Leaving the Dark. Entering the Light.

  "Get up!" The guard's gruff voice jolted Fanged Star awake, bringing mild shock to her mind as she realized that she had fallen asleep. Her side was then roughly prodded by a hoof, a white one, and she forced her tired body into a sitting position, then finally up onto all fours. Once he decided that she seemed awake, the Day Guard (somepony who's usual job was working for Princess Celestia) moved out of the space on to awaken another drowsy Bat Pony. Fanged Star walked out as well, leaving her armour behind.

  Outside, in the huge open area of the Stables, other tired looking Bat Ponies milled around, heading to the areas they worked. Fanged Star watched them for a while, then turned and made her way to her own job. She was one of a special few who had a job like this, granted it for "good behavior". The special clearance was surprising, especially after the... incident.

  "Hey Star!" Fanged Star turned her head to the voice and forced a smile when she saw it's owner, Midnight Fire, a Bat Pony with odd burnt orange fur, fluttering over. She landed in front of Star and grinned, revealing the fangs which hung down amongst the otherwise herbivorous teeth. "Where're you off to?"

  "Well, I was off to work, but if you have something to say I'm sure Princess Luna wouldn't mind." Her voice was practically dripping with sarcasm as she spoke, but her friend knew it was all in good nature.

  "Stone Leaf found the key to the Day Guards' Cider supply." Fire's eyes narrowed and she bent in closer, a mischievous smirk pasted on her orange furred face. "You know, the kind they get imported?" Her voice lowered to a whisper. "We could go get ourselves a little taste." She flew backwards a step and her voice raised back to it's normal volume. "If you want to, I mean."

  "You know I do," Star said, giving Fire an honest look, "but I'm in a bit of a tough spot here. The Princess' trust in me is wavering as it is, and I don't think I could risk it. But, save me some." Midnight Fire rolled her eyes.

  "Don't tell me, you're going to butter her up and then try to escape again. You barely got past the gate last time, and don't let me remind you of the consequences." Midnight Fire motioned with her head to Star's living space, where her dark blue armour glimmered.

  "It'll be much easier this time," Star said excitedly, "With my current job I already leave the Stables anyway. I'll say that that's why I'm leaving, then sneak my way out. Piece of cake!" Fire's eyes flashed to a guard then back to Star.

  "Fine, I won't stop you. Just don't get yourself killed or your wings snapped off."

  "Oh come on. You don't believe that wing snapping crap they feed us, do you?" Star sighed and placed a hoof on Fire's shoulder. "I'll be fine, and I was serious about saving me some cider." She then turned and began to walk off. "I'll see you later, okay?"

  "Sure," Midnight Fire said, flapping into the air and flying off.

  Fanged Star turned her head to watch her friend go, then hurried off to her own destination. She neared the wide iron gate of the Secret Stables and slowed as she approached the Day Guards in front. They looked her over, whispered something to each other, the regained their knightly composure and greeted her with a strong "Do you have clearance?"

  "Yes," Fanged Star answered, lifting one wing to reveal the silver crescent moon pin decorating it. The two guards exchanged one more glance, then nodded and allowed her to pass.

  The Secret Stables opened into a large flower filled garden, almost blinding with the harsh sunlight. As she stepped out, Star turned to see the Stables disappear as the cloaking spell took effect. There was still a slight shimmer, but if you weren't looking for it you wouldn't find it. Fanged Star immediately lowered her head, the most she could do to prevent her eyes from being permanently scarred by the sun. Vision was blurry, but any Bat Pony who worked outside of the Stables quickly got used to it. She hurried through the gardens to the palace looming in front. She hurried through the back doors into a wide hallway and then off through a nearby door. Inside was a smaller room, with cabinets lining the walls. Fanged Star opened one and took out the uniform folded inside.

  The uniform was dark blue with a few white stripes on the sleeves. Fanged Star quickly slid it on, and then it could be seen it resembled a maid's outfit. The apron was in a different cabinet, which Fanged Star quickly opened. She put on the glistening white apron, tying the ribbon behind her wings. Once the uniform was on she glanced at the clock on the wall. Good, a few minutes to spare. That meant she could take her time as she walked through the palace hallways. Not too long, since the Daylight Maids weren't supposed to see her, but long enough to try and find the best places to hide if the guards tried to catch her as she escaped.

  Time passed quickly though, and soon Fanged Star stood outside the large obsidian and silver doors that were the entrance to Luna's chambers. Fanged Star took a deep breath, holding her head high as she tried to collect herself. Once she felt calm enough, Fanged Star pushed open one of the doors with her front hoof and walked in.

  "Princess?" she said as she entered, lowering her head as a sign of respect.

  "Fanged Star, you have finally arrived," Luna greeted, meeting Fanged Star with a nod of her head. Fanged Star quickly walked over to Luna's side, by the dark vanity in a corner of the chamber. Star reached over and grabbed a brush, immediately starting to run it through Luna's starry mane.

  "How was your morning, ma'am?" Fanged Star asked, attempting to break the silence.

  "Fair, though I wish I could sleep today. Unfortunately, sister is holding a conference today with the royals of nearby countries. I must be awake." Fanged Star's ears pricked up the the mention of a conference.

  "Then, you and Princess Celestia will be busy all day?" Fanged Star moved the brush to start on Luna's tail.

  "Yes, which of course means you will be free for today. I expect you to return to the Secret Stables once we are done here."

  "Yes ma'am! Of course!" Fanged Star' grip on the brush tightened and Luna cried out as it yanked on a strand of flowing hair. "I-I'm sorry!" Fanged Star quickly ran the brush smoothly over the spot of tail, in an attempt to soothe it.

  "Quite alright," Luna said, eyeing Fanged Star with a forgiving expression. Fanged Star smiled, then placed the brush back on the vanity to show she was done. Star then grabbed the dark tiara and stood on her back hooves to place it on Luna's head. Luna stood and Fanged Star moved to place her silver boots over her hooves. A necklace with a crescent moon was placed around Luna's neck and she was done.

  Normally, Fanged Star would have tended Luna all day, but because of the conference she was soon let loose. Luna bid her goodbye and went off to the conference room. Fanged Star watched her go, waiting until she had disappeared from her line of sight to gallop off through the hallways. Her mind buzzed with the idea of freedom. It was so close, and it was day as well. The soldiers wouldn't be expecting an escape attempt while most Bat Ponies were drowsy and still in the Stables. It was when they were out and assisting Luna in the night when they had to keep on their toes, or rather hooves.

  Fanged Star turned a corner, preparing to rush into the smaller room from before and strip herself of her uniform and maybe find something to hide her wings and ears while she was in public. Suddenly, she hit something purple, falling over it and trying to catch herself with her wings but only managing to glide a few inches before crashing onto her face. In an instant she was back on her hooves, snarling at the purple figure who had gotten in her way at such a crucial moment, then she stopped. She knew this pony.

  "Ow..." the pony groaned, pulling themselves into a sitting position and scratching their forehead with a hoof. Yes, she did know this pony.

  "P-princess Twilight," Fanged Star mumbled, tilting her head and offering the princess a hoof.

  "Um, yes, thank you." Twilight accepted the hoof, obviously not knowing who or what it was who had tripped her and was now helping her up. "I'm sorry, I must not have been..." Her words trailed off as their eyes locked. "You. From the...what are you doing...?" Twilight took a step back, though her surprise was instantly replaced by curiosity. "You're the Bat Pony from the Stables, aren't you?" Fanged Star nodded, impatience starting to nip away at her.

  "Yes, and I..."

  "You talk! Princess Luna didn't say you could speak!" Twilight was instantly in Fanged Star's face, doing a detailed visual inspection of her snout. "Though, I suppose it's not a surprise since your anatomy is supposedly very similar to ours..."

  "I need to..."

  "A maid's outfit? Are you a maid for the princess? I always thought you were just soldiers."

  "No, wait, I got to go..."

  "This is so exciting! This might be the first conversation anyone has ever had with a Bat Pony!"

  "Would you listen for a sec...?"

  "What do you..."

  "HEY!" Fanged Star had to restrain herself from slapping Twilight. This alicorn talked too much! And she was getting in the way of her escape plan! "There's something really important I have to do, so could this wait for a time when I do not have so many important things to take care of?"

  "Oh! I could come with..."

  "No! I have to do it alone. I promise we'll talk later, but now now!"

  "Um, alright." Twilight smiled apologetically. "I must have been getting sort of out of control there. It can wait. Could you tell me your name before you go?"

  "Um..." Fanged Star hesitated, then sighed. "Fanged Star."

  "Well then, Fanged Star, we will continue this conversation later. Goodbye." Twilight turned, waved, then walked off, muttering to herself. Star watched her go for a moment, then quickly ran off. She still had time, she had all day! She had to get out, she had to. She had to escape!