The tram clunked and hissed as it trundled along towards the central sector terminus, it had taken a while to coax the machinery into life and Forge had need to plug himself into the motor for power but they would arrive without incident.
It would have been faster to them to fly down the track, Forges mini-body was fitted with repulsor-lifts, but considering the hazardous state of the ship internals the tram was safer since the trams were hermetically sealed.
Twilight was spread eagled across a few seats and was feverously devouring her 7th chocolate bar in a row. Forge had gently suggest taking some supplies from the mess they passed to reach the trams. Twilight had been initially sceptical, assuming that Forge was making a PMS joke on account of the previous incident, however having demolished several chunky chocolate bars she was feeling much better, both in relation to her rampaging hormones and not.
“You know something Forge?” Twilight pondered, “I’d actually forgotten how good eating was, not just the taste but the whole experience.” Twilight finished her last chocolate bar and started on a Derpy brand muffin, which decompressed from its dehydrated sate with a soft ‘flump’. Between mouthfuls Twilight continued, “There’s the texture, the smell, the sensation of swallowing, even the feeling in the pit of your stomach as the food settles.” Twilight rolled onto her back, brushing crumbs off her as she did so. “I know I don’t need food but it’s still strange to me that I just forgot about it. During the other times in my life where I went for long periods without eating I always looked forward to when I could go home for a proper meal…or at least somewhere where the plant life wasn’t toxic… or trying to eat me. Sorry I’m rambling.”
"You do not need to apologise.” Forge replied from his corner by the motor. “This is indicative of normal Twilight Unit behaviour, meaning you are returning to normal function in spite of chemical imbalances and exhaustion from the Nightmare Zone.” After a few moments Forge added, “I am glad you are well.”
Twilight peered cautiously at Forge. She did not want to have to deal with another meltdown, it had been sketchy enough last time, but Forge continued to sit quietly in his corner powering the motor. She considered saying something but instead just quietly smiled and lay back, relaxing under the rhythmic clunking of the motor and gently strobing lights from the tunnel.
*************** ****************** ***************
A short while later Twilight felt the tram slow, but knew instinctively that they had yet to arrive at the central sector. Opening her eyes from her meditation Twilight looked up so see the tram had reached a containment door that sealed the transit tunnel and blocked their progress.
“The door is not powered…” Forge said.
“And the system is quantum locked so we can’t transfer power from here.” Twilight finished. “Don’t worry I got this Forge.” Twilight reassured him, straitening herself up and facing the door. “My magic pool has regenerated from its reserves and after that little siesta I’m back in fighting form. This is a piece of cake.”
Twilight swept her wings open, body letting out an aura of power and sure enough the doors parted and were carried into their housing on a wave of telekinesis. Unfortunately the magic proved to be a bit too strong and with an ear-shattering crash the doors were driven into the outside walls . Twilight yelped, hooves grasping her ears as the cacophony echoed through the tunnel. Even Forge jumped in surprise at the huge crash, launching him into the ceiling of the tram.
“Whoops.” Twilight blushed as the compartment swung too and fro. “That was enough to raise the dead.”
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Unbeknownst to the two of them, Twilights crash was heard by a third set of ears. Far away down the tunnels and crawl-ways and corridors something stirred in the darkness. A vestigial maw twitched in surprise at the sound, the dark tendrils that spewed from it flicked, reaching out as it tasted minute magical scents carried on the ethereal plane. The creature rose on four legs each impossibly thin and long and twisted, and it cocked an eerily familiar head as it pondered this intrusion into its domain.