"Okay, so... Heating talisman..." Max said to herself, searching the database. "Aha! A list of locations they were sent to!" She smiled, browsing through the list, but then slowly frowned. "I don't know where any of these places are..."
Ace typed a few keys and a new list appered HEATING TALISMANS; LISTED FROM CLOSEST TO FURTHEST FLANKTON MEDICAL HOSPITAL (delivered) SWEET CREAM K-12 SCHOOL (in progress) VAULT 11 (delivered) VAULT 27 (delivered) BUCKCAGO GENERAL HOSPITAL (delivered) BUCKCAGO.......
Max panicked a little as she saw her Stable on the list. "Um, what do you think it means by 'in progress'?" She asked, pointing to the screen, "If we find this... Sweet Cream school, will there be a talisman there?"
Ace looked "I think it means it was on its way, meaning it could be there and they never were able to put it in that it was or it never got to the school" ace explained "And if I read the maps upstairs right it's the opposite side of the city meaning we should go to the vault instead" he said not knowing that that one was her vault
"I... I don't want to go back," Max whimpered, sitting and looking at the floor. She knew it would bring back the memories of what she'd done. And the other four... their bodies would still be there...
Ace looked at her remembering it was her vault He then put a hoof around her "Max.....I know you don't want to.....but it's a matter of need over want.......I didn't want to shoot ponies that weren't attacking us but I needed to so we could get to the supplies to make your armor" he pointed out "we need to protect ourselves before it's too late" he said holding her to calm her down and perswaid her to come with him
"You're right, I know you are..." Max said, holding him. She laughed bitterly. "Well, at least when Jay sees what kind of a mare I am firsthoof, I won't have to worry about her calling me mom any more." Her laughed died, and she looked at the floor, sadly.
"I was going to leave her here....but....how far away is your vault?" He asked knowing that would be the deciding factor Ace didn't want to leave her by herself here too long
"About three days walk," Max said, miserably. This is what she got for not helping enough ponies; her past was coming back to take what she now had.
Ace sighed Jay would have to come with them "Well....we need to get ready....I want to leave tomarrow morning but we don't have to" he said starting to stand up
Max nodded, remaining sat where she was, staring at the floor. Her mind was running through all the terrible things that would happen when she went back to her Stable with them...
Ace stopped and looked at her He then walked back and kissed the back of her neck, trying to snap her out of her thoughts
Max stirred a little, but her eyes remained focused on the same spot on the floor, her brow furrowed with worry.
Max continued sitting motionless, staring at the floor as if she was looking through it, at something terrifying.
Max blinked a couple of times, then looked at Ace. "Are you going to leave me?" She asked, in a small, frightened voice.
Ace hugged her "why the hell would I do that" he said before backing off "and wheat happened....you really scared me max" he told her, the worry still plastered on his face
"I... I'm sorry," Max said, looking at her hooves, and fiddling with them. "It's just... That place; the things I did there, the things I lost... I feel like... if I go back there, it'll all happen again." She shook her head a little, and looked back up at Ace. "I mean... it can't just be coincidence that we have to go there, can it? It must mean something..."
"Max.....it wont happen again" he said holding her again "And I wouldn't let anything hurt you" he said to her as he stroked her mane
