(Note: I brought back DJ Pon3! Whoot whoot! Bringing back the good ol' days. Not to mention Capper's song partway through this. If you haven't seen My Little Pony the Movie, I highly recommend it, it's where this sly cat comes from. I love him omg. Plus, he and Blitzy work well in combat together, don't they. Hehe.)

Chapter 5 I'm The Friend You Need

The bird lifted off the platform on the roof of the station. The sky came up to greet us and I saw the ground far below. The city blocks were little squares out the window. There was only one other time in my life I'd seen a view like this, on my way to Stable 14. It was a bad memory I'd rather suppress.

"Now, listen up, the Back Bray is a bit messy. Mutants running amuck, radiation everywhere. It's nothin like the Fawns."

"I imagine," I said.

"Some even say there's synthetic beasts down there," said the copilot.

"Pish posh," Capper waved a paw in dismissal. "Never heard of a single one."

"Oh yeah?" I shouldered him, "then what about Magnolia's kit?"

"Oh…yeah, that…" Capper rubbed his arm. "Look, I don't believe in all them fairytales. Thems just tall tales told to little kids to scare em into behaving in Double Diamond City."

"For sure," the pilot laughed.

"Hey, who's up for some music on this flight? Gotta couple hours till we're in the Bray anyway." said the copilot and without waiting to hear a response she turned on Galaxy News Radio.

"IIIIIIIII'm back good ol' ponies of this nasty nasty wasteland. Hear tell word on the street is that Capper's Detective Agency has struck a cold case. Tomcat can't seem to find where the Institute misplaced their synth. He was last seen following a lead over in Good Neigh-Boar. Place just gives me the chills to my bones! Wouldn't be caught dead there, or alive for that matter! Now, how about some more hits! Let's put on some tunes from Magnolia for good ol' times. Keep up the good fight! DJ Pon3 with more hits! Awoooooo!"

On came a song we'd just heard in the Third Rein. Magnolia's voice came drifting through the speakers. It was good to be a good Good Neigh-Boar wasn't it? Not too picky, as long as I'm lucky. Dapperpaws indeed, I caught myself thinking.

Touching down, the dirt kicked up. "Bottoms up!" the copilot tapped her hoof on my helmet.

We hopped out, touching the asphalt and listening to the propellers die down. Capper was beside me, "Hey y'all, I don't know about you, but I say this is a party." Capper pointed at the bunker we'd landed in front of. A Galloper wearing a commander's cap walked up to meet us.

"Hey boys!" he chuckled, waving a submachine gun. "Look, drop the act. I think we should work this out, eh?"

I eyed him angrily, "I don't think we have anything to work out."

"You have encroached on Steel Ranger territory," called Sandy. "Call off your men and nopony gets hurt." her voice was over the loud speakers of the vertiherd.

"Boys," yelled the commander, barking orders, "you know what to do." Out came a small brunt carrying a missile launcher a bit too large for his scrawny shoulders. He lifted it and aimed, and out popped a missile, crashing straight into the bird. It exploded in fiery inferno. "Listen up folks! We've got you surrounded and there's no way out. You got two options, surrender or die."

"Nice pep talk, I can see why they got them boys so darn organized," Capper meowed.

"Not as organized as us," said Sandy with a snare. "Fan out," she snapped. Gun toting Rangers spanned the range of the parking lot, taking cover behind old transport vehicles and rotted out husks of tanks.

"Came prepared, eh? I like it." the commander nodded to his ponies. Firefight ensued. I lifted my revolver and took cover behind a car, Capper following quickly behind.

"You'd think they'd wanna chit chat," said the cat. "I like this much better." we jumped out, back to back and began firing. He carried a 10 mil, and I saw him tap a claw on a radio on his waist.

Lay that pistol down, babe.

Lay that pistol down.

Pistol packin mama,

Lay that pistol down!

"Nice taste," I smiled and then side to side we went straight into the fray. He raised his claws and bared his teeth. I saw he was wearing brass knuckles. Sexy.

I must've said it out loud because he looked back at me with a sly glance, "Thanks, not too bad yo'self."

Faust he could really make a colt blush. These guys weren't messing around though. I could say that I was having a bit too much fun here. I bit my lip. That's when a bullet grazed me. "Gettin' distracted?" Capper eyed me, and I lifted a leg. "I'll say," I shook my head.

I stuck myself with a stempack, and felt myself regenerate. "I gotta get me one of those," said Capper.

"Don't already have some?" I asked, looking up without raising my chin. "Every good wastelander does."

"You've gotta show me your stash," Capper wiggled his brows.

"I think I will, later," I said. "First, we've got business to attend to."

"Mrrrrow!" Capper went out hissing and slashing. A few ponies went down but they only got right back up. I took em out quick with a couple buck shots from my pistol.

"What are you dumbasses doing?!" yelled the Galloper Commander.

"Wiping your dumbass out," I said, my gun to his head.

"W-wait, wait, wait!" he cried out, I think I even saw a tear, "We can work this out, see…?"

"No, we can't. Gonna call off your ponies?"

"S-sure!" he gasped. He lifted a radio from his belt, "Call it off, we don't need it."

I had been about to shoot him but, "Wait, don't need what?" that's when he bucked me in the balls and in the shock I pulled the trigger. Off went the lights.

Ravager Blitzfire

Pre-War: 16 Years Before The Megaspells

Friends will be friends and colts will be colts. When it was dark out I'd take his hoof and sit with him in the veil, even if the sun would never come up. Yet here he was, trying to go it out alone. I didn't understand why he wouldn't let me hold him. It hurt me to see him like this.

A white candle was lit and burning its powerful incense across the room. It smelled of vanilla, I'd helped him pick out at a candle shop in town. He had also drawn a pentagram using black salt. Where he'd gotten that, he wouldn't say. Hopefully not a zebra, that would be highly illegal. I sighed. He was also burning some herbs, lavender I believe by the smell of it, but it was strong and didn't smell good.

"What's gotten into you?" I asked him. "This stuff, it's for evil unicorn magic, not you." I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. I held it, waiting for him to respond.

Ignoring me he started an incantation, "Blood of my blood, spirit I love, Come from below as I call from above."

I went to him, shaking him on the shoulder, "I want to talk to my friend, please." he gave me a withering look, and I could feel the heat and pain in his heart from here.

"Look, Blitz, it's not evil magic, it's White Magic. I'd never do anything bad."

"Where'd you get the salt? The herbs?" I poked at it.

He yelled, "Don't mess up the circle!" he began busily putting the salt back into place. "Whew." he whistled. Then he locked eyes with me, "Blitzy, I'm only trying to see my sister one last time, is that too much to ask?"

"I don't know if magic works like that," I said, "That's all I can say. But I'm not talking you out of it are I?"

He poked his horn and smirked, "Probably not, but best of luck old pal." then he began chanting again, "Hear these words, hear my cry, Spirit from the other side. Come to me, I summon thee, Cross now the Great Divide."

A warm breeze blew and suddenly the candle went out. Nexus' horn began to glow a bright green. I'd never seen just the tip glow before. "No, not again!" he opened his eyes, glowing a neon shade too. Then the magic faded and the lamp on my desk flickered back into life. "I don't know what I'm doing wrong."

"Seeing her right now…I think it's too much. It keeps her alive but she's dead Nexy, come on! You have to move on, trust me."

"I can't move on! I just can't. She was too young." he fell into my arms and I traced a horseshoe along his back. He was warm, and alive and sad. So sad. He shook beneath me and I felt I was gonna cry too.

"Her funeral is tomorrow. Are you gonna be able to go?" I asked him.

"My horn hurts."

I rolled my eyes but smiled. "You've been doing magic all night." I told my friend, "It's 12 in the morning."

"Rub it for me?" he gave me puppydog eyes. Cute.

I grabbed his hoof, "Come to bed first, k?"

"Sure."

In bed I tinderly rubbed his horn. I was an Earth pony so I would never know what it felt like, but I heard it was quite sensitive. He moaned and sighed, shuddering as I pet him. I hoped I was making him feel good. "What's got you into witchcraft anyway Sparky?" I asked him in a whisper.

"Friend at school," he sighed and rolled over, wrapping a hoof around me and hugging me close.

"And the salt?"

"Magic shop, they're all over buddy." he laughed.

"I wouldn't know, I don't got a horn." I pressed my muzzle to his forehead. He was soft, and I enjoyed spending my nights with him. I wondered what would happen now that he had no family. I hoped he wouldn't have to go away to foster care or something. I rather liked having him here. What would mom say if I asked her if he could live with us. Like a brother…

Nexus was snoring. I don't think I would miss that! It kept me awake all night. I yawned and crawled out of bed. With one hoof I scooped the salt up and slid it back into the plastic baggie Nexus poured it from. I put the candle on my desk and threw the burnt lavender away. It was all so creepy but I knew I could support him. I just didn't think he should be summoning the dead, that was all. Let sleeping dogs lie and whatnot.

I snuggled back into bed with my best friend, making him the little spoon. "Sleep tight." I said and drifted off.

Present Time: 207 Years After the Incident of Stable 14

"Can't believe we gotta make a whole 'nother journey across the Fawns." I snarled as me and Capper trudged down a dirty back street.

"I think it'll be fun." said the kitty in his smooth tones. "Get to know each other just that much more," he made an O with his paw.

"Sounds like a plan." I shrugged. Looking up at the sky I saw the first twinkling of stars peeking through the clouds. "You getting tired?"

"Perhaps," he stretched, "but I do think I like takin' evening strolls." he put his paws in his pockets.

"There's one thing I know about you," I laughed.

He tilted his head, "Yeah? And what about you colt, what you got up your sleeve?" I think he knew I liked that smile.

"I'm not too sure yet," I looked away from him, "don't think I've got that part down."

"Well, can ya tell me whatcha looking for over in Double Diamond?"

"Ooh," I closed my eyes and stopped walking, "I don't think I've got that part down just yet."

"Hey, don't be like that baby," Capper sidled over to me, his coat brushing my side. "You don't gotta tell me what's got you down. Why don't we set up camp?"

"Sounds like a good idea," I said. I opened my eyes and there he was right in front of me. Nexus! I could've sworn I saw him…but he was gone again. I sat on my haunches. Meanwhile Capper was busily working on a tent. It was coming along nicely that was for sure. He made it using his coat, and it was rather large when he spread it out. But he was now shirtless, his pants a black puffy tunic with a white belt and gold buckle. His chest was a lighter cream compared to the rest of his orange, and it had plumes of white. His pecs were well sculpted too. I breathed.

Getting up, I went over to the tent. He raised a paw, "Ah ah ah," said Capper, and with a swipe of his paw he dropped two pillows and a sleeping bag inside the tent.

"Single bed?" I rose a brow.

"Don't like it?" he rose another paw.

"It's fine." I said. Then slowly inching a hoof over to his side, I slowly drew him to me.

"Oh?" he purred, I could feel the vibration in his body.

I rolled him over, and he went in for the kiss first. His face was soft against mine, his pink nose wet. I used my lips to work his on mine hearing him purr against me as his chest pressed against me. That's when I felt his teeth on me and he parted my lips. "Unh," I gasped as his tongue snaked its way into my mouth. Our tongues met in a dance. Putting a hoof on his neck, I pet him softly, feeling the fur on his cheeks. He shuddered.

I pulled away suddenly, "I um…" I was breathy, my chest huffing up and down, "I don't think we should be doing this. Not right now."

"That's alright babe, tell me what you want to do."

"Just…hold me if that's alright."

"Sure."

The alleys were crumbling to dust and wood beams were strewn across the street. Signs pointed the direction to the old hollow where Our Town used to sit. Now it was a big baseball arena surrounded by small village huts. But what couldn't be said for its exterior could be said for its internal affairs. The outside was a makeshift warzone, and criminals ran about through the dim and gloom. There was gunfire, and I imagined it was the guards keeping out the street rats.

Shambling up to the front gates, two guards stopped us with batons and bats. "Lookin' for trouble pal?" asked a grunt.

"Or just a hotdog?" the other one laughed and scratched at his 5 o'clock shadow.

"Look, you know me, just let me in will ya?" a red pony wearing a scarf and a newsboy cap was pawing at an intercom system.

"No means no, Piper," came the voice on the other side, "We've got enough problems man, can't spread your ramble here about the Institute and all that."

"Diamond, you're one of my best friends, but you're killin' me smalls." She huffed and threw her cap to the ground, stomping it into the dirt of the parking lot.

"What's her deal?" I asked.

"Aw, she's just gotta case of the blues," said Capper as he moved toward a bench inside the main entryway.

I wandered over to the mare, "What's up?"

Piper's eyes lit up, "Oh, just what I needed! Listen fella, seems I'm in a bit of a scramble. See, this here scrub won't let me past the goons, and I gotta story to put on the press."

I sighed, then grinned, "Another reporter huh?"

"What, you know one?" she narrowed her eyes, then smiled back at me. Popping in a piece of gum from a saddle bag she said, "Eh, tell ya what, you help me, I help you. Whattaya say?"

"Sounds like a deal," I shrugged.

"You just gotta make your way up to the mayor's office in the booth and convince him to let me in. Give em this for me will ya?" she blew a bubble then handed me a flyer.

"Where'd you get this?" I eyed it. It depicted a normal looking pony but one half was a diagram of mechanics and robotics I didn't understand, all jam packed into one ponie's flank.

"I got my sources," she said behind a hoof, looking around in case anypony had heard her.

I trotted over to my feline pal, "Capper, whatcha think of this?"

"Well, well, whattaya we got here? Let's take a looksie." he grabbed it and pulled out a monocle I have no idea he'd been carrying. I rose a hoof to ask but he put it away and looked up, "Damsel wants you to get this to the mayor?" he asked me.

"Seems like it."

"Thumbs up…" he stuck up his claws then frowned and put his paws down, "…hooves up to her. I got some friends that could get us in." he gave me the flyer back. "Come on."

We headed over to the ticket booth where a guard was busily puffing away on a cigar. He lifted his cap and eyeballed us. "Whattaya you two want?"

"Listen buddy, the pony's with me. We're on a case."

"Oh yeah? Who's the missing link?" asked the bouncer.

"Not much to tell, just that a filly might be in trouble. Had to check some files at the office." Capper licked his lips.

"Alright. Stand back." the pony sat up and looked around before pressing a button. A buzz went off and a grating sound alerted us to the doors sliding open. "Welcome to Double Diamond City. Try not to bite off more than you can chew if you get my meaning."

"Works every time," Capper whispered to me behind a paw before taking off.

"Perkins, friend, I'm home!" Capper swept into the room with a flurry. Sitting behind a desk, tapping away at a typewriter with talons was a birdlike female.

"You brought guests?" she rose a brow.

"Whoa, what in Equestria?" I circled around to the other side of the desk to see she was part bird part pony.

"Yeah, Equestria's full of more creatures than just ponies my friend," Capper said to me behind a paw.

"I can see that," I looked him up and down and thought about the other night.

"Yeah, I'm a hippogriff," she sighed and put her face in one of her…hands. "What's the case Cap?" she asked him.

"Well Celaeno, Piper's stuck outside."

"Oh, I see," she nodded, rubbing her beak before setting her talon back down on the wood beamed floor. "Diamond's finally had enough of her?"

"If I had a cap," Capper grinned. Then he pulled the flyer out with some flourish. "Lookie here," he pointed, "she's trying to bring down the Institute! Of all the things." he snickered to himself.

"You brought down the Storm King." Perkins pointed out.

"Now now y'all, that's just a story. You know your grams is a bit—" Capper tapped his head and wiggled his eyes.

"That's what they tell me. Whattaya need big cat."

"Ooh, I love when you call me that. Gives me chills." he licked his lips. "Alright. Pull out the city files, I gotta cash in some favors. I'm going to pack up. Be a doll?" grinning he slipped off up the rickety looking attic styled staircase.

"Don't worry," said Perkins as she turned to the filing cabinets, "he's always like this."

I bit my lip to keep myself from saying something embarrassing. Sheesh, I've never been like this. I didn't know why he had me so captivated. Not to mention the bird lady. That was a bit confusing. I wouldn't doubt the radiation from arcana burst would mutate a cat into a walking talking intelligent being, but how did the front half of a pony become a bird? We didn't have a lick of avian DNA in us.

"Mind me asking how you're…ya know," I lifted a hoof to indicate all of her.

"Call it what you will. Radiation, birth defect. I've heard it all." she didn't even turn to look at me or ruffle her skirt as she pulled out paper after paper.

"No no, I think it's rather…compelling." I accidentally bit my tongue and choked. Was I calling her—

"Beautiful?" she turned and lifted a brow at me in question.

"No, just compelling. I'm kinda into somepony else."

"I see," she gave me a skeptical look and I was starting to think she normally scowled. She hadn't smiled once since we'd been here.

"You seem like a downer." I sniffed.

She cracked a smile, "Now you're at it! Don't worry, I only skipped my morning brandy."

"Brandy, right." I pursed my lips to the side. The cat slipped from the shadows with a handbag at his side. "Oh there you are."

"Yes, here I am." he spread his arms eagle, then adjusted his lapels.

"Um, Cap," Perkins pointed with a talon, "You got a thread."

"Oh crap. I'm gonna run outta this stuff. The Minister didn't do me justice when she told me it'd survive an apocalypse." he snatched a spindle of half depleted rainbow thread with a needle stuck through it and popped it in the bag.

"Minister?" I gave him a questioning look.

"Ya know," he gave me a rather uncomfortable smile and coughed. "Come on, off into the shadows, can't face the creeps alone." he patted me on the back and sauntered out the door.

"See ya," I waved to Perkins.

"Yeah yeah," she rolled her eyes then popped a couple ice cubes in a glass.

Snow frosted the ground over in the old stadium. Seeing as it probably hadn't snowed in centuries I wondered how exactly this came to be. Why hadn't it melted in the heat of constant radiation storms? Was DDC somehow protected? I seriously doubted it. These bozos seemed even more immature than the thugs in Good Neigh-Boar and I didn't think their technology would reflect it.

Guards stood in front of the mayor's lift, blocking the way. Capper sidled up to them, saluting, "Heya fellas. I'm here to cash in a couple favors."

"Oh yeah?" one reached for his police baton, "I don't think so Dapperpaws. The mayor doesn't want to see you."

"Why the long face? I ain't done nopony no wrong." Capper crossed his arms.

I flung some snow out of my horseshoe, "Hey what's the hold up?"

"Newcomer eh? Well I got news for you bub," he poked me with his stick, "Ain't nopony gets ta see the mayor ya hear?"

"Why? He got a stick up his plot?" I snorted.

The second guard towered over me, "You say that again, to my face."

"Listen," Capper drew in a breath and held up his paws, slinking back, "we don't want no trouble now. We just had a question for the old pal."

"He ain't takin' no visitors and that's final." he shoved Capper and the cat fell on his ass in the snow. His tail flicked and he looked about to start something but then he stood with his paws up.

"Hey, I'll come back at a better time. When ya think that'll be again?" he asked.

"Maybe if Brooke would get his flank back to work, we'd consider it. But unfortunately for you, he's got himself caught up at the taphouse."

"Is that right?" Capper stroked his whiskers. "I think I'll be seeing you fellas around. Come on Blitz, it looks like we're not wanted here."

"But—" I started.

He slid up next to me and whispered in my ear, "Listen slick, I said we're not wanted here."

"Oh! Right!" I coughed, "Won't be causing no trouble," I tried a Broncston accent, quite unsuccessfully.

My hooves crunched through the dunes of snow as we went down the carved path. It was mostly icey and I noticed this place was on the edge of some tall mountains. At the top of the ski lift that led there I noticed a marker on my compass signifying it was an undiscovered location. I knew what this meant, that I would need to cross reference my Stable-Tech maps with my Pip-Buck maps and see what was up. While I went over all this, Capper led us to the Cavesson Taphouse.

We threw open the doors and went to sit ourselves at the bar. It was a shady corner, one where Capper could easily cover me as I looked over my documents. There was something up in that cave that nopony wanted me to know about. The documents listed it as VOID and classified and on the map is was only shown as Broncston Commons, UNDISCOVERED. But something was up there and I was going to get to the bottom of it.

"Can it Chef, this is between me and my wife." came an interruption from a few stools over. A blue pony in a tan jacket was arguing with the bartender.

"Cool it Brooke, why do you always have to make a scene," said a mare who was just taking her seat. "Pour me another drink, won't you Chef?"

"Dammit, Darcy, I just want you to come home," Brooke complained to his girl.

"I will, later."

Brooke stamped a hoof, "I can't believe you'd do this to me Chef."

Chef smiled with a taunting look, "Do what to you, Brooke?"

"You smug bastard," Brooke snarled, "You better keep away from my wife, or sisters help me!"

Chef continued to nonchalantly polish beer mugs, "You should get out of here, before you do something stupid."

That's when Brooke yelled out a slur and ran for the bartender, who'd just come out from behind the counter to kick the stallion out. But Brooke lunged and began punching Chef. Darcy yelled for Chef not to hurt the stallion but instead he fought back, taking a swing. Brooke was sent flying to the ground, and when he got up he shot an angry glance at his wife, and muttered something about their colt. Then he walked out the door.

I glanced up, "Sheesh, I can't get any work done around here." I grumbled.

"Got a lead, my amigo?" Capper put a paw around my shoulder but I shied away. Only I could see what secrets Stable-Tech kept hidden.

"Sorry you had to see that." Chef was sliding back behind the counter, now addressing us. "Perfect place to drink, if you're buying." he smiled.

"No thanks, just need some peace and quiet." I told him, gathering up my papers.

"What, eh, was that argument about?" asked the cat.

Chef crossed his hooves for a moment, "Nothing much. Just that Darcy likes to come here to relax from time to time and Brooke doesn't care for it. I know he's not a bad stallion, just a little uptight. Too bad he can't learn to relax, eh Darcy?" he shot her a look.

"Oh shut up, I don't come here to talk about my husband." she glanced at me, "You there. I haven't seen you in here before. Why don't you make yourself useful and…say buy me a drink or something?"

I shot up, "Excuse me? You don't look like you need another drink. Stumbling around like the city beggar." I had finished stuffing my papers into my saddle bags once again and she was lucky she was a mare or I'd have beaten her senseless.

"Come on now, Blitzfire," Capper had come to massage my shoulders. "Why don't we find ourselves a quieter place to follow a lead?" he may have been implying something else, I wasn't sure. I just knew I needed a drink, and not from here.

"Takahashi's Noodle Stand," Capper fluffed at his lapel and went to sit down, "where the food is great and the robot doesn't speak a word of Ponish." the cat was right, the big hunk of metal turned to me to ask a question about what I wanted to eat, but all that came out was gibberish.

"Are his translators fried?" I asked.

"All that time around cooking grease gets to you, don't ya think?" Capper whispered behind a paw to me.

"Hey!" came a voice. It was Brooke, trotting up to us from the Stands. "Hey uh, sorry about what you saw in there."

"Your wife's a bigger bitch than a dog in heat," said I with a grimace.

"I got a question for you," said Brooke. I nodded and he continued, "You were there in the Taphouse, when um…"

"When Chef kicked your ass?" I lifted an eyebrow.

"Yeah well you can't blame a colt. I'm supposed to pretend he's not sleeping with my wife, but I know better."

"Looks like you need a friend," said Capper, "and you know what?" he pointed at the robot and a soft tune picked up from its speakers.

This town is not a nice place, for stallions on their own,

There are lots of twists and corners, that could lead to the unknown…

Capper put a paw around the stallion's shoulders and leading the two of us, we went down the back alleys. It was dark and creepy here, and even the silhouettes of the guards were ominous.

You need a bud to spot the danger, a pal to stop the creep,

A chum and not a stranger to assist!

You need a bro who is cunning, that can help you take the leap,

A friend who knows what's lying in the mist.

We were nearing the luminous sign blinking on and off, a heart with a cat chasing a mouse in its center, Capper's Detective Agency. The sign blinked off and we were covered in darkness. And when it suddenly came back on, I saw that Brooke was smiling and Capper was still singing.

'Cause I'm the friend you need, when you're lost and don't know what to do,

I'm your pal, your amigo, looking out for friends like you,

And my help, you'll concede, is a plus guaranteed…

'Cause I'm the friend you need!

"He's a friend," Brooke told me behind a hoof.

"Quite the friend," Capper interjected.

I rolled my eyes, "He's a friend indeed."

Capper opened the door to his office and went to pour a couple drinks. "That's my marketing campaign right there mi amigos." he grinned a toothy grin at us. "Before the Mane 6, I used it to con my way through life."

"Didn't getcha very far," said Perkins.

Capper pouted, "Hey, I'm way past those days. Selling out to shortstop and tyrants. You know me!"

"You did what now?" My eyes were wide at this new information.

"Yeah, back in the day he was a con artist," Perkins explained, "He almost sold out the Mane 6!"

I grabbed my drink from Capper and spread my pamphlets and maps before me. I was flicking through the map on the Pip-Buck, trying to make heads or tails of it. I thought back to what Mama Madmare had said to me, about checking these maps and cross referencing them, and I think I was finally beginning to get it. They had a big secret down here, and I think it was up to me to figure out what it was.

"Listen fellas, I'm not gonna just sit here and let Chef steal my wife and destroy my family." said Brooke, sipping heavily at his drink. Jeez! "I want you guys to go back with me. I don't want to hurt him, just want him to leave Darcy alone."

Capper slinked over the counter in that sly cat way of his, tail twirling, "What's in it for us, buddy? I don't work for free now."

"I only have 80 caps right now, but I can scrape together more later." he had a wary look in his eyes and he just looked like a tired old stallion.

"Look, if it means I can get back to work, fine," I told him. "Also, I work alone."

"But with me by your side, eh slick?" said Capper.

"I think I need a break for a bit Capper. I have a lot on my mind."

"Oh, friend zoned by the bitter stallion," Perkins was laughing.

I got up and left my things in a haste. "Don't wait up, you'll know when I'm back." with that I shot through the door.

Quest added

DOUBLE DIAMOND BLUES

The Taphouse seemed empty at this time in the evening, and when I walked in, I saw Chef having a conversation with another stallion. "I'll meet you there, and don't be late."

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be there. I just have to close up." Chef grumbled. The stallion walked away and Chef looked up at me.

"Can I talk to you, Chef?" I snapped.

"Is there some sort of problem?" he asked me with that smug smile of his. Now I could see why Brooke hated him so much, and I just needed to let some of my anger out.

"Are you sleeping with Brooke's wife?" I put a hoof on the table, serious.

"I don't see what business it is of yours who I'm sleeping with." Chef shot back.

I narrowed my eyes and he narrowed his, "Look, I'm asking nicely. What's it gonna be?"

Chef chuckled, then gained a serious look about himself, "I'm asking you "nicely" to turn back around and go ask Brooke to come talk to me himself."

I lifted my revolver, "Oh look, three bullets. I'll count to three then, one…two…"

Chef held up his hooves in surrender, "Hold on now, don't go crazy on me, we can work something out. I didn't plan for any of this to happen. She's just always hanging around here. Tell Brooke it's over, I promise."

"That's all you've got to offer?" I lifted a brow and huffed a sigh.

"You're right. I have an idea. Let's kill two birds with one stone shall we? I have some other businesses on the side. One is helping that fellow you just saw, Lay Time, spend his father's money to help him feel like a gangster. The point is, me and him are meeting some gentlecolts from Good Neigh-Boar to exchange caps for chems. My plan is simple, we take the money, and the chems."

I was brushing some dust off the barrel of the gun, "I don't know, it sounds like a huge risk."

"The meeting is always in the same place, and the same number of stallions. They'll never know what hit them if you're packing what I think you are."

"I promise, you won't regret this." Chef smiled and nodded. If he expected me to shake hooves, he was sorely mistaken. I got up, grabbed a bottle of booze and left the room.

Maybe I was bitter, but it would be nice to get just a little bit of work done. Now I found myself back at the noodle stand waiting for Chef, surrounded by a bunch of security ponies. I had a bowl of soup and a bottle of expensive chardonnay and I was flicking through my pamphlets when I got a tap on the shoulder. "Ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Chef led us out of Double Diamond City, where just outside of town, along a side street out of DDC limits, Lay Time and a group of ghouls from Good Neigh-Boar were discussing business. I went right up to them, pistol drawn and Lay Time turned to me, "What the hell are you doing here? Chef who's this?"

I smiled, feeling a rush of satisfaction, "I'm here to take the money and the chems. Oh, and to kill all of you."

"What? That's crazy!" Lay Time shouted in annoyance, but when I shot the first ghoul he screamed, "Oh, shit!" he drew a gun but I was faster on the uptake and shot it out of his hands. He tried to make a break for it but I side kicked him and he smashed into a huge gasoline truck. His buddies tried to gang up on me, but Chef had a 10mm packing and he took down two of the three. "Last one's on me," I smirked and shot the idiot's head clean off.

"You guys, you know how illegal this is?" Lay Time was shuddering, and I think he pissed himself.

"Less illegal than a drug deal," I told him, and shot him in the chest.

"Grab the bags," said Chef, as he was already picking up a few from the ghouls.

"No thanks, I don't do drugs," I nodded to him as I lifted a few coin purses from Lay Time's saddle bag. "But I do appreciate a good pay day."

Later that evening I ended up spending the last of the caps from the hit on booze. Chef was happy to serve me, he said I was hilarious drunk. I didn't know what he meant, I was being completely serious. I had to know what was up in that hole, above the town. He said it was only Broncston Commons. Nothing too special, not sightseeing worthy anyway. But I knew all signs pointed to that alcove.

"Blitzy, buddy, thank goodness I found you. What's going on? You're drunk!"

"Cappy, oh good, oh good you're here." I put a hoof on his shoulder, looking him square in the eye. "I just helped, ya know, that guy, Brooke. Chef ain't gonna do nopony no harm anymore."

"Is that so?" Capper glanced over his shoulder at the bartender.

"Hey! I told him no more drinks an hour ago." Chef shrugged.

"We better uh, go tell Brooke the good news." I tried to stand but I was all wobbly and Capper had to catch me.

"He already knows old friend. Let's get you to a bed."

"Why?! I'm very angry with you ya know." I told him, trying to scold him.

"I know, and we can talk it over when you're sober."

"O-Ok, Cappy." I smiled at him then began to pass out in his arms. Next thing I knew we were in his office, upstairs in the bed. "Th-There's only one bed Capper." I told him.

"Yeah, I'll go sleep on the couch." he explained.

"N-No!" I grabbed his paw and he looked down at our joined extremities. I used it to pull him down toward me, and for a second time since meeting his lips met mine. I closed my eyes and kissed him, wanting him to stay. "Please stay with me."

"Alright," he smiled, then curled up next to me.

At that we fell asleep to the flickering of the candle in the lantern beside the bed.

(I've been going bold and I know you like it! Drunk off his ass? What next, sex? Probably. Don't count on it ;) Did you like my rendition of Diamond City Blues from Fallout 4? This is a Fallout 4 fanfic afterall. Blitz had a meltdown there, needing to relieve stress I guess he did it in a way only wastelanders know how, killing a bunch of bitches! He did it alright. Got a bunch of caps and booze too for it. Work done though, it's time to see what lies hidden in Broncston Commons. Capper and Blitz make a cute couple don't they? Who's cuter, OJ and Blitz or Capper and Blitz. I'm a furry, so I'd take the cat anyday, but let's see where this story goes, shall we? Love ya!

Brohoof! /)