Obsidian had really outdone himself, showing how much he cares by talking to my parents, and helping me see past my own emotional misconceptions. I needed to fix what I had done, especially after everything Obsidian was doing to help.
"Alright, I'll get started on the apology letters," I announced, excitedly hopping back onto my dark pleather desk chair.
Obsidian paced toward me, probably to help me write. His pale blue eyes had a concerned look. "Letters?" he uttered, an emphasis on the plural.
"Metal’s not the only one," I reminded him, a solemn hint in my voice. "I didn't show Cyber Wing any respect and I realize now how horrible that must feel."
Obsidian glared at me. An edge of annoyance tinged his voice, "Why were you so against Cyber? She just wanted to help, and clearly, she already has."
It pained me to respond. "I noticed that like Metal, Cyber had some sort of disability. I thought that it was the technology that made both of them that way, and when I saw Cyber trying to use her machines on you, I couldn't hold myself back. I didn't want you to lose anything that makes you the way you are Obsidian."
Obsidian's voice lost it's edge. "I'm truly grateful for your concern. Just know that you didn't have to be quite so harsh.”
I took the backhanded compliment gratefully, as it was far milder than what I expected.
I spun my chair, donned my new writing assist, and with ink and paper upon the desk, submerged myself in thought. I reviewed every action I took earlier without leaving any detail behind.
Beginning with my letter to Cyber Wing, I envisioned what I'd say to her as if she were right in front of me. Letting the quill speak for me in the dialect of my namesake, word after word fell to the page, and in mere minutes, the quill had recited my thoughts to completion.
I gently nudged the paper to one side of my desk. Retrieving new grounds for my quill to dance upon, I began considering my apology to Metal Wing.
I figured that it would be very similar to Cyber's apology, but things weren't that simple. In the back of my mind, I kept recalling an image from earlier, of him screaming in defense of his sister. He looked almost soulless, and whenever I considered what to say as an apology, that image kept overriding my concentration.
"You alright, Ink?" Obsidian's voice suddenly pierced my thoughts.
I dryly responded, "Yeah, I'm just having some trouble coming up with an apology for Metal."
Obsidian seemed rather unmoved by the comment. "Be honest. Metal doesn't seem the type to appreciate sweet nothings."
Obsidian is right, but that wasn't going to help. "It's not a lack of ideas, it's just..." I trailed off, Metal's reaction haunting me once again.
"Just what?" Obsidian inquired, an air of concern in his voice.
I responded honestly, no sweet nothings. "When Metal was defending Cyber he looked almost monstrous. Every time I try thinking of something I just see his reaction."
Obsidian's expression kept bouncing between emotions. After many had crossed his face, Obsidian seemed to land on compassion, the same emotion my father always used. His voice felt almost warming. "Forget about that pony, remember the real Metal Wing! Remember the Metal that made you that writing assist, and give him the honest respect he deserves."
I let the words seep in as I recalled the real Metal Wing. The pony I saved from serious harm. The one who reignited my passion for writing. The one who got Obsidian back to normal the day we met, and the pony who became one of my best friends.
I thanked Obsidian and turned back to the blank page. Once again, the quill and I danced across the page, forging an ink-black path. As I wrote, the frightening image of Metal slowly faded, replaced by the image of a true friend. I gave that Metal the thanks he deserved, ensuring every word carried the weight of my emotions.
Satisfied with the marks upon the stationary, I had Obsidian fold and seal them in envelopes while I fetched my satchel. Once the letters were safely stowed, Obsidian and I started back toward Cyber Wing's home.
Silence deadened the beauty of the starry night, forcing me to listen to my thoughts. I reflected on exactly what had happened, contemplating whether any of my actions were justified.
Thankfully, Obsidian's voice broke me free of such grim contemplations. "Uhh, Ink? Where are you going?" he asked.
As my surroundings came back into focus I found myself standing at the edge of a field, just off the path Obsidian and I had been walking on. I almost apologized for my aimless trotting, until I realized where my hooves were taking me. "It's a shortcut," I informed Obsidian. "This field ends at a hiking trail which leads to the base of the cliff from yesterday."
Obsidian allowed me to lead the way, not hesitating for a moment.
As we passed the cliff base and trotted into the neighborhood Cyber calls home, I ran through everything I wanted to tell Metal face-to-face. I could've gone for something poetic, sugar-coated, or otherwise scripted. Instead, I settled on what my Mother always told me. “Whatever your heart writes for you,” or as Dad put the phrase, “Wing it.”
We finally arrived at Cyber Wing's nigh impenetrable front door. I asked Obsidian to knock for me, so I could keep out of Cyber Wing's sight, in case what I said earlier still burned in her mind.
Obsidian pounded five hard knocks to the door, and followed up with the doorbell, the same way as Metal had done earlier. A bit excessive, but perhaps ‘Shave and a Manecut’ means something to them.
Several agonizingly long seconds followed, until the door finally slid open. From inside, a gentle greeting floated out, "Hello Mr.Mage, what can I do for you?"
Obsidian responded politely, explaining how things had been a bit difficult recently. Following introductions he told Cyber that he had brought a friend. Obsidian then motioned for me to step into view.
I knew that in her mind I was some cold, unfeeling creature. I kept my head low and my eyes hidden behind the brim of my fedora as I approached.
I looked up from under my obscuring headwear, dreading the look I was about to receive.
I was shocked to see that Cyber wore an upbeat expression.
"Hello Ms.Scribe!" she greeted me.
"You're not... mad at me?" I stuttered, unable to keep the comment to myself.
"Believe me, I've been called far worse than a freak, besides, I knew there had to be something more to you, and I'd rather see that than a river of tears and regret," Cyber responded, omitting her usual stutters.
I looked to Obsidian just to make sure I wasn't going insane or something. He looked rather confused as well, yet pleased by the contrast of mood.
Looking back at Cyber, I regained my composure, and put forth my next statement. "Well, I guess that it's water under the bridge now, but I thought you might want this." I rummaged through my satchel, and grabbed Cyber's letter, making sure not to bite down too hard on it. Cyber accepted the parcel, and replied with honest thanks.
Before she had a chance to open her note, I asked about Metal's whereabouts. "He’s in the lab. He's been awfully... vocal, about what he's done, so I closed the door to give him some privacy," Cyber Wing informed us.
"And to get some quiet, I assume?" Obsidian retorted.
"You have NO idea how much he really, REALLY misses you," Cyber concluded with her habitual flare of redundancy.
As humorous as the situation was, I began to worry about how Metal must have been feeling. If he was really that broken up, I didn't want to delay any longer. I asked Cyber to open the lab door, seeing as I couldn't do it myself.
She agreed and trotted over to the digital lock. She addressed the device as if it were a lifelong adversary, and then began trying to unlock it.
Watching Cyber undo the lock, I considered how I had acted towards her earlier today. If she really meant what she said at the door, that being called a freak was fairly tame, then she must've gone through some really hard times. I wondered what kind of hardships she’d had to endure, and how many times Metal needed to intervene for her.
"Got it!" Cyber cheered, finally unlocking the door. "Good luck Ms.Scribe. See if you can't get my brother out from under this dark cloud of his."
I thanked Cyber as I slowly walked into the lab, continuing my chain of thought.
To think that Metal intervened every time somepony gave Cyber trouble, and gave them the same verbal assault I received, was shocking. That means Metal must have very few ponies he could call friends. Only now did I consider that maybe Obsidian and I are the only friends he's managed to keep?
Inside the lab, I was proven just how right I was.
Metal was collapsed in a far corner, his hoofmade wings sitting on the floor, toppled to one side. I could hear muted sobs, and faint, frustrated, grunts of "I lost them already" and "I almost had real friends."
"You still do!" I blurted out without thinking.
Surprised by my presence, Metal's ears perked up, and he turned his head in my direction. His jade-green eyes were teary and bloodshot, as if he'd lost all hope.
I reached into my bag, pulled out my letter, and trotted it over to him.
Metal was hesitant at first, but eventually decided to take the letter, opening the seal.
He read the letter silently, mouthing every word.
Metal Wing,
I'm writing to apologize for my actions toward your genius sister, Cyber Wing. I had no right to discriminate against you or your sister just because you have traits that not all ponies posses. Put simply, it was unfair. I was being cruel, and unfeeling.
I envy your valor, Metal Wing, having the heart to stand up for who and what you really believe in. That's a trait some ponies only wish they could have, and you do it without question. I'd love to have a friend with such valor, and as long as you can forgive my faults, I'd like that friend to be you again, Metal Wing!
Truly,
Ink Scribe
Metal looked up at me from the letter, eyes still full of tears, but a smile on his face. His voice quivered as he spoke, "Thank you, Ink Scribe, for forgiving me."
I was a bit thrown off by Metal's response. "Well, thank you, but I don't understand. I was the one who ran off."
"Yeah, but see, you came back. That's more than anypony has ever done for me after I lashed out at them. I'm amazed you guys still had faith in me after that outburst."
"I never lost faith, though I did need some help getting motivated to do something about it," I admitted. "You see, Obsidian helped me get hold of my senses again. If he hadn't gotten involved, I don't think I would ever have seen past my own emotional barriers."
Metal smiled. "So you were both able to forgive me, that means so much to me, I..., I'm speechless," he stuttered.
Obsidian poked his head in the room. "Hey, Metal? You mind if Cyber and I join you two in here?"
Metal righted himself, and agreed to having company. Obsidian nodded and trotted inside casually. Cyber, however, ran in full throttle, straight toward me squealing with delight. She impacted with a circulation-stopping hug. "Thank you Ms.Scribe! That letter you gave me was one of the nicest things I've read in ages, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!" Cyber cheered before letting go to let me get some air.
I could feel myself blush. "Hehe, you're welcome, Cyber. It’s the least I could do to make up for everything."
Cyber twitched as if remembering something, and continued, "Oh, and I'm really sorry about the repeating phrases. Metal mentioned that those really got on your nerves. I wish I could help it. I just get on a roll when I'm excited and tend to repeat myself without thinking. Over and over again."
I told her that it was no trouble, at least, not anymore, and that I appreciated the concern she had for somepony she hardly knew.
"Just trying to show some courtesy, that's all," Cyber responded cheerily.
Metal then took the floor. "So, this means that we’re all... friends... right?"
Obsidian nodded, and looked in my direction, hinting for me to answer.
No sweet nothings.
"True Friends," I concluded.