//------------------------------// // Strange realm // Story: The Cyborg Colt // by Huntermjiolnir //------------------------------// Chapter 5: Strange realm. (AN: hope you enjoy this. Hope you like my description of this 'place'. While reading listen to This) Darkness, Nexus awoke and opened his eyes to a void of darkness. Swirls of light coalesced around him, brushing against him. Nexus shivered at the feeling, it was like something ghostly and ethereal brushed against him, caressing him. Strangely Nexus felt at peace, and he smiled almost losing himself to the soft peaceful sensation of floating, he nearly let his consciousness drift away. His eyes snapped open as a voice spoke. This voice was an intimate whisper yet also a terrifying roar, it to echoed through time and space, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. “I wouldn't do that if I were you.” Nexus looked around and noticed something odd about is body, while he was letting himself drift he was becoming less substantial as if fading away. As he looked, his body regained substance and form. He looked up and realized that if he let himself drift he would pass away somewhere he did not yet want to go. “Ah good, you realize your plight.” Spoke the voice. One of the dancing lights brushed against Nexus and he shivered at the feeling again. “The Takers seem to like you.” The voice said. “Worry not, they shall not have you.” As if heeding some vast unheard call the lights froze then dashed away from Nexus swiftly vanishing into the endless darkness around him. Nexus opened his mouth and tried to speak, but found he could not. “Ah I see you wish to converse, one moment I shall fix it so you can.” One of the dancing lights briefly returned and brushed against his neck, Nexus shivered at the chilly feeling. Nexus opened his mouth once more his voice regained. “Where am I?” He asked. “Have you not yet realized? This is the place souls go when they pass from life.” “I'M DEAD?! I can't DIE. I still have things to do back on Equestria! I have to be with TWILIGHT! I love her.” Nexus whispered this last part. “Do not worry, had your time been nigh, I would have let you drift away, to become a part of the eternal sea of memories and emotion. As it is I feel you have not yet lived up to your full potential. Therefore I shall send you back, with a warning. Die again and I cannot save you.” Nexus gulps and nods. “I understand.” “BEGONE FROM MY REALM MORTAL! REVEL IN YOUR NEW LIFE, LIVE IT WELL!” With that a swarm of the dancing lights converged upon Nexus and slammed into him, forcing him to endure their icy cold touch. Nexus cried out and vanished in a flash of light and power. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In Ponyville hospital. Twilight's eyes were red from crying her mane messed up and unbrushed, bags under her eyes from lack of sleep. Yet still the Bookish unicorn stayed by the prone, charred body of her friend. AJ stood next to her, and put a comforting arm on her shoulder. “Twi, ah think yah should go home and get some sleep. Look at yah, you've barely eaten, not even slept since we brought Nexus here three days ago.” AJ says. “I can't I want to be here when he wakes up, I want the first thing he sees to be my face, the face of a friend.” Twilight replies. “Ah know sugarcube, but he wouldn't want yah tah kill yerself fer him, he'd want yah tah stay healthy. 'Sides, tha doctor said she'd tell yah as soon as he's awake.” AJ Replied. Twilight nodded sadly and slowly stood up. She turned towards the door, then stopping by the entrance she took one look at her prone friend and noticed something odd. The robotic eye, which had been dark from the moment they brought him here, was flickering, the glow growing more steady by the moment. “AJ look!” Twilight exclaims. AJ looks in and sees the eye stop flickering and glow a bright brilliant red. Slowly Nexus shifted and groaned finally coughing before opening his other eye. He smiled weakly upon seeing two of his friends. “Hey.” He said. In response, Twilight rushed over to him and gave him a bone crushing hug. Nexus' eye widened and he grunted. “PAIN!” Twilight immediately let go looking at him bashfully. “Sorry.” She said. “It's fine but next time don't hug someone when they're recovering from third degree burns.” Nexus says. Twilight giggles. “I guess I should go tell the others you're awake.” Nexus looks at Twilight confusedly. “Others?” He then notices Twilight's state. “Twilight, how long have you been here?” He asks. “Uhm, three days. Haven't slept or eaten.” Twilight replies sullenly. “Well you need sleep, I have a feeling I'm going to be here a while. Go get the others, they'll want to know I'm awake.” Twilight nods and leaves the room returning moments later with the other friends in tow. The group smiles upon seeing Nexus' awake state. “YAY! You're awake! Now I can throw you a 'Nexus is all better' party!” Pinkie squealed. Nexus chuckled. “i don't think I'm quite better yet Pinkie, how 'bout you hold off on that party until I can leave the hospital, ok?” “OKIE DOKIE LOKI!” Pinkie chirps in reply. AJ nudges Twilight tin the side. “Twi I think if yer gonna tell 'im now would be the time.” “I agree darling, I can't see you holding something like that back.” Rarity adds. A blush creeps upon Twilight's face as she steps forwards stammering for words, her blush growing larger by the second. “Well I uhm, that is you.....” Twilight begins. Nexus interrupts the bookish unicorn whose blush is a shade of red easily rivaling Bigmac’s coat. “Look if you want to tell me something just tell me straight up, I can take it.” Nexus says. In response, Twilight bites her lower lip in worry before rushing over to the bed and grabbing Nexus in a kiss. After a few moments she pulls away and stares at her friend who is looking blankly at the wall his jaw falling open, his eye narrowing to a pinprick. After a few seconds, Nexus closes his mouth with his metal arm and stares at Twilight. “Let me guess. You wanted to tell me you liked me, but were too nervous, probably because you didn't know if I felt the same way right?” Nexus ventures. Twilight nods her blush fading. “Good and I was worried that I'd have to work up the courage first.” Nexus says with a chuckle. This time it's Twilight's turn for her jaw to drop. “You mean you like me too?” She asks. “Kinda have for a week now,. You're fun, smart and not afraid to research something you don't understand, I admire that about you. Reminds me of myself.” Nexus replies. “Well then, what say we 'study' the effects of a relationship together.” Twilight says with a wry smile. Nexus winks roguishly at her. “I'm willing, if you're willing. Tell you what, come visit me everyday I'm here, we can make it a regular thing. You can regale me with tales about your day, and I can attempt to explain quantum physics to you.” Twilight giggles at his wink and promptly smiles. “I'll do it.” Nexus yawns. “Well I hate to cut the reunion short but I need my sleep and so does Twilight. Go home and eat Twi, and get some sleep. If I think you're holding out on me I won't be happy, I don't want a friend starving herself.” “All right. I'll see you tomorrow Nex.” Twilight says. “A nickname, cute, real witty there Twi.” Nexus says before lying back in bed closing his eyes. He hears the sounds of the girls leave, a smile comes upon his tired face as he hears AJ say something obviously directed at Twilight. “See? Ah told yah nothing would go wrong iffn yah told 'im.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next day. Nexus awoke around mid afternoon, and waited patiently for Twilight to come visit, fortunately he did not have to wait long as the bookish unicorn walked in, followed by AJ. “Hey Twi, AJ.” Nexus said. “Howdy Nexus.” AJ said. “So did the doctors tell you when you should be able to leave?” Twilight asks. “Nurse Joy said sometime next week, gotta love unicorn healing magic.” Nexus said with a chuckle. “Yah know I was wonderin' somethin' what exactly were yah makin' that exploded?” AJ asks. “Yes I was also wondering too. Because I did some research and it would take a lot of gunpowder to explode AJ's barn.” Twilight said. Nexus looked down, his ear lying back on his head. He looked for all the world like a child with his hand caught in the cookie jar. “Well I may have overheard Rarity mention something about wanting an easier way to dig up gems. So I decided to help. I made a chemical compound we had back where I came from called Nitroglycerin.” Nexus says. “Nitro what now?” AJ asks. “I've never heard of it either.” Twilight says. “What exactly does it do.” “Well Nitroglycerin is used to make large scale explosives mostly for demolishing things like large buildings, but it can also be used to excavate large tracts of land.” Nexus says. “Unfortunately the substance is VERY volatile. Just about any jolt of energy can set it off. I had some stored in the barn as far away from anything flammable as possible, for obvious reasons. But when the gunpowder went off, the barn caught fire. I realized this and went to try and stop the explosion. Unfortunately by the time I got in there the container was already on fire, and it went off before I could turn tail and run.” Nexus replies. “Honestly I should be dead.” “Don't say that. You survived, you can recover from this and fix your mistakes. It's what we do, we move on.” Twilight says. “That's rather deep Twilight.” Nexus said. The trio stood there awkwardly until a knock sounded on the door. After a moment a nurse came in bearing food. As the nurse placed the food near Nexus, he grimaces at the bland food. As the nurse leaves Nexus groans. “Ugh, hospitals are useful for healing, but their food is the worst.” Nexus turns towards the girls. “You know, as soon as I'm able I'm going to rebuild your barn AJ.” Nexus says. “Shoot yah don't gotta do that.” AJ replies. “And why not?” Nexus asks, nibbling on his food. “Me, Bigmac an Twi are gonna rebuild it. We'll probably get done before yah even get out of tha hospital.” AJ replies. “Wow, magic sure is useful.” Nexus says swallowing the food with a grimace. “Say, are my weapons still in my room?” Nexus asks. “No, I moved them to the library for safe keeping.” Twilight says. “Oh, well as long as you realize those weapons are dangerous and not toys, I guess that's OK. Man am I glad I moved those to my room when I did.” Nexus says. “Why did you move them anyways?” Twilight asks. “They were getting in the way of other projects, so I moved them about a week ago to my room at AJ's. I'm just glad I don't have to rebuild those. Twilight, PLEASE promise me you won't mess with them. I don't want to see you hurt because you got the urge to test out the slag function of my focus rifle.” Nexus says. Twilight nods. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” “Good, I really want you to take care of yourself Twi, I care for you. I really don't want you getting hurt.” Nexus says. Twilight blushes and trots over to Nexus nuzzling him lightly, who blushes in turn. “Awwww, thank you Nexus.” Twilight says. AJ smiles at the pair. “Yall sure do make a cute couple.” “Well I'm not entirely certain we're a couple yet.... Unless Twilight thinks we are.” Nexus replies, with a sad frown on his face. In response Twilight kisses the colt. “Is that a good enough answer for you silly?” Twilight asks after she pulls away. Nexus smiles and chuckles. “It sure is.” A nurse walks into the room and clears her throat. “I'm sorry but visiting hours are over, you may come back tomorrow however. Twilight nods at her friend. “Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow Nexus.” Nexus waves with his left arm. “See yah.” The pair leave followed by the nurse, and Nexus sighs. “Well guess there's nothing better to do then sleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A week later. “HURRY PINKIE! The doctor said Nexus would be getting out of the hospital today and I want this party ready for him when he gets here!” Twilight says, running around the partially decorated library. “Okie Dokie Loki!” Pinkie says, tacking another streamer to the wall. The pink blur continues hopping around efficiently placing balloons and streamers. The other four friends are helping set up decorations, Rainbow is currently on 'lookout' duty to ensure that Nexus does not enter the library before the party is ready. Moments later, the pink pony bounces to a halt before Twilight. “All done!” She chirps. Twilight levitates a list and checks things off. “Streamers, Balloons, Drinks. Cake....... CAKE!” Twilight gasps. “PINKIE! Where's the cake!” Twilight exclaims. Out of nowhere, the pink party pony pulls a rather large three tiered cake. “Right here silly!”(Problem fourth wall?) “How did you... Never mind.” Twilight replies. A rainbow blur bursts into the library. “Are you done?!” Rainbow asks. “Yes we are.” Twilight replies. “Good cause Nexus is headed this way!” Rainbow says. “Places girls!” Twilight says as she turns of the lights in the library. The girls leap into hiding and moments later the door opens revealing Nexus. He walks in and the door shuts behind him. “Hello?” He says. Suddenly Twilight turns the lights on and the girls leap from their hiding places yelling. “SURPRISE!” Nexus leaps into the air. “GAH!” “Geez, girls when I said throw me a party I didn't mean scare me half to death.” Nexus says. “Silly colt! It wouldn't be the same if you weren't surprised!” Pinkie says. “I guess you got me there, curse your logic Pinkie!” Nexus says. “Well what are we waiting for! LETS PARTY!” Nexus says as he dashes over to the cake. “PINKIE?!” Nexus asks, awe in his voice. “YEEEEEEESSSS?!” She asks, smiling wider. “How by Celestia's mane *Somewhere in Canterlot a certain alicorn sneezes.* did you figure out my favorite flavor of cake?!” Nexus asks. “It's Pinkie.” Twilight says, as if that explains everything (which it does). “True.” Nexus replies, cutting himself a piece of cake. Moments later the group is playing party games, Nexus wins every single round of pin the tail thanks to his bionic eye, but stops playing to keep it fair. Nexus smiles as he gets an idea. “Hey AJ, are you a betting pony?” Nexus asks. “Why, yah wanna bet somethin'?” AJ asks in return. “Yup, I bet im stronger then you without my robot arm!” Nexus says with a smile. The group grows eerily quiet, and Rainbow whispers loudly. “Oh, snap.” AJ's eyes narrow and she glares unhappily at the colt. “Say that again, ah think I had a touch of idiot in mah ear.” “I bet I'm stronger then you.” Nexus replies, his grin growing larger. AJ Shoves the cake off the table, fortunately it lands right side up. Then the farm pony places her right foreleg on the table. “Care tah put yer arm where yer mouth is?” AJ asks. Nexus walks over and grapples the farm ponies arm. “Before we begin, what say we make this.... interesting.” “Ahm listenin'” “If I win, you have to let Rarity do you main, NO complaints, or telling her how to do it.” “And if ah win?” “I'll do ALL your chores... for a week.” AJ nods. “This'll be the easiest work free week I ever got.” Nexus nods and looks at Twilight. “Care to start us off?” Twilight nods and places a hoof on the pair. “When I remove my hoof and say go, you may begin.” “3, 2, 1. GO!” Twilight says swiftly removing her hoof. With a grunt AJ exerts all her strength into her right hoof, slowly pushing the black colts hoof towards the table. Nexus grunts and shift slightly, mere inches from the table top, the pair of hooves stop moving before slowly going the other direction. AJ grimaces and grunts, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Nexus grins beads of sweat running done his own forehead. Slowly the orange hoof moves closer to the table, then with a final grunt, Nexus forces the hoof onto the wood. Nexus sighs as he pulls back his aching leg. “Whew, your pretty strong AJ, but you lost fair and square.” “Ah guess ah did. So ah gotta get mah mane done bah Rarity?” AJ asks. “Yup, no complaining or tell her how to style it either.” Nexus replies. AJ looks at the fashion pony and gulps at the large grin on her face. “Ahm gonna buck you so hard fer this.” “It'll be worth it when I see what Rarity does to your mane.” “Well this has been fun, but it's getting late and some of us have to work in the morning.” Rarity says. “Agreed.” Nexus replies. “I have to find a place to set up a new workshop.” “I'll gladly lend you my basement, provided you Pinkie promise not to make anything explosive.” Twilight says. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Nexus says, making the motions of the promise. “Good, I'll move the spare bed down there for you.” Twilight says as she trots upstairs. The rest of the girls slowly meander out, saying goodbye to their two friends. Nexus begins to clean up the decorations. Twilight walks down the steps levitating a small cot behind her. “I can handle that.....” She says upon seeing what her friend is doing. Nexus shakes his head. “Think of this as repayment for your kindness and the party." Twilight smiles at him and floats the coat through the doors into the basement. (AN: that was fun. To prevent flames I will explain how Nexus survived the explosion. Ponies are durable. If they can survive about a hundred crashes, sleep deprivation, and large objects being dropped on their heads im fairly certain they can survive an explosion without SERIOUS injury. {spoiler alert} The next chapter will involve TG&PT and something MUCH worse then an Ursa Minor.)