//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 - Science and Prophecies // Story: Fred Walsh's Adventures in Equestria // by Baguettedood //------------------------------// Chapter 5 “I’ve never been called mister before, I mean apart from what’s printed on movie and plane tickets. Though, those don’t really count. Anyway, I’ve always been interested science. So many things that it can do! But the best part is the explosions, especially when combined with chemicals such as potassium chloride; it makes the flame turn purple. “In retrospect, my night of arrival here was probably one of the worst first contact scenarios ever recorded – Well, possibly because it’s the only one that’s ever happened… Actually, it technically doesn’t get recorded until I make it back to Earth.” Fred Walsh opened the door to follow the mare who requested him to do some science. He hadn’t properly seen her yet. Now that he finally had a chance to look, Fred saw the mare was a Pegasus, with a maroon coloured coat. Her mane and tail were a bright gold, and on her flank was the two-dimensional image of a 10-toothed spur gear. “So what’s your name?” Fred decided to strike a conversation en route to the science lab. “Senior engineer Jenga Redheart. Most call me Jen,” She replied. ‘I wonder if she’s related to the nurse in Ponyville. That’s a fanon name. Might be, but it doesn’t really matter.’ “So, what are we going to be doing in the science lab?” “We – The science team and I – Need your help with all the debris that you fell through the wormhole with,’ Jen answered. “I take it word of the wormhole worked its way around the place,” Fred commented. “Pretty much; most of the palace knows.” She responded. The two passed a light-brown unicorn stallion with a dark brown mane and tail, but didn't pay much attention. “Anyway, I should be able to help identify the mess that came with me. Anything else?” “We’d also like to examine your physiology while you work,” she answered. “What do you mean?” Fred was curious but cautious. “While you help the science team sort the debris, some of us will scan you.” “Alright, but no bad touches,” Fred Joked, then checked his wrist computer’s current battery charge level; it was at 58% charge. ‘About enough to last a week if I’m lucky and conserve it extremely carefully,’ Fred worriedly thought to himself. At this point, Jenga took notice of Fred’s device, “What’s that on your leg thing?” “These,” Fred pointed to the ‘leg things’ she was referring to, “are called arms. As for this,” he displayed the device on his wrist, “is a kind of computer I built to stick on my wrist. I’ll explain in a moment.” Fred paused the conversation as the two finally reached the science lab before he could continue explaining. He then pushed the door open and gestured for Jen to go first. She nodded with a smile and entered, Fred followed. The two other ponies in the room looked up from a table full of junk to greet Jenga and Fred. Both of the ponies wore lab coats. “Computer?” Jen continued the conversation as she and Fred approached a table. “Right, you don’t have those, do you? It’s essentially a really advanced calculator.” They began to sift through the debris. “Calculator?” Fred took a breath as he prepared an explanation for the calculator, and computer by extension. “A calculator is basically an automatic abacus; able to calculate – key word – equations near-instantaneously.” “That sounds handy,” Jen nodded approvingly. “Hey, what do you know?” Fred excitedly pulled out a piece of the rubble. “A pocket calculator!” he quickly blew off the dust from the pieces of plaster that settled on the calculator. Since it doesn’t turn off and is solar powered, the device’s display slowly began to fade into operation. “So, how does it work?” Jen asked quizzically. Fred turned toward her, then noticed in his peripheral vision one of the ponies in lab coats – a unicorn – was scanning him with his horn. Fred looked at him for a moment before displaying the calculator to Jen. “There’s a bunch of things inside that I can’t explain very well, but to the average Joe, you punch in a number – for example 32,” Fred pushed the ‘three’ and ‘two’ keys respectively, “choose an operation – let’s press addition, AKA plus, then the number you want to add to the first, in this case, 10, then press the ‘equals’ button.” Fred paused for about a second. “thirty-two plus ten equals forty-two.” He gestured to the ‘42’ now on the display. “Impressive, what magic is this?” Jen asked. “It isn’t. Earth doesn’t have magic. Although, Arthur C. Clarke did say, ‘Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’” “This could revolutionise Equestria!” She took the calculator from Fred’s hand before moving it to another table so she could dissect it. Fred admired Jen’s ability to manipulate objects with her hooves and mouth, despite lacking the manual dexterity brought on by human hands. He then continued to sift through the rubble to find other interesting items. Most of what fell through was just plaster and wood. Fred was worried at this, though. ‘This probably means that my house collapsed from the portal. This’ll be great fun to explain if I get back home. Now, what else is in here?’ An hour later, most of the rubble had been cleared and the remains were: • A pocket calculator • Clothing • A rubber ball • A hand cranked torch where the generator had broken off • Broken earphones Various other bits and bobs were around, but Fred took interest in these. He was allowed to cut off the wires of the broken earphones and take hand crank generator; he had an idea on how to solve his wrist computer’s power issues. Fred had the earphone cables looped around his right arm with his hand holding the crank. Fred was en route back to the blue guest room after a lecture; its sole purpose seemed to be that the unicorn scanning him earlier placed a perception spell on Fred so ponies unaware that he was a human wouldn’t become alarmed. Fred turned a corner that led past the antechamber to the castle’s throne room, where he saw an earth pony wearing a black cloak and wielding a wooden staff walking slowly out of the castle. He spoke, his voice sounded old. “They do not heed my warnings!” Fred was curious at the old, but probably crazy, pony. Fred approached the stallion. “Warnings?” “The mare in the moon shall walk among us once more!” ‘Is he talking about Nightmare Moon’s return at the Summer Sun Celebration in the year 1000? I shouldn’t know that yet, remember to act normal.’ “Mare in the moon?” Fred had to play dumb. “Do you not know about the tale of Nightmare Moon?” the crazy prophet asked. “Enlighten me.” Over the next few minutes, the prophet recalled the tale of Nightmare Moon and her banishment due to her jealousy. “And she will return! On the one-thousandth year of the summer sun celebration! But nopony listens to me!” “It might be because you sound rather insane. Anyway, assuming this is true, th-“ Fred was interrupted. “It IS true!” “…Then what can we expect as warnings?” “The future is uncertain, but you will know them when you see them!” ‘He sure does like to exclaim things.’ “I’ll try to keep it in mind.” Fred turned to continue his travel to the guest room. “Try writing it into a book or something.” Fred passed Jenga again. “That pony is insane,” she scowled. “Sure seems that way.” Fred paused for a moment before continuing to go to his room.