> Fallout Equestria: Legends of Transylvania
>  by MeetSouder
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> Introduction
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Fallout Equestria: Legends of Transylvania 



Introduction


        There was a time, where the all the races of Equestria lived in harmony. Throughout the entirety of their existence, Equestria had very few conflicts that threatened the relations between the ponies, the griffons, the zebras, the Thestral “batponies”, and all of the other races that comprised the utopia under the diarchy that governed her. But when technology grew, demanding for more unreplenishable resources, so did the tension between the borders of Equestria and the resource-rich Zebralands. Soon, war broke out, starting with minor conflicts over shipments of the life sustaining coal that Equestria burned in her raging inferno of industry. The zebras refused to continue to trade with Equestria’s ridiculously low economic terms, and began to recall shipments to the pony dominated country. Small conflicts cultured into a full scale war after acts of terrorism began to erupt in both countries’ cities. Industry in technology and science quickly turned to factories and research for the tools of war. Boats for exploration quickly donning armor plating and large bore guns to defend the shipments, ceremonial swords and armor ditched for scrap and replaced with “Ironshod Firearms” rifles and other small arms, simple chariots upgraded with arcane motors and plated with steel to defend the vastly growing army as they rode into battle by the thousands.
The war continued for years and as time progressed, the situation between the countries deteriorated. Soon only Princess Luna found herself in command of Equestria’s armies, and a blood soaked stalemate formed between the countries. Desperate for peace, Princess Luna turned to Equestria’s greatest; the government Ministries of Arcane Science and Wartime Technology. They quickly began research for a weapon that could end the war in one fowl swoop, taking the lives of hundreds, to end the war of thousands. They produced the Megaspell. A weapon of highly concentrated destruction magic that would bend the laws of arcane science and warp the physics of their universe. The spell was capable of creating an exothermic reaction of such magnitude, it ripped apart the fundamentals and composition of nature.
This weapon was not built, however, without the zebra operative’s espionage on the research. The zebras quickly learned of the Equestrians motives and raced against the clock to create a weapon to match the Megaspells shear power. Using their vast resources and ancient alchemical techniques, the zebras were able to manufacture a slurry of chemicals deemed Balefire that would match almost identical in destruction to what the Equestrian’s Megaspells were capable of. As both countries built weapons of mass destruction, an arms race ensued, forcing both sides to divert all resources to build more and more Megaspells and Balefire bombs. With each new weapon pointing at a new city, a countdown to the end of their existence soon began. 
On a regular day during the week, in the evening when most ponies were sitting in rush hour tuning into the day’s most recent broadcast about the war, hushing crying foals in the backseat, or eating a quick on-the-go meal in the chariot waiting for traffic to start up again; the world simply ended.
Balefire bombs rained out of the sky in a ferocious attack, quickly igniting the skies around Equestria into a blazing inferno. Many cities didn’t get a chance to sound off the early warning systems, as they were eradicated immediately upon attack. Those lucky enough to be outside of the city when the bombs erupted, only had hours to live as their bodies were quickly deteriorated by massive swaths of radiation. The fallout clouds created artificial storms that drenched the entire country in a radioactive storm. Many tried to hide in their homes, or in the subway tunnels, but soon found nothing but the thickest concrete and lead could prevent their dying bodies of being further exposed to radiation. Mothers clenching their foals as their bodies melted from the immense heat soon turning them to ash, lovers embracing in the metro tunnels as the radiation slowly tore their flesh away, leaving nothing but blackened skeletons. The existence of Equestria came to an end.
But not all of the inhabitants of Equestria perished that day. During the arms race, a company of scientists came into existence, tasked by Princess Luna herself, their goal was to create a series of shelters that would house millions of ponies in the inevitable event of a Balefire strike. Their name: Stable-Tec. Stable-Tec quickly ramped into overdrive to develop a shelter that would withstand a direct hit, they experimented with many designs opting out any form of surface structure, they ultimately came upon one plan, an underground vault-like structure with a giant sealed entrance that could hold roughly six-hundred occupants. They named these structures Stables, and quickly sent out tickets of admission to certain families of all races that were deemed genetically capable of living within one.
Stables were quickly built across equestria, many of which were built simply to protect their inhabitants. But some of the scientists, however, needed answers. Answers they could not obtain nor will they ever in their lifetimes, but answers nonetheless. As an experiment, many Stables were built with intentional flaws in their systems to test the ponies and see how they could survive in confinement, others filled intentionally with too many occupants but not enough living space to comfortably contain them, one built with hundreds upon hundreds of rooms, but would house only a single occupant. Stable-Tec’s experiments continued to grow more sinister in nature as building progressed, with one housing an armoury that was publically accessible to occupants of mental disorder, or another with a total male population, but containing only a single mare.
By the time Stable-Tec reached their one hundred and first stable, the signs of an imminent attack began, and Stable-Tec gathered all the occupants quickly leading them into their respective shelters. But with the unexpected attack, and distractions of twisted experimentation, not enough Stables were built;  it was certain there just weren't enough Stables to save Equestria.
Some Stables, however, were not built by the evil minds of mad scientists, toying with the end of the world in their last effort to discover. Many were built by engineers with honest intentions, trying to save what remained of the location nearby the Stable. One such stable, was Stable 17. 
Located on the far northwest coast of Equestria, built into the base of Smoky Mountain, Stable 17 overshadowed a region of the White Tail Forest called Transylvania. A swath of land untouched by the industry of war, the region still retained its classical outlook of Equestria. It was  populated entirely by the rarer breed of Thestral pony, unceremoniously called “batponies” by others. These nocturnal ponies weren’t quite the same as their Pegasus, Unicorn and Earth Pony cousins, sporting darker colored coats and manes, two sharp fanged teeth, leathery wings, tufts of fur on the tips of the ears, and golden colored eyes with vertical pupils. With its economy driven mainly by the farming of fruit bearing plants by it's residents, the town saw little to no action in the war, and was blissfully left out of any attacks during the balefire bombing that consumed Equestria. Unfortunately, even though the town was not struck directly, the effects of radioactive fallout was still a threat. 
The Stable-Tec engineer charged with creating Stable 17, built it with the intentions to save her dying race of Transylvanians. She was certain the city where the vast majority of her race resided, Hollow Shades, was going to be destroyed as it was located right next to the capital city Canterlot. Stable 17 was built early on in the war, being only the seventeenth stable in production, the stable was built with the most robust materials, and with the latest technology at the time. Unlike later stables which were being built during times of great economic recession from the war, 17 was carefully manufactured and perfectly set to keep all of it’s six hundred occupants alive for generations. As a final touch to the creation of the stable, the engineer instituted a system with the occupant selection, that would ensure that all of the three hundred residents of Transylvania would be selected, leaving room in the stable for more to grow.
Stables had a very simplistic government system to run them, Stable-Tec would elect an Overmare, and occasionally an Overstallion, to lead the teams of ponies across their jobs, and effectively extend the life of the stable, the next generation of the Overmare or Stallion would be the successor. The Overmare elected for Stable 17 at the time of its creation, was Night Shade, a Transylvanian mare, whose former job was the coordination of the farming district in Transylvania. She was tasked with the important mission of maintaining strict enforcement of the social policies instituted by Stable-Tec, to ensure that all of the ponies would follow the laws and maintain a peaceful life. 
But Night Shade, whose mind had slowly gone mad with the ability to change an entire society, wanted to keep her ponies forever. For when Night Shade passed, she executed one final command, sealing the Stable door permanently The occupants, as well as the new Overmare lived blissfully unaware that their only hope of ever returning to the surface had been whisked away. For when the bombs fell that fateful day years ago, the door to Stable 17 was sealed, never to be opened again.



> Chapter One: Stable 17
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Chapter One: Stable 17


        I ran through the checklist over a dozen times, and yet every time I looked at it I could have sworn a new item was listed somewhere on it. I sighed and let my forelegs drop off the desk onto to the steel floor. Turning to the generator to my right, I flicked the dim light bulb hanging just over the control console with a wingtip-feather and it gently stuttered back to life.
It can’t be that bad if I don’t follow the procedure right? I reasoned internally as I reached a hoof forward and tapped a broken voltage gauge, the needle bounced with each tap, but returned to zero every time.
This ancient technology was falling apart around our ears, yet they still expected us to keep up with what we had. ‘Doing our part as Stable Technicians for the greater good of everypony’ is what they always said. I frowned at the thought of my boss looking down at me over her glasses, seething with condescension. I had everything to prove, anything to show her that I was capable of more than the most basic and menial of tasks. It so happened that today, she assigned me to fix this damn generator in the bottom-most sublevel of the Stable, most likely ‘cause nopony else would do it. And I was “disposable.”
Look, the thing was, I wasn’t exactly what somepony would call a “Thestral.” Now, don’t get me wrong here, I am a Thestral, but only about; halfway-ish there? You see, apparently way-y-y back -- hell more than five generations ago -- one of my ancestors must have had the hots for a pegasus mare and had a happy little family with her. Good for them, not so much for me. Fast forward to today, and ‘boom’ suddenly two Thestral ponies in an entirely Thestral Stable have themselves; me. A “pegabat” as you’d say. Apparently my father’s genes were a bit mixed and suddenly decided to come out with me being born.
A pegabat? What would make up such a thing? Well It’s pretty simple really, I have the wings of a pegasus -- fluffed up in lovely feathers mind you -- but also the golden eyes, ear tufts, even fangs of a Thestral. Hell, my coat was light blue in color and my mane and tail were an even split between black and red, I looked like a freakin’ clown compared to the relatively dark coated and plain maned Thestrals all around me.
Because of this, I was made fun of, ridiculed, or outright ignored by the majority of ponies in the stable. I condoned their behavior however, and just let the bullying give me a tougher hide. If there was anything I’ve learned about ponies, it’s that they’re no different in this Stable than the ones who fought in that damned war to begin with. At least what we know of them in the books.
My lovely little job as a Stable Technician began about a week ago, usually when ponies graduated from the twelve years of education they gave us, we’d all apply to jobs that we learned about and reflected greatest with our talents. That’s great and all, unless you’re me, the odd one out. Then of course nopony really trusts you and brushes you aside to the Stable Technicians Corps., a.k.a the fucking janitors.
Without a name for myself, and with both my parents passed away -- my mother when I was born, and my father a few years ago who drank himself to death -- I was quite literally the most frowned-upon little pony in this Stable. Boo-fuckin’-hoo. Honestly, it all just made me mad, angry enough to try and prove myself and rise up the ranks. One day, I was gonna become the Overstallion and nopony was gonna stop m-
“Mi’night!” A middle aged stallion barked behind me. I flinched, quickly scattering my dramatic monologue.
“Yeah what’s up?” I called out, turning around and trying to peer into the dark abyss that made up the Stable’s fusion reactor floor.
A pair of slightly glowing golden eyes waded through the inky blackness and a Thestral stallion, dressed in Stable Technician-blue overalls, stepped through the premise of the door.
“Yer shift’s up, ‘parently da’ top banana want’s to talk t’ya” the stallion droned, his Braytish accent bouncing around the room as he attempted to speak coherent Equestrian. Typical Stable Technician, probably failed out of school.
Braytish? Yeah, the northern ponies from Braytain. See, there’s a reason Thestrals don’t look like our usual pony cousins, it’s cause we all came from a tiny island off the coast of northeast Equestria, eventually we made it onto the mainland and inhabited it, but for the most part the accent kinda stuck. I didn’t really have one, since my father’s side of the family took after more Equestrian culture. Just another thing odd about me to single me out.
“You’re kidding me. I just got down here!” I moaned, honestly I was glad to cut my shift early, it’s not like we got payed in any way for doing our jobs. But something bothered me about being called to talk to my boss, that was nothing but trouble.
“Yah.” He deadpanned and trotted over to the desk, looking over the checklist.
Figuring that’s about all he had to say, I gave him a curt nod and trotted out the door. Immediately upon entering the darkness I felt my eyes tingle as the passive Thestral magic in my blood took action. Normally Thestrals can see in total darkness about as well as anypony could see on a moonlit night, but being a mixed blood, I didn’t really get the total benefit. My night-vision, hearing and sense of smell was ‘above average’ to an Equestrian pony, but not as good as a purebred Thestral. Suits them, I had my feathered wings, which I wouldn’t trade for anything.
I slowly increased my pace and spread my wings, feeling the cool damp air fill in the feathers. When I felt I had adequate support, I flapped powerfully and took off in a gentle glide. The good thing about Pegasus wings, was their speed and maneuverability. Sure it was harder for me to hover in one place than for a Thestral, but my wings were deathly silent compared to theirs, not to mention I could turn on a dime.
The sublevel where I was working was basically the bottom of a ten story pit, normally ponies took the elevators, but I embraced any opportunity to spread my wings. It was much better than having to trot everywhere in the confined hallways of the stable anway.
As I flapped in a lazy ascending circle, the walls around me began to appear in the growing light, soon I could make out the cracks and rust spots in the ancient concrete, conduits and pipes passed me. When I came upon the threshold of the pit, I grumply tucked my wings in and alighted upon the edge with my rear hooves, coming to a gentle landing. That was unfortunately all I had for spreading my wings that day.
I squinted in the bright fluorescent light and began trotting out of the reactor room, making my way past the heavy steel doors that would seal the room in the event of a nuclear accident. As I climbed the stairs two by two, I made my way into the atrium, a large three story room that acted as a “courtyard” to various doors leading to sections of the Stable.
Stable 17 was lucky enough to have farmers and high-quality technology when it was built, that allowed us to keep growing plants like apple trees and bushes from the inside, which wonderfully adorned the atrium along the center or in the corners. The biggest advantage, however, was the apple orchard that was situated in the middle of the stable.
As I trotted across the atrium, making my way towards the executive offices, ponies all around me went along their merry way, fulfilling whatever job they were assigned to do to keep this place barely alive.
“Outa’ my way ya’ bloody freak. You’ll be seeing me soon enough, wait ya’ turn.” a huge stallion butted past me and pushed me off to the side, he was dressed in the telltale barding of the Security unit. Not far behind him, a convoy of five more security ponies pushed passed, all armed with batons and shotguns.
        What’s with all the security today? Wait my what? I furrowed my eyebrows and slowly made my way to the offices.
        “Where’s Turkish Delight at?” I asked, nonchalantly walking into the office labeled ‘STC’ for Stable Technicians Corps.
        The young mare sitting at a terminal before me quickly looked up and pointed to the door on the far corner of the office, not uttering a word.
        “Right… Thanks” I muttered, giving her a cross look and trotting over to my boss’ room.
        Upon reaching the door, I saw Mrs. Delight talking on a call using the speakers of her PipBuck, nervously flipping through a huge binder atop her desk. I raised a hoof and tapped on the frame of the door, causing her to flinch and look up at me in surprise.
        Now a PipBuck, was a hoofheld computer that every Stable inhabitant received when they graduated from their primary school, it was a nifty device that sat holstered to your left foreleg, it sorted everything you carried in an electronic inventory, and even read out your vital signs. In reality, there was little use to it besides an alarm clock or flashlight.
        “You wanted to see me?” I mouthed quietly.
        “N-no! You shouldn’t be here, go to the Overmare’s office immediately!” She whispered feverently, placing a hoof over her PipBuck’s microphone.
        “Overmare? What for?” I quickly dropped my nonchalance, a feeling of worry starting to creep into my chest.
        “Go!” She frantically shooed me away.
        I nodded and hastily trotted out of the offices, making a hard right and gazing up at the ominous circular window that overlooked the atrium. Behind the pale glass, was the Overmare’s office; the one pony in charge of the whole stable. If she wanted to see me, then things were much worse than I imagined. I cantered over to the stairwell leading to her office and practically galloped up the stairs, pivoting when I reached the top and coming face to face with two huge double wooden doors nestled on a red painted wall. The room I was in was guarded by two Security ponies who did little to heed my exsistence.
        I cleared my throat and was about to ask about the Overmare, when the doors suddenly opened and out sauntered the mare herself. She was pretty damn beautiful, not gonna lie, a Thestral mare with a white mane and tail, grey coat, and cutiemark of a dark purple flower. She was pretty yeah, but she also had that ‘crazy bitch’ feel to her, yanno? Something didn’t feel right about how she approached me, never breaking eye contact. 
        “Midnight Wind.” She spoke softly, ever approaching me.
        I felt my wings shuffle nervously and took a timid step back, “Overmare Night Shade.” I nodded. She was named after her great-great-grandmother, the original Overmare of Stable 17.
        “Don’t look so coy, please follow me.” She smirked and pivoted around with a flick of her tail. She seemed irritated, but was trying really hard to hide it.
        I nodded once more and slowly followed her into the room. Through the doors, it was obvious that being the Overmare or Stallion definitely had its perks. A large wooden desk sat in a ‘U’ shape in the center of the room, soft red carpet was underhoof and beautiful wooden paneling adorned the walls. Night Shade took a seat on a heavy wooden chair and motioned for me to sit on a fluffy cushion on the opposite side of her desk. I decided to stand, feeling way too uncomfortable sitting under her.
The doors closed behind me and another pony trotted up next to me, she looked pretty pissed and didn’t spare me a glance. She was a gorgeous mare, probably around my age, her mane and tail was a startling scarlet red, contrasting to her dark gray - almost black coat. Her cutiemark looked like a bullet sitting on a bed of rose petals, seriously juxtaposed to such beautiful features.
Noticing my staring, I quickly shifted my gaze to Nightshade, “So, um, why’d you need me?” my voice cracked -- damn nerves.
“Yeah, and me?” The mare to my left spat, glaring at Night Shade, she had guts to be speaking to the Overmare like that, that’s for sure.
“Now, now, both of you, no need to be riled up.” Night Shade smiled too calmly. “I’ve summoned you both here, because I have a proposition to offer.” 
“You could have just bloody asked me.” The scarlet maned mare blurted, “what, am I some random janitor to you now?” she gestured to me.
Ouch baby, my pride. I frowned internally.
“Perhaps, Scarlet, in the past.” Night Shade deadpanned. Ah her name was Scarlet, duh. “But no longer, you’ve been revoked of your position.”
“My bloody what?! I’m your sister for Luna’s sake, my ‘position’ is to sit under you and file your paperwork.” Scarlet stamped a hoof, clearly hurt.
I just stood watching them back and forth, not really feeling the need to say anything. Turns out this chick was the Overmare’s sister, and I was just invited to a formal family feud, lucky me.
“Okay that’s ENOUGH!” Night Shade snapped and slammed her hooves on her desk. Eliciting and ‘eep’ from Scarlet, and startling me. “I’ve summoned you both here because something dreadful has happened.” She took a breath, and fixed a lock of her mane that had fallen out of place. “As you two may have known, you both graduated from your primary school lessons, and with the end of every graduation, new jobs are handed out to ponies.” She paused and looked at us.
        I nodded for her to continue, but Scarlet kept her glare in silence.
        “And so,” Night Shade continued, “Apparently that opens up the position of Overpony - before the previous one is deceased. Now, I did not know of this protocol, having inherited it from mum and being the older sister. But whenever the computer system registers that a new pony is ‘more qualified’” She waved her hooves in the air sarcastically. “Then all administrative rights are handed over to him or her.” She concluded, pointing to me and Scarlet respectively.
        “Wait, so you’re saying the system selected both of us?” I asked, genuinely curious. Huh, turns out my dream might actually happen.
        “Not entirely.” Night Shade spoke behind clenched teeth. “It appears that you are to be Overstallion effective in the next day or so.” She pointed to me, rage bristling in her words. I widened my eyes in excitement and realization.
        “Him?” Scarlet finally looked me over and then back to Night Shade. “Okay so what? You step down he takes over, why does this concern me? Not like I’d ever be Overmare anyway.” She huffed.
        “‘Why does this concern me.’” Night Shade mocked, “It concerns you because you’re both predecessors!” She hollard, once more causing me to flinch. “I’ve been a patient mare, I’ve watched over these ponies for ten years now.” Night Shade took an eery calm. “And what does this grant me? Nothing!” She screamed. “So that’s,” she took a breath and sat down once more, crossing her forelegs atop each other on the desk. “Why I have a proposition.” 
        Kay, clearly this lady has some bi-polar issues. I raised an eyebrow. “So what do you have in mind?” I asked, still excited with the idea of actually becoming an Overstallion, I mean, hell I knew I did well in school. But not this well! I never thought this day would come!
        “Leave the stable, or die.” Night Shade hissed.
And there went my excitement.
        Scarlet sputtered and looked visibly paled, “You would not! I’m your own bloody sister!”
        “Yeah, no seriously, you can keep the position!” I panicked and raised a hoof.
        “SILENCE” Night Shade hollard, effectively shutting us up. “It doesn’t matter, the system has sent it over and is processing the new codes as we speak. If Midnight were to become deceased, it would then go to you” She pointed at Scarlet, “I refuse to step down! I have done too much for this Stable for so little in return!” She yelled, slamming her hoof on a desk repeatedly.
        Scarlet took a step forward, bristling with anger. “You entitled twat! I knew something was off about you this whole bloody time, you two faced, cock-sucking, bitc-” Her stream of profanity was abruptly cut short by the sound of a pistol being chambered.
        Night Shade, calmly pointed the gun at Scarlet’s head, her mouth affixed around the trigger plate, ready to fire. The room fell under complete silence, the only noise being the heavy breathing coming from Night Shade.
        Scarlet nodded, utterly defeated. 
        “Right.” Night Shade spoke around the grip of the pistol. Her words muffled slightly. “You both have 24 hours, pack up your things, or face execution.”
        “They’ll get you for this, the Security ponies aren’t blind, they know murder when they see it.” Scarlet muttered. I nodded, opting to take the side of the pretty smart one.
        “I have ponies who will follow me, we’ll run a coup d'etat so be it.” Night Shade narrowed her eyes. “Leave, I’ll see you both at the Stable door tomorrow morning at nine.” She beckoned us out with her pistol, taking a seat once more. 
        I turned around immediately, panic and confusion swimming in my head. One moment, I was just another janitor wishing for a better life, now, I’m about to be an exile. Execution certainly wasn’t what I had in mind for breakfast tomorrow morning.
Scarlet and I slowly trotted out of the Overmare’s office, the doors having been opened and closed by the two security ponies. Night Shade had us perfectly played, it wasn’t like we could run anywhere before tomorrow.
        “Follow me.” Scarlet whispered the moment we entered the atrium.
        I nodded and she took off in a brisk canter toward the apple orchard, I followed close behind her, ponies passing by us in a blur. I felt absolute dread rising in my chest, we were condemned.
Once we made it downstairs and into the orchard, Scarlet took off and headed toward the middle, I spread my wings and quickly followed suit, flying silently next to her. A small clearing sat in the middle among dense apple trees, their pale orange leaves indicated it was sometime in the autumn.
        “Right, we’re here.” Scarlet spoke softly, clearly this was somewhere she spent a lot of time, it was only visible from the air and most ponies who worked in the orchard did so on hoof.
        We both landed atop the soft bed of orange leaves, the air was a bit chilly, our climate control machines were working as intended. Scarlet sat down on her haunches and sighed, looking around her.
        “S-so, what now?” I broke the silence, terrified.
        “I don’t know, let me think.” She whispered, closing her eyes.
        “She’s not going to let us leave is she?”
        “No.”
        “She’s just going to kill us.”
        “Yes.”
        “Why?”
        “Because, that’s how she is.”
        “Then what do we do?”
        “I’m thinking, please.” She moaned and laid down, hiding her face by resting her muzzle between her forelegs.
        It was obvious Night Shade wasn’t going to give us the benefit of exile, I secretly hoped it was -- albeit it was certain death outside -- but we both knew she wasn’t that merciful. I tried to clear my mind, sitting in silence for seemingly minutes, mulling over our thoughts.
        “Have we met before?” I asked, trying to brighten the mood.
        “What?”
        “I said, ‘have we met before?’” I repeated.
        Scarlet sat up again and looked me over, this time not out of judgement, but curiousity. “I’ve seen you about. You’re not easy to miss.” She furrowed her eyebrows.
        I felt myself fluster, “I know, thanks.” I deadpanned, turning my head.
        “No! No! I mean… I’ve just seen you.” she replied lamely, damage done.
        “It’s fine, I’m used to it.” I smiled wryly, “I’ve never seen you though, you didn’t attend class?”
        “No, I was taught privately.” Scarlet shrugged.
        “So you were pretty much isolated your whole life, just like me eh?” I snorted in laughter, trying to match her eyes.
        Scarlet furrowed her eyebrows and stood up, “Look mate, now is not the time for bloody pleasantries. I- I should hate you!” She stamped a hoof. “None of this would have happened if you…”
        “If I what?” I asked accusatively, “If I didn’t exist? You and everypony else would wish the same.”
        “That or if you at least didn’t do so well in bloody school!” She cried desperately.
        “Look sister, I’m sorry I’m the root of your problems, but I’m no better off either!” I huffed, “We need to come up with something quick, or we’re both going to be bodies in the incinerators tomorrow.” I spat.
        “And what do you propose? We waltz out of the stable on our own?” Scarlet stepped up to me angrily, looking up -- nose to nose. She was a head shorter than I was. Hardly intimidating.
        “That’s… a good idea actually.” I detached, an idea popping into my head.
        “That’s what I bloody thought!” She approved, tossing her mane.
After a moment, she suddenly looked up at me once more, this time with wide eyes. “Wait, no, that’s not a good idea Midnight! How in Luna’s grace are we going to get the doors open?”
        I smiled and raised my left foreleg, looking at my pipbuck, the screen winked to life at the sense of movement. Using my nose, I pressed the button labeled “DATA” and scrolled onto the connection settings.
        “If what Night Shade said was true, then I would receive administrative rights within the next few days right?” I asked rhetorically.
        “Yeah, few days we have a few hours mate.” Scarlet retorted, but not without hope in her voice.
        Ignoring her, I continued, “But there’s a thing or two that you learn about the computer system that runs through this Stable, being a ‘lowly janitor’.” I smirked. “If the data is already being processed, that means something is just holding it back, for whatever reason. Be it a wait time for official paperwork to go through or whatever.” I paused, tapping another button on the PipBuck.
        “So what’re you getting at?” Scarlet went upon the tips of her hoofs to look at my PipBuck.
        “Well, being in the Stable Technicians corps, we have a LOT of paperwork. So much, that we just cut corners by skipping it all and going straight for the downloadable data. We’ve just figured out a way to make it come faster, just, like, this.” I replied, poking buttons respectively. 
        “And?”
        “Wait for it.”
        “It’s not doing anything.” Scarlet grumbled after a few seconds.
        “It’s a slow system.” I shrugged.
        With a beep, my PipBuck shut off.
        “You broke it.” Scarlet deadpanned, hope disappearing from her eyes.
        “I- I broke it.” I stuttered, disbelief in my voice. I have never seen a PipBuck shut off before, panic began to reseed itself in my chest.
        Just as quickly as it shut off, my PipBuck emitted another beep and re-booted. A happy cartoon Stallion danced across the screen as loading bars moved across the bottom. I breathed a sigh of relief, at least it wasn’t actually broken. Finally when it was done booting up, a new message appeared on the screen.
        Congratulations on your promotion to Overpony! Stable-Tec is excited to have a qualified individual such as yourself lead your group of ponies to survival and the future! We welcome you to a part of the team, and hope that one day you and your Stable will persevere! 
        I smiled brightly and lowered the device so Scarlet could see. After a few moments the message disappeared and my PipBuck resumed normal function once more.
        “Luna above it worked! You actually did it!” Scarlet exclaimed, a smile falling upon her features for the first time I’ve seen her, it was something I thought suited her well.
        “I didn’t think it would actually work!” I beamed, all emotions finally replaced with hope. “Okay, now we just need to make it to the Stable doors.”
        Scarlet’s excitement died down in thought, “That won't be easy, Shade’s got to have the place bristling with security by now.”
        “Do you think we could talk some sense into them?”
        “Not likely, she’s bound to have put those ponies loyal to her in charge.” Scarlet frowned.
        “Damn, if only we had a way to get rid of them.” I thought aloud, looking around us.
        Scarlet’s ears perked up, “I got it! It’s risky, but it might work.”
        “Fire away,” I beckoned her.
        “Well tomorrow, Shade’s probably going to want to do the deed by herself, try to get as few witnesses as possible right? It’ll be easier to not have to convince anypony it wasn’t murder.” She paused,
        “That’s it!” I exclaimed, “She won’t be expecting us to try anything, the two of us could overpower her and escape!”
        “Exactly!”
        We both stood up, determination and hope taking over.
“Tomorrow then.” Scarlet nodded, her eyes bright with fire.
“Tomorrow.” I agreed. 
Scarlet spread her wings and was about to take off, I quickly raised a hoof, “Wait, do you think you’d want to stay at my place?” I offered, it’d be nice to have somepony over for once, especially the one I’m depending my life on.
Scarlet rolled her eyes and continued to fly away “Tomorrow Midnight, Stable door.”
I watched as she flew away, when her brilliant red tail disappeared I sighed and took off, heading the opposite way toward my living quarters.
You tried. I comforted myself as I flew to the edge of the orchard and made my way home.
When I reached my single-pony living space, I lazily slapped the door release button and entered the room. It was simple, just a bed, kitchenette and bathroom attached. I looked at my PipBuck and saw it was only seven in the evening. Figuring I would rather be well rested, and not feeling particularly hungry, I let the door close behind me and opted to sleep early. I’d wake up early tomorrow and gather what few things I had before heading out.
I stripped off my greasy overalls and let it fall to the floor, climbing into bed. Laying there and let myself think of just what exactly awaited me tomorrow. I was scared, admittedly, but determined. It was about time I left the Stable anyway, not like anypony wanted me to stick around. Besides, it’s been years since the bombs fell, maybe there’s life out there.
After a few minutes I felt myself slipping, my worry and fear disappearing as I fell into a light and uncomfortable sleep. Dreams of anxious questions and a scarlet mare soon filled my imagination.

XXX

	

> Chapter Two: Out of the Pan and Into the Fire
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	
Chapter Two: Out of the pan and into the fire


        I woke up slowly to the sound of my PipBuck alarm going off, thankfully the thing was set to go off every morning at 8am. Groaning I slapped it against my face, unsuccessfully trying to shut it off with my nose. After a few brutal misses, the alarm finally chirped to a stop. I sighed and rolled out of bed, my determination from yesterday all but forgotten and replaced with nausea and uncertainty.
The night had been terrible, what little sleep I actually got was spent with worrisome nightmares. I was convinced that even if we did escape, there would be nothing but a radioactive hellhole outside. I shook my head to clear the horrible thought -- no sense bogging myself down, not while there were things to do.
With a stretch of my wings and limbs, I finally trotted over to my closet. Inside, there was the embarrassingly small amount of my possessions. Like I said earlier, my parents had passed away leaving me with little behind, I wasn’t exactly rolling in cash here. I grabbed one of my Stable-Tec standard issue jumpsuits and began putting it on, the things were seriously over-engineered -- like everything else in the stable -- sporting thick fabric and even minor protection from radiation. Whoever decided to issue this to every pony in the Stable was either thinking far ahead, or had too much money on their hooves. These clothes weren’t even close to the barding that the Security ponies had however, but anything acting as a barrier between myself and whatever lay outside was well appreciated.
Rolling my shoulders with the fit of the jumpsuit, I grabbed my single saddle bag and slung it across my back. I took a quick look around the closet for anything that I figured would be useful in a post-apocalyptic survival situation, I opted to bring a small first-aid kit, a pocket knife and a hoof towel. Yeah. That’ll do it Midnight.
Leaving the closet door open behind me, as if I’d ever return to it, I trotted over to the kitchenette and selected any food I could find; apples, boxed preserved snacks, whatever, all into the saddle bag. With one final sweep of the room, I was satisfied with the fact that I had absolutely butt-fuck nothing, and I would die the first day outside of the Stable. Rolling my eyes, I cantered out the door and headed straight for the main entrance of the Stable.
Now, the thing was, I’ve never really been to the main entrance, there really wasn’t a need to. But I knew if I kept on going up, I’d eventually reach it. I passed closed door after closed door as I made my way through the living quarters, most ponies happily asleep over the weekend. None of them remotely aware that two of their fellow stable residents were about to run away from the concrete sarcophagus we called home.
Not like they’ll be missing the pegabat clown anyway. I furrowed my eyebrows and pressed forward. Leaving the stable was starting to sound like a better idea afterall.
I wound my way through the seemingly endless corridors, taking stairs when the hallways came to an end, and slowly approaching the surface level of the stable. I was in completely unfamiliar territory, the walls began to loose their bright grey color, and more signs of ware began to show on the floors. Soon, there were no rooms at all, and I found myself walking up a slightly inclined hallway. I was close, the rusty air felt damp, and I could almost feel the presence of the surface nearby. I shuffled my wings and started cantering, my anxiety taken over by determination. I was not going to die today. 
The hallway came to a dead-end, a single reinforced door sat silently at it’s source. The heavy steel was caked in dust and grime, clearly it had seen little use. Above it, a sign illuminated from behind simply read Vault Door. Like Scarlet and I had predicted, there were no Security ponies at the door, instead sat the red maned mare herself, busily poking away at her pipbuck.
“Took you long enough.” Scarlet smirked, lowering her foreleg with a toss of her mane.
She too had a single saddlebag on, it was bulging with supplies. Being the sister of the Overmare probably gave her a lot more access to random supplies in the Stable. Instead of wearing the Stable jumpsuit like myself, she instead wore a warm jacket, it was the standard blue with yellow trim of everything from Stable-tec. It only covered her front half however, so it was cozy, but far from practical. Her red mane was tied back behind her ears with a single plain navy bow, something she hadn’t been wearing earlier.
I rolled my eyes and came to a stop before her. “Going out for a stroll in the winter are we?” I poked back, looking her over.
“It’s autumn in the orchard, so it’s probably autumn out there.” She pointed to the door, “Better warm than sorry.” With a sigh she faced the door “Now that we’ve had our banter, are you ready?”
“Right, as if I’d be rushing head-first into my potential demise.” I replied sarcastically, the words fell hollow halfway through the sentence. The gravity of our situation was more pressing than I could hope to make light of.
We sat quietly a few moments, our bitter humor faded as we both stared at the floor in silence.
“I don’t want to die.” Scarlet softly broke the silence, eyes locked on the floor.
“We won’t.” I paused as she lifted her head and matched my eyes. “Whatever lies outside, we’ll face. We’ll survive.” The words felt empty leaving my mouth, how could I expect to comfort her when I didn’t believe them myself?
“Right.” She nodded, taking a breath. “I believe my sister is waiting inside, we’ll take the first opportunity we can to overpower her and escape this Lunaforsaken place.” She flipped like a switch, whatever emotions she had were buried and replaced with cold hearted strategy.
“Let’s do it then.” I nodded, taking her example and bracing myself to charge in the room, planning to tackle Night Shade the moment I saw her.
With one final nod and breath, Scarlet reached forward and tapped the door release button on the frame. The thick reinforced barrier let out a mechanical groan as it quickly lifted. I tensed my legs and wings, ready to pounce forward at any moment.
Just as the door cleared my muzzle, I saw her. Standing patiently, looking perfectly like the evil villain in a story waiting for the heros. As expected, she was alone, pistol holstered on a leg strap. I wasted no time and spread my wings, locking onto my target. I pushed as hard as I could, boosting my legs as I shot forward, faster than any Thestral could without feathers.
Suddenly I felt as if I slammed headfirst into a concrete wall. The air was knocked out of me as I tumbled across the floor of the entrance, slipping down a few shallow steps that stood before a massive cog shaped door. Completely dazed, I stagged trying to raise to my hooves, only to be lifted up by my collar and pinned against a wall.
Scarlet let out a yelp and was placed in a similar situation next to me, we were pinned by two huge Security ponies dressed in full riot gear. Four more of the bastards were waiting for us on either side of the door, having ambushed our ambush. Looking through my blurred vision I spotted the pony who I had bumped into earlier in the atrium, his sinister glare masked by his shaded riot helmet. I guess we finally met those “allies” that Shade was boasting about.
Night Shade sauntered over to us tsking her tongue. She reached down and unbuttoned the flap on her holster, her pistol’s mouth piece gleamed in the fluorescent light.
“And you thought I was going t-” Night Shade began,
“Yeah, fuck you.” I spat.
Only I got the dramatic monologues. Not this bitch.
I was quickly greeted by a hoof to the face. I clenched my teeth and shook my head, matching eyes with Night Shade.
She slaps like a bitch too.
“Just let us go Shade, what’s the bloody difference to you if we leave or not?” Scarlet piped up.
“The difference is, here I get to know for certain that you two have been put down.” Night Shade spoke, wiping my spit off her hoof onto my chest. “If I let you two waltz out of the stable together, you might actually stand a chance to live. How could I ever go about life knowing that?” She pouted sarcastically.
My ears flicked. “What the hell are you talking about? We stand no chance out there anyway! At least hold your end of the bargain!” I seethed.
“I am though. I never promised you two that I would let you leave, I merely suggested it.” Night Shade smiled, flicking her ears and grabbing her pistol.
I struggled against the Security pony holding me down, managing to drop to all fours before being powerfully slammed with my side against the wall. I felt my ears flick again as I glared at the demon mare before me, pistol in mouth.
“So, goodbye once and for all, and say hello to your new Overmare.” She muttered around her pistol grip, ears flicking.
I felt my own flick once more, I finally gave into my irritation a quickly looked around me.
Just what the fuck was making that damned noise?!
I locked my eyes onto a security camera in the far corner of the room, it was waving back and forth, it looked like a blue flame was flickering inside the lense. When I matched its gaze, the camera turned and focused on a console lying behind Night Shade. The ancient console had a simple button and lever with a pipbuck connection cable hanging loosely off the side. Along the wall, several security terminals displayed camera footage from around the stable.
I spotted us in the Stable entrance, and most particularly, the hallway just beyond the now closed door that we came through. Stacked up in a line, three Security ponies sat beyond the door, shotguns drawn. The remaining of the security team. I quickly looked to my right and met eyes with Scarlet, fear shown in her eyes, I had a plan.
“Wait!” I exclaimed, trying to buy enough time. “Before you shoot us, can we at least say our last words?” I asked sheepishly.
“What?! Are you bloody daft?” Scarlet blurted.
Night Shade furrowed her brow and pointed the gun right at my head. “Well I don’t see why not?”
“Perfect!” I laughed nervously, stealing a glance at Scarlet, trying to tell her with my eyes that something was about the happen. “W-well you see, a long time ago in the land of Equestria, there lived two princesses-” I began quoting ‘A Brief History of Equestria’.
“Okay, time’s up.” Night Shade rolled her eyes and cocked the hammer of her pistol.
Without warning the door to the Stable opened up; two cylinders rolled into the room and exploded. Blinded by the blast and with my ears ringing painfully, I took the opportunity to drop straight to the floor. The pony holding me had flinched just long enough for me to make my escape and roll away. Moments after the explosions, a chorus of gunfire opened up above me. Each roar of a shotgun caused me to twitch my eyes closed, but not stop me from tackling Night Shade.
She yelped as I smacked my hoof against her face and slammed her to the ground, the mare was barely strong enough to resist. I kicked the pistol out of her mouth and picked it up, pointing it directly between her pleading eyes. Behind me I could barely hear Scarlet screaming my name over the shots being exchanged, yelps of ponies being hit or killed hung beneath.
I glared right into the terrified eyes of Night Shade and felt my grip tighten around the firing bit. I could have ended her right there. But something told me not to. Clenching my eyes and swearing I would regret this decision, I leapt off of her and dove to the control console.Scarlet was already crouching next to it, pipbuck cable in her hooves.
Good she somehow got the memo.
 I took a quick peek behind me and saw that of the three security ponies trying to liberate us, only one was left still standing, the others sat in pools of blood, their eyes glazed over. I turned around, my stomach lurching with fear, struggling to guide the cable into the dock of my pipbuck. The cable finally found home, and a BIOS screen popped up onto the device.
-Welcome Overpony. Exterior climate: suitable. 
-Stable door release override: would you like to open the door? Y/N
I looked over my shoulder once more, the last security pony was just slouched over just behind me, blood pouring out of a leg. Four of Shade’s henchstallions were still alive, but taking cover from the pony's barrage of shotgun blasts. The shotgun clicked empty, and the pony tossed it aside, drawing a pistol. For a moment the pony looked back at me, under the visor I could see it was a mare, fiery determination in her eyes.
“Get the fuck outa here, what are you waiting for?!” She hollered around her firing bit, turning back and landing a bullet on the head of one of the other Security ponies, the shaded visor of his riot helmet shattered and he promptly slouched over limp.
I mashed the button on my pipbuck, and the screen lit up green with a smiling cartoon stallion in Stable-tec apparel. The console lit up with green lights, and I jumped up, hitting the only button on the panel, and yanking the lever. To my left a massive crane swung over the heads of the corrupt Security ponies and latched onto the cog door. Klaxons blared and a twirling yellow light bathed us all in a pulsing glow. With an ear splitting screech, the cog shaped hatch was dragged from its housing, sparks igniting in the air all around it.
I quickly grabbed Scarlet by her waist and spread my wings, stealing a glance at the mare behind me. She had been hit in the head by a shotgun, I closed my eyes and felt my stomach turn in rage and grief. That mare had bought us precious time, she deserved more than this.
“Stop them!” Night Shade howled as her Security ponies began to aim at me.
Amid Scarlet’s protests, I held her tightly against my stomach and pushed with my wings, taking off like lightning. Adrenaline pumped through my veins and fueled my muscles, I shot past the ponies beneath me and made my way for the now opening cog door. The cog wheeled along a track at a painstaking pace, barely opening enough for a pony to walk through. With the grace of a pegasus, I flipped into barrel roll and hugged my wingtips in a tight span, diving through the narrow gap sidweways and rolling back level on the other side.
Behind me a hail of shotgun blasts erupted, only to spark harmlessly off the narrow opening. I pumped my wings harder and harder as I dragged myself and Scarlet through a tight tunnel carved into the rock. Off the corner of my vision I saw a Pipbuck notification display seemingly in my head.
-Overseer has left the premises. Evacuation complete, sealing Stable.
The massive cog door stopped with a howl, and quickly began rolling back to its original place. I could faintly hear the screams of Night Shade furiously crying out at us just before the cog slid back into its housing with a solid bang. I sighed in relief and finally looked forward again, only to hear Scarlet let out a scream as I widened my eyes in realization, smashing headfirst into rotten wooden paneling.
We both tumbled through the cave and I felt my wing catch something, hearing a sickening pop. Pain flared up my entire side shortly before feeling a sensation of freefall, and a solid hit to my head. I began to lose unconscious the moment my body came to a rest, the last cognitive sensation I remembered was the gentle whispering of wind through my mane.


***

“Midnight.”
“Who’s there?” I cried out, my voice died off into wood around me. 
I had woken up in a forest, or at least what I thought a non-apple-orchard forest was supposed to look like. Tall ancient trees surrounded me, all bare and black. Through the canopy far above, I could see it was daytime, but thickly overcast with clouds. I watched as my white breath was carried gently away in the frigid breeze. The air was cold and light, it was sometime between autumn and winter. Small white flakes danced around me as the wind picked up, rushing through my coat.
I struggled to peer through the whipping wind, my cheeks and nose stinging from the sharp snowflakes. Before me, the flurry gathered and seemingly took into a canine shape.
“Follow me.” I shook my head as the male voice echoed inside of me.
The canine-snow-figure stood up and began trotting down a path into the frigid forest.
Huh, that wasn’t there before. I scoffed internally, as I too rose to all fours.
Something felt wrong, I was lighter than before -- not that I was fat or anything. I looked down at my hoov-- my paws. I had paws.
“Gah, what the hell?!” I hollard as I once more fell upon my haunches, the snowflake-wolf-thing stopped briefly and watched me.
Where my hooves and pony-forelegs used to be, two thin muscular legs with paws and sharp nails took their place. I quickly stood up and turned a circle, looking myself over. I was a wolf, that was for sure. My former lithe coat was replaced by thick blue fur, my tail: large and fluffed. I felt around my mouth, gingerly scraping the tips of razor sharp fangs, not too different from my usual two fangs, but still different nonetheless. What broke my heart entirely however, was my lack of wings. I tried desperately to move muscles that simply weren’t there, it was an entirely bizarre sensation that left me feeling exposed.
“Do not worry Midnight, your body is not lost. Follow me, I will attempt to explain everything.” The voice echoed in my head once more, this time I was certain it was the snow-pup in front of me. 
With a trepidatious nod, I trotted forward. Instead of the usual hoof clops, my large paws made soft pats as I moved across the dead leaves on the ground. The flurry-dog led me through the forest, winding a narrow path. As we trudged along, we came upon a cliff to my left. Spanning across for miles, the forest continued hundreds of hooves beneath the sheer ledge. I gulped, fully aware that if I fell I wouldn’t have my wings to catch myself. However, despite the danger, the magic-wolf-snow-thing continued across the ledge, myself not far behind.
As we continued along the cliff I began to spot ruins along the forested growth far beneath me. Seemingly ancient buildings made of stone rose out of the trees. Where possibly a beautiful city once stood, rubble and lumps of stone took its place. A somber tone fell upon the land, whatever the fate of that civilization, it was not simply age that took it. I frowned as I remembered the war before the Stables were built, perhaps this was the result?
“We are not in Equestria.” The wolf before me spoke into my head, not looking back. “Though, your prediction is not far off.”
Great so the thing can read my mind I thought, rolling my eyes as we trotted along.
“And I could hear that too.” The voice chuckled. “You may address this ‘thing’ as Ignis.” Though it had no facial features, I was certain the snowflake-wolf was smiling.
“Okay ‘Ignis’, so tell me what’s going on. Where are you leading me?” I asked. Ignis took a path leading away from the cliff into to forest once more, we began a slow ascension up a hill.
“One moment please.” Ignis replied stopping atop the hill.
We were in a small clearing in the forest, a single ancient tree twisted up into the canopy, it looked far older than anything else in the forest. Just to the right of it, an unlit stone fire-cauldron sat atop a pedestal.
Without warning, the wolf-shape erupted in a mass of brilliant blue fire. I let out a yelp and fell back on my haunches, back pedaling with my forelegs until I came to rest against a tree. Out of the flames, stepped a white wolf, his spectacular blue eyes seemingly staring directly into my soul. With a whoosh the flames collected itself into a ball and shot over to the cauldron, igniting it and bathing us in a cool blue glow.
“This is perhaps a better way to address you?” Ignis smiled, for once actually physically speaking to me.
I scrambled to my legs and shook my coat of the dead leaves that clung to it, shooting him a glare. “Yeah, you could have done that earlier! What’s with the theatrics huh?” I spat, embarrassed by my own reaction.
Ignis sighed and sat down next to the cauldron of fire, beckoning I come closer with a paw. “You see, I could not have shown my true self until this point.” He flicked his muzzle toward the flame beside him. “As I promised, I will attempt to explain some things, however the rest will have to come later. We have a pressing matter we must discuss.” 
I didn’t trust the guy one bit, sure he hadn’t attacked me, but the whole pony-turned-wolf thing was creeping me out. However, choosing to humor him and perhaps get some answers, I nodded and took a seat before him, keeping my distance.
“Right,” Ignis sighed. “To begin, you’re not in Equestria.”
“I figured, you already told me.” I rolled my eyes, couldn’t he just cut to the chase?
“Do you want answers or not?” Ignis frowned, “As I was saying, you are not in your native land. Not even the same world or universe. This land is known as Lupus to the inhabitants.” Sighing, he looked past me into the part of the forest we came through “I could not reveal my body earlier because the forest we just traversed marks the distance between Equestria and Lupus. Had I done so, terrible consequences may have unfolded.”
Vague, but okay, he’s a universe traveling dog.
“I am no mere dog Midnight.” Ignis growled, locking his piercing eyes with my own. “Dogs are animals of simplistic nature, they follow commands and appease their masters. I am a wolf of Lupus, we are not very different, you and I.”
“So that explains the magic fireballs?” I asked, flushed with embarrassment that he had heard my inner comment.
“Precisely, and our magic is not limited to such spells.” Ignis blinked, “I digress, as I had mentioned before, there are more pressing matters to discuss.”
“So then tell me, why am I here?”
“I took the opportunity of your unconsciousness to summon your spirit. I wish to not reveal the exact reason why, and I pray that you may never need to know. However, you must be aware that your spirit, and that of those around you, are intertwined closely with what became of this world and what may become of your own.” Ignis explained cryptically.
        “Who are you? How do you know me?” I pressed, standing up, anxious to grasp the situation.
        “Just know that I am watching you, and that no matter the cost, you must protect the scarlet maned Thestral. In your world, there are those who wish to do her harm. I do not know their intentions yet, but I am beginning to think that they are precisely who I think they are. Take caution.” Ignis frowned looking up at the sky.
        Above, the clouds began swirling, darkening by the second.
        “Since this is your first visit, and I have not yet taught you, I have to supply this spell with my own strength. I grow weak holding it, and you must return to your conscious body.” Ignis explained quickly, “Keep a careful eye for me, if I wish to speak to you, you will know.”
        Ignis’ voice began to fade, I looked around myself and saw that I was starting to become transparent, swirling blue flames began crawling up my legs. I glanced up at Ignis, terror in my eyes. 
        “I apologize this meeting was so brief, we will discuss more in the future.” Ignis’ voice died as I felt my stomach lurch, the world around me faded to black, the sound of rushing wind battered my ears. Feeling nauseous I shut my eyes tightly.
Suddenly, the wind died down to a quiet breeze. All that could be heard was autumn leaves rustling in the wind as I felt myself fall seemingly through nothing.


xxx

        

> Chapter Three: New Beginnings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Three: New Beginnings


        I snapped my eyes open, arching my back and exhaling sharply as if somepony had punched me right in the stomach. I rolled over and fell upon my back, eliciting an excruciating pain up my side. I did all I could not to vomit from the displeasure and sat for a few moments clenching my teeth, waiting for the grinding sensation to die down.
        “A-are you okay?” I heard a female voice ask beside me.
        With a flutter of my eyes I dared to peek them open, the pain having dulled down to a swollen throb. Struggling to see through teary eyes, I saw that I was laying on a ledge of some kind, a broken wooden door sat far above me on a cliff face. Whatever the case, that must’ve been the reason I was knocked unconscious.
Further above, the rocks ascended into a spire, higher than anything I had ever seen before. I felt so small in comparison to such a massive display, no Stable hallway or even the apple orchard was so impressive. But what really got me however, was what rose beyond the spire.
A crystal clear night blanketed the sky above, I had learned about the weather and sky during my time in the stable, but I never imagined it would look so vast. I felt oddly comforted looking at it, as though that sky was exactly where I belonged, flying freely through the endless air. The stars twinkled gently, outcast by the nearly-full moon that lazily drifted above. As splendid as it all looked, something felt off about it all, as though the moon shown only a fraction of the brilliance it possibly could. An air of dreadful unease encompassed the scene around me, though bright and unscathed, all I could feel was the presence of death.
        I recoiled as something poked my side once more, shooting up new bolts of pain. “Gah! Stop that!” I hollard, swatting the hoof away and craning my neck to look at my assailant.
Scarlet was sitting just off to my right, our saddlebags were piled up behind her, hers open and a first aid kit sprawled across the smooth stone that we sat upon. She looked like a mess, her mane disheveled with her bow just clinging on. She was holding a half used roll of bandages, and for a moment I thought I saw concern in her eyes before she took on a scowl.
“Well you were staring with a bloody look on your face! I thought you were knocked out again!” Scarlet huffed, throwing the roll of bandages at me.
“Well I’m not!” I flinched as the bandages bounced harmlessly off of my head. “Thanks for poking me exactly where it hurts!”
Scarlet stood up, “Well that’s plenty thanks for keeping you from bleeding out all over the place.” With an irritated flick of her tail, she trotted over to the fallen bandages and began packing up her things.
“Bleeding out…” I trailed off, finally looking down at myself.
My coat was caked in dried blood, horrified, I tried desperately to find the source of damage. The blood looked old, and with no visible wounds, I guessed Scarlet had done the job well. I gingerly rolled back over to my stomach, being careful to roll on my good side. Rising to all fours, I tried to stretch my wings, only to have my right one rise up and my left one succumb to more excruciating pain. I tightened my jaw, holding back tears, and looked at my left wing.
The appendage was stained with blood, but aside from the bandage holding it to my side, it actually looked okay. It seriously didn’t feel okay however, and I was certain that something was broken in the complicated skeleton. I let out a whimper as I realized I couldn’t fly, if ever at all again.
“It was ten bloody times worse than it looks now,” Scarlet called out from her packing, “You gotta hole in your left wing, probably from whatever broke it. Thing is,” she paused to sling her saddlebag over her back. “I don’t have anything better than bandages, so until we can figure out what to do about it, try not to move it.”
“I can’t fly…” I mumbled, horrified.
“No, you can’t mate.”
“It’s broken.”
“Yes, we can see that.”
“My wing, it’s broken look.” I said, trying desperately to come to terms with that fact that the only thing that made me a pegasus was now broken.
Scarlet rolled her eyes and began trotting away, I widened my own and cantered after her, “Hey wait up! Where are you going? Whoa shit!” Suddenly I skidded to a stop.
Ahead of me, the ledge that we sat upon came to a sheer drop. Far below, a forested landscape draped in fog continued on for miles, stopping at the base of a mountain range that seemed to surround the edge of the forest in all directions. The trees were all brownish-green and covered in thin needles, reminding me of the crazy dream I had while unconscious. I looked back over to Scarlet, only to see her tail round a boulder as she worked her way around the mountain face.
“No wait! Don’t just freakin’ leave me here!” I hollard, galloping after her. I scooped up my saddlebag and slung it over my back, wincing as it grazed my injured wing. Catching up behind her, I slowed to a trot and caught my breath, “What, so you just get up and leave?”
“If I wanted to leave you, I’d have just glided down the mountain.” Scarlet shuffled her wings. If wings could be sarcastic, hers were.
“Right.” I replied lamely, falling into step just beside her.
An uncomfortable silence fell upon us as we cautiously trotted our way down the mountain face. The cliffs were jagged drops, leaving the only way down being a narrow path cut into the stone, probably used by the first generation of Stable inhabitants. The descent was rather easy, the smooth path practically spiraled to the base.
When we got to the bottom, the path continued into the forest, loose cobblestone clopped underhoof as we made our way into the dense trees. Around us, the ancient trees sat sparsely packed, allowing moonlight to illuminate the ground. Dense wisps of fog coiled along the forest floor, trickling around our hooves as we followed the path. We really didn’t have anywhere else to go, but it was bound to lead us someplace right?
I coughed, grabbing Scarlet’s attention, “So, you know, I had a dream about you.” I said, trying to break the ice as we trotted along.
Scarlet gave me a cross look, not saying anything.
“No! Nonono, not like that!” I flushed with heat rising in the tips of my ears “I mean, it was about a wolf, and some magic, and then I was a wolf, but not before the magic, and then he spoke to me, about you…” I desperately blurted.
Scarlet stopped and reached up on the tips of her hooves, resting a hoof up against my forehead. She looked at me quizzically, and never being so close to her before, I couldn’t help but notice her fangs were adorably small for a thestral, barely sticking past her top lip. As opposed to my own, which extended further.
“Don’t tell me you hit your head so hard, you went looney on me.” She sighed, ignoring my dental comparison.
I swatted her hoof away and glared at her “I’m not crazy! I’m serious, my spirit was taken away from my body and I was transformed into a wolf in a wolf world!” I explained desperately.
“Luna above, of all ponies to be stuck with out here, he’s insane.” Scarlet cried out to the sky, trotting along the path once more.
I hopped out in front of her, stopping her with a hoof. “No, really, hear me out?” I asked, my tone serious and pleading.
“And why should I?” Scarlet spat, lowering my hoof off of her, “ In fact, why should I do anything for you? All you’ve ever done for me so far, is get me kicked out of my home and nearly killed! Hell, bandaging your bloody wing and listening to you ramble daft is more than what I think you deserve of me!”
“Hey that Stable was my home too! Why do you blame me for all of this? It was your crazy sister who instigated it!” I shot back, my temper flaring. “We’re both out here like it or not, and all I’ve ever done was try and at least be friendly with you!”
Scarlet stamped her hoof in frustration, groaning she began trotting again, myself close behind.
“At least you could thank more for keeping you alive for however many hours you were out, you dense inconsiderate buck!” She cried out in front of herself.
“Hours?” I paused, Had it really been hours? “You seriously looked over me for that long?” I dropped my anger immediately, humbled by her action.
“Yes, Midnight, hours.” She stopped and turned around, poking my chest. “And to make things worse, I’ve never even touched a bloody bandage before in my life, I was panicking watching you bleed like that.”
“Really…?” I asked, flushing at the thought of her concern for me.
Scarlet’s own features fell still as well, “O-only because you’re the only other pony out here!” Her tone died down, “It’s not like I’d make it far alone anyway.” She looked away, breaking eye contact.
“Well, thank you then.” I said genuinely, “If it wasn’t for you, I’d not be here now. I’m sorry I hadn't said it sooner”
“Right, you’re welcome mate.” She nodded, straightening her bow with a sigh, regaining her composure, “Shall we carry on then?” Finally matching my eyes once more.
“Only if you let me tell you my story.” I smirked, eliciting yet another roll from Scarlet's eyes.
“Fine, yo-” Scarlet’s retort was cut off as something snapped deep within in the forest before us. “What was that?” her ears perked up, squinting into the dense fog.
REEEEEE A sharp howl echoed throughout the woods. Scarlet flapped her wings and jumped over me, effectively putting me between her and the source of the noise.
“What the bloody hell was that?!” She screamed into my ear.
Wincing, I scouted the forest desperately, equally terrified. “I have no bucking clue, why ask me?!”
“Well maybe you saw where it came from!” She hollard, slapping my back.
“Is this really the time to be arguing?!” I scoffed.
To our left, I spotted a silhouette as it began pushing its way through the mist. Trees shook as it barreled its way directly toward us.
“Holy shit, run!” I cried as I galloped down the path.
Scarlet took off and flew above me, that lucky mare still had working wings.
“What the hell is it?!” I asked, not daring to look back.
“It’s a zompony!”
“A what?!”
“A zompony!” Scarlet repeated desperately.
“What the fuck is a zompony?!” I hollard, leaping over a fallen log on the path.
Just behind me, the rotten log made a crashing noise, followed by another ear splitting REEEE.
Whatever it was, it was gaining on me. I gulped back my fear and stole a look behind me. A massive pony was galloping a dozen hooves behind me, it didn’t have wings, so it must’ve been equestrian. But the thing was, it was barely held together. Whatever was left of its coat, hung loosely as dull patches of hair, its skin was torn and rotting, muscles and organs showing through its exposed skeleton. I held back my stomach in horror and disgust, watching as its yellow beady eyes locked onto me.
“It’s a half dead pony! From the books!” Scarlet tried to explain, looking down at me from between her legs.
“You know what? I don’t care! Just look ahead and tell me if there’s any way I can lose this thing off my tail!” I looked forward once more, desperately pumping more into my tired legs.
Scarlet peered far ahead of us, “Uhh, uhh, look!” She pointed a hoof, “The path comes to an end, there’s a clearing up ahead!”
I didn’t acknowledge her, saving any strength to just focus on galloping. Pegasi were not meant to run, that was one thing I knew, and felt, for sure. Soon, I spotted what Scarlet was talking about, the cobblestone path came to a stop and intersected a much wider road. The new road was made of solid stone, white painted lines separating it into two halves along the length. On the well moonlit road, I could have sworn I spotted the figures of ponies trotting along, a large wooden cart being pulled by one.
“Oh my Luna, Midnight, I think those are ponies! I didn’t think there were any left out here!” Scarlet gleefully cried out above, I let out a grunt in acknowledgement, exhaustion taking over.
Let’s see if these guys are willing to help me out then. I told myself, pushing the last of my strength into my legs and galloping straight out onto the road.
See, the problem with galloping was, all my weight was going forward. Meaning I was going forward. I galloped right onto the road, directly in front of a very confused mare, across, and back into the forest on the other side, yelling the whole time. Scarlet had already flared her wings and was hovering above the road, crying out my name as I ran further, the damned zompony still behind me.
I dared to slow my pace enough to circle back around a tree and onto the road again, this time coming up behind the travelers. There were four of them, all an assortment of colors, something I had previously thought that I only looked like. I knew that ponies came in all shapes and sizes, hell I was half pegasus, but I had never seen a Unicorn or Earth Pony in person. All but one were earth ponies, the last being a unicorn. Unfortunately for me though, they were all cowering behind the wooden cart.
My ears perked up as I heard a crack snap above my head, just as I approached the group. The zompony behind me unexpectedly slumped over and tumbled to a halt, its head taken clean off with a burst of chunks and pink mist. It was followed by a soft boom that echoed into the forest around me as I too skidded to a stop, desperately gasping for air.
Scarlet fluttered over to me, coming to a landing, “Holy goddesses, that was some bloody shot!” 
“Some… Bloody… wha…?” I asked, staring at the ground, my breath still long behind me.
“The pony who saved you!” She pointed off into the foggy darkness ahead on the road. “They shot the zompony, and from that far no less.” Scarlet spoke, seemingly proud.
“That was a gun? What the hell?” I asked in utter confusion, having finally filled my lungs with enough air.
“Damn right it was,” an older stallion’s voice spoke in front of me. “You don’t see ghouls like that around these parts often.”
I raised my head up, coming face-to-neck with a large Earth Pony stallion. He stood over me, smiling through crooked teeth. He had to be middle aged, his orange coat and brown mane were fringed with grey.
“Who are you ponies?” I asked, taking a look past him. The others had climbed out of hiding and were once more ready to trot along.
“Allow me to introduce myself, my name’s Pumpkin Spice, I run this fine caravan up and down the Transylvanian trade route, right up to VanHoover herself!” Pumpkin explained, his accent definitely Equestrian.
A canteen seemingly levitated itself before my muzzle, masked in a green glow. I recoiled and stared criminally at the magic bottle.
“It’s alright silly, it won't bite, it’s just water.” A new voice, this time a middle aged mare giggled from behind me.
I turned around to find that same green mare I had nearly tackled earlier, atop her head sat a horn, glowing a matching green to the bottle. I nodded in appreciation and snatched the canteen out of the air, gulping down its contents. My pipbuck let out a few chirps as I drank, suspiciously sounding like a geiger counter
“You know, you’re lucky you two came across us out here, not so many ponies are as kind or friendly as us.” Pumpkin explained.
“Yeah, no kidding, if not for your help, Luna knows where I’d be now.” I smiled, hoofing over the canteen back to the Unicorn mare with a “Thanks”.
“Oh-ho-ho that was not any of our doing!” The stallion chuckled, his laughter booming, “Me and my wife, we run our caravan unarmed, it usually causes nothing but trouble. ‘Specially on one of these safe routes you know?” 
Scarlet had been quietly sitting beside me this whole time, she watched us speak, but never really said anything herself. I guessed she didn’t like talking to strangers all that much. She shared an equally confused look as my own however.
“You know…?” The stallion repeated, raising an eyebrow.
We shook our heads in unison.
“Right. Well why don’t you two come with us, it looks like you two have been through tartarus and back. Town’s just up ahead anyway.” Pumpkin shrugged, beckoning us toward the covered wooden cart.
Scarlet and I nodded thankfully, and trotted over to the two ponies near the front of the caravan. Both were Earth Pony stallions, one rigged up to pull the cart, the other carrying a large saddlebag of supplies. I trotted up to one of them and smiled, only to be met with a silence and terrified eyes.
What’s his problem? I shrugged, I guess a zompony had only just tried to kill us afterall.
“Why don’t you two come on and take a seat inside the cart, I’m sure you’re tired from the running an’ all!” The unicorn mare smiled, calling to us from afar.
“Oh, um, no thank you, I’d rather fly above.” Scarlet laughed uneasily and took off, shooting me a worried glance.
“Well, I’ll gladly take that offer!” I smiled and began to trot over to her.
“Midnight, just trot for now okay?” Scarlet whispered, hovering just over my head.
“But I’m exhausted! You weren’t the one galloping this whole time!”
“Look, just believe me on this one okay? Please?” She pleaded, she looked genuinely concerned, I couldn’t help but nod.
“Actually, ma’am, I think I’ll just trot along outside for now.” I called out to the Unicorn, “After all, the town's just up ahead right?”
“Mmm, suit yourself pegasus.” She eyed me and began trotting forward.
With an “Alright, let’s move!” from Pumpkin, the caravan began moving once more.
We trotted along the road for a few moments, the fog having lightened up enough for me to spot some dim lights glowing up ahead. It surprised me that these many ponies had survived the war, from what we were taught, there was nothing but a giant molten crater left of Equestria. I took a moment to eye Scarlet, who lazily glided above. She looked tense, like there was something she wanted to tell me. I figured if it was important enough, she’d have said it by now.
As we approached the town, I spotted two ponies flying toward us in the fog, they had just landed and began cantering at a steady pace, coming to a stop just before Pumpkin spice. From what I could tell, both of the ponies were Thestrals, but they were wearing some kind of matching black barding with a multicolored dark uniform underneath their vests. They both had what appeared to be rifles, drawn and ready to use. They began conversing with Pumpkin just out of earshot.
Scarlet landed beside me and was as tense as ever, she poked my shoulder, drawing my attention. “This isn’t good, those ponies are armed.” She whispered, eyeing the dark treeline around us. “I could see them from up there, they came from the town. I don’t trust these ‘traders’ either.”
“Aw come on, you’re just being paranoid, these guys are friendly enough. They even offered my water!” I chuckled, not without feeling a bit on edge myself.
“Is everything okay there honey?” the Unicorn called out from within the covered wooden cart, poking her head out to see.
Before us, Pumpkin began nervously shuffling, whatever they were talking about clearly was making him uncomfortable. Suddenly, the Thestral pony on the left began shouting, pointing his gun at Pumpkin. I nervously stole a glance to Scarlet who was equally as afraid as I was.
Pumpkin then pounced forward, only to be peppered by automatic gunfire by the Thestral on the left. His body slumped to the floor, and both of the Thestrals pushed forward towards us, guns drawn and crouching.
“Aw dammit!” The Unicorn cried out from the cart, and leapt out the back, brandishing a rifle of her own and letting loose a sentence of automatic fire.
Scarlet and I both yelped and dove down off the road, trying to keep ourselves out of everything. The Thestral on the left cried in pain and fell over, clutching his leg. The other one on the right began firing controlled bursts toward the Unicorn. Striking her in the side as she galloped toward us.
She rolled into the dirt, and grabbed onto Scarlet, who screamed and flailed against the Unicorn’s forelegs trying desperately to knock her off. I tried to dive forward and stop her, only to be knocked on the head by the butt of the Unicorn’s levitating rifle. Dizzy with pain, I fell back, watching as the Unicorn stood up and pressed the barrel of against Scarlet’s head.
“We had a deal!” The Unicorn screamed, facing the Thestral who sat crouched on the road, rifle aimed at her.
“We don’t deal with Slavers, you know that.” The Thestral spoke around his rifle bit, his accent Braytish. I could see a few wisps of white mane poke under his helmet, contrasting to his dark red-grey coat.
“But we agreed that you’d let us through if we didn’t bring slaves onto your land!” Miss-Unicorn-terrorist hollard, shoving the barrel of her gun harder against Scarlet’s head.
I felt utterly helpless, Scarlet and I weren’t exactly friends, but dammit it would suck to lose her!
“Aye, and so explain the slaves right here? And the ones by the cart?” The uniformed Thestral asked, not once breaking his aim off of the Unicorn.
“We found these two just here!” The green mare hollard, shaking Scarlet desperately. Scarlet tried biting onto the mare’s leg, but it either went unnoticed or did nothing substantial.
        There it was again, that crack. The mare’s head suddenly exploded in half and she limply fell over with a meaty slap. A soft boom echoed once more throughout the forest, just after. The white maned Stallion rushed forward and kicked the body off of Scarlet, letting his rifle fall onto his chest by a sling. He helped Scarlet to her hooves, who has shaking and looked like she was about to vomit from all the brain matter splashed onto her coat.
        “Are you two okay?” he asked,  trotting over to me and offering a hoof, helping rise to all fours. I winced as my wing ground uncomfortably.
        “What a display...” Scarlet muttered, staring wide eyed at the body of the Unicorn.
        “Aye, we’ve been having problems with Slavers these past few weeks.” The stallion explained, trotting back over to the caravan with us behind. “Name’s  Lieutenant Silver Dusk, SF of the Night Watch, you two?”
        “Midnight WInd,”
        “Scarlet Rose”
        “Oh…”
“Oh…” Both Scarlet and I said in unison, looking at each other.
        So that’s what her full name was.
        “Um.. right.” Silver eyed us crossly, and trotted over to where his comrade was limping, helping the other two Stallion slaves. “How’d the likes of you two wind up in the company of Slavers?” He asked, nodding to his team mate.
        “Well, it’s kind of a long story.” I sighed, scratching my mane.
        “Mmm, perhaps save it for later, I need to bring you two to my commander ay-sap. Are you fit for a bit of a canter?” Silver asked, eyeing my wing.
        “Eh, couldn’t hurt.”
        “Brilliant, let’s go.” Silver took off in a brisk canter down the road, followed by me, his friend and the two stallions. Scarlet, of course, opted to fly overhead. Silver cast a glance over his shoulder, a wry smile upon his face “Oh, by the way, welcome to Renaissance.”


XXX


> Chapter Four: Renaissance 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter Four: Renaissance



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I watched as Midnight’s two toned tail bobbed along below me. We were slowly making our way towards the town, thankfully giving me some time to gather my emotions. I beat my wings softly, absent mindedly holding the stare deeply in thought.
Leaving the stable, the chase, being held as a bloody hostage, all in the span of not even a night. I sighed audibly, all of this seemed to be happening so quickl-
“Like what ya’ see?” Midnight derailed my thoughts.
Refocusing my eyes, I matched Midnight’s as he playfully craned his neck vertically, shooting me a wink. I felt myself blush as I realized I’d been staring at him this whole time, hopefully my dark coat hid it from him up where I was.
I put up my best facade, clearing my throat and tossing my mane, “In your dreams, I was just thinking.”
“Oh? And what crossed your mind?” Midnight pressed, smirking coltishly. Insufferable; that one.
“Just, this. Everything that happened.” I rolled my eyes, gesturing vaguely around us.
“Right.” His tone fell somber, casting his own eyes down the road.
Clearly I wasn’t the only one with mixed emotions about our situation. I watched as Silver’s companion and the two other stallions broke off with a mumbled departure. They began trotting to a different side of the town, most likely seeking medical help.
I came to a gentle landing beside Midnight as we approached the massive medieval wooden palisade that surrounded the town. Along the length, the wall expanded, pocketed by four wooden guard towers set up around as a perimeter. Each tower stood as a sentinel over a gate that lead into the settlement where two main dirt roads intersected the massive town. The roads lead out to their respective gate, and path beyond.
“Hey Silver, did ye see that bloody shot?” A young stallion’s voice called out from one of the guard towers as we passed underneath.
“Aye, you shot two targets, congratulations.” Silver deadpanned, not bothering to look up at the tower.
“‘Shot two targets’” The younger voice mocked.
I looked up, just as a white-coated-black-maned Thestral, in identical uniform to Silver, poked his head over the railing of the tower. He didn’t look a day over fifteen. “That was one-thousand, two-hundred and twenty-four meters you unimpressed bastard!” He hollard down at Silver who never once broke his stride.
“Aye, go wank yourself off somewhere else.” Silver dismissed, looking over to me and Midnight. “Don’t mind the colt, he’s just as cocky as he sounds.” A stream of profanities soon fell out of earshot as we came up to the main gate.
“Was he the buck that saved us?” I blurted, trotting past Midnight to Silver’s side. I could practically feel Midnight roll his eyes behind me. What? It was a bloody impressive shot!
“I hate to admit it, but yes, Ballpoint’s the sharpest sharpshooter we have.” Silver sighed, coming to a stop and waving to a pony who manned the gate house.
“Ballpoint…” Midnight played with the word, “Like the pen?”
“The bullet.” I deadpanned.
“They make bullets with ballpoint pen tips?”
“No, it’s just a solid shot; ball ammunition.” 
“Oh.” Midnight turned to Silver raising an eyebrow, “The colt’s got some attitude huh?”
“We let him run around with his big head - annoyingly enough - but he’s not boasting,” Silver paused, briefly giving us a serious look. “Everything he says about himself, that’s only half of what I’ve seen him accomplish.”
As the wooden gate began it’s slow ascension, I stole a glance back over my shoulder to the guard tower. Ballpoint had settled back into his watchful position, silhouetted against the bright stars. I could only make out his gentle breaths being carried softly in the chilly wind, he seemed to be eerily calm, not breathing more than once every few seconds. Whatever Silver seemed to say about him, I was left wanting to know more.
The gate released an agonizing groan on its ancient hinges as it came to a stop. I turned around and quickly cantered up to the stallions, taking in the sights around me. As we trotted down the road, I realized Silver wasn’t kidding when he said ‘Renaissance.’
Around us, classical Equestrian houses stood tightly packed together, unsurprisingly mimicking a ye olde Equestrian village. Colorful patterns and decals were painted onto the wooden houses, their roofs adorned with red shingles stacked up onto a triangle peak. Windows with shutters and cheerful porches accompanied nearly every building. All such lovely design, despite every building sporting obvious wear and age.
Throughout the town, hearth's-warming eve lights decorated the streets, arching lazily across the streets or between buildings in random patterns. The town was bathed in a dim glow, hardly brighter than firelight. The lights were possibly too dim for Equestrians but the perfect lighting for us nocturnal Thestrals.
As Silver directed us throughout town, Thestral ponies passed by, busily making their way through the town. It was just about midnight and everypony was certainly in the middle of their working schedule. I cast a glance to Midnight, dropping my cold facade I usually gave him to share our awe of what we saw around us. I had entered transylvania believing not a single soul was left living.
“Move’t freak.” A stallion suddenly shoved Midnight, nearly toppling him off his hooves.
“Hey, what the fuck’s your problem?!” Midnight spat, regaining his balance and baring his fangs.
The stallion came to a stop, and turned around. He was a Thestral, like everypony else, but he was dressed in a uniform similar to Silver. Upon the shoulder pauldron of his bulletproof barding, a blue crescent moon sat. Slung over his back, an Ironshod Firearms ‘IF-700’ rifle. His golden eyes glared at Midnight through locks of dark purple mane.
“What’eva tha’ fuck you are, mutt. Y’aint welcome here. It’s best ye leave.” He pointed his hoof to the gate where we came in.
“Are you for real?” Midnight cried out, turning to me. “And here I thought all of that was left behind in the stable!”
“What’s the problem here mates?” SIlver trotted back over to us, probably having just noticed we stopped following him.
“Ah! Sir, look at what came sludgin’ through our gates!.” The soldier guffawed. “A cloud kicker, half bat no less. Let’s show ‘em the way out, just like any other ‘claver.” 
“That’ll be all private, get back on patrol.” SIlver ordered.
The soldier recoiled, looking at Midnight with disgust. “So we’re lettin’ fuckin’ birds roost in our town yet? Wh-”
“Patrol.” SIlver cut him off, stepping up, chest to chest. “March.”
“Aye sir.” The soldier spat at Silver’s hooves and shrugged his gear, about facing and trotting along the road once more.
“Yeah, you better fucking march ya lousy-ass cupcake” Midnight hollard.
“Midnight!” I hushed, punching his shoulder. “That’s enough, Luna above, you’ll just make him come back!”
“Alright guys, give it a rest.” Silver sighed. “Striker’s still sour about the Enclave, I promise not everypony here is like him.”
“Enclave?” Midnight asked, rubbing his shoulder. Damn right that hurt!
“Aye, you know: Pegasi, cloudships, explosions and such?”
We both shook our heads.
“Right.” Silver smirked looking us over, “Stable 17 I take it?”
“Exactly, how’d you know?” I furrowed my eyebrows.
Silver chuckled and turned around, trotting down the street once more. “It’s plastered all over your Stable-tec uniforms of course.”
Midnight and I looked down at ourselves, it was painstakingly obvious where our origins were from. We both cantered up to Silver and continued our path.
“Well, if you couldn’t tell, we know butt-fuck nothing about Transylvania, care to fill us in?” Midnight asked. I shot him a cross look for his strange use of analogy, only to get him sticking his tongue out at me. Ugh that colt.
“Like I said earlier mate, I need to bring you to my commander, Aurora Borealis. Not only because you’re both representing a mountain of paperwork for me, but also ‘cause he’s probably the only pony in town with the patience to explain everything.” Silver replied, shrugging in step.
We fell under a silence as Silver lead us through town, the road we had been following widened until it came upon a large circular square in the center of town. As Silver directed us around the perimeter, I gazed at the massive statue of a pony in old fashioned armor that sat in the middle, it was adorned with pale brown bushes and a non-functioning fountain. Along the outside of the square, multiple shops and kiosks sat with vendors advertising their goods. However, upon closer inspection it just looked like a bunch of junk to be honest. As we crossed what looked like a bar, I caught a wiff of something sweet and delicious smelling when the door opened. I felt my stomach grumble as a reminder that I probably hadn’t eaten since that morning.
Silver came to a stop, and turned to face us, a bright smile upon his face. “Right we’re here!”
I cast my eyes up at the building behind him, it looked like the others, though it sported an extended tower out the top. Hanging above the door, on a suspended sign, read ‘Transylvanian Renaissance Fair!’ in red letters, beneath them in white, the word ‘Armory’ was painted.
“This is the Night Watch’s headquarters. We’re essentially the guards of Renaissance, but we extend out as a militia as well.” Silver waved a hoof in the air. “I digress, let me gallop in and grab Aurora for you, be right back!” He ducked into the front door. His mood was visibly brightened, a stallion that loved his job, that’s for sure.
A moment passed, “Well.” Midnight coughed awkwardly, taking a seat on the road.
“No snide remarks about his cheerful mood?” I raised an eyebrow, bracing for his usual annoyance.
“Nah, I’ll let it go.” he shrugged. I sat next to him and sighed, looking at the bustling ponies around us.
“Lot more of us out here.” Midnight spoke softly, seemingly to himself.
“More than just the two of us.” I replied with a sigh.
“You sound relieved.”
“Should I be disappointed?” I scoffed, eyeing him. “You’d rather us be the only two bloody ponies left in Equestria?”
“‘Means I’d have a pretty mare all to myself.” Midnight smirked, ugh that smirk again!
I stood up with a groan. “Oh grow up you bloody colt!” Stamping my hoof I turned around and tried to distract myself with watching the other ponies. They looked so different than the ponies from the Stable.
“What you can’t take a compliment? Am I really that bad?” Midnight chuckled behind me.
“You’re worse. You immature… y-you!” I struggled to list out even the beginnings of what I thought about him.
“‘Me immature’.” Midnight deadpanned. “Wow, very language. Much coherent.” He teased.
I rolled my eyes and turned on him frustratingly. “Look mate, I’m trying to make the best of our situation. I’m just glad we’re both still live at this point.” I explained. “At least I’m focusing on what really matters and not playing ‘pick up’ with the attractive stallion I was kicked out with!”
“Oh, the attractive stallion, why didn’t you just say so?” Midnight winked.
I groaned feeling heat rising in my cheeks from embarrassment and frustration. I rubbed my head with a hoof and sighed. “It was a metaphor. I was talking about you hitting on me instead of actually focusing on important matters. Like living.”
“RIght, I’ll remember that metaphor.” Midnight winked again, his bloody smirk never leaving his face. Oh I wanted to slap that expression right off his cheeky, beautiful, stupid, handsome, fac-
“So here be the new Stable ponies eh?” A low and hearty voice called out.
Midnight and I both turned to see SIlver, and what I assumed was Aurora, exit the headquarters. Aurora was an older stallion maybe in his late fifties, he had grey hair - most likely due to his age - and a grey-blue coat to match. He wasn’t in combat barding like I had seen Silver and the other soldiers wear, instead he simply wore the multi-colored dark camouflage that seemingly every soldier wore under their barding. Upon his collar sat two golden crescent metal pins, possibly the only thing distinguishing him from other soldiers. He wasn’t unarmed however, carrying an IF-9 9mm pistol holstered on his left foreleg.
“Aye sir, you think you can fill them in? They’ve got plenty of questions, believe me.” Silver asked, adjusting a strap on his barding.
“Will do Lieutenant. Ye have yer orders, we’ll debrief at daybreak.” Aurora spoke, more seriously this time. “Goddesses guide you.”
With a salute in confirmation, Silver took off and flew over the palisade wall, into the surrounding forest.
“Where’s he gone off to?” I asked, watching him glide out of sight.
“That’s classified lassy.” Aurora winked, not suggestively like the bloody-bag-of-stupid next to me, but charmingly. “Right, I’m famished, care for a bite and a discussion?” He offered, motioning his head to the bar we had passed earlier.
I nodded excitedly, my hunger catching up to me once more. Midnight wasn’t faring much better and stood up immediately at the sound of food.
“I’m down, let’s eat!” He exclaimed.
Aurora chuckled and lead the way. Despite the events that happened earlier that night, I felt happy that I was alive, safe even. And with how Aurora and Silver treated us, I knew we were in good company.
I stole a quick glance of Midnight trotting to my right. Good company. A faint smile played across my lips.


<><><>


“If ye don’t slow down yer gonna get a bloody hernia mate.” Aurora stared wide eyed at Midnight, who was busy inhaling his third order of hay fries.
“Buf es soo gfuud.” Midnight mumbled around another mouthful of fried hay.
I rolled my eyes at his antics, seemingly for the hundredth time since meeting him, at this rate I was going to pull an eye muscle.
Aurora took another shot of whiskey ‘Wild Pegasus’ as it was printed on the bottle, he had gone through half of it already and hardly seemed phased. Northern Braytish, I swear they’re made of lead.
We had entered the bar and found ourselves a table not long before. The interior was just as lovely as the exterior, decorated and furnished in dark wooden accents, giving the place a homely rustic feel. A staircase along the back wall lead to a lofted interior balcony, which apparently housed an inn for travelers. Aurora was kind enough to pay for our meals, using bottle caps as currency - oddly enough. The food here was bland, though I couldn’t really have expected anything to grow fruitfully in the seemingly lifeless landscape that Transylvania was. We had spent the better part of an hour just shooting questions and getting answers from Aurora, he was an excellent storyteller, and I began to feel like I had a slightly better grasp of the new world around me.
Supposedly Transylvania was a small region that was left relatively untouched from the bombs, thankfully with the surrounding mountain range, very little damage was dealt. That didn’t mean the forests were safe however, magical radiation found its way and tainted a lot of the wildlife and unfortunate ponies, explaining the ‘ghoul’ we encountered earlier. Also, apparently a few years ago, the Grand Pegasus Enclave - a faction of Pegasi military that locked themselves above the clouds when the bombs fell - disbanded, and a lot of Pegasi were beginning to show up. Nopony really appreciated the Pegasi since historically they commonly terrorized anypony on the surface, and they were very selective of their allies.
Among other things, Aurora finally explained the different factions of ponies in the area. The Steel Rangers to the east, who were neutral but immensely powerful and mysterious. The Raiders, who were more or less a diseased and sadistic gang of ponies across all of Equestria. And most notably the Hailstorm, a former Grand Pegasus Enclave cloudship that parked itself over an old Equestrian military base not far from here. The Night Watch and the ponies of Renaissance never really knew what sat outside Transylvania, since many didn’t dare travel beyond the mountains. But one thing Aurora warned, was to watch out for Equestrian ponies. They were used to seeing mutated beings, and the sight of a Thestral might scare them into fighting. He cautioned us to carry and learn how to use weapons, anything and everything was a threat.
“So Aurora,” I paused, taking a sip from the ‘Sparkle Cola’ bottle the waitress presented to me. It was good stuff. “What do you think we should do? I mean, now that we’re stuck out here, how to we live?”
“Well, the first thing ye need is caps lassy. Nothing is free, and I think with a wound like that,” he gestured to Midnight’s wing. “It’s best ye go to a doctor as soon as possible.”
Midnight stopped his feverish eating long enough to look down at his wing, he gave it a little wiggle, wincing. “It’s not that bad really, I think it just needs a few days rest.”
“Aye, get it check out though okay laddie? Look, I’ll give the innkeep a premium so ye two can stay a day. Before though, just head over to the armory and they’ll lend ye some protection. I already have it set up.” Aurora offered, standing up.
“Aw wait but I’m not done!” Midnight pouted looking at his half eaten food.
“You’re done, we’re going.” I stood up as well and tried to push him.  “Thanks for everything mate, you’ve really, oof, been a great help!” I thanked Aurora, barely nudging Midnight an inch. Damn stallions for being bigger than me.
“Anytime, for the both of ye. I need to check up on me Night Watch, you two lovebirds find me if ye need me aye?” Aurora smiled and placed a bag of caps on the table for the innkeep.
“Two lovebirds…” I mumbled, breaking concentration and falling straight onto the floor when Midnight stood up. “Hey wait! It’s not like that!” I cried out to Aurora as he chuckled, exiting the building.
“You heard him, lovebird.” Midnight cooed, trying to help me stand up.
“Ah bloody can it will you?” I felt my face burn as I shoved him away and stood up on my own.
Damn stallions I swear... I fixed my bow and mane and cantered out the door with what dignity I had left, trying to shake off my flustered feelings. Thankfully the cold air outside helped cool down my - probably obviously - burning face.
Midnight laughed behind me as he galloped to catch up. As we both made our way back to the armory, I pointedly ignored any attempts to conversation Midnight brought up. Could he not shut up for five seconds? Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate him, hell I’d even say he were my bloody friend - never to his face of course. But there was one thing he was good at, and that was pushing all the right buttons to get me frustrated, flustered or embarrassed. Constantly. It was a bloody game for that one wasn’t it? Though admittedly I was beginning to appreciate his light-hearted playfulness, I was still far from comfortable enough to tell him that. Not yet at least.
We came back upon the armory and entered through the front door. It was similar in layout to the inn but where tables and furnishings once took place, a large wooden table with maps and computer terminals took their stead. The room was surprisingly empty, the majority of ponies probably fulfilling their duties elsewhere. Thankfully there was a mare behind a terminal at a desk, most likely the receptionist.
I opened my mouth to speak, only to have Midnight clear his throat. “Aurora sent us to pick up some weapons.” Midnight spoke. I closed my mouth, I’d rather he do the talking to strangers anyway.
The mare paused her typing, condescendingly looking up at us over the rim of some retro purple - and distasteful - glasses. She pointed a hoof to a caged corner of the room and went back to typing, not uttering a word.
“Um… Thanks.” Midnight mumbled as we trotted over to the corner. “Bi-i-itch” I heard him whisper to himself. Okay, I couldn’t help but smile at that one.
The caged off section was unlocked and Midnight opened the fence door with a metallic whine. Inside, sat the most beautiful assortment of equipment I had ever laid my eyes on.
“Oh my goddesses, this is amazing!” I squealed, butting past Midnight and prancing around, studying each rack and shelf with glee.
Lining the shelves sat boxes of ammunition, all different densities, calibres, velocities, ballistic effects. In racks along the walls sat rifles, bolt action, semi-automatic, fully automatic. This was heaven. I could have died a happy filly right there and then.
“We can have anything?” Midnight stared quizzically at a line of pistols on a shelf.
“Buck yeah we can!” I pranced up to him and placed my hooves on his shoulders, boosting up to see the shelves above his head. “Do you see any signs saying otherwise mate?”
“Well, guess not.” Midnight shrugged, nearly tossing me off balance. “What’s got you so excited about this?”
I gasped and came down to all fours before him, “This is all my bloody special talent Midnight!” I exclaimed, turning around and showing him my cutiemark. The bullet on a bed of roses visible where my winter jacket came to a stop.
His eyes grew wide as I essentially shoved my ass in his face. I couldn’t care less, guns now, embarrassment later.
“Right.” Midnight cleared his throat, prying his eyes away from me and turning around. He picked a Tidus 11 semi automatic pistol. “So is this any good?” He asked, around the firing bit.
“That’s a fantastic one! It uses fourty-five automa-”
“Great.” Midnight tossed it into his saddlebag and selected a box of ammunition for it, tossing it in as well.
“B-but okay, wait yeah that-”
“How about this?” He grabbed an IF700 bolt action rifle and showed it to me.
“That’s good too, I mean, it’s a bit slow but it’s really powerfu-”
“Awesome.” He slung it over his back, grabbing two boxes of .308 ammunition, tossing it in his bags as well.
Whatever. I shook my head. I knew exactly what I was after anyway. I quickly scanned the lines of automatic rifles, there weren't many, but hell I wondered how they even got all these guns. In the Stable, the most I’ve ever seen were the combat shotguns used by the Security Corps. My eyes locked onto one of the shortest barreled rifles, a carbine actually. I picked it up and checked the chamber, an IF4. These carbines were spectacular, accurate, lightweight and most importantly, versatile.
I slung the carbine over my back and looked around for any kinds of accessories I could add. Unfortunately the Night Watch lacked any serious hardware like holographic sights and suppressors, but at least they had some top-notch ammunition. I scanned the shelves and settled for the green pointed 5.56cal ammunition. Green paint meant that each bullet had a mild-steel core, not quite armor piercing, but known as penetrating ammunition. Good for heavier targets, especially for what Aurora had described.
I grabbed a few spare magazines for my Carbine, as well as for Midnight’s selection of weapons. They were pre-loaded, saving us the painstaking process of loading cartridges one at a time. However, I grabbed a few stripper clips for the future, to make it easier whenever that inevitable task finally came.
I quickly scanned along the remaining shelves and spotted some medical supplies. Health potions and magical bandages were stocked in boxes, far superior to my pathetic first-aid kit. I cautiously stacked the ammunition onto some of the boxes and balanced them in my mouth, carefully trotting over to Midnight and opening his saddlebag with my nose.
“Hey whoa, why do I have to carry the supplies?” He complained.
I snorted in annoyance as I dumped the heavy supplies into his bag. “'Cause you can actually carry it perhaps?” I raised an eyebrow, poking his strong shoulder. Re-thinking my actions, and poking it once more. Oh those were nice...
“What and you get to canter around with virtually empty bags?” Midnight pressed, following me as I trotted past him. I gave an internal sniffle as we departed the beautiful treasure, I would miss those guns.
I ignored his comment and trotted out the building, into the autumn night once more. It was just about twilight, the moon cresting over the forested treetops to the west. I was definitely feeling exhausted at this point, sleeping in the inn was beginning to sound like a wonderful idea.
Across the street from the headquarters, a similar building marked with a large red cross sat. I guessed one more thing couldn’t hurt.
“Alright, we’re gonna get that wing of yours checked out.” I spoke, who gave me a frown. “What? You want it fixed don’t you?” I pressed.
He sighed and nodded, taking lead and trotting to the building “It’s just, doctors. I don’t do doctors.”
We entered the building and it was, yet again, similar in layout to the others. I was beginning to notice a pattern here, perhaps before the war whoever built this ‘Renaissance Fair’ adhered too strictly to a certain building code. The differences were obvious however, a line of curtained off beds populated the main room, with medical equipment and supply cabinets sitting at each cordoned off section. At a desk near the entrance a dark brown-coated and white-maned stallion sat. He was middle aged and wore a white lab coat and glasses, I could only assume he was the doctor.
“How can I help you fine ponies?” He asked, taking his eyes off a terminal. He had a very sophisticated Braytish accent.
“Um, hi, my mate Midnight here needs somepony to take a look at his wing.” I spoke softly, motioning to Midnight. Yeah, I think I could live with Midnight handling all the talking.
“Ah, right this way!” The doctor smiled, standing up and walking down the aisle of beds. “Name’s Broken Bone, here have a seat.” He spoke over his shoulder, beckoning Midnight to one of the beds.
Midnight sat down as Broken undid the bandaging and inspected his wing. “So whaddya see?” He nervously laughed.
“Well it looks like you’ve definitely broken a bone in there.” Broken spoke with a singsong tone. “But,” He unexpectedly yanked Midnight’s wing straight out to full extension. “There!”
Midnight cried out in pain, squeezing his eyes shut. “What the fuck?!” His pain turned to anger as he glared at the doctor. “Why’d you do that?!”
“It wasn’t set properly,” Broken shrugged, reaching over to a drawer and pulling out a metal contraption with his teeth. “Now hold still.”
Midnight gulped and looked away from his wing, squeezing his eyes shut. His wing was locked fully extended, and I could almost see it pulsing through his feathers. Broken extended the metal skeleton-like contraption and encapsulated the base of Midnight’s wing. He then tapped the metal with a hoof, and the object sprung down to the wing’s resting position. This, of course, elicited another painful yelp from Midnight.
“There. All done.” Broken clapped his hooves together gleefully. “Now just let it sit in the splint for two weeks and you’ll, hopefully, be flying before you know it!”
“Hopefully? Two weeks?!” Midnight exclaimed, blinking away his tears.
“Precisely. That’ll be Five-hundred caps.” Broken curtly nodded, extending a hoof.
“F-Five-hundred?” I stammered. “We don’t have any at all!”
“I beg your pardon?” Broken scratched his ear and turned to face me. His demeanor changed entirely as he glared down at me through his circular glasses. They seemed to catch the light and glow with a sinister tone “You can’t possibly expect free service.”
I slowly backpedaled in fear. Honestly I didn’t know what to expect, the thought of currency never crossed my mind. “I-I-, um.” I mumbled as Broken stood over me.
“We’ll pay you back as soon as we get the money, lay off will ya?” Midnight, grabbed Brokens shoulder and spun him around, looking him square in the eye.
“Splendid!” Broken chortled sweetly and trotted back over to his desk. “You have three nights. See you then.”
Midnight snorted and stood up, giving me a concerned look. “Come on, let’s go.” He said softly and trotted out the building. 
I followed closely behind him, not sparing Broken a glance. It dawned upon me that Midnight actually did something friendly for me. I knew I shouldn’t have been surprised, but up until that point, he’s been nothing but a pain in the tail.
I nudged Midnight’s shoulder as we trotted down the street together, making our way to the inn. “So how’s the wing?”
“Eh, it’s been better.” He chuckled looking down at the splint. “I kinda look like a cyborg pony don’t I?”
I smirked at the thought, nodding. “Well, it’ll heal now.”
We trotted in silence and came up to the inn, once inside Midnight asked about the room, mentioning Aurora’s premium. The barmaid led us up the stairs and to a door, just down the hallway from the loft.
“Well. This is interesting.” Midnight coughed.
Inside, there was one bed and one small couch. The only other indication of this being a bedroom - and not a prison cell - was a window with a tattered purple curtain across the from the singular bed.
“No.” I deadpanned, trotting over to the bed and claiming it my own.
“No what? I didn’t say anything!” Midnight pleaded.
“We’re not.”
“Not what?”
“You’re sleeping there.” I pointed to the saggy couch, “I’m sleeping here.” I laid down.
“Oh so you think I was gonna try and pull something huh?” Midnight defended, plopping down on the couch. The ancient springs gave a pitiful squeak in protest.
“Precisely, no funny business mate.” I shot him a pointed glare.
Midnight laid down on the cushions, shrugging his shoulders. “Hey at least I wasn’t the one thinking of us doing that. That’s all you sister.”
I felt the tips of my ears begin to heat up, damn him for always turning this on me. “No, I- I mean you always make some remark! I just stopped you preemptively this time.”
“You were thinking about doing the dirty do with me, I’m flattered.” Midnight yawned, baring his tongue and fangs. “G’night.”
I groaned in frustration, turning my back to him. Yeah, he’s still Midnight. I thought to myself. Despite his friendliness, he was still such a bloody pain in the ass.
I closed my eyes and let myself forget his annoyance, there was no sensibility with that colt anyway. I felt myself calm down and slowly drift to sleep, for the first time since before any of this happened, I felt at ease. Things were looking up, and as much as it’s crazy to say, I was beginning to appreciate Transylvania. There was life out here, maybe even a future. I just hoped it would stay this way.


XXX