[FO:E] The Southern Wasteland of Equestria 2

[Luka]

Fillydelphia - Hallway

Perry frowns. "I heard most of the slaves got killed by some sort of magic-"

"I don't think that's gonna help here, Perry," Greta deadpans. The then turns her attention back to the colt. She rubs him on the shoulder consolingly, trying to offer him some comfort. "Don't be so hard on yourself. You're a kid. There were adults in that group, right? They were the ones in charge. They were the ones who should have done all the planning and realization and stuff. Don't beat yourself up over something you had no control over. You just gotta keep on flyin'."

"But anyhoo-" she ruffles his mane with her talons, and flashes a grin, "Let's move on to something cheerier, and get you into better spirits. Got any questions about the Wasteland, maybe? Places to go, cultures to learn about, monsters to kill?" Greta cheerfully asks.

"There just were 2 adults, and one of them was the traitor"
He would respond after she says that

"I don't know, all I know I need to ask is "Where's dad", but not much else"
He would say when she ruffles his mane
---------------------------------------------------------------

Ravine Shootout

The shotgun unicorn suddenly jumps out from behind the boulder. However, he doesn't shoot or attack. Instead, he's running.

Away. Looks like he's heading towards the next turn in the ravine, galloping along the railroad tracks.

And he's got a magical energy shield up behind him, to cover him from incoming fire.

Clever...

When the other one runs away from the field, the gryphon would float up onto the catwalk, looking for the rifle mare that he seems to have got earlier

[Lycan 01]

Fillydelphia - Hallway

Actually there were four adults and two foals, plus the traitor, but details details...

"Well," Greta smiles, giving his mane another playful, supportive ruffle, "Sounds like you've got the answer to that question, and getting there ain't too hard. It's a couple of days' trot to Tenpony, though a lot faster if you fly. I wouldn't suggest going alone, though. You'll need a bodyguard or two, just in case you run into raiders or slavers or alicorns or something." She then quickly adds: "And I mean slavers not aligned with Red Eye. There's a few independent groups - and they're nowhere near as well-regulated or controlled as Red Eye's slavers," she says with a scowl.

She then brings a smile back to her face, trying to veer the conversation back to nicer territory. "But like I said, now you know how to get there, and soon you've be able to get back together with your dead ol' dad. That's something to be happy about, right?"



---

Ravine

As the griffon flies towards the catwalk, a rifle levitates up over the corrugated iron shielding. "Surprise!"

Seems the mare managed to survive her initial injuries, and is watching him through some small gaps and slats in the sheet-metal.

The crack of the rifle's report echoes through the ravine, as she tries to blast the airborne griffon mid-flight. The bolt of the rifle works with rapid speed, glowing with magic as the mare works the slide as fast possible.

~blam, click-clack, blam, click-clack, black, click-clack~

The griffon, whether he stays airborne or runs for cover, will find himself dealing with a hail of well-aimed .32 rounds heading his way...

[Luka]

Fillydelphia - Hallway

Actually there were four adults and two foals, plus the traitor, but details details...

"Well," Greta smiles, giving his mane another playful, supportive ruffle, "Sounds like you've got the answer to that question, and getting there ain't too hard. It's a couple of days' trot to Tenpony, though a lot faster if you fly. I wouldn't suggest going alone, though. You'll need a bodyguard or two, just in case you run into raiders or slavers or alicorns or something." She then quickly adds: "And I mean slavers not aligned with Red Eye. There's a few independent groups - and they're nowhere near as well-regulated or controlled as Red Eye's slavers," she says with a scowl.

She then brings a smile back to her face, trying to veer the conversation back to nicer territory. "But like I said, now you know how to get there, and soon you've be able to get back together with your dead ol' dad. That's something to be happy about, right?"

(Nope, two adults and three foals when he wanted to do the attack (not counting Ebon), there were Lamia, Night Jewel, Luka, Elestre and Eledwhen, the other two were found on the way in there XD)

The colt wouldn't exactly cheer up that much though
"I'm not sure"
Cuz, of course, he doesn't even know what to think about, if the roads are so dangerous and he went alone, or did he have any other friends out there in the wastes?

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

Ravine

As the griffon flies towards the catwalk, a rifle levitates up over the corrugated iron shielding. "Surprise!"

Seems the mare managed to survive her initial injuries, and is watching him through some small gaps and slats in the sheet-metal.

The crack of the rifle's report echoes through the ravine, as she tries to blast the airborne griffon mid-flight. The bolt of the rifle works with rapid speed, glowing with magic as the mare works the slide as fast possible.

~blam, click-clack, blam, click-clack, black, click-clack~

The griffon, whether he stays airborne or runs for cover, will find himself dealing with a hail of well-aimed .32 rounds heading his way...

That's exactly what the griffon attempted to fly up for, so it's not a big surprise

He would quickly turn and dive for some cover where he can find a way to get towards the mare while she's reloading or where she can't spot him, though chances are that at least one round would get embedded onto his armor.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Hoofington - Contested Ganger Territory]

The Burner Boys and Flash Fillies are both rather dangerous gangs, fond of using energy weapons one way or another. Like most of the gangs in the Hoofington region, they will also find just about any excuse to kill each other despite their mutual alliance with the Reapers.

In full knowledge of this, there's a hornless mare hiding in a divot on the side of the road. She has off-white fur and an indigo mane, though both are rather filthy due to lying upon the ground. She's wearing a dirty (and even tattered, near the bottom) white coat that likely belonged to an Orderly at one of Hoofington's many hospitals before the war.

The gangers don't seem to have spotted her yet, and if they have she's clearly not enough of an immediate threat to actually waste time paying attention to. She's quite horrible at playing dead though, given that she's very obviously still breathing.

[Drowlord]

Fillydelphia

Elestre, content with his say yet split agonizingly inside, just nodded and kept an ear on the conversation.

[Tychris1]

Southwestern Equestria- Suffer not the Warrior Bro to live

Maul's eyes also widened, mainly from pure shock of what he did. Retracting his horn he quivered, staring at the warriors mangled face before releasing a meep as the pulp that was the warriors eyeball slides off the Ex-Slaver's horn and hits his snout. He flailed about, wiping it all off, completely and utterly disgusted. After a couple of flailings he realized it was gone. Taking a deep breathe in, he retracted the spear from the Warrior Bro's carcass, and pointed it at the last remaining warrior, slowly advancing in order to get a good shot.

[TAG Benson]

Ponyville- Pinky and the Lamianos

Lamia looked down at Eledwhen and rubbed her head with his hoof as he says "What we do everyday Eledwhen. Try to take over the wasteland..... And make it a better place." He adds with a smile as his eyesight drifts, getting snapped to place on Doc Patch. His smile remained as he embraced Eledwhen and said "This is my daughter, Eledwhen." from the lack of any real hesitation or remorse over stripping her of her real family it would appear as if he's fully stepped into the idea of managing her for most of his life.

[TAG Drowlord, DEB]

[Lycan 01]

Fillydelphia - Office

Red Eye's lips curls into a satisfied smile. "Excellent. I am glad we could reach an understanding. Young Elestre here shall receive the finest education and hospitality available in the Wasteland, young Luka shall be escorted safely to the destination of his choosing, and you, Mister Finder, are still of course welcome to job or other reward, in addition to accompanying young Luka in his departure."

The red stallion extends a Pip-buck shod hoof across the desk, so as to shake on the deal. Once that's settled, he folds his hooves on the desk in front of him, and his expression grows a bit more serious. "Now, gentlestallions, I believe we have some information to exchange. What was the deal your friend struck, and what information did he have?" he asks, his voice smooth and steady, and carrying a certain weight that indicates that this inquiry is one of great importance.


---
Fillydelphia - Hallway

Greta shrugs. "Well, like I said, it shouldn't be too hard for you to get a bodyguard or something. Who knows, maybe Mister Red Eye will spare you and your friends a couple of Talons, to help you get there safe. At the very least, you could probably find a couple of cheap mercs in the bars who are looking for work, though I gotta say, Talons are a better investment."

Perry nods. "We don't go back on our word, so there's no worry about getting double crossed or anything. Part of why our kind is so popular around the Wastes - you know what you're paying for."



---
Ravine

As the griffon swoops for cover, the wounded mare lowers her rifle back down behind the iron plating, concealing herself and her actions.

Click-click click-clack. Sounds like weapon maintenance or something. Or fiddling with a grenade. Or winding up a toy. There's no telling!

[Luka]

Fillydelphia - Hallway

Greta shrugs. "Well, like I said, it shouldn't be too hard for you to get a bodyguard or something. Who knows, maybe Mister Red Eye will spare you and your friends a couple of Talons, to help you get there safe. At the very least, you could probably find a couple of cheap mercs in the bars who are looking for work, though I gotta say, Talons are a better investment."

Perry nods. "We don't go back on our word, so there's no worry about getting double crossed or anything. Part of why our kind is so popular around the Wastes - you know what you're paying for."

"I son't have any money"
He simply states
------------------------------------------------

Ravine

As the griffon swoops for cover, the wounded mare lowers her rifle back down behind the iron plating, concealing herself and her actions.

Click-click click-clack. Sounds like weapon maintenance or something. Or fiddling with a grenade. Or winding up a toy. There's no telling!

When stuff sounds, the griffon would try to quickly fly up again to the catwalk, and if he gets past the metallic things he would fire on her with his dual SMGs, he would prefer to shoot off her rifle and just leave her just injured to get as much info as he could but given that she can fast fire accurately he would need to make sure not to get hit by her rifle

[PurityIcekiller]

Ironically, Pineapple's about as trustworthy as it gets. Element of Honesty and all that. And unlike Swift, she's not smart enough to decieve without technically lying.

"Sort of. Lamia and Razoreye fought her for a bit. I was busy dealing with some other bucking crazy raider trying to bash my face in. I think. The whole thing got kinda fuzzy for a while with the concussion and all. I think Lamia said to ignore her for now, but I still wouldn't mess around if you see her."

"I'll keep that in mind." Although "Lamianos fought her" is not exactly a good reason to avoid her, knowing him.

"So it sounds like things are a little bit dangerous around here. Do you have any kind of shelter?" Night Jewel's state was not improved by even more bad news about the situation.

Sparky gave her a grin. "Sure! It's a great tale, to be sure- educational too! I never knew that using your position to give firmness to your throw was a useful strategy. Besides, it couldn't be too boar-ing;it's not like it's about a pig."

"I'm listening....but I did nap during the paper rock scissors thingy," Mags admitted as at this point in their walking and talking, the little foal gave in and laid on Steel Creel's back draped over.

Steel just shook his head at Mags and smiled. "Anyways, still listening here Miss Bright Eyes, do go on with your story."

"Oh, okay! Good!" Bright Eyes smiled and continued. "Not often I meet ponies so interested in this stuff. Anyway, once I got back, I went to train with the Fighting Master again..."

With that, she carried on with more probably-half-made-up stories about battling a band of brigands, again with lots of pointless digressions into training techniques. This would hopefully keep them occupied for a good while.

[MCerberus]

Fillydelphia

Finder's got some head pain coming on, helped along by the fact that he actually has to think through some things. It would have helped if he knew whats-his-face from Appleoosa. Different social circles and everything. He reaches for some tea out of desperation for something to buy time.

Eventually the scavver is able to come up with sort of what he wants to say. "All I know is he was planning on using some serious elemental spells. I had no idea of any of the betrayals, but that..." he shudders... "thing was pretty quick to kill the ranger... like the whole thing was a setup to get at him."

Ponyville

Razoreye has had his fill of wolf by now, letting the others finish what they want. It's not like there's a shortage of fleshy angry things in the forest... well maybe there could be more of the fleshy type instead of the others... Regardless, it's time to observe the newcomers. Unless spoken to, he's ready to get on to the next day and his trip to Appleoosa.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Ponyville]

Pineapple shrugs.

"We're still figuring it out, really. We only finished fighting a few hours ago. As far as I can tell, most of the buildings haven't been cleaned in a while, but are in good enough condition that they won't collapse on you. If you'd rather not risk it though, Doc Patch has tents."

[Benson]

Southwestern Equestria- Suffer not the Warrior Bro to live

Maul's eyes also widened, mainly from pure shock of what he did. Retracting his horn he quivered, staring at the warriors mangled face before releasing a meep as the pulp that was the warriors eyeball slides off the Ex-Slaver's horn and hits his snout. He flailed about, wiping it all off, completely and utterly disgusted. After a couple of flailings he realized it was gone. Taking a deep breathe in, he retracted the spear from the Warrior Bro's carcass, and pointed it at the last remaining warrior, slowly advancing in order to get a good shot.

With the other warrior busy trying to subdue Tough Stomp, he was too preoccupied in the heat of battle to realize what happened to his companion or what Maul was up to.

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

"Oh, okay! Good!" Bright Eyes smiled and continued. "Not often I meet ponies so interested in this stuff. Anyway, once I got back, I went to train with the Fighting Master again..."

With that, she carried on with more probably-half-made-up stories about battling a band of brigands, again with lots of pointless digressions into training techniques. This would hopefully keep them occupied for a good while.

Indeed, by the time she got relatively close to finishing up her story, dusk was quickly falling over the Wasteland. They should probably set up camp, get that fire going.

[Dark Elf Bard]

Ponyville- Pinky and the Lamianos

Lamia looked down at Eledwhen and rubbed her head with his hoof as he says "What we do everyday Eledwhen. Try to take over the wasteland..... And make it a better place." He adds with a smile as his eyesight drifts, getting snapped to place on Doc Patch. His smile remained as he embraced Eledwhen and said "This is my daughter, Eledwhen." from the lack of any real hesitation or remorse over stripping her of her real family it would appear as if he's fully stepped into the idea of managing her for most of his life.

[TAG Drowlord, DEB]

[Ponyville]

Pineapple shrugs.

"We're still figuring it out, really. We only finished fighting a few hours ago. As far as I can tell, most of the buildings haven't been cleaned in a while, but are in good enough condition that they won't collapse on you. If you'd rather not risk it though, Doc Patch has tents."

Oh yeah, I had a question. When can we find Elestre and Luka agin?

Eledwhen chews as thoughtfully as one can chew a charred piece of meat.

[Lycan 01]

Fillydelphia - Hallway[/b]

"I son't have any money"
He simply states

Greta smiles consolingly. "Not too big an issue. It's easy to earn caps around here. You any good at cards?"


Ravine

When stuff sounds, the griffon would try to quickly fly up again to the catwalk, and if he gets past the metallic things he would fire on her with his dual SMGs, he would prefer to shoot off her rifle and just leave her just injured to get as much info as he could but given that she can fast fire accurately he would need to make sure not to get hit by her rifle

As the griffon takes flight, the rifle once against pops up from behind the barrier. It was a bluff!

The rifle cracks off two rounds in quick succession, aiming to either drop the griffon by maiming his wings, or force him back into cover.

[Luka]

Fillydelphia - Hallway[/b]

Greta smiles consolingly. "Not too big an issue. It's easy to earn caps around here. You any good at cards?"

The colt slightly tilts his head
"Um........No?
Wait........ Those caps were money?"
Back in NA he paid with pre-war bits

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

Ravine

As the griffon takes flight, the rifle once against pops up from behind the barrier. It was a bluff!

The rifle cracks off two rounds in quick succession, aiming to either drop the griffon by maiming his wings, or force him back into cover.

The griffon would dive again into cover, possibly now getting a scrape on one of his pauldrons and almost getting one on one of his wings

He would try to look for a way to get right below the catwalk, like a set of boulders or something, where the mare would lack barrier protection and couldn't cheat around with a TK'd rifle.

[Drowlord]

Fillydelphia

"This is the most concise version of the answer. If you need me to elaborate, please stop me."

Elestre searches his memory and mentally recounts the events as he notes them.

"Our friend offered himself and his formidable magic to the aforementioned threat-maker so that our group could be allowed to leave Old Appleoosa without further harm. As far as I know, the deal has been entirely successful, having later had an encounter with the friend in his new state. The information is... unknown to me, but I might speculate. Is there any special significance in a unicorn joining this antagonistic of his own free will?"

Wasteland in the Night

Sparky looked at the darkening clouds. "I think night's close. Should we get settled down here and set up a fire?"

Ponyville

Doc Patch smiled. "Hello, Eledwhen. I didn't know you had a family, Lamnios."

[Lycan 01]

Fillydelphia - Office

Fillydelphia

Finder's got some head pain coming on, helped along by the fact that he actually has to think through some things. It would have helped if he knew whats-his-face from Appleoosa. Different social circles and everything. He reaches for some tea out of desperation for something to buy time.

Eventually the scavver is able to come up with sort of what he wants to say. "All I know is he was planning on using some serious elemental spells. I had no idea of any of the betrayals, but that..." he shudders... "thing was pretty quick to kill the ranger... like the whole thing was a setup to get at him."

Fillydelphia

"This is the most concise version of the answer. If you need me to elaborate, please stop me."

Elestre searches his memory and mentally recounts the events as he notes them.

"Our friend offered himself and his formidable magic to the aforementioned threat-maker so that our group could be allowed to leave Old Appleoosa without further harm. As far as I know, the deal has been entirely successful, having later had an encounter with the friend in his new state. The information is... unknown to me, but I might speculate. Is there any special significance in a unicorn joining this antagonistic of his own free will?"

Red Eye listens carefully, and narrows his eye. "Interesting. And what sort of formidable elemental magic would he have been in possession of? Why would the Goddess be so interested in bargaining for something she should already have more than enough of? I've heard a few reports - strange fire raining from the sky, bizarre deaths affecting both slave and slaver alike. What can you gentlestallions tell me about that, or any other abilities your companion had?"

The red stallion leans back, and sighs slightly. "Pity Blackheart didn't do a proper job on that Ranger. I hear he's set up shop in Ponyville now, though in a few hours that will no longer be an issue," he says, smiling softly to himself.



Fillydelphia - Hallway

The colt slightly tilts his head
"Um........No?
Wait........ Those caps were money?"
Back in NA he paid with pre-war bits

Perry facepalms. Greta snickers. "Yeah kid, caps are money. Some folks still accept the gold and paper stuff, but the Wasteland economy mostly focuses on bottle caps. They're not too hard to find, though. Do odd jobs, play some cards, raid a few trash cans..." she smirks playfully. "I've found caps in the weirdest places before, like old desks and storage lockers..."

Perry chuckles. "Best not to question the wiles of Discord..."


---
Ravine

The griffon would dive again into cover, possibly now getting a scrape on one of his pauldrons and almost getting one on one of his wings

He would try to look for a way to get right below the catwalk, like a set of boulders or something, where the mare would lack barrier protection and couldn't cheat around with a TK'd rifle.

The mare does, in fact, cheat around with the TK'd rifle. After firing off one final shot at the suppressed griffon, she actually hurls the rifle at him like a giant blunt javelin. As the rifle leaves her telekinetic grasp, she leaps off the catwalk, away from the griffon. She tosses up a telekinetic shield behind herself as she soars through the air, though it wavers as she hits the ground. Blood is pouring down her face and neck, from several grazing hits she took in the earlier exchange of fire. The wounded raider then begins to gallop, albeit unsteadily, further down the ravine, the telekinetic shield flickering behind her as she goes.

[Luka]

Fillydelphia - Hallway

Perry facepalms. Greta snickers. "Yeah kid, caps are money. Some folks still accept the gold and paper stuff, but the Wasteland economy mostly focuses on bottle caps. They're not too hard to find, though. Do odd jobs, play some cards, raid a few trash cans..." she smirks playfully. "I've found caps in the weirdest places before, like old desks and storage lockers..."

Perry chuckles. "Best not to question the wiles of Discord..."

"Oh, ok, thanks.... Though then I'm broke"
He would simply say, since the stuff he had wouldn't have had much on it either, just his medkit, guns and some supplies.

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

Ravine

The mare does, in fact, cheat around with the TK'd rifle. After firing off one final shot at the suppressed griffon, she actually hurls the rifle at him like a giant blunt javelin. As the rifle leaves her telekinetic grasp, she leaps off the catwalk, away from the griffon. She tosses up a telekinetic shield behind herself as she soars through the air, though it wavers as she hits the ground. Blood is pouring down her face and neck, from several grazing hits she took in the earlier exchange of fire. The wounded raider then begins to gallop, albeit unsteadily, further down the ravine, the telekinetic shield flickering behind her as she goes.

He would take cover or dodge the rifle when it's thrown at him, and when the mare runs away he would swap for his own rifle and try to shoot her shield and overpower it, chasing her a bit, but if she still keeps going he would stop for a bit and check the revolver one he got down, get his ammo and stuff, then he would try to keep going after the mare again.

[Lycan 01]

Fillydelphia - Hallway

Greta smirks. "That's why I'm trying to help youuuu," she playfully tells him. "Seriously, it's not hard to scrounge up caps. I can spare you a few to help get you started, once Red Eye lets you go. Though, I wouldn't be surprised if he offered you a merc or some sort of protection when you leave, so it may all be a moot point."


---
Ravine

The rifle makes a dull clicking sound instead of firing. Remember that clicking noise the rifle made awhile back, when the unicorn released their telekinetic grip? That was them flicking the Safety on. Might want to fix that...

The mare uses these few extra seconds of confusion to strengthen her shield as she gallops off. Assuming the griffon decides to go after the weapons instead of her, she'll disappear around the next bend in the ravine. The revolver is a .45 model with a 6-round cylinder, currently holding two live rounds. The dead raider has about a dozen extra rounds on his body, along with a few caps and a Dash inhaler.



---
Hoofington

Chain Link's trot came to a halt as the street in front of her suddenly exploded into all-out war. The stocky unicorn mare looked like she'd fit right in, thanks to her black military-grade body armor and matching helmet. The right side of her armor had a large-caliber belt-fed machine gun fastened to it, while the left side sported several ammunition boxes and a pistol holster. Only her dark blue face and silver-grey tail were left uncovered by combat armor, and her cold grey eyes currently held a rather perplexed look. "What the Hell is-"

A stray MEW beam suddenly seared through the air next to her head, the angry green projectile nearly searing her already-shortened left ear. "Luna's hot ass, what the buck is your problem?!" the mercenary roars indignantly. Realizing that none of these psychos care about collateral damage, she briskly gallops for the nearest ditch, foxhole, or whatever other cover she can quickly find, just as the rain begins to pour.


Slip Fault will suddenly find herself no longer alone behind her wall. "HI!" Chain Link greets her with a jovial grin, plopping down beside her. "You don't look insane, so I'm gonna hide with you. Pull any tricks though, and I'll TK your eyes out of your skull. We good? We good." Despite the friendly grin, the edge in her voice and the intensity of her gaze should be enough to tell Slip that she's serious in her threat. Best to play nice. "So yeah, any idea what the f*** is going on here? Is this- Wait, hang on."

Chain cranes her neck a bit, bespying a certain lab-coat clad mare hunkered down in a divot across the street while the world goes crazy-kill-kill around her. "Oi! Bitch in the labcoat! You need some help?" she hollers out, hoping the hunkered-down civilian can hear her over the distance, thunder, and death-murder.

[Rebonack]

[Hoofington]

Death-murder is one of the most violent and dangerous types of murder around. Case in point. Ever see what happens when a flamer's fuel tank is set alight by a MEW?

Yeah...

One fireball later and the poor pony was spread all over the place. A flaming, blackened chunk rolling into the cowering mare's hidey hole might encourage her to move.

The battling gangers don't seem to notice the trio of non-combatants seeking shelter at the side lines.

When Chain Link darts behind Slip Fault's cover the earth pony simply pushes up her helmet with one hoof and peers at Chain approvingly. At the threat Slip allows the brim to fall again before reclining once more against her concrete barrier. Seems she is rather unconcerned.

"Turf war," she replies like one might comment on the fact that it's raining. "Got into a fight over which gang should be mugging me."

There shortly followed a tell-tale crackling sound as MEW rounds began to pepper their cover. Seems one of the Flash Fillies with a pretty fancy beam-machine gun had spotted Chain and was rushing their position.

Slip gave a sigh of irritation as she rolled over onto her hooves and swiveled her ears to get a feel for the attacker's position. "Looks like you found another friend. Lemme show you the best way to say hello here in the Hoof."

And with that she leaned onto her front legs and bucked the mass of concrete and reinforced steel they were hiding behind.

The whole air-wagon sized projectile launched off the ground, skipped once, and began rolling through the middle of the battle field like a giant boulder out of a Daring Doo novel.

Unlike Daring Doo the ganger didn't dive out of the way in time. Nor did the stallion with the flame thrower who hadn't noticed it barreling toward him. Another spurt of blood, fuel, and flame later the chunk of rock came to a rest amidst a cloud of dust and debris. The battle still raged beyond, though more than a few ponies were trying to figure out where the chunk of some random building had come from.

Before the stone had even finished rolling Slip turned and bucked the side of the building she had been taking cover next to. Several loud pops sounded from high above as fragments of masonry showered from above. Followed by another chunk of the building dropping into the street ten feet in front of them.

"Name's Slip Fault," the earthy toned mare said, standing firm as the pressure wave from the impact washed over her. "The Luna damned one-pony wrecking crew."

[BladeofObliviom]

Hoofington

Well, it's not exactly a labcoat, but Chain Link would be forgiven for the error under the circumstances. When she calls out in her direction, the mare suddenly looks up in a panic as she realizes she's been spotted by somepony, and the actual gangers are certain to follow soon enough.

Looking around quickly, she judges her options. The Burner Boys are... ...not especially likely to be friendly. The Flash Fillies were in the process of mugging her before one of them noticed the Burner Boys on their turf and ran off to deal with the new threat. That just leaves the unknowns, who don't seem too likely to go straight for the murderin' angle. And even if they are, she'd be a whole lot safer if she were behind that machinegun's swath of fire rather than right in the middle of it.

Her thoughts are cut short as a bit of charred corpse rolls right onto her, causing her to bolt like a little filly in the general direction of the other two ponies despite the napalm, lasers, and rubble flying all around her.

...Actually, that falling rubble looks suspiciously close, given that she only avoided being squished flat by a last-second dive directly forward, landing just within the cover afforded by the giant stone. The mare quickly collapses into a quivering ball in a combination of unbridled fear and sweet relief as the enormity of what just happened and her immense luck at coming out more or less unscathed sinks in.

*Sob*

"Why me..? ...every bucking time..."

*Sob*

Given the amounts of stress involved, she doesn't seem to have quite grasped that she's in clear view of both of the other mares, whom she doesn't even know don't want to kill her yet.

[Lycan 01]

Hoofington Gang War

Chain Link watches in shock and awe as Slip bucks a carriage-sized hunk of building down the street, and then promptly kicks off another chunk of building to provide them with newer, better cover. Her eyes, protected by the combat helmet's goggles, stare widely in wonder.

And then she grins. A gleeful, ear to ear grin. "No, I'd say you're Discord-damned, but cause that was F***ING INSANE!!" she exclaims, clearly impressed. "I mean DAMN, you don't buck around! Oh, name's Chain Link. I was gonna scream at you for destroying our cover, but now I think I owe you a drink or ten just for how stupidly amazing that-" The armor-clad unicorn suddenly goes from grinning to frowning, and turns to look to right, back at the battle in progress. "Oh right, should probably start killing folks," she deadpans.

Her eyes immediately fall upon the cowering, sobbing wreck of a mare hunkered down in front of them. "Uh, no, not her," Chain frowns. "Not gonna kill her." Chain Link quickly gallops over towards the newly created cover, sliding in to slam her left side against the wall right next to the sobbing pony. "Blame Luna," she says to the mare with an offhand shrug. "She's a popular scapegoat for the War and apocalypse and stuff, sooooo why not a bit more guilt her way?" As the unicorn casually remarks on Equestrian history, her horn - which is peeking out through a small gap between her goggles and the bottom of her helmet, and has a faint crack running through the right side of it - begins to glow with the same cold grey hue as her eyes.

The heavy machine-gun strapped to her right side suddenly unfastens from her armor, and begins to hover alongside her behind the wall, wreathed in a faint grey glow. "Alright, question time gals! Do we wanna do suppressive fire, just peg a few of 'em and hope they get the message, or-" she flashes an almost dementedly enthusiastic grin, "Just kill 'em all?"

[Luka]

Fillydelphia - Hallway

Greta smirks. "That's why I'm trying to help youuuu," she playfully tells him. "Seriously, it's not hard to scrounge up caps. I can spare you a few to help get you started, once Red Eye lets you go. Though, I wouldn't be surprised if he offered you a merc or some sort of protection when you leave, so it may all be a moot point."

"I don't even think I want any from him"
He says a bit lowly, it would sound slightly venomous, as in he doesn't want anything from Red Eye, he doesn't want Red Eye.

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

Ravine

The rifle makes a dull clicking sound instead of firing. Remember that clicking noise the rifle made awhile back, when the unicorn released their telekinetic grip? That was them flicking the Safety on. Might want to fix that...

The mare uses these few extra seconds of confusion to strengthen her shield as she gallops off. Assuming the griffon decides to go after the weapons instead of her, she'll disappear around the next bend in the ravine. The revolver is a .45 model with a 6-round cylinder, currently holding two live rounds. The dead raider has about a dozen extra rounds on his body, along with a few caps and a Dash inhaler.

Yeah, and the mare would get 1-2 secs or so before the griffon turns the safety switch off after bumping the magazine and before pulling the loader and shoots several bursts at the strengthened shield, which would most likely achieve nothing anyways.

He would get the raider instead, pull his carcass over to a wall then.... Loot his everything, no armor yet, it would just be extra weight when fighting around the other bend.

He would unjam his SMGs too then approach the other bend, not so close to the "internal" wall now but to the other one, he would try to spot a boulder or some cover where he could approach before the rest of the raiders start firing on him.

[Rebonack]

[Hoofington Gang Battle]

The battle is still raging, though it looks like the Flash Fillies have the upper hoof. They managed to catch the Burner Boys buy surprise and take out several of the heavy flamers before the real fighting even started. It'll probably be a few minutes more and the fire-happy gang will be forced to retreat.

"It's nice to remind you horn-heads every now and again that we earth ponies have got magic too. Just without the flashy light show," Slip replies as she canters over to the cover as well. She seems quite content to take her time. Almost as if she isn't particularly concerned with the danger they're in. "I was just planning on letting 'em shoot each other up. Once they've decided who's supposed to be mugging me I'll pay up and be on my way. Unless somepony else decides that we make good targets. Then I'll show those weaklings that the very ground they trot on is my weapon."

Wuh huh?

Is...

Is she serious?

She's just going to let them fight it out and pay some caps? Even though she could probably smash her way through the low-level gangers milling around?

What a weird pony.

Slip gives the shivering mare a disdainful look and aims to kick her in the ribs. Not hard enough to injure. Just enough to sting. "Oh quit your bawling. You're still alive."

[MCerberus]

Fillydelphia

Finder just sort of shakes his head, the heat from the tea at least a little calming. "You may need to speak to the town residents about that. That... thing that caused all this though, it just feels like it set the whole thing up."

[Lycan 01]

Fillydelphia - Hallway

Greta nods. "I gotcha. Well, like I said, other options." A sly grin forms across her beak. "Hey, you could always sell a few of your feathers. You could hock them as good luck charms, or fashion accessories. Plenty of folks around here would love to be able to brag about such a 'trophy,' and it's not like you can't just grow 'em back. Clever idea, huh?"


---
Ravine

The mare manages to escape.

A moment later, the griffon rounds the bend.

Cover won't be needed, since this next stretch of ravine seems to be empty. No sign of any ponies. Just about 50 feet of rocks and rubble along the railroad tracks. At the end of this passage, the ravine opens up into what looks like a large trainyard. From this angle, the griffon can only see a bunch of rail cars, and a few large buildings beyond them. He'll have to either go airborne or head on out the end of the ravine to see what's fully out there.

No signs of hostiles, though. Strange...



---
Hoofington Gang War

Chain link studies Slip for a moment from behind her goggles, her expression neutral. She then gives a shrug. "Whatever. I'm fine with sitting on my ass and letting these bitches and bastards murder the s*** out of each other. Their problem, not mine. But the moment one of these dumb mounts asks me for my caps-"

Chain narrows her eyes and flares the magic around her horn, and the bolt of the free-floating machine gun racks a round into the firing chamber.

"I'm just gonna kill 'em dead," she says grimly, skipping the fancy dramatic threats that Slip seemed fond of.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Hoofington Gang Battle]

Chain Link gets an odd look from the mare, but at least she calms down a bit.

"Luna? Wha-"

Then hoof to the ribs. Unfortunately, while it might not have been intended to injure, the poor mare's entire midsection is generally fairly sore from constant compression and just plain being kinda soft.

"Oof!"

The sound came out like an exclamation, but really just sounded like an expulsion of air, too tired and terrified to put up any real resistance. The blow safely knocks the wind right out of her, though, and she can't do much physical beyond gasping a bit when the other two start talking about slaughter.

"...Wouldn't it be easier to trot away while they're busy?"

[Luka]

Fillydelphia - Hallway

Greta nods. "I gotcha. Well, like I said, other options." A sly grin forms across her beak. "Hey, you could always sell a few of your feathers. You could hock them as good luck charms, or fashion accessories. Plenty of folks around here would love to be able to brag about such a 'trophy,' and it's not like you can't just grow 'em back. Clever idea, huh?"

The little colt would wince and grab one of his wings.
"I....Don't know, maybe?"
She may also notice that one of his wing's bandaged

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

Ravine

The mare manages to escape.

A moment later, the griffon rounds the bend.

Cover won't be needed, since this next stretch of ravine seems to be empty. No sign of any ponies. Just about 50 feet of rocks and rubble along the railroad tracks. At the end of this passage, the ravine opens up into what looks like a large trainyard. From this angle, the griffon can only see a bunch of rail cars, and a few large buildings beyond them. He'll have to either go airborne or head on out the end of the ravine to see what's fully out there.

No signs of hostiles, though. Strange...

The emptyness would indeed look suspicious, especially considering how 2 escaped this way, so chances are it's a trap.

The griffon would try to fly onto a rock balcony on the side of the ravine where he could get to view the place while not being that visible himself.

He would try to look over the ravine's sides for raiders, and if there are not try to stay low and examine the trainyard.

[Rebonack]

[Hoofington Gang Battle]

"Y'know what happens to ponies who run off in the middle of a firefight?" Slip asks as a nasty sneer pulls at the edge of her mouth. "They get shot in the back. Sure I could stomp a hole down into the tunnels under the city and hoof it through there. But you don't want to go under Hoofington. There's evil down there that never sleeps."

How foreboding.

Slip seems to have a thing for the dramatic. Maybe she finds it amusing? Who knows with the crazy ponies out here in the wasteland.

She gives a bit of a shrug. "It's two hundred year old trash. Seems like a dumb thing to fight over to me. Eh. To each their own I guess."

There comes a sudden cheer as the remaining Burner Boys turn tail and gallop. Several find themselves blasted into dust from behind by the Flash Fillies sharing their parting shots. Now that the fighting has wound down several ponies are headed toward the cover Slip had made. Sort of difficult to miss it, really.

Four earth ponies and two unicorns.

There are other gangers nearby, but they have their eyes elsewhere.

"Toss any weapons you have on the ground and come out where we can see you!" yells one of the unicorns with a rather fancy looking beam rifle.

"Heh," is the extent of Slip's reply as she pulls a revolver out of a holster on her foreleg and tosses it onto the asphalt. The earth mare trots close behind. "Afternoon ladies. Lovely weather we're having, eh?"

The torrential rain continues to fall. Though the ignited burner fuel spread around the battlefield seems loath to extinguish.

[Lycan 01]

Hoofington Shakedown

Chain Link doesn't like the idea of putting her life into the hooves of gangers. She rolls her eyes as Slip trots out to give up her gun. The mercenary instead opts to go on the defensive. "Not a sound," she hisses to the sniveling mare behind her, before hunkering down and preparing her weapon for combat. She uses the din of the pouring rain to cover up the sounds of her unfolding the machine gun's bipod, and quickly sets it up so that anypony who rounds the corner to look behind the cover will be trotting into a point blank killzone. And just to be safe, her horn glows softly, and shimmering whisps of silver-grey smoke begins to idly shift around her armor - a shielding spell.

Chain Link narrows her eyes. This was either going to be very easy, or get her killed. But letting others dictate her life and safety is something that the jaded unicorn has zero interest in. Live free or die hard, as they say.