I ran through the checklist over a dozen times, and yet every time I looked at it I could have sworn a new item was listed somewhere on it. I sighed and let my forelegs drop off the desk onto to the steel floor. Turning to the generator to my right, I flicked the dim light bulb hanging just over the control console with a wingtip-feather and it gently stuttered back to life.

It can’t be that bad if I don’t follow the procedure right? I reasoned internally as I reached a hoof forward and tapped a broken voltage gauge, the needle bounced with each tap, but returned to zero every time.

This ancient technology was falling apart around our ears, yet they still expected us to keep up with what we had. ‘Doing our part as Stable Technicians for the greater good of everypony’ is what they always said. I frowned at the thought of my boss looking down at me over her glasses, seething with condescension. I had everything to prove, anything to show her that I was capable of more than the most basic and menial of tasks. It so happened that today, she assigned me to fix this damn generator in the bottom-most sublevel of the Stable, most likely ‘cause nopony else would do it. And I was “disposable.”

Look, the thing was, I wasn’t exactly what somepony would call a “Thestral.” Now, don’t get me wrong here, I am a Thestral, but only about; halfway-ish there? You see, apparently way-y-y back -- hell more than five generations ago -- one of my ancestors must have had the hots for a pegasus mare and had a happy little family with her. Good for them, not so much for me. Fast forward to today, and ‘boom’ suddenly two Thestral ponies in an entirely Thestral Stable have themselves; me. A “pegabat” as you’d say. Apparently my father’s genes were a bit mixed and suddenly decided to come out with me being born.

A pegabat? What would make up such a thing? Well It’s pretty simple really, I have the wings of a pegasus -- fluffed up in lovely feathers mind you -- but also the golden eyes, ear tufts, even fangs of a Thestral. Hell, my coat was light blue in color and my mane and tail were an even split between black and red, I looked like a freakin’ clown compared to the relatively dark coated and plain maned Thestrals all around me.

Because of this, I was made fun of, ridiculed, or outright ignored by the majority of ponies in the stable. I condoned their behavior however, and just let the bullying give me a tougher hide. If there was anything I’ve learned about ponies, it’s that they’re no different in this Stable than the ones who fought in that damned war to begin with. At least what we know of them in the books.

My lovely little job as a Stable Technician began about a week ago, usually when ponies graduated from the twelve years of education they gave us, we’d all apply to jobs that we learned about and reflected greatest with our talents. That’s great and all, unless you’re me, the odd one out. Then of course nopony really trusts you and brushes you aside to the Stable Technicians Corps., a.k.a the fucking janitors.

Without a name for myself, and with both my parents passed away -- my mother when I was born, and my father a few years ago who drank himself to death -- I was quite literally the most frowned-upon little pony in this Stable. Boo-fuckin’-hoo. Honestly, it all just made me mad, angry enough to try and prove myself and rise up the ranks. One day, I was gonna become the Overstallion and nopony was gonna stop m-

“Mi’night!” A middle aged stallion barked behind me. I flinched, quickly scattering my dramatic monologue.

“Yeah what’s up?” I called out, turning around and trying to peer into the dark abyss that made up the Stable’s fusion reactor floor.

A pair of slightly glowing golden eyes waded through the inky blackness and a Thestral stallion, dressed in Stable Technician-blue overalls, stepped through the premise of the door.

“Yer shift’s up, ‘parently da’ top banana want’s to talk t’ya” the stallion droned, his Braytish accent bouncing around the room as he attempted to speak coherent Equestrian. Typical Stable Technician, probably failed out of school.

Braytish? Yeah, the northern ponies from Braytain. See, there’s a reason Thestrals don’t look like our usual pony cousins, it’s cause we all came from a tiny island off the coast of northeast Equestria, eventually we made it onto the mainland and inhabited it, but for the most part the accent kinda stuck. I didn’t really have one, since my father’s side of the family took after more Equestrian culture. Just another thing odd about me to single me out.

“You’re kidding me. I just got down here!” I moaned, honestly I was glad to cut my shift early, it’s not like we got payed in any way for doing our jobs. But something bothered me about being called to talk to my boss, that was nothing but trouble.

“Yah.” He deadpanned and trotted over to the desk, looking over the checklist.

Figuring that’s about all he had to say, I gave him a curt nod and trotted out the door. Immediately upon entering the darkness I felt my eyes tingle as the passive Thestral magic in my blood took action. Normally Thestrals can see in total darkness about as well as anypony could see on a moonlit night, but being a mixed blood, I didn’t really get the total benefit. My night-vision, hearing and sense of smell was ‘above average’ to an Equestrian pony, but not as good as a purebred Thestral. Suits them, I had my feathered wings, which I wouldn’t trade for anything.

I slowly increased my pace and spread my wings, feeling the cool damp air fill in the feathers. When I felt I had adequate support, I flapped powerfully and took off in a gentle glide. The good thing about Pegasus wings, was their speed and maneuverability. Sure it was harder for me to hover in one place than for a Thestral, but my wings were deathly silent compared to theirs, not to mention I could turn on a dime.

The sublevel where I was working was basically the bottom of a ten story pit, normally ponies took the elevators, but I embraced any opportunity to spread my wings. It was much better than having to trot everywhere in the confined hallways of the stable anway.

As I flapped in a lazy ascending circle, the walls around me began to appear in the growing light, soon I could make out the cracks and rust spots in the ancient concrete, conduits and pipes passed me. When I came upon the threshold of the pit, I grumply tucked my wings in and alighted upon the edge with my rear hooves, coming to a gentle landing. That was unfortunately all I had for spreading my wings that day.

I squinted in the bright fluorescent light and began trotting out of the reactor room, making my way past the heavy steel doors that would seal the room in the event of a nuclear accident. As I climbed the stairs two by two, I made my way into the atrium, a large three story room that acted as a “courtyard” to various doors leading to sections of the Stable.

Stable 17 was lucky enough to have farmers and high-quality technology when it was built, that allowed us to keep growing plants like apple trees and bushes from the inside, which wonderfully adorned the atrium along the center or in the corners. The biggest advantage, however, was the apple orchard that was situated in the middle of the stable.

As I trotted across the atrium, making my way towards the executive offices, ponies all around me went along their merry way, fulfilling whatever job they were assigned to do to keep this place barely alive.

“Outa’ my way ya’ bloody freak. You’ll be seeing me soon enough, wait ya’ turn.” a huge stallion butted past me and pushed me off to the side, he was dressed in the telltale barding of the Security unit. Not far behind him, a convoy of five more security ponies pushed passed, all armed with batons and shotguns.

What’s with all the security today? Wait my what? I furrowed my eyebrows and slowly made my way to the offices.

“Where’s Turkish Delight at?” I asked, nonchalantly walking into the office labeled ‘STC’ for Stable Technicians Corps.

The young mare sitting at a terminal before me quickly looked up and pointed to the door on the far corner of the office, not uttering a word.

“Right… Thanks” I muttered, giving her a cross look and trotting over to my boss’ room.

Upon reaching the door, I saw Mrs. Delight talking on a call using the speakers of her PipBuck, nervously flipping through a huge binder atop her desk. I raised a hoof and tapped on the frame of the door, causing her to flinch and look up at me in surprise.

Now a PipBuck, was a hoofheld computer that every Stable inhabitant received when they graduated from their primary school, it was a nifty device that sat holstered to your left foreleg, it sorted everything you carried in an electronic inventory, and even read out your vital signs. In reality, there was little use to it besides an alarm clock or flashlight.

“You wanted to see me?” I mouthed quietly.

“N-no! You shouldn’t be here, go to the Overmare’s office immediately!” She whispered feverently, placing a hoof over her PipBuck’s microphone.

“Overmare? What for?” I quickly dropped my nonchalance, a feeling of worry starting to creep into my chest.

“Go!” She frantically shooed me away.

I nodded and hastily trotted out of the offices, making a hard right and gazing up at the ominous circular window that overlooked the atrium. Behind the pale glass, was the Overmare’s office; the one pony in charge of the whole stable. If she wanted to see me, then things were much worse than I imagined. I cantered over to the stairwell leading to her office and practically galloped up the stairs, pivoting when I reached the top and coming face to face with two huge double wooden doors nestled on a red painted wall. The room I was in was guarded by two Security ponies who did little to heed my exsistence.

I cleared my throat and was about to ask about the Overmare, when the doors suddenly opened and out sauntered the mare herself. She was pretty damn beautiful, not gonna lie, a Thestral mare with a white mane and tail, grey coat, and cutiemark of a dark purple flower. She was pretty yeah, but she also had that ‘crazy bitch’ feel to her, yanno? Something didn’t feel right about how she approached me, never breaking eye contact.

“Midnight Wind.” She spoke softly, ever approaching me.

I felt my wings shuffle nervously and took a timid step back, “Overmare Night Shade.” I nodded. She was named after her great-great-grandmother, the original Overmare of Stable 17.

“Don’t look so coy, please follow me.” She smirked and pivoted around with a flick of her tail. She seemed irritated, but was trying really hard to hide it.

I nodded once more and slowly followed her into the room. Through the doors, it was obvious that being the Overmare or Stallion definitely had its perks. A large wooden desk sat in a ‘U’ shape in the center of the room, soft red carpet was underhoof and beautiful wooden paneling adorned the walls. Night Shade took a seat on a heavy wooden chair and motioned for me to sit on a fluffy cushion on the opposite side of her desk. I decided to stand, feeling way too uncomfortable sitting under her.

The doors closed behind me and another pony trotted up next to me, she looked pretty pissed and didn’t spare me a glance. She was a gorgeous mare, probably around my age, her mane and tail was a startling scarlet red, contrasting to her dark gray - almost black coat. Her cutiemark looked like a bullet sitting on a bed of rose petals, seriously juxtaposed to such beautiful features.

Noticing my staring, I quickly shifted my gaze to Nightshade, “So, um, why’d you need me?” my voice cracked -- damn nerves.

“Yeah, and me?” The mare to my left spat, glaring at Night Shade, she had guts to be speaking to the Overmare like that, that’s for sure.

“Now, now, both of you, no need to be riled up.” Night Shade smiled too calmly. “I’ve summoned you both here, because I have a proposition to offer.”

“You could have just bloody asked me.” The scarlet maned mare blurted, “what, am I some random janitor to you now?” she gestured to me.

Ouch baby, my pride. I frowned internally.

“Perhaps, Scarlet, in the past.” Night Shade deadpanned. Ah her name was Scarlet, duh. “But no longer, you’ve been revoked of your position.”

“My bloody what?! I’m your sister for Luna’s sake, my ‘position’ is to sit under you and file your paperwork.” Scarlet stamped a hoof, clearly hurt.

I just stood watching them back and forth, not really feeling the need to say anything. Turns out this chick was the Overmare’s sister, and I was just invited to a formal family feud, lucky me.

“Okay that’s ENOUGH!” Night Shade snapped and slammed her hooves on her desk. Eliciting and ‘eep’ from Scarlet, and startling me. “I’ve summoned you both here because something dreadful has happened.” She took a breath, and fixed a lock of her mane that had fallen out of place. “As you two may have known, you both graduated from your primary school lessons, and with the end of every graduation, new jobs are handed out to ponies.” She paused and looked at us.

I nodded for her to continue, but Scarlet kept her glare in silence.

“And so,” Night Shade continued, “Apparently that opens up the position of Overpony - before the previous one is deceased. Now, I did not know of this protocol, having inherited it from mum and being the older sister. But whenever the computer system registers that a new pony is ‘more qualified’” She waved her hooves in the air sarcastically. “Then all administrative rights are handed over to him or her.” She concluded, pointing to me and Scarlet respectively.

“Wait, so you’re saying the system selected both of us?” I asked, genuinely curious. Huh, turns out my dream might actually happen.

“Not entirely.” Night Shade spoke behind clenched teeth. “It appears that you are to be Overstallion effective in the next day or so.” She pointed to me, rage bristling in her words. I widened my eyes in excitement and realization.

“Him?” Scarlet finally looked me over and then back to Night Shade. “Okay so what? You step down he takes over, why does this concern me? Not like I’d ever be Overmare anyway.” She huffed.

“‘Why does this concern me.’” Night Shade mocked, “It concerns you because you’re both predecessors!” She hollard, once more causing me to flinch. “I’ve been a patient mare, I’ve watched over these ponies for ten years now.” Night Shade took an eery calm. “And what does this grant me? Nothing!” She screamed. “So that’s,” she took a breath and sat down once more, crossing her forelegs atop each other on the desk. “Why I have a proposition.”

Kay, clearly this lady has some bi-polar issues. I raised an eyebrow. “So what do you have in mind?” I asked, still excited with the idea of actually becoming an Overstallion, I mean, hell I knew I did well in school. But not this well! I never thought this day would come!

“Leave the stable, or die.” Night Shade hissed.

And there went my excitement.

Scarlet sputtered and looked visibly paled, “You would not! I’m your own bloody sister!”

“Yeah, no seriously, you can keep the position!” I panicked and raised a hoof.

“SILENCE” Night Shade hollard, effectively shutting us up. “It doesn’t matter, the system has sent it over and is processing the new codes as we speak. If Midnight were to become deceased, it would then go to you” She pointed at Scarlet, “I refuse to step down! I have done too much for this Stable for so little in return!” She yelled, slamming her hoof on a desk repeatedly.

Scarlet took a step forward, bristling with anger. “You entitled twat! I knew something was off about you this whole bloody time, you two faced, cock-sucking, bitc-” Her stream of profanity was abruptly cut short by the sound of a pistol being chambered.

Night Shade, calmly pointed the gun at Scarlet’s head, her mouth affixed around the trigger plate, ready to fire. The room fell under complete silence, the only noise being the heavy breathing coming from Night Shade.

Scarlet nodded, utterly defeated.

“Right.” Night Shade spoke around the grip of the pistol. Her words muffled slightly. “You both have 24 hours, pack up your things, or face execution.”

“They’ll get you for this, the Security ponies aren’t blind, they know murder when they see it.” Scarlet muttered. I nodded, opting to take the side of the pretty smart one.

“I have ponies who will follow me, we’ll run a coup d'etat so be it.” Night Shade narrowed her eyes. “Leave, I’ll see you both at the Stable door tomorrow morning at nine.” She beckoned us out with her pistol, taking a seat once more.

I turned around immediately, panic and confusion swimming in my head. One moment, I was just another janitor wishing for a better life, now, I’m about to be an exile. Execution certainly wasn’t what I had in mind for breakfast tomorrow morning.

Scarlet and I slowly trotted out of the Overmare’s office, the doors having been opened and closed by the two security ponies. Night Shade had us perfectly played, it wasn’t like we could run anywhere before tomorrow.

“Follow me.” Scarlet whispered the moment we entered the atrium.

I nodded and she took off in a brisk canter toward the apple orchard, I followed close behind her, ponies passing by us in a blur. I felt absolute dread rising in my chest, we were condemned.

Once we made it downstairs and into the orchard, Scarlet took off and headed toward the middle, I spread my wings and quickly followed suit, flying silently next to her. A small clearing sat in the middle among dense apple trees, their pale orange leaves indicated it was sometime in the autumn.

“Right, we’re here.” Scarlet spoke softly, clearly this was somewhere she spent a lot of time, it was only visible from the air and most ponies who worked in the orchard did so on hoof.

We both landed atop the soft bed of orange leaves, the air was a bit chilly, our climate control machines were working as intended. Scarlet sat down on her haunches and sighed, looking around her.

“S-so, what now?” I broke the silence, terrified.

“I don’t know, let me think.” She whispered, closing her eyes.

“She’s not going to let us leave is she?”

“No.”

“She’s just going to kill us.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because, that’s how she is.”

“Then what do we do?”

“I’m thinking, please.” She moaned and laid down, hiding her face by resting her muzzle between her forelegs.

It was obvious Night Shade wasn’t going to give us the benefit of exile, I secretly hoped it was -- albeit it was certain death outside -- but we both knew she wasn’t that merciful. I tried to clear my mind, sitting in silence for seemingly minutes, mulling over our thoughts.

“Have we met before?” I asked, trying to brighten the mood.

“What?”

“I said, ‘have we met before?’” I repeated.

Scarlet sat up again and looked me over, this time not out of judgement, but curiousity. “I’ve seen you about. You’re not easy to miss.” She furrowed her eyebrows.

I felt myself fluster, “I know, thanks.” I deadpanned, turning my head.

“No! No! I mean… I’ve just seen you.” she replied lamely, damage done.

“It’s fine, I’m used to it.” I smiled wryly, “I’ve never seen you though, you didn’t attend class?”

“No, I was taught privately.” Scarlet shrugged.

“So you were pretty much isolated your whole life, just like me eh?” I snorted in laughter, trying to match her eyes.

Scarlet furrowed her eyebrows and stood up, “Look mate, now is not the time for bloody pleasantries. I- I should hate you!” She stamped a hoof. “None of this would have happened if you…”

“If I what?” I asked accusatively, “If I didn’t exist? You and everypony else would wish the same.”

“That or if you at least didn’t do so well in bloody school!” She cried desperately.

“Look sister, I’m sorry I’m the root of your problems, but I’m no better off either!” I huffed, “We need to come up with something quick, or we’re both going to be bodies in the incinerators tomorrow.” I spat.

“And what do you propose? We waltz out of the stable on our own?” Scarlet stepped up to me angrily, looking up -- nose to nose. She was a head shorter than I was. Hardly intimidating.

“That’s… a good idea actually.” I detached, an idea popping into my head.

“That’s what I bloody thought!” She approved, tossing her mane.

After a moment, she suddenly looked up at me once more, this time with wide eyes. “Wait, no, that’s not a good idea Midnight! How in Luna’s grace are we going to get the doors open?”

I smiled and raised my left foreleg, looking at my pipbuck, the screen winked to life at the sense of movement. Using my nose, I pressed the button labeled “DATA” and scrolled onto the connection settings.

“If what Night Shade said was true, then I would receive administrative rights within the next few days right?” I asked rhetorically.

“Yeah, few days we have a few hours mate.” Scarlet retorted, but not without hope in her voice.

Ignoring her, I continued, “But there’s a thing or two that you learn about the computer system that runs through this Stable, being a ‘lowly janitor’.” I smirked. “If the data is already being processed, that means something is just holding it back, for whatever reason. Be it a wait time for official paperwork to go through or whatever.” I paused, tapping another button on the PipBuck.

“So what’re you getting at?” Scarlet went upon the tips of her hoofs to look at my PipBuck.

“Well, being in the Stable Technicians corps, we have a LOT of paperwork. So much, that we just cut corners by skipping it all and going straight for the downloadable data. We’ve just figured out a way to make it come faster, just, like, this.” I replied, poking buttons respectively.

“And?”

“Wait for it.”

“It’s not doing anything.” Scarlet grumbled after a few seconds.

“It’s a slow system.” I shrugged.

With a beep, my PipBuck shut off.

“You broke it.” Scarlet deadpanned, hope disappearing from her eyes.

“I- I broke it.” I stuttered, disbelief in my voice. I have never seen a PipBuck shut off before, panic began to reseed itself in my chest.

Just as quickly as it shut off, my PipBuck emitted another beep and re-booted. A happy cartoon Stallion danced across the screen as loading bars moved across the bottom. I breathed a sigh of relief, at least it wasn’t actually broken. Finally when it was done booting up, a new message appeared on the screen.

Congratulations on your promotion to Overpony! Stable-Tec is excited to have a qualified individual such as yourself lead your group of ponies to survival and the future! We welcome you to a part of the team, and hope that one day you and your Stable will persevere!

I smiled brightly and lowered the device so Scarlet could see. After a few moments the message disappeared and my PipBuck resumed normal function once more.

“Luna above it worked! You actually did it!” Scarlet exclaimed, a smile falling upon her features for the first time I’ve seen her, it was something I thought suited her well.

“I didn’t think it would actually work!” I beamed, all emotions finally replaced with hope. “Okay, now we just need to make it to the Stable doors.”

Scarlet’s excitement died down in thought, “That won't be easy, Shade’s got to have the place bristling with security by now.”

“Do you think we could talk some sense into them?”

“Not likely, she’s bound to have put those ponies loyal to her in charge.” Scarlet frowned.

“Damn, if only we had a way to get rid of them.” I thought aloud, looking around us.

Scarlet’s ears perked up, “I got it! It’s risky, but it might work.”

“Fire away,” I beckoned her.

“Well tomorrow, Shade’s probably going to want to do the deed by herself, try to get as few witnesses as possible right? It’ll be easier to not have to convince anypony it wasn’t murder.” She paused,

“That’s it!” I exclaimed, “She won’t be expecting us to try anything, the two of us could overpower her and escape!”

“Exactly!”

We both stood up, determination and hope taking over.

“Tomorrow then.” Scarlet nodded, her eyes bright with fire.

“Tomorrow.” I agreed.

Scarlet spread her wings and was about to take off, I quickly raised a hoof, “Wait, do you think you’d want to stay at my place?” I offered, it’d be nice to have somepony over for once, especially the one I’m depending my life on.

Scarlet rolled her eyes and continued to fly away “Tomorrow Midnight, Stable door.”

I watched as she flew away, when her brilliant red tail disappeared I sighed and took off, heading the opposite way toward my living quarters.

You tried. I comforted myself as I flew to the edge of the orchard and made my way home.

When I reached my single-pony living space, I lazily slapped the door release button and entered the room. It was simple, just a bed, kitchenette and bathroom attached. I looked at my PipBuck and saw it was only seven in the evening. Figuring I would rather be well rested, and not feeling particularly hungry, I let the door close behind me and opted to sleep early. I’d wake up early tomorrow and gather what few things I had before heading out.

I stripped off my greasy overalls and let it fall to the floor, climbing into bed. Laying there and let myself think of just what exactly awaited me tomorrow. I was scared, admittedly, but determined. It was about time I left the Stable anyway, not like anypony wanted me to stick around. Besides, it’s been years since the bombs fell, maybe there’s life out there.

After a few minutes I felt myself slipping, my worry and fear disappearing as I fell into a light and uncomfortable sleep. Dreams of anxious questions and a scarlet mare soon filled my imagination.