//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: Linkin Pony - Recharge: Revamped // by Kaciekk //------------------------------// It was late next morning when HyperBlitz and CharmingRhythm prepared to depart. Hyper was lethargic, and had not ate that morning, as much as Rhythm wished he did. They said their goodbyes as they entered the rickety cab.  Both stallions were quiet for most of the trip. Rhythm drove them through the open desert. The train tracks came into view, and he began to follow them. They would lead them to the bridge they needed to cross. The site of the node in the distance popped up on Rhythm’s left. “If we see any Hybrids, we can run them over, if you want,” Rhythm suggested, attempting to cheer Hyper up. He did not reply. His gaze seemed to be off in a distant world. Rhythm looked at the dashboard of the cab and saw a radio. He clicked a button with a bionic leg, but no sound came from it.  “Why did I even think that would work?” he muttered aloud. HyperBlitz stared at the broken radio for a second, and then turned his vision back to his own universe. Rhythm was reminded of past trekking missions, when the team had no radio from a cab. Hyper would burst out in song to pass the time. It seemed like all of that music was drained out of his soul now.  They crossed the railroad bridge and finally made their way to the city. Their first stop was at the clinic. The wait to see a specialist was much longer than Rhythm had hoped for. It was almost mid afternoon when they were finally called back.  The doctor, a rust colored Earth Pony, examined Hyper and the wing they had brought in. She stood up and spoke to both her patient and Rhythm. “I’m not sure it’s worth reattaching the wing,” The doctor stated. “I was afraid of much,” Rhythm sighed. “You mean you can’t put it back on?” Hyper let out with desperation. “We could try, but I’m afraid it won’t heal correctly,” the mare fret.  Rhythm didn’t want to risk Hyper’s wing healing incorrectly. If that happened, he’d have to get it amputated again, and then have a new one built. Rhythm knew the time spent during that healing would put Hyper out of the mission for far too long. There were tears gathering in Hyper’s eyes. “Could we take the wing back to the camp and bury it somewhere?” He whimpered. “If that’s what you’d like,” Rhythm said in a comforting tone. They left the clinic. Rhythm placed the wrapped wing back in the cab. They took the rest of the way on hoof. Hyper was crying when Rhythm took another look at him. The Unicorn put his hoof on the back of Hyper’s neck and patted. “I’m sorry, buddy,” Rhythm lamented. The duo made their way towards the prosthetics workshop, which was a department of the EPD building. Rhythm stepped up to the front desk, where a forest green Earth Pony worked. She peered up at the newcomers and greeted them. “Hello. How may I help you?” “You’re new?” Rhythm questioned. He could not recall ever seeing this mare. “Yep! I started my internship just last week,” the mare claimed proudly. “Is SlateMeasure in?” Rhythm requested. “Um, yes he is.” CharmingRhythm moved passed the desk, Hyper following slowly behind him. The desk worker seemed shocked that they ignored her. “Wait! You can’t go back without an appointment!” Rhythm shook his head, slightly amused. Most ponies in this workshop knew who he was, and did not mind him in their space. Rhythm trotted up to a wide doorway that was the entrance to a sectioned off room. Inside a grey stallion with a black and white mane sat. His back was turned as he worked on blueprints on a workbench. Rhythm tapped the inside of the doorway with a hoof.  The grey Unicorn twisted his head around and focused his eyes on the visitor. “Rhythm. It’s good to see you,” he spoke with a smile, which then faltered slightly. “What are you doing here? I thought you were on your mission.” “There’s been some...complications,” Rhythm explained, glaring at the floor. “What kind of complications?” Slate questioned. Rhythm took a few more steps into the workroom. “Um… do you know how to design a wing?” “I can’t say that I do,” Slate replied. He became more serious. “Why? Who lost a wing?” “Hyper,” Rhythm said, barely getting it out. Just at that moment Hyper took his place next to Rhythm.  Slate took in the sight of HyperBlitz and his injury. He murmured, “Oh Hyper…” as his dark eyes flooded with empathy. Slate pushed himself off the bench and moved towards Hyper. “I’m so sorry.” The old stallion pulled Hyper in for a hug. “Hybrids,” Rhythm clarified.  “That’s how it usually goes,” Slate sighed with a head shake. Just then, the pony who was working the desk emerged into the doorway. She still appeared confused and surprised. “It’s alright,” Slate assured her. “This is my son.” He tilted his head to Rhythm. “Oh,” the intern said. She backed away slowly. “She’s new,” Slate told Rhythm. “Yeah, I know,” Rhythm retorted. “Tell me something you don’t know,” Slate smirked without malice. Rhythm returned him a small smile. Slate shifted his attention back to HyperBlitz. “I’m sorry Hyper. I can’t design you a wing. I specialize in legs.” He glanced down at his own prosthetic right leg. “And regular EPDs.” “That’s alright,” Hyper spoke, so quiet that it startled Rhythm. “But I know someone who can. Go two workspaces down to the right. That’s Patchwork. He specializes in wings.” “Thanks, Dad,” Rhythm said as he urged Hyper out of the room. Slate gave them a short nod as they were sent on their way. The two stallions examined the pony in the workspace before they entered. He was a flax colored Unicorn with lighter splotches in his fur. “A Unicorn that specializes in wings?” Hyper murmured to Rhythm, who only shrugged. Patchwork glanced up to the both of them. “Welcome. What can I do for ya?” “You’re Patchwork, right?” Rhythm asked. “Yessir.”  “My friend needs a new wing,” Rhythm said, looking at Hyper. “Well ya came to the right guy. Lemme take a look.” Patchwork stood up to observe Hyper’s wing stub. “It’s a new injury,” Rhythm spoke for his friend. “Hmm,” Patch thought. “If it’s too new, I can’t attach a prosthetic just yet. Ya’ll have to let that heal. But what I can do is take some measurements for ya. Come over here.” he pointed his horn in the direction Hyper should go. “You gonna be okay here if I go out, Hyper?” Rhythm asked him. “There’s some things I need to do.” “I guess,” Hyper mumbled. “I’ll probably just go back to my apartment after this…” “Sounds good,” Rhythm said. Rhythm ambled out of the workspace and into the hallway. A clock on the far wall read the time. It was getting late. Rhythm wouldn’t have the time to do what he wanted. He’d have to wait until the next day and stay in the city. The blue Unicorn aimed for the exit, but stopped in his place. Rhythm took a few steps backwards and faced his father’s workspace. “I’ll see you later, Dad. Thanks for your help.” “See you later. I’m sorry I couldn’t help anymore,” Slate replied. The grey stallion appeared discontent. “It’s okay,” Rhythm exhaled. “I hope things get better for you guys,” Slate added with sympathy in his brown eyes. “Me too,” Rhythm muttered bleakly and sought out the exit. CharmingRhythm had wanted to speak to the president, but decided it was not worth it. He would do that tomorrow. Instead, he found his way back to his old apartment. On the way, he would pass by Hyper’s place, SweetHooves’ now. Perhaps he should speak to the mare. She did not know about Hyper’s condition just yet. Rhythm considered that telling her may soften the blow before she saw it for herself. SweetHooves opened the door and gave a bewildered expression. “Rhythm? What are you doing here?” “Uh, hey… um, I’ve got some bad news,” Rhythm started hesitantly. He had a hard time keeping his eyes on the mare. “What… what do you mean?” Fear filled her maroon eyes. “Hyper got injured,” Rhythm said through clenched teeth. “What?!  “It’s not something you can fix,” Rhythm replied. Rhythm knew SweetHooves was a medic. Anytime Hyper had gotten injured in the past, SweetHooves was always the first to look after his injuries. She was a skilled mare, but she was helpless this time, much to Rhythm’s regret. “Where is he?” SweetHooves demanded.  “He’s…” Rhythm trailed off as the mental image of Hyper in the workshop appeared. He could not tell her that without explaining why first. He conjured up as much courage as he could. Slowly, Rhythm explained, “A Hybrid cut off his wing.” SweetHooves just stared at him at first, gaping. “They-they’re going to fix him right?” She pleaded. Rhythm bowed his head, his black and blue mane falling with it. “They didn’t want to risk it not healing correctly. We’re just going to have a new one built.” It was clear that SweetHooves took an emotional blow, unable to speak. She had always worried about her husband, as accident prone as Hyper was. Now that worry would be multiplied. Rhythm wasn’t quite sure what to tell her.  “I’m really sorry. I wish I knew what to do to make this right.” There was a pause. “Hyper is going to come back here when he’s ready,” Rhythm informed.  SweetHooves only nodded her head. The conversation had turned awkward. Rhythm didn’t feel like conversing anymore, so he just said goodbye to the mare and went on his way. The day had left him feeling emotionally exhausted. He wished for a distraction, or sleep perhaps. He slowly made his way to his city apartment.