[FO:E] The Northern Wasteland of Equestria 3

[Rebonack]

((This thread covers Canterlot and all locations north of it. Map in the spoiler.))
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y102/Ironack/FOEMV11.jpg:original
War.

War never changes.

Except when the war involves pastel colored magical talking tiny horses.

In which case war changes quite a bit. But only in so far as it looks a little cuter. Otherwise the horror of war is all too familiar.

Two hundred years ago war raged between Equestria and the Zebra Empire. A war ended decisively with megaspell strikes on each nation, devastating the land and poisoning it with necromantic radiation. The Pegasus sealed up the sky with an omnipresent curtain of clouds, shrouding the surface in perpetual gloom. Survivors retreated into the Stables, massive fallout shelters to protect them from the radiation storm above. Some offered salvation. Others became nightmarish death-traps. But the Stables opened and descendants populated the blasted, blighted wastes.

Some Stables remain closed, forgotten by the world.

The Princesses are dead.

Fell things watch from the Stars.

Unity seeks to consume all.

A new order rises on the backs of slaves.

Harmony is shattered and forgotten.

Discord warps fragile virtue.

And Friendship is dying in the hearts of ponies.

Can light be returned to the Equestrian Wasteland?

Or is suffering and hate its only future?

This can only be answered in the course of time.

This is Fallout Equestria.

[Rebonack]

((Herp derp double post!))

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

Swiss seems to be slowly calming down. Seeing a creature straight out of her nightmares for the first time was kinda hard on her. And considering how well she weathered the horrors of the Stable her team had visited recently? That's saying quite a bit. Mutated changelings are probably just a bit more personal for her.

"Thanks, Break," Swiss mutters.

D'aaww...

They're friends.

[Tenpony Tower - Concourse]

Boy, this guy sure is being helpful! It would be a great idea if Surprise listens to him! His advice is very good and-

What.

No.

Surprise. Now isn't a good time to explore that fancy cheese shop. Somepony is talking to you. Surprise? Surprise!

"Wow! Look at all these different kinds of cheese!"

[Ghoul Party]

Now that she's wearing her rad suit Island can interact with the humvee without melting it! Isn't that great? She begins scourging around inside for a radio while Mach is pestered by ghouls, both feral and otherwise.

As for the vehicle itself...

It needs a few parts replaced. But there are plenty of other vehicles nearby. With some searching and luck it could probably be jerry-rigged back into working order. Why hasn't anypony already taken the supplies one might ask?

Well...

The area is crawling with feral ghouls who were caught on the edge of the Balefire blast. Hundreds of ghouls aren't very good odds for scavengers. Fizz' presence seems to be keeping them docile.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Abandoned Shack]

Swift tilts her head slightly at the comment from Gleamy.

"Diamond Barrier? Sounds like a pony name, but I've never heard it before. Sorry, I don't think I can help there."

Maybe... ...maybe the Alicorn is remembering things? From before? Shrugging, she doesn't think any more of it, for now, and tries to tune the radio to the Ministry of Arcane Science Emergency Broadcast, more commonly known as DJ PON3's station. There's no situation a little music can't make better, right?


[Raider Nest]

Normally, you'd be right. However, the 3-4 hour mark is less reliable when you're dealing with mad ponies who are currently on just about every drug known to ponykind. Honestly, even if these ponies were to survive the battle, the drug crash alone would probably kill them later. These ponies are zombies.

Shaking the corpse off is thankfully fairly easy, but the eight or so ponies currently climbing all over Blaster and battering his armor down with baseball bats make this a more difficult prospect. A flamer would be excellent right now, but unfortunately there is not one easily available. Blaster's thrashing in self defense cracks the neck of one Raider though, and another accidentally brains her ally with a bat.

Ray's shot hits the Bazooka-Pony directly on the center of the torso, driving through him and most of his vital organs on the way through the barrel. After realizing that everypony can see right through him, he slumps to the floor, dead. There is now a loaded Rocket Launcher on the ground, but there's a pack of Raiders between Ray and it.

Meanwhile, the four raiders not currently trying to beat Blaster into paste are trying to rush Ray from either side with sharp sticks. It's doubtful that they do much of anything, but they're definitely distracting.

(Currently, the count of living raiders in this fight is 10. Deaths include bazooka-pony, Knife-pony, 3 ponies cut apart via minigun, 1 brained by ally, 1 broken neck, 2 exploded by rocket, and 3 slashed by rocket and bled out, and 2 killed by Ultra-Sentinel. The starting number was 24.)

[Chaotic Bob]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Homage's expression softens slightly. "It has a point. It did try to give some warning," she remarks, disdain still evident in her voice. Her eyes, though, betray some pensive contemplation.

Meanwhile, Lucky just hugs Swiss tighter. "It didn't take you, though. The monster's gone. The monster's dead. It's dead, and you're alive," he quietly whispers to the shaking Changeling, doing his best to calm and soothe her. "Nothing is going to hurt you now. It's all over. You get to go home, enjoy a nice soda, hang out with your friends... No more monsters. Everything... will be... okay..."



"Then I suggest a beating," The griffon flatly stated.

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

"A beating? Isn't that a little...less? than the incineration and wall-smashing I received a few moments ago?
Not to knock your idea of punishment or anything, I probably deserve it. Definitely not Pony of the Year over here.
But uh, maybe you should try something a little better. Just a thought."

Switching veins from pleading for forgiveness, to not-knowing-when-to-shut-up, the skin sack seems to be getting slightly more cheerful now. Overly cheerful.

He seems to be struggling to not be cheerful in some manner, really.
Curious.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Shackled]

The couch concealed Fleetwing's nervous pawing of the ground. "C-can't say I've heard that name before either. Why don't you go...lie down for a spell? Tr-try taking a lot of deep breaths? M-maybe outside-"

And then Violetta chimes in! With the failing light of day offering little help, the pegasus squints his eyes at the long, thin object in her hoof. "Now what in the hay..." He chances a creep closer, hugging the outside wall and staying as far from Gleamy as possible. A few steps closer, and the details came into focus; a little switch, some sort of slit on the side, something gleaming within... "Augh! Vi! Put it down put it down!" His voice cracks as he danced frantically on the edge of the room, torn between racing to her side and not wanting to get a step closer to the alicorn.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky chuckles softly, still hugging the Changeling. "You know you can just call me Lucky, right?" he asks, flashing a small grin. "Break's too official sounding; that's what everypony called my dad."


Meanwhile, Homage eyes the skin-coat warily. "Cheerful little masochist, aren't we?"


---
Tenpony Tower - Main Lobby

Sellsword waits patiently for Surprise to reign in her attention span.



---
Tenpony Tower - Hallway

Flim and Flam both shrug. "Alright, Miss," Flim nods.

"I guess we'll be going then," Flam remarks.

"Have a nice day," the two twins say in unison, before turning to trot away, unless Anansi has anything else to say to them.



---
Manehatten - Scav Post

Sergeant Sprinkles has passed his fiddle on to another pony, who seems to (kinda) know what they're doing.

The robot is now lounging in one corner of the room, idly watching the events transpiring. Particularly Wadda and Burnshine...



---
The Ramshackle Shack

The poster is quite dead now.

The radio, however, isn't. Sounds like some smooth instrument swing music is being played by the DJ. Guess it's not news time yet.



---
Ghoul Party

Mach will find that Fizz has disappeared as suddenly as she appeared.

She now seems to be teaching some of the other ghouls how to dance. Or at least, trying to. Emphasis on the "trying."

[PurityIcekiller]

[Shack Came Back Covered In A Tire Track]

Violetta looked confused. "What's wrong? It's just a potentially deadly weapon. It's not like I'm going to carelessly hurt myself with it or go crazy and start killing everyone. Look." She flicked out the blade. "The sharp part goes in enemies and isn't to be pointed at anyone you like, right?"

She then heard the music and smiled. "Sounds good. Gleamy, why don't you calm down, listen to the sounds, and rest a bit? Maybe that'll make your mind steadier."

[MCerberus]

Ghoul Party

Mach looks up from his current situation of being mostly head-first inside an engine. Better than one could... and there's Fizz being weird. Whatever. "Has uh, anypony had any luck finding some crap parts, adhesive of some sort, or something useful?" the ghoul asks of the two mares.

If the answer is 'no' he begins to search the nearby wrecks for parts.

Manehatten - Scav Post

Fox's unnamed as of yet ladyfriend doesn't seem to let her inhibitions get in the way. Without constantly diving the bottle wastelanders have a rather low tolerance for the stuff. Just makes it worth the caps, one must suppose. "How about we get better acquainted then?" she asks before a small giggle.

[artifact-enhanced intellect]You know, there is a definition of insanity Fox Trot may fall into if he's not careful. Might want to stick to somewhere where somepony might notice an unconscious stallion.

As for our brave ranger fillies, they've both gone up to the roof it looks like. Whadda's on one of the low-security channels. Mostly she's describing numbers of bees and ghouls. Nothing much of note. When Burnshine arrives, Scoops is on the "-understood. IO3 out." part of the report.

The mare blinks at her arrival before talking too much. "Oh hey, crazy stuff for your first day out on deployment right? It's been getting crazy lately. You'd think they'd have somepony else as well taking topographic data or whatever the scribes call it. Of course pathfinding's going to be a lot easier with this thing on my hoof. Still not used to the weight though."

And hey, the knight seems to have found a pip-buck somewhere. It's attached so it seems she gets to use it for the time being.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Abandoned Shack]

Turning back from the radio, Swift turns around to see Violetta "brandishing" a switchblade.

"Oh, look. You found a close-range weapon after all. One that's easy to use with telekinesis, even, and thin enough to slip through armor. Nice find!"

Shrugging at Fleet's response, the Ghoul sits down, mixes a bit of irradiated water and Abraxo Cleaner, and starts cleaning down both of her rifles. They'll last longer if they're cleaned regularly, after all.

[Benson]

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

"A beating? Isn't that a little...less? than the incineration and wall-smashing I received a few moments ago?
Not to knock your idea of punishment or anything, I probably deserve it. Definitely not Pony of the Year over here.
But uh, maybe you should try something a little better. Just a thought."

Switching veins from pleading for forgiveness, to not-knowing-when-to-shut-up, the skin sack seems to be getting slightly more cheerful now. Overly cheerful.

He seems to be struggling to not be cheerful in some manner, really.
Curious.


Tenpony Tower - Top Floor
Meanwhile, Homage eyes the skin-coat warily. "Cheerful little masochist, aren't we?"

Gwendolyn rolled her eyes at the words of whatshisface. "Consider it an alternative to death." She shrugged.
============================================




Manehatten - Scav Post

Fox's unnamed as of yet ladyfriend doesn't seem to let her inhibitions get in the way. Without constantly diving the bottle wastelanders have a rather low tolerance for the stuff. Just makes it worth the caps, one must suppose. "How about we get better acquainted then?" she asks before a small giggle.

[artifact-enhanced intellect]You know, there is a definition of insanity Fox Trot may fall into if he's not careful. Might want to stick to somewhere where somepony might notice an unconscious stallion.



"Better acquainted eh? Well then perhaps we can start with names, like yours, otherwise I may stick you with something like 'cutie pie'," He continued to crookedly grin. As for carefulness...Fox was well....himself....let's hope good decision making doesn't go totally out the window with mares.

[Mystic Muse]

But Jackie Chan jumped out and landed on his back (Shack)

Gleamy decided to sit down wherever was most convenient, and just decided to listen to music. The music was fairly calming, and let her get back to...relatively normal I suppose. She is still a spontaneous memory forgetting alicorn after all.

[MCerberus]

Scav Post

The mare gets in close to Fox Trot. Real close. But hey, because she hasn't been drinking that entirely much doesn't at least smell drunk. "Well what if I like being called that?"

[TheAmishPirate]

[Abandoned Shack]

Fleetwing winced and shut his eyes at the *snick* of the blade. But no fount of blood erupted from an accidental throat-slit; Violetta hadn't mistaken the blade for a random trinket. More than that, she went on to tell him just how well she knew how to handle a blade. Even Swift had helpful suggestions!

Violetta crept silently upon the still lump of power barding and the dozy pegasus encased within. With a grin of wicked glee, she located the chink in the armor - the one right near the ribs - and snapped her blade out...

...poor Fleetwing turned an even paler shade of yellow, taking an unconscious step back towards the locker. "Y-yeah. That...th-that sounds about r-r-right. Th-the not pointin' it at u-u-us bit." The room suddenly turned stuffy and claustrophobic, and his legs twitched nervously, hungering for a run. Muttering something unintelligible, the flighty pegasus turned back to the locker and its contents.

What he found brought the hint of a smile back to his face. "S-some good stuff in here, folks." He grabbed the Nuka Cola bottles and set them out on the table, along with the magical bandages. The Whiskey bottle soon joined them, though not without a momentary longing glance from the pegasus. His hoof rested on the Dash inhaler, before secreting it away in his bags as he grabbed the curiously-kept cowpony hat. "Well I'll be...don't find one of these everyday." He gingerly tucked his scruffy mane inside the hat, adjusting to what he thought was a jaunty, impressive angle.

Now if only he had a mirror...

[Benson]

Scav Post

The mare gets in close to Fox Trot. Real close. But hey, because she hasn't been drinking that entirely much doesn't at least smell drunk. "Well what if I like being called that?"

Nah, she just smells like regular wastelander stinkiness I'm sure, Fox was aware of his forced lowered standards. "Then that's what I'll call you.." He smirked and casually laid his right fore leg over her side.

[Luka]

[Raider Nest]

Normally, you'd be right. However, the 3-4 hour mark is less reliable when you're dealing with mad ponies who are currently on just about every drug known to ponykind. Honestly, even if these ponies were to survive the battle, the drug crash alone would probably kill them later. These ponies are zombies.

Shaking the corpse off is thankfully fairly easy, but the eight or so ponies currently climbing all over Blaster and battering his armor down with baseball bats make this a more difficult prospect. A flamer would be excellent right now, but unfortunately there is not one easily available. Blaster's thrashing in self defense cracks the neck of one Raider though, and another accidentally brains her ally with a bat.

Ray's shot hits the Bazooka-Pony directly on the center of the torso, driving through him and most of his vital organs on the way through the barrel. After realizing that everypony can see right through him, he slumps to the floor, dead. There is now a loaded Rocket Launcher on the ground, but there's a pack of Raiders between Ray and it.

Meanwhile, the four raiders not currently trying to beat Blaster into paste are trying to rush Ray from either side with sharp sticks. It's doubtful that they do much of anything, but they're definitely distracting.

(Currently, the count of living raiders in this fight is 10. Deaths include bazooka-pony, Knife-pony, 3 ponies cut apart via minigun, 1 brained by ally, 1 broken neck, 2 exploded by rocket, and 3 slashed by rocket and bled out, and 2 killed by Ultra-Sentinel. The starting number was 24.)

Zambies? too bad Ray and Blaster don't have a flamethrower then.

It would seem that all the remaining raiders are on top of them
With all the enemies on him, Blaster would try to wildly shoot his dual miniguns, since targets are pretty much on him, chances are missing in any way would be bad for his accuracy's reputation, given that they're pretty much at point blank, aren't they?.

Meanwhile, Ray takes on a more aggressive role, he would try to take a chance to grab one of his attackers and shoot at his/her head, and he would try to buck another one in the face, which would possibly be pretty hard given that he's wearing power barding.


Manehatten - Scav Post

As for our brave ranger fillies, they've both gone up to the roof it looks like. Whadda's on one of the low-security channels. Mostly she's describing numbers of bees and ghouls. Nothing much of note. When Burnshine arrives, Scoops is on the "-understood. IO3 out." part of the report.

The mare blinks at her arrival before talking too much. "Oh hey, crazy stuff for your first day out on deployment right? It's been getting crazy lately. You'd think they'd have somepony else as well taking topographic data or whatever the scribes call it. Of course pathfinding's going to be a lot easier with this thing on my hoof. Still not used to the weight though."

And hey, the knight seems to have found a pip-buck somewhere. It's attached so it seems she gets to use it for the time being.

The ranger zealot would keep a straight face over the comments about her first day, not like it were a priority, even useless if she doesn't find anything of use, but she raises an eyebrow at the pipbuck, and tilts her head
"Where did you find that pipbuck?"

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

Swiss replies with a silly grin. It is a bit forced, but she's trying at least! "I like calling you Break, though! Lucky seems like it's just asking the Wasteland for trouble. Y'know, all things considered."

All the awful luck and stuff?

Yeah.

"So you-" she aims to boop him on the nose with a hoof. "-are Break. Since that's what you do. And no complaining. Or I'll have to spit carrot-flavored 'acid' on you again."

Okay, now she's actually smiling.

[Tenpony Tower - Concourse]

"Ooooh! I know where the scavenger outpost is! I threw a party there!"

Of course you did, Surprise.

The cyberpegasus is bouncing around Sellsword cheerfully with a large yellow foam cheese-wedge hat atop her head. Where she got the themed headwear from is anypony's guess. Probably best not to think too heavily on the subject.

[Ghoul Party]

Well...

There's a tool box in one of the vehicles, though the lock is rusted shut. It could probably be forced open with a little application of force.

"Ah HA!" comes a triumphant cry from inside one of the humvees. "I found a radio! And I think we might be able to get it working again with a few parts! We just need some wires and working spark batteries."

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Main Lobby

Sellsword smirks in amusement. "Did you encounter any mercs there? Like I said, I might be able to hook you up with some good ones. It'll take a few days though. And it'll cost ya," he muses.



---
Shack

Fleetwing now has a hat! The poor little pegasus may be extremely stressed out and possibly on the verge of some sort of psychological trauma as a result of all the strain he's been under lately, but at least he has some cool headwear to show for it.


Fleetwing:

Fleetwing hears the voice of a mare, amicable and accented with a Southern drawl. "Nice hat! Looks good on ya."

[PurityIcekiller]

[And Batman Was Injured, And Trying To Get Steady]

"Well, this is nice, then. I'll need somewhere to practice with it, but I think I can get the hang of it." Violetta casually flicked the blade closed again.

She then noticed what Fleetwing was up to and laughed. "Nice hat there. Looks like even in this land, fashion is a must."

[BladeofObliviom]

[Abandoned Shack]

Swift just sits there, still cleaning out the rifles by hoof.

"That's actually a pretty good look for ya, Fleet. Mares'll be falling all over you now, with the hat and fancy shotgun."

It's clear from her tone that she's being facetious, but not mocking or insincere.

"Also, if any of you want to practice your shootin or fighting skills a bit, there's still a little daylight, some extra stuff here to use as targets, and a really old Ghoul to offer some pointers."


[Raider Nest]

Well, I was speaking metaphorically when I described them as "Zombies". A Flamer would still work wonders though.

Blaster uses minigun! It's super effective! ...Against the two that are right in front of him, anyway. They're diced to shreds, but the others surrounding him are unscathed. One of them clubs her friend over the head by accident again, though.

Ray's tactics are slightly more effective, as he blows one Raider's head off, and bucks backward, shattering the skulls of two more with those wonderfully lethal Power Hooves. The last Raider of the four that tried to jump him charges in with a spear! Which proceeds to break against the superior armor, of course. Steel beats wood.

Only four Raiders left, now: Three, still pummeling Blaster with metal bats, and one with a broken lance beginning to realize just how screwed he is against Ray.

[Mystic Muse]

[And Batman Was Injured, And Trying To Get Steady]


[When Abraham Lincoln Came Back With A Machete]


[Abandoned Shack]

Swift just sits there, still cleaning out the rifles by hoof.

"That's actually a pretty good look for ya, Fleet. Mares'll be falling all over you now, with the hat and fancy shotgun."

It's clear from her tone that she's being facetious, but not mocking or insincere.

"Also, if any of you want to practice your shootin or fighting skills a bit, there's still a little daylight, some extra stuff here to use as targets, and a really old Ghoul to offer some pointers."


"Could you teach me to shoot, or maybe help me with my force fields?" Gleamy requests of Swift. "I think both would be useful."

[TheAmishPirate]

[15 Miles From a Faded Sign]

Fleetwing puffed up with pride, imagining himself quite dashing and ignoring what might have been subtle pokes at his fashion sense. "Yeah? Troublemakers'll think twice before-"

Then, right on the cusp of an impressively self-indulgent fantasy, the pegasus fell silent. He glanced to Violetta, then to Swift, then to Gleamy, studying their expressions curiously. The hat shifted noticeably, his ears flicking and twisting beneath it. "Uh, Gleamy?" He peered at the alicorn with furrowed brow and worried eyes. "Did...did you just say somethin'?"

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post

Since the mare doesn't challenge or try to back away from Fox Trot, one can just assume they can go somewhere to get their smooch on. He should likely send a thank-you not to Surprise... if she doesn't show up to suddenly awkward away his new companion.

On the roof though, we just have two mares being spied on by a sapient robot. Nothing out of the ordinary. "Big mission thing. Kinda classified... or actually I don't know what parts are and don't want to risk it. Same place I got this rifle they're letting me use because it's not a MEW. Scribes have already gotten all the data off it they could, and I think are trying to decode what they can."

Ghoul Party

Convenient boxes yay! Mach gets his hoofs on it and begins the process of opening it with that wonderful hoofblade with one thousand and one uses. Batteries are another issue. As he's going to explain, he hopes that there are some in the toolbox since his own won't do.

"All I have are weapon-grade. They'll uh, probably fry the radio if we try and use them."

[Luka]

[Raider Nest]

Well, I was speaking metaphorically when I described them as "Zombies". A Flamer would still work wonders though.

Blaster uses minigun! It's super effective! ...Against the two that are right in front of him, anyway. They're diced to shreds, but the others surrounding him are unscathed. One of them clubs her friend over the head by accident again, though.

Ray's tactics are slightly more effective, as he blows one Raider's head off, and bucks backward, shattering the skulls of two more with those wonderfully lethal Power Hooves. The last Raider of the four that tried to jump him charges in with a spear! Which proceeds to break against the superior armor, of course. Steel beats wood.

Only four Raiders left, now: Three, still pummeling Blaster with metal bats, and one with a broken lance beginning to realize just how screwed he is against Ray.

2 more frags than expected, impressive.

Though of course, poor Blaster's armor would begin to whine about being smashed repeatedly with blunt force.

Ray, meanwhile, would usually let the raider run away if he wanted, but he's an overly-chemed raider, and a raider, which mean he's most likely still try to fight him, and if he ran away he would possibly meet a more painful death when his internal everything collapses after a while, of course, Ray's too pissed off to think all this, but both things would possibly get to the same point.

So Ray would try to charge into him, if he's successful he would still keep running with the raider in front, he would try to smash into another raider of the ones battering Blaster with bats, then he would run into a wall if he's successfull, possibly breaking their spines with the impact.

Blaster would instead try to just grab one of the raiders and try smashing his/her head against another one, though he wouls smash it against the ground if he misses.
-------------------------------------------------------------------


Manehatten - Scav Post

On the roof though, we just have two mares being spied on by a sapient robot. Nothing out of the ordinary. "Big mission thing. Kinda classified... or actually I don't know what parts are and don't want to risk it. Same place I got this rifle they're letting me use because it's not a MEW. Scribes have already gotten all the data off it they could, and I think are trying to decode what they can."

Burnshine wouldn't exactly notice Sprinkles' spying them
"Then we should keep moving, haven't found any valuable tech in this location and this could possibly just count as for the lastest one, not this one, know anywhere with anything possible for recovering?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(*facedesk*, Why do I keep forgetting I was responded to and that I got to reply to this!?)

[Tall Hills]

To the house!

Amazingly, it's unlocked and within lurks...a sort of well-cleaned living room?
Not pre-war standards, by any means, but most of the dust seems to have been swept out, and the couple chairs sitting around a table seem mostly-intact.

Not much else in here, other than an empty fire place, but it seems nicer than a lot of other places.

Two doors in the back, one leading to a similar bare-but-clean kitchen, the other leading to stairs up, from which emanates mildly familiar voices...

The griffon would try to sneak, as to not call the attention of the ones above yet, or anyone around, he would try to stay closer to the walls, trying to not set off any trap or something, he's quite paranoid at the moment.

He would head for the kitchen, maybe there would be something of value he could get before the ghoul comes in and starts spraying the whole place with that toxic cloud of ironically girly colors, that is, if the ghoul even knows he entered there, which would be somewhat likely.

[Mystic Muse]

Cabin Fever

"Umm, no. Though, you look pretty cute in that hat." She says to the impromptu cowboy.

[PurityIcekiller]

"...Yes, she did, actually, but not to you. She asked about force fields." Violetta twitched. "Please don't tell me you're having the same thing happen to you."

[I]Shack, poster, switchblade...

Once she was again sure that Gleamy's memory problems still hadn't spread to her, she nodded to Swift. "Well, training would be good, anyway. I don't think that one masters a weapon instantaneously."

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

The sack of skin silences once more, shifting slightly to turn the head more completely towards Gwen.
From there, it stares for just a moment.

"...could you actually do that?"

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky grins playfully at the Changeling he's presumably still hugging. "Hey, 'Lucky' is more apt than 'Break,' all things considered. I'm lucky enough to survive crazy disasters and making awesome friends, after all. Seriously, how many ponies make friends with an 'acid-spitting' Changeling after being blown through a damn building?" he asks jokingly. "The only things I ever seem to actually break are the laws of probability, and maybe the occasional heart," he quips, flashing a roguish grin and giving a waggle of his eyebrows to show he's being silly.


Homage rolls her eyes at the derpy pegasus, and continues to warily watch the sentient skin-coat.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Abandoned Shack]

Swift snorts in slight annoyance at the brewing argument, moving to defuse it before it actually starts.

"Everyone just calm down a little, nopony's at any risk here."

Nozebra either, but she doesn't say that. Anyway, she nearly instantly recovers her positive tone.

"I'm afraid I can't help either of you with magic too much, given the whole not-a-unicorn thing, but Guns and Knives are a whole other story. Let me finish cleaning off this rifle, and we can set up some bottles outside to shoot down."



[Raider Nest]

Ray charges into the raider, propelling him forward! The raider screams as the power barding smashes multiple ribs, and that's before he even collides with the wall!

Meanwhile, Blaster manages to grab a raider's head, thrusting it toward another one! The second raider manages to dodge skillfully, but the first Raider's skull still shatters against the steel floor under the sheer weight of the Ranger.

...Unfortunately for dodging Raider, she happens to dodge Blaster's attack...directly into the path of Ray's charge. With all of that momentum, both raiders in Ray's path are crushed under the weight, and killed instantly.

One last raider lives, and switches attention suddenly, attempting to bring his bat down on Ray's Gauss Rifle.

"Heeheeheehee! Shatter it all!"

[Mystic Muse]

[Caddyshack]

"w-well, I just figured maybe you coupd hit things against my shields so that I could learn to make them stand up to stronger things?" she suggests.

[Luka]

[Raider Nest]

Ray charges into the raider, propelling him forward! The raider screams as the power barding smashes multiple ribs, and that's before he even collides with the wall!

Meanwhile, Blaster manages to grab a raider's head, thrusting it toward another one! The second raider manages to dodge skillfully, but the first Raider's skull still shatters against the steel floor under the sheer weight of the Ranger.

...Unfortunately for dodging Raider, she happens to dodge Blaster's attack...directly into the path of Ray's charge. With all of that momentum, both raiders in Ray's path are crushed under the weight, and killed instantly.

One last raider lives, and switches attention suddenly, attempting to bring his bat down on Ray's Gauss Rifle.

"Heeheeheehee! Shatter it all!"

When the raider attacks, Ray would attempt to grab him and smash him against the wall, if it fails, Blaster would attempt to charge and smash him, against the wall too

[Rebonack]

[Electro's Shred]

It is sort of his shed now, isn't it? Considering that nopony else seems interested in living here. He could probably use this spot as a home provided he had some way of actually collecting food for himself. Those oranges won't last forever after all.

Beyond his little sanctuary the Wasteland continues its slow process of squeezing both blood and virtue from Equestria. But what's just one pony going to do about it? Sticking one's neck out is a good way to get killed after all...

A chime sounds from Electro's PipBuck, informing him that a new audio file has been downloaded. The title?

'Please come back'

Well!

That sounds like something to delete and never think of again!

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

"Heh... Alright, alright, fine. Lucky it is then," Swiss finally concedes as she backs off a few steps. She managed to give him a hug with only minimal empathic vampirism! The changeling should be proud of herself.

After a few moments of staring at the skin sack Swiss mutters, "There's no way it should have survived that inferno..."

And then?

Then Lucky starts going crazy.
"AHEM!" comes the voice of a rather head-strong sounding mare for Lucky's ears only. "A little credit where credit's due, buster! I've saved your life in the most awesome way possible, like... at least twice now! Some gratitude would be nice."

[Tenpony Tower - Concourse]

"Payment?" Surprise echoes, scrunching up her nose a bit. "Umm... I can pay in supplies? I don't think a check from the Ministry of Morale is worth much anymore what with the collapse of society and all."

She waves a hoof in an explanatory fashion.

"I could pay with weapons or meds or food! OOOH! Or buttons!" Surprise holds up the box full of buttons. "Anypony who is registered as a Ministry of Morale employee probably won't be shot at by Ministry of Morale automated defenses!"

That's always handy.

[Ghoul Party]

Island looks a little disappointed as she looks down at the radio.

"Oh..."

And then edges away from a feral ghoul that's getting uncomfortably close to her. "Well... We'll need a good one if this plan is going to work..."

Inside the box is-!

-a whole bunch of really old MREs! How gloriously useless for ghouls.

[Earl of Purple]

Electro's Fallout Shed

There's some pre-war food in the basement bunker! But Electro mainly wants to find somewhere with ponies to settle down, where he hopes he won't have to worry too much about raiders or mutants. But he'll probably try to maintain this shed as a hide-away.

He doesn't have much else to do, so he decides to listen to the file.

[Rebonack]

[Electro's Shed]

With a push of a button the message is played. The voice is hushed and small, sounding for all the world like a terrified colt.

"Please, you can't leave me alone down here. The bad pony has locked me away in the dungeon. I think they're trying to scare everypony away so nopony will find me. Please! You have to believe me! There are no monsters or ghosts, it's all a trick! I-"

The voice falls silent as the sound of hooves clopping closer is heard over the PipBuck. When the colt speaks again his tone has fallen to scarcely a whisper.

"It's all just a trick. There's nothing to be afraid of. Don't leave me alone in the dark... I want to see the sky again..."

[Earl of Purple]

Electro's Shed

Oh dear. Electro will stay still for a moment, thinking, before deciding what to do. He takes his broken radio out of his saddlebags and leaves it in the bunker so he has more room for anything he might find later. He'll trot back up the ladder, check his PipBuck for anything lurking outside, and leave his shed. He'll then continue to where he thinks the pony on his PipBuck is transmitting from- Hollow Shades, or at least the Hollowood. He'll keep his lightning caster ready, and his 10mm. His rifle is kept where it is, as is his .45.

[Rebonack]

[Back Into Hollow Shades Again]

It's...

Strange.

Entering the forest for the second time is much akin to Electro's earlier flight from here. There's little more than a short, wide path between the eerily shaped trees before he reaches the clearing the town is built within. There's got to be some weird magic going on here. Probably magic tied to the location. Possibly more magic augmenting it. But spells spread over such a wide area? That would require an absurdly talented unicorn to pull off.

Or maybe something else...

Blue willowhisps still drift through the air about the run down though startlingly intact town. In truth they seem to be the only movement here apart from the web-like leaves of the mutated trees rustling in the wind.

The temple. The well. The blacksmith. The general store. Several residences. The school. Where will Electro begin his search?

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades, I Return to Thee

Electro will cautiously trot towards the Temple to the Sisters. The message said 'dungeon', and he remembers a hatch in the Temple that he couldn't open.

He's trying not to think about the magic, and what may be causing it. When he does, his thoughts mostly go along the lines of 'I hope it's two-hundred-year-old megaspell radiation intersecting with poorly-positioned local leylines, or some other magical theory stuff. I'm a walking battery, not anything useful in this situation'.

[Benson]

Manehatten - Scav Post

Since the mare doesn't challenge or try to back away from Fox Trot, one can just assume they can go somewhere to get their smooch on. He should likely send a thank-you not to Surprise... if she doesn't show up to suddenly awkward away his new companion.

"Well that was fun...." He smirked as he pushed himself off his make out partner and onto the bed. Fox had a content expression as he laid there and smoothed back his mane.


==============

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

The sack of skin silences once more, shifting slightly to turn the head more completely towards Gwen.
From there, it stares for just a moment.

"...could you actually do that?"

"Frankly, I really don't want to talk to you anymore, you annoy me." She flatly said.


Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky grins playfully at the Changeling he's presumably still hugging. "Hey, 'Lucky' is more apt than 'Break,' all things considered. I'm lucky enough to survive crazy disasters and making awesome friends, after all. Seriously, how many ponies make friends with an 'acid-spitting' Changeling after being blown through a damn building?" he asks jokingly. "The only things I ever seem to actually break are the laws of probability, and maybe the occasional heart," he quips, flashing a roguish grin and giving a waggle of his eyebrows to show he's being silly.

And then eye rolling happened.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

Electro elects to investigate the temple once again!

As before he can hear music and song from within, but once he opens the door the building falls to ghastly silence once again. The skeletons of ponies are still huddled in the pews as they were not long ago. Probably a good thing that they haven't decided to move.

The whispers and shrieks and images of Tartaurus aren't anywhere to be seen. But... if this IS a trick then there's a good chance that the spell might be on a timer of some sort. Sure enough after a very exact length of time passes Electro will get a copy of an audio file his PipBuck already received.

'Help me'

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Well, I'm not certain if Electro actually listened to it the last time he received it or just acted on the title. But he'll listen to it, either again or for the first time, as he looks around and goes to the altar to examine that hatch again.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

The audio on this particular message was played once already. About half a minute of staticy silence followed by, "It knows you're here," in the voice of a small filly. Where as the voice of the colt had sounded terrified and alone, the filly sounds worried and concerned. Not for herself, but for Electro.

It turns out that the controls for the trap door aren't too difficult to figure out. On the back of the alter there's a false wood panel that has been smashed open to reveal a clearly marked lever. Currently it is pushed toward the 'closed' side.

Ostensibly pulling the lever will open the passage down into the basement.

Assuming of course down is where Electro wishes to go...

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Oh, yes. I'd forgotten that.

Down is not where he wishes to go, no. Unfortunately, it's where he feels he has to go. So he's going down anyway. He stands as far away from the lever as he can before he pulls it through telekinesis, just in case there's a trap he can't see.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

Gears clank as the alter slides forward and a stairway leading down into the darkness is revealed. Wide steps of dark gray stone stretch into the gloom, illuminated only sparsely by an occasional muted white light hanging from the ceiling. Nothing awful leaps out at Electro, nor do any traps suddenly spring. So that seems to be a win on his part!

Should Electro descend into the depths he may note odd symbols carved into the walls, though only in the darkest parts of the passage. They glow with a dull crimson light that is easily washed out by the lamps on the ceiling as well as his own PipBuck.

The symbols are neither Equestrian nor Roaman and they look more than a little foreboding.

All around the unicorn a hollow, resonating ring begins fill the tunnel with its quiet tone. It is soon joined by the ghostly filly's voice as she sings a haunting song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX74AuHPg3Q).

Remember.

It's all a trick.

There aren't any ghosts here. No evil, damned spirits.

Right?

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Electro will hold his pistol in his telekinesis, and his lightning caster in his mouth. He's keeping an eye out for any signs of movement, and any lights on his EFS. He's muttering around the grip of his lightning caster, begging the Founders to help him on this quest. Other than the praying, he's working on being as quiet as possible.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

Soon the floor levels out and Electro finds himself in...

Another temple.

A temple to Nightmare Moon. No, not Princess Luna. Nightmare Moon. As in 'the night will last forever' Nightmare Moon. More sigils are inscribed into the walls and floor here, some in bright silver and others in dull crimson. Another alter is set up to one side of the room, an alter that looks quite a bit more foreboding than the one in the church proper. One that has several dark brown stains on it...

It looks like the area has been converted into a laboratory of sorts with some rather technical magical equipment still winking away and flashing with readouts. Stacks of papers litter desks and floor. A large post set with heavy iron rings stands upright near an empty examination table. And built into the floor are ancient iron gratings over dark pits that reach deep into the gloom below. Should Electro get close to any of the cells he'll be able to hear inequine snarls and howls and rattlings of chains.

Though...

That isn't what's most striking.

Beyond the lab is a massive circular ritual chamber with a floor etched with concentric circles and embedded with gems to represent each of the thousands of stars in the night sky. Eight massive stone columns about the edge of the room are capped with iron bands and huge chains that appear to be hanging in mid-air, bound tight around... nothing. From the chains dangle strips of bright crimson cloth each embroidered with a silver seal.

...what is this place?

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky grins, and is about to say something snarky to Swiss, no doubt. But instead, he suddenly gets a strange look on his face. One of sheer stunned confusion, and a little concern. "Wait, what?" he asks, though he doesn't seem to be talking to Swiss, or anypony in particular. "Gratitude?"

He cranes his neck, turning to look around at everyone around him - Swiss, Homage, Gwendolyn, Jack-thing, the smoking pile of mud that used to be a Skinwalker - with a question gaze. "Uh, who said that?"



---
Tenpony Tower - Main Lobby

Sellsword gives Surprise a look. A serious look, that seems to indicate that whatever he's about to say is super important. "I need..."

"A party."


---
Ghoul Party

Soda Fizz suddenly pops up between Island and Mach. "Oh oh oh, I know!" the glowing zombie-unicorn exclaims with a toothy grin. "If you can find a humvee with enough juice left in the engine battery, you can wire this radio to the dashboard and crank it up long enough to get some juice through the system and charge the radio. You may have to wire up a few extra batteries to the engine to wring enough juice through the systems, though. Or, hey wait," Fizz suddenly interrupts herself, and looks back at the crowd of ghouls behind her. "I wonder if any of them have some batteries you could borrow?"



---
The ShawShack Redemption

There's a little time left before dark, so the various species of equine currently inhabiting the abandoned shack could easily spend a little time outside, practicing on their various skills and abilities. While shooting at Gleamy is probably unwise, there's no shortage of junk scattered around the shack. In fact, there's a small trash can in the corner, which has a few old tin cans and a couple of empty soda bottles in it. Those could probably be tossed around easily enough...


Fleetwing:

"D'aw, ain't that sweet? She thinks yer cute," the mysterious voice tells Fleetwing. It doesn't sound like it's coming from anywhere around him. In fact... it almost sounds like it's coming from inside his head...

"Sounds like ya should be more worried 'bout her wooin' ya than woundin' ya, Partner."

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

Poor Jack.
He seems to get that a lot from mares.

Enough so that he doesn't seem too hurt by Gwen's little declaration.

Somewhat thoughtful though, judging by a momentarily "hmmm".

But beyond that, he does little else for the time being.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Surrounded by the Shacktus]

Surprising to nopony, Fleetwing did quite the opposite of calm down.

"No, no, no, I weren't talking about the force - no! No I ain't losing my mind!" The pegasus nickered in frustration and rubbed at his baggy, tired eyes. "I just...not the force fields, about the hat. Except, not...just now about the hat, but a second time-"

As suddenly as he did a moment ago, Fleetwing fell silent. This time, however, he sprang into a readied stance, wings outstretched as his gaze darted about the room. Further conversation took a backseat to glaring suspiciously at anything that made the slightest sound. Just when his silence moved from 'awkward' to 'mildly concerning', he froze; stock-still, eyes wide, jaw dropped, and...and was that a hint of red springing up on his cheeks? "I...I need. To. Run. S-Somewhere....now." Fleetwing shook off his saddlebags like they were full of rotting flesh and, with an impressive running-bounding-gliding leap, he sprang off a salvaged chair, soared over the heads of the collected ponies, and was out the door quicker than a jackalope on Dash.

Possible to stop him? Yes. Possible to stop him without injury to him or the stopper? Harder to say.

[PurityIcekiller]

[ImageShack]

"What's this about- Whoa! Wait!" Violetta darted over to try to block him, but forgot about him having wings, and ended up passing right under him.

She sat down and sighed. "Just what we needed. More strange goings-on that we don't know anything about."

[MCerberus]

Ghoul Party

Mach sighs and tosses the box of old rations behind him. If the ferals decide they'd like to eat something not living, they're more than welcome. As for the plan to make the radio functional. "Might as well. I'm going to need to open some hoods to uh, get some spare parts from."

Manehatten - Scav Post

Fox's new ladyfriend goes and finds the container of booze bought for the party. "You know... since it's your party you want some of this... I don't know exactly what it is because the label fell off."

Up on the roof Scoops is lost in thought for a moment. Usually after a day of excitement it's good to lay low of the night to get some rest instead of going off. There is something for tomorrow though. "Well there is a door at a hospital nearby that isn't collapsed with rubble. If the pipbuck makes it think I'm with the M O M we might get through. Considering there's still power there there might be something in there. Of course it's a bit late and we don't have equipment for a night mission we're stuck here. And this place is useful because we can blend in a little without having to take anything and listen to the whatsits the natives are doing."

[Luka]

Manehatten - Scav Post

Up on the roof Scoops is lost in thought for a moment. Usually after a day of excitement it's good to lay low of the night to get some rest instead of going off. There is something for tomorrow though. "Well there is a door at a hospital nearby that isn't collapsed with rubble. If the pipbuck makes it think I'm with the M O M we might get through. Considering there's still power there there might be something in there. Of course it's a bit late and we don't have equipment for a night mission we're stuck here. And this place is useful because we can blend in a little without having to take anything and listen to the whatsits the natives are doing."

More like "less annoying" than "usefull", Burnshine doesn't really see the use in anything that isn't following the codex.... Actually she voices that thought over to Scoops
"I don't really see the usefulness of that, there's no tech to recover and we don't get to any by being here, the faster we get it, the faster we can get back to base and get those two codexbreakers what they deserv-.... Never mind"

Huh, that almost-last sentence sounded deeply pissed off, the one before the "never mind", sounds like it slipped out along the thoughts too :smalltongue:

[BladeofObliviom]

[Raider Nest]

Well, when the Raider swings, Ray's still a little bit busy smushing two other ponies into paste against the wall. Blaster, on the other hand...

Well, he's at the wrong angle to crush the raider into anything but Ray. Despite this, a good buck with a power hoof sends the raider sprawling mid-swing, knocking him down the hallway and into the console, which finally tips over as the last bit of remaining frame shatters.

Miraculously, the thrown raider is still alive, though coughing up blood and likely to die fairly soon anyway.


[Abandoned Shack]

Swift more or less just gawks in wonder as the Pegasus suddenly panics and bolts out the door. As she quickly finishes scraping the last of the rust and grime off of the Battle Rifle, she calmly, without a word, loads up her bag and slings both weapons across her back.

"I'm going to go out for a while. I trust that you two can practice magic with each other or something while I'm gone?"

Without even really waiting for a response, she trots out the door, following Fleetwing as best she can. Of the group, she's the only one with any likelihood of keeping up with him, after all, and she's also the only one of them that's capable of keeping him alive from a safe distance.

She's not going to take another risk; Not after what happened to Bucky.

[Mystic Muse]

[Love Shack Baby, Love Shack]


Gleamy isn't sure why the Pegasus suddenly flew away like a bat out of hell. She decided to try to not let it bother her. "So...umm...I don't remember much...is there anything you could teach me about magic?" She politely asks Violetta, doing something with the poster scraps with telekinesis, though, it's not clear what.

[Luka]

[Raider Nest]

Well, when the Raider swings, Ray's still a little bit busy smushing two other ponies into paste against the wall. Blaster, on the other hand...

Well, he's at the wrong angle to crush the raider into anything but Ray. Despite this, a good buck with a power hoof sends the raider sprawling mid-swing, knocking him down the hallway and into the console, which finally tips over as the last bit of remaining frame shatters.

Miraculously, the thrown raider is still alive, though coughing up blood and likely to die fairly soon anyway.

When Ray finishes the two raiders, he would move for the hallway, to check if he could get the bazooka without risking being spotted by the huge bot outse with the prism cannon

Blaster meanwhile would approach the raider, however he wouldn't exactly do much except stand there and look intimidating, he would actually just be examining the raider and how he reacts to figure out what should he do, if letting him ok would kill others outside, if letting him be would be a cruel mercy, or if stabbing him would be the nicest thing. For short, he would try to check if he even would have a chance in different meanings, if sparing him would possibly reform him or something (even though chances are it would be unlikely cuz he's is a raider, not a bandit), if sparing him would just let him go kill more others and be bad or if sparing him would be mean and doom him for a slow and painful death and a nerve stab would be the nicest of all choices.

[Benson]

Tenpony Tower

"What are you going on about Lucky?" Gwendolyn asked quirking her brow and crossing her forearms/legs whatever.



Ghoul Party


Manehatten - Scav Post

Fox's new ladyfriend goes and finds the container of booze bought for the party. "You know... since it's your party you want some of this... I don't know exactly what it is because the label fell off."

"Heh...why don't we both have some....fend off our make out session thirst eh?" He grinned as he laid there on bed all come hither like. Right now, smart thinking was on and off.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Slightly Less Abandoned Shack]

[Special Talent: Running] Swift would have her work cut out for her. Like pistons in a pre-war engine, Fleetwing's powerful legs pounded the earth in a steady, unyielding rhythm, quickly taking him far from the shack. Just when it seemed he wouldn't stop until he caught the sunset, he bore a wide left, keeping the small shack in sight as he started in on a massive loop around it. The pegasus' sensibilities were not completely shot, but neither did it look as though he would stop anytime soon.

(This is all "if it happens and he doesn't get jumped by anything", it just was a lot easier to type in past tense.)

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

"Oh, Founders, grant me courage." Electro has only a vague notion of Nightmare Moon, but what little he does know was used aggressively by Stable Faith, the priest of the Founders, to discredit the Princesses. So most of it is lies, slander, exaggerations, and out of context, and he believed it all untrue.

He'll trot over to the magitech readouts and try to decipher their meaning. Vaguely familiar machinery kept track of the charge left in the batteries in his Stable's generator room, so he has a rough idea of how they work. For now, he's avoiding the altar, the pits and any paths further into the Temple.

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post

Fox's new mare friend takes a swig then goes over to the stallion. The stallion would find some available booze and a slightly clingy drunk.

Up on the roof, Scoops is a little confused about one particular thing. As is usually, she'll just talk things out. "Well this is a long deployment thing. IO2's been out watching the orchard for over a month. I mean sure you do head back to base but only when you have a real reason to. And again, we might run out of light."

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

The readouts are built to display far more information than simple charge levels. Some of them are measuring chemical information, whilst others cover magical properties. Still others appear to be monitoring the biological properties of... something. Somethings.

Probably the somethings locked away under the floor.

Speaking of those, any time Electro edges closer the sounds of snarling and straining chains increases. How lovely!

All the while the filly's voice continues to sing her foreboding rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. And through it all the frightened pleas of the colt reach out to Electro through the gloom.

"You came... I knew you would come! I'm locked away in the big round room. Come free me before before the bad pony wakes up," the voice begs with equal parts terror and hope. "Please. Hurry."

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

Swiss opens her mouth.

Then closes it again.

Then glances around, looking rather confused.

"What?"

Lucky:
"Oh. Right. You wouldn't know I've been helping, would you?" the forceful mare suddenly gasps. "Buck. Uuuh... Right! Quick and dirty! You found me in that dark hole a couple days ago and I've been making you more awesome since then. I've got plenty of awesome to spare after all!"

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Electro will cautiously enter the binding room with the floating chains. He will examine the markings, whilst trying not to look away from anywhere that might hold a hostile. He won't drop his weapons, either. He'll examine the floor, see how dusty it is. He's not looking for tracks- he's looking for something he can throw over whatever is wrapped in chains so he can actually see it. Or so he hopes, anyway.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

The chains in the blinding room are swaying gently, clanking as though whatever they hold is moving every so slightly. They extend from all sides toward whatever apparently invisible thing they hold fast in the center of the room, taunt enough to make any real struggling impossible.

Judging from where the chains hang in mid-air whatever they're wrapped around is pretty big.

Crimson tags dangle from the chains, strips of paper embroidered with flowing silver script. The writing doesn't appear to be Roaman or Equestria. Just one more mystery...

For whatever reason the floor in the binding chamber is immaculately clean. Nothing obscures the stellar patterns here.

There's a dead potted plant in one corner of the lab, though. Electro could probably hurl the long-dry potting soil at whatever is held fast in the binding room.

"What are you doing?" the colt's voice whispers. "Please, you have to hurry. She might wake up soon."

[Tenpony Tower - Concourse]

Surprise is suddenly in Sword's personal space, her face pushed up again his. "What sort of party?" the cyberpegasus inquires in a conspiratorial tone. Seems he got her attention.

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Electro can read Equestrian, but he's never seen Roaman. He's just automatically assuming it's zebra-talk or maybe griffin.

Electro will toss a hoof-full of potted plant soil at the invisible whatever, hoping it's not an alicorn. Just because the last one he met was friendly, doesn't mean the next one will be. He ignores the message, knowing that he's working on freeing the foals, assuming they're really foals, as fast as he can whilst ensuring he's safe.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

A bunch of dirt gets hurled all over... something.

Something big.

Something quite a bit bigger than Tumbler was.

There comes a sputtering sound and a rattling of chains. Then then the colt speaks up again, though all trace of fear in his voice is gone. Replace with a tone of mocking arrogance and scarcely restrained insanity. "Heheheheheheheee! Wuh oh, now you've done it! You went and woke her up!"

The singing abruptly cuts out, followed by the shrill scream of the filly. "Though I know not what you are, twinkle twinkle little~ Wh-what? No... No no no no NO! YOU! You can't be here! You have to get out! You have to run! RUN!"

A brilliant eight-pointed star-burst of blazing white light suddenly explodes into visibility, following by fifteen more brightly shining motes of cold, dead light outlining a vaguely serpentine form (http://www.clipartpal.com/_thumbs/pd/draco_black.png). Around the skeleton of stars transparent flesh as dark and clear as the night sky begins to resolve. And intermingled with that material skin and fur. Where the terrestrial and celestial body meet great crimson gashes weep black aether that evaporates into dark mist before it can reach the ground.

The abomination is a blasphemous mingling of pony and draconic.

And it is leering down at Electro with a jagged grin that could probably accommodate half his body.

"Hello Electro Bolt."

The sound of a colt's voice coming from that... thing is disquieting to say the least. It strains forward against its bindings, though they hold fast. Hooks welded into the chains have been driven deep into the thing's wounds to bind the monster in place.

"Would you like to know how you are Fated to die?"

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky looks around again, utterly confused. "Helping me?" he asks nopony in particular, looking very concerned. "Huh? Quick and dirt-?"

The pegasus' eyes suddenly go very wide, and his face pales slightly. "Oh." Slowly - very slowly - he turns and looks back over his shoulder, down at his saddlebags. Specifically, the right saddlebag - the one that holds the Rainbow Dash statuette.

He then makes an amusing little noise, not unlike a strangled whimper of fear and confusion.


Homage leans over to whisper in Swiss' ear. "How much did you drain him a moment ago?" she asks, eying the derped-out pegasus warily.



---
Tenpony Tower - Main Lobby

Sellsword doesn't flinch or recoil. He keeps an impassive, stern expression. "For my grandbaby. Her birthday is tomorrow, and I want her to have a party. A good party," he says, narrowing his eyes.



---
Shack Dab in the Middle of Nowhere

Fleetwing flees the shack! Flee Fleetwing, flee!

Unfortunately...


Fleetwing:
"YEEHAW!!" the disembodied mare whoops loudly and happily in Fleetwing's head. "Yer a fast little varmint, ain'tcha?! What where yer goin' though, Sugarcube. Don't wanna step on a rattler. Or a land mine. That'd be bad."

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Electro's eyes flick to his EFS bar to see what colour, if any, the monstrosity in front of him shows up as.

"Hello. No, I don't think I would. I think that's something I'd prefer to be kept a surprise, to be honest." His jaw dropped open and his lightning caster fell out, enabling him to speak so clearly. He hasn't noticed yet.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

"HAHAHAHAHA! Oh come now friend! Where's your sense of adventure?" the 'colt' leers, once again straining against its bonds to get its horrific muzzle just a bit closer to Electro. "Break the seals on my chains. Break them and I'll show you wonders that you can't begin to fathom. I can show you magic older than the roots of the mountains. All you must do is Wish it and your heart's desire is yours."

Then a shudder runs through it from nose to tail and it shrinks back, its posture shifting from aggressive to reserved. Maybe even fearful. When it speaks again it is the voice of the singing filly that comes from its misshapen maw.

"Please. I beg you to flee! If the monster's bond are broken I don't know if I can bind it again. It can't be allowed to run free. Our Fate is too terrible to allow it to come to pass. I-auh!" the thing cries out in pain, clenching eyes and mouth shut-

-only for the mouth to spread into a wrathful scowl.

"SHUT UP!" the colt hisses. "I can fix this still! I can fix EVERYTHING! But not when you're sabotaging our magic!"

Once again the monster twitches, its whole countenance changing.

"This isn't magic! This isn't friendship! This isn't what we wanted!"

"But it's all we have!" comes the snarling reply. "Friendship is DEAD! The princesses are DEAD! Equestria is DEAD! They ALL failed us!"

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

"NO! Friendship did not fail. The friendship of Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom saved thousands of ponies, my ancestors among them. Other ponies may have failed, but they did not, and friendship did not. Blame ponies, not friendship. Friendship lives, you just need to find the right ponies for it to work properly." His voice is full of faith. Electro Bolt might not have paid much attention to all of the sermons back in the Stable, but he genuinely believes that the three founders of Stable-Tech saved his ancestors and still have some influence upon the mortal world.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

As Electro speaks the monster's eyes grow narrow and hateful. A sort of loathing that can only be born of familiarity and care that has soured through years of pain.

"Dear Princess Twilight," the colt sneers in a tone that suggests this is a well-practiced phrase. "Today I learned that there are still fools clinging to your empty doctrine even after the world has burned and withered to a blackened, dead husk-"

"Please... please stop..." the filly's voice pleads.

The colt continues, growing all the more belligerent. "-rotten to the roots and filled with corruption. I guess that just goes to show how stupid and blind you ponies are. Even when the cloying grip of the lightless void smothers the life from Equestria you still continue to hope when there is none."

With a rattle of chains and a sound of tearing flesh the monster settles to its haunches and leers down at Electro.

"Your faithful student-"

And then another wince as its wings jerk against their bonds.

"STOP! He's right! Friendship isn't dead. I can still feel its magic even if you can't," the filly manages to choke out between black tears of aether. "They can heal Equestria still. But if we're free we'll just make everything worse."

This is followed by a snort of disdain.

"Ghurab rises in the south. Alioth stirs in the Everfree Forest. In the forgotten cities of Saddle Arabia Antares slumbers no more. And Thuban's doom for the world is born out through us! The Fate decreed by the Four Stars can NOT be broken! We can't stifle it! We have to work through it!"

Nothing quite like listening to a horrible eldritch abomination arguing with itself, right?

[BladeofObliviom]

(I don't know if you actually know this or not, Luka, but a nerve stab would actually be an incredibly slow, unspeakably horrible way to die. Not suitable at all for a mercy kill. :smallconfused:)

[Raider Nest]

Ray can see the Rocket Launcher just sitting there, loaded with an AP rocket, conveniently located right beneath the destroyed turrets and a pile of Raider corpses. It's definitely safely out of the bot's range, considering that he can't see it from here.

Yep, looks pretty safe to pick up that Rocket Launcher, at first glance, at least. Upon slightly more careful inspection, unfortunately, there are a pair of active Pulse and Plasma mines sitting directly atop it. Might be wise to do something about that before touching anything.

Meanwhile, Blaster approaches the dying raider, who stares up at the ranger with no real fear, and far too many injuries to do anything else.

"Do it. *COUGH!* Kill me. *HACK!*

Doesn't matter anymore. SHE's going to kill both of - *WHEEZE*

Aauugghh..."

The raider expires then, as diseased-looking blood begins to pool around his face. His hoof shifts as he stops holding his body up, revealing that he was holding down the safely lever of a frag grenade. The operative word being "was".

BOOM!

Blaster should probably back up fast; he might not die from it, but his battered armor is unlikely to completely protect him from a point-blank grenade blast.


[Outside the Slightly Less Abandoned Shack]

Well, it's a good thing she doesn't really have to keep up with Fleet, isn't it? She's just trying to keep him within her line of sight, which is easier when he makes a nice turn. Still, the constant galloping makes her wheeze and mutter curses, which only increase in intensity and frequency as her dose of Med-X starts to wear off and the aching pain in her ribs returns. Somehow, though, she's able to resist the pain enough to keep herself moving.

She might not be able to outpace Fleetwing, but there's definitely a reason she's called "Swift Hooves".

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Shack]

With a cry of alarm, Fleetwing started shifting and turning, running in an erratic, serpentine path as he trailed along his larger circle. Only thing was? Apart from the pegasus kicking up dust, the Wasteland was living up to its title. No gunshots, no plasma blasts, not even a curious mole rat to nip at his ankles. And yet he kept weaving like the hounds of Tartarus were after him. Swift would be too far away to make anything out, though she might be able to spot his jaw moving as he babbled incessantly to himself. "Nonononono! Don't hurt me! I-I didn't know! I just...I just thought the hat looked good! I-I-I-I didn't mean no disrespect, j-just...just move on an' leave me be!"

The weaving would not be completely without purpose; though he was pretty clearly distracted, if he managed to catch sight of a critter, land mine, or just an inconvieniently-placed gopher hole, he'd adjust his path to skirt around the danger.

[Tag: BladeofOblivion]

[Luka]

(I don't know if you actually know this or not, Luka, but a nerve stab would actually be an incredibly slow, unspeakably horrible way to die. Not suitable at all for a mercy kill. :smallconfused:)

[Raider Nest]

Ray can see the Rocket Launcher just sitting there, loaded with an AP rocket, conveniently located right beneath the destroyed turrets and a pile of Raider corpses. It's definitely safely out of the bot's range, considering that he can't see it from here.

Yep, looks pretty safe to pick up that Rocket Launcher, at first glance, at least. Upon slightly more careful inspection, unfortunately, there are a pair of active Pulse and Plasma mines sitting directly atop it. Might be wise to do something about that before touching anything.

Meanwhile, Blaster approaches the dying raider, who stares up at the ranger with no real fear, and far too many injuries to do anything else.

"Do it. *COUGH!* Kill me. *HACK!*

Doesn't matter anymore. SHE's going to kill both of - *WHEEZE*

Aauugghh..."

The raider expires then, as diseased-looking blood begins to pool around his face. His hoof shifts as he stops holding his body up, revealing that he was holding down the safely lever of a frag grenade. The operative word being "was".

BOOM!

Blaster should probably back up fast; he might not die from it, but his battered armor is unlikely to completely protect him from a point-blank grenade blast.

(wait what? :smalleek:, no I just though it disconnected their pain receptors, relaxed other stuff and made it sleep-like. That just adds to the rangers' failure at not killing or being nice, why do I suck so much at trying to be nice?!?! :smallfrown:)

Ray would notice the mines.... What? where did those mines come from? Did the wasteland send punishment to him for Blaster's attempts to make the raiders' deaths as peaceful as possible when it could be done? Or was it an abnormal anti-zebra trap that he failed to expect even if he was a steel ranger?.... Or it was just some raiders putting those before he could reach it.

Ray would attempt to sneak (or do the nearest thing to not letting the bot hear him) closer but staying out of range, Burnshine was the agile one that could do that sort of stuff, so he would try to stay calm for a bit and examine the mines and such, and what would be his chances of getting the launcher.
Firing his gauss could possibly alert the bot and damage the launcher beyond operable capability, plus possibly setting of the mines and doing even more noise; rushing into the mines could possibly do so too because of hoofsteps, but if he was sucessfull maybe he could also set both mines as traps for the bot if the missile proves ineffective, but that's if he suceeds, and it could possibly be riskier for him, he would try to keep looking at it, and look around for something he could use to press the "disarm" button with from afar.

Meanwhile, Blaster utterly fails at keeping something alive.... again
He quickly notices the raider's pretty almost dead, so he would lower and try to hold the raider up himself
"No wait stay with me! tell me where's the-" meh, raider would just have exhaled his life out and possibly still had pain in his death.
".... Rest in AHH!" 'nade notices, dunno what place AHH is, Blaster would immediately panic and possibly toss the poor raider's body to a side in an attempt to run away (which maybe could have thrown the nade away a bit), when he gets up he would try to run for 2 steps and dive, hopefully at least evading most of the shrapnel.

[Benson]

Manehatten - Scav Post

Fox's new mare friend takes a swig then goes over to the stallion. The stallion would find some available booze and a slightly clingy drunk.


Fox didn't mind the clinginess of the mare, it just boosted his ego. He would just smirk and stroke the mare's mane as he took a swig of the drink aiming for that good buzz. "So.....cutie pie...you ain't really gonna tell me your name? You probably already know mine..heh." He lopsidedly grinned and smooched on her neck.

======


Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky looks around again, utterly confused. "Helping me?" he asks nopony in particular, looking very concerned. "Huh? Quick and dirt-?"

The pegasus' eyes suddenly go very wide, and his face pales slightly. "Oh." Slowly - very slowly - he turns and looks back over his shoulder, down at his saddlebags. Specifically, the right saddlebag - the one that holds the Rainbow Dash statuette.

He then makes an amusing little noise, not unlike a strangled whimper of fear and confusion.

Homage leans over to whisper in Swiss' ear. "How much did you drain him a moment ago?" she asks, eying the derped-out pegasus warily.


Gwendolyn can only roll her eyes at the nonsense she thinks is going on with Lucky considering his lack of an answer it was safe too assume he was just being weird.

"Anyways....so....what are you lot going to do with this...thing...fellow...thing?" She asked as she pointed to Jackwhatshisface the whatits.

[Chaotic Bob]

"Heh...why don't we both have some....fend off our make out session thirst eh?" He grinned as he laid there on bed all come hither like. Right now, smart thinking was on and off.


Manehatten - Scav Post

Fox's new mare friend takes a swig then goes over to the stallion. The stallion would find some available booze and a slightly clingy drunk.

Fox:
[Be Smart]Somewhere in the back of Fox's mind, a certain purple mare seems to be trying to get his attention.

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

The mouthy pile of weirdness!

Continues to be quiet.

Which would be fine and sort of normal. Since usually stuff like that doesn't talk.
But it's a little marred by the fact that it seems to be coiling one of its floppy limbs around and adjusting the folds of its face.

Which...is really just kind of grotesque.

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

"I don't know about Princess Twilight, but I have faith in friendship, and I have faith in the Founders. I don't trust you, and I won't free you. You scare me, but chained, I hope you can't hurt me." His ancestors worked for Princess Twilight, in the Ministry of Arcane Science, though not directly.

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

Swiss fidgets uncomfortably and whispers back. "I hardly took anything. It was barely even a nibble. This must be something else. Maybe all his head injuries are finally catching up with him?"

Lucky has certainly sustained lots of those recently.

Lucky:
"Geeze. Hey! Listen, don't start going all crazy on me here. You're not going crazy, okay? You saved me from the most boring event in my life ever and I'm pretty stoked right now. This is the first time I've been able to talk to anypony for I have no idea how long."

[Tenpony Tower - Concourse]

See that grin?

That grin spreading across Surprise's face?

Yeah.

It looks like she approves of this plan.

"Can it be..." the cyberpegasus asks breathlessly. "...a surprise party?"

[Hollow Shades]

"Good! You can't trust us!" the filly's voice agrees. "And you can't free us. There's no telling what kind of damage we would do if we were unbound."

The monster strains against its bonds, taking in a hissing break through its nose. "Chains that hold us fast in both body and magic. I can't hurt you, little pony, unless you decide to come closer."

Geeze is that smile ever creepy.

"You don't understand! Necessary evils must be committed to prevent abominations greater still! A lamination has been taken up against your world by those that dwell in outer darkness. Already your cities lie burned and your fields are left desolate. The forgotten places are crawling, seething, ready to burst forth and devour the refuse that remains. You MUST believe me! You MUST release me!"

And then a shake of the thing's head and a voice crying out in anguish.

"No! It's all a trick! A lie! Nothing touched by the Stars can ever bring good to the world! And we're no exception! Flee from this prison! Flee and banish its memory from your mind!"

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

"When I say I don't trust you, I mean I don't trust the colt. The filly's words agree with my instincts, and I trust my instincts. I hope trust helps give you power, little filly, so you can keep the colt in line. Goodbye." With those words, Electro reaches down to pick up his lightning caster before he turns to trot away. He'll try not to break into a gallop until he's sure the thing cannot see him.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

"Wait! WAIT! He can still help even if we're bound! Tell him!" the colt begins to plea as Electro moves to depart from this accursed place. At the monster's own begging it begins to shift uncomfortably.

"There... are some things you might be able to do," the filly admits. "Things to help heal the world. But you'll need others. You'll need friends. You won't be able to do it all on your own. ~The fire of friendship lives on in our hearts, as long as it burns we cannot drift apart~"

The creature takes several ragged breaths and speaks again, this time with both voices in harmony rather than opposition. "Joy. Kindness. Faithfulness. Integrity. Charity. Friendship. The heart of Harmony. But they've grown dark and putrid in this loathsome land. You must find six ponies still filled with hope and virtue in this place that has neither."

And then it reaches up with its horrible amalgam of a claw and a hoof. It grips the end of one of its silvery, spiraling horns and wrenches it off with a snap. The horn fragment is tossed to the ground in front of Electro where it sticks into the floor, vibrating with a singular clear metallic tone.

"If the children of the self-styled Goddess oppose you," the monster continues with a cold edge to its voice. "Fill our blade with your own magic and strike them down. The claws and teeth of the Stars thirst for death. And the death of the false goddesses doubly so."

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Electro will stop and turn when the filly starts speaking again, and will pick up the severed horn with his magic. "Thank you. I shall do what I can to find those ponies and help bring friendship back." The horn will be pushed into his saddlebag.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

Electro will be allowed to leave the basement without any further pestering. Should he glance back he'll find that the thing in the basement has vanished from view again.

Geeze...

What a weird encounter.

And what was that thing?

Looked like a demon that managed to slip out of Tartaurus.

Probably just another forsaken soul that has been warped and tainted by the evil that flourishes in Equestria now...

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

When he's back up in the Temple to the Princesses, he'll have another look around. Unless the creepy music is continuing, anyway; if it is, he'll get out of there.

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post private room

The mare squirms a bit and gives a nuzzle while reaching back for the booze. "Well I'm Stomper... and I just assume you're 'charming rich guy' "

It's unsure whether that's a joke or the booze talking.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

The Wasteland is a weird place, and sometimes weird things just happen.

Homage ignores the derpy pegasus, instead turning her gaze back over to the skin-coat. "Hopefully Mister Break's madness will not become too much of an issue. For the time being, though, our concern lies elsewhere. I personally do not know what to do with the thing. He may be penitent, but I certainly owe him not favors. What do the rest of you think?"


Speaking of thinking, Lucky is now staring into space, completely derped-out as he tries to gather his thoughts and process everything going on right now. He blinks a few times, and in the back of his mind, he realizes that carrying on this conversation out loud would be unwise. So he tries to think his responses internally, rather than saying them aloud.

Lucky's thoughts:
Um... Okay. I'm not going crazy, then. I'm just... hearing voices. Not crazy... Um... Alright, I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this, uh, question... But I gotta ask it anyway. Who are you... and why are you in my head?



---
Tenpony Tower - Main Lobby

Sellsword smirks knowingly. "As long as it's foal-friendly, an MoM sponsored surprise party would be perfect."


---
Ghoul Party

Fizz has somehow gotten a dozen or so ghouls to line up. She's now rooting through their pockets and saddlebags, looking for batteries and/or anything else that may prove useful.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

The music has, thankfully, not continued to play. Even the creepy singing has stopped. The church appears to be nothing more than a totally normal church. Well... a normal church filled with pony skeletons at least.

Should Electro examine any of the corpses more closely he'll find that all of them look like they have bone growths in unusual places. Some of the bone growths extending into parts of their body that would have ruptured organs.

Oof...

What a way to go...

Many of the skeletons are clutching either each other or small trinkets that might have had some value to them. Lockets, pictures, a book. Things of that nature.

[PurityIcekiller]

[Ernest Shackleton]

Violetta nodded. "Right. Magic. Hopefully, this won't lead to any unpleasant surprises.

"I think we should start with the healing spell. It's harder to use, but the firebolt spell is significantly more... Well, dangerous. We don't want any accidents." She considered for a moment. "Have you been watching me heal myself and Fleetwing at all?"

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

On second thoughts, these skeletons are really disturbing, although Electro's only got a basic knowledge of internal pony anatomy, the fact that none of these skeletons match and he's seen two unmutated skeletons means he knows what they should look like. Electro's going to go look somewhere else, like the living quarters he fled through last time.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

The living quarters are fairly spartan and there aren't any pony remains in here. Seems they all huddled together out in the sanctuary to die. Which... is awful. But at least they didn't die alone, right?

Gosh the Wasteland is depressing...

All that's in the living quarters worth mentioning is a bed with stained sheets and a writing desk that is locked shut. It probably wouldn't be that hard to pick the lock or smash it open.

Does Electro feel like snooping around in a long-dead pony's stuff?

He might discover something neat!

Ah. And it's probably worth noting that the horn Electro got from the Thing in the Basement has been given an interesting name by his PipBuck.

'The Bane of Trixie'.

Weird. It looks like it could probably be used as a dagger.

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

Swiss is... well... looking concerned. She had managed to hurt friends in the past by draining them unintentionally. And she's pretty sure that she did no such thing to Lucky. But now that Homage has mentioned it...

"Umm... Lucky? Are you okay?" she asks, worry creeping into her voice.

Lucky
"The one and only Rainbow Dash! Fastest flier in Equestria! Well. Not anymore. I fly about as well as a rock now."

[Tenpony Tower - Concourse]

"Eeeeeee!"

Sounds like Surprise is excited.

"It feels like it's been at least two hundred years since the last time I did a surprise birthday party! Don't worry mister Swordy! It'll be the bestest birthday party EVER!"

And with that Surprise goes bouncing off down the hallway!

What a silly pony.

[Ghoul Party]

Hmmm...

No batteries on the ghouls.

But one of them has some old scrap wire that could be used to wire the radio up to the humvee!

That's a start, right?

None of the feral ghouls seem interested in the MREs. Island is poking at the plastic packets tentatively.

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Electro's looting to take his mind off the disturbing dead ponies. And the slightly more disturbing star-abomination in the basement. So he'll float some bobby pins from his mane and try to pick the lock. He's quite experienced at it, although most of the locks in Stable 111 are computer-locked, everypony knows how to bypass them so everywhere important has a proper lock instead or as well. And Electro often went to important places when he wasn't supposed to.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

Always good to get one's mind off of awful things. Off tragedies centuries past and blasphemies against the natural world that by all rights shouldn't exist. Get one's focus on something simple and mundane. Something like looting!

Inside the writing desk are a number of interesting items. An old journal, several ballpoint pens, a few caps and Bits, and a bright blue sapphire gem. It looks very shiny!

Very shiny gems are the best kind of gems.

And crushed up gems just so happen to be the primary fuel source for sparkle batteries! With a bit of technical know-how the bright blue stone could be used to repair a dead battery.

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Electro has that knowledge, and will take the gemstone. He likely won't use it for that purpose, as he has a spell that recharges batteries with only a slight risk of causing them to explode or melt. He'll also snaffle the coins, and any pens that still work. He is a bit cautious at first, but will also take the journal.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

Electro has acquired a random collection of some other pony's loot!

But that pony is probably dead, so that makes it okay. Perfectly normal Murder-Hobo looting etiquette at work here.

Regardless!

If Electro wanted to really search the town for useful junk the various shops and homes would probably be a better bet. Everypony seems to have come here to die, not to live. So aside from objects of sentimental value they probably left all of their worldly possessions behind.

And Electro could use some new worldly possessions, right?

[Benson]

Manehatten - Scav Post private room

The mare squirms a bit and gives a nuzzle while reaching back for the booze. "Well I'm Stomper... and I just assume you're 'charming rich guy' "

It's unsure whether that's a joke or the booze talking.

The purple unicorn in his head was getting shushed, rather, he imagined the purple unicorn wearing socks.

"Stomper, quite a masculine name..not that I don't dig it..." He half purred and waited for a turn at the bottle. "You can call me Fox or you know, 'charming rich guy' if you want...haha..heh...mmmm."

================

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

The Wasteland is a weird place, and sometimes weird things just happen.

Homage ignores the derpy pegasus, instead turning her gaze back over to the skin-coat. "Hopefully Mister Break's madness will not become too much of an issue. For the time being, though, our concern lies elsewhere. I personally do not know what to do with the thing. He may be penitent, but I certainly owe him not favors. What do the rest of you think?"

"I myself do not know." Gwen said flatly. This was not a situation she had anticipated or one she wanted to deal with, not today. Oh vey.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Outside the Shack]

Swift sees the sudden switch to bobbing and weaving, and quickly checks around for the glint of a scope; did Fleetwing notice a sniper? Then reason hits and she realizes that she's looking for a mystery sniper...with a scoped rifle. Oops.

Shrugging, she slings her rifle over her back once more and keeps up pursuit, only tripping a few times as the pain in her ribs steadily grows worse and worse.


[Raider Nest]

(You're right that nerves are pain receptors. Stabbing the central nervous system like that effectively causes the worst agony imaginable for a short time, and then the victim feels nothing, which is an equally horrible feeling. Have you ever cut off blood flow for a body part for so long that it goes beyond pins and needles and just becomes nothing? It's singularly horrible, let me tell you. If you want an instant kill, what you need to do is pierce the heart or cause sudden catastrophic brain damage.)

Actually, the mines were just something the raider was carrying that were rigged to prime themselves if his pulse stopped. Suicide charge go! Meanwhile, Ray is not at any risk of being hit by the robot.

In fact, I'd like to clarify that: The robot is down a hall, around a corner, and DOWN ANOTHER HALL. Seriously, this room is totally safe from deadly robots.

Anyway, Ray's sneak attempt is good, and he manages to get fairly close to the plasma mine before it starts beeping. Once he gets close enough to actually press the button, though, the pulse mine starts beeping too. He has time to disable the plasma mine, but he'll probably be caught in the Pulse's area of effect unless he bails out right then and there. Even if he jumps in time, he'll probably still be at the edge of the Plasma explosion, though. Think fast!

The launcher will survive a pulse, but probably not a Plasma, if that matters.

Blaster manages to throw the raider, and the safety lever remains slightly attached to his hoof, so Blaster's dodge allows him to escape the majority of the shrapnel. A few still ding off of his armor, and one or two might hit a joint and get lodged in there, but he's alive, and that's what matters.

[Luka]

[Raider Nest]

(You're right that nerves are pain receptors. Stabbing the central nervous system like that effectively causes the worst agony imaginable for a short time, and then the victim feels nothing, which is an equally horrible feeling. Have you ever cut off blood flow for a body part for so long that it goes beyond pins and needles and just becomes nothing? It's singularly horrible, let me tell you. If you want an instant kill, what you need to do is pierce the heart or cause sudden catastrophic brain damage.)

Actually, the mines were just something the raider was carrying that were rigged to prime themselves if his pulse stopped. Suicide charge go! Meanwhile, Ray is not at any risk of being hit by the robot.

In fact, I'd like to clarify that: The robot is down a hall, around a corner, and DOWN ANOTHER HALL. Seriously, this room is totally safe from deadly robots.

Anyway, Ray's sneak attempt is good, and he manages to get fairly close to the plasma mine before it starts beeping. Once he gets close enough to actually press the button, though, the pulse mine starts beeping too. He has time to disable the plasma mine, but he'll probably be caught in the Pulse's area of effect unless he bails out right then and there. Even if he jumps in time, he'll probably still be at the edge of the Plasma explosion, though. Think fast!

The launcher will survive a pulse, but probably not a Plasma, if that matters.

Blaster manages to throw the raider, and the safety lever remains slightly attached to his hoof, so Blaster's dodge allows him to escape the majority of the shrapnel. A few still ding off of his armor, and one or two might hit a joint and get lodged in there, but he's alive, and that's what matters.

(Didn't attempt instant kill, just to make it painless, but alright)

Ray would immediately attempt disarming the plasma mine, then attempting to jumping away from the pulse one's explosion, unless he only has time for disarming the first.

Blaster would need to stay down a bit though, shrapnels in joints would hurt, or wouldn't they?

--------------------------------------------------------------------


Manehatten - Scav Post

Up on the roof, Scoops is a little confused about one particular thing. As is usually, she'll just talk things out. "Well this is a long deployment thing. IO2's been out watching the orchard for over a month. I mean sure you do head back to base but only when you have a real reason to. And again, we might run out of light."

Burnshine perks up when she mentions the missions being of long deployment.... Oh crap, that screws up her possibilities to get Ray and Blaster into the trouble they deserve for doing the heinous crime of defying the Codex and getting away with it.
She just gives an annoyed sigh and then asks
"What kind of reason until someone gets back?"
Besides that, she's a support sniper not a wanderer, she kind of rushed into the neares thing she could to get away from the other two :smalltongue:

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

If, after he's left the church, the town is still giving off no creepy vibes or eerie music, he'll trot towards the blacksmith's shop. He figures that's where he's most likely to find any decent weapons, or maybe armour.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky's eye twitches. Wut.

He then jumps slightly at Swiss addressing him. Spinning around, he flashes a somewhat awkward grin at her. "Oh me? I'm fine. Totally fine. Just..." He bops the side of his head a few times. "I dunno, I think all that cranial trauma may be catching up to me, or something. I'm fine though! You didn't hurt me or anything. Don't worry..." he tells her, his smile becoming genuine as he tries to assuage her concerns.

Homage watches him with a raised eyebrow for a moment, before looking back at Swiss. "What are your thoughts on the skin-coat?"



With Swiss hopefully distracted, Lucky's concerns and thoughts return inward. Wait wait wait what. What. You're Rainbow Dash? The Rainbow Dash? It's not every day a pony gets haunted/possessed/whatever-this-is by their hero. [/i]Um.... Wow..... Uh......... Hi?[/i]



---
Outside the Shack

Fleetwing must look rather silly, running around talking to himself like that...


Fleetwing:

"Simmer down now, fella! This ain't got nothin' ta do with the hat, and Ah ain't tryin' ta hurt you or nothin' like that! Ah'm just tryin' ta help ya! Frankly, Ah'm surprised yer even able ta hear me. Nopony else has ever been able ta hear me..." Was that a hint of sadness in those last few words? Possibly.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Shack]

After a while, you get used to looking silly if you think it'll save your life.

"Who are you?!" Fleetwing demanded of the air, before shaking his head furiously. "N-no! No. No, don't answer. Talking to myself. Bad if they talk back." From his already fast pace, Fleetwing poured on the speed until his eyes watered from the buffeting air. "C'mon...c'mon...wake up, Fleetwing! C-can't be losing it awake, m-must've dozed off and I gotta...j-just gotta wake up..."

A small part of him considered finding a good rock to ram himself against. After all, you couldn't feel much pain in a dream, right?

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

The town is still at least vaguely creepy what with the wisps floating around all over the place. But truth be told they don't appear to be hostile at all. Just sorta foreboding.

Inside the smithy Electro will find old tools for the more part, though also some well crafted lever-action rifles. They've stayed out of the elements and they're in pretty good condition. Some ammo for them as well!

Though the real prize is hidden away at the back of the shop.

A suit of royal armor crafted in the style of the Night Guard. Unfortunately it was made for a pegasus (bat pony?) so there's no hole in the helmet for Electro's horn. Still looks pretty badass, though.

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

Swiss' concerned look doesn't abate much at Lucky's reply. Seems she's a bit skeptical. Though Homage's question draws her attention away well enough. "Setting him on fire didn't do anything. What else could we do? Chain him to a rock and throw him in the bay?"

That's certainly one thing they could do!

Lucky:
"'Sup," comes the smooth, completely cool reply. Lots of words aren't necessary when you're as awesome as Rainbow Dash.

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Electro will grab one of the rifles and he'll take all the ammunition he can find, regardless of calibre or if it fits one of his existing guns. The Lunar Guard armour is awesome, and it looks cool, so it fits two of the three important criteria for any armour. The third is how good it is; as military-grade armour, chances are, very. Unless it's ceremonial, in which case it's rubbish; purely ceremonial armour always is. The lack of a helmet isn't too concerning; Electro doesn't have a helmet for his current suit of barding.

Electro will look the armour over, assess whether it offers more, or less, protection than his light police combat barding. It almost certainly looks more awesome, so he'll probably change anyway.

[Chaotic Bob]

The purple unicorn in his head was getting shushed, rather, he imagined the purple unicorn wearing socks.

"Stomper, quite a masculine name..not that I don't dig it..." He half purred and waited for a turn at the bottle. "You can call me Fox or you know, 'charming rich guy' if you want...haha..heh...mmmm."

================


"I myself do not know." Gwen said flatly. This was not a situation she had anticipated or one she wanted to deal with, not today. Oh vey.

Fox:
"...w-what?!"
Said alicorn* acquires an incredibly flustered expression, before flinging said mental socks into nothing.
An indignant hoof is stomped before she more vigorously flails her arms about to get Fox's attention.
"Pay attention!"

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

The skin suit rather abruptly seems to be paying attention again.
"Wait what?
Um, hold on, before we do anything too hasty...I've uh, got information?"

His head flops towards Homage.
"Friend Gribbly was here for you."
A momentary pause.
"At first. Before a couple more relevant targets appeared."

The tone very heavily implies "present company".


*Really gotta remember we changed that.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Homage raises an eyebrow. "Me?" she asks warily. "What are you talking about?"


Lucky's staring into space.


Oh, not much, Lucky thinks aloofly. Just, y'know, trying to help out my Changeling friend who almost got eaten by a monster, about to go have an awkward meeting with a guy who shot me in the face two weeks ago, aaaand apparently I'm being haunted by my hero. This is a bit of an odd day for me, I guess you could say.



---
Outside the Shack

Fleetwing's descent into madness continues, apparently.


"Nah, yer awake. And yer not goin' crazy," the voice softly tells him, actually trying to sound consoling. It then cheerfully adds: "Oh, and the name's Applejack!"

[BladeofObliviom]

[Raider Nest]

Blaster should take it easy if he can after that battering and explosion, though he's probably not in any real pain. Shrapnel in his joints probably wouldn't hurt him directly, but they'll definitely impede the function of the Repair talismans in the armor.

Meanwhile, Ray does disarming things! There's enough time to get the Plasma mine deactivated, which is definitely a relief. While there's some time to jump, there's no way however that Ray's fast enough to outrun the pulse, which, if he's lucky, won't do anything worse than temporarily disabling the Spell Matrix in his Power Armor.

If he is unlucky, the Spell Matrix might fry entirely and force him to abandon the armor. The Steel Rangers probably wouldn't appreciate that, especially since moving in unpowered armor is slow, difficult, and tiring even at the best of times.


[Outside the Shack]

Swift's starting to question if she's even awake right now, based on the amount of total crazy occurring. Then another pang of agony from her ribs reminds her that she is definitely bucking awake.

Her unhealed wounds starting to catch up with her now that the Med-X has fully worn off, she's practically limping as she continues to follow Fleetwing as best as she can.

Buck, a Mentat would be nice right about now.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

The armor is on the lighter side since it was made for a flier. But even then much of that lightness comes from enchantment, so it shouldn't slow the wearer down too much. It should offer quite a bit more protection than Electro's current gear. And if he finds somepony with metal-working skills he could probably get a horn-hole added to the helmet.

Gotta complete the look after all.

[Tenpony Tower - Upper Floor]

Swiss is glancing between Gwen and Homage uncertainly. She really has no idea what to make of this situation. At least they killed the skinwalker, right? That's always a plus.

Lucky:
"Eh. Sounds like a normal Saturday to me," the cyan pegasus replies with a ghostly shrug. "I've got to say, though. I haven't ever heard of a changeling being anypony's friend before. Stuff must have gotten really weird since... well... the bombs and stuff."

[Luka]

[Raider Nest]

Blaster should take it easy if he can after that battering and explosion, though he's probably not in any real pain. Shrapnel in his joints probably wouldn't hurt him directly, but they'll definitely impede the function of the Repair talismans in the armor.

Meanwhile, Ray does disarming things! There's enough time to get the Plasma mine deactivated, which is definitely a relief. While there's some time to jump, there's no way however that Ray's fast enough to outrun the pulse, which, if he's lucky, won't do anything worse than temporarily disabling the Spell Matrix in his Power Armor.

If he is unlucky, the Spell Matrix might fry entirely and force him to abandon the armor. The Steel Rangers probably wouldn't appreciate that, especially since moving in unpowered armor is slow, difficult, and tiring even at the best of times.

Expected the shrapnel to pierce the joints, Blaster would just examine the damage, then keep going up towards the next room

Ray woud just disarm and jump away to evade at least some part of the pulse, it should hopefully just disable him for a while but shouldn't really inutilize the armor. Plus if it was with trouble about losing an armor, they made Burnshine lose hers and she could still accuse them of doing so anyways :smalltongue:

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Shack]

Fleetwing - for no discernible reason - started to slow his frantic sprint. If the ghoul could make out his features, he seemed...almost puzzled? Or more accurately, absolutely gobsmacked. "Say what now?!" he questioned the empty space above his brow.

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post

The mare would give Fox Trot another sip of booze before giving a kind of blustery chuckle. "Dad wanted all of us to have these crazy names so ponies would... think twice about doing stuff. You know my younger brother is actually named Power Maul Extreme!"

--------
Scoops being, some measure more familiar with how this chapter of the Rangers works, is more than happy to hand out an answer. "Oh you know, catastrophic injury, radiation exposure, mandatory training and certifications. Most of the time though you're doing some deliveries. Like you go find some chem stash and then head back to drop it off. Occasionally you get attached to a squad that doesn't want to walk into somewhere blind and need to go back to get your combat gear. Like this one time..."

and there she goes.

--------
Just so he doesn't get lonely, Ink Jet managed to muster the courage to come up and bother Sprinkles. His question is simply and direct. "Did surprise... bring any cupcakes?"

Ghoul Party

While the others are busy with messing with ghouls and working on radios, Mach is going from vehicle to vehicle grabbing parts. Some of the stuff may actually work... if you force it into place with a hammer... or something else metal-y.

He makes sure to leave the starter functional on them though. The mares seem to have a plan that needs juice.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky continues to stare into space. He seems to be derped out.


Wow, if this is a Saturday for you, I'm terrified of what your Tuesdays are like, Lucky jokingly thinks back in response. But yeah, things are pretty crazy these days. The Changeling's really nice, though. Nicer than most ponies I've known. But anyhoo... You're Rainbow Dash, huh? It's... nice to actually meet you. Even if this is kinda weird...


---
Scav Post

Sergeant Sprinkles turns to the cupcake-desiring pony. "Hmmmm."

He then looks around for a conveniently located door, window, or box. "Hey Surprise, where'd ya hide the cupcakes?" he asks aloud.



---
Outside the Shack

The inner machinations of Fleetwing's mind are an enigma...


"Oh, heh. Sounds like you've, uh, heard of me..." the mare replies, a bit of uncertainty creeping into her voice. She lets out a nervous chuckle, which faintly echoes through Fleetwing's mind. "Ah hope that's a good thing..."

[Benson]

Manehatten - Scav Post

The mare would give Fox Trot another sip of booze before giving a kind of blustery chuckle. "Dad wanted all of us to have these crazy names so ponies would... think twice about doing stuff. You know my younger brother is actually named Power Maul Extreme!"


"Hahah...really? Sounds like the name of an attack or something you'd yell out," He chortled as his body started to feel good as he built up a good buzz. "Did your dad have a crazy name too?" He asked though he wasn't too invested in this conversation, his focus lied more on trying to sow the seeds for a second make out session.

-


Fox:
"...w-what?!"
Said alicorn* acquires an incredibly flustered expression, before flinging said mental socks into nothing.
An indignant hoof is stomped before she more vigorously flails her arms about to get Fox's attention.
"Pay attention!"

"Argh..! What do you want??" He blurted aloud only to probably come off like some sort of goober in front of Stomper. "Eh...uh...disregard that....I mean...I'm not just hearing things right?...Did you hear someone else..speak? Or am I crazy?....I wonder what the hell was in that booze..."

[BladeofObliviom]

[Outside the Shack]

Swift's certainly not about to complain about Fleet's slowing down, and doesn't even question it too much. Her own damn ribs are causing her too much struggle to really notice the pegasus' facial expression, though. He might be on his own unless she manages to catch up somehow.


[Raider Nest]

Alright then.

At any rate, while the room that they're currently in is mostly destroyed from a combination of explosions, gunfire, and Raider blood, it is currently...

..."Safe." For a given definition of the word. Blaster and Ray get a moment's reprieve, it seems, as the sound of fighting between a Giant Robot and an unusually well-armed group of Raiders echoes down the hallway.

There is also what sounds suspiciously like an enormous chainsaw, but that's no real concern at the moment. Right?

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

Aha! They aren't pouncing on the opportunity of doing that mobster-body-dump.
They must be intrigued.

Or confused.

But he can work with either.

The skin-sack seems emboldened by this little turn, slipping back towards his slightly more wordy tendencies.
"DJ's assistant? Sees everything in the Wasteland?"
Who has some really freakish gun that feels...kind of familiar? Which...puts one or two other things into question...
But he only stops to consider that for a moment.
"Perfect gateway to finding anything it'd need. Yeah? I'm having difficulty thinking of a better search engine than the All Seeing Voice of Tenpony. Which is an awesome title by the way, you should pitch it for me."

Digression!
"Uh, anyway. But then these fellows over here showed up. Specifically, the pegasii and the griffon.
Swiss. She...I'm sorry about that ring thing. I knew they'd do that, but didn't know it would happen to you? They were meant for someone else. Escape plan, of sorts. Not that it really matters anymore.

...I'm losing track of my point.
Uh...hmmm...oh right. Those jerks sitting on the clouds, the...the...I don't really remember their name. Don't care. You!
He flops his face in Gwen's general direction.
"You know anything about 'em?"

Know what he needs? A muzzle.

[Manehatten - Scav Post]

Fox:
Sweet acknowledgement. Of a not embarrassing sort.
She seems pleased.
"You're not crazy. There's a perfectly rational explanation for all of this."
A perfectly ration explanation that isn't immediately forthcoming.
"Now, what are you doing?"

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post Mind-mares

Stomper goes for another swig and nuzzles Fox. "You need to calm down."

[Rebonack]

[Scav Outpost]

There was fruit punch in the booze!

But thankfully Surprise doesn't pop out of nowhere to announce this.

Why?

Because she's too busy being crammed inside the smallish trunk that Mister Sprinkles just opened up. She quickly wriggles free, grinning all the while. "The cupcakes are in the emergency cupcake stash of course!"

And with that she pulls up a floor board to reveal-!

A large collection of fake mustaches.

"Whoops! That's the strategic 'stache cache! Hehe!" Surprise applies a mustache to Sprinkles and stomps the board down again. "Hmmm... now where did I... ah HA!"

Another board is pulled up!

And under this one is a basket of cupcakes.

"Here they are!" the pastries are presented to the hungry pony!

[Luka]

[Raider Nest]

Alright then.

At any rate, while the room that they're currently in is mostly destroyed from a combination of explosions, gunfire, and Raider blood, it is currently...

..."Safe." For a given definition of the word. Blaster and Ray get a moment's reprieve, it seems, as the sound of fighting between a Giant Robot and an unusually well-armed group of Raiders echoes down the hallway.

There is also what sounds suspiciously like an enormous chainsaw, but that's no real concern at the moment. Right?

What? again?

Ray would remain down for a bit, Blaster would help him up but movement would be somewhat impaired, after helping him up Blaster would pick up the launcher to give it to him, but since it would seem they need both the minigun and launcher Ray would have to wait for the matrix to reactivate, Blaster meanwhile would approach the bazooka raider and see if he had any more ammo on him in case they need to reload

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Shack]

Should Swift keep watching, her quarry would pull the most shocking maneuver yet:

Fleetwing stopped dead in his tracks. Skidded to a halt. Didn't keep running.

Instead, he started doing some complex dance across his chest with a forehoof, while bringing his wings up and over his head until the wingtips touched. A makeshift shelter from the sky and Stars. Swift may recognize it as an old, old pegasi gesture akin to praying, usually for deliverance or protection. Fleetwing's lips moved as he muttered quietly to himself. "B-blessed light of Sol Invictus, rain down upon me from thy G-Golden Throne. All-seeing ey-eyes of Lux Argenta, find me w-w-worthy within thy Midnight Court. Q-Quell the raging f..fires of Tartarus, d-do not let thy humble servant s-slip to the still fields of the Ever After..."

Well. Those are indeed some interesting names to drop.

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower]

Swiss gives a small gulp. This is creepy as hell... "Uh... thanks for the apology?"

What else do you say to something like that, really?

"Did... did that thing take anyone in the tower? Y-y'know. Replace them? If there's anyone else that isn't themselves we need to know. We need to expose them and destroy them to prevent this from spreading."

Apparently Swiss isn't aware that only the originals can spread the touch of Taint.

Silly Swiss.

Lucky:
"Hey, don't sweat it. Weird stuff happens. I can't really do much aside from lending you some of my overabundance of awesome on account of being a statue. So I'm just going to chill in your saddlebags. If... uuhh... if you want to chat any time that would be cool. I haven't really had anypony to talk to for a while."

An awkward pause follows.

"Don't know what the buck is going on with all this changeling stuff, though. We didn't see much of them after we kicked their flanks in Canterlot. Are there evil changelings making a mess in Tenpony? Because I found out a pair of hooves to the jaw usually makes them drop their disguise!"

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Electro grins and will eagerly change into his new suit of barding, keeping an eye on his EFS as he does so just to ensure nothing creeps up on him. He'll take his PipBuck off if he needs to slide any greaves up his forelegs, but if so he'll save those bits for last. He didn't install the traditional lock, so it's much easier to take off than a normal-issue Stable-Tech PipBuck.

[Benson]

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

...I'm losing track of my point.
Uh...hmmm...oh right. Those jerks sitting on the clouds, the...the...I don't really remember their name. Don't care. You![/COLOR]
He flops his face in Gwen's general direction.
"You know anything about 'em?"

Know what he needs? A muzzle.

Gwendolyn grimaced and agreed about the sentiment of a muzzle. Urgh. She just felt annoyed and irritated and wanted to punch a hole in a wall, or an annoyingly yip yapping pony-thing.

"I know as much as the average wastelander, I am not the one to ask about them however for full detail." She said flatly.
============



[Manehatten - Scav Post]

Fox:
Sweet acknowledgement. Of a not embarrassing sort.
She seems pleased.
"You're not crazy. There's a perfectly rational explanation for all of this."
A perfectly ration explanation that isn't immediately forthcoming.
"Now, what are you doing?"

"......well voice in my head....by the way....you have a cute voice....kinda sexy....ahem...well....I'm trying to score some more hot make outs if you must know.....hmmmph...!" Fox rabbled and rassum'd and nickered, the last bit actually aloud. He wasn't sure of what to make of this...it was probably the booze...he was going to play along with the voice in his head, what's the worst that could happen?




Manehatten - Scav Post Mind-mares

Stomper goes for another swig and nuzzles Fox. "You need to calm down."

"Sorry cutie pie.....maybe your kisses can aid in that?" He said cheekily and trying to recover face from his previous derp blurt.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Homage stays silent, just narrowing her eyes at Jack as Swiss and him exchange questions.

Lucky also stays silent, continuing to stare off into space.


Hah! Of course I'd love to chat! I mean, I'm not exaggerating when I say that I'm one of your biggest fans down here. As for the Changelings, a big evil mutant one tried to eat the two nice ones, and now the pile of talking skin is asking about-

Lucky suddenly looks up, turns to Jack, and raises a very curious eyebrow. "Wait, what about the Enclave?"

Well, that's the easiest way to get a pegasus' attention...



---
Outside the Shack

Fleetwing has a moment of solace. But only a moment.


After an awkward pause, the voice returns, sounding more than a little apprehensive and uncomfortable. "Why're you doin' all that prayin'? What... what's so bad about little ol' me? Ah mean, it's not like Ah... Well, ya see, we... Ah...."

A long silence.

"We did our best..." the voice quietly says, tinged with defeated sadness...

[Chaotic Bob]

[Manehatten - Scav Post]

Fox:
Open mouth.
Close mouth.

The impression of the mare's entire existence winks out, in a haze of flustered confusion.

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

"Enclave! That one. Thanks."
A very vocal impression of a grin is delivered to Lucky, since...well, kind of hard to properly grin when your lips are sort of just limp...floppy...things.

Aaaaand, that reaction implies Lucky knows something!
More than Gwen does, at least.
This does a fairly good job of shifting the skin-sack's attention from the griffon to the pegasus (perhaps to the former's preference).
"What do you know about 'em, then?"


And Swiss' question.
This one inspires a faintly more uncomfortable sensation for 'Jack'.
The sensation of not having an entirely good answer.
"Uh...mmmmaybe?"

Or an absolutely terrible answer.

"I mean, it didn't snag anyone while wearing me. Not here anyway.
But...I was sorta put on a coat-rack at night, you know? Er, literally. I dunno what Gribbly was doing then. Scoping things out or what.
Um. Closest I know of is...sorta...before...when you ran into me earlier..."
That thing. With Down.
Lucky and Gwen probably remember that.

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower]

Swiss just kinda... stands there. And works her mouth slightly. Eventually she manages to find some horrified sounding words. "It... it didn't take Down. Right? Tell me it didn't take Down."

Jake had better have an affirmative answer for that, otherwise he'll probably be sailing out the window soon.

"I swear to Celestia! If you let that monster take Down I'll... I'll do something!"

Man will she ever do something.

As for a certain statue... There is pleasure that Lucky has good taste! But no further chatting for the time being. Just listening.

[Hollow Shades]

Barding Get! Armor of the Order of the Nightmare! Aside from being a great suit of royal guard armor it also happens to be enchanted to weigh less and resist magic! How nifty.

Doesn't Electro look snazzy now?

He should go show off his new gear. Without getting shot. Getting shot would be counter productive.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky narrows his eyes when asked about the Enclave. "Quite a bit. Why?" A quick flicker of curiosity flashes through Homage's eyes as she spares Lucky a glance, before returning her rather annoyed gaze to Jack.

And then he mentions something that happened earlier. Which Lucky does indeed recall. "Wait, what?" he asks, suddenly snapping from being wary to being rather aghast. "What are you talking about?"

[BladeofObliviom]

[Raider Nest]

I doubt Ray's able to lift the Rocket Launcher with his spell matrix out, or even walk more than a few steps at a time. Unless he's unnaturally strong, the sheer weight of Power Barding and the resistance of the servomotors to being turned manually makes any kind of motion in it incredibly difficult.

Also, you don't "wait for it to come back on", because it won't do that on its own. You have to jumpstart it like a dead car battery, using another Spell Matrix, probably from a Pipbuck or another suit of Power Barding. That said, it sure is nice that Ray didn't come in alone, right?

If Blaster has any technical know-how at all, it shouldn't be too hard to start it back up again. However, it'll take a minute.

Assuming they do so, it takes roughly 90 seconds before both armors are functional again. The sounds of gunfire have all stopped by now, the only sounds present consisting of the soft pewpewpew of the Prism Cannon and the loud reports of several Chainsaws and Rippers.

Anyway, Bazooka-Pony was only carrying one more rocket on his person, and it's probably best if they don't use it. Because there's a huge gash in it where the fuel should be, and no fuel. It would just explode without actually leaving the launcher.

Ray and Blaster have acquired one (1) Solaris Industries BigBazooka Rocket Launcher and one (1) Armor-Piercing Shaped Charge Ballistic Rocket! Yay!

What do they do now? The sounds of chainsaw and laser have stopped now, and it cannot be told for sure which side won by any method aside from just going and looking at the carnage.

"Ugh! They built those robots tough! It's a good thing I was ready, right? I'll be waiting for you two in the atrium. Maybe I'll even keep one of you when I'm done! I'm sure you'll make great foals with the right ponies!"

Or maybe crazy Bladeweaver will just tell them who won. Also, ew ew ew ew ew...


[Outside the Shack]

Swift obviously can't hear anything he's saying, and just continues onward, thanking Celestia that the pony finally stopped sprinting for his life.

She could REALLY use a mentat about now. Or med-X. Yeah, let's go with that. Sounds more stable.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Shack]

Fleetwing's voice choked, his hoof faltering as he traced yet another foreign symbol over his heart. "...a-and...and forgive...th-this poor soul his sins. May the hoof-no, no, may the watchful eyes of his ancestors keep him and guide him with steady hooves a-and wings..." The pegasus huddled down uncomfortably beneath his makeshift bower, screwing his eyes shut tight.

Fleetwing's thoughts (for Lycan):
...what did I do? I-I didn't mean to do nothin' wrong. I tried, honest I did! I just...I really thought nopony lived in that old house, and the other folks were gettin' all antsy, an' Vi really really needed a nice place to lie her head...I-I thought it wouldn't be too bad just for one night...y-y'can't hold that against a poor pegasus' account, c-can you?

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

Well.
This is mildly derailing from that whole silly "Enclave" topic.
'Jack' was sort of looking forward to that one.

The present one is just sort of...awkward.

Which leads to a sort of uncomfortable laughing sound from the skin-sack.
"...eheh...you know. That mare's got some real problems."

[Mystic Muse]

[Ernest Shackleton]

Violetta nodded. "Right. Magic. Hopefully, this won't lead to any unpleasant surprises.

"I think we should start with the healing spell. It's harder to use, but the firebolt spell is significantly more... Well, dangerous. We don't want any accidents." She considered for a moment. "Have you been watching me heal myself and Fleetwing at all?"

"A little, but I'm not sure how to use the healing spell." Gleamy says to Violetta. "Oddly I seem to know how to amplify things though..."

(Sorry, I completely missed your post until you mentioned it in the OOC thread somehow. :smallconfused:)

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky opens his mouth to say something.

Only to be cut off by an annoyed growl from Homage, who's horn suddenly shines a bright color of green.

Jack will swiftly find himself being picked up with fancy unicorn magic - and then slammed down onto the floor. Twice.

"Enough jokes! Stop being vague, and answer their questions! What did you do to their friend?" the incognito Changeling barks.

"Pretty sure the nurse mentioned Down knocking the crap out of Jack..." Lucky quietly mutters to Swiss and Homage.

"Did she see it happen?"

"Well, no, but-"

~whack~

Homage smacks Jack against the floor again for good measure. "Not good enough. We need the truth," Homage growls. "Out with it!"

My my, Homage seems to have developed quite a temper. That seems rather out of character, almost, for such a normally cool and jocular "pony."


---
Outside the Shack

Fleetwing's prayers may or may not go unanswered.


"What? Naw, you didn't do anythin' bad or nothin' like that! Yer not cursed or anythin'! Ya just kinda, uh, picked me up awhile back. Honestly Ah'm surprised you can hear me. The last fella either couldn't hear me, or he pretended he couldn't..." she mutters. "Not that Ah liked him that much, anyway."


---
Scav Post

Sprinkles is now wearing an awesome handlebar mustache.

He begins to run his manipular claws through it, stroking the mustache in a suave manner. Seems even robots like to look cool sometimes...

[PurityIcekiller]

"A little, but I'm not sure how to use the healing spell." Gleamy says to Violetta. "Oddly I seem to know how to amplify things though..."

Violetta perked her ears up. "Amplification? That could be very useful! ...But I shouldn't just leech off your spells. I need to share some myself too. Now come outside. I'm going to do something dangerous."

She stepped out of the shack, then waited for Gleamy to follow. Once the alicorn was there, she took a deep breath, trying to ignore any other signs of chaos, then cast her firebolt spell.

On her own hoof.

"Ow!" She quickly beat her hoof a few times to make sure it wasn't aflame, then turned back to Gleamy. "...Yes, I meant to do that.

"Now, concentrate on being helpful. Life. Think soothing thoughts. At least, that's how I think I do it. Just try it. See how well you do." Violetta wasn't at all sure how she was doing at instructions, but the only way to find out was to experiment.

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower]

Swiss wheels toward Lucky and begins to wave her hooves frantically! "We don't have time for this nonsense! Grab those silver metal ring things. If it got to Down then those will show it for what it is. HURRY!"

More frantic hoof-waving!

"Hopefully she'll be fine... hopefully she'll still be at the clinic... hopefully she'll still be herself..." Swiss mutters as she begins pacing back and forth. "But if she isn't..."

The changeling fixes Lucky with a steely stare, her eyes cold with both resolve and fear.

"If she isn't you have to remember that she's dead already. And there's a monster wearing her face."

Well.

That's cheerful.

Lucky:
"Holy ****. What the hell happened to Equestria while I was asleep?" the cyan pegasus asks incredulously.

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post

Hopefully the mind-mare isn't watching right now as Stomper makes things all better for Fox. Unless she's into that sort of thing. Who are we to judge figments on the imagination.

Back in the main room, Ink Jet gives a happy hug to surprise before gleefully nomming some cupcakes. He doesn't appear to notice the mustache as he is much, much, MUCH too busy.

((waiting on Burnshine on the roof))

[Mystic Muse]

Violetta perked her ears up. "Amplification? That could be very useful! ...But I shouldn't just leech off your spells. I need to share some myself too. Now come outside. I'm going to do something dangerous."

She stepped out of the shack, then waited for Gleamy to follow. Once the alicorn was there, she took a deep breath, trying to ignore any other signs of chaos, then cast her firebolt spell.

On her own hoof.

"Ow!" She quickly beat her hoof a few times to make sure it wasn't aflame, then turned back to Gleamy. "...Yes, I meant to do that.

"Now, concentrate on being helpful. Life. Think soothing thoughts. At least, that's how I think I do it. Just try it. See how well you do." Violetta wasn't at all sure how she was doing at instructions, but the only way to find out was to experiment.

Gleamy thought about being helpful...and ended up remembering something from her childhood, helping out a mother and father setting a table for dinner. This was definitely a soothing thought. She actually does end up managing to heal it a little, but she's not exactly experienced with healing spells yet.

[Lycan 01]

[Tenpony Tower] - Top Floor




Swiss wheels toward Lucky and begins to wave her hooves frantically! "We don't have time for this nonsense! Grab those silver metal ring things. If it got to Down then those will show it for what it is. HURRY!"

More frantic hoof-waving!

"Hopefully she'll be fine... hopefully she'll still be at the clinic... hopefully she'll still be herself..." Swiss mutters as she begins pacing back and forth. "But if she isn't..."

The changeling fixes Lucky with a steely stare, her eyes cold with both resolve and fear.

"If she isn't you have to remember that she's dead already. And there's a monster wearing her face."

Well.

That's cheerful.

Lucky:
"Holy ****. What the hell happened to Equestria while I was asleep?" the cyan pegasus asks incredulously.


Lucky stares at Swiss for a moment, before his gaze hardens, and he gives a resolute nod. "Right. Either she's okay, or... it's not her, and we do what we gotta. Got it."

Lucky turns and begins to trot towards the discarded bag of rings. As he goes, Homage points a hoof at the Jack-hide. "You may want to take him with you. I'll need to call security up here, and having a talking pile of skin will make things much more difficult than they need to be. Besides, he may prove useful to you." That, and she just doesn't want to have to look at him any longer than she has to.

"Right, right," Lucky nods. He stuffs the ring into his left saddlebag - the opposite from the one holding the jacket and statuette. He then turns towards Jack, but waits for some feedback from the others before trying to grab him. And while he waits, he does a bit of pondering...


Yeah, uh, Equestria's pretty bucked, he thinks back in response. His thoughts are slightly jarred and unfocused. And now a mutant changeling monster may have eaten a friend of ours. She's in the hospital because Everfree vine my fault monster metal Skinwalker blame Enclave my fault... His thoughts momentarily become a panicked jumble, before he manages to reign it in and calm himself down. Sorry sorry. Just kinda freaked out. This is... really an off day for me... Heh heh... A small, nervous laugh, hinting at deeper dread and fear.

[PurityIcekiller]

Gleamy thought about being helpful...and ended up remembering something from her childhood, helping out a mother and father setting a table for dinner. This was definitely a soothing thought. She actually does end up managing to heal it a little, but she's not exactly experienced with healing spells yet.

Violetta felt some of the pain recede and smiled. "Oh, good. I was not sure setting myself on fire was going to work." She stepped closer and gave Gleamy a pat on the back. "So why don't you give it another try, and see if you can get it working better?"

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Indeed, he must show it off to everypony! But first, he's going to wander the streets, looking for a shop selling electronics. He loves his electronics, as he loves his electricity. Electro is hoping to find some MEWs, his current one was not designed to kill. Or even incapacitate, really, but when he built it he gave it too much power.

[Luka]

[Raider Nest]

Then Blaster would instead help to jumptstart the spell matrix in Ray's armor, though 90 second's a minute and a half

Blaster would pick up the leaded launcher instead, but Ray still picks up the fuelless one cuz it still probably works as a makeshift grenade. After that, they would head to the hallway where the robot is/was and carefully try to approach, Blaster would keep the launcher close if the robot's still working but he would still keep the dual miniguns attached to the armor if there's any raider around there.

[Rebonack]

[Hollow Shades]

Try as he might there aren't any MEWs to be found anywhere in the town. Even electronics seem to be few and far between. Little more than ruined old devices that could be used for scrap parts. The whole town seems anachronistic, like something pulled out of a story book from the ages far before modern Equestria. Sure there are a few things out of place in the centuries old feel of the village, but they aren't common in the least.

Looks like kickass armor and a new rifle is all Electro is going to get here.

Well.

That and the silvery horn/dagger that sings that haunting, atmospheric song that had played over his PipBuck when he first entered the forest should he channel magic through it.

Geeze is that thing ever creepy.

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Top Floor]

"OW, hey! Torture only works when it's scary! This is just you being silly."

Despite his flailings and uncomfortable "ow"s, 'Jack' doesn't seem particularly intimidated by Homage flailing him into the ground with her magic.
But then, he was set on fire earlier and ended up fine...so it's hard to miss why.


Meanwhile, Swiss and Lucky have elected to go check on Down!

'Jack' fails to have any significant input on this, beyond a quiet return of that awkward little giggle.

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades

Well, that's annoying. Electro's still never fired a real gun. MEWs don't count because they don't have recoil. Unfortunately for him, if he got his hooves on a MEW, he'd have very little worries about finding ammunition, given that he has a recharge-spell. Electro will, after finding no decent electronics, leave Hollow Shades. If he finds any ammunition, he will take that. Bullets are always good, even if they don't fit in your gun, you might find a gun that they do fit into.

[Luka]

Manehatten - Scav Post
Scoops being, some measure more familiar with how this chapter of the Rangers works, is more than happy to hand out an answer. "Oh you know, catastrophic injury, radiation exposure, mandatory training and certifications. Most of the time though you're doing some deliveries. Like you go find some chem stash and then head back to drop it off. Occasionally you get attached to a squad that doesn't want to walk into somewhere blind and need to go back to get your combat gear. Like this one time..."

and there she goes.

Though when she starts with those, Burnshine would just have responded with "right...." before giving another irritated/annoyed sigh at how she REALLY didn't know what she was getting into just to get away from those 2 codexbreakers, she would at most not really show much interest towards Scoops' story, rather thinking for a way to get back to the base, though probably she would after going into the hospital Whadda mentioned and if they find something useful inside; she wouldn't mind the story except if it mentions a violation of the codex.

[MCerberus]

Though when she starts with those, Burnshine would just have responded with "right...." before giving another irritated/annoyed sigh at how she REALLY didn't know what she was getting into just to get away from those 2 codexbreakers, she would at most not really show much interest towards Scoops' story, rather thinking for a way to get back to the base, though probably she would after going into the hospital Whadda mentioned and if they find something useful inside; she wouldn't mind the story except if it mentions a violation of the codex.

"..And then we all just walked back to base carrying a whole lot of unstable MEWs while he was crashing on buck. And that's how Equestria was made!"

That anecdote had very little value for the task at hand. Whadda looks like she's expecting a response. Mostly it would be good to justify why you'd want to risk going out past nightfall on a salvage mission.

[Luka]

"..And then we all just walked back to base carrying a whole lot of unstable MEWs while he was crashing on buck. And that's how Equestria was made!"

That anecdote had very little value for the task at hand. Whadda looks like she's expecting a response. Mostly it would be good to justify why you'd want to risk going out past nightfall on a salvage mission.

Burnshine would just remain silent, then notice that she's expecting a response
"........What? you brought MEWs to the base, that's your job according to orders and the codex"

Because only the codex is relevant

"Any idea on what we could get tomorrow?"

[MCerberus]

Burnshine would just remain silent, then notice that she's expecting a response
"........What? you brought MEWs to the base, that's your job according to orders and the codex"

Because only the codex is relevant

"Any idea on what we could get tomorrow?"

"Black sight from the looks of it though. None of the scribes know anything about what's in it and the door doesn't look like it's been open. It's actually side-access and the rest of the hospital was pretty picked over."

Ooh secret facility. Seems right up Burnshine's alley. Also Sprinkles may or may not like the Rangers rummaging around Equestrian secrets if he's still listening in.

[Luka]

"Black sight from the looks of it though. None of the scribes know anything about what's in it and the door doesn't look like it's been open. It's actually side-access and the rest of the hospital was pretty picked over."

Ooh secret facility. Seems right up Burnshine's alley. Also Sprinkles may or may not like the Rangers rummaging around Equestrian secrets if he's still listening in.

....Nope, not right up her alley, the only thing that's right up her alley is the codex, sure, secret facilities would have better stuff for the rangers, but it also means going into an area without any intel and without a proper amount of equipment to make it easier, which would increase risks, increased risks means more chance to lose equipment, losing equipment means failing at preserving tech, failing at preserving tech means FAILING THE CODEX!!! do you know how terrible is that? :smalleek:

She would just give yet another annoyed sigh, it's better recovering on known areas with some intel than secret facilities which could be full of traps and unknown threats.
"Not even a glimpse inside? windows, holes, anything? or any intel of what's there?"

Though maybe possibly there could be something she could recover and get to pay for the powered armor she lost and to get enough distraction at how she delayed to report the 2 codexbreakers if she gets to report them back at base

[Benson]

Manehatten - Scav Post

Hopefully the mind-mare isn't watching right now as Stomper makes things all better for Fox. Unless she's into that sort of thing. Who are we to judge figments on the imagination.

Its safe to say that these two probably engaged in boozed addled casual makeouts for quite a while, indulging in a simple pleasure when the Wasteland offered none.



[Tenpony Tower] - Top Floor

Lucky stares at Swiss for a moment, before his gaze hardens, and he gives a resolute nod. "Right. Either she's okay, or... it's not her, and we do what we gotta. Got it."

Lucky turns and begins to trot towards the discarded bag of rings. As he goes, Homage points a hoof at the Jack-hide. "You may want to take him with you. I'll need to call security up here, and having a talking pile of skin will make things much more difficult than they need to be. Besides, he may prove useful to you." That, and she just doesn't want to have to look at him any longer than she has to.

"Right, right," Lucky nods. He stuffs the ring into his left saddlebag - the opposite from the one holding the jacket and statuette. He then turns towards Jack, but waits for some feedback from the others before trying to grab him.

There was a wince from Gwendolyn in regards to the Jack-thing-abomination tagging along further but she kept her disgruntledness to herself. She gave Lucky a nod in regards to the decision to check on Down.

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower]

Off to go make sure Down hasn't been turned into an awful monster! Because that would be just awful.

Swiss fwooshes back into her pegasus disguise and hurries off toward the clinic. She doesn't seem to be too keen on much conversation at the moment... A little bit focused one might guess.

Please please please still be there...

[Scav Outpost]

"Okay! So! We've got a mission now! A nice pony named Sellsword needs a surprise birthday party for his grandfilly! This is the most important mission that the Ministry of Morale has had for a really really super duper long time and we can't mess it up!" Surprise says as she begins trotting back and forth. "This is our chance to prove that the Ministry of Morale is back on its hooves and ready to do what it was always supposed to do, help make ponies smile!"

[Hollow Shades]

There is some ammo in the smithy, but not all that much, sadly. Just a few stray rounds. There is ammo for the rifle, though. That's always a plus. Looks like the time has come to forge out into the Wasteland once again!

[Earl of Purple]

Hollow Shades --> North

Electro will leave the creepy town using the same route he entered it by, keeping his 10mm pistol hovering telekinetically whilst he creeps through the forest, just to ensure nothing dangerous happens whilst he's unprepared. He's gotten used to ignoring his EFS in the forest, so isn't looking for red bars.

When he leaves the forest, he'll head north. He's keeping his eyes open, and trying to stay in cover just in case.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky stuffs Jack into his non-statue-holding saddlebag. "When you get down there, you'll need to do two tests," Homage states factually. "Direct contact to see if she has become a Skinwalker, and a blood test to ensure it's not just wearing her hide."

"Delightful," Lucky growls, before quickly following after Swiss to the elevator. "Thanks for your help, ma'am."

"You're welcome, Mister Break. Good luck with your friend," Homage replies back, before turning to survey the damage and begin working on her story...


Once in the elevator with the others, Lucky sighs. "Okay, I have an idea. I'm just gonna say we need to do some tests on Down because it's an Enclave thing. We'll say I'm an Enclave operative, and I've got orders to test Down to make sure she's not become too exposed to the surface world and crap like that. If we act like we know what we're talking about, the doctors shouldn't give us any trouble, especially if you crank up your Changeling hocus-pocus. Would that be possible?"

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post



She would just give yet another annoyed sigh, it's better recovering on known areas with some intel than secret facilities which could be full of traps and unknown threats.
"Not even a glimpse inside? windows, holes, anything? or any intel of what's there?"

Scoops gives a shrug. For the current situation that would be a pretty worrisome shrug. "Like I said I haven't gotten past the door yet. Funny though. The door still has power. Of course not many ponies would unlock it so any power would last a while..."


Its safe to say that these two probably engaged in boozed addled casual makeouts for quite a while, indulging in a simple pleasure when the Wasteland offered none.

SO IT IS WRITTEN.



[Scav Outpost]

"Okay! So! We've got a mission now! A nice pony named Sellsword needs a surprise birthday party for his grandfilly! This is the most important mission that the Ministry of Morale has had for a really really super duper long time and we can't mess it up!" Surprise says as she begins trotting back and forth. "This is our chance to prove that the Ministry of Morale is back on its hooves and ready to do what it was always supposed to do, help make ponies smile!"

Ink Jet, with frosting all over his face stands at attention and gives an exaggerated but serious salute. He doesn't say anything else. Surprise would remember that the stallion was recruited into minionship during the first party.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Raider Nest]

Umm...

That's actually impossible. Steel Ranger armor has only two mountings, and it isn't easy enough to swap out weapons where he could just do it in a dangerous situation like combat with no problems. It would make a lot more sense to give it to Ray, who's only using one of his weapon mountings currently.

Anyway, as the two trot around the corner and through the no-longer-electrified coolant, they see...

...nothing useful. As the door opens, they see the same hallway leading to the Atrium as before, with the door shut at the other end. There's no real room to either side of the door here, so taking cover in this corridor is basically impossible. The pair can open the door with no difficulties, but they can't know exactly what's behind it. Do they go straight in, guns blazing, or do they try to survey the scene before wasting any ammo, but risk an ambush?


[Outside the Shack]

Swift continues to catch up, cursing ever Luna-damned step she takes. It'll be a miracle if she doesn't collapse a few feet short of him at this rate. Shaking her head to dismiss the thought, she unleashes a hacking cough, and spits some blackened blood upon the ground.

She looks at it in astonishment for a moment, at the realization that there was even any blood left in her body after all this time.

Dismissing stray thoughts once more, she keeps going.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Shack]

Fleetwing remains still, his mouth moving to some silent recitation, when his eyes suddenly snap open in realization.

Lycan:
Oh...oh goodness...thank the Sun and Moon, that's a relie...w-wait just a sec; 'picked up'? And this here happened a while back...wait, I-I remember! That safe! In the gas station!

Wait wait wait wait wait wait what?! You are...you were...you. Applejack. The Applejack. The one and only. Were in a tiny lil' safe in a dinky lil' gas station in th' middle of the bucking Wasteland?!

...how'd you even get inside that there book in th' first place? That ain't actually you on the front cover, is it? Oh skies above I hope I didn't smush that up too badly...

Either he fails to hear Swift's coughing, or he's too distracted by...well, whatever it is he's doing.

[Luka]

[Raider Nest]

Umm...

That's actually impossible. Steel Ranger armor has only two mountings, and it isn't easy enough to swap out weapons where he could just do it in a dangerous situation like combat with no problems. It would make a lot more sense to give it to Ray, who's only using one of his weapon mountings currently.

Anyway, as the two trot around the corner and through the no-longer-electrified coolant, they see...

...nothing useful. As the door opens, they see the same hallway leading to the Atrium as before, with the door shut at the other end. There's no real room to either side of the door here, so taking cover in this corridor is basically impossible. The pair can open the door with no difficulties, but they can't know exactly what's behind it. Do they go straight in, guns blazing, or do they try to survey the scene before wasting any ammo, but risk an ambush?

I didn't say he even attached it he would be bringing it by cradled hoof or so, but he gives it to Ray in the way, even though Blaster's the explosives expert.

They would approach the door, though on the way, and remembering what Bladeweaver said, Blaster keeps his dual miniguns spinning, and instead, he would crouch near a wall on the side of the door if there's a trap, with Ray a bit behind, if there's something needing to be gaussed in the face.... Even though I have no idea how is it called gauss rifle if they use electromagnetism and gauss was a human.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manehatten - Scav Post



Scoops gives a shrug. For the current situation that would be a pretty worrisome shrug. "Like I said I haven't gotten past the door yet. Funny though. The door still has power. Of course not many ponies would unlock it so any power would last a while..."

Burnshine frowns a bit
"Then we got no idea what we could find inside? not even level of threat? position of recoverable materials? support? risks?"

[Mystic Muse]

Violetta felt some of the pain recede and smiled. "Oh, good. I was not sure setting myself on fire was going to work." She stepped closer and gave Gleamy a pat on the back. "So why don't you give it another try, and see if you can get it working better?"

Gleamy focuses entirely on that one memory, thinking that maybe it will allow her to remember something else, or at least help her healing.

She manages to heal Violetta some more, though it's not exactly a significant amount.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor -----> Clinic

After one awkwardly silent elevator ride, Lucky, Gwendolyn, Swiss, and Jack arrive at the Clinic. They trot inside, and find...

Nopony there. Or at least, nopony at the front desk. The snarky nurse seems to be absent.

Lucky furrows his brow, and trots over to the desk. "Uh, hello?" he asks aloud. "Anypony here?"

The only answer is still silence...



-----
North of Hollowoods

Electro is quite the trailblazer. Out of the woods he creeps, sneaking into the Wasteland, going cover-to-cover...

Eventually he bespies a crossroads of sorts, where several old roads intersect. There appear to be a large sign set up nearby - directions to nearby cities, it seems. There also seems to be a fair bit of graffiti on the sign. Perhaps some of it is useful?

The crossroads is rather open and exposed, though...



----
Outside the Shack

Fleetwing continues to be amusing to the powers that be.


"Uh... Yeah, Ah'm the Applejack..." the voice says awkwardly. She sounds rather humble, and uncomfortable with being regarded in such a noteworthy manner. "And, uh, Ah ain't in the book. Ah'm in the fancy little statue-thingy. The book's good though! Well, uh, not 'good' in the entertainin' sense, but uh... y'know, useful. You should give it a look sometime. And Ah ain't sayin' that just because Ah helped write it..."

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower]

Swiss doesn't pause in the least. No beating around the bush. No asking about the doctors. Her heart is pounding in her chest at the thought of having to face another one of those... of those things again.

Even worse one of those things wearing the face of her friend.

She heads straight for Down's door and shoves it open to find-!

[Scav Outpost]

"Okay!" Surprise continues. "Inky? You're going to need a button."

That said she'll move to stick an official Ministry of Morale button pin right to the pony's coat. Everypony needs to know that he works for her now after all! Plus they buttons look super neat!

"I'm going to show you how to make balloon animals for the party. I'm pretty sure an eightys training montage should do the trick. Are you ready?"

[Lycan 01]

Scav Post

Sergeant Sprinkles waves a claw to get Surprise's attention. "Oh, oh, any particular songs ya want me to play for the montage?"



---
Tenpony Tower - Clinic

Swiss opens the door to find...!

An empty room. Well, empty in the sense of nopony being there. The only noteworthy thing in the room is a bed. An empty bed - with bloodstained sheets. Not heavily stained, but there are a few noticeable smears, particularly near the head of the bed. And the blanket is missing.

Lucky stares. "...oh hell."

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Clinic]

"Huh. That's a neat trick."
Yeah, 'Jack's still here.
Seems to have squirmed up to the door when Swiss opened it up, regardless of everyone else's intentions.

"Guess we're missing a party somewhere."

[Benson]

Tenpony Derp

Gwendolyn stared at the situation even if that on a technical level doesn't make much sense. Eh.

"Hmmm...I suggest looking for possible hoof prints or signs for which direction she may have taken to......somehow..." The griffon said keeping a level head about this for everyone else's benefit.

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower]

Well.

This is awful.

Awful in pretty much every imaginable way.

Swiss makes a strangled whimpering noise and then goes racing off through the door again! She has to get to her other friends. Moondancer might be able to track that... that thing with her magic. And she has to warn Corn and Foresight to stick to groups of three always.

Because the alternative?

The alternative is awful.

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Penthouse]

Knock knock.
Knock knock.
Knock knock knock.

"...'m hungry."

Miss Down Feather sways outside the door of TRSG!'s penthouse, swaddled up in a slightly-bloody blanket, for a moment, before slumping down on her haunches.
Then she sways a little more, before knocking at the door once again.

[Tenpony Tower - Clinic]

"Whoa hey, should she be rushing off alone like that?"
'Jack' makes a vaguely (surprisingly) concerned flop of a hoof after Swiss.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Clinic

"No, she shouldn't," Lucky growls to Jack, before leaping after Swiss and flying along with her, presumably with Gwendolyn in tow.

Once they get to the elevator (or start to blitz up the stairs), Lucky will frown. "Okay, we don't know for sure either way. You know how stubborn she is. You know how fiercely independent she seems to be. Maybe... maybe she just hobbled outta there when nopony was looking?" Lucky proposes, a bit of hopefulness in his voice.

Still doesn't explain the missing hospital staff, of course.....

[Benson]

Tenpony Tower

So much for keeping calm. Gwendolyn snarled as she found her words ignored over panicking and jumping to assumptions and all that rabble.

"Fine, forget I bothered to speak sensibly." She said to no one as they had all left the room. With an annoyed sigh, she followed after them.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Outside the Shack]

Swift collapses in pain and exhaustion for one moment, but manages to drag herself up again, continuing to cough up black blood to her amazement and horror.

It might be easier to assume that this keeps up until she actually does reach Fleetwing's position; She's too stubborn to actually succumb, but too hurt to actually hurry up at all.


[Raider Nest]

Actually, one Mister Gauss Flux was an Earth Pony from Germaneigh, and a rather high-ranking employee of the Ministry of Wartime Technology. He was well-known for having an unusually adept grasp of Magical Theory even by Unicorn standards, not to mention those of the other earth ponies, and discovered that using multiple layered telekinesis spells in a spell matrix could propel a small projectile to absurd speeds. As a member of the MoWT himself, Ray should know all of this if he paid any attention in school.

Also, Blaster might be able to cradle it in his hooves, but he couldn't walk like that. At all. If Blaster's the Explosives Expert, though, it might make more sense to just equip one of his miniguns to Ray instead and equip the Rocket Launcher himself. That's just common sense.

Anyway, as I said before, there's really no cover here. It doesn't especially matter anymore, though, as the door opens. As the pair view the (now utterly ravaged) Atrium, their eyes fall upon the sight of this massive robot.

Now, Ultra-Sentinels are big. Nobody denies that. This robot is massive, even by Ultra-Sentinel standards. That prism cannon has eight barrels, and likely could have shredded holes through their power barding easily with those heavy, hyper-concentrated incinerator beams. It turns slightly towards them, glaring with one bright red eye.

"D-d-d-d-d-d-ie Zeb-zeb-ra S-s-***"

There's the sound of a pop and crackle as its voice modulator finally breaks down, which leads me to the last point that I hadn't mentioned already: This thing is in utter shambles.

One arm is missing entirely, severed by a chainsaw's blade. Scorch marks from missed shots with a Plasma Cannon cover its hull, and there's an enormous chunk of its torso structure blown out where it was hit directly. There are countless long, shallow tears where Rippers were drawn across its hull, and one of its eyes has been shot out by an AP bullet. It's been punctured all over by significant amounts of ordinance, smacked apart with rockets, and generally put through all the hell that a pack of Raiders could muster.

Meanwhile, the room is covered with slaughtered raider corpses; Almost as many as Ray and Blaster killed themselves, and a whole lot better armed and armored.

A single ceiling beam swings down, the tension and chaos of the battle just a bit too much for it, and collides with the side of the robot. This, in turn, causes the thing to just completely fall apart, reduced to large pieces of metal covering the ground level of the Atrium.

That was interesting, but the pair should probably keep moving. To the Overseer's Office, or to the Living Quarters?

[MCerberus]

Scav Post

So... is Fox Trot keeping an eye on his belongings? He might want to do that. It seems a purple mare contained in his head was onto something. If the stallion doesn't pay attention he'd find one of the shiny new assault rifles he found at the ministry missing.

Ink Jet downstairs keeps the exaggerated salute up, still cheeks covered in cupcake. "Wait, what's a montage?"

Up on the roof, Whadda's still up on caffeine. "Well it's a good thing we're recon. I mean that's what we do. One of the things we do. Oh speaking of which what's your combat spec? Might be good to know. Wait they might use different terms in where you're from. What chapter are you from anyway?"

Ghoul Party

Mach's still finding parts from broken down trucks.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Shack]

Fleetwing, after a noticeable period of silence, finally drops his wings back to his side and ceases motioning with his forehooves. He just...sits there. Staring intently off into the distance.

Oh. R-right. The statue. Th-that's what I meant t'say. Think. Say-think.

http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2011/272/4/b/liarjack_da_avatar_by_metalbeersolid-d4bc9sj.gif

B-but...that means you've been a statue for the last generation fifty century lifetimes millennium however long it's been?! How much of that were you in that safe? Was that some sorta Stable project? Are there stashes of statue-ponies lurking out somewhere out there?

(OOC: After glimpses into his head/thoughts like this, I'm tempted to retcon his Int score down a point. :smalltongue:)

(I'll leave it up to Lycan on when Swift reaches Fleetwing.)

[Earl of Purple]

North of Hollowoods

Electro will check his EFS to ensure there's nothing hostile nearby. If there isn't, he'll trot out of cover to get a closer look at the sign and its associated graffiti.

If there are hostiles marked upon his EFS, Electro will trot out but keep an eye out in the direction of the hostiles so if they are preparing an ambush he's prepared, with his 10mm floating nearby and his lightning caster in his mouth.

[Rebonack]

[Scav Outpost]

Surprise gasps in shock!

"You don't even know what a montage is? Quick Mister Sprinkles! We're going to need to play the Montage Song!"

Hopefully the robot will take this as a sign to get the proper song rolling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU9Uwhjlog8)!

What follows will be a series of shots of Surprise training Inky to make balloon animals, each with incremental improvements over the last whilst playing motivation music!

All the while Surprise will sing about the nature of a montage with a few references to parties and balloon animals thrown in.

This is incredibly silly!

[Ghoul party]

Our heroes will eventually gather up all the odds and ins they need to get that vehicle repaired! They even manage to scrounge up the junk to the radio working! What luck, right?

No doubt the feral ghouls would give them a hearty round of stomping applause if not for the fact that they're all mindless shambling abominations.

[Tenpony Tower - Moondancer's Appartment]

The door is opened and Corn is on the other side! Down gets a concerned smile as soon as he sees her. "Well hey there Miss Down. Glad to see you're up and about after your operation."

He'll move aside to let her in.

"I was just puttin' some things together for dinner. Though I suppose if you're in dire need of some eats right away I can oblige you," the gregarious earth pony says, gesturing to the nearby sofa whilst moving off toward the kitchen. "So how are you feelin'? Aside from sore and hungry?"

[Running Toward Moondancer's Apartment!]

Swiss isn't thinking clearly!

She's too busy panicking!

Her friends need her and she has to hurry!

The disguised changeling is prancing about nervously inside the elevator. "M-maybe. Oh Celestia protect... you didn't see that thing before we burned it... I just... I just keep getting flashes of it in Down's room and..."

Yeah.

All sorts of emotional trauma going on here.

[Luka]

Scav Post

Up on the roof, Whadda's still up on caffeine. "Well it's a good thing we're recon. I mean that's what we do. One of the things we do. Oh speaking of which what's your combat spec? Might be good to know. Wait they might use different terms in where you're from. What chapter are you from anyway?"

Too bad Burnshine's skill is as combat support and tactical recon (or rather, going to a side and shooting things), not scouting inside buildings, really, she rushed into the wrong unit just to get away of those two :smallbiggrin:
"Close to Shattered hoof, but we've had many transfers, but originally from Buckling Cross.... If you mean my skills, Medium Range Surpression, incendiary ammunition expert and fast-firing with semi-automatic weaponry, but not very preficient with close quarters combat."
Most of that would mean she's good at shooting lots of bullets accurately, but keeping her distance, not in cramped alleys like what a hospital would offer, and overall, she's a squad support sniper rather than point man.... Mare, whatever.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[Raider nest]

It wouldn't make any sense because Ray's good with high-power cannons, not big guns, and a bazooka would possibly screw weight and accuracy, but he would still get it attached.

In the atrium both would take a bit, until the sentinel breaks down, the Ray would just run up, pick a cable from the robot's remains, then keep going, he seems to just want to light Bladeweaver on fire a lot so he would auto-lock on going to the Overmare's office.

Blaster would not be so pissed off though, he would remember Bladeweaver mentioning that she could wait for them in the atrium, and he tries to keep pace with Ray while scanning around for an ambush or some trap she may have set up for them.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Elevator

Lucky frowns in concern, before holding a hoof out to Swiss. "Hey. Calm down. Do you need another hug or something? You need to try to keep a level head about this..." he tells her, trying to keep his own voice controlled and free from the worry and panic plaguing his mind.


---
Scav Post

Montaaaaaage.

Sergeant Sprinkles is usually in the background cheering on, or blowing a whistle, or something semi-useful like that. Don't ask how a robot blows a whistle.


---
Outside the Shack

The ghoul is probably upon Fleetwing by now. Meanwhile, inside the pegasus' mind...


"Eh, it's a long story, and Ah ain't too sure 'bout the details mahself. 'Sides, Ah think it's only been 'bout two centuries, from what I gathered from the last few ponies who toted me 'round for awhile..."


---
Crossroads

No immediate signs of trouble - there are a couple of non-hostile blips near the sign, but Electro can't actually see anything.

The sign itself is a large metal sign with distances and directions towards the nearest cities.

Hollow Shades is directly south. The graffiti around it says "Don't follow the lights" and "Scary as hell." Plus a hastily scrawled "Evil." Is that blood?

Neighagra Falls is directly North. "Tourist (Death) Trap."

Manehatten is directly East. "Get to Tenpony." "Alicorns, Manticores, and Rangers, oh my." "Bring ammo." "Friendship City - so close yet so far."

Cloudsdale is to the West, but... "Gone." "Ghouls." "Zombies." "Stay away."

Canterlot, the ancient capitol of Equestria, is to the Southwest, but... "Necropolis." "STAY OUT." "Pink Cloud kills!" "Avoid the static!" "The ghouls don't die!" "Excellent vacation property for affordable pricing!" "F*** that last punk."

And Fillydelphia is to the Southeast. The graffiti around it is mostly back-and-forth arguing over whether Red Eye is good or evil, eventually devolving into insults and profanity.

Well. That's enlightening.

[Earl of Purple]

Crossroads

Electro sighs when he sees just how many places seem to be dangerous. He's not sure if Neighagra Falls is the most dangerous place, and only one person survived to warn about it, or the least dangerous as one warning was seen as enough. Either way, he's headed towards Manehattan- it's the only place besides Fillydelphia that someponies think worth visiting.

He would add a note about how he saw Dustbowl under attack, but he doesn't have any paint, and it's not a community marked on the sign so it probably isn't along the route anypony takes to or from the community.

He'll then resume his customary sneaking and head East.

[MCerberus]

Scav Post

Ink Jet is now a ruthlessly party-ful party associate. "Now I can avenge my friends and win the big dance!"

Right...

"I like the other guns. Lots of bang and recoil and stopping power. Some of the small stuff I try to overcompensate the recoil but there's not a lot of recoil. Must come from the advanced bladed weapon combat training." Scoops takes half a moment to motion at the sword and catch her breath.

"Metal, but on combat ops they let me take a ceramic. Also I have it cleared to use a Desert Roc. Semi-auto magnum. Fun stuff but I don't think your hoof could handle it, it's about as bad as the rifle you shot on the range."

Ghoul Party

While the mares get the radio working, Mach's got a lot of work to do on the engine. Of course, Fizz might be a better fit for repairing the moving parts parts.

[PurityIcekiller]

Gleamy focuses entirely on that one memory, thinking that maybe it will allow her to remember something else, or at least help her healing.

She manages to heal Violetta some more, though it's not exactly a significant amount.

"Very good. You'll probably improve even more with practice."

Violetta was silent for a time after that, weighing the benefits of teaching her to shoot firebolts against the risks, when she noticed something. "Say, is it just me, or are things around here a lot quieter than they should be?"

[Luka]

Scav Post


"I like the other guns. Lots of bang and recoil and stopping power. Some of the small stuff I try to overcompensate the recoil but there's not a lot of recoil. Must come from the advanced bladed weapon combat training." Scoops takes half a moment to motion at the sword and catch her breath.

"Metal, but on combat ops they let me take a ceramic. Also I have it cleared to use a Desert Roc. Semi-auto magnum. Fun stuff but I don't think your hoof could handle it, it's about as bad as the rifle you shot on the range."

"I use a carbine, high accuracy and rate of fire"
She would deadpan while motioning towards her carbine to the side, it's on a high condition, very high.
"Looked for ways to optimize it's state while making resource requirement efficient, exchanged the knowledge with the scribes and exchanged some of the original parts for expendable scrap ones, lower rate of fire but higher condition and less valuable material degradation, but still usefull enough"
If Scoops likes guns overall, that must sound terrible/boring, but Burnshine seems slightly delighted for a reason
"Also investigating to craft incendiary ammunition with wasteland products or residue, to save base supplies and preserve, according to the codex"
Oh there's the reason, seems like calling her "by the book" is an understatement.

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Moondancer's Apartment]

Corn is greeted with a bleary, and unusually-sweet smile from Down.

He appears to have said the magic words as she gets up to move into the apartment.
"Food'd be greeeat."

Despite the little smidges of blood on her blanket, and her...somewhat suspect almost-slurring tone, Down seems to be okay enough.
She can move, at least.

"Oh, right. Hi."
Almost forgot to say that!

"Not so sore. Mostly f'zzy."

Onwards she goes to the sofa, only stumbling a couple of times.
Mostly due to tripping on her blanket, more than anything else...

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad]

Corn nods slowly at that. "Probably pain killers then. I hope you didn't go and sneak out of that clinic before you were supposed to."

That would be terrible!

What would they do then?

Probably have Swiss mix up some potions and put Down back into a drug-induced slumber so she doesn't hurt herself.

But for now Down will have to make do with some warm fresh bread.

How the hell does Corn manage to find ingredients to make this stuff? "I can have some soup ready for you in a bit, Miss Down. Hope carrot and tomato is alright."

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Moondancer's Apartment]

Painkillers are wonderful things.
They make life so grand, even when you're probably supposed to feel like complete crap.

Down passes Corn a rather happy smile in return for the bread, before proceeding to gnaw on it appropriately.
"Peeeeeerfect, Corny!"
That is an unfortunate nickname.

"Hehe...Corny's vegetable soup..."
And that is an unfortunately bad play on words.

Is she this bad when she's drunk, too?

[Benson]

Scav Post

So... is Fox Trot keeping an eye on his belongings? He might want to do that. It seems a purple mare contained in his head was onto something. If the stallion doesn't pay attention he'd find one of the shiny new assault rifles he found at the ministry missing.

Whelp his stuff is in his room, in a corner, he wouldn't leave it in the main room at the party as not to miss out on a chance for some HPK. It had too many important things to him that weren't shiny new weapons, or weapons in general. However, here in the room, his focus...was...eh...it could be better. The pure booze he consumed didn't help nothing, well except for heightening up the smooching frenzy. He probably didn't lock the door.
========================

Tenpony Tower

"Lucky's right, chill your ice, mare," Gwen said and that was all she had to say for this. Comforting others well wasn't going to be thing right now.

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower - Elevator Ride]

"R-right..." Swiss stammers. She's trying to calm down, but she's still shaking like a leaf. "Freaking out won't help. Whether Down is okay or not. Maybe she did just take a walk..."

Swiss really really hopes that Down just took a walk.

The alternative is...

Something she doesn't want to think about...

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad]

Corn smiles his big kindly smile and begins putting the finishing touches on the soup. It's fortunate that he isn't quite as... exuberant... as another Laughter aligned pony who won't be mentioned. Down really doesn't need that kind of commotion at the moment. With her recent injuries and operation quiet and rest are the order of the day.

Eventually the soup is passed off to down, the steaming bowl set atop a little plate. Also sitting on the plate in question is the last of the chocolate covered strawberries. The one that Corn had been saving for Down all this time.

A rare treasure indeed.

"You just tell Corny," apparently he doesn't mind the nickname. "If there's anythin' else you need, okay Miss Down? I'll be over in the kitchen."

What a nice pony.

[Manehattah - Scav Outpost]

At some point Inky was supplied with a combat bandoleer filled with balloons rather than ammunition. Where Surprise acquired them from is anyone's guess.

"Okay everyone! This will be our finest hour! Our first chance to show Equestria that the Ministry of Morale is still alive and kicking!" the cyberpegasus proclaims. "By the blessing of Princess Luna we'll make this the most super funtastic surprise birthday party ever! ARE YOU READY!?"

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Elevator

Lucky nods, before cracking a faint smile. "You know, maybe she snuck out while the nurse was dealing with that poncy rich dude. And that's why the nurse was gone - she's out looking for Down, so she doesn't get fired or something. I mean, maybe... maybe it's not so bad, huh?" he offers, trying to be hopeful and optimistic.

After that, though, Lucky lets out a deep sigh, and slumps against the wall of the elevator. "And then after all this, I've still got Benny to worry about... Why couldn't that stupid monster have gone after him, huh?" he grumbles.



---
Scav Post

Sergeant Sprinkles pulls out the party cannon. He's ready for anything.



---
Ghoul Party

Fizz once again pops up out of nowhere, suddenly sliding out from under a humvee. Her dark coat (or what's left of it) is stained even darker by ancient oil and grease, and there are a couple of wrenches hovering near her head, wrapped in telekinesis. It's also best not to wonder where she found the rolley-cart thing under her back, which is allowing her to slide around under the humvee. "Good news! I fixed the transmission!" she cheerfully proclaims, grinning from ear to rotten ear. "Bad news! The timing chain is off, the fan belt has snapped, half the spark plugs are burnt out, annnnnnnd the engine whole block is froze up! It'll neeeeeever run again. Oh well!"

Chipper as always, the glowing ghoul hops to her hooves and trots over to join her companions. "What were we doing again? Oh right, batteries, hee hee. Oh, wait. I don't suppose either of you found some jumper cables, huh?"

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad]

"Yeeeeessir, Cornysir."
There would be some sort of salute with that, but she loses her balance when she tries.
And then she sees the strawberry, and the thought is gone.

All that's left is the thought of her now-fuzzy world and the delicious little berry in her mouth.

This is nice.

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post

After all the hardship and lessons learned in the five minutes that it presumably took them to do a montage, Ink Jet is more than ready. There's another exaggerated salute. "Party for the party god. Cakes for the cake throne!"

Fox's new fillyfriend excuses herself to go to the mare's room. She's fully intending to not return and take a rifle with her. Gee, if only somepony would have repeatedly tried to warn Fox Trot about this situation.

Up on the roof, Whadda's mind sort of wanders while the gun talk is going on. If she hadn't been in recon she might have ended up fixing guns all the time or something. Wait that's silly, she would have been put in assault training and spent her life in a metal suit. Anyhoof... "Well then, have you decided if you want to risk a night mission?"

Ghoul Party

Mach just finishes hooking up a newly fixed wire and looks up. "I dunno, I just got all the parts that uh, weren't completely broken. Might want to see if there's something of use in there."

[Luka]

Up on the roof, Whadda's mind sort of wanders while the gun talk is going on. If she hadn't been in recon she might have ended up fixing guns all the time or something. Wait that's silly, she would have been put in assault training and spent her life in a metal suit. Anyhoof... "Well then, have you decided if you want to risk a night mission?"

"Only if it's worth it"
She deadpans

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Shack]

Fleetwing continues to engage the air in a thrilling staring contest.

...really? Only that long? I mean, that's still an awful long time, but I always figured it was like this for at least waitwhat'sthat!

As Swift approaches, the pegasus blinks and shakes himself attentive. His head darts around, and he spots her almost instantly. "Swift? Swift!" No signs or sounds of trouble at the shack, so what in Equestria did all this?! Without a moment to lose, he gallops to her side, avoiding the bits of coughed-up black blood. No telling what nasty things were in that stuff.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Raider Nest]

The use of the phrase "to lock on" seems quite valuable here, because the door is "locked". It's a fully electronic door without a mechanical lock, so standard lockpicks aren't going to be viable, either. Ray or Blaster will have to make use of the keypad if they want to get into the Overmare's Office, maybe even rewire it.

...Or they could just blow the door open. They do have rockets.


[Outside the Shack]

Oh yes, avoid the nasty coughed-up bloody phlegm. It might have radiation in it! Or germs. Germs would be bad too.

At any rate, Swift's no longer in a state to form a coherent response, so while she probably meant something along the lines of "Where do you think you're running off to alone? Remember Bucky?", what actually comes out is more like "Where *HACK* you...run *COUGH* to alone? Re*WHEEZE* Bucky?"

Well, there's enough in there for him to guess the general meaning. Assuming that Fleet's also inspecting for wounds, he'll find nothing external unless he gets a good look at the bottom part of her barrel, which is bruised to hell and back, not to mention that she has three very obvious broken ribs which she's apparently been running on. Ouch.

[Benson]

Tenpony Tower

<skip Gwen this round>
=============


Manehatten - Scav Post

Fox's new fillyfriend excuses herself to go to the mare's room. She's fully intending to not return and take a rifle with her. Gee, if only somepony would have repeatedly tried to warn Fox Trot about this situation.


"Babe....when ya come back I'mma have a little surprise for ya..." He grinned as he watched her with red shot eyes. "Don't be too long...and you can totally bring a friend if you want..double the makeouts...hahahah...hah.." His stomach hurt.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Shack]

Fleetwing dodges - as best as he can, anyway - the phlegm-blackened spittle of Swift's words as he searches for wounds. "I-I weren't runnin' nowhere! I just...had to go for a run is all. I was keepin' th' shack in sight an'-sweet Summer Sun!" The pegasi recoils back at the sight of her poor, poor ribs. How in Equestria did they-oh. Right. Hellhound.

...how in Equestria did she run the whole bucking day on those?!

"Oh jeez. Oh jeez. Okay. Alright. Let's just...get back to th' shack now an'..." After dancing frantically around her, he finally settles on lying down on his belly next to her and unfurling both his wings to the ground, the tip of one just brushing her side. "Maybe....uh, c-can you roll over an' I'll scoop you up?"

[Tag: BladeOfOblivion]

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post


"Only if it's worth it"
She deadpans

"Well you already know my thoughts on the subject. Wait until morning."




"Babe....when ya come back I'mma have a little surprise for ya..." He grinned as he watched her with red shot eyes. "Don't be too long...and you can totally bring a friend if you want..double the makeouts...hahahah...hah.." His stomach hurt.

Poor Fox Trot. He's going to be waiting for somepony that's not coming back. Also he was sort of robbed a little bit. Life lessons abound... unless he forgets what happens in a drunken stupor.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Outside the Shack]

Now that I think of it, I have no idea how the hell it is that she bruised at all, given the fact that the vast majority of her blood would be dried or missing by now. Oh well, Zebra magic. That's totally my explanation. Yup.

Swift rolls her eyes.

"I can *COUGH* wa-"

There's a wince as she tries to stand, only to slump downward again quite quickly.

"...Okay, maybe not."

With that, she complies. Fleetwing may find her weight unexpectedly tolerable, especially if he was bracing himself to carry a heavy Earth Pony: She's even lighter than your typical pegasus, given her fairly desiccated tissues and slight build. She is carrying her rifle and some ammunition, but it's also reasonably light for a weapon of its size.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Shack]

With a deft scoop of his wings, Fleetwing eases the broken ghoul up and onto his back. To his surprise, Swift feels like she weighs hardly a thing. Maybe all that running has finally started to pay off? Or maybe ghouls just lose a bunch of their weight when they...y'know, turn all gross and rotten. Either way, Swift will find a pair of wings lifting up to her sides for her to help keep her stable. "Alright; j-just hold on, Swift. We'll get some bandages on that lot in no time."

Unless there were any more interruptions, he'd start to trot his way back to the abandoned shack.

[Rebonack]

[Manehattan - Scav Outpost]

"Into the party cannon 'cuz it's cannon-travel time!" Surprise proclaims as she goes about shoving everypony into the machine. "For fun! For smiles! FOR PINKIE!"

And then follows a resounding kaboom crossed with a party horn as the trio should find themselves launched through the sky trailing a tail of streamers behind.

They should go flying straight through a miraculously open window and land totally unharmed at the proper party destination to begin setting it up. Well... unharmed so long as you don't consider being covered in confetti harmed.

[Ghoul Party]

The smooze pony is a bit distracted.

Mostly because she has a functioning radio sitting in front of her. And she's using it to call her friends.

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad]

Swiss throws the door open and exclaims, "Skinwalkers!"

Corn gives her an odd look. Foresight glances up from the beam shotgun she has taken apart and is busy cleaning. Down... I dunno... sits on the couch or something? We'll probably find out what she's doing soon.

"Here in the Tower? Well that ain't good at all, Swiss," Corn replies, sounding rather concerned. "When me and Moony ran into one of those things it took forever to dig all the little bits out of me."

Boy.

That sure sounds pleasant.

Foresight is about to pipe up when suddenly her PipBuck makes a tone. She frowns slightly and touches a hoof to her ear. "This is Foresight, over."

Then her eyes go wide.

"...Celestia's resplendent incandescent nipples... It's Island. She's alive."

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - TRSG! Penthouse of Awesome

Lucky barges in right after Swiss... and skids to a halt when he sees Down sitting on the sofa, derped out on painkillers, wrapped in a bloody blanket, and munching on a strawberry.

"Oh... Swiss?" Lucky coughs awkwardly, trying to get the Changeling's attention before she panics.



---
Outside the Shack

Fleetwing doesn't hear any voices in his head. Why would he? That would be silly, and a sign of madness or something delightful like that...



---
Ghoul Party

Swiss is in the background, waving excitedly. "Tell your friends I said hi!" she cheerfully requests.



---
Tenpony Tower - Sellsword's Penthouse

Sellwsword is sitting on a chair reading a magazine when the trio of pony, cyborg, and robot operatives fly through his (conveniently) open window and land in his living room. "Yer early," he idly muses, turning the page of the magazine without even looking up.

(What day is it for them now? :smallconfused:)



---
Electro's Wanderings

Electro is now on his way to Manehatten. Yay for adventure! Is he traveling slowly and stealthily using rubble and terrain for cover, or heading along at a speedy clip via the ancient roadways?

[BladeofObliviom]

[Outside the Shack]

Swift continues to not move too much. Honestly, she's not at serious risk, but she's definitely in a lot of pain at the moment. Damn Med-X, always seeming to run out at a bad moment.

"Urgh, thanks Fleet..."

The Ghoul shifts into a slightly more comfortable curled position with a grunt, and tries to nuzzle up to the back of Fleetwing's neck. Ironically, she's not even fully aware that she's doing it, but it's definitely happening.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Outside the Abandoned Love Shack]

Fleetwing grimaces as the ghoul jostles his wings. Nothing painful, but they're meant for carrying the wind, not fully-grown ponies. Never quite feels right to stick anything too heavy on them. He shifts slightly to keep her from putting too much weight on the sensitive pinions. "Nghh...don't-"

Gentle rubbing on his neck

Hot breath tickling his mane.

A low grunt, or maybe even a...a moan.

"...m-mention...it?"

Fleetwing - for reasons completely his own and absolutely unrelated to anything else - suddenly starts trotting much faster. Swift may feel the muscles in his neck, back, and wings tighten up as they picked up speed.




...they were quite respectable muscles, from all that running. :smallwink:

(Oh gosh I am dying from the laughters you don't even know XD)

[BladeofObliviom]

[What is this I don't even]

Swift's semiconscious form responds by...

...Snuggling in a little deeper between the wings, mumbling to herself?

"Wow, Quilly, yer wings got strong..."

...Wait, what? Oh jeez, maybe he's right to hurry. She's definitely reached the point of being a bit delirious. The fact that she also happens to be going into mint-al withdrawal probably isn't helping either, though Fleetwing probably doesn't know that.

[Benson]

Tenpony Tower

Gwendolyn followed them into the penthouse/suite whatever it was again and observed the scenario before. She nodded confidently seeing Down seemingly looking fine here. She did however crinkle her brows for a second as her ear holes caught Foresight's words. However, she remained quiet and waited for the scene to unfold before going for taking action.
======


Manehatten - Scav Post

Poor Fox Trot. He's going to be waiting for somepony that's not coming back. Also he was sort of robbed a little bit. Life lessons abound... unless he forgets what happens in a drunken stupor.

After a long while of waiting and doing his drunken best at laying on the bed all 'come hither-like' he eventually got bored and angry and impatient. He wobbled off the bed and towards the door, hitting his fore right knee on the cheap nightstand. "Fu---ow...damnit...What the hell...is that mare taking a giant crap or something?..." He said angrily to himself as he wobbled towards the door and briefly used the door to support himself until he stepped outside. "Ugh...what was her name again anyway?..." He groaned as he red shot eyed and drunkenly made his way down to where the scav post party was in session, if it still was.

"Fuuuuuuuuu.....damn stairs..." He complained as he tried to climb down the stairs, only to fall his way down to the bottom.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Approaching the Shack]

Fleetwing lets out a yelp of surprise, ears pricking straight up as he feels half-rotted limbs snuggle and and wrap themselves in his wings. "S-Swift?" His voice strains with the effort to keep calm. "I ain't Q-Quilly. I'm Fleetwing, r-remember?"

He decides to pick up the pace yet again, taking them to just below a gallop. By some lucky chance, the ghoul's wing-cuddling keeps her nice and secure on his back. By some unlucky chance, the ghoul's wing-cuddling keeps Fleetwing nice and distracted. The steady trot back to the shack had become a race; would the pegasus be able to reach the shack before her delirious affections sent him tripping flank over teakettle?

Only time would tell....

[Swift-O-Vision]

Swift might notice "Quilly's" wings were trembling, and the movement of the pegasi - in her pain-addled mind - might resemble a gentle rocking motion.

[Rebonack]

[Ghoul Party]

"Ah... no. N-not alive. Not technically," Island stammers back. "I'm a ghoul now. Sort of. I'm traveling with some ghoul friends toward Manehattan right now," Island says, her voice soft and thick with emotion. "Fizz says hello."

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad]

Down.

On couch.

With a bloody blanket.

Foresight.

With radio.

Saying Island is alive.

Corn waving a hoof at the now derped out changeling. Swiss is trying to resolve how to react to everything happening at once.

And Foresight? Foresight is talking. "Ghoul or not, you're still in the game! It looks like Swiss' brain has frozen over from the news. In about fifteen seconds she's going to flip out and start yanking on my hoof to get at the radio. And tell your new pal Fizz I'm glad she's been keeping my friend company."

[Earl of Purple]

Electro's Wanderings

Electro is currently trotting along quite quickly, keeping an eye on his EFS to ensure there's no threats around. If anything pops up, he'll dash to the nearest piece of cover and start creeping, but for now he's going for speed over stealth, at least until he can actually see the ruined city.

[MCerberus]

Ghoul Party

Mach meanwhile is close to getting the truck into 'should' territory for working. Once again, sparkle batteries mean that if it gets too banged up, it may inexplicably explode but, whatever.

The ghoul doesn't seem to notice or mind the conversation.

Manehatten - Scav Post

Fox would find that the party seems to have died down. Caps have been spent, food eaten, booze... well Fox doesn't need to be told about the booze. In any case, he wouldn't find any sign of his new fillyfriend.

And he may do well to avoid Ladle. The stallion seems the type to have a million cures for drunk, 99% of them involve throwing up because it didn't work and WHAT DID I JUST EAT.

Manehatten - Through the looking-cannon

Ink Jet blinks after being brought through portals of craziness. He seems alright, but is sporting a bright red confetti mohawk.

[Benson]

Manehatten - Scav Post


Fox Trot laid there at the foot of the stairs, twitching and all around hurting. Miraculously he didn't break his neck or anything else, except what remained of his dignity. His body hurt but he couldn't feel the severity of it, too much booze in his system impairing his nerves.

"Ugh...who..put those...stairs...there?...Someone....halp......ow ow....." He uttered as he tried to get up.

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad]

Down looks up at everyone that just came in, and gives a lackadaisical wave, coupled together with a red-tinged grin.

Probably strawberry coloring rather than blood.
Probably.

Not much else.


'Jack' meanwhile, while quiet, has not gone anywhere!
Instead, he's probably lurking somewhere between Gwen's legs, the sneaky little bastard that he is.
"Well this is exciting."

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad

Lucky is very confused. And also concerned. And slightly nervous. He gives Down a sheepish smile and a weak wave. "Uh, hey Down. How are you, uh, feelin' right now?" A stupid question when you consider she practically exploded earlier and now may be the vessel of an unspeakable evil, but hey, at least he's trying to make polite conversation.



---
Tenpony Tower - Sellsword's Place

Sergeant Sprinkles looks around for a moment, before scratching his chassis in a thoughtful gesture. "Uh, Miss Surprise? We forgot Fox Trot."

Sellsword looks up from his magazine and frowns. "That's a robot."

Sprinkles wave. "Sergeant Amadeus Sprinkles of the Ministry of Morale, at your service."

Sellsword stares for a moment, before returning to his magazine. "Okay then." He's smart enough to know not to question it.



---
Ghoul Party

Fizz helps Mach with the humvee. Between the two of them, they're soon able to play musical parts with the pieces from various vehicles, and eventually manage to get one engine running. A few quick repair spells from Fizz fix up the tires too.

The ghouls are now mobile, or at least they decide who the driver will be.

See that grin Fizz has? That really big, literally glowing grin? She clearly wants to be the driver.



---
Outside the Shack

Well. That's interesting. Fleetwing seems to be rather popular with the mares these days. And how nice of him, to use his newfound strength to help out a damsel in distress...


The voice is back. "Wow. Yer stronger than Ah thought. That or she's just really light. And yer also better with mares than Ah thought, too. Ah mean damn, even dead gals are takin' an interest in ya! Hah!" She sounds amused.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Approaching the Shack]

Vision? What vision? Swift's eyes are totally closed by now, swimming in memories fleetingly affected by the world around her.

Luckily for Fleet, though, he gets a small mercy here: She seems to be rocking to sleep rather than going any further with those *AHEM* affections. She seems...oddly content with her current state of affairs, actually. If anything, it might be a bit tough to pry her off later on.

"...I missed you..."

Having slipped even deeper into dreams, there's another noticeable change that Fleet might or might not actually pick up on; her slight Appleoosan drawl is gone, replaced by, of all things, a subtle Roaman accent. Not that he necessarily knows what a Roaman accent sounds like, but it's definitely different.

[PurityIcekiller]

[Near The Shack]

Violetta eventually spotted the others approaching. As soon as she figured out what was going on, she shook her head. "Not again...

"Gleamy, it looks like we've got more to worry about than just burnt hooves." She stepped forward to get a closer look. "Do I want to know what happened to you guys, or should we just get to work on healing or gravedigging?"

[TheAmishPirate]

[Near the Shack]

Fleetwing squints his eyes, focusing them dead ahead as a hot sweat broke across his brow.

Not helping not helping not helping!

...and she ain't interested! She's just all loopy and delirious and don't know what's going on and she called me Quilly! M'name's not Quilly! W-we just gotta get her some medical aid, get some Med-X in her, and then...and then she'll forget this...won't happen again-

If Applejack can see his thoughts, she'd be treated to a brief mental image of Swift lying on a bed, long flowing hair being blown in an imaginary breeze, a flower clutched between her teeth, and an enticing come-hither stare.

This image lasts all of a fraction of a second before it is stomped out with a vengeance.

Gah!!! Cut that out! The pegasi mentally glares at the mare. That's not I'm not We're not Improper! Not possible! I-I haven't even courted her right yet! Don't want to! Crazy! Long day just stress don't worry get her back get her off get it over with...

Thankfully, Fleetwing is able to make it back to the shack without further incident. His ears do detect a rather odd accent from Swift, though whether it's more delirium or something else is anypony's guess. Still, the pegasus frowns at her words and holds his wings strong and steady. "Hang in there, Swift; almost there..." he reassures her as they approach.

And look! Vi and Gleamy are there to meet them! Thankfully, the hat does a good job of hiding his tense, pricked-up ears, and he can only hope they don't notice the hint of red adorning his cheeks. "Swift got hurt...fightin' that Hellhound...at the gas station..." He pants as he scrambles to a stop. "Ribs got all messed up...still breathin' though."

He would make for the door, intending to let her off on one of the couches, a mattress, or something relatively soft while they performed first aid.

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post

What to do what to do. All the ponies that would make fun of Fox's clumsiness are downstairs where he's going... but they may or may not know what's going on. Hey, the stallion has lots of potions right? If he's able to see straight that should clear up his little accident right away.

Maybe the imaginary mare that lives in his head isn't drunk. She might be able to read labels?

Well since he didn't break anything, Fox may just be able to rely on the general elasticity of pony anatomy to repair itself. Things sure have gotten lonely since he had too much Applejack Daniel's.

Ghoul Party

Mach has the look of an impending facehoof for a moment before deciding it would just be best to let Fizz try. It not being decades and decades ago, one pony's idea on driving has got to be as good as another.

"Well if the engine starts going we'll have to see if it explodes. The, uh, radiation should heal us if it does."

[Mystic Muse]

[Near The Shack]

Violetta eventually spotted the others approaching. As soon as she figured out what was going on, she shook her head. "Not again...

"Gleamy, it looks like we've got more to worry about than just burnt hooves." She stepped forward to get a closer look. "Do I want to know what happened to you guys, or should we just get to work on healing or gravedigging?"

"Heal her, and I can boost the effects. I'm not good at healing yet, and I can't boost myself but...it might do something anyway." Gleamy clearly looks extremely worried for her friend.

[Benson]

Manehatten - Scav Post

What to do what to do. All the ponies that would make fun of Fox's clumsiness are downstairs where he's going... but they may or may not know what's going on. Hey, the stallion has lots of potions right? If he's able to see straight that should clear up his little accident right away.

Maybe the imaginary mare that lives in his head isn't drunk. She might be able to read labels?

Well since he didn't break anything, Fox may just be able to rely on the general elasticity of pony anatomy to repair itself. Things sure have gotten lonely since he had too much Applejack Daniel's.


His potions are not with him right now, he is impaired. However, the mocha stallion found his inner strength, or rather he was being stubborn and forced himself up as he used a wall for support.

"Stomper...! You out here....!...? Better be getting some more booze to have taken this long.." He shouted aloud.

[MCerberus]

Manehatten - Scav Post

With luck, eventually a random pony at the scav post comes across the lamenting, drunk, lonely Fox Trot. Not saying anything about the obvious reduction in capabilities the earth pony just says, "Didn't she leave already?"

[Benson]

Manehatten - Scav Post

With luck, eventually a random pony at the scav post comes across the lamenting, drunk, lonely Fox Trot. Not saying anything about the obvious reduction in capabilities the earth pony just says, "Didn't she leave already?"


"What?...Leave?....Like...leave 'leave'?.............Urgh...that bit--" He growled and whacked the wall hard with drunky strength, as if the Scav Post already wasn't falling apart. He nickered and did his best to collect himself which wasn't much. For some reason being on the receiving end for once of such a burn like that didn't feel good. It made his tummy feel twisty or that could have just been the booze. He breathed hard and angrily. "Well f^^; her....she's the one missing out...hmmph." And this was his reaction without the knowledge that she robbed him.

[Luka]

[Raider Nest]

The use of the phrase "to lock on" seems quite valuable here, because the door is "locked". It's a fully electronic door without a mechanical lock, so standard lockpicks aren't going to be viable, either. Ray or Blaster will have to make use of the keypad if they want to get into the Overmare's Office, maybe even rewire it.

...Or they could just blow the door open. They do have rockets.

Ray blows it open while Blaster revs up miniguns

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Scav Outpost]

"Alright.........."
She says with another sight of annoyance, waiting is not a codex-following action.

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad]

It takes Swiss a little while to gather her wits.

Make sure that Down isn't a monster first.

Check in on her apparently not-dead best friend second.

"Uuh. Lucky. The ring. You need to try out the ring so we can be sure," Swiss whispers to the pegasus.

Hopefully Down doesn't sprout a whole bunch of tentacles in the near future...

Foresight continues her chat with Island! Seems they're both filling each other in on the details the other party missed out on.

[Tenpony Tower - Swordy's Pad]

"Yep!" Surprise chips. "It's always best to be early to set up a surprise party so that it'll be a proper surprise!"

Duh!

Everypony knows that.

When Sprinkles pipes up Surprise frowns a little. "Foxy got kicked out of here, remember? He can't come back unless somepony clears his name for him!"

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad]

"Wonder how long she's been in here with them?"
'Jack' muses to himself a little, quietly.
Although his version of 'quietly' is likely lacking by others' standards...


"Pretty...good?"
Over at the couch, Down seems to be dully perplexed.
"What's going on?"

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Top Floor

Lucky turns to Swiss and smiles cheerfully. "Monster or not, please TK throw me if she tries to kill me."

He then trots over to the sofa, still wearing a cheerful smile. "Eh, bit of a crazy day. Found something weird, though. Strange tech or something. Wanna take a look?" he asks, before moving to sit down on the sofa with a few respectful (and safe) feet between them. He then fishes the small bag of strange rings from his vest, and pulls one out. "Check it out."

He then holds it over for Down to touch. "Feels weird, too. Way lighter than it should be. Ever seen anything like it?" he casually asks, wiggling the starmetal ring.



---
Ghoul Party - Movin' On

Barring any complaints from Island, Soda Fizz will crank up the humvee, put on some sunglasses she mysteriously found, and then hit the gas.

And thus the humvee takes off towards Manehatten, with plenty of opportunity ahead of it, and a swarm of feral ghouls left standing around behind it in confusion.



---
Shipping Shack

Fleetwing and his ghouly lover arrive back at the shack, where Violetta and Gleamy wait to help out. Broken ribs are no joke, and normally Violetta may not be capable of that level of advanced wound treatment. But Gleamy's ability to improve and modify others' skills will give Violetta a major edge here...

Meanwhile, Fleetwing has a problem or two of his own.


"Huh. Her accent sounds like-"

And then the mental image of Swift flickers through Fleetwing's mind. A split second later, Applejack cackles inside the pegasus' head. "Did you really just- hah! That image! Like somethin' out of one of Rarity's trashy romance novels! Heh heh, oh Ah'm sure you don't wanna court her. Right, uh huh. Yer just interested in other activities with the gal, heh heh."

Congratulations, Fleetwing. You have amused the ghost in your head, and given her endless ammunition to torment you with.

[BladeofObliviom]

[No Longer Abandoned Shack]

Swift is dumped on the nearest soft surface!

"Not tonight Quillfeather, I've got a chestache..."

Oh. It seems that "Quilly" was probably a lover then. Or maybe a masseuse. Who knows?


[Raider Nest]

The rocket explodes, tearing the door apart! Presumably they used the damaged one, because keeping their good one for use in the actual launcher makes sense. Scrambling through the wreckage, the pair find...

...a stairwell, circling around and upward to the actual Overmare's Office. Which is also locked by way of Keypad. There isn't enough room to fire a rocket here without risking their own lives, so they might actually have to pry it open and rewire it.

[PurityIcekiller]

[Shrieking Shack]

Violetta sighed. "And she didn't tell us... Well, it's a good thing you're all right and she's still alive. I don't want you getting in trouble, and corpses are rather hard to give telling-offs to."

She concentrated on her magic, trying to heal at least some of Swift's injuries. "This had better work. I'm just about out of essence here, and there's nothing I can do then.

[Mystic Muse]

Gleamy did her best to boost Violetta's abilities. Whether it worked or not was largely up to the kindness of our dear GM.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Abandoned Shack]

Fleetwing steps back, setting aside Swift's guns and pack. "We've got a few rolls of healin' bandages left. One of those should fix up whatever you can't-"

And then, right as Swift mumbles something about declining certain...'activities', Fleetwing falls silent. Beneath his black Stetson, his ears stand on point and his cheeks flush red. His face is a mixture of shock, indignation, and utter bafflement. "Sh-shut up! It ain't like that!" he shouts into the thin air.

Whoops. Looks like he didn't quite run out all the crazy.

[Lycan 01]

Shack Surgery

Swift's ribs crack and pop, working themselves back into place as Violetta channels healing energy in the ghoul. Bolstered by Gleamy's influence, the unicorn is able to properly reset and knit the bones, and heal much of the bruising and internal trauma around them. The ghoul's side will still be sore as hell, and the ribs are still weak, but she just underwent weeks' worth of healing and recovery in a matter of (somewhat painful) seconds.

Both Violetta and Swift will be left rather tired and drained by the experience, but at least the job is done...

[Mystic Muse]

"D-did work any better?" The fearful alicorn asks. These ponies are her friends, and she wants them to be well. She also wants to feel useful to this little group. Maybe if she learns the heart attack spell, or learns to be creative with force fields.

(I figure Lycan's post means it's free game to respond again. If y'all would prefer I didn't do that in the future, just say so. :smallsmile: )

[Benson]

Tenpony Tower

Gwyndolyn just hung around in the corner, observing, you should expect this stuff about right now when she's among a fairly big group of others. Skip her turn.

[MCerberus]

Ghoul Party

"Supposed to be griffins didn't use magic for their vehicles," Mach comments as the car gets underway. What brought it to his mind was the potential for the truck to be trailing radiation. Those with a pulse won't like that.

"They, uh used naphtha or something like it. Weird right?"

Manehatten - Scav Post

Wow, there's an awkward silence on the roof. It doesn't seem like either of the mares are really wanting to make another comment on the subject. It should be noted that taking unnecessary risks with ponsonelle and equipment is frowned upon, but so is inaction.

Downstairs the helpful pony gets an earful as Fox Trot begins punching some centuries old concrete. Still concrete though, but at least he isn't head-walling. The pony walks away muttering something about mean drunks.

Manehatten - Tenpony Tower

Being a minion, Ink Jet seems to have conveniently disappeared while more important characters get to talking. Or he's trying to undo the confetti mohawk.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Abandoned Shack]

Swift doesn't awake throughout the process, though some groans and grunts of actual pain worm their way through the barriers of dream and reality. She looks remarkably relaxed by the time the operation is finished, though, and drops into a yet deeper sleep.

She's not going to be doing much of anything for a while.

(Feel free to skip Swift until further notice or until someone starts interacting with her/her stuff.)

[PurityIcekiller]

[I Take It Everyone's Running Out Of "Shack" Puns]

"Uh, Fleety? Did I do something wrong?" Violetta asked with a rather confused look. "I mean, she's not conscious, but I think she's dying a little less. Why are you screaming at me?"

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower]

Surprise and co get to work on setting up the party! Once again a high-energy montage will be employed to finish the work quickly and with a fun musical number! No doubt the scene will be absurdly confusing for anyone watching.

Meanwhile!

Back in Moondancer's apartment Swiss gives a little nod to let Lucky know she's standing by. Just in case Down sprouts a horrible array of tentacles.

Corn seems to have realized that something is up and is casting a sidelong glance at the recently operated-on pegasus. She sure doesn't look like a skinwalker. But that's the problem with them. You never know when they might split open into a bag of teeth.

[Ghoul Roadtrip!]

Island is appraised of what has gone down off in Manehattan and allows Foresight to focus on the potential impending doom she and the rest of the team are dealing with at the moment. The smooze pony opens her mouth to ask where Fizz got the shades, but quickly thinks better of it. The odd unicorn has already shown some... unusual abilities.

Instead she just smiles pleasantly.

"I'm so happy you got the jeep working, Fizz. I'm sure my friends will be glad to meet you."

[TheAmishPirate]

[Shack, Now With 50% Less Puns!]

Fleetwing blinks in surprise at Vi's rebuke, his jaw working furiously to pull out an explanation. "Wha? Huh? No! No. Not at all. No! See, I weren't yelllin' at you, I was yellin'...next t'you?"

Perhaps he could have thought of something else if his mind weren't elsewhere...
I...you...quit it with the courtin' and ladies and mares a-and all that! You're makin' me look like a plum fool!

[Lycan 01]

The Luv Shack

Fleetwing is totally smooth in his defense of his madness. Okay, not really.


"Ah ain't done nothin' to ya, fella. Ah'm just a haunted statue, recall? Yer the one who keeps drawin' attention to yerself, for better or worse. Heh heh," Applejack says with an amused chuckle.

And then, just when it seems things have finally settled down, aside from Fleetwing and Violetta's little misunderstanding...

...there's a knock at the door. Not a pounding knock or a small tap, but a series of knocks in the pattern of the old "shave and a haircut, two bits" jingle.

Knock knock-knock-knock-knock... knock knock!

Well. That's random. And oddly friendly sounding...


(Tag: Whoever wants to open the door.)

[TheAmishPirate]

[The Now Less-Abandonded Shack]

Fleetwing perks up almost instantly. Oh thank Luna, a distraction!

...oh Luna! A distraction!

And just as quickly, he's back on alert. Before either Gleamy or Violetta can say anything, he holds a hoof to his lips and motions for silence. He points out strategic hiding places for the both of them; a much more covered spot for Violetta, nearly into another room, and a partially-covered spot for Gleamy where she can get at whoever's at the door. With Swift partially covered by the couch, all should be well there.

[Untrained Sneak] With careful, measured, quiet steps, he approaches the door in an effort to not give away his position too easily. The Kneecapper hangs ready and easy at his side, and the Peashooter is kept close to mouth. He unfurls a wing and slides the door open with the tip of it, purposefully hanging behind the door in case a load of lead is there to greet him. Provided that doesn't happen, he peers cautiously around the door, making quite sure that his gun is visible. "Who goes there?" he calls out, doing his best to sound strong, tough, and like a pony worthy of wearing such a badflank hat.

It goes without saying that his nerves are on a hair trigger, and any funny business will result in him dodging away like a madpony.

[Lycan 01]

Road to Manehatten

Electro makes his way East, making good pace as he travels along the ancient roads. However, something soon grabs his attention.

A vehicle. A moving vehicle. Coming from behind him, from the West.

It's an old military humvee!

If Electro scurries off to find a place to hide, the humvee will slow to a halt and just sit idle, as if waiting for him to come out.

If Electro doesn't immediately run and hide, or if he comes out of his hiding place, somepony will stick their head out of the driver's side window.

That somepony is a glowing ghoul, her black fur and red mane left mottled and patchy by the radiation that wracks her body, while an eerie blue light shines from within her flesh. She's wearing a pair of sunglasses, and is smacking on some chewing gum. "Hey there stranger!" Soda Fizz cheerfully calls out to Electro. "Where you headed?"

Electro may notice another ghoul and somepony in a haz-mat suit in the humvee, as well.

[Earl of Purple]

Road to Manehattan

Electro won't hide- if they have a vehicle, they aren't crazy raiders. Or so he hopes. He'll keep his pistol and his lightning caster ready, just in case. "Um, Manehattan-ish. How about you?" He does nervously take a step back from the ghoul- he'd heard tales of them, but never encountered one and they look slightly creepier than he'd expected.

Electro is a unicorn pony with an orangey-red coat with a two-tone blue and navy mane. He's wearing a suit of steel barding designed for a pegasus- one of the ghouls might recognise it as previously belonging to one of Princess Luna's guards. On his left forehoof is a very shiny PipBuck, although it's splattered slightly with mud. Slung over his back are a pair of mismatched saddlebags- one is well-maintained, with a clasp fashioned as three interlocking gears, whilst the other is dirtier and stained. Wedged between the dirty saddlebag and his barding is a .22 rifle. Wrapped around his right hoof is a simple hoof-made holster made of cloth strips; his lightning caster is returned there so he can talk.

[Benson]

Manehatten - Scav Post
Downstairs the helpful pony gets an earful as Fox Trot begins punching some centuries old concrete. Still concrete though, but at least he isn't head-walling. The pony walks away muttering something about mean drunks.


At least he hasn't thrown up yet, that would kill all chance of another hook up if he went that route, and for him that was high on his list of priorities.

"Hey...!...Don't walk away...I ain't done talking to you...!" He lamely reached for the other stallion but did not calculate distance with his impaired self and nearly lost his footing.

"If you see that mare again...tell her....I said...I had better...tell her..she was bottom five out my hundr-..no...two hundreds...yea,...that's right...hahah...hah..heh...mmmm."

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad]

Down has upgraded to Level 2 Confusion: Beholding Lucky Hesitantly!
Maybe he's gone a little crazy?

She looks down at the food she was just eating, then the rather mess amount of strawberry bloodjuice on her hooves.
Then back up at Lucky.
"C'n I feel it later?"

She'll get it all sticky and gross.


Meanwhile!
Gwen tries to sulk away in a corner.

A voice from slightly to her left seems to object.
"So, whatcha dooooooin'?"
'Jack' appears to have followed her.


[The Shack of Many Names]

As Fleetwing opens the door, he rather expertly fails to die or be horribly maimed.
Actually, nothing terrible happens at all!


Upon actually looking out the door...

They seem to have gone through a meat-grinder, healed it off, gone through it again, and then healed most of it off.
The stallion's coat probably used to be green, if you ignore the stains from both mostly-gone wounds and what seems oddly like tree sap. Bits of tattered rag hang from his shoulders, loosely looped remnants of an old uniform, held in place by a pair of black metal boots on his forehooves.

Somewhere behind him is a mass of twitching blankets?
At least until he rather sharply bucks it, which does a good job of stopping the twitching.


Completely ignoring all of this, he waves a wing at Fleet through the door and gives a merry grin, while his other wing flicks a twig out of a messy red mane.
"Hey! Mind if I crash with you guys for a bit?"

[Benson]

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Pad]
Meanwhile!
Gwen tries to sulk away in a corner.

A voice from slightly to her left seems to object.
"So, whatcha dooooooin'?"
'Jack' appears to have followed her.


I wouldn't say sulk as it is not the case. Anyways!

Gwendolyn grimaced in mild annoyance for a second and then just as quickly resumed a stoic expression.

"Nothing." She said bluntly.

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Moondancer's Place

Lucky waves a dismissive hoof. "Eh, don't worry about it. Metal ain't hard to clean. Funny thing, it actually tastes like strawberries. Well, according to Miss Gwendolyn. She tried to bite it to see what type of metal it was. I've never had a strawberry, so I wouldn't know," he says with an aloof shrug, before raising the strange piece of metal again. "Care to verify?" he casually asks.

Who let this guy come up with the plan, again?



---
Tenpony Tower - Sellsword's Place

Sellsword continues to read his magazine, idly raising an eyebrow. "So Fox Trot really did end up in cahoots with y'all, huh?" he idly asks as he turns a page. "Heard somethin' 'bout that on the radio..."

[PurityIcekiller]

[Caddyshack]

Violetta moved up to the door and surveyed the newcomer carefully. "Who are you, exactly, and what are you doing here? I don't think this is exactly an... Out? No, wait, inn. It's not exactly an inn."

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower]

Baited breath is held while for several pregnant moments as eyes settle on down. Except for Foresight. Foresight just looks vaguely amused.

At last Corn gives a rather hearty laugh. "Metal that tastes like berries? Well I ain't never heard of such a thing! Go on and give it a lick, Miss Down. Tell me if it goes nice with the soup."

He's being friendly and jovial!

There's nothing quite like a friendly and jovial Earth Pony. Their magic has a wonderful tendency to sneak into their laugh and just fill the room around them with sunshine and smiles! Unless they're awful and evil and laughing maliciously, of course. There are lots of ponies like that in the Wasteland.

Thankfully Corn isn't one of them.

Meanwhile!

"Sssh!" Surprise says. "Can't talk or it'll ruin the montage!"

Can't break the magic!

Sadly that broke the magic.

"Aaww... sorry montage, you ended before your time..."

The silliness has ended and the party isn't even half way ready yet! How terrible!

[Mystic Muse]

Gleamy is staying out of the way (Trying to hide, that is) and hoping this scary pony is not allowed in. She didn't like the looks of him.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Shackity Shack]

Peering from the crack in the door, Fleetwing's eyes go wide. "Sun above!" he exclaims before he can catch himself. Still, the surprise is at least well-warranted. Not just from the Tartarus it looks like this pony's been through, but wings! Honest to goodness wings! Sheesh, it must've been years since he clapped eyes on another one of his-

Wait. Pegasi. Black metal boots. Tattered uniform. No brand in sight...

Fleetwing's throat goes dry as a bone as he realizes the danger they were all in. At least the stranger hadn't seen his own wings yet. Now if only everypony could just stay put and let him handle this-


[Caddyshack]

Violetta moved up to the door and surveyed the newcomer carefully. "Who are you, exactly, and what are you doing here? I don't think this is exactly an... Out? No, wait, inn. It's not exactly an inn."

-or they could try their hardest to put themselves in harm's way. Again. That works too.

"Ack, Vi! Stay back!" he frantically hisses at the second pair of eyeballs at the door. He tries to nudge her aside and gestures madly with a wing towards the safe hiding spot from earlier. "*ahem* M-maybe. She's got a point; don't see too many of your type around these parts." Fleetwing shifts back into the role of a tough, no-nonsense Wastelander. "Mind showin' us what's in them blankets over yonder?"

[MCerberus]

Ghoulmobile

Mach takes a short look at the newcomer. That little piece of tech gets ponies noticed and therefore in trouble. On the plus side for Electro, he gets to meet two more pegasi. Those are pretty rare.

Actually that's wrong, they used to be. There is one thing that needs adressing. "Fizz, we're going to have to do something about the radiation if he wants to, uh, tag along."

Manehatten - Scav Post

The stallion continues walking off. He seems to have a deep lack of caring for whatever caused Fox to come to his current situation. "Just bucking sleep it off or something."

[Chaotic Bob]

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Place]

This is evidently some peculiar prank.


Down shuffles half an inch further from Lucky, pausing to stick another strawberry in her mouth.
"...'m good, th'nks."

What the hell is with these ponies?


Meanwhile, by Gwen...
"Yeah I know. Figured I'd give you a chance to think of something more interesting.
But that's okay! I can help ya out there."
'Jack' is so nice.

[That Shack Place]

"Oh good! I was kinda worried for half a sec there. If this was an inn, it'd be pretty crummy, huh?"
The pegasus passes a little wink to Violetta, before pointing his attention back to Fleetwing.

Completely ignoring the 'don't see many of your kind' comment, he gives a sort-of-vaguely thoughtful for a moment or so.
Then just shrugs and takes a half step to the side.
"Yeah sure, if you wanna look, go ahead.
Careful though. Little grumpy about being in time-out."

The lumpy inside the blankets makes no real response to this, still unmoving after that prior buck.

[Benson]

Manehatten - Scav Post

The stallion continues walking off. He seems to have a deep lack of caring for whatever caused Fox to come to his current situation. "Just bucking sleep it off or something."

"Eh....whatever...buck you..." Fox angrishly said as he himself sauntered off and collapsed at the bottom of the stairs.



[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Place]
Meanwhile, by Gwen...
"Yeah I know. Figured I'd give you a chance to think of something more interesting.
But that's okay! I can help ya out there."
'Jack' is so nice.


"Its okay, I'm content here up to nothing." She said flatly choosing not to look at him lest he be encouraged even some more.

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower]

"Oh for the love of Luna!" Swiss says, giving her hoof a stomp. "There was a horrible face-stealing monster in your room with you and we need to make sure it didn't replace you."

The faux-pegasus reaches out with a hoof and touches the ring, resulting in a sizzling sound and a yelp of pain. She continues through gritted teeth and displays her now undisguised leg.

"See? That metal burns shape-changers. Harmless to everypony else. Give it a lick so we know that you're actually you. Because if you keep refusing I'm going to have to assume that you're dead already and that would be bad."

...is Swiss crying?

It totally looks like Swiss is crying. Weeping due to pain both physical and emotional.

"Please. I don't want to lose anymore friends."

[Ghoul Roadtrip!]

Island gives a polite little cough from the back seat. "Well... he could wear my radiation suit if he would like. Anything that comes off me seems to cool really fast, so it should be safe if we just wait for a few minutes."

She doesn't even wait for a reply and begins to disrobe from her loud yellow outfit. The pony underneath is... strange. Her whole body is made of electric blue sludge with oily black pits where her eyes, nose, and mouth should be. Faint trickles of inky slime discolor the otherwise bright goop around them. Her mane and tail look like little more than thick, stringy strands of matted ooze. A cutie mark of a single white cloud is clearly visible on her flank despite her state.

She offers a kind smile to the living unicorn.

"I'm Island in the Sky. These are my friends Mach and Soda Fizz. Who are you?"

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Moondancer's Place

Lucky awkwardly looks back and forth between Down and Swiss. "Uh, yeah, that. I was trying to be subtle, so you wouldn't freak out. Or try to eat me, if you're actually a Skinwalker thing. So, uh, yeah. We kinda need to do a blood or saliva test," the pegasus explains with an uncomfortable smile.


---
Tenpony Tower - Sellsword's Place

"Sorry," Sellsword idly remarks, continuing to read. "Still didn't answer my question 'bout Fox Trot."



---
Ghoul Party + Electro

Soda Fizz smiles sheepishly. "Oh yeah, uh, don't get too close to me. I'm kinda... uh... hazardous."

[Earl of Purple]

Ghoul Party & Electro

"Generator Technician Second Class Electro Bolt, formerly of Stable One Hundred Eleven. Not that most of that matters any more. Pleased to meet you. Could I ask some questions about your vehicle, or would you prefer to keep the secrets of how it's working secret?" He's mostly interested in how it's powered, and how easy it would be in getting one working.

[Luka]

Manehatten - Scav Post

Wow, there's an awkward silence on the roof. It doesn't seem like either of the mares are really wanting to make another comment on the subject. It should be noted that taking unnecessary risks with ponsonelle and equipment is frowned upon, but so is inaction.

Actually, Burnshine woul more likely be calculating, inaction would be midway unsupported by the codex, less and more unsupported than some actions, but still unsupported so that means pretty bad for her anyways, and acting now and going to the complex would raise the risks, but they could possibly find nice technology. Also, not going would preserve the tech they have but they would be inactive, and going could posibly mean they would get more tech for preservation but also could risk the tech they would be already carrying with them.
"a hint on what's inside?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------

[Raider nest]

Ray would take point and start trying to pry it open, Blaster would stay on a side helping a bit, careful in case Bladeweaver receives them from behind with a ripper or a lot of daggers.

[PurityIcekiller]

"Ack, Vi! Stay back!" he frantically hisses at the second pair of eyeballs at the door. He tries to nudge her aside and gestures madly with a wing towards the safe hiding spot from earlier...

Violetta simply shook her head. What with his recent strange behaviour, she wanted to be able to back him up if needed.


"Oh good! I was kinda worried for half a sec there. If this was an inn, it'd be pretty crummy, huh?"
The pegasus passes a little wink to Violetta, before pointing his attention back to Fleetwing.

Completely ignoring the 'don't see many of your kind' comment, he gives a sort-of-vaguely thoughtful for a moment or so.
Then just shrugs and takes a half step to the side.
"Yeah sure, if you wanna look, go ahead.
Careful though. Little grumpy about being in time-out."

The lumpy inside the blankets makes no real response to this, still unmoving after that prior buck.

Violetta twitched her ears. It seemed she was rather irritated at the important part of what she said being ignored. "Excuse me? I asked you a question. Who are you and what are you doing here?"

[BladeofObliviom]

[Raider Nest]

Prying open the keypad is easy. Really easy, actually. The seal's already been broken. Actually opening the door by rearranging the fiendishly complex mess of wires inside, on the other hand, could be a problem.

ESPECIALLY because somepony, probably an unusually intelligent raider, thought that it would be funny to wire (into the wall itself, no less) what looks like several pounds of C-4, three plasma grenades that are rigged to go off if they're disturbed, and a single pulse grenade that could potentially fry the entire hallway's circuitry if accidentally detonated.

This is something only an expert on both explosives and electronics should attempt to deal with, since having a deficit of skill and knowledge in either area could result in certain death. In fact, without easy access to a set of EOD tools (which I highly doubt either of them are carrying on a routine raider cleanup mission) it might even be nearly impossible.

It's a big risk, since failure is certain death regardless of Power Armor.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Abandoned Shack]

Fleetwing winces and...well, there is no real gesture for "tone it down a little!", now is there? He certainly tries, gently patting her shoulder and motioning for calm. "I reckon she's got a point; blanket-lookin' can wait 'till introductions are done."

Even without the boots, something about this stranger makes Fleetwing's very flesh crawl with nerves. The smile, the joking, the boots, the uniform, the wounds, the mysterious bundle of blankets that he wants them to open up, so many things here scream "WRONG" to the flighty pegasus. No false moves here, just take it nice and cautious now...

[Chaotic Bob]

[Abandoned Shack]

Now now, this pegasus didn't want them to open up the blanket.
Fleetwing wanted them to open up the blanket.

He was just being accommodating.
Unlike...

The stallion seems faintly alarmed by Violetta's little outburst, patting down the air with one wing.
"Whoa, okay okay. Entitlement complex much? Not attractive. Simmer down, miss.
Ahem. I! Am here looking for a place to crash."
Pretty upfront about that earlier.
"Name's Pilot!"

He smiles and starts to extend a booted-hoof, before noticing the mud and blood smeared along the bottom of it.
For the sake of everyone involved, it's hastily put back down.

No one wants to shake that.

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Place]

Alright. Swiss is completely freaking out.
This is definitely poking at something in Down's mind, enough so to make her start to feel genuinely nervous.

"S'okay! S'okay...'m not a..."
A what was it again?
"...monster thingy."
That sounds right.


She wobbles up from the couch, fully prepared to meander over to Swiss and give her a comforting hug.
Changelings like hugs, right?


((...third time's the charm on not forgetting my copy/pasta,))

'Jack' peers up at Gwen with a...well. He can't actually do expressions.
So he just sort of flops his face to look up at her.
"That sounds really boring. Reeeeeeeally boring.
Shouldn't you be over there, making sure Derpy over there doesn't get his face eaten?"

[Rebonack]

[Tenpony Tower]

"Don't touch me!" Swiss hisses as she lights up her horn with livid gree-

Oh, wait. No she doesn't.

The magic sputters and dies due to the recent Star Metal exposure.

Whoops!

For that matter her whole disguise is failing in quick order.

"Calm your bucking tits, Swiss. I'm getting nothing here," Foresight speaks up from her place at the table. She has returned cleaning her beam shotgun. "Settle down, do your test, and stop screeching like a Celestia-damned radroach."

The changeling glances between Down and Foresight uncertainly, but otherwise doesn't try to avoid the hug. Getting magic-drained probably isn't healthy for an already woozy pegasus.

Meanwhile!

"Yep! He sure is!" Surprise replies as she busies herself with hanging streamers. "He was one of the nice ponies who woke me up over at the MoM hub! It was really super great of him to do otherwise I would still be stuck in a little box controlling the crazy computer!"

[Lycan 01]

Tenpony Tower - Moondancer's Place

Lucky is a bit startled when Down begins to advance on Swiss, but then Foresight says not to worry about it, and Swiss just stands there doing nothing.

Lucky is now very confused.

"Um, what?" he asks, audible confounded. "How can you tell? Am I missing something here?"


---
Tenpony Tower - Sellsword's Place

Sellsword just turns another page. "I see. MoM Hub, you say? What on earth made him wanna go there?" he asks, his tone barely above disinterest.



---
Ghoul Party + Electro

Oh jeez now you've done it.

Fizz practically leans entirely out the window, grinning from ear to ear at Electro. "Ooooo, I know! I know! I can tell you all about it!" she gleefully observes.

Somebody stop her. Once she starts talking about the humvee, she won't stop.

[TheAmishPirate]

[Abandoned Shack]

Fleetwing certainly doesn't want to shake that. Though that may more have to do with keeping the door nice and mostly-closed. The sentiment is still appreciated.

And it is here, in that little moment of gratitude, that Fleety makes his first mistake; he gets a smidgen too comfortable. After all, he thinks, what harm could their be in sharing a name with a stranger? "M'name's Fleetwing. N-nice to meet you." Of course, with a name like that, hiding your race behind a door seems rather superfluous. Oops!

Heedless of his blunder, he continues on. "You look like you've seen a fair bit of trouble, Pilot. Mind tellin' us what you ran afoul of?" And whether or not it's still after you? Fleetwing casts another glance at those blankets. Does the lump look pony-sized? Are there bloodstains? Anything poking out; like a wing, or maybe the barrel of a gun? Whatever it is, it must be something awful important for this pony to drag across the Wastes, seemingly weaponless and half-dead.

[Benson]

[Tenpony Tower - Moony's Place]
'Jack' peers up at Gwen with a...well. He can't actually do expressions.
So he just sort of flops his face to look up at her.
"That sounds really boring. Reeeeeeeally boring.
Shouldn't you be over there, making sure Derpy over there doesn't get his face eaten?"

"I am good where I am for such a thing, now leave me be," She said.

[MCerberus]

Ghoul PARTAAAAAAY

Well it seems like the mares have some sort of solution to the 'not making another ghoul' problem. Fizz seems rather excited about explaining the truck. Mach, though, has a probably less interesting way to explain it.

"We took parts from several other broken ones. It's a, uh, patch job but it runs."

Manehatten - Scav Post

"Like I said, going in blind. Don't know exactly what's in there. Likely secrety secret stuff. Not a lot of symbols around the door to say who was really running the place. Might not have been a single ministry either." Welp, that's a recap from Scoops up on the roof.

Meanwhile, Fox Trot has collapsed into his own drunken rage. Good for him.