//------------------------------// // An Exception Has Occurred // Story: The Iron Horse: Everything's Better With Robots! // by The Hat Man //------------------------------// “So then,” Twilight said, laughing the whole time, “Rainbow Dash just comes right out of the closet!” “Ha! What did Rarity do?” Gadget asked, holding her sides and gasping for air at the conclusion of Twilight’s story. “She nearly fainted! Pinkie had to catch her!” “And what did Applejack say when Dash came out?” “She didn’t seem that surprised, actually.” Twilight, Gadget, and Turing Test were all gathered in Twilight’s bedroom. The evening fun had continued for hours, with them telling ghost stories, doing makeovers, having pillow fights, and now swapping funny stories. “I do not understand the point of hiding in a closet, jumping out, and attempting to frighten others,” Turing remarked. “My information indicates that friendship should involve comfort, companionship, and engaging in activities of mutual interest. Why would Rainbow Dash wish to cause her other friends distress?” “It’s… kind of hard to explain,” Twilight said, standing up suddenly. “Hang on, you two. I’ve got to use the restroom.” “Have fun, don’t fall in!” Gadget called after her, earning a roll of the eyes from Twilight. “You need not be concerned. I have seen Twilight Sparkle’s bathroom and the toilet is of normal size to prevent accidental entry.” “That’s… that’s great, Turing, I’m so relieved,” Gadget replied flatly. Then her ears lifted and her eyes sparkled. “Ooh, but when Princess Twilight gets back, I can ask her again if she has a crush on anypony! She was awfully evasive earlier…” “You seem very interested in relationships. Does this have anything to do with your recent attempt at one with Fine Print?” Her good cheer drained away and she lowered her head, giving a long sigh. “I have unintentionally upset you, Gadget. I am sorry.” “No, no, it’s all right,” she said, waving a hoof and offering a weak smile. “I have an inquiry then, if you are willing to assist me.” She nodded. “Of course, Turing, I’d do anything to help you!” Turing paused, again tapping her chin with her hoof as she tried to formulate her question adequately. “Gadget, I must first offer you my thanks, as it is my understanding that you helped Twilight Sparkle come to her decision to accept me as I am and my friendship for what it is.” “Aw, you’re welcome!” “I wish to know, then: can it be said that you also have affection for me?” Gadget blushed. “Ah, jeez, you have to say it so plainly?” “How does this affection feel? I wish to know since I have never felt the emotion myself.” Gadget swallowed. “It, um,” she began, “it feels warm. Like, I can feel it here,” she said, placing her hooves on her chest, “and… and here,” she placed her hooves on her cheeks. “It makes me want to smile and… it makes me want to do other things.” “I understand the physiological reaction, but that is something I cannot replicate. Perhaps you could describe your mental state?” Gadget’s blush deepened and she turned from her robot companion. “T-Turing, please… why are you asking me? Twilight-hime is the one who should be instructing you.” “I have realized,” Turing said, “that the differences between Master Twilight and myself may be too great to reconcile. But you, Gadget, are both organic and also mechanical, in part.” She came over and took hold of one of Gadget’s mechanical arms, running her brass hoof down its length. Gadget shivered. “T-Turing-chan, p-please… m-my arms… you shouldn’t touch them that way…” “I apologize,” she said, letting them go. Gadget opened her eyes, but somehow looked disappointed. “My point is that you may form the bridge between my mechanical nature and that of ponykind. Gadget-chan, I… I wish to know of this strange thing you ponies call ‘love.’ Beep.” Gadget found she could no longer look Turing in the eyes. She turned away. “Oh… oh, that’s such a bold request, Turing-chan! And… and yet…” She slowly turned back to Turing Test and swallowed. “But maybe I’ve been looking in the wrong places for love too. Maybe you… maybe you can teach me something as well…” Her mechanical arms shot around Turing and she drew herself closer. Her eyes grew glassy and her mouth was slightly opened as she moved ever closer. “Turing-chan… I know Twilight-sensei warned me about this…” “Gadget-senpai? What are you doing? Oh. My circuits seem to be heating up. Something is stirring deep within my heart drive. Have you installed a new emotion within me? Beep boop beep.” Gadget’s breath came in short, shaky spurts as she removed her glasses. “Turing-chan,” she whispered, her lips just inches from Turing’s face, “ai… aishite--” “HI TURING, HI GADGET!” A pink blur shot up between the two of them and Gadget leaped back. “N-nani?! Pinkie-senpai, how did you get in here! Mou! Does Twilight-sensei-sama-hime know you’re here?” “Aw, don’t be mad, Gadget!” Pinkie laughed. “I just heard there was a slumber party and I hate to miss a party!” “Then I believe Master Twilight would like you to be here. Beep boop beep.” Just then, Twilight returned with the Pocky and green tea and sushi she’d promised and set them down. “Ah, Pinkie-chan! I’m glad you’re here! How can I help you?” “I just heard that Turing is becoming friends with a lot of different ponies and I wanted in!” She turned to Turing Test. “So, Turing, do you want to be friends?” “Yes.” “Well,” Twilight said. “That was easy.” “It sure was! No conflict or anything like that! Guess it’s time to end the chapter! Now the bold text says ‘To be continued!’” To be cont-- wait, what?! How-- WHAT THE BUCK JUST HAPPENED?!