'don't get mad, get even
Robert F. Kennedy
*tick-tock... tick-tock... tick-tock...*
Ah, Canterlot, the pride and joy of Equestrias industrial might, even the eco-terrorists, surprisingly, are here not to cause a ruckus and respect that this is the capital of the country. I was standing over one of the many balconies sicking out of the Hoof&Tooth apartment complex, name's Plasma Burst, and I own a significant business here in Canterlot: Plasma Tech. Plasma, in its raw form, has more energy than any other known generators in current existence, while it can be refined into different types of materials for anything ranging from simple pressure valves to immense and complex factory components, it's toxic byproducts are extremely deadly to any known pony physiology. So far the only ones who have unlocked this amazing source of wealth are me and Twilight Sparkle, who used it in her studies of nanotechnology until they were stolen from her a few months ago; the security cameras stationed in her personal lab picked up nothing, and even showed that the papers simply vanished without a trace, no prints or residues were found, as if they just grew legs and walked away. Twilights friends sometimes come to Canterlot for a visit, and her unicorn friend Rarity even started a business in fashion here, fact she was the one who designed my suit and I must say she knew exactly what she was doing, I offered up a fair amount for the tailoring but she said and I quote 'a friend of Twilight is a friend of mine, and I don't want payment from friends', certainly living up to her reputation as the element of generosity alright. Lately, the amount of suspected eco-terrorists have been going down, and nopony seems to have an answer for that, the more liberal business stallions claim they are planning to sabotage the factories here, but the law enforcement rapidly dismissed that on the basis of suicide. Everyone went about their normal days and Twilight has nearly replicated her work now, but still I feel something... off, about Canterlot, as if something big is gonna happen, and happen soon. There was a beep at the door, a solid beep followed by two synthesized notes; Twilight Sparkle was outside waiting for me, I trotted over and opened the door and allowed her to step in...
*Tick-Tock... Tick-Tock... Tick-Tock...*
I shook my head, hearing that same sound over and over again followed by a weird sense of dread and sadness, and went over to the kitchen to get a couple glasses and a bottle of champagne. Holding the tray in my magic, I brought it over to where Twilight was on the Balcony and poured a glass for her and myself, both of us taking a glass before I asked "So, enjoy the view?"
"Yes, it's lovely"
"The smoke stacks an eyesore?"
"Yeah, think you could have chosen a better spot?" I chuckled "No, this was the only balcony they had up here, so what's up?"
"Not much, I did manage to finally recreate my research, but starting from scratch again is slow going"
"What were they so interested in anyway?"
"If I were to guess, I'd say that they were a rival corporation wanting my research to make their own types of nanites"
"So they hired a professional to do the work, outsource the mercenary since it would be breaking and entering on one occasion and theft on three different levels"
"Yeah, sentences are high for that"
"Tell me about it"
"How about you?"
"Nothing really, just the usual"
"The usual, huh? so that little shake of your head was usual?"
"You saw that?"
"I wouldn't be asking otherwise" I looked over out at the magnificent view of the plains, then took a sip and said "Remember how Pinkie Pie could reliably and accurately tell when something happens?"
"How could I forget?"
"I'm not sure, but I think that this tick-tocking I keep hearing in my head might be a variation of it" she looked at me, wide eyes then smiled and said "If that were true then why is it only showing up now?" then took a sip of her champagne
"Because I get a feeling of dread and despair after the noise"
"So... in other-words, it only predicts when something bad happens, right?"
"I think so" I let out a tired yawn and looked at the clock, then thought 730? that's a little early to be going to bed' "I'm getting a little tired Twilight"
"What? You finally doing something not stupid?" then started laughing
"Laugh it up, fuzzball, and typically I do get to bed at around 9, unlike you"
"Don't remind me, by the way, who made the champagne? It tastes a little bitter"
"ummm... it says here Halo Harvest, made in 2009, aged until this year"
"Huh, I don't remember it being this bitter"
"Could be-" *tick-tock tick-tock tick-tock* "-could be that it was made with different ingredients?"
"No, Halo doesn't typically use different ingredients unless they had a shortage... or you bought bad champagne" she gave a loud yawn and trotted over to one of the couches outside, I laid down next to her, snuggling up, then said "There is a third... if unlikely... possibility"
"Maybe later, right now... I just... need to sleep... maybe... a quick... nap..."
"Yeah..." *tick tock tick tock tick tock*