//------------------------------//
// 15) The Firewall gets an Upgrade 
// Story: Loyalty's Vision 
// by SapphireRose87 
//------------------------------//

{Jude}

I felt really puzzled today because of the latest request that AI gave to me. AI wanted me to give Firewall Eli a different job title. Firewall Eli's new title was going to be Royal Advisor Eli. His job duties would be to give me advice on what to do with AI's decisions and to keep the Mothers of the Mainframe in line. Of course, the Mothers of the Mainframe still had the duty to notify Firewall Eli when it was time for the Feeding Ritual.

Lovely, I thought when it was said that Firewall Eli would have to do the Feeding Ritual, of course he would have to do the Feeding Ritual too. Although that shouldn't surprise me because he's going to become a member of the royal family.

The thing that made me laugh at AI's latest request was that after Firewall Eli became Royal Advisor Eli he would be the first guy to work on the Mainframe along with the Mothers. He would replace First Mother sometime in the future; when that happened, he would become First Father of the Mainframe.

Thankfully, AI kept disagreeing with Lifeforce Princess Twilight's demand to be a co-ruler with me. AI put a ban on her demanding that request. That worked for me just fine.

At AI's urging for me to fulfill its request, I finally summoned Firewall Eli to the computer room instead of the throne room like I normally do.

"You wanted to see me, your highness?" Firewall Eli with a confused look.

I nodded. "Yes, because of AI's recent decision that's asked of me to do with you."

Firewall Eli raised an eyebrow. "Okay?"

"Apparently, AI wants me to give you a new job title," I said. "AI wants me to upgrade you from Firewall to Royal Advisor."

Firewall Eli gave me a look of disbelief. He looked like he was going to say something because he opened his mouth and then shut it.

I smiled. "Yeah, I know. I felt the same way when AI made this request. No, this isn't a joke. Starting today, your name isn't Firewall Eli anymore; it will be Royal Advisor Eli. Since you'll be working closely with me, just call me Jude instead of Lord Jude. I'll just call you Eli instead of Royal Advisor Eli. But I still request that you follow Agent Rainbow Dash around on her assignments to keep an eye on her out of control partial sonic rainbooms. When I'm out on my days off and when I'm going through the Feeding Ritual, you will be taking over my duties until I get back to work. "

When I told Eli about his new job duties, his eyes went wide, he gulped and nodded.

"I know it's a lot to take in," I said. "I felt the same way when I finished my transformation and began ruling as the ruler of AI. Now, could you please hand over your Firewall gear so I can give your Royal Advisor gear?"

Eli nodded and did as he was told. It was amazing that once Eli was given his updated gear, his outfit changed dramatically. Eli was now wearing a gray suit jacket that went to his knees. He was wearing a tan shirt and gray pants. He had black dress shoes, and he had black tinted glasses. Around Eli's forehead was a rose gold band, similar to the gold band I had around my forehead when I was on the job. Only his band said the letters "RA" on it.

I was really impressed by the transformation that AI gave to Eli. Eli looked confused and dazed by what had just happened. I'm going to assume that Eli thought he was dreaming, and I don't blame him for that.

"Huh," I said, "I'm impressed by what AI has done with you, Eli."

"Ah..." Eli said.

I chuckled, "Here."

I got to a nearby mirror, and pushed it in front of him, when Eli saw what he looked like, his jaw dropped. This reaction amused me for some reason.

"Okay," said Eli, "now what?"

AI also wanted me to give Eli a tablet that would help him do his job. His tablet had a list on it that showed him duties that he would have to take care of. Eli looked confused when he saw that he had to do the Feeding Ritual. "Uh Jude?"

"Yes?" I said, knowing what Eli was going to ask next.

"What's the Feeding Ritual?" Eli asked.

"Good question," I replied. "It's what AI does to feed the ones that work at the castle to keep it running properly. It's a painful process, and you'll be out of commission for a while after it. For you, it will take six hours to do so, and you'll probably be out of commission for a day. My Feeding Ritual however, lasts for fifteen hours, and it puts me out of commission for two days."

I hated explaining what the Feeding Ritual was to Eli. He had a horrified look on his face after I did. He looked at his tablet and gulped. "It looks like my first Feeding Ritual is in two days."

"Seriously AI?" I growled. "You just gave Eli an upgraded position just to torture him right off the bat? Why is this just as bad as when the Sixth decided to have Rainbow Dash make her first appearance outside of AI at the gates lovely! Perfect! Just perfect!"

I was trying to keep my anger at a minimum because of the fact that Eli had to do the Feeding Ritual right off the bat. But I didn't think that was possible because Eli looked horrified.

"Uh, Jude?" Eli said with caution. "Could you please calm down? You're scaring me."

When Eli said that it helped me snap out of my anger. I sighed and then smiled with the realization that Eli was going to be First Mother's new boss. I laughed, "You know something, Eli? I can't wait to hear about First Mother's reaction to the fact that you're her new boss now. That's awesome, the Firewall gets the upgrade to Royal Advisor and is now First Mother's new boss! Oh, that's rich!"

Eli tilted his head. "Um, who is First Mother?"

"Oh, she's one of the Mothers of the Mainframe," I explained, "she's an annoying old hag who's the lead Mother of the Mainframe. She used to hate Rainbow Dash with a passion and wanted me to turn her into a threat to AI for the longest time. First Mother appears to have changed her mind about Rainbow Dash, and it's creeping me out. She's been making unannounced visits to the computer room when I'm trying to work  and it's getting on my nerves!"

"I heard that Lord Jude!" First Mother growled.

I groaned when I saw her. "Well if it isn't the annoying old hag herself. It's so nice to see you again, First Mother."

First Mother paused when she saw Eli and smiled at him. I could tell by the look on Eli's that it made him uncomfortable because it looked like she was flirting with him. I don't blame him. Eli also looked like he wasn't sure what to do in the presence of First Mother now, even if he was her new boss.

"I do believe the Firewall is supposed to bow to me!" First Mother scolded.

"Oh no he won't, First Mother!" I snapped.

"And why not?" First Mother asked.

I snorted. "In case you didn't notice, he looks different now, doesn't he?"

"Okay." First Mother's reaction to Eli's new look was priceless. She looked confused. "I see that the Firewall looks more handsome than he was before. What's your point Lord Jude?"

I almost felt sorry for Eli because he looked like he just threw up in his mouth at the very thought of First Mother hitting on him. 

I burst into laughter when I turned my attention back to First Mother. "First Mother, meet your new boss, Royal Advisor Eli."

I tried so hard to regain my composure when First Mother's jaw dropped so low that I bet she was tasting the ground at the moment. "What?! When did this happen?"

I smiled a wicked smile. "Just now and he will be notifying me when my Feeding Rituals are from now on. He will also be keeping you from making unannounced visits to the computer room. You won't be getting in here without him saying so. Oh and he'll be communicating directly with AI which is what you were supposed to be doing until now instead of bugging me all the time."

At this point keeping my composure was proving very difficult because of First Mother's reaction to the news about her new boss.

"So, Royal Advisor Eli, it's time for you to start your new job. Please escort First Mother out of the computer room," Once again I almost felt sorry for Eli because I tell by the look on his face that he didn't like this change of events. But I knew with time he would get used to it. This is what AI has decided for him and I can't change it.

Eli took a deep breath and after letting it out he said, "Uh, First Mother? Come with me."

"Oh and one more thing First Mother," I said. "No flirting with your new boss. I don't think he's interested."

After I saw First Mother walk out the door with Eli, I couldn't stop myself from laughing. I laughed so hard I fell out of my chair and was on the ground rolling on my stomach in laughter.


* * *


I dreaded the day when it was time for Eli's Feeding Ritual. The pit in my stomach felt as bad as when I found out that Ivy had to do the Feeding Ritual too. For some reason AI loves to torture its workers. I felt it was best to go with Eli to his first Feeding Ritual. Mostly for moral support like I did with Ivy when I found out she had to do it.

Once we got to the Feeding Ritual chamber, Eli stopped short and stared at it in horror. "AI wants me to go in there?"

I sighed, "Unfortunately yes Eli, this isn't going to be pleasant but sooner or later, you get used to it."

Eli gulped and then entered the chamber. Once Eli was inside, First Mother looked at me. "You want to start the first one or do you want me to do it?"

I hesitated at first but then I said, "Sure. I'll do it."

I looked at the button that would lower the chamber wall down on Eli and start the Feeding Ritual. I took a deep breath and pressed the button. For some reason AI loves to make all of its rooms soundproof and it made the Feeding Ritual chamber soundproof too. That way no one can hear the screams of the person that was inside.

I sat down on a nearby chair waiting for Eli's Feeding Ritual to be done. Once it was done and Eli stepped out of the chamber, he looked like he had got the crap beaten out of him. He wasn't going to be happy when he woke up, that's for sure. I ran up to him and caught him before he fell over. He looked like he was sleeping as I held him in my arms, but I knew that wasn't the case. He passed out because of the pain from the Feeding Ritual.

I cringed when I looked over at First Mother to see her giving Eli a flirting smile. "Would you stop looking at him like that First Mother?"

"What?" First Mother said. "I was just admiring how cute Royal Advisor Eli looks when he's sleeping, that's all."

That statement made me gag, "Yuck! A centuries old woman liking a guy that's old enough to be my brother! I don't think he's interested! Again, yuck!"

"Excuse me, like I would date a guy that young," First Mother said and I could tell by the look on her face she was lying. "If I were a hundred years younger then maybe. But since I'm not, then no thankyou."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Uh-huh sure you don't Eli alright. I can tell by the look on your face that you're lying."

"Okay fine," said First Mother. "I'll drop it."

"Good!" I snapped. 

I didn't like the look that First Mother kept giving Eli. I turned around and walked away as quickly as I could, still carrying Eli in my arms. As I walked away, I was trying my best to shield Eli from First Mother's prying eyes.


* * *


{Eli}

When I finally woke up from doing my first Feeding Ritual, I felt like I had been beaten up by a dozen agents from the Sixth all at once. Actually it felt like more than a dozen, more like getting beaten up by every single agent of the Sixth at once. I looked over to see what Jude calls the ugly old hag First Mother staring at me.

She was giving me a flirting look and that made me want to gag.

"Boy you're awfully cute when you're sleeping, Royal Advisor Eli," First Mother gushed.

The look First Mother was giving was unsettling big time. I really didn't like the fact that an ugly woman like her was hitting on me. "Okay?"

I tried to sit up but the pain I felt in just trying to do that made it so that I had to lay back down. Yup, I feel like I fought every single agent of the Sixth all at once.

First Mother's look went from flirting to concern. "I wouldn't try moving around so much or the pain will be worse if you do."

"What I want to know is why are you in my room watching me sleep?" I asked.

First Mother blushed and looked away. "Oh well, I wanted to help out that's all."

"You know what First Mother," I said, "I'm not interested. Now could you please get out of my room and send a servant to help me instead?"

First Mother gasped and looked offended at my request. "Well I never! Okay fine, I'll send in Servant Milo to help you instead."

I let out a sigh or relief, "Good."

As soon as Servant Milo came in and took First Mother's place in helping me, I felt relieved and hoped that First Mother wouldn't come back.


* * *


{Rainbow Dash}

I had gotten back to my original assignment and I was sitting in the breakroom, when someone came and sat down beside me. I looked over startled to see it was Eli and he seemed really annoyed about something.

"I knew you were following me around!" I exclaimed.

Eli bit his tongue and I knew he wanted to say something rude. I suspected that something else was bothering him. So for the first time ever, I felt concerned for him. "What's wrong Eli?"

Eli looked puzzled that I was concerned about him. "You're concerned about me?"

"Well yeah," I responded, "you're not being your usual annoying self, what's up?"

"Apparently, AI has decided to upgrade me from Firewall to Royal Advisor now," Eli said.

I didn't believe a word I just heard. "What? Seriously?"

Eli nodded. "Yeah seriously."

Eli rolled up his shirt sleeve to reveal a rose gold bracelet with the letters RA on it. I looked at it in curiosity.

"For some reason," said Eli, "AI decided to make these bands to label the ones that are higher up in the food chain so to speak. Even the Lord and Lady have one. Mine turns into a headband around my forehead when I'm summoned."

I smiled. "Wow, that must be an honor for you to be a Royal Advisor now."

"Yeah and I can do without that ugly old hag First Mother hitting on me and showing up in my bedroom to watch me sleep," Eli said. Judging by the tone of his voice he wasn't too thrilled about getting a job promotion.

I snorted. "Tell me, does she have an engagement ring that she so desperately wants you to take?"

"Not yet," replied Eli, "and let's hope that doesn't happen. I don't know why she would even think that I would be interested in a grandma like her."

I couldn't stop myself from laughing at that idea and Eli joined in on the laughter.

"Yes Royal Advisor Eli, I just want to help out by watching you sleep," Eli joked sarcastically. "Yeah take a picture, it'll last longer Grandma."

This was rich, the very idea of someone that was old enough to be Eli's grandma was hitting him didn't stop my laughter at all. It just made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes. I didn't stop laughing until I saw Gilda enter the room. My smile turned into a frown as I glared at her.

"What?" Gilda growled. "I came to see what the laughter was about."

"That's none of your business," I snapped. "If you come near me, I won't hesitate to take another apple and use you as target practice!"

"Target practice?" Discord said. I turned around and smiled when I saw he had a mischievous look on his face. "Are you going to have another apple food fight again? Can I play?"

I smiled wickedly. "Sure Gary," I tossed an apple to Discord and he caught it. "Knock yourself out."

Discord smiled a mischievous smile and chucked the apple I gave him at Gilda.

"Hey!" Gilda said and stepped aside to dodge it. What happened next shocked Gilda, Eli and me but for some reason, Discord didn't seem too bothered by it.

Instead of the apple going splat on the ground like a normal apple would, a small vase with a tiny apple tree appeared. Discord looked at it with curiosity. "Huh, I didn't know that could happen just by throwing an apple on the ground."

"Uh, Gary?" I said. "Apples don't normally do that."

Discord nodded. "I see. Well maybe I can use this trick for my next magic show? Pull an apple tree out of a hat! Now that's something you don't see everyday!"

Discord grabbed the apple tree and once he touched it, it turned back to a normal apple. This puzzled Discord at first. "Huh," He shrugged. "Oh well, I was hungry anyway."

Discord took the apple and ate it in two bites. Discord burped and said, "That was delicious! My compliments to the chef! Thanks for lunch Nancy!"

After Discord left, Gilda deadpanned, "Yup, you don't see that everyday."

I gasped. "If we breakout Discord soon, that would be a record! We've only been here for a couple of months! I wonder if improv food fights are causing Discord to start getting trigger responses already?"

"Well I guess it's a good thing that Maya finds our food fights hilarious," said Gilda. "If Discord does get broken out of the Machine soon-"

"It's called AI," I interrupted.

"Yeah sure," said Gilda, "I don't see the harm in doing food fights if it works. But what I don't like is being the intended target. I think you should be the target next time Nancy."

I snorted. "I'm not sure if that's going to happen Sia. That's going to be up to Discord."

Eli paused. "Wait a second, that Gary fella is Discord?"

I nodded. "Yup and he's one of the creatures I wish would stay inside AI."

Eli tilted his head. "Why?"

"You don't want to know," I said. "Let's just say he was a very interesting and annoying character back in Equestria."

"I know you want to leave Discord inside AI," said Gilda, "but we still have a job to do."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah I know."

With that, we ended our lunch break and went back to work.