//------------------------------// // Chapter Three: Tesla Byte // Story: EC Tales Book Three: The Point of No Return // by mynameisTheodore83 //------------------------------// "Yes, Tesla?" "Sir, the square root of 266 to five decimal places is 16.30951 with correct rounding." "That is correct." The teacher wrote Tesla's answer on the black board. The other ponies were amazed that he could spit out answers so quickly like that. They would all be jealous of him, were it not for the fact that his mother was a Zebra. By the time that class was over, his intelligence was once again forgotten and the other school ponies made fun of his appearance. "Hey look, its the half-breed!" "Ha, why don't you gallop on home, you freak?" "Yeah, we don't want to be seen with a mistake! Go on home to mommy!" "She's the only one that'll accept you anyways!" A fit of laugher always followed Tesla home. ˜˜˜ The young Zorse had a olive coat with pale blue stripes, a gift from his mother. His eyes were teal and his mane blue as well. He always made sure to look his best; he wanted to be prepared for anything. He earned his cutie mark earlier than most of his classmates. The usb drive that appeared on his flank represented his near-eidetic memory and his high IQ. He was very serious for being such a young age. Things were fine when he was younger, when nobody realized that he was that different. But now he gets teased by the same colts that he once played with. Tesla took this to heart, learning that ponies are more concerned with what is on the outside, and to not trust everyone. He developed an outer shell to ignore his classmate's remarks, but they still bother him from time to time. That day had agitated him more than usual. He walked in to his house and sat down at the table, tears forming in his eyes. His mother saw his frustration and came over to comfort him. "Tesla, honey, what's wrong?" she asked in a soothing voice. "It's the kids from school again," Tesla explained. "I answered every single question perfectly today, and nobody even cared. They kept calling me a mistake and a freak. I'm tired of being treated differently because of my appearance!" The tears began to flow more readily. Tesla's mother embraced him tightly. "Oh, honey, I know it's hard... I went through the same thing when I was your age... But you have to know that you're not what they say you are. You know that you are brilliant and amazing, and your father and I love you very much. You can't let them get to you. If you do, then you'll never reach your full potential." She kissed him on the forehead. "But mom... I've done that already," Tesla said. "I've done it for a couple of years now. How much longer will I have to go through it? When will it end?" She sighed. "I don't know honey.... That's not something that you can just predict. But if you stay strong than it won't seem very long at all." Tesla didn't look at her. "You always say that, but it's still here." He sighed. "I just know I can overcome it, but I don't know how." His mother frowned. "I'm sorry dear, I'm afraid I can't help you." She kissed him on the head again. "Maybe some homework will take your mind off of things." Tesla sighed once more. "Maybe." He went to his room and began his homework. ˜˜˜ Unfortunately for Tesla, this cycle only became worse as he grew older. He eventually stopped talking to his parens about it because they couldn't help him anymore. He started distancing himself from everyone: family, kids at school, and anyone else he came in contact with. He answered less and less questions, and at one point stopped answering all together. He graduated at the top of his class, but accepted no award for it. Tesla looked forward to the work world. He thought he would finally be able to work with out facing any discrimination. He applied for many jobs looking for an analytical mind. The Zorse anxiously waited for a response, and jumped at the first company that responded. It was a small accounting firm that was looking for a record keeper. Tesla knew his eidetic memory would be perfect for the job. But the interview was not what he expected. The interviewer looked nervous for the whole time, but still seemed impressed by his credentials. Tesla had a hard time telling what he was thinking, so he left the interview with a nervous feeling in his stomach. But, a couple of weeks later he got a call saying that the job was his. He was ecstatic. A paying job that he wanted, and he got it on his first try! He showed up for his first day nearly an hour early, ready to learn everything he needed to know. He was shown the ropes and put to work right away. Everyone was shocked at what the young pony could do, but they still kept their distance. Tesla just thought they were getting used to him being "the new guy". But weeks passed and there was no change in their behaviors. He started hearing that the business was slowly losing money and that they would have to lay off some of their employees. This startled Tesla a bit, but he still worked hard and did what he could to help. He was unprepared, however, when his boss came in with a pink slip the next day. "Wha-?" was all that he could get out. "I'm sorry Tesla," the boss told him, "but we can't afford to pay all of you right now. You do great work, but we have to let you go. It's nothing personal. Good luck, though. I hope you find a good job somewhere else." He left the Zorse alone and confused. He knew it was because of his zebra blood that he had been let go. It hurt him for a little, but he got back up and tried again. But with every new place he found a job, it ended the same way: a pink slip and it "not being personal". If Tesla wasn't cold before, he certainly was now. He was about ready to give up until a letter appeared in his mailbox. It was addressed to him personally, and looked very official. It only had a couple of short sentences: "We've been watching you. If you're ready to be treated without discrimination, come to the western side of the mountains at 7 pm. Tell no one. Leave nothing behind." All that day Tesla thought. It could be a trap. But what could they possibly do to him? He had already hit and surpassed what he thought was the lowest low. So at 6 o'clock, Tesla Byte packed his most important possessions and set out for the mountains. ˜˜˜ Tesla looked up at the large rock formation before him. He searched for somepony that might be responsible, but he was alone. He didn't have to wait long, however, as a section of the mountain slid away a couple minutes later. Tesla once again looked around, and seeing no pony else, walked in to the darkness. He heard the door slam shut behind him, and he was left in the dark. But an image appeared in front of him, on what appeared to be a tv screen. There was a blue Earth Pony with a green mane and red eyes staring at him. He was grinning. "So you decided to come, huh?" the tv pony said. "Wise decision, Tesla. But then again, you always make wise decisions." Another sinister grin. Tesla kept his cool. "Who are you, and how do you know me?" "My name is Shadow Blade. I am the leader of a group known as the Equestrian Conspiracy. I keep spies in Manehatten, and they've pointed you out specifically to me. You have skills that can be of use to us." Tesla chuckled. "That's what everyone's been telling me, until they find out that my mother is a Zebra. Then they try to get away from me as soon as possible." "Oh, believe me, I know," Shadow stated with sympathy. "All of your achievements disregarded because of your race. Well I have good news for you, Tesla. This group was made for those who had unfair lives. It was made so that we might band together and see a brighter, more equal future. It was made for ponies like you." Tesla couldn't believe what he was hearing. A special group for those treated unfairly. And he had been invited personally by this Shadow fellow. It didn't take him long to make the obvious decision. "When do I start?"