Chapter 3

--Friends and Family--

As Keira and I made our way to the mess hall for lunch, we talked about what classes we had today and how our fights went. Keira and I weren’t ones to brag, but we did enjoy analyzing and rating our fighting skills. Honestly, training was when I felt at peace believe it or not. The energy that goes into every movement and the rush of adrenaline makes me feel so alive. But I guess the real reason I love training so much is that it gets me away from the hardships that I go through almost every day in the stable. Not only with the looks of disgust and prejudice but also other things that I really don’t like talking about.

“Shadow you’re spacing out again,” Keira said as I nearly walked into the wall near the door to the atrium. I quickly caught myself and looked to my best friend.

“Sorry Keira, I got lost in thought,” I said with a sheepish grin as I rubbed the back of my head with a hoof. I tended to lose myself in thought quite a bit, and Keira always loved teasing me about it. I couldn’t help it, my mind just seemed to take off when I wasn’t concentrating on anything in particular.

We made our way into the atrium and headed towards the lines to get our food. Food in Stable 100 was bland, to say the least, but was decent enough I guess. Some of the lower levels of the stable had fertile gardens that grew not only our food but also herbs and other plants for our alchemy needs. I would often volunteer my free time to helping out the gardeners with their tasks when I wasn’t training with Keira or Master Cross.

Immediately I felt a large stallion throw his forelegs around my shoulders from the side. I didn’t even need to see the stripes on his forelegs to know who it was.

“Greetings Master Cross, get any sleep last night or did you just drink to the point of passing out?” I said with a grin as I looked at the zebra stallion who smelled like a distillery. He was a good stallion, don’t get me wrong, but he wasn’t the pinnacle of role models in the stable.

“Shadow come on kiddo, you know me, I just got a little carried away is all. By the way, you need to try this new batch I cooked up yesterday, it is amazing,” Master Cross said as he used me to support his shaky legs.

He was silly, but he was always there when I needed him. When Master Cross is sober, and in his element, he really shows how much he cares, not just for me, but for all his students. One thing he does not tolerate in this training hall is bullying. He’s the closest thing to a father figure I have, plus he’s known my mom since they were kids.

“So Keira, I heard that you joined the horn heads for melee training today. You have fun? Hope you didn’t hurt them too bad did ya?” Cross said looking towards Keira with a smirk.

Keira simply gave him her trademark smile and moved ahead in the line. Cross was slowly getting his balance back as we made our way to the counter where the food was laid out, similar to those schools I’d read about in our history books. I wonder if the food in those schools were just as bland as here in the stable?

“Ah, now I can feel my legs again.” Master Cross let go of my shoulders and began to walk on his own, albeit, still on wobbly legs.

“You know, if you keep this up, the Overmares are gonna be pissed, might even kick you out of the stable,” I joked with a little chuckle. He knew I was only kidding, no one left the stable, well except for that one time, but we’re not allowed to talk about it.

“Pfft, Those two wouldn’t be able to kick me out with the entire security team, especially when I got my prized pupil to back me up,” Cross said while giving me a jab in the shoulder. He had a point, I would be at his side, he would do the same for me. Plus, the Overmares didn’t exactly like me that much.

“Master Cross!” Shouted an angry sounding mare who was all too familiar to me. Master Cross and I turned to see not one but both Overmares making their way through the crowd heading right towards us. Master Cross groaned, I just sighed as the two mares stopped right in front of us with stern glares on their faces.

The Overmares of Stable 100, Cherry Cobbler, a unicorn with a bright red coat and a light orange mane, and Zira, a zebra mare whose coat and mane showed the signs of constant care. Their position was passed down through their family lines since the Great War. They were the ones in charge of the security team and most of the ponies here in the Stable. I personally didn’t have anything against Cherry Cobbler, other than the dirty looks she gave me. Zira, on the other hoof, hated my guts for several reasons. She would have my head on a pike for all to see if she had her way.

“We heard you were asleep on the job again, and judging by the smell, we don’t need to ask why,” Cherry said as she scrunched her nose in disgust at the smell of alcohol.

“We would hope that a Master would set a better example for his students, but knowing you, that is unlikely to happen,” Zira said with a blank expression.

Master Cross straightened up, and spoke in a clear voice, “My students see me as an instructor, not a role model, hell even my star pupil here knows better than to think of me like that,” I simply nodded rolling my eyes a bit at this situation. They had to do this in public to try and make an example out of Cross, prove to themselves that they were the highest authority in the stable.

“The hybrid has clung to you all his life, and follows you like you are his father, it’s no wonder he has such poor manners,” Zira said as she looked my way, giving that hateful smile that she reserved only for me. I simply gave her a flat look and said nothing. I didn’t expect Master Cross to suddenly be in her face with a look of pure rage in his eyes.

“Insult me all you want Zira, but leave Shadow out of this. We all know you hate him, but I will not tolerate you bad mouthing him when you don’t even know him,” Master Cross said in a dangerous tone that I rarely heard. He then backed up and dragged me through the line.

“Come back here Cross, we are not finished talking,” Cherry shouted after us as we disappeared into the service area of the atrium. I looked back to see both mares looking furious, especially Zira.

They both huffed and strutted out of the atrium. They were spoiled brats, to be honest, but that’s what ya’ get when you spoil your children from day one. No training, no chores, all schooling done by the parents and private tutors.

We caught up with Keira, and made it to the food grabbing trays. Taking both mine and Master Cross’ lest he drop it in his still drunken haze, I picked up an assortment of veggies, fruits, and a sweet bun that I knew would perk him up after that encounter. After we had gotten all our food, I took our trays, as well as Keira’s as she was putting it on her back. She smiled at me, and we all made our way to our usual table in the back. Setting down our trays, we took our seats and began our meal.

“So Master, think you’re up for a round of sparring later this afternoon? I was really disappointed we didn’t have training this morning,” Keira said with a bit of a pout. She used this strategy a lot when she wanted something. Those eyes were next to impossible to say no to when they started to water.

Master Cross turned to look at Keira and answered, “Of course Keira, I could never say no to one of my best students. Shadow you will be joining us, I’ll not hear any excuses.” I shook my head but agreed all the same with a smile on my face. I always enjoyed our times together.

Out of nowhere, a stripped hoof came up and smacked Cross right in the back of the head, making his face land on his tray. Looking up to the owner of said hoof, I smiled and got up from my seat. Standing behind Master Cross was the one zebra who I cared for even more than Keira.

“Hi Mom,” I said as I wrapped my hooves around her neck. My mother, Zephira, the best alchemist in the stable, and instructor for all alchemy classes and experiments.

She had been a prodigy from a very young age, she taught me everything I know about potions, toxins, and concoctions. She was a strict instructor but never cruel, she always strived to help her students learn and help them succeed. And she always made time for me for extra training and instruction.

“Hi sweetheart,” Mom said as she hugged me tightly. She was also quite strong for a zebra who spent most of her time in a lab. She stayed in shape, and could even spar with me on occasion. Trust me, you don’t want to underestimate her.

“How was melee training this morning? Didn’t put Saber in the infirmary again I hope,” Mom said with a small smirk.

“Come on Mom, that only happened once and that was because he attacked me after Master Broadsword stopped the match,” I said with a smirk of my own. Mom knew about the stuff I went through more than anypony in the stable. In the younger days, she would always be at my bedside while I cried about being picked on or getting in trouble for something I didn’t do. She was always there for me, and I loved her so much.

“Zeph, what the hell was that for!” Cross yelled as he pulled his face out of the splattered fruits and veggies on his tray. He looked back at Mom with annoyance.

“I heard you got drunk and skipped out on your duties again. Cross you need to be responsible and think before you go and drink yourself silly,” Mom said with a look of disappointment.

Mom and Cross had been friends since they were young and knew each other well. Mom would always get onto him for his drinking habits, and he would shrug it off. Honestly, I found their interactions amusing, and so did Keira considering the giggles she was poorly trying to contain.

“I just got a bit carried away, ya’ didn’t have to hit me,” Cross rubbed the back of his head with a pout. Mom just sighed and sat down with her tray. We all started back into our food, as the chatter of the atrium went on in the background.

“Well you all are just as lively as ever. Cross, are you ever going to grow up?” A new voice came into our midst. Recognizing it immediately, I got up yet again to embrace one of the few ponies in the stable that I considered family.

“Auntie Text,” I said while wrapping the mare in a hug. Text Scroll, head of education and historical records here in Stable 100.

She was a white unicorn with a pink mane that had a red streak running through it. Her cutie mark was that of a scroll laid out with a quill writing into it. She wasn’t my aunt by blood, but she and my mother had known each other since they were fillies. I spent a lot of time with her when I was young, mom was usually busy in the research labs. Auntie Text always took me to the library and would show me all the history of the stable and the old world of Equestria. Ever wanted to know anything about the history of the country, just ask her.

“Shadow, good to see you, I hope training went well,” Auntie said while giving me a big hug. We let go, she set her tray next to Keira and sat down.

“Keira, I hope you have that paper done for class today. I don’t want to see another tardy paper because you spent too much time in the training halls again,” Auntie said while looking at Keira with a smile. Keira had been known to forget about writing assignments and wasn’t as enthusiastic about class as I was. I had tutored Keira on more than one occasion, but I was happy to do it.

“Yes Mrs. Scroll, I got it done last night, it’ll be on your desk after class today,” Keira said with a hint of a groan. She took a bite out of her snack cake, and that perked her right back up.

“Hey Text, I figured you would have taken your lunch into the library again. I mean you practically live in there,” Cross said while leaning over to look at Auntie. She threw a carrot at his nose, and that shut him up.

“Better be careful what you say Cross or she’ll make you sit through one of her lectures,” said a booming voice, accompanied by three sets of hooves coming towards us.

Two earth ponies and a unicorn made their way towards us, one was a large stallion with a dull grey coat and a black mane, another was a stallion around my age with a dull grey coat and a brown mane, and the unicorn mare had a white coat and a pink mane with a silver streak through it. The last of my little family had arrived.

“And what is so bad about my lectures Forge?” Auntie turned to the stallion with a look that spelled doom if he answered wrong. The stallion came up and kissed her before sitting down next to her.

“Nothing at all dear, just that I can’t see Cross making it very long considering you don’t tolerate sleeping in class,” The stallion said with a laugh.

This is Master Forge, the one who made Venta and Umbra for me, he’s also husband to Auntie Text and my uncle. He was always fun to be around, and his blacksmithing skills were unmatched throughout the stable. His cutie mark was of a blacksmiths forge with a fire burning bright inside. As he sat down, the other two ponies sat down across from us and gave us all warm smiles.

“Hey everyone, how’s the day treating you all?” The younger stallion said as he sat down.

This is my good friend Grindstone, who was learning under his dad to take his place in blacksmithing. He had talent and was also quite friendly. He and I would wrestle when we were kids, which I would win most of the time. Grind had a great sense of humor that he definitely got from his dad. His cutie mark of a grindstone sharpening a sword.

“Yes how was training this morning Shadow?” The younger mare said to me as she sat down.

Last but certainly not least is my good friend Silver Scroll, who is a bigger bookworm than I am. She has been studying to take Auntie’s job, and she was definitely suited for it. She and I were the top students in our age group, we would often compete to see who would get the better grade. So far we were even, but that could change. Her cutie mark was a textbook with the stable door on the cover.

These two were like siblings to me, same as Keira. Without them, I don’t know how I could have gotten through my childhood. Grind would always keep the bullies off me when he was around and taught me to stand up for myself without resorting to violence. Patience was something all blacksmiths learned and he taught me all he knew about patience. Silver was the one who was always there to help me when I needed a tutor and would spend time with me in the library. This group right here at the table were my family and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

“It was alright Silver, Saber was my opponent again, and it ended just like the other matches with him,” I said smiling over to her.

“He never learns, I don’t understand why he was picked as a Guardian, I certainly wouldn’t trust him with protecting anyone,” Silver said, then went for her carrots and broccoli.

“Yes, the day has been an interesting one Grind, but I can’t really complain,” Keira said looking over to Grindstone.

“Yeah just another day in Stable 100,” I said right before the most obnoxious voice in all creation rang out for all of us to hear. I groaned loudly as I turned to see a zebra mare walking towards us with a smile that honestly makes me cringe.

“Hey cutie, mind if I sit here?” Said the zebra mare. So I guess I should explain who this is.

This is Ivory Stripe, the daughter of Overmare Zira, and the biggest slut in the stable. And despite her mother’s hatred for me, she’d decided that we were meant for each other, and had been after me for over 5 years now. Luna give me strength…

“I do mind actually, Ivory, I already dealt with your mother earlier, I don’t want to do it again, so how about you go sit with your friends,” I said before taking a bite of the last of my carrots. Ivory, of course, didn’t listen as she came right in between me and Keira, pushing Keira into Auntie. This earned a glare from all three of us.

“Come now Shadow, if mom is giving you trouble, I can talk to her for you, as long as there is something in it for me,” Ivory said with a look towards me that made me sick to my stomach.

“Hey whore, pretty sure no one gave you permission to sit here, let alone push me out of my seat. Take a hike,” Keira said with a dangerous tone. Ivory turned around and glared at her, both mares glaring so hard you could almost see sparks in between them. Something had to be done, or Keira was gonna tear her apart.

“Ivory, I think it would be best if you left and found your mother,” Mom said from right behind Ivory which made her jump. Mom always had a talent for moving quietly. Ivory then got up and started to move away from the table before looking back at me.

“One day you’ll see it my way Shadow,” Ivory said right before she blew me a kiss.

The action made almost throw up in my mouth, and thankfully she was gone by the time I looked up again. That mare was a complete slut, and I had no idea why she was so interested in me. Keira and I had a few theories, one being that she was just doing it because her mom said not to. I personally didn’t care, she was absolutely not my type. She was the worst student in the class, skipped half the time and wasn’t punished for it. She had the IQ of a radroach, and a personality that screamed, “bitch.”

“I can’t believe the Overmare lets her act like that, if she ever takes over, the stable will be even worse off than it is now,” Auntie Text said after finishing her meal. She had a point, as much as I hated Zira, I’d keep her as Overmare rather than having Ivory take over.

“She’s the daughter of the Overmare, most of them end up like that. Cherry’s daughter is alright in my opinion,” Mom said as she finished her meal as well. Overmare Cherry Cobbler’s daughter is somepony I didn’t see around all that often, never talked to her either. Think her name is Strawberry Swirl or, something like that.

“Yes, but she is the least social pony of her age group,” Auntie Text said as she got up.

“Well I need to get to my classroom and prepare for the lesson today, children, I expect all four of you to be on time to class,” Auntie said looking at all four of us with a stern look before giving a smile and walking off to her classroom.

I was never late, well, except for those few times Keira and I lost track of time in the training halls. Auntie always gave us an earful afterward. We all finished up and took our trays to the recycle bin and made our way to the halls of the stable.

“I must go to my beginners class, hopefully they don’t blow a hole in the stable walls again,” Mom said giving me a quick hug. She then walked off and around the corner.

“Yeah I guess I should head to my beginners class, hopefully, they at least try today. Later kiddos,” Master Cross said as he waved to us over his shoulder heading in the opposite direction of mom.

“Well then, it’s back to the workshop for me, see you kids later,” Master Forge walked off towards the elevators to make his way to the workshops three levels down.

“Well we better go get our saddlebags and get ready for class today,” I said looking to my friends. They all nodded, and we made our way to our rooms separately to pick up our things. As I made my way to my room, I started to hear someone talking, but it was faint, coming from one of the closed doors in the hallway.

“..... the time is almost upon us, we shall arrive, and everything will change for the better. Make sure you have everything prepared, or there will be consequences,” A voice I had never heard said, muffled by the door. I quickly made my way down the hallway hearing the door to the room open and close. Something was going on, but I didn’t know what. Probably Granite and his buddies planning another attack on me or something.

I walked on through the stables’ halls, making my way to the space that housed me and my mom. We had our own living area like everyone else in the stable. The area consisted of a living room with a small kitchen, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms. Walking towards my room, I found my saddlebags near the desk on the opposite side of the room across from the bed. Slipping them on and making sure I had my paper that was due today, I walked out of the room and down the hallway.

“Perhaps I can kill some time in the library before class starts,” I said making my way to a turn towards the library.

Author's Note

Hey guys Hades here with another chapter.

Hope you all enjoy the chapter and I'll see you guys next time.

Edit: Hey guys, after editing this chapter, I found I made a mistake with Silver Scroll. She was meant to be a unicorn like her mother.