Chapter 0: Prologue

Fallout Equestria: Time Never Changes prologue

“Crimson scarlet, that’s different” I was looking up at the skies of Equestria which today was a mixture of red and gold. I said to myself with hope in my heart “Maybe today will be different, maybe something will change.” But the harshness of reality had brought me back to my senses and I continued on my way with disappointment.

The University of Trottingham was a dull and very plain building which did not match the rest of the city at all. It was just bricks and windows and to my misfortune, was the place I was working at thanks to my parents and something they called the ‘Cutie Mark Crusader work programme’. Come with us as we take you on a journey in every work type possible. ‘We’ll find you a Cutie Mark or we are not the Cutie Mark Crusaders’ said a poster as I passed one by, but I had little time to think back on this as, moments after I had entered the Trottingham University did paperweight the receptionist addresses me

“Tick Tock”! I look at him as he called my name. A name I was not very happy of having.
“Good morning Mr Paperweight”. I had been taught to respect adults but calling them with Mr or Miss before their name “What can I do for you this morning”

With an instant response Paperweight replied “Professor Time is looking for you and he sounded urgent”. After hearing this, I felt like this day was going to be the same as ever. Just like I had predicted when looking into the Crimson scarlet sky Moments ago.

When I first arrived At Trottingham University 2 Days ago, I was a very excited pony. I was assigned to one of the professors in the magic and Arcane Tec R+D Section of the University. They must have thought that being a unicorn meant I would be best suited to work in that area.

The Professor I was assigned to was a pony called Alastair Time but he just liked to be called Professor Time and from what I’d heard, he was a genius in a field of temporal mechanics. I really had no idea what that meant. But from the moment I met Professor Time, he just made me do odd jobs while he worked on exciting looking Projects which looked bewildering to me. A part of me felt that he was trying to get me out of the way.

I replied to Paperweight with as much of an enthusiastic voice as I could, but I still sounded very dull.
“Very well” and I went on my way.

The inside of Trottingham University was so much better than its outer shell. I thought as I was walking down one of its many corridors which was brisling with activity. All sorts of ponies and even griffins were working on experiments that confused my mind when I tried to understand them.

But as I approaching Prof Time’s office I said to myself, “The life of a lab assistant is not something I want to have as a cutie mark”. Moments later, and to my surprise, Prof Time came out of his office. Something he rarely did.

“Ah Tick Tock my boy! I have some good news for you” I look at the pony with confusion on my face and did not try to hide it. He saw my confused face.

“Oh don’t worry my boy, its good! I know you have had negative feelings about this work placement. I know it’s not what you expected”. With all my courage. I say with as calm a tone as possible so as to not offend him “. To be honest Professor Time, I was thinking of asking for a different placement. This is just not working out”

I tried to look into Professor Time’s eyes when I said that, but all I could look at was the white lab coat that he was wearing over his brown skin and cutie mark which I still had no idea what it was.

“Quite understandable my boy quite understandable! And I will say I am sorry. I was just very busy with my latest experiment and finally it’s ready. I would like your help lab assistant Tick Tock, if you would like to of course” I looked up at the pony to meet him. His eyes to mine. I had not expected him, of all ponies to call me by that title. “Follow me!” He said gesturing me to follow him back up the corridor I had just walked down.

Whilst we walked through the university, I noticed that he had not spoken much of what his experiment was about, but by the way he talked about it, he was very enthusiastic about it being completed. I decided to try and press him for more information. “Professor Time, what is this experiment you’ve been working on?” He looked at me with a caring smile “Don’t worry Tick Tock, you’ll find out soon enough, but you haven’t answered my question”. I once again look to him with confusion. “Would you like to join me with one of my experiments” A small part of me questioned why he would need my help with his experiment but not tell me what it was, but the rest of me was so excited to be helping the professor instead of doing errands, that the small part could not be heard.

“Of course! But I might need to know what I would be helping him with”. After saying this, he looks at me with such a smile that it made me want to stop asking what the experiment was about.

But to my surprise, he answered. “It’s something that can save many ponies lives if needed. Not that we’re really in any danger here from the zebras” This had unfortunately reminded me that ponies were at war with the zebras. Trottingham was not in any danger. Being on an island in the Celestial Sea reassured me of that. But I thought it was only a matter of time.

“Please don’t remind me of the war. I hate to think what could happen to the future of Equestria”. The professor looked at me and laughed. I thought that he was being rude, laughing at my conserns and was going to tell him off. “My dear boy! Nothing bad is going to happen to us here in Trottingham, It’s been untouched by the Zebras for the whole war. Ah! Here we are”.

While we had been talking, I hadn’t noticed that Professor Time had lead me into the basement. It looked worse than the outside of the building. Every wall had cracks and some were falling apart. “I know it looks bad but no other pony comes down here. That means I can work in peace here” I look at him and give a little chuckle before my eyes fell upon a most strange sight.

In the centre of the room was a large pod connected to dozens of different panels, screens and consoles and, what I thought was a magic power generator. I had seen several used by ponies all over the university. I stepped closer to the pod to see what was inside to find that it was empty. I started to feel disappointed that nothing was inside when, two hooves pushed me into the container and it sealed shut behind me.
I bang on the pod’s one and only window, looking at Professor Time. “Professor! Professor! Can you hear me? I’m stuck in here! Please, please let me out!” I shouted at him, but he just ignored me. Then I realise Professor Time was the only other pony in the room besides myself. So, he was the only pony who could have pushed me in here.

With as much courage I could muster I shouted “Why have you put me in here? What does this thing do?” Professor Time continued to ignore me. “Answer me you!” I shouted out a rude word that I had heard my father use once by accident and I slammed my hooves on the window in a fit of anger but to no effect. The window remained undamaged.

Twenty minutes later after shouting at Professor Time, I decided to just wait. Wait and worry. Worry for what this pod was going to do to me.
I heard a knock on the window of the container and there was Professor Time smiling. But this was not the smile of a kind and helpful professor. No! This smile made him look evil.

I got up to face professor time through the window “Why am I in here?” And with his smile still showing, said, “You said you wanted to help me and now you are. For this is my experiment! My greatest achievement!” He said this with confidence and pride. “And you little Tick Tock are its first test subject!” I suddenly realised what was happening. I was a guinea pig for whatever this machine did. I started to panic. I started hitting the window with all my strength trying to get out. “Nice try, but I designed this machine to be very sturdy and I wouldn’t bother using your magic if I were you, I’m blocking it”. I tried to project some form of magic, even a simple light spell, but found I could not.
“Told you” he said with an attitude that made him sound like he was right. “Now be quiet for a second. I need to get these settings right”. But I could not stay silent. Before he had the chance to turn away I said “you’ll never get away with this”. I knew that this sentence had been said so many times in stories but I did not think when I said it.

At this the professor began to laugh. “You think anyone will believe you! Come on, you’re just a colt. Anyone you tell will just say it was all a dream or it was your imagination. No one will ever believe you and if some stupid pony does, well, all I have to say is that you agreed to help me which you did” He continued to laugh at me.

I was so angry I wanted to kill him. Something I had never thought about doing before, but I remembered. I was trapped inside this pod and with no magic, I could not even try to escape.

Then I came up with a brilliant, last minute idea. I decide to stall for time. “Professor Time”. He turned to me “Calling me professor are we now”. He looked at me with suspicion. “You never told me what this thing does”. He looked at me and pondered, “I suppose I could tell you, no one would believe you anyway” He stopped speaking to think this over. “Oh very well! What I am going to do to you is freeze you in time”. At hearing those words, my entire body began to shake. I was scared and Professor Time could see this.

“Oh don’t worry! I’m only freezing you for the rest of the day. Then after a few tests you’re free to go and apply for a different placement just like you wanted”. He looked at me with his evil smile. ”I won’t have any more need for you after all” A part of me was hurt by this but I remembered the way he was treating me and put it out of my mind.“ Any moment now, the pod you’re in will freeze you in time.” No sooner had he finished his sentence, the sound of a massive explosion came from above and the whole room shook. Even inside the pod I could feel it. “Those damn students! I bet their messing around with experimental magic spells again, I’ll have them expelled for this.” he turned to face me.

“You stay right here Tick Tock. I’ve set the controls already and soon it will be time for you to go home.” And with that, Professor Time walked away towards the door which he opened wide. In a blasé of green and gold, the professor vaporised leaving nothing but his skeleton and some of his lab coat. I was so shocked at what I had just seen that I wanted to scream. But I had something else to worry about. The flames that had killed professor time were heading straight for me. But as Professor Time said earlier, “this pod was very well built” and stopped the flames from reaching me.

“That was clo….” I didn’t have time to finish my sentence because my entire body was frozen. I was unable to move any part of my body. My hooves, my neck and even my eyes would not move. Then I realised Professor Time’s machine had started working. My vision began to blur and the inside of the pod and the flames outside were being replaced by darkness and then everything went black.

Chapter 1: The Colt Forgotten In Time

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Fallout Equestai Chapter 1 the Colt Forgotten In Time

Darkness! For the longest time, darkness was all I could see. I could feel my mind just floating, waiting for something to happen. After what felt like ages the darkness began to fade. I could start to make out the inside of the pod as it began to fade back into view. My mind was starting to unfreeze.

It took a minute for my mind to fully unfreeze, all the while I watched as the stasis pod became clearer until I could finally see everything within my sight.

I tried to move my body but it would not respond to my control. Then I realised that my body was still frozen in time and just as when I first entered the stasis pod, my body was the first thing to freeze and then my mind. I surmised that the reverse was happening to me. Mind, then body.

Moments Later I discovered I was right. I was able to move my body again. I checked every part of my body. My ears, hooves, every part of me was moveable. I sighed with relief. “That’s a relief” I said, testing to see if my mouth and voice were still working. Then I noticed something.

My eyes had turned towards the window of the time stasis pod, but all I could see was a black something. It must have been covering the window. I started to bang my hooves on the door. “Hello! Hello! Is any pony out there? Please, is anyone there?”

It felt like ages trying to get some ponies attention but with no luck. “OK Tick! Just calm down. You’re alive and that’s what counts.” Seconds later I heard something outside the room. It was very faint and very hard to hear but I was sure it was a voice.

“I swore I heard some pony calling for help!” The pony was a mare from the sound of her voice, but I could not tell what species of pony he was. I could not see anything.

Another voice answered the mare and this time, it sounded like a stallion. I pressed my ears to the pod listening and hoped that they were nearby. “This is not the time to go exploring. I said five minutes to look around for supplies and even if you did hear a voice we’re not going to be able to help them. Those things will be back any minute and in greater numbers.” My heart leapt. There WERE some ponies there. Two ponies and of all my luck, they were close by. I built up my voice ready to be the loudest it had ever been and with all my might and screamed, “HELLO! IS ANY PONY THERE? I NEED HELP PLEASE!”

“Did you hear that?” I heard the stallion pony say.

“I told you I heard a pony down here. Now, you may hate me for this but I’m going to help them. You can bite my head off later.” I heard the mare say and with that I could hear the hoof steps running in my direction.

I shouted out again to help my two maybe rescuers find me “I’m down here!”

“I heard him. It’s this way.” I could hear the mare say in a worried tone of voice.

“How I have stuck with you all this time I have no idea.” I could hear hoof steps getting closer. “In here” I shouted and I heard the metal door open with a loud squeak. “Hello, is anyone in here? “said the stallion.

I had only just noticed that I was finding it difficult to breath. I did not know why but I must have been running out of oxygen. Why, I had no idea. “See! I told you. No-one is here” I heard the stallion say in annoyance.

The oxygen within the pod had almost run out but I was not going to let something as pathetic as suffocation kill me. With the last of my strength I shouted “I’M IN HERE! HELP!” and I decided to stop talking to save on the oxygen I had left.

I heard the mare shout, “In there!” and I could hear hooves running in my direction. With a loud bang, a hoof was hitting the pod, but I was unable to do anything to let them know I was in there. If I spoke I may use up the remaining air I had and then I would die quicker.

I looked at the window of the pod which was still black. When the blackness was wiped away, I could vaguely see the ponies who were trying to save my life.

“Hello! Are you ok in there?” the mare says to me, closely followed by the stallion asking “What are you doing in there?” I wanted to answer them but I knew if I did I would die, so I did the next best thing. I got up and approached the window to face the two ponies who were still hard to see. Not speaking, I mouthed the words “Help, no air”

“I think he’s trying to say something!” started the stallion but he stopped as he turned towards his mare companion “What is it?” he asked. The stallion was looking very worried as I repeated what I said using only my mouth, taking in as small a breath which I thought may be my last.

The mare was trying to get the door open with the stallion looking at her with confusion. “What is it?” He asked, looking confused. “He’s saying Help! No air.” and the stallion looked at me. I was finding it difficult to breath and my vision was starting to blacken. Darkness was starting to sink in, but this darkness was different from the one I experienced from being frozen. This was the darkness before death.

The stallion knocked on the window to get my attention and I managed to look at him. “Get down!” He aimed something very long at the window but I could not make it out. I ducked and a loud noise sounded followed by the window shattering into several pieces. I could feel air rush into the pod and I began to breath. “Wow! Take it easy there!” I could finally hear the stallions voice clearly now, not muffled through the window. “Are you ok?” the mare asked me. I looked to them and see a sigh of relief of their faces. “Yes! Thank you! I was starting to feel sleepy.” The stallion looked at me and chuckled. “Near death experience! A lot of ponies get those. Not everyone comes out of them alive.” “Ouch!” I saw the mare punch the stallion “I don’t think he needs reminding of this right after it happened.” The stallion looked to me. “Sorry!” He said “Would you like some help getting out of there?” I nodded my head to say yes. Two hooves were held out to me, each belonging to the mare and stallion.

I was free. I was standing in the basement room of Trottingham University. I stretched. Being glad to be out of that pod I looked around the room. It was completely black which I found out was soot. All of the equipment including the pod was in good shape and then I remembered the flames and looked to where Professor Time Has died. A small amount of his lab coat has survived as well as his skeleton.

“Was it someone you knew?” said the stallion, who I had completely forgotten was still here as well as the mare. Looking at my saviours and finally getting to see what they looked like. The mare was a middle aged unicorn with yellow skin and a faded pink coloured hair and mane. If she had wings and her hair was pinker, I would say she looked like Fluttershy, but that could not be. So I put it out of my mind. I look to the stallion. He was an earth pony with red skin and the colour for his tail and hair was brown. I tried to see what his cutie mark was but it was covered by a suit he was wearing. This was a blue suit with yellow stripes and the number seventy nine written on its back. He also wore a saddle bag and a holder with a long barrel device on each side of him. Now I could see what had broken through the window, but I still did not know what they were.

I was going to answer but the mare interrupted me. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but are you ok little colt?” the mare said looking at me. “Yes! I think so. But who are y…” I was cut off in mid-sentence as I heard a horrible noise. It sounded like a pony in rage. “They’re back! They must have heard the sound of the gun shots.”

I had guessed that a gun was the long metal barrel that the stallion had used to free me. “Listen! I know you have been through a near death experience but we need to get out of here ok!” Scared and unsure as to what we were running from I said “OK!”

We all ran to the metal doors of the basement room and opened them wide. What I saw made me scream. It looked like a pony, but one I had never seen before. It was repulsive! It made all my hairs stand on end and my body would not move. But this time it was because I was scared. The pony let out a scream as it heard my scream and had called out for reinforcements. He just watched as ponies filled the corridor and then they all saw us. I froze and so did the mare and stallion. We were all thinking the same thing. We were trapped and there was only one way out of the basement but the ponies were in our path.

They all started to gallop towards us, all of them growling their way along the corridor. I looked to the mare and stallion, but they were frozen. Too scared to do anything but look at the approaching ponies. But lucky, I was not in the mood to die again. With all my strength, I grabbed the saddle bags of the two ponies and pulled them back into the room. Once I saw that they were safely with me, I reached for the door and closed it. I thought of how to barricade it but I noticed that the key was in the door. “Thank celestia!” I turned the key and the door locked. “Good thing this door is metal, it should last for a little while.” I turn back to face the mare and stallion. The stallion had an angry look on his face.

“Well this is just great! You just had to help this colt and you….” He turned to face me.” Now we’re going to die all because you had to be here.” I looked at the stallion with guilt on my face and, knowing that if I had not called out none of this would have happened and I would be dead.

The mare looked at him. “You could have left me you know. I’d have been fine on my own.” The two ponies were staring to argue. It was like, one day when I had come home from school and found my parents arguing. They told me to go to my room, but I had asked why and my father shouted at me and I never got involved in any argument from then on. My parents did say sorry but the damage was done but I thought of something. These two were not my parents so maybe I can stop them. “Oh will you two just shut up!” I screamed at them. They both turn to face me “What?” They looked shocked at what I had just said but before they could say anything else I spoke first “Yes! We may die but that does not mean we need to die arguing.” They continue to look at me “If you two want to accept your fate and die arguing then fine but I’m going to find a way out of here”.

And with that I started to walk over to the equipment Professor Time had been using before he died, but two hooves grabbed me and I was pulled back towards the ponies. I had been expecting something like this and I braced myself, but I felt hooves being hugged around me by both of the ponies.

“I’m sorry” said the stallion, “I don’t blame any of you” Looking at me, and then to the mare.

The banging of the ponies outside brought us back into reality. It was a nice moment but now we had to find a way to live.

“That door won’t hold long!” I said. I could see one of the hinges was coming off the wall. The mare looked at me. “Little colt, do you know if there is any way out of this room?” I’m sorry to say that I did not have time to look being trapped inside the pod “I’m sorry the only way out is through that door”

“Well, I guess this is the end for us, rescuing a colt. I could not go out any better but I’ll make sure to take down as many as I can with me. No holding back.” the stallion said, aiming his guns at the door “And I’m with you!” said the mare pulling out a smaller gun from her saddle bag using her magic to aim it at the door as well. I could tell that these two had known each other for a long time.

What can I do? What can I do? I was screaming in my head trying to think of a way out. I walked over to the controls that professor time had been at before he died, hoping that they may help us. Surprisingly, they still worked.

I discover that the control panel I was looking at was a timer for how long a subject would be held inside the pod and according to the display it said ‘Time Frozen 275 years exactly’. I looked at the timer. It had been set for 275 years. Why had he frozen me in time for 275 years? Why 275? I kept saying to myself. How could it have been so long, but then I remembered. I looked to the Time stasis Pod smiling. “That’s it! That’s our way out of here.” The two ponies looked at me with surprise and ran to me. “You know a way out?” I turn to face them with excitement on my face. “It’s not a way out, not yet, but it’s a way to survive. Tell me about those things outside” “You mean ghouls!” said the stallion interrupting me. So ghoul ponies are what they were called! The name suited them. “Yes! Them. If we disappeared from this room, how long would it take for them to just go away?” The two ponies look at me with utter confusion but the stallion answered. “It’s hard to say, Could be weeks.” “How about 2 months!” I said. The two ponies looked at me wondering what I was on about. “What do you mean?” the mare said and I look right into her eyes and then to the stallions. “Do you trust me to save your lives?” That did not sound the way I meant it to sound but it was good enough.

“What do you say, should we trust him?” the mare said looking to her stallion partner.

The stallion start to laugh. This reminded me of Professor Time’s laugh, but this one was more joyful. “We saved you and now you save us. Is that what you’re saying little colt?” I’d had enough of that. “Something like that and please stop calling me little colt, the name is Tick Tock!”

Both ponies starts to laugh “Yes! Yes! Get it out of your system.” I replied. I had expected this. It happens every time I tell someone my name but now was not the time for it. “OK! You’ve had your laugh now get in the pod!” I said pointing my hoof towards the pod.

They stopped laughing at once. “What! You want us to go in there! But it almost killed you.” I interrupted “if I’m right, it saved me! But I’ll explain later if we get out of here.” I look over to the remains of the room, I saw a wooden plank that was covered in black. “Listen! Please both of you!” I said with authority in my voice. ”Get inside that pod! I’ll join you in a second. Just trust me or would you rather face those things?” Pointing towards the door with the Ghoul ponies growling outside, I could hear the door starting to creak as the hinges weakened. It would not last much longer.

One look at the condition of the door and the two ponies ran to the pod and one by one jumped through the window into it. I turned back to the control panel and wiped the soot off the whole thing. I found the buttons to change the timer, then I looked at the magic generator over in the corner. It was still working, but I was not surprised. Trottingham University used to be a place of advanced magic and technology. I was sure that a magic generator built by them would last for many more years. But back to saving out lives! The controls were actually very simple. For once, I was thanking professor time. I set the timer to freeze us all for 2 months, then I ran over to the soot covered wooden board. Being a unicorn had its advantages. My horn glowed and the wooden board hovered over to me and I ran with it to the Pod.

The board was just the right size to cover over the broken window of the pod. I jumped through the window to join the other two ponies. “Help me hold this in place.” The two ponies helped me hold the blackened board in place. “How’s a board supposed to defend us against all them?” said the stallion with worry, but I just smiled at him. “It’s not for defence, its camouflage!” and the two ponies understood “That’s brilliant! If the black side is over the window then they will not be able to see us.” “But that’s not all.” I said as we managed to secure the board into place. “What do you mean?” the mare started to ask but she stopped in mid-sentence. Her body was frozen as was my own and the stallions. The darkness was starting to fade in again but this time I was ready for it. Then the world and my companions blinked out.

The next second the inside of the pod was starting to come back into focus, I found I could move again and then so could my two companions who were still shocked at what they had just been through. I look to them. “Don’t worry! I was the same when I was frozen.” “Little colt…” The mare started but change her words. “Tick Tock, what just happened?” I decided to tell them the truth, not the whole truth, I would save that for later. “This machine is called a time stasis pod.” Both of them look at me with confusion. They had no idea what a time stasis pod was and if I had not been inside it, neither would I. “A what?” said the Stallion. “This machine has the capability to freeze a pony for a selected amount of time. It has a timer for how long to freeze you which I changed to two months.” “That’s impossible! But if it is possible, how long were you in here for?” “275 years according to the timer.” Both ponies looked at me with shock. “Then you’re from the time before the mega spells!” The what? I said to myself and then I remembered the flames that had vaporised the professor, whose skeleton was still laying where he was 275 years ago.

“Actually, I saw it right in front of me. Why do you think the room was covered in soot or burnt, but we don’t have time! I set this device to freeze us for 2 months. Hopefully the ghoul pones will be gone.” Again the ponies look at me with shock. “Why so long Tick Tock?” said the stallion and I replied, “to make 100% sure that the ghoul ponies had gone! You said it may have taken weeks, now hopefully when we remove this board they will all be gone.”

We reached for the wooden plank and removed it. The room had looked the same as when I had been brought out of my slumber but the only change were the doors of the basement lying on the floor and there was not a ghoul pony in sight. I climbed out of the pod, followed by the stallion.

“They’re gone! By Luna! I can’t believe it! their all gone YAHH.” “Be quiet!” shouted the mare as she was the last to climb out. “They may still be around, we need to be quiet. “ She looked to me. “This may make us even, but you’re welcome to join us. We have a place you can stay. I really want to hear your full story and I’m sure you have some questions too.” I agreed. But now was not the time and they both thought the same.

We started to walk out of the room when I approached the remains of Professor Time. “I never answered your question. Yes I knew this pony. This was Professor Time and he was the pony who frozen me in time.” Both ponies were shocked to hear this. “It was not your choice.” I shook my head at her to say no.

The next thing I knew, I was being pulled into the hooves of the mare. “Don’t worry, your safe now.” Here I was. Being hugged by a complete stranger, but I was ok with it. After all, with all that I had just been through, a hug was a welcome to me.

After a moment of this, I decide to have another look at the remains of Professor Time. The part of his clothing that had remained turned out to be his lab coat pocket, which to my surprise still hade items in it.

I removed the items one by one. Inside were some pens which had been melted and fused together, a wallet with all the contents turned to ash and a device that I had never seen him with before. It looked like it was worn on a ponies hoof.

“That’s a very strange looking pip-buck!” said the stallion and I look at him in confusion. “I’m sorry! What’s a pip-buck?” And to answer my question, the stallion showed me his right front hoof. There, on his hoof was a similar device to the one I had.

”But from the look of that one I’d say it was custom made!” I looked at him and then to the pip-buck. I gave it a good look over and noticed a small amount of writing on the front. I said, ‘P.A.T’s Custom Pip-Buck.’ The stallion replied, “What does P.A.T stand for? I’ve never heard of anything like that with a pip-buck.” I replied, “It stands for Professor Alastair Time. He was a genius but he was also a jerk.” I got up and, using my magic to hover the pip-buck next to me, I turn to face them both. “Do either of you mind if I have this!” “Of course not” Said the Stallion “I already have my own and my mare friend does not like them”.

The moment of silence was broken. A sound that I never wanted to hear again was heard. It was far away but it brought us all back to reality. It was the scream of a Ghoul Pony.

“That’s it! Time to go. let’s go Tick Tock!” and without a second thought, I ran out of the room only looking back one last time to see the soot covered pod, the magic generator and then finally the skeleton of Professor Time before I turned back.

We ran all the way down the basement corridor and to the stairs that lead to the ground floor of Trottingham University. I wondered what this world would be like I thought to myself, but then, something came into my mind.

”By the way,” I said as we started to climb the stairs. “Yes?” said the mare in a kind and gentle voice. You could not tell that she was scared. “I never got your names!” “Oh my! How rude of us. Of course, well this.” pointing her hoof to the earth pony stallion. “This is Insert name here” At this I could not resist laughing and the stallion turned and walked right up to my face. I stopped laughing instantly. “Now we’re even Tick Tock.” and we both laughed at each other’s names.

“Hey! Keep it down you two. They’ll hear us.” The mare whispered and we both stopped laughing instantly. “Sorry!” I said. “That’s ok. It’s nice for Insert name here to have someone else to laugh with. But anyway, it’s Time for me. My name Is Fluttershy! Named after my Great Grand Mother.” “What?” I said in shock and I got a look from Fluttershy which I could tell meant keep it down. “I am the 4th generation of the Fluttershy Family. I’m Fluttershy the Second, but you can call me Fluttershy.” My jaw dropped.

Chapter 2: Welcome to the wastelands of Equestria Tick Tock

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Fallout Equestria Chapter 2 Welcome to the wastelands of Equestria Tick Tock

My jaw was still hanging, as I, Fluttershy and Insert name here ascended the stairs from the basement to the ground floor of Trottingham University. I thought to myself, no way, Fluttershy the second. I never heard that Fluttershy had children. My face was showing that I was very confused and shocked to find a descendant of Fluttershy this far into my future and Fluttershy herself could see this but we both knew this was not the time for questions.

We reached the top of the stairs and out into one of the corridors I had walked down with professor Time, lucky I knew the way out after finally getting to know my way around by the end of my second day working here. “Follow me!” I said to the two ponies “I know the way out!” and I led them through the maze of Trottingham University, sometimes having to take a different route because some of the walls and ceilings had collapsed at some point in the past , but eventually we made it to the reception.

As we approached the front doors I looked towards the reception desk. There, sitting in the chair I had last seen him in was the remains of Mr Paperweight who looked like he had been working when he died. In fact I thought to myself, he may not have even noticed the explosion or the flames, but I had to move on. No point in mourning the dead. I had to focus on me.

I looked away from the remains of paperweight and turned back to the front doors. Fluttershy and Insert Name Here were waiting for me. I approached them, “Another pony you knew” said the stallion and I nodded my head to say yes, then Fluttershy got my attention. “You’re still alive! Always remember that and never forget it”.

I reached out with my hoof and opened the front doors of Trottingham University. I was going to see what the world looked like after all this time and then, I saw it, Trottingham. “Welcome Tick Tock to the wastelands of Equestai.” I was in shock at what I saw.

275 years and a wave of flames had taken its toll on my home. Everything was in ruin. Buildings that, only yesterday I had past, were either destroyed or in a state of collapse. I could see the poster of the Cutie Mark Crusader work programme that I had read only an hour ago, it had been badly burnt. I could only make out a few words, the rest was gone. “Find your Cutie mark today!” I said to myself reading what remained of the poster. I turned to Fluttershy and Insert name here. “What happened? What in Luna’s name has happened to my home?” I asked, angry building up inside of me and my face and voice showing it. Fluttershy and Insert Name here looked at me. They could tell that the anger I was showing was not directed at them but at what the world had become.

Fluttershy approached me and placed a hoof on my shoulder. “I know you’re angry and upset to see your home like this and I promise you that we will explain everything that we know to you but we need to get somewhere safe.” Her voice was so kind. She was like Fluttershy herself except she had way more confidence than the first Fluttershy did. I looked at her with disappointment but I accepted the fact and we moved on.

As I walked down the steps to the road, I noticed something. Silence! There was nothing. No birds, not even the sound of running water from the fountain outside. Just the sound of myself, Fluttershy and Insert name here walking away from Trottingham University, a place I knew as my prison and now as my safe haven from the flames.

As we reached the bottom of the steps I thought of my parents, my home. I knew that they were long gone but I wanted to take a look to see if there was anything from my old life I could take with me. “Before we go, I would like to make one stop.” I said while Insert Name Here was looking around the corner, keeping an eye out for ghoul ponies. When he gave the signal that the coast was clear, he and Fluttershy turned to me. “This may not be the best time Tick Tock.” Fluttershy said. She then turned her head to face insert name here and he just nodded. “Ok Tick Tock! where would you like to go?” Fluttershy said with the same tone of voice I had once heard past Fluttershy speak in “I want to go home!”

The trip from the University to my home was a short one. I was lucky not to live far away but I still had to be up early just like all the other members of the university when I was working there. We passed by so many familiar places that I had once been to. Shops, homes of friends I once knew, now all gone and before I knew it, I was standing outside my house.

My Home had seen better days. It was still standing to say the least. The roof had collapsed inward on the right side of the house and all the window were smashed. Some still with glass hanging from their frames and the front door looked like it had been blasted off its hinges. It was lying on the floor burnt and decaying.

“This is it! Welcome home Tick Tock.” I said to myself which my companions overheard. They looked at me with sorrow. I ventured into the house. The lack of a door made it easy for us to enter.

A pony tapped me on the shoulder. It was Fluttershy. “I know you’re here for sentimental reasons but could we look around for supplies as well.” I did see the logic in looking, after all from the state of the world, supplies would be in short supply. “Sure! Come with me.” I beckoned Fluttershy and Insert name to follow me.

“It would be best if one of us stood guard while you two look around. We don’t want to get trapped again.” insert name said looking at Fluttershy, and then to me. I nodded in agreement and took Fluttershy to the kitchen.

Once I entered the kitchen, I used my magic to lift my parent’s medicine box from its place. I had never been allowed to open it myself for some reason, which now I would never find out why. I hovered the box and placed it over to a counter next to me. Fluttershy was looking in all the cupboards for food but all the food would most likely have expired 100 years ago.

I began to open the medical box when “Tick Tock!” I look and saw Fluttershy using her magic to hover something out for me. “I found this saddle bag before we found you. I think you may find it more useful that the last pony who it belonged to.” I was going to ask but I knew, they most likely encountered the ghoul ponies and did not survive.

She hovered the saddle bag over me and placed it onto my back. It had a pouch on each side. I had to admit, it was a helpful thing to have for carrying anything I found. “Thank you Fluttershy. This will help.” Fluttershy blushed a little at my thanks and went back to looking for food.

I opened one of the saddle bags and using my magic placed Professor Time’s Pip-Buck inside it before closing the bag and returning my attraction to the medical box which to my relief still contained medical supplies inside. I was thankful that no one had found it before us. Inside were some magic bandages and three healing potions. I guessed one for each member of my family and, something I never expected to find inside a medical box. A clear orb.

I surrounded the orb in magic and lifted it out of the box. I looked to Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, do you know what this is?” I show her the orb. “Where did you find that?” She pointed her hoof at the orb. “It was inside my parent’s medical box.” “What a strange place to store a memory orb.” Fluttershy said. “A what?” I said in shock and wonder as I had never heard of a memory orb before. “It’s something from your time. It stores a memory. I’m surprised you don’t know about them.” I guessed that because Trottingham is on a small island not a lot of information was available from the main land. So memory orbs must not have been well known but somehow my parents did.

I hovered the Orb back into the medical box and closed it. I thought It would be much easier to carry all the supplies if I took the box with me. I hovered the box and placed it inside the saddle bag making sure it was secured before moving on.

“Fluttershy, are you finished? Did you find anything?” Fluttershy turned to me. “Yes! There was not much. Some of the food was still edible though.” I wondered how but I did not want to know.

I led Fluttershy upstairs to the second floor of the house. There were only three rooms. One my parents were in, a bathroom and my room. I went to search my room but the ceiling had collapsed into it and I was unable to enter. It would have taken ages to clear a way, so I moved on. Looking back once more at what only yesterday had been my room.

The door to my parent’s bedroom was, to my surprise, still on its hinges and was at the moment closed. I placed my hooves on the door and pushed. It did not move. “Here! Let me help.” Fluttershy had placed her hooves on the door as well. “1, 2, 3!” I said and we pushed. Slowly the door opened.

My parent’s room was what you expect. Wardrobes, a dresser which my mother used to put on makeup and jewellery, which had melted. I could see spots of gold and then there was the bed. I screamed at what I saw but Fluttershy quickly put her hoof over my mouth before I could make much noise. “Sorry” I said. I looked back to the bed thinking that what I just saw was not there, but it was.

Two pony skeletons were on the bed, covered in the remains of what used to be a quilt. I started to approach the bed with Fluttershy slowly following behind me. I was now staring at the two pony skeletons. “Hello Mum! Hello Dad. I’m home!” I said to the two who I knew were my parents. Fluttershy Gasped. She now knew who these ponies used to be. She placed a hoof on my shoulder as a show of comfort. “Tick Tock, I’m so sorry!”

It was too much for me to handle. Anger overcame me and I was unable to control it. Everything I had seen today, trottingham, my parents and Professor Time. everything I had experienced was making me so angry. “Tick Tock, are you ok?” Fluttershy could tell that something was wrong with me.

I could no longer hold it back “What do you think Fluttershy” I said in an angry and sarcastic voice. “My home is gone, my parents are dead and my whole life had just gone.” “Tick Tock, calm down!” Fluttershy said in a panic, knowing I was about to lose myself to anger and then, I did! “CALM DOWN! YOU EXPECT ME TO CALM DOWN! THIS IS A NIGHTMARE. WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN TO ME? AND YOU….” I point my hoof at Fluttershy “WHY ARE YOU HELPING ME? I NEARLY GOT YOU KILLED! WHY? WHY WOULD YOU HELP SOMEONE YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW?” At that moment, Fluttershy’s horn glowed. I could feel my saddle bags become lighter. Fluttershy had removed something from my saddle bag and then the something was touching my horn.

Everything was staring to fade. My parent’s room and Fluttershy were being replaced with white. The last thing I saw before everything faded was Fluttershy crying, I did not mean to upset her.

Everything was white. It was like the darkness of being frozen in time but at least this was brighter. Then the white began to be replayed. A different environment was fading in but as it became clearer, I noticed that I was not in my parent’s bedroom. Then I realised. Fluttershy must have used the memory orb on me, most likely to calm me down.

The room had finally faded back and I could see where I was. I was in a hospital lying on a bed. I could feel myself holding something but I could not move any part of my body, not even my eyes. I could only watch. My eyes then turned to the right and there was my father younger than he was when I last saw him. “so, is this the memory you want put inside the orb” My father said placing a clear orb on the bed” Then I spoke but the words were not mine “Yes, I want to leave a message for our child when he is grown up”.

The voice was my mothers, so I was seeing a memory of hers. This was amazing and a little disturbing at the same time. My eyes then looked down and I saw a baby. “Do you have a name for him?” my father said, “Yes, I know it’s a silly name but I want to call him Tick Tock.” ”No way!” I said but no noise came out of my mouth. I was looking at myself as a baby but then my father came closer. “Are you sure? It is a silly name but if you’re sure then I’m ok with It.” he gave us both a smile. “So are you ready? Do you know what to say?” My head nodded and my father placed a mirror in front of me. And there was my mother. Young and, if she was not my mother, I would have said, attractive.

“Hello Tick Tock! I guess when you find this you will be all grown up and we will be no more. I know what you’re saying. Yes! Why would we say that when I just had you! but please listen, I just wanted you to know that having you has been a very proud moment of my life but even more when I get to raise you, I just want you to know that I will love you, even if I get angry or annoyed at you I still love you and never forget that even when you see this. It’s your turn now dear” she turned to face my father.

“Hello son! I’m not very good at these emotional speeches but I’ll try. Your mother’s right! We are both very proud to have you and to be raising you. I could not think of anything better than having a son to raise. I want you to know that and if, when we’re gone, that you need comfort then this orb is for you.” I watch my father get of the chair he was sitting in and sit next to me so that both of them could be seen in the mirror opposite. “And we will be proud of you with whatever you do with your life. Always remember that.” I was crying. I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks. Then the picture started to fade back to white. I stared at my parents for as long as I could make them out then they became white as well.

I was still crying as I started to fade back into my parent’s room. I was on the floor. My head was resting on something soft and a hoof was stroking my hair. “I know you’re still in the memory but I want to say this even if you’ll never hear it. The reason I have helped you is because I want to follow my great grandmother’s hoof steps. From what I was told, she was a kind pony but also very shy. Nothing like me.” I could not help but crack a smile. “But in this world, kindness is more of a weakness. It makes you vulnerable. But when it can be given, then it’s worth it.”

Fluttershy Had started crying again. “I’m sorry!” Fluttershy flinched but stayed still so that my head continued to rest on her. “I’m sorry for taking it out in you. I guess everything that’s happened just built up, I’m sorry.” I was crying and Fluttershy hugged me. ”I know you have been through so much in one day and I needed to say I expected it. I’m sorry I used the memory orb on you. It was the only way to calm you down. What did you see?” I looked up at her, tears still streaming down her face and my own. “A message from my parents on the day I was born. They told me to have a good life and that’s what I’m going to do.”

I spent a few more minutes with my head resting on Fluttershy. It was like when my mother would do the same but then I got up off of Fluttershy and she got up herself. I turned to her. “Sorry! I just want a minute to get some sentimental items.” Fluttershy nodded her head and headed out the door to the landing where I could see her waiting.

Not many of my parent’s things had survived. I checked my mother’s dresser. Most of the jewellery had melted but one item was in better condition than the rest. It was a small necklace. The outside had melted slightly but it opened ok. Inside were two small pictures. One of my father and one of my mother. I closed it back up and placed it in my saddle bag.

I looked over the whole room but nothing else had survived. As I started to leave the room I looked back at my parents. My mother was wearing a locket. I had seen her wear this so many times but she never told me anything about it. To my surprise it had survived completely intact. I hovered it over to me and place it in my saddle bag before using my magic to move the remains of the quilt over my parent’s skeletons “Good night mum and dad forever.” And I closed the door behind me.

Suddenly, I heard a gun go off down stairs. “I don’t mean to rush you up there but I just saw a ghoul pony and I had to shoot or it would have called for more. Get down here. We don’t have long.” We turned to face each other and then ran down the stairs and out the front door. I saw Insert name here. One of the guns on his side still smoking and there on the ground nearby was a ghoul pony, dead.
We both ran to insert name here who still had his guns trained on an area of the street the ghoul pony must have come from. No sooner had we all got back together did they appear. About a hundred ghoul ponies were heading around the corner onto the street we were in. They all saw us and growled as they all began to run towards it. Not needing a second to think, we all turned around and ran as fast as we could up the other side of the street.

Insert name here stopped and turned around on the spot aiming his guns at the ghoul ponies. He fired off two shots and they hit two Ghoul ponies but I could tell his aim was off because the two hit ghoul ponies were still running towards us. “This is no time to be heroic, RUN!” I shouted at insert name her and he took my advice. In a moment he was already running next to me and Fluttershy.

The end of the street had two ways we could go. One was back towards Trottingham University, the other way was towards Trottingham Castle. I had been their several times on my school trips so I knew the way there very well.

“Let’s try to get back to the university. We may be able to hide in the pod ag….” But she stopped. We were all looking down the street that lead to the university but it was blocked. More ghoul ponies were heading our way. They must have heard the other pack of ghoul ponies growling and the gun fire by insert name here.

“Tick Tock,” insert name asked me with worry, “What’s down the other road?” I replied as quickly as possible. The ghoul ponies were getting closer. “Trottingham Castle. But how will tha…” but he quickly interrupted me. “That’s where our home is. Let’s go!” And we all ran.
Trottingham Castle was still a good distance from my house but the road we were on lead right to it. We all managed to keep running without stopping until we finally reached the castle. “Where’s the entrance?” Insert name here asked. “Down this way!” There was a circular road that surrounded the castle. The road that we were on came out to the side of the castle.

We ran till we arrived at the entrance to the Castle. I took a deep breath but insert name here turned back to get me. “Come on Tick Tock! We’re almost there.” I ran up the steps and into the courtyard of the castle.

I looked around at the castle wondering how it had faired over 275 years. It was in a very bad shape. Several of the walls had collapsed and most of the towers, although still in place, looked very unstable and seemed as though they could fall at any moment.
“Do you think we lost them?” Said Fluttershy gasping for air. Insert name here was always on it. He was walking away from us and went down the steps until he reached the bottom of the castle.

“So are they there?” Fluttershy called. And then it happened. A ghoul pony had heard them and was running towards insert name here. “WATCH OUT!!!” I called and he heard me just in time. He saw the ghoul pony, aimed his guns and shot it. It was so close when it was shot that the damage was immense. The bullet had left a great hole in the ghoul ponies’ chest. It just stopped and collapsed. A pool of blood flowed where it had collapsed.

Then we heard it. The scream of the ghoul ponies. They were close by and had heard the gun shot. “Get up her now!” Fluttershy screamed and Insert name here ran up the stairs as fast as we could.

I turned back to Fluttershy who was in the centre of the courtyard. She was using her magic to pull something out of her saddle bag. It was a small square device with a switch. I could see writing on it but it was very hard to make out. I was trying to keep an eye on Insert name here running up the stairs. He looked very tired from all the running.

Fluttershy flicked the switch with her hoof and a circle in the stone flooring had lifted up and moved aside to reveal a hole. Seconds later a metal platform was rising out of the hole large enough to be able to hold many ponies.

I turned back to see insert name here. “Tick Tock! Fluttershy! If the platforms up, get on it. If not, then call it.” Fluttershy looked in the direction insert name here’s voice was coming from when he said this but moved onto the platform. Insert finally reached the top of the stairs and approached me.

“Go! I’ll hold them off for as long as I can.” I raced over to the metal platform as I heard gun shots from behind me. I reached the platform and jumped on. Fluttershy was ready with the switch which I could now see. The switch said ‘open’ and ‘close’.

I looked back to insert name here and gasped. It was too late to warn him. A ghoul pony had entered the courtyard through one of the collapsed walls and had jumped at Insert name here forcing him to the floor. The ghoul pony was trying to attack him but luckily he had fallen on his side and the metal barrel of the gun was providing a shield, but not for long.

“Go!” he shouted as we watched him struggling with the ghoul pony “I’ll be fine just go!” Fluttershy flicked the switch and the platform started to move down. That’s when I saw the gun that Fluttershy had taken out when we were trapped inside Trottingham University. Without hesitating. I used my magic to hover the gun out of Fluttershy’s saddle bag and moved it to my side as I jumped off the platform before it went too far down.
I could hear Fluttershy screaming behind me “Tick Tock, what are you doing? Get back here!” I ignored her and ran to save insert name here.
I had only seen a gun fired once but I thought I had a basic understanding of how to fire it. I stopped near the ghoul pony. The screams of the pack of ghoul ponies was getting closer. The ghoul pony stopped attacking insert name here as he saw me. “Run!” insert name shouted but I did no such thing.

The ghoul pony got off insert name here and ran straight for me. I aimed the gun right for it and using my magic I pulled the trigger. The ghoul pony was so close that when I shot it, its head exploded. “That is something I never want to see again”. The headless pony fell to the floor, where it lay there. Never to move again.

The force of the gun firing had been too much for my magic to handle. When it fired, it flew out of my magic field and landed on the metal platform where Fluttershy retrieved it and returned it to her saddle bag.

I ran over to insert name here and offered my hoof to him “Need a hoof?” I said looking at him with a smile. “Thanks!” he said with gratitude and I helped him back to his feet. “Don’t worry, everyone says that when they see a head explode for the first time, I did the same” I chuckled and so did he. “You idiots! Get over here. They’re right behind you!” and she was right. Just arriving at the top of the stairs were the ghoul ponies. We ran straight for Fluttershy who had already started to lower the platform as we approached.

The platform was nearly below the stone floor and I knew that the circle stone would soon cover up the hole. Insert name her was the first to get close enough that he jumped for it and landed on the platform. I was smaller than he was so I had to run a little closer. The stone circle was already hovering over the hole. I made the jump and made it through landing on the platform. I looked up and could see that a ghoul pony tried to jump through to follow us but only got half way before he became stuck by the stone circle as it slotted back into place it crushing the Ghoul pony and covering us all in what I hoped was blood.

It was now very dark as the platform descended below the ground. Fluttershy broke the tension. “Now I have a reason to have my bath early.” We all laughed.

Being in darkness seemed to be something I was doing a lot lately. Three times in one day. Well the first time was over 200 years ago I thought to myself.

The platform was still moving down and we were still in darkness until it emerged into a chamber with light. It blinded me for a few seconds but I was soon able to see where I was.

The lift emerged into a chamber that looked like it was made well after the completion of the castle above.

“What in Equestai is this place?” I said as the lift finally stopped. I stared around the room and then I noticed something. A gigantic door with the numbers 79 written in yellow paint. The same number that insert name here had on his suit. I then knew where we were.

Is this a stable?” I said to Fluttershy and insert name here as the lift finally stopped. Fluttershy approached me “Yes this is a stable! Do you remember the stables from your time Tick Tock?” Fluttershy said with curiosity. “Yes! I remember hearing about them. Stable Tec made them as fallout shelters, but I didn’t think the war with the zebras would be so bad that we would need them.” I look at them both.“Now I guess they were”

I look back at the gigantic metal door, wondering what a stable actually looked like on the inside. Insert name here walked past me and over to a control panel, which was to the left of the metal door. It was hard to see what the control panel had on it because insert name here was in the way but he knew what he was doing, so I left him to it.

Alarms started to ring! The sound of machinery and metal on metal began to sound, which hurt my ears so bad that I thought I never wanted to hear it again. The door to stable 79 was pulled backwards to reveal the entrance.

“Welcome to our home Tick Tock.” Fluttershy said. I turned to look at Fluttershy, then to insert name and then back to Fluttershy. A look of surprise and shock could be clearly seen on my face. “This is your home?” I said and Fluttershy responded “Yes! We are residents of stable 79.

Chapter 3: Stable 79

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Fallout Equestria - Time Never Changes Chapter 3: Stable 79

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!

Chapter 4 : The Memories of Fluttershy

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Fallout Equestria - Time Never Changes Chapter 4: The Memories of Fluttershy

My first night sleeping in stable 79 and in this new world that had once been my home was as could be expected considering the circumstances. My body was still fast asleep but my mind was still racing away, thinking over everything that I had seen and heard today. The events of the past day were flashing by inside my head. I could see the University, The flame Mega spell, the Ghoul Ponies and everything else flashing inside my head. The images finally began to stop, but something else was replacing them. I could hear so many voices speaking all at once. Professor Time’s laughter, the screams of the Ghoul Ponies, my own cries for help inside the time stasis pod and the sound of Nameless’s Gun’s Firing

“Shut up! Please shut up!” It was screaming, but the voices would not stop. Then they began to finally fade but one last voice remained and it was the voice of Professor Time. “You are the best chance for Equestia's Future. Good luck Tick Tock.”

Gasp!!! I awoke from my sleep in a state of shock. My whole body was shaking and was covered in a cold sweat which unfortunately had soaked into part of the bed I was sleeping on.

I looked around at the room which was quiet, which made a nice change from all the voices I had just been listening to. The room was very dark but I thought this was obvious as the light was off, so using my magic, I produced a small light from the end of my horn. Bright enough to see but not as powerful as to wake up Fluttershy and Nameless, who I could see were still sleeping together in the next bed.

My experience of my dream was still affecting me and I needed a way to distract myself, I decided to go for a walk. I also needed to get out of the bed to let it dry. I just hope Fluttershy and Nameless don’t get the wrong idea about the bed I said to myself in a whisper.

As quietly as I could, I got up and using the light from my horn, I found my way to the door leading out of the bedroom. Just then, I realised that I was not wearing anything. I had become so used to wearing a lab coat in the last 3 days that I was feeling uncomfortable without clothes. My mind was ahead of me and I remembered the dresser that was in the room with me. Again as quietly as I could, I headed for the dresser.

I had to be very quiet as the dresser was really close to Fluttershy and Namelesse’s Bed, but as I reached the dresser I was glad to hear them still sleeping. I opened the dresser slowly thinking that the draw might create some form of noise and wake everyone up, but to my relief, the draw opened with ease and without a noise.

Inside the dresser was only one item. A dust covered plastic bag. Using my magic, I levitated the plastic bag out of the dresser so that I could get a better look. The light on my horn shone on the bag but there was so much dust that the contents were difficult to see. I wiped away the dust and I could see words on the front of the bag. “Stable 79. Stable Tec Colt standard size suit.” I said without thinking and in a much louder voice than I had wanted it say it in, but I looked to the bed and was relieved to see that the two of them were still asleep.

I wiped more of the dust away with my hoof and inside I could see a similar type of suit that I had seen nameless wearing today. Seeing as this was the only other type of clothing in the room and the level of dust had suggested that it had been in that dresser for some time, I decided that there would be no harm to wear it.

I looked around, shining my dim light around the room to find the door that lead to the bathroom. I crossed the room hovering the stable suit with me and opened the door by flicking the switch that I knew was located by the side of the door. The door opened before me revealing under the dim light, the bathroom I had used before. I entered the bathroom and the door closed behind me leaving me in the dark apart from my dim light.

I look around to see if there was any sign on a light switch and, eventually I spotted one. Over by the door was a small switch which had no words on it. I approached the switch and flicked it down and the lights inside the bathroom flicked on, flooding the room with light. The light was so bright to my eyes that I thought that I was going into another memory orb, but my eyes soon adjusted and I could once again see the interior of the room.

Now that I was in a place that I could make any noise not to wake Fluttershy and Nameless up, I hovered the suit over to a counter next to the sink. Using my hooves I opened up the bag and pulled out the stable suit. “Wow! This thing looks brand new!” I said out loud, and I thought to myself why I kept doing this, but my mind was more focused on the suit.

It took me a few minutes to figure out how to put the stable suit on but in the end I was able to figure it out. I thought to myself ‘It’s a good thing I am a unicorn or else this thing could be a nightmare to put on.

I then thought about how much difficultly nameless must go through when having to put his suit on, but I guessed that Fluttershy must help him seeing as she is a unicorn as well. The suit was a perfect fit. I was able to move in it with ease. I decided to see what I looked like in the suit and crossed over to a mirror. “Looking good Tick Tock!” I could not help saying. I looked so dashing that I could not resist. But I felt that something was missing and then it hit me. I remembered that Nameless was wearing a Pip-Buck on his foreleg and I was not.

I approached the door controls and then stopped. I thought to myself. If I open the door, the light from the bathroom would wake every pony up. I flicked the light switch and the room fell into darkness. I used my magic again to create the dim light. I flick the switch for the door and it opens up leading back to the bedroom. Without leaving the bathroom I used my magic to open up the saddle bag which I knew was at the foot of my bed and hovered out Professor Time’s Pip-Buck and pulled it towards me. As soon as I see it pass the door way, I closed the door and then flicked the lights back on.

I moved further back into the bathroom and moved the Pip-Buck to the table where the remains of the plastic bag were. I looked at Professor Time’s Pip-Buck wondering how to open it up so I could fit my hoof inside, and then I found it. On the back on the Pip-Buck was a small latch which, when unlocked, would allow more room for my hoof to fit into.

Using my magic, I unlocked the latch and placed my foreleg in the metal cuff. I then sealed the lock and the Pip-Buck sealed itself onto my foreleg. No sooner had the latch been locked did the Pip-Buck turn itself on. I looked at the screen. The Pip-Buck was starting up just like I has seen it do Last night.

After I watched the Pip-Buck finish loading up, text appeared saying ‘Reformation Pony Data’ and then ‘reformatting complete. Loading new pony data. When the text finally disappeared, I could see my name on the pip-buck screen as well as my health, which I was glad to see was at full health.

Suddenly I noticed a small file named Pip-Buck Instruction Guide. My curiosity was betting the better of me and I opened the file.

The first thing I could see when I had selected the file were the words Pip-Buck Instruction Guide and then a small message that was addressed to me.

Hello Tick Tock it’s me Professor time again. I made this guide to teach you all of its functions and how they are used, thought I must warn you, this Pip-Buck is not like your friend Nameless’s Pip-Buck. This one has some special featured that will be revealed to you in this guide once you progress so make sure you read this all the way through before you use it.

I should have been shocked to find a message from Professor Time but I was now used to it. I selected the next button on the Pip-Bucks screen to reveal the next page of the guide. The next page I saw was a contents page containing the names of the different functions of the Pip-Buck and one’s that were just question marks which I was assuming were the features I would find out about later on.

At this moment I was thinking that I wanted to read this in a more conferrable place. So walking back to the door that lead to the bedroom and turned off the lights before opening the door. I was about to use my magic to create the dim light when the Pip-Buck was producing a dim light for me which I was released to see it could do saving my magic for other things.

As quietly as I could I walked back over to my bed checking that Fluttershy and Nameless were still sleeping. I approached my bed and lay on top of it glad to feel that the bed was not so damp. I flicked to the pages and began to read. There was so much information inside the guild that I could not stop reading I learned about the map which can show location on the map such as Trottingham and my current location Stable 79.

I learned about the pip-buck being able to monitor the wearer's health live and display it to them. Something called an E.F.S. which I found out stood for (Eyes Forward Sparkle) and I was amazed at what it could do. It would show in the screen any type of life form, but at the moment it just showed yellow dots which I guessed were all the ponies sleeping on this floor. Another page referred to a spell called the Stable-Assisted Targeting Spell or S.A.T.S for short. I noticed that the chapter after it was full of question marks but I was more excited to read about this spell.

I read the chapter on the Stable-Assisted Targeting Spell and was finding it very interesting and I was thinking how useful it must be. I was learning that the spell would make the world look frozen and allow me to target parts of the ponies’ body. I was assuming that it was to help with shooting as I could not think of any other reason to target pony’s body parts.

By the time I had finished reading about the Stable-Assisted Targeting Spell my eyes were starting to blur. I looked at the clock that was on the Pip-Buck’s screen, it was reading 3:30 in the morning but then I looked at the date which read November 24th 2317. Even though I was used to knowing I was in the future, seeing it as an actual date still shocked and scared me.

Then I remembered the dream I had. My mind was remembering it and I did not want to remember at the moment. I thought about how to distract myself which I was finding difficult as my memory was making it hard to concentrate. I thought about asking Fluttershy and Nameless for help but they had been through so much today that I thought that they deserved all the sleep they wanted.

Then an idea came into my head. A small walk around stable 79 might take my mind off the events of today and may even tire me out.

Using the pip-buck’s flashlight I looked around and found the door that lead out of the bedroom. As quietly as I could I got off my bed and headed for the door aiming for the switch that would open it for me.

I arrive at the door and operate the switch. The door opened and I quickly checked to see if the noise had woken up anyone, but luckily they were both still sleeping. I passed through the door way and the door closed behind me leaving me alone in the corridor.

I began to walk down the corridor which was darker than usual. The light from my pip-buck shining on identical doors that I assumed lead to the room of the stable residents still sleeping in their beds.

Suddenly, a bright burst of light blinded me. I place my hoof over my eyes “Who’s there?” said a voice from behind me. I turned around, which was difficult as one of my hooves was still trying to block the light and faced the direction the voice came from “Tick Tock, is that you?” I recognised the voice as the filly Nicky. “Nicky, Turn the lights off.” I said “Sorry!” And the light levels went back to normal.

Again it took my eyes a while to adjust to the darkness and the light my Pip-Buck was producing, but after a few seconds I could finally see again. I Lifted up my hoof and pointed it at Nicky to see her. Luckily, my light was not as powerful as the light from a moment ago which I found out were the lights of the corridor at a higher level.

“Nicky” I said with some annoyance “What was that for?”

“Sorry!” She said quickly “I did not recognise you wearing…. Why are you wearing a Stable Suit?”

I look at what I was wearing “I needed a change of clothes and this was the only thing I could find. I hope no one minds.”

I could see Nicky was shaking her head. “No! I am sure they won’t. Not many of us wear them anymore. The only pony I know of who does, is Insert name here… but it looks good on you. Makes you look like one of us.”

I gave Nicky a smile, as being told I looked like part of their family felt nice. “So! What are you doing up so early Nicky?” I said wanting to start a conversation.

“Could not sleep.” I wondered why Nicky could not sleep.

“It wasn’t because of my story was it?” Again Nicky shook her head

“No! No! It just happens. I take it you’re having trouble sleeping because of today.” She hit the reason so easily, but a part of me thought that the reason was obvious so I just nodded to agree with her answer.

“Thought so!” said Nicky “If I had gone through what you said you did, then even I would have trouble sleeping. Would you like a drink to help?” The question was so sudden that I did not answer straight away but I said.

“Yes please! But I am not sure I know the way back to the canteen.” and Nicky just laughed.

“Not to worry Tick Tock, even I got lost when I was younger, but now I know every nook and cranny of this place. Please follow me!” Nicky walked past me and I followed her.

Once again I was walking through the maze which was stable 79 with its many corridors and doors until finally Nicky had lead me to a flight of stairs which I recognised as the ones I had descended some time ago.

I ascended the stairs with Nicky and moments later we were standing outside a door with the words canteen above them. Nicky operated the door controls and the door once again split apart revealing the canteen that I had only been on hours ago.

“Take a seat Tick Tock and I’ll get you some water.” Nicky was pointing to a seat which I noticed was the same seat I was sitting in the first time I had entered this room.

I sat down and Nicky returned moments later pushing a trolley with 2 glasses of water on it. “I guess without magic it’s a lot harder for earth ponies to carry things.” I said to Nicky as she approached.

“You have no idea! It’s a good thing there are so many unicorns living here or things would be tricky for all of us.” As soon as Nicky stopped at our table I used a levitation spell to lift the glasses of water and place them on the table. I looked to Nicky and she gave a small nod to say thank you and she sat down opposite me and we began to drink.

A glass of water was exactly what I needed. As soon as I had some, I felt so much better. My mind was calm and the world to me seemed normal, or as normal as it could be. I thought that things were too quiet, so I thought of asking Nicky a question to start a conversation “So Nicky!” Nicky’s eyes look from her water to me. “Why did you have trouble sleeping?”

Nicky placed down her water “To be honest, I have not even been to sleep yet. Something has been on my mind and no one will help me.” I was curious as to what the thing was that no one would help her with

“Why, what’s the problem?” Nicky got up from her chair and looked directly at me .

“Come with me and I’ll show you. You may be able to help, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course!” I said “I’ll be glad to help or try at least.” Nicky jested that I follow her once again and we left the canteen, only this time I could tell that we were heading in a different direction than the way that lead to the stairs of the residential area.

After a short distance we arrived at a door with the words elevator on them. I look to Nicky and she pushed a button next to the door “It’s a lot quicker than stairs and besides no one uses it, as walking is better for everyone.”

Suddenly the door opens to reveal a very small room. Nicky entered the elevator and I followed behind her as the door closed behind us. I watched as Nicky place her hoof on one of several buttons located inside of this elevator and no sooner had she retracted her hoof did the elevator starts to descend.

Moments later we stopped and the doors opened to reveal a four way cross section of corridors. One I saw, was leading to a set of stairs, one leading to a T junction and one that lead down a corridor with a single door at the end. This corridor was where Nicky was heading down.

As I walked down the corridor I started to see a layer of dust on the floor and from the imprints on the floor, I could tell that not many ponies had come this way. We arrived at the single door which has a sign above it just like the canteen, but this one read ‘maintenance bay’. “Why would you bring me to a maintenance bay? I have nothing that needs fixing.” I said looking at Nicky with confusion.

Nicky operated the door controls and the door opened “I will explain once were inside.” A part of me was thinking that she wanted me to do something that she did not want the other ponies finding out about. Carefully, I entered the dark maintenance bay followed by Nicky who flicked the lights on and closed the door behind us.

As the light came on, I finally saw the maintenance bay and I was not impressed. There was nothing of interest “Well what did you expect!” I look to Nicky who could tell what I was thinking.

“I’m not sure but something interesting at least” Nicky walked past me and towards a corner of the room which was covered by a curtain.

“You want something interesting Tick Tock” She said with her hooves in the curtain “Well this might do the trick” and she pulled back the curtain revealing what was on the other aside.

When the curtain parted I saw something that made me jump backwards. A face was looking right at me.

After I had a few seconds to calm down and actually look at what I was scared of I could see that what I saw was a helmet attached to something that I surely found amazing.

The frame of a pony power armour “So is that more of what you expected” Nicky said looking at me as my jaw dropped.

“Indeed” I answered “I never would have expected a power armour suit to be here. It was a shame that it’s incomplete and missing a lot of its armour”.

I turned to Nicky and I saw her jaw dropped “You mean you have seen a full suit before” I look at her and smile thinking back to the one and only time I had ever seen a full Power armour suit .

“It was a long time ago when I was visiting Canterlot with my parents. There were ponies in power Armour on almost every street”.

Nicky’s jaw was still hanging but then she retracted to ask “Why were their so many” .

I sighed “Most likely because of the war between the Ponies and the zebras But that’s something you can ask Fluttershy about”.

I walked closer to the power armour frame. I had never been so close to one before But I then My eyes focussed onto a device that was attached to the frame “That’s something I have never seen on a power armour before” I said pointing to the device.

“I know what you’re going to ask but No I have no idea what it’s for” Nicky said having guessed what I was going to ask.

I turned back to inspect the device. It was a very strange design. It contained what looked like some sort of an engine located over the back pointing away from the pony head with 2 retracted wings on each side.

I noticed that the whole device was connected around the body to hold it in place and joined up under the neck were some form of socket was located.

“I’m no expert But I would say that whatever this thing does, something has to be placed here” I point my hoof at the socket “To power it up”

“Well I can tell you that there is nothing in this room that resembles that slot believe me I have looked Now I am sorry to take you away from this but could you help me now” Nicky said and then I remembered that I was here to help Nicky with something that none of the other residents of stable 79 would do.

“Of course Nicky I’m sorry, Got distracted” I said apologetically “Now what can I help you with”
Nicky turned away from me and headed to another door located inside the maintenance bay “Follow me” and Nicky opened the door.

Once inside I was once again disappointed, the room was just a small office with a desk, chair, filing cabernet and a selection of posters with schematics, which I have no Idea what they were for.

I saw Nicky walk over to the filing cabernet and pull open the bottom draw as wide as it could and one at a time produced 2 clear orbs. “Memory Orbs?” I said confused.

“Yes!” said Nicky closing the filing cabernet “I found these a while ago but I am not a unicorn so I cannot see what memories are contained inside so would you?”

And I knew what she was going to ask “You want me to look at their memories and tell you what’s in them?”

“Please!” Nicky said while acting cute for some reason. I thought that maybe she had used this on other ponies who had refused her request “Well…” Thinking her request over, “I suppose!”

Nicky face turned into a smile but I had to be serious with her. “But if I see anything not suitable for you I will not tell you, Ok.” Nicky nodded and pushed one of the orbs in my direction.

Using my magic I levitated the orb off the ground and moved it towards my Horn. ”NICKY!!!” I heard a voice shout behind me and there, standing in the doorway of the office was Fluttershy looking angry. “So you had them all along! Do you have any idea how long I have been searching for those?”

Then her eyes fell on me and then the orb which was hovering near my horn and then back to me. “Tick Tock!” Fluttershy manner was still angry but I could tell she was holding it back because her anger was not directed at me “Please put that dow…”

But suddenly the office was being replaced with white and before my eyes I could just see Nicky touching the orb to my horn with her hoofs “NICKY” I could hear Fluttershy shouting at Nicky again.

“Those are private memories Nicky! What right did you have to ask Tick Tock to…” but the voices were becoming fainter and the white began to consume me.

The office of the maintenance bay was gone having been consumed by white but now a new environment was fading in. Once the memory had fully faded in, I looked around through the eyes of my host. I was in a reception area. So much grander than the reception at Trottingham University.

My host was walking towards a desk with a single pony behind it. As I approached, the pony looked up to see who was approaching her. “Hello! I have an appointment to see Apple Bloom.”

The pony looked away from me and began to type away at her terminal before looking back at me. “You’re expected! Please go right in.” and my host started heading to a set of double doors to the right of the reception desk.

“You’re social skills could do with some work.” I said even thought I knew that my host would not speak my words.

As my host approached the doors their eyes focussed in the handles that each had. I saw that the left door handle was shaped in the letter A and the right was a B “What strange door handles!” I said and I heard my host say the exact same thing. I guessed that we both thought the same thing as they were a weird design for door handles.

My host raised a hoof and knocked on the door “Enter!” said a mare’s voice in a strong country accent which sounded familiar.

My host opens the door and inside I see 3 ponies “The Cutie Mark Crusaders!” I said shocked to see not one of them but all three at once.

Sitting behind a long wooden desk was Apple Bloom and sitting on the opposite side of her were sweetie bell and Scootaloo “Ah Fluttershy” Said Apple Bloom “Your early, does not matter come in, would you like a drink”

I could feel my jaw drop even if my host’s was not “No way, I’m seeing a memory of Fluttershy, wow” I said in surprise.

“Thank you but no thank you” Said Fluttershy in the shy manner she usually spoke in.

“Now Now! Fluttershy There’s no need to be shy around us.” Sweetie Bell said looking at Apple Bloom and Scootaloo before returning her gaze to Fluttershy.

“So Fluttershy…” Said Apple Bloom in a more serious manner “What can I do for you? It must be important for you to venture outside of your ministry.” I could feel some form of emotion running through Fluttershy. she was scared and I think I knew why.

I watched as Sweetie Bell got up from her chair and walked over to me and hugged Fluttershy. “We don’t blame you Fluttershy. We know you were only trying to help.” and Fluttershy’s eyes began to blur and I knew why. She was crying.

“I just wanted to help!” Fluttershy said crying into Sweetie Bells hug.

“Yes we know! Come and have a drink with us.” She turned to Scootaloo.

“Scootaloo, could you get another chair please!” and no soon had she finished did Scootaloo get off her own chair and move another one closer to Apple Bloom’s desk.

“Thank you” Said Fluttershy as she walked over to the desk and sat down.

“And to answer your question Apple Bloom I have a request I would like to make to stable Tec.” Fluttershy looked up and into the eyes of Apple Bloom.

“Of course! What can we do for you?” I could tell that my host was thinking of the correct words to say as she was taking a very long time to speak.

“I would like….. to request… a stable…. please.” I and my host felt that the reaction of the crusaders would be more shocking at the request, but their reaction was calm.

“Fluttershy dear,” said Sweetie Bell said calmly “Why do you want a stable?”

We both turned to Sweetie bell sitting next to us. “I want to keep my daughter and any other ponies I can safe, but I know that not that many would trust me after giving the mega spell formula away”

Both me and Fluttershy turned our heads back to face Apple Bloom while she was looking towards Sweetie Bell and then to Scootaloo. “I’m sorry to say Fluttershy, but we have no spare stables available, I’m sorr….”

But Apple Bloom was interrupted. “Sorry Apple Bloom for interrupting! “said Scootaloo “But what about stable 79?”

“Oh, of course!” Apple Bloom turned back to face me. “Yes! We do have one stable available thank you Scootaloo.” Her eyes quickly looking at Scootaloo before looking back at me and Fluttershy.

“Sorry to ask, but why are you not using it for your plans?” Fluttershy asked and I was curious myself. “We hired it out as a R+D project that looked quiet promising.” said Apple Bloom.

“What R+D Project?” Fluttershy asked.

“Flying power armour,It was an intresting idea to have power armour that could fly but unfortunately it failed and I guess we just forgot about it.” Something clicked in my head. The power armour suit with the device on its back. It was for making the wearer fly. “Incredible!” I said with my host’s mouth remaining shut.

“So may I request it?” Again Apple Bloom looked to Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo most likely getting their answer in the form of a head nod. “Of course! But there is one problem you should know of.”

Fluttershy nodded her head. “We have no more available support staff or maintenance ponies available. If you want to live in that stable you’d better find some pony who can maintain its system.”

I could feel that Fluttershy was over joyed with that answer. “Thank you! Thank you all so much.” I could tell that Fluttershy wanted to hug Apple Bloom but the desk was in the way and then whiteness began to consume the office of Apple Bloom. The memory was ending and I watched as the image of Apple Bloom’s office and the ponies within it were consumed by white.

Once again all I could see was white and then I could see the grey wall of stable 79 come back into focus. When the white had finally faded complete away I found myself lying on my bed inside of Fluttershy and Namelesse’s room. I got up and sat on the corner of the bed.

“Finally awake are we?” The voice came from behind me and it sounded slightly annoyed. I turned around to come face to face with Fluttershy who was sitting on the bed but behind me. I panicked and ended up slipping off the bed and hitting the cold metal floor.

“Wow! That’s cold.” Then I heard a laugh.

“That won’t be the only time you’ll experience our cold floors.” I slowly got up and peered over the bed. Nameless was still in his bed giving a small chuckle and then my eyes fell onto Fluttershy again who looked annoyed.

“I don’t blame you Tick Tock.” Now I was confused. Her manner of speaking and the way she looked was making me think she was angry.

“Pardon?” I said in a small and shy voice just like Fluttershy had spoken in the memory orb.

“I said I do not blame you!” I got up off the floor very slowly and sat back on the bed.

“They why do you look like you do?” Fluttershy sighed.

“Those memories were private and Nicky had no right to ask you to reveal their contents.” A part of me knew she was right. The memories were the first Fluttershy’s but now the rightful owner of them was the Fluttershy sitting before me.

“Sorry.” I said again “She told me she found them. I did not know they were yours until I watched one.” Fluttershy’s looked confused at my statement.

“You only watched one. which?” She asked.

“Fluttershy asking for stable 79 from the Cutie Mark Crusaders”

“Oh!” she replied “That one! Well now you know how we all ended up here.” Something had been bothering me since I had finished the memory and I thought that maybe Fluttershy could answer it.

“How many ponies joined her in here?” Fluttershy started to look somewhat sad at my question.

“Seventy six.” I thought of acting shocked at her answer but I knew the reason why so few had joined her.

“At least some ponies still trusted her. That’s something you should focus on.” Fluttershy gave a small smile at me.

“So what happened with Nicky?” I asked.

“Nicky” Fluttershy said angrily before returning to a calmer manner.“ I sent her back to bed and tomorrow I am telling her parents what she did.”

“Oh!” I said thinking of how much trouble she must be in.

Suddenly the room was staring to fade to white again. I looked up to see Fluttershy’s horn glowing around a memory orb which was touching my horn “I want you to see this memory Tick Tock. I want you to see the last kind act of Fluttershy.” I could see that she was crying before the room became consumed with white.

Once again the whiteness began to fade and the memory began to show but as the whiteness finally faded, it was replaced by nothing but darkness. I could feel the host of the memory but I was unable to see anything. I could feel that the floor was descending but still unable to see where I or my host were heading and then light hit me.

As my eyes adjusted I was shocked at what I was seeing. I was looking at the entrance of stable 79 with its controls panel to operate the large metal door which I could see was already open and there were ponies already inside.

My host and I walked off the lift and towards the door where several ponies had just noticed that we had arrived. One pony spoke to us “Did you both have a safe journey?” we both looked at the pony who just spoke.

“Yes it was fine! I and my daughter are ok.” me and my host turned to see who the voice had come from and to my shock I was looking at Fluttershy thought this version of Fluttershy was older. The pink in her hair a little dull just like the Fluttershy I knew.

“Welcome to your new home you two. I hope you feel safe here.” I watched as Fluttershy walked through the hole into stable 79 as we just stood there. I watched as Fluttershy walked over to one of the ponies that was watching us inside the stable and whisper something to them.

After several moment Fluttershy finished talking to the pony and turned back to me. “Well come inside Angel Wings, Its safe I promises you.” Slowly I watched as the pony walked through the hole into stable 79.

After Angel Wings was inside the stable I watched as she started looking around looking for something. I was wondering what she was looking for before I realised that Fluttershy was gone.
Angel Wings looked behind her and there was Fluttershy walking back through the hole to the outside world “Mother!” Angel Wings shouted and began to run after her mother but never got far.

Two ponies were blocking her way and holding her so that she could not run any further. One of the ponies being the one Fluttershy had just whispered to.

“Mother!!” Angel Wings shouted “What are you doing?”

“Angel Wings, I want you to listen to me.” I watched and listened at what Fluttershy had to say and so did Angel Wings

“I got this stable for you. To keep you safe, not for me. I want to know as I go back out there that my daughter is safe.” Said Fluttershy.

“What do you mean go back out there?” Angel Wings asked still trying to free herself from the ponies.

“There are still ponies out there that need my help and I want to give it to them.” I could see Fluttershy’s eyes becoming watery.

“Why? You don’t have to. Think of yourself for once. Think of me, what will I do without you?” I could also see that my hosts eyes were becoming watery as well.

“It’s just not in my nature to be unkind. I am sorry.” Then Fluttershy started to move to the control panel outside the stable and placed her hoof on the controls “I’m sorry!” she said crying and she operated the controls.

The machinery that operated the giant metal door began to start and to move the giant metal door back into place.

“Mother!” Angel Wings cried out, tears streaming down her eyes. I could tell she was starting to get aggressive trying to break free from the two ponies and seconds later she was free from their grip.

I watched as Angel Wings ran towards the stable door as fast as she could gallop but it was too late. The moment we arrived at the door it was already closed so far that she could not fit through.

Without a second thought I watched as she ran to the control panel inside the stable. I watched as she operated every button switch and lever, but it was no good. The door would not open.

“Open!!!” Angel Wings cried, tears still streaming down her reddened face. “Please!!! Someone open the door.” she said turning to the pony who had operated the door.

“I am sorry! But I cannot.“ The pony said.

“Why?” Angel Wings said half crying and half angry.

The pony responded trying to be a sincere as possible “This was your mother’s final wish. To have you safe, and we want to respect that even if it means it hurts you.”

It was all too much even for me. I could feel myself crying as well as Angel Wings. I watched as she ran back to the door, banging as hard as she could even as it was hurting her with each bang, calling for her mother and then the whiteness began to appear taking me away from the last and final kind act of Fluttershy.

As the whiteness began to fade away, I found myself lying down on my bed in my room with the lights off and tears still flowing from my eyes which would not stop.

It felt like forever but I managed to calm down a little.

Suddenly I felt hooves hug me from behind “I know how you feel!” Fluttershy said in a whisper. “It was my great grandmother’s final and Kind act to protect her daughter and I will never forget her for that.” Fluttershy was the one hugging me But I felt that the hug was more for her benefit that my own.

“I know that I was mean about her giving the mega spell away but I just want to say I forgive her.” Fluttershy was hugging me tighter now. I guessed that she was very happy to hear what I had to say.

I wanted to say more. “I met her once when I was younger and I will stand by it to this day. She was the kindest pony I ever met, well” I said wanting to add something, “Besides you!”

“Me?” Fluttershy said sounding shocked in her whispered voice.

“You decided to follow my voice. You and Nameless saved me from my death and you didn’t even know me. Yet you were kind enough to save me and you showed more kindness by giving me a place to live. You are Fluttershy and if you don’t mind me saying,” I paused to think of what I wanted to say “Even though you and I have not known each other much, I feel like you’re more of a mother to me than my saviour.”

Suddenly, I could feel drops of water hitting my shoulders and very quietly I could hear Fluttershy crying. I turned around to face her even though it was dark. “Come here!” I said and hugged her back and she started crying harder on my shoulders. “Thank you Tick Tock. It’s nice to know that I am like my Great Grand Mother and I suppose both me and Nameless have treated you somewhat like a son.”

And we just laughed out loud until a light from Fluttershy’s bed flicked on. “Would you please keep it down!” Nameless said still somewhat asleep.

“Yes Dad!” I said to him and Fluttershy and I just laughed again. Then Nameless, who somehow found what I said funny joined us.

Moments past and we managed to stop laughing. “Ok Tick Tock!” said Fluttershy a little more serious but still kind. ”Nicky told me you promised to tell her the contents of the memories.”

I already knew what she was going to ask. “I am not going to tell her! Those memories belong to you and Nicky had no right to know of them.”

I did not mean for that to sound so mean but it got the point across. “Good! But if you ever want to see it when your down or you need a cry, you are more than welcome to view it.” Fluttershy said, her eyes still watery.

“Thank you” I said in gratitude.

“Well, now that we have that out of the way, let’s get some sleep.” I looked at the clock on my pip-buck, It was now reading 5:30.

“Tick Tock!” Nameless was calling me.

“Yes?” I answered.

”Where did you find that stable suit?” I pointed to the dresser.

“Oh, I thought we put all of them away, guess we missed one.” I saw Nameless give a small wink to Fluttershy and I started to think that maybe they were planning to give it to me later on.

“Well it looks good on you!” Nameless said “I guess it makes you part of the stable 79 family now.”

I was about to speak but I stopped. I suddenly realised that I was not alone in this new world. Yes! My old world was now gone, but now I had a new family who were the ponies of stable 79 and Fluttershy and Nameless.

“Right! That’s enough for one night. Let’s all have a nice lie in tomorrow.”

Nameless and I spoke at the same time. “Agreed!” Fluttershy got off the bed and walked over to the light switch.

The room went black apart from the light spell Fluttershy was casting to find her way back to her bed.

I closed my eyes and started to fall asleep, but this time there were no voices, no images, nothing bad at all. Finally I could relax from the torment that I had experienced today.