How the Tables Turn

Phoenix woke up on a new day. The piercing sting of his wounds was gone. Phoenix marveled at the thought of how quickly Ashes’ tender care hushed the pain that his sessions caused, and in more ways than one.

Phoenix didn’t have any nightmares, or, as usual, any infections. He went about his business as though nothing had happened. He decided breakfast would be best spent in the Citizens’ cafeteria, a place where citizens went for a more public breakfast. Why the Underground had it installed was a mystery to all, but announcements were often first made there, so it was normally a good idea to head there.

Phoenix had been eating a breakfast of the cafeteria special, a flavorless grey mush made from soggy grain, when the announcement began.

“Ponies of the Underground: May I have your attention, please?” Mistress’s voice rang out from an intercom controlled by the guards’ magic. “I have an announcement to make before the day begins. You have a newcomer!”

Phoenix did an amusing spit take with the water he was drinking. “A new arrival? Probably some poor sap who stumbled upon the place and got caught peeking. Poor rook, I hope they haven’t done anything to it yet.” All newcomers to the Underground were referred to as rooks, or rookies. They had yet to break under the pressure of the Underground.

Mistress resumed her speech, ringing out towards those in the cafeteria. “The newcomer will be revealed at dinner, so be sure to spread the news to all those you know. All Underground citizens are required to report to the cafeteria at 5 o’clock for her unveiling.”

“A mare? I hope she isn’t preggers. That’d just be cruel.” The worry was plainly expressed on Phoenix’s face, despite his casual tone. Suddenly he wasn’t quite so hungry.

Phoenix headed directly to Ashes’ house after breakfast, anxious about how the news would be taken. The announcement had continued on to reveal that the mare was a pegasus. She was one of the few who got to keep her wings, although they would be clipped. The addition to the news sprung up another worry in Phoenix’s mind. The wings were the most sensitive part of a pegasi’s body. That would clearly be taken advantage of when her number was drawn.

Phoenix arrived at Ashes’ house and knocked three times. Ashes answered the door.

“Phoenix. Back so soon?”

“There’s a newcomer.”

Ashes was speechless. Phoenix saw her eyes widen with shock. She beckoned him inside. Phoenix walked in and sat down in the living room. Ashes sat down across from her. These couches were never comfortable when delivering bad news. He continued to tell the story of Mistress’s announcement.

“She's a pegasus mare. She got to keep her wings, but they’re clipped.”

“Is she pregnant?”

“I don’t know.”

Silence greeted his words. He gave a few moments for the news to sink in before continuing. He noticed his marefriend's gaze shift downward slightly.

“We’re all to go to dinner at 5 o’clock for a meet and greet. Poor rook. I don’t know how she got here, but she won’t be happy, I can tell you that much.”

“Well, what can we do? She’s here with us now. I guess all we can do is accept her and help her out.”

“Maybe she can stay with one of us. I wouldn’t mind having a house guest, and I’m sure we can help her pull through.”

“Sounds like a plan. We’ll see what she says at the meet and greet.”

The rest of the day dragged on for Phoenix, taking as much time as possible. The prospect of a new friend to come live with them was too exciting for 5 o’clock to come quickly. Nonetheless, it came. Better late than never.

Phoenix and Ashes sat next to each other near the front so that they could get a clear view. They could hear whimpering from behind the curtain. The poor mare was scared out of her mind, not knowing what to expect when the curtain opened.

After dinner was served, a pair of unicorn guards came out, horns glowing. Mistress’s voice rang out clearly through the cafeteria once more as they prepared for the rookie’s unveiling.

“May I have your attention, please?” All of Mistress’s speeches began with those words somewhere. It was one of her more annoying habits. “I am pleased to present-“

‘Of course you are.’ Phoenix’s thoughts were bitter. Mistress loved new arrivals. They were another pony for her to snap like a twig.

“-your new arrival! Sadly, she did not have the grace to present us with her name, but perhaps some of you can change her mind. That is all, my ponies.” And with that, the curtains opened wide.

And everypony stared.

After all, how often is it you see a rainbow-colored mane in a place like this?