 297 00:13:11,589 --> 00:13:14,410 Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie setting up 298 00:13:13,210 --> 00:13:15,210 the core to be a double agent for 299 00:13:14,409 --> 00:13:17,469 Equestria 300 00:13:15,210 --> 00:13:19,139 Rainbow Dash said Sakura trained under 301 00:13:17,470 --> 00:13:21,940 her Ministry of Awesome's best trainers 302 00:13:19,139 --> 00:13:25,600 which made it sound like the m aw did 303 00:13:21,940 --> 00:13:29,529 that sort of thing a lot I was met by 304 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:32,940 stunned silence from everyone except 305 00:13:29,528 --> 00:13:34,838 pyar light who coud curiously velvet I 306 00:13:32,940 --> 00:13:36,220 had been slightly worried that 307 00:13:34,839 --> 00:13:37,660 mentioning I had the memory orb of 308 00:13:36,220 --> 00:13:40,149 Rainbow Dash might lead to calamity 309 00:13:37,659 --> 00:13:41,708 demanding a recollect er I didn't want 310 00:13:40,149 --> 00:13:43,389 my - light friend losing himself in the 311 00:13:41,708 --> 00:13:45,299 orb the same way velvet often did with 312 00:13:43,389 --> 00:13:49,088 the Fluttershy orb 313 00:13:45,299 --> 00:13:52,539 Sakura zennith asked her exotic voice 314 00:13:49,089 --> 00:13:55,600 low and cautious do you mean Sakura of 315 00:13:52,539 --> 00:14:00,939 Sakura's Hut in the everfree forest 316 00:13:55,600 --> 00:14:02,800 whoops ah yeah turns out she was a 317 00:14:00,940 --> 00:14:06,339 friend of the ministry mares and chose 318 00:14:02,799 --> 00:14:07,929 to was it really a good idea to tell 319 00:14:06,339 --> 00:14:11,529 Zenith that zacchara had gone undercover 320 00:14:07,929 --> 00:14:14,758 to betray the Zebras Zecora was a 321 00:14:11,528 --> 00:14:17,198 traitor steel has growled dangerously 322 00:14:14,759 --> 00:14:21,818 she was selling weapons technology to 323 00:14:17,198 --> 00:14:23,559 the Zebras he took a step towards me she 324 00:14:21,818 --> 00:14:25,088 tried to give them the damn gun that 325 00:14:23,559 --> 00:14:33,189 would punch through steel ranger armor 326 00:14:25,089 --> 00:14:38,980 oh boy uh no not really that was part of 327 00:14:33,190 --> 00:14:42,449 her cover no that is not true 328 00:14:38,980 --> 00:14:45,639 steel halves insisted adamantly 329 00:14:42,448 --> 00:14:48,219 Fluttershy knew is zebra double Romney's 330 00:14:45,639 --> 00:14:50,019 voice asked at least that revelation 331 00:14:48,220 --> 00:14:54,519 thank the goddesses probably didn't lead 332 00:14:50,019 --> 00:14:55,959 down dangerous paths a little bit maybe 333 00:14:54,519 --> 00:14:59,519 I'd be explaining some of these memory 334 00:14:55,958 --> 00:15:01,869 webs y'all been looking at I groaned 335 00:14:59,519 --> 00:15:03,970 even staying away from personal memories 336 00:15:01,870 --> 00:15:05,528 like steel hos memory orbs or dangerous 337 00:15:03,970 --> 00:15:07,810 ones like anything involving fluttershy 338 00:15:05,528 --> 00:15:11,078 in the damn mega spells this would take 339 00:15:07,809 --> 00:15:13,539 a while part of me was thankful for 340 00:15:11,078 --> 00:15:15,689 distraction we still had a few hours to 341 00:15:13,539 --> 00:15:15,689 go 342 00:15:15,958 --> 00:15:21,528 Vernon hoof means what that's what she 343 00:15:20,230 --> 00:15:23,629 said 344 00:15:21,528 --> 00:15:27,169 I was still is overwhelmed by that is 345 00:15:23,629 --> 00:15:28,819 when I had lived it I'm still wrapping 346 00:15:27,169 --> 00:15:31,448 my mind about Fluttershy hitting on 347 00:15:28,818 --> 00:15:34,028 Applejack double check up with amusement 348 00:15:31,448 --> 00:15:36,789 even if was for a good cause 349 00:15:34,028 --> 00:15:40,429 her eyes twinkled as she looked at me I 350 00:15:36,789 --> 00:15:42,860 hung my head I had some torment coming 351 00:15:40,429 --> 00:15:44,479 my way after the barn door slip up and I 352 00:15:42,860 --> 00:15:45,980 suddenly felt sure velvet remedy was 353 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:49,490 drawing a whole new level of inspiration 354 00:15:45,980 --> 00:15:51,709 from the yellow Pegasus as if to confirm 355 00:15:49,490 --> 00:15:56,149 my suspicions zennith leaned close and 356 00:15:51,708 --> 00:15:58,729 intoned you are doomed steel hoods had 357 00:15:56,149 --> 00:16:00,980 remained abnormally silent even for the 358 00:15:58,730 --> 00:16:04,339 taciturn ghoul ever since I explained 359 00:16:00,980 --> 00:16:06,019 the first memory at first I thought that 360 00:16:04,339 --> 00:16:08,269 the revelation about Sakura had affected 361 00:16:06,019 --> 00:16:09,879 him or perhaps the confirmation of his 362 00:16:08,269 --> 00:16:12,769 theories about the Ministry of Awesome 363 00:16:09,879 --> 00:16:16,129 with time I grew to suspect that neither 364 00:16:12,769 --> 00:16:17,539 was the case rather I suspected that 365 00:16:16,129 --> 00:16:19,449 while we were distracting ourselves from 366 00:16:17,539 --> 00:16:21,828 the conflict that awaited us in stable - 367 00:16:19,448 --> 00:16:23,990 steel hose was plunged deep within his 368 00:16:21,828 --> 00:16:25,458 own turmoil and was working through it 369 00:16:23,990 --> 00:16:29,149 as best as he could before the moment of 370 00:16:25,458 --> 00:16:34,309 choice arrived in a way he was stronger 371 00:16:29,149 --> 00:16:36,620 than we were or at least then I was 372 00:16:34,309 --> 00:16:39,409 the sound of rapid fire pops floated up 373 00:16:36,620 --> 00:16:41,959 to us on the wind we were approaching 374 00:16:39,409 --> 00:16:43,879 Ponyville sweet apple acres was still a 375 00:16:41,958 --> 00:16:45,768 good bit away but in the stillness of 376 00:16:43,879 --> 00:16:49,159 the wasteland the night air carried the 377 00:16:45,769 --> 00:16:53,110 sounds of battle great distances doubled 378 00:16:49,159 --> 00:16:56,169 Remini whimpered that's a lot of gunfire 379 00:16:53,110 --> 00:16:59,480 grenade machine guns steel has noted 380 00:16:56,169 --> 00:17:02,628 like mine several of them aah 381 00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:04,429 I felt myself trembling as my 382 00:17:02,629 --> 00:17:07,068 imagination insisted on conjuring images 383 00:17:04,429 --> 00:17:08,449 of what might be happening they wouldn't 384 00:17:07,068 --> 00:17:09,349 be using that sort of weaponry inside 385 00:17:08,449 --> 00:17:13,669 the stable would they 386 00:17:09,349 --> 00:17:15,529 and if not what were they doing suddenly 387 00:17:13,669 --> 00:17:17,150 I pictured all the ponies of stable to 388 00:17:15,529 --> 00:17:20,658 march down to the nearest field of 389 00:17:17,150 --> 00:17:22,429 poisoned apple trees lined up and fired 390 00:17:20,659 --> 00:17:23,839 upon with grenades just for the cruel 391 00:17:22,429 --> 00:17:27,380 pleasure of seeing their bodies torn 392 00:17:23,838 --> 00:17:30,589 violently apart I let out a low moan 393 00:17:27,380 --> 00:17:33,110 tears in my eyes I tried to banish the 394 00:17:30,589 --> 00:17:36,319 image surely even these monsters 395 00:17:33,109 --> 00:17:40,779 wouldn't be so vicious so cruel these 396 00:17:36,319 --> 00:17:45,168 were Steele's brethren not Raiders right 397 00:17:40,779 --> 00:17:48,048 monsters velvet remedy hissed next to me 398 00:17:45,169 --> 00:17:52,340 I think you're right Clemmy agreed and 399 00:17:48,048 --> 00:17:56,480 making me cringe please no this can't be 400 00:17:52,339 --> 00:17:57,949 what I'm thinking it just can't read as 401 00:17:56,480 --> 00:18:00,048 fires are driving a whole mess of things 402 00:17:57,950 --> 00:18:01,429 towards Ponyville sounds to me like a 403 00:18:00,048 --> 00:18:03,788 few of wanted their way up to sweet 404 00:18:01,429 --> 00:18:03,788 Apple acres 405 00:18:05,710 --> 00:18:09,940 it was the deepest part of the night 406 00:18:07,769 --> 00:18:12,609 there was a name for that I couldn't 407 00:18:09,940 --> 00:18:15,038 remember that mystical black power when 408 00:18:12,609 --> 00:18:16,449 all is darkest and you can't sleep when 409 00:18:15,038 --> 00:18:17,829 the weight of all of your sorrows and 410 00:18:16,450 --> 00:18:19,990 bad decisions come weighing on either 411 00:18:17,829 --> 00:18:23,408 most heavily and when the monsters 412 00:18:19,990 --> 00:18:24,669 scratched just outside your door doublet 413 00:18:23,409 --> 00:18:26,140 remedy got up and started rummaging 414 00:18:24,669 --> 00:18:28,538 through the supplies we had stored in 415 00:18:26,140 --> 00:18:30,549 the back of the sky bandit all those 416 00:18:28,538 --> 00:18:32,470 things we were keeping for trade or had 417 00:18:30,548 --> 00:18:33,908 intended to stash back at Junction r7 418 00:18:32,470 --> 00:18:36,788 but didn't want to burden our saddlebags 419 00:18:33,909 --> 00:18:38,169 with including every weapon calamity 420 00:18:36,788 --> 00:18:39,490 have been able a strip from the ponies 421 00:18:38,169 --> 00:18:41,940 Turner brought with her to attack my 422 00:18:39,490 --> 00:18:45,399 friends at the Philadelphia Tower I 423 00:18:41,940 --> 00:18:47,890 began to reload my weapons my choices 424 00:18:45,398 --> 00:18:49,239 were limited little macintosh was 425 00:18:47,890 --> 00:18:50,649 powerful enough to probably punch 426 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:52,870 through a steel rangers armor if i could 427 00:18:50,648 --> 00:18:54,278 hit a weak spot and i had a single clip 428 00:18:52,869 --> 00:18:57,219 of armor-piercing bullets for a sniper 429 00:18:54,278 --> 00:18:58,960 rifle only my zebra rifle had sufficient 430 00:18:57,220 --> 00:19:00,700 armor-piercing rounds thanks to both the 431 00:18:58,960 --> 00:19:02,860 convoy clam and I had looted outside of 432 00:19:00,700 --> 00:19:05,610 Philadelphia and some additional ammo he 433 00:19:02,859 --> 00:19:07,808 had liberated from stern slavers I 434 00:19:05,609 --> 00:19:11,048 floated the zebra rifle in front of me 435 00:19:07,808 --> 00:19:13,980 looking at it my rage was beginning to 436 00:19:11,048 --> 00:19:15,579 boil again pushing away the numbing pain 437 00:19:13,980 --> 00:19:18,130 for once tonight 438 00:19:15,579 --> 00:19:20,168 I put up a wall against it trying to 439 00:19:18,130 --> 00:19:23,528 remain at least partially rational not 440 00:19:20,169 --> 00:19:25,330 letting these feelings overwhelm me did 441 00:19:23,528 --> 00:19:28,390 I really want to use the zebra rifle 442 00:19:25,329 --> 00:19:30,548 against the steel rangers on one hoof 443 00:19:28,390 --> 00:19:32,528 these were my enemies and they deserve 444 00:19:30,548 --> 00:19:34,210 what they were going to get and the 445 00:19:32,528 --> 00:19:37,000 rifle was probably the best weapon I had 446 00:19:34,210 --> 00:19:39,220 for putting a mess of them down but the 447 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,480 zebra rifle enchantment the bullets 448 00:19:39,220 --> 00:19:43,089 would do more than just punch through 449 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:44,860 the armor I'd seen what happens to a 450 00:19:43,089 --> 00:19:47,428 pony who is set on fire inside a suit of 451 00:19:44,859 --> 00:19:49,990 armor and the memory still horrified me 452 00:19:47,429 --> 00:19:51,430 was I really ready to go spike on these 453 00:19:49,990 --> 00:19:54,130 ponies 454 00:19:51,430 --> 00:19:56,980 what is that you're wearing zennith 455 00:19:54,130 --> 00:19:59,980 gasped velvet remedy responded 456 00:19:56,980 --> 00:20:02,140 gracefully we are going to battle 457 00:19:59,980 --> 00:20:03,549 against truly dangerous opponents how 458 00:20:02,140 --> 00:20:05,890 foolish would I be not to go in wearing 459 00:20:03,549 --> 00:20:09,700 armor and this is the best armor I 460 00:20:05,890 --> 00:20:12,420 possess though what remedy was a course 461 00:20:09,700 --> 00:20:14,590 wearing the Zira Legionnaire armor 462 00:20:12,420 --> 00:20:14,920 unless of course he would wish to wear 463 00:20:14,589 --> 00:20:18,519 it 464 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:21,390 velvet said kindly I think you have more 465 00:20:18,519 --> 00:20:23,319 of a claim to it than I do 466 00:20:21,390 --> 00:20:26,730 zennith considered that a moment 467 00:20:23,319 --> 00:20:31,679 glancing toward steel loaves no 468 00:20:26,730 --> 00:20:33,960 Equestria is my home I horse apples 469 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:38,549 Calamity muttered to himself wincing 470 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:41,380 thence meeting up a velvet little bit 471 00:20:38,549 --> 00:20:43,899 I've got a request and feel free to say 472 00:20:41,380 --> 00:20:46,660 no I know it's asking a lot I have no 473 00:20:43,900 --> 00:20:49,660 right to ask he paused a moment then 474 00:20:46,660 --> 00:20:51,820 pushed forward but we're gearing up for 475 00:20:49,660 --> 00:20:53,170 a big fight then I've got some stuff 476 00:20:51,819 --> 00:20:56,079 stashed not far from here that might 477 00:20:53,170 --> 00:20:58,720 help only at about 15 minutes to flight 478 00:20:56,079 --> 00:21:02,710 I promise but that's 15 minutes then 479 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:04,299 ranges can be killing your kin I was 480 00:21:02,710 --> 00:21:07,660 already feeling each second drop away 481 00:21:04,299 --> 00:21:10,210 with blood 15 minutes more when we'd 482 00:21:07,660 --> 00:21:15,070 already taken so long I couldn't bear 483 00:21:10,210 --> 00:21:18,329 the thought no I said firmly we can't 484 00:21:15,069 --> 00:21:21,960 give them a minute more much less 15 485 00:21:18,329 --> 00:21:23,548 I took a deep breath but if you think 486 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:26,298 it'll help then drop us off at the 487 00:21:23,548 --> 00:21:30,569 stable door and go you can meet us back 488 00:21:26,298 --> 00:21:31,619 no velvet interrupted splitting up is a 489 00:21:30,569 --> 00:21:33,569 bad idea 490 00:21:31,619 --> 00:21:36,298 I don't want calamity wandering this 491 00:21:33,569 --> 00:21:39,240 table alone trying to find us we all go 492 00:21:36,298 --> 00:21:43,798 in together she was right 493 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:44,278 my suggestion was a bad one calamity go 494 00:21:43,798 --> 00:21:47,158 ahead 495 00:21:44,278 --> 00:21:47,579 she continued we've taken hours to get 496 00:21:47,159 --> 00:21:50,010 here 497 00:21:47,579 --> 00:21:51,689 if 15 minutes more is really going to 498 00:21:50,009 --> 00:21:54,240 make that much of a difference we've 499 00:21:51,690 --> 00:21:55,649 already lost I know you wouldn't even 500 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:57,990 bring this up if you didn't really think 501 00:21:55,648 --> 00:21:59,609 it would help and anything that helps us 502 00:21:57,990 --> 00:22:01,339 get through this alive is worth 15 503 00:21:59,609 --> 00:22:03,629 minutes 504 00:22:01,339 --> 00:22:07,019 calamity extended his wings changing 505 00:22:03,630 --> 00:22:09,299 course sweet Apple acres was now looming 506 00:22:07,019 --> 00:22:11,970 into view the rolling hills of feeble 507 00:22:09,298 --> 00:22:15,690 trees bearing poison fruit the old barns 508 00:22:11,970 --> 00:22:16,950 still standing surprisingly intact you 509 00:22:15,690 --> 00:22:18,779 won't be able to use the barn until next 510 00:22:16,950 --> 00:22:21,210 spring 511 00:22:18,779 --> 00:22:22,740 I suddenly imagined that Apple Bloom had 512 00:22:21,210 --> 00:22:25,799 torn the original barn down while they 513 00:22:22,740 --> 00:22:28,289 excavated for stable to then rebuilt it 514 00:22:25,799 --> 00:22:30,419 afterwards when stable tech build 515 00:22:28,289 --> 00:22:33,629 something they build it to last 516 00:22:30,420 --> 00:22:35,970 I could see sparkling lights in the air 517 00:22:33,630 --> 00:22:37,140 like part of the night sky had descended 518 00:22:35,970 --> 00:22:40,610 through the clouds and landed in the 519 00:22:37,140 --> 00:22:43,050 middle of the farm a swarm of evil stars 520 00:22:40,609 --> 00:22:45,289 the pinpoint lights of muzzle flashes 521 00:22:43,049 --> 00:22:50,069 danced across the ground all around it 522 00:22:45,289 --> 00:22:53,389 zennith drew a sharp breath no what is 523 00:22:50,069 --> 00:22:57,720 it the Zebras eyes were wide with horror 524 00:22:53,390 --> 00:22:59,370 star spawn what the steel rangers fought 525 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:01,829 was a horror out of zebra legends a 526 00:22:59,369 --> 00:23:03,719 creature from beyond the moon unleashed 527 00:23:01,829 --> 00:23:05,179 upon the world eons ago as a gift from 528 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:07,620 the stars 529 00:23:05,180 --> 00:23:09,660 the creature was massive and completely 530 00:23:07,619 --> 00:23:11,159 invisible save for the surging living 531 00:23:09,660 --> 00:23:14,190 constellation of lights that seemed to 532 00:23:11,160 --> 00:23:16,259 float around and inside of it I brought 533 00:23:14,190 --> 00:23:17,789 up my eyes forward Sparkle but while the 534 00:23:16,259 --> 00:23:19,170 compass burst with lights for the ponies 535 00:23:17,789 --> 00:23:21,720 on the ground most of which were a 536 00:23:19,170 --> 00:23:23,039 hostile red my pipbuck couldn't lock on 537 00:23:21,720 --> 00:23:26,549 to the entity they were fighting at all 538 00:23:23,039 --> 00:23:30,210 as far as it was concerned nothing was 539 00:23:26,549 --> 00:23:32,339 there gunfire from the embattled steel 540 00:23:30,210 --> 00:23:34,529 rangers poured into the thin air and the 541 00:23:32,339 --> 00:23:37,559 starry air attacked back crushing them 542 00:23:34,529 --> 00:23:39,420 or sending them flying rockets exploded 543 00:23:37,559 --> 00:23:41,039 bathing parts of the creature and fire 544 00:23:39,420 --> 00:23:43,710 long enough to get glimpses of its shape 545 00:23:41,039 --> 00:23:45,180 I felt only mildly reassured that its 546 00:23:43,710 --> 00:23:48,500 structure seemed at least vaguely Pony 547 00:23:45,180 --> 00:23:50,910 like with a head body and four legs an 548 00:23:48,500 --> 00:23:53,369 eldritch roar blasts across the cloud 549 00:23:50,910 --> 00:23:56,480 shrouded heavens it sounded like the 550 00:23:53,369 --> 00:23:59,048 cosmos screaming in rage 551 00:23:56,480 --> 00:24:02,538 my first instinct was to try and help I 552 00:23:59,048 --> 00:24:04,038 wanted to run to their aid it actually 553 00:24:02,538 --> 00:24:06,069 took a moment for me to remember that 554 00:24:04,038 --> 00:24:08,839 the ponies down there were our enemies 555 00:24:06,069 --> 00:24:13,579 but not all of them at least according 556 00:24:08,839 --> 00:24:15,769 to my EFS and it wasn't that enough we 557 00:24:13,579 --> 00:24:18,858 have to help them steel has insisted 558 00:24:15,769 --> 00:24:21,849 voicing my own thoughts he wanted 559 00:24:18,858 --> 00:24:24,499 diplomacy this will be the first step 560 00:24:21,849 --> 00:24:25,969 you cannot hope to fight a star spawn 561 00:24:24,499 --> 00:24:28,579 senator gasped 562 00:24:25,970 --> 00:24:30,940 what manner of fool are you all you can 563 00:24:28,579 --> 00:24:34,298 hope to do is run and hide 564 00:24:30,940 --> 00:24:37,009 have you met us Steele has asked and 565 00:24:34,298 --> 00:24:40,368 with those words I knew he had made his 566 00:24:37,009 --> 00:24:41,839 choice detour abandoned Clem knee wings 567 00:24:40,368 --> 00:24:42,878 towards the barn and flew us into the 568 00:24:41,839 --> 00:24:45,319 storm 569 00:24:42,878 --> 00:24:47,449 the relentless Thunder of weapons fire 570 00:24:45,319 --> 00:24:49,368 filled the night with steel of standing 571 00:24:47,450 --> 00:24:50,899 on top of the sky bandit his grenade 572 00:24:49,368 --> 00:24:52,608 machine guns tearing at the virtually 573 00:24:50,898 --> 00:24:53,498 invisible monsters calamity circled us 574 00:24:52,608 --> 00:24:56,028 around again 575 00:24:53,499 --> 00:24:57,379 the Pegasus buck was doing his best to 576 00:24:56,028 --> 00:24:58,849 get us as close as possible while 577 00:24:57,378 --> 00:25:01,730 keeping us outside the star spawn 578 00:24:58,849 --> 00:25:04,759 striking range not an easy trick being 579 00:25:01,730 --> 00:25:05,989 unable to properly see the creature the 580 00:25:04,759 --> 00:25:08,089 steel rangers on the ground had been 581 00:25:05,989 --> 00:25:10,298 decimated there were at least a dozen 582 00:25:08,089 --> 00:25:12,499 corpses and crushed a mangled armor 583 00:25:10,298 --> 00:25:13,940 nowhere near the forces that steel has 584 00:25:12,499 --> 00:25:16,639 estimated him and sent to take the 585 00:25:13,940 --> 00:25:18,528 stable I can make out three remaining 586 00:25:16,638 --> 00:25:19,758 from the dim light of their EFS visors 587 00:25:18,528 --> 00:25:22,480 in the brilliant flashes from their 588 00:25:19,759 --> 00:25:24,950 weapons one fired off a pair of missiles 589 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:27,829 they explode against the transparent 590 00:25:24,950 --> 00:25:29,720 height of the monster the star spawn 591 00:25:27,829 --> 00:25:31,069 retaliated an unseen appendage 592 00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:33,299 connecting with the armored Knight with 593 00:25:31,069 --> 00:25:35,539 a sickening crunch 594 00:25:33,299 --> 00:25:40,649 the pony flew through the air towards us 595 00:25:35,539 --> 00:25:42,299 yow clam decried dodging I could see the 596 00:25:40,650 --> 00:25:44,310 pony was dead as it artifacts US 597 00:25:42,299 --> 00:25:47,639 internal organs pulverized inside 598 00:25:44,309 --> 00:25:49,559 gruesomely dented armor pyre light shot 599 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:51,870 out past us strafing the creature with 600 00:25:49,559 --> 00:25:55,710 balefire washing part of its back with 601 00:25:51,869 --> 00:25:57,629 flames that quickly died away I focused 602 00:25:55,710 --> 00:26:00,480 trying to wrap the entire entity in a 603 00:25:57,630 --> 00:26:02,700 magical field I had no intention of 604 00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:04,620 moving it but as the magical are spread 605 00:26:02,700 --> 00:26:07,140 around it the creature became clearly 606 00:26:04,619 --> 00:26:09,599 outlined it was far bigger than I 607 00:26:07,140 --> 00:26:12,990 thought but at least now we could 608 00:26:09,599 --> 00:26:14,609 properly dodge the alien behemoth velvet 609 00:26:12,990 --> 00:26:17,490 remedy cast her an aesthetic spell the 610 00:26:14,609 --> 00:26:20,459 cosmic beasts her magic aided square in 611 00:26:17,490 --> 00:26:22,500 the head the creature stumbled phase for 612 00:26:20,460 --> 00:26:26,240 only a few seconds then let out another 613 00:26:22,500 --> 00:26:28,559 mighty roar dang it she's just too big 614 00:26:26,240 --> 00:26:30,720 we ain't doing more than bee stings to 615 00:26:28,559 --> 00:26:34,169 her I told you 616 00:26:30,720 --> 00:26:36,930 zan warned cringing you can't slay a 617 00:26:34,170 --> 00:26:39,180 star spawn you best be thankful this one 618 00:26:36,930 --> 00:26:40,650 is but a baby a full-grown one would 619 00:26:39,180 --> 00:26:45,120 have devoured all of Ponyville without 620 00:26:40,650 --> 00:26:46,620 even noticing that's just a baby I asked 621 00:26:45,119 --> 00:26:50,639 in shock as the monster stepped 622 00:26:46,619 --> 00:26:52,139 backwards colliding through the barn the 623 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:54,090 last building standing on sweet Apple 624 00:26:52,140 --> 00:26:55,560 acres the barn which had weathered 625 00:26:54,089 --> 00:26:58,629 apocalypse and 200 years of the 626 00:26:55,559 --> 00:27:01,119 wasteland came crashing down 627 00:26:58,630 --> 00:27:02,440 I felt a pang as I watched the barn and 628 00:27:01,119 --> 00:27:04,509 witnessed Applejack and our friends 629 00:27:02,440 --> 00:27:06,670 together enduring sunnier happier times 630 00:27:04,509 --> 00:27:10,180 be obliterated by the uncaring misstep 631 00:27:06,670 --> 00:27:12,220 of the star spawn littlepip keep that 632 00:27:10,180 --> 00:27:15,100 glow up Cee Lo's ordered as my 633 00:27:12,220 --> 00:27:16,720 telekinetic field began to slip clammy 634 00:27:15,099 --> 00:27:19,000 bring us around in front of the thing in 635 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:22,029 hover though it have that spell ready 636 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:23,950 when I say I sure hope you know what 637 00:27:22,029 --> 00:27:25,450 you're doing calamity said as you 638 00:27:23,950 --> 00:27:26,529 brought the sky bandit directly in front 639 00:27:25,450 --> 00:27:30,610 of the monster snout 640 00:27:26,529 --> 00:27:32,589 now velvet velvet remedy focused 641 00:27:30,609 --> 00:27:34,679 unleashing a small bolt of magic that 642 00:27:32,589 --> 00:27:36,849 splashed over the head of the creature 643 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:38,650 again for just a moment 644 00:27:36,849 --> 00:27:40,029 it was stunned by the same magic that 645 00:27:38,650 --> 00:27:43,390 would completely paralyze a hellhound 646 00:27:40,029 --> 00:27:45,190 for nearly an hour a streak of smoke 647 00:27:43,390 --> 00:27:46,570 shot out the top of the sky bandit above 648 00:27:45,190 --> 00:27:49,630 me a steel hose fired off a single 649 00:27:46,569 --> 00:27:51,460 rocket I watched as the missile shot 650 00:27:49,630 --> 00:27:52,750 through the glow of my magic and beyond 651 00:27:51,460 --> 00:27:55,390 where the hind of the creature should be 652 00:27:52,750 --> 00:27:59,109 lodging inside the monsters transparent 653 00:27:55,390 --> 00:28:01,050 star moded head the star spawn let out a 654 00:27:59,109 --> 00:28:03,309 howl at tourists from the sky 655 00:28:01,049 --> 00:28:04,720 calamity fought to regain control before 656 00:28:03,309 --> 00:28:08,139 we smashed into the poisoned orchard 657 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:10,480 below a moment later the missile 658 00:28:08,140 --> 00:28:15,430 detonated its explosion accompanied by a 659 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:16,839 gut-wrenching wet sporty sound we hit 660 00:28:15,430 --> 00:28:20,019 the ground seconds before the star 661 00:28:16,839 --> 00:28:21,789 spawns body did I bounced around inside 662 00:28:20,019 --> 00:28:23,889 banging heavily against the benches and 663 00:28:21,789 --> 00:28:26,409 metal walls bursts of pain blossoming 664 00:28:23,890 --> 00:28:28,150 throughout my body the sky bend it 665 00:28:26,410 --> 00:28:31,120 rolled crashing through several trees 666 00:28:28,150 --> 00:28:33,490 before coming to a stop calamity hung 667 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:35,519 limp from the harness velvet Remini lay 668 00:28:33,490 --> 00:28:37,690 amongst the scattered supplies moaning I 669 00:28:35,519 --> 00:28:40,769 could not see where sea lives have been 670 00:28:37,690 --> 00:28:43,830 thrown to or zennith 671 00:28:40,769 --> 00:28:45,829 my pipbuck was clicking madly I felt the 672 00:28:43,829 --> 00:28:48,658 warm stickiness matting my Mane I 673 00:28:45,829 --> 00:28:50,099 reached up with a hoof my lettuce touch 674 00:28:48,659 --> 00:28:54,710 brought dizzying pain and shooting 675 00:28:50,099 --> 00:28:54,709 lights and then darkness 676 00:28:55,819 --> 00:29:00,349 the bright spot light from steel hooves 677 00:28:57,648 --> 00:29:03,408 helmet found me zennith trotted behind 678 00:29:00,349 --> 00:29:05,238 him looking annoyingly unhurt she had I 679 00:29:03,409 --> 00:29:07,220 learned jumped out a window as it 680 00:29:05,239 --> 00:29:08,808 crashed landing in a controlled roll 681 00:29:07,220 --> 00:29:12,019 that left her unmanned gold safer her 682 00:29:08,808 --> 00:29:16,249 Mane is everypony okay 683 00:29:12,019 --> 00:29:19,608 I asked weakly never better steel have 684 00:29:16,249 --> 00:29:21,368 said the way my pipbuck was clicking he 685 00:29:19,608 --> 00:29:23,989 may have been telling the truth 686 00:29:21,368 --> 00:29:27,428 you flew through a tree zennith 687 00:29:23,989 --> 00:29:29,749 countered you aback should be broken 688 00:29:27,429 --> 00:29:33,200 hard to keep down a Canterlot ghoul 689 00:29:29,749 --> 00:29:35,028 steelo's replied I got the feeling he 690 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:38,778 enjoyed the way she gasped a near horror 691 00:29:35,028 --> 00:29:42,759 stepping quickly away from him that's us 692 00:29:38,778 --> 00:29:46,489 I smiled weakly full of surprises I 693 00:29:42,759 --> 00:29:49,298 looked to steel hooves how did you kill 694 00:29:46,489 --> 00:29:51,590 the star spawn that was amazing 695 00:29:49,298 --> 00:29:56,179 I'd seen an Ursa once before 696 00:29:51,589 --> 00:29:58,128 back in the war steelo's replied from 697 00:29:56,179 --> 00:29:59,659 your outline looked like the monsters 698 00:29:58,128 --> 00:30:01,998 they turned into weren't too physically 699 00:29:59,659 --> 00:30:04,549 different just a bit nastier and a lot 700 00:30:01,999 --> 00:30:06,108 harder to see so I fired where the earth 701 00:30:04,548 --> 00:30:08,048 says I stalk it ought to have been and 702 00:30:06,108 --> 00:30:10,689 hope for the best 703 00:30:08,048 --> 00:30:12,798 calamity had come to with a weary groan 704 00:30:10,690 --> 00:30:14,509 finding himself hanging upside down in 705 00:30:12,798 --> 00:30:16,429 the sky banditz harness he waved his 706 00:30:14,509 --> 00:30:19,220 four legs as if hoping to flip the 707 00:30:16,429 --> 00:30:22,849 entire passenger wagon back over it 708 00:30:19,220 --> 00:30:24,710 wasn't going to work here let me help 709 00:30:22,848 --> 00:30:27,589 I called out and magically unhooked the 710 00:30:24,710 --> 00:30:28,980 harness calamity fell onto his back with 711 00:30:27,589 --> 00:30:32,759 a thump 712 00:30:28,980 --> 00:30:34,558 huh velvet remedy hobbled out of the 713 00:30:32,759 --> 00:30:37,288 passenger wagon dragging our medical 714 00:30:34,558 --> 00:30:38,849 supplies with her I realized we had 715 00:30:37,288 --> 00:30:40,169 probably scattered our belongings across 716 00:30:38,849 --> 00:30:43,168 a hundred yards of here radiated 717 00:30:40,169 --> 00:30:45,778 cropland but that would be a task for 718 00:30:43,169 --> 00:30:48,330 the morning first we had to get through 719 00:30:45,778 --> 00:30:52,919 the night at least I hadn't lost my 720 00:30:48,329 --> 00:30:55,408 weapons every pony and zebra gather 721 00:30:52,919 --> 00:30:57,990 around though it said politely dropping 722 00:30:55,409 --> 00:30:59,460 her saddle boxes to the ground here 723 00:30:57,990 --> 00:31:01,288 Medical Pony is going to patch you all 724 00:30:59,460 --> 00:31:03,149 up before we proceed further while 725 00:31:01,288 --> 00:31:04,619 simultaneously managing not to take it 726 00:31:03,148 --> 00:31:06,329 as a bad omen that she's having to heal 727 00:31:04,619 --> 00:31:09,778 your wounds before you even get inside 728 00:31:06,329 --> 00:31:12,089 the stable door hold a break there 729 00:31:09,778 --> 00:31:16,220 ponies a voice order from the darkness 730 00:31:12,089 --> 00:31:18,509 to helmet spotlight spin the group of us 731 00:31:16,220 --> 00:31:19,889 the two steel rangers who had survived 732 00:31:18,509 --> 00:31:22,500 the star spawn battle were moving 733 00:31:19,888 --> 00:31:24,058 towards us weapons pointed and the light 734 00:31:22,500 --> 00:31:25,528 from their EFS visors letting me know 735 00:31:24,058 --> 00:31:28,829 they had their targeting spells locked 736 00:31:25,528 --> 00:31:30,898 on to us oh wow 737 00:31:28,829 --> 00:31:35,339 came a sweet mares voice from the second 738 00:31:30,898 --> 00:31:37,619 suit look it's stellar steel hoofs star 739 00:31:35,339 --> 00:31:40,019 paladin steel hooves the other corrected 740 00:31:37,619 --> 00:31:43,189 swiftly and keep your weapon locked on 741 00:31:40,019 --> 00:31:45,049 night strawberry lemonade 742 00:31:43,190 --> 00:31:47,930 that one turned to face our google 743 00:31:45,049 --> 00:31:49,819 companion we have specific orders to 744 00:31:47,930 --> 00:31:51,549 send you on your way you will not 745 00:31:49,819 --> 00:31:54,109 interfere with this operation 746 00:31:51,549 --> 00:31:56,329 that was awesome steal of sir 747 00:31:54,109 --> 00:31:59,679 the younger Knight gushed turning off 748 00:31:56,329 --> 00:32:01,699 her EFS how do you kill that thing 749 00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:03,590 Knight lemonade 750 00:32:01,700 --> 00:32:06,259 the older steel Ranger turned with a 751 00:32:03,589 --> 00:32:08,439 growl you will bring your EFS back up 752 00:32:06,259 --> 00:32:11,059 and lock on to your targets 753 00:32:08,440 --> 00:32:15,080 do you even realize which stable you're 754 00:32:11,059 --> 00:32:17,599 attacking steelo's asked evenly this is 755 00:32:15,079 --> 00:32:19,099 stable to the stable built to preserve 756 00:32:17,599 --> 00:32:21,649 the Apple family and the ponies at 757 00:32:19,099 --> 00:32:24,439 Ponyville this is the Apple family's 758 00:32:21,650 --> 00:32:25,850 farm that barn had been the barn that 759 00:32:24,440 --> 00:32:28,460 the mare of the Ministry of wartime 760 00:32:25,849 --> 00:32:32,659 technology Applejack herself had grown 761 00:32:28,460 --> 00:32:34,340 up in that stable holds her kin you are 762 00:32:32,660 --> 00:32:36,830 attacking the family of the ministry 763 00:32:34,339 --> 00:32:41,809 mayor of wartime technology it is you 764 00:32:36,829 --> 00:32:45,500 should leave in utter shame we have our 765 00:32:41,809 --> 00:32:48,559 orders as do you you're not my 766 00:32:45,500 --> 00:32:51,349 commanding officer paladin nor is elder 767 00:32:48,559 --> 00:32:54,740 blueberry saber steel have stood his 768 00:32:51,349 --> 00:32:57,500 ground and even if you were these orders 769 00:32:54,740 --> 00:33:00,079 are wrong this operation is a disgrace 770 00:32:57,500 --> 00:33:04,009 and anypony involved in it does not 771 00:33:00,079 --> 00:33:05,509 deserve the title Steel Ranger the 772 00:33:04,009 --> 00:33:07,519 orders I'm giving you come from elder 773 00:33:05,509 --> 00:33:09,769 cottage-cheese himself you are to leave 774 00:33:07,519 --> 00:33:11,259 at once and take your tribal friends 775 00:33:09,769 --> 00:33:12,879 with you 776 00:33:11,259 --> 00:33:15,009 the Paladin turned to the knight once 777 00:33:12,880 --> 00:33:17,530 and you bring up your eyes forward 778 00:33:15,009 --> 00:33:22,539 Sparkle and lock on target that is an 779 00:33:17,529 --> 00:33:26,558 order sir Knight strawberry lemon-aid 780 00:33:22,539 --> 00:33:26,918 faltered L star paladin steelo's is 781 00:33:26,558 --> 00:33:31,178 right 782 00:33:26,919 --> 00:33:33,309 this operation is wrong the Paladin 783 00:33:31,179 --> 00:33:34,870 turned to face the knight a back mounted 784 00:33:33,308 --> 00:33:37,480 light machine gun swiveling to lock unto 785 00:33:34,869 --> 00:33:39,129 her now you will bring up your Sparkle 786 00:33:37,480 --> 00:33:40,929 and lock on target or you will be facing 787 00:33:39,130 --> 00:33:44,290 a court-martial for disloyalty before 788 00:33:40,929 --> 00:33:49,660 the Sun sets the Paladin ground do I 789 00:33:44,289 --> 00:33:51,460 make my boil the Paladin fell twin 790 00:33:49,660 --> 00:33:54,070 bullet holes forming black zeros in his 791 00:33:51,460 --> 00:33:56,470 armored helmet Knight strawberry 792 00:33:54,069 --> 00:34:00,369 lemon-aid backed up and shocked the rest 793 00:33:56,470 --> 00:34:02,620 of us turned to calamity what I gave 794 00:34:00,369 --> 00:34:05,639 diplomacy a chance he obviously wasn't 795 00:34:02,619 --> 00:34:05,639 about to join the good guys 796 00:34:06,869 --> 00:34:11,019 velvet Remy's horn glowed softly she did 797 00:34:09,460 --> 00:34:12,460 her best to heal the gash on the back of 798 00:34:11,019 --> 00:34:15,280 my head without binding my whole face 799 00:34:12,460 --> 00:34:16,898 and bandages fortunately she said it 800 00:34:15,280 --> 00:34:19,110 looked and felt far worse than it 801 00:34:16,898 --> 00:34:21,809 actually was 802 00:34:19,110 --> 00:34:23,880 Eldar cottage cheese is dying like 803 00:34:21,809 --> 00:34:26,519 strawberry lemon-aid said filling steel 804 00:34:23,880 --> 00:34:28,800 hooves in as best as she could I mean I 805 00:34:26,519 --> 00:34:30,480 know he's been dying forever but just 806 00:34:28,800 --> 00:34:32,760 this last month not even the medical bed 807 00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:34,409 seems to be helping anymore he's focused 808 00:34:32,760 --> 00:34:36,780 on taking stable 29 before he dies 809 00:34:34,409 --> 00:34:39,359 that's where he is with star pounding 810 00:34:36,780 --> 00:34:41,100 Crossroads he invited elder blueberry 811 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:44,940 saber to lead the acquisition of stable 812 00:34:41,099 --> 00:34:45,900 too long star palette and Nova rage of 813 00:34:44,940 --> 00:34:49,200 course he did 814 00:34:45,900 --> 00:34:50,760 Steel has commented star pouting 815 00:34:49,199 --> 00:34:52,949 crossroads has pushed for me to become 816 00:34:50,760 --> 00:34:55,440 an elder she has the same sentiments 817 00:34:52,949 --> 00:34:57,119 that I do cottage must have known there 818 00:34:55,440 --> 00:35:01,590 was no way cross would agree to taking 819 00:34:57,119 --> 00:35:03,900 stable to he stomped star paladin Nova 820 00:35:01,590 --> 00:35:05,760 rage on the other hoof is an mwt 821 00:35:03,900 --> 00:35:10,050 traditionalist just like elder blueberry 822 00:35:05,760 --> 00:35:11,820 saber calamity wiggled his left wing it 823 00:35:10,050 --> 00:35:14,180 had suffered injury in the crash and now 824 00:35:11,820 --> 00:35:16,260 velvet had mummified in bandages 825 00:35:14,179 --> 00:35:19,019 wrecking this cottage fella wants the 826 00:35:16,260 --> 00:35:22,500 Crusader in stable 29 lifts reverence at 827 00:35:19,019 --> 00:35:25,320 that machine but that's insane I 828 00:35:22,500 --> 00:35:28,380 asserted the Crusader can take an 829 00:35:25,320 --> 00:35:29,700 imprint a copy of a pony's mind but it's 830 00:35:28,380 --> 00:35:32,280 not like the pony actually becomes part 831 00:35:29,699 --> 00:35:35,059 of the Machine cottage-cheese would 832 00:35:32,280 --> 00:35:39,420 still be just as dead when he died 833 00:35:35,059 --> 00:35:41,699 unless the brony suggested he thought he 834 00:35:39,420 --> 00:35:43,730 could actually put himself into it mind 835 00:35:41,699 --> 00:35:45,799 and soul 836 00:35:43,730 --> 00:35:48,340 it took me home to realize what she was 837 00:35:45,800 --> 00:35:50,359 thinking of a soul jar 838 00:35:48,340 --> 00:35:51,710 black wings talent group had been 839 00:35:50,358 --> 00:35:54,799 hunting for information on the black 840 00:35:51,710 --> 00:35:57,320 book for some pony now I suspected I 841 00:35:54,800 --> 00:35:57,980 knew who if a soldier could be made out 842 00:35:57,320 --> 00:36:02,090 of anything 843 00:35:57,980 --> 00:36:03,469 why not a crusader I suddenly imagined 844 00:36:02,090 --> 00:36:04,820 the elder who ordered the attack on my 845 00:36:03,469 --> 00:36:07,699 home of living forever in an 846 00:36:04,820 --> 00:36:08,750 indestructible computer there was no way 847 00:36:07,699 --> 00:36:10,969 I could let that happen 848 00:36:08,750 --> 00:36:14,809 he didn't get eternal life as a reward 849 00:36:10,969 --> 00:36:16,250 for this murder Steel has continued to 850 00:36:14,809 --> 00:36:19,549 speak with a knight strawberry lemon-aid 851 00:36:16,250 --> 00:36:21,500 in the end she told him look I believe 852 00:36:19,550 --> 00:36:24,380 you're right and I'm willing to stand 853 00:36:21,500 --> 00:36:26,960 aside but I can't follow you in I can't 854 00:36:24,380 --> 00:36:29,660 attack other Rangers her visor turned 855 00:36:26,960 --> 00:36:33,619 towards calamity or cooperate with 856 00:36:29,659 --> 00:36:35,529 tribals hoodoo Steele is nodded putting 857 00:36:33,619 --> 00:36:38,358 an armored hoof on her shoulder I 858 00:36:35,530 --> 00:36:42,980 respect your decision you're doing the 859 00:36:38,358 --> 00:36:47,299 right thing he turned to us are we ready 860 00:36:42,980 --> 00:36:49,690 I stood floating the zebra rifle to my 861 00:36:47,300 --> 00:36:52,280 right and little McIntosh to my left 862 00:36:49,690 --> 00:36:53,780 from what the knight had told us elder 863 00:36:52,280 --> 00:36:55,660 blueberry saber had left a fifth of 864 00:36:53,780 --> 00:36:57,950 their force guarding the way in a 865 00:36:55,659 --> 00:36:59,659 precaution against us as much as the 866 00:36:57,949 --> 00:37:02,839 horror slowly emptying the Ponyville 867 00:36:59,659 --> 00:37:05,599 from the everfree forest truth was I was 868 00:37:02,840 --> 00:37:07,309 not ready but every moment we were 869 00:37:05,599 --> 00:37:08,900 spending talking and healing was one 870 00:37:07,309 --> 00:37:10,309 more for the four dozen steel rangers 871 00:37:08,900 --> 00:37:11,660 inside to tear their way into the 872 00:37:10,309 --> 00:37:13,549 security in over mares wing and 873 00:37:11,659 --> 00:37:16,159 slaughter everypony they hadn't killed 874 00:37:13,550 --> 00:37:20,800 in their initial strike they couldn't 875 00:37:16,159 --> 00:37:20,799 wait for me to be ready we go 876 00:37:21,798 --> 00:37:25,500 Clemence you brought up the rear 877 00:37:23,699 --> 00:37:28,318 his sharpshooting would be critical 878 00:37:25,500 --> 00:37:30,778 should we be flanked I kept glancing 879 00:37:28,318 --> 00:37:32,038 back at him watching his reactions as we 880 00:37:30,778 --> 00:37:34,710 passed through the tunnel beyond the 881 00:37:32,039 --> 00:37:36,390 Apple cellar it was not like the 882 00:37:34,710 --> 00:37:39,960 sanitized little Torah we had seen the 883 00:37:36,389 --> 00:37:42,750 stable Tech headquarters this is velvet 884 00:37:39,960 --> 00:37:45,420 remedies home he muttered little pips 885 00:37:42,750 --> 00:37:47,548 home I'm pretty sure he didn't know I 886 00:37:45,420 --> 00:37:49,380 could hear him before the pinkie pie 887 00:37:47,548 --> 00:37:52,650 statuette I probably would have been 888 00:37:49,380 --> 00:37:55,829 able to and I got to be strong for him 889 00:37:52,650 --> 00:37:58,798 not go crazy can't just charge in and 890 00:37:55,829 --> 00:38:01,740 kill every armored bitch I see I need to 891 00:37:58,798 --> 00:38:06,989 be strong I need to watch for him and to 892 00:38:01,739 --> 00:38:08,038 protect him I can do this the skeletons 893 00:38:06,989 --> 00:38:10,229 which littered the floor had been 894 00:38:08,039 --> 00:38:13,289 crushed and broken trampled by an army 895 00:38:10,230 --> 00:38:14,880 of metal hooves I felt a twisted 896 00:38:13,289 --> 00:38:18,028 sickness welling up within the reservoir 897 00:38:14,880 --> 00:38:19,920 of rage that was filling my head no Pony 898 00:38:18,028 --> 00:38:23,219 knew who they were but they deserve 899 00:38:19,920 --> 00:38:26,430 better than this I felt part of my anger 900 00:38:23,219 --> 00:38:29,009 turn on myself why had I not returned to 901 00:38:26,429 --> 00:38:33,480 bury them they died at the door of my 902 00:38:29,009 --> 00:38:35,940 stable but then the equestrian wasteland 903 00:38:33,480 --> 00:38:37,548 was filled with skeletons I hadn't 904 00:38:35,940 --> 00:38:39,869 treated any of the others any better 905 00:38:37,548 --> 00:38:42,719 not even the skeletons have Apple Bloom 906 00:38:39,869 --> 00:38:45,059 er Pinkie Pie but at least I hadn't 907 00:38:42,719 --> 00:38:47,230 defiled them I hadn't smashed them under 908 00:38:45,059 --> 00:38:50,940 hoof without even caring 909 00:38:47,230 --> 00:38:52,838 the door is stable too was wide open 910 00:38:50,940 --> 00:38:54,639 velvet remedy and steal those were our 911 00:38:52,838 --> 00:38:57,369 diplomats so they were at first to lead 912 00:38:54,639 --> 00:38:59,049 in I wanted our Steel Ranger to have a 913 00:38:57,369 --> 00:39:01,720 shot at wooing any of the Rangers before 914 00:38:59,050 --> 00:39:03,280 we had to shoot so velvet was the first 915 00:39:01,719 --> 00:39:05,889 to step back in the place that it once 916 00:39:03,280 --> 00:39:11,200 been our home she stopped with a painful 917 00:39:05,889 --> 00:39:12,519 gasp I galloped up to meet her the 918 00:39:11,199 --> 00:39:14,108 entrance room was as grey as the 919 00:39:12,519 --> 00:39:16,809 maintenance areas of stable - had always 920 00:39:14,108 --> 00:39:19,569 been but now there was a cacophony of 921 00:39:16,809 --> 00:39:21,429 color splashed all over it the pretty 922 00:39:19,570 --> 00:39:23,849 colors of pastel coated ponies lay in 923 00:39:21,429 --> 00:39:25,989 pools and sprays of darkening crimson 924 00:39:23,849 --> 00:39:27,690 the overmare had sent half a dozen 925 00:39:25,989 --> 00:39:30,519 ponies to greet whoever was coming in 926 00:39:27,690 --> 00:39:33,099 only two of them stable security guards 927 00:39:30,519 --> 00:39:36,338 were armed the others had come bearing 928 00:39:33,099 --> 00:39:37,990 only hopes of friendship scattered near 929 00:39:36,338 --> 00:39:39,880 the open muzzle of a magenta coated 930 00:39:37,989 --> 00:39:43,569 young mare was a bouquet of flowers a 931 00:39:39,880 --> 00:39:46,240 welcoming gift the white flower petals 932 00:39:43,570 --> 00:39:49,838 were stained red and the steel rangers 933 00:39:46,239 --> 00:39:51,399 had gunned them down the pony my head 934 00:39:49,838 --> 00:39:54,759 stood teetering on the edge of a great 935 00:39:51,400 --> 00:39:56,760 dark spiral a bath covered with bones 936 00:39:54,760 --> 00:39:58,990 that led forever downward into blackness 937 00:39:56,760 --> 00:40:01,000 the currents of my rage pulled her 938 00:39:58,989 --> 00:40:04,689 towards it a tidal force of crimson 939 00:40:01,000 --> 00:40:08,108 pouring into the abyss I pulled her back 940 00:40:04,690 --> 00:40:09,519 and my rage shattered the horror and 941 00:40:08,108 --> 00:40:12,818 sorrow and hurt that had been building 942 00:40:09,519 --> 00:40:13,269 up just flooded in I collapsed to my 943 00:40:12,818 --> 00:40:15,588 knees 944 00:40:13,269 --> 00:40:19,528 sobbing openly 945 00:40:15,588 --> 00:40:21,558 that's it I heard calamity say he 946 00:40:19,528 --> 00:40:24,929 sounded so very far away 947 00:40:21,559 --> 00:40:27,869 fuck diplomacy anypony was part of this 948 00:40:24,929 --> 00:40:32,699 who even stood by and watched is a dead 949 00:40:27,869 --> 00:40:34,200 Pony I realized I recognized the yellow 950 00:40:32,699 --> 00:40:36,929 code of mayor who laid disemboweled in 951 00:40:34,199 --> 00:40:40,399 the corner but I couldn't remember when 952 00:40:36,929 --> 00:40:43,098 I'd met her or what her name was and 953 00:40:40,400 --> 00:40:46,710 that made it so much worse 954 00:40:43,099 --> 00:40:49,048 why couldn't I remember her name she 955 00:40:46,710 --> 00:40:53,369 deserved to have her name remembered she 956 00:40:49,048 --> 00:40:55,380 deserved to be alive velvet remedy her 957 00:40:53,369 --> 00:40:57,510 own face wet with tears trotted up and 958 00:40:55,380 --> 00:40:58,858 wrapped her forelegs about me pulling me 959 00:40:57,510 --> 00:41:00,510 into an embrace as I heaved and 960 00:40:58,858 --> 00:41:03,960 sputtered and wept wretchedly against 961 00:41:00,510 --> 00:41:04,950 her coat and armor little pip has been 962 00:41:03,960 --> 00:41:09,059 strong long enough 963 00:41:04,949 --> 00:41:11,509 I heard her say this is my home too I'll 964 00:41:09,059 --> 00:41:11,510 take it from here 965 00:41:13,269 --> 00:41:18,519 Calamity Zenith and I formed our stealth 966 00:41:15,579 --> 00:41:18,969 team as soon as I could quiet myself and 967 00:41:18,519 --> 00:41:20,710 move again 968 00:41:18,969 --> 00:41:23,559 velvet remedy had sent the three of us 969 00:41:20,710 --> 00:41:25,240 ahead we were no longer looking to 970 00:41:23,559 --> 00:41:28,900 negotiate unless they offered the white 971 00:41:25,239 --> 00:41:34,239 flag first instead we would strike first 972 00:41:28,900 --> 00:41:35,800 fast and the finality the first Steel 973 00:41:34,239 --> 00:41:37,449 Ranger whom I pumped full of bullets 974 00:41:35,800 --> 00:41:39,880 from the zebra rifle died in agony 975 00:41:37,449 --> 00:41:41,710 screaming as his internal organs burst 976 00:41:39,880 --> 00:41:45,940 into flame cooking him from the inside 977 00:41:41,710 --> 00:41:49,630 out I didn't feel any remorse no 978 00:41:45,940 --> 00:41:51,059 sympathy nor did I feel glee or even 979 00:41:49,630 --> 00:41:53,530 grim satisfaction 980 00:41:51,059 --> 00:41:56,650 my emotional dell you should left me 981 00:41:53,530 --> 00:41:59,590 fiercely numbed and focused the act was 982 00:41:56,650 --> 00:42:01,059 necessary and right and beyond that had 983 00:41:59,590 --> 00:42:04,539 no more emotional impact than brushing 984 00:42:01,059 --> 00:42:06,159 my teeth I no longer even felt a twinge 985 00:42:04,539 --> 00:42:09,250 of revulsion for what spike had done 986 00:42:06,159 --> 00:42:12,190 defending his own home we passed by more 987 00:42:09,250 --> 00:42:14,860 dead ponies in every hallway the steel 988 00:42:12,190 --> 00:42:16,300 rangers attack had been brutal but there 989 00:42:14,860 --> 00:42:18,519 were not nearly the number of dead that 990 00:42:16,300 --> 00:42:19,870 I would have expected the friendship 991 00:42:18,519 --> 00:42:22,420 committee had been a well calculated 992 00:42:19,869 --> 00:42:23,469 play on the overmare's part and when the 993 00:42:22,420 --> 00:42:24,970 steel rangers showed their true 994 00:42:23,469 --> 00:42:26,949 intentions right there in the entrance 995 00:42:24,969 --> 00:42:28,689 they gave her enough forewarning for a 996 00:42:26,949 --> 00:42:31,539 rushed evacuation to securing the 997 00:42:28,690 --> 00:42:36,130 overmare's wing I both loved and hated 998 00:42:31,539 --> 00:42:38,650 her for that so far the maintenance wing 999 00:42:36,130 --> 00:42:41,200 had been hit the worst the steel rangers 1000 00:42:38,650 --> 00:42:42,970 had moved a secured at first probably to 1001 00:42:41,199 --> 00:42:44,589 prevent anypony from sabotaging the 1002 00:42:42,969 --> 00:42:47,199 technology they were the most interested 1003 00:42:44,590 --> 00:42:48,760 in the ponies down there had no time to 1004 00:42:47,199 --> 00:42:50,539 get out before the steel Rangers had cut 1005 00:42:48,760 --> 00:42:53,060 them off 1006 00:42:50,539 --> 00:42:54,679 I turned the familiar corner and found 1007 00:42:53,059 --> 00:42:57,860 myself face to face with the pipbuck 1008 00:42:54,679 --> 00:42:59,779 technician stall a fresh surge of 1009 00:42:57,860 --> 00:43:02,050 emotion hit me as I saw the black scorch 1010 00:42:59,780 --> 00:43:04,450 marks on the wall side once cleaned a 1011 00:43:02,050 --> 00:43:06,410 red trail of blood ran along one wall 1012 00:43:04,449 --> 00:43:09,469 dripping at the end until I met the 1013 00:43:06,409 --> 00:43:10,190 corpse of my mentor if I ignored the 1014 00:43:09,469 --> 00:43:12,230 missing leg 1015 00:43:10,190 --> 00:43:15,769 I could almost pretend he was asleep on 1016 00:43:12,230 --> 00:43:16,849 the job again this was not the mural I 1017 00:43:15,769 --> 00:43:19,849 had once hoped for 1018 00:43:16,849 --> 00:43:21,589 I was crying once more my vision 1019 00:43:19,849 --> 00:43:25,400 blurring making the lights of my EFS 1020 00:43:21,590 --> 00:43:29,510 swim the door until my mentors office 1021 00:43:25,400 --> 00:43:32,809 lay open there was movement inside a red 1022 00:43:29,510 --> 00:43:36,830 splotch on my compass I waved the others 1023 00:43:32,809 --> 00:43:38,529 back and started to creep forward the 1024 00:43:36,829 --> 00:43:40,730 Steel Ranger never saw me coming I 1025 00:43:38,530 --> 00:43:45,500 floated little McIntosh right up behind 1026 00:43:40,730 --> 00:43:48,860 her head just left of the fin I unloaded 1027 00:43:45,500 --> 00:43:51,349 the full cylinder into her brain she was 1028 00:43:48,860 --> 00:43:53,720 probably dead after the first but I 1029 00:43:51,349 --> 00:43:55,670 didn't care 1030 00:43:53,719 --> 00:43:57,139 I turned to walk out and froze as I 1031 00:43:55,670 --> 00:43:59,269 spotted my mentors hammock 1032 00:43:57,139 --> 00:44:01,699 there was an empty sparkle-cola bottle 1033 00:43:59,269 --> 00:44:03,829 in a maintenance book TLC squared 1034 00:44:01,699 --> 00:44:06,909 tender love and care for totally lost 1035 00:44:03,829 --> 00:44:09,139 causes laying on the floor beneath it I 1036 00:44:06,909 --> 00:44:10,549 remembered how my mentor would skim that 1037 00:44:09,139 --> 00:44:12,049 book while talking in a direction 1038 00:44:10,550 --> 00:44:15,260 vaguely connected to where I was sitting 1039 00:44:12,050 --> 00:44:17,390 in rapt attention shedding tears of 1040 00:44:15,260 --> 00:44:18,680 painful nostalgia I floated the book 1041 00:44:17,389 --> 00:44:22,608 into one of my saddlebags 1042 00:44:18,679 --> 00:44:25,879 I heard the distinct sound of clam bees 1043 00:44:22,608 --> 00:44:27,650 battle saddle a moment later zennith and 1044 00:44:25,880 --> 00:44:30,170 clammy dove into the pipbuck technicians 1045 00:44:27,650 --> 00:44:33,289 stall the hallway outside erupted in 1046 00:44:30,170 --> 00:44:37,250 flame little Macintosh ain't stealthy 1047 00:44:33,289 --> 00:44:38,900 little pip the zennith pulled a jar out 1048 00:44:37,250 --> 00:44:41,570 of the small saddlebag she'd been using 1049 00:44:38,900 --> 00:44:42,858 to carry her herbs and mixtures she 1050 00:44:41,570 --> 00:44:44,690 tossed it to the floor where it 1051 00:44:42,858 --> 00:44:47,630 shattered spreading a licorice scented 1052 00:44:44,690 --> 00:44:51,050 goop the zebra clapped her for hose in 1053 00:44:47,630 --> 00:44:52,750 the goop then her hind hooves the rush 1054 00:44:51,050 --> 00:44:55,280 of flames down the hallway stopped a 1055 00:44:52,750 --> 00:44:57,858 moment later grenade bounced into the 1056 00:44:55,280 --> 00:44:59,510 room and grabbed it with a telekinetic 1057 00:44:57,858 --> 00:45:02,420 rune and floated it back the way it came 1058 00:44:59,510 --> 00:45:06,560 I heard a shot of alarm just before the 1059 00:45:02,420 --> 00:45:08,570 explosion dammit I hate unicorns the 1060 00:45:06,559 --> 00:45:11,108 Steel Ranger said letting us know he had 1061 00:45:08,570 --> 00:45:14,109 survived largely unscathed 1062 00:45:11,108 --> 00:45:20,018 I turned to calamity end where was 1063 00:45:14,108 --> 00:45:21,969 zennith I looked around then up she was 1064 00:45:20,018 --> 00:45:23,709 crawling along the ceiling the goop on 1065 00:45:21,969 --> 00:45:25,268 her hooves providing a magical adhesion 1066 00:45:23,710 --> 00:45:27,599 similar to the spell that the slavers on 1067 00:45:25,268 --> 00:45:29,889 the train had used against us weeks ago 1068 00:45:27,599 --> 00:45:31,989 she crept up to the drawer of the stall 1069 00:45:29,889 --> 00:45:34,900 and peeked out looking both ways before 1070 00:45:31,989 --> 00:45:36,699 slipping back and mouthing to with small 1071 00:45:34,900 --> 00:45:38,829 nods of her head she indicated we're 1072 00:45:36,699 --> 00:45:42,189 giving calamity the same information my 1073 00:45:38,829 --> 00:45:46,089 EFS was giving me i reloaded little 1074 00:45:42,190 --> 00:45:49,349 macintosh then she snuck out giving flat 1075 00:45:46,088 --> 00:45:51,308 to the ceiling silent as a ghost 1076 00:45:49,349 --> 00:45:52,720 calamity waited until the moment she 1077 00:45:51,309 --> 00:45:55,028 dropped onto one of the steel rangers 1078 00:45:52,719 --> 00:45:58,629 then rolled out facing the other and 1079 00:45:55,028 --> 00:46:00,489 fired a single double shot i charged out 1080 00:45:58,630 --> 00:46:03,640 swinging little macintosh around as i 1081 00:46:00,489 --> 00:46:05,679 kicked on my targeting spell but zennith 1082 00:46:03,639 --> 00:46:07,028 already crippled the other pony her hoof 1083 00:46:05,679 --> 00:46:10,389 strikes resonating through armor to 1084 00:46:07,028 --> 00:46:12,869 pulverize internal organs I let my jaw 1085 00:46:10,389 --> 00:46:15,009 drop a little as she finished them off 1086 00:46:12,869 --> 00:46:17,670 following Kaiser our style scared the 1087 00:46:15,009 --> 00:46:17,670 crap out of me 1088 00:46:19,088 --> 00:46:22,929 as we swept further into maintenance we 1089 00:46:21,400 --> 00:46:26,048 started seeing glowing piles of green 1090 00:46:22,929 --> 00:46:27,460 residue or pink ash all the remained of 1091 00:46:26,048 --> 00:46:29,798 ponies killed with magical energy 1092 00:46:27,460 --> 00:46:32,679 weapons scattered amongst the mascarpone 1093 00:46:29,798 --> 00:46:36,940 ease of stable to calamity found that 1094 00:46:32,679 --> 00:46:38,498 disturbing my EFS told me there were 1095 00:46:36,940 --> 00:46:41,068 four steel ranges around the next corner 1096 00:46:38,498 --> 00:46:44,949 near the door to the generator room I 1097 00:46:41,068 --> 00:46:47,369 relayed this to the others I'll take him 1098 00:46:44,949 --> 00:46:49,629 clam he said starting to move forward 1099 00:46:47,369 --> 00:46:53,440 but I put a hoof on his shoulder and 1100 00:46:49,630 --> 00:46:55,769 shook my head clam he frowned he didn't 1101 00:46:53,440 --> 00:46:58,539 want to back off but he did so anyway 1102 00:46:55,768 --> 00:47:00,068 the Pegasus and zebra held positions I 1103 00:46:58,539 --> 00:47:02,278 galloped silently back to her velvet 1104 00:47:00,068 --> 00:47:05,048 remedy and steel hoods were waiting a 1105 00:47:02,278 --> 00:47:06,460 moment later steel hose tried to pass 1106 00:47:05,048 --> 00:47:09,460 the zenith and calamity and rounded the 1107 00:47:06,460 --> 00:47:10,329 corner his missile rack was open his 1108 00:47:09,460 --> 00:47:15,099 weapons primed 1109 00:47:10,329 --> 00:47:16,960 I am star powered in steel hoops I'm 1110 00:47:15,099 --> 00:47:19,660 declaring an end to this travesty of an 1111 00:47:16,960 --> 00:47:22,389 operation we do not assault the steel of 1112 00:47:19,659 --> 00:47:24,578 the mayor of our own ministry and we do 1113 00:47:22,389 --> 00:47:27,728 not slaughter innocents when she was 1114 00:47:24,579 --> 00:47:30,430 dedicated to protecting ponies his voice 1115 00:47:27,728 --> 00:47:33,429 rumbled with command you have two 1116 00:47:30,429 --> 00:47:35,048 options slide with me and stand by your 1117 00:47:33,429 --> 00:47:38,139 oath to the principles of our ministry's 1118 00:47:35,048 --> 00:47:40,478 mayor or side with elder blueberry saber 1119 00:47:38,139 --> 00:47:44,469 and star paladin Nova rage and be gunned 1120 00:47:40,478 --> 00:47:46,689 down then you admit you're a traitor one 1121 00:47:44,469 --> 00:47:49,090 of them called back you stand down and 1122 00:47:46,690 --> 00:47:52,570 submit to arrest 1123 00:47:49,090 --> 00:47:54,519 wrong answer steel hose fired everything 1124 00:47:52,570 --> 00:47:56,200 he had into the hallway which was torn 1125 00:47:54,519 --> 00:48:00,610 apart in a blaze of light heat and 1126 00:47:56,199 --> 00:48:03,009 shrapnel I don't think I'm going to be 1127 00:48:00,610 --> 00:48:04,780 able to wear this armor anymore he said 1128 00:48:03,010 --> 00:48:06,820 stepping back around where we were 1129 00:48:04,780 --> 00:48:10,210 waiting his armor smoking and peppered 1130 00:48:06,820 --> 00:48:13,260 with red-hot shrapnel which is a problem 1131 00:48:10,210 --> 00:48:16,900 since I can't take it off 1132 00:48:13,260 --> 00:48:22,060 honestly Glen we said with a grin you 1133 00:48:16,900 --> 00:48:24,150 never looked finer Zanna slipped through 1134 00:48:22,059 --> 00:48:26,409 the back door of the stable to saloon I 1135 00:48:24,150 --> 00:48:28,150 followed close behind getting a 1136 00:48:26,409 --> 00:48:29,139 surprisingly pleasant eyeful the zebra 1137 00:48:28,150 --> 00:48:31,690 mares hindquarters 1138 00:48:29,139 --> 00:48:34,869 I found myself cursing the slavers who 1139 00:48:31,690 --> 00:48:36,130 had scarred it so the back of the saloon 1140 00:48:34,869 --> 00:48:39,339 was a darkened kitchen 1141 00:48:36,130 --> 00:48:40,780 well darkened until Pilate flew in and 1142 00:48:39,340 --> 00:48:43,450 landed on one of the pots sitting on a 1143 00:48:40,780 --> 00:48:45,340 stove the balefire Phoenix had almost 1144 00:48:43,449 --> 00:48:46,839 returned to normal but was still 1145 00:48:45,340 --> 00:48:50,289 shutting off enough energy to glow like 1146 00:48:46,840 --> 00:48:51,820 a torch mr. mrs. sparkle cider were 1147 00:48:50,289 --> 00:48:54,789 dumped in the corner their bodies 1148 00:48:51,820 --> 00:48:56,140 bleeding on to each other mr. sparkle 1149 00:48:54,789 --> 00:48:59,079 cider had always given me free icecream 1150 00:48:56,139 --> 00:49:01,929 when I was younger well until he caught 1151 00:48:59,079 --> 00:49:05,319 me lock-picking his wine cabinet his 1152 00:49:01,929 --> 00:49:06,969 wife was one of my mother's friends mrs. 1153 00:49:05,320 --> 00:49:08,769 Sparkle ciders hind hoof was caught on 1154 00:49:06,969 --> 00:49:11,469 the door of the walk-in freezer propping 1155 00:49:08,769 --> 00:49:13,570 it open all the ice cream inside was 1156 00:49:11,469 --> 00:49:16,779 slowly melting swirling in pools of the 1157 00:49:13,570 --> 00:49:18,370 sherbert on the floor I felt an 1158 00:49:16,780 --> 00:49:20,800 uncontrollable rage sweep over the 1159 00:49:18,369 --> 00:49:22,489 numbness my heart was pounding my 1160 00:49:20,800 --> 00:49:25,519 breasts 1161 00:49:22,489 --> 00:49:26,629 it's clear zennith whispered looking out 1162 00:49:25,519 --> 00:49:31,338 into the saloon itself 1163 00:49:26,630 --> 00:49:33,260 I passed the message back a minute later 1164 00:49:31,338 --> 00:49:35,000 I crouched in position to the door 1165 00:49:33,260 --> 00:49:38,560 loading the last of my bullets for a 1166 00:49:35,000 --> 00:49:40,489 little Macintosh the magical bullets 1167 00:49:38,559 --> 00:49:43,269 calamity and Zenith remained in the 1168 00:49:40,489 --> 00:49:45,829 kitchen taking their turn as a rearguard 1169 00:49:43,269 --> 00:49:47,599 steel hose stood in the saloon looking 1170 00:49:45,829 --> 00:49:50,960 at a place amongst a rich pseudo wood 1171 00:49:47,599 --> 00:49:53,359 decor velvet remedy however moved with 1172 00:49:50,960 --> 00:49:55,429 purpose almost gliding up the Rays stage 1173 00:49:53,358 --> 00:49:58,309 the magic of her horn playing against 1174 00:49:55,429 --> 00:50:01,039 the terminal and sound boards velvet 1175 00:49:58,309 --> 00:50:03,349 remedy had a plan a moment later she 1176 00:50:01,039 --> 00:50:07,699 strode to the edge of the stage looking 1177 00:50:03,349 --> 00:50:09,830 down at steelo's my mind flashed back to 1178 00:50:07,699 --> 00:50:11,960 sneaking into the saloon an underaged 1179 00:50:09,829 --> 00:50:13,819 blank flank hiding the back of the crowd 1180 00:50:11,960 --> 00:50:17,059 and watching his nearly adult Velvet 1181 00:50:13,820 --> 00:50:20,740 remedy performed her music moved my soul 1182 00:50:17,059 --> 00:50:25,269 and often it was agony not to dance 1183 00:50:20,739 --> 00:50:28,750 ready she said and her horn flared 1184 00:50:25,269 --> 00:50:31,039 attention steel rangers stealers began 1185 00:50:28,750 --> 00:50:33,679 his voice boomed throughout all the 1186 00:50:31,039 --> 00:50:36,400 stable velvet remedy had commandeered 1187 00:50:33,679 --> 00:50:36,399 the public address system 1188 00:50:36,440 --> 00:50:42,800 this is steel hoofs founding member and 1189 00:50:39,588 --> 00:50:44,710 eldest living of the steel rangers star 1190 00:50:42,800 --> 00:50:47,420 Palin of the Maine Hatton contingent I 1191 00:50:44,710 --> 00:50:50,568 call on you to stop and consider your 1192 00:50:47,420 --> 00:50:53,300 oath consider where you are and what 1193 00:50:50,568 --> 00:50:54,170 you're doing do your loyalties lie with 1194 00:50:53,300 --> 00:50:55,550 Applejack 1195 00:50:54,170 --> 00:50:58,010 the mayor of the Ministry of wartime 1196 00:50:55,550 --> 00:51:00,050 technology the creator of the Steel 1197 00:50:58,010 --> 00:51:02,599 Ranger Armour and the mayor who by her 1198 00:51:00,050 --> 00:51:04,519 own hose the sweat of her brow and the 1199 00:51:02,599 --> 00:51:08,390 honesty of her heart forged the steel 1200 00:51:04,519 --> 00:51:10,730 rangers or is your oath to the fearful 1201 00:51:08,389 --> 00:51:12,980 greedy ponies who abandon all that she 1202 00:51:10,730 --> 00:51:15,289 stood for turning us into little more 1203 00:51:12,980 --> 00:51:16,579 than technology Raiders hoarding toys 1204 00:51:15,289 --> 00:51:19,099 from the past because they have 1205 00:51:16,579 --> 00:51:22,280 forgotten that is virtue not trinkets 1206 00:51:19,099 --> 00:51:24,550 that make a pony great ponies who now 1207 00:51:22,280 --> 00:51:26,900 turn their eyes on Apple Jacks own home 1208 00:51:24,550 --> 00:51:30,170 commanding that you slaughter her family 1209 00:51:26,900 --> 00:51:32,838 for their greed these orders this 1210 00:51:30,170 --> 00:51:37,039 operation would be an abomination in the 1211 00:51:32,838 --> 00:51:38,509 eyes of our ministry's mayor Applejack 1212 00:51:37,039 --> 00:51:40,730 was put in charge the Ministry of 1213 00:51:38,510 --> 00:51:41,960 wartime technology because she was the 1214 00:51:40,730 --> 00:51:44,659 bearer of one of the elements of harmony 1215 00:51:41,960 --> 00:51:48,260 and the rule of Equestria recognized the 1216 00:51:44,659 --> 00:51:50,389 caliber of that do you think it was by 1217 00:51:48,260 --> 00:51:52,690 the virtue in her soul or the jewelry on 1218 00:51:50,389 --> 00:51:55,608 her neck that made Applejack a bearer 1219 00:51:52,690 --> 00:51:59,119 today you must choose with whom your 1220 00:51:55,608 --> 00:52:01,848 oath lies surrender this ignominy skull 1221 00:51:59,119 --> 00:52:03,260 and joined by my side reaffirming your 1222 00:52:01,849 --> 00:52:03,849 oath the protection of the citizens of 1223 00:52:03,260 --> 00:52:06,640 Equestria 1224 00:52:03,849 --> 00:52:10,160 just as Applejack dedicated her life to 1225 00:52:06,639 --> 00:52:12,139 or continuing this disgraceful act and 1226 00:52:10,159 --> 00:52:14,769 face the wrath of those who choose to 1227 00:52:12,139 --> 00:52:14,769 stand true 1228 00:52:15,358 --> 00:52:22,989 the glow around velvet remedies worn 1229 00:52:17,679 --> 00:52:24,358 faded steelo's looked up at her well how 1230 00:52:22,989 --> 00:52:29,139 was that 1231 00:52:24,358 --> 00:52:30,969 she smiled brightly in response three 1232 00:52:29,139 --> 00:52:32,528 steel rangers charged into the saloon 1233 00:52:30,969 --> 00:52:36,159 battle saddles filling the room with 1234 00:52:32,528 --> 00:52:40,900 flames of machine-gun fire steelo's fell 1235 00:52:36,159 --> 00:52:43,298 in the first volley I stared at the 1236 00:52:40,900 --> 00:52:44,619 Steel Ranger collapsed in a spreading 1237 00:52:43,298 --> 00:52:48,099 pool of the acre that ghouls called 1238 00:52:44,619 --> 00:52:50,140 blood I slid into SATs and fired the 1239 00:52:48,099 --> 00:52:52,528 last little Mack dashas rounds into them 1240 00:52:50,139 --> 00:52:54,940 felling one in crippling the second I 1241 00:52:52,528 --> 00:52:57,239 dropped Applejack's gun and swung around 1242 00:52:54,940 --> 00:52:59,950 the zebra rifle as three more poured in 1243 00:52:57,239 --> 00:53:02,078 behind me I could hear the explosive 1244 00:52:59,949 --> 00:53:03,788 blast of Spitfires Thunder as calamity 1245 00:53:02,079 --> 00:53:06,670 decapitated the first Steel Ranger to 1246 00:53:03,789 --> 00:53:08,319 try to get him through the back one of 1247 00:53:06,670 --> 00:53:09,990 the five remaining steel rangers fired a 1248 00:53:08,318 --> 00:53:12,308 pair of missiles up at village remedy 1249 00:53:09,989 --> 00:53:13,778 the unicorn singer threw up her shield 1250 00:53:12,309 --> 00:53:15,880 as the rockets detonated against the 1251 00:53:13,778 --> 00:53:18,179 underside of the stage spraying the air 1252 00:53:15,880 --> 00:53:20,798 with jagged chunks of pseudo wood 1253 00:53:18,179 --> 00:53:22,509 another turn towards me levelling what 1254 00:53:20,798 --> 00:53:27,309 looked like an anti-materiel rifle at my 1255 00:53:22,509 --> 00:53:29,798 head no bellowed velvet remedy her horn 1256 00:53:27,309 --> 00:53:34,539 glowing in her voice magnified this is 1257 00:53:29,798 --> 00:53:36,190 my stage the room blazed with light 1258 00:53:34,539 --> 00:53:38,039 conjure from velvet Grammys horns she 1259 00:53:36,190 --> 00:53:40,028 made herself the center of attention 1260 00:53:38,039 --> 00:53:41,380 the Steel Ranger in front of me 1261 00:53:40,028 --> 00:53:44,170 sidestepped his doublet remedies 1262 00:53:41,380 --> 00:53:45,730 lightshow blinded her the distraction 1263 00:53:44,170 --> 00:53:47,950 gave me enough time to fire a burst from 1264 00:53:45,730 --> 00:53:50,858 the zebra rifle one bullet tearing 1265 00:53:47,949 --> 00:53:52,449 through the visor of my opponent one of 1266 00:53:50,858 --> 00:53:54,929 the steel rangers respond to develop it 1267 00:53:52,449 --> 00:53:57,639 with a roar from her to win mini guns 1268 00:53:54,929 --> 00:53:59,558 though it's shield held 1269 00:53:57,639 --> 00:54:00,969 I fired three more armored piercing 1270 00:53:59,559 --> 00:54:03,099 shots from the zebra rifle into the 1271 00:54:00,969 --> 00:54:05,588 machine gunners head seeing the flash of 1272 00:54:03,099 --> 00:54:09,849 fire through the bullet holes I could 1273 00:54:05,588 --> 00:54:12,219 smell the pony's brain roasting velvet 1274 00:54:09,849 --> 00:54:14,588 whipped out her combat shotgun firing it 1275 00:54:12,219 --> 00:54:17,288 at the invaders but their armor proved 1276 00:54:14,588 --> 00:54:19,440 more than sufficient it did not however 1277 00:54:17,289 --> 00:54:22,589 protect them from her anesthetic spell 1278 00:54:19,440 --> 00:54:25,088 the steel range ride crippled went down 1279 00:54:22,588 --> 00:54:27,788 another steel ranger fired up at her 1280 00:54:25,088 --> 00:54:29,199 with a back mounted sniper rifle the 1281 00:54:27,789 --> 00:54:32,230 bullet tore through her shield and armor 1282 00:54:29,199 --> 00:54:33,659 I saw the look of shock and hurt in her 1283 00:54:32,230 --> 00:54:36,460 eyes 1284 00:54:33,659 --> 00:54:37,899 pilot swooped in for the kill blasting 1285 00:54:36,460 --> 00:54:40,599 the downed Ranger and the two still 1286 00:54:37,900 --> 00:54:42,039 standing with radioactive flame their 1287 00:54:40,599 --> 00:54:43,960 suits protected them against that as 1288 00:54:42,039 --> 00:54:46,599 well but the flames obscured their 1289 00:54:43,960 --> 00:54:48,670 vision I slid in and out of SATs 1290 00:54:46,599 --> 00:54:52,269 spraying each Ranger until I was almost 1291 00:54:48,670 --> 00:54:54,700 out of armor piercing ammo Spitfires 1292 00:54:52,268 --> 00:54:56,679 Thunder sounded again a moment later 1293 00:54:54,699 --> 00:55:00,278 calamity and Zenith galloped into the 1294 00:54:56,679 --> 00:55:02,579 room knocking me over I realized I could 1295 00:55:00,278 --> 00:55:05,139 smell gas 1296 00:55:02,579 --> 00:55:06,519 somewhere deep in the stable I heard a 1297 00:55:05,139 --> 00:55:09,609 deep explosion that didn't sound like 1298 00:55:06,519 --> 00:55:11,320 firearm or grenade alarm shot up my 1299 00:55:09,610 --> 00:55:12,760 spine as I wondered at the steel rangers 1300 00:55:11,320 --> 00:55:14,410 that managed to blow the security doors 1301 00:55:12,760 --> 00:55:15,840 that the bulk of my host population was 1302 00:55:14,409 --> 00:55:18,219 hiding behind 1303 00:55:15,840 --> 00:55:24,550 zennith turned grabbing me in her mouth 1304 00:55:18,219 --> 00:55:26,769 and pulled me from the doorway woosh the 1305 00:55:24,550 --> 00:55:28,420 kitchen erupted an inferno pouring out 1306 00:55:26,769 --> 00:55:32,440 into the saloon and setting fire to many 1307 00:55:28,420 --> 00:55:34,180 of the pseudo wood tables and chairs not 1308 00:55:32,440 --> 00:55:37,990 one worried about my name 1309 00:55:34,179 --> 00:55:41,099 clammy panted looking at Zenith then he 1310 00:55:37,989 --> 00:55:45,609 saw steel hose and froze a moment later 1311 00:55:41,099 --> 00:55:49,839 where's velvet I pointed upwards at the 1312 00:55:45,610 --> 00:55:51,610 stage I could see her fallen form in the 1313 00:55:49,840 --> 00:55:53,320 eerie silence that followed the battle I 1314 00:55:51,610 --> 00:55:54,820 could make out the sound of drops of 1315 00:55:53,320 --> 00:56:00,760 blood falling from the stage to the 1316 00:55:54,820 --> 00:56:05,019 floor below blop blop blop 1317 00:56:00,760 --> 00:56:06,640 No he whispered his wings propelled him 1318 00:56:05,019 --> 00:56:09,239 up to the stage far faster than either 1319 00:56:06,639 --> 00:56:11,859 zennith or I could have made it by hoof 1320 00:56:09,239 --> 00:56:13,509 the orange mane Pegasus landed and 1321 00:56:11,860 --> 00:56:18,579 pulled velvet remedy into an embrace 1322 00:56:13,510 --> 00:56:21,040 with a gasp Allen whispered velvet shush 1323 00:56:18,579 --> 00:56:24,699 now you silly pony clammy said holding 1324 00:56:21,039 --> 00:56:25,989 her he had done got yourself shot but 1325 00:56:24,699 --> 00:56:28,299 you're gonna be right as rain soon 1326 00:56:25,989 --> 00:56:30,009 enough we got ourselves the best medical 1327 00:56:28,300 --> 00:56:34,000 Pony and all the questioned wasteland 1328 00:56:30,010 --> 00:56:37,360 I started up the stage stairs towards 1329 00:56:34,000 --> 00:56:42,280 them zennith was right behind me Allen 1330 00:56:37,360 --> 00:56:44,410 though it said again then added who's a 1331 00:56:42,280 --> 00:56:47,440 silly pony 1332 00:56:44,409 --> 00:56:50,710 you is velvet remedy calamity insisted 1333 00:56:47,440 --> 00:56:54,519 gently yeah beautiful wonderful mare now 1334 00:56:50,710 --> 00:56:57,309 shush it I reached the stage just in 1335 00:56:54,519 --> 00:56:59,710 time I don't know what velvet had 1336 00:56:57,309 --> 00:57:04,299 started to say but this time calamity 1337 00:56:59,710 --> 00:57:06,190 cut her off with a kiss oh is that at 1338 00:57:04,300 --> 00:57:07,720 the West burden for my ear I've been 1339 00:57:06,190 --> 00:57:13,349 waiting to see those two do that since I 1340 00:57:07,719 --> 00:57:15,699 first met them I was stunned at first 1341 00:57:13,349 --> 00:57:17,259 but then I realized that the little pony 1342 00:57:15,699 --> 00:57:20,710 in my head wasn't feeling the slightest 1343 00:57:17,260 --> 00:57:23,260 bit envious or jealous she wasn't 1344 00:57:20,710 --> 00:57:24,880 exactly happy but that had more to do 1345 00:57:23,260 --> 00:57:26,230 with the situation we were in and the 1346 00:57:24,880 --> 00:57:28,260 fact that velvet round he was bleeding 1347 00:57:26,230 --> 00:57:31,300 all over calamity from a bullet wound 1348 00:57:28,260 --> 00:57:35,370 the air filled with an odd unholy sound 1349 00:57:31,300 --> 00:57:39,130 from down below a chill filled the air 1350 00:57:35,369 --> 00:57:41,920 steel have stood back up my jaw hit the 1351 00:57:39,130 --> 00:57:43,769 floor I had sorely underestimated what 1352 00:57:41,920 --> 00:57:48,720 it meant to be a canter like ghoul I 1353 00:57:43,769 --> 00:57:51,009 didn't have time to marvel oh fuck i 1354 00:57:48,719 --> 00:57:53,289 moaned as two steel rangers took up 1355 00:57:51,010 --> 00:57:54,850 positions outside aiming grenade machine 1356 00:57:53,289 --> 00:58:00,789 guns at the two front windows of the 1357 00:57:54,849 --> 00:58:02,170 saloon everypony we gotta go the Steel 1358 00:58:00,789 --> 00:58:03,579 Ranger mayor stepped through the door on 1359 00:58:02,170 --> 00:58:04,900 the far end of the bathroom and opened 1360 00:58:03,579 --> 00:58:06,940 up with a grenade machine gun of her own 1361 00:58:04,900 --> 00:58:10,210 blowing up the stalls in toilets between 1362 00:58:06,940 --> 00:58:13,240 me and her he washed over me searing my 1363 00:58:10,210 --> 00:58:15,220 lungs shrapnel cut up my armor and flesh 1364 00:58:13,239 --> 00:58:16,939 leaving me bleeding from dozens of small 1365 00:58:15,219 --> 00:58:19,429 wounds 1366 00:58:16,940 --> 00:58:20,900 outside clammy and zennith crouched 1367 00:58:19,429 --> 00:58:23,659 behind a row of lockers which I had 1368 00:58:20,900 --> 00:58:25,250 floated into a barricade we were getting 1369 00:58:23,659 --> 00:58:27,649 close to the school where I'd once taken 1370 00:58:25,250 --> 00:58:30,739 my QT aptitude test and the place was 1371 00:58:27,650 --> 00:58:33,019 swarming with steel rangers I was out of 1372 00:58:30,739 --> 00:58:34,459 ammo over little Macintosh and I was 1373 00:58:33,019 --> 00:58:37,670 actually beginning to fear for the zebra 1374 00:58:34,460 --> 00:58:39,530 rifle we've been lucky taking them on 1375 00:58:37,670 --> 00:58:42,230 one or two at a time the element of 1376 00:58:39,530 --> 00:58:44,349 surprise on our side but now they were 1377 00:58:42,230 --> 00:58:47,030 alert and moving against us in force 1378 00:58:44,349 --> 00:58:48,530 only the narrow hallways prevented us 1379 00:58:47,030 --> 00:58:51,500 from being surrounded or utterly 1380 00:58:48,530 --> 00:58:53,390 overwhelmed a missile flew over the 1381 00:58:51,500 --> 00:58:55,818 lockers exploding against the wall 1382 00:58:53,389 --> 00:58:56,900 behind Xenophon calamity the explosion 1383 00:58:55,818 --> 00:59:00,289 blowing them both hardened to the 1384 00:58:56,900 --> 00:59:00,970 barricade calamity rose up dazed and 1385 00:59:00,289 --> 00:59:04,579 bleeding 1386 00:59:00,969 --> 00:59:09,318 zennith didn't get up at all steel hose 1387 00:59:04,579 --> 00:59:10,900 velvet I cried out we need your help the 1388 00:59:09,318 --> 00:59:13,250 two of them were guarding our rear 1389 00:59:10,900 --> 00:59:14,420 velvet considerably worse for wear even 1390 00:59:13,250 --> 00:59:17,420 after dying both of our remaining 1391 00:59:14,420 --> 00:59:19,430 extra-strength restoration potions she 1392 00:59:17,420 --> 00:59:21,680 needed to stay out of heavy fighting but 1393 00:59:19,429 --> 00:59:23,539 we couldn't spare her entirely the 1394 00:59:21,679 --> 00:59:26,899 farther we got into the stable the more 1395 00:59:23,539 --> 00:59:28,338 ways to flank us opened up another 1396 00:59:26,900 --> 00:59:29,619 thunderous explosion sounded from 1397 00:59:28,338 --> 00:59:32,320 somewhere deep in the stable 1398 00:59:29,619 --> 00:59:34,360 followed by more 1399 00:59:32,320 --> 00:59:37,090 water sprayed from all the destroyed 1400 00:59:34,360 --> 00:59:40,390 toilets the steel rangers hoofsteps 1401 00:59:37,090 --> 00:59:44,140 splashed as she approached closer give 1402 00:59:40,389 --> 00:59:45,789 it up a little bit crap surrender now 1403 00:59:44,139 --> 00:59:48,129 and elder blueberry saber might just 1404 00:59:45,789 --> 00:59:51,820 spare you and most of your friends you 1405 00:59:48,130 --> 00:59:55,960 won't get that offer from Nova rage yeah 1406 00:59:51,820 --> 00:59:57,700 that was going to happen I don't suppose 1407 00:59:55,960 --> 01:00:01,150 I can talk you into surrendering to us I 1408 00:59:57,699 --> 01:00:05,649 called back his mass-murder really the 1409 01:00:01,150 --> 01:00:07,059 earth Pony way fuck you she retorted and 1410 01:00:05,650 --> 01:00:10,000 opened up with another barrage of 1411 01:00:07,059 --> 01:00:11,259 grenades I wrapped all the debris around 1412 01:00:10,000 --> 01:00:14,619 me in telekinetics and pulled them 1413 01:00:11,260 --> 01:00:17,620 together creating a shield it didn't 1414 01:00:14,619 --> 01:00:19,089 work very well the first explosion blew 1415 01:00:17,619 --> 01:00:20,380 the debris out of my Magic's grasp 1416 01:00:19,090 --> 01:00:23,170 pummeling me with it 1417 01:00:20,380 --> 01:00:26,320 I felt bones break as pain surged 1418 01:00:23,170 --> 01:00:29,260 throughout my body more grenades 1419 01:00:26,320 --> 01:00:31,809 detonated around me my pipbuck scream as 1420 01:00:29,260 --> 01:00:33,550 every limb registered is crippled my 1421 01:00:31,809 --> 01:00:36,309 pipbuck politely told me I was dying 1422 01:00:33,550 --> 01:00:39,670 from internal injuries I can feel them 1423 01:00:36,309 --> 01:00:43,029 my body was in shock all I could feel 1424 01:00:39,670 --> 01:00:44,650 was cold - missile streaked through the 1425 01:00:43,030 --> 01:00:47,170 air overhead and drained the room from 1426 01:00:44,650 --> 01:00:49,900 behind me they hit the steel ranger 1427 01:00:47,170 --> 01:00:51,309 blowing her off her hooves she slid 1428 01:00:49,900 --> 01:00:55,840 across the wet floor and collapsed in 1429 01:00:51,309 --> 01:00:59,199 the corner unmoving littlepip velvet 1430 01:00:55,840 --> 01:01:01,800 Remini cried from forever away i lost 1431 01:00:59,199 --> 01:01:01,799 consciousness 1432 01:01:03,489 --> 01:01:10,129 my eyes blinked open I couldn't feel my 1433 01:01:06,860 --> 01:01:12,260 body but somehow I was still alive my 1434 01:01:10,130 --> 01:01:16,190 EFS was breeding my condition is bad but 1435 01:01:12,260 --> 01:01:18,800 stable I was looking up I could see 1436 01:01:16,190 --> 01:01:23,139 lights of stable - overhead heard their 1437 01:01:18,800 --> 01:01:26,330 ever-present buzz where am I 1438 01:01:23,139 --> 01:01:29,239 really littlepip Velva remedy chimed 1439 01:01:26,329 --> 01:01:30,769 kindly with your habits of gross injury 1440 01:01:29,239 --> 01:01:33,189 you can't tell me you don't recognize 1441 01:01:30,769 --> 01:01:36,259 stable twos clinic 1442 01:01:33,190 --> 01:01:38,829 calamity zennith 1443 01:01:36,260 --> 01:01:41,360 velvet remedies face leaned into view 1444 01:01:38,829 --> 01:01:42,739 the good news is that all three of you 1445 01:01:41,360 --> 01:01:45,710 are going to survive reclaiming this 1446 01:01:42,739 --> 01:01:48,019 floor the bad news is I have used up all 1447 01:01:45,710 --> 01:01:50,990 of our medical supplies and an unhealthy 1448 01:01:48,019 --> 01:01:54,199 portion of the stables to save you she 1449 01:01:50,989 --> 01:01:55,689 glanced away a few of Zenoss brews as 1450 01:01:54,199 --> 01:01:58,189 well 1451 01:01:55,690 --> 01:01:59,809 elder blueberry saber has pulled most of 1452 01:01:58,190 --> 01:02:03,289 her ponies back into the apple orchard 1453 01:01:59,809 --> 01:02:08,179 she'll have said she's worried now and 1454 01:02:03,289 --> 01:02:09,800 with good cause she's worried they 1455 01:02:08,179 --> 01:02:11,509 nearly killed us and we were nowhere 1456 01:02:09,800 --> 01:02:14,330 near the security and over mares wing 1457 01:02:11,510 --> 01:02:16,150 yet I didn't understand why they weren't 1458 01:02:14,329 --> 01:02:20,659 just swarming us and wiping us out I 1459 01:02:16,150 --> 01:02:23,720 said as much because there are less of 1460 01:02:20,659 --> 01:02:26,960 them and possibly more of us steel have 1461 01:02:23,719 --> 01:02:28,339 said bluntly about a fifth of the Ranger 1462 01:02:26,960 --> 01:02:29,780 she was leading didn't take too well to 1463 01:02:28,340 --> 01:02:32,180 what was going on down here 1464 01:02:29,780 --> 01:02:34,340 sir power the Nova rage killed one of 1465 01:02:32,179 --> 01:02:35,599 them for disloyalty an elder blueberry 1466 01:02:34,340 --> 01:02:39,410 saber locked away the rest of the 1467 01:02:35,599 --> 01:02:41,809 dissenters behind a welded door explain 1468 01:02:39,409 --> 01:02:43,549 why diplomacy hadn't been working all 1469 01:02:41,809 --> 01:02:45,139 the ponies that diplomacy might have 1470 01:02:43,550 --> 01:02:48,440 worked with the elder had locked up 1471 01:02:45,139 --> 01:02:51,619 already they're trapped in the school 1472 01:02:48,440 --> 01:02:53,480 velvet interrupted Steel has been 1473 01:02:51,619 --> 01:02:54,980 speaking with them if we can get them 1474 01:02:53,480 --> 01:02:57,648 out we'll have nearly a dozen steel 1475 01:02:54,980 --> 01:02:59,188 Rangers on our side 1476 01:02:57,648 --> 01:03:01,708 unfortunately we're having a bit of 1477 01:02:59,188 --> 01:03:04,379 trouble with that but alder blu-ray 1478 01:03:01,708 --> 01:03:07,168 saber doesn't know that as far as she 1479 01:03:04,380 --> 01:03:11,159 knows the moment we took this section we 1480 01:03:07,168 --> 01:03:13,259 get a whole lot stronger I tried to get 1481 01:03:11,159 --> 01:03:16,519 up only to realize that not only could I 1482 01:03:13,259 --> 01:03:18,329 not feel pain I couldn't feel anything 1483 01:03:16,518 --> 01:03:21,748 that would remedy had used her 1484 01:03:18,329 --> 01:03:24,209 anesthetics fell on me I tried to get up 1485 01:03:21,748 --> 01:03:26,129 again fervently sending the signals from 1486 01:03:24,208 --> 01:03:28,768 my brain to a body I couldn't sense that 1487 01:03:26,130 --> 01:03:30,719 ought to make it move my body heaves and 1488 01:03:28,768 --> 01:03:35,278 I fell to the floor with a thud flooding 1489 01:03:30,719 --> 01:03:37,499 my nose I couldn't feel bad either now 1490 01:03:35,278 --> 01:03:40,289 look who's a silly pony Velva remedy 1491 01:03:37,498 --> 01:03:41,908 giggled stop that or I'll tell I'll 1492 01:03:40,289 --> 01:03:45,809 merge the urine to bondage and spankings 1493 01:03:41,909 --> 01:03:49,679 I couldn't feel myself blushing but I'm 1494 01:03:45,809 --> 01:03:51,119 sure I was as extra punishment velvet 1495 01:03:49,679 --> 01:03:53,548 let me lay on the floor she turned her 1496 01:03:51,119 --> 01:03:55,399 attention to Zenith the zebra was still 1497 01:03:53,548 --> 01:03:58,248 unconscious 1498 01:03:55,398 --> 01:04:00,418 calamity trotted in a short time later 1499 01:03:58,248 --> 01:04:01,138 I'm afraid there ain't easy way to get 1500 01:04:00,418 --> 01:04:03,118 that door open 1501 01:04:01,139 --> 01:04:05,608 best bet it's cut through with a 1502 01:04:03,119 --> 01:04:08,969 blowtorch that'll take hours he won't 1503 01:04:05,608 --> 01:04:10,168 need it on the plus side seems like 1504 01:04:08,969 --> 01:04:12,869 that's what the enemy is trying to do 1505 01:04:10,168 --> 01:04:14,879 with the Sno wing only those doors are a 1506 01:04:12,869 --> 01:04:17,548 hell of a lot thicker and there's more 1507 01:04:14,880 --> 01:04:20,369 than one Oh best bet we still got a 1508 01:04:17,548 --> 01:04:23,038 couple hours before they're through 1509 01:04:20,369 --> 01:04:24,509 I forced my body to roll over feeling an 1510 01:04:23,039 --> 01:04:27,480 uneasy sense of accomplishment when I 1511 01:04:24,509 --> 01:04:29,190 managed it on the third try I found 1512 01:04:27,480 --> 01:04:31,650 myself staring up with a ceiling rather 1513 01:04:29,190 --> 01:04:34,579 than at my friends which significantly 1514 01:04:31,650 --> 01:04:34,579 diminished the victory 1515 01:04:34,920 --> 01:04:38,909 you know magical energy weapons had melt 1516 01:04:37,619 --> 01:04:42,510 through those doors a whole heap of a 1517 01:04:38,909 --> 01:04:43,889 lot quicker steel rangers battle saddles 1518 01:04:42,510 --> 01:04:47,849 aren't equipped with magical energy 1519 01:04:43,889 --> 01:04:51,509 weapons steel is replied that is an 1520 01:04:47,849 --> 01:04:54,809 enclave design yeah 1521 01:04:51,510 --> 01:04:56,240 Calamity said in odd tone that's what I 1522 01:04:54,809 --> 01:04:58,530 figured 1523 01:04:56,239 --> 01:05:01,439 my gaze fell on the great to the air 1524 01:04:58,530 --> 01:05:04,859 ducts unfortunately while I was small I 1525 01:05:01,440 --> 01:05:10,260 was no chimera I couldn't fit through 1526 01:05:04,858 --> 01:05:13,108 them but higher light was that little 1527 01:05:10,260 --> 01:05:15,270 pip pilot can get through the air ducts 1528 01:05:13,108 --> 01:05:16,679 she can carry a blowtorch to the good 1529 01:05:15,269 --> 01:05:18,989 guy steel range trapped inside the 1530 01:05:16,679 --> 01:05:22,379 classroom let them cut their way out I 1531 01:05:18,989 --> 01:05:25,828 suggested plus she can carry in food and 1532 01:05:22,380 --> 01:05:28,200 water to them while they work I like it 1533 01:05:25,829 --> 01:05:31,349 Calamity said the grin I couldn't see 1534 01:05:28,199 --> 01:05:32,608 Evan his voice frees up time to continue 1535 01:05:31,349 --> 01:05:38,088 the mission while I was still providing 1536 01:05:32,608 --> 01:05:38,088 diplomatic relief we had a plan 1537 01:05:39,670 --> 01:05:45,490 so did elder blueberry saber while we 1538 01:05:43,000 --> 01:05:47,409 were busy that vision welded shut every 1539 01:05:45,489 --> 01:05:49,989 entrance into the atrium except for the 1540 01:05:47,409 --> 01:05:52,239 passage through the apple orchard the 1541 01:05:49,989 --> 01:05:55,449 orchard was a huge open space with only 1542 01:05:52,239 --> 01:05:57,549 thin trees for nearly useless cover she 1543 01:05:55,449 --> 01:05:58,989 could amass her forces inside creating a 1544 01:05:57,550 --> 01:06:00,280 kill zone while a few of her soldiers 1545 01:05:58,989 --> 01:06:03,489 worked on cutting through the security 1546 01:06:00,280 --> 01:06:05,560 doors the best plan I could come up with 1547 01:06:03,489 --> 01:06:07,899 was to float more lockers in front of us 1548 01:06:05,559 --> 01:06:10,690 forming a wedge to lockers deepened to 1549 01:06:07,900 --> 01:06:13,809 lockers high steel hose and Clem knew 1550 01:06:10,690 --> 01:06:15,369 were going to join me velvet had clearly 1551 01:06:13,809 --> 01:06:17,259 taken far better care of austin of 1552 01:06:15,369 --> 01:06:18,579 herself unwilling to use up more than 1553 01:06:17,260 --> 01:06:21,070 the minimal amount of medical supplies 1554 01:06:18,579 --> 01:06:23,889 on herself that we might have and did 1555 01:06:21,070 --> 01:06:26,140 need later she was still partially 1556 01:06:23,889 --> 01:06:27,940 crippled from the gunshot wound and I 1557 01:06:26,139 --> 01:06:30,940 insisted that she stay behind as a Lia 1558 01:06:27,940 --> 01:06:32,320 zone with pyro light zennith promised 1559 01:06:30,940 --> 01:06:36,610 calamity that she would stand guard over 1560 01:06:32,320 --> 01:06:37,870 the wounded medical podium to claim that 1561 01:06:36,610 --> 01:06:40,780 I was in good shape would have been an 1562 01:06:37,869 --> 01:06:42,279 outright lie but the pain I was in when 1563 01:06:40,780 --> 01:06:44,740 the spell wore off was not the worst I'd 1564 01:06:42,280 --> 01:06:47,110 felt definitely better than being set on 1565 01:06:44,739 --> 01:06:50,049 fire by a dragon or bucked between the 1566 01:06:47,110 --> 01:06:52,240 thighs by a scaly strong Raider I could 1567 01:06:50,050 --> 01:06:54,220 work through it my legs 1568 01:06:52,239 --> 01:06:57,189 fore and hind all seemed to work if 1569 01:06:54,219 --> 01:07:00,309 stiffly and I could breathe without too 1570 01:06:57,190 --> 01:07:03,880 much effort and feel my heartbeat plus I 1571 01:07:00,309 --> 01:07:05,889 had my magic and my pipbuck I was not an 1572 01:07:03,880 --> 01:07:08,260 optimal fighting shape but I really 1573 01:07:05,889 --> 01:07:10,199 didn't need more and there were ponies 1574 01:07:08,260 --> 01:07:12,430 counting on me 1575 01:07:10,199 --> 01:07:14,259 idle Racine too many ponies whom I 1576 01:07:12,429 --> 01:07:17,440 recognize lying dead on the stable floor 1577 01:07:14,260 --> 01:07:19,930 I wouldn't allow elder blueberry saber 1578 01:07:17,440 --> 01:07:23,110 or star paladin Nova rage to add to that 1579 01:07:19,929 --> 01:07:24,669 number steel hooves trotted up behind me 1580 01:07:23,110 --> 01:07:27,910 as I floated into lockers into formation 1581 01:07:24,670 --> 01:07:32,079 a moment later another steel ranger 1582 01:07:27,909 --> 01:07:34,929 trotted up only it wasn't a steel ranger 1583 01:07:32,079 --> 01:07:37,360 it was calamity wearing a steel rangers 1584 01:07:34,929 --> 01:07:39,039 armor from the neck back his black 1585 01:07:37,360 --> 01:07:40,930 desperado hat was still firmly on his 1586 01:07:39,039 --> 01:07:42,929 orange mane and he held Spitfires 1587 01:07:40,929 --> 01:07:45,159 Thunder in his mouth 1588 01:07:42,929 --> 01:07:48,369 what are you doing wearing that armor 1589 01:07:45,159 --> 01:07:52,239 steel has demanded calamity just gave 1590 01:07:48,369 --> 01:07:54,639 him a look ok then how do you expect us 1591 01:07:52,239 --> 01:07:56,409 fight in that magically powered armor 1592 01:07:54,639 --> 01:08:01,989 requires months of train to perform even 1593 01:07:56,409 --> 01:08:03,219 adequately in Westmont clammy mouth 1594 01:08:01,989 --> 01:08:06,459 through his grip on the unique 1595 01:08:03,219 --> 01:08:08,439 anti-materiel rifle i shook my head 1596 01:08:06,460 --> 01:08:10,659 sending up a prayer to Luna for our 1597 01:08:08,440 --> 01:08:11,980 coming battle and a prayer to Celestia 1598 01:08:10,659 --> 01:08:15,039 to keep his anything velvet remedies 1599 01:08:11,980 --> 01:08:17,250 safe i telekinetically triggered the 1600 01:08:15,039 --> 01:08:17,250 door 1601 01:08:18,009 --> 01:08:23,350 my brilliant battle strategy lasted 1602 01:08:20,710 --> 01:08:25,480 about two minutes like with the debris 1603 01:08:23,350 --> 01:08:27,039 before my magic couldn't hold the 1604 01:08:25,479 --> 01:08:29,829 lockers against the explosive force of 1605 01:08:27,039 --> 01:08:31,088 their missiles in grenades I was forced 1606 01:08:29,829 --> 01:08:33,519 to plant our barricade in the ground 1607 01:08:31,088 --> 01:08:36,309 creating a makeshift pillbox about 20 1608 01:08:33,520 --> 01:08:38,230 yards into the orchard the steel rangers 1609 01:08:36,310 --> 01:08:40,330 are quickly surrounded us firing unto 1610 01:08:38,229 --> 01:08:43,568 the lockers slowly tearing away at our 1611 01:08:40,329 --> 01:08:45,269 shielding our line of sight was limited 1612 01:08:43,569 --> 01:08:47,200 to small cracks between the lockers 1613 01:08:45,270 --> 01:08:50,589 purposefully not large enough to allow 1614 01:08:47,199 --> 01:08:52,449 even a grenade in even so I could focus 1615 01:08:50,588 --> 01:08:53,680 my magic on flinging all grenades back 1616 01:08:52,449 --> 01:08:57,099 at our attackers until they stopped 1617 01:08:53,680 --> 01:08:59,619 trying that the gaps are too small for 1618 01:08:57,100 --> 01:09:01,170 steel if to fire through calamity was 1619 01:08:59,619 --> 01:09:03,608 using Spitfires thunder to great effect 1620 01:09:01,170 --> 01:09:04,838 downing a steel ranger every time one is 1621 01:09:03,609 --> 01:09:07,900 foolish enough to make herself or 1622 01:09:04,838 --> 01:09:10,600 himself visible the noise was deafening 1623 01:09:07,899 --> 01:09:12,818 our metal cage my ears were ringing so 1624 01:09:10,600 --> 01:09:17,020 badly I felt I would vomit but I stayed 1625 01:09:12,819 --> 01:09:18,430 on task but the Pegasus was down to less 1626 01:09:17,020 --> 01:09:20,739 than half a dozen rounds of the rare 1627 01:09:18,430 --> 01:09:22,029 ammo even after having pilfered some 1628 01:09:20,738 --> 01:09:24,389 from the battle styles of the anti 1629 01:09:22,029 --> 01:09:26,560 machine rifle Ranger at the saloon and 1630 01:09:24,390 --> 01:09:28,210 the twin minigun battle saddle 1631 01:09:26,560 --> 01:09:31,509 integrated into his armor couldn't be 1632 01:09:28,210 --> 01:09:33,159 aimed through the tiny cracks the zebra 1633 01:09:31,509 --> 01:09:35,079 rifle was out of armor-piercing bullets 1634 01:09:33,159 --> 01:09:36,548 and the normal sword didn't have enough 1635 01:09:35,079 --> 01:09:39,488 penetrating power to take down a steel 1636 01:09:36,548 --> 01:09:41,949 ranger I was using my sniper rifle now 1637 01:09:39,488 --> 01:09:44,048 it too was out of armor piercing ammo 1638 01:09:41,949 --> 01:09:46,048 but a well-placed shot to a weaker part 1639 01:09:44,048 --> 01:09:48,278 of their armor would still go through 1640 01:09:46,048 --> 01:09:49,659 part of me felt chagrin that I was 1641 01:09:48,279 --> 01:09:52,020 becoming so practice at defeating 1642 01:09:49,659 --> 01:09:55,680 Applejack's creation 1643 01:09:52,020 --> 01:09:58,610 Clemmy and i kept firing son of a 1644 01:09:55,680 --> 01:10:00,659 calamity mouth is he fired a final shot 1645 01:09:58,609 --> 01:10:04,170 he motioned to me that he was out of 1646 01:10:00,659 --> 01:10:05,609 ammo my hope had been that we could take 1647 01:10:04,170 --> 01:10:08,460 out enough of them to make moving again 1648 01:10:05,609 --> 01:10:10,500 an option from all the red lights on my 1649 01:10:08,460 --> 01:10:14,730 eyes for its sparkle we had done 1650 01:10:10,500 --> 01:10:16,738 admirably but we were still doomed I had 1651 01:10:14,729 --> 01:10:20,039 walked us into yet another trap with yet 1652 01:10:16,738 --> 01:10:23,269 another stupid plan and this time I had 1653 01:10:20,039 --> 01:10:27,000 probably gotten all of us killed I 1654 01:10:23,270 --> 01:10:28,940 wasn't ready to give up just yet it was 1655 01:10:27,000 --> 01:10:30,930 about time to try a Russian gallop 1656 01:10:28,939 --> 01:10:32,849 steelo's and calamity still had their 1657 01:10:30,930 --> 01:10:35,039 battle saddles and for the first time 1658 01:10:32,850 --> 01:10:36,890 the one Pony not in any danger of 1659 01:10:35,039 --> 01:10:39,180 running out of ammo was our ghoul 1660 01:10:36,890 --> 01:10:40,050 finally being willing to scavenge ammo 1661 01:10:39,180 --> 01:10:43,170 helped immensely 1662 01:10:40,050 --> 01:10:45,180 I focused floating the lockers and 1663 01:10:43,170 --> 01:10:48,210 hurling them in all directions aiming at 1664 01:10:45,180 --> 01:10:49,730 the red marks on my EFS compass there 1665 01:10:48,210 --> 01:10:52,170 wasn't a lot of force behind the throw 1666 01:10:49,729 --> 01:10:54,059 but I released them just before they hit 1667 01:10:52,170 --> 01:10:56,310 and suddenly they went from flying 1668 01:10:54,060 --> 01:10:59,489 weightless lockers to flying damn heavy 1669 01:10:56,310 --> 01:11:01,080 lockers a chorus of thuds rang out as 1670 01:10:59,488 --> 01:11:03,049 several steel Rangers were clobbered and 1671 01:11:01,079 --> 01:11:05,519 trapped underneath 1672 01:11:03,050 --> 01:11:08,130 unfortunately steel ranger armor made 1673 01:11:05,520 --> 01:11:10,860 them strong they began to buck the metal 1674 01:11:08,130 --> 01:11:12,719 weights off faster than I expected we 1675 01:11:10,859 --> 01:11:15,960 took off at a gallop running across the 1676 01:11:12,719 --> 01:11:17,579 orchard for the opposite door gunfire 1677 01:11:15,960 --> 01:11:20,850 and explosions erupted all around us 1678 01:11:17,579 --> 01:11:22,649 dirt and wood filled the air a missile 1679 01:11:20,850 --> 01:11:23,969 roared past me disappearing into the 1680 01:11:22,649 --> 01:11:26,909 foliage of an apple tree before 1681 01:11:23,969 --> 01:11:28,730 exploding I felt applesauce splatter my 1682 01:11:26,909 --> 01:11:30,979 face 1683 01:11:28,729 --> 01:11:33,619 steel hoes fired forward clearing away 1684 01:11:30,979 --> 01:11:35,929 ahead calamity bemoaned the magically 1685 01:11:33,619 --> 01:11:38,109 powered armors lack of wings spun and 1686 01:11:35,930 --> 01:11:40,100 poured out suppressive fire behind us 1687 01:11:38,109 --> 01:11:42,259 several steel rangers fired back with 1688 01:11:40,100 --> 01:11:43,730 light machine guns and mini guns but 1689 01:11:42,260 --> 01:11:47,030 their shots glanced off the power armor 1690 01:11:43,729 --> 01:11:48,979 he was wearing calamity swiftly turned 1691 01:11:47,029 --> 01:11:50,359 racing to catch up before one of them 1692 01:11:48,979 --> 01:11:53,359 returned his fire with a missile or 1693 01:11:50,359 --> 01:11:55,069 sniper round he was doing far better in 1694 01:11:53,359 --> 01:11:57,139 the suit than steel of sight anticipated 1695 01:11:55,069 --> 01:12:00,799 but nowhere near as well as calamity 1696 01:11:57,140 --> 01:12:03,440 himself had expected still it looked 1697 01:12:00,800 --> 01:12:05,029 like we would make it I pushed as far as 1698 01:12:03,439 --> 01:12:07,309 my battle weekend and overstrained body 1699 01:12:05,029 --> 01:12:11,800 would take me and I was the first to 1700 01:12:07,310 --> 01:12:16,000 reach the door it was locked and trapped 1701 01:12:11,800 --> 01:12:19,880 of course but this was no problem for me 1702 01:12:16,000 --> 01:12:23,090 well not one of skill or tools it was a 1703 01:12:19,880 --> 01:12:24,590 problem for time calamity and Steel has 1704 01:12:23,090 --> 01:12:27,050 reached me as I attempt to disarm the 1705 01:12:24,590 --> 01:12:27,529 explosive Steel has began to guide me 1706 01:12:27,050 --> 01:12:29,539 through it 1707 01:12:27,529 --> 01:12:30,979 his skills far surpassing my own while 1708 01:12:29,539 --> 01:12:33,920 calamity turned to face the approaching 1709 01:12:30,979 --> 01:12:35,959 Rangers give it up 1710 01:12:33,920 --> 01:12:38,859 called out elder blueberry saber as the 1711 01:12:35,960 --> 01:12:42,109 steel rangers advanced encircling us I 1712 01:12:38,859 --> 01:12:44,738 heard a click as the bomb disarmed now 1713 01:12:42,109 --> 01:12:44,738 for the door 1714 01:12:44,810 --> 01:12:49,090 I heard more clicks as every enemy Steel 1715 01:12:47,090 --> 01:12:51,579 Ranger in the apple orchard reloaded 1716 01:12:49,090 --> 01:12:59,319 elder blueberry saber called out again 1717 01:12:51,579 --> 01:13:01,550 last chance give it up I sighed dammit 1718 01:12:59,319 --> 01:13:05,359 this was the damn Ministry of morale 1719 01:13:01,550 --> 01:13:09,170 rooftop all over again why don't you 1720 01:13:05,359 --> 01:13:10,699 just kill us because now she needs to 1721 01:13:09,170 --> 01:13:14,449 make an example out of me 1722 01:13:10,699 --> 01:13:16,250 steals guests and she knows that will go 1723 01:13:14,449 --> 01:13:20,239 a lot smoother if she has hostages I 1724 01:13:16,250 --> 01:13:23,409 care about or maybe I just need a good 1725 01:13:20,239 --> 01:13:25,309 lock picker blueberry saber answered 1726 01:13:23,409 --> 01:13:32,809 somepony who can get me past the 1727 01:13:25,310 --> 01:13:35,390 security door oh hell no a deep 1728 01:13:32,810 --> 01:13:37,750 explosion rang out one of the steel 1729 01:13:35,390 --> 01:13:40,100 Rangers foul her midsection torn through 1730 01:13:37,750 --> 01:13:43,069 several friendly lights suddenly danced 1731 01:13:40,100 --> 01:13:45,350 around my EFS compass but that wasn't 1732 01:13:43,069 --> 01:13:46,639 possible I thought the steel rangers 1733 01:13:45,350 --> 01:13:48,440 upstairs were still hours away from 1734 01:13:46,640 --> 01:13:52,160 being freed we wouldn't be getting 1735 01:13:48,439 --> 01:13:53,509 reinforcements for a magical energy 1736 01:13:52,159 --> 01:13:56,180 pistol appeared pointed to elder 1737 01:13:53,510 --> 01:13:58,250 blueberry Sabres head it was held by 1738 01:13:56,180 --> 01:14:00,520 familiarly in Griffin the hood of her 1739 01:13:58,250 --> 01:14:03,760 cloak falling back to reveal her head 1740 01:14:00,520 --> 01:14:05,770 black wing 1741 01:14:03,760 --> 01:14:07,390 Eldar blueberry sabers eyes went wide 1742 01:14:05,770 --> 01:14:11,170 she realized the situation had 1743 01:14:07,390 --> 01:14:12,930 dramatically changed well where did you 1744 01:14:11,170 --> 01:14:14,829 come from 1745 01:14:12,930 --> 01:14:16,930 black-winged smirk as she pulled the 1746 01:14:14,829 --> 01:14:18,279 trigger the green beam from her pistol 1747 01:14:16,930 --> 01:14:20,650 striking the pony between her eyes 1748 01:14:18,279 --> 01:14:25,989 turning her into a pony shaped glow of 1749 01:14:20,649 --> 01:14:27,399 luminescent green God sent me elder 1750 01:14:25,989 --> 01:14:32,439 blueberry saber collapsed into a 1751 01:14:27,399 --> 01:14:35,139 luminescent puddle the battle had 1752 01:14:32,439 --> 01:14:36,759 changed arcs of magical energy from the 1753 01:14:35,140 --> 01:14:38,170 small group of Griffins were exchanged 1754 01:14:36,760 --> 01:14:40,780 with the artillery fire of the steel 1755 01:14:38,170 --> 01:14:41,949 rangers calamity and steel hoes waded 1756 01:14:40,779 --> 01:14:44,889 into the fight while I struggled to 1757 01:14:41,949 --> 01:14:46,389 unlock the door with my telekinesis the 1758 01:14:44,890 --> 01:14:49,539 door unlocked with a satisfying click 1759 01:14:46,390 --> 01:14:52,060 and slid open beyond I could see the 1760 01:14:49,539 --> 01:14:55,449 atrium but even before I could see it I 1761 01:14:52,060 --> 01:14:57,400 could smell it the cloying stench of 1762 01:14:55,449 --> 01:14:59,500 burnt Pony hair and the reek of spilled 1763 01:14:57,399 --> 01:15:02,339 blood pooling and drying by the gowns 1764 01:14:59,500 --> 01:15:07,079 smashed into me like a speeding wall 1765 01:15:02,340 --> 01:15:09,550 this room had become a slaughterhouse 1766 01:15:07,079 --> 01:15:13,269 colourful innocent ponies laid dead 1767 01:15:09,550 --> 01:15:16,119 everywhere in many cases the same ponies 1768 01:15:13,270 --> 01:15:17,410 could be seen in multiple places one of 1769 01:15:16,119 --> 01:15:19,800 the steel rangers had unleashed a 1770 01:15:17,409 --> 01:15:21,899 grenade machine gun in this room 1771 01:15:19,800 --> 01:15:23,400 I stepped into the atrium over to pink 1772 01:15:21,899 --> 01:15:27,779 leg blown off of the knee 1773 01:15:23,399 --> 01:15:30,259 I saw a yellowish clump of matter 1774 01:15:27,779 --> 01:15:32,609 sliding down the wall mixed with blood 1775 01:15:30,260 --> 01:15:36,469 it took me a moment to realize it wasn't 1776 01:15:32,609 --> 01:15:40,418 a part of a pony's brain it was cake I 1777 01:15:36,469 --> 01:15:43,599 looked up and saw the colorful banner 1778 01:15:40,418 --> 01:15:49,179 the seal Rangers had interrupted a cutie 1779 01:15:43,599 --> 01:15:54,369 mark party I felt rage pure 1780 01:15:49,179 --> 01:15:56,019 unadulterated rage I met three steel 1781 01:15:54,368 --> 01:15:56,998 Rangers on the atrium balcony at the top 1782 01:15:56,019 --> 01:15:59,409 of the stairs 1783 01:15:56,998 --> 01:16:00,760 two of them were wielding auto axes and 1784 01:15:59,408 --> 01:16:03,398 were working their way towards the third 1785 01:16:00,760 --> 01:16:06,939 and final security door they had about 1786 01:16:03,399 --> 01:16:09,459 half an hour's work left to go I wrapped 1787 01:16:06,939 --> 01:16:10,840 each accent magic floating them up and 1788 01:16:09,458 --> 01:16:13,438 turning them towards each other before 1789 01:16:10,840 --> 01:16:15,880 they could react turn the auto axes off 1790 01:16:13,439 --> 01:16:17,320 the magically enhanced blades did 1791 01:16:15,880 --> 01:16:20,618 exactly what they were designed to do 1792 01:16:17,319 --> 01:16:23,679 cut through metal the flesh beneath 1793 01:16:20,618 --> 01:16:27,639 offered no resistance at all it was 1794 01:16:23,679 --> 01:16:29,618 gruesomely messy I dropped them but kept 1795 01:16:27,639 --> 01:16:32,539 the auto axis turning to face the last 1796 01:16:29,618 --> 01:16:36,949 of the steel Rangers 1797 01:16:32,539 --> 01:16:38,359 star paladin Nova rage I assume I noted 1798 01:16:36,949 --> 01:16:43,369 her battle saddle had a great machine 1799 01:16:38,359 --> 01:16:48,279 gun the star paladin stare to me yes and 1800 01:16:43,369 --> 01:16:48,279 you are run 1801 01:16:49,929 --> 01:16:55,449 the adrenaline and once again left my 1802 01:16:51,788 --> 01:16:58,478 body and I hurt physically and 1803 01:16:55,448 --> 01:17:02,109 emotionally it was literally all I could 1804 01:16:58,479 --> 01:17:04,628 do to stand up I had exercised my rage 1805 01:17:02,109 --> 01:17:08,498 but that left only despair and deep 1806 01:17:04,628 --> 01:17:10,118 sadness the hour was long over the 1807 01:17:08,498 --> 01:17:11,590 blackest hour whose name I couldn't 1808 01:17:10,118 --> 01:17:13,029 remember where the darkness of the world 1809 01:17:11,590 --> 01:17:15,760 is echoed most heavily about the 1810 01:17:13,029 --> 01:17:19,418 darkness in the soul but I was still 1811 01:17:15,760 --> 01:17:22,329 trapped there black-winged joined me as 1812 01:17:19,418 --> 01:17:23,769 I waited for velvet Remy in Zenith the 1813 01:17:22,328 --> 01:17:25,359 overmare had surely been watching 1814 01:17:23,769 --> 01:17:28,208 everything the stables friendly pie 1815 01:17:25,359 --> 01:17:32,109 observation system but she had not yet 1816 01:17:28,208 --> 01:17:34,269 opened the door God knows we flown to 1817 01:17:32,109 --> 01:17:36,158 your aid without contract content to 1818 01:17:34,269 --> 01:17:39,878 negotiate compensation after the fact 1819 01:17:36,158 --> 01:17:41,768 the Griffon explained when we heard the 1820 01:17:39,878 --> 01:17:43,448 distress signal she decided to give you 1821 01:17:41,769 --> 01:17:46,079 the benefit of the doubt and asked if my 1822 01:17:43,448 --> 01:17:49,409 talents would be willing to help 1823 01:17:46,079 --> 01:17:52,769 I'm thankful you said yes I replied with 1824 01:17:49,409 --> 01:17:54,149 a grim smile my gaze kept drifting up to 1825 01:17:52,770 --> 01:17:58,230 the gaily colored happy cute-ceañera 1826 01:17:54,149 --> 01:17:59,909 banner clammy trotted about flexing his 1827 01:17:58,229 --> 01:18:03,569 wings thankful to be out of the steel 1828 01:17:59,909 --> 01:18:04,220 ranger armor boy I do not envy steel 1829 01:18:03,569 --> 01:18:07,259 hooves 1830 01:18:04,220 --> 01:18:08,490 he looked up how the hell'd you appear 1831 01:18:07,260 --> 01:18:12,600 next to the elder like that 1832 01:18:08,489 --> 01:18:15,329 stealth buck zennith trotted up the 1833 01:18:12,600 --> 01:18:18,420 steps of the atrium balcony she stopped 1834 01:18:15,329 --> 01:18:19,949 abruptly upon seeing Blackwing velvet 1835 01:18:18,420 --> 01:18:22,529 Remini collided with her backside and 1836 01:18:19,949 --> 01:18:23,689 stumbled with a moan she was crying 1837 01:18:22,529 --> 01:18:26,009 again 1838 01:18:23,689 --> 01:18:27,389 calamity flew to her wrapping her in one 1839 01:18:26,010 --> 01:18:30,720 of his wings as she moved onto the 1840 01:18:27,390 --> 01:18:34,680 balcony my girls had to make do with 1841 01:18:30,720 --> 01:18:37,850 stealth bucks yes but I where did you 1842 01:18:34,680 --> 01:18:40,700 get that cloak zennith interrupted 1843 01:18:37,850 --> 01:18:44,780 Blackwing gave the zebra tolerant smirk 1844 01:18:40,699 --> 01:18:48,599 yeah as I was saying zebra stealth look 1845 01:18:44,779 --> 01:18:50,090 she fixed me with a serious look you 1846 01:18:48,600 --> 01:18:52,560 have more friends than I thought kid 1847 01:18:50,090 --> 01:18:53,789 we'd barely made it past new Appaloosa 1848 01:18:52,560 --> 01:18:56,190 when the pegasus girl and her kid 1849 01:18:53,789 --> 01:18:57,750 flagged us down turns out they'd heard 1850 01:18:56,189 --> 01:19:00,299 the distress signal two and one to pitch 1851 01:18:57,750 --> 01:19:01,770 in practically gave us enough stealth 1852 01:19:00,300 --> 01:19:03,390 bucks to get in while all you ponies 1853 01:19:01,770 --> 01:19:05,880 were busy with the star spawn and wage a 1854 01:19:03,390 --> 01:19:08,490 war of our own not to mention the cloak 1855 01:19:05,880 --> 01:19:10,060 which I would note I insisted on paying 1856 01:19:08,489 --> 01:19:11,889 her for 1857 01:19:10,060 --> 01:19:14,710 I looked over the railing at the other 1858 01:19:11,890 --> 01:19:16,270 Griffin's in black wings talons the deep 1859 01:19:14,710 --> 01:19:19,560 explosions I'd heard before were now 1860 01:19:16,270 --> 01:19:21,490 obviously from butchers little Gilda oh 1861 01:19:19,560 --> 01:19:25,240 yeah I think she wanted to come in 1862 01:19:21,489 --> 01:19:27,359 herself but well she has a kid a frown 1863 01:19:25,239 --> 01:19:30,519 passed across black wings beak 1864 01:19:27,359 --> 01:19:34,960 who I really hope she adopted because if 1865 01:19:30,520 --> 01:19:36,840 not ooh yeah sir we didn't get to you 1866 01:19:34,960 --> 01:19:38,800 sooner but you're called up to us 1867 01:19:36,840 --> 01:19:40,180 managed to get ourselves trapped in 1868 01:19:38,800 --> 01:19:42,430 generator room for the longest time 1869 01:19:40,180 --> 01:19:43,900 then you ponies come along and not only 1870 01:19:42,430 --> 01:19:47,740 take out the guards sealing us in but 1871 01:19:43,899 --> 01:19:49,539 most of the door too I was standing in 1872 01:19:47,739 --> 01:19:53,590 an abattoir that had once been my home 1873 01:19:49,539 --> 01:19:56,529 and yet I found myself laughing it was 1874 01:19:53,590 --> 01:19:59,369 not a good laugh it was a hurting 1875 01:19:56,529 --> 01:20:02,259 horrified emotionally wrung out laugh 1876 01:19:59,369 --> 01:20:05,890 the laugh of a pony that can't scream or 1877 01:20:02,260 --> 01:20:08,470 cry I forced myself to stop as the 1878 01:20:05,890 --> 01:20:11,740 security door slid open the overmare 1879 01:20:08,470 --> 01:20:15,170 stood there gazing at us and behind her 1880 01:20:11,739 --> 01:20:19,340 was a throng of terrified ponies 1881 01:20:15,170 --> 01:20:21,739 is it safe one of them asked I found 1882 01:20:19,340 --> 01:20:26,529 that I couldn't find my voice I was 1883 01:20:21,738 --> 01:20:29,329 petrified yep Calamity answered for us 1884 01:20:26,529 --> 01:20:30,619 Rudi at the last of them the ones in the 1885 01:20:29,329 --> 01:20:32,119 school that good ponies he just got 1886 01:20:30,619 --> 01:20:36,229 wrapped up in something really horribly 1887 01:20:32,119 --> 01:20:37,819 bad they'll be leaving soon with us the 1888 01:20:36,229 --> 01:20:41,509 auto axes making cutting through the 1889 01:20:37,819 --> 01:20:44,599 welded door a much quicker task thank 1890 01:20:41,510 --> 01:20:46,659 you the overmare said to all of us then 1891 01:20:44,600 --> 01:20:49,100 she shooed the other ponies back inside 1892 01:20:46,659 --> 01:20:51,979 they did not need to see any more of 1893 01:20:49,100 --> 01:20:54,579 what had become the atrium littlepip 1894 01:20:51,979 --> 01:20:57,079 valid remedy would you please come in 1895 01:20:54,579 --> 01:20:59,840 the overmare motion for us to enter the 1896 01:20:57,079 --> 01:21:01,429 formerly sealed wing clemmy's wid his 1897 01:20:59,840 --> 01:21:04,130 wing from valeton poked her towards the 1898 01:21:01,429 --> 01:21:07,219 overmare with his nose she moved slowly 1899 01:21:04,130 --> 01:21:10,369 but with ladylike grace I followed 1900 01:21:07,219 --> 01:21:14,050 feeling clumsy and small and horrible 1901 01:21:10,369 --> 01:21:16,189 and then there was blood everywhere 1902 01:21:14,050 --> 01:21:20,329 sparkling cider did a wave with his hoof 1903 01:21:16,189 --> 01:21:21,710 like this and fell down as the overmare 1904 01:21:20,329 --> 01:21:23,929 slowly guided us through the crowd 1905 01:21:21,710 --> 01:21:28,369 towards her office a familiar voice 1906 01:21:23,929 --> 01:21:32,210 froze me in place mother 1907 01:21:28,369 --> 01:21:34,729 I looked up and there she was standing 1908 01:21:32,210 --> 01:21:38,630 in a small clique of her friends notably 1909 01:21:34,729 --> 01:21:40,189 absent mrs. Sparkle cider she turned and 1910 01:21:38,630 --> 01:21:44,930 looked at me with a vaguely scandalized 1911 01:21:40,189 --> 01:21:47,119 expression is that little pip she asked 1912 01:21:44,930 --> 01:21:49,760 one of her friends the other mayor 1913 01:21:47,119 --> 01:21:53,359 answered an affirmative I don't even 1914 01:21:49,760 --> 01:21:55,970 recognize her mother said not with awe 1915 01:21:53,359 --> 01:21:58,939 or maliciousness but as a casual 1916 01:21:55,970 --> 01:22:01,520 statement of truth I thought all the 1917 01:21:58,939 --> 01:22:04,099 Life Drain for me she looked me over my 1918 01:22:01,520 --> 01:22:06,200 blood had turned to ice water my stomach 1919 01:22:04,100 --> 01:22:09,140 knotted up then sank to the lowest part 1920 01:22:06,199 --> 01:22:11,809 of my body could find the world seems to 1921 01:22:09,140 --> 01:22:13,310 stretch away from me she turned away 1922 01:22:11,810 --> 01:22:15,260 from me delving back into her 1923 01:22:13,310 --> 01:22:18,860 conversation my present is barely 1924 01:22:15,260 --> 01:22:21,350 augmenting her tale I was traumatized I 1925 01:22:18,859 --> 01:22:24,619 mean I'm gonna have nightmares forever 1926 01:22:21,350 --> 01:22:27,470 I'm a therapy as horrible as this sounds 1927 01:22:24,619 --> 01:22:29,569 my first thought was that'll never come 1928 01:22:27,470 --> 01:22:32,510 out of this apron coz he was wearing 1929 01:22:29,569 --> 01:22:36,559 this wonderful lovely yellow one with 1930 01:22:32,510 --> 01:22:39,560 the I spotted the glow from her horn so 1931 01:22:36,560 --> 01:22:42,230 very soft and the bottle floating nearby 1932 01:22:39,560 --> 01:22:46,400 surrounded in the same light she was 1933 01:22:42,229 --> 01:22:48,199 drunk of course she was drunk that's how 1934 01:22:46,399 --> 01:22:49,489 she always protected herself from 1935 01:22:48,199 --> 01:22:51,889 whatever crisis she thought she was 1936 01:22:49,489 --> 01:22:53,170 going through and this had been a real 1937 01:22:51,890 --> 01:22:58,640 one 1938 01:22:53,170 --> 01:23:03,989 still she was alive alive and exactly 1939 01:22:58,640 --> 01:23:06,520 the same I was right here again 1940 01:23:03,988 --> 01:23:09,279 mom 1941 01:23:06,520 --> 01:23:11,380 suddenly velvet remedy was between us 1942 01:23:09,279 --> 01:23:12,880 and her hoof was striking my mother 1943 01:23:11,380 --> 01:23:17,829 across the face so hard it knocked her 1944 01:23:12,880 --> 01:23:19,710 down I stared velvet remedy had just hit 1945 01:23:17,829 --> 01:23:21,640 my mother 1946 01:23:19,710 --> 01:23:23,289 Velvets voice sounded like she was 1947 01:23:21,640 --> 01:23:27,070 throwing all the hurt and rage in her 1948 01:23:23,289 --> 01:23:30,970 behind it it wasn't a scream but somehow 1949 01:23:27,069 --> 01:23:36,489 it was much louder than that you have 1950 01:23:30,970 --> 01:23:37,949 suffered nothing she turned from my 1951 01:23:36,489 --> 01:23:44,079 wide-eyed mother and lowered her head 1952 01:23:37,949 --> 01:23:45,309 pushing me away there are no thanks 1953 01:23:44,079 --> 01:23:48,369 which are enough for your bravery and 1954 01:23:45,310 --> 01:23:49,930 heroism the overmare told us thanking us 1955 01:23:48,369 --> 01:23:53,140 yet again for coming too stable to his 1956 01:23:49,930 --> 01:23:56,140 rescue and little pip I owe you such an 1957 01:23:53,140 --> 01:23:59,760 apology you are always welcome here this 1958 01:23:56,140 --> 01:24:03,280 is your home I looked up at the overmare 1959 01:23:59,760 --> 01:24:06,510 then down to my body I was caked in 1960 01:24:03,279 --> 01:24:13,139 blood maybe half of it mine 1961 01:24:06,510 --> 01:24:15,300 no no the Overmeyer asked i have no 1962 01:24:13,140 --> 01:24:18,390 place here not anymore 1963 01:24:15,300 --> 01:24:19,710 i looked up at velvet remedy he was 1964 01:24:18,390 --> 01:24:22,980 laying on a couch in the overmare's 1965 01:24:19,710 --> 01:24:26,310 office across from me I've been outside 1966 01:24:22,979 --> 01:24:28,889 for five weeks and look at me as much as 1967 01:24:26,310 --> 01:24:32,490 I try I'm not the same pony I was when I 1968 01:24:28,890 --> 01:24:36,090 left and I never can be the wastelands 1969 01:24:32,489 --> 01:24:37,380 changed me bloodied me maybe even poison 1970 01:24:36,090 --> 01:24:39,930 me like it has set everything else 1971 01:24:37,380 --> 01:24:43,940 outside I can't come back 1972 01:24:39,930 --> 01:24:46,680 I can't bring that poison in here I 1973 01:24:43,939 --> 01:24:52,379 think it's already gotten in the 1974 01:24:46,680 --> 01:24:55,409 overmare said sadly I nodded I know but 1975 01:24:52,380 --> 01:24:57,600 these ponies are good ponies innocent 1976 01:24:55,409 --> 01:25:00,659 ponies they need to treasure that and 1977 01:24:57,600 --> 01:25:02,640 hold it as long as they can you need to 1978 01:25:00,659 --> 01:25:05,300 wash with a blood clean away the bodies 1979 01:25:02,640 --> 01:25:07,110 try to make stable to write again 1980 01:25:05,300 --> 01:25:12,810 tonight will be enough of a nightmare 1981 01:25:07,109 --> 01:25:14,069 already the overmare nodded then is 1982 01:25:12,810 --> 01:25:16,820 there anything I can do for you in 1983 01:25:14,069 --> 01:25:20,909 return for all you've done for us I 1984 01:25:16,819 --> 01:25:23,909 thought about it then look into her eyes 1985 01:25:20,909 --> 01:25:27,239 yes first we need to arrange for some 1986 01:25:23,909 --> 01:25:31,529 sort of payment for the Griffons payment 1987 01:25:27,239 --> 01:25:35,069 the overmare blinked um I see they're 1988 01:25:31,529 --> 01:25:36,779 mercenaries mercenaries who came to 1989 01:25:35,069 --> 01:25:39,449 stable twos aid without contract or 1990 01:25:36,779 --> 01:25:42,179 promise of payment velvet remedy swiftly 1991 01:25:39,449 --> 01:25:44,659 added because they trust us to do right 1992 01:25:42,180 --> 01:25:47,220 by them in return 1993 01:25:44,659 --> 01:25:50,639 then I will not solve your reputation 1994 01:25:47,220 --> 01:25:56,760 velvet darling the overmare turned to me 1995 01:25:50,640 --> 01:26:00,210 and there was something else yes I want 1996 01:25:56,760 --> 01:26:03,600 access to the overmare's records that 1997 01:26:00,210 --> 01:26:06,710 she did bulk at I want to look into the 1998 01:26:03,600 --> 01:26:11,520 population records no more 1999 01:26:06,710 --> 01:26:11,869 somehow she liked that even less I do as 2000 01:26:11,520 --> 01:26:14,730 well 2001 01:26:11,869 --> 01:26:17,239 velvet remedy said getting up and moving 2002 01:26:14,729 --> 01:26:19,409 to my side I was still conflicted 2003 01:26:17,239 --> 01:26:23,699 wanting to simultaneously hugger and 2004 01:26:19,409 --> 01:26:26,340 buck her for striking my mother you know 2005 01:26:23,699 --> 01:26:27,599 the overmare said slowly addressing 2006 01:26:26,340 --> 01:26:29,100 velvet 2007 01:26:27,600 --> 01:26:31,200 when I gave you sweetie bells 2008 01:26:29,100 --> 01:26:32,460 possessions to look through it was with 2009 01:26:31,199 --> 01:26:33,689 the hopes that her rich history as a 2010 01:26:32,460 --> 01:26:36,779 musician would persuade you to accept 2011 01:26:33,689 --> 01:26:39,139 your career I hadn't expected you to use 2012 01:26:36,779 --> 01:26:45,750 the opportunity to find a way to escape 2013 01:26:39,140 --> 01:26:47,100 she frowned CMC 3 BFF clearly I needed 2014 01:26:45,750 --> 01:26:48,899 to give the recordings of a previous 2015 01:26:47,100 --> 01:26:52,100 overmare a much closer inspection before 2016 01:26:48,899 --> 01:26:56,639 allowing them into anypony else's hooves 2017 01:26:52,100 --> 01:26:58,840 that would remedy shook her head you had 2018 01:26:56,640 --> 01:27:01,750 to have known 2019 01:26:58,840 --> 01:27:05,829 I may have suspected but I thought it 2020 01:27:01,750 --> 01:27:06,719 would make the better choice I did make 2021 01:27:05,829 --> 01:27:12,670 the better choice 2022 01:27:06,719 --> 01:27:13,989 velvet Remy said firmly I found what I 2023 01:27:12,670 --> 01:27:16,139 was looking for in the population 2024 01:27:13,988 --> 01:27:17,968 records within the first few minutes she 2025 01:27:16,139 --> 01:27:21,190 made it 2026 01:27:17,969 --> 01:27:23,579 Applejack made it into stable two she 2027 01:27:21,189 --> 01:27:25,809 was here when the stable door sealed 2028 01:27:23,579 --> 01:27:28,929 according to the records she lived 2029 01:27:25,810 --> 01:27:31,239 peacefully for another 25 years happy or 2030 01:27:28,929 --> 01:27:32,859 at least as happy as somepony could be 2031 01:27:31,238 --> 01:27:35,848 living in a stable and knowing the world 2032 01:27:32,859 --> 01:27:39,339 above them had been obliterated still 2033 01:27:35,849 --> 01:27:41,139 she had survived according to the 2034 01:27:39,340 --> 01:27:43,029 records she spent 10 years down here 2035 01:27:41,139 --> 01:27:45,969 bucking the stables apple orchard until 2036 01:27:43,029 --> 01:27:47,408 a hip injury forced her to retire the 2037 01:27:45,969 --> 01:27:48,698 doctor's addendum suggested that 2038 01:27:47,408 --> 01:27:52,059 weakening hips might have been a genetic 2039 01:27:48,698 --> 01:27:54,309 ailment common to her family even after 2040 01:27:52,060 --> 01:27:56,260 that she spent another 10 years cooking 2041 01:27:54,310 --> 01:27:59,860 for stable inhabitants from the kitchen 2042 01:27:56,260 --> 01:28:02,380 of what was now the staple to saloon she 2043 01:27:59,859 --> 01:28:03,729 passed away peacefully and unlike other 2044 01:28:02,380 --> 01:28:06,130 stable residents who were incinerated 2045 01:28:03,729 --> 01:28:10,329 the overmare insisted that she be buried 2046 01:28:06,130 --> 01:28:12,300 in the apple orchard she was I paused in 2047 01:28:10,329 --> 01:28:17,368 my reading 2048 01:28:12,300 --> 01:28:19,409 I walked into pallet stall the always 2049 01:28:17,368 --> 01:28:20,939 messy paint splashed artist of stable - 2050 01:28:19,408 --> 01:28:23,879 had survived the slaughter and was 2051 01:28:20,939 --> 01:28:25,379 already diving into a new project the 2052 01:28:23,880 --> 01:28:27,659 steel Ranger stood very still in front 2053 01:28:25,380 --> 01:28:29,219 of her obediently at attention as she 2054 01:28:27,658 --> 01:28:30,868 painted over the symbol of the magical 2055 01:28:29,219 --> 01:28:35,489 sparks and gears with three candy red 2056 01:28:30,868 --> 01:28:37,558 apples steel hose plotted up to me I'm 2057 01:28:35,488 --> 01:28:40,948 no longer fit to wear the steel Rangers 2058 01:28:37,559 --> 01:28:43,590 armor but I can't take it off he said as 2059 01:28:40,948 --> 01:28:45,388 I took in his new look like the Ranger 2060 01:28:43,590 --> 01:28:46,710 being painted he too had the steel 2061 01:28:45,389 --> 01:28:49,739 Ranger symbol painted over with the 2062 01:28:46,710 --> 01:28:51,868 likeness of Apple Jacks cutie mark the 2063 01:28:49,738 --> 01:28:53,368 red paint continued from there accenting 2064 01:28:51,868 --> 01:28:56,609 the ridges and edges all over the rest 2065 01:28:53,368 --> 01:29:01,109 of his armor so I thought this would be 2066 01:28:56,609 --> 01:29:02,969 appropriate I was a little surprised he 2067 01:29:01,109 --> 01:29:05,179 didn't go with orange but I could see 2068 01:29:02,969 --> 01:29:08,789 sticking with the cutie marks color 2069 01:29:05,179 --> 01:29:10,739 they're all doing it I asked looking at 2070 01:29:08,789 --> 01:29:14,460 the Steel Ranger being painted and then 2071 01:29:10,738 --> 01:29:15,899 down the line of the halt everypony who 2072 01:29:14,460 --> 01:29:18,899 has decided to return to the true 2073 01:29:15,899 --> 01:29:20,848 meaning of the oath that is the oath as 2074 01:29:18,899 --> 01:29:23,609 a Applejack would have wanted it he we 2075 01:29:20,849 --> 01:29:26,960 need we won't be able to call ourselves 2076 01:29:23,609 --> 01:29:30,509 steel Rangers anymore I won't be able to 2077 01:29:26,960 --> 01:29:32,828 in grunt that's going to take some 2078 01:29:30,510 --> 01:29:36,559 getting used to 2079 01:29:32,828 --> 01:29:39,158 well you call yourself then I suggested 2080 01:29:36,559 --> 01:29:39,159 Applejack's Rangers 2081 01:29:39,239 --> 01:29:48,329 hmm I'm hardly worthy of that but maybe 2082 01:29:44,689 --> 01:29:51,960 we will see for now we're simply 2083 01:29:48,329 --> 01:29:56,010 outcasts he looked away his metal sheath 2084 01:29:51,960 --> 01:29:58,319 tail swinging I have to go for just a 2085 01:29:56,010 --> 01:30:01,680 little bit I'm taking the others up to 2086 01:29:58,319 --> 01:30:03,479 stable 29 I've been in contact with star 2087 01:30:01,680 --> 01:30:05,880 piloting crossroads and she immediately 2088 01:30:03,479 --> 01:30:08,009 joined the cause she's already planning 2089 01:30:05,880 --> 01:30:10,409 to make stable 29 to someplace we can 2090 01:30:08,010 --> 01:30:13,110 operate out of all it needs is a 2091 01:30:10,409 --> 01:30:15,559 functioning water talisman but there's 2092 01:30:13,109 --> 01:30:15,559 another problem 2093 01:30:15,590 --> 01:30:26,190 elder cottage-cheese right as calamity 2094 01:30:20,310 --> 01:30:27,330 would say yup Stielow snickered looks 2095 01:30:26,189 --> 01:30:29,369 like you were right about him 2096 01:30:27,329 --> 01:30:30,899 Cross says he sent a squad of Steel 2097 01:30:29,369 --> 01:30:33,300 Rangers to the Canterlot ruins to 2098 01:30:30,899 --> 01:30:36,210 retrieve that black book for him but 2099 01:30:33,300 --> 01:30:39,659 they haven't returned yet if we can get 2100 01:30:36,210 --> 01:30:41,590 a stable 29 before they do you have a 2101 01:30:39,659 --> 01:30:43,510 ride 2102 01:30:41,590 --> 01:30:47,380 do you really think calamity can haul 2103 01:30:43,510 --> 01:30:50,800 ten more steel ring uh outcasts all the 2104 01:30:47,380 --> 01:30:54,869 way to fetlock it's a passenger wagon I 2105 01:30:50,800 --> 01:30:58,449 commented besides have you met US 2106 01:30:54,869 --> 01:31:01,420 Steel's laughed alright 2107 01:30:58,449 --> 01:31:03,970 but after you drop us off you need to 2108 01:31:01,420 --> 01:31:08,130 head to tenpony tower no more delays 2109 01:31:03,970 --> 01:31:11,619 I'll catch up to you later I promise I 2110 01:31:08,130 --> 01:31:15,039 nodded solemnly I was going to hold him 2111 01:31:11,619 --> 01:31:16,390 to that I started to walk away and then 2112 01:31:15,039 --> 01:31:21,130 remembered what had caused me to seek 2113 01:31:16,390 --> 01:31:24,539 him out steelo's we need to talk 2114 01:31:21,130 --> 01:31:24,539 somewhere private 2115 01:31:25,788 --> 01:31:33,109 applejack didn't leave you steal those 2116 01:31:29,300 --> 01:31:35,779 shook his head yes she did she chose to 2117 01:31:33,109 --> 01:31:36,348 be with her family and I don't blame her 2118 01:31:35,779 --> 01:31:41,349 for that 2119 01:31:36,349 --> 01:31:44,279 I never have he pasted a little we 2120 01:31:41,349 --> 01:31:47,819 weren't exactly 2121 01:31:44,279 --> 01:31:49,170 our relationship was in a bad place we 2122 01:31:47,819 --> 01:31:52,469 were trying to put it back together but 2123 01:31:49,170 --> 01:31:56,010 it really wasn't going to work and we 2124 01:31:52,470 --> 01:31:59,789 both knew it I loved her and I let her 2125 01:31:56,010 --> 01:32:05,699 go I whimpered inside but I stood firm 2126 01:31:59,789 --> 01:32:09,300 uh no Apple snack I said using his real 2127 01:32:05,699 --> 01:32:11,010 name she loved you she tried to come 2128 01:32:09,300 --> 01:32:12,170 back to you but the overmare wouldn't 2129 01:32:11,010 --> 01:32:15,199 let her 2130 01:32:12,170 --> 01:32:19,350 he stopped pacing and looked at me 2131 01:32:15,199 --> 01:32:21,149 wouldn't let her she helped her family 2132 01:32:19,350 --> 01:32:22,100 into the stable and the overmare closed 2133 01:32:21,149 --> 01:32:24,179 the door 2134 01:32:22,100 --> 01:32:25,590 Applejack didn't know that the stable - 2135 01:32:24,180 --> 01:32:27,810 over Mara wasn't her strict orders not 2136 01:32:25,590 --> 01:32:30,630 to open the door for anyone under any 2137 01:32:27,810 --> 01:32:32,070 circumstances not until the atmospheric 2138 01:32:30,630 --> 01:32:35,489 and soil monitors read that the world 2139 01:32:32,069 --> 01:32:36,359 above was clean and safe again it's been 2140 01:32:35,489 --> 01:32:41,279 200 years 2141 01:32:36,359 --> 01:32:43,559 I know stable-tec grossly Mascara lated 2142 01:32:41,279 --> 01:32:45,059 how long it would take but that didn't 2143 01:32:43,560 --> 01:32:46,940 matter because there was no way Sweetie 2144 01:32:45,060 --> 01:32:49,800 Belle was going to let Applejack out 2145 01:32:46,939 --> 01:32:52,259 Applejack wanted to leave she wanted to 2146 01:32:49,800 --> 01:32:54,000 find you the record for Applejack is 2147 01:32:52,260 --> 01:32:56,159 full of annotations about her arguments 2148 01:32:54,000 --> 01:32:57,989 with Sweetie Belle over this but of 2149 01:32:56,159 --> 01:33:00,329 course with her condition and with the 2150 01:32:57,989 --> 01:33:01,469 readings outside there was no way 2151 01:33:00,329 --> 01:33:08,039 Sweetie Belle was going to let her back 2152 01:33:01,470 --> 01:33:11,800 out stilo stomped wait her condition was 2153 01:33:08,039 --> 01:33:15,250 she hurt if those zebras 2154 01:33:11,800 --> 01:33:20,289 I could feel my heart sink Oh goddesses 2155 01:33:15,250 --> 01:33:22,000 he didn't know steel hooves I said my 2156 01:33:20,289 --> 01:33:27,929 voice signing tender and small my own 2157 01:33:22,000 --> 01:33:27,929 ears Applejack was pregnant 2158 01:33:29,289 --> 01:33:34,630 ah I swear the overmare huffed this is 2159 01:33:33,159 --> 01:33:38,760 why I didn't want you becoming a medical 2160 01:33:34,630 --> 01:33:41,890 Pony Velvet Romney glared at her crossly 2161 01:33:38,760 --> 01:33:44,940 you can't help yourself you dig and pry 2162 01:33:41,890 --> 01:33:48,010 you and little pip are a match you know 2163 01:33:44,939 --> 01:33:50,229 velvet took a deep breath you have a 2164 01:33:48,010 --> 01:33:52,690 serious problem here have you even 2165 01:33:50,229 --> 01:33:54,129 looked at the proper relation records do 2166 01:33:52,689 --> 01:33:55,629 you have any idea how many of the 2167 01:33:54,130 --> 01:33:58,300 original inhabitants of this stable were 2168 01:33:55,630 --> 01:34:00,430 extended members of the Apple family by 2169 01:33:58,300 --> 01:34:02,440 Celestia even little PIP and I have a 2170 01:34:00,430 --> 01:34:05,950 common Apple ancestor six generations 2171 01:34:02,439 --> 01:34:07,659 back I had stopped just inside the 2172 01:34:05,949 --> 01:34:12,099 overmare's office watching the two mares 2173 01:34:07,659 --> 01:34:15,369 argue neither had noticed me that's not 2174 01:34:12,100 --> 01:34:17,260 a big deal six generations is a lot if 2175 01:34:15,369 --> 01:34:19,930 this entire stable is in danger of 2176 01:34:17,260 --> 01:34:20,650 becoming completely inbred velvet remedy 2177 01:34:19,930 --> 01:34:24,280 shot back 2178 01:34:20,649 --> 01:34:24,789 I'd say that's a big deal little pip was 2179 01:34:24,279 --> 01:34:26,710 wrong 2180 01:34:24,789 --> 01:34:32,350 you can't stay locked up in here for 2181 01:34:26,710 --> 01:34:33,520 much longer um hello I finally said the 2182 01:34:32,350 --> 01:34:37,210 two mares turn to look at me with 2183 01:34:33,520 --> 01:34:39,570 matching shot expressions maybe there's 2184 01:34:37,210 --> 01:34:39,569 another way 2185 01:34:41,609 --> 01:34:49,710 one last detour it was a small one fast 2186 01:34:45,859 --> 01:34:51,509 15 minutes tops we'd be back to pick up 2187 01:34:49,710 --> 01:34:54,000 the steel ranger outcasts and ferry them 2188 01:34:51,510 --> 01:34:57,000 to fetlock before they knew it and then 2189 01:34:54,000 --> 01:35:00,090 it was on the tenpony tower I needed 2190 01:34:57,000 --> 01:35:05,460 homage I needed to just fall to pieces 2191 01:35:00,090 --> 01:35:07,170 in her embrace I found $1 trem you read 2192 01:35:05,460 --> 01:35:08,789 the word scrawled info like letters on 2193 01:35:07,170 --> 01:35:12,960 the side of the metal monster rusting in 2194 01:35:08,789 --> 01:35:14,579 front of us it was a cannon and it had 2195 01:35:12,960 --> 01:35:17,609 probably been rusting here for years 2196 01:35:14,579 --> 01:35:18,630 even before the war the goddess's only 2197 01:35:17,609 --> 01:35:20,929 knew what had been doing in this 2198 01:35:18,630 --> 01:35:24,510 secluded portion of sweet apple acres 2199 01:35:20,930 --> 01:35:25,500 the trees here grew close the cannon 2200 01:35:24,510 --> 01:35:27,210 would only have been visible to a 2201 01:35:25,500 --> 01:35:29,939 Pegasus flying almost directly overhead 2202 01:35:27,210 --> 01:35:33,329 and it certainly didn't seem to point 2203 01:35:29,939 --> 01:35:34,889 anyplace strategic small patches of the 2204 01:35:33,329 --> 01:35:36,239 old metal muzzle were still polished 2205 01:35:34,890 --> 01:35:38,940 enough to reflect the orange light of 2206 01:35:36,239 --> 01:35:40,260 the Rising Sun the base was partially 2207 01:35:38,939 --> 01:35:42,419 sunk into the ground amongst several 2208 01:35:40,260 --> 01:35:45,449 large rocks making the weapon can't 2209 01:35:42,420 --> 01:35:47,730 strangely nearby was a crumbling picnic 2210 01:35:45,449 --> 01:35:50,899 table there were a few planks of wood 2211 01:35:47,729 --> 01:35:53,089 nailed to a dead tree behind me 2212 01:35:50,899 --> 01:35:55,759 how would these have helped zennith 2213 01:35:53,090 --> 01:35:58,340 asked calamity I had to ask the same 2214 01:35:55,760 --> 01:36:02,869 question this old metal monster couldn't 2215 01:35:58,340 --> 01:36:06,230 possibly fire Clem knee chuckled not the 2216 01:36:02,869 --> 01:36:07,880 cannon he trotted around the pile of 2217 01:36:06,229 --> 01:36:10,729 large stones at the base was partially 2218 01:36:07,880 --> 01:36:12,460 leaning against he tapped his hoof on 2219 01:36:10,729 --> 01:36:19,009 one than the other 2220 01:36:12,460 --> 01:36:22,279 this one a rock I asked the rock a 2221 01:36:19,010 --> 01:36:25,730 destiny our Pegasus friend says grinning 2222 01:36:22,279 --> 01:36:29,349 cryptically I was tired physically and 2223 01:36:25,729 --> 01:36:33,529 mentally exhausted I couldn't keep up 2224 01:36:29,350 --> 01:36:36,850 Destiny's a rock even velvet Romney was 2225 01:36:33,529 --> 01:36:41,059 looking confused clam Leeside 2226 01:36:36,850 --> 01:36:42,770 hollowed-out rock he explained this rock 2227 01:36:41,060 --> 01:36:44,330 has been used by every - ID since the 2228 01:36:42,770 --> 01:36:46,700 first Pegasus was hunted down by the 2229 01:36:44,329 --> 01:36:48,470 Enclave and branded her for leaving it's 2230 01:36:46,699 --> 01:36:51,439 enchanted to only open for somepony who 2231 01:36:48,470 --> 01:36:52,880 done know the proper passphrase he 2232 01:36:51,439 --> 01:36:55,879 looked down at the apparently special 2233 01:36:52,880 --> 01:36:58,069 rock every - that has put something in 2234 01:36:55,880 --> 01:36:59,529 here some token of the life they left 2235 01:36:58,069 --> 01:37:01,929 behind 2236 01:36:59,529 --> 01:37:05,889 how did the Pegasus enchant a rock 2237 01:37:01,930 --> 01:37:08,900 velvet remedy asked Clem Lee shrugged 2238 01:37:05,890 --> 01:37:12,590 well I assumed she had somepony else to 2239 01:37:08,899 --> 01:37:15,109 do it for or perhaps a zebra helped her 2240 01:37:12,590 --> 01:37:17,690 zennith offered 2241 01:37:15,109 --> 01:37:19,579 Calamity took a deep breath tapped out 2242 01:37:17,689 --> 01:37:22,519 the rock again with itself and said 2243 01:37:19,579 --> 01:37:24,789 loudly and clearly cutie marks don't 2244 01:37:22,520 --> 01:37:24,790 matter