//------------------------------// // Chapter Ten: The Town of Ponies (Metal) // Story: A Displaced Chaos // by Prince_Zodiac //------------------------------// Chapter Ten: The Town of Ponies Nathan trudged through the green and brown of the lush forest that he was still lost in. He had yet to see an exit, but something told him he was getting close. And no, it wasn't some sort of sixth sense kind of thing. Rather, it was more of a… notification for lack of a better word. Predicted distance to edge of forest biome: 30ft “Right,” Metal grumbled. Apparently physical appearance wasn't that only thing that had changed. Some sort of software had been embedded into his head, and was now giving him constant reminders of how close he was. Predicted distance to edge of forest biome: 25ft And so he walked. Predicted distance to edge of forest biome: 20ft And walked. Predicted distance to edge of forest biome: 15ft And walked. Predicted distance to edge of forest biome: 10ft “Would you stop reminding me how close I am to the edge of the forest every five seconds?!” Affirmative; Biome range prediction set to “request” “Oh… cool. So uh, how much further?” Edge of biome reached Just as the monotone robotic voice in his head said that, the dark foliage gave way to a blinding light. Nathan shielded his face as his optical sensors adjusted to the sudden change in light exposure, and when he could clearly see again, his eyes gazed upon the view in front of him. Apple trees. Hundreds, if not thousands, of apple trees. “The hell?” Nathan question stepping into the red fruit’s vineyard. His head turned this way and that, looking at the many perfectly standing trees that surrounded him. “Where am I now?” Placement and repeating species of tree suggest you are located on farmland “Well I kind of figured that, I meant where as in location.” Location unknown; More data required “Alrighty then.” And so Nathan ventured ever onward to someplace where civilization might be. These vineyards obviously meant there was a farm somewhere, but he didn't see anything nearby. “Hey uh, computer I guess? Can you tell me where the nearest lifeforms are?” Affirmative; Distance to closest lifeform: 1ft Nathan looked around in shock, but only saw the apple trees. Where was the- “Ugh, I mean besides the trees. Scan for sentient lifeforms.” Adjusting Scan; Lifeforms detected, however whether they retain sentience is unknown “Well are they at least human?” Negative, but they appear to be performing human-like actions “Hmm, well I shouldn't be too surprised. I mean, nothing like those tree wolves exists back home so I guess it makes sense that humans don't live here. What direction are they in?” Three are several meters to the west, but a large quantity are also located to the southeast “Okay, I can only assume that the large quantity is a town so I guess I'm heading there.” Turning towards the indicated direction of the town, Nathan slowly made his way there. As he walked, he decided to inquire with the new voice in his head. “So what are you exactly?” I am an artificial intelligence designated to help operate all subroutines, basic functions, and advanced systems at your command “Okay, so can you tell me who made us like this?” Information unavailable “Tch, figures that a mystery like that can't be answered so easily.” My databanks only contain information you contained prior to your transformation; Any and all data you require must either be discovered, downloaded, or obtained some other way first; However, I do perform constant scans of our environment to provide the most immediate information needed “I see. Well, do you have a name?” Negative “Well I gotta call you something. Hmm, what to name you… oh I know! How about Epsilon?” Affirmative; I shall now respond to the name Epsilon With that settled, Nathan and his new companion Epsilon traveled to the town Epsilon had identified. It wasn't long before Nathan walked over a hill and the town came into view. It was a small village, a population probably ranging around a hundred fifty occupants, maybe more. The buildings were mostly small and colorful, but a few stood out from the rest, mainly the town hall, a larger home, which was probably the equivalent of a mansion here, a tree, which had windows, a door, and a balcony, and a large carousel. The place looked familiar, but Nathan couldn't exactly put his finger on where he had seen the place beforehand. Shrugging, he strolled down the hill and entered the town. And yet, it was empty. The streets were barren, and not a soul was in view. It was oddly quiet too, like the whole town was holding its breath, and Nathan had the strangest feeling of being watched. “Hey Epsilon, I thought you said there were people here,” Nathan muttered to himself. There are, but they all seem to be hiding inside the buildings for some unknown reason “Well if that's the case they're probably hiding from me.” Nathan walked around a bit more, and was about to call out when suddenly, a loud beeping noise sounded off in his head. WARNING! Speeding target approaching from behind; Activating defense matrix With the speed of a bullet, Nathan whipped around and caught something aimed straight at his head. Without a second thought, he whipped the hostile target around him and tossed it into the wall of a nearby building, causing it to crash through the wall. ‘Did I really just throw something through a wall?’ Nathan thought. ‘Damn, I'm stronger than I thought.’ As the smoke cleared from the collapsing said wall, Nathan's would be attacker glared daggers at him. To his surprise, Nathan was facing a blue pegasus mare with a rainbow colored mane and tail. Much like the town, she too looked familiar. Target identified as Rainbow Dash from the show, My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic; A pegasus mare self identified as the fastest flyer in all Equestria; Conformation on such fact is yet to be determined ‘Ah, so that's what I know her from.’ My Little Pony was a show that was often played on the T.V. for the younger kids at the adoption center. He had watched it a few times, and knew a little about the main cast, but even that was limited information. ‘Okay, so I know who she is. New question, why is she attacking me?’ “I don't know what you are, but you're going down!” Rainbow shouted. With a flap of her wings Dash was flying at her robotic foe. Nathan's defense matrix however, was much faster than she was, and so the blue pegasus's attack was dodged easily. Taken aback at first, Rainbow shook off her surprise and quickly backtracked for another attack. Nathan however once again blocked her attack, backhanding her across the street. The rainbow haired mare tumbled into another wall, slamming into it causing her to lose the air from her lungs. She coughed heavily and attempted to steady her breathing. Once she caught her breath, she stood, slightly trembling from the pain. “You're gonna… pay for that.” “Hey now, why don't we calm down, and remedy the situation before things get worse,” Nathan suggested. “What?” “Look I was just minding my own business when you attacked me. How about we calm down, before you seriously get hurt.” “You think you're so tough, I'll show you!” Rainbow Dash cried out in pure rage and charged once more. With a roll of his eyes, Nathan stood ready, and, once she was close enough, threw an uppercut that connected with her chin. One could hear the force of connection when metal met flesh. A sickening crack told Nathan he had most likely just accidentally broken Rainbow's jaw, or had at least dislocated it, and the pegasus was sent flying into the air. She landed roughly on her back, completely unconscious. “Great, now I've severely injured a main character,” Nathan muttered. “Rainbow Dash!” a voice cried. “And here come the rest.” He turned to meet the oncoming ponies in a panicked rush. The five mares quickly surrounded the injured pony and checked her over before one, an orange with with a blond mane and a cowboy hat, stood, a look of pure rage on her face. “You! Yer gonna pay for what ya did ta Rainbow!” “Hey I was just acting in self defence! She attacked me first!” The pony was a little surprised at Nathan's voice. Clearly she didn't expect him to be able to speak. “Look, I'm sorry that I injured her like that, but she wouldn't back off, even when I tried to calm the situation down.” “Yeah? Well then excuse me fer doin this!” She charged, and Nathan was afraid he’d have to beat down another pony, when a lavender one with a dark purple mane teleported in between them. “Wait Applejack, he might be telling the truth. You know how everypony gets when something new shows up, and Rainbow might have overreacted.” “That don't excuse what he did ta Dash!” “Maybe but he did apologize. If Rainbow was being as violent as he claims, he may have had no choice.” “Like I said,” Nathan interrupted, “I'm really sorry for hurting, Rainbow Dash is it? Anyways, I'm sorry for hurting her, but she attacked first.” “So what do ya suggest we do Twi?” “We get Rainbow to my house, heal her jaw, and wait for her to wake up so we can hear both sides of the story. Then we go from there, okay?” The opposing mare grumbled a bit, but agreed, and went to help move Rainbow to the purple mare’s house. “Well, glad that's been handled,” Nathan said. “Yeah sorry about that. Applejack and Rainbow Dash tend to be action first, talk second.” “It's cool. I doubt she's seen anything like me before so I don't blame the sudden aggression.” “Yeah, that tends to happen around here. Anyways, my name is Twilight Sparkle. And yours?” “My name?” Nathan pondered a bit. What was his name now? He was in a whole new world, a whole new place, in a whole new body. Perhaps this could be a fresh start for him. And so, Nathan decided the shed the name he’d been born with, and instead donned a new persona. “My name is Sonic. Metal, Sonic."