How the Tables Turn

Phoenix checked the clock. He had waited to do so until he was sure his retching had finished, and saw that it was 7:30. He had some time. He returned to his bathroom, showering quickly, washing away the smell of sweat and pride, both of which had come from five years of intense persistence. By now, he was ready to escape the Underground on his own several times over. He knew that. Ashes knew that. But he still had to wait until they had a plan.

In the meantime, he may as well not worry about it until the time came. He stepped out of his shower. He checked the mirror to make sure he at least didn’t look terrible, and left the house, returning to his own.

He had his hoof on the doorknob, preparing for the Tartarus that surely awaited him on the other side. He swung the door open, trotting into the house, and immediately locked eyes with Ashes.

Now, Ashes had beautiful eyes. They were golden as the sun that he never had the fortune to see. However, eyes that entrancing also had a few drawbacks.

Like how they reflect the mood their owner is feeling all the time.

Some ponies would say something that started out like such: ‘If looks could kill…’ Here, it's more accurate to say that her look came pretty damn close.

“You really couldn’t postpone? Now even for a little while? And it’s not like you can’t afford an extra day off; you do it every day.” It was scuffles like this that were living proof that they were a couple.

“If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backwards.”

“Great philosophy. It applies to friendships, too.”

“I said I’d make it up to them, and I will. In the meantime, are we planning anything tonight?”

Ashes let it go for now, but clearly displayed with her glare that he was not off the hook. “No, we’re not. It’s been a long day, and we have the drawing tomorrow. I’ve found it’s better to wait until you’re not under so much stress to start talking tactics.”

“Tactics. What are we, a hoofball team?”

They stared at each other for a moment. The silence lasted as long as it took for Rainbow to burst out laughing.

“BWAHAHAHAHA!!!! You argue like an old married couple! Hahaha… heh heh… heh…” Rainbow quickly stifled her laughter as all eyes were focused on her. She rubbed the back of her neck with a hoof, a soft blush spreading across her cheeks. “Sorry.”

Ashes rolled her eyes at the mare, stifling a chuckle herself. Phoenix, however, suddenly became painfully aware of the other three mares sitting in the room. “Sorry about that. I guess I really shouldn’t have taken off like that. It’s like I said, though. I’ll get you out of here, and since that’s actually preparing myself for…” He trailed off, letting his thought remain incomplete. Kicker asked the million bit question.

“Where did you go, anyway?”

“Ah. Well, first, I’d like to say that today makes an unbroken cycle of doing this every day –save for Sundays- for five years. I haven’t missed a day in all that time. That’s why it was so important that I left, even though I guess it could’ve waited a couple hours or so.

“As far as where I went, it was just next door. Ashes’ house. I have a small setup there that I can still do this with.

“As far as what I was doing? Exactly what I’ve been doing for the past five years. Physically preparing myself for the breakout.”

“Wait. So you left to work out?” He turned and met Sunbeam’s incredulous stare.

“Yes, I know, it could’ve waited, and it should’ve. That’s why I only went through stage one while I was there. Stage one is the workout. Trust me, you don’t want to know what stage two is. Anyway, now I’m staying here until you all decide to turn in for the night. When that happens, I’ll return to Ashes’ house, do a quick stage two, and go to sleep myself.”

The three rooks exchanged a puzzled glance.

“Don’t bother asking, I’m not telling you what stage two is.” After that, Phoenix sat down next to Ashes. The five of them continued to chat away into the night. Eventually, fatigue rolled around and sent the four mares to bed, leaving Phoenix to return to Ashes’ house by himself. He shut the door behind him and trotted back into Ashes’ bedroom. The bed was still pushed off to the side. He lifted away a section of carpet, revealing a trapdoor. He opened it.

Underneath were a red plastic sheet and a small metal safe, the size of a briefcase. He removed them both and laid the plastic sheet out, covering and protecting the carpet he stood upon. He took a deep breath and opened the safe.

“Stage two. Resistance training.”