//------------------------------// // Macin-bot: Alternative Endings // Story: My Strange Ponies // by CTVulpin //------------------------------// Alternate Ending 1: He’s Dead AJ “He’s a bucking robot!” Applejack screamed, “Mah big brother’s been kidnapped and replaced with a robot duplicate!” “Oh,” Twilight said, averting her eyes, “You found out huh?” “We’re probably under attack by pony-snatching… what did you just say?” AJ said, suspicion quickly replacing the panic in her voice. Twilight bit her lip and looked around wildly. Her horn started to glow with a rising whine, but AJ gave the pointy appendage a smack and interrupted the spell before it could be cast. “What’s going on Twi?” the farm-pony asked. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way, so soon,” Twilight said sadly, “You see, back in Appleoosa, one of the diseased trees suddenly started to fall. Macintosh pushed me out of the way, but he was crushed to death. I didn’t want to upset you, so I… I built a replacement.” “You… built a robot duplicate of Big Macintosh,” Applejack said slowly. “I was thinking of you,” Twilight said, eyes die and pleading for understanding, “You and Sweet Apple Acres. I know how much you depend on Macintosh’s strength and calm dedication.” “You…” Applejack released Twilight and turned away, fighting back tears, “Mah brother is dead, and you tried to replace him so I wouldn’t know the difference?” “AJ,” Twilight said weakly, “I’m… I’m sorry, I-” “And you know what?” the Farm pony said, not looking at her friend, “You had me fooled. You had Apple Bloom and Granny Smith fooled too. Heck, if that apple hadn’t fallen and busted Mac-bot’s eyes, we might never have known. That is a damn scary thing, knowin’ you can just replace a pony so easily Twilight. I dunno what ta think. Ya may have meant well, but…” She ground her teeth and then bolted out of the library, eyes streaming tears. Twilight watched her go in dejected silence, tears brimming in her own eyes. Curse you Black Stone, she thought, curse you for talking me into this… Alternate Ending 2: ‘Tis a Flesh Wound “What’s going on Twi?” the farm-pony asked. “Let me go and I’ll explain,” Twilight responded. Applejack let her go and backed up, her face daring Twilight to play her false. The librarian straightened herself out, cleared her throat, and said, “Obviously, Big Macintosh did not return with me from Appleoosa.” “Yeah, I figured that,” AJ said dryly, “Get to the part I don’t know.” “There was a little… accident,” Twilight said. “What happened?” Applejack growled, “Tell me straight Twilight.” “The day after we arrived, some of the buffalo started up a little wrestling competition,” Twilight said, “We just watched for a while, but then Sherriff Silver Star and some of other Appleoosans talked Macintosh into having a go at it himself.” “They must’ve been purty darn convincin’ ta get him ta do that,” AJ said suspiciously, “Mac’s not the competein’ type.” “I was surprised as well,” Twilight said, “Anyway, the buffalo tried to play fair by sending out one close to Macintosh’s size, but somehow your brother ended up getting thrown into an apple tree, breaking it along with two legs and cracking some ribs. The doctor said he was in no condition to travel back to Ponyville, no for several weeks.” “Lands sake,” AJ said sadly, “but what’s that got ta do with… Macin-bot?” “That was his idea actually,” Twilight said, looking a bit sheepish, “He was upset about not being able to lend a hoof around the town like we’d planned, and not being to come home to tend Sweet Apple Acres. We discussed options, and he came up with the idea of a robot and-” “Wait, wait, hold on a second,” Applejack said, waving a hoof, “How in Celestia’s name did ya manage to build a near-perfect robot double fer my brother way out in Appleoosa? And why didn’t ya just tell me what had happened when ya got in?” “To the first question, let’s just say the buffalo have some secrets,” Twilight said cryptically, “As for the second, I just wanted to see if Macin-bot could keep up the charade of being the real thing until Mac can come home.” Applejack stared critically at the lavender unicorn for several seconds, and then her mouth quirked up in a small smirk. “Well, ya got me good,” she said, “If it weren’t for an apple knocking his eyes out, I’d have never thought twice. How long did ya say it’d be afore the real Macintosh gets better?” “Three weeks at the most,” Twilight said with a shrug. “Well all righty then,” AJ said, turning to leave, “I better get on home and tell the folks everything. Just don’t ever try ta pull something like this on me again, ya hear?” “I promise AJ.” Alternate Ending 3: …and So is Everypony Else. “He’s a bucking robot!” Applejack screamed, “Mah big brother’s been kidnapped and replaced with a robot duplicate!” “Well of course he’s a robot,” Twilight said calmly, “He’s always been a robot.” “What are ya goin’ on about? Sweetie Belle’s the only robot round these parts.” “Oh Applejack, you silly, silly pony.” The orange farm-pony felt herself being lifted off and away from Twilight, who straightened herself into an unnaturally stiff stance. “This masquerade lasted longer than usual, but it seems we must explain and then start all over again. We, everyone in Ponyville and beyond except for you, is a robot. Our purpose is to keep you safe and sane, because you are the last pony left.” “Everypony?” AJ asked, unbelieving, “Even Princess Celestia?” “And Luna,” Twilight confirmed with a nod, “I mean, think about. A pony, one single pony, being able to move the sun or moon? It’s ludicrous. But, since you choose to believe it, they pretend to it. It’s a shame, I was enjoying this version of reality; it’s so much more exciting and interesting than the pink sugarland of endless parties, candy, and dresses you surrounded us with last time.” “This is crazy,” Applejack protested, “Quit joking around Twilight, it ain’t funny!” “I’m not joking Applejack,” Twilight said, her voice becoming clipped and monotonus, and the colors drained from her coat and eyes as she walked toward the suspended earth pony, “and now that I’ve explained the truth, it is time to wipe your mind and start from scratch. Do try to make things interesting again.” Applejack squirmed helplessly within the grip of the magic as the metal thing that used to be her friend came closer and closer, each step seeming to ring like an iron bell. Bong Bong Bong “Applejack, are you ok?” “Huh?” Applejack’s head shot up and she looked around, blinking her sleep-blurred eyes as they adjusted to the dawn light. As her vision cleared she made out a white pegasus pony with yellow mane and cluster of purple balloons as her cutie mark. “Oh, good morning Surprise,” she said, “I just had the strangest dream. That’s all.” “Oh, ok, see you later then,” Surprise said. She turned and flew away as Applejack got to her hooves and looked around. It seemed to be the start of another beautiful day in Dream Valley. Alternate end- “Ain’t you bored of this yet?” Excuse me? “Seems ta me like you’ve used just about every clee-shay worth doin’ already.” It’s an amusing concept. ~“Well, considering the story’s called ‘And Then Macintosh Was a Robot,’ you aren’t focusing on him too much.” The point of the story isn’t Mac being robot, it’s Applejack’s reaction and your explanation…s about it Twilight. “Well I’m getting’ a bit tired of holding Twilight here ‘gainst the table, and then havin’ to act out an entirely different attitude toward the ‘revelations’ each time. An’ ya just used the ‘wake up from a dream’ thing a second time. Go write somethin’ else ya freaky fox.” Technically, the second- “I don’t wanna hear it. Get a new plotline already. I’m out of here.” … So, how are you doing Twilight? ~“I need a break as well to be honest.” Fine, fine. Guess AJ has a point anyway…