Twilight Sparkle
I sat in the entry plug, panting heavily, the LCL bubbling from my mouth. A line of explosions ripped their way down the street, passing my hiding place behind the tower. Suddenly, I moved, standing up and staring at the Angel in front of me. I raised the hoof of the MAGIC, admiring the rifle attachment as I waited for the cross hairs to align. We pulled the trigger, causing explosions to rip the Angel apart, blue blood pouring from its wounds. Another one materialised behind it, causing us to dive behind another building, just avoiding the blinding laser that vaporised the part of the street we had just been standing on. Rising out of cover we returned fire, destroying this Angel. Two for two, we thought. Suddenly our sensors detected another angel behind us. I'm exposed! I panicked, spinning round, firing a burst of shots at it. They all went wide, impacting on the hills behind it. The gem on its chest glowed before it fired a laser at me. The world went black, then red, dark script hovering in front of me.
SIMULATION ENDED
I sighed as the plug drained of LCL, hiccuping as I breathed in air for the first time in two hours. A hatch above me opened, revealing the stoic expression of Doctor Whooves.
"That's enough today, Miss Sparkle," he said, offering a hoof, which I gladly took. "Octavia, what was her synch ratio?"
"40%, sir," replied a grey Earth Pony with a pink treble clef for a cutie mark and a matching bow-tie, passing me a towel.
"Not bad, very good for a beginner, although nowhere near the 90% you achieved in your first battle with the Angel."
"Doctor, what do you mean by synch ratio? I've heard you talk about it several times, but no one has explained it to me," I asked, attempting to dry my mane. The Doctor looked at me in surprise.
"I keep forgetting you've only been with us a week. A synch ratio is simply a measure of how synchronised you are with the Eva. For example, myself and Octavia here. We are two separate minds in two separate bodies. Our thoughts and actions are wholly independent of each other. This would be described as a synch ratio of 0%. Now when you are in the Eva, the LCL allows the flow of thoughts, actions and emotions between the two of you. As the synch ratio rises, so too does the strength of your connection."
"So at 100%, I what, bond permanently with the Eva? Isn't that dangerous?"
"Yes and no. The bond is only as permanent as you allow it to be—the moment you decide to be an individual again you desynchronise and separate. But that is all hypothetical, as there are plenty of safeguards that prevent full synch- your plug suit for one. It creates interference between your body and the LCL, limiting the synch ratio to 95% at most- and since you survived at 90%, I don't think there's anything for you to worry about."
I frowned at this. Synching at 90% had been unpleasant. I had lost all sense of identity—we were MAGIC and we had been made to fight Angels. That was what our existence had boiled down to during the fight—a mere weapon of war. In truth, the event had only caused my nightmares to grow worse; to the point where I was beginning to develop insomnia, although thankfully Sachiel had vanished from them. If it wasn't for Pinkie and our blossoming friendship, I would have probably lost my mind by now. I kept these concerns to myself, however. Turning to leave, I headed towards the changing rooms where I could shower off the strange orange liquid.
"Oh, Miss Sparkle, one moment," the Doctor said, rooting through his desk. He pulled out a plastic card. "I forgot to give this to Luna earlier. It's her new security card. Could you pass it on to her?" I nodded enthusiastically and he gave me directions to Luna's apartment. Somehow I managed to leave the room without skipping. I now knew where the mysterious alicorn lived and I had an excuse to visit her. I had a feeling today would be a good day.
---
I skipped down the street, eleated at the thought of meeting Luna. The mere thought of the beautiful and mysterious Alicorn sent my heart rate skywards and I had to stop a moment just to calm down. At least I am not a Pegasus with one of their infamous wingboners, I chuckled to myself. That thought caused me to pause. Why am I so attracted to her? I have never shown indications of, well, liking mares before. But then again, the only thing I have ever shown true enthusiasm was for books. Maybe I have always been like this? I shrugged, realising that I had been standing in the street for several minutes.
Continuing my journey with the faint blush of embarrassment on my cheeks, I approached the district Luna's apartment was located in. I frowned, looking around at the area. This can't be right. This area looks really run down and derelict in places. But according to a street sign (after I looked past some rather vulgar graffiti) I realised that I was headed the right way. With trepidation I walked along the streets, before arriving at an imposing tower block. According to the Doctor, Luna lived on the 12th floor, and judging from the yellow tape, the lifts weren't working. I sighed and began the long climb up the stairs.
Eventually I reached the 12th floor and began to walk down the corridor, past some more vulgar graffiti. How could Luna live here? How could Celestia let anypony live here? I quickly reached Luna's apartment and stared in shock—the mail slot was crammed full of letters, flyers and leaflets. Luna hadn't sorted, or even bothered to collect her mail in quite some time. I rang the doorbell, or at least I attempted to, but no sound emerged. Must be broken, I thought. Like everything else round here. I decided to knock, but on the first tap the door swung open.
"Hello?" I called out into the dark corridor. "Luna, are you home?" Silence greeted me. Well, I suppose I could leave the card on a desk for her. I will see her at work anyway. Bolstered by this thought, I crept into her home. The first thing I noticed was the dirt. Every surface, including the floor, was covered in a thick layer of grime, only broken where Luna's hoofsteps had fallen. I tried to match these oases of cleanliness, but I could still feel my hooves stick to the floor. Now I know why some ponies insist on wearing shoes.
As I wandered into the apartment, I came into what must be the main room. It was sparse, with only a bed, a bedside cabinet and an empty bookshelf. I looked at the bookshelf with a touch of sadness in my heart. Books are such wonderful things! How can she not own any? Maybe I can lend her some of mine? I trotted over to the cabinet, stepping over piles of bloody bandages that littered the floor, with the intention of leaving the security card there and leaving. As I drew closer, an object on the cabinet drew my eye. In truth, it was the only personal possession on display—a midnight blue tiara, similar to the gold one Cadance used to wear. I picked it up, examining it. Does this mean Luna is royalty? But if so, why does she live in this tip?
"Ahem," came Luna's impossibly loud and emotionless voice from immediately behind me. I gave a shriek of surprise and jumped a full foot into the air, coming down on top of Luna. We lay there, sprawled on top of each other, staring at each other in shock and silence. The first thing I noticed was that her fur and mane were wet—she must have just stepped out of the shower. The tips of our horns were just touching, a highly intimate position for unicorns, and I felt the underside of my hips rub against her wet, graciously curved underbelly, sending signals of pleasure to my brain as our teats rubbed against each other. This awkward, sexual contact continued for several more moments, the intimate positions sending my heart racing despite her emotionless, impassive stare. I felt a heat bloom in my chest and between my hips and a faint blush coloured my cheeks. By Celestia, what is this I am feeling? Is it...Love? Attraction? Lust? Eventually, I felt Luna's body shift beneath mine, causing me to jump up off her. I back peddled away, almost tripping over a bandage in my haste.
"I'msorryIdidn'tmeantobargeinbutthedoorwasunlockedandtheDoctorsentmetogiveyouyoursecuritycardandIamsorrygottogobye!" I said at hyperspeed, throwing the security card at her face and bolting out of the door as fast as my legs could carry me.
---
I didn't stop running until I reached the Sugarcube Corner. Seeing the warm glow of the bakery calmed me and I wandered in. Looking around, I saw that Pinkie was absent, but the proprietor, Mrs Cake, was behind the counter. Going up to her, I asked for the sugariest cake they had, before sitting down at a table in the corner.
"Is Pinkie around?" I asked as Mrs Cake brought the treat over.
"No dear, it's her day off. Why, is there something you need?"
I bit into the cake, feeling the sugar soothing my emotions. "Not really. I just had a bit of an odd day."
"Well, why don't you tell me about it, dear? It might help to get it of your chest."
"To be honest, its kinda embarrassing and personal." I said blushing, thinking about Luna.
"Oh don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
"Okay. Well, I think that I discovered that I might possibly be attracted to mares," I began, but quickly stopped as Mrs Cake's smile grew forced.
"I see. Oh I do believe I left some muffins in the oven!" she said, dashing off to the kitchen to rescue her 'muffins'. I sighed, finished my cake, left a tip and walked out. Maybe Cadance, the Alicorn of love, could help me? I wondered. No, it will be too awkward. I've barely seen her in five years. I just wouldn't feel comfortable speaking to her about it. And yet I felt comfortable talking to Mrs Cake, a near stranger?
I reached the apartment block, confused thoughts swirling around my head, when I heard a yell above me. Looking up, I caught a view of Cadance's underbelly as she flew down from our apartment. Once again, I was glad that I wasn't a Pegasus, as staring at her finely curved flanks from this angle would have given me another wingboner. I was also both thankful for and annoyed with the natural illusion that all ponies used to obscure their privates. Definitely not talking to Cadance about this, I thought. Hang on a moment, Cadance doesn't fly anywhere, she prefers to walk. Something's wrong. As Cadance landed on the ground besides me she indicated to her chariot.
"Good, you're here. Come on, Nerv has detected another Angel headed this way."
---
I sat once again in the entry plug of the EVA, watching as the Angel approached, floating horizontally along the ground. This Angel was easily as huge as the last one, but where Sachiel had resembled a pony, this one, codenamed Shamsel, looked like a giant purple stallionhood, with a flat, leaf shaped head on top. I failed to stifle a giggle at its shape, especially in the light of the personal revelations I had gone through today. It was like the Angels were unhappy with my newfound sexual preference. Another giggle burst through my lips.
"Focus, Miss Sparkle," the Doctor's voice said from his place in the command centre. I nodded. There was no time for silliness—that Angel was a threat to everypony in Canterlot. "Do you recognise it?"
"Yes, Doctor," I replied. "This one was in my nightmares too." A thought struck me. Maybe this is why I am attracted to mares. It would make sense, considering that I have been haunted by a giant phallic shaped being ever since I was a filly. Oh, where's a therapist when I need one.
"Interesting. Yet I can not fathom why you would know of these beings before hand. Not even we are familiar with their forms."
Celestia, who had been a silent observer to all this, suddenly spoke. "It is close enough. Begin the attack. Stop it before it reaches the city." The Eva and I surged forwards at this, our synch ratio rising. We raised the rifle attached to our hoof and fired. A ripple of explosions appeared across its body, causing it to turn its attention away from the city and towards us. It reared up, standing erect, it's head rotating to stay horizontal to the ground, revealing a red gem—it's core—on it's throat. A pair of glowing purple tentacles shot out, forming arms. Suddenly they lashed out, striking us in the chest and sending us flying backwards, the shock separating our consciences from each other.
Great, I am going to be tentacle raped by a giant penis, I thought sarcastically, shaking my head so I could begin to synchronise with the Eva. A flash of pink caught my eye and looking over I saw something that stopped my heart. Hiding behind one of MAGIC's hooves was Pinkie! I nearly crushed her! Oh no! I can't move from this position, the Angel will get her! I lay there, frozen in place, undecided on what to do.
"Twilight!" Cadance suddenly spoke. "Open the entry plug! She will be safe in there!" I nodded in realisation. The safest place around here was inside the Eva itself! I quickly obeyed her command and opened the entry plug. Standing up, I called out to Pinkie. She saw me and hurriedly climbed in, slipping into the LCL beside me.
"Twilight! Ohmygosh I was out walking in the hills when suddenly it was all rargh and you were all nuh uh and it was all like wibbly-wobbly with those tentacles—I have a toy like that—then you were all whoosh and I thought I was going to go splat but my knee got itchy and that means I have to stand still and I did and you missed me and now I am in this strange fluid yet I can still breathe and what's up with that and—"
"Oh sweet Celestia someone please shut her up!" came the Doctor's voice from over the vidscreen.
"—and I said, oatmeal? Are you crazy?" Pinkie carried on rambling. Thankfully, before either of them could begin another tirade, the Angel attacked, a bright tentacle whipping it's way towards me, wrapping itself around the hoof with the rifle attachment. It squeezed, turning the rifle into scrap metal.
"Buck this!" I said, reaching up for the prog knife in the mane of the Eva, synchronising as I did so. We slashed down at the tentacle, cutting it off.
Ooh, this is weird, A group of decidedly pink thoughts and emotions said.
Pinkie! You've synchronised with me! I cried out in our head. The pink thoughts laughed.
Twilight! You're purple! Well, I know you're purple, that's your colour, but now you are just purple! Purple thoughts! That's hilarious!
A sudden pain broke our communication. Looking, we—that is, myself, Pinkie and MAGIC—saw the Angel prepare for another attack with its remaining tentacle. It lashed towards us, but we felt a strange tingling in our body—itchy nose, twitchy ear, floppy tail. Almost by instinct, we dove out of the way.
What was that? We thought Pinkie sense! We replied. It predicts the future! We nodded with understanding. Armed with this new power, we were unstoppable. Raising the prog knife in a hoof, we charged towards the Angel, effortlessly dodging Shamshel's attacks—floppy hoof, jump, twitchy tail, duck. We reached the Angel unscathed, slipped in beneath its attack and plunged the knife into its core.
Silence reigned over the battlefield, the Eva and the Angel locked in place, two frozen statues against the setting sun. It was over, the Angel was dead and Canterlot-2 was safe. I sighed, desyncing from Pinkie and MAGIC. I looked at the pink pony, floating beside me in the plug and for the first time all day, I laughed, with not a care in the world.