(Note: Hello all! Guess who's back with another story? That's right. Here's a story focused solely on Blitz and his struggles in the wasteland as a treasure hunter. But what the true treasure is we'll just have to wait to find out. Welcome to Fallout 4, Equestria. I'm excited so let's not wait any longer!)

Chapter 1 The Way Back Home

Nexus Spark

Pre-War: 16 Years Before The Megaspells

Quiet scares me because it screams the truth. The sad thing was, silence was not a blessing under this roof. We were kept on the edge of our hooves. Tonight, clouds filled the starry sky. I'd seen them come in, brought by the pegasi. I didn't mind. I sat on the roof, basking in the downpour. At least it could wash away my anxiety.

Water trickled off my muzzle, the start of tonight's rainfall. I wondered if we'd had so much rain this week because of the conflict with the zebras. That conflict wasn't very important to me. I liked to believe it was raining for me, and for Fire Flower, my younger sister. She was alone in that house right now. Better alone than with our stepfather.

Speaking of whom, a vehicle pulled into the drive, headlights bouncing off the sides of the house. I'm sure my sister had seen them in the living room. I pictured her making her way quickly to the kitchen, or to her room. Anywhere to avoid the trouble he brought. The troubling thing about it though? There was always something wrong.

I don't think he noticed me up here on the roof of the house as he got out of the car and slammed the door shut. The lights went out. Next the creak of the screen door and the front door opening and closing. All these sounds alerted my senses. It was always like this once he got home. You couldn't avoid the tension in this house. It was like a morning fog, clouding my vision. I'm sure this rain would bring fog in the morning.

The rain started then. Not just a slight drizzle now. Now it warned of an oncoming storm. My mane was drenched, strands of my hair hanging in my eyes. I rose a hoof to swipe it to the side, when I heard a crash from inside the house. I jolted and snapped to, looking to the window right behind me and contemplating going back inside. But best to avoid his anger. Luna only knew what that could be.

Lightning flashed, and as though on cue, yelling started up. I would be surprised if the neighbors couldn't hear it. I jumped up to all four hooves, feeling like prey on high alert. I knew he wasn't after me. Fire Flower was the one inside the house.

Buck, buck, buck, I didn't know what to do. Another crash sent me bolting for the window, a crack of thunder shaking me up. He was hitting her, I knew he was. I fumbled for the window, pushing it up. No time to redo the screen. Let him hit me for that too. Better me than Flower.

Rain water following me inside, wind blowing the curtains. In my hurry, I tripped on my front hooves and went into a roll. I crashed into the bed. I could hear his voice now, muffled by the walls of the house. "How long do you expect me to wait filly? You think you're entitled here?"

I only imagined her suppressed response, a tiny whimper. What was he yelling for? Why was he ever yelling? Good questions, but no time. No time. I staggered to my feet, running to the door, and skidding into the hallway. I was on the third floor. I assumed they must be on the second. I raced for the stairs, just as another bolt of lightning lit up the window at the end of the hall.

"Ahhh!" my little sister screamed. It was a piercing scream. No foal should make that sound.

I fell off the last two steps. "You live under my roof, get fed by my hoof. You think it's acceptable to go out without cleaning your Faust forsaken mess?"

"M-my chores were done…"

I saw the door to my sister's bedroom open, but the hall was empty. He might be an asshole, but he usually respected boundaries. I'd never seen him go into either of our rooms. What was he doing?!

"Don't lie to me!" another scream from Fire Flower followed. "Is your dumbass brother still not home either? If you can't clean up after yourself, he should learn to. I need to teach both of you a lesson." I went at a full gallop to the bedroom now.

My breath caught, but I wasn't sure what else I had expected to find. I stared helplessly as I watched him beating her. Punching her in the stomach as she clenched up, a defenseless 11 year old. Her face was bloody, and my heart wrenched.

"What in tartarus are you doing!" I yelled. "You're hurting her!"

He stopped, turning to me with a scowl, "Look who's finally home."

"I've been home asshole!" I stepped into the room.

"Call me that again," he snarled at me. By then I was almost nose to nose with him. Meanwhile, Fire Flower was still whimpering on the bed.

"Asshole," I growled.

Lashing out, I found his hoof in my face. My vision went white for a few seconds and I felt dizzy. Next thing I knew, I was on the floor, looking up at our stepfather as he turned back to Fire Flower. "Nexus!" she gasped. He slapped her.

"Shut up, the both of you." he snapped. "I think we need to go over some rules again. Stand up Nexus."

I shook my head, scowling at him. "No."

He punched my sister hard in the gut, "Stand up or I hit her again."

I got weakly to my feet, not liking it, "Don't bucking touch her."

"Do I need to use my belt on you? I'd think you're a little too old for that by now." He was smirking at me! Like he bucking knew everything.

"No. No more rules, no more belts, no more hitting. I'm done with it."

"What the buck did you just say to me boy?" He narrowed his eyes at me. "Are you back talking me?"

I gulped, but took a step toward him. I collected myself and managed out a small "Yes. I am."

He hit her again, "You just can't listen." she made a small noise, then her eyes fluttered shut.

"Stop it!" I yelled, then lunged. I began punching him, yelling over and over, "Stop it, stop it, stop it!" I was crazed.

When he finally stopped, he was shaking and staring at me like he'd never seen me before. He got up and backed away from me. Then he just stared from one corner of the room as I pulled myself up and poked at my sister gingerly. "Fire Flower?" I poked her again, "Hey wake up, it's gonna be okay now." she didn't stir. "Flower?" I grabbed her shoulder, shaking her a couple times, "What's wrong sis, come on!" my voice strained now.

"What the buck is going on? Why won't she wake up?" said our stepfather.

"You shut up," I glared at him, "Just shut the fuck up."

I was in tears now as I brought a shaky hoof to my sister's snout. Right next to her nostrils…where no breath came out. I put my hoof on her cheek, "Fire Flower? What's wrong, please wake up!" I begged, but there was no response. She…she…

"You killed her! You bucking killed her!" I screamed, tears streaming freely from my eyes now. He was shaking his head, in denial, but I was yelling, "She's dead! It's your fault! She's dead! She's dead…" he ran away, bolting from the room.

"Fire Flower!" I wailed as I hugged her.

Ravager Blitzfire

Knocking. In the middle of the night. Somepony knocking at the front door this late at night. Or was it morning? I didn't bucking know. All I knew was how groggy I was. "Ughhh," I moaned as I crawled out of bed. I heard the door downstairs open.

"Is Blitzfire home?" I knew immediately who that was. I also knew that he never called me Blitzfire. Something was wrong.

Wide awake, I ran out of my bedroom and flew down the stairs. I would've gone faster if I had wings, you bet your tail. "Nexy?" I asked, shoving past my parents. Holy shit did he look like a wreck, and I'm not a hundred percent certain it was the rain that was streaking down his cheeks.

"Blitzy!" he cried, shoving past my parents at the door and latching onto me. I embraced him as he shook.

"What happened?" I asked.

"C-can we just…go upstairs?" he glanced back at my concerned parents and I nodded.

Present Time: 207 Years After the Incident of Stable 14

Calling a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet. Just as the wasteland was the wasteland no matter where you went. The Capital Wasteland was no different from that. I found ruin everywhere. So what was I searching for as I picked through the dust and debris in each abandoned building? My heart told me there was treasure to be found. I still hadn't found it.

I was at the bottom of a staircase inside a war torn apartment in a town once named Conquine. If I looked out the window, the Museum of Friendship could be seen. I think I remember, there was going to be a celebration, just before the megaspells fell. My mother had called from Manehattan, Celestia knows why she'd been there. Oh honey, just one more celebration, before we're all whisked away to separate Stables. We may never see each other again. I told her I was already signing documents to become an Overstallion for Stable-Tech and that I was too busy to go.

Now here I was, wondering why I was even here. Maybe I was curious about what I'd find inside that museum. But I'd save the best for last, just as I always did. At that thought, I made my way up the stairs. I wasn't sure what I expected to find, but what I did find almost gave me a jolt. I caught my breath, careful not to give myself up. I've been in these situations plenty of times before.

Sitting at the window at the far end of the room was a raider. He was heavily armored and he supported a sniper rifle on the sill of the window. It was aimed at the Museum of Friendship. What the buck? I lifted my secondary arm, a small silver .44 magnum revolver, on the grip an engraving of a symbol from my long buried past. I think he heard me cock the weapon because he turned with a startled, "What was that?" I immediately silenced him with a quick pull of the trigger.

Like it had been cued onstage, gunfire started up outside. "Well shit," I groaned. I moved to the window, gingerly poking my head out. On the street ensued a battle, one front was a small group of raiders. However, I couldn't quite see who they were shooting at. I shook my head, Am I really about to do this? I argued with myself. You've done it before.

I shot down the stairs, and stopped next to the exit. I had to judge this situation carefully. I mean, there had to be something good in that museum if raiders were shooting down the door to get it. If there was something good, I was always there. So I peeked out the door of the little bureau I was in, assessing my situation. I carefully held my revolver upright.

Outside a couple raiders had fallen, and a chocolate colored pony wearing an aussie slouch hat stood on the balcony, firing his weapon into the group of raiders. He was outnumbered by quite a few, and I knew if I didn't do something quick, he'd be dead in a few seconds.

"What am I getting myself into this time Blitzy?" I shook my head as I aimed down the sites of my magnum. I took a shot at the nearest raider, one perched behind a rusted out car. My aim was flawless and he was dead in an instant.

By now I'd been noticed, so I came out fighting. I gritted my teeth as I dodged a spray of bullets and rolled behind a car. Metal pinged as I only narrowly avoided my death. I rolled my eyes. I'd been at this for a long time. These ponies had no idea who they were dealing with. I'd been through raider dens, ghoul infested sewers, nests of mutated animals, you name it.

The life of a treasure hunter.

"Hey!" somepony was yelling. Chocolate from the balcony. "Hey you! Grab that laser musket and lend a hoof! I've gotta group of settlers inside and the raiders are almost through the door."

I glanced at the gun lying a few feet away with narrowed eyes. Who was he to ask for that kind of help out here in the wasteland? It wasn't my mess to clean up. Yet, here I was, and this was the Museum of Friendship afterall. It was just my luck. Imagine the irony of that.

I snorted, knowing if I went for it I'd be putting myself in the open. Most of the raiders were focused on the balcony, so I had my chance. I fired a volley toward the nearest enemy, lunging for the larger weapon in the middle of the street. I snatched it, watching the raider fall, then rolled to the next car.

"Give it a few cranks!" the pony called to me.

Grabbing the handle, I turned it once. The whole thing vibrated powerfully and the cartridge lit up a bright red. I turned it again, and light filled the chamber. Then a raider was upon me. Time to test this baby.

I smirked as I pulled the trigger, watching as the raider was instantly vaporized, nothing but red dust on the ground. "Not so tough anymore, huh?" I cranked it a couple more times. Ok, so maybe it was a powerful weapon, but colt would it get annoying if I had to crank it every time.

Threat neutralized, I made my way to the museum entrance. This isn't on the maps Blitzy, I told myself. "Looks like you've discovered the Museum of Friendship." hopefully there was something good to be found.

I reached for the door when I stopped cold at the sound of more fighting. Pressing my ear to the door, I could hear shouts from inside. More raiders. Damn, chocolate was in a pinch wasn't he? He probably wasn't alone if he hadn't been killed yet.

I guess curiosity got the better of me, because I pushed the door open and made my way in. The heavy oaks shut behind me with a bang. The entrance hall was in shambles, not unexpectedly. Statues had crumbled and wood had fallen. I noticed straight ahead was a ticket booth and a gate, above that was a walkway.

I only took two steps in when I started getting shot at. Raiders in the ticket booths were sneering at me. "You ain't gettin' nowhere pal!" Up above, a gray pony with a gun between his teeth ran past, another raider on his tail. The raider stopped when he saw me and turned, leaving the gray pony alone.

I dove behind a pedestal for cover. It had looked like the gate was locked, no way I'd get through that way. There had to be another way I wasn't seeing. I wouldn't be a good scavenger if I thought there wasn't.

Scanning my options, I took in the room. Not unexpectedly, the place was trashed. I saw pieces of a large machine that must've crashed through the roof long ago. It looked like propellers…I quickly noticed the three raiders up ahead, waiting for the second I'd come out. I could take care of them easily with an apple grenade. Over to the right was a door broken down off its hinges. Just what I wanted!

I plucked a grenade from my vest, pulling the pin with my teeth. Then I lobbed it, right down the middle, like bowling. I shot the musket at the raider on the walkway. The laser hit him in the torso, not killing him, but causing him to fall, right in front of the apple.

"Buck this," he grumbled, starting to get up. Blam! All three of them were blown to pieces. The explosion rattled the locked gate, but it didn't appear to damage it.

"Not getting through that way." I shrugged, trotting over to the other door. The plaque read Exhibit Maintenance. I took a step in.

There was a loud whirring sound as the lights came up with a flash. A pitch black pony with an angry face was leaping straight for me. It gave my heart a jolt in that split second, but I realized it was just a mannequin. There were a few mannequins in here, all of different things.

The one facing me I recognized as a changeling. I chuckled, thinking back on ancient history. Ancient by now at least. But changelings hadn't been a problem even back in my day. That was around 200 years ago.

I sighed, trying not to think back on that. It wasn't important anymore, and I couldn't let it be. I knew that wouldn't stop it from sitting in the back of my mind though. It always had. For now though, I would just have to let the thrill of battle distract me. I'd already made it my goal to get inside that museum. It wasn't on the treasure map, but it was an important landmark nonetheless.

I shoved the mannequin aside, entering the next room. A loud whine filled the air, before a light was thrown onto the far wall. Everything was basked in an eerie glow from the projection. It was a video showing the Mane 6 battling some creature or another. Seeing as I didn't recognize the villain, I'm sure I'd only been a young colt when this battle took place. That was so so long ago.

Faust! I had to get out of these exhibits. I sent a round into the projector, ending the show, then ran from the room. I shook myself hard, then looked to see where I'd ended up. I was on the other side of the locked security gate, the raider side of the ticket booths. Oh colt, were there raiders waiting for me. They hadn't seen me yet, and I threw myself behind a stray crate. That was close! Now what to do?

(Chapter 2 posted at 6:30am CT 12/23/18

A great start to another chilling story right? But hold your horseshoes, because we're not finished yet. Blitzfire still has work to do to save these sad ponies. And he'll get a chance to see what's in store once he chats with Mama Madmare. Love you guys!

Brohoof! /)