Second Chance (Unfinished)

[Overdrive 5,366]

Prologue

 

A single, dim lightbulb hung from the ceiling, swinging back in fort from a slight draft. Each time it moved, a corner of the room gained light momentarily. In one corner, a makeshift kitchen was set up, containing a small refrigerator, hot plate, sink, and various dishes and glasses ready to be used. Swinging to the next corner, a munitions locker sat next to the wall, filled to the brim with firearms, replacement parts, ammunition, explosives, and enough gunpowder to blow everything from here to the Crystal Empire. The lightbulb again changed course, exposing dilapidated bunks, sleeping bags, various footlockers filled with an assortment of supplies, clothes, medical needs and even alcohol. Light floated over to the final corner, where a door was perched, rigged with traps and defenses in case of a breach.

 

The bomb shelter showed its signs of fatigue. It was clear it had outlived its own life expectancy, yet still stood, as one of the few reminders of the old world remaining. The nuclear apocalypse only months before had either wiped out any unprotected organism, or mutated such organisms into powerful, dangerous threats to survivors’ safety. Those who managed to find refuge and safety were left to awaken the next day and see the world destroyed. Unfortunately, what they had to look at, was the only choice they had at the time.

 

Years before, Equestria was in a much better place. Ponies of all shapes and sizes coexisted in harmony, all happy, peaceful and compassionate. Threats were few and far between, and even then most conflicts only took a modest amount of negotiation to be swiftly and effectively resolved. The royal family kept a tight watch over the land, but was open minded when it came to what was and wasn’t allowed. Up until a few months ago, everything was perfect, serene, and ideal.

 

Ponies often were regaled with the stories of how the Mane 6 had foiled the likes of Tirek, Sombra, Chrysalis, and Discord. Each failing due to their own shortcomings and weaknesses, at least until they combined their abilities together. With each of their abilities unified for the same cause, Equestria fell into a deep depression of dictatorship, poverty, and worst of all, disharmony. The princesses, the Mane 6… everypony tried to stop the cruel, sadistic rulers before even considering their last resort. Reasoning, bribing, attacking, democracy and so much more failed. Detonating the atomic bomb, causing all unprotected life to be annihilated in an instant. In the end, the royal family and all the good, innocent ponies won, but at the cost of the world they once knew.

 

Chapter 1

 

A motley crew of ponies found refuge in the dilapidated bomb shelter. Once strangers, now a dysfunctional, loving family, each of these ponies contributed to a common goal: survival and adaptation to this new way of life. In total, 10 ponies comprised this “family.” Each one with a different story, different background, and different skill set.

 

“Alright, what are we having for dinner tonight?” A question rang out from a crimson pegasus. Overdrive was sitting at the table, playing a hand of blackjack when he posed the question. 

 

He was the first one to discover the bomb shelter, and opened his new “home” to others seeking shelter. Mechanics and repairs were his expertise, and as a result, his task was equipment and munitions repair and invention. He is quite creative and crafty, at one point creating a flamethrower from an old pilot light, some propane tanks, a fire hose, and a retrofitted pinfire trigger.

 

“Well, I reckon I could rustle up some beans and potatoes, if y’all are up fahr it,” Applejack answered. She was in the process of making dinner as it was, and had no intention of changing the menu. 

 

The terracotta mare could cook the horseshoes off of any pony she saw. Her variety of apple-based treats were blue ribbon winners every year at the Appleloosa harvest fair, and ponies lined up just to get a taste of her little slices of nirvana. Applejack ended up at the bomb shelter after she did her best to save other ponies first. As a result, she was a mere seconds from falling victim to the nuclear fallout, but managed to get to safety just in time. Her country flair and sweet, honest nature gave off a motherly vibe, something that often kept everypony sane and calm.

 

A young filly began throwing a temper tantrum in the middle of the room. “But I don’t want beans and potatoes,” she wailed on. 

 

A snow white filly with a soft curly mane, Sweetie Belle is a school-aged filly who is infatuated with her sister, Rarity, as well as finding her cutie mark. Her innocence, as well as her curiosity, often got the best of her, but her charm and adorable nature often helped when bartering for supplies, as well as negotiate out of tight squeezes. She also often provided entertainment and compassion and comfort whenever needed. In essence, as much as there were times the ponies couldn’t live with Sweetie Belle, they also couldn’t live without her.

 

“Sweetie Belle, please refrain from whining,” Rarity responded to her foal sister, “We need to go for supplies in the morning as it is. I need more anti-radiation fabric anyway, darling.”

 

Once known as Ponyville’s resident seamstress and full-time fashionista, Rarity had a knack for style, flair, and the high life. She was known as the “fashion designer to the stars,” but now crafted radiation resistant, flame resistant, and in general, protective clothing and suits for various needs, as well as trade. Her cutie mark represents her amazing talent in gem hunting, but lately has been put to use in locating pockets of radiation, as well as possible land mines and other traps. She, like her foal sister, had a certain je ne sais quoi that could sweep any stallion off their hooves.

 

“Sounds good to me. You want to deal the next hand, OD?” Shining Armor sat across the table from Overdrive, waiting for the next hand, the final hand, for bragging rights and all the glory.

 

Shining Armor and Overdrive were schoolmates years ago, back when they were both colts. They became best friends after a while, and Overdrive got to know his sister, Twilight Sparkle, almost to the point where they were siblings. Shining Armor was in charge of munitions, defenses, and weaponry. His former position as head of the royal guards gave him a distinct advantage when it came to defense and combat. His field experience and testing helped Overdrive develop his new and improved weapons.

 

Speaking of Twilight, she was researching zombie ponies via candlelight at the table. “Applejack, that sounds tasty. Beans and potatoes, please.”

 

Princess Celestia’s former protégé was a living encyclopedia. She had studied so many different subjects in her studies that very little, outside of their new situation, was out of her grasp. Twilight was the doctor of the family, of sorts. Her magic, combined with her vast knowledge, meant she could bandage large gashes and wounds at the blink of an eye. She loves her brother to the ends of Equestria, and wouldn’t betray him for anything. At the same time, even the simplest of things could bring a smile to her face. She was just happy to be with friends.

 

A blue pegasus woke up from her nap at that moment. “Hey AJ, do we have any cider left?” Some things don’t change, one of those being Rainbow Dash and her love of apple cider.

 

The undisputed fastest flyer in Equestria, Rainbow Dash was brought in as the scout and recon expert. Her lightning quick moves and reflexes give the illusion that no one was ever anywhere. Her spitfire attitude often leads to unneeded conflict, but no matter how you look at it, they couldn’t do it without Rainbow Dash.

 

“Wait, does this mean we’re having a dinner PARTY?!?!” Pinkie Pie jumped out of the shadows, eager to pounce when she heard what sounded like a dinner party.

 

The party animal (no pun intended) always brought a smile to ponies’ faces and could easily cheer anyone up. Her Pinkie Sense was the first line of defense for exploring new areas, and her resourcefulness often comes in handy in the most peculiar and needed times. She was in essence the scavenger, not afraid to take a risk in order to find what was needed.

 

“Um, I’ll go get some fresh potatoes,” a green pony said sheepishly, as she quietly walked to the planter. Fluttershy was concerned, she didn’t want anything to scare her from outside.

 

Saying Fluttershy has a knack for nature is an understatement. She can charm any animal, and her gardening is out of this world, to where only Applejack’s even remotely compares. Her shy nature also made her great for stealth missions, but she would often be too scared to move forward with it. One thing’s for sure: Fluttershy is probably the sweetest pony you will ever meet.

 

Overdrive dealt the last hand. “Ha, I win. Take that boys!” Wolf Tracks was ecstatic. She just proved she could beat the boys at cards, and it only took a few hands to send that message.

 

Outside of Pinkie’s resourcefulness, Wolf Tracks, or Wolfy, as she often was called, is the go-to survivalist. Being raised in the wild, hunting and gathering was second nature to her, and she knew what to do if the group ever got stuck out in the wasteland. She also had a tiny crush on Overdrive, almost like a school age crush, but they were just friends, or rather, family. Together, these 10 ponies seemed like they wouldn’t belong anywhere near each other, but at the same time, this new way of life brought them together, and a family they became out of it.

[Overdrive 5,366]

Chapter 2

As night fell, early as usual thanks to the dust that always kicked up, Applejack called out, “Soup’s on, y’all! Come and get it!”

 

The growling stomachs all signaled it was time to chow down, and the 10 sat together at the table, ready to ingest the meager feast they had come accustomed to. As they prepared to dig in, Twilight began to say grace. “Princess Celestia, we thank you for this meal that you have provided for us. We thank you for allowing us to walk among you here in Equestria. We ask that you continue to provide us all with good health, prosperity, and a hope that one day, everything returns to normal. In your name, we pray.”

 

They all exclaimed in response “A-MEN!” Overdrive was the first to dig in. As he ate, he began to think, eventually turning his thoughts into words. “Alright, it’s clear we need to gather more supplies tomorrow. Now, who’s all going out tomorrow?”

 

Wolfy was the first to raise her hoof. “I’ll go out. I need some fresh air anyway. Being cooped up in here this whole time is starting to drive me nuts. OD, you should come with me. I might need help carrying whatever I find back.” She winked at him when she spoke.

 

Overdrive nodded, as he continued to eat. “Alright, that’s 2 of us. I think at least one more should go, maybe two, seeing as we’re running low on water and medical supplies. Dashie, you up for it?” He took a sip of cider after finishing his question.

 

“Yeah, why not. It’ll be good to get out and stretch the ol’ wings anyway. Besides, an eye in the sky might not be a bad idea.” Rainbow Dash then burped, noting she was comfortably full from the meal Applejack made for the evening.

 

Overdrive spoke again. “OK, just one more. Hmm, let me think.” He pondered for a moment, then finished his thought. “Pinkie Pie, can you come with us tomorrow?” He wiped his face off after clearing his plate.

 

“Of course I’ll come silly. It’ll be fun.” Pinkie Pie was playing with her food, as usual. This time, she made a mountain out of her beans, and started to act like Godzilla, tearing it down chunk by chunk.

 

“Alright,” Overdrive confirmed, “It’s settled. Myself, Wolfy, Pinkie Pie, and Dashie will head out and gather more supplies at dawn. In the meantime, I know there’s a few things that can be taken care of around here while we’re gone.” He grabbed his plate, took it over to the sink, and washed it off for breakfast in the morning.

 

As the evening winded down, and everypony finished their dinner, they began to unwind and relax. Overdrive grabbed his guitar and played a little melody that a few of the others sang along to. Rarity and Sweetie Belle told stories to each other, and braided each other’s manes. Rainbow Dash fell asleep on her bunk, which was no surprise to anypony. And as they all tired out, only Overdrive and Wolfy remained awake for much longer. Soon after, Overdrive looked down and noticed Wolfy sprawled across him, relaxed and comfortably, sleeping the night away. Careful not to disturb her, he slowly laid down beside her, wrapped his hoof around her, and fell asleep, ready to tackle whatever the next morning held.