//------------------------------// // Hearts and Hooves Day (Tail end) // Story: A Cog in the Machine // by Zoom zoom //------------------------------// “So,” you finally said collapsing on the ground, “any ideas?” Your hind legs were spent from the entire scooting incident and trying to walk back home and failing halfway through. “I’m not exactly as athletic as you are so I’m sort of stuck here.” “Well that’s going to change when we get out of this,” said Scootaloo as she tried again in vain to get out of being stuck to your shoulders and hips. “First thing I’m gonna do since you can stand on your own is put you into a strict training.” “Yeah,” you agreed knowing full well she was either going to forget or you would just use it as a reason to start your training with Twilight a lot quicker. “Keep telling yourself that to make yourself feel better.” “Come on, it will be fun.” You could feel her hooves wriggle in excitement. She was really serious about this. Well better shut her down fast. “No thank you. I may like you, but there is nothing in the world that will make me get this tired ever again.” The wriggling stopped. “What did you just say?” With no way to show your confusion you had to put more into your tone as you replied,“I just said ‘there is nothing in the world-“ “No no, before that,” she insisted. You thought about it. Nothing seemed off about anything you just said so why did she need you to repeat it. Heck you already did repeat it just without the lead in. Wait a minute…. Your eyes bolted open as you realized. You had to just say something, unfortunately it came out way too fast to be believably honest. “Nothing, I’m just tired from carrying you around for three hours.” “So now you’re saying I’m fat?” Why didn’t she sound upset? Better not risk it. “Nope, just that I’m a twig who can’t lift and I like it like that.” That had to be a decent save, well the best under this pressure right now. Note to self, physical activity beyond your normal limits will make you dumber. “Well I know what I heard. And after what happened before I’m not going to clam up about it. I know you know how I feel. I’m just waiting for your response. I won’t push you, at least not until Applebloom comes back. It wouldn’t feel right if I actually did anything as something more than friends with without telling her first. She deserves that much.” “Speaking of which, why is it taking so long for her to come back anyway?” “I’m not sure, I actually stopped by Applejack’s first. It was how I found out about Rainbow not having a date. She was wondering the same thing but she couldn’t get in contact with her cousins in Manehatten.” “Well that gives me something to do. Maybe by now she’ll have found out something. And if not I’m sure I’ll have enough exercise to last me the next two years.” “I’ll help,” she laughed buzzing her wings again. The weight on your legs soon when with it. “You could’ve done that all along.” “You’re free to try getting revenge later.” “Oh don’t worry, I will.” You struggled to start moving, it was slow but working well enough. In fact it seemed way lighter than you would think possible. Your hooves were not feeling the ground either and- This feeling, this was familiar. It couldn’t be. “Who is that?” Scootaloo asked. You turned your head in the direction she had hers. You couldn’t answer. Your mind was racing. This could not be happening, not now of all times. “Why hello Cognitive,” said the mare with a hint of a grin as she looked at you. "It's been some time." No. No. no. no. no. no. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. This was not happening. Not now. Of all times, this could not be happening. The puzzle fell into place now. Now you had to fight not to collapse. “Hey…mom,” was your only reply through gritted teeth as you tried to focus.