//------------------------------// // Complicated Memories // Story: Son of Invention // by Zman537 //------------------------------// (Invention: 1493 years ago) I winced as Robin smacked me upside the head with a broom yet again. At first, she was just shocked when she saw Alex. After Boris and Victoria had run off to play with their new sibling, Robin had gone straight to being angry with me. “Are you mad!? We talked it over several times and both came to the same conclusion! You could have killed yourself doing that experiment again!” I tenderly rubbed the back of my head. “Robin! It’s okay, it’s okay!” She smacked me again and left a welt on the back of my head. “Okay? OKAY!? You could have died! You could have been left as nothing more than a hollow shell laying on the floor! You... you...” She started to tremble as a few tears rolled down her cheeks. “Damn it Invention. Now you’re beliefs are going to completely change... there won’t be anything left of the old you besides your body...” She planted her head in my chest and continued to cry. “You already lost your sense of self... then you gave up your intelligence and emotions for the other two... then after that...” She clutched at my coat and looked up at me. “And now you’ve given up your soul?” I sighed and grimaced. “Robin. I didn’t ‘give up’ my soul. I let the spirit fragment of my consciousness move to a new body. I’m still me. Albeit I may have trouble believing in more spiritual things for a while, but I’m sure you’ll help me with that.” I smiled fondly at her. “After all, wasn’t it you who gave me my sense of identity back, after I had lost it? Same goes with everything else that’s been happening to me.” Robin looked at the ground and pressed her head against my stomach, careful not to injure me with her horn. She sniffled and clutched at my coat tighter. “Invention... please don’t do something so stupid again...” I smiled down at her and hugged her back. “Robin. I can’t do that. I’m their father, and fathers do anything for their families. Even if it’s a stupid thing to do at the time, they try to do what’s right and only hold love for the ones that matter.” She looked up at me in surprise before smiling a little. “Does that include me?” I put on a thinking pout and exaggeratedly leaned away in mock contemplation. “Well~... I’m not totally sure about that yet. My emotions still seem to be out of whack, but when they’re all normal again,” I leaned forward and bopped her on the nose, “I’ll be sure to let you know.” She smacked me in the gut with a forehoof and shook her head as I rapidly deflated into the floor. “You’re unbelievable...” I groaned in pain from below as she trotted away into the main room. “I deserved that...” I just kept laying on the floor as I listened to Robin interact with the kids. Despite how angry she was with me, and rather emotional for a moment, she was immediately showing a smile and getting Alex to want a pony ride. No really, he asked that and I was fortunate enough to see her face right then. Of course she then backfired my laughter at me by saying only I got pony rides. All three of them started laughing as I choked on air, and Robin grinned smugly. (Invention: Present time) As I drove down the countryside, trees and foliage passing by my right and the cave still a great distance off, thoughts began to come unbidden to my mind. They brought a tiny smile onto my face, memories of Alex, Boris, and Victoria all playing and having fun with each other. I’d either be standing off to the side, watching them play, or getting dragged into the “adventure” they would be on. It was always the same with those three. Boris and his constant overly-expressive behavior, Victoria with her books and ideas, and Alex, whose behavior I could never really understand. He acted so differently than the others. Where Boris and Victoria were content with playing around at home and reading, Alex could be found off somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be. Where the other two showed nervousness, I’d only find excitement with that boy. I’d even found him at one point staring at Canterlot from the balcony I used to keep my piano at. He was never content at leaving things be, or staying in one spot. He had this craving for adventure, that couldn’t be satisfied. Makes me wonder if I used to be like that. Robin seemed to support it no matter how much I worried, and he loved her for it. I’d find them both talking or him helping her around the house. He held her in such high regards, that I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d called her mom. That’s not to say that he didn’t enjoy being with me though. Sure he got bored often when I’d be showing him something in my workshop, but he had that problem of sitting still. Boris was probably the only reason he’d stay, as the two dragged each other everywhere. I shook my head and returned my attention to driving. “No time to reminisce. I need to get to that cave.” It only took a few more minutes after that I arrived and grinned. Parking the psycho at the entrance, I grabbed the gaia hammer I had brought and overlooked the device. A tri-drill head on a weighted base that doubled as a power source, and a high-durability collapsible shaft for switching between drill and warhammer. I pulled the trigger a few times and got a few positive responses from the drills. “And now, to go spelunking.” Without a second thought I jumped into the caves and began to look around. There were the gem deposits still in the walls, yes, but there was something strange about what I was seeing. For the life of me, I couldn’t place what it was. All I could see around me was rocks, rocks, rocks, and more... Wait, what? My breathing started to pick up as I moved to one of the walls and started to look over the gems and stone. I could see the veins of ore in them, but for some reason no matter how hard I thought... Their names eluded me. Not a day ago, I had been not only looking at this same cave wall, but taking several gems from it. Out of boredom I had begun to list off the ores I saw to keep myself focused, and make sure I had gotten the right materials. How in god’s name did I forget the names of every last one? “What is going on?” I shook my head and let out a low growl as I snapped my focus back on the task at hand. “No. Need to stay focused. I found some metal, let’s just get the ore already and get out. I’ll... I’ll remember what they’re called once I calm down.” I folded the hammer’s shaft into a more suitable shape, and readied the hefty drill for a nice hard swing to break some of the rock and get a nice start. As I swung forward, I pulled the trigger and the drills started to sound out their whirring through the cave. The moment the hammer hit the wall however, it collapsed into itself and fell in pieces onto the ground. I stood there dumbfounded as I looked at the pieces of copper and brass. I had tested it not an hour ago, and it falls apart at first use? I know it’s been 1500 years, but I thought that Robin had helped enchant these blasted things to last-  My eyes widened further, as the pieces of metal all blew away into oblivion as if they were made of sand, despite the lack of wind. I slowly stepped back away from where they had once been, only to trip and fall onto my back. “What the hell....!?” I scrambled back up to my feet and started to look around the cave. I barely even noticed how ragged my breathing was becoming. “What the hell just happened?” (Highwind: Train to Manehatten) Highwind grumbled as he sat in one of the train’s many cars. He’d been forced to stay out of armor for the trip because of some report about a “bug infestation”. That didn’t mean he was alone on the trip though. No, he was blessed with the company of the two most interesting guards they could find. “Somepony shoot me now...” “So, ever been to Manehatten before?” the pegasus asked. His coat was a dark blue and his mane and tail were a deep red. His cutie mark was of a tornado. “Nope, heard the food’s good though,” the earth pony answered. He had a wood brown coat and a darker, chocolate brown mane and tail with a iron plate as his cutie mark. “Personally, I’m hoping there’s a fashion show or something going on, that way we can check out some mares.” “Ha! That really is all you think about, eh Whirlwind?” “At least I don’t only think about what goes into my stomach!” Highwind’s horn made a dull thud as it hit the window. “You two are imbeciles.” “Huh? What was that, Highwind?” Highwind sighed as he looked over at the duo. “Nothing. Now please stop talking so much. I’ve got a headache.” He turned back to the window and glared out at the trees passing by. The one thing on his mind at that point was of his most recent encounter with a certain inventor, but the thought got derailed the moment the first of the two started talking. Again. “Anyway, you really should think about trying the cuisine. Since it’s a city where ponies and creatures from all over Equestria and even all over the world come to see, they’ve got all kinds of things.” “I hope they’ve got all kinds of mares from all over, too. And maybe I’ll get lucky and get to check out a griffon chick, too!” “Ugh, you really have a one track mind. Tell ya what, how about we find a bar and grille when we get there, that way I can get something to eat and you can get drunk off your flank and embarrass yourself in front of some cute girls?” “Hah! You’re on, Ironsides!” Highwind then hit his head against the window, for the fifth time that day. Getting tired of listening to them talk about nothing but food and mares, he decided that since they wouldn’t stop talking, he might as well participate and get them to talk about something else. “I’ve got a question for the two of you.” Seeing them stop and look over, Highwind continued. “Did either of you read your briefing, and if not, at least have the thought to bring it?” “Huh? Oh, uh, yeah, I think so. Where is it,” Ironsides mumbled as he reached into his saddlebag. “Ah, here it is!” he said before giving him the scroll. Highwind took it in his magic and sighed. “Alright then,” He opened up the orders and looked them over. “So what can you two tell me about changelings?” “They look like bugs crossed with ponies and can use their magic to look like anypony they want,” Whirlwind answered. “Or, that’s what the research says, at least. Honestly, it sounds like a spook story to me.” Highwind sighed mentally before he continued. “Right, now can either of you tell me how to identify and more importantly, properly handle dealing with a changeling?” “Uh, I figured you were going to handle the identifying part. As for handling, how hard could it be? We just tie them up, maybe give them a magic inhibitor ring, right?” the earth pony suggested. Highwind wrapped the scroll shut again and glared at the stallion. “Let me put it this way. If you get bit, I’m killing you on the spot.” The earth pony gulped as he continued. “Changelings are not another kind of creature you can just talk to. They are monsters, plain and simple. The moment you’re caught they will tear you to shreds.” He shifted in his seat and looked out the window again. “Also, be on the look out for anypony who’s missing a shadow.” “Missing a shadow? You’re kidding?” the pegasus asked. Highwind sighed. “It’s the one thing Changelings can’t fix when they’re in a disguise or not. They have absolutely no shadows. This unfortunately makes attacks from above more likely when in a hive or underpass.” “And we’re about to head into a crowded city with plenty of alleyways and tall buildings,” the Ironsides said, the realization of just what they were getting into showing up on his face. The city started to come into view and Highwind nodded. “That’s pretty much the situation. Let’s just hope that some new fashion trend hasn’t come out.” “Huh? What do you mean?” the Whirlwind asked. The train began to come to a halt and Highwind got up out of his seat. “While the shadow trait will remain true about the changelings, there would still be a problem if-” Highwind stopped dead as he looked out at the city streets. Several dozen ponies were all visible as they trotted down the roads. All of them were wearing clothes that covered nearly all of their bodies as they were moving about their days. His eye twitched. “-they had clothes that could make shadows for them....” “Suddenly I feel like hooking up with a simple country mare,” Whirlwind muttered. Somewhere in the distance, a farm mare looked up from her work and off into the distance, wondering where that sudden chill came from. (Boris and Victoria: The Gilgamesh) Once again, the two young robots found themselves in the room they shared on the ship. Boris was on the bed, looking up at the ceiling in thought, as Victoria was trying to make one of the remaining books float with little success. Both of them were devoid of their usual pep, and in it’s place grew confusion. Boris sat up and looked over at his sister after a long while of doing nothing but thinking. “Hey Vicky?” “Hmm?” Victoria snapped out of her squinting and looked over. “Yeah?” Boris looked over at the window with a hint of nervousness. “Did Dad seem a little, off, to you?” Victoria looked away and ran a hand through her hair. “I... I guess he seemed a little stressed...” “Stressed?” Boris got up off the bed and looked out the window. “Vicky, it was like he wasn’t even paying any attention to us.” He started to pace around the room and frown. “Dad was always so jolly and fun! Even when he was worked up about something, Dad would be smiling about something else, just to make sure we were happy. He’d always take time out of his day for us and now he just blows off you suddenly having magic!?” Boris let out a frustrated scream as he ran his hands through his hair. “I JUST DON’T GET IT!” Victoria could only look at her brother in surprise. “I... I know... but, but Dad only just got out of being a statue, and then the ship gets attacked, and now we’re crash landed in the middle of a field. I...” A knock at their door cut her off. “Hey, cut it out with the screaming!” Boris winced a bit at the reprimand. “Sorry Ed!” After a moment of silence, Boris turned back to Vicky. “I’m sorry for yelling Vic... I know all of this could be Dad stressing out about everything, but it just isn’t like him to shut everyone out.” Boris let out a depressed sigh as he sat down next to Victoria. “And to top it all off... I haven’t seen Alex since this all started.” Victoria’s body tensed at the name. “Y-yeah...” Both children were silent for at least an hour. Neither one wanting to break the silence, for sake of the other. Suddenly, Boris shot up and had a small grin on his face. “I got it.” Victoria blinked a few times in confusion. “Wh-wha?” Boris’s smile grew as he looked out the window. “Alex always liked to run off, so I’ll run off and find him!” “What!?” Victoria squeaked in surprise as her brother started to run out of the room. “H-hey! Wait! BORIS!” She looked at the open door in uncertainty for a moment before huffing and chasing after her brother. “Come back here you idiot!” Boris paid no heed as he ran through the ship, rushing past Steve and nearly knocking him over. “What the, Hey! Boris get back here!” Victoria ran past him as well and yelled out an apology. Steve just groaned and rubbed his head. “Rambunctious kids.” If he and Ed had been paying more attention, Steve would have noticed Boris leave the ship and head off into the woods, with his sister tailing after him shortly after. And unknown to all, as the two children ran off and into the world, a solitary flickering figure of black flame that stood near the fallen ship as it watched the two youths through solid ruby eyes. (Jenny: Ponyville) As the three walked through town, or bounced in Pinkie’s case, Jenny was busy looking over the buildings. “Wow... this place is beautiful.” Twilight laughed as she looked over her shoulder. “Oh Ponyville is nothing special. But I think that it’s a pretty nice place to live. Once you get used to it at least.” Jenny shook her head and kept staring at the buildings. “It might look that way to you, but I’ve never been any place this nice. I’ve never even seen any place this nice, except for in pictures.” Pinkie bounced up to Jenny’s eye level and beamed. “Thank you for the compliment!” Twilight looked ahead and her mouth started to move up into a larger grin. “Oh, we’re here!” The trio stopped at the boutique and Twilight started to go inside as Pinkie hopped past her and Jenny blinked a few times. The knightess pointed up at the building as her jaw hung open slightly. “Is this a carousel? Doesn't that seem a little,” looked at one of the model ponies with a raised eyebrow, “morbid?” “‘Morbid?’ That’s not a word I’ve ever heard Carousel Boutique described as. What makes it morbid?” Twilight asked. “Also, don’t mention that in front of Rarity. She’ll probably have a fit.” Jenny frowned as she looked at the building’s side. “Well, it’s just that carousels tend to have those... figures which look like ponies on a stick. That and the fact that you are ponies... is making me have some disturbing thoughts.” Twilight looked back to the fashion shop/home. “...And now I’ll never look at it the same way again.” Jenny scuffed her foot on the ground as her thoughts began to go astray. I’m sorry Twilight, it’s just I’ve never really liked the things to begin with. Jenny cleared her throat before walking up to the main doorway with an awkward, yet apologetic smile. “Well anyways! Let’s got off that particular topic and head inside, shall we?” Pinkie, who’d been distracted by some balloons passing by, looked back over at Jenny with a smile. “Okie Dokie Loki!” The three entered the shop and were met with the sound of a doorbell immediately followed by a familiar voice. "Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is unique, chic, and magnific!" "Nice catchphrase," Jenny quipped as she looked over and saw Rarity working on a dress. The seamstress paused for a moment before looking over and recognizing the young woman and her company. “Oh, hello Miss Eriman! And hello to you as well Twilight and Pinkie. What brings you here?” “We’re here to-” Twilight was cut off when Pinkie jumped in front of her. “Jenny needs some new duds so she can have something else to wear and be nice and clean and then I can throw her a party once everypony else meets her and we can all have fun!” Jenny blushed a bit at how Pinkie put it, but nodded in agreement. sorta. “Well... Yes to most of that... I think?” Rarity blinked a few times at Pinkie’s antics before shaking her head slightly and looking over at Jenny. “Well darling, if clothes are what you need, then I hope you won’t mind something simple for the moment. It seems that a fair portion of my gems were stolen since that ruffian Invention broke in.” There was a pause before Rarity seemed to remember something. “Wait.” She looked over Jenny, taking note of her figure before a smile that brought worry to the rest of the room overtook the dressmaker’s face. “This is perfect.” Twilight cocked an eyebrow at her friend. “Um... Rarity, what are you-?” Rarity bolted over to a doorway next to the kitchen and dashed through, revealing for a brief moment the flight of stairs that descended downward. Both ponies and solitary human looked at each other for a moment before Pinkie spoke up. “I thought I was supposed to be the crazy one.” Rarity could be heard giggling slightly as she trotted back into the main room with her horn aglow. “After years of sitting in my basement, I finally get to use these!” A moment later, a humanoid mannequin came floating after her, followed by a plush pink bathrobe. Though the ears on the model were longer and more pointed than Jenny’s, it’s overall figure was the correct gender and roughly the same size as the young woman’s. “And Suri told me I wouldn’t ever get to use and elven mannequin.” Jenny looked at the assortment in confusion, more specifically the bathrobe, before turning back to Rarity. “Um... why do you need a bathrobe?” Rarity giggled as she floated the pink bathrobe over to Jenny. “It’s for you to wear after you finish washing up. I have a shower upstairs that I’d had imported specifically for taller clients if they needed to tidy up a bit.” A measuring tape floated over shortly after and whipped in the air around Jenny’s limbs as they were held out in Rarity’s magic. “I’ll just go ahead and take your measurements and have something wonderful by the time you’re finished.” “But...” While Jenny was magically lifted not a moment later and sent upstairs, she could hear Pinkie and Twilight giggling from below. “I already had a shower.” (???: ???) Deep underground, where no sunlight had even a ghost of a chance of getting, a large blackened figure sat in front of a massive emerald. It’s insectoid body illuminated only by the glow of sickly green magic, and the sight of the being it saw upon the gem’s unnatural reflection. The being in the reflective gem looked around itself as to try and find any traces of what had just happened. “So... he has awakened.” The cavern slowly filled with the chirping of insects as several hundred smaller creatures, each equally blackened as the larger one, began to move their wings. The noise could be compared to cicadas for any who passed by the cave unknowingly. “And what of the two?” The larger one placed a limb riddled with holes on the gem for a moment, and it shifted to show two smaller figures running through the trees, unknowingly begin chased by three of the smaller drones. “Excelent.” The image shifted again as a smaller drone crawled across the surface, showing one last being in a pink robe with three ponies. The larger creature snapped it’s head to the small drone before engulfing it in magic and drawing it close. “Insolence.” In a split second, she bit into the neck of the drone, and it’s black carapace slowly turned wrinkled and white. Throwing the dead drone off to the side, several more swarmed the fallen one and began to devour it’s carcass. The large figure looked at the image shown with a scowl. “She will not be a problem so long as the drones do their job.” She shifted the image again to show the first being and a collective hiss echoed through the cave. Through the collective mind they all shared only one did not hold the same thought, even as the gem’s reflection faded and showed the milky miasma that was held within. “The inventor shall pay for what he has done to us.”