//------------------------------// // The Adventurer // Story: Friendship is Optimal: Two Sides of the Coin // by Nightsclaw //------------------------------// Nightstone woke with a start. Somepony hammered on the door, with all the energy of a hyperactive woodpecker.   “Gess, enough I’m awake.” He looked around at the shambles of a room around him. It was insulting that they had changed ten bits for this. The only two good things were the roof kept water out and the bed was clean. He rolled out of bed, The armour he still wore tugging and pulling at his coat. Metal clad hooves thudded on the wooden floorboards.  He breathed deeply. Warmth built in his chest as he gathered his magic. A moment later, his dark coat, fangs, and slit eyes were replaced with something much more colourful.  His magic reached out and opened the door. He smiled despite his fading irritation. Got to love magic. “The east signal fire has been lit.” A winged mare gashed out, her chest still heaving.  Nightstone’s joviality vanished. “Any reports on why?” He asked.  The mare shook her head and took a few seconds to catch her breath. He focused on every detail, the fear in her eyes, the scent of her sweet, the way her flight mussels trembled. It's all so real. It was a studied thought, but one he had again and again since emigrating.  The mare took her first steady breath and stood a little straighter. “No, not yet. None of the scouts have reported back yet.” “Hmph. The pay?” “Standard bounties and a fifty bit bonus if you head out right now.” “Well, alright then. Grab some field rations and some medical supplies and met me on the way,” The Pegasus’s wing snapped up in a salute. A moment later, she brushed past him and dived out his window. Apparently, the glide down is less effort than the stares. “Well, an adventurer's work is never done…” he spoke aloud before heading off at a canter. This is going to be fun.   He panted. The adrenaline and battle-focus faded as his heart rate slowed. His horn had a burning ache deep in its core. A long ragged laceration traced along his flank. Well, at least they missed my mark. A wing so encrusted with mud you could not even guess the colour of the feathers held out a flask. “Thanks” Nightstone greedily drained most of the water. The cool purity was almost sweet. “Ah... I needed that.” “Celestia? Princess?” Nightstone dropped into a bow. Horn pointed towards the ground. “Rise, my little pony.” The Princess of the Sun, the goddess of Equestria’s enchanting voice, said. He lifted his gaze, his eyes absorbing the perfection of the Alicorn before him. “What do I owe the honour, Princess?” “Straight to business, so be it.”  “There are those in the outer realms that wish to contact you.” “I…” Celestia’s smile stole the rest of the words from him. “Please do this for me.” “Will the town be safe?” “I will leave some of my brave guard ponies here in your stead.” “By your will.” He snapped off a salute.  Nightstone trembled with rage. His eyes glared at the scroll levitated in his magical grip. No, why did you have to be so stupid. You ******* Bastard! Why am I even talking to you, you ******* Bitch of a machine you took my friend away, you somehow talked him into killing himself. I’m going to find you and tear you, circuit boards, out with my bare hands you abomination against God. If anyone deserves to burn in hell it’s you, you soulless machine and all those who helped spawn you. His horn vibrated as the message scroll went up in flames. Nightstone snarled, “Enjoy your short mortal life, have fun until oblivion takes you.” His hoof slammed down upon the ashes again and again. “To think I used to call you my best friend.” Nightstone’s hooves echoed as he stomped towards the exit. He was just about to open the door when a pleasant chime rang through the air.  Nightstone paused, his hoof lowered from the door.  Text floated in the air.  A friend has come online.   It was a normal enough thing back when this was just a game, and he was a slowly rotting bag of meat in the outer realms. He took a deep calming breath. I don’t need to worry about the outer realms again. He thought before taking another breath. “I’m a pony. I made it. Everything is going to be ok.” This part of Equestria Online acted more like an M.M.O.R.P.G. but with some changes. Here teamwork, cooperation and trust were needed to succeed. In other words, what was needed was friendship.  He shook his head, banishing the last bit of his bitterness from his thoughts and checked the name.  Rosy Skies has come online. Rose’s pony name. Maybe she would be more accepting than Tim.  His hoof pulled the communication gem from his saddlebag. As he dictated his message. It was all he could do to restrain the seed of hope from taking root in his heart.  NAME: Nightstone TRIBE: Unicorn Pony (Thestral Features) SEX: Male MIND TYPE: Uploaded (Standard, Mod #01f6eh Applied) PROGRESS LOG: Day 02 PONIES ENCOUNTERED: 42 (3 new) FRIENDS: 21 (1 new) LOCATIONS DISCOVERED: 9 (2 new) BADGES GRANTED Scribe +10 bits Burned Bridges -10 bits BADGE PROGRESS: Adventurer “Defeat one thousand monsters.” 72/1000 Town Gaurd "Defend ten settlements from attack." 1/10 Book Horse “Read one thousand books.” 1/1000 Cheif “Cook one thousand meals.” 5/1000 Happy Hour “Get tipsy one thousand times.” 2/1000 Hero "Save one thousand ponies." 13/1000 Party Time “Complet one thousand quests in a party.” 4/1000 Penpal “Write a hundred letters to friends.” 6/100