Stables. They were designed to be a fallout shelter in the event of major disasters. I never thought that the war between us and the zebras could lead to anything as devastating as I had seen but it had. Now the world I knew all those years ago had now become a wasteland.
I walked through the opening that had been created when the stable door had been pulled back and moved to one side, revealing an area containing machinery that I assumed was used to open and close the stable door, and other doors which I assumed lead to other parts of the stables.

I watched as Insert name here walked over to a control panel that looked identical to the control panel he has used to open the door. Moments later, the machinery inside the room began to come alive. I watched as the metal door of the stable rolled over the hole and was pushed into place sealing us all inside.

I began to panic. Why had they closed the door? I was really starting to worry and I had barely got over being sealed in the time stasis pod. I turn to face them both. ”Why have you shut the door?” They could both tell that I was worried. I am sure they would if two complete strangers had locked them inside a stable.

“I know what you’re thinking.” Fluttershy said, her voice being very calming as to not make me worry any more than I was. “But do not worry! We closed the door to protect us. The stone floor of Trottingham Castle may provide some protection. But as you saw, the castle is in a terrible state.” I did see the logic in this and I began to relax a little.

“You know, that’s how professor time was before freezing me. All kind and friendly right before….” But Fluttershy approached me and placed her hoof over my mouth. “I know. And for someone of your age to go into that and then come out into all this, I am amazed that you have remained somewhat calm. Though the ghoul ponies did not help.” and I gave a small smile “You’re damn right they didn’t” said insert name here who had joined us and we just laughed.

It felt good to laugh like this. I’d already had such a miserable week before all this that it was exactly what I needed. Apparently this had also cheered up Fluttershy and insert name here as they seemed more cheerful when they stopped laughing. “I have not done that in ages” insert name here said, wiping his eyes with his hoof. Apparently we were all laughing so hard that we started crying. I wiped my own eyes.
“Right! Well I guess it’s time we let everyone know we’re still alive. How long were we frozen Tick Tock?” Insert name asked. “About two and a half months I think.” Insert name here turned his head to face Fluttershy. “What do you say Fluttershy? Should we surprise everyone?” Fluttershy began to shake her head but with a smile. “You never give up an opportunity to make surprise entrances when we’re out for days on end”.

“Wait! So there are others living here as well?” Fluttershy and Insert name here looked in my direction. “Yes! There are about one hundred of us living here.” My jaw dropped. The stables had actually worked and more importantly, ponies managed to make it to them, I thought that there was no time because the flames has appeared so quickly that no pony would have had time to seek shelter. “Come on Tick Tock, let’s go and meet them. I am sure they will love to hear everything we have been through.”

Fluttershy approached one of the doorways I had seen before and flicked a switch located on a small box attached to the wall next to the door. The moment Fluttershy flicked the switch, the door split in half, one half rising into the celling and the other half into the floor. “Come along Tick Tock.” and we all walked through. The door closing after us after we passed through.

I was walking down one of the corridors of stable 79. It was not a very nice looking place, especially if you had to stay in here for a long time, but they had been successful in saving ponies and to me that’s what counts. The corridor we were walking down had many turns which let to other corridors, each with identical doors and I thought I saw a staircase leading down. Just how big was this place?

“You’re alive!” The voice was from behind us and it made Fluttershy and Insert name here stop, which caused me to bump into them. They both turned around to see who had spoken to them and I did the same, knowing that I would not know who had called out. There, in one of the doorways was a filly around the same age as me with (Insert description here) a look of shock on her face.

“Nicky?” Fluttershy Said in surprise as to encounter one of the ponies I assumed was a resident of the stable and someone Fluttershy knew. Upon hearing this, the filly began to gallop towards us and eventually she jumped right to Fluttershy and began to cry.

“Nicky, Its ok, we’re here.” Fluttershy was saying trying to calm down the filly with a hug. “Where have you been? When you didn’t come back, I thought you were dead or… worse.”

Insert name here approached Nicky and placed a hoof on her shoulder “Now what could be worse than death? You do let your imagination get the better of you Nicky.” “Yeah, I suppose I do.” Nicky said wiping the tears from her eyes.

Fluttershy moved Nicky so that they were looking at each other. “Nicky, I need you to get everyone together in the mess hall. So far you’re the only one who knows we are alive. Please go get everyone, and don’t tell them why.” added insert name here. Nicky Sighed. “Another one of your surprise appearances Insert.” Insert name here nodded his head to say yes. “I’ll let this one go because of how long you have been gone, but tell me. Have you a good story of your adventures this time or another boring one of your scavenging?” At this, Fluttershy and Insert name here smiled at Nicky.

“Oh! We have a story to tell! It’s a good one and it also involved our new friend here.” insert name here said pointing his hoof towards me. Nicky turned to face the pony Insert name here had been pointing to. ”No way! He’s new.” “Hello” I say to her, sounding very confused and a little shy.

Nicky Approached me “Hello I’m Nicky, nice to me you, so tell me, is this your first time in a stable”, I was about to answer when I was cut off “Don’t worry Nicky you can ask him questions later, please could you tell everyone to meet in the mess hall, we’ll be there and please don’t tell them, their I said it insert” Fluttershy looked at insert name here with annoyance “See you later” Nicky said to me and she ran off

I turn to Fluttershy and Insert name here “Who was that?” I asked, “Oh that was Nicky, one of the children who lives here, she’s a nice filly, has never known the outside world” “And from what I’ve seen I don’t think she would want to” I added.

“She’s ok with it. Every time we come back from the outside world she is always the first to ask us what happened. In fact, most of the children do.” Insert name here said and I looked at them, quite shocked. “There are more children besides her?” “Indeed Tick Tock, I did say there were a hundred of us living here.” “Yeah, but I never expected there to be children. Guess I have a lot to learn about the world.”

“Well you are more than welcome to stay here instead of going out there. We have enough water and food to last us for, well forever and I am sure everyone will love a new face around the stable.” Fluttershy said with a smile. “If you say it’s ok then I’ll think about it” I said.
We all stopped outside one of the doors and I was wondering why we stopped at this one, when I saw a sign glowing above the door which read ‘mess hall’. Fluttershy flipped the switch on an identical box and the door opened revealing the mess hall.

The mess hall looked the same as the corridors did, all grey and made of metal but this room had a bit more colour to it. Drawings were hanging on one of the walls and gentle music was playing in the background which actually made me want to relax. “Here Tick Tock, have a seat. Would you like a drink?” Fluttershy asked. “Yes please!” and she went off into what looked like the kitchen. Insert name sat down opposite me. “So! You feeling any better Tick Tock?” I nod my head to say yes. “Well that’s good to hear. You have actually done well today for your first time in the wasteland. If you’re thinking of staying, why not join me and Fluttershy on out scavenging run.” I said, “I’ll think it over. I’m still thinking about if I should stay here. Oh of course! If you’re ok with it that is.” I look to insert name here. “Of course we’re ok. You saved our lives. Well we did save yours first but that changes nothing.”

“Here we go!” Fluttershy had returned and was using her magic to hover three glasses of water onto the table. “Thank you Fluttershy.” And using my own magic, I hovered the glass of water up to my mouth and drank.

Seconds later the door to the mess hall was opening and I could hear Nicky’s voice from outside. “I told you! Someone wants to say hello.” The door opened fully opened and Nicky entered the mess hall. “Now honestly Nicky! Who could possibility want to say hello so badly that they needed you t….” the pony stopped in mid-sentence and saw us.

“Them that’s who!” Nicky said. Happy that insert name’s surprise appearance was going well. “I can’t believe it! Hey everyone, they’re alive! Fluttershy and Insert name here are alive!” no sooner had the pony said this, the entire room started to fill up. There must have been about a hundred ponies or more just like Fluttershy had said there were.

“Hello everyone. Yes! It’s us. We’re alive.” All the ponies cheered to hear this. I saw insert name talking to some stallions in the crowd. “You like to make your surprise entrances again don’t you insert” and I see them laugh.

The ponies had completely surrounded the table we were all sitting at. I noticed that no one was paying me any attention but I did not mind. After all, these ponies looked so happy to see Fluttershy and Insert name here, that they would miss something that was right in front of them.

“Fluttershy, what’s going on? Are you famous here or something?” Fluttershy looks to me and then addresses the crowd of ponies.

“Ok everyone settle down. Yes! We’re alive and we have something to tell you. But first we…” She looks at insert name to get him to pay attention and join them. “I would like to introduce someone we met on our travels and he even saved our lives more than once.” All the ponies looking at each other wondering who this pony was.

“Everyone! I would like to introduce you to Tick Tock.” Fluttershy pointed her hoof at me and then every pony looked at me. Then it started. All the ponies began to laugh at my name. I had sort of expected this. I used to get laughed at by my class mates at school and built up a way to drown out the laughter, but on this scale it was too much for me.

Calmly, and trying not to be noticed, I got out of my seat and made for the door, but Fluttershy saw me, tears leaking from my eyes. “Tick Tock, are you ok?” she asked and I ran from the room with the ponies still laughing at my name.

Tears were still streaming down my eyes as I ran down stable 79’s corridors. While crying and thinking about all those ponies laughing was distracting me from where I was going but somehow, when I stopped and opened my eyes I found myself at the door that led to the entrance to stable 79 and its giant metal door.

I opened the door and ran into the room running straight for the control panel that operated the machinery to open the door to stable 79, but I tried everything to open the door but the console panel would not work for me. I gave up and just slid to the floor, I was stuck inside stable 79.

Beep! I heard the noise from within the silence of the entrance area. Beep! There it was again. Beep! And I heard where it was coming from. Without even noticing, I had not taken off the saddle bag that Fluttershy had given me and found out where the beeps were coming from and pulled it out of the bag which turned out to be the Pip-Buck that had once belonged to Professor Time.

Now that I had a chance to take a closer look at it, I noticed that it was in very good condition. I decided to try and see if it was working, and finally, after looking all over the Pip-Buck I found the power button. It would be amazing if it actually worked. I pressed the power button and it powered up, to my surprise.

Once the pip-buck had finished loading, all I could see on the Pip-Buck’s screen was the words ‘play me’. Using the controls that were on the front left of the Pip-Buck, I highlighted the words ‘play me and selected them.

The whole screen went black and stayed like that for several seconds. I flicked some of the controls but nothing happened. Then he appeared. Professor Time was on the screen looking directly at me. I was scared but I could not look away, and then he spoke.

“Hello Tick Tock! If you’re playing this message then that means you’re two hundred and seventy five years in the future and that you have my pip-buck, which I hoped you would take. First of all, I would like to say I’m sorry. Sorry for the way I acted towards you or from my point in time, the way I am going to act to you.” “But…. But how, how did he know I was in the future and how did he know for how long?” I kept repeating these questions and many more inside my head for what felt like ages. I looked back to the message to see if any of my questions would be answered in the video.

“I was forced to place you inside my Time Stasis pod. I tried to object but all I got were threats against myself and my family. They also wanted me to act the way I will because I think they enjoy it so I am really sorry Tick Tock.”

A part of me found this hard to believe, but I continued to watch the video and see what more Professor Time had to say.
“So where to begin. I’ve covered that you’re in the future. Yes! Done that, what else, ah yes. My time stasis pod. There is something you need to know about it. Yes! It does suspend a pony in time, but when word got out about it and I do not know how anyone found out, the same ponies that forced me to place you inside the pod and act evil wanted to perform an experiment on you while you were frozen.
Experiment?” I said out loud with confusion and shock in my voice.

You see the pods power source, the magic generator also produces something called temporal radiation and some pony thought it would be a brilliant idea to have the pod flood temporal radiation inside it and in there for affect you, so your body has been soaking up temporal radiation for the whole time you were frozen.

Even thought I was sitting down my entire body was shaking. I was scared. Was I going to die soon or would something far worse start to happen to me. The video continued to play.

“But I know for a fact that it will not harm you. As for how I know I will explain that later, but right now I need you to know that the ponies that forced me to do all this said they were from stable tec.”

“NO! WHY THEM?”

“Like I said. I did try to stop them but in the end I failed and now you’re in the future.”

A part of me was feeling sort of sorry for Professor Time but I was not 100% convinced. “But I do have some good news for you and your future. As a genius, I sort of possess the ability to travel in time, just like a pony called star swelled the bearded, but just like his time travel spell, my time travel is short lived”

“But…. That’s not possible” I said out loud.

“And using this, I have seen bits and pieced of what your future will hold, so I know somewhat that you will be just fi…. Sorry I have to go now tick Tock I think I hear you coming”

From a distance within the video I heard myself saying the same line I has said only a few hours ago “The life of a lab assistant is not something I want to have as a cutie mark”

“But I do have one thing I want to say to you Tick Tock” Professor Time said in a hurry, I look closer at the screen “What is it” the video ended leaving nothing but a blank screen “What, what did you want to say” shaking the pip-buck in my hoofs
“You are the one chance that Equestria has to thrive again ” The voice sounded clearer and what scared me even more was that it was coming from right beside me

Slowly I turn my head to my right and there he was. Sitting next to me, Professor Time, still wearing the same lab coat I had seen him in all those years ago.

“Hello Tick Tock, you’re looking well, besides all the blood that is, I hope you haven’t been getting yourself into trouble”
I was about to say that it was to save insert name here’s life but Professor Time interrupted me

“Don’t worry my boy I know, Nice working saving your friend from that ghoul pony, though you do need to practice your aiming a little” With a sigh of relive I relaxed “So you have seen the message then”

“Yes but I still don’t get it, why would stable Tec, why would the cutie mark crusaders use me like this”

“Well, I tried to look into this whole affair a little more but I came up with nothing, all I know is that the ponies said they were from stable Tec, I did try to entre stable Tec to enquire about all this but they would not even let me in the building.

I had several questions going through my head “Why, why did they do it to me”

Professor Time put his hoof on my shoulder and looked at me with the smile I had known him to give. “Like I said in the video they wanted to see what would effects would happen to a pony, especially a unicorn, when exposed to high level of temporal radiation. Tell me, has anything happened to you at all?”

I shook my head to answer no and Professor Time started to laugh. “Guess the jokes on them. No results! That will teach them.” and to my own surprise I was laughing at this. But now I had to have some questions answered.

“Professor Time” I asked “Yes Tick Tock and please, you don’t have to call me Professor Time any more, call me Allister.” I shook my head to disagree. “If you don’t mind I would prefer Professor Time. It sounds better.” Professor Time gave a small chuckle. “Very well! Now want did you want to ask me?”

“Might I ask what are you doing here and more to the point, how you’re here?” The part of the message involving Professor Time, traveling through time was still confusing me.

“Like I said, Star Swirl created a time traveling spell using magic. I have done the same just using technology but just like with Star Swirl’s method of time travel one cannot stay in another time zone for long.”

This impressed me and I was not even a scientist or anything like that. “You really are a genius.” Looking at Professor Time with admiration.

“Oh don’t flatter me!” he said as his cheeks turned red “But as for why I am here, well, I feel so bad for what I’m going to do that I wanted to apologise to you in person.”

Then an Idea came into my head “Professor I need to tell you something! If you go down into that room with me, you’re going to die.”
To my surprise professor time did not react at all. I would have thought being told that you were going to die would cause some ponies to panic. “Don’t worry my boy. I already know. I have seen my fate and there’s nothing I can do to change it.” “But there must be!” getting to my hooves and looking at his with determination. ”There must be a way to save you”.

Professor Time was still sitting on the metal floor of stable 79 and looking directly at me. “Tick Tock, my death is a fixed point. You’ve seen it so it cannot be changed. Nothing can change it and I’ll have to accept it.”

I wanted to find a way but I sadly understood it all “You are a brave pony Professor Time.” Suddenly Professor Time gave a chuckle.
“Funny, you’d expect adults to say those sort of things to me but to hear it from a colt, well, I guess you’ve already started to grow up.
Beep! There was that noise again. I looked to my own pip-buck but the noise was not coming from it. I see Professor Time raise his hoof, and on it was the pip-buck. The same one I was holding. “Now I know what you’re thinking, that this is my method of time travel but No! It’s just telling me that I am about to return to my own time. If you have anything to say best ask me now.”

So many questions were going through my head but the first one I wanted to know was, “What has happened to the world?”
“I believe that is a question best answered by the ponies of this world, isn’t that right Fluttershy and Insert name here.” Professor Time turned his head to face the door which I had run through, away from the laughing ponies and there, standing in the doorway was Fluttershy and Insert name here. Fluttershy was crying. I turn to face them both “How much did you hear?”

Fluttershy tried to speak but I could see she was too upset to speak, so Insert name here was the one to speak. “Everything! The video and Professor Time. Looks like he was a good pony after all.” Professor Time got up to face the two ponies. “That’s nice of you to say insert name here but I am still going to regret doing what I’m about to do when I return to my own time. But do this! Tell him everything. Tell him what happened to the world he knew and what the world is like now. He has the right to know.”

Fluttershy wiped her eyes dry and stepped forward “Don’t worry, we will.”

I turn to Professor Time “Professor Time!” I said and professor time looks at me still smiling.

“Yes Tick Tock but hurry, I don’t have long.” I could hear the beeps again coming from the pip-Buck he was wearing.

“I just have one thing to say to you.” I walk right up to professor time’s ear so that only he could hear what I was about to say “I forgive you.”
As I retracted my head, I watched as Professor Time began to fade, tears in his eye and the kind smile that he has worn that fateful day.
“Thank you Tick Tock and good bye.” and with that Professor Time disappeared before my eyes, returning to the past were he would face his death. Knowing that I had forgiven him for what he was going to do.

Fluttershy approached me and placed her hoof on my shoulder “Tick Tock, are you going to be all right?” and I reply “One day I might.” Tears swelling in my eyes and the next thing I knew Fluttershy and Insert name were hugging me and I just accepted it I cried till I cried myself to sleep in their hooves.

My body may have been sleeping but my mind was still awake, and racing. I thought about what Professor Time had said in both his video and in person many times, but before I could think anymore I started to hear Insert names voice.

“Right everyone! Can I have your attention please?” And I heard the whole room go quiet. “Right, now when Tick Tock wakes up I don’t want anyone to laugh or take the micky about his name. I am sure you all remember how terrible you felt laughing at my name.” I could hear some whispers suggesting a lot of ponies had done so.

“He has been through so much for someone of his age and….” I awoke and interrupted him “And all of it I will have to get used to.” Every pony was looking around to find where the voice had come from. Eventually having every pony looking at me.

“Oh your awake!” one of the ponies said. Then Nicky approaches me.

“Hello Nicky! Nice to see you again.” Nicky gave a little blush. “On behalf of the residents of stable 79, we would like to apologise for, well, laughing at your name. Though we had learned to stop laughing, after laughing at Insert name here’s name, but I guess we still need to try.”
I could tell from the faces of all the ponies in the room that they meant it. That they were sorry. “It’s fine…. But I was interrupted by Nicky

“Would you mind telling us what happened to you out there? Fluttershy and Insert name won’t tell us unless you start.” I look at Nicky with amusement.

“Fluttershy and insert name were right about you. You always ask first.” Nicky blushed and turned to Fluttershy and Insert name here who just smiled. Nicky turned back to me, she was still blushing. “So, can we hear it?”

“Ok Nicky!” and then I told my story. I told them who I was, when I was from which turned some ponies heads. I told them of Trottinghham university, the time stasis pod, Professor Time, what happened after I awoke and how Fluttershy and Insert name had saved me.

I had just finished telling all the ponies about us hiding from the ghoul ponies, when I was interrupted.

“Hang on! So you mean, to hide from the Ghoul ponies and to also wait for them to go, you froze yourself, Fluttershy and Insert name here in time.”

“Yes, that’s about right!”

Some of the ponies looked a little annoyed and I could tell why, but they still said it anyway. “Did you have to set it for so long? We were really worried about them!”

“Sorry!” I said quickly and then the faces of the annoyed ponies turned back to being interested in every word I had to say. “And secondly, thank you. These two mean the world to us, like all of us do to each other.

And then suddenly I realised something. This was not just the home of stable dwellers trying to escape disaster, time had changed them. Changed them into a family.

I decided to continue with the story, but right as I got to the part about the ghoul pony being crushed, which some of the kids found ok to listen to, I was interrupted again but this time in the form of a scream by Fluttershy. “Fluttershy! What’s wrong?” I asked “I’m still covered in ghoul blood! I need a bath.” She was panicking and looking at the dried blood on her hoof and mane and the whole mess hall was filled with laughter. Even I joined in. After the laughter died down, I finished the story at the part when insert name here was opening the stable door.

“Wow that was amazing!” All the ponies were cheering at my story but I asked them to stop for I had one thing left to show them.

I turn to Fluttershy “Is there a screen I can connect this to” hovering out the Pip-Buck from my saddle Bag, and without asking she understood what I wanted to show them.

I connected up the pip-buck to the screen and found the words play me, and the message from professor time appeared again, only this time, it had extra footage added to it, from the look of it professor time had gone forward in time and using the stables camera, recorded our conversation and added it to the video.

I noticed that Fluttershy and Insert name here were standing next to me watching the video. “He was an amazing pony.” Said Insert name here.
“Yes! Yes he is. And maybe one day I might be able to save him even if He says I can’t.” The video stopped playing and I could see some of the ponies were crying.

“So he was a nice guy after all” said one of the ponies “Yes he was.” I said with pride that I knew the real Professor Time and not the fake one he had showed in the basement of Trottingham University.

“Ok everyone! I think that’s enough for today, and I think its way past your bed time children.” Said Fluttershy and all the children moaned.
All of the ponies of stable 79 started to leave the mess hall and once they had all left it was only me, Fluttershy and insert name here.
“You know what I’m going to ask!” Fluttershy nodded her hear “What happened to your world you knew and what is this world like!” Said Fluttershy, repeating the question word for word.

“Take a seat Tick Tock and we will tell you everything we know.” I headed for the table, took off my saddle bag and sat down. Fluttershy and Insert name here sitting opposite me.

“Well, what you’re going to hear Tick Tock may be hard for you to accept, but seeing as you have seen the result I think you might be ok with it, but if you want us to stop just say so.”

I nod my head and Fluttershy began to speak. ”OK! Now you have to understand that it’s been a long time since all this happened, so we do not know all the facts but I will tell you what my mother told me and her mother told her all the way back to Fluttershy’s daughter ok”

Again I nod my head to say I understand. “So, to start with, I am sure you knew. Ponies were at war with the zebras.” “I knew of the war but it never affected Trottingham in my time so no pony took it very seriously.” I said looking to Fluttershy to continue her story.

“Well, some say something was created that changed the war. It was called a mega spell. It was created to increase the power of normal spells which at the time of its creation were mostly healing spells.” My mind was racing. I had never heard of a mega spell before but if they could be used for large scale healing then they must be amazing.

“Now I know what you’re thinking Tick Tock. Yes! Mega spells were amazing and saved many Lives but then a single pony made a stupid choice even if she had good intentions.” I look at Fluttershy “What did this pony do?”

Fluttershy Sighed. “She gave the mega spell to the zebras.” I think she wanted me to be shocked but I was not. If the zebras could use the healing spells on their kind then what was the problem! “But the zebras and ponies both discovered that if a mega spell was used with a spell that could cause destruction…” I got up out of my chair at what I heard. “WHAT? But if you used that type of spell then….” But insert name here interrupted me. “Then it would cause utter devastation and that’s what happened. The zebras figured out how to make destruction mega spells and fired them at Equestria. And that Tick Tock is how Trottingham and the world became the way it is today.”

One question was going through my mind and every time I asked it, it made me angrier. Then I asked it. “What idiotic and stupid pony would give the zebras something that could destroy so many lives?” Fluttershy and Insert name here look to each other and start to whisper. I was unable to hear them But then they turned back to face me and Fluttershy spoke. “You are not going to like this Tick Tock but the pony who invented and gave the zebras the Mega spells was…….. Fluttershy.”

My jaw dropped. Fluttershy! How could Fluttershy do something like that? “Now I know what you’re thinking but she did have good intentions. She wanted both sides to have the mega spell so that they could heal their soldiers. But as I told you, the zebras turned it against her.” I was still angry. Angry that Fluttershy had been so stupid but then I started to realise. Yes! Fluttershy did have good intentions, she was trying to help both pony and zebra alike. How could I hate her for that? “Well Tick Tock, now you know what happened to your world.” I walked to Fluttershy and hugged her. “It was not Fluttershy’s fault. I do not blame her for the destruction of the world.” Fluttershy hugged me back and uttered. “Thank you Tick Tock. I think she would have loved to hear that. ” Suddenly, there was a cough. Insert name was trying to get our attention. “Sorry to interrupt this touching moment but now that we have told you everything, can we please go get this blood off us.” Fluttershy Gasped “Oh my goddess! I forgot. Right! Time for a bath everyone, even you insert.” I could see that insert name here was not happy about having a bath.

We left the mess hall, closing the door behind us and walked down the corridors of stable 79 but this time instead of heading to the main entrance, Fluttershy lead us down one of the branching corridors until we came to a set of stairs leading down to another floor of the stable. The sign above the stairs said Residential area, so I assumed that this was where all the ponies slept.

We descended the stairs till we reached a four way area. Fluttershy turned to face me. “You can stay with us in our room tonight Tick Tock. Our room does have a spare bed then we can find you your own room tomorrow.” “Thank you! I hope I won’t be a bother.” I was expecting Fluttershy to answer but I was surprised when insert name here answered. “No bother at all. Although, I would ask that you leave the room if we want any private time. ” Suddenly, Insert name here felt pain. Fluttershy had hit him slightly in the leg. “Oh come off it Fluttershy it was only a joke.” and Fluttershy just smiled “I know, But I still thought you needed It.” and they both just smiled at each other.

As we walked down another of stable 79’s corridors, I started to think that maybe Fluttershy and Insert name here may have a more serious relationship than just two scavengers. But I decided to put it aside. Love was not something I was 100% sure on.

We stopped outside one of the doors which looked identical to all the other doors in the corridor. Fluttershy flicked the switch on the side of the door and the door pulled apart revealing Fluttershy and Insert name here’s room. It was very basic. There were only two beds. Now I was sure that something was going on between those two if I got my own bed. The room also contained a dresser, some desks and chairs, an identical door and a computer terminal lay on one of the desks, which looked as if it was still operational.

Fluttershy walked to the door and opened it, “Ok you two, I am finally getting all this blood off me. Ladies first as they used to say.” and Fluttershy walked into the room and the door closed behind her. “She can be a hand full sometimes but I still lover her as I am sure you have guessed.” I looked to him. ”I kind of guessed by the fact that there are only two beds and you said one was mine.” Insert name her started to laugh “Your smart for a colt, I’ll give you that.” Then he stopped laughing “You can have that bed!” he said pointing to the bed closest to the door.

As I walked over to my bed, a thought came into my head. I turn to insert name here. “Hey Insert name here, excuse me for asking but, why do you have a name like insert name here?” I could see that his joyful and laughing face had changed. “It’s a long story Tick Tock but seeing as Fluttershy is going to be awhile and believe me she takes ages in the bath.” Suddenly the door to the bathroom opened “I heard that!” Fluttershy’s voice came from inside and the door slipped shut. “Well now I am in trouble.” And I gave him a small smile.

“Back to my name. Let me start from the beginning. When I was born, my parents were unable to decide on my name and with no cutie mark to help them, they eventually gave up. For many years when my parents called me, I was called by the names ‘son’ or ‘child’.” I was starting to feel sorry for insert name here but I wanted to know the rest of his story.

“So a few years later it was time for me to go to school within the stable. Now, parents are asked to write down their child’s name for the register, but having no name, my parents wrote the next best thing they could think of.” “What?” I asked and Insert name here sighed. “They put in the name box insert name here thinking the teacher would give me a name.” “And did she?” I asked, enjoying the story the more he told it. “No! The teacher thought that my name was ’insert name here’ and when she introduced me to the class… well I can guess you know yourself what happened.” I looked at him, feeling so sorry. “Yes I do. They all laughed at me just like they did with you am I right?” Insert name just nodded.

“But hey, it was not all bad. Once everyone settled down they began to talk to me and ended up feeling sorry for teasing me. Did the same happen for you?” I shook my head. “Oh, I guess having to live with the same ponies sealed in a stable is different than in your time.”
I was starting to feel depressed, Tears were leaking from my eyes. All this talking had brought back all the memories related to my name that I tried to hide away. I felt a hoof on my shoulder. “Let me tell you something. Looking back on all those who teased you never helps, believe me, I did it for years but Look at where you are compared to them. You’re alive, while they all died hundreds of years ago. I would say they got what they deserved but I am not that cruel but you know what I mean.

I nodded my head. “Good! And if anyone tried to tease you about your name, well in this world, let’s just say the laws of your time do not apply. Not that I would want you to kill anyone over it.” I shook my head franticly to imply that I would not.

Insert name got off my bed and returned to his own. “Thank you Insert, But I have just one last question. Now your older and should have a cutie mark. Why not give yourself a name.” “Who said I had a cutie mark Tick Tock?” Insert name here got off his bed, took off his suit and placed it in the dresser and there. On his flank was nothing. No cutie mark “So now you see why I cannot decide on my own name. Guess I picked that from my parents, but yes I have no cutie mark. I am just like you as the ponies of your time would call us ‘blank flanks’” Insert name gave a small chuckle and then an idea popped into my head. “Why not have a nick name! Something shorter than insert name here something like” I spent a few seconds thinking of a name that meant something similar to insert name here. “Nameless.”

Insert name here walked back to the bed, sat down and placed his hoof on his chin. I could tell he was thinking about this so I decided not to interrupt him. “Nameless! Hmmm. Has a nice ring to it, makes me sound like someone not to be messed with. Yeah, Ok Tick Tock! Nameless it is! Thank you.”

Moments later the bathroom door opened and Fluttershy appeared looking damp but clean of ghoul blood. “What going on?” she said looking at the smile on insert names face. “I’ve just been having a nice chat with Tick Tock and you will like this. He suggested a nick name that I like.” Fluttershy’s jaw dropped. “You finally decided on a name?” Insert name here shook his head. “No! It’s a nick name. Something easier to say and shorter than insert name here.”

Fluttershy’s jaw was still somewhat hanging but then she looked at me. ”So Tick Tock, what name have you suggested for Insert name here? “ “Nameless!” I said and Fluttershy began to smile “Well, It’s easier than insert name here I’ll give you that. Are you ok with that Insert name here?” She said looking to him. “Yes! But if you still want to call me insert name here then that’s fine with me.”

I decided at that moment just to break the tension to have a laugh. “You took your time.” I said to Fluttershy in a cheeky manner. “You try getting ghoul blood off of you quickly. Tick Tock, You’re next and make sure to wash behind the ears. I found some there.” Without thinking I spoke. “Yes Mum!” I realised what I had just said and put my hooves to my mouth Gasping. I could see Fluttershy blushing. “It’s nice that you think of me that way Tick Tock.” and she gave a smile “Does that mean I’m your dad?” Joked Insert name and we all just started laughing.

After we had all washed ourselves, Insert name needing a little bit of persuasion by Fluttershy to have himself washed, I got into my bed to lay down, covering the quilt over me. It felt nice, to finally relax.

I turned in my bed to face Fluttershy and Insert name her who I noticed were getting into bed together but paid no attention to it. “So tell me! What made you want to venture into the outside world?”

Insert name here was the first to speak. “Living in here for years can drive you mad. Most ponies can stand it but we” he looked to Fluttershy “wanted to see what the outside world was like.”

“And to be honest with you Tick Tock, we have not ventured outside of Trottingham let alone leave the island.” Said Fluttershy, looking slightly disappointed.

Another question was stuck in my head. “Why have you not left Trottingham?” There was a small amount of silence, then Fluttershy got up and went to her saddle bag and magically opened one of its bags and hovered out of it to me a book. “The Wasteland Survival Guide.” “On our first day out we found that book in the streets. No one was around so we took it. It explained everything about the world.” I flicked through the pages and began to read.

Every page went from bad to worse. There were pages on the creatures that had been mutated from the radiation of the mega-spells and what harm they could do. Then there were slavers. Ponies that capture you and turn you into slaves, then even sell you off, even worse were the raiders, sadistic ponies who will always be violent and aggressive to anyone, even their own kind.

Before I could read anymore, the book was hovered away from me. “So now you know some of the dangers of the outside world. Luckily we’re so far away that there are no raiders or slavers but as you saw we do have ghoul ponies. But now it’s time for us to sleep and just so you know, we are all having a lie in. Two months frozen in time, I think we need it.” I smile at Fluttershy and she turns out the lights and the whole room falls into darkness. I could hear Fluttershy walking past my bed who said “Good night Tick Tock” as she passed by and then headed to her bed with Insert name here.

I fell asleep quite quickly but my mind was wide awake. Not because of what I had read in the Wasteland Survival Guide, but because of one last question that had been plaguing my mind….. WHAT NEXT!