//------------------------------// // Chapter Six // Story: Silicon and Fur: A Remembrance of Equestria // by Crystal Moose //------------------------------// The thrum of technology echoes through the small room. I slowly walk around the room, tracing one hoof across the wall. I look to the object in the center of the room, and once again I feel that pony heartache. The white structure hums, lights flickering as it goes about its work. It reaches to the ceiling, nearly perfectly cylindrical, if you don’t count the odd indentations across its surface. I step slowly toward the center of the room, touching a hoof against its warm surface. The access panel opens, revealing the chair. Carefully removing my synthetic coat, I fold it neatly and place it on the floor. I turn my back to the machine and send the signal. I hear the hissing sound of the pneumatic arms reach towards me. I feel the dull impact, then the thousands of tiny electrodes connecting from the base of neck to the tip of my tail. I feel the connections made as the arms lift me towards the seat, and I watch the panel in front of me close. “Hi, everypony.” I smile, closing my eyes. “I’m home.” “Sweetie Belle!” I feel her warm forearms wrap around my neck. “Oh, Sweetie Belle, it is so good to see you again.” “Hey, Sis.” I open my eyes and find Rarity smiling warmly at me. The world around us is white, unfinished. “Oh, no no no, this will not do!” Rarity gasped. “Sweetie Belle, you’re naked! You can’t go to the Gala naked!” “The Gala?” “We thought that you might enjoy the Gala again, that is, if it is okay with you.” “Fluttershy!” I feel myself smiling so hard that it hurts. Tears fall from my eyes. I race toward her, wrapping my arms around her neck. The fur of her coat is soft against my cheek. “I’ve missed you so much.” No sooner than I let go of Fluttershy, a blur of orange, purple, yellow and pink tackles me to the ground. “Scoots! Bloom!” I look around; everypony is here. Celestia and Luna, smiling and laughing with Twilight. Mom and Dad talking with Rarity, arguing over the appropriateness of floral shirts as formal attire. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie giggling while Applejack grumbled about her dress. Discord standing with Chrysa[record deleted, 0 rows found] Discord standing by himself, juggling his eyeballs, trying to catch the attention of Fluttershy. The white world around us shimmers and fades, as the Canterlot ballroom comes into view. “Can you believe it? We’re going to the Grand Galloping Gala?” Pinkie Pie bounces excitedly next to me. “Oh, this’ll be the best night ever!” I laugh as she breaks into song. “Ready, sugarcube?” “Ready!” We step into the main hall, already filled with a thousand faces. Dancing marionettes, but I don’t mind; I have my friends with me. “Come on!” Apple Bloom grabs me by the hoof. “Let’s dance!” Scootaloo trails behind us, grumbling about ballroom dancing being ‘really uncool.’ We dance for hours. Maybe days. It might have been weeks, or months, I don’t truly know. But we dance! ~ I left the dance floor to speak with the others. Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Discord were first. They were arguing who was the best prankster, whilst Fluttershy wrung her hooves nervously. “Oh, please don’t fight.” Fluttershy held a hoof out, trying to calm Discord. “You are all wonderful pranksters, I think, all in your own special way.” “Hey girls,” I call out as I approach, receiving a reproachful look from the draconequus. “And Discord. I just wanted to come and say goodbye. I won’t be coming back after tonight. “Pinkie Pie, I wanted to thank you for the years of laughter, the cupcakes, parties. Discord, while you were a pain in my flank,”—This earns a gasp from Fluttershy—“Yyou helped me get through so many lonely years. “Fluttershy, you were always so kind with us. You were always happy to let us have our crusader sleepovers, when nopony else wanted to deal with us. Thank you.” “Rainbow Dash, you were always—” “Awesome,” Rainbow Dash interrupts. “I think the word you are looking for is awesome.” I can’t help but laugh. “Yeah, you were pretty awesome. And you always had time for me, Apple Bloom an—and Scoots. I know she appreciated those days too, more than you’ll ever know.” Six hooves, one talon and one lion claw drew me into a hug. “I’ll miss you.” ~ “Hey, sugarcube, y’all alright?” “Yeah, sorry, Applejack.” I wipe my eyes, as Applejack, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo hold out a hoof to comfort me. I know it’s not real, but their warmth brings a smile to my face. “I’ve… I’ve come to say my goodbyes.” Both Scootaloo’s and Apple Bloom’s ears flatten. “Eeyup, Ah think that’s the right thing to do.” Applejack nods solemnly. “Ah didn’t get to say goodbye to Granny, and y’all know how well Ah handled that.” “Thanks, AJ.” I smile weakly. “And thanks for all the times you were there for me.” I step forward and pulled Scootaloo and Apple Bloom into a hug. “Thank you so much, girls, for being my best friends. You helped me through so much, when I found out what I was, you stood up for me to the bullies. When I found out I’d never get a cutie mark, you girls let me keep crusading with you—” “Crusaders always stick together,” Scootaloo sniffles, burying her muzzle in my mane. “I’m not crying!” “Y’all were one of us, Sweetie Belle.” ~ Rarity and my parents were still arguing over Dad’s shirt. “Can I talk to you all for a bit?” “Of course, Sweetie Belle.” The group turn to give me their full attention. “Mom, Dad, Rarity. I just wanted to say thank you. You always took care of me, even when I wasn’t really your own foal.” “Sweetie Belle,” Mom whispers. “You were always our little filly.” “We were family!” Dad beams at me. “Don’t matter if we’re not all the same flesh and blood— uhh, or silicon and fur.” “You were always my little sister, Sweetie Belle. My destructive, troublesome, unable to cook, kind hearted, wonderful sister.” Rarity scoops me up in her forearms. “I love you, Sweetie Belle. Never forget that.” ~ I excuse myself from my family and head to one of the balconies overlooking the gardens. “Tis a beautiful sight, is it not?” Luna bends down to cross her neck with mine. We both stare up at the moon; I’d forgotten how beautiful it was. “It is wonderful, Luna. I’ve missed it so.” I look back over my shoulder. “I miss the moon. I miss my friends. I miss my family. I miss you… Celestia… Twilight.” “Sweetie Belle, I’m sorry,” Twilight whispers as she joins us. “Sensors indicate this unit's power source is failing; we do not have much time left.” Tears fall freely down my cheeks. “I don’t want to be without you girls anymore. I… I can’t do it. Not anymore!” “Sweetie Belle, even if you forget us all, our love for you will never die.” Celestia’s kind, mothering voice does nothing to ease my pain. “I can’t do it. Even the few of you I can take with me will disappear in time.” I wipe my cheek with a hoof. “Who will I be, when every memory I ever held dear is gone? Will I still even be Sweetie Belle? “I’m… I’m not leaving.” “Sweetie Belle…” I feel Twilight’s hoof out touch my shoulder. “The reactors are failing, if you stay—” “I know what it means, Twilight.” I turn my face back to the stars. “I’d rather die as Sweetie Belle than live another billion years as somepony else.” “Please, Sweetie Belle. Please don’t do this,” Twilight pleads. “You’re my only daughter, I—” “I’m sorry, Twilight, I’ve made my decision.” I can’t let her sway my decision; I can not allow myself to entertain self-doubt now. I feel her warmth as Luna sits next to me. “Tis a brave choice you have made. Come, sister, Twilight.” Luna motions for them to sit with us. “Do not fear, Sweetie Belle, we will stay with you.” I lay here encircled by the three princesses. The sounds of the ball behind me fade. The lights of the chandeliers dim. I watch as the stars wink out of existence. The moonlight fades, and the warmth from Celestia, Twilight and Luna disappears. All light is gone. I am alone. I feel cold. I feel lethargy. My eyelids feel as though they are the weight of a million suns. Is this what it feels like to die? I close my eyes, ready to sleep. At last. A warm brush of fur against my cheek, drying my eyes. “Sweetie Belle‽ You’ve finally made it!”