Leaving the Dark. Entering the Light.
Stables were generally areas of safety and happiness, similar to a house, or even a small town where everybody knows everybody. The Secret Stables, however, were not as welcoming. Built in a secret area of the Canterlot Castle, there were few ponies who knew about the Stables, or what lived in them. Only the Princesses and those with special clearance were allowed inside, or even told about their existence.
The Secret Stables housed the rarest species of ponies in Equestria, the only kind that had been created by other ponies. The Princesses, to be specific. They were the Bat Ponies. A hybrid of pegasi and bats, which were specifically created to serve Princess Luna. The Princess of the Night was feared by the ponies of Equestria, not much, but the fear was there. The Bat Ponies did not fear her, which was why they were perfect for the job. They were also built specifically for the night, with nocturnal eyes and the silent wings of a bat. Their coats were dark gray, and their slit eyes were a terrifying yellow.
Luna was proud of her creations, and loved them as much as Celestia loved her subjects, but did not allow them outside of the Stables except for special occasions. The Princesses both feared they would not be accepted, and made sure the Bat Ponies did not leave by creating strict rules. Rules that, if broken, would result in severe punishment nopony dared face. Fanged Star, however, did not take the punishments seriously. Death? Torture? It all seemed a bit ridiculous for that to be the punishment for simply sticking your head out the window.
Fanged Star was one of the Bat Ponies, as you probably guessed. Her coat was the same dark gray as anypony else's, and her mane was the same thick, blue, bat wing-like style, with part of it rebelliously hanging over one eye and the rest tightly pulled back into a soldier's fringe.
Her dark blue armour shimmered slightly in the dim light of the cramped Stables, and it only did so because of her continuous polishing. It was a small price to pay for sparkling armour, which she valued dearly. The polishing was really the only recreational activity outside of training and studying, both of which were of little interest to her. Polishing wasn't exactly the best thing in Equestria, but it beat just sitting around her living space and staring off into space.
She ran a handkerchief over the already shining surface (though the handkerchief wasn't exactly the cleanest), unable to come up with something better to do. She only stopped her work when the sleeping pony next to her shifted over onto his other side, startling her out of her bored daze. His movement agitated a few perched moths, who promptly fluttered into the air. Fanged Star watched them fly, her own leathery wings flapping a few times with a faint longing to join them. She quickly shook the idiotic thought from her head. She would much rather have rotted in the Stables than be a bug.
A sudden noise startled Fanged Star before she could set to polishing again, causing her to look towards the old wooden door of the living space she shared with a few others. The noise sounded like... an opening gate? Star set her armour aside and rose to her hooves. She quietly walked over to the door and pushed it open a crack, looking out to see who had entered the Secret Stables.
It was most likely another Royal Guard, sent to make sure the Bat Ponies were sleeping for the day and not plotting an escape (as if). Star was shocked when she saw who it was, and a bit annoyed she hadn't been told about a coronation. Princess Luna, and another pony. The second was another alicorn, but was violet coloured instead of white or pink (Cadence didn't like the Secret Stables, so that wasn't a surprise). The second, new, alicorn had a darker purple mane which had highlights of pink and lighter purple. She was eyeing the Stables with a sparkling curiosity which Star admired. she had seen much too many dim and depressed ponies lately, it was refreshing to see a new, fresh face.
Star watched as Princess Luna lead the new alicorn further and further into the Stables until they paused right outside Star's door. Star's breath caught and she let the door slide closed a bit, so she had just a slit of space to stare out at them.
"You have seen the Stables, Twilight Sparkle, is there anything else you wish to see?" Luna sounded a bit nervous, as if being in the place unnerved her, but that was absurd. The Bat Ponies were her subjects, like the ponies were Celestia's.
"I would like to see the creatures," Twilight said, looking around the Stables with that same fascination as when she had first entered. Star felt herself tense up with anger at the word "creatures". They were ponies, the same as her!
Luna seemed to also believe this, because she said, "Twilight, they are my subjects. I would appreciate it if you would refer to them as the same as you would refer to any other pony."
"Oh! Sorry. I was just so excited I sort of forgot." Twilight seemed suddenly nervous, and Star made a mental note that she was forgiven.
"It is alright. Now, you there! Guard!" Luna pointed a hoof at the wall next to Star's door, where a white coated soldier stood guard. The soldier's hoof flew to his forehead in a salute. Star sunk back in her living space, keeping one hoof on the barely open door so she could keep a careful eye on Luna and Twilight. "Open one of the pens so the newest Princess may see the Bat Ponies!"
"Yes Ma'am!" the soldier said, moving to the closest door, Star's door. With the sudden realization that her door was about to be opened, Fanged Star leaped back, her bat wings fanning out as she glided back to her spot against the wall next to the sleeping stallion. She hit the wall with her snout, grunting as she did, and fell onto her back with her wings wrapped around her. She shut her eyes, hoping to appear asleep. As the door creaked open, she opened one eye in which she hoped was a drowsy fashion. One eye, then the other, trying to appear as if she had never seen the violet alicorn before. Twilight stared at her, the curiosity burning brighter than before. Star raised an eyebrow and grinned, quickly concealing her mouth with the edge of one wing. She had to appear tired, not like she had been awake all day (which she had).
"Fascinating," Twilight mumbled.
"We are, aren't we," Star whispered, so quiet, nopony could hear her.
Slowly, the other Bat Ponies around Star began to wake up, shaking the drowsiness so they could see the curious new alicorn. A few rolled their eyes and fell back asleep, but some were also drawn by the new burning curiosity, and stared as long as they could before they were forced asleep by their bodies' fatigue. Only Star stayed awake, eventually sitting up and locking eyes with the violet alicorn. The grin worked it's way onto her face again, but she didn't conceal it. Twilight kept her eyes on Star for a few moments, then motioned for the guard to close the door and turned to Princess Luna. She said something, but Star couldn't make it out behind the creaking and slamming of the door.
Whatever Twilight had been saying, she finished by the time the door shut up. Listening for only a few moments more, she soon grabbed her armour once more and began to polish it, this time more out of habit than actual attempt to clean it. Her eyes stayed glued to the door, unable to be pried away. Something inside her clicked as she locked eyes with that alicorn, something which could only be described as...fascinating. That alicorn would return. That was the only thing that echoed in Fanged Star's mind as she absentmindedly polished the armour.
"She'll return, and she is how I'll escape." Fanged Star mumbled her plan to herself, making it sound almost unintelligible to any other. As she whispered, Fanged Star's excitement grew. She would soon leave the wretched Stables, and she would soon be free to do as she pleased.
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!
