//------------------------------// // The Basement // Story: My Sister - The Story of Optix // by Fateful Pony //------------------------------// “Can’t you make that spell brighter?” Gaffold questioned Twilight. “Seems this cellar is larger than expected.” “On it.” The spell shined even brighter, covering every corner of the room. “Optix, isn’t there any light switches in here? I don’t exactly want to use up all my magic. You did say we never know what we may find down here.” “Nope, lights are shot. Don’t worry, I don’t think we’ll be here too long.” “I hope so. I don’t know if you knew this, but horns actually do get rather hot under continuous spell casting after a while.” “After you welded that plate onto my plane?” “I said after a while. Horns are built to resist that type of magic, but they aren’t immune.” “Tell me again why we’re down here…” Ice Breaker said. “Hey, you finally speak!” Derpibra cheered. “Quiet you. Hey, child, what are we looking for?” “It’s Sniper Bullet, adult.” She retorted. “Hmph. Can’t believe I allowed myself to be convinced by that purple alicorn to come here.” He grumbled. “That library better be useful or else…” Optix stumbled over something black and furry. She looked down only to see it was a rat that obstructed her hoof. “Gah!” Derpibra jumped back. “Aw, isn’t he cute?” Fluttershy scratched the rat’s chin. “Are you mad!?” The rat scurried off into a hole in the wall, squeaking and chirping until its voice faded away into a faint echo, eventually disappearing. Observing what could be seen under the influence of Twilight’s magic, Optix observed the room in an indolent manner, taking into account any signs of what the group came for. “Bullet, you have any idea where the stuff our parents left behind is down here? You were here for the past couple years right?” “Mostly on the run from guards and those agents. But yeah, I was here whenever I had the chance.” She pointed to her left, to a rotting drawer. “The stuff is over there.” “Good looking squirt.” Optix trotted through the inconspicuous puddles and layers of dirt as she made her way to the drawer in question. Just before the wooden structure, it bore with it a smell not too far off from the rest of the surrounding room. “Nostalgia never smelled so great.” “You have a weird taste for smells.” Derpibra said. “That’s because you never lived in garbage like I do.” “Yeah, but even then, this place smells kinda rancid.” “You’re surprised?” With a straight hoof, Optix chanced the furniture, but it wouldn’t budge. “Let me guess: It’s locked.” She looked sidelong from it, and discovered a highly mechanical lock. “Yup. Bullet, got a key?” The filly scratched the back of her head. “Eh… no.” “Well I be damned. Alright, scatter. We gotta find that thing.” She observed the lock. It was a mass of cogs and chains, with only a single hole, presumably for a key. “Shit. I ain’t never seen this lock before. When did this even get here?” Sniper Bullet was rummaging through a pile of slightly moist cardboard boxes within the corner of the basement. “I dunno. I don’t remember it being there before.” “That’s weird. Hey, Twi!” “Yes?” “See if you can crack that lock. I know for sure I can’t snap that thing even if I try.” “On it.” “Derpi!” Optix called. “Yeah?” “You and everyone else look through the containers in here. Bound to be something in here somewhere.” “Yeah. I’ll look around.” Everyone scattered about, searching under tables and crates. Alright, let’s get to work. He thought, before cracking his hooves and taking his corner.