Running.

I couldn't stop now. I had to keep on going.

Running through the dense forest, I could hear the shouts of ponies, and the barking of dogs.

I couldn't let them capture me.

I ran through a stream in an attempt to hide my scent, however, that wasn't going to help me escape from my predicament. I had to find a clearing so I can really ditch these suckers, but then I'd have to deal with the pegasi behind me.

Due to daydreaming and not paying any attention to what's in front of me, I didn't notice the root that caught my hoof, causing me to trip and roll down a hill into yet another stream.

If  I wasn't wet, cold, and in serious pain before, I was now.

The sounds of my perseurs grew louder. I couldn't stay here for long.

Quickly getting up, I continued on, stumbling on twigs, rocks, and the occasional tree stump.

Eventually though, I arrived at a clearing. It seemed that fate was in my favor.

Extending my wings, I took off into the night sky. I flapped my wings as hard as I could, just so could get some distance between my perseurs and I. I soared through the sky, feeling as if I were on top of the world.

Feeling free.

Sadly though, that feeling came to an end.

Looking around, I noticed that I was slowly being pulled back down to the ground, right in the clutches of my perseurs. I flapped my wings harder, and harder, but it was all to no avail.

I was done for.

I felt a bullet shooting through my wing, and another in my back. I immediately fell from the sky and landed hard. Fate had stabbed me in the back, literally!

Suddenly, my perseurs surrounded me, all dressed in black armored barding. All of their faces were covered with a scarfs from the eyes down. Each one of them held rifles in their hooves all pointed at me.

One of them removed their scarf, revealing his face. I couldn't believe who it was.

"Leaving so soon dear? We we're just getting started," he said. I didn't say a word. I was still in shock.

"Pity. Do you know what we do to ponies who think they can try to escape from us?"

I shook my head.

"Well then, you're about to find out," he replied while aiming his gun at my forehead.

Finally, he pulled the trigger.

•••

I furiously got up, waking from my slumber.

Taking in my surroundings, I realized I was in a small room. The moon light leaked through from windows in the ceiling, illuminating the small space. Lying back down, I wept softly as I went back to sleep.

•••

In a hidden facility, out in literally the middle of nowhere, there is a place called The Castle. This is where the group of ponies has hidden all these centuries. This is where millions of alicorns were created and killed, some on the same day. This is where I was created, and this place is where I'm probably going to die, and you have no idea how long I've been waiting for that day.

To be honest with you, you may think this place is like Tartarus, but in my opinion, I think it’s better, because I don't see how Tartarus can be worse than this place! This is pretty much my life, and right now, my life stinks.

But if there's one thing that I do enjoy, it’s my birthday, because who doesn't like a birthday?

I think this year is going to be different! Most years I just get a cupcake with a candle on it, and some of the ponies here wishing me a happy birthday, but this year had to be different! I had just turned sixteen today, and from what I read in some the books in the library, it was important for young mare like me who turn sixteen. Most would have a "Sweet sixteen", but for me, well, that’s pretty much out the window.

I'm not really asking for a whole lot. I just hope I actually get something much more than a cupcake, but still, judging how awful this place is, and how some of these ponies treat me, I'm just lucky I get a cupcake, rather than nothing at all, so we'll just wait and see.

•••

It was the early morning hours, and I was about to do the first thing I do everyday; running. Every morning, I would gallop several miles a day, which is more than what a normal athletic pony would do, and every day; I get faster and stronger. The reason why was because my body was originally, and genetically five times stronger than an average pony.

Now, I had doubled that number. It's probably because of all the magic I had inside of me, or my strong muscles that made up the weakness of my thin, fragile bones.

If you think I look like some muscular gal, well thankfully, I'm not. In fact, without my horn and wings, my body would look just like an average pony. My size is not too tall, short, fat, or thin. I'm just an average size freak with a horn and wings.

•••

Throughout the day, I had completed my daily routine, but after my little weekly dissection, I'm always given a two hour break for all my hard work, and during that time, I would go to The Castle library. That's where I have been educating myself all these years. After figuring out how to read, with the help of of an old friend, I was able to learn how to write, do math problems, science, and all sorts of stuff!

There is one subject that has interested me the most, and that’s the history books. It was there that I learned from Equestria's early civilizations, to some of the more modern conflicts.

There is one book that I most certainly like, and it's one I found hidden within the library, and that was The Equestrian Myths and Legends.

The cover was brown with a golden unicorn in the center. It was from there that I learned about The Great Goddesses, as well as other things the the other history books didn't mention, but there was something that really surprised me about the book.

For one: some of the information in it was hoof written, and two: at the end of the book, it would actually start talking about the history of The Castle, it's previous members, and most of all, the list of all the alicorn creations. As I scrolled down the list, I finally saw my test name: Subject 1254-375B.

Yea, I know, horrible name, I get it, but what do you expect from a lab rat?

As I was saying, it made me wonder why they were trying to create a perfect alicorn.

Luckily, it didn't take long for me to find the answer I was looking for, considering I had to continue reading what the book said, which I did.

        However, it didn't really go into full detail. The only thing it said at the end was that they mysteriously disappeared one day. It wasn't much to go on, but it was all that I had.

Ever since then, I've been reading that book every day, mostly reading about the part about The Four Goddesses, which is exactly what I’m doing right now.

Suddenly, I heard the doorknob turning. I managed to hide the book before whoever was on the other side of the door could catch me.

Thankfully, it was only Lightning.

He was probably the only semi-kind pony here. Despite him being involved in my suffering, he still showed more mercy than any of the other ponies here. To me, he was ALMOST like a father to me. He's the one who sends me a cupcake every year on my birthday, which is probably why he's here. He taught me how to read, and would always cheer me on during my sessions. Another thing he did that was special was that he let me choose a new, proper name for myself.

It was a bit hard trying to think of a new name for myself. According to that special myth book, the ponies long ago had some unique names that were based off of their special talents, which surprisingly still continues today. So after a while of thinking, I decided what my new name would be.

"Happy birthday Angel!"

Okay, maybe Angel is a bit cheesy, but I kinda liked it for two reasons. For one: I almost look like The Sun, AND Moon Goddess combined, as depicted in the book, simply because of my dark blue coat, and my magical flowing silver mane, and two: I seem to enjoy the night more than the day because it is only then when I'm left to myself to sleep, or to look at the moon that manages to shine through the small room I'm in. I've even tried to raise the moon like how The Moon Goddess did, but that would be something I’d have to spend my entire life practicing.

"Thanks Lightning," I replied casually, before noticing the large rectangular shaped box on his back.

"What's in the box?" I asked.

"Let's just say, it's not a cupcake this year. Close your eyes!" he replied. I did just what he told me to do. The excitement in me was so great, I felt as if I was going to explode!

"Alright, open your eyes!"

I did not hesitate to do so. Opening my eyes, I saw a large cake sitting in front of me with a candle in the middle. I almost squealed with glee, but I was able to keep myself under control, that way we wouldn't draw any unwanted attention.

"Oh Lightning, this is amazing! How did you get this here? I mean, it must have been nearly impossible to sneak this in !" I said in amazement.

"I just happened to know a guy, and plus, I knew you would have wanted one," he replied.

After making a wish, and blowing the candle out, we both dug into the cake, instantly devouring it in less than a half hour.

By the time we finished, we both laid down on the floor, starring up at the ceiling.

"Oh boy, best birthday gift ever!" I said while rubbing my stomach.

"I'm glad you liked it," Lightning said. After a while, it became silent, until Lightning broke it. "Angel, we need to talk," he said as he turned to face me.

"Um, ok. What do you want to talk about?" I asked in reply.

       "Well, I overheard the other ponies here talking, and well, you're not going to like it."

I could already see where this little conversation was going.

"Angel, they planned on unveiling you to all the ponies of Equestria."

I was in immediate shock when he told me.

"WHAT?!" I blurted out as I got up on all fours, while extending my wings in anger. "What do you mean unveiling? Do they think I'm some sort of circus act? They’re out of their pony minds!"

"Angel, you know this was coming. What did you think you were created for?"

"Don't remind me," I told Lightning, not wanting being reminded of the aweful truth.

"Well then. I just wanted to let you hear it from me, since apparently, I'm the only one you truly listen to.

"Hardly," I mumbled under my breath.

"But, don't get me wrong, I honestly don't like this one bit. A young mare like you shouldn't have to undergo such treatment here,"

"If that's the case, then why do you still work for them?"

"Oh not this again," Lightning complained, which kinda fueled my anger a little bit.

"Listen Angel, I can't help if I was born into this crap, and I can't quit or else I can kiss my sweet life goodbye. This is something you should already know."

I didn't bother looking up at him. I continued staring at the floor just to avoid eye contact.

"Oh come on Angel. Don't give me that. Look, I'm the only one here who treats you better than anyone. I'm the only one who addresses you by the name you had given yourself. I mean, how many times have I helped you in your time of need?" he asked.

"A bunch" I mumbled.

"There you see, which means you have to trust me when I tell you that it's going to be alright," he said in an attempt to reassure me, which was kinda working.

"I promise, I will always be there to help you when you need it," he said.

Finally, I looked up to stare at him. He then approached me to give me a hug, which was something he was really good at.

"You always know how to make things sound not so bad," I told him. He smiled before letting go.

"Alright then, now it's almost your curfew, so why don't we clean up this mess, and head on up to your room?" he asked. I nodded, and we did just that.

By the time we were back at my room, we had already cleaned up the library, and headed towards the room.

Once there, he gave me a final hug before I had to crawl into my really small bed.

After one final 'goodnight', he turned off the lights, and closed the door to my room.

I shifted around on my bed  until I was able to get into a comfortable position. I closed my eyes, and thought about what was gunna happen tomorrow.

Oh sweet Celestia, if you can hear me, please help me tomorrow. I don't want it to end in a disaster.

With a final prayer, I fell into a deep sleep.

•••

Questions, Comments, Complements,

Any errors are accepted, always room for improvement!

Be sure to like, and to follow me both here and Twitter(@Pony3T)