Tread Lightly ran forward, her purple skin reflecting against the dimly lit cavern as the trail of electrical energy shot up from behind her. The hairs of her mane stood on end as the bolt closed towards her flanks. Fight or flight instinct had kicked in and this was full flight. She tumbled awkwardly into cover behind a solid chunk of black rock which was briefly electrified from the lance of energy. The mare breathed a sigh of relief and adjusted her lab coat at the brief reprieve. She was thankful the rock hadn't exploded from the coursing energy hitting it. Messer Schmitt’s voice rang out from the skies like a thunderclap. “Up here you big ugly bird, come and pick on someone whom can fly.”
The massive creature covered in stone like feathers and arcing with bolts of lightning surging from it's body out of the feather tips gazed to turn its attention away from the earth pony. The beast tilted its head up straight up to meet the gaze of the pegasus. Pure rage was upon it's face and a hunger that was undeniably that of a predator seeking it's prey.
“You little gnat! I shall enjoy devouring you!” The bird declared in a screeching whine of a voice. The massive eagle charged with electricity flew up at high speed launching another bolt of pure destruction out that seemed certain to hit the pegasus. Just before the energy jolt impacted, a blast of deep green energy slammed into it and cut it off from below.
The larger flier looked down to see a unicorn, head to toe deep grass green, lit by her horn aimed right at the bird. Her yellow and black striped mane fluttered around her from the energy the mare had to gathered to fire again.
“Messer, keep flying, if we can distract it and keep it busy, we can hopefully find a way to deal with it.” Morning Merigold called out as Tread Lightly was peeked up over her rock and adjusted her lenses; changing them to get a different set. This made her glasses allow her to see in different spectrums as Tread's mind was racing to find a solution, the purple mare desperately trying to figure out exactly what this creature was and how to deal with it. Merigold turned back to what was at hand, she had no idea if she could hold this creature at bay for very long but at least she could distract it off Messer long enough for him to gain the upper hand.
“Right, Morning Merigold, working on it.” Tread Lightly called out to the unicorn whom fired another blast of magic directly at the electrified thunder bird.
“Enough of this foolishness! I shall have you now!” it declared and lanced down in a full dive. Messer found himself out of position to intercept it. Even though he was smaller and faster, the bird creature was nearly six times the size of any pony and it was outrunning him towards the unicorn. Merigold desperately fired blast after blast in hopes that some of her magic would stop it. Electrical energies shot back and countered each blast as the attacking giant eagle dove harder and faster.
Messer flapped his wings so hard they ached from the effort. He hoping to win this race as he closed his eyes to pray to Celestia that he would make it. Just as he opened his eyes to see where he was in his dive; he watched Morning Merigold disappear into the maw of the massive bird and a sickening crunch echoed through the cavern, a bit of red blood oozing from the bird's beak between its teeth.
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Messer Schmitt pranced along towards the city of Stalliongrad. His orange skin with blue sleeved legs reflected upon the river as he moved. For once he had elected to not use his wings but instead just enjoy the slower walk towards the city. The breeze picked up upon his red and white mane and even ruffled his feathered wings a bit. The colder weather to the north was already starting to set in while elsewhere it would still be the beautiful colors of fall. The one thing that was distorted about his reflection was his cutie mark, as it was black, in the symbol of a cross made of 4 pegasi wings with white lining. He was feeling hopeful that this position as "Lab Assistant" would be enough to impress the professors in Canterlot to give him his degree. Then again, they had only given him an address and not actually told him the name of the mare he was meeting. Which left Messer with a mixed bag of hopefulness and worry for the project he was going to sign up for.
Messer Schmitt had been informed that a scientist in Stalliongrad was expecting him in order to test a new invention. One that would require a pegasus in order to test. He hadn't been given any more information beyond an address on Ponissar Lane. As he approached the city edge, Messer adjusted his collared black necklace a bit and took in the sight of the old buildings. Many were made of brick and mortar as opposed to wood or pure stone, the dull red of the buildings reflected the attitude of the citizens; practical. He thought that this was one very drab looking city. The various structures were kept in clusters with the height the same for each block. The only unique building was a tall bell tower stood in the city center, standing over everything and as it tolled twice. 2 in the afternoon, Messer was ahead of his schedule in spite of taking his leisurely walk rather than flying the whole way. He smiled as the walk had relaxed him and prepared Messer to be much more calm than he had been initially setting out.
There weren't a lot of ponies on the streets even as he neared the market. They appeared to be busy and focused upon getting what and going to where they needed to be instead of sitting around socializing. He approached one of the vendors, a dark red pony with auburn colored mane and even a bit of a mustache separated from a very small beard under his chin. He looked older in years for an Earth Pony but not quite that of a grand parent. He was selling what appeared to be very large potatoes and hunks of firewood, freshly cut as it had not had time to properly dry out.
“H'ello thear stran-g'r,” he spoke out to Messer Schmitt in a deep thick accent as he adjusted his neck and longer legs, towering over Messer by a good shoulder and a half. “Vhat can I in-ter'est oou in ta'day?” The pegasus was not surprised by the friendliness but the accent did make him hard to understand. Messer took a moment to size him up before speaking to make sure the merchant wasn't going to try to sell him something immediately then he sighed. His thoughts were that this pony was friendly enough and at least he could get the directions from a local. Worst case, he'd have to buy a potato first right?
“I am looking for Ponissar Lane, I am here to meet up with a scientist that lives there.” The Pegasus replied. The words seemed to strike the older earth pony like a shot to the gut. His lips turned into a frown and he took a step closer to his stand and closer to Messer. He loomed in, his eyes narrowed and he appeared to take offense to the mention of Messer's destination.
“Thear 's only vone scien-tiist vhom lives thear, are oou shure?” The red earth pony replied, his skin even seemed to darken to the color of mud at the speaking of the possibility. Shadows seemed to lean in from nowhere. Messer gave a big gulp as he sat there and thought that maybe this was a bad idea. A chill ran down his spine when he saw the shadows adjust from out of no where. What had he gotten himself into, he wondered and nearly decided to leave then and there. Then a thought hit him from one of his professors, Professor Rod Iron, "No Pony's Merit should be decided by what others think of them. You should always judge for yourself first and by other pony's second."
This helped Messer make up his mind that he wasn't going to let rumors nor some other pony's opinion deter him. He would decide the merit of this scientist on his own. He puffed out his chest as though to show a steeling of his nerves and nodded in the affirmative to the red bearded earth pony.
“Vell, Krasnom Zangieffhooves vill tell oou. It is near ze bell tower, so trot thear and go vehin'd ze church and oou will find her laboratory thear.” He spoke and hung his head as though in shame whispering under his breath, “To ze disgrace of us all.”
Messer Schmitt was rather puzzled at the comment but thought that it couldn't possibly be as bad as it was described. He shrugged off the words and started towards the mighty cathedral, its heavy red, orange, and white bricks stacked seemingly as high as Canterlot castle. He didn't pass many ponies on the streets and each they seemed surprised that he was here. There were not a single pegasus on the streets and only two unicorns he counted in the city as he trotted along. This was rather strange to him, it put him in a feeling of unease. He knew this was an Earth Pony city, but even those at least had more variety than this. Was there a reason for the lack of pegasi and unicorns?
He came to the church and walked around it uneventfully. In the distance, he swore he heard an explosion but there was not any smoke, falling buildings, debris, or panic nearby so he dismissed the possibility. The worst part was the direction he heard it from, was where he was heading. His apprehensiveness grew and he felt the fur along his spine stand on end.
After a few more steps down the street, he found the address, like every building in Stalliongrad, it was red brick and unremarkable, save for the various scorch and burn marks on the building. The scorch marks didn't look like the building had burned but something was different and seemed out of place about this residence. Messer's worry grew a bit, was this still a good idea? Should he carry on and go with his professor's teachings? Should he go back and say the mare wasn't home or turned him down? All of these questions filtered through his head as he went up the stairs to the doorway.
“This isn't the place right?” he said to himself at the door. After building up the courage, he rapped upon the door twice with his hoof. The third time, hit air as the door opened on its on. It had been left ajar and his gentle hoof raps had been all that was needed to open it. He made his way in. The hallway was dark, the floor board were covered in dust, soot, and hoof marks. This place needed a good cleaning as even the side table was tumbled over and was missing a leg. Messer swore this place looked like it might have been set on fire or ransacked even. “Hello?” The confused pegasus called out as he went into the dark unlit halls of the house. There was a low amount of light coming from the trotway at the end of the hall as well as the sounds of activity. A hammer banging on something then a piece of metal dropping to the wooden floor with a bouncing jarring clang, almost as though it was made of a resonating metal.
“I'm here about the lab assistant job? Specifically requesting a pegasus?” He called out to no answer. His voice was unsteady. Part of him wanted there to be no answer so he could just leave. A few hoof beats past and then he heard a voice of a mare who seemed flustered.
“No that isn't right.....more tungsten in this mixture might do it but what do I do to make it volatile?” Came the mare's voice from down the hall. Messer hesitantly trotted his way towards and slowly pushed the door open to see inside. Just as he opened the door and his eyes adjusted to the light there was an explosion.
His senses were overwhelmed by the sudden shock wave that cascaded over him. Messer slammed his eyes closed and hammered his body to the floor. There was to be a brief moment where he firmly believed that he was about to die, but then the force wave never hit. After a few moments, he stood back up and opened his eyes slowly to see a red mane with pink tips near his face and he looked down slightly to see another pony in front of him.
Before him was a purple mare in a dirty scorched lab coat that ended at her mid drift. The mare had a red mane with pink along it's tips as well as a tail colored the same. Her mane was cut short and very straight upon the ends. A pair of glasses shaped with 8 distinct ovals were in front of her eyes but upon closer inspection they were monocles not glasses. Her cutie mark was the most peculiar part of her, A Green Tank firing a Science Beaker out of its cannon. The pony didn't speak but seemed to be looking him over.
“Hello...can I help you?” she asked, no accent unlike the other ponies in this city; this mare was apparently educated in the way she spoke.
“I umm....I'm here about the lab assistant job....was that an explosion?” Messer replied as he looked the smaller mare up and down seeing the pocket bulging with sealed containers of small cylinder beakers.
“Oh right, I was informed you were coming...I apologize for the sensory overload. Did they tell you anything about the job or myself?” The mare asked as she started toward him and circled his flank, he turned to face and she immediately placed her hoof upon his side to stop him. “No, I need to examine you to make sure you are right for the job. What is your name? And what did they tell you?” The mare asked.
“I'm Messer Schmitt, one of the best weather specialists in Equestia!” he said rather proudly. As he flexed his wings and his legs in order to show off a bit. “And all they told me was that I was expected to show up and assist you in your lab for a decent fee.” She continued her exam and there were a few clicks from her glasses. Her thoughts were of his characteristic muscles as well as how his wings looked like they would fit in place perfectly for her project. The mare was clearly lost in thought for a few moments before speaking.
“No need to show off. You look like you will do a fine job for what I have in mind. What is your rate?” She asked adjusting her glasses there was another click as she pushed one of the eight lenses on the right into the center and moved the existing one out, the new lens changed to a gold color as it was locked into place.
“I would like to say 20 bits a week and the name of whom I am working for.” The pegasus replied, in a manner that was obviously flirting with the mare. Messer hoped this might win her over a bit more and break the tension of him playing duck and cover a moment again.
“Tread Lightly.” The Mare replied, rather sternly as she stopped her visual exam. There appeared to be no amount of jest in her voice. Her facial features tensed up rather than relaxed. She appeared to be beyond serious about that matter.
The pegasus was taken aback and looked down embarrassed he had overstepped his bounds. Messer felt foolish that in less than 2 minutes he managed to make himself look like a coward and the flirting had gone over like an overweight pegasus trying to fly with a load of lead. “I didn't mean to offend. I just wanted to know your name and what kind of pony I would be working with.” He said trying to diffuse the situation with a nervous smile.
There was a brief pause as the tension built. Messer Schmitt's face contorted nervously and he debated about leaving wondering what he had just gotten himself into. Beads of sweat dotted his brow as the mare seemed to take an even sterner look to him. Furthermore, it was beyond him why she was so stand offish and he was beginning to understand just where all of this was going.
Suddenly the mare burst into laughter as she stamped her hoof a few times. “Tread Lightly is my name and you will do nicely as an assistant.” She replied and extended her hoof as the earth pony looked him over with renew eyes that were softer, friendly, and kinder than her demeanor before. Messer extended his hoof back and they shook.
“20 Bits a week is more than acceptable and for what I have need of you are a perfect pony specimen.” Tread Lightly stated, rather matter of factly. She seemed to have relaxed now and she had decided that Messer was okay in her book. There was a brief exchange of glances and a release of the hooves as Tread walked back towards her table where she had been working.
“Don't mind the explosions by the way, they clear my head and allow me to find solutions to my theories more easily. Now I suppose you want to know what you are doing here?” She asked as she started to pull a drawer open that was larger than a pony. She took out something and placed it upon her back. It was covered in a black sheet and appeared to be vaguely the size of his wings. With a harsh metallic clang it echoed through the lab as she set it onto the table. The sheet was discarded and it was indeed a purely metal wing with what appeared to be attachments and designs to place it upon the flank of a pegasus.
“I need to acquire the last piece for this and you're going to test it out. Well...test it out and make sure it works without of course being somepony in need of it.” Tread explained as she took out a wrench and began to loosen a bolt on the wing and examine it's internal workings.
“WOW! I mean...I'm not missing my wings so how does this work?” He asked as the pegasus looked over the intricate design. The metal appeared to be shaped with intent to create feathers made of gleaming steel as well as the flexibility required for flying as each one cascaded and moved like it was a real feather. Even as his hoof touched it and confirmed it was made of metal. Though the metal was not steel or anything he felt like he had touched before.
“Well this is designed for a pony whom has lost a wing. You haven't so while you don't make the perfect test subject, you can assist me in calibrating it for a real pegasus whom needs it, assuming one ever comes along. But if it works I suppose it would be most helpful in the event of trauma or accidents.” Tread stated as she examined the slightly larger pegasus.
Messer took a moment to think about what was going on, this type of technology was normally beyond even Alicorns and here it was built by an Earth pony of all things. He took a deep breath and smiled, “I'm in, what do we need?” He asked as his hoof traced the flexible cold feathers of the wing. It gave him chills down to the flanks and even the base of his tail to see such a marvel and then be able to touch it.
“We need to go recover some iridium. It has unique properties that will allow an interface between a pony's body and the cybernetics inside. Effectively this will allow them to merge enough with the artificial wing to keep the wing powered through their nervous system. As well as place it under the pegasus's control when it is attached. It only exists in the mountains to the north and even then only when the stars allow pieces of it to fall to Equestia through the northern lights.”
The pegasus stared at her blinking repeatedly as she walked past and started to wrap the cybernetic wing and place it back into the sheet then slowly placed it back into its drawer. Tread Lightly took great care to make sure to place the wing carefully away and then locked the drawer as she did so. Almost as though she were holding something sacred or holy in her hooves.
“You mean...we're going....well beyond the territory of ponies after some rock, that is rare and has to be refined and may not even work for what you want to do with it?” Messer Schmitt asked, as he raised an eyebrow and tilted his head rather puzzled. All he could do was just sit there and stare wondering if this purple mare was serious.
“Yes..I am perfectly aware of what I have just said and we are going to somewhere no pony has ever really explored properly and intend to recover a rock so rare it has only been documented in six locations in any quantity.” Tread Lightly replied as she looked at the pegasus. “You asked to be my lab assistant, don't back out now...surely you realize the possible break through in treatment of pegasi whom have lost a wing or had their ability to fly permanently damaged?”
Messer seemed to quiver, slowly building up and going faster and faster before he could no longer contain himself. “YES!!!!! I'm completely IN!” He screamed out at the top of his lungs with the last word so loud it cracked his voice. “I have always wanted to push the boundaries of what we know and I would completely be up to recover iridium for this!” He then leaped into the air and nearly smacked into ceiling the excitement. His heart was exhilarated and adrenaline flowing at the prospect of this scientific adventure.
His professor had been right, this Tread Lightly pony was going to lead him on adventures into the realm of science he had only dreamt of as a young colt in school.
Tread Lightly was surprised by this and let out a giggle as she blushed, “You're the first assistant to not run away when I explained the job...and the tenth one to apply for it. Not to mention the other assistants quit after just two weeks. We'll see how long you last, Messer.” She explained and started to gather a bag of supplies. As she got it onto her back, she took out her coin pouch. Then mare removed 20 bits and passed them to Messer, “You're first week's pay in advance, so you can't back out on me till we're at least a week out on this trip.” she said with a sly grin.
Messer took 10 of the bits and pushed the rest back, “I will only take ½ a week's pay in advance, otherwise I would feel like I was taking advantage of you.”
Tread Lightly blinked a few times and smiled warmly, “If you're that excited and that honest, then I hope I can keep you for some time. Now let me close up shop and we have to meet up with a friend before our adventure begins.” She explained as the mare walked over to get a set of keys and motioned him to follow as she moved to lock up the lab and head down the hallway towards the still open door. Just as she got outside, she tossed a small flask of blue liquid and there was a small detonation like a firecracker.
For Messer this was unnerving and made him jump towards the ceiling. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized it just another firecracker going off. For Tread Lightly however, she closed her eyes and embraced the minor puff of the sparkling colorful explosive. Her senses were at first completely dulled by the experience. Then as they came back, the clarity of having been entirely cut off from sensory perception gave her thoughts clarity. And when the senses returned they seemed to return sharper and without the background noise of the house and city that had been there before. She let out sigh, “Just one for the road.”