Chapter 3
Dinner discussions
“Ugh…” Applejack groaned, coming back to her senses. First sense was smell as she pick the sent of fruit and vegetables being cook. She could smell the smoldering wood and something else that she couldn't identify.
The next sense was touch as she noticed how cold it was. Applejack also felt some kind of clothing over her. With the help of sight, she looked at the makeshift blanket. It was grey, heavy and had multiple pouches, two sleeves, and green stitch letters that she couldn't read as they were scrunched up on the clothes.
The final senses returned, and with that, she woke up. She glanced around, looking for the metal monster. She saw it crouched in the entrance to the cave. It must be asleep. She thought. Before she could leave, she noticed a weird rope that had her left hind leg, keeping her stuck in the cave.
“Your awake, thank god. I was worried I hurt you or put you in a comma. Good timing too, diners nearly done.” came a young voice in the other corner of the cave. It was sitting weirdly next to a fire, cooking some food.
“W-what tha hay are ya!?!” Applejack shouted, getting into a fighting pose.
“I'm a human. Names Connor, your name's Applejack, right? Come over here, you look freezing and I would like my jacket back.” said the “human” near the fire.
Applejack cautiously walked over to it, getting a better look at the creature. He had a mostly flat face, with a nose that stuck out and ears on the side on its head. Looking at it, she could see the clawless paw it had. It was wearing some kind of blocky cloths that had some weird black cylinder with two handles and three tubes sticking out of it. It had smaller one next to it, only with one handle and one tube.
When she got close enough, he grabbed his jacket and put it on.
The creature went back to using its weird paw to hold a stick, which it used to stir the soup it was making. If it is making a fruit and veg soup, it can't be so bad. She thought.
“Where am I and what ya want with me?” she asked, still wary of the creature.
“Oh, well… I grabbed you and ran when you found me. Kind of a spur of the moment idea. I thought that if I ever run into the ponys, I could use you so they don't attack me on sight. Your in a cave I found in this canyon after we jumped down.” it answered.
“Wait, YOU grabbed me? I thought it was the metal monster?” she said questioningly.
“Oh, I see now. You think my mech and I are separate beings, right? No, the mech, although it has an AI, is controlled by me.” it stated, now looking at her.
“Ya mean like how we control tha weather and the seasons? Or like how ponies have pets?” said Applejack, now interested in the “mech”.
“What, you control the weather! Never mind. To answer the question, neither. I control it like a very advanced remote control toys, with functional weapons, abilities and a hand. It can only do as it is told. Watch this.”. It turned to the mech and called out to it. “Hey, DB, come over here, will you. I'd like to show you off.”.
Now getting a good look at the giant, it was strange. It had one of those clawless paws on its right, with a pointy stick hidden in the wrist, most likely a sword. It had a coned head cylinder on its foreleg. On its shoulder, it had a large spike. The left foreleg had a metal box with one of those tubes extending out of it. It didn't have one of the spikes on its shoulder but it did have an openable hatch on it. The thing was mostly coloured black and gray, with thick green lines. What could be called an eye was a bright, glowing blue. And it was staring at her.
“Hello, I'm HAWKEN mech De-11Bea-27, but I'm called by DB by most. Only the mater knows my battle legend name. I am a medium bruiser mech with a machine gun and homing missiles, an extendable blade, a holographic projector, direction changing thrusters and a temporary energy shield. I also have a radar, advance logic core and a self rechargeable power core. I am designed to use hit and run tactics with my thrusters and close quarters fighting with my hand and blade. I have survived a total of 31 missions.”. After finishing it's rant in it's monotone voice, it crouched down to look at them.
“Well said. Aaand… done, foods cooked. Come on Applejack, you need to eat.” said the creature, pouring some soup I to one of the bowls it had.
Applejack slowly turned back to the fire to collect her food. But, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the piece of cooked meat in front of the creature. She stood there staring at it. This things is a carnivore! She also now saw the skin of a manticore hanging just outside the entrance, still dripping blood with the head missing.
“What?...Oh, is it the meat? You think I'm a carnivore?”. Applejack nodded. “Well don't worry. I'm not going to eat you. You an intelligent species, and I'm not a pure carnivore. My species are omnivores, meaning we can eat meat AND plants. As long as there's animals that aren't pets, are worth the the energy and are not intelligent, I won't eat them. Besides, the beast…”,“Manticore” she added, ”right, the manticore should have enough meat for a day or two, so I don't have to worry about it.” it finish, making Applejack a bit calmer, now she knew it wouldn't eat her. She didn't question it as Fluttershy had taught her that some animals are meat due to nature, which cannot be helped.
She sat down and started to eat.
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Canterlot palace, Princess Celestia.
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Celestia had finished her morning pancake's, and was heading to the Day court. As she closed the door, she saw some green flamed smoke. The smoke flowed towards her then formed a letter. Knowing who it was from, she continued to walk and started to read the letter.
Dear Princess Celestia,
While looking for this thing, we heard explosions and then saw Timberwolves running AWAY! Hoping to find it, we went to the place they ran from. The area was scorched as if a dragon had been here. As we searched, Applejack found and tapped it's foot which gave of a metallic clang.
The metal monster, which is what we've called it, suddenly snatched her and ran. It is ten times taller than us and is fast. Not even Rainbow dash could keep up. It then went into a clearing near the deep canyon and disappeared. We can't find it or Applejack.
I've looked at every book I've got and can't find anything on it. Please hurry down to ponyville when possible, with some guards, to help us find them.
Your faithful student
Twilight sparkle.
As Celestia read this, she stopped. Turning around to one of the royal guards, she spoke, “Guards, go and assemble a team and go to ponyville. I shall be there in the royal chariot soon. I will inform you of the task when we get there. Also, cancel the Day court for now till we get back.”. At this they both saluted and ran of to inform the others and suit up.
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Ponyville
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The two guards stood still in their golden armour, waiting for a response from the Princess. The stallion fiddled with his hooves, being one of the ponys who got a good look at the thing. The thoughts of what it could do made him nervous. If it attack Ponyville, it could do lots of damage and not be stopped as it was made off metal, was matching speeds with Rainbow dash and the power to take on Timberwolves and make them flee. It could have more tricks up its metaphorical sleeves because the only saw it for a minute at most.
“Will you stop that? You look nervous which isn't good for our image.” huffed the mare, annoyed at how he was acting.
“Our image will be even worse if they find out we couldn't stop Applejack, an element of harmony, from being foalnapped by a metal monster we just found and lost. Now you see why I'm worried, Blade wing.” snapped the stallion.
“Oh, using names now are we, blocked heart?” replied Edge wing, emphasis on his name.
Before they could continue to argue, Twilight finally came out with the reply.
“I've got the Princesses letter!” said the ecstatic mare.
“What's it say?” asked Rainbow, getting bored of waiting.
Dear Twilight sparkle,
I am sorry this happened. I and more royal guards are coming to assist in the capture of this metal monster. Together we shall find your friend and this monster.
If you could assemble a more detailed description of the creature, it shall help immensely. We should be in ponyville in two days. Till then, I don't want anyone entering the Everfree forest as a royal decree till this metal monster is contained and Applejack is safe. Stay safe my little pony.
Your faithful teacher,
Princess Celestia.
“What!?! She wants us to do nothing for two days!?! Applejack could be hurt or is being eaten by that thing!?!” shouted Rainbow as she hovered in the air.
“Yes! If we go looking for it, it could take another one of us. Then there would be four until it came and took the rest of us.” reasoned Twilight, looking at Rainbow with a serious face.
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The cave, Connor
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I had just finished my dinner and was watching the pony finish here. At this point, I had a good view of her. She had blonde hair which was tied at the end and a orange coat. She had big eyes and the picture of the three red apples.
Breaking the silence, I asked ”So, tell me about this world as it is much different to mine. For example, you said that pony's control the weather. But in my world, that should be impossible.”.
“OK. Pegasus have magic in their hooves and wings to let them fly and touch clouds. Earth ponies, like maself, have magic all over ma body to help crops grow faster. Unicorns concentrate all their magic in their horns, which lets them use it to do spells and stuff. The alicorns are the most powerful as they have traits from all three. The strength of an earth pony, the flight of a pegasus and the power to do magic. They help rule Equestria and raise and lower the moon.” she explained in her southern accent.
“Huh, well, in my world, magic doesn't exist. And certainly no one moves the sun or moon. They move on their own due to gravity and physics, no magic in at all.” I said, making her stop dead.
“I know a friend that would be mighty happy to meet ya and ya knowledge. But I have a question. If magic don't exist, them how's ya friend over there work? I don't see no steam engine.” she asked, now confused.
I laughed slightly, “Steam power? We haven't used that to power machines for hundreds of years. We still have vintage steam trains as special events or museum attractions but most things now are powered by electricity. Or, if it is big enough like DB here, nuclear power generators are used.” I answered.
“What's “new- clear” power?” inquired Applejack.
“Technically, it is nuclear fission and/or fusion. Or more easily understood definition is the splitting of large , unstable atoms and the combining of very small atoms. An example of fission is Uranium-236, which splits and creates a lot of energy but it makes very harmful chemicals. An example of fusion is the combination of Hydrogen isotopes, which make the most energy but are incredibly hard to maintain.” I explained, hoping it made sense.
“Oh, I see. We have theories on tha sort a thing but none has bin proven.” said Applejack, surprising me.
We continued to talk about the difference of our world's till she fell asleep. Deciding to get her out of the wind, I picked her up and moved her to the back of the cave. As soon as she touched the floor, she curled up, trying to preserve any heat that she had.
“Hey, DB, do you have a heater with you to try and keep her warm?” I whispered to my mech, trying not to wake her.
“Negative sir, although I can fit near the back and use the heat vents as a radiator. Will that suffice?” DB said, lowering his speakers volume.
“Yeah, that should do. I'll sleep in the cockpit. Could you pick me up?” I asked, waiting for his huge metallic hand to pick me up.
“Yes sir, goodnight Connor.”. His hand wrapped around me and lifted me up a good 7.5 metres before I reach his roof. I climbed on, opened the hatch, squeezed in and snuggled into my seat.
At the back of my head, I could just feel the trouble of tomorrow, which unsettled me as my eyes drifted closed. Let's hope it isn't too bad. I thought, unknowing that Murphys law had heard me and was smiling insanely.
End of chapter 3