Prologue
Since the Final War, well that's what they called it anyway, Equestria has been awash with a vast, threatening blanket of radiation. I knew Balefire weapons wouldn't solve everything. But since clean water was restored to Equestria, life has been a little more bearable. We can farm food and even purify our own water now. That was all thanks to a very heroic unicorn pony everyone remembers as 'Littlepip'. She gave up everything she had to restore Equestria. It has been 50 years since her sacrifice.
Sadly, we aren't quite fixed yet. There are still some other necessities or valuables that people need and some can't get those themselves, that's where I come in. It's a dangerous job I do in a world like this. It leaves you vulnerable. You might think being a courier is simple, but not in this day and age. I've been doing this all my life and the danger is enough to kill you with insanity.
I still remember going to the traders for the people in my town. The residents would front me the money for which I would pay for the goods they wanted and I got to keep the change as payment. But I still find it strange how a job like this gets you a cutie mark shaped like a parcel with wings, I guess you stick to what you're good at huh?
I eventually joined the Pony Express. This was a group of couriers based in a town not too far from my home of Ponyville. I took this as an opportunity to embrace my calling as a courier, kind of crumby but when you've done this as long as I have, you get attached to it.
One day the service got a rather strange package containing a poker chip, a chess piece, and a set of dice. Odd, who would want a package like this? The service was struggling so we couldn't refuse the caps. I thought it was rather a hefty sum for such mundane things. Maybe the client was an avid gambler or games master I was in no position to complain. The service decided it best if three couriers took a piece each to the client's chosen location at the same time, together. If anything went wrong, we would split up and meet up at New Pegasus
I took the poker chip. Me and two of my fellow couriers Hustler and Woolen set off together, little did we know we were being watched. My name is Kary and I'm a unicorn pony. Hello and welcome to the vast wasteland that was once Equestria.