It just had accorded to me that I had no idea what all these ponies use as money. So it was actually good luck that the princess showed up when she did. I would probably be in some trouble if she didn't.
Instead of going directly to her tent, we had stopped at several other tents. Each of them holding a shop of their own; Food, water, and various parts for cyberponies. She even asked for my opinion as she stopped at each tent. This or that? Big or small? Red or blue? Oats or carrots? It was like she trying to get a sense of what kind of pony I am.
"What about-?" she started
"I don't mean to be rude princess," I interrupted, "But can we please fix my memory? If that's not too much to ask.
"Of course, my apologies. I almost forgot why I was looking for you."
She waved a hoof at the pony who ran the shop. The pony nodded as he started went inside to look for something.
"The stress of being a princess for a lost kingdom gets to me sometimes." she sighed, "Before we start the process, I have to ask you some questions."
The pony placed a box of scrap metal on the counter. The princess lifted up with her deep purple magic. One of them floating towards me as she started to walk back to the pillar.
"What kind of questions?" I asked, taking the sandwich
It's amazing how cluttered one tent can get. Its worst to think that the biggest tent here is filled with spare parts, paper, and equipment. I couldn't even see where the princess goes to sleep inside this thing.
A purple hue covered my vision I was lifted up in the air. I had no control over my movement as I was levitated to an old looking repair station. The station itself was just a monitor attached to a medical bed. On the side monitor were various tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches and a cable. The cable seemed to look like that thing aqua used on me when she and Max found me. I'm pretty sure it does the same thing as well.
"First things first," she started, placing me onto the bed, "Have you been hearing, seeing and/or feeling anything out of the ordinary."
When I turned my sights to her, she had already gotten herself a clipboard. Waiting for me to answer her question. There wasn't much to think about. Yesterday is only the only thing I could go on. That voice... that thing.
"Well... There was this one thing." I confessed, "When Aqua put me into this void, I saw someone there. It looked like me, but not really me. Does that count?"
"Its a start..." she replied, "anything else?"
"Kindof... That thing wanted me to find a 'replacement core' and to go to someplace called Canterlot."
I heard scribbling stop She almost froze up as she heard my answer.
"Canterlot? Are you sure that's what it said?"
I nodded as a feeling of unease started to settle in. She placed the clipboard on top of the monitor as she got closer.
"Is there something wrong princess?"
"N-no. No, I don't think so. But I have to make sure."
She started looking deep into my eyes. As if she was looking for something. I glanced away from the pressure she was giving off for a moment.
"Have you, yourself, felt like going there? Like you needed to be there?"
"I... Don't know to answer that. Why?
There was a moment of silence before she backed off. Her horn glowed slightly as her magic grabbed something from the monitor.
"Theres been this pandemic going about recently. Its only have affected other cyberponies. Lay down on your chest."
I did as I was ordered. The princess seemed really nervous for some reason.
"The symptoms vary but it has one common factor. The infected pony has a strong desire to go to canterlot. It could be for any reason. They forgot something important to them there. They have memories there. It could just be out of nowhere and it never leaves their minds.
But eventually, they disappear from the group and are never heard from again. I'm not sure what causes this to happen. But if I can find out, I can save a lot of ponies."
Was this what max meant by the virus?
"I don't think you should worry. I'll see what's going on in your data space while I try to fix your memory. Maybe I can find the source of it.
"Data Space?"
"Just try to relax, you'll see soon enough."
I felt something drive into the back of my head before I had a chance to get comfortable. Everything suddenly went dark as I felt myself go limp.
I opened my eyes to find myself back into the void. Instead this time, there was no terminal to be seen. But in its place was some sort of mirror.
On the other side of the mirror was the thing from before. Its shape was still a mirror image of mine while its colors were in negative. Its black pits stared at me, almost as if he didn't have a soul. As I walked closer to it, it mirrored my movements. We just stood there for what felt like hours.
"Where are we?" i finally asked
He gave no response as he tilted his head. As if I should already know the answer himself.
"Who are you?"
He just stood there as he began to fade away. In his place, a flood of colors and light attacked my eyes. everything spun as the floor disappeared below me. It was so sudden that everything was in chaos for a moment.
but just as it started, it suddenly stopped.
I then found myself sitting behind a counter with a pen in one wing and a photo of me flying overhead in another. In front of me was a line on ponies holding pictures as they waited eagerly for something.
"Can I have it signed to my cousin?" the mare first in line asked, "She lives in Ponyvill and couldn't make it here herself."
"Sure thing." i replied, giving her a smile, "Whats her name?"
Although my body moved to place the pen on the picture. I had to control. it was as if I was a spectator. just simply watching events play out.
"PYisleM HoF\~´omS"
I gave her a nod as I scribbled, "To Paisley Honeycomb; One of my greatest fans. -Lightning" in the middle of the picture. The mare smiled happily as I handed the picture back to her. Next pony in line walked up and handed me a similar picture. I wrote my name on it had handed it back, next pony, sign, repeat, next pony, sign, repeat. This went off for a few minutes before everything went dark
[What was that just now?