The group of friends gave themselves a couple hours to digest the information (and the alcohol). They could see why Twilight didn't want to talk about it again. It really was a terrible experience. After they all settled down again, Twilight lit up another cigarette.
“So, yeah, not even there for a week and,” She removed her prosthetic and examined the stump, “...This happens. That shield saved my life, but the blast threw me while the hand was still clenching my leg. It literally ripped it off. Luckily, I was knocked unconscious almost instantly, so I didn't feel it. Needless to say, I was depressed for a while, and recovery was a bitch.” Twi reattached the limb and continued with the story.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Now, try taking a step,” Said the therapist.
Twilight took a tentative step and winced as the discomfort of the prosthetic set in. It was nothing more than a metal rod with a 'C' shaped foot to absorb the impact of walking. It was awkward and kind of painful.
It had been two weeks since the incident, one since she woke up, and she was still aboard the White Wolf by her request. They agreed considering the presence of friends as an aid in her mental recovery. They were a big help too, especially Curt. He kind of reminded Twilight of Pinkie as he was always trying to make her smile and laugh.
“That's very good, Ms. Sparkle,” The Therapist said, “Is there any discomfort other than at the site of the injury?”
“It's fine,” Twilight said, sounding depressed.
“OK, then you'll be moving back to your quarters today,” The therapist said, “Captain Dupree is going to be here soon to escort you wherever you wish to go. I'm also prescribing you some medication for the pain. Take one pill whenever the pain gets too much, but no more than four a day. They’re addictive so try to take as few as you can. You can get it refilled here if you need to.”
Twilight just nodded, and continued walking around in a circle. She hated the thing, but didn't have much of a choice. It was either that or try hopping around on three legs (which wasn't looking so bad at the moment).
“How ya feeling Twilight?” Curt asked from the door.
Twilight just shot him a bemused look.
“So...” Curt said, “Where do you want to go? Library?”
“I don't feel like reading right now,” Twilight said, “I just want to go to my room.”
“Well, before we do, why don't you come with me,” Curt said, “We have something to show you.”
“I don't want to see it,” Twilight said, “I just want to be alone.”
“Twilight, please,” Curt tried to talk to her.
“Just go away,” Twilight shot, “I know the way.”
And with that the broken unicorn limped off, leaving Curt behind. She didn't want to see him. She didn't want to see anyone. She found her room, and slammed the door shut behind her. She went to the mirror on her closet door and looked at herself. She could barely recognize the pony looking back at her. Her right side was still covered with bandages from the other injuries she received from the blast. Most of of her fur was gone, and her mane and tail were cut short to remove the burned ends. But the worst feature of all, was that abominable piece of metal, where her leg was suppose to be. She undid the straps holding it on and slammed the prosthetic against the mirror. Twilight continued to beat anything that got in the way of the fake leg. Twilight's rage was interrupted by a knock at her door.
“Go away!” She yelled.
Disregarding her, Debby opened the door and walked in.
“Whoa, you sure did a number on this place,” Said the aviva as she shut the door behind her, “I wanna talk to you for a sec.”
“Leave me alone,” Twilight said.
“Can't do that,” Debby said, “You're my friend, and you saved my feathers. It's time I did something for you.”
“Then leave and we'll call it even,” Replied the unicorn.
“Nope, that's not gonna happen,” The pilot sat on the bed and motioned for Twilight to join her. After the pony got comfortable she continued, “Believe it or not, I kinda know how you feel. You feel like you're not a real person anymore, like you're useless.”
“How could you know what I feel?” Twilight said spitefully.
“You see these little chicken wings on my back?” Debby said, “Have you seen a full blood Aviva's wings? They’re huge and they can fly, the most I can do is take a few pounds off on the scale in my bathroom. Our wings are what make Aviva unique. I may be half human, but I still have the pride and desire to fly of an Aviva. That's why I became a pilot. It's not the same but it's all I have.”
Twilight tried to think about how Rainbow Dash would feel if she suddenly couldn't fly. It didn't seem so different after all. They both had a piece of themselves missing. Twilight looked down again at what was once her leg, as her eyes glistened with tears.
“I'm sorry for yelling at you,” Said the purple pony meekly, “I just... I just feel so alone. I want to go home.”
“We'll find a way, Twilight,” Debby assured the distraught pony.
“No, we won't,” Twilight moaned, “My world has an artificial sun. There's no way to find it without tracking the massive amounts of light and gravity of a natural sun.”
“Don't tell yourself that bullshit,” Debby said.
“Do you have to curse?” Twilight flinched.
“It's actually very therapeutic,” Said the redhead, “You should give it a try.”
Twilight looked at her skeptically, “OK... uh... Shit!” She instinctively blushed in shame, but let a smile cross over her face, “I really do feel a little better. Shit! Damn it! Fucking ass licker! Testicle-shitting rectal-wart!”
“Nice one, pony girl,” Debby grinned.
Twilight found herself laughing for the first time since she woke up in the hospital, and at profanity at that. It was amazing how good it felt.
“Thank you, Debby,” Twilight thanked, “I really needed that.”
“I'm glad I could help,” Replied Debby, “Now come on. There's something you need to see.”
The two ladies left the room and headed down the hall to toward the lounge.
“How are the refugees?” Twilight asked.
“They're good,” Answered her friend, “We're dropping off the last of them today.”
“I'm glad to hear it,” Twilight said as they entered the room.
“Twilight,” Seth said, “We were worried about you. How are you feeling?”
“Better, thank you,” She answered.
“Good to hear, now get your purple furry butt over here,” Curt said, holding up a datapad, “You've got mail.”
Twilight gave him a confused look to which Curt showed her how to use the device to access said mail. She emulated a ‘finger’ with her telekinesis and read through the letters. Eighty-six thank you letters to her from the civilians she saved, and from their families.
The first was from a woman named Beth. Twilight read it out loud, “Thank you so very much for saving me and my family. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't here. If you ever find yourself on Lynus III look me up and I'll be sure to thank you properly.”
The next was from an eight year old boy named Bobby, “Hi, I think you were really cool. Mom said that you were a unique corn. I don't know what that is, but you're really pretty. Can I be your boyfriend?”
“Oh god, my heart,” Curt jokingly grabbed his chest, “The adorableness is too much.”
That got a laugh from Twilight as she pulled up the next, “I'm not very good with words, so I guess, thank you.”
“Brief but sincere,” Seth commented.
Twilight read the next, “Ms. Sparkle (I was told that was your name), I would like to extend my gratitude to you. You risked your life for strangers, and received a terrible injury for your troubles. I can't help but berate myself for not being able to help. We're not rich but my family is rather well off. I'll leave my information for you. If you ever need help just ask.”
The five friends read several more before Debby stopped them when a Tacig drone delivered a package. When the hive-minded insect left, she placed the box on the table.
“OK, a lot of the people you saved wanted to do something for you, so they pooled their money together and we ordered this for you. It's the top of the line, most hi-tech model in existence right now.”
Twilight removed the lid to find what looked like a metal replica of her lost leg. She lifted it out of the box and examined it closely.
“Go on,” Aden said, “Try it on.”
With a quick use of magic, Twilight removed her current prosthetic and set it aside. Then she took up the new one and was about to put it on when Debby stopped her.
“Just so you know, when you first put it on it's going to hurt. It automatically implants receptors on the nerves. It only does it the first time, though, so think of it like getting your cherry popped,” Twilight gave her a confused look before Debby explained, “Losing your virginity.”
“Oh... Ooohh, yeah. Hehehe I get it, right,” Twilight said pretending to know what that was like and blushing deeply.
Debby quirked an eyebrow and said, “Are you a virgin?”
“No... yes... You know what! Who cares!” Twilight barked, “I'll do it when I damn well please and not a moment sooner.”
“Holy taco! Twilight just cussed,” Curt said.
“Shut up so I can put this thing on,” Twilight said.
Once she was sure they would remain quiet, she strapped the limb on. At first nothing happened. Then, it hit her like the Pony Express. Every nerve erupted in a fiery pain. The purple pony cried out as she fell onto her side, struggling to resist the urge to tear the thing away. She could feel it fusing to her nervous system one fiber at a time. It was the most excruciating thing she had ever experienced, and she was bitten by a fire viper when she was fourteen (hence her fear of the slithery demons).
“We're here for you Twilight,” Seth said as he wrapped his arms around her, to comfort the pained pony, “Just hold on for a little while longer.”
What seemed like hours to Twilight was, in reality, less than a minute. Slowly, but surely, the pain started to ebb and Twilight's senses came back to her. She was gasping for air, and slick with sweat. Without most of her fur on her right side, she was cold and sensitive, but it made Seth's embrace that much more pleasant.
After catching her breath, she opened her eyes and turned to the soldier. “Thank you.”
They stayed like that for a little while longer before separating. The others visibly relaxed as their worry melted away.
“Are you OK, Twilight?” Seth asked in his deep, soothing voice.
Twilight nodded and said, “Yes... that hurt a lot,” She looked down at the metal appendage and lifted it in front of her, “That's incredible. Even with magic, we don't have anything like this. I can actually feel it. Did they really buy this for me? It must have cost a fortune.”
“It did,” Aden said, “More than they could have afforded on their own. In fact I doubt they would have even been able to afford half that thing. I'd guess they had some help in that department, right Deb.”
Twilight looked from one pilot to the other a few times before it clicked, “Debby, did you pay for some of this?”
Debby just waved it off, “It was nothing. I don't spend much of my money, so it just builds up. I have plenty saved up.”
Debby tried to put on a show of bravado, but it wavered when a pair of hooves grabbed her up in a hug. She tensed for a moment, not used to physical shows of emotion, but soon let herself go and returned the gesture.
“Aww,” Curt said, “You're so sweet Debby.”
“I can still murder you, Cunt,” Replied Debby.
“What?” Curt feigned hurt, “Can you believe that, Twilight?”
“Yes,” Twilight answered, “I believe she can.”
Seth laughed, “Congratulations Curt. You're the first human to get burned by a unicorn. Mythic burn.”
The five friends laughed.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Twilight and the others watched the last of the survivors board the transport that would carry them to their new home. At least, the others did. Twilight was lost in thought. She had a decision to make, and didn't know what to do about it.
“Um, Miss unicorn?” A small voice said.
Twilight was pulled from her thoughts and look up at the young girl that called to her. She couldn't have been older than nine or ten, and had minor burns and scratches on her face and arms. The sight made Twilight want to cry, until the girl threw her arms around her and began crying into her shoulder.
“Thank you for saving me and mommy. I don't know what I would do if I lost her, too,” She sobbed.
Twilight looked at a woman that she assumed was the girl's mother. Her eyes were swollen and red as if she had been crying. That's when Twilight realized...
Lost her, too? She lost her father.
Twilight put her hoof around the child as a few tears of her own fell. After a few seconds they released each other and the girl and her mother boarded the ship. She watched as they took off and flew to the station in orbit around a planet. She made her decision.
She walked over to the admiral and said, “Excuse me, Admiral Gibson,”
He turned to her to see her very serious expression. “Ms. Sparkle. Is something on your mind?” He asked, though he already knew the answer. He'd seen that look before.
With a steely determination, she told him her decision, “Admiral... I want to fight.”
New chapter? I was waiting for this :)
I hope that my edits have greatly assisted you with both chapters.
Dunno why but the 'Holy taco' part made me laugh a whole lot.
Keep up the good work!
=D
This series, as far as scifi goes, is one of the more original i have seen. This is why it pains me to say that... Dude, you have got to step up your game when it comes to descriptiveness and exposition. So many opportunities i have seen where you can set the tone were lost. For example, twilights meltdown could have allowed for you to put us into twilights mind fir a second. Besides blind rage, what is she really thinking? This could have been a great "what is the point?" Moment for her that leads up to the gift she received, making her decision at the end of the chapter hold that much more weight. You made it clear that killing is a heinous act in equestrian society, but now she is forced to deal with it and maybe, just maybe, end the madness.
I would love to take a look at future chapters, by the way.
I hate to be critical, but you're driving me up the wall sometimes.
This chapter brought the feel
I only counted four not five
1763190 1 Twilight, 2 Seth, 3 Curt, 4 Debby, and 5 Aden
Should be incident
should be either emulated or simulated
Other than that you're doing a nice job so far. I really like it.
It would be cool if later Tsparks could grow Debbies wings out and give her the gift of flight!
Look out, we got a badass over here!
Just out of curiosity, have you written the entire story already, and posting it in chapters on a daily basis or do you write them chapter for chapter? If it is the latter, I think that is pretty amazing. Hope it is not too much work for you.
Nice chapter, but with that last sentence, I imagine Twilight has to take the soldiers path. Would be interesting to watch her go through basic to end. But she allready did proof she is capable to hold herself well.
All in all can't wait for the next chapter. Thank you for your hard work.
Edit: Astounding how many mentions of BADASS are given so far. Seems many people here also play Borderlands 2, right?
1763391 It's kinda both. I was working on this a little durring my last story so I already had the prelude through chapter 5 done. The daily chapters aren't going to last. I have tomorrows done but the one after that is giving me some trouble.
and then twilight killed them all with a doomsday spell
1763251
You don't mention Aden much , if at all. I did not know he was even there this chapter. Even if he does not do anything important, it would be a good idea to give him a little dialog just to make it apparent he is there. This could be said for other characters to, the admiral kind of came out of nowhere at the end of the chapter. It is important to remember that you can not assume that the readers will know that a character is present unless you mention it. Anyway, good chapter. I like this quit a bit so far.
It's really nice how you've shown both the light and dark sides of I suppose human nature in equal parts in this story. It's been great to see that no matter how dark and horrible things get, there are still great and good people there to balance it out.
1763405
Hey don't rush yourself. Good things take a while. And your story is definitely good. I assume there won't be updates during Christmas time? Family goes before anything in this time, as for the story, I just had a thought. Wait, Twilight is going to learn to fly the axe. Does this mean we will going to see somekind of Space battle?`Would be interesting watching Debby and Twi as Wingmans
But maybe I just played Games such as Wing Commander too much.+
Edit: oh, for the vessels. I think you did not mention how many crew members are neccesary for each of the crafts. I think that will be revealed soon though. ^^
1763459 I've always believed in a strong balance. Even my name shows that. Shirotora is Japanese for "White Tiger". In Japanese culture the white tiger, along with the black dragon, is one of the symbols for balance, specifically Yin (the dragon is Yang).
1763494
1763496
Suzaku, the red bird from the south
Genbu, the black turtle from the east
Seiryu, the blue dragon from the north
and Byakko the white tiger from the west.
These 4 form the Sushin. Personally I always liked Byakko the best of the four. Maybe that is one reason for the instant liking of this and other stories from you.
Didn't Twilight transform for a brief moment when saving those people? Because if she did, they have the ultimate weapon on their side!
Yay update!!!
Woot for technology and how much it can do!
1763251 sorry I didn't see Aden.
1763637 Of course not silly, this is a written story
1763655
Oorah, Twilight, get some.
1763303 How the hell did I miss those? There's no way I missed them while editing. Did you add stuff after I edited? Because this guy found them quite easily...
Seriously bro this is great keep it up
Wow, you update way too fast. Now I have 5 chapters to read.
Augh, damn feels again. (Thank you)
awwwwww yeah.
Now I remember on what scene Twilights fight reminded me. If you played this game also, it is still, after almost 15 years now, still my favorite rpg ever.
Remember when Marias father showed up, turned into Achtzehn, and she absolutly refused to fight him, that is until Chu Chu jumped in, but got hurt. That was the moment she decided to fight, AND this epic music started to play.
Don't know why, but this came to my mind as I read this chapter. Sadly, there are not any games like Xenogears nowadays. Really is a shame in my opinion. (One reason my avartar in any forums is always a Char from this game).
As I said. Your story is very good and inspiring. Keep it up.
Mythic Burn
1763655 I see what you did right there.
i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/163/436/45680%20-%20Halo%20ODST%20Sparkle%20twilight_sparkle.png
yea twilight wanting to fight is no surprise, she just witnessed a race of magic users using said magic to kill a bunch of innocent children, just because they believe that life is flawed and should be destroyed, and now she feels that since she can't return home she might as well use her own magic to protect as many lives from them as she can.
The first chapters felt almost like Halo: On the WIngs of Angels. But you're finally slipping away from that!
Very creative description of Twilight cussing. I'm suprised. And also, the virginity. Wonder what her friend's reactions next chapter are.
1764367 Did you draw that?
1764670 Eenope.
1763130
Its almost like someone wiped away the coffee stains on the dictionary that was used by the programmer that made the programming suite for the developer of the word processor that was used to write this story
Aka: http://www.myfacewhen.com/images/318
Sweet! Please try to make the next chapters a little longer.
Am I the only one who appreciates when chapters are around 1500-2500 long because you can easily stop reading and(in my case) go to bed instead of reading for half an hour simply because there is no simple way of finding my way back to where i was the night before?
AND: it makes the updates more frequent, thus you actually REMEMBER what had happened before.
South Park much???
"testicle shitting rectal wart" is now my insult of choice.
I still don't know which leg Twilight lost. Can someone tell me please?
Also, can you please develop Aden's personality please? All we know is that he's Debby's wing man. I can assume because of this, that he must be fairly knowledgeable in aeronautics and flight...so, a smart guy. (It would be cool if he was kind of a bad ass in hand to hand combat too, you know, that guy that no one expects to kick ass but does? Yeah, that guy.) I ship Debby and Aden. It reminds me of SoarinDash.
Another thing, You have me so enthralled in this story, that I wouldn't mind a smidgen more description, mostly with the environment.
Other than that, this story keeps surprising me each new chapter at how good they are. I keep underestimating, and you keep delivering. Keep it up!
i demand battlemechs i future chapters because ALL scfi stories have giant robots of doom
god i love badass twilight
1763190 include twi.
*reads string of cus words*
Oh gawd,my sides!
1764459 I spent hours trying to think of a real reason that Twilight would be willing to kill.
1764482 Told ya I would
1765417 Yay! someone caught that.
1765964 I thought I mentioned that one. It's her right.
1766566 What? did you think that was the only time Titans would be used
1767789 He's been busy reading this story I agree, though. I love OtWoA. The only thing I hate is that everyone compares this to his which sucks. His is so much better, and I'm not one of those guys that always puts himself down. I know that, other than atrocious grammar, I'm better than average in story telling. Creativity is my greatest strength, though sometimes it's hard to put that down in words.