"Of all the worst things that could happen, this is the! Worst! Possible! Thing!"

Since leaving the safe–albeit cruel and discriminatory–stable I have experience some disturbing things.  Two ponies pulped by raiders orphaning their daughter, my nightmares, the smell and look of myself while under radiation poisoning, and more recently the slaves heads exploding all over me.  Despite all that I have been able to choke down at least a few bites of the surprisingly tasty 200 year old food.  That being said, I nearly puked on Bugz when he offered me some cooked meat from the lake monster that had nearly killed me and demolished our lake house shelter.

“No really, I’m not hungry. Nearly dieing took a of out of me.” I lied.

“Ok, thuite yourthelthe.” He said walking back over to his bags and taking his slice into his mouth in one bite.

“Ponies ain’t meant ta eat meat, pa used ta say.” Nicky solemly between bites, “Ma still made us eat it some nights, nothin’ else out the’e ta eat an we didn’t wanna starve.”

Ollie rummaged through her bag and took out a box of apple bombs and handed them to me, “I’m not keen on meat either dearie, but that is no reason not to eat, it’ll keep your strength up.”

“Take a look here at this! What a lucky find.” came the muffled voice of Bucky from inside the monster’s stomach.

“Hey, Buckster, that be mine.” The equally muffled voice of Gambados responded.

“No, you get first cut of the meat to sell, we were going to share any valuables in the stomach. Also, seeing as it is locked only Clash is likely to open it.  Not to mention it was her quick thinking that slayed the beast.” Bucky retorted.

“Miss Glowey, get over here!” Gambados said, no longer muffled as he now hovered above the creature greenish brown icorr glazing his wings and body.

I set the box of apple bombs down and trotted to the other side of the monster to where the stomach has been cut open with the help of Ollie’s SSE.  The smell made me lose my appetite for real.  The same greenish brown icorr that was all over Gambados, was all over Bucky and the ground.  Behind both winged companions were a pile of ammo crates, medical boxes, weapons, and suites of armor–some still on the skeletons of ponies and other creatures that had once worn them.  Between the 2 was a small black box decorated with yellow lines.  In the center of the box lid was the picture of a black, green, and purple lightning bolt extending from a cloud with a set of wings.  Also it was locked–my specialty.

“What is it?” I asked, plugging my nose with a hoof to block the rancid smell.

“We don’t know, could be a weapon or specialty drugs, or something useless.” Gambados replied.

“It has the MOA logo on it and it is locked, why would it be useless?” Bucky asked incredulously, “And you're in luck, MOA usually locks their stuff with cloud locks, but this monster’s fluids appear to solidify clouds.”

“Hmm, might bottle some of it.  Would help looting MOA hubs and enclave outposts for non pegasi, griffon, and hippogryph folks. Could fetch a few bottle caps” Gambados pondered.

In a moment I darted back to my bags to get my screwdriver and bobby pins and got to work–attempting to ignore the smell.  The lock was almost as hard as the slave collars, but at least it wouldn’t cause the deaths of 4 innocents–at least I hoped it wouldn’t.  I broke 2 bobby pins, but I eventually got the box open.  Inside was one beam pistol–not unlike the one I picked up back at Nicky’s parents caravan cart–except it was jet black, with yellow trim like the box it came in and it had an engraved MOA symbol on each side of it. There was also some ammo and a note tucked in the box.  I took out the note and read it to myself:

Dear Spitfire,

I understand that you don’t wish to be under my command.  You have been a wonderbolt for as long as I can remember.  Even as your superior officer I still look up to you and respect you, that is why I want you to be my second in command for the Shadowbolts.  Trust me it will be so awesome to have you on the team.  Please accept this beam pistol whether or not you chose to accept.  I had Twilight make it specially for you. It has a yellow diamond focusing crystal.  First of its kind to be used that way according to Twi.  It has some interesting abilities that will be effective in combat.  See you first thing in the morning at Neighvaro if your interested.

Your friend,

Rainbow Dash

Ministry Mare of the Ministry of Awesome

I returned the note to the box and balanced the box on my back as I trotted back to my saddle bags.  Then we all settled in for the night.

***  ***  ***

I rolled over and ran my hoof down my face.  I hadn’t had insomnia like this in a while, not since the night I left the stable–then I remembered that was only a few days ago.  Funny it felt much longer.   I sat up and looked around the room.  I noted Ollie, Bugz, and Gambados sleeping in various places in the room.  

It must be Bucky’s turn to keep watch, I thought, but where was Nicky?

The faint sound of sobbing coming from the house’s stairwell answered my question.  Not wanting to be unarmed, I put Spitfire’s beam pistol in my leg holster and got up to go talk with Nicky again.  I noted that my pipbuck called the beam pistol “Blazing Sunset.”

As neared the stairs I could hear her sobs more clearly.

“Pa, ma, it is all mah fault.” she sobbed, “Ya always told me ta only take what we need an’ never ta give inta tempation. I failed ya an now yer dead.”

“Nicky?” I asked making myself known.

“Oh, Clash.” she said surprised and wiped her face with a hoof, “I though everypony was asleep.”

“I guess nearly drowning was rest enough for me.” I joked, but at the tears welling up in Nicky’s eyes I facehoofed, “Oh, no, I didn’t mean it like that.  I meant I can’t sleep.”

“Thank ya fer tryin’, but ah know it was mah stupid curse that made that monster attack an’ I almost lost another pony I hold dear.” Nicky said sniffling.

“If it makes you feel better, the cured statue is at the bottom of the lake.” I said comfortingly, “I tried to use it as a weapon.”

“Won’t remove the curse.” She wailed, “An’ losin’ it is mo’e evdence of the curse, Marker’ll be even mo’e angry knowin’ we lost his property.”

Without a word I embraced Nicky in a hug.

***  ***  ***

We got up early and begun heading to a settlement known as Clockwork that is based out of an old clock factory.  It was Gambados’s next stop on his trade route.  It was about a day's trot from the–now destroyed–lake house.  Before leaving I learned the meaning of Gambados’s cutie mark when he loaded 4 overstuffed saddlebags on his back and was still able to fly a few feet off the ground as we walked.

As we neared the settlement Bugz had to disguise himself as Archer.  Though he looked the same as when I’d first met him his coat was a lighter shade of blue.

I guess as long as it looks mostly the same it doesn’t matter, I thought admiring Bugz’s disguise.

Clockwork being a simple factory was an understatment.  The large factory building stood at the center looming over a large courtyard.  The building was made of grey stone with a equally large sign mounted on top.  Over time some of the letters in the sign had fallen so all it said was “T run Clockwork F ry.” The “o” in “Clock” was a giant clock that somehow still worked.  I looked at my pipbuck and noted that it was 5:00pm.  I looked back at the Clockwork clock and saw that it said 5:22pm–22 minutes fast.  In the factory courtyard there was a marketplace, not unlike the one that used to occupy the Chariot ballroom, though I wasn’t sure if this one was run by the finders.  Along the south wall of the courtyard was a smaller building that had been turned into an inn.  The gates to courtyard were made of rusty scrap metal attached to an iron fence.  When we got closer we were stopped by one of the guards in heavy metal power armor.

“Excuse me, no radioactive ghouls in the settlement please.” One guard said gruffly.

I groaned, “I’m not a ghoul, whatever that is.  Please just let us in.”

The guard held up a device and waved it over my head.  A slight clicking noise indicated it was a giger counter.  The second guard removed his helmet to reveal a charcoal black coat and grey mane.  His amber eyes were wide with shock.

“Tin, She can go in, radioactive or not.” he said.

The geiger counter guard turned to the other, “Scap, I’m just looking out for the safety of the settlement, as you should be doing.” He said annoyed.

“Tin, it is Crystalline, from the radio.  The glowing pony who dared to take on Marker.”  The second guard–Scrap–said.

I blushed at the mention of the name given to me by the radio DJ.  At that the first guard–Tin–opened his helmet revealing his grey coat and brown mane.  His blue eyes scanned me up and down–which made me rather uncomfortable.

“My mistake Crystaline, you may enter.” Tin said apologetically, “You’re rads were not at a harmful level anyways, may have just been the ambient radiation.”

Tin then flipped a switch and the 200 year old mechanism begun opening the gate with many cringe worthy screeches of metal rubbing against metal. Once the gate was opened we all walked in.

“Welcome to Clockwork, Crystalline. I hope you enjoy your stay.” Scrap called after me before the gate begun to close.

“My name is Clash!” I shouted back, but the closing gate drowned out my voice.

Once through the gate Gambados bid us a farewell as he went off to set up shop in the market.  The rest of us walked over to the inn to reserve a room for the night.  Having not eaten since before leaving Detrot–due to monster stomach smell ridding me of my appetite–I sat on the ground outside the Timer inn with Nicky and Bugz and began shoveling hoof fulls of apple bombs into my mouth while Bucky and Ollie got us a room.  The letters that named it were the same large lettering from the factory’s sign and I was willing to bet they were scavenged from the ground when the settlement was founded.

We hadn’t been sitting long when a pink maned, brown coated, earth pony stallion wearing a labcoat and glasses darted up to me from the passing crowd.

“Oh, uh, miss,” he stammered adjusting his glasses, “you wouldn’t happen, um, to be Crystaline, would you? Tin, uh, the guard notified me of your arrival.”

“Say she was?” Bugz disguised as Archer said getting up which caused the stallion to shrink back slightly..

“Well, um, you see,” The pony stammered before taking a shaky breath, “I’m Second, um, I’m a scientist.  I, uh, am tasked with reactivating, um, the factory’s machines and trying to see if they can be repurposed in the, uh, community.”

“Well, I could help repairing the machines.” I said thinking outloud to myself, “Though I’d rather not do it for free.”

“Oh no, that, uh, isn’t what I have come asking for,” he paused thinking, “Though, uh, talk to my brother Minute to, um, see if repairs are needed, but I, uh, need you to enter somewhere.”

“Enter where?” I asked slipping the mostly empty apple cereal box into my saddle bag.

“Well, um, records we recovered in, um, uh, the factory’s computer indicates a stable beneath it.” Second stated nervously, “We located the, uh, entrance, but it could be dangerous.  I’ve heard of the things that, um, happen in stables.  Many not safe.”

Second’s eyes darted around nervously and he took another shaky breath before pulling out an inhaler labeled “Dash” and taking a puff of it.  After he appeared to relax a bit.

“Well, uh, I, um, we–my brothers Hour, Minute, and I–were wondering if, uh, you’d go in and see if the, uh, technology could be, um, repurposed?  See if it is safe?” Second asked meekly.

I looked to Bugz, he nodded.  I looked at Nicky, she nodded.

“Ok, we’ll do it, though we do have other friends who are inside.” I explained motioning to the inn, “They’ll need to know of our whereabouts.” I answered.

“I’ll, um, have a message sent to them.  The lab is this way, um, and this could prove to be beneficial to Clockwork. We, uh, must begin at once.” Second replied and began trotting towards the factory followed by Nicky, Bugz, and I.

***  ***  ***

“The factory was, uh, a clock making factory before the war.” Second explained as he used a key card to enter a restricted part of the factory, “Not sure why so many clocks were, um, needed in old equestria.”

He used his keycard again to open another door.

“Maybe they needed to tell time.” Bugz mused.

“Yes, um, that would be logical.” Second said blushing, “After the war began, part of the factory was, um, taken over by MAS scientists. Though, um, one of the owners, uh, Dr. Clockwork was also an, um, MAS scientist as well as a, uh, business pony.”

We entered a hallway full of decrepit lab stations.

“Any Idea why the MAS needed this place?” I asked as we passed through another door requiring Second’s key card that lead to a stairwell down to the basement.

“Well, Hour and Minute have been trying to decrypt, um, the files.  The most we know is, um, something called Project: Infinity was, uh, researched here.”

“What was Project: Finity?” Nicky chimed in.

“That is, um, unfortunately still encrypted.” Second said opening a double door into a large room.

Two other scientist both with brown coats like Second’s, but one had a red mane and the other had a purple mane.  The one with the red mane was the only unicorn in the duo.  They were both also wearing labcoats. There was a large terminal station powered by 2 crude power generators along one wall.  Around the room were bits and pieces of various types of tech.  In the distance I could hear the screeching sound of rusty machinery working on unknown tasks.  Upon entering the red maned scientist unicorn perked up and trotted over to us.

“Hello, Crystalline.” He said stretching a hoof out in greeting, “I am Hour, the head researcher here, and the oldest time brother.”

“My name is Clash Coat, not Crystalline.” I said forcefully, “I’m not a fan of that DJ’s nickname.”

“Ah, my apologies Clash.  Nice to meet you.” Hour said then motioned to the pony with the purple mane, “That is Minute, the middle brother, and you’ve met the youngest, Second.”

“Nice to meet you all. This is Archer and Nicky.” I said shaking Hour’s hoof.

“So, Second here says you need us to access a stable and see if it is safe?” Bugz asked.

“Ah, well, straight to the point. This way.” Hour said trotting to a space on the far wall.

We followed him there.  Hour then used his keycard to reveal a hidden terminal.  He then entered a code.  When he was done the wall slid open revealing an elevator door.

“This elevator will lead to the stable.” Hour explained.

“Is there any info on the stable? The number? The social experiment?” Bugz asked.

So other stables are as messed up as mine, if not more? I thought, Good to know.

“We have been unable to discern those facts.” Minute interjected, “Though what we do know is it was related to Project: Infinity–somehow.”

“Which the Project is still encrypted.” I said facehoofing.

“Well, um, what we do know is, um, the layout of the stable.” Second said, “We know the, um, locations of possible technology we could, uh, use or repurpose.”

“Before we go, Second said you could send a message to our other friends.” I said.

“Yes, I’ll deliver the message myself.” Hour said, “Second, accompany Clash and her friends into the stable so you can get a first hoof look at the tech.”

“If there is any danger, Clash, Archer, Nicky, bring Second back alive.” Minute said worried.

“I uh, I, um.” I said sounding like the time brother in question.

“She will, so will I.” Bugz answered for me, “And it doesn’t look it, but Little Nicky here is a master of explosives, Second is in good hooves.”

“I, uh, I feel safer knowing you, um , have my back.” Second interjected.

“Thank you Crysta–I mean–Thank you Clash, keep him safe.” Minute said before returning to his work.

At that Bugz, Nicky, Second and I entered the the elevator.   Hour punched in another code and the door closed.  The elevator began to lower further into the ground.  A blues static filled the room shorting out my pipbuck’s spell matrix and knocking us out cold.

***  ***  ***

I came to in an unknown location.  Not that I’m unfamiliar with locations in a stable, but because I was blindfolded.  I tried to lift my hooves to remove the blindfold only to discover 2 very terrifying facts: My hooves were cuffed to the side of the bed I was lying on and my pipbuck was no longer on my hoof.

“Nicky, you there?” I rasped, surprisingly parched.

“Clash!” She squeaked, “Mah hooves are bound an’ ah can’t see!”

“Me too.” Second’s voice answered as well.

“Just another effect of are curse.” Nicky whined, beginning to sob.

“Nicky, this is just a string of bad luck, there is no such thing as curses. Bugz, you there?” I asked.

“Uh, who is Bugz?” Second answered.

“Your changeling infiltrator isn’t with you.” Came a voice somewhere in the room, “that insectoid freak is in our holding cell.  It will be squashed when we are done interrogating you 3.”

“Archer was, um, a changeling?” Second asked shocked by the news, “And you knew?”

“It is a long story Sec, we survive this I’ll have Bugz explain to you personally.” I said trying to sound positive for the skittish scientist.

“Enough talking!” the voice bellowed, “7 days since we were called here and the bombs fell, then you show up? Who sent you? The Zebras? Or, based on your insect friend, was it Queen Crysalis who sent you?”

“We were sent by Second and his brothers.” I said flatly, “Our changeling is not related to a Queen Chrysalis.”

“I, uh, had no, um, idea they were traveling with a changeling.” Second interrupted on the verge of tears.

“And the bombs didn’t fall 7 days ago,” I went on, “they fell 200 years ago.”

“Lies!” spat the voice angrily and I felt the butt of a gun hit me across the face, “Tell me who sent you or the pink maned cry baby dies!”

“P-please don’t kill me!” Second pleaded.

“That is enough Captain Lock,” came a female voice, “Remove their blindfolds and cuffs.”

“But Overmare, these are enemy infiltrators.” Captain Lock protested.

“And be a dear and fetch their changeling from the holding cell, one changeling isn’t an invasion and they trust it, so shall we.”

“But Overmare.” Captain Lock protested again.

“That is a direct order Captain.” The Overmare said threateningly.

“Yes Overmare.” Captain Lock said defeated.

In a moment the blindfold and cuff were removed revealing that we were laying in beds in the infirmary. Everything was bright, white, and clean.  It was as if it has recently been installed.  It reminded me the Desirable amenities of Stable 13, but if possible cleaner.

Once my vision focused I could see the other ponies in the room.  To my left were Second and Nicky.   The overmare was the only other stable pony in the room.  She was a ginger coated unicorn mare with a dark red, wavy mane and green eyes.  She registered as desirable in my mind and I had to mentally slap myself since any actual face slapping would paint me as insane to the Overmare.  I guessed Captain Lock had already left to get Bugz, though the silhouette of a stable security pony was standing outside the door.

“Sorry about Lock, I’m the Overmare of Stable Infinity.” The Overmare said.

“I’m Clash Coat.” I said, then motioned to the other 2 ponies in the room, “This is Second and Nicky.  The changeling is known as Bugz.”

“I see,” The Overmare said, “Clash Coat–What an interesting name for a Crystal Pony.”

“I actually don’t know if I’m a Crystal Pony, it is one of the many things I’m trying to find out out in the Wasteland.” I said solemnly.

“Well, from your appearance, I’d say you are at least part Crystal Pony.” She said, “I’ve studied pony genetics, I was a scientist before I was Overmare.  Anyways, once Lock brings you Bugz, meet me in my office.”

“Can we, um, have our, uh, stuff back, perhaps.” Second asked, putting on this glasses.

“Or at least can I have my pipbuck back? My Leg feels naked.” I added.

“In time, yes, we will give you back your stuff.  As for your pipbuck, I’ll have our technicians bring it to you, it was in poor shape, they could also fix it if you want.” The Overmare answered.

“I just want it back now” I said as she left.

***  ***  ***

Captain Lock brought Bugz up to the infirmary and the pipbuck technician reattached my pipbuck.  Then we all headed to the Overmare’s office.  The whole way there we got strange looks from the stable dwellers as we passed.  I saw a few stable ponies in regular stable barding.  It looked like normal barding, but where there is normally a yellow number the barding had a golden sideways 8.

I knocked on the door to the office and a moment later it opened and The Overmare waved us in so we all entered and the door closed behind us.  

“By now you probably curious why I let you go and gave you free reign–for the most part–around the stable.  I even freed a Changeling, which is unheard of after their invasion of Canterlot.” She said to us tapping a hoof on her chin.

“Um, y-yes, actually miss Overmare.  I, uh, personally thought we were gonna d-die.” Second said nervously.”

“Well, I was listening in on your interrogation.  You mentioned a discrepancy in time.  We have only been here for a week, yet you claim it has been 200 or more years.  A fact confirmed by you pipbuck’s internal calendar.” The Overmare said.

I raised a hoof to say something, but she went on.

“You can’t trick a Stable-Tech device–at least not easily.” She went on.

“Why’s a time decreepansy gotta do with anythin’” Nicky asked.

She then opened the safe and took out an audio recording tape.

“Curious little filly you got there, Clash.” she said smiling at Nicky and passing the tape to me, “It has to do with this.”

I scanned the recording into my pipbuck and hit play.

“Hello,” a gruff sounding mare began, “My name is Scoota–”

The recording cut off to a few moments of static.

“This is Dr. Clockwork of the Ministry of Arcane Science.” A stallion’s voice continued where the mare’s had stopped, “I am also the co-owner of Time Turner Clockwork Company, maker of the finest watches and clocks in all of Equestria.  I have commandeered this stable from Stable-Tech in the name of my own experiment since the MAS rejected my proposal.  Neither Stable-Tech, nor Ministry Mare Twilight Stick-up-her-flank know about it.  I intend to create a time capsule of those I see fit inside my stable.  I will do so through the use of a time dilation talisman I’ve developed as part of Project: Infinity.  It will slow the the time inside the stable so a day in the stable should be equivalent of 28 or so years in the world outside.”

Dr. Clockwork paused momentarily and the recording went back to static.

“Infinity.” Dr. Clockwork went on, “Seems a fitting new designation for my stable.  Though I won’t mess with whomever Stable-Tech assigns as Overmare, I will expect to have the reins given over to me upon arrival.  That is the true meaning of this message.  Only I will be able to end the dilation bubble when I believe it is time, it is only right for me to be Overstallion of Infinity. Resist and you will be dealt with.  Here's to a brighter future.”

It was a while after the recording had finished before anypony spoke, but finally The Overmare broke the ice.

“Dr. Clockwork never made it to the stable.” She said solemnly before returning the tape to the safe, “Damned old fool! He was power hungry and cocky.  Now we are all stuck down here for the rest of our time all because Dr. Clockwork selfishly wanted his experiment to be implemented over Stable-Tech’s.”

Tears streamed down the Overmare’s face, “When the elevator opened I hoped it was Clockwork so he could free us from our infinite days, but then it was you 4 and you confirmed that time really moved slower down here.”

It was then that I became aware of the fact that all my companion's eyes were on me.

“What? Something in my teeth?” I attempted to joke.

“Well, you, uh, are your friend’s leader.” Second whispered in my ear.

“Since when am I the leader?” I exclaimed.

“Since ya rescued me from Marker’s ambrush.” Nicky said.

“I thollow Thucky, and he theemth tho thollow your thead thinth the Tsariot.” Bugz chimed in.

“I, uh, just kind of assumed, um due to the, uh, radio broadcasts.” Second interjected meekly.

“Um,” I mused at a loss for words, “well, the elevator still works, can we leave that way?”

“There is no elevator controls down here, and no line to the surface for your friends.” The Overmare explained, “Though after you came down we made it so it couldn’t come go back up.  No more ponies will get trapped down here. We can climb elevator shaft when we stop the time dilation.”

“Good, at least the rest of the party won’t get stranded down here with us.” I said and then remembered what the recording said, “Overmare, how long have we been down here?”

“About a day, according to our clocks.” she said wiping away her tears.

I fell to my haunches.

That means roughly 28 years had passed in the wasteland, I thought horrified.

“Well, uh, I could, um, take a look at the tech, uh, Dr. Clockwork outfitted this stable with to see, um, about ending the dilation bubble.  Are there other, um, scientists in this stable in the field of Arcane, uh, sciences?” Second asked.

“Yes, many of the MAS scientist working under Clockwork are in the stable.” The Overmare said forcing a smile, “But time dilation was Clockwork’s specialty.  Nopony else could match his expertise–at least nopony still alive.”

The overmare hit a switch and the door opened.  She and Second left to gather the scientists.

“Maybe mah knowledge of explosives could help’em.” She said forcing a smile before following after the Overmare and Second.

“Maybe.” I whispered to nopony, barely audible.

“We can geth through thith Clath.” Bugz said before leaving me alone in the Overmare’s office.

***  ***  ***

A month.  We had been here for a month.  Still trapped in Stable Infinity and still no way out.  Decades of time has passed in the wasteland.  Each day I became more and more depressed.  Each day the group of scientists Second had assembled got no closer to a solution.  And slowly the crystalline glow of my coat faded.

We had been given the quarters originally intended for the arrogant Dr. Clockwork since it was the only living arrangements left.  By the 3rd week of our stay, I barely wanted to leave my bed.

“Clash?” The Overmare’s voice came from the door, “It isn’t healthy to sit around in bed all day.  Second is working hard to get all of us back to the relative present.  And Nicky is proving to be very helpful.  She is a quick learner, had she been born before the war she’d be a prodigy.”

“Go away.” I groaned.

“Ok, I see you want to be left alone, but remember when you first came to us, you weren’t sure if you were a crystal pony?”  She asked politely, “Well, I could run a genetics test if you want, but you have to leave Clockwork’s quarters.”

I wanted to continue to ignore her, shut out the world and wallow in whatever ponies were supposed to wallow in.

“Oh come now, Clash, isn’t that the mystery you’ve been wanting to solve since day one?” a small dragonaquus said inside my head, “Why the undesirable outcast from the unlucky stable was graced with such an off ability?”

I hated to admit it, but the voice was right, I still wanted to know the true cause of my shimmering coat even if I was trapped Stable infinity for the rest of my life.  

Wait, a second,  I though slightly alarmed, where did that voice come from?  I got rid of the statuette!

I shook my head and refocused, “Fine.” I finally said and rolled out of bed.

***  ***  ***

The Genetics lab was the smallest lab in the stable.  We passed a few bigger ones on the way.  I figured genetics wasn’t a popular science in this stable.  The lab had a bunch of sophisticated instruments–none of which I knew the purpose of nor did I think I would understand if I got an explanation.  Other than that the lab was quite empty aside from a few lab tables and some scattered chairs.  In the back there was a small store room and by the door was a large window into the hall.  It was a pretty standard lab if I ever saw one–which I hadn’t really, but it at least looked rather sciencey.

“Ok, I’ll just need a DNA sample.”  The Overmare said as I felt a slight pinch in my shoulder signifying the removal of coat hairs, “and now we wait for the sequencing.”

“How long will it take?” I asked glancing around the nearly pristine, white genetics lab.

“Not long.” She said awkwardly then whistling a tune I recognized as a pre-war song about cleaning up winter.

Suddenly the room began shaking violently.  The Overmare ducked under a lab table and forcibly dragged me under too.  The glass window by the door shattered into millions of tiny shards that lightly peppered the floor.  some of the equipment fell off their tables and crashed to the floor.  The lights became blindingly bright and then one by one the bulbs popped.  Then as quickly as the shaking began it stopped.  Then the lab’s fire suppression system kicked on and the room began to be doused in water as sprinklers on the cieling released their load.

“Sweet Celestia’s marehood, what was that?” I asked over the quiet roar of the sprinkler system.

“I’m not sure.” The overmare answered me with a look of shock on her face.

“Ok, well that ride sure was bumpier than ah thought.” a somewhat familiar sounding mare’s voice said from the storage closet, “Oh and it is dark, mustta blown a fuse.  Half Past, Que Hora, did it work? Wait, if it worked then they wouldn’t be able ta answer.  Is anypony out there?  Ah can’t find the door.”

The Overmare’s horn lit up and opened the door to the closet and out stepped a slightly charred mare.  She had a red coat and a caramel mane.  Her eyes were a bright yellow color.  she wore a scorched Stable Infinity barding that looked older than the ones worn by everypony else.  It was a more washed out blue and the golden sideways 8 was more yellow than gold–closer to that of a normal stable’s barding.  Her cutie mark was a clock with a wrench and a screw driver as hands.  She registered as desirable in my mind–in more ways than one.  Though she looked vaguely familiar for some reason.

“Oh good, Clashie, yer here.  That mean’s it worked and ah didn’t overshoot the date.” she said catching me off guard by knowing my name, “Suck it Buzzy, ah knew my calculations were correct!”

The Overmare and I just stared blankly at her until the sprinkler system switched off.

“Oh, right, ah probably should explain.” she said with a giggle, “Ah’m Nicky, from 20 years in the future.  Well 20 years Infinty time.”

The next thing I knew I was taking a facefull of glass shards and water as I fainted from shock.

***  ***  ***

Footnotes:

Clash Coat: Level up

New Perk added: Leader by Default–Your friends and companions all look to you as a leader even if you lack the qualifications.  It is time to step up and take charge.  +2 to strength and endurance and unique dialogue options are available with the leaders of the factions you have neutral or positive standing with.

Nicky: Level up

New Perk added: Prodigy–You have a knack for science and it is now an additional tagged skill.  You also gain +2 to intelligence because you are such a genius.

Ollie Factory: Error Unknown

Bucky: Error Unknown

Bugz: 50% to next level

Temporary companion: Second – Level 5

New Quest:

Some Infinities are Bigger than Other Infinities – Find a way to escape Stable Infinity and get back to your relative present.

Quest Updated:

Ballad of a Crystal Pony – √ Look for any information in the wasteland on the mysterious glowing ability you have.

                               √ Find out what that pink mare knows about your mysterious glowing power.

                               View Ollie's Black Opal.

                   seek out the Collector in Applewood.

                               (Optional) Learn if you are a crystal pony by taking a DNA test.

Faction Status:

Stable 13 – Vilified

Marker’s Gang – Hated

The Chariot Hotel – N/A disbanded

Finders (West Branch) – Liked

Gun Runners – Liked

Clockwork – Liked

Stable Infinity – Neutral