//------------------------------// // Field Test // Story: Moments in Time // by Shingo //------------------------------// “Twilight, is this safe?” Applejack asked. She, Twilight, and Pinkie were standing at the edge of a cliff. On both of the earth ponies’ legs were white metallic boots. Applejack and Pinkie were looking down the edge. Down below, they could see a brightly painted target with an X at the center of it. Sweat was falling from Applejack’s forehead while Pinkie happily hopped in place. “No, it’s not,” Twilight said with a clipboard in front of her. “But that’s the entire point of this test. Besides, who am I going to get to test the boots?” “You could always get Spike to do it,” Applejack said. “As a matter of fact, that sounds like a good idea. Get Spike to jump from this ten thousand meter cliff.” “She can’t do that, Applejack,” Pinkie said still hopping. “She’d get in trouble by child services for reckless endangerment.” “Yes, and I don’t want to get in trouble with them again,” Twilight scribbled on the clipboard. “And it’s not ten thousand meters, it’s thirteen thousand four-hundred and two. Are you two ready?” “Yep!” “No.” Twilight sighed. “Applejack, please. I need you to help with this experiment. This invention could prevent hundreds of accidents from happening on construction sights, mountaineering expeditions, and airship accidents. If you don’t do it for me, at least do it for those countless lives that you might save.” “Besides,” Pinkie said. “We’re not doing anything all that dangerous. All we’re doing is jumping from a thirteen thousand four-hundred and two meter cliff hoping that we survive the drop thanks to these shiny new boots! What can go…” a purple hoof stuck itself in Pinkie’s mouth, “No,” she said. “Do not finish that sentence. Every time one of us does, bad things happen. When Spike said it while we were testing the repulsion gel, he got a minor concussion. When Rarity said it while we were constructing the Dream Diver, she got lost in the dream world for three days. When I had a prototype for the orbital cannon, it blew up before I could send it into the atmosphere. So do not say it, understand?” Pinkie squeaked. “Why would you even build these kinds of things?” Applejack asked. “Because.” The three of them stood in silence. “Aren’t you going to finish that sentence?” “No, no, that’s it. Because.” “You sound like a genius about to go rogue.” “So I do, go figure,” Twilight pushed her friends to the edge. “Come on, jump.” “Don’t be scared, Applejack,” Pinkie began hopping again. “It’s just a hop, skip, and a juuuuuuuuuuu…” Her voice was fading as she fell to the ground. Applejack watched as her friend became a receding pink dot. Twilight scribbled on the clipboard. “Is she alright?” Applejack asked. As if on cue, Pinkie shot up from the cliff with a wide smile on her face. “Yes, yes I am,” she said. Gravity took control and sent the pink pony flying to the ground once more. “Pinkie,” Twilight began. “Did you put repulsion gel on the bottom of your boots?” Again Pinkie’s face met them. “Yep!” she said before falling back down. “Great,” Twilight sighed. “The experiment has been compromised. I don’t have any data from her jumping. Applejack, you have to jump now.” “Do it Applejack,” Pinkie said. “It’s fun! You can feel the wind rushing in your mane as you fall to…” Her voice disappeared as gravity took its effects on her. “Fine, I’ll jump,” Applejack said. “There are safety measures in case something goes wrong right?” “There are.” “And what would they be?” “If you break a leg, we have a doctor on the ground ready to work his magic on you. If you die, then I’ll get to play god and bring you back from the dead by testing another machine I have here.” “Fun,” Applejack took in a deep breath. “Here goes something.” She stepped off the ledge and fell to the ground. Wind was rushing past her ears as a smile formed on her face. As much as Applejack would hate to admit it, Pinkie was right. Falling down like that was exhilarating. So this is what Dash feels when she’s flying. I can see why she likes it. The ground was quickly approaching her as the boots took effect. Her body tilted upwards having her hooves face the ground. After a few moments, her hooves landed on the ground with a loud thud. A large amount of dust was kicked up as the earth pony stood there. A bright purple flash appeared beside her. “I take it they worked?” Twilight asked. Applejack nodded. Something was scribbled on the clipboard. “Great! Though I’ll admit, I was a little disappointed.” “Disappointed?” Pinkie asked as she reached the ground. “What would you have to be disappointed about? They work don…” Her voice faded away as she flew upwards. “If something went wrong, I would have gotten to test the anti-death machine.” Applejack smacked her forehead. “Glad to know that even in death, I could have helped you,” she said. “So, Twi, what’s next on the list?”