//------------------------------// // Chapter Nine - Overtime // Story: Summer Bound // by Windsocks //------------------------------// My eyes crept open as a low growl of thunder shook the study. The fireplace that was once keeping us warm was now out, leaving behind nothing but ashes and scattered embers. I didn’t have to know the time to wager it was still late in the night. Taking my head away from Celestia’s, I gently laid her down. Thankfully, she didn’t wake up allowing me to get up and wander over to the window in the study. Reaching the window, I pushed back it’s thick velvet curtains. A flash of lightning striking off in the distance. A world so unlike my own was revealed in an instant before fading back to black. My mind wandered to times I had back on earth as I stood here watching the storm I had caused. I wanted so badly to believe Celestia, but the more I looked out into the storm the more my mind strayed from her light. Like yin and yang, another bolt of lightning lit up the study. Celestia’s form still laying peacefully on the polyester cushion. The sight made my heartache. She was going through so much, just to save me. I wonder what she would say if I told her about the small town I grew up in. How I was meant to be nothing more than a commoner in my world. Would she change her mind? Would she go on and tell me I’m not worth fighting for? Turning my head back towards the window, I closed my eyes and listened to the rain tap rhythmically against the glass window. It’s soft beat, soothing my worries and relaxing my muscles. I knew I had to fight on, as selfish as it might sound I really didn’t want to die. Nothing more then primal instincts kept me from opening this window and stopping the hard times. Bringing back the world they once thrived in. I’m sure there would be hundreds, if not thousands of beings out there that would push me off themselves. And the funny thing is, I wouldn’t blame them. If the tables were turned and I was back on earth with storms like this happening twenty-four seven, then I would want to kill the person behind it too. The only beacon of light in this dark time was Celestia. Anchoring me down in one place, giving me a goal worth fighting for. But most of all, keeping me moving, my mind occupied so thoughts like these would not pop up into my head. Looking back over to Celestia I let out a small sigh. Why is she doing all this? I asked myself. Closing the curtains, I wandered back over to the cushion that Celestia lied upon. She smiled happily in her sleep as a portion of her mane covered her face. The same flower from the forest nestled between her ear and mane. Even though she was a completely different species; I had to admit that she looked beautiful. Letting my own smile escape my lips I got up and wandered towards the door to the hallway. If she was going to work hard to solve this problem, then so would I. Grabbing my phone in its tapestry bag, I opened the door I slipped out and into the hallway. A couple of guards that lined the hallways looked towards me. Thankfully, none of them seemed to have any other intent other than a quick glance. Celestia must have told them I was okay. I concluded to myself as I continued through the corridor and down a flight of stairs. Following Luna’s directions backward I soon found myself at the laboratory once again. Since nothing of value was in the room other then a couple of beakers, the door to the room was left unlocked. Slipping in I come to find someone -or rather somepony- that I didn’t expect to find down here this late at night. “Luna? What are you doing here in the lab?” I questioned the blue alicorn as she gazed at a couple beakers on a desk. Surprised that someone was down here at this time she jumped in her spot, “I should be asking you that question. I am the princess of the night do you not remember?” “Yeah, but the lab?” I ask. Luna looks at me with a serious expression before spilling the beans, “Night court is rather dull, not many ponies -if any- show up. I thought I would help in the efforts of my sister. Finding a solution to this problem is indeed the most important matter at hoof at the moment.” “Ah, so you have the same idea as me,” I reply. “Pray-tell?” Luna questions. I walk up to the other end of the lab desk, “I came down here as well to speed up the process. I wanted to do some test myself and see if I can come across anything.” For the first time, I can actually see a small smile etch its way across Luna’s face before quickly reseeding. “Understand that I’m here so that we can solve this problem. We only wish to undo what thou have caused. No matter if it is indirectly or directly.” I frown at her response, “I see. You still don’t trust me, do you?” “Nay, and I don’t think I ever will,” Luna states. “At least you’re honest. So, while we’re both down here with the same goal. How about we join forces; if only to speed up this process?” I ask dropping the tapestry bag onto the lab bench. Luna looks at me skeptically before nodding, “I will accept this offer. Now, what is the theory you came down here to test? And what may I ask is in that bag?” “When I and Celestia met River Breeze she came up with the idea that I’m like a battery. That every time I’m ‘fully charged’ with magic I expel it in a form of a spell. While that sounds very logical, I think she has it wrong.” I comment moving the bag to the front of me. Luna once again gives me a quizzical look but nevertheless gestures me to continue. Getting the message, I unravel the bag to reveal my phone inside, “I think that while the battery theory holds merit, the true problem with the weather is my device.” “And what brings you to this conclusion? As you explained before, that device is only used to communicate with others around your world. Here, it is utterly useless, just a lump of metal and plastic.” Luna retorts. I nod before bringing up my main theory I wanted to test out, “yes, but before I came here I used my device here to connect to a network that shouldn’t have been there. When I did so, everyone that had the device in a small vicinity around me got shocked.” “What is this network?” Luna asked. “It would take way to long to explain right now, but maybe later. As of now, I think that network might be causing all this trouble.” I retort. “It could just be a coincidence,” Luna pointed out. I shake my head, “I hardly think so, the probability of all our devices doing so at the same time is almost impossible.” “So, what do you hope to do with this device now?” Luna questions. “As a last resort, given enough evidence, destroy it. It would be nice, however, to keep it intact till we know there is nothing more it can provide us,” I reply. Luna shakes her head, “That is not what I meant. What I meant was: what do you wish to do right now? What was the test you came down here to perform?” I shrug my shoulders, “I have no idea, I was just going to fiddle around with the phone to see if I can get something to happen.” Luna rolls her eyes, “You sound like a primitive being banging two rocks together.” “I have you know that's how they discovered fire,” I reply with a smirk. Luna sighs, “Either way, it’s inefficient to test without prior thought. Not to mention dangerous to anypony attempting it as well.” “Do you have a better idea?” I quipped. Luna doesn’t say anything as she takes her eyes off me and back onto my phone. “That's what I thought. Now, lets start with the basics. Since it hurts like hell for me to touch it, I’ll leave it up to you to handle the device.” I comment sliding the tapestry over to Luna. “How very thoughtful of you,” Luna claimed with her statement drenched in sarcasm, “So, what is it you wish for me to do?” “Turn it over and take off the case. I want to see if the device will still run without the power, or if it’s even connected to the weather at all. If it powers off and the weather still goes on, then there is a chance we’re wasting our times with this theory and should just move on.” Luna looks up at me with an eyebrow raised, “I’m actually quite impressed you can think that deeply about this test.” Taking that as a compliment I continue, “Thanks, now let's get going we’re burning daylight.” “I think the correct term would be moonlight at this time,” Luna mutters under her breath as she fiddles with the back of the phone. Within a couple of minutes, she finally finds a way to take the back part off with her hooves. “Alright, now you see that black box that is separated from the rest.” I point out the battery and the grove around it. Luna nods and I continue, “I want you to take it out and flip the device over.” Following my instructions to the T, she successfully takes out the battery and flips the phone over. What happens is a whole lot of nothing. The phone still displays the black and white static on the screen. “Any other ideas?” Luna asks with an unamused look on her face. I can see that the testing tonight is going to drag on way longer than it ever should. I and Luna work diligently throughout the night and by diligently, I mean Luna forcing me to touch the device for every single one of her theories. I soon came up with another more accurate theory of my own, and that was that Luna is just using this time to fuck with me. Either way, it was very frustrating when none of our tests yielded any results. We eventually hit that stage where you just kept throwing test after test at the thing till something or someone stops you. Sadly, it was the latter as Snowy Mist enters the laboratory with a mug of coffee. The text “Science’s best friend” written on its face. She says something in her native tongue to Luna which gets her to stop her testing. Looking over my shoulder I come to see her walking up next to me. “Care to explain? Can’t really understand Equinish or whatever you call it.” Yup, I was a bit grumpy that I was up all night, but it was all in the name of science. “She just told me the time,” Luna commented as she walked towards the door, “It seems that it is time for me to rest. I take it we will continue our research tomorrow night?” I nod, at least we came to some agreement that will yield more results than most of these persnickety science ponies. As she leaves the room Snowy Mist wanders over to the desk and reaches for my phone, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I comment in a monotone voice. “And why not ape?” She retorted bitterly. Wow, she sure got me good there. I think I’m crying a bit. I say to myself as I just shrug her off and let her find out for herself. As it did to me multiple times last night the device shot out an arc of lightning that connected with her hoof. One pained yelp later and I realized why Luna enjoyed doing it to me so much. A small bit of satisfaction, that if it had a taste, would be as sweet as honey. “Should have listened to me, ” I comment taking the tapestry bag and sheet of paper that I and Luna recorded our observations on. Rubbing her hoof Snowy Mist shot me the evils. Not really paying attention, I wander to the lab door with my belongings. As I reach for the door it opens for me, Rainy Day on the other side. “Here early I see,” Rainy Day states as I pass her the observations I and Luna made. She raises an eyebrow, “and what is this?” She comments starting to read the sheet. “My excuse to take today off,” I stated giving her the bag as well, “I suggest that you keep your hoof away from it.” With that said, I pass her and walk into the hallway. If there was one science pony I could at least trust with my findings it would be her. Even though she didn’t like me, she made her goal clear. My walk down the hallways of the castle were uneventful. Not like that was anything bad, in fact, it was quite nice to wander around with nothing popping up. Speaking of popping up, as I turned the next corner I came to see Celestia herself exit the study. With a confused expression on her muzzle, she looked down the hallway opposite of me than towards me. When her eyes meet mine she lets a small smile grace her lips, “There you are Kenneth. Sorry for falling asleep on you last night. I had a long day,” She stated as she shuffled one of her fore hoofs on the marble flooring. “It was nothing, I’m just glad you got the sleep you needed. So, what are your plans for today?” I ask seeing as my own timetable has been cleared up. Who needs sleep anyways. Letting out a cute little yawn she answered, “Same as yesterday. I have to pick up where I left off. I haven’t even been able to put a dent in the pile of paperwork.” “Would you like some help?” I ask like I did last time. Celestia raised her brow at me, “Shouldn’t you be in the lab helping them?” She asks. “Yeah, but they’re all doing individual tests, none of which need me present for.” I lie. Smiling she nods, “Well if you really want to help out, I wouldn’t mind having a bit of company. I must warn you though; my work can get rather dull at times.” “Isn’t that why I’m here,” I reply with a smirk. Chuckling at my response she nods, “I guess so.” Our little conversation seemed to end there as she proceeded to lead me through the hallways of the castle. The sound of metal on marble made themselves known every time Celestia took a step. Once again, I found myself at peace. No matter how hard life was at the moment, it was better than not having one at all. The fact that Celestia gave me this goal of retribution only made things that much better. Arriving at another door we enter another room. A lot like the study this one had only one desk that sat in the middle. Three cushions that surrounded it and a nice large window. One that I’m sure would have been magnificent to look out of. “Why not use the study to do the paperwork?” I question walking in behind her. The paintings on the walls here were all different. Instead of famous ponies, they depicted nice vivid sceneries. The room itself had a very light and bright atmosphere about it. Even though there was no fireplace here, the candles and natural lighting seemed to make up for it. “It is true that I could simply use the study, but I rather be in a more calming atmosphere when dealing with stressful decisions.” She lectured taking a seat at one end of the table. Following her, I as well take a seat by the table. I could understand her reasoning. This room did -at least to me- give off a more optimistic atmosphere. Taking one of the top sheets of the pile, I look it over, “So this is what keeps the mighty Celestia of Equestria locked up in a room most of the day?” I question as I read the title of the document, “A permit for an ice cream parlor?” Celestia chuckles as she takes the page and stamps it with a seal of approval. “You didn’t even look at it,” I argue. “Ice cream is a very serious matter ken. One that I’m sure will work out to benefit Canterlot and in so, Equestria as a whole itself.” She nodded with a look of satisfaction upon her muzzle. “Pfft, Equestria, more like a certain white mare with a thing for ice cream.” “What was that?” Celestia questions with a stern look on her face. I recoil from the look alone, “nothing.” Instantly her stern look fades and is replaced with a soft smile, “One down, many more to go,” she cheerfully states as she picks up the next paper and starts to go over it. “So, what is your favorite type of ice cream?” I question taking another sheet from the top of the pile. It was about getting a loan to help some ponies receive proper medical attention. A part of my stomach turned as the guilt I harbored showed its face. Humming in thought she stamped the paper before answering, “Strawberry Sundae.” Of course she would pick something with the word ‘sun’ in it, I commented to myself. Then again that was a pretty good pick. You can’t really go wrong with some strawberry. “And yours?” She questions taking another sheet. As she does so she looks towards me waiting for my answer. “I would have to say either orange sherbet or cookies and cream,” I say causing Celestia to look at me with a confused expression. Looking over the sheet a bit, she states what's on her mind, “What is this cookies and cream ice-cream?” Immediately I stop reading the scroll in front of me and look at her with a serious expression, “you don’t have cookies and cream? I’m so sorry for you Celestia I truly am.” “What are you sorry for?” Celestia questions back with more confusion etched into her expression. I look at her like one would look at a homeless person. Saddened that they had to go through their entire life like that. I then get a brilliant idea in my mind, “Don’t worry, when we solve this weather problem, I’ll take you to get some.” “Are you asking the princess on a date?” Celestia questions with a small smirk. Her attempts to make me embarrassed are thwarted when I reply, “If you want to look at it that way sure.” This causes her face to glow a tinge red. Stamping two sheets of paper in close concession, she quickly gets up from her seat, “I have to go to the little fillies room for a sec.” It was now my turn to be the confused one as I looked at her walk out of the room. Shrugging my shoulders I take a look at the two sheets she just stamped. One of them not even a request but a letter from a kid, and the second one a request to have someone arrested because he sneezed. Whatever it was that I had said, sure distracted her from actually reading the reports. Taking the two away from the pile I place them aside. Sadly, the only thing I could do at the moment is read the papers. My tired mind skipping over unimportant details, trying to get the point of each request. I didn’t want to stamp anything, after all, it was the royal seal. I would just have to tell Celestia when she gets back what they were about. Also for her to remove the two seals from the papers I pulled aside. Having a couple minutes’ pass by, I take the time to get up and walk around the room. Celestia has been gone for quite a bit. Maybe the bathrooms are farther away than I originally thought. Walking over the large window in the room I look out towards the city of Canterlot. The lights in the buildings below held firm throughout the storm. From here I could already see flooding in the market square. I could only imagine what panic Saddle Lake would be in if the water levels rise too much. Funny how spending time with Celestia has gotten me to start thinking about others more than thinking about myself. A good habit I am sure, but one that will probably be my downfall.