1 00:00:00,439 --> 00:00:05,849 Rane what had once started off as a 2 00:00:04,080 --> 00:00:07,919 light drizzle in the morning was a gusty 3 00:00:05,849 --> 00:00:09,980 downpours I laughter noon with ambitions 4 00:00:07,918 --> 00:00:12,388 towards a brutal deluge by the evening 5 00:00:09,980 --> 00:00:14,880 the main hatun ruins matched the clouds 6 00:00:12,388 --> 00:00:17,778 above in a montage of gray on gray made 7 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:19,949 hazy by a screen of precipitation 8 00:00:17,778 --> 00:00:22,170 raindrops bombed the puddles on the roof 9 00:00:19,949 --> 00:00:23,970 tenpony tower swelling them until their 10 00:00:22,170 --> 00:00:26,939 edges pushed together kissing and 11 00:00:23,969 --> 00:00:28,108 coupling into miniature lakes zenith's 12 00:00:26,939 --> 00:00:29,640 hooves splashed through them as she 13 00:00:28,109 --> 00:00:32,910 carried the last of our supplies across 14 00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:34,350 to the sky bandit I watched as she rose 15 00:00:32,909 --> 00:00:37,828 up to her hind hooves and passed the bag 16 00:00:34,350 --> 00:00:39,660 to calamity is toward inside my gaze 17 00:00:37,829 --> 00:00:41,939 lingered on her taking in the shrubs 18 00:00:39,659 --> 00:00:43,878 that covered her back rippling a little 19 00:00:41,939 --> 00:00:46,709 as the muscles beneath her cope moved I 20 00:00:43,878 --> 00:00:49,558 had to agree with homage I liked her 21 00:00:46,710 --> 00:00:51,149 better this way as pleased as I was to 22 00:00:49,558 --> 00:00:52,530 give her the opportunity to shop and 23 00:00:51,149 --> 00:00:54,539 mingle amongst the ponies of tenpony 24 00:00:52,530 --> 00:00:58,020 tower I was happy to see her stripes 25 00:00:54,539 --> 00:01:01,109 again removing the dye had been a little 26 00:00:58,020 --> 00:01:02,460 more difficult than I had anticipated it 27 00:01:01,109 --> 00:01:04,618 would have taken weeks for a coat to 28 00:01:02,460 --> 00:01:05,849 resume its color naturally or multiple 29 00:01:04,618 --> 00:01:07,769 herbal baths that would have depleted 30 00:01:05,849 --> 00:01:10,319 supplies and it insisted were best kept 31 00:01:07,769 --> 00:01:12,209 for other uses so he sought out life 32 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:13,759 bloom hoping he might know a spell that 33 00:01:12,209 --> 00:01:16,259 would remove the false coloring 34 00:01:13,760 --> 00:01:19,439 fortunately he did and offer to teach it 35 00:01:16,259 --> 00:01:21,599 to us with a small fee velvet remedy 36 00:01:19,438 --> 00:01:22,919 jumped at the opportunity she was 37 00:01:21,599 --> 00:01:25,250 certain that the spell should follow in 38 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:27,570 the boundaries of her magical prowess 39 00:01:25,250 --> 00:01:29,368 cosmetic magic was at least ten gently 40 00:01:27,569 --> 00:01:31,819 tied to the medical entertainment spells 41 00:01:29,368 --> 00:01:34,019 that came naturally to her after all I 42 00:01:31,819 --> 00:01:35,508 recalled how easily she had cleaned the 43 00:01:34,019 --> 00:01:37,759 sky bandit with her magic once I 44 00:01:35,509 --> 00:01:40,109 expected this to be even easier 45 00:01:37,759 --> 00:01:42,209 but while velvet was at capable of 46 00:01:40,109 --> 00:01:43,709 casting the spell it proved surprisingly 47 00:01:42,209 --> 00:01:46,559 taxing for her and yielded somewhat 48 00:01:43,709 --> 00:01:48,149 limited effects the dye had faded only 49 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:51,629 enough to turn ZENIT's once white coat 50 00:01:48,149 --> 00:01:54,868 into a muddy grey I give it my best 51 00:01:51,629 --> 00:01:56,310 effort but in vain my horn would not 52 00:01:54,868 --> 00:01:59,609 even Dean a glow as I poured my 53 00:01:56,310 --> 00:02:02,350 concentration to the spell in the end we 54 00:01:59,609 --> 00:02:04,989 had to pay life flew in to cast himself 55 00:02:02,349 --> 00:02:07,780 you are staring at her ass aren't you 56 00:02:04,989 --> 00:02:09,280 how much whispered into my ear startling 57 00:02:07,780 --> 00:02:12,430 me just as my gaze had slid down to 58 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:13,959 linger on ZENIT's rear my ear shot up an 59 00:02:12,430 --> 00:02:17,099 alarm and I felt myself blushing as I 60 00:02:13,959 --> 00:02:20,379 stammered with what no no I was just 61 00:02:17,099 --> 00:02:24,239 plotting that's it with the plan and the 62 00:02:20,379 --> 00:02:29,079 plots and the things almost chuckled 63 00:02:24,239 --> 00:02:31,719 sure you were adopting amusing tone the 64 00:02:29,080 --> 00:02:33,670 gray unicorn teased softly next time 65 00:02:31,719 --> 00:02:37,180 I'll try to give you those instructions 66 00:02:33,669 --> 00:02:38,500 you wanted I blushed harder thankful 67 00:02:37,180 --> 00:02:41,590 that she wasn't speaking loudly enough 68 00:02:38,500 --> 00:02:43,780 for my friends to hear although I'm not 69 00:02:41,590 --> 00:02:45,310 sure how you're such a delightfully 70 00:02:43,780 --> 00:02:46,959 sensitive thing when I demonstrate on to 71 00:02:45,310 --> 00:02:50,769 you you would have a hard time focusing 72 00:02:46,959 --> 00:02:53,709 on the lesson Lunas mercy my ears were 73 00:02:50,769 --> 00:02:56,370 burning and I'll admit it would be 74 00:02:53,709 --> 00:02:58,539 difficult for me to concentrate as well 75 00:02:56,370 --> 00:03:01,719 Alma Gillian close and whispered into my 76 00:02:58,539 --> 00:03:02,579 ear maybe bringing in a third party 77 00:03:01,719 --> 00:03:07,479 would be in order 78 00:03:02,580 --> 00:03:09,130 Xan it's perhaps I felt myself splashed 79 00:03:07,479 --> 00:03:11,439 into a puddle before I realized my legs 80 00:03:09,129 --> 00:03:12,939 had gone out from under me the rooftop 81 00:03:11,439 --> 00:03:14,560 water was cold and soaked beneath my 82 00:03:12,939 --> 00:03:18,370 armor getting trapped against my coat 83 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:21,909 and skin how much giggled she was joking 84 00:03:18,370 --> 00:03:23,950 of course she had to be as I picked 85 00:03:21,909 --> 00:03:25,419 myself up my mind had already dug out 86 00:03:23,949 --> 00:03:26,409 half a dozen reasons why a threesome 87 00:03:25,419 --> 00:03:28,358 with his Ennis would be out of the 88 00:03:26,409 --> 00:03:29,709 question not the least of which being 89 00:03:28,359 --> 00:03:32,439 that the shrived mayor didn't like to be 90 00:03:29,709 --> 00:03:33,789 touched but the little gray unicorn had 91 00:03:32,439 --> 00:03:35,680 planted the seeds of a fantasy in my 92 00:03:33,789 --> 00:03:38,949 head now knowing it would not make my 93 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:41,019 time away from her any easier I shot 94 00:03:38,949 --> 00:03:42,548 homage and annoyed glare deciding this 95 00:03:41,019 --> 00:03:43,900 was probably her revenge for my having 96 00:03:42,549 --> 00:03:47,530 responded to one of her favorite toys 97 00:03:43,900 --> 00:03:52,079 with a lack of enthusiasm you're just a 98 00:03:47,530 --> 00:03:52,079 bit evil i hissed you know that right 99 00:03:53,129 --> 00:03:57,879 what's this I asked his velvet Remini 100 00:03:56,319 --> 00:04:01,169 floated some sort of railing onto the 101 00:03:57,879 --> 00:04:05,019 roof of the sky bandit luggage rack 102 00:04:01,169 --> 00:04:06,669 sorta calamity said as he landed on top 103 00:04:05,020 --> 00:04:09,790 of the rain-slicked passenger wagon and 104 00:04:06,669 --> 00:04:11,409 began to tuck straps tight I figured the 105 00:04:09,789 --> 00:04:12,729 way steel hose took on that stars bond 106 00:04:11,409 --> 00:04:14,979 thing while standing on the roof worked 107 00:04:12,729 --> 00:04:16,870 out mighty good setting up a mountain 108 00:04:14,979 --> 00:04:18,310 position for a pony to ride topside even 109 00:04:16,870 --> 00:04:21,579 if I need to do some fancy maneuvering 110 00:04:18,310 --> 00:04:24,040 as calamity pulled a little welder off 111 00:04:21,579 --> 00:04:26,259 his saddlebags the reward I assumed of 112 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:30,390 recent bartering velvet remedy primly 113 00:04:26,259 --> 00:04:32,439 added it can also carry the luggage 114 00:04:30,389 --> 00:04:35,620 putting the welder down and checking his 115 00:04:32,439 --> 00:04:37,019 work calamity suggested I reckon it 116 00:04:35,620 --> 00:04:39,250 wouldn't hurt to put some mam on or to 117 00:04:37,019 --> 00:04:41,409 its lowest down I'd have to take more 118 00:04:39,250 --> 00:04:42,699 breaks more often but some ablative 119 00:04:41,410 --> 00:04:46,000 plates would make her a whole lot safer 120 00:04:42,699 --> 00:04:47,500 I got that feeling calamity was 121 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:50,110 expecting a fight I didn't know was 122 00:04:47,500 --> 00:04:52,240 coming was this part of the plan to deal 123 00:04:50,110 --> 00:04:54,970 with the goddess something I'd made sure 124 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:56,470 I wouldn't be aware of or maybe this had 125 00:04:54,970 --> 00:04:59,950 to do with his new concerns regarding 126 00:04:56,470 --> 00:05:01,390 the Enclave if it was the former we 127 00:04:59,949 --> 00:05:03,399 would be better off if I didn't ask him 128 00:05:01,389 --> 00:05:04,839 about it pressing the issue would leave 129 00:05:03,399 --> 00:05:07,689 him in an uncomfortable position of 130 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:08,918 having to lie to me worse I could cause 131 00:05:07,689 --> 00:05:12,810 him to slip and give away something 132 00:05:08,918 --> 00:05:14,918 important I would just have to trust him 133 00:05:12,810 --> 00:05:17,290 my thoughts flicked back to the memory 134 00:05:14,918 --> 00:05:18,879 orbs I had viewed yesterday according to 135 00:05:17,290 --> 00:05:19,890 calamity I had told me it was safe for 136 00:05:18,879 --> 00:05:22,329 me to view them 137 00:05:19,889 --> 00:05:25,000 had I known about them I would have been 138 00:05:22,329 --> 00:05:26,349 driven to distraction by curiosity but I 139 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:27,699 had not even been aware of them until 140 00:05:26,350 --> 00:05:30,250 calamity had set them on the table and 141 00:05:27,699 --> 00:05:31,689 sent them rolling towards me now I 142 00:05:30,250 --> 00:05:33,639 wondered if this was just a gift to 143 00:05:31,689 --> 00:05:35,019 myself or if there was some piece of 144 00:05:33,639 --> 00:05:38,649 information in the orbs I felt I needed 145 00:05:35,019 --> 00:05:40,779 to know the first orb held a wealth of 146 00:05:38,649 --> 00:05:42,250 information two elements stood out 147 00:05:40,779 --> 00:05:44,979 amongst the others the first being 148 00:05:42,250 --> 00:05:47,949 division of the black book clearly the 149 00:05:44,980 --> 00:05:50,319 black book was itself a soul jar 150 00:05:47,949 --> 00:05:52,800 at first I wondered of rarity had made 151 00:05:50,319 --> 00:05:55,149 it one but I dismissed the idea quickly 152 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:56,710 far more likely it had been infused with 153 00:05:55,149 --> 00:05:59,079 the soul of the Mads you were alchemists 154 00:05:56,709 --> 00:06:00,370 who had written it if the zebras feared 155 00:05:59,079 --> 00:06:02,649 and loathed everything they associated 156 00:06:00,370 --> 00:06:04,629 with the Stars and the black book was 157 00:06:02,649 --> 00:06:06,819 supposedly dictated to that mad zebra in 158 00:06:04,629 --> 00:06:07,870 dreams this explained how the book could 159 00:06:06,819 --> 00:06:09,459 have survived destruction for 160 00:06:07,870 --> 00:06:12,370 generations and zebra lands before 161 00:06:09,459 --> 00:06:13,569 finding its way here and that would 162 00:06:12,370 --> 00:06:15,040 certainly have enhanced and given 163 00:06:13,569 --> 00:06:18,069 credence to the darkest legends that 164 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:19,480 formed around it furthermore I recalled 165 00:06:18,069 --> 00:06:22,719 that soldiers could have other magic 166 00:06:19,480 --> 00:06:24,189 hung on them who knew a mystical effects 167 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:27,670 the black book might be asserting over 168 00:06:24,189 --> 00:06:28,779 anypony and vicinity the other aspect of 169 00:06:27,670 --> 00:06:30,310 the orb which stood out to me was the 170 00:06:28,779 --> 00:06:33,039 conversation between Rainbow Dash in 171 00:06:30,310 --> 00:06:34,530 those three bucks in that argument I had 172 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:37,000 witnessed the beginnings of the Enclave 173 00:06:34,529 --> 00:06:39,369 the orb spoke to a spreading sentiment 174 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:40,930 among the Pegasus ponies a resentment of 175 00:06:39,370 --> 00:06:43,480 their sacrifices in a war they believed 176 00:06:40,930 --> 00:06:44,620 themselves literally above that had 177 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:47,530 reached the heart of at least one 178 00:06:44,620 --> 00:06:49,000 Pegasus in a position of power one who 179 00:06:47,529 --> 00:06:52,750 would be killed as the first Libra mega 180 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:54,279 spell annihilated Cloudsdale and with it 181 00:06:52,750 --> 00:06:56,379 an acknowledgement that Rainbow Dash 182 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:58,269 here win of the war leader of the shadow 183 00:06:56,379 --> 00:06:59,980 bolts had become a driving force behind 184 00:06:58,269 --> 00:07:02,379 the Pegasus escalating involvement in 185 00:06:59,980 --> 00:07:04,000 the fighting I recalled a news article 186 00:07:02,379 --> 00:07:05,949 in the Philadelphia ministry of image 187 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:08,350 hub in response to the Zebras 188 00:07:05,949 --> 00:07:10,379 recruitment of dragons Luna intended to 189 00:07:08,350 --> 00:07:12,700 strengthen Equestria's pegasi forces 190 00:07:10,379 --> 00:07:14,769 Rainbow Dash is a new magically powered 191 00:07:12,699 --> 00:07:18,039 armor I suspected was at least one part 192 00:07:14,769 --> 00:07:20,439 of that Rainbow Dash had become an icon 193 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:22,090 of pegasi participation boast those who 194 00:07:20,439 --> 00:07:24,430 supported it and those who had grown to 195 00:07:22,089 --> 00:07:27,669 despise it the - shots were almost 196 00:07:24,430 --> 00:07:29,019 foregone conclusion the isolationist 197 00:07:27,670 --> 00:07:33,129 core of the Enclave was at odds with 198 00:07:29,019 --> 00:07:35,219 calamities worries unless unless they 199 00:07:33,129 --> 00:07:37,480 threatened the gardens of Equestria I 200 00:07:35,220 --> 00:07:40,600 see fear shot through my body at the 201 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:42,700 idea but if that was true surely that 202 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:44,129 wasn't something I'd want to forget I'd 203 00:07:42,699 --> 00:07:46,180 need to act on immediately 204 00:07:44,129 --> 00:07:47,949 no bunny would keep me from joining 205 00:07:46,180 --> 00:07:49,500 spike in defense of his cave least of 206 00:07:47,949 --> 00:07:51,389 all myself 207 00:07:49,500 --> 00:07:54,480 the second orb had been deeply 208 00:07:51,389 --> 00:07:56,129 bittersweet in experience I felt such 209 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:57,720 happiness and sadness at seeing five of 210 00:07:56,129 --> 00:08:00,269 the mayors I grown to know and love and 211 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:01,560 a warmer and happier time a spring 212 00:08:00,269 --> 00:08:03,029 before the summer of war that would 213 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:05,250 bring such heartache and horror to all 214 00:08:03,029 --> 00:08:07,379 of them they had stood on the precipice 215 00:08:05,250 --> 00:08:11,040 of something terrible and they had loved 216 00:08:07,379 --> 00:08:12,509 and laughed and danced the memory to the 217 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:15,390 best I could see was of no strategic 218 00:08:12,509 --> 00:08:17,699 value this was not the first I'd heard 219 00:08:15,389 --> 00:08:21,209 of their mission to the buffalo although 220 00:08:17,699 --> 00:08:23,240 now I had much more context instead this 221 00:08:21,209 --> 00:08:25,259 was a vision to the beauty of the past a 222 00:08:23,240 --> 00:08:29,579 reminder of what ponies had once been 223 00:08:25,259 --> 00:08:33,479 and what I prayed could would one day be 224 00:08:29,579 --> 00:08:37,889 again prayer alone is not enough i 225 00:08:33,479 --> 00:08:40,770 murmured to myself no for our world to 226 00:08:37,889 --> 00:08:42,240 change there had to be action there had 227 00:08:40,769 --> 00:08:45,210 to be ponies who would stand up against 228 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:49,680 the darkness and stare it down I would 229 00:08:45,210 --> 00:08:52,470 be such a pony hmm much said standing 230 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:53,819 next to me again I was so shocked by the 231 00:08:52,470 --> 00:08:56,790 rain now that the discomfort from the 232 00:08:53,820 --> 00:08:58,200 puddle earlier had been forgotten he 233 00:08:56,789 --> 00:09:02,939 looked lost in thought so deep he could 234 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:04,500 be in a memory Alba I grimaced I reached 235 00:09:02,940 --> 00:09:07,160 into my saddlebags and floated out the 236 00:09:04,500 --> 00:09:11,370 duty to orbit passing it to homage I 237 00:09:07,159 --> 00:09:12,689 want you to have this I told her you've 238 00:09:11,370 --> 00:09:15,360 been my voice in the darkness more than 239 00:09:12,690 --> 00:09:17,390 once if things ever get too bleak for 240 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:21,690 you to find your way to hope watch this 241 00:09:17,389 --> 00:09:24,088 let her be your guide back on which 242 00:09:21,690 --> 00:09:26,580 cocked her head curiously with half 243 00:09:24,089 --> 00:09:29,440 littered eyes she whispered I won't need 244 00:09:26,580 --> 00:09:31,509 it you are my guide 245 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:34,710 but she slipped a telekinetic blanket of 246 00:09:31,509 --> 00:09:36,879 her own around the gift taking it away I 247 00:09:34,710 --> 00:09:38,710 would fight to make that bright and 248 00:09:36,879 --> 00:09:42,189 innocent past our future once again I 249 00:09:38,710 --> 00:09:43,840 said turning to her even if it means 250 00:09:42,190 --> 00:09:45,160 dashing myself against the evil and 251 00:09:43,840 --> 00:09:48,280 cruelty of this wasteland until there's 252 00:09:45,159 --> 00:09:49,299 nothing left of me like the ponies who 253 00:09:48,279 --> 00:09:51,009 cracked and shattered their hooves 254 00:09:49,299 --> 00:09:53,709 pounding at the sealed door of stable to 255 00:09:51,009 --> 00:09:55,929 I would persevere making Equestria a 256 00:09:53,710 --> 00:10:00,250 better place one battle at a time until 257 00:09:55,929 --> 00:10:03,009 there's nothing left me to give and then 258 00:10:00,250 --> 00:10:04,629 when I'm too broken to go on I'll float 259 00:10:03,009 --> 00:10:08,139 my dying body right down the 3rd of 260 00:10:04,629 --> 00:10:10,720 darkness and make it choke on me homage 261 00:10:08,139 --> 00:10:12,929 gave me a sad knowing look then lean 262 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:17,170 forward and nuzzled my cheek softly 263 00:10:12,929 --> 00:10:18,699 forcing a smile I chuckled or you know 264 00:10:17,169 --> 00:10:23,229 this could all end in sunshine and 265 00:10:18,700 --> 00:10:24,640 rainbows no need to get pessimistic much 266 00:10:23,230 --> 00:10:27,340 laugh despite the tears that have begun 267 00:10:24,639 --> 00:10:31,360 to well in her eyes or maybe that was 268 00:10:27,340 --> 00:10:34,690 just the rain speaking of orbs I said 269 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:36,779 changing the subject on which blinked in 270 00:10:34,690 --> 00:10:39,550 the rain and smiled wanly 271 00:10:36,779 --> 00:10:41,049 got it if they want to see her memories 272 00:10:39,549 --> 00:10:42,729 in order to get to know you then they 273 00:10:41,049 --> 00:10:44,979 need to have as much context as possible 274 00:10:42,730 --> 00:10:46,450 so anyone viewing them was required to 275 00:10:44,980 --> 00:10:50,379 watch them in order starting with the 276 00:10:46,450 --> 00:10:52,650 first perfect I replied 277 00:10:50,379 --> 00:10:55,779 now wearing a more genuine smile 278 00:10:52,649 --> 00:10:56,620 although I prefer we kept orb number 8 279 00:10:55,779 --> 00:11:00,100 to ourselves 280 00:10:56,620 --> 00:11:03,190 Alma added and for the first time I saw 281 00:11:00,100 --> 00:11:06,070 her blush so would I 282 00:11:03,190 --> 00:11:07,420 I admitted bowerly but at the time I 283 00:11:06,070 --> 00:11:08,770 figured that denying them one of the 284 00:11:07,419 --> 00:11:11,199 orbs would undermine the notion that I 285 00:11:08,769 --> 00:11:16,000 have nothing to hide from them sadly I 286 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:19,890 still think so how much nodded indeed it 287 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:21,940 would her gaze shied off to the side 288 00:11:19,889 --> 00:11:24,338 maybe I can persuade them it isn't 289 00:11:21,940 --> 00:11:25,570 necessary at least after the first Pony 290 00:11:24,339 --> 00:11:28,060 sees it 291 00:11:25,570 --> 00:11:29,260 knowing what she could do to me I doubt 292 00:11:28,059 --> 00:11:32,259 it anypony would pass up the opportunity 293 00:11:29,259 --> 00:11:33,819 to experience that the fun of people 294 00:11:32,259 --> 00:11:37,779 enjoying homages attentions meant only 295 00:11:33,820 --> 00:11:40,780 for me as me felt slimy it was a 296 00:11:37,779 --> 00:11:43,299 violation that made me sick inside this 297 00:11:40,779 --> 00:11:44,709 was not a sacrifice I wanted to make but 298 00:11:43,299 --> 00:11:46,329 knowing how much good the secrets locked 299 00:11:44,710 --> 00:11:47,860 away inside the hidden chambers of ten 300 00:11:46,330 --> 00:11:51,300 pony tower could do for all the quest 301 00:11:47,860 --> 00:11:56,700 Riya the pony in my heart demanded it 302 00:11:51,299 --> 00:11:59,199 can I ask why Amish questioned I blinked 303 00:11:56,700 --> 00:12:01,350 she had to know why I was willing to let 304 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:04,660 the Twilight to side into my memories 305 00:12:01,350 --> 00:12:06,460 seeing my confusion she clarified all I 306 00:12:04,659 --> 00:12:08,799 caught that smile you are planning 307 00:12:06,460 --> 00:12:09,759 something why the instructions if it's 308 00:12:08,799 --> 00:12:15,189 not just context 309 00:12:09,759 --> 00:12:17,679 oh I bit back a snicker well it's just 310 00:12:15,190 --> 00:12:20,170 that those memories cover what two days 311 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:22,179 and it takes as long to view a memory as 312 00:12:20,169 --> 00:12:23,409 the events themselves and unlike when I 313 00:12:22,179 --> 00:12:26,259 lived them those ponies will have to 314 00:12:23,409 --> 00:12:30,939 take breaks stop eat sleep do whatever 315 00:12:26,259 --> 00:12:32,409 work those ponies do I shrugged I figure 316 00:12:30,940 --> 00:12:34,480 if we're lucky by the time they get to 317 00:12:32,409 --> 00:12:38,169 more telling orbs everything will all be 318 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:39,399 over and if not well at least I'll have 319 00:12:38,169 --> 00:12:41,379 force the whole bunch of hoity-toity 320 00:12:39,399 --> 00:12:44,620 ponies in tenpony tower to eat zebra 321 00:12:41,379 --> 00:12:45,279 cooking and like it all much broke into 322 00:12:44,620 --> 00:12:47,740 a laugh 323 00:12:45,279 --> 00:12:49,240 the mayor threw her arms around me huh 324 00:12:47,740 --> 00:12:50,560 King me so fiercely we both fell into 325 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:54,509 the small lake that had formed on the 326 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:56,709 roof i splashed her she splashed back 327 00:12:54,509 --> 00:12:58,689 the two of us lay there in the cold 328 00:12:56,710 --> 00:13:00,100 pooling water kicking waves and sprays 329 00:12:58,690 --> 00:13:03,040 at each other until like it's where we 330 00:13:00,100 --> 00:13:06,250 were wetter than the rain was give up 331 00:13:03,039 --> 00:13:08,740 she squealed absolutely not 332 00:13:06,250 --> 00:13:10,269 my finishing move was to telekinetically 333 00:13:08,740 --> 00:13:13,120 grasp about a barrel full of the water 334 00:13:10,269 --> 00:13:14,350 hovering it over her head i pointed up 335 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:15,879 with a hoof and got a most delightful 336 00:13:14,350 --> 00:13:19,029 squeak out of her before dropping the 337 00:13:15,879 --> 00:13:23,230 deluge onto my homage okay okay I give 338 00:13:19,029 --> 00:13:26,319 up she cried out slowly we both got to 339 00:13:23,230 --> 00:13:28,060 our hose homage was shivering dripping 340 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:30,610 and her blue hair hanging straight down 341 00:13:28,059 --> 00:13:32,458 like a wet curtain she was impossibly 342 00:13:30,610 --> 00:13:35,560 beautiful right then 343 00:13:32,458 --> 00:13:38,169 ready to go Velvets voice called out 344 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:39,639 kindly from the sky bandit I turned to 345 00:13:38,169 --> 00:13:40,958 see that calamity had finished attaching 346 00:13:39,639 --> 00:13:42,549 the mounting on the passenger wagons 347 00:13:40,958 --> 00:13:45,778 roof and was already harnessing himself 348 00:13:42,549 --> 00:13:51,039 to the front I looked back to homage 349 00:13:45,778 --> 00:13:53,259 I've got to go I smiled but you'll never 350 00:13:51,039 --> 00:13:56,469 be far I'll be tuned in listening to 351 00:13:53,259 --> 00:13:57,689 your message of hope I gave her horn a 352 00:13:56,470 --> 00:14:02,139 soft kiss 353 00:13:57,690 --> 00:14:04,420 DJ Pony the somber mood of our former 354 00:14:02,139 --> 00:14:07,708 conversation seeped back making my 355 00:14:04,419 --> 00:14:11,919 sopping coat feel all the chillier 356 00:14:07,708 --> 00:14:16,979 promise me you'll come back she didn't 357 00:14:11,919 --> 00:14:16,979 even need to ask i Pinkie Pie swear 358 00:14:17,929 --> 00:14:22,979 the sky bandit cut through the heavy 359 00:14:20,159 --> 00:14:25,110 mid-afternoon downpour calamity was 360 00:14:22,980 --> 00:14:26,550 getting a miserable drenching but he had 361 00:14:25,110 --> 00:14:28,800 Hooft waved off Belleville remedies 362 00:14:26,549 --> 00:14:30,028 offer of a protective shield claiming he 363 00:14:28,799 --> 00:14:31,258 was already as wet as he was going to 364 00:14:30,028 --> 00:14:34,318 get after attaching the new roof 365 00:14:31,259 --> 00:14:35,940 mounting the claim was half bravado and 366 00:14:34,318 --> 00:14:39,179 half being just plain wrong 367 00:14:35,940 --> 00:14:42,149 now while he was saying nothing I could 368 00:14:39,179 --> 00:14:43,698 tell he was regretting it not that any 369 00:14:42,149 --> 00:14:46,110 of the rest of us weren't dripping what 370 00:14:43,698 --> 00:14:48,000 the passenger wagon with two broken 371 00:14:46,110 --> 00:14:50,818 windows provided only cursory protection 372 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:52,350 from the elements soon all the benches 373 00:14:50,818 --> 00:14:55,019 were soaked in the middle floor ran with 374 00:14:52,350 --> 00:14:57,269 rivets of water the tarps covering our 375 00:14:55,019 --> 00:14:58,769 gear kept our supplies partially dry the 376 00:14:57,269 --> 00:15:02,129 water was seeping underneath to soak the 377 00:14:58,769 --> 00:15:04,100 bottoms of packs and bags higher light 378 00:15:02,129 --> 00:15:06,120 kept giving us miserable mewling hoots 379 00:15:04,100 --> 00:15:07,829 velvet remedy had tried using our 380 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:10,318 cleaning spell to dry us over and over 381 00:15:07,828 --> 00:15:13,948 but it had been uphill battle and after 382 00:15:10,318 --> 00:15:15,269 an hour she gave up velvet and I were 383 00:15:13,948 --> 00:15:17,789 huddled together on some benches in the 384 00:15:15,269 --> 00:15:19,470 back of the passenger wagon though its 385 00:15:17,789 --> 00:15:22,289 horn glowed and the soft melody seemed 386 00:15:19,470 --> 00:15:25,350 to pour out of it more like that 387 00:15:22,289 --> 00:15:28,500 she asked me all I could do is not 388 00:15:25,350 --> 00:15:29,819 feeling a little stunned did you just 389 00:15:28,500 --> 00:15:33,389 come up with that right now 390 00:15:29,818 --> 00:15:34,919 I asked timidly amazed once again by how 391 00:15:33,389 --> 00:15:36,539 easily she could create entirely new 392 00:15:34,919 --> 00:15:40,740 music and have it be so utterly 393 00:15:36,539 --> 00:15:44,278 beautiful well yes but I've had years of 394 00:15:40,740 --> 00:15:47,519 practice velvet remedy admitted and it 395 00:15:44,278 --> 00:15:50,639 is one of my natural talents giving me a 396 00:15:47,519 --> 00:15:52,078 motherly look she advised before I can 397 00:15:50,639 --> 00:15:53,818 create the music for your song little 398 00:15:52,078 --> 00:15:55,828 pip you should really come up with some 399 00:15:53,818 --> 00:15:59,000 lyrics at least enough for me to know 400 00:15:55,828 --> 00:16:02,329 the rhythm and the meter you wish to use 401 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:04,340 I gave a deep sigh the idea had sounded 402 00:16:02,330 --> 00:16:07,160 so good in my heart last night and so 403 00:16:04,340 --> 00:16:08,360 easy in my head this morning I wanted to 404 00:16:07,159 --> 00:16:11,509 create a song that expressed my feelings 405 00:16:08,360 --> 00:16:13,539 for homage not something sappy but an 406 00:16:11,509 --> 00:16:15,710 honest earnest outpouring of my heart 407 00:16:13,539 --> 00:16:17,089 something that I could have velvet Remy 408 00:16:15,710 --> 00:16:19,009 performed the next time we went to 409 00:16:17,090 --> 00:16:20,720 tenpony tower as a special gift for the 410 00:16:19,009 --> 00:16:23,569 disc jockey Pony who had let me fall in 411 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:25,430 love with her with velvet Remy on my 412 00:16:23,570 --> 00:16:26,900 side I had thought I could have 413 00:16:25,429 --> 00:16:31,399 something at least halfway decent by the 414 00:16:26,899 --> 00:16:34,389 time we reached table 29 but I'm no good 415 00:16:31,399 --> 00:16:40,399 at lyrics coming up with words is just I 416 00:16:34,389 --> 00:16:42,980 sighed it's really hard let me help 417 00:16:40,399 --> 00:16:46,549 velvet suggested listening to what I had 418 00:16:42,980 --> 00:16:48,289 so far lately trying not to wince within 419 00:16:46,549 --> 00:16:50,449 a few hours velvet Knight put together a 420 00:16:48,289 --> 00:16:53,480 few passable lines string them together 421 00:16:50,450 --> 00:16:55,180 into what could be a full verse or the 422 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:59,300 two halves of two different verses I 423 00:16:55,179 --> 00:17:03,349 wasn't quite sure yet in the warmth of 424 00:16:59,299 --> 00:17:06,409 your embrace I found acceptance and I 425 00:17:03,350 --> 00:17:10,670 know moments through all my adversities 426 00:17:06,410 --> 00:17:14,029 in my darkest hour will save and anchor 427 00:17:10,670 --> 00:17:17,390 me and I will kiss the orb that holds 428 00:17:14,029 --> 00:17:19,639 these memories velvet Remy sang the 429 00:17:17,390 --> 00:17:22,579 lyrics experimentally smiling at how 430 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:24,650 they came off her tongue this time much 431 00:17:22,578 --> 00:17:26,209 better although I still think some of 432 00:17:24,650 --> 00:17:31,970 your other phrases are a little too 433 00:17:26,209 --> 00:17:35,450 specific I shook my head this is from me 434 00:17:31,970 --> 00:17:37,509 to her it's personal it should be 435 00:17:35,450 --> 00:17:39,519 specific 436 00:17:37,509 --> 00:17:42,430 I knew I was being stubborn in the face 437 00:17:39,519 --> 00:17:43,629 of wisdom but it was my song and I 438 00:17:42,430 --> 00:17:45,460 rather liked the line 439 00:17:43,630 --> 00:17:48,850 I've been crushed under the train car 440 00:17:45,460 --> 00:17:50,529 loneliness velvet remedy gave me a 441 00:17:48,849 --> 00:17:52,449 patient and charmingly understanding 442 00:17:50,529 --> 00:17:53,889 smile and I knew she would manage to 443 00:17:52,450 --> 00:17:59,799 talk me into changing the line before 444 00:17:53,890 --> 00:18:01,960 the night was over the storm continued 445 00:17:59,799 --> 00:18:03,669 to escalate the winds blowing the rain 446 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:05,019 sideways and tearing at calamity hard 447 00:18:03,670 --> 00:18:07,930 enough that we were stopping every hour 448 00:18:05,019 --> 00:18:09,700 to give him rest even flying our 449 00:18:07,930 --> 00:18:11,320 progress had become achingly slow as 450 00:18:09,700 --> 00:18:12,940 calamity continuously fought to correct 451 00:18:11,319 --> 00:18:16,859 our course as the wind blew us off paths 452 00:18:12,940 --> 00:18:19,600 I hated seeing him work so hard for us 453 00:18:16,859 --> 00:18:20,829 the third time we landed we were able to 454 00:18:19,599 --> 00:18:22,569 take shelter in the overhang of the 455 00:18:20,829 --> 00:18:24,339 remnants of recharging station somewhere 456 00:18:22,569 --> 00:18:25,809 in the Holocaust blasted remains of a 457 00:18:24,339 --> 00:18:27,039 small business community which had once 458 00:18:25,809 --> 00:18:30,009 sprawled between Maine Hatton and 459 00:18:27,039 --> 00:18:31,539 fetlock I spotted the mostly intact 460 00:18:30,009 --> 00:18:34,180 storeroom in the otherwise collapsed 461 00:18:31,539 --> 00:18:36,009 building on the other door was a faded 462 00:18:34,180 --> 00:18:38,830 and stained poster of a genial Twilight 463 00:18:36,009 --> 00:18:41,410 Sparkle knowledge is magic insisted the 464 00:18:38,829 --> 00:18:43,480 words above her friendly smile in the 465 00:18:41,410 --> 00:18:45,190 smaller font beneath the Ministry of 466 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:47,500 arcane scientists is looking for a few 467 00:18:45,190 --> 00:18:50,380 bright minds together we will save 468 00:18:47,500 --> 00:18:53,400 Equestria equally ancient graffiti 469 00:18:50,380 --> 00:18:55,570 scroll across the poster partial words 470 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:57,880 something along the lines of fight the 471 00:18:55,569 --> 00:18:59,379 Ministry drove me to imagine the poster 472 00:18:57,880 --> 00:19:00,730 had been moved the rest of the 473 00:18:59,380 --> 00:19:04,090 rebellious warriors left behind on a 474 00:19:00,730 --> 00:19:05,650 wall somewhere calamity unhitched 475 00:19:04,089 --> 00:19:07,029 himself and trotted into the supply room 476 00:19:05,650 --> 00:19:08,290 to give a good shake while the rest of 477 00:19:07,029 --> 00:19:10,329 us started digging through our supplies 478 00:19:08,289 --> 00:19:11,649 for the box of Pony Joe's donut holes in 479 00:19:10,329 --> 00:19:15,759 Kansas sweet potatoes which would be our 480 00:19:11,650 --> 00:19:17,740 dinner III the boxes dubiously I'd 481 00:19:15,759 --> 00:19:19,869 overcome my squeamishness for eating 200 482 00:19:17,740 --> 00:19:23,589 year old food but I still plan to give 483 00:19:19,869 --> 00:19:25,449 the donut hole to pass calamity returned 484 00:19:23,589 --> 00:19:29,109 as pilot was giving the cans of warming 485 00:19:25,450 --> 00:19:30,340 and slightly radioactive breath baths he 486 00:19:29,109 --> 00:19:32,439 was looking less soaked and 487 00:19:30,339 --> 00:19:35,859 unsurprisingly more Ladin with scavenged 488 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:37,000 goods I'm going to a swamp at the spa 489 00:19:35,859 --> 00:19:39,759 batteries well we're just sitting around 490 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:41,230 here calamity announced as velvet Remini 491 00:19:39,759 --> 00:19:42,490 magically cleaned away the rest of the 492 00:19:41,230 --> 00:19:44,740 water from his fur and feathers 493 00:19:42,490 --> 00:19:48,519 I don't want us losing him in the middle 494 00:19:44,740 --> 00:19:51,500 of this storm velvet remedy gasped 495 00:19:48,519 --> 00:19:53,629 don't you dare you've already worked 496 00:19:51,500 --> 00:19:56,660 hard enough today and now you're finally 497 00:19:53,630 --> 00:19:59,030 dry you will not immediately go walling 498 00:19:56,660 --> 00:20:01,580 around in the mud under this wagon you 499 00:19:59,029 --> 00:20:06,139 rest one of us will change them out for 500 00:20:01,579 --> 00:20:10,210 you by necessity that meant me but I was 501 00:20:06,140 --> 00:20:12,170 more than happy to be volunteered well 502 00:20:10,210 --> 00:20:13,730 calamity looked thankful for the offer 503 00:20:12,170 --> 00:20:16,730 and the chance to rest to swore on 504 00:20:13,730 --> 00:20:18,049 aching wings I figure maybe we oughta 505 00:20:16,730 --> 00:20:21,230 hunker down for a bit till the storm 506 00:20:18,049 --> 00:20:23,509 loses some of his range we all readily 507 00:20:21,230 --> 00:20:24,980 agreed I knew from experience that rain 508 00:20:23,509 --> 00:20:27,319 in the equestrian wasteland could last 509 00:20:24,980 --> 00:20:29,990 for several days but I hope the worst 510 00:20:27,319 --> 00:20:31,609 part would pass within a few hours the 511 00:20:29,990 --> 00:20:33,140 burning white flash of nearby lightning 512 00:20:31,609 --> 00:20:36,289 turned the world into stark light and 513 00:20:33,140 --> 00:20:38,060 black shadow calamity looked over his 514 00:20:36,289 --> 00:20:39,829 shoulder and said something more but his 515 00:20:38,059 --> 00:20:41,119 words were drowned out by a pealing roar 516 00:20:39,829 --> 00:20:44,359 of thunder that shook bits of debris 517 00:20:41,119 --> 00:20:46,159 from the cracks in the overhang minutes 518 00:20:44,359 --> 00:20:48,799 later I squirmed underneath the sky 519 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:50,930 bandit the slosh sliding under my body 520 00:20:48,799 --> 00:20:53,809 wasn't exactly mud but a gritty mixture 521 00:20:50,930 --> 00:20:55,420 of water and ashes I tried not to think 522 00:20:53,809 --> 00:20:57,259 of who I might have been laying in 523 00:20:55,420 --> 00:21:01,610 surely most of the ash would sir 524 00:20:57,259 --> 00:21:03,140 incinerated buildings right as I 525 00:21:01,609 --> 00:21:04,429 telekinetically removed the screws on 526 00:21:03,140 --> 00:21:06,470 the plate covering the spark battery 527 00:21:04,430 --> 00:21:09,080 array I heard a familiar marching music 528 00:21:06,470 --> 00:21:12,559 leaking through the storm an approaching 529 00:21:09,079 --> 00:21:14,960 spritebot the music grew louder as the 530 00:21:12,559 --> 00:21:16,279 radio drew near the tinny quality of the 531 00:21:14,960 --> 00:21:19,009 music more than noticeable through the 532 00:21:16,279 --> 00:21:21,259 white noise of the rain a burst of 533 00:21:19,009 --> 00:21:26,509 static killed the music the spritebot 534 00:21:21,259 --> 00:21:28,730 went silent hey watcher hey little pip 535 00:21:26,509 --> 00:21:29,059 been a while and I can tell you've been 536 00:21:28,730 --> 00:21:32,360 busy 537 00:21:29,059 --> 00:21:33,649 I laughed ruefully as I thought of just 538 00:21:32,359 --> 00:21:37,309 how much I've been through since I last 539 00:21:33,650 --> 00:21:41,420 spoken to spike so how are things at 540 00:21:37,309 --> 00:21:42,859 your house I asked an inch of paranoia 541 00:21:41,420 --> 00:21:46,850 preventing me from referencing the cave 542 00:21:42,859 --> 00:21:49,849 more directly are the unwanted 543 00:21:46,849 --> 00:21:51,619 houseguests giving you any more trouble 544 00:21:49,849 --> 00:21:53,839 actually have been really quiet recently 545 00:21:51,619 --> 00:21:57,099 I don't know if they're preoccupied or 546 00:21:53,839 --> 00:21:59,449 just avoiding the place changing topics 547 00:21:57,099 --> 00:22:04,219 you haven't by any chance found any 548 00:21:59,450 --> 00:22:08,298 other well others have you Wow 549 00:22:04,220 --> 00:22:12,279 this conversation was awkward no not yet 550 00:22:08,298 --> 00:22:14,480 but I'm looking Thanks 551 00:22:12,279 --> 00:22:16,759 we were either dancing around something 552 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:19,640 or we really had nothing to say to each 553 00:22:16,759 --> 00:22:21,230 other I felt a resurgence of the pain 554 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:22,460 caused by realizing that I was not the 555 00:22:21,230 --> 00:22:25,220 hero when that spike had been looking 556 00:22:22,460 --> 00:22:26,350 for I was not one of the ponies who 557 00:22:25,220 --> 00:22:29,240 could make everything right 558 00:22:26,349 --> 00:22:31,639 for a brief sparkling moment I thought I 559 00:22:29,240 --> 00:22:33,169 knew my purpose only to have that hope 560 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:37,400 dashed against the cold rocks of an 561 00:22:33,169 --> 00:22:38,538 unforgiving reality but then the gardens 562 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:40,100 of Equestria wasn't going to make 563 00:22:38,538 --> 00:22:43,700 everything right with the wave of a hoof 564 00:22:40,099 --> 00:22:45,199 in a rainbow of good intentions even 565 00:22:43,700 --> 00:22:47,120 after it purges the taint from the world 566 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:49,759 the mutated monsters that taint his 567 00:22:47,119 --> 00:22:52,369 created will still be left behind the 568 00:22:49,759 --> 00:22:55,808 alicorns those things from the hospital 569 00:22:52,369 --> 00:22:58,129 if any survived bloat sprites hellhounds 570 00:22:55,808 --> 00:22:58,548 even after it washes the tin from the 571 00:22:58,130 --> 00:23:00,200 air 572 00:22:58,548 --> 00:23:01,759 the world will still be trapped under 573 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:04,220 the depressing bleakness of the constant 574 00:23:01,759 --> 00:23:06,589 cloud cover even though we'll rid the 575 00:23:04,220 --> 00:23:08,029 world of radiation it will not exercise 576 00:23:06,589 --> 00:23:10,849 the evil that has festered in the hearts 577 00:23:08,029 --> 00:23:12,319 of so many ponies Raiders and slavers 578 00:23:10,849 --> 00:23:16,038 will not disappear like the poisons of 579 00:23:12,319 --> 00:23:19,099 the soil in short there was so much more 580 00:23:16,038 --> 00:23:20,929 to do and I didn't have to be destined 581 00:23:19,099 --> 00:23:23,629 to be something great or important or 582 00:23:20,929 --> 00:23:25,280 even vital I just had to do something 583 00:23:23,630 --> 00:23:27,980 good for the equestrian wasteland 584 00:23:25,279 --> 00:23:29,240 and if I could help a little towards 585 00:23:27,980 --> 00:23:31,370 something as great as the gardens of 586 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:32,990 Equestria then that was just icing on 587 00:23:31,369 --> 00:23:35,298 the cake 588 00:23:32,990 --> 00:23:39,288 the paws had stretched too uncomfortable 589 00:23:35,298 --> 00:23:41,500 lengths finally watcher said well I 590 00:23:39,288 --> 00:23:45,908 guess I should be going then 591 00:23:41,500 --> 00:23:48,409 wait I said suddenly having a question 592 00:23:45,909 --> 00:23:49,960 can on ponies ever be the Bears of The 593 00:23:48,409 --> 00:23:52,750 Elements of Harmony 594 00:23:49,960 --> 00:23:55,819 maybe I just needed to widen my search 595 00:23:52,750 --> 00:24:02,380 um no I don't think so 596 00:23:55,819 --> 00:24:04,639 oh well it was worth asking at least I 597 00:24:02,380 --> 00:24:08,000 searched my mind for anything else to 598 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:10,149 say finally the star spawn in the room 599 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:14,929 couldn't be avoided any longer 600 00:24:10,148 --> 00:24:20,449 Speight watcher I know what happened to 601 00:24:14,929 --> 00:24:24,610 Twilight Sparkle silence thunder rumbled 602 00:24:20,450 --> 00:24:24,610 in the background then Oh 603 00:24:25,849 --> 00:24:30,889 spike was silent a little while longer 604 00:24:27,799 --> 00:24:33,649 before finally daring it please tell me 605 00:24:30,890 --> 00:24:38,000 she went quickly without pain it was 606 00:24:33,650 --> 00:24:41,060 fast wasn't it a rock launched in my 607 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:42,829 throat as I felt my ears paced back I 608 00:24:41,059 --> 00:24:44,809 was thankful that I was beneath the sky 609 00:24:42,829 --> 00:24:47,629 bandit the passenger wagon shielding him 610 00:24:44,809 --> 00:24:50,950 from my expression I opened my muzzle 611 00:24:47,630 --> 00:24:55,160 but I didn't have the breath to speak I 612 00:24:50,950 --> 00:24:55,819 I couldn't tell him he didn't deserve 613 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:58,850 that 614 00:24:55,819 --> 00:25:01,309 she was his closest friend a sister 615 00:24:58,849 --> 00:25:03,969 mother and best friend all in one and 616 00:25:01,309 --> 00:25:07,039 the weight of this horror was too much 617 00:25:03,970 --> 00:25:08,720 the pain of knowing now and knowing that 618 00:25:07,039 --> 00:25:10,490 maybe some part of Twilight was still in 619 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:13,309 the goddess alive would no longer 620 00:25:10,490 --> 00:25:17,150 herself are even sane and had been for 621 00:25:13,309 --> 00:25:20,690 centuries I realized I was going to lie 622 00:25:17,150 --> 00:25:24,290 to spike corrupted kindness a pony's 623 00:25:20,690 --> 00:25:26,509 voice hissed in my mind but this time it 624 00:25:24,289 --> 00:25:30,500 wasn't the voice of my little pony it 625 00:25:26,509 --> 00:25:33,230 was the voice of the goddess she died 626 00:25:30,500 --> 00:25:37,150 trying to save other ponies spike it was 627 00:25:33,230 --> 00:25:42,230 a noble death she died crying out a name 628 00:25:37,150 --> 00:25:44,170 was it his and I believe she was 629 00:25:42,230 --> 00:25:46,309 thinking about you fondly she passed I 630 00:25:44,170 --> 00:25:50,660 think she was happy you weren't there 631 00:25:46,309 --> 00:25:53,869 that she survived it was an utter 632 00:25:50,660 --> 00:25:56,029 bold-faced lie except my face was not 633 00:25:53,869 --> 00:25:58,309 bold and no pony would have believed me 634 00:25:56,029 --> 00:26:00,500 if they had been able to see me no 635 00:25:58,309 --> 00:26:05,859 dragon either no matter how much he 636 00:26:00,500 --> 00:26:09,230 needed to another long pause followed 637 00:26:05,859 --> 00:26:11,049 thank you little pip mechanical voice 638 00:26:09,230 --> 00:26:13,339 the spritebot couldn't convey emotion 639 00:26:11,049 --> 00:26:15,470 but I could still tell that hidden in 640 00:26:13,339 --> 00:26:20,000 his cave the mighty dragon spike was 641 00:26:15,470 --> 00:26:24,529 crying did you find her body 642 00:26:20,000 --> 00:26:27,170 if she buried in I felt a hard paying 643 00:26:24,529 --> 00:26:29,240 try to tear apart my heart after a 644 00:26:27,170 --> 00:26:32,120 moment of panic I let out a shuddering 645 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:35,839 breath no spike 646 00:26:32,119 --> 00:26:36,589 I saw her death on a recording but after 647 00:26:35,839 --> 00:26:42,529 she was dead 648 00:26:36,589 --> 00:26:45,529 the goddess ate her body under quiet 649 00:26:42,529 --> 00:26:49,579 from the spritebot from watcher from 650 00:26:45,529 --> 00:26:53,180 spike I'm going to end the goddess I 651 00:26:49,579 --> 00:26:57,049 said and this time truth flowed in every 652 00:26:53,180 --> 00:26:59,570 word and if by a miracle there's 653 00:26:57,049 --> 00:27:01,720 anything left to Twilight I'll put her 654 00:26:59,569 --> 00:27:01,720 to rest 655 00:27:03,779 --> 00:27:07,019 the fury of the storm beat upon the 656 00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:09,150 wasteland for most of the night 657 00:27:07,019 --> 00:27:10,710 finally exhausting its rage and slipping 658 00:27:09,150 --> 00:27:14,430 back into an almost peaceful drizzle 659 00:27:10,710 --> 00:27:16,319 like a snoring yog why we reached stable 660 00:27:14,430 --> 00:27:19,170 29 that foreboding hour of darkness 661 00:27:16,319 --> 00:27:20,879 whose name I could not remember I gently 662 00:27:19,170 --> 00:27:23,250 told Pilate to stay behind and guard the 663 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:24,810 sky bandit considering the plethora of 664 00:27:23,250 --> 00:27:28,009 monsters that we'd encountered fetlock 665 00:27:24,809 --> 00:27:30,720 before it was a reasonable precaution 666 00:27:28,009 --> 00:27:32,609 but in truth I just didn't want to bring 667 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:37,110 a radioactive burden to the outcasts new 668 00:27:32,609 --> 00:27:39,179 home base outcasts their Steel Ranger 669 00:27:37,109 --> 00:27:42,119 armor bearing stripes of red took battle 670 00:27:39,180 --> 00:27:46,140 stances at our approach I saw them tense 671 00:27:42,119 --> 00:27:48,359 a moment later soft light erupt around 672 00:27:46,140 --> 00:27:51,390 us in velvet Remini satin voice rang out 673 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:53,309 through the darkness hail followers of 674 00:27:51,390 --> 00:27:54,990 Applejack little PIP and her entourage 675 00:27:53,309 --> 00:27:59,339 Biddy welcomed and requests an audience 676 00:27:54,990 --> 00:28:00,809 with steel hooves hearing the LAT remedy 677 00:27:59,339 --> 00:28:03,629 refer to us like that was uncomfortable 678 00:28:00,809 --> 00:28:06,960 I didn't deserve that sort of credit or 679 00:28:03,630 --> 00:28:08,100 attention but more than that I didn't 680 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:12,539 want my friends thinking of themselves 681 00:28:08,099 --> 00:28:15,469 that way still as I watched the outcast 682 00:28:12,539 --> 00:28:17,940 relax I was thankful for her diplomacy 683 00:28:15,470 --> 00:28:20,069 two of the former steel rangers trotted 684 00:28:17,940 --> 00:28:23,789 over to us flanking us as we were guided 685 00:28:20,069 --> 00:28:26,549 towards the door of stable 29 I recalled 686 00:28:23,789 --> 00:28:28,500 with the shiver my last visit here since 687 00:28:26,549 --> 00:28:31,230 then new scorch marks littered the walls 688 00:28:28,500 --> 00:28:33,269 of the maintance tunnel bullet casings 689 00:28:31,230 --> 00:28:34,710 littered the floor and dark stains told 690 00:28:33,269 --> 00:28:36,359 the ferocious engagements between the 691 00:28:34,710 --> 00:28:37,860 outcasts and the steel rangers as they 692 00:28:36,359 --> 00:28:40,609 vied for control the stable and the 693 00:28:37,859 --> 00:28:42,769 Crusader computer inside 694 00:28:40,609 --> 00:28:44,329 one of our escorts motion to another 695 00:28:42,769 --> 00:28:47,359 guard who stood the control mechanism 696 00:28:44,329 --> 00:28:48,859 for the stable door a cable ran from the 697 00:28:47,359 --> 00:28:51,469 guards magically powered armor to the 698 00:28:48,859 --> 00:28:55,038 controls she didn't even need to throw a 699 00:28:51,470 --> 00:28:57,500 switch with a teeth hurting grind and a 700 00:28:55,038 --> 00:29:00,038 Hydra like hiss the huge gear shaped 701 00:28:57,500 --> 00:29:04,490 door was pulled open on its internal arm 702 00:29:00,038 --> 00:29:06,470 we marched forward as I said hoping to 703 00:29:04,490 --> 00:29:07,370 the stable part of me couldn't believe I 704 00:29:06,470 --> 00:29:09,919 was returning here 705 00:29:07,369 --> 00:29:11,538 I remembered vividly the events and 706 00:29:09,919 --> 00:29:15,200 emotions in my previous excursion into 707 00:29:11,538 --> 00:29:16,609 this place as we walked I was relieved 708 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:18,649 to see that the outcasts had taken the 709 00:29:16,609 --> 00:29:20,028 time to clear the bodies away and young 710 00:29:18,648 --> 00:29:21,319 knights were making headway on the rest 711 00:29:20,028 --> 00:29:24,769 of the detrás that littered the floors 712 00:29:21,319 --> 00:29:26,298 of the atrium my first time here I was 713 00:29:24,769 --> 00:29:30,019 bothered by the wrongness of the stables 714 00:29:26,298 --> 00:29:33,379 layout it did not conform to stable - - 715 00:29:30,019 --> 00:29:35,630 the way stable should be now after my 716 00:29:33,380 --> 00:29:38,299 final visit to stable - there was no 717 00:29:35,630 --> 00:29:40,100 such feeling seeing the death and 718 00:29:38,298 --> 00:29:43,069 destruction visited upon stable - had 719 00:29:40,099 --> 00:29:47,058 strained its memory for me there no 720 00:29:43,069 --> 00:29:49,668 longer was a proper stable there have 721 00:29:47,058 --> 00:29:51,500 been fighting inside as well as out one 722 00:29:49,669 --> 00:29:54,320 of the columns in the atrium previously 723 00:29:51,500 --> 00:29:55,579 hole was now smashed the floor showed 724 00:29:54,319 --> 00:29:58,220 the sort of damage only a grenade 725 00:29:55,579 --> 00:30:00,109 machine-gun would cause I spared a 726 00:29:58,220 --> 00:30:01,579 glance towards the clinic shuttering a 727 00:30:00,109 --> 00:30:03,798 little as I remember the atrium guns 728 00:30:01,579 --> 00:30:05,210 pinning us in there those turrets were 729 00:30:03,798 --> 00:30:07,658 now replaced by models barring the 730 00:30:05,210 --> 00:30:09,409 outcast colors and three Apple symbol I 731 00:30:07,659 --> 00:30:10,789 wondered what Applejack would have 732 00:30:09,409 --> 00:30:14,360 thought of her cutie mark on turrets 733 00:30:10,788 --> 00:30:16,250 facing into a stable my gaze travelled 734 00:30:14,359 --> 00:30:17,569 to the grey tiled roof and down the 735 00:30:16,250 --> 00:30:21,859 catwalks that hugged the plain grey 736 00:30:17,569 --> 00:30:23,679 walls morosely I thought this room needs 737 00:30:21,859 --> 00:30:26,349 mural 738 00:30:23,680 --> 00:30:28,570 the two al cast led us up the stairs to 739 00:30:26,349 --> 00:30:31,059 the second level I glanced at the 740 00:30:28,569 --> 00:30:32,559 bulletin board as we passed the old 741 00:30:31,059 --> 00:30:34,690 messages and notices had been cleared 742 00:30:32,559 --> 00:30:38,019 away the board self had been bleached 743 00:30:34,690 --> 00:30:42,190 clean its ghastly message written in 744 00:30:38,019 --> 00:30:44,440 pony blood existed now only memories the 745 00:30:42,190 --> 00:30:47,320 final resting place of Vinyl Scratch the 746 00:30:44,440 --> 00:30:48,940 little pony my head reminded me the tomb 747 00:30:47,319 --> 00:30:52,589 of the original DJ pony 748 00:30:48,940 --> 00:30:57,460 I quickly chose not to dwell on that 749 00:30:52,589 --> 00:30:59,379 down that path lay dark things we walked 750 00:30:57,460 --> 00:31:01,329 by a couple of nights one hauling a 751 00:30:59,380 --> 00:31:04,330 trash cart the other walking behind her 752 00:31:01,329 --> 00:31:06,549 chatting amiably this place could really 753 00:31:04,329 --> 00:31:08,939 see some colorful posters not to mention 754 00:31:06,549 --> 00:31:11,289 a few throw rugs maybe some curtains 755 00:31:08,940 --> 00:31:13,269 this place ain't exactly rich with 756 00:31:11,289 --> 00:31:15,549 windows the other said pointedly 757 00:31:13,269 --> 00:31:19,000 and I don't think held of steel hoses 758 00:31:15,549 --> 00:31:22,299 the sort to embrace draperies I covered 759 00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:25,869 a snicker with a hoof true but he'd 760 00:31:22,299 --> 00:31:27,700 probably go for the idea posters yeah 761 00:31:25,869 --> 00:31:29,649 well good luck finding one for us now 762 00:31:27,700 --> 00:31:31,660 all the Ministry of wartime technology 763 00:31:29,650 --> 00:31:34,030 posters just say progress and have 764 00:31:31,660 --> 00:31:35,650 images of tech advancements I've never 765 00:31:34,029 --> 00:31:39,430 seen one poster from them that featured 766 00:31:35,650 --> 00:31:41,200 their ministry mayor as we passed I 767 00:31:39,430 --> 00:31:43,200 found myself thinking of the two mayor's 768 00:31:41,200 --> 00:31:46,809 his ministry's never boasted their image 769 00:31:43,200 --> 00:31:47,980 Applejack and rarity won because her 770 00:31:46,809 --> 00:31:50,169 ministry didn't want to give her the 771 00:31:47,980 --> 00:31:53,470 honor and the other because she did not 772 00:31:50,170 --> 00:31:55,269 wish to take the honor for herself steel 773 00:31:53,470 --> 00:31:57,250 hooves whose love for Applejack had 774 00:31:55,269 --> 00:32:01,930 never faltered had a statuette of the 775 00:31:57,250 --> 00:32:03,339 mayor be strong in his Shack I suspected 776 00:32:01,930 --> 00:32:06,240 that was the best image of Applejack 777 00:32:03,339 --> 00:32:06,240 they would ever find 778 00:32:07,799 --> 00:32:12,419 instinctively I had assumed steal those 779 00:32:10,269 --> 00:32:14,950 would have taken the overmare's office 780 00:32:12,420 --> 00:32:16,870 but as our escorts turned us into the 781 00:32:14,950 --> 00:32:18,670 security station I remembered that 782 00:32:16,869 --> 00:32:22,329 stable 29 didn't even have an over 783 00:32:18,670 --> 00:32:23,890 mayor's office a ghostly touch of that 784 00:32:22,329 --> 00:32:27,339 sense of wrongness brushed the back of 785 00:32:23,890 --> 00:32:29,440 my mind steel hose was pacing the room 786 00:32:27,339 --> 00:32:31,500 speaking to a brown mare with a cropped 787 00:32:29,440 --> 00:32:35,080 yellow mane you my quickly glean was 788 00:32:31,500 --> 00:32:36,819 x-star paladin crossroads she wasn't 789 00:32:35,079 --> 00:32:39,909 wearing steel rangers armor painted or 790 00:32:36,819 --> 00:32:42,609 otherwise but then they had to take it 791 00:32:39,910 --> 00:32:45,190 off sometime didn't they except for 792 00:32:42,609 --> 00:32:46,839 steel those of course they've taken to 793 00:32:45,190 --> 00:32:48,309 calling him elder now I thought 794 00:32:46,839 --> 00:32:52,449 bemusedly as I watched our former 795 00:32:48,309 --> 00:32:56,289 companion cats and a full detachment 796 00:32:52,450 --> 00:32:58,059 with him Steelers was arguing that would 797 00:32:56,289 --> 00:33:01,750 be stable 29 dangerously low on 798 00:32:58,059 --> 00:33:04,419 defenders I did not yet know what this 799 00:33:01,750 --> 00:33:06,039 was about but I recognized the dire 800 00:33:04,420 --> 00:33:09,519 necessity for the outcasts to keep 801 00:33:06,039 --> 00:33:11,799 stable 29 if the steel Rangers took the 802 00:33:09,519 --> 00:33:14,730 stable then all the outcasts drawn here 803 00:33:11,799 --> 00:33:17,529 for refuge will be galloping into a trap 804 00:33:14,730 --> 00:33:20,289 but if we send only a small honor guard 805 00:33:17,529 --> 00:33:23,259 it invites an attack crossroads retorted 806 00:33:20,289 --> 00:33:24,250 evenly we can't ask our ponies to walk 807 00:33:23,259 --> 00:33:28,529 into that kind of danger with 808 00:33:24,250 --> 00:33:31,750 insufficient numbers steelo's disagreed 809 00:33:28,529 --> 00:33:33,039 there Applejack's Rangers galloping into 810 00:33:31,750 --> 00:33:34,539 danger for the sake of another is 811 00:33:33,039 --> 00:33:36,250 exactly what we should expect from them 812 00:33:34,539 --> 00:33:39,789 and what they should expect from 813 00:33:36,250 --> 00:33:41,079 themselves any one of us should be 814 00:33:39,789 --> 00:33:42,450 willing to rush to the aid of an 815 00:33:41,079 --> 00:33:44,710 innocent without thought for ourselves 816 00:33:42,450 --> 00:33:47,319 but there are no innocents to be saved 817 00:33:44,710 --> 00:33:49,980 here this is a prisoner transfer in 818 00:33:47,319 --> 00:33:55,429 hostile territory this is different 819 00:33:49,980 --> 00:33:58,259 crossroads insisted and you know that 820 00:33:55,430 --> 00:34:00,720 the outcasts flanking us stood silently 821 00:33:58,259 --> 00:34:02,789 at attention I felt like I should clear 822 00:34:00,720 --> 00:34:05,430 my throat to announce our presence at 823 00:34:02,789 --> 00:34:06,779 the least not out of any impatience but 824 00:34:05,430 --> 00:34:08,099 to make sure the two leaders of this new 825 00:34:06,779 --> 00:34:10,829 faction were fully aware that their 826 00:34:08,099 --> 00:34:13,019 discussion was not private I didn't feel 827 00:34:10,829 --> 00:34:16,559 like I was politely waiting I felt like 828 00:34:13,019 --> 00:34:18,389 I was eavesdropping if the steel rangers 829 00:34:16,559 --> 00:34:19,648 opened fire on our paladins then they'd 830 00:34:18,389 --> 00:34:22,949 risk catching their own elder in the 831 00:34:19,648 --> 00:34:24,299 crossfire steel is countered but then 832 00:34:22,949 --> 00:34:27,480 seemed to have second thoughts about his 833 00:34:24,300 --> 00:34:28,500 own argument actually if the steel 834 00:34:27,480 --> 00:34:30,510 rangers were to kill elder 835 00:34:28,500 --> 00:34:31,980 cottage-cheese at an attack that might 836 00:34:30,510 --> 00:34:34,830 actually be better for us in the long 837 00:34:31,980 --> 00:34:36,360 run letting him go free is only going to 838 00:34:34,829 --> 00:34:39,898 borrow future trouble and death for the 839 00:34:36,360 --> 00:34:42,720 outcasts crossroads sighed and smiled 840 00:34:39,898 --> 00:34:45,389 reasonably true but we shouldn't allow 841 00:34:42,719 --> 00:34:48,750 ourselves to think that way remember 842 00:34:45,389 --> 00:34:49,730 where the good ponies steelo's snicker 843 00:34:48,750 --> 00:34:54,480 in response 844 00:34:49,730 --> 00:34:59,010 well howdy y'all calamity called out who 845 00:34:54,480 --> 00:35:01,889 you takin away now I got velvet purring 846 00:34:59,010 --> 00:35:03,210 something under her breath our escorts 847 00:35:01,889 --> 00:35:05,609 bristled a bit at the audacity of 848 00:35:03,210 --> 00:35:07,559 calamities interruption but a steals and 849 00:35:05,610 --> 00:35:11,070 Crossroads turned to face us crossroads 850 00:35:07,559 --> 00:35:14,090 gave us a smile and you must be calamity 851 00:35:11,070 --> 00:35:17,080 veld remedy that zebra and of course 852 00:35:14,090 --> 00:35:20,829 little pimp 853 00:35:17,079 --> 00:35:22,829 for a moment i glowered its Telos that 854 00:35:20,829 --> 00:35:26,529 zebra really 855 00:35:22,829 --> 00:35:29,920 but then zenith's poke your reputation 856 00:35:26,530 --> 00:35:33,700 spreads little one and my indignation 857 00:35:29,920 --> 00:35:36,460 deflated there was after all a fair 858 00:35:33,699 --> 00:35:37,899 touch of turnabout at play I didn't 859 00:35:36,460 --> 00:35:40,420 believe for a moment that was why steal 860 00:35:37,900 --> 00:35:43,119 its referred to Zenit that way but if I 861 00:35:40,420 --> 00:35:46,869 spoke up he could argue it was and I 862 00:35:43,119 --> 00:35:48,130 could not win that argument though it 863 00:35:46,869 --> 00:35:51,969 remedy stepped forward and dipped her 864 00:35:48,130 --> 00:35:54,640 head in greeting we are and our zebra 865 00:35:51,969 --> 00:35:59,019 companions named a Zenith we are pleased 866 00:35:54,639 --> 00:36:00,730 to finally meet you crossroads steelo 867 00:35:59,019 --> 00:36:03,280 seemed to look us over in lieu of a more 868 00:36:00,730 --> 00:36:06,610 familiar or formal reunion then told 869 00:36:03,280 --> 00:36:08,290 calamity elder cottage-cheese of the 870 00:36:06,610 --> 00:36:12,070 main hatun steel rangers is currently 871 00:36:08,289 --> 00:36:13,449 under house arrest we have negotiated an 872 00:36:12,070 --> 00:36:16,900 agreement to return him to the steel 873 00:36:13,449 --> 00:36:21,399 Rangers of buckling cross buckling cross 874 00:36:16,900 --> 00:36:23,410 I asked out of curiosity why don't they 875 00:36:21,400 --> 00:36:27,880 just come here to get him Calamity 876 00:36:23,409 --> 00:36:29,529 wondered crossroads frowned for the same 877 00:36:27,880 --> 00:36:31,180 reasons I suspect that we are now 878 00:36:29,530 --> 00:36:33,340 disputing how many of our own to commit 879 00:36:31,179 --> 00:36:34,690 to the delivery elder cottage-cheese 880 00:36:33,340 --> 00:36:36,340 devoted most of his knights and 881 00:36:34,690 --> 00:36:39,250 paladin's to the assaults on stables 2 882 00:36:36,340 --> 00:36:40,630 and 29 the forces holding Buckland cross 883 00:36:39,250 --> 00:36:43,809 are depleted enough to explain their 884 00:36:40,630 --> 00:36:45,760 refusal to divide their forces well then 885 00:36:43,809 --> 00:36:50,259 in that case y'all seem to have no worry 886 00:36:45,760 --> 00:36:55,000 about them attacking here them no steel 887 00:36:50,260 --> 00:36:56,380 is pasted others yes we can expect a 888 00:36:55,000 --> 00:36:59,019 counter strike by forces sent from 889 00:36:56,380 --> 00:37:01,630 Philadelphia at any time their elder was 890 00:36:59,019 --> 00:37:04,449 killed in stable 2 they will not forgive 891 00:37:01,630 --> 00:37:07,750 that and they may receive reinforcements 892 00:37:04,449 --> 00:37:10,719 from other continents crossroads shook 893 00:37:07,750 --> 00:37:12,789 her head Huffington is still dark and 894 00:37:10,719 --> 00:37:13,959 trottingham is such a mess the elder 895 00:37:12,789 --> 00:37:16,739 there will be hard-pressed to devote 896 00:37:13,960 --> 00:37:18,659 Ceres forces to any place else 897 00:37:16,739 --> 00:37:22,699 unless the steel rangers abandon 898 00:37:18,659 --> 00:37:25,199 trottingham entirely sealers pointed out 899 00:37:22,699 --> 00:37:27,960 at this point that might be their best 900 00:37:25,199 --> 00:37:29,579 strategic option but even if they left 901 00:37:27,960 --> 00:37:31,289 now it will be difficult for them to 902 00:37:29,579 --> 00:37:32,880 rally with the Philadelphia forces and 903 00:37:31,289 --> 00:37:37,789 enough time to attack before our ponies 904 00:37:32,880 --> 00:37:40,190 have returned hard but not impossible 905 00:37:37,789 --> 00:37:42,750 calamity whinnied whispering - velvet 906 00:37:40,190 --> 00:37:48,289 i'm with 1:10 to get a room 907 00:37:42,750 --> 00:37:50,730 i shook my head but you know this be it 908 00:37:48,289 --> 00:37:52,679 one of the security intercoms let out a 909 00:37:50,730 --> 00:37:56,608 burst of static followed by a stallions 910 00:37:52,679 --> 00:37:58,079 voice elder steele of sir my apologies 911 00:37:56,608 --> 00:38:00,409 for the interruption but elder cottage 912 00:37:58,079 --> 00:38:02,909 cheese is demanding his medical chair in 913 00:38:00,409 --> 00:38:04,348 the background I could hear the grumpy 914 00:38:02,909 --> 00:38:09,269 yet cultured voice of a very elderly 915 00:38:04,349 --> 00:38:12,269 stallion I'm still an elder new traitors 916 00:38:09,269 --> 00:38:14,460 will show proper respect I will not be 917 00:38:12,269 --> 00:38:17,009 hauled back to my citadel that capsule 918 00:38:14,460 --> 00:38:20,670 like a piece of luggage I will return 919 00:38:17,010 --> 00:38:25,440 with my head held high medical chair I 920 00:38:20,670 --> 00:38:27,150 asked Steel has grown crossroads trotted 921 00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:28,769 to the intercom switchboard glancing 922 00:38:27,150 --> 00:38:30,150 briefly at the map of lights above to 923 00:38:28,769 --> 00:38:33,030 determine which button she needed to 924 00:38:30,150 --> 00:38:37,858 press to speak back to them well at Remy 925 00:38:33,030 --> 00:38:40,260 whinnied and softly Oh pip I wasn't sure 926 00:38:37,858 --> 00:38:41,730 why she said it at first but then I 927 00:38:40,260 --> 00:38:43,589 noticed which light was blinking on the 928 00:38:41,730 --> 00:38:44,969 map and I realized that they were reason 929 00:38:43,588 --> 00:38:48,210 the pit buck technician stall in the 930 00:38:44,969 --> 00:38:50,429 maintenance wing as a jail I stared as 931 00:38:48,210 --> 00:38:51,900 the brown mare found her button the pony 932 00:38:50,429 --> 00:38:54,779 in my head trying to decide how I should 933 00:38:51,900 --> 00:38:58,180 feel about that I dispassionately 934 00:38:54,780 --> 00:39:01,300 settled on makes sense 935 00:38:58,179 --> 00:39:03,730 Eldar cottage it's raining crossroads 936 00:39:01,300 --> 00:39:05,890 nikkor politely into the intercom you 937 00:39:03,730 --> 00:39:07,929 could catch a cold which you know would 938 00:39:05,889 --> 00:39:09,519 probably kill you your life support 939 00:39:07,929 --> 00:39:12,789 capsule is the only way we can ensure 940 00:39:09,519 --> 00:39:15,009 you will survive the journey you traitor 941 00:39:12,789 --> 00:39:17,409 last Lada have already killed me the 942 00:39:15,010 --> 00:39:19,510 elder retorted look who said a mainframe 943 00:39:17,409 --> 00:39:22,449 wind is stable with my last hope and 944 00:39:19,510 --> 00:39:24,520 you've ripped that from me whether the 945 00:39:22,449 --> 00:39:26,919 finishing drop be from soared drizzle or 946 00:39:24,519 --> 00:39:30,940 a cup of poison I will face my end with 947 00:39:26,920 --> 00:39:32,710 dignity crossroads took her off the 948 00:39:30,940 --> 00:39:36,309 intercom looking at Steel's with an 949 00:39:32,710 --> 00:39:38,590 expression of concern Steel has marched 950 00:39:36,309 --> 00:39:40,029 over access the terminal then pushed 951 00:39:38,590 --> 00:39:43,260 crossroads out of the way as he pushed 952 00:39:40,030 --> 00:39:47,019 the intercom button elder cottage-cheese 953 00:39:43,260 --> 00:39:49,480 his voice rumbled into the intercom this 954 00:39:47,019 --> 00:39:51,940 is steel oves this conversation is now 955 00:39:49,480 --> 00:39:56,920 being recorded please did you request 956 00:39:51,940 --> 00:40:01,150 again request the elder responded with 957 00:39:56,920 --> 00:40:02,889 irritated civil tea yes I require my 958 00:40:01,150 --> 00:40:04,780 medical chair be brought here at once 959 00:40:02,889 --> 00:40:07,059 not tonight sir assisted me and 960 00:40:04,780 --> 00:40:09,040 transferring to it I will return to 961 00:40:07,059 --> 00:40:13,860 Buckland cross as a pony not a partial 962 00:40:09,039 --> 00:40:16,980 one crossroads shook her head we can't 963 00:40:13,860 --> 00:40:20,550 chances are he'll die 964 00:40:16,980 --> 00:40:22,289 steelo's press the button again you have 965 00:40:20,550 --> 00:40:22,920 been informed of the risk disposes to 966 00:40:22,289 --> 00:40:24,659 your health 967 00:40:22,920 --> 00:40:27,659 if you refuse to travel in a 968 00:40:24,659 --> 00:40:29,899 life-support chamber you could expire is 969 00:40:27,659 --> 00:40:32,819 that what you want 970 00:40:29,900 --> 00:40:37,410 damn you still loves yes now bring my 971 00:40:32,820 --> 00:40:38,670 goddess damn chair steel has looked back 972 00:40:37,409 --> 00:40:42,569 at crosswords and gave a grunt of 973 00:40:38,670 --> 00:40:44,190 satisfaction hitting another button will 974 00:40:42,570 --> 00:40:47,359 somepony please bring elder cottage 975 00:40:44,190 --> 00:40:51,019 cheese his goddess downed medical chair 976 00:40:47,358 --> 00:40:53,489 steel hooves crossroads gasped 977 00:40:51,019 --> 00:40:57,358 but our armor entombed companion had 978 00:40:53,489 --> 00:40:58,979 made his decision he's an elder he has 979 00:40:57,358 --> 00:41:02,789 the right and the authority to make his 980 00:40:58,980 --> 00:41:04,170 own decisions the familiar voice of nice 981 00:41:02,789 --> 00:41:09,179 strawberry lemonade burst from the 982 00:41:04,170 --> 00:41:10,920 intercom I'm on it star pounding 983 00:41:09,179 --> 00:41:13,949 crossroads look trimly displeased with 984 00:41:10,920 --> 00:41:15,570 her new elders decision honestly I don't 985 00:41:13,949 --> 00:41:17,069 think the assisted suicide of an enemy 986 00:41:15,570 --> 00:41:19,829 elder is the best stone we could have 987 00:41:17,070 --> 00:41:22,710 laid in our movements foundation more 988 00:41:19,829 --> 00:41:23,400 tenderly do you believe Applejack would 989 00:41:22,710 --> 00:41:28,050 have approved 990 00:41:23,400 --> 00:41:31,079 I could feel steel hose glower radiating 991 00:41:28,050 --> 00:41:35,460 from behind his visor his response was 992 00:41:31,079 --> 00:41:36,780 slow in coming I don't know this is not 993 00:41:35,460 --> 00:41:39,690 the sort of decision she would have ever 994 00:41:36,780 --> 00:41:41,099 wanted to make mother will be many such 995 00:41:39,690 --> 00:41:43,200 difficult decisions over the next 996 00:41:41,099 --> 00:41:44,960 several months and the survival of our 997 00:41:43,199 --> 00:41:48,719 faction has to take priority 998 00:41:44,960 --> 00:41:50,039 he added solemnly Applejack would want 999 00:41:48,719 --> 00:41:52,858 us to help the ponies at the equestrian 1000 00:41:50,039 --> 00:41:54,179 wasteland however we could and we can't 1001 00:41:52,858 --> 00:41:57,019 do that if we're crushed before we can 1002 00:41:54,179 --> 00:41:57,019 get our hooves under us 1003 00:41:58,769 --> 00:42:04,019 littlepip what brings you here steelo's 1004 00:42:02,730 --> 00:42:05,699 asked once his discussion with 1005 00:42:04,019 --> 00:42:08,239 crossroads it ended and a few other 1006 00:42:05,699 --> 00:42:10,919 interruptions have been attended to I 1007 00:42:08,239 --> 00:42:14,759 promised I would rejoin you but as you 1008 00:42:10,920 --> 00:42:18,119 can see I have my hooves fool we need 1009 00:42:14,760 --> 00:42:20,550 your advice I told him we have to go 1010 00:42:18,119 --> 00:42:24,680 into the Canterlot ruins we need to know 1011 00:42:20,550 --> 00:42:29,390 what to expect and how best to survive 1012 00:42:24,679 --> 00:42:35,309 crossroads gasped you're going where 1013 00:42:29,389 --> 00:42:38,338 why Steel hose was taken aback do you 1014 00:42:35,309 --> 00:42:39,960 have a death wish little PIP is it not 1015 00:42:38,338 --> 00:42:43,349 enough to simply throw yourself against 1016 00:42:39,960 --> 00:42:45,210 Raiders why are you constantly driven to 1017 00:42:43,349 --> 00:42:47,700 find new and more extreme ways to punish 1018 00:42:45,210 --> 00:42:51,389 yourself risking your life and often the 1019 00:42:47,699 --> 00:42:56,009 lives of those who follow you that hurt 1020 00:42:51,389 --> 00:42:57,269 I do this alone if I could but we have 1021 00:42:56,010 --> 00:43:01,070 to get to the Ministry of Awesome in 1022 00:42:57,269 --> 00:43:02,429 Canterlot and I can't do that by myself 1023 00:43:01,070 --> 00:43:05,070 yeah 1024 00:43:02,429 --> 00:43:06,719 calamity stomped we appreciate you're 1025 00:43:05,070 --> 00:43:09,019 not one to put us in danger little pip 1026 00:43:06,719 --> 00:43:10,980 but you can just cut that crap right now 1027 00:43:09,019 --> 00:43:14,070 you ain't pulling another one of your 1028 00:43:10,980 --> 00:43:17,880 solo missions Philadelphia was still 1029 00:43:14,070 --> 00:43:20,099 fresh on everypony's mind how bad is 1030 00:43:17,880 --> 00:43:26,010 what we're trotting into velvet remedy 1031 00:43:20,099 --> 00:43:28,200 asked steelo's give alo nikkor bad not 1032 00:43:26,010 --> 00:43:31,140 like it used to be what's still bad 1033 00:43:28,199 --> 00:43:32,909 am I at least correct that you know 1034 00:43:31,139 --> 00:43:35,579 where you're going and what you want to 1035 00:43:32,909 --> 00:43:37,179 do the Canterlot ruins is not a place 1036 00:43:35,579 --> 00:43:41,308 for sightseeing 1037 00:43:37,179 --> 00:43:43,568 I nodded we have two objectives 1038 00:43:41,309 --> 00:43:45,640 Rarity's office in the ministry of image 1039 00:43:43,568 --> 00:43:51,130 and the secure vault in the Ministry of 1040 00:43:45,639 --> 00:43:53,440 Awesome Cee Lo's nodded good you have 1041 00:43:51,130 --> 00:43:55,180 that in your favour then once you enter 1042 00:43:53,440 --> 00:43:58,150 the ruins do not let yourself get 1043 00:43:55,179 --> 00:43:59,230 distracted his visor turned to stare 1044 00:43:58,150 --> 00:44:03,910 dijo a sand turn 1045 00:43:59,230 --> 00:44:05,769 ending with calamity why I asked 1046 00:44:03,909 --> 00:44:08,649 concerned steel who seemed to expect us 1047 00:44:05,769 --> 00:44:09,849 to have trouble with that either Ponies 1048 00:44:08,650 --> 00:44:10,858 still alive in the ruins who need our 1049 00:44:09,849 --> 00:44:16,450 help 1050 00:44:10,858 --> 00:44:17,828 no Stila stone was final there is no 1051 00:44:16,449 --> 00:44:20,409 pony in Canterlot who would meet your 1052 00:44:17,829 --> 00:44:24,900 definition of alive and low pony was 1053 00:44:20,409 --> 00:44:28,779 looking for rescue well that's ominous 1054 00:44:24,900 --> 00:44:31,750 velvet Remini whinny did zennith 1055 00:44:28,780 --> 00:44:33,670 surprised me saying all those with the 1056 00:44:31,750 --> 00:44:35,980 minds to leave Canterlot have long since 1057 00:44:33,670 --> 00:44:38,318 fled those who remain are Canterlot 1058 00:44:35,980 --> 00:44:41,469 ghouls but not the manner of ghouls that 1059 00:44:38,318 --> 00:44:44,048 have sound minds these are empty shells 1060 00:44:41,469 --> 00:44:45,578 filled with necromantic poison retraced 1061 00:44:44,048 --> 00:44:46,469 in the last steps of their obliterated 1062 00:44:45,579 --> 00:44:49,329 lives 1063 00:44:46,469 --> 00:44:50,649 zombies performing rote tasks over and 1064 00:44:49,329 --> 00:44:54,068 over because that is all they can 1065 00:44:50,650 --> 00:44:58,269 remember to do the zebra frown deeply 1066 00:44:54,068 --> 00:45:01,119 other than to attack that is the only 1067 00:44:58,269 --> 00:45:02,530 thing they all seem capable of and they 1068 00:45:01,119 --> 00:45:05,559 will move to slaughter any living thing 1069 00:45:02,530 --> 00:45:09,150 whose presence they sense anything that 1070 00:45:05,559 --> 00:45:10,769 is not one of them Canterlot zombies 1071 00:45:09,150 --> 00:45:13,720 velvet intoned 1072 00:45:10,769 --> 00:45:15,929 huh lovely 1073 00:45:13,719 --> 00:45:19,329 your biggest threat is the pink cloud 1074 00:45:15,929 --> 00:45:22,480 Steele has informed us it seeps into 1075 00:45:19,329 --> 00:45:25,509 everything corrupting decaying killing 1076 00:45:22,480 --> 00:45:27,599 all it touches over the centuries the 1077 00:45:25,510 --> 00:45:29,920 cloud has thinned to a mere haze 1078 00:45:27,599 --> 00:45:32,289 Canterlot itself absorbed most of it 1079 00:45:29,920 --> 00:45:34,630 like a sponge and now it bleeds from the 1080 00:45:32,289 --> 00:45:38,769 walls in the streets slowly releasing as 1081 00:45:34,630 --> 00:45:42,608 they decay I nodded this much I'd heard 1082 00:45:38,769 --> 00:45:45,340 before these days it is possible to 1083 00:45:42,608 --> 00:45:46,779 survive if you are fast and careful some 1084 00:45:45,340 --> 00:45:49,420 ponies can even survive hours of 1085 00:45:46,780 --> 00:45:52,810 exposure at a time but taking that risk 1086 00:45:49,420 --> 00:45:56,849 is foolish do not fall asleep you will 1087 00:45:52,809 --> 00:45:59,889 never wake up limit your exposure every 1088 00:45:56,849 --> 00:46:01,950 second you remained outside the cloud is 1089 00:45:59,889 --> 00:46:04,839 seeping into your lungs in your skin 1090 00:46:01,949 --> 00:46:07,118 interiors are safer intact buildings and 1091 00:46:04,840 --> 00:46:09,700 tunnels but only where the pink cloud 1092 00:46:07,119 --> 00:46:11,170 has yet to penetrate you will want to 1093 00:46:09,699 --> 00:46:13,108 bring every healing potion you can lay 1094 00:46:11,170 --> 00:46:15,280 your hooves on and drink them regularly 1095 00:46:13,108 --> 00:46:16,569 there Ealing magic can reverse the 1096 00:46:15,280 --> 00:46:19,510 effects of the cloud before it causes 1097 00:46:16,570 --> 00:46:24,480 permanent damage do not use healing 1098 00:46:19,510 --> 00:46:26,680 bandages they can cause other problems 1099 00:46:24,480 --> 00:46:29,139 there will also be pockets where the 1100 00:46:26,679 --> 00:46:31,299 pink cloud has settled and pooled avoid 1101 00:46:29,139 --> 00:46:33,879 them if you can dash through them with 1102 00:46:31,300 --> 00:46:35,320 all haste if you cannot while still only 1103 00:46:33,880 --> 00:46:37,420 a fraction of the potency of the 1104 00:46:35,320 --> 00:46:39,150 original cloud such pockets will kill 1105 00:46:37,420 --> 00:46:42,550 you in seconds 1106 00:46:39,150 --> 00:46:44,410 velvet remedy raised a hoof other 1107 00:46:42,550 --> 00:46:48,280 problems 1108 00:46:44,409 --> 00:46:51,190 steel upside I have told you why I 1109 00:46:48,280 --> 00:46:52,660 cannot leave my armor you do not want to 1110 00:46:51,190 --> 00:46:55,329 be wearing anything when you enter the 1111 00:46:52,659 --> 00:46:57,699 Canterlot ruins no protective gear as a 1112 00:46:55,329 --> 00:46:59,049 guard against the pink cloud and there 1113 00:46:57,699 --> 00:47:01,059 is a chance that anything touching your 1114 00:46:59,050 --> 00:47:04,720 code may fuse your skin under prolonged 1115 00:47:01,059 --> 00:47:06,070 and extreme exposure littlepip you will 1116 00:47:04,719 --> 00:47:08,739 want to carry everypony's weapons 1117 00:47:06,070 --> 00:47:10,090 telekinetically the rest of you take 1118 00:47:08,739 --> 00:47:13,479 hold of those weapons only when you're 1119 00:47:10,090 --> 00:47:15,460 using them pack lightly save for medical 1120 00:47:13,480 --> 00:47:19,570 potions as little pip will be floating 1121 00:47:15,460 --> 00:47:21,639 her saddlebags I was tempted to tell him 1122 00:47:19,570 --> 00:47:22,840 that weight didn't matter but realized 1123 00:47:21,639 --> 00:47:24,309 that there might be wisdom and having 1124 00:47:22,840 --> 00:47:28,120 less objects floating about me to keep 1125 00:47:24,309 --> 00:47:30,400 track of if and there ain't no ponies 1126 00:47:28,119 --> 00:47:33,099 there to save why so worried about us 1127 00:47:30,400 --> 00:47:35,519 getting distracted kala don't seem like 1128 00:47:33,099 --> 00:47:38,849 the sort of place to poke around in 1129 00:47:35,519 --> 00:47:42,210 because little PIP is fatally curious 1130 00:47:38,849 --> 00:47:46,690 steel said flatly and you are 1131 00:47:42,210 --> 00:47:48,570 kleptomaniac scavenger calamity 1132 00:47:46,690 --> 00:47:52,380 corrected with a flap of his wings 1133 00:47:48,570 --> 00:47:52,380 steelo's ignored him 1134 00:47:52,619 --> 00:47:57,659 the Canterlot ruins suffered only the 1135 00:47:54,960 --> 00:47:59,039 single strike I heard rumors in the days 1136 00:47:57,659 --> 00:48:01,170 after the apocalypse that after the 1137 00:47:59,039 --> 00:48:02,840 shield fell the Zebras launched mega 1138 00:48:01,170 --> 00:48:05,430 spells to finally obliterate the city 1139 00:48:02,840 --> 00:48:08,250 but if that is true then those missiles 1140 00:48:05,429 --> 00:48:11,009 never reached the destination Canterlot 1141 00:48:08,250 --> 00:48:12,719 is surprisingly well preserved at least 1142 00:48:11,010 --> 00:48:15,300 within those places the pink cloud has 1143 00:48:12,719 --> 00:48:16,469 not yet touched the city contains a 1144 00:48:15,300 --> 00:48:19,920 wealth of treasures from the world 1145 00:48:16,469 --> 00:48:21,329 before in such a place is it even 1146 00:48:19,920 --> 00:48:23,119 possible for you to not to get 1147 00:48:21,329 --> 00:48:26,940 distracted 1148 00:48:23,119 --> 00:48:28,769 zennith turned to velvet remedy it would 1149 00:48:26,940 --> 00:48:31,820 seem the task falls to us to keep our 1150 00:48:28,769 --> 00:48:36,630 two companions safe from themselves 1151 00:48:31,820 --> 00:48:38,280 there is more Steelers warned the pink 1152 00:48:36,630 --> 00:48:40,650 cloud has seeped into everything it 1153 00:48:38,280 --> 00:48:42,830 touched and the decay is transformed 1154 00:48:40,650 --> 00:48:45,119 once benign objects into lethal traps 1155 00:48:42,829 --> 00:48:48,139 the most noteworthy of these are the 1156 00:48:45,119 --> 00:48:52,710 broadcaster's in the spread bots 1157 00:48:48,139 --> 00:48:54,000 broadcasters I asked you mean like the 1158 00:48:52,710 --> 00:48:57,570 pipbuck peripherals like the one 1159 00:48:54,000 --> 00:49:00,000 Blackmun gave me the magically armored 1160 00:48:57,570 --> 00:49:02,070 ghoul nodded they were all the rage 1161 00:49:00,000 --> 00:49:04,469 amongst Canterlot elite just before the 1162 00:49:02,070 --> 00:49:07,140 end it bucks have become the latest 1163 00:49:04,469 --> 00:49:08,459 fashion accessory and the broadcaster's 1164 00:49:07,139 --> 00:49:11,190 were rare enough that having one was 1165 00:49:08,460 --> 00:49:14,610 prestigious still have see have a dry 1166 00:49:11,190 --> 00:49:16,289 humorless laugh now the pink cloud has 1167 00:49:14,610 --> 00:49:19,590 both weakened and decayed their signals 1168 00:49:16,289 --> 00:49:21,509 I cannot explain how but the static that 1169 00:49:19,590 --> 00:49:23,880 they now MIT has an achromatic component 1170 00:49:21,510 --> 00:49:26,340 if you find yourself within the range of 1171 00:49:23,880 --> 00:49:29,309 their effect you must either destroy 1172 00:49:26,340 --> 00:49:32,240 them or flee immediately you do not wish 1173 00:49:29,309 --> 00:49:36,690 to know how you will die if you do not 1174 00:49:32,239 --> 00:49:38,129 you've got to be kidding me I gasped the 1175 00:49:36,690 --> 00:49:39,929 dangers of the Canterlot bruins had 1176 00:49:38,130 --> 00:49:43,110 galloped past deadly and into outright 1177 00:49:39,929 --> 00:49:47,489 insane how was I going to get everypony 1178 00:49:43,110 --> 00:49:48,710 through this alive I wish I was Steelers 1179 00:49:47,489 --> 00:49:50,778 grumbled 1180 00:49:48,710 --> 00:49:52,789 if you're going there then I should 1181 00:49:50,778 --> 00:49:56,449 accompany you you'll need more than 1182 00:49:52,789 --> 00:49:57,920 advice you'll need a guide somebody who 1183 00:49:56,449 --> 00:50:01,278 knows the streets and can get you where 1184 00:49:57,920 --> 00:50:05,980 you need to be swiftly I breathe the 1185 00:50:01,278 --> 00:50:08,750 heavy sigh of relief that means a lot 1186 00:50:05,980 --> 00:50:13,510 thank you we really need you this time 1187 00:50:08,750 --> 00:50:17,929 and we miss you too velvet REM reapered 1188 00:50:13,510 --> 00:50:21,380 steel stomped and niggard and maybe we 1189 00:50:17,929 --> 00:50:22,368 can help you in return I offered you 1190 00:50:21,380 --> 00:50:24,019 don't need to commit any of your 1191 00:50:22,369 --> 00:50:28,750 outcasts to delivering Ellery cottage 1192 00:50:24,019 --> 00:50:31,849 cheese - where was it Bucklin cross 1193 00:50:28,750 --> 00:50:34,219 calamity answered with a grin little 1194 00:50:31,849 --> 00:50:36,109 pips rat we got me and we got the scout 1195 00:50:34,219 --> 00:50:39,288 bandit we can make the trip our sails in 1196 00:50:36,108 --> 00:50:41,150 half a day crossroads who'd remained 1197 00:50:39,289 --> 00:50:45,770 mostly silent during our reunion spoke 1198 00:50:41,150 --> 00:50:47,568 up a splendid idea but as much as we 1199 00:50:45,769 --> 00:50:49,460 appreciate your offer we cannot have you 1200 00:50:47,568 --> 00:50:50,960 do it alone there will need to be 1201 00:50:49,460 --> 00:50:53,588 representatives of Applejack's Rangers 1202 00:50:50,960 --> 00:50:58,519 present for the exchange 1203 00:50:53,588 --> 00:51:00,739 Stilo seem to consider this no the role 1204 00:50:58,519 --> 00:51:02,119 that needs to be won so long as that 1205 00:51:00,739 --> 00:51:05,989 representative is appropriately 1206 00:51:02,119 --> 00:51:09,740 high-ranking was it just my imagination 1207 00:51:05,989 --> 00:51:16,629 or did he sound ever so slightly happy 1208 00:51:09,739 --> 00:51:19,038 I shall go steel hose was with us again 1209 00:51:16,630 --> 00:51:23,510 the little pony in my head give a small 1210 00:51:19,039 --> 00:51:25,160 squee we were together once more the 1211 00:51:23,510 --> 00:51:27,680 door to the security station slid open 1212 00:51:25,159 --> 00:51:30,558 and I stepped out into the hall Steel 1213 00:51:27,679 --> 00:51:34,079 was close to my side alarms went off 1214 00:51:30,559 --> 00:51:37,350 everywhere wait what 1215 00:51:34,079 --> 00:51:40,289 I stumbled looking around we're under 1216 00:51:37,349 --> 00:51:42,349 attack steal his spun on his hopes and 1217 00:51:40,289 --> 00:51:46,590 pushed back into the security station 1218 00:51:42,349 --> 00:51:47,190 star Belding crossroads report I don't 1219 00:51:46,590 --> 00:51:49,860 know sir 1220 00:51:47,190 --> 00:51:52,530 crossroad said zipping between monitors 1221 00:51:49,860 --> 00:51:54,450 and panels of flashing lights perimeter 1222 00:51:52,530 --> 00:51:57,540 secure no hostile contact at the 1223 00:51:54,449 --> 00:52:00,779 entrance the outcasts tarp out and 1224 00:51:57,539 --> 00:52:02,730 paused oh damn the attack came from 1225 00:52:00,780 --> 00:52:06,740 inside I'm reading explosion the 1226 00:52:02,730 --> 00:52:10,110 maintenance wing huh cottage cheese 1227 00:52:06,739 --> 00:52:13,649 Steel's growled he threw himself to the 1228 00:52:10,110 --> 00:52:18,180 intercom switchboard bodis report what's 1229 00:52:13,650 --> 00:52:20,700 going on down there no answer cross 1230 00:52:18,179 --> 00:52:23,190 bring up the tags of everypony in stable 1231 00:52:20,699 --> 00:52:27,599 29 and tell me we have the tag for 1232 00:52:23,190 --> 00:52:29,099 cottages damn chair my friends and I had 1233 00:52:27,599 --> 00:52:30,929 re-entered the security station and 1234 00:52:29,099 --> 00:52:32,250 stood watching as a glowing map of the 1235 00:52:30,929 --> 00:52:35,039 stable began to light up with tag 1236 00:52:32,250 --> 00:52:38,099 markers I knew this procedure although 1237 00:52:35,039 --> 00:52:39,599 I'd never witnessed it before all pip 1238 00:52:38,099 --> 00:52:42,000 bucks had a tag that allowed their wares 1239 00:52:39,599 --> 00:52:43,739 to be located this was how the overmare 1240 00:52:42,000 --> 00:52:45,659 had intended to find velvet remedy and 1241 00:52:43,739 --> 00:52:48,449 why velvet had tricked me into removing 1242 00:52:45,659 --> 00:52:50,849 her pipbuck steel ranger armor was built 1243 00:52:48,449 --> 00:52:52,349 with nearly the same technology it made 1244 00:52:50,849 --> 00:52:55,049 sense they would have similar tracking 1245 00:52:52,349 --> 00:52:58,949 devices but what about everypony not 1246 00:52:55,050 --> 00:53:01,650 wearing their armor like crossroads the 1247 00:52:58,949 --> 00:53:04,019 stable map was flooded with tags now but 1248 00:53:01,650 --> 00:53:05,730 two stood out because two were in the 1249 00:53:04,019 --> 00:53:08,730 section of the stable that according to 1250 00:53:05,730 --> 00:53:10,349 the map didn't exist the empty space 1251 00:53:08,730 --> 00:53:14,240 where the overmare's office was supposed 1252 00:53:10,349 --> 00:53:17,389 to be one of those two tags flashed red 1253 00:53:14,239 --> 00:53:19,809 that's the elders chair cross stated 1254 00:53:17,389 --> 00:53:25,449 where 1255 00:53:19,809 --> 00:53:26,860 I knew the Crusader mainframe I didn't 1256 00:53:25,449 --> 00:53:28,859 know how he managed to get inside a room 1257 00:53:26,860 --> 00:53:31,720 that not even shadow horn had access to 1258 00:53:28,860 --> 00:53:33,910 but then I knew I shouldn't be surprised 1259 00:53:31,719 --> 00:53:35,529 elder cottage-cheese had clearly been in 1260 00:53:33,909 --> 00:53:38,469 tight communication with elder blueberry 1261 00:53:35,530 --> 00:53:39,970 Sabre and that outer Citadel had been in 1262 00:53:38,469 --> 00:53:42,039 the headquarters of stable tech itself 1263 00:53:39,969 --> 00:53:44,289 they had full schematics of all the 1264 00:53:42,039 --> 00:53:45,670 stables it would be easy for them to 1265 00:53:44,289 --> 00:53:49,029 know things about each stay both the 1266 00:53:45,670 --> 00:53:52,450 residents themselves did not what the 1267 00:53:49,030 --> 00:53:53,710 hell is he trying to do clamonade he 1268 00:53:52,449 --> 00:53:56,079 don't have the book all y'all been 1269 00:53:53,710 --> 00:53:57,750 fussing about does he uploaded himself 1270 00:53:56,079 --> 00:54:02,019 into that machine ain't gonna save them 1271 00:53:57,750 --> 00:54:03,670 no steals replied cottage keeps sending 1272 00:54:02,019 --> 00:54:05,920 Rangers into the Canterlot ruins after 1273 00:54:03,670 --> 00:54:09,099 that thing but none of them have ever 1274 00:54:05,920 --> 00:54:10,650 returned however I'm not sure he cares 1275 00:54:09,099 --> 00:54:13,630 at this point 1276 00:54:10,650 --> 00:54:16,180 even if it won't be him crossroad 1277 00:54:13,630 --> 00:54:19,930 suggested he may still view it as some 1278 00:54:16,179 --> 00:54:24,879 sort of living legacy the intercom burst 1279 00:54:19,929 --> 00:54:28,779 was static elder steel hoofs a pony's 1280 00:54:24,880 --> 00:54:35,590 voice breathed elder cottage has escaped 1281 00:54:28,780 --> 00:54:39,970 I can see that Steel's retorted how his 1282 00:54:35,590 --> 00:54:44,360 chair lock box held matrix disruption 1283 00:54:39,969 --> 00:54:46,369 grenades steel stomped 1284 00:54:44,360 --> 00:54:47,720 didn't any pony check the chair for 1285 00:54:46,369 --> 00:54:52,250 weapons before giving it to the damn 1286 00:54:47,719 --> 00:54:57,939 enemy sir it was an elders private 1287 00:54:52,250 --> 00:55:02,119 lockbox came the reply and it was locked 1288 00:54:57,940 --> 00:55:03,619 crossroads whinnied you can't expect 1289 00:55:02,119 --> 00:55:05,769 them to just abandon the respect that 1290 00:55:03,619 --> 00:55:07,909 had been ingrained in them for decades I 1291 00:55:05,769 --> 00:55:11,599 would have had a hard time breaking into 1292 00:55:07,909 --> 00:55:13,909 the elders private possessions hmm this 1293 00:55:11,599 --> 00:55:17,480 world needs more little pips steals 1294 00:55:13,909 --> 00:55:22,190 groused velvet remedy piped up looking 1295 00:55:17,480 --> 00:55:23,510 up the map who's in there with him star 1296 00:55:22,190 --> 00:55:26,030 palette and crossroads turned to a 1297 00:55:23,510 --> 00:55:29,270 terminal and scanned it looking back to 1298 00:55:26,030 --> 00:55:32,510 us the brown could have may replied it's 1299 00:55:29,269 --> 00:55:35,030 night strawberry lemon-aid Steel is 1300 00:55:32,510 --> 00:55:38,000 Reard crossroads continued to scan the 1301 00:55:35,030 --> 00:55:42,620 terminal her armor spell matrix has 1302 00:55:38,000 --> 00:55:46,190 crashed she's paralyzed the elder has a 1303 00:55:42,619 --> 00:55:47,839 hostage I crouched against the wall 1304 00:55:46,190 --> 00:55:50,809 between the security station and the two 1305 00:55:47,840 --> 00:55:52,070 VIP rooms once belonging to shadow horn 1306 00:55:50,809 --> 00:55:54,980 and Vinyl Scratch respectively I 1307 00:55:52,070 --> 00:55:55,370 recalled a security panel lay next my 1308 00:55:54,980 --> 00:55:57,710 hooves 1309 00:55:55,369 --> 00:56:00,069 I had my pipbuck plugged into the 1310 00:55:57,710 --> 00:56:02,809 junction terminal hidden beneath it on 1311 00:56:00,070 --> 00:56:04,400 my pipbuck I could see into the room 1312 00:56:02,809 --> 00:56:06,049 from a camera whose visuals were only 1313 00:56:04,400 --> 00:56:08,360 available to somepony connected into 1314 00:56:06,050 --> 00:56:11,210 this Junction not even the security 1315 00:56:08,360 --> 00:56:13,550 station had access to it I saw the 1316 00:56:11,210 --> 00:56:14,929 Crusader mainframe a giant pillar with 1317 00:56:13,550 --> 00:56:16,550 arms that reached out to smaller 1318 00:56:14,929 --> 00:56:17,089 mainframes along the walls like spokes 1319 00:56:16,550 --> 00:56:19,880 from a wheel 1320 00:56:17,090 --> 00:56:21,670 I could see Knight strawberry lemon-aid 1321 00:56:19,880 --> 00:56:24,650 lying and mobilized in her dead armor 1322 00:56:21,670 --> 00:56:27,680 her helmet was off revealing a very cute 1323 00:56:24,650 --> 00:56:30,650 youthful mare her coat was pink her mane 1324 00:56:27,679 --> 00:56:32,659 a gentle yellow her palate struck me as 1325 00:56:30,650 --> 00:56:34,820 a reversal fluttershy's although her 1326 00:56:32,659 --> 00:56:37,359 mane was crowned very short better for 1327 00:56:34,820 --> 00:56:39,590 one who constantly wears a metal helmet 1328 00:56:37,360 --> 00:56:41,450 she was glowering at the ancient 1329 00:56:39,590 --> 00:56:43,660 wrinkled pony with a sickly oatmeal coat 1330 00:56:41,449 --> 00:56:45,739 singing in a high-tech wheelchair 1331 00:56:43,659 --> 00:56:47,629 according to steal those the chair had 1332 00:56:45,739 --> 00:56:49,189 been reclaimed by the elder from a 1333 00:56:47,630 --> 00:56:51,050 crumbling Ministry of peace hospital 1334 00:56:49,190 --> 00:56:52,579 along with several egg-shaped 1335 00:56:51,050 --> 00:56:54,360 life-support chambers and a variety of 1336 00:56:52,579 --> 00:56:56,880 other advanced medical gear 1337 00:56:54,360 --> 00:56:59,190 tubes continuously fed the decrepit body 1338 00:56:56,880 --> 00:57:00,660 of the elder a body kept alive only by 1339 00:56:59,190 --> 00:57:04,349 extremes of medical science and a 1340 00:57:00,659 --> 00:57:05,819 tenacious force of will the elder was 1341 00:57:04,349 --> 00:57:07,589 fussing with a helmet covered in gems 1342 00:57:05,820 --> 00:57:09,510 and lights attached or I could safely 1343 00:57:07,590 --> 00:57:12,809 assume was the Crusader mainframes brain 1344 00:57:09,510 --> 00:57:14,400 transfer mapping unit the unit was meant 1345 00:57:12,809 --> 00:57:17,009 to be worn on the head of a pony resting 1346 00:57:14,400 --> 00:57:18,389 in a gel tank beneath it cottage was 1347 00:57:17,010 --> 00:57:19,950 being delayed by the inability to 1348 00:57:18,389 --> 00:57:21,929 physically remove himself from the chair 1349 00:57:19,949 --> 00:57:25,879 to the tank so he was unfastening the 1350 00:57:21,929 --> 00:57:28,019 helmet as I watched he floated it free 1351 00:57:25,880 --> 00:57:30,000 the helmet levitated through the air 1352 00:57:28,019 --> 00:57:31,380 towards his head then stopped as it 1353 00:57:30,000 --> 00:57:32,789 reached the length of the several vital 1354 00:57:31,380 --> 00:57:35,670 cables that still bound it to the rest 1355 00:57:32,789 --> 00:57:37,739 of the machine the elder started 1356 00:57:35,670 --> 00:57:39,829 jockeying his chair trying to move close 1357 00:57:37,739 --> 00:57:42,179 enough for his head to reach the helmet 1358 00:57:39,829 --> 00:57:45,539 it occurred to me suddenly that elder 1359 00:57:42,179 --> 00:57:46,949 cottage cheese was the first no second 1360 00:57:45,539 --> 00:57:49,259 unicorn I had seen amongst the steel 1361 00:57:46,949 --> 00:57:52,079 rangers their helmets weren't exactly 1362 00:57:49,260 --> 00:57:53,700 designed for horns I wondered if he had 1363 00:57:52,079 --> 00:57:55,829 cut his own horn off to wear their armor 1364 00:57:53,699 --> 00:57:58,799 it would certainly have been a sign of 1365 00:57:55,829 --> 00:58:01,170 dedication to the steel rangers but if 1366 00:57:58,800 --> 00:58:03,930 so then the horn had regrown and I 1367 00:58:01,170 --> 00:58:05,940 hadn't thought that could happen if so 1368 00:58:03,929 --> 00:58:10,079 it was a bright spot of news for silver 1369 00:58:05,940 --> 00:58:11,490 bells future or I realized he may have 1370 00:58:10,079 --> 00:58:14,309 just moved up through the ranks of non 1371 00:58:11,489 --> 00:58:15,779 armored steel rangers they did after all 1372 00:58:14,309 --> 00:58:18,509 have unicorns like the one whose body 1373 00:58:15,780 --> 00:58:22,470 I'd found at old Olney scribes I think 1374 00:58:18,510 --> 00:58:23,970 they were called researchers I knew 1375 00:58:22,469 --> 00:58:26,219 steel hose was working to find a way 1376 00:58:23,969 --> 00:58:27,719 into the room cottage would certainly 1377 00:58:26,219 --> 00:58:30,089 try to use strawberry lemonade as a 1378 00:58:27,719 --> 00:58:33,329 hostage but knowing Steel's that 1379 00:58:30,090 --> 00:58:35,360 wouldn't stop him fortunately I had 1380 00:58:33,329 --> 00:58:38,219 another idea 1381 00:58:35,360 --> 00:58:39,690 hello elder cottage cheese I said 1382 00:58:38,219 --> 00:58:43,139 speaking to the terminal 1383 00:58:39,690 --> 00:58:45,519 I'm little pip I've hacked into the room 1384 00:58:43,139 --> 00:58:48,529 to beg you not to do this 1385 00:58:45,519 --> 00:58:49,759 the elder frowned but ignored me trying 1386 00:58:48,530 --> 00:58:52,790 to nudge it chair into a better position 1387 00:58:49,760 --> 00:58:55,850 next to the tank stop him 1388 00:58:52,789 --> 00:58:59,289 strawberry lemon-aid cried out do 1389 00:58:55,849 --> 00:59:03,639 whatever you have to do guess the room 1390 00:58:59,289 --> 00:59:07,190 shut up the elder said almost amiably 1391 00:59:03,639 --> 00:59:08,690 then addressing me he announced our new 1392 00:59:07,190 --> 00:59:11,960 attempts to interfere will cost this 1393 00:59:08,690 --> 00:59:12,710 young trader her life I'm not a damsel 1394 00:59:11,960 --> 00:59:15,889 in distress 1395 00:59:12,710 --> 00:59:18,170 the young Knight bit back I am a knight 1396 00:59:15,889 --> 00:59:20,539 of the Applejack's Rangers and I won't 1397 00:59:18,170 --> 00:59:25,130 be your leverage I'd self-destruct if I 1398 00:59:20,539 --> 00:59:26,480 could stop you first I felt a warm pride 1399 00:59:25,130 --> 00:59:30,019 stretching out toward strawberry 1400 00:59:26,480 --> 00:59:32,570 lemonade you tell him girl then I 1401 00:59:30,019 --> 00:59:33,980 blinked nothing I'd ever seen had 1402 00:59:32,570 --> 00:59:38,059 suggested that Steel Ranger armor could 1403 00:59:33,980 --> 00:59:39,440 do that but then I supposed it would 1404 00:59:38,059 --> 00:59:43,730 depend on the payload of the battle 1405 00:59:39,440 --> 00:59:46,670 saddles but you can do nothing the 1406 00:59:43,730 --> 00:59:50,599 outter replied coolly so cease your 1407 00:59:46,670 --> 00:59:53,210 prattling this won't save you 1408 00:59:50,599 --> 00:59:57,049 I told cottage to the terminal trying to 1409 00:59:53,210 --> 00:59:58,490 be reasonable you have to know that the 1410 00:59:57,050 --> 01:00:02,330 mind you create in the Crusader won't 1411 00:59:58,489 --> 01:00:06,169 actually be you I'm well aware of rat 1412 01:00:02,329 --> 01:00:09,529 the outter replied I am NOT an ignorant 1413 01:00:06,170 --> 01:00:12,409 tribal he tilted and strained his neck 1414 01:00:09,530 --> 01:00:14,210 attempting to get the helmet to reach he 1415 01:00:12,409 --> 01:00:15,529 was getting closer but there were still 1416 01:00:14,210 --> 01:00:17,210 several inches of space between the 1417 01:00:15,530 --> 01:00:22,730 helmet and a few remaining wisps of his 1418 01:00:17,210 --> 01:00:25,420 Mane then why I asked plaintively as my 1419 01:00:22,730 --> 01:00:28,750 pipbuck scanned the junction terminal 1420 01:00:25,420 --> 01:00:31,630 my body and soul may not survive but my 1421 01:00:28,750 --> 01:00:33,550 mind will go on this rebellion will fail 1422 01:00:31,630 --> 01:00:35,349 and when the steel rangers reclaimed 1423 01:00:33,550 --> 01:00:39,220 this place my intellect will be there to 1424 01:00:35,349 --> 01:00:42,789 guide them into the future what future I 1425 01:00:39,219 --> 01:00:45,339 countered all you ponies do is raid and 1426 01:00:42,789 --> 01:00:47,230 hoard technology other ponies are 1427 01:00:45,340 --> 01:00:49,720 building a new world and you're hiding 1428 01:00:47,230 --> 01:00:54,460 near Citadel's how much guidance does 1429 01:00:49,719 --> 01:00:56,709 that take hmm you are an ignorant insect 1430 01:00:54,460 --> 01:00:59,559 he grunted in annoyance as he shifted 1431 01:00:56,710 --> 01:01:04,199 painfully in his chair you could not be 1432 01:00:59,559 --> 01:01:06,969 expected to understand then educate me I 1433 01:01:04,199 --> 01:01:11,230 offered my voice a little more curt than 1434 01:01:06,969 --> 01:01:15,099 I would have liked educate yourself he 1435 01:01:11,230 --> 01:01:16,510 replied look around you if you have the 1436 01:01:15,099 --> 01:01:17,219 eyes and the Wits to comprehend your 1437 01:01:16,510 --> 01:01:21,070 surroundings 1438 01:01:17,219 --> 01:01:24,039 please tribals have no future these 1439 01:01:21,070 --> 01:01:25,420 tribals have no future what you see as 1440 01:01:24,039 --> 01:01:28,570 progress is just a brief distraction 1441 01:01:25,420 --> 01:01:30,280 along their march to destruction more 1442 01:01:28,570 --> 01:01:31,900 ponies choose to be raiders and bandits 1443 01:01:30,280 --> 01:01:34,900 and slavers than seem to flock to the 1444 01:01:31,900 --> 01:01:36,820 dying embers of civilization only redeye 1445 01:01:34,900 --> 01:01:38,920 has any real ambition towards creating a 1446 01:01:36,820 --> 01:01:40,480 new world and you have seen the depths 1447 01:01:38,920 --> 01:01:44,110 of depravity he is found to in his 1448 01:01:40,480 --> 01:01:47,889 attempts to manifest his vision at least 1449 01:01:44,110 --> 01:01:50,230 redeye is actually doing something all 1450 01:01:47,889 --> 01:01:52,259 he is doing is stabbing a poison dagger 1451 01:01:50,230 --> 01:01:54,909 through the heart of ponykind 1452 01:01:52,260 --> 01:01:56,290 Cod is shifted further shredding his 1453 01:01:54,909 --> 01:01:58,690 neck in a way that caused him to quiver 1454 01:01:56,289 --> 01:02:00,840 and grit his teeth and pain but he 1455 01:01:58,690 --> 01:02:04,210 managed to get the helmet onto his head 1456 01:02:00,840 --> 01:02:05,800 do you truly think any society that 1457 01:02:04,210 --> 01:02:07,510 evolved from the pits of misery has 1458 01:02:05,800 --> 01:02:10,810 created can be anything other than a 1459 01:02:07,510 --> 01:02:14,550 degenerate and vicious abomination 1460 01:02:10,809 --> 01:02:17,710 I cringed fearing that he might be right 1461 01:02:14,550 --> 01:02:18,970 but what about the steel rangers what 1462 01:02:17,710 --> 01:02:22,780 possible good could come out of the 1463 01:02:18,969 --> 01:02:24,129 murderous thugs you've cultured we do 1464 01:02:22,780 --> 01:02:26,410 not pretend that we are building a 1465 01:02:24,130 --> 01:02:29,170 society now elder cottage-cheese 1466 01:02:26,409 --> 01:02:31,750 informed me where it is gathering what 1467 01:02:29,170 --> 01:02:33,610 is necessary for those who will the 1468 01:02:31,750 --> 01:02:36,340 steel rangers will wait out this plague 1469 01:02:33,610 --> 01:02:37,990 and when you do based creatures who have 1470 01:02:36,340 --> 01:02:39,300 no right to call yourself ponies have 1471 01:02:37,989 --> 01:02:42,399 finally extinguished each other 1472 01:02:39,300 --> 01:02:45,340 generations from now the steel rangers 1473 01:02:42,400 --> 01:02:48,070 will emerge into a clean world we will 1474 01:02:45,340 --> 01:02:49,990 rise like a phoenix from the ashes not 1475 01:02:48,070 --> 01:02:53,019 the twisted blaspheming of a bell fire 1476 01:02:49,989 --> 01:02:54,549 phoenix but up here a true one bringing 1477 01:02:53,019 --> 01:02:56,409 with us all the glory and knowledge of 1478 01:02:54,550 --> 01:03:03,690 the past create a new world of proper 1479 01:02:56,409 --> 01:03:06,639 ponies and what you will guide them yes 1480 01:03:03,690 --> 01:03:10,000 he grunted starting up the scans for the 1481 01:03:06,639 --> 01:03:15,250 mental transfer mapping you will rule 1482 01:03:10,000 --> 01:03:18,460 them indeed and what will keep you from 1483 01:03:15,250 --> 01:03:19,449 becoming a tyrant for that matter what 1484 01:03:18,460 --> 01:03:22,269 will keep you from making the same 1485 01:03:19,449 --> 01:03:23,559 mistakes as old Equestria all you're 1486 01:03:22,269 --> 01:03:26,530 doing is preserving the knowledge in 1487 01:03:23,559 --> 01:03:28,150 science they had when they fell nothing 1488 01:03:26,530 --> 01:03:31,960 you are saving will prevent ponies from 1489 01:03:28,150 --> 01:03:35,110 falling again the device began to hum 1490 01:03:31,960 --> 01:03:39,730 the gems on the helmet began to glow the 1491 01:03:35,110 --> 01:03:42,840 lights began to flash I will the elder 1492 01:03:39,730 --> 01:03:45,940 claimed confidently my intellect my 1493 01:03:42,840 --> 01:03:47,530 judgment unfettered by emotion and the 1494 01:03:45,940 --> 01:03:50,260 selfish desires that have brought ruin 1495 01:03:47,530 --> 01:03:52,600 to the ponies of past and present it is 1496 01:03:50,260 --> 01:03:56,580 in retrospect better that I never did 1497 01:03:52,599 --> 01:04:00,889 acquire that book I'll rewire this way 1498 01:03:56,579 --> 01:04:04,098 he would be worthless I'm used sadly 1499 01:04:00,889 --> 01:04:05,568 lacking in compassion lacking in any of 1500 01:04:04,099 --> 01:04:08,450 the virtues that make us ponies worth 1501 01:04:05,568 --> 01:04:10,670 saving it's the virtue of our hearts 1502 01:04:08,449 --> 01:04:13,548 that make us something good that can 1503 01:04:10,670 --> 01:04:17,389 make us something great the Eldar 1504 01:04:13,548 --> 01:04:24,349 started with alarm wait what are you 1505 01:04:17,389 --> 01:04:25,788 doing stopping you I told him gently the 1506 01:04:24,349 --> 01:04:27,289 vice-president of stable tech gave 1507 01:04:25,789 --> 01:04:28,940 shadow horn the codes to shut down this 1508 01:04:27,289 --> 01:04:31,309 Crusader completely efficient ever pose 1509 01:04:28,940 --> 01:04:37,608 a threat I should have used them before 1510 01:04:31,309 --> 01:04:42,019 I'm doing so now what No 1511 01:04:37,608 --> 01:04:43,670 I'm truly sorry mr. cottage but there is 1512 01:04:42,018 --> 01:04:45,258 no place in this wasteland for a cold 1513 01:04:43,670 --> 01:04:46,730 everliving despot who would rule the 1514 01:04:45,259 --> 01:04:51,170 world through a soulless vision 1515 01:04:46,730 --> 01:04:54,338 I sent the code the lights of stable 29 1516 01:04:51,170 --> 01:04:54,338 went dark