//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - The Experiment Begins // Story: Ponnequin Relations // by Cheer //------------------------------// Chapter One In the only library in the town of Ponyville, there is a very curious unicorn. She was always trying new spells or experiments. Today, was not any different for Twilight, aside from the fact that she wanted no one to know about the specific experiment that will be taking place in the guest room. Sitting on the desk was a scroll outlining today’s experiment. One she had kept very quiet about. Top Secret For the eyes of Twilight Sparkle only. Ponnequin Calming Experiment Due to recent events it has come to my attention that I do not do the best under stress. Worse than that, I have the tendency to often panic and in some cases completely lose my grip on all common sense. I have begun to fear, that one of these times I may completely lose it, if there is no pony around to help me. Worse yet, would be if the cause of the stress was something I wouldn’t, or couldn’t, share with any pony. Since I don’t want any pony to know that, I’m worried about losing my mind, this experiment is to be kept top secret until such time as I deem it reasonable to make public. Thusly, the experiment came about. What the experiment was meant to do was create an artificial personality (AP) inside the body of a ponnequin. The Ponnequin The ponnequin body is necessary, as the mind and body must go together. Thus, a ponnequin is the easily available and morally correct choice. The mind itself is created from my own. It will have the basic knowledge about me that any of my friends would have along with complete knowledge of this experiment. The spell will recharge itself through a (In theory) sleep like experience for the AP, much like how a pony would recharge their body with sleep. If the AP goes long enough without recharging it will be forced into the 'sleep' cycle again, much like a ponies body would do. Communication Communication between myself and the AP will be a mix of vocal and telepathic communication. The AP will speak directly into my mind, as having no vocal chords, makes a ponnequin speaking out loud impossible. Outside noises are directed towards the mind of the AP and through magical translation the sound waves are “heard”. The “voice” of the AP can only be heard within a certain distance and only by those who have the correct magical signal. Namely, myself. The Voice is to sound stern as to capture the attention in a stressful situation, but then able to sound kind and as calm as it’s trying to get me to be. Personality In the early stages there will be little of an individual personality. I hope to progressively help one form through constant communication. Tell it of my days, my friends and the like. Even if it was created, it will still be, in a way, its own pony. End Notes before Experiment. Hide everything. Do not mention this to anypony. I don’t need any of them thinking that I’m going crazy. Give more than enough to Rarity for ponnequin. Quadruple check list. “Right. Previously enchanted, medium sized, high magic and light reflective crystal, spell quadruple checked, three of my hairs, basic sewing learnt, sewing tools and now for the biggest part.” Twilight gave a large sigh at the prospect of the next part of her plan being the most awkward as a whole. “Time to go see Rarity.” It was early in the business day for the Carousel Boutique and, Rarity, its owner was fresh out of things to distract her. ‘No orders, no inspiration, no new books and nothing to do. I wish at the least one of the girls would come in for a small order or just to talk for a while. No, no. It’s far too early for that. None of the girls except maybe Applejack would be up and about yet.’ With a sigh she turned around to attempt to find something to do for what felt like the dozenth time, when she heard a knock at the door. Rushing with a speed rarely seen from her she went to the door before stopping and making sure she looked her best. She then opened the door in the same style as she always had. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique. Where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique.” She then proceeded to notice who was actually at the door. Namely a certain lavender friend of her’s. “Oh Twilight! Do come in, won’t you darling?” She said while pointing a hoof towards the inside of her home, “Now Twilight what brings you around this early?” She asked before finally noticing a slight bit of nervousness her friend held in herself. “Is anything the matter dear?” This seemed to snap Twilight out of whatever funk she had been in at the moment and perked up a bit. “Hm? No I’m fine Rarity I actually came with a bit of business for you.” The light in Rarity’s eyes lit before she continued, “But it has nothing to do with clothes.” Rarity’s face drooped for a micro second before it changed to one of confusion. “But if it has nothing to do with clothes what could you need with me, Twilight? Not that I don’t appreciate you coming by. I’m just a little confused is all.” A little bit of Twilight’s nervousness seemed to have returned after hearing this. “Well actually I need one of your ponnequins.” She stated as she began to shift her weight side to side. “Oh well that’s no problem Darling. I can easily lend you one.” At this Rarity subtly eyed Twilight still confused as to why she would refer to something so simple as “business”. Once again Twilight’s nervousness seemed to increase. “Well Rarity. That’s just it. I would need to keep it. It’s for ...something, I’m working on and I wouldn’t be able to return it. Since…It would be destroyed! Yes, that’s it. I need a ponnequin for this and since it would end up destroyed, I feel it best to buy one of your older ones from you so you could easily replace it.” She explained with an all too large grin on her face. The sight of which slightly worried Rarity. “Well. Alright then dear. I can part with one of my ponnequins I suppose” She brought over one of her them with magic before asking her something. “Now, dear what is this-“ Before she could finish her question both the ponnequin and Twilight had disappeared leaving behind a hefty bag of bits and a fading thank you. “Well, that was a tad rude Twilight.” Getting out a sigh she continued in thought ’Whatever could be so important to Twilight to just rush off like that. But what could she be doing to destroy one of the ponnequins. Wait…’ ”Idea!” With that she whisked herself away to her sketchpad, happy to finally have something to do that morning. Back in the library, a much more nervous Twilight appeared, back along with the ponnequin in the guest room. “Alright. No reason to panic…yet. Even if she thought something was up, the door is locked. Even then, it’s not like she would expect what this experiment is for anyway.” ‘Let’s get this underway before I worry anymore.’ Moving the ponnequin to the middle of the room Twilight made an incision in the back of its head. Just large enough to fit the crystal along with the three hairs which after inserting into it. She proceeded to sew the hole up before finally beginning the spell. The spell itself was a complicated undertaking. A very intricate spell that needed a lot of magic and connected itself to her own mind which could very well leave her unconscious due to the mix of exertion from both mental and magical power. The spell itself actually did just this. Leaving Twilight on the floor of the guest room. She was woken what felt like a couple hours later by knocking at the door. Light at first then growing in urgency and strength. It could only be Spike. Moments later this was proven when he spoke. “Twilight! Twilight, are you okay?!” The jiggling of the doorknob showed his worry and managed to take away anything that suggested that Twilight was anything but alert. Shooting up from the floor she looked straight at the door. Her mind still strained from the spell earlier. ‘What should I do? I can’t let him in or he’ll start asking question about the ponnequin, but if I just answer he may worry about why I can’t let him in. But then if-‘ Her mental ramblings were cut off by a second voice in her thoughts. ’Now, just calm down Twilight.’ Her mental worries derailed from their tracks for the moment she took a second to think about what just happened. She took a glance at the Ponnequin.