The door swung open, revealing Omega wearing an apathetic expression.
“Where were you?” she asked.
“I got… sidetracked.” Alpha said. “But anyway, a pony in town is throwing a party for me, and I was wondering if Volt Spark would let me go.”
“How should I know?” she said, “He’s in his study.” Omega walked away, leaving the door open behind her.
“um...” Alpha said, “what’s a study, and where can I find it?”
“I’ll show you,” she said. Trotting down the hall she closed her eyes and began to hum a jumpy tune.
Alpha followed Omega down the hall.
They reached the study in a short while and Omega paused just long enough to point to the door before she walked off down the hall, still humming.
Alpha knocked on the door. “Hello?” He asked. “I have a question Volt Spark.”
“Come in, my son,” Volt’s voice came through the door, “ask away.”
Alpha walked into the study “I met a lot of ponies today, and I learned a ton,” he said, “one of the ponies I met is throwing me a party tonight and I was wondering if I could go.”
“What kind of party is it?” he asked. He was sitting at a desk, writing in a notebook with a quill.
“She told me it was a birthday party.” Alpha said. “Whatever that is.”
“Oh, really?” He asked, “Who’s throwing it for you? It wouldn’t be Pinkie Pie would it?”
“Yes, it is.” Alpha said. “I also found three fillies who want me to join their club. That’s why I’m so late.”
“Well, that’s good to know.” The unicorn stood and went over to a map on the wall.
“As long as you keep yourself out of trouble, you’re free to go. Come home at a reasonable hour. If you can, get Omega to go with you. She needs to interact with more ponies.”
“I’ll try.” Alpha said, walking out of the study and looking for Omega. “Omega!” He called. “Volt Spark says to come to the party with me!”
Omega appeared in an archway, just ahead of him. “What?”
“Volt Spark says to come to the party with me.” Alpha repeated.
Omega sighed, “Yeah, I heard you. I don’t want to go.” She returned to the room she had been in.
“Oh come on,” Alpha said. “It’ll be fun. Volt Spark says you need to interact with more ponies.”
“What, I need to let more ponies stare at me?” she asked.
“They seemed okay around me.” Alpha said. “I did get one weird stare, but then again I never got the chance to tell her I’m a robot.” He smiled at the last part.
“I don’t feel like walking for a long time.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right.” Alpha said. “Maybe I can carry you?”
“My battery is running low,” she said, “I’m too tired.”
“My backup is at twenty-five percent.” Alpha said. “There’ll be plenty of food to refuel on I’m told.”
“I have stuff to do. I…” she was obviously making excuses at this point.
“Oh come on Omega, stop being the squeaky wheel.” Alpha said.
“Fine,” She groaned. There was a shuffling of objects in the room and Omega emerged carrying several books in her mouth. She trotted down the hall towards the door and put the books in a grey saddle bag which she proceeded to wear.
"I don't dare fly, battery's too low." Alpha said "Looks like we're both walking."
“Oh, great,” she said sarcastically. She opened the door left, walking towards town.
"Yeah, maybe I should've returned home when my generator failed." Alpha said. He looked at Omega. “What happens when I run out of power?” He asked.
“You black out until we charge you up to twenty-five percent or more,” she said, trotting down a grassy slope, “trust me, I know.”
“That doesn’t sound pleasant.” Alpha said, following after Omega.
“It’s not.” She said and left it at that.
“So, um,” Alpha said, trying to make conversation, “how long have you been active?”
“Three years,” she told him scanning him up and down, “two months, twelve days, four hours, twenty minutes and fifty-four seconds and counting.”
“So you’re much older than I am.” Alpha said. “Why are you so… sad?”
“You get used to it when you live a life of isolation,” she said matter of factly.
“Why are you isolated when there’s this beautiful world right outside the lab?”
“Because I’m different,” she paused, “We’re different. We don’t belong with those other ponies. We don’t even belong in this world.”
“But that’s not what Volt Spark told me.” Alpha said. “He said he wanted me to live a normal life.”
“He told me all that nonsense as well,” she said, glancing back soberly, “It’s easy for him to talk about living a normal life. He’s not like me, like us.”
“But, I haven’t met a single pony today that hasn’t tried to be friends.” Alpha said. “Just keep an open mind.”
“I don’t have a mind,” she said, “I have a highly advanced computer inside my metal skull.”
“Same difference as far as I’m concerned. They serve the same purpose.” Alpha said.
“I guess,” she shrugged. They walked down the grassy hill with Ponyville in sight.
“Maybe we’ve just had different experiences.” Alpha said. “Different types of pony designed, different types of pony met you know?”
“Sure,” she said, “the pegasus pony makes friends while the earth pony lives a dull life in the library.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Alpha said, “and if you think staying in the library is dull, why do you stay in there?”
“Don’t get me wrong,” Omega said earnestly, “I receive great stimulation to my pleasure sensors whilst in the library. I just assume that most ponies would consider me dull.”
“Maybe you just need some time in a social setting to observe their natural behaviors. You know, upgrade your personality matrix.” Alpha said.
“I suppose,” she sighed, “an upgrade to my personality matrix could be beneficial to future social interaction. Not that I would interact with other ponies on any regular basis.”
“Why not?” Alpha asked.
“I just prefer to be alone,” she said. They reached the outskirts of town and the party music could already be heard echoing through the town.
“We’re late.” Alpha observed.
“Oh, good,” Omega said sarcastically, “Come on, maybe we can infiltrate the party from the back.” She scanned the street up and down and then trotted resolutely in the direction of the party.
Alpha followed after Omega. "How is it good we're late?" He asked.
“It’s not,” Omega sighed, “I was being sarcastic. It is a way of speaking in which you say the opposite of what you mean in a tone that lets the others know you were being sarcastic.” The trotted up to the back of sugar cube corner. “So, when I say, ‘good,’ I mean I am not glad that we are late. Do you understand?” She paused at the doorway and turned to look at him.
"Yes, I do." Alpha said.
“Good,” she said, turning to push the door open, but it swung wide before she could.
“Hey, birthday boy!” cried Pinkie, “Why’d you come in this way? Who’s this?” She was bouncing up and down, unable to sit still. Omega had her eyes closed and was breathing deeply, obviously uncomfortable with the energetic pink pony’s sudden appearance.
“We came in this way because we’re late, and this is my...” Alpha knew there was a word to describe Omega, but just couldn’t think of it, which meant he hadn’t heard it.
“Sister,” muttered the other robot.
“Sweet!” Pinkie cheered, “Come in! We’ve got cake and stuff for you guys!” She bounced off to get them some.
“You first,” sighed Omega.
“Gladly.” Alpha replied, walking into the sweet shop.
The door closed behind them, immersing the two in a surge of noise and sweet smells.
“I’ll be over there,” Omega told him, pointing to a table in the corner. She trotted off into the crowd. Before Alpha had a moment to think, Pinkie popped up beside him, holding a plate of cake.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” she screamed, then blew a kazoo.
Alpha backed up a bit, shocked by Pinkie’s sudden reappearance. “Thanks… I guess.” Alpha said.
“You are welcome!” she said, “Here, have some!” She shoved the cake into his hooves.
Alpha took the cake. “Pinkie Pie,” he said, “What’s a birthday?”
“I told you,” she smiled, “It’s a day where we remember the day you were born! And then we get to have a PARTY!”
"You didn't actually say that before, but I know now, so it's fine." Alpha said.
“Huh, oh well!” she shrugged and jumped in the air, “I can’t wait for you to meet everypony!” She looked around for ponies to introduce.
"Pinkie Pie," Alpha asked, following after her the best he could, "how many ponies know that I'm a robot?"
“I don’t know,” Pinkie shrugged again, “OOH! Ooh, look it’s Rainbow Dash! You’ll like her! She’s the fastest, most bestest flyer in all of Equestria!” She waved frantically.
“Rainbow Dash!” The pegasus turned around and saw her, flying over.
“What is it Pinkie?”
“This is the Birthday boy!” she hugged Alpha tight.
“Really?” asked the pegasus.
"Yes, apparently." Alpha replied.
“Name’s Rainbow,” she said proudly, landing, “Maybe you’ve heard of me. What’s your name?”
"My name is Alpha, and I actually haven't heard of you." Alpha said.
“What?” Rainbow asked incredulously, “Where do you live, under a rock?”
"More like I'm a robot who was just activated today." Alpha said with a shrug.
“Oh, that’s cool,” she said, nodding in approval, “You’ll learn about how awesome I am soon enough.”
"I have a few friends who said they'd be here, maybe you've heard of them?" Alpha asked.
“Ooh! I have!” cried Pinkie, “I’ve heard of everypony!” she shook Alpha a bit, still hugging him.
"Let's see," Alpha said, "Flitter said she would be here, along with Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo."
“Oh, yeah, the girls are over there by the punch,” Rainbow pointed, “and Flitter’s taking care of something for me, but she’ll be here in a little while.”
“Awww, I wanted to answer!” Pinkie whined letting go of Alpha.
"I'm glad to know they're either here are about to be." Alpha said. Another collection of warnings told him to process a compatible substance or risk shut down, and began eating the cake Pinkie gave him. "This cake is very pleasing to my taste processor." He said between bites.
“That’s great,” Pinkie cried, “I’m going to find Gummy!” She bounced away. Rainbow smiled.
“Well, I got stuff to do, so I’ll see you later,” she flew off, leaving Alpha in the crowd.
Alpha decided to wander around a bit, getting a few "hellos" and "happy birthdays." Eventually he made it to the punch, where Rainbow Dash had told him the three fillies he met earlier were.
Giggles were coming from under the table.
“Look out, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom’s voice said. The table shook, as if bumped from the bottom. The giggles increased.
Alpha listened to the giggling, and decided to take a peek under the table. "Boo." He said with a smile.
The girls squealed in delighted terror and turned to look at him.
“Oh, hi, Alpha!” said Sweetie Belle.
“Happy Birthday, man!”
“Yeah, Happy Birthday, Alpha! Ah got you this!” Apple Bloom pulled out a bright red, juicy apple and handed it to him, “Ah picked it special for you!”
"Thanks Apple Bloom" Alpha said, still smiling. "say, my sister, Omega, is around here somewhere. If you see a black earth pony with a green mane, say hi to her. Trust me," he imitated Volt Spark's chuckle, "she needs it."
“Will do, sir,” Scootaloo saluted, bumping her head on the table. The girls giggled again.
“Let’s go find her!” Sweetie suggested.
“Cutie Mark Crusaders forever!” they yelled, charging off.
Alpha once more mimicked Volt's chuckle as he watched them run off.
“Hey, Alpha!” Flitter landed beside him, “Rainbow told me I could find you over here.”
"Hi Flitter, I'm glad you could make it!" Alpha said.
“Me too,” she said, “Here, I got you this.” She handed him a little green package, clumsily taped together.
"A box?" Alpha asked, clearly confused. "Thank you." He said, still sounding grateful behind his confusion.
“No, silly,” she laughed, “You take the paper off and open the box. The present is inside.”
"Oh, I see!" Alpha said, opening the box.
Inside was an orange bandana, folded neatly.
“Tada!” Flitter cried, “I saw it and thought of you! Here.” She reached in and picked it up, tying it around his neck.
"Thanks." Alpha said. "Applebloom gave me an apple."
“She’s a sweet filly, isn’t she,” agreed the pegasus, “So, how are you liking it here in Ponyville?”
"What time I've had here has been both informative and enjoyable." Alpha said. "Um wait... I can't walk around holding an apple all night." He paused for a moment. "Aha!" He exclaimed, and his chest opened up. "I noticed I have a storage compartment during my self analysis." He put the apple inside and his chest closed back up.
“Well isn’t that nifty,” commented Flitter, “Wish I had one of those.” She glanced around, “so…”
“So, what?” Alpha asked.
“I don’t know,” she laughed, “I don’t know what to talk about.” She shook her head and smiled at him.
“Pinkie Pie said she was going to get a Gummy. What is a Gummy?” Alpha asked.
“Oh, that’s her pet alligator. He doesn’t have any teeth, so she calls him Gummy,” Flitter said.
“Pet alligator...” Alpha said.
“He’s just a baby,” Flitter said, “he’s harmless.”
“I see.” Alpha said. “My sister’s around here somewhere, I have those three fillies chasing her now.”
“You have a sister?” Flitter asked, “Does that mean you have like, a robot mom or something?”
“No. We were both built by Volt Spark, and as far as I know, he’s not a robot.” Alpha said. “But yes, she is what you would call my older sister.”
“Oh,” she said, “So, would that be her, heading for the door?” She pointed with a hoof at Omega as the robot pushed the door open.
“Yes, that would.” Alpha said, making his way over to the door and Omega. “Leaving so soon?” He asked.
“I can’t stand it here,” Omega growled, “This weird unicorn wouldn’t leave me alone, asking about what I was reading and where I came from, and then I was ambushed by these three fillies. It’s just too much, I can’t take any more of this!”
“I told them to say hello.” Alpha said. “I figured you could use the social interaction.”
“I could handle social interaction,” Omega snapped, “but that was social bombardment!”
“I only told them to say hello. I didn’t think they’d attack you.” Alpha said.
Omega sighed, “They didn’t physically attack me. It’s an expression. I just feel like I was attacked because they were so overwhelming.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Look, it doesn’t matter. I’m going home and I’m just going to read, like I do every night.”
"I would ask you to stay," Alpha sighed, "but I don't want to cause you any more misery."
“I’ll be just outside town,” she sighed. She pushed the door open and walked out into the street.
Alpha waved goodbye to her and called out "Glad you came with me!" As Omega walked away.
Pinkie showed up beside him. “Awww, where is she going?” she asked.
“I asked those three fillies to say ‘hi’, and things didn’t quite go right. She’s not as social as I am.” Alpha said
“Aww, that’s a shame.” Pinkie said, “Come on, we’re going to sing to you now!”
“Sing?” Alpha said.
“Yeah! It’s a party tradition!” She pushed him towards the center of the party.
“Hey, guys! It’s time to sing!” she cried. Everyone quieted down and turned towards them, eyes focused on Alpha.
“This is Alpha,” she continued, “The birthday robot!” There were a few mutters within the crowd. A purple unicorn in the back stared at him with great interest. Pinkie produced a cupcake with a candle in it and lit the candle somehow. “On three! One, two, three!” The ponies began to sing to him, a song they all apparently knew. When it was finished, Pinkie pushed the cupcake under his nose. “Now blow it out and make a wish, but don’t tell anybody or it won’t come true!”
“Wish?” Alpha asked.
“Yeah, you know! Like, I wish I had a giant bucket of chocolate that I could swim in ALL DAY!”
“Or just whatever you want,” Rainbow chuckled, “It doesn’t have to be chocolate related.”
"So, it's a thought based on ones wants?" Alpha asked.
“Yeah, just start with, I wish and then think about whatever you want.”
"I wish," Alpha said, then he paused and blew out the candle.
“What’d you wish for?!” Pinkie cried, “But don’t tell me or else it won’t come true. But what’d you wish for?”
Alpha was trying to both tell Pinkie and not tell her, which stuck him in a loop of "I... I... I..."
"That's a glitch!" A voice yelled, and Volt Spark's assistant who happened to be in the crowd moved to Alpha, opening his head and using a screwdriver, did something that the crowd couldn't see. After a few seconds, he closed his head and turned to Pinkie. "Don't give a robot contradicting orders." He said.
“oops. Sorry!” Pinkie both whispered and shouted. She waved a hoof infront of Alpha’s face. “You okay?”
"I had to force a manual reboot. Give him a few seconds." The assistant said, and true enough, Alpha sprang back to life after a few seconds.
"Main generator out of power, backup at thirty percent. Recharge soon." Alpha said.
“Then you should eat,” Flitter said. Pinkie handed him the cupcake that had the candle in it, pulling it out and sticking it deep in her mane.
"Thank you." Alpha said, eating the cupcake.
“Alright, then let’s party!” Pinkie shouted and music began to play again.
Alpha walked out of Sugar Cube Corner after the party ended, turned back around and shouted, "thanks Pinkie!" His power had gotten low enough that his advanced vocal synthesizers had deactivated, leaving his voice sounding robotic. He walked down the street, singing some song and balancing Applebloom's apple on his head.
“What are you doing?” asked Omega from where she stood beside a small bridge. She had her hooves crossed and she wore an annoyed expression on her face.
"I'm looking for you, clearly." Alpha said, stopping, but moving his head along with the precariously placed apple to keep it on his head.
“Clearly,” she said bitterly, “That’s sarcasm by the way.” She unfolded her hooves and set off towards the laboratory.
"I know how sarcasm sounds!" Alpha said, following after Omega but still being careful of the apple. He was sounding more robotic by the second.
“What’s even up with you?” she asked, “didn’t you get enough fuel at your party?”
"Guess the backup's not meant to last. I remember getting up to seventy at one point." Alpha said. "Either that or I've been moving around too much. I don't know how the power expenditure works."
“Obviously. You should get Volt to look at that once we get back.” She sighed and glanced up at the stars.
"They're like miniature suns." Alpha said, also trying to marvel at the stars, but couldn't seem to decide which to focus on: keeping the apple balanced, or staring at the sky.
“They’re not. They’re actually the same size as the sun, just extremely far away.”
"How far? Can I fly to one?" Alpha asked.
“No, they’re millions and millions of miles away. Besides, you’d have to go into space, and that would shut you down permanently.”
"What is space?" Alpha asked. "Why would it shut me down permanently?"
“It’s what’s outside the earth. It is a vacuum. You’d explode, or the fluid inside you would boil or freeze or something. It’s just not good.”
"If space is so bad, why do the stars stay out there?" Alpha asked. Before Omega could answer he started saying "oh! Oh! Power's getting low!"
Omega glanced at him, a hint of worry in her eyes. “Here, climb on my back, we’re almost home.” She crouched down a bit.
Alpha climbed on her back, and put the apple on Omega's head with a smile.
“Get that thing off of my head or I will throw you off with it.”
Alpha's smile faded, his ears falling back as he took the apple and stored it in his chest.
“Thank you.” She stood and trotted back to the lab, replying to any questions he had about the stars.
He would have had lots of questions, but as low as his power was, he couldn't have asked any because all of his synthesizers had deactivated. Every time he tried to speak, no sound came out.
“Just relax,” she grunted, pushing herself up the rest of the hill, “We’re almost there.” She plodded up to the door and opened it, setting her brother down inside.
“Let’s get you charged up,” she panted, hanging up her saddlebag.
Before she made it to the charging station, Alpha fell off of Omega's back, made his way to a table, opened his storage compartment, placed the apple on the table, and gave Omega a look like "that better be there in the morning."
The mare snorted and shook her mane, walking down the hallway. “This is your room,” she said, pointing.
Alpha looked around the room with a tired smile.
“There’s a back up power supply charger on the wall,” she said, “Volt can probably fix your generator tomorrow.” She sighed. “That’s a bed, you lay your head on that thing called a pillow and pull the blankets over you. Then you go to sleep. Any questions?”
Alpha gave Omega a glare that said "not funny"
“Just checking,” she said, “Goodnight.”
Alpha waved weakly at Omega as he did as she had instructed.
She lingered for a second and then trotted off, closing the door behind her.
Alpha turned onto his side and decided that then would be the best time to let go of his last bit of power, going into shutdown mode.