Equestria and the Machine

by SapphireRose87


3) Phase 3

“There is one more thing that needs to be taken care of,” said Finn, “Rainbow Dash.”

“That name,” I said, “is getting really old. I might be a character from a cartoon but in case you didn’t notice, I go by Judy!”

Finn laughed, “Okay Judy, think of this as the next step as phase 3. You have to break out of the cell to be free of the Machine!”

“Uh,” I said, “but I thought I was already out?”

“Yes and no,” said Finn, “yes you’re out of the Machine really but no you aren’t actually free from the Machine. This should be easy for you since you like dangerous activities and all.”

“Did Oliver and Clara break out?” I said.

“Oh yes,” said Finn, “as a matter of fact, they’re the two most talented agents we have! Of course Clara is actually Pinkie Pie and you’re Rainbow Dash, so you have potential.”

“So,” I said, “how do I officially break out of the Machine?”

“Well according to the Machine,” said Finn, “you died and were buried yesterday of course it doesn’t know that you’re still alive. And since you have your watch that will be a big help. The rest is up to you!”

“So when am I going to do this?” I said.

“You will be doing this right about-“ Finn said.

I didn’t even hear Finn finish his sentence although I could only guess that he was about to say ‘now’ when I felt like I was being pulled back into the Machine. 

*    *    *

When I opened my eyes I had no idea where I was. All I knew is that I was in a really tight space and I didn’t like it at all. I just about panicked but I told myself to calm down. 

In front of me was a screen that lit up, there were numbers going across it and I could only assume that it was computer language. I then realized that there was a pattern to the numbers that kept repeating as 1,4,5,7 and 8. I focused my attention on the numbers but the more I tried my restraints kept getting tighter especially the one that was across my neck. It felt like I was being strangled.

I can’t breathe! 

Okay focus! Focus! What was the first number? Oh yeah, 1!

I concentrated on the number and ‘1’ lit up green on the screen. I calmed down and felt the restraint across my neck get loose. 

It looks like the more numbers I unlock the looser the restraints get!

After the number ‘1’ lit up on the screen the restraints got tighter again.

Breathe Rainbow! Damn it! That’s not my name for crying out loud!

I focused on the next numbers. The number ‘4’ and ‘5’ lit up on the screen and I felt more restraints loosen up. When I went to focus on the number ‘7’ it was like it had dropped off the screen. 

You’ve got to be kidding me! Where is it? Ow!

I felt the restraints get tighter again. I closed my eyes and focused hard on the number 7 and it finally lit up on the screen. I maintained my focus and shortly after the number 8 popped up on the screen as well.

Huh it was a good thing I can read patterns as part of my job! Who would’ve thought that would come in handy!

The screen said the word ‘unlock’ and I was free of the restraints. The door to my cell opened and it looked like I was underwater. I swam to the surface and I saw that all around me the water went on forever. Nothing but just darkness surrounded me. Something told me to just float on the surface, so I laid on my back and floated along.

*    *    *

I opened my eyes to see a mirror floating above me. I heard voices that were talking about me.

I rolled my eyes. Of course they would send Clara and Oliver to me after Phase 3! I hope there’s not anymore Phases after this! I don’t know if I can take it anymore! 

“Awe,” said Clara, “go ahead tail chaser, say ‘hi’ to your girlfriend!”

“Ha, ha,” said Oliver, “you’re going to need new content if you’re going to keep teasing me!”

“Oh I’m sorry,” said Clara, “I didn’t know I was teasing!”

“You’re jealous,” said Oliver, “because I broke up with you two years ago! You still can’t get over me can you?”

“Nope,” said Clara, “actually I’m going to sit here and eat a slice of cake while you go help your girl toy up!”

“Girl toy!” Oliver said. “She’s not an object you know!”

“I’m glad you don’t think that way,” said Clara, “it’s too bad you’re not my toy anymore! I can't pull your strings anymore!”

“So you are jealous!” Oliver said.

“Nope,” said Clara, “I just want a new toy! You’re damaged goods! Although if I can put you back together I might just play with you again!”

“Excuse me?” Oliver said. “The last time I checked you were going after Finn!”

“He’s a tough nut to crack!” Clara said. “I might need a nutcracker for him!”

Oliver just about choked on those words and he actually did sound like he was choking and Clara clapped him on the back.

Clara laughed, “I thought you were going to die for a bit!”

Oliver rolled his eyes, “Gee, your toy is so grateful!”

“Uh guys?” I said. “Would stop cat fighting and help me up!”

“Cat fighting!” Clara said. “Makes sense for us to be cat fighting because you’re a tail chaser Oliver!”

“Like I said, new content Pinkie!” Oliver said.

I bit the inside of my cheek clearly annoyed with the two of them who couldn’t help but argue when they were around each other.

“Okay,” I snapped, “stop boxing then! Just help me up already!”

“Oh,” said Oliver, “sorry about that Rainbow!”

Oliver helped me up and wiped his hand on his pants. I then realized that I was covered in something and it looked a lot like slime.

“Ew, gross!” I said. “What is this stuff?”

“It’s mucus,” said Oliver, “like when you have a booger.” 

“Okay,” said Clara, “I’ve lost my appetite!”

“Good Pinkie!” Oliver said. “Not is not the time for food! Is food all you ever think about?”

“Yeah and my toys!” Clara said. “Too bad I don’t have a ball to play with!”

“Seriously Pinkie Pie!” Oliver said. “I’m pretty sure Rainbow Dash is going to want a shower and then she needs to go Finn and Princess Twilight for her orientation into The Sixth!”

“I wouldn’t try joining her in the shower if I were you!” Clara said. “I don’t think she’s ready for that yet!”

Okay, those two are getting on my last nerve! 

I stepped in front of Oliver and Clara before they could argue anymore. 

“Uh hello!” I said. “Did you guys forget something? I swear if I didn’t know any better, you two fight like siblings! Trust me, I know because me and my older brother Eli and I fought all the time when we were younger! And we still fight! I haven’t spoken to him in over a decade because of it! Will you two shut up so I can get back to Finn to figure out what he needs me to do next!”

“I think Rainbow Dash likes Finn more than I do!” Clara said. “Careful Oliver you have some competition!”

“Why you little-“ Oliver said.

“Okay, break it up!” Finn said coming up from behind us.

“Thank you Finn!” I said.

Finn was doubled over in laughter, he laughed like he had just played a prank on me!

“What’s so funny?” I said. 

“I sent Oliver and Pinkie Pie because I knew they would fight,” said Finn, “I didn’t realize they were going to be that bad! Where’s the popcorn when you need it?”

“That’s so funny I forgot to laugh!” I said. “Let me guess this part of phase 4 isn’t it?”

Finn was once again doubled over in laughter this time Oliver and Clara joined in.

“No,” said Finn, “there is no Phase 4! You’ve completed everything that needed to be done. Princess Twilight is right behind you to take you to the showers and then we’ll do the orientation.”

“Hey,” said Clara, “why can’t I do it?”

“Because,” said Princess Twilight, “you’re a pervert! Oliver stop bowing! You can look at me now!”

Oliver then stood straight up and hid behind Finn.

“You’re a wuss you know that right Oliver?” Finn laughed.

“She is the ruler of Equestria!” Oliver said. “Why aren’t you scared?”

“Princess Twilight and I have a history,” said Finn,”and I’m not telling because I consider that classified!”

Princess Twilight shook her head. She started to walk away and motioned for me to follow.

“Follow me Rainbow!” Princess Twilight said.

“Yes your highness!” I said.

“Oh don’t call me that Rainbow,” said Princess Twilight, “just call me Twilight! We were friends before you got sucked into the Machine! And you’re the bearer of the element of loyalty! You might not remember me but let’s show a gesture of friendship by having a hoofshake.”

“Okay?” I said. I took her hoof and shook it slowly.

“Did you notice you got your raspy voice back?” Princess Twilight said. 

That was when I heard it, I just said something again just to see if what Twilight was saying was true.

“My raspy voice?” I said.

I heard the voice coming from my mouth and covered it in shock.

“What is happening to me?” I said. “I just thought I was getting sick!”

Twilight couldn’t help but laugh she wouldn’t have been able to keep from laughing even if she wanted to.

“I don’t know if that’s funny or not!” I said.

“Oh it’s funny,” said Princess Twilight, “because you’re not truly accepting who you are just yet! That’s understandable. It’s been awhile since you’ve sucked into that Machine! Anyway, the showers are over there and your clean clothes are hanging on the towel rack over there. I’ll lock the door to give you some privacy so Pinkie Pie doesn’t steal them!”

“Gee,” I said, “thank you?”

“No problem!” Twilight said. As promised she turned around and locked the door.

After I took a shower I got out and put my clothes on. I looked in the mirror and I was wearing a tan shirt and tan pants along with blue white sneakers. This must be the dress code!

I also unhooked the towel rack which looked like an ID card. On it was a picture of that weird looking character Rainbow Dash from that Tv show. Next to that picture was a picture of my human self.

Huh, I haven’t fully examined myself in the mirror in a long while!

I went outside and Twilight was waiting for me.

“Yup,” said Twilight, “now you’re ready for your orientation into The Sixth!”

I raised my eyebrow, “I’m very confused right now!”

“Don’t worry,” said Twilight, “it’ll all be explained very soon!”

*    *    *

As I walked with Twilight we passed exactly six different rooms and all of them had white walls and I saw nothing but white.

“Is this an insane asylum?” I said.

Twilight put up a hoof and stifled a laugh.

“No Rainbow,” said Twilight, “the rooms we passed are for different purposes. Three of them are for training. And the other three are for establishing your pocket dimensions in and out of the Machine and other worlds beyond.”

“Three rooms,” I said, “why only three?”

“Because,” said Twilight, “we can only use three rooms for training. We have over six hundred agents in The Sixth. We only train them for six days then after that, the agents figure things out on their own. Unless their mentor decides they need more training. And since we have so many agents that are being pulled out of the Machine on a daily basis we assign one mentor to every agent and it’s based on seniority.” 

“I have another question Twilight.” I said.

“Sure,” said Twilight, “what is it?”

“Why only six rooms?” I said.

Once again, Twilight couldn’t hide her laughter.

“What?” I said. I covered my mouth still believing that voice came from me.

“Think about it Rainbow,” said Twilight, “this place is called The Sixth there are six Elements of Harmony! This place is built around the Elements of Harmony.” 

“Well excuse me for not knowing that!” I said. “I haven’t been in Equestria for a while! And the Machine probably took my memory away! Not to mention I have a six month old child out there somewhere and I don’t know where he is! I’m very confused right now, and nothing is making any sense!”

“How old are you now Rainbow?” Princess Twilight said.

“I’m thirty!” I said.

“That means you were taken eight years ago!” Twilight said. “That Machine as messed with your brain, big time! You don’t know what is up or down anymore!”

“Yeah think?” I snapped.

“Woa!” Twilight said. “There’s no need to throw a hissy fit! Don’t worry you’ll be back your old self in no time!”

“And what if I don’t want to accept my old self?” I said.

Twilight shrugged, “Well, that’s up to you, although the only element of harmony that hasn’t accepted her old self is Fluttershy. And for some reason Pinkie Pie became a pervert! It’s possible that Pinkie Pie’s head was never screwed on straight in the first place!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that comment. But once again, I was disturbed by how raspy my voice was.

“I’m not going to get used to my old voice!” I said.

“I know,” said Twilight, “Rarity had the trouble with that too. But, she accepted who she was so no harm no foul.”

“Were any of the Wonderbolts taken?” I said.

“Yes,” said Twilight, “over half of them. And we’ve only been able to rescue you!”

“I’m the only one who was rescued?” I said.

Twilight shook her head, “No not even Spitfire was rescued!”

“Oh,” I said, “for some reason, I feel bad about that but I don’t know why.”

“Let’s just say you two were very close,” said Twilight, “you really did look up to her. I'm not surprised!”

I didn’t say anything to her. I didn’t have anything to say. 

We stopped talking and Twilight opened the door to a room where Finn was sitting at a table waiting for us. He looked up to us and said, “You two sure took a while to get here! Did you explain everything to her?”

“Oh no,” said Twilight, “just the things that she was asking about. Of course she’s still very confused. She also needs to know what element of harmony she is. She doesn’t even know what the Elements of Harmony are! The rest is up to you!”

“Typical!” Finn growled.

“Excuse me Finn?” Twilight said.

“Nothing your highness. “ Finn said.

Twilight turned around, I saw her tail flick in annoyance as she left. I stifled a laugh the best I could.

“That’s not funny Rainbow Dash!” Finn said.

“Gee,” I said, “I know who wore the pants in that relationship!”

“Like I said,” said Finn, “it’s classified!”

I rolled my eyes, “Sure! Whatever you say!”