1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,839 stupid a blast of lightning fired past 2 00:00:03,388 --> 00:00:05,910 me 3 00:00:03,839 --> 00:00:08,149 shattering an old clock at the back of 4 00:00:05,910 --> 00:00:10,800 the overview office I was cowering in 5 00:00:08,150 --> 00:00:13,169 the wasteland Survival Guide was full of 6 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:15,570 all sorts of helpful tips scavenging 7 00:00:13,169 --> 00:00:18,509 guides a whole chapter on mines and more 8 00:00:15,570 --> 00:00:21,329 and then there were the not so helpful 9 00:00:18,510 --> 00:00:23,550 ones after having read the chapter on 10 00:00:21,329 --> 00:00:25,559 making pre-war earth Pony technology 11 00:00:23,550 --> 00:00:26,969 work for you my first thought when I 12 00:00:25,559 --> 00:00:29,278 came across the ruins of iron-shod 13 00:00:26,969 --> 00:00:30,778 firearms to take a peek inside and see 14 00:00:29,278 --> 00:00:34,500 if there was any technology I could make 15 00:00:30,778 --> 00:00:36,600 work for me instead I got myself trapped 16 00:00:34,500 --> 00:00:38,939 in a maze full of bonus idol robots and 17 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:40,410 automated turrets fleeing until I almost 18 00:00:38,939 --> 00:00:42,479 managed to back myself into a corner 19 00:00:40,409 --> 00:00:45,628 here in an office box i above the 20 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:48,839 factory floor i was almost out of ammo i 21 00:00:45,628 --> 00:00:50,729 might add if i hadn't found that medical 22 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:52,079 box in the employee bathroom I would 23 00:00:50,729 --> 00:00:54,988 have died trying to get across the 24 00:00:52,079 --> 00:00:59,250 second floor how could I possibly have 25 00:00:54,988 --> 00:01:01,698 been so very stupid below three of those 26 00:00:59,250 --> 00:01:04,890 robots were rolling about looking for me 27 00:01:01,698 --> 00:01:06,989 they retract things built to somewhat 28 00:01:04,890 --> 00:01:10,140 resemble ponies with clear domed heads 29 00:01:06,989 --> 00:01:11,519 that housed real brains I refused to 30 00:01:10,140 --> 00:01:13,049 think that the ponies who built them 31 00:01:11,519 --> 00:01:16,019 might have used other ponies brains in 32 00:01:13,049 --> 00:01:18,570 the construction thought was just far 33 00:01:16,019 --> 00:01:20,069 too horrible for me to consider evening 34 00:01:18,569 --> 00:01:23,548 doing that to an animal's brain was 35 00:01:20,069 --> 00:01:25,469 clearly awful and 200 years of 36 00:01:23,549 --> 00:01:28,500 continuous operation and nothing for 37 00:01:25,469 --> 00:01:33,349 their sanity come on out we only want to 38 00:01:28,500 --> 00:01:35,728 kill you for trespassing case in point 39 00:01:33,349 --> 00:01:36,359 the fact that the voice sounded like a 40 00:01:35,728 --> 00:01:38,640 young filly 41 00:01:36,359 --> 00:01:40,728 despite being clearly artificial just 42 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:43,099 made them that much for here 43 00:01:40,728 --> 00:01:44,390 fortunately the railing on the catwalks 44 00:01:43,099 --> 00:01:46,069 leading up to this office were too 45 00:01:44,390 --> 00:01:49,099 narrow for the brainbots to get up here 46 00:01:46,069 --> 00:01:51,678 a much deeper Authority voice boomed 47 00:01:49,099 --> 00:01:55,149 across the room surrender in the name of 48 00:01:51,679 --> 00:01:57,649 the Ministry of Technology zebra scum I 49 00:01:55,149 --> 00:01:59,210 cringed behind a line of metal filing 50 00:01:57,649 --> 00:02:02,390 cabinets as the room filled with a rush 51 00:01:59,209 --> 00:02:03,769 of flame unfortunately the same could 52 00:02:02,390 --> 00:02:06,799 not be said for the other type of guard 53 00:02:03,769 --> 00:02:08,810 robot I'd crossed paths with in here the 54 00:02:06,799 --> 00:02:11,510 multi limb things look like giant metal 55 00:02:08,810 --> 00:02:13,670 spiders many of its arms seemed to end 56 00:02:11,509 --> 00:02:16,639 in weapons including a buzzsaw and a 57 00:02:13,669 --> 00:02:20,389 flamethrower and worse the damn things 58 00:02:16,639 --> 00:02:22,129 could fly I slipped both of my grenades 59 00:02:20,389 --> 00:02:25,129 out of my saddlebags and waited until 60 00:02:22,129 --> 00:02:26,568 the flames died away the metal cabinets 61 00:02:25,129 --> 00:02:28,519 were beginning yet unpleasantly warm 62 00:02:26,568 --> 00:02:31,189 against my back and the heat in the air 63 00:02:28,519 --> 00:02:33,200 seared my lungs the second the 64 00:02:31,189 --> 00:02:34,549 flamethrower cut off I turned my head 65 00:02:33,199 --> 00:02:35,859 around the corner and levitated them 66 00:02:34,549 --> 00:02:39,260 both right up to the metal monster 67 00:02:35,860 --> 00:02:41,299 pulling out the stems on the way the 68 00:02:39,259 --> 00:02:42,679 moment it saw me the robot raised a 69 00:02:41,299 --> 00:02:45,739 pulsing green weapon that looked like a 70 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:47,900 unicorn's horn eldritch fire erupted 71 00:02:45,739 --> 00:02:50,750 from it shooting past me close enough to 72 00:02:47,900 --> 00:02:53,030 singe my cheek the blast struck an old 73 00:02:50,750 --> 00:02:55,299 fan sitting on the desk behind me it 74 00:02:53,030 --> 00:02:57,879 glowed green for a moment then melted i 75 00:02:55,299 --> 00:03:01,099 ducked back as I dropped the grenades 76 00:02:57,879 --> 00:03:03,019 the explosion rocked the office I heard 77 00:03:01,099 --> 00:03:07,068 a fearsome twang as part of the catwalk 78 00:03:03,019 --> 00:03:09,709 outside gave looking back the robot was 79 00:03:07,068 --> 00:03:11,839 at a non-functional heap the walkway 80 00:03:09,709 --> 00:03:14,509 outside was still mostly intact but 81 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:16,150 sagging badly I wasn't sure it could 82 00:03:14,509 --> 00:03:18,159 hold my weight 83 00:03:16,150 --> 00:03:20,640 stripping what I could from the fallen 84 00:03:18,159 --> 00:03:23,979 spider bot I considered my options I 85 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:26,049 couldn't stay up here forever if I move 86 00:03:23,979 --> 00:03:27,780 very fast I could run the walkway 87 00:03:26,050 --> 00:03:29,920 without the brainbots below getting me 88 00:03:27,780 --> 00:03:32,830 their weaponry did not seem very 89 00:03:29,919 --> 00:03:34,629 accurate but the first few yards of the 90 00:03:32,830 --> 00:03:37,300 catwalk had partially torn free and 91 00:03:34,629 --> 00:03:39,250 sagged alarmingly the more I looked at 92 00:03:37,300 --> 00:03:42,640 it the less I wanted to put a hoof on it 93 00:03:39,250 --> 00:03:46,360 I never tried levitating myself before 94 00:03:42,639 --> 00:03:49,689 in theory it should work but I'd never 95 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:51,760 seen a pony do it focusing I tried I 96 00:03:49,689 --> 00:03:53,259 could feel the glow for my horn 97 00:03:51,759 --> 00:03:55,840 stretched out and developed my entire 98 00:03:53,259 --> 00:03:58,599 body brighter it glowed as I tried to 99 00:03:55,840 --> 00:04:00,580 lift myself I was shining like a dozen 100 00:03:58,599 --> 00:04:03,280 lanterns when I felt my body lift just 101 00:04:00,580 --> 00:04:06,370 slightly from the ground I was sweating 102 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:09,189 this was as far as I could go but I was 103 00:04:06,370 --> 00:04:12,759 doing it now one step forward and 104 00:04:09,189 --> 00:04:14,560 another and another I was halfway across 105 00:04:12,759 --> 00:04:17,108 when the brainbots started firing 106 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:19,000 lightning in my general direction one of 107 00:04:17,108 --> 00:04:21,519 the bolts struck the catwalk arcing 108 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:23,709 along it I felt very lucky I wasn't 109 00:04:21,519 --> 00:04:26,860 actually touching it but I was also 110 00:04:23,709 --> 00:04:28,449 almost spent ahead of me the catwalk 111 00:04:26,860 --> 00:04:30,788 stopped right before the huge windows 112 00:04:28,449 --> 00:04:32,319 that led twice filtered sunlight once by 113 00:04:30,788 --> 00:04:34,379 the cloud that once by the dirty glass 114 00:04:32,319 --> 00:04:36,099 itself onto the factory floor 115 00:04:34,379 --> 00:04:39,250 supplementing the light from the heavy 116 00:04:36,100 --> 00:04:41,200 fixtures hanging above the catwalk shot 117 00:04:39,250 --> 00:04:43,569 off in both directions running parallel 118 00:04:41,199 --> 00:04:46,478 to the wall one was the direction I had 119 00:04:43,569 --> 00:04:49,269 come from the other led to a door which 120 00:04:46,478 --> 00:04:52,029 had been locked only that door didn't 121 00:04:49,269 --> 00:04:53,500 have a lock to pick instead it could 122 00:04:52,029 --> 00:04:54,689 only be opened by a command from a 123 00:04:53,500 --> 00:04:56,759 terminal 124 00:04:54,689 --> 00:04:58,110 another shot of lightning missed cleanly 125 00:04:56,759 --> 00:04:59,819 shooting through one of the shattered 126 00:04:58,110 --> 00:05:01,860 windows of the observation office and 127 00:04:59,819 --> 00:05:05,009 frying the terminal I just used not five 128 00:05:01,860 --> 00:05:07,379 minutes ago to unlock said door was a 129 00:05:05,009 --> 00:05:09,930 lot of metal catwalk the damn BOTS 130 00:05:07,379 --> 00:05:11,879 beneath me shot lightning I grunted with 131 00:05:09,930 --> 00:05:14,519 the effort that kept me aloft feeling my 132 00:05:11,879 --> 00:05:17,250 vision dark at the edges I had to stop 133 00:05:14,519 --> 00:05:20,339 ride pass out and that would be the end 134 00:05:17,250 --> 00:05:23,189 of me loosing the magic I had dropped 135 00:05:20,339 --> 00:05:25,560 out of the catwalk it wavered but held I 136 00:05:23,189 --> 00:05:28,439 let go for breath I didn't realize I was 137 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:32,300 holding and started to gallop don't run 138 00:05:28,439 --> 00:05:35,009 we want to be your friends more blasts i 139 00:05:32,300 --> 00:05:37,050 tensed expecting to feel paralyzing 140 00:05:35,009 --> 00:05:38,029 electricity rip up my body starting at 141 00:05:37,050 --> 00:05:41,910 my hooves 142 00:05:38,029 --> 00:05:45,089 instead I heard a crash a loud pop and a 143 00:05:41,910 --> 00:05:47,220 twang from somewhere above looking up as 144 00:05:45,089 --> 00:05:49,379 I ran I saw the one with the bolts that 145 00:05:47,220 --> 00:05:52,110 hit the hanging lamp above causing it 146 00:05:49,379 --> 00:05:54,569 softly buzzing light to explode and that 147 00:05:52,110 --> 00:05:57,030 freakishly was the last straw 148 00:05:54,569 --> 00:05:59,449 it snapped loosed from the badly aged 149 00:05:57,029 --> 00:06:02,639 crack ceiling above and swung down 150 00:05:59,449 --> 00:06:05,039 crashing to the catwalk behind me the 151 00:06:02,639 --> 00:06:06,629 whole walkway shook and then the section 152 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:09,330 behind me tore away with a rending 153 00:06:06,629 --> 00:06:12,480 scream of abused metal I'll me with 154 00:06:09,329 --> 00:06:14,129 Celeste ease four of us I'll admit my 155 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:15,870 repertoire of colorful descriptions had 156 00:06:14,129 --> 00:06:18,180 grown more profane from my experience 157 00:06:15,870 --> 00:06:20,129 with the Raiders but as I galloped down 158 00:06:18,180 --> 00:06:22,050 the walkways at a heart tearing speed I 159 00:06:20,129 --> 00:06:23,879 was trying to keep ahead of the sections 160 00:06:22,050 --> 00:06:25,560 of catwalk that began to fall down onto 161 00:06:23,879 --> 00:06:27,000 the factory floor like a thunderous 162 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:29,160 lethal game of dominoes 163 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:32,339 I felt the sentiment was entirely 164 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:33,960 appropriate I was almost to the door 165 00:06:32,339 --> 00:06:36,779 when the metal walkway dropped out from 166 00:06:33,959 --> 00:06:38,668 under me I threw myself forward carried 167 00:06:36,779 --> 00:06:40,848 only on mentum and caught the final 168 00:06:38,668 --> 00:06:42,829 section with my four legs 169 00:06:40,848 --> 00:06:44,569 I hung there my hind hoofs dangling 170 00:06:42,829 --> 00:06:46,158 several stories over an ancient rifle 171 00:06:44,569 --> 00:06:49,369 assembly line that had been crushed by 172 00:06:46,158 --> 00:06:52,278 the Fallen catwalk I struggled trying to 173 00:06:49,369 --> 00:06:54,020 inch myself up I used my magic to try to 174 00:06:52,278 --> 00:06:57,439 tug one of my saddlebags and drag me 175 00:06:54,019 --> 00:06:58,728 forward my heart was pounding I fought 176 00:06:57,439 --> 00:07:01,399 to keep visions of falling from 177 00:06:58,728 --> 00:07:03,168 dominating my imagination tried not to 178 00:07:01,399 --> 00:07:06,019 think of my back breaking as I landed on 179 00:07:03,168 --> 00:07:07,668 the conveyor belt below at least the 180 00:07:06,019 --> 00:07:08,178 damned rain BOTS weren't shooting at me 181 00:07:07,668 --> 00:07:11,359 anymore 182 00:07:08,178 --> 00:07:13,758 having scurried for cover it seemed to 183 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:15,319 take forever but inch by inch I pulled 184 00:07:13,759 --> 00:07:18,139 myself onto that final section of 185 00:07:15,319 --> 00:07:20,240 catwalk it wobbled threatening lis 186 00:07:18,139 --> 00:07:22,369 beneath me sticking out from the wall 187 00:07:20,240 --> 00:07:24,288 like a diving board held in place by 188 00:07:22,369 --> 00:07:27,800 bolts that wheeled and where widened 189 00:07:24,288 --> 00:07:29,389 holes consciously I got my hoofs under 190 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:32,149 me and stepped lightly towards the door 191 00:07:29,389 --> 00:07:34,309 a blast of lightning hit the catwalk 192 00:07:32,149 --> 00:07:37,459 shooting up my legs and sending me into 193 00:07:34,309 --> 00:07:39,469 painful convulsions I collapsed shaking 194 00:07:37,459 --> 00:07:42,319 on the rock way my mane and tail hair 195 00:07:39,468 --> 00:07:43,998 standing on end the walkway responded 196 00:07:42,319 --> 00:07:45,649 with a metallic cry tilted several 197 00:07:43,999 --> 00:07:49,009 inches threatening to dump me into the 198 00:07:45,649 --> 00:07:52,038 Gulf below I struggled shakily to my 199 00:07:49,009 --> 00:07:53,959 feet another blast shot up from almost 200 00:07:52,038 --> 00:07:55,399 directly beneath me missing the walkway 201 00:07:53,959 --> 00:07:58,550 by less than a foot inch striking the 202 00:07:55,399 --> 00:08:01,699 ceiling above bits of singed plaster 203 00:07:58,550 --> 00:08:04,968 rain down I gave the door a push and was 204 00:08:01,699 --> 00:08:07,369 vastly relieved when I swung open then 205 00:08:04,968 --> 00:08:09,050 the catwalk gave further I lurched 206 00:08:07,369 --> 00:08:10,639 wrapping my forelegs around the 207 00:08:09,050 --> 00:08:13,939 doorframe to keep from sliding down the 208 00:08:10,639 --> 00:08:15,709 now quite steep metal platform the third 209 00:08:13,939 --> 00:08:17,749 electrical blast ripped through the air 210 00:08:15,709 --> 00:08:19,689 striking another strip of industrial 211 00:08:17,749 --> 00:08:23,569 lighting whose light also exploded 212 00:08:19,689 --> 00:08:26,509 making it swing perilously grunting I 213 00:08:23,569 --> 00:08:28,338 pulled myself into the room I turned and 214 00:08:26,509 --> 00:08:30,110 sat in the doorway looking down at the 215 00:08:28,338 --> 00:08:31,939 brain BOTS rolling circles directly 216 00:08:30,110 --> 00:08:34,969 below trying to figure out how to get to 217 00:08:31,939 --> 00:08:37,189 me then with a strong kick from my four 218 00:08:34,969 --> 00:08:40,039 hooks and not the last the catwalk 219 00:08:37,188 --> 00:08:42,019 loosed it fell scraping down the wall 220 00:08:40,038 --> 00:08:44,088 until it smashed the robots brain case 221 00:08:42,019 --> 00:08:46,399 pulping the organ inside and continuing 222 00:08:44,089 --> 00:08:48,500 down ripping machine roughly in half 223 00:08:46,399 --> 00:08:52,759 I must admit that I found the crunch 224 00:08:48,500 --> 00:08:54,559 immensely satisfying I realized that if 225 00:08:52,759 --> 00:08:56,299 the room might successfully access that 226 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:57,949 such great personal risk had not offered 227 00:08:56,299 --> 00:09:01,309 another way out I would have been in 228 00:08:57,950 --> 00:09:03,920 deep trouble close the door behind me I 229 00:09:01,309 --> 00:09:05,359 felt immediately more comfortable the 230 00:09:03,919 --> 00:09:07,159 room had been painted in what might have 231 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:08,919 once been a bright orange and the paint 232 00:09:07,159 --> 00:09:11,360 had not lost all of its warmth over time 233 00:09:08,919 --> 00:09:13,039 the wood paneling probably brought a 234 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:14,600 pleasant homey feel to what I believed 235 00:09:13,039 --> 00:09:17,419 was clearly the factory overmare's 236 00:09:14,600 --> 00:09:20,389 office now though the wood was rotted 237 00:09:17,419 --> 00:09:22,399 and crumbling on the back wall above the 238 00:09:20,389 --> 00:09:26,029 desk was an oversized logo and deeply 239 00:09:22,399 --> 00:09:29,559 tarnished bronze iron-shod firearms how 240 00:09:26,029 --> 00:09:32,899 do you like them apples I didn't get it 241 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:36,619 ignoring it I looked around large fancy 242 00:09:32,899 --> 00:09:39,230 desk chair filing cabinets a poster and 243 00:09:36,620 --> 00:09:41,120 a backlit frame the same poster I'd seen 244 00:09:39,230 --> 00:09:42,860 several other times in the factory but 245 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,509 this one in better condition showing 246 00:09:42,860 --> 00:09:46,490 graceful Pegasus ponies soaring through 247 00:09:44,509 --> 00:09:48,049 the sky rainbows exploding behind them 248 00:09:46,490 --> 00:09:50,649 as they shot down on a dark demonic 249 00:09:48,049 --> 00:09:53,629 stripe figures with evil glowing eyes 250 00:09:50,649 --> 00:09:57,809 better wiped and striped join the 251 00:09:53,629 --> 00:10:00,208 equestrian forces today a wardrobe 252 00:09:57,809 --> 00:10:02,609 my eyes barely touched these moving to 253 00:10:00,208 --> 00:10:04,588 the important things first the office 254 00:10:02,610 --> 00:10:06,240 hello terminal I could hack a wall see 255 00:10:04,589 --> 00:10:08,670 if I could pick and personal elevator 256 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:09,990 that if it worked would get me safely to 257 00:10:08,669 --> 00:10:11,240 the first floor and out of this 258 00:10:09,990 --> 00:10:13,528 deathtrap 259 00:10:11,240 --> 00:10:16,519 there was an ammo box under the desk 260 00:10:13,528 --> 00:10:19,019 then my eyes fell on something unique 261 00:10:16,519 --> 00:10:22,438 mounted on the opposite wall was a glass 262 00:10:19,019 --> 00:10:25,230 case and in the case was beautiful and 263 00:10:22,438 --> 00:10:27,599 perfectly preserved revolver a similar 264 00:10:25,230 --> 00:10:30,420 model to mine but crafted with what must 265 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:32,430 have been approaching to love a scope 266 00:10:30,419 --> 00:10:34,049 and an ivory bit molded for extra 267 00:10:32,429 --> 00:10:36,539 comfortable fit in the mouth and he 268 00:10:34,049 --> 00:10:40,378 needs of trigger on the handle is an 269 00:10:36,539 --> 00:10:43,528 emblem three apples I tried my hoof so 270 00:10:40,379 --> 00:10:46,019 to speak at the safe first it was tough 271 00:10:43,528 --> 00:10:47,730 taking a few attempts but after breaking 272 00:10:46,019 --> 00:10:50,698 one bobby pin i learned better how to 273 00:10:47,730 --> 00:10:52,949 prevent further losses the safe opened 274 00:10:50,698 --> 00:10:54,719 with a generous click the impressive 275 00:10:52,948 --> 00:10:56,878 amount of objects may be wonder if my 276 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:59,639 excursion into iron-shod firearms hadn't 277 00:10:56,879 --> 00:11:01,430 been worthwhile after all i started 278 00:10:59,639 --> 00:11:04,709 sorting the treasure from the rubbish 279 00:11:01,429 --> 00:11:07,500 inside was a stack full of rewards a 280 00:11:04,708 --> 00:11:09,268 copy of equestrian army today a whole 281 00:11:07,500 --> 00:11:12,539 bunch of finance papers that cease to me 282 00:11:09,269 --> 00:11:14,188 anything hundreds of years ago a box of 283 00:11:12,539 --> 00:11:15,948 what look like bubblegum though i 284 00:11:14,188 --> 00:11:19,019 couldn't decipher the writing on it a 285 00:11:15,948 --> 00:11:21,149 spark Oh magic battery and finally an 286 00:11:19,019 --> 00:11:22,318 odd hoof scrapped arcane otech device 287 00:11:21,149 --> 00:11:25,500 that looked like it was meant to 288 00:11:22,318 --> 00:11:28,588 interface with my pipbuck curious I slid 289 00:11:25,500 --> 00:11:32,850 it on my pipbuck analyzed it stealth 290 00:11:28,589 --> 00:11:34,080 puck invisibility spell one charge hot 291 00:11:32,850 --> 00:11:36,810 damn 292 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:39,209 next was the terminal pulling out my 293 00:11:36,809 --> 00:11:41,639 utility suit I slid out my access tool 294 00:11:39,208 --> 00:11:43,219 and started to work this terminal was 295 00:11:41,639 --> 00:11:45,269 tougher to crack than the previous ones 296 00:11:43,220 --> 00:11:46,950 even with my tools 297 00:11:45,269 --> 00:11:49,470 I had to abort several times to avoid 298 00:11:46,950 --> 00:11:51,360 getting locked out I pulled another 299 00:11:49,470 --> 00:11:53,160 apple from my bag and bit into it 300 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:56,310 intent on the screen I'll let it hit 301 00:11:53,159 --> 00:11:57,240 something painfully hard levitating the 302 00:11:56,309 --> 00:11:59,879 Apple up to eye level 303 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:01,680 I saw a bullet embedded in it looking 304 00:11:59,879 --> 00:12:03,419 down to my saddlebags there was indeed a 305 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:05,750 small hole although it took me a few 306 00:12:03,419 --> 00:12:08,519 minutes to remember one that it happened 307 00:12:05,750 --> 00:12:11,070 once in I discovered a whole mess of old 308 00:12:08,519 --> 00:12:12,629 notes and messages in addition the 309 00:12:11,070 --> 00:12:15,149 terminal had a shutdown key for all the 310 00:12:12,629 --> 00:12:17,070 robotic security and it could remotely 311 00:12:15,149 --> 00:12:19,919 open both the safe and the display case 312 00:12:17,070 --> 00:12:21,120 I rolled my eyes thinking the universe 313 00:12:19,919 --> 00:12:23,069 ever so much for giving me this 314 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:24,539 potentially life-saving option only now 315 00:12:23,070 --> 00:12:27,149 that I'd already fought my way to finish 316 00:12:24,539 --> 00:12:28,500 it and no longer needed it I also 317 00:12:27,149 --> 00:12:29,879 realized that I could have saved myself 318 00:12:28,500 --> 00:12:32,669 a bobby pin if I had worked on the 319 00:12:29,879 --> 00:12:34,588 computer first I told the terminal 320 00:12:32,669 --> 00:12:38,159 opened the display case doing so 321 00:12:34,589 --> 00:12:40,589 triggered a message cousin Braeburn I 322 00:12:38,159 --> 00:12:42,120 know we ain't talking sometime but the 323 00:12:40,589 --> 00:12:43,829 war if it's taken a twist for the scary 324 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:47,789 and it might not have a chance to see 325 00:12:43,828 --> 00:12:49,889 again I want to mend fences now I know 326 00:12:47,789 --> 00:12:51,500 I'm gonna make this up with words we all 327 00:12:49,889 --> 00:12:53,610 know how well that went last time 328 00:12:51,500 --> 00:12:56,610 instead I'm sending you a little 329 00:12:53,610 --> 00:12:59,129 macintosh as a gift and as an apology to 330 00:12:56,610 --> 00:13:02,070 show you I'm sincere keep him safe for 331 00:12:59,129 --> 00:13:03,539 me will ya the accident was very much 332 00:13:02,070 --> 00:13:05,850 like the voice that I found in velvet 333 00:13:03,539 --> 00:13:08,399 remedies pipbuck although this time it 334 00:13:05,850 --> 00:13:10,170 was clearly not from the same pony but 335 00:13:08,399 --> 00:13:12,929 it was the earnest tone of the recording 336 00:13:10,169 --> 00:13:15,120 that made me pause 200 years ago 337 00:13:12,929 --> 00:13:17,399 somepony had given this gun as a token 338 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:20,190 of apology and as an effort to reconnect 339 00:13:17,399 --> 00:13:22,230 with family and that some ponies cousin 340 00:13:20,190 --> 00:13:23,910 had done just as she asked preserving 341 00:13:22,230 --> 00:13:25,230 the weapon for generations after his own 342 00:13:23,909 --> 00:13:26,789 death 343 00:13:25,230 --> 00:13:28,740 I wasn't going to leave it there 344 00:13:26,789 --> 00:13:31,049 untouched by anypony until the building 345 00:13:28,740 --> 00:13:34,169 collapsed on it but when I took it I 346 00:13:31,049 --> 00:13:35,519 removed it respectfully all that was 347 00:13:34,169 --> 00:13:38,250 left was going through the rest of the 348 00:13:35,519 --> 00:13:40,460 office the ammo box held bolts for a 349 00:13:38,250 --> 00:13:42,690 little macintosh and not a shy amount in 350 00:13:40,460 --> 00:13:44,040 the wardrobe I found some old 351 00:13:42,690 --> 00:13:45,390 maintenance suit that I could use to 352 00:13:44,039 --> 00:13:47,250 repair the holes of my own utility 353 00:13:45,389 --> 00:13:50,250 parting and other garments that I left 354 00:13:47,250 --> 00:13:52,850 behind eventually I turned to the 355 00:13:50,250 --> 00:13:55,830 elevator and pushed the button nothing 356 00:13:52,850 --> 00:13:57,470 of course it didn't work the wasteland 357 00:13:55,830 --> 00:13:59,970 just couldn't give me a break 358 00:13:57,470 --> 00:14:01,320 pulling up my tools I opened up the side 359 00:13:59,970 --> 00:14:04,050 panel and tried to figure out what was 360 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:06,600 wrong and if I could fix it from here to 361 00:14:04,049 --> 00:14:08,039 my great relief I could the elevator 362 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,899 proved to be an impressive condition 363 00:14:08,039 --> 00:14:11,789 particularly considering the rest of the 364 00:14:09,899 --> 00:14:14,549 building but the battery for the 365 00:14:11,789 --> 00:14:15,569 interface was dead as Celestia's mercy 366 00:14:14,549 --> 00:14:18,179 would have it there had been a 367 00:14:15,570 --> 00:14:20,820 replacement in the safe once swapping a 368 00:14:18,179 --> 00:14:22,769 battery is later I was on my way as the 369 00:14:20,820 --> 00:14:28,680 door slid shut the thought crossed my 370 00:14:22,769 --> 00:14:29,850 mind Mackintosh wasn't that I trotted 371 00:14:28,679 --> 00:14:31,079 between the collapsed buildings that 372 00:14:29,850 --> 00:14:33,060 littered the area around iron-shod 373 00:14:31,080 --> 00:14:37,230 firearms not having any particular 374 00:14:33,059 --> 00:14:39,809 direction to go aimless I hadn't found 375 00:14:37,230 --> 00:14:43,080 any signs of civilization civilized 376 00:14:39,809 --> 00:14:45,449 civilization mind you I had kind of 377 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:47,250 given up on finding ville remedy for now 378 00:14:45,450 --> 00:14:49,110 I was satisfying myself with a brand of 379 00:14:47,250 --> 00:14:53,039 exploration although that had proven 380 00:14:49,110 --> 00:14:55,220 exceptionally dangerous in stable 2 I 381 00:14:53,039 --> 00:14:58,199 knew exactly what my future would be as 382 00:14:55,220 --> 00:15:01,320 unbearably dollz it would have been out 383 00:14:58,200 --> 00:15:03,740 here in a huge open outside I was 384 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:06,060 struggling with just the opposite I 385 00:15:03,740 --> 00:15:08,100 never considered that having an assigned 386 00:15:06,059 --> 00:15:11,219 place might be as much a relief as it 387 00:15:08,100 --> 00:15:14,159 was a burden my ears perked sound of 388 00:15:11,220 --> 00:15:15,960 overwrought triumphant music I watched 389 00:15:14,159 --> 00:15:18,959 as this right bot fluttered down across 390 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:22,530 the street running up to it I drew 391 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:25,320 myself around in front of it watcher it 392 00:15:22,529 --> 00:15:28,529 just floated by I dashed in front of it 393 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:30,510 again hello the music just kept playing 394 00:15:28,529 --> 00:15:33,029 I waved a hoof right in front of its 395 00:15:30,509 --> 00:15:33,740 lack of faith it danced around me and 396 00:15:33,029 --> 00:15:37,889 kept going 397 00:15:33,740 --> 00:15:39,750 well that was helpful I picked a random 398 00:15:37,889 --> 00:15:43,139 direction started trotting again I 399 00:15:39,750 --> 00:15:47,580 thought of Watchers advice Armour check 400 00:15:43,139 --> 00:15:49,649 weapon double-check guidance I looked 401 00:15:47,580 --> 00:15:54,540 back at the iron shop building a bit 402 00:15:49,649 --> 00:15:55,559 iffy but check friends it's kind of hard 403 00:15:54,539 --> 00:15:58,319 to make friends when there doesn't seem 404 00:15:55,559 --> 00:16:00,239 to be any pony around my exasperated 405 00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:03,360 voice echoed off the crumbling walls of 406 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:06,330 concrete if this was a quest it was a 407 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:07,340 lame one I seriously needed to find 408 00:16:06,330 --> 00:16:11,430 something to do 409 00:16:07,340 --> 00:16:14,000 preferably other than dodge and duck in 410 00:16:11,429 --> 00:16:17,639 stable - I felt painfully ordinary I 411 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:19,190 yearned to be special now I yearned to 412 00:16:17,639 --> 00:16:21,708 be anything 413 00:16:19,190 --> 00:16:24,889 my downcast eyes chanced upon a Red 414 00:16:21,708 --> 00:16:27,049 Ryder scooter amidst the ruins reaching 415 00:16:24,889 --> 00:16:29,089 out of hoof I flipped it back onto its 416 00:16:27,049 --> 00:16:32,208 wheels and prodded it back and forth a 417 00:16:29,089 --> 00:16:35,060 few times three of the wheels were 418 00:16:32,208 --> 00:16:38,479 locked with rust but to my surprise one 419 00:16:35,059 --> 00:16:41,119 still turned looking up I found myself 420 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:43,310 at the edge of a playground the swings 421 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:46,039 and slidin to the oddly colored air 422 00:16:43,309 --> 00:16:48,799 blackened by ancient spell fire like 423 00:16:46,039 --> 00:16:51,110 bones of a great dead beast the 424 00:16:48,799 --> 00:16:53,599 merry-go-round was warped and candid in 425 00:16:51,110 --> 00:16:56,778 the skeleton of a baby pony was still 426 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:59,569 curled at one end sadness and immense 427 00:16:56,778 --> 00:17:01,659 shame flooded me I've been feeling sorry 428 00:16:59,568 --> 00:17:04,009 for myself in the midst of all this 429 00:17:01,659 --> 00:17:06,318 another tiny skeleton lay against the 430 00:17:04,009 --> 00:17:08,859 burnt husk of a tree three roller skates 431 00:17:06,318 --> 00:17:12,678 in the dirt near to us the fourth I 432 00:17:08,859 --> 00:17:14,779 doubted anyone would ever know I plotted 433 00:17:12,679 --> 00:17:17,900 long moving through the silent impromptu 434 00:17:14,779 --> 00:17:19,818 graveyard at the far end sheltered by 435 00:17:17,900 --> 00:17:21,730 walls that were mostly still intact I 436 00:17:19,818 --> 00:17:24,109 found an old vending machine 437 00:17:21,730 --> 00:17:27,140 sparkle-cola the Machine still 438 00:17:24,109 --> 00:17:29,199 advertised two years of grime featured a 439 00:17:27,140 --> 00:17:31,460 backlit emblem of stylized carrots 440 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:33,830 surprisingly the machine still looked 441 00:17:31,460 --> 00:17:35,860 functional fishing out a few pre-war 442 00:17:33,829 --> 00:17:37,970 coins I fed them into the machine I 443 00:17:35,859 --> 00:17:40,399 didn't actually expect it it would still 444 00:17:37,970 --> 00:17:42,169 have soda after all these years I was 445 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:44,570 astonished on a bottle rolled out 446 00:17:42,169 --> 00:17:46,750 dutifully I suddenly realized how 447 00:17:44,569 --> 00:17:49,359 awfully thirsty I was 448 00:17:46,750 --> 00:17:50,950 the sparkle-cola was lukewarm but 449 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:53,798 actually rather delicious with a 450 00:17:50,950 --> 00:17:55,509 delightfully carroty aftertaste the 451 00:17:53,798 --> 00:17:57,158 clicking of my pipbuck warned me that i 452 00:17:55,509 --> 00:17:59,440 was ingesting trace amounts of radiation 453 00:17:57,159 --> 00:18:02,230 with each swallow but not enough to be 454 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:04,870 harmful I'd taken more harm standing 455 00:18:02,230 --> 00:18:06,819 around in sweet apple acres and besides 456 00:18:04,869 --> 00:18:09,038 if it reached a point where my radiation 457 00:18:06,819 --> 00:18:11,529 intake began to make me sick I had a 458 00:18:09,038 --> 00:18:13,119 couple radaway potions the only supplies 459 00:18:11,529 --> 00:18:15,158 from the iron-shod medical box that I 460 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:18,279 hadn't needed to use just to survive the 461 00:18:15,159 --> 00:18:19,870 building I spotted a bench just around 462 00:18:18,279 --> 00:18:22,509 the side of the building and decided to 463 00:18:19,869 --> 00:18:24,219 take a load off my legs possibly read 464 00:18:22,509 --> 00:18:27,429 some of the equestrian army today we'll 465 00:18:24,220 --> 00:18:29,288 guy picked up as I turned the corner my 466 00:18:27,429 --> 00:18:31,780 gaze fell upon an old torn poster 467 00:18:29,288 --> 00:18:33,579 affixed to the wall the image was the 468 00:18:31,779 --> 00:18:36,639 face of an elderly Pony of almost 469 00:18:33,579 --> 00:18:39,189 obtrusively pink coloration her Mane was 470 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:41,140 treat with gray on some ponies gray or 471 00:18:39,190 --> 00:18:43,480 makes them look distinguished on most it 472 00:18:41,140 --> 00:18:46,210 just makes them look old hers made her 473 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:49,839 look like candy cane her eyes were huge 474 00:18:46,210 --> 00:18:52,480 staring I could swear poster or not she 475 00:18:49,839 --> 00:18:53,558 was looking right into me somepony had 476 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:55,599 ripped the poster right through the 477 00:18:53,558 --> 00:18:57,399 middle I had no idea what her expression 478 00:18:55,599 --> 00:18:58,480 was supposed to be but I couldn't help 479 00:18:57,400 --> 00:18:59,280 but feel like I was doing something 480 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:02,048 wrong 481 00:18:59,279 --> 00:19:04,509 bold were the Buffalo the image now 482 00:19:02,048 --> 00:19:07,538 deeply faded announced Pinkie Pie is 483 00:19:04,509 --> 00:19:10,359 watching you a forever there were 484 00:19:07,538 --> 00:19:12,220 additional words very tiny beneath so 485 00:19:10,359 --> 00:19:15,279 small and faded that I had to lean close 486 00:19:12,220 --> 00:19:17,740 and strain to read them a happy reminder 487 00:19:15,279 --> 00:19:19,629 from the Ministry of morale I stepped 488 00:19:17,740 --> 00:19:23,069 back tilted my head as I looked at the 489 00:19:19,630 --> 00:19:25,240 poster again what's the Ministry morale 490 00:19:23,069 --> 00:19:27,129 Watchers voice erupted it from over my 491 00:19:25,240 --> 00:19:30,009 shoulder making me jump high enough my 492 00:19:27,130 --> 00:19:31,690 horn whacked the ceiling another well 493 00:19:30,009 --> 00:19:35,019 meant idea that was so much better on a 494 00:19:31,690 --> 00:19:37,210 scroll I gasped willing my heart to be 495 00:19:35,019 --> 00:19:39,879 regularly again and felt a fleeting 496 00:19:37,210 --> 00:19:42,579 empathy for sawed off the spritebot was 497 00:19:39,880 --> 00:19:43,720 hovering right next to me Celestia those 498 00:19:42,579 --> 00:19:46,029 things were silent when they weren't 499 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:46,569 playing music are you trying to give me 500 00:19:46,029 --> 00:19:51,058 a heart attack 501 00:19:46,569 --> 00:19:53,259 oh sorry I gave the flying orb Eclair I 502 00:19:51,058 --> 00:19:55,058 forgot about the bench and started 503 00:19:53,259 --> 00:19:57,579 walking trying to enjoy the rest of my 504 00:19:55,058 --> 00:20:00,339 sparkle-cola the spritebot followed I 505 00:19:57,579 --> 00:20:02,908 see you've got some Arbor the mechanical 506 00:20:00,339 --> 00:20:04,808 voice seemed hesitant I didn't ask why 507 00:20:02,909 --> 00:20:07,390 watcher either didn't care enough to 508 00:20:04,808 --> 00:20:08,558 explain or thought better of it maybe 509 00:20:07,390 --> 00:20:10,419 the fact that I was walking through the 510 00:20:08,558 --> 00:20:12,490 question wasteland and an outfit coated 511 00:20:10,419 --> 00:20:15,580 inside it out with drying blood gave it 512 00:20:12,490 --> 00:20:18,069 pause I could possibly go up to any 513 00:20:15,579 --> 00:20:21,279 stable Pony and go I'm an evil and bad 514 00:20:18,069 --> 00:20:23,970 nightmare pony are and even despite my 515 00:20:21,279 --> 00:20:26,648 size they would take one look and flee I 516 00:20:23,970 --> 00:20:29,440 sipped my Cola and wished desperately 517 00:20:26,648 --> 00:20:31,869 for someplace decent to bathe problem 518 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:33,340 was any water clean and radiation free 519 00:20:31,869 --> 00:20:36,038 enough to take a bath and would be too 520 00:20:33,339 --> 00:20:39,609 precious to pollute one of my canteens 521 00:20:36,038 --> 00:20:40,839 was empty in the second nearly so maybe 522 00:20:39,609 --> 00:20:42,189 the reason you're having trouble finding 523 00:20:40,839 --> 00:20:44,619 your places that you haven't discovered 524 00:20:42,190 --> 00:20:48,070 your true virtue yet watcher offered out 525 00:20:44,619 --> 00:20:51,339 of thin air I stopped what how did you 526 00:20:48,069 --> 00:20:55,000 know no never mind then 527 00:20:51,339 --> 00:20:57,279 what do you mean my virtue well 528 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:59,470 the flying ball began the greatest 529 00:20:57,279 --> 00:21:00,879 heroes of Equestria ponies with lifelong 530 00:20:59,470 --> 00:21:02,740 bonds of unbreakable friendship and 531 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:04,470 strength were known for exemplifying one 532 00:21:02,740 --> 00:21:08,798 of the great virtues of pony kind 533 00:21:04,470 --> 00:21:12,460 kindness honesty laughter laughter is a 534 00:21:08,798 --> 00:21:14,589 virtue I asked dubiously Oh with me on 535 00:21:12,460 --> 00:21:17,740 this spray pot continued without 536 00:21:14,589 --> 00:21:19,959 breaking stride generosity loyalty and 537 00:21:17,740 --> 00:21:22,240 magic they really didn't know themselves 538 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:23,710 or each other until one Pony came to 539 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:25,750 realize that her friends represented 540 00:21:23,710 --> 00:21:28,058 these virtues and together they grew to 541 00:21:25,750 --> 00:21:30,339 live by them now I'm not saying that 542 00:21:28,058 --> 00:21:33,038 these are the only virtues they're just 543 00:21:30,339 --> 00:21:36,240 a now the bot pauses of searching for 544 00:21:33,038 --> 00:21:37,558 words particularly important set 545 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:39,089 I'm saying that perhaps if you learn to 546 00:21:37,558 --> 00:21:41,819 recognize the dominant virtue in your 547 00:21:39,089 --> 00:21:43,379 own heart you'll find yourself and you 548 00:21:41,819 --> 00:21:45,899 won't need anyone or anything else to 549 00:21:43,380 --> 00:21:47,790 tell your place and watch his voice cut 550 00:21:45,900 --> 00:21:50,990 out with an abrupt pop and music once 551 00:21:47,789 --> 00:21:53,460 again poured from the bottom brilliant I 552 00:21:50,990 --> 00:21:56,940 watch to the spritebot slowly sailed 553 00:21:53,460 --> 00:22:00,240 away well if that wasn't a load of pony 554 00:21:56,940 --> 00:22:02,100 pies I don't know what was finishing my 555 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:04,650 soda I tossed the empty bottle amidst a 556 00:22:02,099 --> 00:22:07,529 pile of others and few bottles littered 557 00:22:04,650 --> 00:22:10,590 the aquestion wasteland like weeds a new 558 00:22:07,529 --> 00:22:11,879 thought occurred to me about watcher the 559 00:22:10,589 --> 00:22:13,639 wasteland survival guide had been 560 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:16,230 written after the megaspells rained down 561 00:22:13,640 --> 00:22:18,929 long after considering its sound advice 562 00:22:16,230 --> 00:22:20,308 on scavenging stack book wouldn't have 563 00:22:18,929 --> 00:22:23,070 been the pony of the library's part of 564 00:22:20,308 --> 00:22:24,839 the original pre-war library it found 565 00:22:23,069 --> 00:22:25,289 its way in there from the lack of being 566 00:22:24,839 --> 00:22:27,359 burned 567 00:22:25,289 --> 00:22:29,730 two-faced recovered in blood I was 568 00:22:27,359 --> 00:22:32,069 guessing recently which made me wonder 569 00:22:29,730 --> 00:22:34,470 did want to know about those poor ponies 570 00:22:32,069 --> 00:22:36,269 the Raiders held captive and if so is 571 00:22:34,470 --> 00:22:38,910 that why I was talked into going in 572 00:22:36,269 --> 00:22:41,129 there as I manipulated into walking into 573 00:22:38,910 --> 00:22:44,070 that horn because watch rope out freedom 574 00:22:41,130 --> 00:22:45,600 I couldn't be sure in considering the 575 00:22:44,069 --> 00:22:48,240 watcher saved me I should give the 576 00:22:45,599 --> 00:22:49,949 benefit of the doubt but I couldn't help 577 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:53,819 the niggling sense that watcher played 578 00:22:49,950 --> 00:22:55,380 me and I don't like being tricked my 579 00:22:53,819 --> 00:22:57,869 ears perked as the music stopped again 580 00:22:55,380 --> 00:23:00,440 replaced by a voice but this wasn't 581 00:22:57,869 --> 00:23:03,029 Watchers voice this was somepony else 582 00:23:00,440 --> 00:23:04,558 the voice wasn't metallic it was the 583 00:23:03,029 --> 00:23:08,960 voice of a smooth male Pony with a 584 00:23:04,558 --> 00:23:11,399 greasy charisma friends ponies rejoice 585 00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:14,069 although the world about you was bleak 586 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:16,679 scarred and poisoned by the war of 587 00:23:14,069 --> 00:23:19,230 honorless thoughtless inferior ponies of 588 00:23:16,679 --> 00:23:21,470 the past we do not have to live in the 589 00:23:19,230 --> 00:23:24,660 shadow of their greed and wickedness 590 00:23:21,470 --> 00:23:27,569 together we can raise Equestria back to 591 00:23:24,660 --> 00:23:29,790 its former beauty together we can build 592 00:23:27,569 --> 00:23:33,119 a new Kingdom where all live together in 593 00:23:29,789 --> 00:23:36,240 perfect unity it's already happening my 594 00:23:33,119 --> 00:23:39,539 good ponies already the foundation for a 595 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:42,150 new and wonderful age is being built yes 596 00:23:39,539 --> 00:23:44,759 it's hard work but don't we owe it to 597 00:23:42,150 --> 00:23:46,470 ourselves and the future generations of 598 00:23:44,759 --> 00:23:50,730 ponies to be better 599 00:23:46,470 --> 00:23:53,850 no to be the best we can possibly be I'm 600 00:23:50,730 --> 00:23:59,779 telling you now as your friend as your 601 00:23:53,849 --> 00:24:04,139 leader that we can we must and we will 602 00:23:59,779 --> 00:24:06,269 what in a free Vord ream was that the 603 00:24:04,140 --> 00:24:07,830 music had resumed not popping back in 604 00:24:06,269 --> 00:24:10,379 the middle of a song like when watcher 605 00:24:07,829 --> 00:24:12,480 seized control the spritebot but at the 606 00:24:10,380 --> 00:24:15,200 beginning of a new song like this was 607 00:24:12,480 --> 00:24:18,298 how the bot was supposed to work wait 608 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:21,120 ponies have a leader now that was 609 00:24:18,298 --> 00:24:24,240 serious news to me as far as I could see 610 00:24:21,119 --> 00:24:27,449 we didn't even have a country hell I'd 611 00:24:24,240 --> 00:24:29,220 settle for a town even just a few shacks 612 00:24:27,450 --> 00:24:31,440 built within vague proximity to each 613 00:24:29,220 --> 00:24:34,740 other so long as they had ponies living 614 00:24:31,440 --> 00:24:38,009 there in peace or as close to pieces the 615 00:24:34,740 --> 00:24:40,548 wasteland allowed if we had a leader we 616 00:24:38,009 --> 00:24:43,558 had to have at least one town right 617 00:24:40,548 --> 00:24:45,089 trotting faster now I found a ruin with 618 00:24:43,558 --> 00:24:47,178 enough intact stairs for me to get up 619 00:24:45,089 --> 00:24:49,349 and see what was left was second floor I 620 00:24:47,179 --> 00:24:52,019 brought out the binoculars and looked 621 00:24:49,349 --> 00:24:55,109 about sure enough in the distance I saw 622 00:24:52,019 --> 00:24:56,879 smoke enough plumes close enough 623 00:24:55,109 --> 00:24:59,548 together suggest some sort of settlement 624 00:24:56,880 --> 00:25:01,440 I prayed to Celestia that the smoke was 625 00:24:59,548 --> 00:25:02,869 from cooking fires and not Raiders 626 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:05,279 burning it to the ground 627 00:25:02,869 --> 00:25:06,629 there was a path leading out towards the 628 00:25:05,279 --> 00:25:09,210 settlement that would keep me from 629 00:25:06,630 --> 00:25:10,170 losing my way and there was movement on 630 00:25:09,210 --> 00:25:12,240 that path 631 00:25:10,170 --> 00:25:14,220 my horn glowed as I followed the 632 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:15,240 binoculars bringing a small group of 633 00:25:14,220 --> 00:25:17,490 ponies into view 634 00:25:15,240 --> 00:25:20,029 two of them were pulling a heavily Latin 635 00:25:17,490 --> 00:25:22,049 wagon a young Pony wrote on his back 636 00:25:20,029 --> 00:25:23,910 apparently talking with two others who 637 00:25:22,049 --> 00:25:26,669 were guiding equally burdened two-headed 638 00:25:23,910 --> 00:25:29,550 beasts the group was headed towards me 639 00:25:26,670 --> 00:25:30,840 away from the theoretical town but they 640 00:25:29,549 --> 00:25:33,269 didn't look like they were fleeing and 641 00:25:30,839 --> 00:25:35,849 none of them were wounded all of which I 642 00:25:33,269 --> 00:25:38,789 took for a good sign a very good sign 643 00:25:35,849 --> 00:25:40,919 indeed I looked up into the thick 644 00:25:38,789 --> 00:25:42,750 broiling clouds up toward the disk of 645 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:44,940 the Sun made brighter spot in the cloudy 646 00:25:42,750 --> 00:25:50,119 ceiling it's at a prayer of thanks to 647 00:25:44,940 --> 00:25:53,160 Celestia the path wasn't a road exactly 648 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:55,399 rather it was a long arcing swath 649 00:25:53,160 --> 00:25:58,470 cutting through the equestrian wasteland 650 00:25:55,400 --> 00:26:01,590 two parallel metal lines reinforced the 651 00:25:58,470 --> 00:26:03,690 badly aged cross planks of wood half an 652 00:26:01,589 --> 00:26:06,209 hour back I had crossed over a gully on 653 00:26:03,690 --> 00:26:08,130 a rickety bridge after my phone was 654 00:26:06,210 --> 00:26:09,600 catwalks I chose to brave the gully 655 00:26:08,130 --> 00:26:10,980 rather than putting my hooves on 656 00:26:09,599 --> 00:26:12,599 something else that was surely holding 657 00:26:10,980 --> 00:26:15,089 off its inevitable collapse until it 658 00:26:12,599 --> 00:26:16,909 could take me with it it turned out to 659 00:26:15,089 --> 00:26:19,139 be a good decision despite the wounds 660 00:26:16,910 --> 00:26:21,300 the gully had been home to a bunch of 661 00:26:19,140 --> 00:26:24,210 large bloated pig things with extremely 662 00:26:21,299 --> 00:26:26,369 nasty front teeth one of them got ahold 663 00:26:24,210 --> 00:26:29,430 of my left hind leg biting clean through 664 00:26:26,369 --> 00:26:31,439 my armor and cutting a deep gash little 665 00:26:29,430 --> 00:26:33,420 Macintosh is neither quiet nor subtle a 666 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:35,009 single shot from that sweet little gun 667 00:26:33,420 --> 00:26:37,650 tore the head clean off the pig thing 668 00:26:35,009 --> 00:26:39,210 attacking me and it fires quickly enough 669 00:26:37,650 --> 00:26:41,150 that I was able to slay the three others 670 00:26:39,210 --> 00:26:43,650 before my targeting spell ran out 671 00:26:41,150 --> 00:26:46,380 beneath the bridge was some ponies camp 672 00:26:43,650 --> 00:26:48,210 it had a long abandoned feel to it but 673 00:26:46,380 --> 00:26:50,790 there were scattered supplies including 674 00:26:48,210 --> 00:26:52,789 a few cases of shotgun ammo a single can 675 00:26:50,789 --> 00:26:55,799 of food amidst a litter of tin cans 676 00:26:52,789 --> 00:26:58,200 magical fruit the label boasted but it 677 00:26:55,799 --> 00:26:59,788 turned out just to be being in a locked 678 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:01,859 medical box 679 00:26:59,788 --> 00:27:04,079 I picked the lock easily finding health 680 00:27:01,858 --> 00:27:06,058 potion which I quickly drank breathing a 681 00:27:04,079 --> 00:27:09,599 sigh of relief as the nasty gash mend 682 00:27:06,058 --> 00:27:11,428 and gently the pain ending away their 683 00:27:09,599 --> 00:27:13,168 magical bandages nowhere near as 684 00:27:11,429 --> 00:27:17,970 powerful as the potion but good for 685 00:27:13,169 --> 00:27:20,309 flesh wounds and a box of mints mid to 686 00:27:17,970 --> 00:27:22,679 house refresh your mind and your breath 687 00:27:20,308 --> 00:27:24,058 I admit surprised to see a smiling zebra 688 00:27:22,679 --> 00:27:25,739 on the front of the box the first 689 00:27:24,058 --> 00:27:28,858 depiction of a zebra I'd seen that 690 00:27:25,739 --> 00:27:30,298 didn't look like a storybook villain now 691 00:27:28,858 --> 00:27:33,269 I figured I was over halfway to the 692 00:27:30,298 --> 00:27:34,858 settlement maybe 2/3 I tried to keep 693 00:27:33,269 --> 00:27:37,858 myself from imagining what I would find 694 00:27:34,858 --> 00:27:41,009 a whole city of civilised and happy 695 00:27:37,858 --> 00:27:44,158 ponies maybe I didn't want to set myself 696 00:27:41,009 --> 00:27:46,769 up for a letdown even a few shacks I 697 00:27:44,159 --> 00:27:49,080 told myself I picked up the pace of my 698 00:27:46,769 --> 00:27:50,940 trot I heard a gunshot 699 00:27:49,079 --> 00:27:52,739 in the same instant I felt a bullet tear 700 00:27:50,940 --> 00:27:54,389 clean through my right hind Lake another 701 00:27:52,739 --> 00:27:57,119 clang off the metal casing of the sniper 702 00:27:54,388 --> 00:27:59,128 rifle strapped to my back I screamed in 703 00:27:57,118 --> 00:28:00,839 agony collapsing to a skidding halt on 704 00:27:59,128 --> 00:28:03,658 the rocky ground clutching at my hind 705 00:28:00,839 --> 00:28:05,819 leg was bleeding profusely through the 706 00:28:03,659 --> 00:28:07,470 hole torn throat the bullet missed the 707 00:28:05,819 --> 00:28:10,138 bone and I can tell that sickeningly 708 00:28:07,470 --> 00:28:12,989 because I could see it I tossed my head 709 00:28:10,138 --> 00:28:14,728 back and screamed again desperately I 710 00:28:12,989 --> 00:28:16,470 dragged myself around a large amount of 711 00:28:14,729 --> 00:28:19,528 rocks trying to take shelter from a 712 00:28:16,470 --> 00:28:20,848 shooter I never saw focusing as much as 713 00:28:19,528 --> 00:28:22,798 I could through the terrible pain I 714 00:28:20,848 --> 00:28:25,138 pulled the magic laced medical bandages 715 00:28:22,798 --> 00:28:26,999 from my pack I tried wrapping my 716 00:28:25,138 --> 00:28:28,978 bleeding hind leg but the bandages were 717 00:28:26,999 --> 00:28:31,470 meant for cuts and gashes not gaping 718 00:28:28,979 --> 00:28:32,970 holes it was soaked with blood and 719 00:28:31,470 --> 00:28:35,759 sliding off almost before I had finished 720 00:28:32,970 --> 00:28:37,798 wrapping it I tossed the band and tried 721 00:28:35,759 --> 00:28:40,769 again this time pulling the bandage much 722 00:28:37,798 --> 00:28:42,339 tighter it too soaked bright red but at 723 00:28:40,769 --> 00:28:44,769 least it stayed 724 00:28:42,339 --> 00:28:46,238 shaking with fear and pain knowing from 725 00:28:44,769 --> 00:28:48,669 the sudden chills that my body was going 726 00:28:46,239 --> 00:28:51,308 into shock I looked up and tried to spy 727 00:28:48,669 --> 00:28:53,859 the pony who attacked me he looked all 728 00:28:51,308 --> 00:28:55,118 around but no one was there and there 729 00:28:53,858 --> 00:28:57,398 wasn't a whole lot of cover to be hiding 730 00:28:55,118 --> 00:28:59,978 in these hills of dirt and rock were 731 00:28:57,398 --> 00:29:01,988 mostly barren I felt like my heart 732 00:28:59,979 --> 00:29:03,159 swallowed an ice cube when the image hit 733 00:29:01,989 --> 00:29:05,348 me that there was a pony out there with 734 00:29:03,159 --> 00:29:07,659 a stealth buck she could be right next 735 00:29:05,348 --> 00:29:10,269 to me pointing her gun in my head and I 736 00:29:07,659 --> 00:29:12,669 wouldn't even know but then I looked 737 00:29:10,269 --> 00:29:14,528 upward and there in the sky was a rust 738 00:29:12,669 --> 00:29:16,778 coated pegasus pony with an orange mane 739 00:29:14,528 --> 00:29:19,028 under a black desperado hat it would 740 00:29:16,778 --> 00:29:21,278 look two rifles one strapped beneath 741 00:29:19,028 --> 00:29:22,868 each wing the pony had just finished 742 00:29:21,278 --> 00:29:26,108 circling back around and was aiming 743 00:29:22,868 --> 00:29:27,759 right at me with panicked instinct i 744 00:29:26,108 --> 00:29:31,210 levitated a large rock in front of my 745 00:29:27,759 --> 00:29:33,909 faces shield a crack rang in the air two 746 00:29:31,210 --> 00:29:35,710 rifles fired simultaneously the first 747 00:29:33,909 --> 00:29:37,690 bullet struck the rock sending chips of 748 00:29:35,710 --> 00:29:40,598 stone flying and ricocheted lodging in 749 00:29:37,690 --> 00:29:43,359 my canteen the last of my water burbled 750 00:29:40,598 --> 00:29:44,950 out at my hose ii punched in my armor 751 00:29:43,358 --> 00:29:48,668 and embedded itself in my left shoulder 752 00:29:44,950 --> 00:29:50,679 sending me reeling again i collapsed the 753 00:29:48,669 --> 00:29:53,769 pain peaking and then beginning to bleed 754 00:29:50,679 --> 00:29:56,259 off which i knew wasn't a good sign this 755 00:29:53,769 --> 00:30:00,368 time i didn't think i'd be getting back 756 00:29:56,259 --> 00:30:04,838 up again so this is what it was like to 757 00:30:00,368 --> 00:30:07,598 die so overrated my eyes felt heavy I 758 00:30:04,838 --> 00:30:10,148 closed them I don't think for long but 759 00:30:07,598 --> 00:30:11,979 when I opened them again I spotted the 760 00:30:10,148 --> 00:30:14,648 ponies drawing their wagon coming over 761 00:30:11,979 --> 00:30:18,419 the hill behind them view more ponies 762 00:30:14,648 --> 00:30:20,439 guiding pack two-headed cattle things I 763 00:30:18,419 --> 00:30:22,809 remember the young Pony in the back of 764 00:30:20,440 --> 00:30:25,869 the wagon I doubted any of them would be 765 00:30:22,808 --> 00:30:28,749 looking up forcing myself to my hooves 766 00:30:25,868 --> 00:30:30,488 I began dragging myself into the open if 767 00:30:28,749 --> 00:30:32,618 I was going to die it wasn't going to be 768 00:30:30,489 --> 00:30:34,240 laying down watching these people get 769 00:30:32,618 --> 00:30:36,699 slaughtered 770 00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:39,130 my body screamed agony in my head but I 771 00:30:36,700 --> 00:30:40,720 kept going marching myself on lame legs 772 00:30:39,130 --> 00:30:42,360 until I was standing in the path right 773 00:30:40,720 --> 00:30:44,950 in front of the approaching group 774 00:30:42,359 --> 00:30:47,529 turning I focused through the hammering 775 00:30:44,950 --> 00:30:48,819 in my head I lifted little Macintosh in 776 00:30:47,529 --> 00:30:50,319 the air and pointed it at the 777 00:30:48,819 --> 00:30:53,369 rust-coloured Pegasus who had whipped 778 00:30:50,319 --> 00:30:55,419 back around was flying right at me I 779 00:30:53,369 --> 00:30:58,209 stood directly between him and the 780 00:30:55,420 --> 00:30:59,380 travelers my vision was blurry from 781 00:30:58,210 --> 00:31:02,170 tears and trauma 782 00:30:59,380 --> 00:31:04,360 I wasn't sure even with SATs that I 783 00:31:02,170 --> 00:31:06,900 could hit him and I said no chance 784 00:31:04,359 --> 00:31:10,869 against his aim he was an amazing shot 785 00:31:06,900 --> 00:31:13,150 technically he hadn't missed yet putting 786 00:31:10,869 --> 00:31:15,219 every ounce of me into it I growled as 787 00:31:13,150 --> 00:31:16,780 menacingly as I could and hope without a 788 00:31:15,220 --> 00:31:18,250 pony who had survived four shots would 789 00:31:16,779 --> 00:31:21,309 be mistaken for a pony to be reckoned 790 00:31:18,250 --> 00:31:24,579 with shoot at me all you want but if you 791 00:31:21,309 --> 00:31:27,279 attack that family I will end you 792 00:31:24,579 --> 00:31:29,679 to my surprise the Pegasus his eyes had 793 00:31:27,279 --> 00:31:31,539 widened instead of firing he back 794 00:31:29,680 --> 00:31:34,960 flapped his wings coming to a halt in 795 00:31:31,539 --> 00:31:37,119 front of me whoa Nelly levitating little 796 00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:39,400 McIntosh was getting really hard and 797 00:31:37,119 --> 00:31:41,829 lost all feeling in my shot leg and fell 798 00:31:39,400 --> 00:31:43,920 onto my haunches without realising I am 799 00:31:41,829 --> 00:31:47,019 the one attacking the caravan you are 800 00:31:43,920 --> 00:31:50,050 what black was seeping into my vision 801 00:31:47,019 --> 00:31:52,599 from all sides my head was swimming the 802 00:31:50,049 --> 00:31:54,430 conversation wasn't making any sense but 803 00:31:52,599 --> 00:31:59,019 at least he was conversing rather than 804 00:31:54,430 --> 00:32:02,860 killing me weakly not attacking you shot 805 00:31:59,019 --> 00:32:04,450 me well of course I shot you I see a 806 00:32:02,859 --> 00:32:05,889 Raider pony heading towards a caravan 807 00:32:04,450 --> 00:32:08,259 I'm gonna perforate her till she ain't 808 00:32:05,890 --> 00:32:10,780 moving no more the rust-coloured pan 809 00:32:08,259 --> 00:32:14,109 glared at me then with a strangely proud 810 00:32:10,779 --> 00:32:16,569 look it's my policy I felt my forelegs 811 00:32:14,109 --> 00:32:18,699 beginning to give I was near collapse 812 00:32:16,569 --> 00:32:19,929 but the words of the pony caused a fire 813 00:32:18,700 --> 00:32:22,059 to flash in my head 814 00:32:19,930 --> 00:32:23,980 little McIntosh had begun to sink 815 00:32:22,059 --> 00:32:25,690 towards the ground but now it swung up 816 00:32:23,980 --> 00:32:29,680 putting a rep between the attackers eyes 817 00:32:25,690 --> 00:32:30,490 I'm not a Raider the pony pointed to me 818 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:33,730 argumentatively 819 00:32:30,490 --> 00:32:35,319 you sure look like a Raider seemingly 820 00:32:33,730 --> 00:32:38,019 out of nowhere the Colt from the wagon 821 00:32:35,319 --> 00:32:40,049 galloped into view I tried to raise my 822 00:32:38,019 --> 00:32:42,519 voice in warning but nothing came out 823 00:32:40,049 --> 00:32:44,589 the blackness fighting to overtake my 824 00:32:42,519 --> 00:32:46,980 vision finally one and I collapsed 825 00:32:44,589 --> 00:32:49,079 sinking into what felt like a deep sleep 826 00:32:46,980 --> 00:32:53,089 the last thing I heard was the cult 827 00:32:49,079 --> 00:32:53,089 winning calamity what have you done