A/N: Warning! Since I am not wanting this story too take too much of my free time to write I am not reading each chapter a half dozen times correcting them. I still do proof myself at least twice but whatever.

Chapter 3: Guide to Wasteland Survival!

It was yet another irradiated day filled with bloodshed, enslavement, raids and all sorts of other horrors only some would recover from. Giant green super mutants were taking prisoners to who knows where. The D.C. Brotherhood of Steel were doing as their elder told them and trying to contain the super mutant population the best they could. It was truthfully your typical day in the Capital Wasteland.

This is exactly why Alice was sitting on the remains of a chair outside of some shack of a restaurant near the water's edge, pleasantly enjoying an Atomic Cocktail. On a table nearby an old radio played GNR since they were in range of it. Alice had to agree this station was much better than that Enclave radio station. She wasn't so sure about the DJ though. He seemed to care about the oddest of things and mentioned both Ferna and her dad apparently.

Alice was surprised there was this mixed drink in the Wasteland and it was definitely a post apocalyptic creation. The late owner of the shack had found the recipe from far away near a land called New Vegas or maybe traded for it. Either way Alice was enjoying the drink and the scenery. She found the apocalyptic view was actually rather enchanting in an odd way.

Next to her was a rather scary looking cat creature, lazily lounging by her side while still keeping an eye on the area around them. Alice gave a sigh as she felt the drink enjoyably burn in her throat. The cat gave a smirk as he said; "Only you Alice, would find a way to still have tea time in such a place, even if your drink isn't a tea."

Alice rolled her eyes as she casually said, "Cheshire I highly doubt this world has something similar to the likes of Earl Grey. Well at least in the way I am familiar with it."

Cheshire chuckled deeply as he said, "Well you never were one for boring old normal tea parties anyways."

Suddenly, there was a loud gasp for air, as a very naked and very wet Ferna emerged from the irradiated river and asked. "Can someone remind me why I'm here in the middle of the Capital Wasteland skinny dipping? Whose idea was this anyway?"

Cheshire gave a loud rumbling laugh as he said, "We are here because you chose to help with that Wasteland Survival Guide fair Ferna."

"Also it was your idea to do the radiation portion next." Alice said with a contented sigh as she took another sip of her cocktail.

"Why am I the only one doing this though?" Ferna asked frustrated with herself. This whole Survival Guide project seemed so easy at first.

"Because you wanted to get severe radiation sickness for the bonus, and someone has to be able to watch over you as we make our way back to Megaton." Alice said.

Ferna sighed, "Alright. Hopefully it won't take much longer. Seriously who knew it would be so hard to get radiation sickness in this word. I wish there was a quicker way to do this." She then went back to the water, but this time she sat so her head and upper chest were above the water as she picked up her own Atomic Cocktail and took a sip.

Cheshire gave a chuckle as he said, "Well we could always seek out a nuclear waste dumping site and you could relax in a nice gooey batch green irradiated goop for stint."

"Sorry but I'd rather just have two arms, two legs, and two breasts and only one head. Who knows what would happen if I jump into a barrel of that stuff. It might make me horribly disfigured but with superhuman strength or something." Ferna said to a chuckle from the demonic looking car, and a curious gaze from the corner of Alice's eyes.

Ferna wouldn't have cared about this look, but Alice had blushed when she first tossed off her armor and started to shimmy out of her panties. That made things feel a little awkward. Ferna blushed thinking about that moment again. Alice had made sure to turn her back and volunteered as lookout with her odd cat, but the red haired girl noticed Alice's reaction. Ferna gave a sigh and shook her head as she thought back to how easy the day seemed to start.

-Flashback Starts-

Alice and Ferna had a nice breakfast of "Nuclear Oatmeal" from the Brass Lantern before heading to Carterside Supply. Alice was eager to thank Moira for the new and improved dress. Ferna was hoping the store would have some drool worthy weapons, or at least some extras of her current arsenal she could buy for extra parts along with ammo. Inside the store looked like many other buildings except there was stuff everywhere on display.

"Hmmmm… I wonder if fairies exist, and if so would their dust be more irradiated than normal dust?" An attractive young woman in her mid-twenties with red brown hair asked seemingly no one. There was a guard in the shop but he seemed like the silent type. She soon turned to them and said cheerfully, "Oh... Hey there! How are you two? I'm Moira Brown and welcome to Craterside Supply!"

Immediately Ferna looked around and started to drool over the Chinese Assault rifle on sale. It wasn't in the best of condition, and it was pricey but she wanted it anyways. Ferna then overheard Alice and Moira talking to each other.

"Hello Moira. I am Alice Liddell. You fixed up my dress, which I must say is wonderful, and you also got me ready before the Doctor worked on my wound." Alice said with a beautiful and grateful smile.

"Oh yes! I remember that. I hope that new dress of yours works out." Moira gave a wide and satisfied grin as she said, "It was so interesting and challenging to make something so pretty that actually worked for the Wasteland. I guess if you end up dying then I know it doesn't work."

Ferna was a little unnerved by how happily and casually Moira said that last part, but she soon thought about how much she could get from trading her goods. Hopefully she would have enough to buy not only the Chinese Assault rifle and ammo, but also a laser pistol and ammo for it as well.

Ferna looked and noticed Alice sold a lot chemical supplies and bought more stimpaks. Alice then looked as if she wasn't sure what else to buy. Ferna decided to try and help out her new companion, "Does she not have the gun you prefer?"

Alice looked to Ferna seriously as she said, "I have never fired a gun before. I'm not military, nor am I a hunter."

Ferna looked to Alice confused as she said, "How are you still alive then?" Alice gave her a pout and Ferna quickly said, "No offense Alice. I was just wondering."

Alice gave a sigh, "I suppose you are right to ask such a thing. I used my trusty Vorpal Blade and my playing cards. I guess I also did use stealth after that first meeting with those ruffians. Also Cheshire was actually a little useful for once as well." Alice made using playing cards as weapons was something everyone should know already.

Ferna would have asked about the cards, but before she could Moira did for her. "Y'know I have heard a lot of things, seen few, but I have never heard of cards as viable weapons. Though I haven't ever heard someone say they weren't. Maybe this is some wastelander secret?"

Alice gave a smirk, "Well, unlike most people's cards mine have razor sharp edges and they are a bit bigger than your standard playing cards. So I think it more of an Alice secret instead of a wasteland one."

Moira gave a smile as she said, "That sounds fascinating! And how about that it also explains how you can use them as weapons when no one else can. Any who if you want to shoot a gun than why don't you get some ammo for a gun you have on you. Maybe you can figure out what ammo goes with any of the guns I am sure you have picked up from them ruffians."

Alice gave a nod and the two started talking quietly about what ammo to get Alice. Ferna just shook her head and started looking around the place for her own weapons and supplies. She knew Alice would probably show her what gun she got ammo for later.

{-} {-} {-}

It wasn't long before Moira asked aloud, "Are you sure about that Alice? I don't have that gun to sell you and I doubt you will easily find a 'Ruffian' or Raider as we call them using such a gun, but maybe things are different out there than I have heard." Moira then gave a sad sigh as she said, "I don't really get out much myself."

Soon Alice had her ammo and Ferna was now getting her goods. She decided to ask Moira something after making a trade for some healing supplies and the other items she wanted. Ferna knew she wouldn't have many caps left on her person after the trade, but she was happy with her new goods.

As Moira finished riniging her up she asked, "Why did you sound so sad when you told us you don't get out much? Most would much rather be in here than out there."

Moira gave a small smile as she said, "Well I have this dream you see. I want to be an author." Ferna and Alice gave gasps to this. Neither of the two girls thought people would read much in this world. Much less be able to actual write something and get it printed.

"I know whatcha thinking. How can I actually get something printed much less someone wanting to read it?" Moira said to two nods. "You see I want to write a book about surviving out in the Wasteland. I need an intro from someone like you about how different things are out here compared to those overly safe and functional vaults."

"I can help you with that no problem Moira. The vaults were very boring and there usually aren't too many people in them. They have to keep the population in check so resources don't run out. It is also a pain in the ass because you start working to help the vault at the age of ten." Ferna said with a sigh and shake of her head.

"Ohhh. That is good what else?" Moira asked her. Alice was standing really close and staring intently at Ferna. Alice seemed as if she was a child being told a very interesting story, or like a lover listening to their partner tell something really amazing. Ferna wasn't really sure which it was.

"Well there is barely a handful peoople in any generation and then when you turn sixteen you take a test that tells you what you will do for the rest of your long boring life. The jobs range from fry cook to administrative personnel." Ferna said with a roll of her eyes. "The test was really a joke I think."

Ferna then gave a wistful smile as she said, "But despite everything you can make at least a couple of friends and it is very safe. Nothing like out here. Those doors really do keep people out as well as people in."

Moira nodded. "So interesting!" She was writing something else and then looked up and said, "Here take this as thanks for your insightful help with the introduction."

She then handed Ferna something that was a modified vault suit. The thing looked really awesome and it was just as protective as her security armor but much easier to wear and much less bulky. On top of that for some reason her Pip-boy said it added to small guns and energy weapons efficiency. She wasn't sure how it did this but nonetheless it caused a smug grin from her.

Ferna then got a brilliant idea… to her at least. "So how else can I help you and will you give me more stuff for doing so?"

Moira gave a bright smile as she said, "Of course I will honey. I also need something about radiation and how it actually feels to have radiation sickness, along with something about scavenging food and medical supplies from the ruins. Then I need to know about disarming and avoiding mines in a mine field."

Ferna blinked a few times but asked, "What about the scavenging food and medical supplies from the ruins?"

"Ohh that one. Well I know of this place nearby called the Super Duper Mart. I know for whatever reason all of this food from over 200 years ago is still preserved and edible but still people go for iguana on a stick instead. I want to know why this is. If you could go look into that for me it would mean a lot for the book."

Ferna gave a laugh, "Ohhh. I already went and cleared that place out and got supplies from there." Her words alone seemed to satisfy Moira this time.

"As for what happened, well…" Ferna gave another laugh before she told Moira all about her trip to the nearby grocery store.

{-} {-} {-}

"Really security turrets and a Protectron?" Moira asked. Ferna nodded and Alice looked a little confused as to what a Protectron was. "Imagine that… Hmmm… that gives me an idea for a later chapter."

Moira started to mutter something to herself that neither Alice nor Ferna understood. "Anywho… take this. Why don't you? I can't think of a better way to reward you for gathering medical supplies than to give you more! Ohhh… and take this thing I found as well. Supposedly it sanitizes food. Not sure how it will help someone in this world but hey maybe an adventurer like you can figure something out with it."

Ferna wasn't sure either but figured she would just keep it stored away. It wasn't really taking up too much room in her inventory. Ferna thought this book might be an easier task than she first thought. She still didn't like the idea about a mine field though. So instead, having completely forgotten about her quest to find her dad she asked, "So radiation sickness… What do you need to know about that and how am I supposed to help you with it?"

Moira gave a smile as she cheerfully said, "Oh don't worry I just need you to get radiation sickness and let me examine you. If you want though I can give you something extra if you get severe radiation sickness."

Ferna gave a frown and grimaced at the thought. Moira noticed it and said lightly, "Oh don't worry I have a lot of old medical equipment to help with such things and plenty of supplies to cure you of it. You won't have it for too long."

Ferna gave a thoughtful look and decided that this somehow was much more important than anything else, including her main quest. At the moment for some reason she was drawing a blank on what her main quest was anyways. "Okay! Sure why not?"

Alice gave her new companion a concerned look as she asked, "You do realize too much radiation is more or less what makes ghouls if they survive it, right Ferna? Do you have any idea how long it will take to absorb enough radiation for this anyways?"

Ferna gave her a smile as she said, "Oh come on it can't be that bad. I'll just have myself a nice drink from the Brass Lantern and soak my toes in that pond in the middle of town. I should get radiation sickness in no time at all!" Ferna's smile fell a little as she added in a lower voice, "I think at least… Besides this is for… Science!"

Alice shrugged her shoulders and said, "Alright. You are the leader on this venture."

"That's the spirit!" Said Moira in a sing song voice. She then turned and started towards the back of the shop as she said quietly. "Let me make sure those machines actually work. The trader I got them from did say he was mostly sure there was very likely still a chance of some kind they worked!" She then started humming to herself happily as she disappeared.

Alice raised an eyebrow at Ferna, who gave a nervous laugh as she asked, "You do have RadAway right? That orange liquid stuff in the pouches that removes radiation instantly somehow?"

Alice seemed to be lost in thought for a minute before she said, "I do actually, a decent bit those Ruffians… I mean Raiders had a lot on them."

Ferna gave a sigh of relief as Alice gave a curious hum and said, "Makes you wonder what they were up to back then that such a thing was created and then produced on a mass scale though."

Ferna blinked a couple of times before sighing and saying, "Probably those nuclear powered cars they were all driving."

Alice's jaw dropped, "You mean they were riding machines like that bomb in the center of the town?"

Ferna shrugged her shoulders, "Yah pretty much. They weren't as powerful nor were they weaponized, but yup they were riding mini-bombs."

Alice's green eyes widened in disbelief as she said under her breath, while shaking her head. "Americans…"

Ferna was about to tell Alice she had to be one as well, since there hadn't been any international travel she was aware of since before the bombs fell, but Ferna decided not to. The red haired girl didn't want to press Alice too much, since they were just now starting to travel together.

"Well let's go Alice." Ferna said and the two left the shop.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice looked at the staring children and adults as that priest guy kept going on and on about the glory of Atom. Lucas Simms had reintroduced himself to the green eyed girl a couple of times before she finally told him she knew who he was and she would try to stay out of trouble.

"Geez… I was just saying hello… No reason to bite my head off you know." Lucas Simms said before walking off. Alice sighed, she had perhaps been a little forceful in her words with him but she was bored. This quest to get radiation sickness wasn't exactly exciting.

Alice looked over to Ferna who had a stack of drinks next to her, fortunately non-alcoholic or the girl would have passed out by now. They had also been free since the owners of The Brass Lantern had gotten a lot of business from the onlookers to her quest.

"How long as she been at it now?" a man with a bandanna asked a younger girl, who seemed to be his ward.

"Nearly three hours. She has just been sitting there with her feet in the pond. At first, we thought she was listening to Cromwell but he has been through his spiel twice now." The young girl said.

Lucas' son then spoke up. "I think she is trying to get radiation sickness or something. But that stuff takes a while to build up really."

An older man named Jericho gave a scoff and said, "She might as well get naked if she is going to try and get that shit from there."

A blonde woman named Lucy, the third potential for what would have been Moriarty's dream harem, spoke up. "You know if you want to see that kind of thing you could just go pay Nova, Jericho."

He gave a grumble as he answered her, "You think I haven't tried? I finally got some caps from my last scavenge trip to pay for her services and then Moriarty gets done in and she says she ain't whoring anymore… Damn shame that is…"

Lucy just rolled her eyes and a few of the other men grumbled in agreement with Jericho. Jericho then gave a wicked smile as he said, "Don't get me wrong. I'm glad the fucker got what he deserved and I would gladly shake the hand of whoever killed him." The others all nodded in agreement to that as well.

Alice just gave a knowing smile that was reminiscent of a certain cat's as she thought to herself. "I'm sure you would want to do much more than just shake her hand Jericho." She remembered that he had approached her a couple of times last night. No doubt he wanted to save the caps from Nova's services, but he left before everything happened.

Ferna finally let out a loud and exasperated sigh as she said, "Forget this! I have a better idea! Let's go Alice."

Alice gave a smile as she downed the rest of her drink as she said happily, "Finally! I was getting rather bored just sitting here waiting, and I do dangerous things when I get bored."

As the two girls left Megaton, they didn't hear the clinking of caps as they changed hands. The crowd then dispersed with a few grumbling and a couple of others laughing as they headed over to the saloon. Truthfully though everyone had enjoyed the scene in their own way.

There was only one figure left in the area and he was still going on and on about the warmth and glory of Atom's glow. He really hadn't noticed nor cared that most of the town had gathered to watch a girl soak her feet in the water. "Glory be to Atom. May we all be blessed by Atom with his ever welcoming warmth!"

- Flashback Ends -

Ferna shook her head at the memory. It seems unless you are standing in toxic nuclear waste it takes a while to get radiation sickness… at first… Now that she had contracted the first stage her immune system had weakened and she was more susceptible to absorbing radiation.

Ferna gave a frown as she turned to Alice, who was still trying hard not to look at the red head's naked body, and said. "I think it is finally working… I feel like crap…."

Alice gave a sigh as her shoulders slumped. "Well what did you think it would feel like?"

Ferna gave a weak smile. even if Alice was only looking at her from the corner of her green eyes. Ferna really liked her green eyes. They were beautiful. "I know Alice. At first it wasn't that bad, if world hadn't gone to hell this would have been like a pleasant dip in a really large hot tub."

Alice raised her eyes questioningly at the words 'hot tub'. Ferna gave a small smile as she explained, "It is a pool of regularly and constantly heated water. They usually have little jets that provide a constant flow and current to the water. They are supposedly very relaxing and sometimes sexy things happen in them."

Alice gave an 'ohhh' expression and started to ponder these hot tubs. She guessed they were really similar to a hot bath. She would have loved to have that back at Houndsditch, but usually when they bathed it was in barely above freezing water. She didn't really see the big deal about these 'hot tubs' and why they deserved a special name, but Ferna knew about these things and she said they were amazing. This was more than enough for Alice to decide they must be.

Ferna gave a cough as she said, "I really wish the one in the vault hadn't been restricted to just the Overseer. I would have liked to visit it more often." Ferna had a wistful smile as her Geiger counter started to tick a little louder.

Alice scrunched her eyesbrows at this comment. "How do you know what it feels like to be in one if it was restricted to the Overseer?"

Ferna gave a mischievous smile that Alice really liked. "Well Amata and I sneaked in to it a few times for fun. We even went with Susie Mack one time before she broke off our friendship because of her crush on Butch."

Ferna gave a frown and then gave a humorless chuckle as she said, "I wonder if she would still have a crush on Butch if she saw how he was scared of the Radroaches and then saw him eagerly thank me for helping him and his mom?"

Alice tapped her foot impatiently after Ferna stopped talking for a bit before she finally asked, "Who are these people you are talking about Ferna?" Alice wasn't sure but for some reason she was feeling threatened or something by them. Fortunately, her voice hadn't betrayed any of these thoughts.

Ferna was feeling like her insides were starting to painfully melt. She checked her Geiger counter and saw she had just progressed into moderate radiation sickness. "Amata is… or was… my best friend in the vault. She was also the overseer's daughter. She helped me escape before I was taken by security for questioning about my dad's departure."

Ferna started to clutch her stomach and sides, the pain was really bad. She ended up throwing up into the river. Fortunately the contents of her stomach floated downstream away from her. She then threw up a few more times and Alice made to come get her, but Ferna waved her off.

She continued after a few moments, "I asked her to join me but she didn't want to do that. She said she was tempted but claimed her place was in the vault and she would reign her dad in and cancel the lockdown. She told me how to leave the vault."

Ferna coughed and spit out what looked like blood. She ignored it and prayed RadAway was as amazing as it claimed to be. "Susie Mack was a friend we made when we were twelve years old. When I turned sixteen she ended our friendship and said there never could be a friendship between us. I know the only reason she cut it off is because she developed a crush on Butch."

Ferna gave another coughing fit and somehow threw up once again. She was afraid her hair might start falling out any second now even though she knew it wouldn't. She was relieved to be at 500 rads. She was almost there.

Alice wanted to do something for Ferna, but she couldn't and she didn't know what she could anyways. Ferna spoke again hoarsely, "Butch was the head of a so called gang. They claimed to be the baddest gang in the vault." Ferna gave a retching laugh. "They were actually, but only because they were the only one."

Ferna frowned at the memories. It was hard for her to believe just yesterday she was a Vault Pip-boy Programmer. She took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Butch was a bully. He wasn't really too bad though. The two of us fought sometimes but that was it. Also I always won… except when he got his friends to help him as well"

Ferna gave a scoff, "He really was a bit of a coward really. He eventually gave up taking me on alone. I always won every time that happened. He had to get his two lackeys to help him if he wanted to stand a chance. In the end I saved him and him drunkard mom from a pack of Radroaches."

Alice had narrowed her eyes planning on showing this Butch guy if she ever met him. He shouldn't be such a cowardly man and pick fights with a girl like that. She was glad Ferna had showed him. Alice even laughed at the thought of him screaming like a little girl at the sight of Radroaches. The three of them had killed a building infested with them on the way here in six minutes.

"After I saved him and his mom I was thinking he was about to confess his love for me or something. He even said they didn't mean it every time they made fun of me. I just wrote it off quickly because I was in a hurry to get out of there." Ferna finished her story.

Soon after her Geiger counter told her she had 600 rads and her Pip-boy was flashing telling her she had severe radiation sickness. She wasn't going to argue with it. She felt worse than she had ever before. She felt as if her insides were cooking.

She got out and stumbled as she tried to get dressed. In the end, a very concerned Alice helped Ferna get dressed and forced her to use Alice as a shoulder to lean on. "Let's get back to Megaton before I die so some animal can have a meal of well-done slow cooked Ferna."

Alice rolled her eyes as Cheshire gave a low chuckle. Alice then sighed and said, "So do you still think this was a good idea Ferna?"

Ferna gave a tired sigh. "I guess it depends on the prize for this quest. It really does hurt so the prize has got to be something amazing. I mean they always say no pain, no gain right?"

"Only the insane equate pain with success like that Ferna." Cheshire said as his grin grew. "Perhaps you are an even better match for dear little Alice than I thought."

"Now is not the time cat." Alice said. "Make yourself useful again and be ready to fight. Ferna is very much sick and I can't be much use holding her up like this."

Cheshire's grin dropped as he said calmly, "Fortunately Megaton isn't too far from here. Do you want me to watch your back or take point?"

"Point." Alice said. The cat nodded and then took the front as they made their way to Megaton. Alice gave Ferna a concerned look and held on to her tighter as they continued. "I won't let anything happen to you Ferna… I won't lose anyone else." Alice thought to herself as they marched forward.

Ferna looked at the large demonic looking cat. She thought back to when they first met not too long ago.

-Flashback starts-

Alice was a little apprehensive as she told Ferna Cheshire would be nearby. Ferna wasn't really concerned. She had an open mind about this meeting. She trusted Alice not to do anything too horrible to her, especially right in sight of the lookout perched on top of the gate to Megaton. In fact, the red haired girl was eager for this meeting. She figured Cheshire would be what a cat looked like after being mutated from the radiation, so she expected something like a monster.

Despite everything happening Ferna couldn't shake a growing feeling in the back of her mind. She was sure she had heard the name Alice Liddell before and a being called the Cheshire cat as well. There was a nagging feeling in the back of her head. Ferna shook her head and looked forward, but after a few seconds the nagging stopped and her brain was screaming at what she saw before her.

There was a strange simmering a few feet in front of them as a large cat, that was more the size of a great big dog than a cat, can into being before them. The thing was grey with black tribal tattoos all over his body. He looked very mangy and he had a large hoop earring in his left ear.

The thing looked very skeletal as well. Actually, Ferna could see his ribs through his coat, but at the same time she could tell he wasn't weak or anything like something would be if you could see their bones like that. The most horrifying thing though, was when the thing smiled.

It had yellow stained teeth with what looked like flecks of blood on them. Also the teeth looked very human like. Ferna might have been scared or might have run away but she had her laser pistol within easy reach and in much better condition now. She could dust him if she needed, but if Alice was right that wouldn't be an issue so long as Ferna didn't plan to turn Alice into a whore. Also her HUD showed him as friendly.

"I guess you must be Cheshire." Ferna said cautiously. The beast nodded. "You are much different in person than Alice made you sound like from her brief explanation."

"I find it odd that you would say I am different in person than Alice said I would be." Cheshire grinned hoping to catch this new girl off guard by speaking to her. He loved it when the caravan guard and Doc Hoff were. He was secretly hoping it would become a trend.

"Why do you say that Cheshire?" Ferna asked him. She was surprised by his voice, but only because she could have sworn something stirred inside her when she heard him speak. She hoped it wasn't what she feared it was. She really didn't see how she could be into bestiality.

Cheshire looked at Ferna intently. He found her interesting. She wasn't startled by him speaking like he thought she would be. He was pretty sure even if Alice had told this Ferna everything about him she would have reacted in some manner.

"What I mean by that is I am not a person. I am simply a Cheshire Cat and nothing more or less." The cat said with a hidden smirk.

"Should she have said instead that you were different 'in kitty cat' than she thought you would be?" Alice asked. She knew Cheshire was trying to bait Ferna. Alice wasn't about to lose her new companion like this though. She wouldn't let Ferna fall for his verbal traps easily.

Cheshire gave a low rumbling laugh as he said, "Perrrhaps... But when you say it like that Alice. I think I agree with person over the other option."

Cheshire then gave the dark red haired girl a look as he said, "Anyways I never did get a name. I am at a bit of a disadvantage not knowing your name Missss…" The cat's tail twitched a little from left to right.

Ferna blushed a little bit as she said, "Ahhh… Sorry about that. I'm Ferna Lancaster. Alice asked to join me in my quest across the Capital Wasteland. I told her everything I could about the dangers, but she agreed to come regardless as long as you were allowed as well. I didn't see any problems, so I agreed to her conditions."

Cheshire let out an amused chuckle. "She has always been rather stubborn when it comes to people telling her she can't do something, or can't have something. She is a very willful woman when she wants to be. I am not surprised that she managed to convince you to let a Cheshire Cat join as well."

The cat then gave a wicked almost demonic smile as he said, "At the same time she has also been little better than a doll for other's amusement when she refused to see the truth that was plain before her eyes, and instead chose to ignore it."

The cat disappeared as a card flew right at his direction, and reappeared near Alice. Had he not moved like that the card would have hit him right between the eyes. After seeing the card was embedded deep within a rather solid burned out tree, Ferna now understood just how deadly these things were.

Ferna looked at the card with interest as she asked, "Do you have an unlimited supply of these things Alice?"

Alice's eyes widened just a hint as she said, "I actually don't know." She then got lost in her thoughts for a few seconds before she let out a sigh and said, "I don't think they are… but at the same time I think I can make or possibly get more of them."

Ferna nodded. "Then we need to find you an alternate mid to long range weapon. Do you have any ideas about one Alice?"

Alice gave a devious smile and several beings all across the wasteland gave an unexpected shiver. "I actually found one that I was curiously drawn to while heading to Megaton. But I don't know what shape it is in, or how to really use it. I do know I have found a lot of ammo for it and bought some from Moira as well."

Alice then pulled out of thin air a huge minigun. Alice had a look of eagerness on her face as she held the minigun and caressed part of it. Ferna could have sworn that she heard a small moan escape Alice's mouth as she stroked one of the barrels on the gun. Regardless she liked the scene before her eyes. Alice was a tiny girl yet she held on to that huge large monster of a weapon with no problem at all.

"Do you know how to work that thing Alice?" Ferna asked.

"No clue!" Alice said cheerfully. Cheshire chuckled and Ferna rolled her eyes.

{-} {-} {-}

Ferna just stared in awe at Alice. The dark haired girl was a psycho with the minigun, but also surprisingly very good with it. "I like this gun it's a much better and bigger version of my Pepper grinder gun. Actually it is better than that gun! I love these kinds of guns Ferna!" Alice said aloud with glee. Ferna didn't say anything, she was just glad Alice was on her side.

"Well then once we come across a table where I can work let me see it. I have one myself with some ammo. I can repair yours with parts from the one I have and make it even better for you." Ferna said to her companion. She decided she might as well give Alice more 'big guns' since she seemed to like them. However Ferna wasn't too keen on giving the green eyed girl the missile launcher yet.

Alice gave a beautiful smile as she then summoned something from thin air. Immediately Ferna began to drool over the sleek and clearly modified Chinese Assault Rifle. Her blue eyes started to glow as she got ideas on ways to possibly improve it later.

"I came across a trio of bandits and one had this on them. Fortunately Cheshire and I caught them off guard and managed to take them out before they could use this or the big gun I have with me now." Alice said not really hiding the pride she had for acquiring such weapons.

"Oh don't be so modest dear Alice. You forgot to tell our new friend you had already suffered your shoulder wound by that time as well." The cat said his yellow eye glowing as he gave a smile.

"Shoulder wound? What shoulder wound?" Ferna asked a little concerned.

"Ohhh… Alice didn't tell you she was stabbed in her shoulder and shortly after that hyped up on Med-x?" Cheshire said. Ferna shook her head as Alice glared at the cat. "Well I guess it really is something one usually keeps to their self. Anyways she suffered a nasty stab to the shoulder and was using Med-X for the pain, but she didn't let such trivial matters slow her down."

"Is your shoulder okay now Alice? Also how did you get stabbed?" Asked Ferna.

"I am good now. Doc Church fixed me up really well and cured me of my Med-X addiction. I got stabbed because I walked right into a group of six raiders and after Cheshire and I dealt with the minions and the leader was ready to fight. She actually got us a few times. However, she is now dead and I am very much alive." Alice said casually.

"Alright." Ferna said but mentally told herself to keep an eye on Alice and make sure she didn't get into anymore Med-X. Oddly enough, Ferna wasn't very upset with this idea.

- End of Flashback-

Fortunately they didn't come across anything too dangerous on their trip back to Megaton. They only ran into some mole rats and a few poorly armed raiders. It seemed the raiders were even easier with the three of them working together, even if Ferna felt like she was about to puke out her insides the whole time.

"Well okie dokey assistant you should be good to go except for this itsy bitsy tiny little mutation to your base DNA. But hey! It is benign and actually seems to be beneficial!" Moira gave a nervous smile to Ferna.

"Oh by the way here are some meds to help your improved glowing personality as you put it." Moira then handed her several more doses of RadAway and Rad-X. Honestly Ferna was just glad to have been cured of all her rads, and knew she wouldn't be growing a third breast or anything odd like that.

Alice looked to Ferna and asked, "So are you going to march into a mine field now Ferna?"

Ferna gave a laugh as she said, "After getting severe radiation sickness, I think this mine field will be easier."

"Great! Be sure to look into it and make sure you don't get blown up!" Moira said with a little laugh that was only slightly crazed. Ferna just ignored the laugh. She liked Moira but the woman was clearly playing without a full deck.

{-} {-} {-}

Alice and Ferna were now outside Megaton. Ferna turned to Alice and said, "You know some time we should go to that waterside restaurant again, except this time to just relax and have fun rather than get radiation sickness. It seems like a small paradise in this Wasteland of a place. If you know what I mean."

Alice smiled and said, "I do know what you mean. Truthfully, if you don't have to worry about raiders and other such things this whole 'Capital Wasteland' has a certain appeal to it." Alice just gave a smile after that. Ferna thought about what her companion said and had to agree to a certain point.

"Just out of curiosity we aren't going to run to the minefield right off the bat right? I don't know about you two but I prefer not to be charred from explosives." Cheshire asked once he rejoined them outside Megaton.

"I actually wanted to visit this Greyditch place that Three Dog Guy talked about on the radio. What do you two think?" Ferna asked her companions.

"Why not. I mean we might as well see what is going on there since it is close by." Alice said.

Cheshire gave a deep chuckle as he said, "Well I don't think I have much say in the matter. I pretty much go wherever Alice goes. Regardless I don't see any reason not to go there really."

"Alirght! Off to Greyditch then!" Ferna said with a whoop as they made their way East.

Ferna Level 4! Educated! + 3 skill points each level. Your experiences in the Wasteland have taught you many things already, even if they are as simple as skinny dipping in an irradiated river, and eventually giving yourself radiation sickness, but at least listening to GNR makes it more enjoyable! Plus your sacrifice was for the sake of Science!

Quest Perk! Rad Regeneration! "Here take a few Radiation chems as my little way for saying, 'I'm sorry I twisted your DNA like a kitten does a ball of yarn!" Moira had told you this, but it doesn't change the fact your DNA is mutated now. Fortunately, Alice doesn't really care since it doesn't hurt you and it does actually cause you to regenerate any damaged limbs under Advanced, or moderate, radiation sickness (400 + rads). Plus you aren't growing a third breast! Though some people might actually find that attractive.

Alice Level 4! More Dakka (Rank 1)! Three ranks possible. Ferna may drool over small guns, and possibly get off to them in private, but you prefer Big Guns! Sure your knife and cards are very effective, but why use them when you can spray 5mm ammo, burn things, or maybe even shoot missiles?! Each rank gives you +5 repair and +5 Big Guns.

A/N: Hope anyone who reads this little gem of a story (in my humble opinion) enjoys it. Feel free to review or PM me with ideas for the story. If I use any ideas I am graciously given by others, I will give them the credit they deserve!

Also sorry to anyone that is reading my other stories. I intend to at least release a chapter for at least Naruto's Butterfly soon, but I am addressing a tough topic in the most recent chapter and I did have to move for a new job recently.

Also I know some may not like this but I have to say I am a sort of closet Brony! I even have two stories for this fandom I am working on released on fimfiction! Sorry if this somehow makes readers hate me for some reason. I have not given up on any other fandoms I am into at least, but these stories have also kept me busy too.

Some potentially good news I actually have a couple of future chapters for Naruto's Butterfly fully written out and ready to go! I just have to work my way to them. I also have a very solid plan for Naruto and the Unconventional Sealing laid out as well. Sadly, there is a good bit I need to write to get to theses points.

Anyways hope the few, the proud, the true fans of American McGee's Alice, are enjoying this story. I would like to continue this story really far and maybe even have Ferna, Cheshire and Alice continue their journey in the post-apocalyptic world for a good while after Fallout 3! I may have one more join them in the future but I am not sure. I will mention this in an author's note when the time comes. Anyways, keep on keeping on everyone!

One last thing! Does anyone else listen to Falloutesque music when reading Fallout stories? I know I do. I love how there is a mod that allows you to add more Fallout type music if you have a PC. If you don't have a PC then I hope they one day make it to where you can still benefit from mods like Radio New Vegas Extended on consoles!