//------------------------------// // The Danger Zone // Story: Our Legacy, Their Story. // by MerlosTheMad //------------------------------// Twilight watched the panel she had detected movement from studiously. She was sure she'd seen something. Indeed, moments later two enormous looking machines ran across the slowly panning glass screen. It even shook from their passage. Maybe the human wasn't lying...? The spark of worry hung in Twilight as she began considering her options and what to do. Another screen next to the one depicting the machines was panning, as it faced the mouth of a hallway... Twilight's mouth dropped to hang open in disbelief. A pony! Somepony else and they're escaping! She didn't recognize them though. Twilight wasn't sure if the pang she felt was sad that her friends might not be here, or glad they could yet still be safe. The Equestrian galloping across the screen had armor or...changes similar to her own too, maybe fewer though. Still, it was another pony. After a second, Twilight's widened stare in disbelief that she'd found an ally relaxed and she still let out a celebratory cheer. "Hah, what luck!" She grinned at the sight of them galloping full sprint through the hall and out of sight. Twilight had only caught that the stranger had a long dark mane, uncut unlike her own, and that it had obviously been a mare. She's probably in deep trouble... Twilight started to hop off of the counter from watching the screens, when more movement caught her eye. As if to emphasize the thought from a moment before, a human ran down the same hall, it must be chasing the pony. It held one of the weapons that these humans used so much, though it was very small. Still, there was no telling how much damage it could do. Twilight groaned in frustration, she didn't know where this was in relation to her at all. She back tracked over her plans, helping this mare was obviously something that couldn't wait. But where can we go from here after I rescue her, and just where exactly is she? I need to amend my escape plan and form a course of action, pronto. While looking around the room Twilight spotted the human staring at her. Of course! He should know. The unicorn pulled down the gag on the human's mouth with her hooves. "Where is that." Twilight jabbed her free hoof at the panel that had shown the fellow pony. The pudgy creature raised an eyebrow at her, then looked down and regarded his girth. "You should really just surrender and give yourse-" "WHERE!" Twilight didn't hear it over her outburst, but she felt those metal appendages snap out. She hadn't meant to do that... Her eyes shut in irritation and she stifled a groan, then reset her glare at the human, hoping it hadn't lost its intended effect. Unnervingly, the human's eyes were actually very wide with fear. They flickered back to the screens, panic engulfing his chubby face. "Junction of section C and D!" Twilight snorted derisively, eyes still focused on him. Intimidation wasn't expressly...right, as she saw it. But she didn't have the time to negotiate. "Two lefts and a right out the door, it's a big square intersction you can't miss it!" His eyes were glued shut and he was leaning to create distance from her. Twilight twirled away from him, opened the strange door, and raced out into the open. She couldn't dawdle about scaring the man, she had a fellow Equestrian to save, and no time to lose. I spot another perpendicular set of halls and dash to the left. My hooves skid wantonly across the metal floor and I slam into the wall causing me to scrape my side and kick hurriedly back into a frenzied gallop. "PLEASE, JUST LEAVE ME BE!" What is following me? I have no idea who or what it is. I've never seen its like before. I certainly hadn't waited to ask it after it found me and tried to put me back into a cage. Ffsssch! Another projectile... I can tell that it barely misses this time. The feeling it made as it whizzed past my ear was unmistakable, laid back as they were. Why is it trying to hurt me? To catch me!? What did I do to deserve this? I've never done anything wrong! I'm a good pony! Not able to help it, I choked back a sob. How is something that runs on just two legs SO! Celestia! cursed! fast!? Ffsssch-zip! Gah! I feel a pinch tighten in my neck momentarily. I continue galloping, unsure if I'd even felt anything at first. But then the hall began to spin in front of my eyes. Have I tripped?... Oh! Heh, I have indeed, that's funny... Why was I running again? I struggle to stand again, and shake my head fiercely. The fear from moments ago still blaring from the fading recesses of my mind. No! I begin limping, trying to continue to make my way down the corridor, knowing that it's still right behind me. Have to... Have to run... escape, why... why won't my hooves work...? Thud The escaped pony's vision was blurred beyond recognition to her now. Only then, in her present sedated state of mind did she realize what could have happened. A voice was talking to her now, she realized. But as her world darkened and she felt her mind shut down, in the back of her head she only had a single thought. Mother, Father... I'm sorry- I... "Mtheeer... mtherrrr..." The little pony gurgled foam and drool onto the floor in front of the woman. Pant "You Pant have caused me an absurd amount of trouble for- for Pant You had better turn out to be worth every penny, or I swear to Super Nintendo, I'm turning you into glue and cat food." The woman was short, perhaps five foot three inches. She wore a short lab coat and jeans. Leaned over to catch her breath she regarded her escaped subject with curiosity. She almost hadn't noticed the slightly bent bars on its cage and by proxy, the missing inhabitants. Astounded, the woman had found her little ponies hiding behind a box nearby. They shouldn't have woken up for weeks on their own without interference... Damned cheap synapse freeze... She knelt down next to the equine to get a closer look of her property. Roughly, she grabbed at the pony's dark mane and held its face up to her own, glaring at its stupefied expression. Caught off guard or not, you can't give me the slip so easily, I've got my life savings invested in you and your little sister you cunt... The thought brought the out of breath human back to the present. She had to get this under control, if word got out that she'd let something escape, and something organic at that, well... Caroline didn't want to consider the consequences, fines, jail time...she had no intention of giving up her life. Carol held up her wrist and yelled at it without abandon. "Where the hell are you unit 4!? Where's Sour Apple?" Her earpiece crackled with a sonorous robot voice, she'd made it herself. "Mam! Target :SOURAPPLE: is moving through section B, and appears to be running laps through out the Block, we're attempting to corner or trap it at the earliest that we can out maneuver it." Caroline chewed her thumb nervously whilst staring at the pony before her. She hadn't had time to power up a suit, and never believed in much self modification. That last at least, was entirely unnecessary as she saw it. But, it would be useful right now. Never mind that she had to get this out of sight and fast, then deal with the security archives no doubt in her section... I'm too under equipped for this much catastrophe. The woman glowered at the ocular recording device whirring quietly above her. Five hundred years of research hadn't prepared her for this avalanche of incongruous circumstances. "Alright just...give me a guess about what hallway you think it will head for roughly, I'll be right there. Send unit 7 to my position to recover Sym-pony, we have to end this quick." The earpiece blipped affirmative from her mechanized servant. Hm, is that pun actually catchy or stupid? Oh never mind. Caroline cursed herself for having left all her other mecha and servants in pieces or at the cleaners or rented out...she was far too short handed to deal with this. Lowering the admittedly bargain bin quality tranquilizer gun, she set to reloading it then left down the-... ... "Purple?" Caroline blinked. "You're not mine." She said questioningly. "No, and it's lavender by the way." Caroline's shock only lasted another split second as the woman's head bounced to the side, then fell unconscious. "Or light mulberry whichever you prefer..." Twilight dashed over to the stranger to make sure she was alright, then waited to make sure that the human was well and truly out. It hadn't been the pony's intention to hurt her... But, knocking her out was the only way to handle the situation as she saw it. Mustache magic is harder then telekinesis, and in her state it would not have been wise to test her limits. I may need to make a quick get away soon after all and she had that weapon... Right the pony- Oh no! Twilight moved to the unconscious looking equine laying on the ground. I'm too late! The human had... Her thoughts trailed off as they became progressively more dark. I don't know if I can handle more death, please be alive! Slowly, Twilight pulled the familiar syringe from the light charcoal coated pony's neck. It was smaller than the one Helsreich had tried to use on her, but its effect was obvious. Breathing, she was still alive, Twilight looked around frantically and tried to lift the Pony with her magic. Have to get back to the Hrrng! Oh sweet Celestia, she's as heavy as I am, Hrng! back to that panel room. Twilight decided it was a might too busy out here to just make a break for it. At least in there, it was secluded. Twilight's thoughts clung to her unconscious friend as she struggled onward. The dart and the images of what she had done to those humans before her get away haunted her as well... She shook her head. Focus Twilight, atonement and redemption later. I gotta make sure she stays alive right now. Although, Twilight wasn't sure what she could do if it was a poison. Her friend, okay well not friend, she didn't know her but she did look familiar... The point is, she's alive, that's all that matters. Twilight's brow beaded with sweat, it was a quarter of a mile back to the room, at least. Her telekinesis was giving out, she recognized the signs of magic overuse. "Horse feathers, this isn't...hm." She set the pony down on her back, bracing herself in case her guess was incorrect. Hopefully, it would be an easier method of transportation for her patient. And right Twilight was, the mystery mare's weight barely effected her. She could hardly believe it, but then nothing seemed beyond belief any longer really. This is fortunate! This'll allow me to keep from exhausting my magic. Her mouth curved into a small smirk as she allowed herself the victory. Twilight began a three legged run down the hall, her other foreleg holding the earth pony in a pseudo fire mare's carry. Her legs made heavy thudding noises down the hall, soon she came upon the door which the telltale pipe was again wedged into. It was only a hunch, but she had supposed that this door would not open without the instrument keeping it from closing completely. Or why else would it have been there earlier? Her eyebrow quirked while she looked at and approached it, slowly to a canter. Perhaps it's just a defective human door. Hurriedly, Twilight pressed the enter button opening her temporary base of operations, the human growled at her from its corner and she kicked the pipe from the door frame. Twilight tsked and re-gagged him. She'd forgotten to redo the gag on him as she'd left, it wasn't like her to skip steps on her mental check lists certainly. Not even panic or hurrying caused her to do that. Often anyways. Laying down the mare, Twilight took note of her body better, it seemed in quite the state. Random patches of fur missing, haphazard stitching and scarring as well as the same metal skin covering a great deal of her body. She didn't seem hurt anywhere though. Her cutie mark was visible though, Twilight noted gratefully. Unlike her own, one of the mystery pony's had escaped desecration on her left flank. Nearby, the human growled again angrily and tried to talk. "Hush, we have a patient." Twilight made shooing motions at the human with one hoof without looking up. It was a music note, a light purple treble clef she thought, to be exact. The pony must be a musician. "Patience? Oh my, that's a prrtty name... grggle" A dribble of foam leaked from the mare's mouth, and began pooling on the metal floor. Twilight gasped at her slurred speech. She realized with another start one of her eyes was cracked open, but rolled up into her head. "Just stay calm! I'm here to help, Oh Celestia. Are you okay? Are you in any pain?" She cradled the mare's head as she tried to reach her, holding it up. "Celestia...? What's that old withered tart gotto...snrck Crepes..." The Mare's head rolled in Twilight's forelegs to one side. Twilight almost succumbed again to panic, but the mare WAS still breathing. She hoped this meant it must have been a sedative that the human had hit this pony with. Hopefully that also meant it would wear off soon with some time... They needed to move, Twilight thought back to her mental list... She'd found the stairs on the glass panel things, so now... Right, I need to figure out where those are exactly on my map. She looked over to the human, it would be quicker to get it out of him, no doubt, than to look over the map and guess; at least she hoped it would. Twilight laid the mumbling and incapacitated stranger to the ground gently and approached the human, he was glaring at her fiercely... She undid the gag on him again while clearing her throat. "Ready for another que-" SPHHT Twilight cringed back. Did he just-? He SPAT on me?! Twilight took on a look of shock at the wet glob that dripped down the front of her coat...well the metal of her front... Still, she felt tears well up in her eyes. It was odd, but somehow the gesture touched a nerve very deeply and struck her feelings and heart. The human hates me? Twilight clenched her teeth and fought back the tears that threatened to leak out. "I-I'm going to ask again, and I suggest you be more polite. Ready for another question?" She set him with as staunch a look as she could muster. The man was wiping his chin on his shoulder. "You'll have to kill me first, freak." He stared solemnly at the floor. Twilight's jaw merely dropped, completely caught of guard by the words. Kill-? Twilight wasn't sure of what to do now. Why is he so uncooperable now? Well he wasn't behaving exactly to begin with, but now he's just, just... She re-gagged him, it had to be a him. A mare would never act so cruelly. It was hard to tell so far though, every one of them had been completely clothed, she realized. The grey mare was waving her four hooves nonchalantly in the air above her, apparently oblivious to the heated exchange between the two races nearby. She started making an 'oooo' sound, her eyes glued to her own limbs. Twilight wasn't enjoying the prospects of a successful get away at this rate... Pulling out her map she set to trying to identifying which hall that staircase was in-. rummbbble She looked up and stared at the door incredulously. That deep rumble, like a collapse or explosion was much like the one from earlier, she realized. A light ringing was in the air too, just like before. What had that been? "With as much as things explode around here it's amazing that there's anything left of your civilization." Twilight called back towards the human, then looked up at the screen and looked for any distinguishing markings she could relate to the map. Which room she was in wasn't clear to her, so she didn't have a reference point to start from. That was the big problem, knowing where exactly she even was. "Hah! You're a funny looking guy. You are a guy right...?" Twilight looked behind her upon hearing the mare's voice again. Her mouth dropped open at the sight of the grey pony. The stranger was... caressing the human's head and massaging his cheeks... Her head was tilted up lovingly, staring at him. The man was trying to scoot further away, irritation or perhaps fear on his face. He only succeeded in falling over. "Oh miss, you shouldn't go near him he's very dangerous!" Twilight immediately lept over and tried to pull the earth pony away. "You know, I'm no filly fooler, I mean there was this one time...but we were drunk so that doeshn't count... Anyway, I won't hold it against you if you're a lady like myself." Where this energy came from, Twilight had no idea, but despite the mare's apparent wooziness her grip was like iron. Twilight only succeeded in pulling the pair across the floor a ways while trying to dislodge her. "Miss, please! You need to recover, could you stay in the corner and not stay so close to the...the dangerous criminal?" The human sounded like it muffled agreement. Shouldn't a sedation perhaps, oh I don't know, sedate? Whatever this was seemed more like a drug or her misguided want it need it spell... Hopefully all this clarity, albeit horribly distorted, signified a swift recovery. "Look you," she glared at Twilight from where she lay sprawled over the floor and human, catching the purple mare off guard. "Find. your. own. And you can't talk to me like that. I am the first chair cellist of...of Canterlot's Royal Symphony, and dare I say it, am a sophisticated, upper class...lady pony." Her hoof wavered as it attempted to point in Twilight's direction, and failed. She ended her tirade with her head drooping back passed the man's arm. After a moment of not moving, stirring or relinquishing her grip of the human, Twilight huffed and let her be. "Why me, why in the name of Celestia's sun did it have to be me." Twilight thought she might now recognize where she'd seen the pony before, but it wasn't what dominated her thoughts at the moment. She looked around the panels and through a couple of the screens not depicting hallways. Without the human to help, she had two options to pick from. The first was to figure out where this room was in relation to the stairs, and simply get to them from here, then continue to the "lift" or elevator. Or whatever it was called. It was on level three, which wasn't much further down the stairs. Or, she could head out and simply hope to locate the stairs that would lead to the next level and get to the lift that way. After she did that and got to the mysterious thing, Twilight hoped it was a straight shot down through the next few blocks, just as the schematics in the laboratory had said... From there I can only pray to Luna and Celestia that I can find more of the abducted ponies in that gene ward place... "You put your left hoof in, you take your left hoof oooout... Heheeeee" Grey Coat rolled on the floor, her head tucked between her hind legs, singing and giggling noisily, which broke Twilight's concentration. "Grr," Twilight sighed fiercely, she didn't know she you could do that. "Honestly, you rival Pinkie for weirdness right now..." Twilight decided hesitantly to wait out the... whatever it was, the drug, here. She looked around the room trying to fill her time. As she thought of what she could do besides go over plans, honestly her head felt ready to cave in. The grey pony stood and walked unsteadily to the corner. Twilight watched her go curious, she had her eyes locked on the chair she realized. Shaking her head Twilight's gaze fell on the human's dropped box near the desk where it had landed earlier. Curious she opened it, the human starting mumbling at this. Oh! Delicious! She now munched on a donut with green icing and sprinkles. The humans had donuts, it was another of the most profound cultural similarities. Although she supposed if they had bread and had a similar diet which they did minus meat, it wasn't that far fetched... A loud squeaking noise caught her attention, looking over she saw Fruityloops, spinning in the wheeled chair. Twilight couldn't do much but stare, she wondered to herself if she should stop her, lest she get hurt... Twilight instead laid her head down. This is almost as bad as being alone... She looked back up at the panels now and again keeping watch and snacking on the baked good. "Oh good heavens, oh no!" The mystery pony's head looked up and stopped her whirling sojourn abruptly. Twilight turned from the panels and the food, startled. "What, what is it!?" "I... I...." She stared intently at the floor. "Yes?" Twilight prodded. What could be wrong? Was she better? Other than the human glaring at her and trying to scream around his gag at her eating his donuts and sipping on his coffee nothing had changed in the room. "Am a lemon... But I should be Banana." Twilight's face couldn't have been more put out and flat if she tried. "Or is it an apple? Am I an apple? Apple... strange I don't like apples much either." Twilight face hoofed and stared back at the panels, she decided she had to, at least the one that she'd deduced showed the hall outside the room. In case someone came she would have more time to try and cast a successful teleport spell. She wasn't sure if she was up to it yet... How long is it going to take them to find us? Will they find us here? Casting after a back surge like that is like running with twisted hooves... She shuddered at the thought. Fruitloopy continued despite the lack of her audience. "Oh, there's the apple. I was wondering where she'd gotten off to. So I'm really not the apple! Hooray!" The earth pony was pointing up from where she laid on her back again in front of the human at the panels opposite Twilight's side of the small room. Twilight followed her gesture lazily. "Look the sooner you snap out of this the sooner we can find... APPLEBLOOM!" It had been Apple Bloom, Twilight jumped from panel to panel to find her again, she had to! Something grabbed her leg... "Hey, hey, gimme a'ride, hey." Twilight glared down at her. "Look, I don't have time fo-" A red mane flickered in her peripheral vision, there! Ohmyword, where is that? It was close where ever it was, most of the panels she couldn't identify but that one had been near to where she found that human and... Fruitloopy here. Behind her there was something chasing her, it was one of those machines she'd first seen on the panels earlier. And likely whatever it was that had been running around and scared me in here too thinking about it... Twilight needed another plan and fast. She had to rescue Apple Bloom too. Twilight approached the door and took a deep breath, she knew she couldn't wait. She stood up and opened the door, the pipe hovering behind her. She glanced at the mare, who was sitting on her haunches watching her leave with a glazed looked in her eyes. "Please stay here and... I'll be back soon okay?" Twilight hit the button to shut the door wedging the pipe in the seam. The grey pony spoke up as it closed. "Why has my music stopped." "Hellooooo... Anypony? Help please, I cant feel my... anything, or see." She'd woken up just moments ago. Where ever she was now she wasn't sure. She was blind and could not move. I hope the girls are okay. The last Fluttershy remembered she had been organized with Twilight at the Golden Oaks Library. There had been a meeting at the town hall about the strange object in the sky. It had looked something like a moon. Fluttershy thought back to after, they had all gone with Twilight to the library... and Princess Celestia had sent a message to them. She urgently asked they go to Canterlot to meet with her. After that at the library... At the library. There had been a strange machine that came from the sky that had attacked them. I don't remember anything after that. Fluttershy whimpered having retraced her memories, where was she? "I'm scared..." Pant. pant. "Who's there!?" Her voice was strained and panicked. "Whoarf." "...huh?" Fluttershy thought that sounded like a dog. A big one too. The dog started sniffing her cheek, and its whiskers tickled her. Fluttershy flinched and giggled, straining her head away from the sensation. "Quit it boy, that's rude, you haven't introduced yourself yet." "rff, BARK." The dog started growling. "Ooh, I see, well I'll be sure to let them know." Steel had said that his owners called him Biscuit, but that that wasn't the name he'd chosen for himself. Fluttershy thought that strange, usually animals weren't so particular about names. "I don't suppose you could tell me where I am or what's going on could you?" The dog named Steel let out a low whine and moved away from her. She could hear it shake its head, sending some drool spraying around the room. "Well... in that case, any chance I cou- Wha- Wait, come back!" His nails could be heard leaving the room, and Fluttershy alone. Clicking, they echoed down the hallway. "Please don't leave me by myself..." Fluttershy shivered in the cold. Twilight had torn out of the room as soon as the door closed. She hadn't given what the grey earth pony had said much thought. Likely her patient's dementia acting up. "Have to find Apple Bloom, ooh where was that next turn!" She skidded across the metal floor searching frantically, her ears twitched to pick up any sound that they could. "They have to still be here!" Twilight came to a dead end, there wasn't anywhere else to go down this hall. A door opened next to her. "Meep!" A machine came out, she was too caught off guard to react. "AAH!" It began sweeping and mopping the floor outside the door starting at the corner and worked its way towards her. 'oh... thank goodness.' Twilight spun around and began to try another route. ' Darnit they couldn't have gotten too far away!' After a minute or two of frantic galloping and back tracking she came upon the human again, only it... or she Twilight had assumed, wasn't alone. At the end of the hall in the intersection was another of those strange bipedal machines. It was kneeling besides her. Awkwardly it then picked her up. "Darnit, okay so not this way... Probably." She instead turned again, heading in a new direction. 'If I don't find them soon I could run into more humans or...' She gulped. 'Some of those dangerous machines. I gotta hurry.' Determinedly he tried to roll up onto his knees, but only succeeded in flopping to face the room on his side. There are two of them now. Great. Harry resigned himself to being eaten or made an alien mind slave, that was if he didn't just get prison time for getting captured like this. That's the last time I spring for donuts and jam my station door open for ease of access... He set about trying to think of ways to talk his way out of this. Maybe they'd just leave and he could act like none of this happened. "Ooh, pancakes, I do so love a good plate of pancakes." The strange horse that acted as though it were cracked out or drunk was nosing through his donuts now. He tried screaming at it through the mustache that muffled his voice and managed to get its attention. Take my freedom but not my sugared treats damn you! "Hm? What..." Well that seemed to work, the horse thing was just staring at him now. It seemed to have forgotten about his food. What's this one's deal anyway... The horse squinted at him and leaned forward. "What... aaaAAAAAAAH AAAAAAAH!" Its eyes bulged, and its mouth flew open, screaming. It scooted on its rear end into the corner kicking its legs. Harry's own eyes widened in fear. Huh!? Oohno Ohno, that's not good. Harry heard a sound similar to a familiar click he'd heard the purple horse make, and thought he saw blades shoot out from the grey horse's back. Ten more minutes of wandering passed by for Twilight. "Apple Bloooooom!" Five minutes ago she had begun yelling as loud as she could, even with the knowledge that it wasn't safe. But her friend's only little sister's life, was in danger. Twilight tried galloping down another hallway into a new section, this one was labeled with a big, blood red A. She'd been careful to note where she was turning and where, luckily this floor was linear and alphabetized. It wouldn't be a surprise to her at all if smoke didn't start coming out of her ears from all the cramming, panicking, thinking and learning on the go which she was doing. This area would loop back to Z, she didn't have time to look through the entire Block for her. She could be getting hurt right now! At least there haven't been more humans or machines, where are they all... Twilight couldn't help but wonder why this place was so abandoned. Thunderous hoof steps echoed towards her from in the distance stretching down the halls to her ears. "APPLE BLOOM? APPLE BLOOM COME TO THE SOUND OF MY VOICE!" Twilight sped off towards the noise. "Apple Bloom!" The stomping got louder, it couldn't be far away now. She hoped it was Apple Bloom that she was running towards... Come on, please answer... "TWIIIILIIIIGHT aaaAAHAAAH, HELP!" Twilight let out a choked gasp, it had felt like she'd been holding it for weeks. She ran around the corner. "Appl-" WHUMP Apple Bloom collided with Twilight. "Oh my gosh, Apple Bloom are you okay?" Twilight thought she must be seeing stars after that, but instead was immediately embraced in a rib powdering hug. "TWILIGHTTWILIGHTTWILIGHTTwiliiiight!" She was alright at least, as far as Twilight could tell. Her sobbing was in full swing already, the older mare tried to calm the little apple family filly down. "Shh, it's okay, it's fine, I'm here Apple Bloom." The hoof steps came into full ear shot and the machine thing which had chased the filly came around the corner of the hall full stride, and running towards them. Twilight's eyes glared daggers down the hall way at the machine. It was charging them without abandon, Twilight let Apple Bloom loose of her hug. "Come on Apple Bloom, no time, we gotta go!" The filly staggered and looked back as Twilight pulled her on. "We gotta run, come on!" Together, they began galloping, Twilight leading the way with Apple Bloom astride her. "Bu' Twi! It don't ever stop! I've been runnin' fer days it feels like, but that thing just keeps comin'! I ain't never run like this before, neither!" She was still choking back sobs, but she'd regathered her strength and pace quickly. Twilight had to get her away. "Ah, is my sister with you?" Her voice cracked from emotion. Twilight frowned, she had no idea where AJ even was yet, unless she was in the Ward. I'll explain things and tell Apple Bloom later, there isn't time right now. "I know Apple Bloom, but we're going to get away, I promise! We gotta keep going!" The machine had gained a lot of ground on them, Twilight tested her magic, a teleport might be their only hope. Shift into the security room, and hope it lost track of them... They sped towards section D and the impromptu closet base. "Twi! What're we gonna do!?" Apple Bloom kept looking back at the monstrosity. Twilight's head lanced with pain from her wound as she tried to focus, she didn't answer Apple Bloom, she had to focus. Stopping to open the door would mean it would catch them, and even if they made it into the room it could follow them. Then she would have to teleport anyway... I have to do this now. She thought, resolutely. I have to do this, for Apple Bloom, for Fruit-loopy, and my friends and the other ponies! I can't get caught yet. They were fast approaching the room. Violet and purple magical energies ebbed from her horn and leaked into the atmosphere. She panted from the effort. Have to do this... have to... More, she needed just a bit more power, she could feel the lay lines coming together as she cast out for the location she wanted to go to. Just a bit closer. There was the door. Apple Bloom was looking at her, her eyes were so full of fear and tears. Thud "Tw-Twilight...?" Apple Bloom glanced back, her sisters friend had collapsed and was no longer running beside her. "No! TWI! You gotta get up! Please, come on we gotta run Twi we gotta!" The machine bore down on her before she could even react as Apple Bloom desperately tried to drag Twilight up and to her feet. "TWILIIIIGHT! Twi'! He-Heelp!" Apple Bloom felt her voice giving out from shock and fear. Her belly felt tight, she realized the metal thing was gripping her harshly and holding her off the ground. "T-Twi...!" She couldn't breath. Twilight lifted her head and stared at the floor in a daze... She shook herself. 'What happened?' She shook her head again, it seared with a now all too familiar pain. "No! NO! HORSE MANURE, APPLE BLOOM HOLD ON!" Twilight realized she'd failed the spell. She had almost knocked herself out on top off it. Her head was a river of agony, but she got back to her hooves and ran after the machine, it was now jogging back down the hall. She thought she heard another voice behind her but barely registered it. She caught up to the machine, it wasn't moving as quick now for whatever reason, Twilight didn't care. Without thinking she tried to grab its foot with a blast of telekinesis, instead she got a feeling like her horn was trying to burrow backwards into her skull. "Darnit!" She felt her own tears welling up as she chased after the machine, Twilight was only a dozen hoof lengths from it, not that it cared apparently. The machine mustn't be that smart then, she thought, perhaps I was not attacked simply because the human had not told it to. Still, she was practically helpless without her magic against something that big, guided or no. Hold on Apple Bloom, gah but what can I do!? Apple Bloom cried out to her hysterically. "Twilight! J-just go! Save yourself...!" Twilight squinted at the automaton's back seething. Correction, more like how am I going to do it. Twilight got ready to try her plan. She breathed in and galloped in front of the machine. Fiercely she squared herself on the floor punching her hooves into the metal to get a foundation, then bucked forcefully back into the foal napper's waist with all of the strength which she could muster. Twilight knew she was absurdly stronger now, this had to work, it had to be enough to at least cripple it. KRRNK The machine stopped in its tracks and took the full brunt of the blow. It flew back and skidded, metal screeched through the hall loudly as it fought to stop itself. Twilight gasped as it splayed out its legs though, catching itself gracefully with one thick arm. The metal plating between its legs was caved in, two hoof shapes clear to Twilight's eye in its body. It held onto Apple Bloom tightly as well to the unicorn's astonishment. That could have knocked out a Minotaur... How-? Twilight's thoughts were interrupted. The machine shifted Apple Bloom under its arm and stood up straight again. It began to move forward, the thing had a limp now at least she noted. Flame gouted from the machines right arm. Twilight cried out and she jumped backwards in response, the flames licked her muzzle. "TWI'!" Apple Bloom's scream was muted under the roar of the human weapon. The distance between them was barely not cleared by the roaring fire. Twilight blinked disbelievingly at the machine, it let loose another burst of seething red flame towards her. Twilight shrieked in fear. She had to gallop away to keep from being roasted alive. This is insane! This is unbelievable! This... isn't fair! She needed to try something else and fast. If only I had the Elements and my friends! Twilight reached the other end of the hall. A grim realization dawned on her. I... could try using the human weapons... She tried to think of something else, anything. Not just because she was averse to utilizing the abominable weapons, but because she DIDN'T know how to use them. Flame trailed after her, coming closer, threatening to roast her alive, and steal Apple Bloom away. That.... cruel... metal, manifestation of hate! I gotta get angry, that worked once. Twilight started thinking heated thoughts directed at the machine as she slowly backed up in retreat. I hope this works. It has to. The machine limped closer towards her arm raised, Twilight's rump hit the wall behind her. Come on, come on, come on, you cursed evil wicked twisted rusty amalgam of JUNK! She felt panic welling up inside of her as nothing continued to happen. "LUNA BE DAMNED, WORK!" CLANK VrrrrRR Twilight glanced back, there they were. She heard a roar come from her front. Rolling she dodged to her left, the strange arms bent to accommodate the action, they helped her flip back upright completing the acrobatics on their own. It felt strange, but natural. Her mind still raced in surprise from her own smooth evasion though. Adrenaline surged through her, she'd never felt like this in her life. Where she had been standing was now a ruby red and charred black section of metal. She backed away down the hall. They hadn't simply fired this time. Last time they'd just worked! The machine turned after her, Apple Bloom in tow, she was struggling and kicking and whimpering. Twilight thought she looked like she was in pain. "COME ON! Horse apples why won't you work!" Click! Twilight gasped, her right eye's vision was bloodshot. Suddenly it had become a dark red. Strange white lines overlapped her vision and laid out over the machine's head and chest. 'This is new... but still not helping!!' "Shoot!" She continued back pedaling and more fire chased her. Nothing continued to happen. "FIRE DARNIT!" zreeeeee... 'Well, that sounds familiar.' eeEEET! PHOOM! She watched as a blue and white beam, a foreleg thick lanced out from behind her left shoulder. Her mane played across her face from the vacuum it created and her jaw dropped. It slammed into the machine's head. No, it went through it. The ceiling behind it too. A great gash ran across the ceiling. Twilight stood stunned, and Apple Bloom's stare was stuck to Twilight. She looked up slowly to her captor, then did a double take at the foalnapper's new lack of a head. "Twilight...? That was amazin'! When did you learn that spell!?" Apple Bloom's grin at her was enormous and practically split the little filly's face. Twilight simply let out a breath and sat stiffly. She couldn't believe it was over that easily now. Her eye stayed tinted for whatever reason from the human's interfering with her body, which was very disorientating for the mare. Still, Twilight managed to chuckle. "Heh, it's uh, well not a spell Apple Bloom... I'll- I'll explain la- Oh careful!" The machine had started to lean now, unbalanced, then pitched forward onto its front. Apple Bloom let out a yelp as the thing teered and fell with a clang onto the metal ground. zreeeet! Twilight scarcely had time to register the noise before the familiar sound of her human weapon discharging filled the hallway once again. The shot sang out into the air, Twilight thought she heard a scream. Laying on the ground in front of the machine sprawled out, was Apple Bloom. "APPLE BLOOM! Apple Bloom speak to me! Are you ok?" Twilight's thoughts spun. Why had it shot again, should I have looked elsewhere because of these weird lines? Her eye was still tinted red, the crosshair in her eyesight blinking yellow. Why in Celestia's name is this happening!? The filly glanced up at Twilight and smiled weakly, then stared backwards. "Are you okay? I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry, I didn't mean to use that one!" These things are nothing but trouble. ...But they did just rescued Apple Bloom. "I'm fine Twi, you just caught me off guard is all... You got muh tail pretty good tho'." Indeed she had, the filly's bouncy round tail now ended in charred and blackened hairs that made the air stink. snap They'd gone away, the odd weapon tubes. Twilight finally heaved a relieved sigh. So that's over now, thank goodness... They seemed to her to be intricately tied into her emotions somehow. She wasn't very knowledgeable about machines, definitely not the likes of what the human's used, but that concept altogether seemed immensely short sighted of them, not to mention stupid. Apple Bloom jumped into Twilight, catching her off guard in the midst of her thoughts. The filly was sobbing again, she'd been through so much, Twilight thought. The mare's fore hooves tightened around her, carefully though, she wasn't sure of her body just yet. Apple Bloom also lacked the metal frame she now possessed, Twilight had noticed that right away. She wondered briefly what the filly thought of how she looked. "We gotta go Apple Bloom, there's no telling if there are more." She stroked her mane and she hugged back tightly. "I have a safe place we can rest." sniff "O-okay, Twi'" She stared up bravely at her. Twilight was impressed with the filly's resolve. Together they cantered through the halls and turned the corner, the piped room was there waiting. "Is Apple Jack... here Twi?" "... I haven't found her yet Apple Bloom, but if she's here, we will. I promise." Apple Bloom's gaze fell dejectedly to the floor. "I hope we don't, I hope she's back home safe, Twi'..." Twilight turned to smile at the filly. Once the door had been reached she reared up against the panel on the wall to open it. "OH MUH GOSH! Twi'! We can't stop yet! My friend is out there still, she's in trouble too!" The pipe clattered as it fell to the ground. "Apple Bloom! Oh thank Luna's stars, you're okay." Apple Bloom looked from Twilight to the new voice, a familiar grey earth pony stood in the middle of a strange room filled with glass windows. "OCTAVIA!" Apple Bloom jumped into the room and embraced her. "I thought you were a gone'r!" Octavia's light laugh tinkled. It sounded odd and out of place surrounded by these dull walls Apple Bloom thought. Like a pig dressed up in somepony's Sunday best! Apple Bloom decided not to make the comparison though. She didn't know Octavia all too well yet, but she'd figured her for an uptight sort that might not appreciate the joke. "No I.... I'm not sure what happened actually. I think Ms. Sparkle here saved me." Octavia let Apple Bloom down and regarded her with a smile. Twilight took in the room's reunion beaming after shutting the door. "Oh! You know my name?" The librarian thought she recognized the musician but she hadn't expected it to be mutual. "Of course, you're Princess Celestia's student. Most should recognize you I would hazard after all of your exploits. I'm amazed you aren't a bigger celebrity in the papers and the mainstream really. Ah, where are my manners, I am Octavia Philiharmonica, Fi-" "First Chair Cellist of the Royal Canterlot Symphony." Twilight gave a small grin. "Oh, why yes, I'm surprised you recognized me Ms. Sparkle." Octavia's eyes widened and she held a hoof to her chest in mock shock. She wavered a tad, quickly replanting her hoof, she must still be 'under the influence' Twilight thought. "Oh, well I didn't recognize so much as, you see... you told me. Uhm, I'll explain later." Twilight gave a nervous laugh, that would be a funny story session. Apple Bloom had gasped at the sight of the human, and had walked over to it during the two's interim. Twilight caught her new shift in attention. "You shouldn't go near him Apple Bloom, he's not very nice... and might be dangerous" Twilight warned, Apple Bloom glanced back, but resumed staring at the human. "What do you want with us." The human of course didn't answer her, she noticed the strange gag now. It squinted it's tiny eyes at her. "Well, then it's certainly my pleasure to make your acquaintance personally Ms. Sparkle. I'm sorry it couldn't be under better circumstances. Also thank you for rescuing me by the way, that was you yes?" Twilight saw something different about the grey mare... Her back seemed to protrude out behind her. Were those knives? "Likewise Octavia! And yes I rescued you, it certainly wasn't this guy here after all." Octavia and Twilight giggled together, it felt good to laugh with other ponies again... For Twilight it had seemed like forever. "I... what are they Ms. Sparkle? Do you know?" Octavia spoke apprehensively, which was understandable. "Oh- By the way, please call me Twilight." Octavia smiled. "Of course, Twilight." Twilight paused, Apple Bloom was poking the human's strange nose. She sighed tiredly, a lot had happened, again, in such a short amount of time too she realized. Again. Augh. It was time for a quick explanation though, rest would come soon, they had to move on. Now that Octavia seemed better they should at least try. "I... have learned a lot, but I don't know how we got here. They're called humans and... well it's complicated, Apple Bloom come here away from him." The filly turned around sticking her tongue out at the human. "I'll explain everything I know, but quickly as we might not have much time. Tell me when you're up to walking because we need to leave soon Octavia."