//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Enrollment // Story: The Misfits // by Cyber System //------------------------------// The pyrokinetic unicorn and dark mare stared at the Misfits, confused about what they just heard. "You might be mistaken," said Moonlight Shadow. Cyber shook his head. "Not at all, Moonlight, in fact I look forward to you joining our team." "You're kidding, aren't you?" said Solar Eclipse. Mixy flew over to the two. "Cyber never kids when talking about misfits, and you two would make great friends." Eclipse blinked a few more times out of befuddlement. "That... wasn't the reaction I expected..." "I remember that feeling," said Dusty. "You aren't frightened by my fire, or even Moonlight's darkness?" "And you aren't concerned about my arms, Fang's sharp teeth or even Mixy being part changeling?" Cyber pointed out. "He makes a good point, but why would I even want to make friends if I couldn't some time ago?" asked Moonlight. Cyber pondered the question. "Well, everypony needs someone to support them, to help them, to make them feel special. It really isn't safe to bottle up your emotions and thoughts and leave them out hoping nopony will notice them, you need to express yourself and discover who you are. Do you even know who you are?" Moonlight was about to answer, then her normal melancholic expression turned more depressed as she slumped downward. "No, no I don't," she said. "What... what do you all think I am?" The Misfits exchanged looks with one another before Dusty spoke. "I think you are a normal pony with powers only those who see past the cover can appreciate." Mixy stepped forward. "I say you are a fellow misfit with hidden potential." It was Fang's turn. "You seem to be the kind who never asked yourself 'what do I want to do with my life?'." Eclipse spoke next. "You may be heartless and rude, but I get the feeling you only act that way to hide how much you want a friend." Cyber was last, placing his hand on Moonlight's shoulder for support. "And as for me, I think that everything is so mysterious to you that you can't decide whether to run and hide, or do something about it, and even though you chose the former, it is not too late to turn around. See past the monster ponies see on you and discover what you can really do, don't hide your powers from the world, instead use them to show how special you really are." Though nopony could see it, tears began to well up around Moonlight's eyes, then normally what she would only think to herself, what Moonlight Shadow said next was clearly audible around the room. "Nopony has ever said that to me before." "And that is why it is important to make friends," said Mixy. "I remember that nopony would accept me because of my father being a changeling, it made me feel unwanted, alone, only my parents to support me, but then I met Cyber." "And I remember how many times I was teased because of how little I used my wings," said Dusty. "Occasionally I even forgot how to use them. Then after I became scared of heights, the teasing just increased, and I felt like nopony but my parents and little sister to have, but when I met Cyber, everything changed." "Not to mention how many times I tried to tell ponies about my tribe being in a famine, but the moment I opened my mouth or eat one piece of bacon, ponies would assume I'm some kind of cannibal and run off. But when I opened my mouth to Cyber and Dusty, they only moved to get a better view on them, and when he opened their mouths, they didn't scream, only asked questions about how I lived." "What could I say?" Cyber replied. "It's the least I could do for my best friends." Eclipse could barely hold back his emotions, tears started to emerge from his eyes before evaporating into steam. "You really respect each other, don't you?" "Of course, none of us would even be here if it wasn't for this magicless unicorn before you," said Fang. Eclipse looked away from them, racked with guilt. "I... I'm sorry, I can't join you... I just can't." Mixy was surprised. "What? Why not?" "Because..." Eclipse hesitated. "...Because you seem so happy that you wouldn't want a murderer with you," this caused shock amongst the Misfits. Cyber spoke to him. "What kind of death did you cause?" "I'll put it to you this way, I have a slight anger issue, one insult and my heat increases. One harmless prank and my flames start to show. One jerk move and I'm lit like a match. And if you keep me from my best friend, I could burn down Equestria and I almost did for that very reason. Have you heard about The Great Fire of Hoofington?" Cyber's eyes went wide. "That was you?! I thought it was because of an accident with a fireplace." Eclipse shook his head. "Celestia just said that to keep my name clear, the real cause was a friendly pegasus, her overprotective father, and my anger management issues." "But you feel sorry for that, right?" "I've never been as sorry I my life, I wish I could tell her that, you don't happen to know an orange pegasus named Breeze Blower, do you?" The Misfits shook their heads. "Good." Dusty trotted up to him. "Come on, don't think of it like that, think of it like you only started what ended her... no, wait. How about instead look at it like you gave her a new beginning? No, that's worse." "I think what he's trying to say was it was an accident and what's done is done, no turning back," said Mixy. "Besides, I'm sure that Breeze Blower could forgive you if she knew about what new friends you made." Eclipse looked at all the ponies smiling at him, eagerly awaiting is response. Their faces reminded Eclipse of Breezie when he first met her. "You think so?" "I know so," Mixy replied with a smile. "Besides, if you care for your friend that badly, she isn't really gone forever," Eclipse smiled. "I guess you're right. And thank you." "So with that aside, do you two promise to always express yourself in times of need?" began Cyber, the two nodded. "Do you promise to never hide yourself from other ponies?" added Fang, with another nod as a response. "Will you accept differences, whether it be of yourself or the world around you?" said Dusty. Once again, Moonlight and Eclipse nodded. "And finally, do you pledge in treating other ponies as a friend?" finished Mixy, again with a nod. "Then as sure as my technology is strong, Solar Eclipse and Moonlight Shadow, welcome to The Misfits," Solar Eclipse smiled, and Cyber didn't need to see past the hood to know Moonlight was too. "But, will this mean I have to take off my hood?" asked Moonlight. "I prefer it on, it feels safe." Cyber chuckled. "Whatever floats your boat, Moonlight." Moonlight felt something inside that she has never felt in a long time, a sort of warm, comforting feeling. It was new, but she liked it. Was this... happiness? Moonlight's thoughts were interrupted by the doors opening and the three princesses coming in, along with a light grey pegasus stallion wearing royal armor. "I assume things went well?" said Celestia. Cyber nodded. "Yes, Princess, we talked a little and now Eclipse and Moonlight are official members of the Misfits." "Excellent," said Luna. "And furthermore we have news for Fang." Fang's ears perked up. "Really?" "This is lieutenant Storm Chaser," Celestia introduced. "He was sent on a search." "Yes, and you are Fang?" asked Storm Chaser, Fang nodded. "I was sent with my soldiers to search for your tribe, and we have finally found them." Fang was wide-eyed and amazed. "Y-you did?" "Yes, your chief, Xanthos has shown us around, also there seems to be another tribe nearby of aquatic ponies." "Aquatic ponies?" said Eclipse, confused. "Fang's tribe has been neighboring water-dwelling hippocampi," answered Cyber. Fang's jaw dropped in disappointed surprise. "That was supposed to be a surprise when we meet my family. How did you know about that?" "You'd be surprised how much you talk in your sleep," said Dusty. "Also, who's Marine?" asked Mixy. "Ahem," Storm Chaser harrumphed, earning The Misfits' attention. "Oh, right, sorry," said Fang. "So anything else that you need to say?" "Yes, we want to ask you what you suggest we should do." "Huh, I don't know." Twilight stepped up. "I have an idea, get the best carpenters in Equestria and have them build large ships, we will bring all the predators here using it, where they can have their own area where they can hunt." "Yeah, what she said," said Fang, then Storm Chaser saluted and left. "So, with that aside, the train doesn't get back for another few hours, so how about some lunch?" Suggested Twilight. "I'm cool for some food," said Fang. "Me too," added Mixy. "Sure," answered Moonlight. "Very well, be back here by twelve then," said Celestia before the group started to leave. "And Cyber?" Cyber stopped and faced the princesses. "Yes, Princess?" "Solar Eclipse and Moonlight Shadow have been unchanged for years. Whenever I tried to talk to Eclipse, he would react in a fit of rage. When I talked to Moonlight, she would either ignore me or phase into her shadow realm to be alone, and I doubt Twilight would receive any different reaction. I had to get help from my sister to just get them here, but you brought them to friendship in less than a day." "What are you saying, Princess?" "She's saying that you, Cyber System, have a most valuable gift," answered Luna. "Well, I do consider my scientific intelligence to be abnormal, but I don't see what-" he was cut off by Luna. "No, while your knowledge is boundless, your heart reaches areas nopony thought were possible, you have the ability to see past the surface of anything, not just machines, but ponies as well, when one pony is denied friendship by others, you will be there to help because you can see the kindness within them and will be their friend, no matter what." "Think about it," Celestia added, "a motherboard as you explained can be the most simple or pathetic looking piece of machinery there is, but when put in the right place under the right conditions, that small motherboard can make robots that do unthinkable wonders." "Wow, I never thought about it that way, now that I think about it the day I got my cutie mark was also the day I built my arms, and not too long before that I helped a filly from being bullied because I knew she could do lots of things... if she programmed herself to do so," a small glimmer emerged in Cyber's eyes as he remembered the amount of junior members there were for The Misfits. All those colts and fillies that had some deformity, missing limbs, or were simply picked on for some stupid reason, Cyber was there to help them realize that they could do much more than sit around like they were hopeless. The number of misfits added up to six, but the amount of junior members who weren't as shunned as The Misfits but still needed Cyber's help were countless. "Do you see, Cyber?" said Celestia. "You want to ask me to help you show that you aren't ponies who should be shunned, when in reality you're doing that just by being yourself." Cyber smiled. "Thanks, Princess." "My pleasure, now shouldn't you head off with your friends?" "Oh, right, so long!" Cyber called out as he left. "He is truly remarkable," said Luna. "Not just him, sister," said Celestia. "All of the Misfits can see what other ponies cannot." "Hey, Cyber, what took you so long?" asked Dusty as Cyber rejoined the group back at the main hallway of the Canterlot castle. "Sorry, Celestia wanted to tell me a few things, so what's first on the agenda?" "Why don't we let the new ponies choose?" suggested Mixy, gesturing to Moonlight and Eclipse. "What, us? I don't know, I'm still trying to figure out what I can and can't touch without catching anything on fire," said Eclipse. "You're asking the wrong pony about decisions," replied Moonlight. "I think I may know a spell that can help with your problem, Eclipse," Twilight said. "If you could come with me, I'll show you." Fang stopped everypony. "Wait, hold on, do you guys smell something burning?" "That's probably me," answered Eclipse. "No, not that, I mean food burning, with a hint of..." he licked his lips. "...Bacon." The Misfits and Twilight were confused, until they heard the sound of sizzling and somepony whistling behind Eclipse, who, much to Twilight's dismay, turned out to be Discord, frying bacon on Eclipse's back, much to his annoyance. "Discord, what are you doing here?" demanded Twilight. "What, can't I spend some time with my favorite princess and her new, rather unusual friends, the hot-headed firestarter, and the hood wearing blank slate. I can hardly contain myself thinking what kinds of chaos I can do with them, well at least you, Solar Eclipse, I don't even know what to do do with you, Moonlight, maybe I'll just remove that hood of yours." "Do it and die," Moonlight threatened, but Discord simply giggled from giddiness. "Ooh, feisty, I like that, maybe you won't be so boring after all." "Who is this and why is he making me flare up by looking at him?" Eclipse said. "This is Discord, god of chaos and disharmony," Twilight introduced as Discord pridefully posed. "The one and only," he said. "Thank goodness," Twilight mumbled. "Anyway, I think your flames are acting up is because ever since he was reformed, he's become much more annoying than a menace." "Oh, please, I'm just getting started on 'annoying'." "I'm fine with him," said Dusty. "But if he uses me to make statues, he's toast." "No, don't say that, you might give him ideas," said Mixy. "Too late," snickered Discord, before Fang growled at him. "My, what big teeth you have, I can see why Fluttershy is scared of you." Fang stopped his growling. "She... she's scared of me? That adorable little pegasus is scared of me?" "Terrified, she recently told me that she had a hard time figuring out whether you are friend or foe." "It's easy to get Fluttershy scared," said Twilight. "But it isn't to get her scared for this long, what did you do?" "I ate a squirrel right in front of her," Fang admitted, Twilight winced. "Yeah... not the best first impression." "Well, I guess that would do it. She loves all animals, so from her eyes when you ate the squirrel it was like eating a family member." "Oh, no," said Cyber, placing a hand over his mouth as Mixy and Eclipse did the same with their hooves. Dusty and Fang had similar winced reactions while Moonlight didn't seem to care. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, I had no idea, I was hungry and the squirrel was there and my hunter instincts kicked in, I am so sorry." "I'm not the one you should be telling that to," said Twilight. "You're right, the moment we get to Ponyville, I am going to go straight to Fluttershy and tell her that I'm sorry." Twilight smiled. "That should be good enough, now follow me, we probably should help Eclipse with his problem before somepony gets burned, or worse."