Chapter 11: Open!
Chapter 11: Open!
Initially a lock consisted of a mechanical fastening device that was released by a physical object, commonly known as a key. But as technology advanced new types of locks came into existence.
The first to be widely used were the combination locks, either on their own or in addition with a classical lock, they were significantly better than the classical ones because they require both a key and and the input of a numerical value, both these types of locks were available to any of the three pony tribes. However, the unicorns also had a third type of lock, this one also could be used alongside the other two models but the most basic variant was simply called a magical lock.
On the outside the lock that held the door close, the lock that Starry wanted to get open looks just like any other padlock, it even had a dummy keyhole, but the real difference was on the inside. While a traditional lock have a series of pins, be theme spring loaded or not depending on the model, when the key is inserted the the pins are aligned and offer no resistance against the twisting movement of the key and the subsequent movement of the latch. But the the magical one was nothing like his non magical counterpart.
At its core it was nothing more than a puzzle, a very complicated puzzle, with thousands of moving parts, each shaped more oddly then the last. Some could be moved on their own while others caused a chain reaction that reshaped the entire layout. The worst part was that the entire mechanism was hidden, so either one knew the layout inside out, or had a diagram or drawing of the insides he would basically be forced to rely on the touchy feely approached or just hope to get lucky.
Starry concentrated on opening the magical lock, this was his first time actually seeing, let alone using, one of them. The first few minutes were intense, with Petal and Foggy holding their breaths as to not disturb him, yet now, almost two hours later he was still trying to figure out how the pieces fitted together and interacted with each other, and his two friends were almost asleep.
With his frustration growing, and no real progress whatsoever Starry finally admitted to himself that there was no way he was going to find the right way to open the lock today, but there were more than one way to get a lock open. Sparks flew from Starry’s horn as he put more and more magic into his telekinesis spell.
Sweat was forming on the colts face and the intensity and the prolonged casting of the spell was starting to cause him discomfort. He closed his eyes as he focused even harder on opening the magical padlock thought brute force alone. Every piece that could be moved was being moved, and Starry hoped that he would get the position right eventually.
A cold breeze ran across his sweaty body and Starry could feel his cape and bandana flapping in the wind. The back of his head started feeling hot as did the base of his horn. The discomfort was turning into pain, and he could feel his knees starting to give.
Petal and Foggy had awakened and were now taking cover behind a nearby cart.
Starry kept channeling the spell and the lock was starting to vibrate from the rapid movement of the mechanical parts, The pieces of metal that made up the locking mechanism were constantly rubbing against each other at increasingly higher speeds. The oils that lubrifier them have long since evaporated from movement and heat was building up. Even if Starry could not see it, many of the pieces inside were now glowing red hot as they constantly rubbed against other pieces or against the casing or static parts.
“Just open already!” Starry yelled out in frustration.
Blue sparks were coming out of the unicorn’s horn almost as fast as red ones were coming out of the padlocks keyhole, and despite the blue aura that surrounded it, the entire lock was now glowing red hot.
“Just a little more...” Starry said to himself as he put all he got in opening the lock, but the lock remained closed.
“DAMN IT!” he yelled as he fell to his knees, Foggy and Petal rushing to his side.
“Are you alright?” Foggy asked as he helped Starry back on his hooves.
“You gave us quite the scare,” Petal added as she helped him from falling back down again.
“I’m fine,” Starry reassured them. “I hate that lock.”
“Well maybe we can find another way in. Let’s go get something to drink, I am so thirsty.”
“Drink? Petal you are a genius!” Starry said as he pushed his friends away and looked around.
“I am?” Petal asked Foggy. The colt just shrugged. “What are you looking for anyway?”
“That!” Starry exclaimed as he saw a puddle in the street gutter.
His horn started flowing again and he started wobbling. The two pegasi quickly came to his sides to make sure he can put his “plan” into action. Starry focused his magic on the small puddle and lifted the water with a mix of a the telekinesis and simple force field spell, encasing it in a magical bubble.
He slowly moved the water bubble from above where the puddle had been, to above the lock, and let it fall onto the red hot piece of metal. The water sipped throughout the small space between the shackle and the padlock’s body and onto the delicate mechanism inside.
The sudden change in temperature caused some of the thinner pieces of metal to give out and the lock opened with a few metallic snaps.
Starry smiled proudly as he levitated the still hot lock out of the way and the three of them entered the building.