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// Chapter 2: I Think I Smell A Rat 
// Story: Silver And Gold 
// by Closer-To-The-Sun 
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Chapter 2: I Think I Smell A Rat

“Ju-Ju-Just what is that….thing?!” Rarity’s voice was full of terror at the sight of the creature that was found within her walls.

“This little pest is called a Cybermat. A creature used by the Cyberman for a number of reasons. Why they are here on your planet, I haven’t the foggiest idea,” the Doctor explained, taking out a cylindrical device from his coat.

“And what is that?!” the unicorn’s voice was still stressed and fearful.

Activiating the device, the Doctor scanned the Cybermat, “It’s a sonic screwdriver. This little beauty will deactivate this little pest and I’ll be on my wa-“ The brown stallion paused mid-sentence, “Now this is strange….”

Finally gaining the courage to trot forward, Rarity asked, “What’s so strange?” The tone of her voice had become more calm and collected.

“This Cybermat is already deactivated. How is that possible?” the Doctor began to rub his chin with his hoof holding the sonic screwdriver.

“Don’t look at me, I don’t even know how that….thing entered my home,” Rarity explained.

The Doctor picked up the deactivated Cybermat and examined it closely, “Cybermats, as I previously stated, are used by Cybermen to theives, carriers, and even as weapons. They are similar to that of mice or rats on most planets….”

“THAT THING IS A RODENT?!” Rarity shouted as she jumped up to stand on her sofa, “Is my shop infested? This is absolutely horrific! Just think of how bad this could be for my business!”

Continuing his explanation, the Doctor reassured Rarity, “Fear not, this thing is harmless now, nothing more than a shell. Once deactivated, they can’t do anything, particularly a model this old….how long have you had your shop here, miss?”

Rarity stepped down from onto of the sofa. Taking a calming breath, she answered, “I moved to this shop about five years ago when I first moved to Ponyville. And you can call me by my name, Rarity.”

The Doctor looked up and smiled, “Rarity, a truly unique and beautiful name.” He then continued his observation, “Five years, you say? That makes some sense but still puzzles me. This model is ages old.”

“I don’t understand, why are they even here on Equestria? And who are these Cybermen you speak of?” Rarity asked.

Stopping in his examination of the silver Cybermat, the Doctor explained, “Cybermen are a race of aliens who are very spiteful and quite nasty. They have two goals: upgrade and eliminate. They go from one planet to the next, conquering worlds, bring civilizations to their knees, and increase their numbers. To them, survival is all that matters, and that means finding other life forms and converting them into Cybermen themselves. Those who resisted were ‘deleted’, as they would say.”

“What about their individuality? Would they not still have that after becoming a Cyberman….or whatever they would become?” the unicorn asked.

The Doctor shook his head, “No. Once an individual is converted into a Cyberman, they lost not only their individuality, but also their emotions. They were seen as a weakness.” Ending his explanation, the Doctor continued scanning the deactivated Cybermat.

Rarity covered her mouth in horror and surprise of the beings she had just learned about, “Goodness….but that still doesn’t answer why that Cybermat is here.”

“Sure, it does,” the Doctor looked back up to Rarity, “It means the Cybermen are planning an invasion of Equestria.”