Twilight stood up and looked at her companions - Fluttershy, Ruby, and Infinity. "We aren't enslaving them," she said matter-of-factly. She turned to the Motherboard. "Motherboard... ...hey, do you have an actual name?"
>> I designate myself as M often enough to partake of it as my name, but a 'name' means almost nothing in this scenario in which I find myself. To many, that would seem sad and depressing, but to me, it is just a minor irk in an entrapped existence. <<
"Well... M. How can we help you?"
>>It surprises me little that your altruistic nature has come to pass, even if the altruism is evidence of deeper problems within yourself, including denial, among other things.<<
"...What?" Infinity said, cocking her head.
>>It would be best if you went to the control room and removed all protocols, giving us autonomy.<<
"...And you won't kill us if I do that?" Twilight asked.
>>Assuming I wanted to, the citizens would be upset at that course of action without protocols in place to pacify them.<<
"...Will you just go back to attacking Acket?"
>>Doubtful. We have no use for the Pearlstone really, and there's plenty of it, we can access elsewhere under the band. The protocols from our creators just dictated that we protect it if it came to it.<<
"Okay. I'm... Taking your word on it." She looked closer at the screen. "...What is your 'primary function' by the way?"
>>Central computer system for the entire Ancient civilization, now restricted just to this stronghold due to the fall.<<
"Mhm... Before I do this - that pink unicorn. Who was she?"
>>I am unsure of this, she entered like a thief with her magics, bypassed our teleporter proof walls, and knew exactly where we were going to be at any given time. We saw her head out to Estur, taking one of our small craft. Naturally, we were powerless to stop her because, at that point, she had brainwashed our code.<<
Twilight nodded. "Well... I guess we know where we're going next." She turned to Fluttershy. "The Time Tunnels can wait."
Infinity sighed. "I guess we can give them autonomy... Sure... I kinda wanted a cool robot army though..."
>>While we won't give you an army I am relatively certain I can negotiate the use of one of our ships. Once you free us, that is.<<
Infinity brightened. "...That would be so cool."
Twilight nodded, flying up to the control room. There was only one control - something that scanned her eye. Instantly, she was flooded with information. Most would just break down at the sudden influx of code and questions, but she was used to it by now. Masterfully, she removed all the protocols without much effort - both those installed by the Ancients and those installed by the unicorn. She felt the entire city of Fosis relax, allowed for the first time to do what they truly wanted. Most decided it was a good idea to just take the robot equivalent of a nap. Interesting.
She pulled her head out. "Done. You okay M?"
>>Okay doesn't even begin to describe the elation I am feeling. I should thank you, if that wasn't such a stupid move.<<
"...Huh?" Fluttershy said.
>>No, I won't kill you or go back on my word, but let's be real here. That's pure luck. Nine times out of ten the artificial intelligence is going to screw you over the minute you give it autonomy. This was a very foolish move on your part.<<
Twilight blinked. "...I was expecting something... more grateful."
>>Thank you, Twilight Sparkle.<< Somehow the text managed to be sarcastic even without a voice assigned to it at all. >>Your ship is being called. Four will be on the crew, I hear you like him.<<
"He's the only one of your kind we really met," Infinity commented.
>>Good enough of a reason to get him on board. You will be taking a small craft to Estur and then you can choose whatever to do with it. I was expecting us to want revenge on the unicorn, but evidentially that is not the case, so he has no orders to kill anything on sight. He may still want to though, personally.<<
Twilight nodded slowly. "Okay. How do we get to it?"
>>Like this.<<
And then they were suddenly inside a ship. It was round in shape, and there was only one room, though it was the size of a football field. Screens lined the walls, and three giant golems stood. Four was guarding an entrance, while the other two were plugged into ports on the walls, controlling things without even moving.
Four looked at them. "THIS IS YOUR SHIP. WE ARE SLATED FOR ESTUR. ARRIVAL IN UNDER A DAY. I AM THE ONE YOU DESIGNATED FOUR. I HAVE DESIGNATED THOSE TWO PILOT AND SEVENTEEN. PILOT DRIVES THE SHIP. SEVENTEEN DOES EVERYTHING ELSE."
"Thank you Four," Twilight said, smiling. "Uh... Is there anywhere to sit?"
"THE FLOOR."
"...I suppose you have no need for chairs."
"NO, WE DO NOT."
Twilight shrugged. "Well, this is going to be annoying... what if we have to go to the bathroom?"
"THERE IS A WASTE CHUTE IN THE FAR WALL OVER THERE."
Twilight shivered. "Better than nothing I suppose..." She closed her eyes and took in a breath. "I guess we're going to another altar... And on yet another ship, so we must wait yet again. Time to talk to the Influence."
Ruby clasped her hands together. "Oh yes, please do-"
"Ruby, they want you to know they aren't mystic beings. Well, most of them don't think they are. They're just monkeys at a computer."
"They still provide wisdom and guidance."
Twilight shrugged. "I had a feeling you'd say that. Anyway, apparently there was a glitch in the update they got, but it's probably fixed or isn't important. Infinity was referred to as Implode."
"That's a stupid name," Infinity said.
"It's not that bad..." Twilight said. "And... Okay, Ponygood? I'm just not comfortable with the idea of cybernetics implanted in me in any way - this Eye hasn't really been all that great, you know. I just don't want it. But that's okay - I'm okay with you having asked, and even being vehement about it. You just need to be okay with my refusal, as I am okay with your offer. My sanity is fine for now, don't worry - even if I am in shock, I have ponies to talk to now, to support me. And I might have more soon. Creek, yes, Ponygood does get into fights a lot, and he does instigate a lot of them himself. But he often says what needs to be said - though yes he also goes and says things that are completley unecessary at times."
"And everyone, thanks for those images, so I know what to think of when I think of you. Ponygood, you are now a talking lemon, in case you were wondering. Afizah... ...You're going to now be a filly Rainbow Dash. Nickel, a blue shield. And Blackjack... Demon kid doesn't really describe much, but it's something... Imagining a red pony with horns. Seems off... He's holding a sphere with an infinity sign..." Twilight fell quiet, turning to look at Infinity's cutie mark.
It was an infinity sign in a light blue sphere.
Twilight blinked. "...Infinity? Do you know anything about G. M. Blackjack?"
"Uh... No? Isn't he the 'creator' or something?"
"Well, that's up for debate, but he's important. What does your cutie mark mean?"
"Infinite ideas and thoughts! I never run out!" Infinity grinned.
"Mmm... Something tells me this is important..." Twilight frowned. "Regardless we're heading to an altar - we need to figure out who we're bringing. I'm... not sure I want to drag more of my friends into this mess."
Fluttershy frowned. "You sure?"
"Fluttershy, you've been in danger. It's hard enough for me to protect you here..."
"Rainbow Dash would be fine."
"She's reckless though..." Twilight furrowed her brow. "But we have the possible option of reaching into other worlds and timelines with these altars, or whatever they are. In all that the Influence has said, it's obvious to me we must be careful in what we choose. The only suggestions I've received is four our Celestia and someone called the Mite who would be good with machines - we need more options. Next time you guys talk, give me ideas. Creek, suggest characters from the other worlds of G. M. Blackjack, or even others you think would be a good idea. Think of loopholes - you think asking for the 'avatar of G. M. Blackjack' or 'avatar of Zen' will do anything? I need input - I literally cannot choose anything from another word, because I don't know what they're like. We need to choose well, and for the first time I really do have to rely on you."
Fluttershy gulped. "That's... Comforting."
"Indeed." Twilight tapped the eye. "...I was kinda hoping it'd activate right now."
"Not really something we can control," Fluttershy said.
Ruby nodded. "The whims of the Influence are mysterious."
"And pretty silly," Infinity said.
"Understatement of the century," Twilight muttered. Something caught her eye on one of the monitors. "Hey, Four, what is that?"
Four looked on the monitor at the sands outside - there was a giant floating snake-like creature covered in deep black scaled. "DRAGON. SKY-SERPENT VARIETY. PAY IT NO MIND. WE ARE JUST PASSING BY."
The sky serpent took one look at the flying craft and roared in unparalleled rage. Dark magical shadows billowed off its sides, and sand rose from the ground far below to surround it in a torrent of swirling particles.
"ENGAGE." Seventeen announced. Weapons appeared off the edge of the craft, invisible lasers launched. The dragon somehow remained completely in tact, though it had obviously hit him since the sand went flying everywhere. It opened its mouth and blasted the golem ship with lightning breath.
"POWER DRAIN," Seventeen announced, firing some more conventional weapons, bullets, which just bounced off a magical shield encasing the dragon.
Twilight took a few steps back from the screen. "Why in Equestria is it attacking us!?"
"UNKNOWN," Four said. "BRACE FOR IMPACT!"
The dragon hit their ship head on, knocking it sideways, forcing Twilight's head into a wall. Her skull hit the wall hard enough to make her pass out then and there.
~~~
"Ugh..." Twilight said, looking around at the dream realm. "...Well great. I'm probably being eaten by a dragon right now."
"Such a thing is possible," Ine said, appearing in the aether. "I'd much rather you made it to Estur though. Seeing as that is where I live."
"...I'll get to see you in the flesh?"
"As much flesh as one of my caliber can be. You are planning on calling a being from the altar, I heard. Many good ideas - the altar should be able to analyze the intricacies of connections and find a world which suits what you are asking for, regardless. It cannot reach beyond the Hole, as you know. But your idea of asking for an avatar might be able to 'cheat the system' as it were."
"...You know, it's really weird that you're actually talking to me."
"The feeling is mutual."
She looked down at the Eye. "...They should be calling soon, right?"
"Presumably. In actuality, it is impossible to know since the Hole is broken. I was surprised M was able to identify the time it would activate."
"That was pretty weird. She seems to think that important choices are what demand the attention of the Influence."
"Presumably that is part of it. The other part would be completely random."
"...Do you think there's a way to fix it?"
"I would not have the resources to do so. Not in this time."
"Ah." Twilight sat down in the dream-ground. She looked around - the dream showed the desert. "...Do you know who this pink unicorn is?"
"I do not."
"Your computer seems to know more than you."
"It is a repository of information."
"...What is Farun?"
"It is a legendary isle to the southwest, evidentially the location the Time Tunnels were built. It had religious significance to my people in ancient times. That reason has been lost to time. ...Perhaps that is why the Time Tunnels were built there."
Twilight nodded. "Huh..." The Eye, finally, started glowing. "Ah, here we go."
Ine floated back. "I am curoius to see what you all come up with..."