The foals continued on their way, passing many corridors and caverns. Scootaloo kept looking about at everything, watching various classes being taught through the classroom windows. In one a unicorn in a lab coat was gesturing to a complex magical diagram on a chalk board. A diagram Scootaloo thought she recognised. That particular classroom was filled with jumpsuit of every colour. Well, every student colour anyway. Clearly, magical theory was a subject everyone had to learn here.
Through another window was a class of made entirely of blue suited students. Their teacher, a massive white pegasus, was moving model guards around what looked to be a detailed replica of Canterlot castle. It wasn’t just the classrooms that caught Scootaloo’s attention. Signs were attached to the various walls, all describing rooms and facilities that sounded incredibly exciting to the young filly. Places such as the ‘DEATH RAY TESTING RANGE’, ‘THE MAZE’ and ‘CENTRAL OPERATIONS’, just to name a few. There were also less interesting places named, such as the ‘SICK BAY’, the ‘TEST TRACK’ and the ‘HIPPOCAMPI DOCK’.
Wait, what. Scootaloo did a double take, but the group pressed on, leaving her unable to check what she had thought she saw. All too soon the group had arrived at a set of large metal doors.
“Here we are.” The Contessa announced, turning to look at the foals. “This is the quartermasters. Beyond these doors, you will be granted you uniforms, as well as have your measurements taken. These measurements will be used to make any more specialized equipment you will require in the future. I will also be introducing you to H.E.R.D.’s number one assistant, who you will come to rely on, as we all do, as the years go on.” The Contessa turned back to the doors.
“S.P.I.K.E. Can you open the doors, please? I have a new batch of students here for their uniforms.”
“Sure thing, Adagio. Come on in.” A youthful, male voice replied to the Contessa, the response seeming to come from the walls themselves. Walls whose marbling was now glowing, just like the corridor junction earlier. The Doors slide apart and the Contessa stepped into the room, the foals following close behind. The room was very bright, much in contrast to the rest of H.E.R.D. The parts they had seen so far at least. The walls, floor and ceiling were covered in blindingly white tiles. The tiles were so blinding that Scootaloo wasn’t sure if they were actually white, or just enhanced to emit white light. Between the evenly spaced tiles were lines of crystal similar in colour to the guard’s sleeper crystals. The difference between these crystals and those of the guards, however, was the river of green that seemed to flow through their core. The Contessa stop in the middle of the room.
“S.P.I.K.E. Introduce yourself to the new students please.”
“Can do.” Just like before the walls lit up. Unlike in the corridors, however, the light from the purple crystals continued to grow, the river of energy appearing to flow faster. The energy, Scootaloo notice, all flowing to a point near the centre of the room. Suddenly the green energy burst out of the ground, not even a length away from the Contessa. The growing mass of green glowed with a purple light, as is constricted in on itself, magic compressing the strange matter into shape, a bipedal shape with the purple glow solidifying into purple scales. The creature before the young foals was like nothing they had seen before. It looked around at the terrified foals, it’s slitted eyes taking the students in. The creature opened its mouth. Sharp, vicious teeth resided in its gaping maw.
“So, you're the new Alpha students.” That… was disconcerting. The creature sounded young, really young. Scootaloo actually thought he sounded younger than she was. “You sure these guys are Alpha material, Contessa? They feel a lot more specialised than the previous years?” Definitely easier to think of the creature as a strange looking colt. That voice was certainly not that of a filly’s. Wait, did he just insult them?
“Doctor Shimmer has reviewed the Alpha’s credentials herself, as always S.P.I.K.E. If you disagree you can take it up with her.”
“Fine. If Doctor Shimmer says they’re Alpha quality, then I guess they are.” With that S.P.I.K.E. properly address the collection of foals. “Hi. I’m S.P.I.K.E. The Spectrally Projected Internal Kernel Entity. and H.E.R.D.’s number one assistant. You need any help, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“S.P.I.K.E. here is a 1st generation Arcane Intelligence. He monitors and assists with the running of the most of H.E.R.D.’s runic systems.” The Contessa explained. Most of the foals looked confused by the explanation. Some of the words were a bit long and complex for Scootaloo’s liking, but she understood the gist of it. An intelligent being, created from raw magic. It was an impressive feat. “Does anyone have any question’s for S.P.I.K.E.?”
Scootaloo looked around at the other foals. Applebloom once again had her look of serious thought on. She was one of the few who did. One of the foals boldly raised their hoof. Scootaloo recognised her as the glaring unicorn filly from earlier. The other thing Scootaloo noticed was the spark of curiosity in her eyes, dangerous levels of curiosity.
“Oh! I’ve got a question!” That was the second time the white filly had made that sound, Scootaloo noticed.
“What is it, Sweetie… Belle.” For a half second, S.P.I.K.E. froze mouth open, his eye glued to the now named Sweetie Belle, before finishing her name. Well, that was odd, Scootaloo though. Clearly, introductions weren’t required, S.P.I.K.E. obviously knew who they were.
“You’re a lot more articulate than any thaumic construct I’ve heard of. How old are you?” Articulate? Thaumic construct? The filly sounded like a bloody dictionary to Scootaloo.
“I should hope I’m better spoken than any golem,” S.P.I.K.E. replied, pride lacing his young voice. “I have a more aetheric base that those old things.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes. Of course the A.I. would use fancy words too. At least he had simplified the first part.
“S.P.I.K.E.” The Contessa drawled in a long, dangerous tone.
“I know. I know. Classified information.” S.P.I.K.E. clearly didn’t think the secret to his creation was that big a deal. “Anyway Sweetie Belle, to answer your question about my age, I’m not sure. Would you measure from my first test activation, my first installation test, or when I was first usefully online?”
“That’s… I’m not really sure S.P.I.K.E.” Clear Sweetie Belle hadn’t been expecting that answer.
“I have been continuously active for 10 moons so far. Is that good enough?” S.P.I.K.E. offered the answer tentatively. It was as if he was apologizing for something.
“Yeah. Wow, you're really young. You must be very powerful to run a place this big!” Was it just Scootaloo, or was the A.I. blushing?
“Powerful? I guess.” The A.I. looked really uncomfortable with the idea. “I’m really just good at multitasking. For example, this is just one of 45, wait,” S.P.I.K.E. glanced down for a second, “46; 46 conversations I am currently having.” O.K. That was an impressive feat. That level of cognitive power was impressive. Here was another technology the H.E.R.D. had that could revolutionise the world.
“Is this your home?” Wait, that was a male voice. Looking behind her, Scootaloo spotted Button Mash, the colt staring intently at the A.I.
“I’m sorry, what?” S.P.I.K.E.’s eloquent answer brought a smile to Scootaloo’s face. The more S.P.I.K.E. talk the more she was beginning to like him.
“Is this your runic array?” This time it was Sweetie Belle who spoke. All eyes turn to Sweetie, who started to blush. She glanced over at Button Mash “I think that what you meant by that right?” Button stared at her for a few seconded before grinning widely.
“Yeah. That’s what I meant.” Spike gave the pair of foals a bemused look.
“No, this isn’t my runic array. This room just contains a projection array I can use.” Button Mash quirked an eyebrow at the A.I.’s response, while a look of confusion spread across Sweetie Belle’s face. S.P.I.K.E. sighed.
“I’m set up as a dynamic, self-invoking matrix. The architecture is innovative and doesn’t follow traditional runic architectures” S.P.I.K.E.’s tone was dull and flat. That was clearly a phrase he was tired of repeating. And it was nonsense. Scootaloo may not have had a formal magical education, but the young pegasus knew enough to recognise a cop out when she heard one. Sweetie Belle also seemed unconvinced by the answer.
“But the universal law of...”
“Now Miss Belle.” The Contessa cut across Sweetie Belle, a frown on the mare’s face. “The exact workings of our A.I. are really none of your concern.” The Contessa’s eyes panned across the room. “Does anyone else have a question?”
“I’ve got one,” Scootaloo called out, hoof partially raised. S.P.I.K.E. turned to the filly.
“What do you to know, Scootaloo.” Technical questions may have been off the table, but there was a lot more one could ask.
“If you constantly helping people across H.E.R.D., doesn’t that mean you are constantly watching and listen to everyone?” A harmonious intake of breath showed just how few of the foals had realised that aspect of the magical construct. S.P.I.K.E. nodded casually.
“In order to be a number one assistant, I need to keep an eye on nearly everything going on in the H.E.R.D. The place is more secure as a result, and it makes it easier to keep both the staff and students both happy and healthy.” That would be a problem. Unlike regular pony guards, S.P.I.K.E. wouldn’t get tired, or drop his guard. And good luck trying to lie your way out of a situation.
“So you watch us while we are sleeping?” One of the fillies behind Scootaloo gave a high pitched squeak. Looking around at the group, many of the foals were either blushing or had wide eyes. Usually both.
“Well... I… Um...” S.P.I.K.E. spluttered out, slightly taken off guard. Scootaloo quirked an eyebrow. The young A.I. closed his eyes, seeming to collect himself, although the orange filly notices a slight flicker of green light around his feet. “I don’t actually monitor inside your rooms. I do have some respect for your privacy.” Well, that was decent of him. And exploitable. “I do however monitor the corridors outside your rooms so...” O.K. so not quite as exploitable as Scootaloo had thought. Also, was the A.I. now blushing as well? “Any other questions… please.” Yeah, he was definitely blushing.
“Fine. You said you help keep us happy?” Keeping them happy was an odd priority for a monitoring system.
“Yeah. Mainly by keep track of complaints, and monitoring ponies' mental health. Also by keeping track of the food variety. The fastest way to a ponies heart is through their stomach.” A few of the foals laughed at that.
“Do you enjoy it?” S.P.I.K.E. quirked an eyebrow at the question.
“Enjoy it?” confusion leaked from the A.I.’s voice.
“Yeah. Do you enjoy working here? Does it make you happy?” A strange, almost twisted look overcame S.P.I.K.E.’s face, the construct looking out, passed Scootaloo, towards something no one else could see.
“Enjoy it? This is my home. My life. I am the H.E.R.D.’s number one assistance.” His voice was distant and wizened. Disconcertingly wizened. S.P.I.K.E. gave a start, seeming to come back to himself. He gave Scootaloo a small, warm smile. “I am useful here, Scootaloo. And so long as I am helping the people of this island, I will always find my work enjoyable.”
S.P.I.K.E.’s response was surprisingly selfless, in Scootaloo’s opinion. If he was telling the truth anyway. He was a magical construct, one built by villains. And as Sweetie Belle had said, there were, reportedly, no other sentient A.I. outside of story books. Part of Scootaloo was currently wanting to find the mare behind the curtain. But if he was telling the truth, then S.P.I.K.E. was definitely the kindest villain Scootaloo had ever seen.
“I think we should proceed with uniform-fitting, wouldn’t you agree S.P.I.K.E.?“ The Contessa spoke up, her terse yet flowing voice brooking no arguments.
“Sure thing, Adagio.” The A.I. suddenly clicked his claws. The room flashed green, blinding the young foals. When their vision returned, the room appeared to be bigger, with cubicles now receded into the walls. Enough cubicles for all the students. “Well, I’ve got your measurements.” Looking over, Scootaloo saw S.P.I.K.E. intently reading at a roll of parchment, quill in hand, and a monocle in one eye. Why he had any of them was a mystery. “You can change in those ” S.P.I.K.E. gestured to said cubicles.
“One student to a cubicle, any one will do.” The Contessa added. “Be quick about it. You have 5 minutes.”
Scootaloo trotted into one of the cubicles, the opening sliding shut behind her. The cubicle was small, with Scootaloo easily being able to touch all four walls with her hooves simultaneously. A mirror fully covered one side of the small room. A part of the wall flashed green next to her face. Looking over, Scootaloo saw S.P.I.K.E.’s face, painted onto the side of the cubicle. Unlike a normal painting, however, this one was moving.
“All right, get this over with.” A small opening appeared underneath the painted face. “Please put any items you currently have on you in this slot.” An odd request, since it was obvious Scootaloo had no clothing
“Um… I don’t have any clothes with me, S.P.I.K.E.” The painted S.P.I.K.E.’s looked away, a slightly red tint its cheeks.
“I wasn’t asking about clothing, Scootaloo. You would be surprised what certain curious young colts and fillies have accidentally brought in.” Oh. That’s what he meant.
“No! No! I don’t have anything like that!” Scootaloo spluttered out, her own cheeks turning red.
“O.K.” The slot closed shut. Simultaneously another, larger recess opened up. This one contained her new uniform, hung up on a hanger. Taking the jumpsuit down, Scootaloo got her first proper look at the uniform. The black jumpsuit was perfectly pressed and was primarily made from a thick, yet slightly stretchy material. A zipper ran up the underside of the jumpsuit, starting about two-thirds of the way down the barrel. Taking the jumpsuit down, Scootaloo began slowly struggling into it. She wasn’t really used to wearing clothes. Getting into the back legs was a nightmare, forced the filly to lay on her back as she pulled the suit on. It didn’t help that she keep glancing towards the cubicle door, worried it would slide open while she was in such a compromising position. Once Scootaloo finally had the back legs in place, the rest was rather easy to pull on, helped by the stretchiness of the material. Zipping up the uniform, Scootaloo took a long look at herself in the mirror. The now familiar hoof and globe logo, embroidered in silver, stood proudly on her chest. Attached to the suit's collar, was a single, white stud. Trotting in place for a bit, Scootaloo found that the jumpsuit, while very form fitting, didn’t seem to restrict her movements at all. It was actually rather comfortable. Well, with the exception of her tail, which felt like it was being shoved right up her...
“There is a rear zip through which to put your tail, Scootaloo” Oh. Throwing the painted S.P.I.K.E. a grateful look, Scootaloo twisted herself around, just about seeing the top of the zip only slightly above where her dock was. Reaching underneath herself for the zip, once again very glad the door was closed, Scootaloo pulled the zip fully down, curious as to how low the zip would go. Nearly to her barrel, it turned out. Well, that would make toilet breaks easier. Pulling her surprisingly long and flowing tail free from the jumpsuit, Scootaloo zipped the crotch back up, leaving a gap for her tail. She also found the zip hand a locking mechanism, to stop it from slipping down. Scootaloo smiled slightly. This jumpsuit was really well designed. “Everything feels comfortable?”
“Yes. S.P.I.K.E. Thanks for telling me about the tail hole.” That would have been embarrassing. Walking out with her tail still in the suit.
“No problem. You should go join the other students.” Nodding, Scootaloo turned to where the original entrance was. “Oh, and Scootaloo.” The orange filly looked back at S.P.I.K.E. It was hard to tell on the painted face, but he looked conflicted to Scootaloo. “I love this place, and I do enjoy my work but… No. I’m not happy here.” With that the face vanished in a flash of green, the door sliding open.
Scootaloo blinked stupidly at the wall. What the hell was that about. Had S.P.I.K.E. just change his opinion of this place. No, no, he said he enjoyed it here but yet wasn’t happy? That made little sense to the young filly. Weren’t happiness and enjoyment the same thing? Slowly trotting out of the cubicle, Scootaloo saw about half the new students had finished changing; most of them milling about, getting used to the uniform. Standing amongst the crowd was Applebloom, sans pink bow. Without the bow, her mane spread out a lot more, framing the yellow filly's face with a background of red. A hard, angry look filled the filly’s eyes. Eye’s that were locked on the Contessa. Against most laws of self-preservation, Scootaloo approach her new friend
“I see you had to give up the bow?” Scootaloo’s opening line was met with minimal acknowledgement, the filly continuing to glare at the Contessa.
“Yeap.” Well, that was a disconcerting answer.
“I taking it that bow was special to you?”
“Yeap.” Very disconcerting.
“Did they say if you would get it back?”
“Nope.” O.K. That was something to ask S.P.I.K.E.
“Well, I guess we’ve got to find where they put all the confiscated stuff then.” Apple Bloom finally looked at Scootaloo, staring into the orange filly’s eyes; almost like she was looking for something. Finally, a small smile spread across Apple Bloom’s face, her eyes softening.
“Yeah, we do.” The young earth pony’s words were soft and grateful. “Thanks.” Scootaloo returned the smile. The two fillies stood there, watching as the other foal slowly came out of their own cubicles; Apple Bloom occasional throwing a glare in the Contessa’s direction. The Contessa was actually arguing with the pink filly who had asked about the jumpsuit back in the plotting room.
“Hey Apple Bloom. Did Spike say anything… odd to you.” Apple Bloom flushed slightly.
“Do you mean the ‘hidden items’ thing?”
“No. Well, that was weird, but not what I meant. Like anything not about the uniform?”
“Oh. Then no. Nothing other than uniform talk.” Just her then.
“Did he say something to you?” The curiosity was clear in Apple Bloom’s voice.
“I’ll tell you about it later.” Scootaloo’s response was almost lost under the now rather loud argument the Contessa and the pink filly where having.
“... were real, round cut, blue diamonds on that tiara! It’s bad enough that you have kidnapped us, and are forcing us to wear these ridiculous things, but I demand the return of my property immediately!” The pink filly was really worked up about that tiara. Then again weren’t coloured diamonds incredibly rare and expensive?
“My dear, jewellery is not allowed as part of the school uniform. You wouldn’t be able to wear it anyway.” The Contessa’s gritted teeth betrayed how frustrated she was with the conversation.
“Whether it’s uniform at this place that you call a ‘School’ or not is irrelevant! It’s my tiara and I demand that you return it!”
“Hey, calm down.” The full bodied version of S.P.I.K.E. had walked over, concern visible on his face. “Tell you what. The tiara is still sitting in processing. I can transfer it over to import screening, and register it as a personal effect. Once security has finished their check, I’ll have it delivered to your quarters. You’ll have it by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.” It was a good deal, in Scootaloo’s eyes. Too good if the Contessa’s scowl was anything to go by. Too bad the upset filly didn’t see it that way.
“No! I don’t want it tomorrow! I don’t want it delivered to my room. I want my tiara right here, and right now!” The Contessa suddenly bent down, putting her face right next to the pink foal’s ear. Scootaloo couldn’t hear what the Contessa said, but the filly’s face went from red and angry, to white and scared in an instant.
“Your ri-right, Contessa. I don’t need jewellery, to be happy. You c-ca-... You can keep it. Payment for this high-quality uniform.” A shudder went up Scootaloo’s back. That change of mindset was not normal. S.P.I.K.E.'s scowl toward the Contessa’s back showed his own opinion of her methods.
“Poor Di.” Looking round, Scootaloo was surprised to see a look of sympathy on Apple Bloom’s face.
“You know her.” It wasn’t a question.
“Diamond Tiara and Ai grew up in the same village. Her father’s a wealth business pony.” Wealthy business pony with a daughter at a villain's school? That was rather telling. “She’s always been a bitch to everyone. She probably fits in here better than any of us”
“It sounds like you hate her.”
“ Dislike, yes. Hate? Maybe. I don’t know.” Apple Bloom sighed.
“It’s just, I know how much that tiara means to her. From what I understand, she made it herself. It’s what got Diamond her cutie mark, not that anyone can see them in these jumpsuits.” That was true. There was no way to tell what someone’s cutie mark was unless they show it to you. That was a big change here than in other schools.
“So her talent is what? Gem Cutting? Metal Work?”
“No idea. But the tiara means a lot to her. I guess I can empathise with that.” The yellow filly subconsciously ran a hoof through her mane. The Contessa turn to address them.
“Now that Miss Tiara and I have finished our discussion, we can head to the cafeteria. We should make it just in time, for lunch.” At this Sweetie Belle, raised a hoof. “What is it Miss Belle?”
“Um… Button isn’t here.” Looking around, Scootaloo noticed that Button Mash was indeed not with them, despite all the cubicles being open.
“S.P.I.K.E. where is Mr Mash? ” The resigned tone to the Contessa's voice was surprising. Then again, she did say she taught Button’s father. Maybe their entire family was like this?
“Button Mash is currently refusing to come out of the closet.” A mixture of giggles and blushes spread throughout the foals. The ones who didn’t react either didn’t get the joke or didn’t care for it. Scootaloo was the later.
“Which cubicle is he in S.P.I.K.E?” S.P.I.K.E. just pointed out one of the cubicles. Surprisingly it was Sweetie Belle who walked over to the cubicle, reacting faster than the Contessa did to S.P.I.K.E.’s gesture.
“Button! It’s lunch! Get out here!” From within the cubicle Button Mash’s voice emerged.
“But this closet’s so cool! It’s got a translocation array built into it!” That was interesting. Not ‘jam yourself in a closet’ interesting, but still interesting.
“Really?” Sweetie trotted inside the cubicle as well. “Oh yeah, there is. But look at the input channels. They're completely different to normal.” A loud cough from the Contessa had Sweetie Belle remembering why she in the cubicle with the colt. “Right... Um, come on Button. The rest of us want food.”
“But the translocation array?”
“We can come back and look at it later. Besides, weren’t you the one who asked about lunch earlier anyway.” A muffled rumble suddenly came from the cubicle. Clearly one of the duos stomachs agreed with the statement. Slowly the pair trotted out of the cubicle, although the slight wrinkling on opposite sides of their jumpsuits revealed just how little space there had been for the two of them in the cubicle.
“Seeing as Mr Mash is finally out of the closet,” The sudden blush on Button's face showed his understanding of the double entendre, in stark contrast to Sweetie Belle’s curious smile. “We can now proceed to the cafeteria. Please follow me, students.” As the two rune heads passed Scootaloo, she distinctly heard them talking about the rune Button had been looking at. Apple Bloom shook her head at the pair.
“You know, if it wasn’t for the Contessa I reckon the two of them would have eaten lunch in that cubicle.” Sometimes Scootaloo hated her imagination. Especially when it would conjure up mental images she could have best done without. Especially when though image involved two ponies, whose rumps she was definitely not following, being trapped together in a small room. “Your face has gone red.” Apple Bloom noticed, concerned..””You feeling O.K?”
“Yeap.” Apple quirked an eyebrow at Scootaloo tone.
”You sure? You’re not getting sick, are ya?” As the Sweetie Belle in Scootaloo’s mind stuck her head into the closet, the Button Mash reared up, hooves on Sweetie’s Back, trying to get a look in himself.
“Nope!”