We turned off the main road as we came to a crudely made sign pointing the way to Stable 92. I shivered a bit as we stepped into the deeper snow, it having taken on a grayer-than-usual color. If there was one thing my new coat could do with, it would be boots. At least Cross had the foresight to add some pants to the armored redesign. We trotted up to the small wooden storm door leading into Stable 92s tunnels, my stomach suddenly clenching up. My mind flashed back to running through Stable 76s tunnels, finding the broken door and Crosss body
I took a shuddering breath, gulping a bit. Cross and Twintails stopped, both looking worried. Cross stepped up to me, his ears lowered. Minty are you going to be alright? I looked into his eyes, remembering seeing him lying on the ground, barely breathing. He wrapped a hoof around me, squeezing me a little. Its ok look, I I dont really want to go in either, but He inhaled slowly, trying to find the right words. Im going to be a lot safer there than in town. Like Twintails said, if anyone wanted to raid the place, thered be no one to stop them. I I really dont want to go in that night the blast I He squeezed me again, and I felt a few tears fall from his face. But I need to. If I dont, someone might He sniffed, grabbing a hold of me, pushing his face into my mane. I pulled him close, giving him a few nuzzles. I felt my own eyes water as I hugged him. Minty, please I- I know its going to sound stupid, I know you wouldnt but He looked into my eyes, tears falling down his face. Dont leave me in there. Promise youll come get me again.
I sniffed, tears beginning to stream down my face. I-I will. Ill escort you out personally. I smiled, Cross unable to help but do so as well. I squeezed him again before we broke the hug, Twintails and Sweetie waiting for us. I wiped my eyes dry, and as I did, I saw Twintails blink a bit of water out of his eyes as well, placing a hoof against the outside of his duster near his chest. We all made our way through the wooden door, the darkness of the cave leaving us blind for a moment. The tip of Sweeties horn flipped up, a small light appearing out of it, illuminating the area. We made our way to the open Stable door, Tom standing at the controls. Sweeties horn flipped off as Tom counted up the entering ponies, making a few tallies on a clipboard. We walked up the steps toward him as he set the clipboard aside.
Hey boys, its been a while. You bringing in more audience members for me? He chuckled, starting down the Stables hallway. We followed him, myself needing to pull Sweetie away from trying to head down to the reactor level. Tom looked down at her. Who is that? Or, um, what is that, I suppose… Sweetie looked at him grumpily. I guess she was getting sick of ponies referring to her as what. We turned into a side room laden with recording devices and radios, Hi-Fi visible through a pane of thick glass, checking over several pieces of equipment while sporting an overmare’s jumpsuit. Getting into the spirit of things, huh?