//------------------------------// // Probe's plan // Story: Pinkie Personalities // by Drebom //------------------------------// Neuron Probe scowled as a fresh surge of pain pulsed from his horn. His magic had never been especially powerful, a deficit that had been offset by his high precision. Unfortunately, when you need to conjure stable objects, specifically metal pony restraints, you needed a decent amount of power to get the process started. If you didn't put enough magic into the constructs, then they had an unfortunate tendency to disappear at critical moments. He had managed it in the end, although not without gaining a significant headache as his reserves ran low. It would be all worth it in the end though. Yes, he would capture Pinkamena Pie, and finally complete his life's work. It had become clear to him that he would not be able to construct any useful sort of golem any time soon. He had managed to animate some rock golems, but they were infuriatingly slow. Their heads had essentially come to form their entire torso, large as that may be, and their arms and legs were little more than useless stubs. Perhaps four arms had been a mistake after all; there was a limit to the amount of mass he could animate at once, and this was clearly pushing it. Really, if it wasn't for the boulder-like creatures' tendency to curl up and throw themselves at a perceived threat, he wouldn't have kept them around. A sentient boulder would provide some distraction for any guards that came sniffing. And they had at least spared him the pain of moving that rock slab around himself. Their intelligence was rather lacking, but at least they could follow basic instructions. His magical reserves had been severely taxed from doing all this, however, leading to his current foul mood and splitting headache. A lesser, though still significant, irritation was the lack of certain facilities. He hadn't had a proper wash in days, and the less said about his makeshift toilet the better. The cave stunk, and he was sure a large part of it was his own scent. Oh, he knew it would be all worth it in the end, but the interim was proving to be very unpleasant. At least he was enjoying some peace now- slowly pacing, with a limp. His stiff leg, still bound with vines and leaves, hurt less with each passing day, a sure sign that nature was doing its work. The plan was advancing. Yes, the cogs were moving, slowly grinding towards the recovery of the subject. And beyond that, the completion of his work. Yes, all he needed to do was to follow her movements, and identify the ideal moment to obtain her. The bakery would be a good place to start- The papers said she was a baker, living with the owners of the bakery where she worked. He couldn't remember the names, but they were irrelevent anyway. As if there would be more than one bakery in a place like Ponyville. An earth pony village grown from an apple farm would have little in the way of true sophistication. They probably didn't even have a proper hospital. To say nothing of the level of intelligence. Unicorns were the scholars of Equestria, everypony knew that. The only real threat to him would be those who were from Canterlot- the guards, and the Princess. And in the dead of night, both parties would be easily avoided. He would have to be cautious, but he could be patient for now. She would grow complacent, relax, as would the guards that were sure to be still running around like headless chickens. She would be vulnerable soon enough, and then he would strike. The foolish guards wouldn't even know until it was too late. He would spirit his errant test subject away into his laboratory, and resume the experiments. The lack of a proper electricity supply was irritating, but his magic would likely be able to replicate the process well enough. It wasn't as if he wouldn't have time to practice. And the golems would keep interruptions away. They may need a little training, but it seemed instinct was doing some of the work for him. Yes, that sounded perfect. He would practice the necessary spell-work in the mornings. Afternoons could be devoted to foraging, and training the various golems now under his command. Evenings would give him the darkness needed to get close to town unnoticed. As he learnt the patrols, he would be able to move further into town undetected. Once he could make it undetected to the bakery and back....that would be when he was ready. A few more nights to assertain the perfect moment, and that would be that. All that would be left would be to execute the retrieval. He would need to conjure some rope for that part, and practice a knock-out spell. Those would be simple enough. Yes, that was the plan. And what a masterful plan it was! It was simple, inventive and, naturally from one such as he, foolproof! The work of a true genius! A low cackle echoed in the cave. It grew louder, faster, the maddened laugh drifting outside and through the trees of the Everfree Forest. The golems and Timberwolf shrunk away from their master, sensing the danger he represented. The Wolf whined in fear. What few prey animals there were around the cave bolted. Some ways off, a pair of orange furred ears perked up. A pack of Timberwolves bounded through the undergrowth, their howls adding to the dreadful sound. They too kept their distance- the scents of magic and sickness had been on the air all day, and a mad creature such as the one they heard now was surely one best avoided. Around the forest's edge, too far away to hear, oblivious guards and their dogs patrolled the border. And in the heart of Ponyville, under the watchful eye of a pair of guards, a smiling pink pony bounded around the tables of the local bakery, seemingly oblivious to the danger brewing. The Everfree was infested with monsters, and now one more lurked in the dark forest.