Fallout: Equestria, Darkness Falls

“And for those that deserve it, the Princesses shall grant each mare new hope…”

The soft music of the Everafter wafted through the cathedral, a heavenly chorus of low and slow tunes. My eyes remained closed, secluding me from all forms of the world just beyond as I gave my ponies their daily sermon. Doing so helped me remain poised and cultured.

“... as Luna’s sleep brings dreams of home.”

I finished the sermon and my eyes opened once more.

The immaculate cathedral spanned out before me; whitewashed walls lined in carefully molded gold trim in every crease and corner and the elegant tapestries hung from the stone ceiling, each depicting the Princesses. From my carved wooden podium I looked out at the expanse of the great hall; my flock, my charges, my ponies and companions of Stable 46, all gathered in this one grand, holy place to strengthen their faith. Even though I did this every day, my heart always skipped a beat at everypony gazing back at me. Fillies and mares alike in my charge; it always made me nervous and my knees weak.

I fought the annoying urge in my ears, which always wanted to fold at times like this.

To reassure myself, all I needed to do was glance back at the two enormous statues of our protectors; Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, the Goddesses, our faith. Carved of the finest white and dark blue marble, rearing together, heads and wings wide and high to protect and defend all before them. The pleasant reminder of Their presence swelled in my chest, just as I knew it did in everypony else.

“Rest in peace under Celestia’s Sun…” I began the end of today’s proceedings.

“Sleep tight in Luna’s Night.” The room chorused in unison, every pony in Stable 46 giving their faithful prayers.

No matter how many times I heard the end prayer, it always gave me pleasant chills. “Thank you all for coming. May the Princesses watch over you, now and always.”

As everypony filed out the door to return to their daily lives, a familiar face strode up to my side. A yellow coated pony with two tones of green in her mane and tail, and lively brown eyes filled with mirth.

“Great sermon,” Harmonics complimented, my long-time friend and musical orchestrator. “As always.”

I smirked back at her and quirked an eyebrow. “Thank you, Harmonics. But that isn’t going to lessen your probation for that ghastly prank.” I remembered all too well how she had left a foul-smelling, fake concoction of vomit on my doorstep.

Harmonics merely smirked back. “Come on, you know that was hilarious.”

I gave her my best bemused stare.

My friend’s smirk grew sheepish. “Well, somepony thought it was hilarious…”

Most of the other mares had filed out, allowing Harmonics and I to depart at our leisure. Side by side, we made our exit, passing through the wooden gates that made up the cathedral's grand entrance. They were different than the automated sliding doors of the stable, though equally heavy-looking.

Kind of like the topic I’m about to bring up with her, I thought.

“You know,” I spoke up, my tone more serious now, “all of your fooling around jeopardizes your candidacy for becoming a Guardian. You are aware of this, right?”

I side-glanced at Harmonics to gauge her reaction.

Harmonics's expression flattened from her normal carefree smile to apologetic submission. “I-I know, Silver...” Dejectedly, she lowered her head.

“If you know, then why do you keep doing things like this?” I asked.

Harmonics sighed. “Silver, don't you get bored?”

I blinked, then rolled my eyes at her. “Honestly, Harmonics, you should stop with all the jokes and pranks. Learn to grow up and be more responsible. We're not fillies anymore.” I laid down the reality of our positions, though I didn't like to do so. “For one, you're always finishing your compositions by the skin of your teeth. Why? Because you put it off until the last possible minute.”

It was my friend’s turn to roll her eyes this time and her tone became more defensive, but still remained light-hearted. “That's because I can't force myself to compose something good for the cathedral or the intercom. It's music, Silver. Music befitting the Princesses. I know you've heard of them right?” she finished with a knowing smirk, ever the sarcastic.

I knew all too well. “I suppose not. But every week, Harmonics?” I answered back.

She sighed again. “Okay, okay. I'll try to be more on time, o' High Priestess,” she softly promised, chuckling lightly as we made our way through the grandiose stable.

“Do you promise?” I asked, carefully judging her reaction as we walked.

For once, Harmonics did not answer immediately, nor did she brush the subject off lightly as she had a tendency to do. The mention of her guardianship candidacy gave her pause to think, and it made me smile inwardly. We'll see how responsible she can be, with something she wants on the line.

After a long moment she finally spoke up. “Yes. I do promise. The Goddesses as my witness, Silver. I promise.” Harmonics smiled with determination, and right then I knew she was telling the truth. My friend was never a liar, but she would many times brush off the importance of her tasks and duties.

I gave nothing more than a nod, and took a right down the next hall.

“Silver?” Harmonics asked. She had paused at the juncture, not used to the sudden change in route that I took. “You're not going back to the sanctum?”

I stopped and turned back to her, smiling as well. “No, not right now. Follow me, if you would.”

After a brief pause, she did. For long moments we trotted on, both of us silent and left to our thoughts. I kept my attention on my long-time friend. She was anxious as she followed next to me, even biting her lower lip once or twice. This slightly amused me, though it was because I knew this was something good, whereas Harmonics was not sure.

A while later we came to a special door in the stable, met by two mares in barding robes with ‘Security: Stable 46’ stitched on the shoulders. As soon as they saw me, they gave a bow and stepped aside. I returned their bow with a polite nod, then turned to Harmonics. “Are you ready?” My horn lit and I unlocked the secured door.

Harmonics simply watched me the whole time, her gears visibly grinding as she tried to put together what was going on. Being a smart mare, it didn't take long and she gasped. “Y-y-you're... y-you're...” she could barely whisper. I smiled warmly and beckoned her to come inside.

Gone were the whitewashed walls lined with gold, replaced with metallic gray and sanitized white. The room stretched on for more than a hundred feet. The room’s size matched and then surpassed that of the atrium, but could not hope to be as spacious as the cathedral. All around the room, there were computers and medical instruments, including an aisle in the center for a large bank of computer, each one connected to wires and tubes that snaked across the floor and disappeared beyond what the eye could follow. The opposite walls were lined with medical beds and similar tables of tools. Mares in lab coats and nurse garbs trotted about, tending to what is considered the most sacred station in all of Stable 46.

One elderly mare with glasses trotted up to me and bowed. “High Priestess, welcome!”

I politely nodded in turn. “Hello, and thank you. Is she ready yet, Genesis?”

Genesis nodded. “Yes. We pulled her from the Goddesses just the other day. Please follow me.”

I smiled and nodded, making sure that the awe-struck Harmonics followed along with me.

“Very few of Stable 46’s mares are allowed in this room.” I lead Harmonics into the room, gesturing at the grand expanse with a slow sweep of my hoof. I could hear Harmonic’s slow hoofsteps behind me, along with that of Genesis’, who brought up the rear, and I knew my friend must be deep in awed thought as we moved.

We passed a dozen or so of the vat-tanks, some occupied with the forms of growing ponies; the future of Stable 46. Most were empty, however. At least one had regular maintenance in progress, its holy innards being cleaned. As we continued on, Genesis gave me a usual report of vat functionality and operations. Everything was largely fine, as it has always been.

“And here she is.” Genesis stopped us at one bed.

Laying under the sheets was a unicorn filly, fast asleep. Her coat a charcoal black with a purple mane that had multiple, paper thin streaks of white in them. She was entirely too small for the large bed, the enormous-by-comparison sheet and pillow making her seem toy-like. I glanced up at the monitors, reading the life-signs as strong, healthy and normal. In my free time I would go to my heart’s true calling, helping the doctors with any injuries or health concerns, even though my skills were negligible compared to their own. It was merely a courtesy given to me.

Harmonics gasped softly as her eyes landed on the filly. “G-Goddesses!” she whispered, then glanced at me apologetically. “Sorry...”

I continued to smile, but gave her a reprimanding look. “Don't tell me you're sorry.” I chuckled, wanting the mood to remain light in what was supposed to be a good moment. “Include it in your prayer tonight and everything will be fine.”

Harmonics nodded and turned her attention back to the sleeping filly. “She's... wonderful.” She then turned back to me. “She looks just like you.”

I nodded as Genesis spoke up. “Yes. The Goddesses chose this for her. She is of the same template as Silver. Truly blessed.” A quick question and Genesis confirmed that the new filly also had the same violet eyes as mine.

“I remember your own birthing, Silver,” Genesis reminisced. “When the Princesses bestowed you upon us... in all your temper-tantrums...” The older mare chuckled.

I blushed hotly, muzzle in a thin line as I rolled my eyes, then cleared my throat. Time for a subject change! “Yes, well, she is to be your charge, Harmonics.” The change did not go unnoticed by Genesis and she huffed a short chuckle at my expense.

“You mean...” Harmonics stared at the filly, then slowly glanced at me. “I'm a Guardian now?”

“Yes.”

Suddenly, crushing force nearly choked the air from my lungs, my sight enveloped in two-tones of green mane as Harmonics hugged me tightly. Despite my discomfort, I grinned and bore it, patting my friend's back.

Eventually I was allowed to take in fresh air – in huge thanks to Genesis's reminder – before I could pass out. “Remember your promise to me, Harmonics,” I said lightly, smiling at her and the sight of the mare with her new filly.

Harmonics was on the verge of joyful tears as she softly stroked the sleeping filly's mane. “I-I will. By the E-Everafter, I will!”

I left Harmonics with her new charge, hoping, knowing, that she will take responsibility to care for the little one. Now that the day had reached its end and the last of the prayers were finished, I made my way back to the stable sanctum, the office in which I upheld my responsibility.

A turn down another hallway of polished white and grandiose gold and I was met with a set of double doors, each ensconced with an image of Celestia on one door and Luna on the other. Split by the doors’ seam was a joined image of the sun and moon, the celestial charges of my faith.

I opened the door and strode in with a small but deep sigh, the result of a long day, then closed and locked the door behind me. After the day's mounting duties, I wanted nothing more than to--

“Good evening, my Silver.”

“Eep!” I whirled around, not expecting anypony to be in here.

Lounging on the couch opposite of the far wall and the curved half-circle desk, was a mare of flawless white coat, a mane of two tones of color – a dark pink with a single stripe of purple in both her long mane and tail – and violet eyes like my own. My Guardian.

“Oh, hello Eternal Dawn.” I bowed respectfully once I had gathered myself.

Dawn slid off the couch and slowly approached me. I remained poised with my forelegs bent and head down until she lifted my chin with her hoof. She smiled down at me, as she had done every day of my life when I was growing up.

“Silvie,” Dawn spoke softly, kindly. She would always use the scarcely-known nickname to express fondness towards me – and sometimes to scold me when my temper got out of control as a filly. Thankfully this was the former. “You do not need to bow to me. I am no longer High Priestess of Stable 46. That title belongs to you now.”

I couldn't help but smile. “Y-yes, Dawn. I know...”

I had only been the High Priestess for six months and I was still getting used to the heavy robes, the pendant, and all the weighty responsibility that came with it. Therefore the habit of bowing to Dawn has been a difficult one to break.

My Guardian nodded. “As long as you remember your responsibilities and act on them accordingly, everything will be fine. The Princesses watch over all, and reward those that keep hold over their duty.” Dawn quoted one of her favorite sermons, one that had inspired me and the stable from day one of her ascension. In all honesty I think many mares of the stable still saw Dawn as the High Priestess, rather than me.

My heart swelled with pride and I nodded. “Yes, Dawn, I will. Now and forever.”

“Very good,” Dawn said as she took her position back on the couch. “Now, perhaps you would like to explain why you have circumvented traditional Guardian rules for Harmonics?” All the while Dawn smiled at me.

I nearly blanched as my eye twitched. How did she know already!?

Before my blubbering thoughts could translate to vocal blubbering, Dawn held up a hoof for silence. “I am merely asking, Silvie,” Dawn added with a mirthful smirk and I forced myself to calm down.

“W-well...” I coughed to clear my throat and stood up straight. “I felt that Harmonics was ready, and that she just needed a promise to latch on to. I, um... also felt that if she had a filly with a template like mine, that she would have a constant reminder of that same promise.” My ears folded as I explained. That was a poor, weak excuse to break sacred rules and I knew it. Dawn must have known it too, and I bit the inside of my cheek.

Dawn nodded once. “Are you sure that that decision was not a form of vanity?”

I blinked, taken aback by the question. “I don't... no!” Of course it wasn't vanity! How could it be? My face flushed from the absurd question, but because it came from Dawn I found myself doubting.

Dawn chuckled softly. “It is all right, Silvie. Please calm down,” she gently encouraged, ever patient with my spurts of temper. “Deep breaths. In... and out...”

I wilted in guilt from my temper briefly flaring and nodded. I followed Dawn's instructions and steadied my breathing. Breath was key. Control that, and I can control whatever my body does; well, for the most part, anyways.

Once I had adequately controlled myself, Dawn smiled and gave a satisfied nod. “Very good. If you will, let us take away the weight of responsibility and let the mantle rest for the remainder of the day.”

Dawn's horn lit and I felt the clasps and ties of my heavy robe loosen and click. I lit my own horn and pulled off the black and white robes, then the gold jewelry on my knees and fetlocks, and set them aside on the table. What I did not remove was the pendant of Celestia and Luna circling the same half-moon half-sun on my neck, as well as the standard issue pipbuck on my left foreleg. It never left me, as I felt naked without the pendant. I glance back at my namesake cutie mark; a silver quarterstaff with three starbursts surrounding it.

“There we are,” Dawn cooed softly and scooted over so I could join her. “Relax, Silver Starlight, your burdens are done for this day.”

I sighed softly and laid down with my old Guardian, eager to rest and unwind. She rubbed my shoulder and I closed my eyes as the stress melted away. Being High Priestess wasn't that hard, but the sheer weight of having everypony look to me for guidance was... maddeningly heavy. I had no idea how Eternal Dawn handled it.

Fatigue crept upon me, Dawn’s gentle rubbing lulled me off to sleep.

The next day began as it always had, with me giving the morning blessings prayer and wishing everyone a wonderful day on the behalf of the Goddesses.

The halls of Stable 46, white-washed and lined in brilliant gold trim, gave stark contrast to the ponies walking by me.

“Hello,” Melon said to me, an orange mare with lime green mane and tail.

“Good morning,” another aqua blue mare, Melody, greeted.

I smiled and said my own hellos to each of my flock as we passed by.

Though one mare caught my eye. She was a black coated unicorn with a purple mane and tail, several paper thin streaks of white in her hair and with violet eyes.

“High Priestess.” Mayflower bowed. It was always surreal to meet another mare of identical template to me. Even Mayflower’s voice was the same as mine, but with slight difference in tone. Briefly I recalled there were at least a few more mares of the same template, as that was how the Goddesses worked in 46. The only difference between Mayflower and I was our cutie marks; mine a silver staff with three star bursts, and hers a clarinet with a music note.

I smiled, and was about to tell her that she did not need to bow until I remembered how futile the effort would have been.

Regardless, I continued on my way to the only place that I felt I could truly relax.

The automated doors parted for me, revealing perhaps the most beautiful place in the whole stable, save for the majesty of the cathedral.

The arboretum stretched out before me, a room devoted to nature and life. Its breadth and beauty lay in the green grass, the tall and healthy trees, the lush bushes that grew out from the circular center of the room, only ever interrupted by specks of colorful flowers. The entire room, save for the very edge where I stood, curved downwards in a bowl-like shape at a very gradual slant. This allowed better groundskeeping and served to give the arboretum a natural lake in the center. Marble stairs gave safe passage throughout the grounds, all without disturbing the flow of green, brown and the gray of rock formations. Soft sounds of the waterfalls reached my ears, adding to the tranquility of the blue sky directly above. We all knew it was a screen, but when combined with the arboretum, it felt very real.

I sighed softly, drinking in the peace and relaxation. Mixed with the gentle sounds of nature was the talkings of mares and the soft laughter of fillies. One particular pairing drew my gaze.

“Hello Harmonics,” I greeted as I trotted up.

My friend looked up and smiled. “Hey Silv--oof!” A rubber ball bounced off her head and the laughter of an entertained filly sprung up. “Hehe, she’s abusive like you, Silver…” Harmonics chuckled, rubbing her cheek with a smirk.

The filly sat, waving her charcoal black forelegs joyously, entertained by the goofy face Harmonics had made when the ball struck.

I chuckled. “You two are getting along nicely.”

The new filly scampered to her guardian and Harmonics immediately held her in her forelegs. “Yes,” she answered warmly with a matching smile.

“Have the Goddesses given her any signs, yet?”

Harmonics paused to think for a bit. “Well, she seems to have an affinity for the bells of the cathedral; when I took her there to see, she sat and stared at them with a beautiful smile.”

I nodded. Every mare of Stable 46 got their name by having a pilgrimage through the stable. She was led by her Guardian to various places of the Stable and shown areas. Where the filly’s interest landed the most was considered to be their namesake calling, shown to them like a beacon by the Princesses. My name came from me watching the artificial starlight falling on the silver pews. Harmonics’ name came from her whistling and humming a new harmonious song practically every day, and her obsession with the large organ pipes of the cathedral.

“A liking to the golden bells…” I hummed, watching the filly. “How about ‘Golden Belle’?”

The ears of the filly perked up and she stared at me with wide eyes. Harmonics likewise looked at me and smiled. “That sounds good.” She looked down at her charge. “What do you think? Do you want to be called ‘Golden Belle’?”

The filly smiled and gave a nod. “Y-y-yes…” she spoke softly, sheepishly.

My smile grew, as did Harmonics’. The newly christened Golden Belle seemed to be a fast learner, as she was already speaking. I will need to give my thanks to Genesis and her mares’ good work with the vat tank training. As the fillies grow and develop in the Goddess’ embrace, they learn many of the basics; talking, movement, et cetera. When the day comes that they are ready to emerge, they come fully prepared for the world.

KKKKRZ-ZAP!

“Gyah!” Harmonics and I both jumped at the sudden noise of energy that surged. Every pony in the arboretum paused to look.

Two mares; one pink with a light blue mane and tail, the other a dark blue with a teal mane and tail. I recognized them instantly as Petal and Flicker, two mares that held magic affinity more than everypony else in Stable 46.

This time they had made a noisy thunderclap with some spell of lightning.

I sighed and gave a flat stare that they had not yet noticed. The laws of the Goddesses explicitly forbade the use of such spells, period. If a spell’s purpose was not to help others, it was considered ‘bad magic’, to put it lightly.

I felt my heart rate spike, and gave a quick farewell to Golden Belle and Harmonics, then made my way over to remind the two about their transgression.

Though another beat me to it.

“What is wrong with you two?” Another mare trotted up and admonished Petal and Flicker; though her tone was a lot lighter than what I was about to say. I recognized the dark pink mare and her red and gold mane; Rose Bolt.

Rose Bolt sighed and softly shook her head, her expression one of exasperation rather than outrage. “Come on, you two… I know you love magic, but you must control yourselves!”

“We’re sorry…” Petal and Flicker whispered loud enough to hear, both their ears down.

Rose Bolt, their Guardian, nodded and gave a small smile. “Come on now, back to your rooms, okay?”

The pair nodded and then left with their Guardian.

I smiled, then let out a sigh of relief that she had intervened before I could. I never liked admonishing anypony for breaking the Goddesses’ rules, it was just an unsavory necessity.

And something that Dawn was more suitable for than I. As well as Rose Bolt, now that I think about it.

“She makes a very responsible Guardian,” the familiar voice of Dawn came from next to me, echoing my exact thoughts.

“Gyah!” I nearly fell over. I swear, she loves sneaking up on me!

Dawn chuckled, amused by my near-heart attack.

Once I had recovered enough to speak, “Yes, she is. Sometimes I think she would be more suitable to being High Priestess than I am…”

Dawn hummed. “Perhaps, but this station is your divine right, Silver. You are High Priestess now, and the Princesses have the utmost faith in you.” She put a hoof on my shoulder. “As do I.”

I smiled softly, looking down at the grass between my robed forehooves and the white and black shoes. Dawn could always quell my never-ending worries.

After a few moments I spoke up softly. “Still, sometimes I think I am ill-suited to lead…”

Author's Notes:

Phew! It was a long time coming, literally years of developing via roleplaying, brainstorming and talking with friends, but I have finally got something to post with what surmounts to my dream project.

I'm hoping you'll enjoy, as I certainly had lots of fun coming up with this side-tale of one of the most amazing fanfics I've ever read.

The quote at the top of the chapter is that of Mark Twain, and featured as the opening to the movie "The Equalizer", staring Denzel Washington. Certainly a favorite of mine~<3 Down here I plan to post other things; such as songs that i would listen to while writing, each one with special meaning for either myself or the story itself.