1 00:00:00,030 --> 00:00:05,040 nothingness my first several seconds 2 00:00:03,060 --> 00:00:07,560 outside were a heart bursting eternity 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:08,309 of hoof pounding terror the store even 4 00:00:07,559 --> 00:00:10,800 right 5 00:00:08,308 --> 00:00:13,230 all that was outside was a great black 6 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:14,429 nothingness and surrounded me 7 00:00:13,230 --> 00:00:16,410 suffocating 8 00:00:14,429 --> 00:00:19,618 if I had been able to draw breath I 9 00:00:16,410 --> 00:00:22,490 would have screamed and then my I start 10 00:00:19,618 --> 00:00:24,480 to adjust to the darkness Irie m2 calm 11 00:00:22,489 --> 00:00:27,989 gasping feeling weak 12 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:30,750 and now just a little foolish my defense 13 00:00:27,989 --> 00:00:33,000 I'd never experienced night before not 14 00:00:30,750 --> 00:00:34,619 really sure I'd always turned off the 15 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:37,439 lights before curling into bed that 16 00:00:34,619 --> 00:00:39,628 darkness was small confined to my little 17 00:00:37,439 --> 00:00:41,878 room there was always the glow from 18 00:00:39,628 --> 00:00:44,878 under the door the whole lights of 19 00:00:41,878 --> 00:00:47,579 stable - were eternal this was different 20 00:00:44,878 --> 00:00:49,589 a cool air quiet like anything within 21 00:00:47,579 --> 00:00:52,530 the stable tickled my coat and chilled 22 00:00:49,590 --> 00:00:56,219 my skin beneath it bore smells that were 23 00:00:52,530 --> 00:00:58,460 dank and rotting dusty and alien I could 24 00:00:56,219 --> 00:01:01,289 hear by the sounds of the night insects 25 00:00:58,460 --> 00:01:03,448 creaking of wood and far-off sloshing 26 00:01:01,289 --> 00:01:06,299 but I was struck more about what I 27 00:01:03,448 --> 00:01:07,950 couldn't hear the constant low hum the 28 00:01:06,299 --> 00:01:10,740 stables generators and the ever-present 29 00:01:07,950 --> 00:01:12,450 high whine of the lights were gone so 30 00:01:10,739 --> 00:01:15,569 powerful in their absence that I first 31 00:01:12,450 --> 00:01:17,340 mistook the outside is silent I could 32 00:01:15,569 --> 00:01:17,758 feel the dirt in broken stone beneath my 33 00:01:17,340 --> 00:01:20,100 hooves 34 00:01:17,759 --> 00:01:22,680 so unlike the smooth and sterile floor 35 00:01:20,099 --> 00:01:25,109 as I had trotted all my life and though 36 00:01:22,680 --> 00:01:27,090 I could not see much for far see further 37 00:01:25,109 --> 00:01:29,938 than I'd ever seen before there were no 38 00:01:27,090 --> 00:01:31,618 walls to mark the end of the room I was 39 00:01:29,938 --> 00:01:33,478 staring into a horizontal abyss that 40 00:01:31,618 --> 00:01:36,180 stretched out in every direction in 41 00:01:33,478 --> 00:01:38,819 front of me an entirely new panic began 42 00:01:36,180 --> 00:01:40,799 to form within me my hind legs went out 43 00:01:38,819 --> 00:01:42,839 from under ii and i sat up stunned i 44 00:01:40,799 --> 00:01:45,060 turned my gaze to the ground 45 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:46,649 breathing deeply thinking and not only 46 00:01:45,060 --> 00:01:49,379 for holding me up but being a visual 47 00:01:46,649 --> 00:01:51,840 endpoint then I made the mistake of 48 00:01:49,379 --> 00:01:53,670 looking up into the sky the absolute 49 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:56,520 endless upness of it sent my head 50 00:01:53,670 --> 00:01:58,590 spinning my stomach lurching great 51 00:01:56,519 --> 00:02:00,209 masses of clouds rolled over most of the 52 00:01:58,590 --> 00:02:02,460 sky but there were gaps through which 53 00:02:00,209 --> 00:02:05,968 softly poured and through those I could 54 00:02:02,459 --> 00:02:07,618 see that up went on forever insanely I 55 00:02:05,968 --> 00:02:09,780 thought of the clouds as a great net 56 00:02:07,618 --> 00:02:11,610 made to catch me if I fell from the 57 00:02:09,780 --> 00:02:13,439 earth into the yawning gulf above 58 00:02:11,610 --> 00:02:16,440 but if I slipped through the holes I 59 00:02:13,439 --> 00:02:17,819 would just fall up forever i clenched my 60 00:02:16,439 --> 00:02:21,030 eyes shot and tried to keep from 61 00:02:17,819 --> 00:02:23,699 vomiting the fear and queasiness was 62 00:02:21,030 --> 00:02:25,650 intense but passing my faculties 63 00:02:23,699 --> 00:02:27,329 returned and began to notice those 64 00:02:25,650 --> 00:02:29,730 things that escaped me in my initial 65 00:02:27,330 --> 00:02:32,010 panic the surrounding terrain was 66 00:02:29,729 --> 00:02:34,439 becoming evident the world around me did 67 00:02:32,009 --> 00:02:36,750 not stretch out evenly the ground heaved 68 00:02:34,439 --> 00:02:39,300 and rolled hills creeping towards 69 00:02:36,750 --> 00:02:41,280 mountains the earth was punctured by the 70 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:44,310 up thrusting black fingers of long dead 71 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:46,229 trees long distant hilltops I could see 72 00:02:44,310 --> 00:02:48,990 the swaying leaf shroud of branches of 73 00:02:46,229 --> 00:02:51,949 healthier woods but living near stable - 74 00:02:48,990 --> 00:02:54,239 or as few and scattered and sickly 75 00:02:51,949 --> 00:02:56,669 second time notice that my pipbuck was 76 00:02:54,239 --> 00:02:58,140 flashing with a host of alerts the map 77 00:02:56,669 --> 00:02:59,549 marker was already beginning to do its 78 00:02:58,139 --> 00:03:02,189 work on my new and unfamiliar 79 00:02:59,550 --> 00:03:03,890 surroundings and to my surprise had 80 00:03:02,189 --> 00:03:07,739 already pulled a label from the other 81 00:03:03,889 --> 00:03:09,869 sweet Apple acres turning around get my 82 00:03:07,739 --> 00:03:11,580 bearings my eyes were drawn to the large 83 00:03:09,870 --> 00:03:14,789 hollowed husk of what I had assumed had 84 00:03:11,580 --> 00:03:16,650 once been a magnificent house now it 85 00:03:14,789 --> 00:03:19,199 creaked and swayed in the breeze as if 86 00:03:16,650 --> 00:03:20,939 threatening to collapse looking at my 87 00:03:19,199 --> 00:03:22,708 pipbuck again I noticed that it was 88 00:03:20,939 --> 00:03:25,139 picking up several radio transmissions 89 00:03:22,709 --> 00:03:27,209 the radio broadcast was stable - was 90 00:03:25,139 --> 00:03:30,329 dark but new stations had taken its 91 00:03:27,209 --> 00:03:31,979 place my heart left for it was the first 92 00:03:30,330 --> 00:03:34,920 indication that there might be Pony life 93 00:03:31,979 --> 00:03:36,179 out here after all I nod my pipbuck to 94 00:03:34,919 --> 00:03:39,539 start playing the first station on the 95 00:03:36,180 --> 00:03:42,209 list still sealed up inside there is no 96 00:03:39,539 --> 00:03:43,590 way out my son he had one of the apples 97 00:03:42,209 --> 00:03:45,989 from those damned apple trees up near 98 00:03:43,590 --> 00:03:48,239 the stable now he's horribly sick too 99 00:03:45,989 --> 00:03:49,890 sick to move we fold up an assister near 100 00:03:48,239 --> 00:03:52,379 the old memorial we're running out of 101 00:03:49,889 --> 00:03:55,048 food and medical supplies please if 102 00:03:52,379 --> 00:03:56,579 anypony hears this help us message 103 00:03:55,049 --> 00:03:58,980 repeats hello 104 00:03:56,580 --> 00:04:00,780 it's anypony out there please we need 105 00:03:58,979 --> 00:04:02,340 help I was bringing my family to the 106 00:04:00,780 --> 00:04:04,500 stable up near sweet Apple acres but we 107 00:04:02,340 --> 00:04:06,450 were attacked by Raiders only my son and 108 00:04:04,500 --> 00:04:08,159 I survived we went to the stable but 109 00:04:06,449 --> 00:04:10,889 it's still sealed up there is no way 110 00:04:08,159 --> 00:04:12,120 inside my son he one of the apples from 111 00:04:10,889 --> 00:04:14,369 those damned apple trees up near the 112 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:16,079 stable and now he's terribly sick too 113 00:04:14,370 --> 00:04:17,470 sick to move we've holed up in the 114 00:04:16,079 --> 00:04:19,269 cistern near the moor 115 00:04:17,470 --> 00:04:22,150 or hang out of food and medical supplies 116 00:04:19,269 --> 00:04:25,300 please if anypony here is this help us 117 00:04:22,149 --> 00:04:27,579 message repeats hello a voice was filled 118 00:04:25,300 --> 00:04:29,020 with a terrible resignation as if the 119 00:04:27,579 --> 00:04:31,300 pony had already given up hope and was 120 00:04:29,019 --> 00:04:33,339 just going through the motions shaken I 121 00:04:31,300 --> 00:04:35,470 turned it off I didn't think I could 122 00:04:33,339 --> 00:04:37,589 bear to hear it again I just want to 123 00:04:35,470 --> 00:04:39,820 notice the soft taking from my pipbuck 124 00:04:37,589 --> 00:04:41,949 checking it over I discovered it's a 125 00:04:39,819 --> 00:04:44,139 radiation detector a feature I had never 126 00:04:41,949 --> 00:04:46,509 known to get used to and self activated 127 00:04:44,139 --> 00:04:48,669 the cute little rainbow dial had always 128 00:04:46,509 --> 00:04:50,529 been planted firmly in the green it was 129 00:04:48,670 --> 00:04:52,840 still there but edging discreetly 130 00:04:50,529 --> 00:04:55,119 towards the yellow I couldn't just stand 131 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:56,709 here beside what and long long ago been 132 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:59,649 the door to a simple Apple cellar for 133 00:04:56,709 --> 00:05:01,359 the rest of my life well I could but 134 00:04:59,649 --> 00:05:05,169 it'd be a relatively short and miserable 135 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:07,030 life realization was dawning on me so 136 00:05:05,170 --> 00:05:08,560 many directions to go what was the 137 00:05:07,029 --> 00:05:10,779 likelihood that I would choose two paths 138 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:12,220 that velvet remedy had followed even 139 00:05:10,779 --> 00:05:14,109 though she'd only had a few hours Head 140 00:05:12,220 --> 00:05:17,110 Start the prospect of finding her was 141 00:05:14,110 --> 00:05:18,639 bleak but I had to start somewhere and 142 00:05:17,110 --> 00:05:21,189 the best chance I had was to get up high 143 00:05:18,639 --> 00:05:22,870 and have a look around the ruins near me 144 00:05:21,189 --> 00:05:25,060 rose higher than any of the nearby trees 145 00:05:22,870 --> 00:05:26,769 the sheared off roof of its upper tower 146 00:05:25,060 --> 00:05:29,290 probably had the best vantage point I 147 00:05:26,769 --> 00:05:33,069 could hope for I closed my eyes steady 148 00:05:29,290 --> 00:05:34,600 myself and went inside what was left of 149 00:05:33,069 --> 00:05:37,569 the sweet Apple acres building proof 150 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:39,520 story than it looked or sounded it was 151 00:05:37,569 --> 00:05:41,079 also almost barren anything of value 152 00:05:39,519 --> 00:05:43,299 that had survived had been looted 153 00:05:41,079 --> 00:05:44,859 leaving only scraps that nobody wanted 154 00:05:43,300 --> 00:05:48,460 but the time itself seemed unable to 155 00:05:44,860 --> 00:05:50,290 erase rusted shoes boxes the soaps for 156 00:05:48,459 --> 00:05:52,389 cleaning dresses that no longer existed 157 00:05:50,290 --> 00:05:53,200 a pitchfork with a shattered handle a 158 00:05:52,389 --> 00:05:56,469 rake 159 00:05:53,199 --> 00:05:58,719 I began of the stairs my eyes were 160 00:05:56,470 --> 00:06:00,730 alerted to a feeble glow the soft green 161 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:03,340 color of a poisoned apple bathing the 162 00:06:00,730 --> 00:06:05,680 room above the glow came from the screen 163 00:06:03,339 --> 00:06:07,179 of an old terminal the device of arcane 164 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:09,668 science identical to the ones used 165 00:06:07,180 --> 00:06:10,930 throughout staple 2 it seemed miraculous 166 00:06:09,668 --> 00:06:13,389 that this one still worked after 167 00:06:10,930 --> 00:06:16,168 centuries on the outside once davidic 168 00:06:13,389 --> 00:06:18,759 built something they built it to last 169 00:06:16,168 --> 00:06:21,490 curiosity lured me in and my wander was 170 00:06:18,759 --> 00:06:22,719 quickly replaced with understanding who 171 00:06:21,490 --> 00:06:25,710 is no coincidence that this particular 172 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:28,419 term was live for was on a fresh message 173 00:06:25,709 --> 00:06:31,029 to anypony that had left stable to in 174 00:06:28,418 --> 00:06:33,039 search of me please go home I'm doing 175 00:06:31,029 --> 00:06:35,019 what I have to do the overmare 176 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:38,260 understands even if she can never agree 177 00:06:35,019 --> 00:06:41,168 and I hope one day you will do I will 178 00:06:38,259 --> 00:06:42,959 not be back do not look for me do not 179 00:06:41,168 --> 00:06:44,740 endanger yourself further for my sake 180 00:06:42,959 --> 00:06:48,609 please forgive me 181 00:06:44,740 --> 00:06:50,079 velvet remedy search the terminal for 182 00:06:48,610 --> 00:06:52,090 more but all of the messages were 183 00:06:50,079 --> 00:06:54,240 ancient and corrupted save for one and 184 00:06:52,089 --> 00:06:56,619 that one had a rather unique encryption 185 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:59,769 something I'd heard of before but never 186 00:06:56,620 --> 00:07:01,240 seen a binary encryption such that in 187 00:06:59,769 --> 00:07:02,589 order to decrypt it at first have to 188 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:03,850 download the message into my pipbuck 189 00:07:02,589 --> 00:07:05,918 from both the terminal which had been 190 00:07:03,850 --> 00:07:08,139 used to send it and the one upon which 191 00:07:05,918 --> 00:07:09,939 it was received having nothing better to 192 00:07:08,139 --> 00:07:12,100 do with the vast amounts of storage my 193 00:07:09,939 --> 00:07:14,860 pipbuck was capable of I downloaded it 194 00:07:12,100 --> 00:07:16,360 in reality knew that the chances that I 195 00:07:14,860 --> 00:07:18,009 would ever come across the companion 196 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:20,288 terminal much less that would be 197 00:07:18,009 --> 00:07:22,478 functional or overwhelmingly against me 198 00:07:20,288 --> 00:07:23,949 nor did I have any reason to believe a 199 00:07:22,478 --> 00:07:27,069 message centuries old to be of any 200 00:07:23,949 --> 00:07:29,978 significance more importantly I now had 201 00:07:27,069 --> 00:07:32,110 to face that outside was my home even if 202 00:07:29,978 --> 00:07:34,659 I found well remedy was unlikely that 203 00:07:32,110 --> 00:07:37,060 she would accompany me back I'll admit 204 00:07:34,660 --> 00:07:38,080 I've been subtly entertaining in fantasy 205 00:07:37,060 --> 00:07:39,519 where the overmare I would be so 206 00:07:38,079 --> 00:07:41,098 delighted with Velvets return that she 207 00:07:39,519 --> 00:07:44,799 would embrace us both back into the herd 208 00:07:41,098 --> 00:07:46,478 maybe even throw me a party now I was 209 00:07:44,800 --> 00:07:49,120 forced to admit how foolish that vision 210 00:07:46,478 --> 00:07:51,519 was thinking upon this made my head 211 00:07:49,120 --> 00:07:52,930 filled with black clouds but as I 212 00:07:51,519 --> 00:07:54,939 reached the top of the ruins and looked 213 00:07:52,930 --> 00:07:56,918 out over the wasteland a bright light 214 00:07:54,939 --> 00:07:59,110 fievel as it was flickered in the 215 00:07:56,918 --> 00:08:01,089 darkness just as the light from the 216 00:07:59,110 --> 00:08:03,520 campfire not half an hour's trot distant 217 00:08:01,089 --> 00:08:05,409 poked in orange hole and the night as I 218 00:08:03,519 --> 00:08:07,299 approached the circle of violet I knew 219 00:08:05,410 --> 00:08:09,099 something was off something about the 220 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:11,410 way the dusty beige unicorn was laying 221 00:08:09,098 --> 00:08:14,069 on the mat of sraw legs crawl up under 222 00:08:11,410 --> 00:08:16,599 him some tenseness in his body language 223 00:08:14,069 --> 00:08:18,610 but it wasn't until I stepped up into 224 00:08:16,598 --> 00:08:21,279 the light and got a good look a warm 225 00:08:18,610 --> 00:08:22,240 hello dying on my lips when I saw he was 226 00:08:21,279 --> 00:08:23,859 gagged 227 00:08:22,240 --> 00:08:25,660 caught the glint of the flames against a 228 00:08:23,860 --> 00:08:29,110 few exposed links in the chain binding 229 00:08:25,660 --> 00:08:31,630 his hooves well lookie here 230 00:08:29,110 --> 00:08:34,028 walked up all nice and pleasant didn't 231 00:08:31,629 --> 00:08:36,219 she a large earth pony emerge from the 232 00:08:34,028 --> 00:08:38,168 shadows of a nearby rock his hooves 233 00:08:36,219 --> 00:08:41,469 clock for Talia grants the rocky ground 234 00:08:38,168 --> 00:08:43,329 shot and cruelly spiked pony shoes two 235 00:08:41,469 --> 00:08:45,459 more ponies lit up high on opposite 236 00:08:43,330 --> 00:08:46,750 sides one another earth burning holding 237 00:08:45,458 --> 00:08:49,088 a shovel whose blade had been lately 238 00:08:46,750 --> 00:08:50,649 sharpened the other unicorn who is 239 00:08:49,089 --> 00:08:52,330 glowing horn levitated towards me a 240 00:08:50,649 --> 00:08:55,299 short instrument of wooden metal with 241 00:08:52,330 --> 00:08:57,759 two barrels each Pony were barding made 242 00:08:55,299 --> 00:08:59,799 a physic hide much like night I had 243 00:08:57,759 --> 00:09:02,019 never seen a firearm before say for the 244 00:08:59,799 --> 00:09:03,609 pictures in my books but those books 245 00:09:02,019 --> 00:09:05,769 were more than explicit enough for me to 246 00:09:03,610 --> 00:09:07,629 recognize the mortal threat the bound 247 00:09:05,769 --> 00:09:09,819 unicorn on the mat shook his head with a 248 00:09:07,629 --> 00:09:11,409 sad yet derisive look and began trying 249 00:09:09,820 --> 00:09:13,600 to scrape the gag away with the fore of 250 00:09:11,409 --> 00:09:16,329 no longer making effort to keep the 251 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:18,450 chains secret the three ponies menacing 252 00:09:16,330 --> 00:09:21,370 me spared him only the occasional glance 253 00:09:18,450 --> 00:09:24,070 my it is well a trust herself up for us 254 00:09:21,370 --> 00:09:26,019 the gun wielding unicorn snickered then 255 00:09:24,070 --> 00:09:29,950 addressing me you wouldn't mind would 256 00:09:26,019 --> 00:09:33,039 you laughter and another unicorn to 257 00:09:29,950 --> 00:09:36,730 she'll fetch a pretty price this one we 258 00:09:33,039 --> 00:09:38,049 fetch a price for what and from whom one 259 00:09:36,730 --> 00:09:40,360 holding the shovel spear in his mouth 260 00:09:38,049 --> 00:09:41,828 Noble something incomprehensible then 261 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:43,300 apparently deciding the gun was 262 00:09:41,828 --> 00:09:46,599 sufficient to turn spat out his weapon 263 00:09:43,299 --> 00:09:49,000 reiterated if a cat I mean look at her 264 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:50,649 I think she's taking a bath I was 265 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:53,169 suddenly bizarrely aware of how filthy 266 00:09:50,649 --> 00:09:55,720 all for the ponies were and how foul 267 00:09:53,169 --> 00:09:59,019 they smelled I managed to cover a gag 268 00:09:55,720 --> 00:10:00,850 with a sneeze what's going on I asked 269 00:09:59,019 --> 00:10:02,799 with the emotions of battling for 270 00:10:00,850 --> 00:10:04,990 supremacy in my head confusion had 271 00:10:02,799 --> 00:10:06,849 clawed its way to victory the captive 272 00:10:04,990 --> 00:10:09,370 unicorn finally succeeded in pulling the 273 00:10:06,850 --> 00:10:12,610 filthy gag free their slaver as you 274 00:10:09,370 --> 00:10:14,649 idiot Monterey Jack the dirty beige 275 00:10:12,610 --> 00:10:16,000 unicorn with the dour expression and a 276 00:10:14,649 --> 00:10:17,950 cutie mark that looked like cheese 277 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:20,500 followed behind me as we trudged 278 00:10:17,950 --> 00:10:21,970 alongside our captors walking a broken 279 00:10:20,500 --> 00:10:24,339 path that once was a road 280 00:10:21,970 --> 00:10:26,709 my legs were in Chains making walking 281 00:10:24,339 --> 00:10:29,529 difficult and anything more speedy than 282 00:10:26,708 --> 00:10:31,569 a trot impossible my pipbuck its timid 283 00:10:29,528 --> 00:10:33,139 the slavers efforts to bind my forelegs 284 00:10:31,570 --> 00:10:35,600 eventually forcing them 285 00:10:33,139 --> 00:10:37,100 me above the knees had the one with the 286 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:39,350 shovels fear not been holding its point 287 00:10:37,100 --> 00:10:40,730 dangerously and my throat the other two 288 00:10:39,350 --> 00:10:42,278 would have forgotten a few hoofs to 289 00:10:40,730 --> 00:10:45,409 tender places for their efforts as it 290 00:10:42,278 --> 00:10:47,359 was they made short work of me I was not 291 00:10:45,409 --> 00:10:49,129 gang but Monterey he convinced me early 292 00:10:47,359 --> 00:10:50,929 that unnecessary chatter from the slaves 293 00:10:49,129 --> 00:10:53,209 to be would likely result in the loss of 294 00:10:50,928 --> 00:10:54,980 my tongue not that I had much just say 295 00:10:53,208 --> 00:10:57,338 these brutes anyway aside from 296 00:10:54,980 --> 00:10:59,509 repertoire of colorful metaphors I 297 00:10:57,339 --> 00:11:01,100 didn't expect they would answer my 298 00:10:59,509 --> 00:11:03,079 questions even if my tongue should 299 00:11:01,100 --> 00:11:05,589 survive the asking and their being 300 00:11:03,078 --> 00:11:08,358 chatty enough with each other to suffice 301 00:11:05,589 --> 00:11:10,179 Haven farm grumble the earth Pony 302 00:11:08,359 --> 00:11:13,129 through the spear clenching his teeth 303 00:11:10,178 --> 00:11:14,928 well then would you just learn to swim 304 00:11:13,129 --> 00:11:17,089 we could take the long way couldn't we 305 00:11:14,928 --> 00:11:17,948 suggest the unicorn with poisoned 306 00:11:17,089 --> 00:11:21,169 sweetness 307 00:11:17,948 --> 00:11:22,938 hey forever flirting by his smell 308 00:11:21,168 --> 00:11:25,850 decidedly more pungent and the others I 309 00:11:22,938 --> 00:11:27,379 guess he hated water in general how 310 00:11:25,850 --> 00:11:29,119 about you stop complaining I'll let you 311 00:11:27,379 --> 00:11:31,489 sample on the slave before we get to the 312 00:11:29,119 --> 00:11:33,739 forest their leader at the earth pony 313 00:11:31,489 --> 00:11:35,480 named cracker with the spiked shoes and 314 00:11:33,739 --> 00:11:38,959 a cutie mark looks especially like a 315 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:40,759 whip or maybe a snake turned back 316 00:11:38,958 --> 00:11:42,768 towards Monterey and I with a filthy 317 00:11:40,759 --> 00:11:45,949 smile I looked away 318 00:11:42,769 --> 00:11:47,629 they laughed through the disgusting 319 00:11:45,948 --> 00:11:50,539 dialog I could hear the liquid sound 320 00:11:47,629 --> 00:11:53,199 ahead not like a burbling water fountain 321 00:11:50,539 --> 00:11:56,418 but closer to a slowing muck and 322 00:11:53,198 --> 00:12:02,859 something else a distant sound getting 323 00:11:56,418 --> 00:12:07,220 closer music yes music slowly tinny yet 324 00:12:02,860 --> 00:12:09,199 trampling regal I couldn't put my hoof 325 00:12:07,220 --> 00:12:11,720 on exactly what feeling music was trying 326 00:12:09,198 --> 00:12:12,469 to inspire but it was certainly brightly 327 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:14,989 out of place 328 00:12:12,470 --> 00:12:16,788 cracker took note of my expression smart 329 00:12:14,989 --> 00:12:17,239 you look like you've never heard that 330 00:12:16,788 --> 00:12:20,028 before 331 00:12:17,239 --> 00:12:21,410 why'd you leave your life in a stable if 332 00:12:20,028 --> 00:12:23,239 you're hoping for the cavalry that ain't 333 00:12:21,409 --> 00:12:26,118 it filly it's just one of those sprite 334 00:12:23,239 --> 00:12:28,999 BOTS music cut out with a sharp twang 335 00:12:26,119 --> 00:12:30,899 the unicorn slaver sawed-off trotted 336 00:12:28,999 --> 00:12:32,879 ahead a bit peering down the path ahead 337 00:12:30,899 --> 00:12:35,009 turning back to the rest of us he 338 00:12:32,879 --> 00:12:35,629 smirked I think one of the Radig aiders 339 00:12:35,009 --> 00:12:37,500 got it 340 00:12:35,629 --> 00:12:39,629 crackers suggested it flew into 341 00:12:37,500 --> 00:12:41,190 somebody's booby trap the other of 342 00:12:39,629 --> 00:12:43,588 pretty suggestive the mouthful spear 343 00:12:41,190 --> 00:12:45,210 mangled mumbling the unicorn turned 344 00:12:43,589 --> 00:12:47,490 forward again and the globe's weren't 345 00:12:45,210 --> 00:12:49,080 illuminated the machine metal ball but 346 00:12:47,490 --> 00:12:51,720 the size of a foals head floating on 347 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:54,360 four silently flapping wings hovering 348 00:12:51,720 --> 00:12:56,850 silently right in front of his face no 349 00:12:54,360 --> 00:13:00,409 arcane signs than this I could tell it 350 00:12:56,850 --> 00:13:02,790 was pure earth Pony engineering 351 00:13:00,409 --> 00:13:04,829 sawed off left back full ponies 352 00:13:02,789 --> 00:13:06,769 lengthened surprised then swung his 353 00:13:04,830 --> 00:13:09,240 shotgun to bear and fired at spritebot 354 00:13:06,769 --> 00:13:11,189 the sound was like a metal plate falling 355 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:13,860 from the ceiling and echoed through the 356 00:13:11,190 --> 00:13:15,150 night darkened Hills sparks pecked the 357 00:13:13,860 --> 00:13:17,580 metal ball as it was peppered with 358 00:13:15,149 --> 00:13:21,179 scatter shot let out an electric wine 359 00:13:17,580 --> 00:13:22,950 darting to the darkness the unicorn 360 00:13:21,179 --> 00:13:24,239 almost took off after it but crackers 361 00:13:22,950 --> 00:13:27,589 voice cut the distance between them 362 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:29,789 that's enough sawed off save your ammo 363 00:13:27,589 --> 00:13:31,980 damn when I hate when they pull that 364 00:13:29,789 --> 00:13:33,949 stealthy to fly and radio 365 00:13:31,980 --> 00:13:36,480 it's not supposed to sneak up on ponies 366 00:13:33,950 --> 00:13:39,690 my ears were burning from the free flow 367 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:42,509 of croup of vanity but I didn't mind was 368 00:13:39,690 --> 00:13:44,580 mulling over what I had just seen idiot 369 00:13:42,509 --> 00:13:47,659 muttered Monterey Jack under his breath 370 00:13:44,580 --> 00:13:50,490 they heard it all the way from Ponyville 371 00:13:47,659 --> 00:13:51,990 unlike my fellow slave I was pleased to 372 00:13:50,490 --> 00:13:54,169 avoid miss the new horn firing his 373 00:13:51,990 --> 00:13:57,269 weapon because now I knew how it worked 374 00:13:54,169 --> 00:13:59,429 what kind of a damn fool Monterey 375 00:13:57,269 --> 00:14:03,120 grumbled announces presence this close 376 00:13:59,429 --> 00:14:04,259 to Raider territory River slithered 377 00:14:03,120 --> 00:14:06,360 across our path 378 00:14:04,259 --> 00:14:09,629 its water slipping and oozing along its 379 00:14:06,360 --> 00:14:10,919 banks half stagnant the water lapped and 380 00:14:09,629 --> 00:14:12,919 sucked to the supports of a bridge 381 00:14:10,919 --> 00:14:15,088 making the wet sounds I'd been hearing 382 00:14:12,919 --> 00:14:18,509 beyond the bridge lurked the shadow 383 00:14:15,089 --> 00:14:21,120 remains of a pre-war town the bridge was 384 00:14:18,509 --> 00:14:23,909 a maze of barricades dark shadows of 385 00:14:21,120 --> 00:14:25,470 ponies moved about it briefly I may have 386 00:14:23,909 --> 00:14:27,509 made the mistake of hoping for rescue 387 00:14:25,470 --> 00:14:29,190 but my eyes were drawn to the spiked 388 00:14:27,509 --> 00:14:30,899 poles that lined the bridge and the 389 00:14:29,190 --> 00:14:32,750 still rotting heads of decapitated 390 00:14:30,899 --> 00:14:38,090 ponies that adorned two of them 391 00:14:32,750 --> 00:14:38,899 I tasted vile the site was horrific okay 392 00:14:38,090 --> 00:14:40,850 just stay here 393 00:14:38,899 --> 00:14:42,289 cragger said finally putting a name to 394 00:14:40,850 --> 00:14:44,210 the spiro building slavery Pony 395 00:14:42,289 --> 00:14:46,819 sawed-off let's go here with the toll as 396 00:14:44,210 --> 00:14:48,440 this time Monterey Jack lowered his head 397 00:14:46,820 --> 00:14:50,629 and looked balefully towards the bridge 398 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:52,070 I moved closer to him following his 399 00:14:50,629 --> 00:14:53,480 example and hoping that I positioned 400 00:14:52,070 --> 00:14:55,010 myself so cager couldn't see the faint 401 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:56,990 glow from my horn I slipped my 402 00:14:55,009 --> 00:15:00,259 screwdriver and bobby pin from my stable 403 00:14:56,990 --> 00:15:01,970 utility barding like all the slavers 404 00:15:00,259 --> 00:15:04,970 equipment the man goes on my legs were 405 00:15:01,970 --> 00:15:06,889 crude and of low quality his cracker and 406 00:15:04,970 --> 00:15:09,620 sawed-off argued with the bridge ponies 407 00:15:06,889 --> 00:15:11,360 I focused on picking the first lock was 408 00:15:09,620 --> 00:15:14,450 rewarded with a soft click as it sprung 409 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:15,919 open releasing my pipbuck for lay the 410 00:15:14,450 --> 00:15:17,770 manacle fell to the ground with a light 411 00:15:15,919 --> 00:15:20,569 thump huh 412 00:15:17,769 --> 00:15:23,689 Katie's ears it shot up and now he moved 413 00:15:20,570 --> 00:15:25,280 around to see me swiftly I cut the magic 414 00:15:23,690 --> 00:15:26,990 dropping the screwdriver and bobby pin 415 00:15:25,279 --> 00:15:28,339 to the dirt and hoped that in the 416 00:15:26,990 --> 00:15:33,019 darkness the slaver couldn't see the 417 00:15:28,340 --> 00:15:35,629 change in my chains well for for foof kg 418 00:15:33,019 --> 00:15:37,129 growled dangerously the nasty sharp edge 419 00:15:35,629 --> 00:15:37,549 of the shovel hovered inches from my 420 00:15:37,129 --> 00:15:41,269 eyes 421 00:15:37,549 --> 00:15:42,829 blam kg turned abruptly the spear shovel 422 00:15:41,269 --> 00:15:45,259 slashing close enough to my face that I 423 00:15:42,830 --> 00:15:47,420 shrieked the gunshot was from the bridge 424 00:15:45,259 --> 00:15:51,080 it didn't sound like sawed-off shotgun 425 00:15:47,419 --> 00:15:52,549 but the second shot did I took kg of 426 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:53,980 breath to recognize it crossing the 427 00:15:52,549 --> 00:15:56,269 bridge had become a bloody affair 428 00:15:53,980 --> 00:15:58,519 glowering back at us his posture 429 00:15:56,269 --> 00:16:01,220 threatening he started to say something 430 00:15:58,519 --> 00:16:04,009 I suspected he was warning us to stay 431 00:16:01,220 --> 00:16:07,519 put but I don't know his head exploded 432 00:16:04,009 --> 00:16:11,509 showering me with gore i sat there eyes 433 00:16:07,519 --> 00:16:13,639 wide shaking in shock blood warm and 434 00:16:11,509 --> 00:16:14,620 sticky ran down my forehead into my left 435 00:16:13,639 --> 00:16:18,039 eye 436 00:16:14,620 --> 00:16:19,720 whose and my code in Maine in the 437 00:16:18,039 --> 00:16:22,149 growing list of things I had not seen 438 00:16:19,720 --> 00:16:25,600 for this night the death of another pony 439 00:16:22,149 --> 00:16:26,649 ranked at the top I blinked feeling the 440 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:30,930 blood on my eyelid 441 00:16:26,649 --> 00:16:33,490 Katie was dead and I had kg all over me 442 00:16:30,929 --> 00:16:36,159 the urge to throw myself into the river 443 00:16:33,490 --> 00:16:38,470 was overwhelming but I wouldn't get to 444 00:16:36,159 --> 00:16:40,419 it like this push for something more 445 00:16:38,470 --> 00:16:42,160 than determination now my horn once 446 00:16:40,419 --> 00:16:44,949 again glowed and I began to unlock the 447 00:16:42,159 --> 00:16:46,629 rest of my manacles I spared a glance 448 00:16:44,950 --> 00:16:48,250 towards the bridge singing sawed off 449 00:16:46,629 --> 00:16:50,169 hunkering down beside one of the 450 00:16:48,250 --> 00:16:52,500 barricades as he magically pulled his 451 00:16:50,169 --> 00:16:56,079 shotgun open stuffing in more ammo 452 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:58,750 two shots I realized one of the 453 00:16:56,080 --> 00:17:01,000 spritebot and one just now two shots and 454 00:16:58,750 --> 00:17:02,889 then reload closing the weapon he 455 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:05,349 levitated above the barricade and shot 456 00:17:02,889 --> 00:17:07,000 blindly into the violent milieu spring 457 00:17:05,349 --> 00:17:10,139 an already wounded raider pony with 458 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:12,130 scattershot the pony staggered and fell 459 00:17:10,140 --> 00:17:13,740 unfortunately for sawed off the raider 460 00:17:12,130 --> 00:17:16,060 behind him had different kind of shotgun 461 00:17:13,740 --> 00:17:18,609 one that was faster and not limited to 462 00:17:16,059 --> 00:17:20,589 two shots that fired slugs which tore 463 00:17:18,609 --> 00:17:22,149 crate holes new horn slavers body the 464 00:17:20,589 --> 00:17:24,669 moment he looked up to see the results 465 00:17:22,150 --> 00:17:25,900 of his effort I turned away cringing 466 00:17:24,670 --> 00:17:29,259 from the night we're playing out before 467 00:17:25,900 --> 00:17:30,970 me I focused on the locks I freed myself 468 00:17:29,259 --> 00:17:32,470 and was beginning to free Monterey when 469 00:17:30,970 --> 00:17:34,539 two Raider ponies trotted off the bridge 470 00:17:32,470 --> 00:17:36,460 towards us stepping over the battle 471 00:17:34,539 --> 00:17:38,019 mutilated corpses of cracker sawed-off 472 00:17:36,460 --> 00:17:40,299 and the Raiders they had taken down with 473 00:17:38,019 --> 00:17:42,009 them one of those approaching was the 474 00:17:40,299 --> 00:17:44,559 unicorn Raider wielding devastating 475 00:17:42,009 --> 00:17:46,049 combat shotgun the other an earth point 476 00:17:44,559 --> 00:17:49,179 of the sledgehammer his teeth the 477 00:17:46,049 --> 00:17:49,899 unicorn is laughing not the mean life a 478 00:17:49,180 --> 00:17:51,640 cracker 479 00:17:49,900 --> 00:17:54,280 but crazed laughs to send chills down 480 00:17:51,640 --> 00:17:57,520 the back of my neck looks like we got 481 00:17:54,279 --> 00:17:58,960 ourselves some prizes the earth Pony 482 00:17:57,519 --> 00:18:01,839 chortled behind the sledgehammer a 483 00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:03,340 unicorn looked us over appraisingly the 484 00:18:01,839 --> 00:18:06,069 two of them were somehow even filthier 485 00:18:03,339 --> 00:18:08,079 than the slavers the unicorn bored 486 00:18:06,069 --> 00:18:09,789 jagged scars across her face and flanked 487 00:18:08,079 --> 00:18:10,059 one of them tearing through her cutie 488 00:18:09,789 --> 00:18:13,089 mark 489 00:18:10,059 --> 00:18:15,129 several freshly bleeding the earth Pony 490 00:18:13,089 --> 00:18:17,859 was hairless and painfully burned over 491 00:18:15,130 --> 00:18:19,860 much of her left side both were barding 492 00:18:17,859 --> 00:18:23,429 they looked ragged and cobbled together 493 00:18:19,859 --> 00:18:24,809 help us I suggested weekly oh I'll help 494 00:18:23,430 --> 00:18:26,940 myself to you all right 495 00:18:24,809 --> 00:18:30,450 the unicorn reared up and gave me a kick 496 00:18:26,940 --> 00:18:33,809 of striking hard into my side pain 497 00:18:30,450 --> 00:18:35,130 exploded and I dropped gasping rearing 498 00:18:33,809 --> 00:18:39,269 up again she brought her full weight 499 00:18:35,130 --> 00:18:40,860 down on me I held near me Monterrey let 500 00:18:39,269 --> 00:18:41,940 out the wet grunt of pain as the earth 501 00:18:40,859 --> 00:18:44,669 Pony gave him the taste of a 502 00:18:41,940 --> 00:18:46,740 sledgehammer leaving me crying in a 503 00:18:44,670 --> 00:18:48,529 huddle the unicorn also turned her 504 00:18:46,740 --> 00:18:50,759 attention to still chain Monterrey 505 00:18:48,529 --> 00:18:52,139 moments it became clear they intended to 506 00:18:50,759 --> 00:18:54,930 beat him bludgeon him until he was 507 00:18:52,140 --> 00:18:58,500 another lifeless corpse and probably not 508 00:18:54,930 --> 00:19:01,049 stop then hold his leg out I want to 509 00:18:58,500 --> 00:19:03,539 shoot his hopes off the unicorn Raider 510 00:19:01,049 --> 00:19:06,539 floated the combat shotgun a foot from 511 00:19:03,539 --> 00:19:08,389 Monterrey splayed left hind leg the only 512 00:19:06,539 --> 00:19:11,220 one I had freed from its manacle 513 00:19:08,390 --> 00:19:12,840 ignoring the pain I left up closing the 514 00:19:11,220 --> 00:19:15,450 distance and spinning as I give a fierce 515 00:19:12,839 --> 00:19:18,119 back kick my hooves connected with the 516 00:19:15,450 --> 00:19:21,000 shotgun sending it flying it clattered 517 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:22,500 onto the bridge beyond moment later was 518 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:24,150 levitating the shovel spirit the two 519 00:19:22,500 --> 00:19:27,599 Raider ponies who stood facing me with 520 00:19:24,150 --> 00:19:29,610 gleeful and expressions two against one 521 00:19:27,599 --> 00:19:32,069 and both of them were experienced 522 00:19:29,609 --> 00:19:34,169 fighters the ones the sledgehammer 523 00:19:32,069 --> 00:19:37,079 stepped closer as if eager to see of 524 00:19:34,170 --> 00:19:39,000 hammer beats knife Monroe's honor an 525 00:19:37,079 --> 00:19:41,279 instant throwing his forelegs over her 526 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:43,710 head pulling the chain tween them across 527 00:19:41,279 --> 00:19:45,960 her neck the sledgehammer fell from her 528 00:19:43,710 --> 00:19:48,090 mouth as the Raider pony choked the 529 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:50,340 unicorn turned surprised by the sudden 530 00:19:48,089 --> 00:19:52,019 change in odds I could have attacked her 531 00:19:50,339 --> 00:19:54,089 then but threatening a pony's monster 532 00:19:52,019 --> 00:19:55,710 with an actually attacking one I wasn't 533 00:19:54,089 --> 00:19:59,929 sure I had it in me to slash it another 534 00:19:55,710 --> 00:20:01,980 Pony to draw blood to Mane possibly kill 535 00:19:59,930 --> 00:20:03,480 the unicorn kicked up the phone 536 00:20:01,980 --> 00:20:06,690 sledgehammer and turned to face me with 537 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:08,430 it murder in her eyes and suddenly I 538 00:20:06,690 --> 00:20:11,039 found easy to thrust the shovel spear 539 00:20:08,430 --> 00:20:13,320 forward I was no longer struggling with 540 00:20:11,039 --> 00:20:15,659 following through on a threat this was 541 00:20:13,319 --> 00:20:18,089 survival self-preservation is 542 00:20:15,660 --> 00:20:20,700 instinctual it clears away moral 543 00:20:18,089 --> 00:20:22,619 hesitations and while I did not have the 544 00:20:20,700 --> 00:20:25,480 fighting skills of my opponent I did 545 00:20:22,619 --> 00:20:27,548 have an advantage of my own ax SATs 546 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:29,890 80 by the targeting spell of my pipbuck 547 00:20:27,548 --> 00:20:33,250 I sent the spear slashing across her 548 00:20:29,890 --> 00:20:35,049 knees hobbling her a second slash this 549 00:20:33,250 --> 00:20:38,279 time across her face relieved her of her 550 00:20:35,048 --> 00:20:41,048 weapon the third would be a killing blow 551 00:20:38,279 --> 00:20:44,678 except I wasn't ready to do that 552 00:20:41,048 --> 00:20:46,179 not yet instead I swung the spear around 553 00:20:44,679 --> 00:20:48,059 cracking her across the head with its 554 00:20:46,179 --> 00:20:50,490 handle hard enough to splinter the wood 555 00:20:48,058 --> 00:20:54,668 the unicorn Raider felled my feet 556 00:20:50,490 --> 00:20:56,650 unconscious I looked up Mario standing 557 00:20:54,669 --> 00:20:59,190 chest heaving over the body of the earth 558 00:20:56,650 --> 00:21:02,980 Pony Raider the life choked out of her 559 00:20:59,190 --> 00:21:05,110 he was staring at me quietly then 560 00:21:02,980 --> 00:21:06,849 finally raised the form of only for the 561 00:21:05,109 --> 00:21:08,409 chain to Clank tight before he had it 562 00:21:06,849 --> 00:21:11,889 more than a few inches off the ground 563 00:21:08,410 --> 00:21:13,330 oh I dropped the shovel spear I turned 564 00:21:11,890 --> 00:21:15,759 on the light of my pipbuck and searched 565 00:21:13,329 --> 00:21:17,710 about for my screwdriver I had lost the 566 00:21:15,759 --> 00:21:21,369 bobby pin there was no chance of finding 567 00:21:17,710 --> 00:21:23,169 the dirt at night but I had more once we 568 00:21:21,369 --> 00:21:24,039 were both free Monterey limps slowly 569 00:21:23,169 --> 00:21:27,100 over to the bridge 570 00:21:24,039 --> 00:21:29,740 mommy later he returned his horn glowing 571 00:21:27,099 --> 00:21:32,109 in a gentle beige sawed-off shotgun 572 00:21:29,740 --> 00:21:33,429 followed him before I could react he 573 00:21:32,109 --> 00:21:37,000 aimed it at the head of the unconscious 574 00:21:33,429 --> 00:21:38,590 unicorn Raider and fired her blood began 575 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:41,230 to seep across the ground towards my 576 00:21:38,589 --> 00:21:42,519 hooves I watched in stunned silence as 577 00:21:41,230 --> 00:21:46,150 he turned to me and prodding at the 578 00:21:42,519 --> 00:21:50,558 bodies tugging items from them finally I 579 00:21:46,150 --> 00:21:52,990 found my voice what are you doing he 580 00:21:50,558 --> 00:21:54,160 looked at me as if I was stupid checking 581 00:21:52,990 --> 00:21:57,460 them to see if they have anything 582 00:21:54,160 --> 00:22:00,100 valuable on them with luck the food and 583 00:21:57,460 --> 00:22:02,410 nodded watching a move to the bodies at 584 00:22:00,099 --> 00:22:04,808 the end of the bridge looting the bodies 585 00:22:02,410 --> 00:22:06,970 of the dead felt wrong but cold rational 586 00:22:04,808 --> 00:22:08,259 part of me murmured that it was a qualm 587 00:22:06,970 --> 00:22:09,779 I would have to get over in order to 588 00:22:08,259 --> 00:22:12,210 survive 589 00:22:09,779 --> 00:22:13,589 and imagine how embarrassed I'd be if I 590 00:22:12,210 --> 00:22:15,720 starved without here because I've been 591 00:22:13,589 --> 00:22:17,339 too shy to check a dead ponies bag for a 592 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:19,980 pouch of votes or a can of old 593 00:22:17,339 --> 00:22:22,470 applesauce I moved a bit further down 594 00:22:19,980 --> 00:22:24,660 the bridge I looked over the body of a 595 00:22:22,470 --> 00:22:27,539 dead Raider pony his face bloody and 596 00:22:24,660 --> 00:22:28,920 torn from Krakus pony shoes I started 597 00:22:27,539 --> 00:22:30,359 going through the pockets of his barding 598 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:33,150 but my stomach rebelled 599 00:22:30,359 --> 00:22:35,909 I flung myself to the railing heaving my 600 00:22:33,150 --> 00:22:37,800 luncheon to foul-weather below the large 601 00:22:35,910 --> 00:22:39,960 breaking the clouds for a soft and 602 00:22:37,799 --> 00:22:41,789 silver led to everything I could see my 603 00:22:39,960 --> 00:22:44,850 reflection in the water still covered by 604 00:22:41,789 --> 00:22:46,470 Katie's drying blood then I saw 605 00:22:44,849 --> 00:22:49,439 sawed-off shotgun hovering in the air 606 00:22:46,470 --> 00:22:52,140 behind my head I'll be taking what you 607 00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:56,700 have to Monterey Jack informed it with a 608 00:22:52,140 --> 00:22:58,650 bored drawl what what I turned slowly to 609 00:22:56,700 --> 00:23:00,960 see him standing on the bridge bathed in 610 00:22:58,650 --> 00:23:03,480 moonlight his horn glowing a soft beige 611 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:07,640 light the shotgun floated between us 612 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:09,900 pointed at me but but I just saved you 613 00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:11,790 yeah and for that I'm not going to kill 614 00:23:09,900 --> 00:23:13,560 you his eyes narrowed 615 00:23:11,789 --> 00:23:17,359 unless of course he'd do something 616 00:23:13,559 --> 00:23:19,649 stupid right now but I just saved you 617 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:22,769 aren't you the top of your class he said 618 00:23:19,650 --> 00:23:25,769 snidely we should work together travel 619 00:23:22,769 --> 00:23:27,839 together Mon Rey snorted and split her 620 00:23:25,769 --> 00:23:29,430 limited provisions go to sleep with one 621 00:23:27,839 --> 00:23:31,409 eye open each night hoping to catch you 622 00:23:29,430 --> 00:23:34,320 when you try to stab me in the back no 623 00:23:31,410 --> 00:23:37,170 thanks my righteous disbelief stopped 624 00:23:34,319 --> 00:23:39,779 short of an aisle suddenly I was so very 625 00:23:37,170 --> 00:23:42,330 weary nodding I lowered my head and let 626 00:23:39,779 --> 00:23:43,799 my two canteens slip free I've been 627 00:23:42,329 --> 00:23:46,319 backed up so he could approach them I 628 00:23:43,799 --> 00:23:48,990 turned my head to starting classing my 629 00:23:46,319 --> 00:23:51,929 saddlebags I saw on the bridge just 630 00:23:48,990 --> 00:23:54,029 beyond my tail turning back to Monterey 631 00:23:51,930 --> 00:23:56,519 my own horn was glowing and the combat 632 00:23:54,029 --> 00:23:59,430 shotgun whipped into the air for a long 633 00:23:56,519 --> 00:24:01,579 moment we stood there to unicorn ponies 634 00:23:59,430 --> 00:24:04,259 on a bridge surrounded by bodies 635 00:24:01,579 --> 00:24:05,210 shotguns floating between us aimed at 636 00:24:04,259 --> 00:24:07,250 each other 637 00:24:05,210 --> 00:24:10,069 moonlight shone down on us from the 638 00:24:07,250 --> 00:24:12,829 break in the clouds Monterey Jack wrote 639 00:24:10,069 --> 00:24:15,470 the silence you're not going to use that 640 00:24:12,829 --> 00:24:16,939 I saw you spare that Raider if you 641 00:24:15,470 --> 00:24:19,519 couldn't kill pony like VAD you don't 642 00:24:16,940 --> 00:24:23,269 having you to kill me now I narrowed my 643 00:24:19,519 --> 00:24:25,490 eyes I'm a quick study he huffed but 644 00:24:23,269 --> 00:24:29,750 didn't move even know how to use that 645 00:24:25,490 --> 00:24:31,640 thing I forced a smile across my face do 646 00:24:29,750 --> 00:24:33,980 you know you only have one shot left and 647 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:35,720 judging by the spritebot that gun is in 648 00:24:33,980 --> 00:24:38,240 such poor repair I'll survive being shot 649 00:24:35,720 --> 00:24:39,649 with it will you survive being shot with 650 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:41,500 this as many times as I can move the 651 00:24:39,648 --> 00:24:44,058 trigger while you trying to reload 652 00:24:41,500 --> 00:24:45,829 Monterey Jack took a step back and with 653 00:24:44,058 --> 00:24:48,558 that falter my smile was no longer 654 00:24:45,829 --> 00:24:52,609 forced and I'll be taking my canteens 655 00:24:48,558 --> 00:24:54,319 back Ponyville I wonder just how my 656 00:24:52,609 --> 00:24:56,479 pipbuck knew the name of places before I 657 00:24:54,319 --> 00:24:57,908 did even named the wreckage of a 658 00:24:56,480 --> 00:25:00,829 building that I had just slipped into 659 00:24:57,909 --> 00:25:03,289 ponyville's Raider territory I just 660 00:25:00,829 --> 00:25:06,859 hoped this place this carousel boutique 661 00:25:03,288 --> 00:25:08,359 was not crawling with them Monterey Jack 662 00:25:06,859 --> 00:25:09,949 and I had barely parted ways when the 663 00:25:08,359 --> 00:25:13,278 railing of the bridge exploded next to 664 00:25:09,950 --> 00:25:14,899 me a sniper on the same Pony I presumed 665 00:25:13,278 --> 00:25:17,778 who had turned Katie said to applesauce 666 00:25:14,898 --> 00:25:20,119 I fled into the town keeping to what 667 00:25:17,778 --> 00:25:22,009 cover there was a few of the buildings 668 00:25:20,119 --> 00:25:25,269 were intact enough to hide him this was 669 00:25:22,009 --> 00:25:27,500 the closest fortunately I was alone I 670 00:25:25,269 --> 00:25:29,418 waited nearly an hour curled up in a 671 00:25:27,500 --> 00:25:32,659 shadow near the door but the sniper pony 672 00:25:29,419 --> 00:25:35,140 seemed uninspired to follow me know she 673 00:25:32,659 --> 00:25:37,990 or he could just wait until I came out 674 00:25:35,140 --> 00:25:39,580 fatigue wash over me I'd stayed up all 675 00:25:37,990 --> 00:25:42,220 the night before and this night's events 676 00:25:39,579 --> 00:25:44,589 were a strain in both body and spirit my 677 00:25:42,220 --> 00:25:45,880 muscles are weak and achy my body hurt 678 00:25:44,589 --> 00:25:49,449 from the kicks I'd taken 679 00:25:45,880 --> 00:25:52,330 I felt emotionally played out I needed 680 00:25:49,450 --> 00:25:55,210 sleep sleeping he was probably a 681 00:25:52,329 --> 00:25:56,529 horrible idea if I woke up at all it 682 00:25:55,210 --> 00:25:59,950 could be in the hooves of slavers 683 00:25:56,529 --> 00:26:02,048 Raiders were possibly worse but going 684 00:25:59,950 --> 00:26:05,019 back outside find someplace better 685 00:26:02,048 --> 00:26:06,579 just was not on the table I was in no 686 00:26:05,019 --> 00:26:09,519 shape to test my wits against the sniper 687 00:26:06,579 --> 00:26:11,019 Pony again carousel boutique was quite 688 00:26:09,519 --> 00:26:13,150 similar in condition to the building of 689 00:26:11,019 --> 00:26:15,490 its sweet Apple acres only the looting 690 00:26:13,150 --> 00:26:17,259 was more destructive the walls had been 691 00:26:15,490 --> 00:26:20,440 painted with crude images of violence 692 00:26:17,259 --> 00:26:21,849 and cruder swear words a pile of torn up 693 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:24,548 cloth brought in the corner 694 00:26:21,849 --> 00:26:27,609 smelling fowl like ponies had urinated 695 00:26:24,548 --> 00:26:29,379 on it repeatedly there were two beds one 696 00:26:27,609 --> 00:26:32,979 which was stained deeply with blood and 697 00:26:29,380 --> 00:26:35,860 probably more vile things the other was 698 00:26:32,980 --> 00:26:38,679 a smaller it falls bed and nothing but a 699 00:26:35,859 --> 00:26:41,219 mattress on a crushed frame in my state 700 00:26:38,679 --> 00:26:43,330 I felt it would do wonderfully the 701 00:26:41,220 --> 00:26:45,850 carousel boutique offered two more 702 00:26:43,329 --> 00:26:47,529 treasures a locked chest and another 703 00:26:45,849 --> 00:26:50,259 terminal identical to the one at sweet 704 00:26:47,529 --> 00:26:53,470 Apple acres this one too was still 705 00:26:50,259 --> 00:26:53,950 functional again to my surprise it was 706 00:26:53,470 --> 00:26:56,048 locked 707 00:26:53,950 --> 00:26:58,750 slipping out my ax as a tool I went to 708 00:26:56,048 --> 00:27:00,190 work these terminals were craft by some 709 00:26:58,750 --> 00:27:02,230 of the same ponies who later made the 710 00:27:00,190 --> 00:27:03,519 pit bucks in the encryptions and locks 711 00:27:02,230 --> 00:27:04,750 were similar enough that my tools 712 00:27:03,519 --> 00:27:07,179 allowed me to get partway through the 713 00:27:04,750 --> 00:27:09,519 security what remained was a puzzle 714 00:27:07,179 --> 00:27:11,669 finding the password within the strands 715 00:27:09,519 --> 00:27:14,379 of code that my access who laid bare in 716 00:27:11,669 --> 00:27:15,759 my fried mental state it was probably a 717 00:27:14,380 --> 00:27:19,090 small miracle that I was able to parse 718 00:27:15,759 --> 00:27:22,079 the code and find the password Norman 719 00:27:19,089 --> 00:27:24,240 OTT the password was Apple 720 00:27:22,079 --> 00:27:25,889 I laughed aloud catching myself when I 721 00:27:24,240 --> 00:27:27,990 heard the volume of my own voice and the 722 00:27:25,890 --> 00:27:29,759 stillness of the decrepit bouquet as I 723 00:27:27,990 --> 00:27:32,038 realized that beyond all realistic 724 00:27:29,759 --> 00:27:34,319 chance this was the computer that the 725 00:27:32,038 --> 00:27:36,028 message had been sent to with an 726 00:27:34,319 --> 00:27:38,398 unwarranted feeling of accomplishment I 727 00:27:36,028 --> 00:27:42,089 downloaded it into my pipbuck do the 728 00:27:38,398 --> 00:27:43,199 rest age had damaged the recording but 729 00:27:42,089 --> 00:27:46,139 there was enough model for me to 730 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:47,819 recognize that same female voice kind of 731 00:27:46,140 --> 00:27:49,620 sweetened with an odd accent that had 732 00:27:47,819 --> 00:27:52,288 many hours before revealed to me the 733 00:27:49,619 --> 00:27:56,788 code that led me out of my old life into 734 00:27:52,288 --> 00:27:58,950 this new horrible one special 735 00:27:56,788 --> 00:28:01,288 instructions for stable - that's my 736 00:27:58,950 --> 00:28:03,090 family down there until the poison is 737 00:28:01,288 --> 00:28:03,859 gone from up here that door has no one 738 00:28:03,089 --> 00:28:06,959 for anypony 739 00:28:03,859 --> 00:28:08,398 the voice faded in not ecstatic know you 740 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:10,380 hate this Sweetie Belle but you're an 741 00:28:08,398 --> 00:28:12,209 over man now the overmare the most 742 00:28:10,380 --> 00:28:14,669 important stable in all of Equestria I 743 00:28:12,210 --> 00:28:16,860 need you to do this for me to keep them 744 00:28:14,669 --> 00:28:19,710 safe best friends forever 745 00:28:16,859 --> 00:28:22,288 remember the sound file died down with a 746 00:28:19,710 --> 00:28:23,880 whimper I had been right there was 747 00:28:22,288 --> 00:28:26,099 really no value in a two century old 748 00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:29,929 message I left the chest for mourning 749 00:28:26,099 --> 00:28:29,928 curled up and went to sleep