Manufactured Emotions

by Bright Keys

What is this institution of education you speak of?

The next morning when Alpha got up he almost forgot to run his morning diagnostic in his excitement to show Omega what he made last night. After he ran it, he made his way to the library, where he thought she would be.

“You’re up early,” Omega said as he entered, a book in her hooves as always.

“I have something for you.” Alpha said, opening his storage compartment and placing the toy on the table.

She put a bookmark in the novel and closed it, setting it down on the couch beside her. She stood squinting as she walked up and scrutinized it.

“Is that a doll of me?” she asked, lifting it up before her eyes.

“You twist that knob on its side a few times and it walks.” Alpha said, pointing out said knob. Glancing at him with one raised eyebrow, she set it down on one end of the table. Doing as he had said, she watched as it shuffled awkwardly to the other end, catching it before it fell off. It’s legs waved for a few seconds before it ran down.

“What is it for?” she asked skeptically.

“Well, uh… you twist the knob on its side, and it walks.” Alpha said.

“That’s it? You don’t want anything from me?”

“I just wanted to give you that.” Alpha said.

“Okay,” she said, taking it and placing it in her own storage compartment. She returned to the couch and opened the book again. As he was leaving the room she said “thanks” quietly.

Alpha next went looking for Volt Spark. He found the scientist in his lab working on the robot once again.

“Hello.” Alpha said, trying to get Volt’s attention.

“Hello, Alpha,” he said, waving a hoof in acknowledgement.

“A lot of the shopkeepers in town won’t let Omega and I in their shops.”

“Really, what for?”

“I think it was when I stole from that one shopkeeper.”

“Oh, yes that makes sense. That’s too bad.” He kept working.

“Could you go into town and… clear things up?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“So I’ll see you in town then.” Alpha said, starting towards the door out of the lab.

“Mhm.” There was a loud whirring as the saw blade started up. Alpha looked back at the sawblade, but before he could ask what his creator was doing, he remembered Copperwire telling him to stay out of the lab and headed outside. The sky was a perfect blue and the grass seemed more lush and green than usual, perhaps because of the rain. Above were several fluffy white clouds and birds fluttered around, chirping sweetly.

Alpha smiled and took off on his usual route towards Ponyville, but he stopped when he recognized a pegasus who was flying along the route, so he flew down to her.

“Oh, hey, Alpha,” said Dash as she slowed to keep pace with him.

“Hello. You’re Rainbow Dash, correct?” Alpha asked.

“Sure am!” she said, doing a loop-de-loop, “What’s up?”

“The sky, clouds, us, lot’s of things in actuality.” Alpha said.

“No, it means ‘what are you doing? Is anything going on with you?’” Dash laughed.

“I’m just flying into Ponyville like I normally do.” Alpha said.

“Cool,” she said, “You wanna race?”

“Race?” Alpha asked. “What’s a race?”

“It’s where we choose a place to go, and then we both go as fast as we can and try to be the first one there. You up for it?”

“Yes.” Alpha said.

“Alright!” she cheered, “why don’t we race to Twilight’s library?”

“I can get there from here.” Alpha said.

“So it’s a deal! We’ll start when I say go,” the pegasus readied herself, “One… Two…. Three… GO!” She beat her wings so quickly and flew straight for the library, a faintly rainbow colored trail flying behind her. Alpha quickly fumbled off his bandana, put it in his chest cavity, and charged after her, letting his wings take him as fast as they allowed. He stayed pretty close to Dash for the majority of the flight. Soon the library was in sight. Dash looked back which slowed her a bit, but she pushed harder and surged forward, a boundary of air forming in front of her hooves. Alpha followed after as fast as he could, multiple messages popping up telling him his core was reaching heat levels that threatened an emergency shutdown, and he slowed slightly. Dash skidded to a halt right before the library, landing on the front step.

“Hah!” She cheered as he flew in, “I win! Nice try, though, newbie.”

Alpha landed, the front part of his chest glowing red-hot, steam spewing forth with every heaving breath.

“Whoa! You okay?” asked the blue pegasus. She lifted one hoof worriedly, as if to touch him, but then thought better of it.

“My generator is overheating, but other than that, I’m fine.” Alpha said.

“If you say so,” she said. She looked up at the sky. “I’ve got a couple things I gotta do today, but I’ll see you later, cool?”

“See ya.” Alpha said. “That was fun”

“Yeah, you’re pretty good,” she said, “See you later.” She flew off into the sky.

Alpha waved as she flew off, then looked over the town, wondering where to go next. Several shops had banned robots, so that was out of the question, so he wandered the streets, waiting for someone to say hello.

“Hey, Alpha!” cried Applebloom from her stall.

Alpha looked over at Applebloom and smiled. “Hey Applebloom, how are you today?” He asked, making his way over.

“Ah’m great!” she said, “How are you doin’?”

“I’m overheating, but good.” Alpha said.

“Cool,” she smiled, “You want an apple?” She gestured to the cart full of them.

“I’m fine.” Alpha said, feeling a pang of guilt for the apple she gave him earlier. “My generator’s working fine.”

“Alright,” she said, “So what are you doin’ today?”

“I raced Rainbow Dash. That’s why I’m overheating. But other than that I’m not up to anything.”

“That’s awesome! Did you beat Rainbow?”

“Almost.”

“Wow! She’s the fasted flyer in all of Equestria! You must be so fast!”

“I tried my best.” Alpha said.

“Of course,” she said, “That’s the best you can do.”

“Applebloom,” called another pony, “Don’t you think it’s high time you got off to school?”

“Ah hadn’t noticed that!” she turned to Alpha, “See you later!” Then she galloped away.

Alpha looked at the newcomer. “Hello.” He said.

“Howdy,” said the pony, crossing her legs casually, “You must be that Alpha pony Apple Bloom’s been talking about.”

“I am.” Alpha said. “Who are you?”

“Name’s Applejack. “Ah’m Applebloom’s sister.”

“It’s nice to meet you Applejack.” Alpha said.

“You too,” she said, dipping her head.

“I’m just glad you’re not shooing me away like most other shops here.” Alpha said.

“What, cause you’re a robot? That ain’t a good reason to stop a pony from getting what they need,” she said, adjusting her wide brimmed hat.

“Well, I was sort of tricked into doing something bad a few days back, but I know better now.” Alpha said.

“Ah heard. Those con-ponies are horrible for taking advantage of you like that, if you ask me.”

“Thank you for understanding Applejack.” Alpha said. He stood for a few moments, wondering if he should say something. After a while, he held an apple and said,

"How do you get these?"

“We grow ‘em,” she said, “We got a whole orchard of apple trees on the farm.”

“I’ve seen lots of trees, but I almost never see apples on them.” Alpha said.

“They don’t usually” Applejack replied.

“So… you have apple trees, you take the apples from the trees and then you bring them into town on a cart?”

“That’s pretty much it. Brings in honest bits for honest work.” Applejack explained.

“Where is it you sent Applebloom?” Alpha asked.

“To school.”

“And what is school?”

“Well, school is a place where little ponies gather to learn about the world and how it works.” Applejack replied, though her explanation sounded like she wasn’t confident with her answer.

“And where can I find this school?”

“It’s in town, head to the library and turn right.” Applejack directed.

“Thank you.” Alpha said with a smile. “I think I’ll go investigate.” He started off down the road, far too excited to notice Applejack trying to get his attention as he strolled into town.

Author's Note:

Hey, just finished this up, plans fell through with VAE, and now all of my stories are now solo stories (Huzzah! ) Sorry if this chapter isn't up to snuff, the last bit was done all on my lonesome and I was trying some new things and wanted to get this out ASAP.
Let me know if you find any mistakes and let me know how I can improve. I really need it now.

Comments

[Bright Keys]

6078340 Glad you like it! I have another, if you're in the mood for some action (except not really.)

[Pencil Melody]

6078984
You're welcome. I'll be sure to check it out.
Do you need any help writing this one, since you don't have any more co-authors? I don't want to see this story fizzle out. I would be glad to assist you. If you really, really want to read my writing, you can find me at Penana. Here's a link
I can be a pre-reader, proof-reader, idea-contributor, our whatever you need.
~Melly~

[Bright Keys]

I could actually use an idea contributor. I have a plan for the next chapter, but it'll be by ear from there. As for getting chapters out... I just need to write. I don't think it's time to look for a new co-author, considering how little time I've had writing solo. I'll keep your offer in mind though.

[Pencil Melody]

6079157
Thank you!
You kinda forgot to make it a reply to me. I didn't see this til today. I was wondering if you had replied or not. I'm so glad I remembered that I forgot to follow this story.
Just pm me when you're ready.
~Melly~