A week had passed since my enrollment at Oscorp, and needless to say, things were going pretty well.
Oscorp has absorbed a private academy called Crystal Prep, so that was where Twilight and I, along with most of the students, were staying. As Twilight and I grew to know each other, I began to like her more and more...
She wasn’t like Rarity—and I was thankful for that. With her it was like I was just being used... but with Twilight I just feel... something different. I don’t know what it is, but I’m not fighting it.
I was sitting in my dorm room as I winced when my hand swelled up again, I went to the bathroom to apply the ointment and as I went to put it back, the bottle stuck to my hand... again.
I sighed and rolled my eyes as I tried to relax, prompting the bottle to drop where I left it.
There was a knock on my door and I went out to answer it, expecting some Oscorp member.
“Hey, Pip.” Twilight said, having a simple smile on her face.
“Oh, hey, Twi.” I said, trying desperately to pamper up my hair a tiny bit—I had bad bed-hair...
Twilight noticed and giggled oh-so-cutely.
“Don’t worry about it... trust me, bed-head sucks.” Twilight said, adjusting her glasses.
“Yeah... so, what’s up? Wanna come in?” I mentally slapped myself for asking something that stupid.
“Well, any other time, I’d love to, but my mom wanted me to come get you—we're partnering up, Pip!” She said in a flash of excitement.
My excitement almost leveled hers, but we instantly high-fived.
“That’s great—what're we working on?” I asked, eager to know.
Twilight pulled out the handbook and handed me a copy.
I opened the first page and my heart stopped.
“Prosthetics... Twi—this is your dream, isn’t it?” I asked her.
“Well, yeah, but didn’t you want to work on genetics?” She asked me.
I did—I wanted to look into that spider that bit me a few weeks ago, but I suppose that wasn’t happening, now.
“Yeah, but that’s fine—this is your field, I’m sure we’ll do great, together.” I smiled.
She smiled back and as we went to leave, I realized that I wasn’t wearing shoes...
“Heh... be right back.” I awkwardly smiled.
I turned to go back when I bumped into Abucus Cinch—CEO of Oscorp, and Twilight’s mother...
In short, I screwed up—big-time.
“Oh! Ms. Cinch, I’m so sorry, I didn’t--”
“No, don’t worry about it... accidents always happen.” Cinch said, wearing a fake smile on her face as it faded when she glanced at her daughter.
“That’s what you’re wearing to the lab?” Cinch asked, pointing out her tattered lab coat.
Twilight looked at her uniform and frowned slightly.
“It obeys Oscorp standards, I don’t see anything wrong with it.” I stood up for her.
I don’t know what her homelife is like, but I can’t imagine it’s too good...
Cinch turned to me and simply hummed and left us.
Twilight’s smile didn’t return and I moved over to her.
“You look great, Twi. Like a scientist.” I said, hoping that’d work.
Sure enough, I saw her smile start to return.
“More like a mad scientist.” She chuckled.
“No, that’s me-- no shoes, nasty bed-head... all I’m missing is an evil laugh.” I pretended to do an evil laugh, and Twilight was close to snorting as I headed back into my room to put on some shoes and attempt to comb my hair.
Twilight and I were in the most intense argument in our friendship—following a series of strange events...
“I’m telling you, Pip—there's no way for someone to run on walls.” She said, with a testing smile.
“I swear to you—one night I was walkin’ down the road, and I saw a man leap off a building, land onto a wall, and run up it... I swear on my mother’s grave.” I said, holding up my hands.
We shared a laugh as we glanced at our project—a prototype prosthetic arm that was to be tested on an army veteran by the end of the month... I never caught his name, but I think it was ‘something’ Castle...
“It’s lookin’ great—for a prototype...” I said, slowly moving my hand closer to Twilight.
“Yeah... it’s a work in progress, but...” It was like she saw me move my hand and she didn’t move away...
I touched her hand and held it, and she returned the gesture. She then rested her head on my shoulder, looking at the arm being controlled by a few scientists. I then rested my head on hers—just savoring the moment, until...
“I hope you two have progress for me if you’re just sitting around, all handsy!” I heard her voice say.
Twilight pulled away from me and quickly turned around, almost presenting herself to her own mother.
“Yes-- the arm made tremendous progress today, the pressure bug was resolved, as well as the--” Twilight was cut off by Cinch taking the controller and moving the joysticks, springing the arm to life.
“Hmm... how about the balance bug—has that one been sorted out?” She asked, still moving the arm.
“That bug’s taking time, but we’ll get it before the end of the month.” I said.
Cinch remained silent and moved the arm even more, refusing to praise our progress.
“Keep going, you two—flirt later, off-campus.” Cinch said, leaving us without even turning her head.
We stayed silent as Twilight simply sighed, seemingly depressed.
“I swear, it’s like that woman never smiles.” I said, chuckling slightly.
Twilight didn’t say a word, desperate to snuff the bug out.
“Hey, Twi—you're doin’ great with this... really. To be honest, you’re carrying me through this whole thing.” I chuckled.
“Yeah, that’s because of that side project you’re working on when you think I’m not looking.” She managed to let out a slight giggle as she went over the notes and schematics, most likely searching for anything on the arm.
“We’ve lowered the weight, we reprogrammed the whole damn thing in less than a month... What’s it going to take to fry this bug?” She asked herself.
I sighed and glanced at the arm again, still marveled at how we managed to create this and Cinch won’t even applaud us for that... not like she does everyone else.
“Twi, we’ve looked through this blueprint almost a hundred times—I don’t think it’s the problem... maybe it’s somethin’ with the person wearin’ it...” I added under my breath.
“It won’t matter if my mother doesn’t accept it... please, just work with me, here... please?” Twilight asked, her voice dry and cracking.
I then remembered we haven’t really drinken anything all day, and the water machine was outside the room.
“I’ll get us some water, if you want.” I said, waiting for her response.
“Please.” She whispered.
I went out into the hall and started the machine as Cinch entered through an adjacent room to ours.
“Hello, Pip.” She said, dryly.
I swallowed my anger and turned to her, bearing the best fake-real smile I can manage.
“Hi, Ms. Cinch. I’m just gettin' us drinks.” I said, holding up our cups.
She hummed and just stood there, as if forming a response.
We remained silent as I filled the two cups, feeling her study me... possibly because of my heighten senses...
I was about to open the door and leave the situation, when...
“Do you like my daughter?” She asked.
I stopped and turned to her, sighing as I did so.
“I do.” I said.
“Then understand me when I tell you that the last thing my daughter needs is a distraction. She’s so close to becoming what I want her to be—I can’t lose that to anyone... least of all to some boy.” Cinch scowled.
I felt my blood begin to boil as I wanted to tell Cinch everything I felt, but I knew better, and swallowed it once more.
“I’ll consider it.” I added, expecting Cinch to show some kind of anger, but she simply chuckled instead... a sound I never want to hear again.
“I don’t know. Maybe you’ll grow on me—you're funny.” She smiled just like them...
We went our separate ways and I saw Twilight tinkering away when I tapped her shoulder, giving her the drink I got her.
“Thanks, Pip.” She said as she took a sip.
“You’re welcome, Twi.” I smiled.
I can tell that my smile made her smile—something I’ll have to keep in mind.
“So, where’re we at? Same place—nowhere?” I asked.
“Actually, I made a fascinating note—the motor inside the elbow was adding a few extra pounds... it’ll be a stretch, but we can patch that up by the end of the month... this is it, we’re so close...” Twilight said.
I smiled, hoping that Cinch can finally give her daughter the recognition she deserves, I couldn’t care less about Cinch’s approval of me...
Just as long as Twi keeps that cute smile on her face.
This was it... the moment has come—we managed to sniff out that bug and we were about to test the arm with a retired vet.
Twi was smiling ear-to-ear in nervousness and slightly rambling.
“Do you think that was the last bug? How about the color, what if he doesn’t like it? Oh, God—did we add that software patch?!” Twi asked, in a panic.
“Twilight, that patch was two days ago, we downloaded it as soon as it came out.” I said, setting a hand on her shoulder.
Twilight sighed... and slightly moaned as she scooted closer to me, allowing me to instinctively give her a short but intense shoulder massage.
“You’re good... I’m guessing you’ve done this before.” She said, letting me hunt down knot after knot.
"Yeah—my ex was a stylist and whenever she got worn out...” I didn’t finish as I rubbed out one large knot in the nape of her neck.
Twilight’s head turned when I brought up Rarity—our relationship ending was one of the reasons I signed up for this class...
“It’s a long story.” I chuckled, getting one last knot before moving to her neck area.
“Relax... I’m sure he’s going to love it. If not, we’ll just run more tests... it’s going to be okay. I promise.” I said, working my massage to the nape of her neck.
Twi smiled and moved her head back, looking at me as she pecked my forehead.
“Thank you... for everything.” She said with a smile on her face.
I smiled as I slowly went for the kiss...
Only for the vet to enter.
“Oh! Sorry, am I interrupting something?” He asked.
We instantly pulled apart, looking at the vet and at the clock.
“No, no, it’s just... we kinda lost track of time. Please, come in.” I said to him.
The vet seemed nice enough, he walked in and took a seat, glancing at the arm.
“Wow... this one certainly looks better than my last one.” He said.
Twi seemed to take that as a compliment, while I took it as a good sign.
“Well, let’s make sure these looks aren’t deceiving.” I said, setting the arm up for him.
The arm was in place, and the vet began to move it, working it beautifully.
“Wow...” I whispered, the vet having a smile on his face.
“This is incredible...” The vet went to reach the empty mug...
Only to shatter it.
“Oh, shoot! I, uh... I’m sorry, I kinda, uh...” The vet mumbled.
“Oh, it’s fine—just another bug to work out... but, as of the feeling, what do you think?” I asked.
Twilight seemed mortified, but I managed to calm her just enough not to have a breakdown by addressing it as a bug.
“The arm’s incredible—I can almost feel it there, like it’s real... It’s certainly better than those other Oscorp prosthetics... God, prosthetics are not their specialty...” The vet chuckled.
A small silence as the vet switched the arm off and removed it.
“...with a few updates, this is a product I’d most certainly buy.” The vet smiled as he left the room.
Twi and I turned to each other, and proceeded to cheer once the doors were shut.
“See? What did I say—just a few more bugs to fry, and it’s perfect!” I said, trying to settle Twilight, who was jumping up and down with glee.
“We did it! We actually did it! Just a few more bugs, and... and...” Twilight stared into my eyes as we stopped...
I smiled and scooted closer to her... and she gently set her arm around my back...
And...
The door swung open, and Cinch’s heels furiously clicked into the room, ready to tear us apart.
“’A few more bugs’?! Twilight, I gave you two a deadline--”
We never released each other...
“Cinch, I can explain, we--”
“I knew it... I told you that day that... this was going to hold you back!” Cinch said in a rage, walking over and shoving us away from each other, pushing me to the ground.
“Cinch, we’re so close—surely, we can--”
Cinch went in a blind rage—she grabbed the arm, our two months of work...
And swung it at the table, causing nuts and bolts to fly away from it.
“No! Stop it!” Twilight was in tears, on the ground trying to get up.
I went to charge, but a scientist grabbed me, restraining me.
“No, don’t! Trust me, she won’t listen during one of her episodes...” The scientist said to me.
“Cinch, just stop!” I screamed, my voice barely heard over Twilight’s sobs.
She let out the last swing that destroyed the arm, scattered bits of machinery littering the floor.
“No... You two are done, you will go back to Canterlot, and Twilight, I expect a perfected model by the end of the month.” Cinch went to walk away.
Twi was still in tears, gathering the pieces of her creation... the look on her face—the pain and anger... I can never let her feel that again.
“Wait! What if we make you somethin’ better?! The two of us!” I asked her.
She stopped and turned around.
“What did you have in mind?” She asked.
I stopped a second, trying to come up with a plan, until I had it.
“We’ve spent all this time and money trying to replace what was missing... what if we improve on it? Make it better? Give us a few weeks, and we’ll make something incredible... somethin’ that vet or even you would love?” I offered.
Cinch stopped and pondered on it until she made up her mind.
“Oscorps top scientists will be with you... constant surveillance and a 2-foot restraining order at all times on campus... all times. Do this for me, and I’ll consider revamping those rules. Are we clear, Pip?” She asked me.
I barely swallowed my anger as I looked over to Twilight.
“We’ll need to be able to work together, Cinch... 5-inch restraining order, hands-to-selves. Then we have a deal.” I said.
Cinch stopped and sighed, nodding.
“This better be incredible, you two.” Cinch walked away, leaving her heart-broken daughter.
I went over to her and pulled her in for a quick hug—a hug that she used more force in.
“It’s gone, Pip... it’s... it’s all gone!” She sobbed.
“I know, Twi... I know... but we’re going to do better. We’re going to make something better... Together.” I told her, holding the hug with almost as much force as she used on me.
And we did make something...
Something horrible.
It had been a week since Cinch destroyed our project... Twilight’s changed since then—she's been taking risks, both with herself and on the new project. Our idea is mechanical arms that can stretch out and can handle high temperatures, something for factory users or those working near volcanoes...
More body-breaking labor, more expensive metals... Twi wants this to be perfect and she’s taking every possible risk to do so.
That wasn’t her... and I knew it.
A digital model was complete and we watched the model in action, all the motors moving, the arms clinking and clanking...
“Beautiful...” Twilight whispered.
We’ve become distant ever since Cinch brought down the hammer on us... the other scientists never reported anything to Cinch, they never liked her, anyway. We’ve come to the point where I wonder if that day was really us or just some reaction to that success.
The bell rung, dismissing us. I went to leave, but Twilight was still hard at work.
“Twi? We can go now.” I said, trying to get her attention.
Twilight didn’t even stop to address me.
“You can go, Pip... but I have to keep working.” She said.
I faced my choices—walk away and leave her alone, or stay and try to help.
My choice was the simplest one.
I turned back around and reviewed the model, looking for any faults or errors.
“The right arm seems a little clunkier... that might just be the build.” I said, clicking on it to change the model.
For the first time in about a week, Twilight showed a crack of a smile.
“...I never thanked you.” Twilight said, stopping her typing of code for a moment.
I stopped as well, turning to her.
“For what?” I asked her.
Twilight looked around—the door was shut, and we were alone.
“For being here... even after I pushed you away.” She said, moving closer to me.
I sighed and set my hand on her shoulder.
“Twi... you know that I want this, and I know that you do, too... But not here... not when you mom can come in any second and drop the hammer on us.” I said.
Twilight sighed, seeing my point.
“Okay... how about this?” Twilight asked, handing me a ticket.
I held it and saw that it was for a movie showing out in town.
“Twi... I’d love to go out with you.” I chuckled, holding her for a quick hug.
She seemed to savor it as much as I did, resting her head between my shoulder and my neck.
“Don’t be late.” She whispered in my ear, kissing my neck before pulling away.
As she went to shut off the lab and leave the room, she had a slight sway to her hips...
My jaw was dropped to the floor as I realized that the showing was at 6 and it was 4:30. I began to leave as well as my phone rang. I pulled it out and saw that it was from ‘Tavy.
“Hey, sis.” I said, answering the phone while walking back to my dorm.
“Hey, bruv. How’s Oscorp treatin’ ya?” She asked, her voice tired and worn out.
“It’s complicated...” I said, recalling the fresh memories of Twilight’s change in personality...
“Oh? How’s the luv life, then?” ‘Tavia asked.
“Oh, ha-ha... it’s a work in progress.” I said, awkwardly smiling to myself.
That got her attention... she gasped slightly and I heard her microphone move around.
“MUM! PIP’S GOT A NEW GIRL!” I heard her scream out.
“No, no, no, no! Octavia Melody, don’t you dare!” I said, stopping my movement try and text mom.