Chapter 7: Tears and Promises
“It was your mother Clockwork.” Jace felt the mood in the hospital room drop a few degrees when the heavily beaten pony in the bed mentioned the silver unicorn's mom, he then saw Clockwork stiffen at the mention of her mom, okay, I'm out of here. He carefully and quickly left the room quietly -keeping his head down so that he could pass through the low door frame without hitting into again- not wanting to be the giant pink elephant in room while something that appears to be very personal to Clockwork was discussed.
“My mom?” Jace heard Clockwork right before he quietly closed the door and was relieved that he was able to get out of the room in time as he heard the hurt in her voice right before he closed the door. Following by memory, Jace made his way through the halls, trying to make his way back outside, once again causing doctors and patients alike to squish themselves to the walls to allow him to pass by, earning him some more stares as he walked by. When Jace finally made it outside, he fully stood up as he stretched, causing a symphony of metal straining and gears turning to be heard. He lowered his arms and looked around and saw that ponies outside had stopped what they were doing to stare at him, some with a frightened look painted on their faces.
I should probably do nothing that seems threatening, Jace thought as he moved away from blocking the door and sat down on the street, leaning against the building of the hospital. When the ponies saw Jace sat down and appeared to be relaxing, they resumed what they were doing, although always keeping the large automaton within their sights for any movement. Jace leaned his head on the wall, peering at the quickening sunset that told those around that night will be soon upon them. He closed his eyes and started to contemplate his situation. Okay, let's see here; I'm a soul bonded to a machine in a land of colorful ponies that according to Fate, is in a turmoil that forced him to participate in this 'game of the god' and thus had me become his herald to help correct that imbalance. He also mentioned that there are more 'others' like me that the gods choose to be their representatives, but I didn't find any other mention of mechas like me, as well as no mention of humans, in any of piece of information I had at hand. So that either means that my info is outdated or that they're not mechas or humans, but in different forms... geez, this is giving me a headache.
Jace's thoughts were pulled away when he suddenly became aware a series of whispering voices around him, “see, there it is.”
“It does look a little scary, but cool at the same time though.”
“I dare one of you to touch it,” another voice joined in. At what the voice said, Jace slightly opened his eyes and there he saw that he's surrounded by a small crowd of colts and fillies ranging in different colors and races that Clockwork mentioned earlier. He couldn't help but feel a smile form under the helm at the sight of the adorable and curious foals. His eyes then focused onto two nervous colts as a third stood behind them looking a bit smug.
“Do you think its asleep?”, “Can a machine even sleep?” the two colts nervously whispered to each other, unsure about Jace's still form.
“Fine, if you two chickens are not going to touch it, I'll go and touch it,” the smug one said as he walked pass the two colts and cautiously walked up to one of Jace's hand that's resting on his legs. Jace observed the now nervous colt as he stretched out a hoof and carefully touched it, like a child would do when poking its parents while they're sleeping. When the colt didn't get a reaction from him, Jace saw a smile grew on the foal's face as his confidence grew three times. The foal turned around as he addressed to the rest of the foals there, “see nothing to it, it didn't even wake up.”
Jace just sat there as the now brave crowd of foals walked up to him and started poking him, causing a symphony of metal tapping as the foals tapped various armor plating on the automaton, which caused the children to laugh in enjoyment as the music they're making on him. Jace couldn't help but be amused at the sight of the curious children as they now have a rhythm to a the sounds coming from his automaton body. When the last ring of their makeshift song ended, the foals started giggling at what they did, which Jace couldn't hold it in any longer and joined in with a chuckle of his own, causing the crowd of foals to look at him and saw him looking at them, freezing on the spot as if they just got caught sneaking into the cookie jar. “Not bad at all, that was pretty good. However, it seems that there's something missing at the end...,” Jace complimented them, before he started to rub his chin in contemplation. “Oh I know what's missing, this.”
Jace then lifted a fist, causing some of the foals to quickly duck to the ground, and pounded on his chest. A gong like sound resonated from Jace's chest. “There we go, now your song is complete.”
There was moment of pause as the foals stared at the automaton, comprehending what they just saw and heard, before bursting out in laughter at the silliness of the machine before them. Jace then noticed that it is getting dark and addressed to the still laughing colts and fillies before him, “alright, alright you all. Now that you had your laugh, I think you should start heading home since it's getting late and your parents are still probably shaken up from today's events.”
This earned him a series of ahhs from the foals as their fun is now over. “Go on you all, time's a wasting and I bet that you don't want to worry your folks,” Jace said as he shooed them away, which they reluctantly complied and started to walk away, but not without them running up to Jace to quickly get a touch of the machine that saved them while thank you's and goodbye's were said as they left him alone, but before they left though, Jace noticed that some of the foals had those markings on their flanks while some are blank of any. Forgot to ask Clockwork what those markings are and their meaning.
Jace sat there a the side of the street, watching ponies walk by and occasionally waving to them, waiting for Clockwork to come out of the hospital. The setting sun finally gave its dominion in the sky away to the moon and its night. Jace looked up and watched the raising moon as the stars started to shine brightly in the night sky. Wow, nights are never like this back home, a pang of sadness hit him at the thought of his family and old home-world. There's no going back home, for this is my new home now.
…
The sound of a door opening and closing jolted Jace awake, making him realize that he must have fallen asleep at some point while waiting for Clockwork. At the thought of the pony engineer, Jace glanced towards the front doors to see who came out and sure enough, saw the pony in question sitting there under the lights of the streetlamps, her head hanging, causing her golden mane to hide her face from sight. Jace got up from the ground and walked towards the unicorn.
“So how's you're friend doing...” Jace trailed off his question when Clockwork looked up from the ground to face him, revealing a pair of red tinted eyes and damp fur around them, telling Jace that she has been crying recently, causing him to revise his question, “um, is everything okay Clockwork?”
“No Jace, everything's is not okay,” Clockwork wept as tears started to form in her eyes. “I can't stay here anymore.”
Jace was taken aback at what Clockwork said as he saw her starting to cry. Unsure what to do next other than the obvious, he sat down next to the crying unicorn and wrapped an arm around her, causing the unicorn to gasp at the sudden, but kind filled, gesture from Jace. “Hey easy there. Take deep, calm, breaths and explain to me what you meant by that you can't stay here anymore, and I'll see if I can help?”
Clockwork couldn't help but let out a sad filled laugh at what Jace is trying to do for her. She took in a breath and started to talk, “I don't think you'll be able to punch or cut this problem Jace, because you see, it involves the both of us.” Clockwork looked up to the machine that's trying to comfort her. “Jace, because what I done for you and what you did, I have to leave Ironwood Falls and never come back.”
“What, why?” Jace asked shocked as he removed his arm from around her. “You live here and helped saved the town, so why are you saying that you need to leave it?”
“In order to keep everypony safe Jace!”
“Safe? Safe from what?”
Clockwork shook her head at that question. “You, me or those that Iron is working for, I just don't know the answer to that one and my friends didn't have an answer as well. All they said that if I stay here any longer, I'm putting everypony in great danger if whoever Iron is working for sends something more dangerous than a Minotaur and a pack of timberwolves, if Iron had told them about you and me.”
“So that whoever they are can get whatever this thing is,” Jace thought as he leaned on his knees and stared off into nowhere.
“That's right, and since I'm the only link to this mysterious object, it furthers 'hammers the nail in the coffin' of my situation so to speak,” she released another sad-filled sigh as she realized that there are not many options she could choose from.
“Well, what is it that you want Clockwork?” Jace asked as he looked back at the unicorn, causing her to look eye to eye.
At his question, Clockwork remembered the promise she vowed almost a year ago before stumbling across Jace. “I want to help those around me Jace... and I can't do that if I'm going to be putting those I love in danger.”
“Then I guess there's no other choice now is there,” Jace groaned as he looked towards the star-filled night sky. “Butts, this suck hard. My first day awake and I got attacked by vicious plants and a freaking Minotaur that planned to kill a whole town and now we're going to have to leave before I even could see this town.”
Clockwork picked up something Jace had just said. “We? But I'm the one that needs to leave, not you. So why did you say as if the both us are leaving?” she asked as she looked at the still stargazing machine.
“Well think about this Clockwork, it was you built my body in the first place. So if Iron told those he's working for about me, then I'm risking the lives here in this town as well and I'm sure my boss doesn't want me to do that,” Jace replied as he finally looked back at the unicorn at his side. “Also, we're friends and friends stick together to help each other, and besides, you're going to need a bodyguard and I need to a very talented engineer to keep me in good working order. So we need each other and frankly, I'm scared that this town of yours is going to scrap me as soon as you're not looking.”
Clockwork couldn't help but laugh at Jace's thoughts as the feeling of his assurance for her and his safety, but mostly her's though. She looked up to the night sky and oddly felt comforted sitting there next to Jace as they both stare into the night sky. As much as I don't like, Jace is right, we can't stay here if we're going to risk everypony's safety. We'll need to leave soon, at that thought, Clockwork felt some tears leave her eyes as she stare at the full moon.
…
Jace didn't know how long he sat there with Clockwork in front of the hospital, staring at the night sky and feeling its calming effect take hold on the both of them, but the sound of light snoring shook his out of it and to look towards his companion to find her asleep on the ground, with some tears still lingering at her closed eyelids. Realizing that it is way later than he thought it was and that they're going to probably have a long day ahead of them tomorrow, he reached out to Clockwork's sleeping form and gently slid his hands underneath her as not to wake her. He carefully stood up with Clockwork in arms and started to make his way in the direction of Clockwork's home.
Jace tried to be silent with his metal footsteps on the cobblestone road as much as he can as to not disturb the sleeping unicorn in his arms, but with events that happened today, it's going to take more than metal footsteps to wake the unicorn that suffered through a lot of physical, mental and emotional stress from today. When Jace finally made it to the neighborhood that he first confronted a pack of timberwolves, he made his way by memory back to Clockwork's home and there he was glad that the unicorn was asleep as he winced at the sight of the remains of the broken door hanging on its hinges. Jace ducked through the doorway and into the front room with the smashed table in pieces all over the floor, I am so glad that Clockwork's asleep for this.
He made his way to the back of the room, navigating around the tripping hazards that's lying all over the floor thanks to the light of the moon that's coming through the doorway. Jace came to one of the doors in the back of the room, quickly shifting all of Clockwork's weight into one arm to open it before risking dropping the unicorn. He once again ducked under the low door frame and entered a bedroom that he guessed must be the unicorn's when he had explored Clockwork's home when she was out cold earlier today, finding it full of small machines and schematics, with books about the unicorn's profession. The automaton quietly walked over to her bed and placed her in it, removing the pony's saddlebag full of tools and setting them on the floor before pulling up the covers over her, making sure that she's comfortable.
Jace made his way back to the main room, but stopped at looked back at the now peaceful sleeping pony. Jace couldn't help but feel worried for the pony that helped him for all those months and now had to leave her home and town for the price of her willingness to help others in need. He feels like a complete jackass now. I promise Clockwork, I'll make everything right, Jace let out a sigh as he started to leave the room... and ended up smacking his head right into the door frame. He let out a small groan of frustration as he angrily questioned why the doors are short but the ceilings are higher than necessary for a pony.
He ducked through the doorway and silently closed the door of Clockwork's room. Jace turned around and faced the wreckage in the room. Unless she made a some kind of WALL-E, I guess I need to clean this up. Now, where's the light switch... please don't tell me this world doesn't have electricity?
…
Warm and soft, those are the only things that Clockwork felt right now and doesn't want to leave them, but then became aware of the sound of something moving in the next room, causing her to reluctantly open her eyes weakly to find that she's in her bed. Jace must have carried me home and put me to bed when I fell asleep outside of the hospital, the sound of something moving in the next room once again drawn her attention, what is Jace doing? She pulled aside the covers and hopped out of bed, her hooves hitting the wood floor with a thunk as she moved towards her bedroom door to see what the automaton is up to.
The first thing that greeted her when she opened the door was the scent of something cooking, causing Clockwork's stomach to growl in hunger, reminding her that she haven't eaten anything at all since yesterday afternoon after the attack. She peered out the door and there she saw Jace crouching at the stove cooking whatever that her stomach wants to have badly. Jace must have sensed her staring at him, for he turned towards her and gave her a wave. “Morning sleepy head or should I say almost afternoon.”
“It's that late?”
“Yup,” he replied as he turned his attention back to the stove and to whatever he's cooking. “You sure were exhausted, although I don't blame ya as you had a very rough day yesterday.”
“What are you cooking?” Clockwork asked as she walked to over Jace to see what he's cooking. “And where did you get the food, for I don't anything to eat left?”
“Oh, um, I hope you don't mind. I took some of your money and bought some food to make you breakfast since you probably didn't get anything to eat since yesterday.” At the mention of eating, Clockwork's stomach growl, causing Clockwork to give Jace a sheepish grin at his correct deduction as he stared at her before turning his focus once more to the pans in front of him. “I guess I was right. As for what I'm cooking, I'm cooking diced up potatoes with egg and cheese with cut up onions and bell peppers with apparently something called hay bacon, but hey, bacon is bacon so no complaining there. Oh and buttered toast, don't forget the buttered toast.”
Clockwork's mouth started to water as Jace described what was going to be her meal and then she realized something about Jace. “You can cook?” She asked him as he started to scoop food from the pan and onto a single plate.
“Yeah I can, my parents taught me how to cook from my dad teaching me how to grill to my mom cooking with the stove,” Clockwork wasn't sure, but she thought she heard some sadness when Jace was mention his parents, however Jace resumed talking before she could ask. “Although now I'm a machine and can't eat anything now, that doesn't mean I can't still cook... heh, Bender would be proud.”
“Who?” Clockwork asked with a raised eyebrow.
“No one of great importance Clockwork,” Jace answered as he picked up the plate and handed it over to Clockwork. “Here you go, enjoy.”
Clockwork glanced at the food-laden plate and barely controlled herself from drooling at the sight of it. She grabbed the plate in her magic and took it out of Jace's hand and brought it over to the table. She stopped in mid-step when she noticed that something is missing. “Um, Jace?”
“Yeah?” Jace called back as he started to wash the dishes in the sink.
“Where's my table and on that note, where's my front door?!”
“Oh yeah, about that, a timberwolf barged in and I fought with it on the table. I had to toss out the remains last night, sorry about that.”
Clockwork could feel a slight headache starting to seep into her head, but she shook her head and made her way to the couch. “It's to soon for me to deal with right now,” she said as she sat on the couch before digging into her first meal of the day. She levitated a fork-full of Jace's food to her mouth, but paused right before, contemplating that she was about to eat something that Jace made., however, her stomach won her over with its annoyance of being withheld food. Jace's food was probably the best home cooked meal that Clockwork every had in a long time, so abandoned the fork and set about stuffing her muzzle with more of the food that's making her palate sing with the many, but equally balanced, flavors.
Clockwork then heard laughter, causing her to look up to see Jace holding the counter to hold himself from falling to the ground. “Wow, you must have been starving, or you really liked my cooking.” Clockwork then realized that he was laughing at her forgone of manners, causing a blush to spread across her face. Jace looked up and immediately stopped laughing when he saw the unicorn's flushed embarrassed face, making him feel more like a jerk than a need friend now. “Sorry Clockwork, I didn't mean it like that, it's just that... it was funny seeing you like that, er, that isn't what I mean either. Ah freak!” Jace whirled around and slammed his head against the wall... and ended up putting a hole in the wall. “And I just put a hole in your wall, didn't I?” He called out from within the walls.
Clockwork winced at the sight of the damage, but she couldn't help but giggle at Jace's awkwardness around her. “You don't have much experience talking with mares, do you?” she asked Jace as he pulled his head out of the wall.
“No I don't, but if by mares you mean girls, then the answer is still no. In fact, you're the only female that I have been near this long.” He said as he sat down cross legged, inviting a series of groans of much needed oiled gears and cogs, reminding Clockwork to do that as soon as possible... before leaving town.
She looked down at her plate to resume eating, with utensils this time, but frown when she saw that she had cleared her plate in a frenzy to stuff her gullet with food. “There's still more in the pan in case you want more,” Jace said, clearly understanding what she was thinking.
“Aren't you going to eat anything Jace?”
He shook his head in response before leaning it against the counter, staring at the ceiling. “As I said before, since I'm a machine now, I can't eat or drink anything anymore. Gosh, I'm going to miss eating, especially meat.”
“Wait, you eat meat!” Clockwork said in stunned horror.
Confused at the tone of Clockwork's, Jace faced the unicorn and the stunned horror that's written all over her face. It then drawn on him on one important fact that he completely looked over, which resulted him slapping himself upside the head. “Oh crap, that explained all the horrified expressions from the food vendors when I asked for any meat-based product, you all are herbivores.”
“You eat meat!” The stupefied unicorn once again repeated. “As in, living things?”
“Yes, I ate meat. As did everyone from my old world, but we did it out of necessity as our bodies needed the important nutrients that it has.”
“You still ate a living thing Jace.”
“True that we ate living things Clockwork, but you have to understand this though, my old race was the dominate race while animals around us could barely think, I mean sure, there were ones that were smarter than others, and even then there are some things that we could only eat. But you have to believe me on this Clockwork, if an animal could talk, then it would probably consider murder by some if we ate it.”
The last words calmed Clockwork down enough, but not completely. “You still ate meat though Jace.”
“And I'm not denying that, but since I'm a machine, you have nothing to fret about. Beside, I'm sure that pony has never been our menus-” at least not where I'm from that is, “and besides, meat isn't just the only thing my kind ate, we omnivores, so we eat fruit and vegetables along with grains and whatnot. There are even some that are completely... um, herbivores, like you, but they don't flowers or anything like that though.” This seemed to relax Clockwork a little more to the point she's not freaking about the new fact about Jace and his former kind.
“Okay, that's good to know at least,” Clockwork said and saw Jace relax his shoulders now that uncomfortable conversation is over with. Clockwork and Jace sat there in silence, both staring at each other until Clockwork started to giggle with Jace following soon after, till they both were laughing.
“Wow, we're an odd bunch, huh?” Jace said as he regain control of his laughs.
“Yes, yes we are,” Clockwork agreed as she wiped a foreleg across her face to wipe the tears away, but she immediately pulled her leg away from her face revealing a look of disgust, “ugh, that's horrid.”
“What, my cooking?” Jace asked confused.
“No, I stink, very badly. I smell like a timberwolf's bad morning breath.”
“It's a good thing that I don't have a nose anymore then, huh?”
Clockwork rolled her eyes before jumping off the couch and made her way to other door next to her bedroom as she said to Jace, “well everypony else does and I don't want them running away from me, now do I? So if you don't mind I'm going to wash myself if you don't mind.” She put a hoof on the doorknob and gave it a turn, swinging open the door to reveal a bathroom on the other side before stepping into and closing the door.
Jace soon heard the sound of running water coming from the other side of the door. “Wait, how did she just opened the door with a hoof? Ugh, great another question added to list of questions I already have.” He stood up and made his way outside to give Clockwork a little more privacy. He walked down the short walkway, passing by a pile of smashed up wood, and sat down on what appeared to be a body frame of some kind of vehicle, although it was completely rusted so Jace couldn't make out what type of vehicle it was suppose to be. Jace looked around at the junk yard, taking note of the many (but obvious failed, if he had to take a guess at the state they're in) inventions that mostly composed it, surprised at the near similarities of machines back Earth. “Wow, if any of these things worked-”
“Then she would all be in much greater danger,” a gruff voice interrupted him, causing Jace to looked towards where the voice came from. There he saw a much older gray stallion without the horn or wings, but looking as if he's been caught on fire a few times in his life, walking towards him with a slight limp in his step. “And discovered that much sooner as well.”
“Who are you?”
“I'm Forge and you must be Jace if I remember Frosting correctly,” Forge the pony said as he limped up to Jace and gave him the scrutiny look at the machine in front of him. “I have to say, Clockwork did an amazing job with you Jace, did you know that she only asked me to make the chest plate and helm that you're wearing right now? Glad that I went with the high grade steel instead of the low grade iron, because I didn't know know what exactly she was making at the time even though she said she's making a statue out of the junk she has.” Forge gave a quick glance around them at the mentioned junk pile. “Although she might have actually did for some of your parts now that I think about it.”
Jace couldn't tell if the pony was intentionally insulting him or not when he said, but he went for the latter as the pony suddenly pressed an ear to his chest. He was starting to get uncomfortable as the stallion held his head on his chest, before Jace could say anything about that, Forge suddenly removed his ear and glanced with a approved look, which then turned into a slight frown. “I'm no engineer, but I can tell a great piece of machinery when I see and hear one.”
“That's great and all, but I'm sorry if I'm being rude here gramps, but why are you here? Because I don't think you're hear to see how I tick.” Jace asked as he lowered himself to the stallion's eye level.
The stallion snorted at the remark of being called gramps, but didn't allow it to bother him much. “I'm here to give something to Clockwork.” Jace then saw that the stallion is wearing a single saddlebag on his side. “Before she needs to leave.”
“So your the one that told Clockwork that she needs to leave.” Jace now remembered seeing this pony in the hospital room before leaving it at the mention of Clockwork's mom.
“I wasn't the one, but nevertheless, I still agree to the fact that she needs to leave just the same.”
“Why though? This is her home, don't you care about her at all?”
A dark look appeared on Forge's face at Jace's words, and said in a rising tone of anger, “of course I do care about her, we all do. We're the only family that she has left in this town and it breaks our hearts to tell her to leave this place and to never come back.”
“Then why though?” Jace asked in an equally rising tone to match the pony's.
“To keep her safe!” The pony yelled at Jace, causing him to taken back at what the pony said as Forge quickly shut his eyes, forcing a couple of tears to roll from his eyes and down his cheeks. “It's to keep her safe Jace, she can't stay her now that they know about her. We tried to shield and protect her like we promised to her mother for all those years, but in the end we failed her and her mother and now the only way she could be safe if she leaves Ironwood Falls and never come back.”
Jace just sat there, watching the pony get a control of his emotions before facing Jace once again. “There's another reason why I'm here though Jace, because of you.”
“Because of me?”
“Yes, because Clockwork made you, or your body more exactly if what Frosting told us is true, those that are seeking Clockwork would seek after you as well, but with the power that you have, we're sure that the both of you will be safe.” The ironmonger took a breath to resolve the reason why he's here. “Jace, will you promise us, all those that care about Clockwork, that you would keep her safe unlike we were able to.”
Jace felt a lot of pressure as he contemplating the weight of the pony's words, feeling desperation and worry from the stallion, however he also saw a glimpse of hope in his eyes. Jace hung his head and let out a sigh before speaking. “I do kind of owe it to her after she gave me a second chance at life, albeit not the second chance I was imagining; a second chance nevertheless. But why me though? Why are you all risking to put Clockwork's safety in the hands of a complete stranger that you so far saw that can be more dangerous.”
“True, while you can be dangerous and even threatened somepony-” the image of a terrified Taunt Line came to Jace's mind, “-but you're kind as well, because even though you had no right to risk your life to save us, you did it anyway though. So I guess that's why we're asking you Jace, because if there's one thing we ponies do best is seeing the kindness in others... well ones that are not running away that is.”
Jace chuckled at the truth in the stallion's words, “I guess that's why you ponies are so friendly and trusting, well most of you anyway.”
Forge just shrug in response. “So will you promise us Jace that you'll look after Clockwork and keep her safe.”
“Well, seeing that we're stuck to each other from now on due to this crazy mess... I promise I'll keep her safe Forge.”
“Thank you, you have no idea how much this means to me and the others,” Forge thanked, gratitude now filling his voice.
“Jace, who are you talking to?” Clockwork's voice rang out of the door-less house as the silver unicorn herself followed soon after, with a towel in her magic that's in the process of drying her mane and face. When Clockwork removed the towel and saw Forge standing there, she stopped halfway down the path as she gave him a small glare. “Oh, it's you Forge, what are you doing here? And it better not be here to tell me to hit the road as soon as possible, or I swear to Celestia I'll throw something heavy at you.”
This caused the aged earth pony to quickly take a few cautious steps back away from the slightly peeved unicorn. “No no no, that isn't why I'm here. I'm here to give something to you,” he said as he reached into his saddlebag, pulling out a small box and holding it out to Clockwork in his hoof.
Clockwork's silver aura of magic appeared around her horn as the same color of magic wrapped around the small box, causing it to float out of Forge's hoof and floated towards Clockwork till it came to a stop in the air in front of her face. With a puzzled look, she flipped open the box and out floated a necklace with a pendent that looks like a gear broken in two, but the other half is missing though. “What is this?” Clockwork asked as she looked back at Forge.
“It belonged to your mom Clockwork.”
“It's my mom's?” Clockwork repeated as she looked back to the pendent with a quizzical look on her face. “But I don't remember her owning any jewelry though, let alone anything like this one, why do you even have it in the first place Forge.”
“She gave it to me when she suddenly one day came home a year or so after she left Ironwood Falls with a young filly and told me to give it to you when you're older Clockwork as she said that it belongs with you more than her.”
Clockwork glanced back at the pendent swinging in the air, looking as if dealing with mixed emotions, before letting out a sad sigh and levitating the necklace back into the box and snapped it shut before looking back at Forge, “I don't suppose you know where she went Forge?”
“I do not, sorry Clockwork. I wish I could tell you everything that we know about your mom Clockwork, but she had secrets and I believe that she doesn't want to, or couldn't, tell lest she puts those she loves in danger.”
Clockwork released another sigh of sadness. “Thanks Forge, I suppose we'll be dropping by your shop to pick up some supplies before leaving.”
“Yes, I suppose that you will. My shop will be open after hours, so you can come by then.” Forge then turned around and started limping away from Clockwork and Jace, but he stop after a few steps to give one last look back at Clockwork. “I wish that this doesn't have to be, we all do Clockwork, but we don't see another way that can guarantee both the safety of the townsfolk and you at the same time. I'm sorry,” he finished as he resumed walking away, favoring the limp as he made it down the street.
A moment later after Forge left, Clockwork spoke in a emotionless voice, “come on Jace, let's get you finally oiled. Don't want you to freeze up again.” She then suddenly turned around and quickly walked back into her home before Jace could say anything.
Jace got up and followed after Clockwork, feeling worried for the unicorn. When he walked through the door just to see Clockwork throw the small box on the counter, with little to no disregard of its contents or to those who owned it, as she pulled out a can of oil from under the sink in her magic. “Since you destroyed my table, you're going to have to sit on the floor so I can apply the oil to your joints,” she instructed Jace in the still same tone of voice.
“Is everything alright Clockwork?”
“Just sit down Jace already,” Clockwork repeated as she hung her head, hiding her face from Jace behind her mane. However, Jace picked up a hint of frustration this time, causing him to comply with the task that the unicorn gave him by sitting right there on the spot. Clockwork soon then went to work with the oil can on Jace's joints, occasionally asking Jace to extend an arm or do stretches for her as she worked, not once looking at Jace in the face.
When Clockwork finally finished with her oiling and made her way to put the oil can, Jace once again asked her what's on his mind, “is everything alright Clockwork?”
“Yeah... everything's alright,” she answered hesitantly as she put the can away and stood there, but Jace could tell that she's glancing at the small box in front of her. “Clockwork,” Jace said sternly causing Clockwork to slightly flinch. “My body of flesh and bone may had died, but it doesn't mean that my thinking has along with it. I know that something is bothering you Clockwork and it has something to do with your mom.” Jace saw Clockwork's body give a wince at the mention and knew that he hit right on the nail. He stood up and was relieved that the sound of metal on metal was now silenced as his oiled gears and joints smoothly slid across each other. “Now, I'm not forcing you to tell me anything right this moment, only when you feel like it though.”
Jace turned away from Clockwork and started to make his way towards the front door, but when reached the doorway, he stopped when he heard Clockwork started to speak, “I don't know who she is anymore.” Jace looked back at the unicorn and saw her now facing him with a hurt look on her face, “I just don't know who she is anymore Jace. I've been told many times that she loves me, but she hasn't been there for me ever since I was a filly when she ran away, which I thought is was my fault that she didn't love me anymore and disappeared in the first place. It's not helping either that not even the others doesn't know much about her or where she disappeared to, so how do I know that my mom really loves me when all I'm getting is vague information about her and things that she left behind for me?” Clockwork questioned as tears started to run from her eyes, causing her to cover her face with a foreleg to attempt to hide them but failing though, “I just don't know anymore.”
Jace walked towards Clockwork and knelt down beside the distraught pony, and wrapped a comforting arm around her. “Don't worry Clockwork, I'm sure that you're mom loves and cares about you very much, because why else she would put so much planning if anything were to happen to you?”
“I guess you're right,” Clockwork said as she took a calming breath. “I just want to know why she left though.”
Jace pondered what Clockwork told him when idea made itself known in Jace's head. He looked down at the silent unicorn. “Well you can ask her that when we find her.”
“Say what?” Clockwork said as she stared up at him with a confused look, unsure what she just heard Jace say.
“You can ask her yourself when we find her,” Jace repeated as he stood up. “We have to leave town anyway, might as well travel across, er... um, what's the name of this country?”
“It's called Equestria,” Clockwork answered, still confused at what Jace is trying to explain.
“Really, it's called Equestria? Well anyway, as I was saying; if we're going to be traveling across Equestria, we might as well have a purpose than traveling around pointlessly and picking up weird characters along the way.”
“But why though Jace? Why do you want to do this for me?” Clockwork questioned the automaton's want to comfort her and what he's suggesting.
“Because I lost my family Clockwork. I'm never going to be able to see my family or friends ever again since I can't go back,” Jace answered with sadness lacing his voice, causing Clockwork to consider that Jace had literally lost everything the moment when he'd died and was brought to this world, and then she thought of those that taken care of her for most of her life. “As for why I want to do this for you Clockwork, it's because you're my friend and had taken care of me for nearly a whole year, helping me to give me a second chance at life. I'll be forever grateful for that, and so I want to help you in return by helping you find your mom and get some answers to whatever is going on in this pastel colored world.”
Clockwork felt comforted by Jace's words even though some of it was a bit touch of a sad subject to begin with. “Thanks Jace, you're one of the few friends I have that actually does care about me. So I have to say I'm sorry for being a lousy friend as I've been self centered and inconsiderate recently, that I never considered what it must be like for you right now after you died and everything.”
“Hey, it's alright Clockwork. I understand completely, because I too know what it's like to have everything you known turned upside down.” Jace and Clockwork laughed at the commonality that they now both share.
“How do you do it Jace? How do you not let things bother you, especially after what happened yesterday?”
“I try not to let them Clockwork. I've been trying to see the good sides of every situation I've been in so far ever since I got here and to take one day at a time right now, because yesterday had just tried to kill me, so I don't want to know how today, let alone tomorrow, will try to whack me. So if I fret every little thing and focus on the bad things that happened, it's going to be a sure thing that I'm going to crack sooner rather than later, but also don't try to forget those bad things as well as they are need for one to learn and grow.”
“So you just basically smile and wave at every situation that comes your way and keep moving forward then?”
“Exactly, and also don't forget to laugh now and then too as well, for it's good for the soul you know?.” Clockwork couldn't help but smile at the wisdom, as well as the comfort, of Jace's words.
“Thanks Jace, that's a good advice to have an give.”
“No problem, it also helped that I already had my freak out moment when you were unconscious after I found out that I've been dead for nearly a year and was brought to life in a land of colorful talking magical horses.” Jace said as he started to laugh, but was cut off when he was rewarded with a wrench hurled at his head with a clang of metal, causing Jace to fall and hit the floor with an earth shaking crash soon followed by the wrench. Jace craned his head off the floor and at Clockwork to see her standing there with an annoyed look on her face. “What was that for?”
“We prefer to be called ponies Jace, not horses.”
“Alright yeesh, you didn't need to hit me with a wrench anyway Clockwork.” Jace said as he got up from the floor. “Where did you even get one that quick by the way?”
“My home is filled with many tools to build machines Jace, of course I can find a tool fast and had to for that horse comment you made.”
“Is it really that bad of an insult?” Jace questioned as Clockwork walked past him.
“It just might be me, but I suggest that if you value your second life, you wouldn't repeat making a horse comment around anypony else,” Clockwork replied back as she stepped through the door while calling back to Jace. “Now come on Jace, if we're going to be traveling, we're going to need some supplies and the day is already half over.”
Jace stood there, trying to understand what just happened. This world is going to drive me insane pretty soon, Jace thought as he dropped the issue and followed the unicorn, but not before hitting the door frame on the way out, leaving with angry remarks as he followed after her.
…
“You know Jace, this would be a big hassle for me on my own, but with you here though, this is easy, and we're making great time as well.”
“I don't think my second chance of life is to be a pack animal,” Jace silently mumbled to himself as he followed after Clockwork down the main market street, carrying a series of bags that has been accumulating in Jace's arms after a few hours of shopping for their leave of Ironwood Falls, not even feeling the weight he's been carrying around what seems to a few hours, although, I guess there are some advantages of being a machine. When the townsfolk learned that Clockwork was leaving, they received a lot of mixed reactions ranging from to those that were surprised and begged her to stay, causing Clockwork to sadly explain to them why she needs to leave, to even some boldly declaring that they are finally getting rid of the source of their misfortunes and bad luck, although they quickly became silent when they noticed Jace's tall imposing form announce itself from behind Clockwork. Many gave Clockwork the supplies she asked for either free of charge or a lower price, albeit the last is due to the ponies that bad-mouthed about Clockwork before noticing Jace looking at them, while the rest did it out of kindness.
After Jace guessed what felt like another hour or so had passed by following around Clockwork looking for anymore much needed supplies for their journey, Clockwork stopped and took note of the position of the sun in the sky before looking towards Jace, “It's almost time for us to head over to Forge's, but there's one stop I need to make before we do though.” Clockwork then started to walk away before Jace could say anything, compelling him to reluctantly follow after her. They made their way out of the market and to the center of town, earning raised brows from some while others who got word of Clockwork's departure were sadden by the sight of them. Clockwork stopped in front of classic looking bakery called The Sweet Shoppe that's stuck between what looks like a bar and a music store, Jace then noticed the names of the buildings and couldn't help but laugh a little at the absurdity before him.
“Wow, talk about being stuck between a “Rock” and a “Hard Place”, this shop it literally there.”
Clockwork felt the contagious infection of laughter creeping in and was soon laughing along with Jace. “I know right, I once asked Frosting why she set up shop here and she told me that it would be funny and couldn't let the opportunity pass by to get some laughs out of it everytime she looks at it.”
“So this is your Pegasus friend's shop then. Well it kind of does makes since since her name is Frosting and that she looks like she has been taste testing to many sweets of her's.”
“Yes she does, doesn't she?” Clockwork agreed as she took a breath. “She's also been a good friend to me even despite the circumstances she was under when my mom made her promise to be that kind of friend to me.”
“So she agrees as well that you need to leave for your safety, as well as for the others, then too as well?”
“Yes and at the time I was upset and said some things that I shouldn't have said to her and I don't want to depart on hard feelings.”
Jace nodded, understanding what Clockwork wants to so. “I'll wait out here for you,” Jace said as he made his to a tree across the street and set down their supplies by it before setting himself on the ground and leaned against the tree in a relaxed manner. Jace saw Clockwork once more take in a deep breath before stepping through the door and into the bakery.
…
Clockwork looked around the empty bakery, seeing that everything is the same and that nothing physical had change, but Clockwork can feel that the atmosphere has completely changed from it's usual and seemingly present uplifting and cheerful environment to that of sadness and regret. “Frosting, are you here?” A sudden sound from the kitchen alerted Clockwork that the shop isn't empty as she assumed and that somepony is here.
“Clockwork, is that you?” the familiar, but less than cheerful, voice called out from the back before the owner of the voice herself stepped through the door. Clockwork held in a gasp when she the tear-streaked cheeks and red eyes of cried tears face of her friend. “It is you, but why are you here though, I thought you would never come back?”
“I came to apologize to my best friend Frosting.” Clockwork stated as she walked up to the counter. “I'm sorry for about all the things I said back at the hospital, I've been so self-centered and inconsiderate that I didn't realize what you, or the others for that matter, must have been put through all this time, will you forgive me?”
“It is I who's suppose to be asking you for forgiveness Clockwork,” Frosting said as she stepped around the counter. “It's true what you said about us being friends, I shouldn't have kept this secret from you all this time.”
“No, I understand Frosting, you did it to keep me safe for my mom. I've just been so inconsiderate that I never thought about how everypony else might be feeling or experiencing around me till someone showed me that his life is just as messed up as mine now, maybe even more.” Clockwork said as she hung her head. “I'm sorry Frosting, I've been an ungrateful and uncaring friend.”
Clockwork felt a wing wrap around her as her friend's voice spoke up. “Clockwork, I know you well enough, even more than yourself sometimes, that your actions were justified for I completely understand, especially after all that happened yesterday. So I accept your apology, but I too must ask for forgiveness from you, for I knew that you'll be taking this harder out of all of us the longer it sat and waited.”
Clockwork looked up and saw a warm smile across her friend's face as some of her cheerful personality returned to her eyes. She felt a small smile make it's way to her face, feeling it start to grow as Clockwork fully embraced her friend in return. “I do, thank you for always being there for me Frosting.”
“Thank you for forgiving me Clockwork.” Frosting replied back in return. “I just wish though that you can stay here though, but we know that's not a possibility right now, because you're probably going have to leave town soon, huh?”
Clockwork looked up to a nearby clock hanging on the wall and saw the time, telling her that her time to meet up with Forge is nearing. “Yeah we are, we have to meet up with Forge soon so we might leave tomorrow morning as I'm putting everypony in more danger the longer I linger in town.”
Frosting broke their embrace and faced Clockwork. “I understand Clockwork. Hey, maybe whenever this problem is all cleared up, you can come back,” she said hopefully, looking on the bright side of the situation, reminding Clockwork of Jace's ideology, which then caused her to smile.
“Yeah, that would be great Frosting. Well, I have to go now, but I'm glad that we were able to make up so that there wasn't any hard feelings between us.”
“Me too as well Clockwork, so I'll see ya soon then?” Frosting asked as Clockwork started to make her way to the front entrance.
“Count on it. Bye Frosting.”
“Goodbye Clockwork,” Clockwork heard her friend said as she stepped out of the store, the feeling of cheerfulness once again present as she left.
Clockwork looked towards where she last saw Jace and there she saw a small crowd of foal hanging around the automaton. She made her towards the group and as she neared it, she could hear Jace talking, “leave me alone already, and shouldn't all of you be in school or something?” He asked the crowd of foals.
“There's no school today because it's a Saturday,” a foal from the group quickly replied back in response. “Now, can you show us how you made that sword that you used to beat that huge timberwolf?” This was followed by the rest of the foals agreeing and then started to ask Jace to show them the sword as well.
Clockwork smiled as she heard Jace groan at his failed attempt for some peace and decided to intervene. “Okay you little ones, it's time to leave Jace alone, we have some things to do and I''m sure that you all still have schoolwork despite what happened yesterday.” This earned her a series of moans and complains from the foal, but Clockwork ignored their cries as she shook her head and shooed them away, which they all reluctantly complied.
“Thanks for that Clockwork?” Jace said as he stood up, now freed of curious foals, and gathered up their supplies. “They're adorable, but they can be sometimes be overbearing.”
“Of course they can be, they're foals, how did you expect them to act?” Clockwork questioned as she motioned for Jace to follow her. “Now come on, it's almost time for us to meet up with Forge.”
Clockwork lead Jace, following the familiar path she had taken multiple time before. This is going to be my last time taking this way to Forge's, Clockwork solemnly thought as they made their way to the earth pony's forge. They arrived at the forge and made their way inside, but when Jace's hunched form was halfway through the doorway, the sound of cannon fire ranged as soon as Clockwork stepped inside, causing Jace to quickly shot up straight, smashing his head through the header of the door and into the wall, causing stone and wood to shower around Jace just as the ironmonger himself stepped into the room.
Forge stood there in silence as he stared at Jace and the apparent destruction he just caused to his shop before sighing and looked at Clockwork with a smile frown, whom the latter gave him a sheepish smile in return. “It never cease to amazes me how anything you built and brought to my store always in one way another cause damage that I have to fix Clockwork.”
“It wasn't her fault Forge, your doorbell just surprised me is all.”
Forge shook his head, “just forget about it, I got used to repairing my shop on multiple occasions. But that's not why I asked you to come by Clockwork.” The aged earth pony walked around the counter and ducked behind it. Clockwork could hear Forge rustling around underneath the counter before coming back up with a small wrapped package in his hooves. “Archive asked me to get this from the library and to deliver it to you since he's still in the hospital and all.”
“What's in it?” Clockwork asked as the package was wrapped in silvery glow of her magic as it levitated off the counter and towards her.
“I don't know and neither does Archive, he said that he got the package from your mom about a week after she left, with a letter containing instructions to not open it and to give it to you Clockwork if something should ever happen to you. We didn't know what that meant, but I guess now we do,” Forge said as he cleared his throat before continuing. “So anyway, we have no idea what's inside it.”
Clockwork returned her attention back to the package in her magic and proceeded to unwrap the package, revealing a box with her intertwined gears cutie mark adorning the cover. Clockwork was confused as she stared at the mark on the box that is identical to her cutie mark adorning her flanks. “Forge, you said that Archive got the package close to week after she left, right?”
“Yeah, why are you asking?”
Clockwork didn't answer the stallion's question as she continue speaking, “and I didn't get my cutie mark till a few days after she left, correct?”
“That's correct, where are you going with this Clockwork?” Forge questioned as he stepped around the counter and walked up next to the unicorn.
“If my mom was gone by the time I got my cutie mark, then how does she know what my cutie mark is.”
“That isn't possible Clockwork, nopony can know one's cutie mark before it appears when a pony discovers their destiny...” Forge started to point out, but fell silent when Clockwork showed him the cover of the box. “But that isn't possible.”
“Well somehow it is, not only did my mom knew what subjects I'll express interests in, she somehow knew what my cutie mark looks like exactly even though she wasn't there to see me get it. How does she know a lot about me when she wasn't there with me?”
“I don't know Clockwork,” Forge answered. “Your mom apparently knew something that we all don't, more especially about you though.” the aged earth pony let out a sigh at the mystery of Clockwork's mother deepens, “I wish I could help you find the answers to your questions Clockwork, but I don't know where to even look for them, none of us do.”
Clockwork felt a small frown started to appear as she looked at the box in her magic, confusion dominating her thoughts about her mom as her unanswered questions started to pile up against her mother. Clockwork let out a exasperated sigh and glanced back to Jace, remembering the promise he made to her earlier today, causing her frown to turn into a small smile as she remembered the feelings of comfort from his promise. She looked back to Forge and gave him a hug before saying, “well, thank you anyway Forge, for everything you and the others did for me, but I suppose it's now time for us head home so we can prepare to leave tomorrow morning.”
“It's alright Clockwork,” Forge said as he returned the hug, “I'm sorry for everything that has to happen lately and wish we could help, unfortunately there's nothing we can do though, but that doesn't mean that can't hope for the best for you.”
“Thanks Forge,” Clockwork said as she broke the hug, “well we have to get going now.”
“I understand, goodbye Clockwork and be safe,” Forge responded back as Clockwork and Jace started to leave the forge.
Clockwork stopped halfway through the door before looking back one last time at her friend, “I will, oh and next time you see Archive, tell him that I'm sorry and thanks for everything he'd done for me.”
“Will do.”
“Thanks Forge, goodbye and hopefully that I'll be able to see you again someday,” Clockwork said as she faced forward and walked out of the store for the last time. Clockwork meet up with Jace who was waiting for her as she said her goodbye. “I guess this is it then, huh Jace?”
“Yup.”
“I suppose we should get back and get ready to leave tomorrow then huh?”
“Yup,” Jace repeated with a nod, which Clockwork responded back with a nod of her own in understanding. Clockwork silently started making her way back to her home once more with Jace in tow. After a moment of silence, Jace asked her a question that has been on his mind since Clockwork's conversation with Forge. “Hey quick question Clockwork, what's a cutie mark?”
…
“So a cutie mark is basically a stamp on your butt that defines who you are and what you're going to do with the rest of your life then?” Jace said simplifying what Clockwork had explained to him what a cutie mark is as they were making their way back to Clockwork's home, as well as Clockwork being surprised to learn from Jace that there's nothing like it back on his old world, but wince when he mentioned about tattoos and how they're applied.
“That's crudely putting it, but yes,” Clockwork confirmed as they arrived at her home.
“My god, that would be a nightmare,” Jace stated as he followed Clockwork inside as she ignited the candles throughout the home to give them light. “I'd understand if you have a passion for what you're doing, but if you don't and stuck with something that bores ya, you're still stuck with it no matter what.”
“Everypony can still do other things that interests them,” Clockwork objected as she set the packages on the counter next to the small box containing the pendent before looking back at Jace who's setting their supplies on the floor. “For example; one could have a talent for painting or flying, but has the passion for cooking or being an animal caretaker instead and they do just as great as to what their cutie marks may tell otherwise. So just because their cutie mark tells them what their talent is doesn't mean that they're confined to a rut with it for the rest of their lives.”
“I suppose that makes it better, I guess,” Jace said still unsure of the fact of cutie marks. “I just still can't wrap my head around that you ponies will base your life around something that can dictate you whole life.”
“I can't believe that you have nothing like it back in your old world, just wondering around with no idea in mind of what to do,” Clockwork countered before shuddering at a thought. “And don't ever speak of tattoos again, it's freaky that you'll do something like that to your bodies.”
“It's a lifestyle choice, so only some do it,” Jace explained as he started to organize their supplies for their unavoidable exodus from town. “Hey Clockwork, are you going to open the package that you got from your mom?”
“Oh... yeah sure,” Clockwork said as she levitated the package she got from Forge off the counter and towards her. She removed the lid of box, revealing several items inside it. Clockwork removed them from the box and splayed them out in her magic revealing what the objects are: an enclosed envelope with the unicorn's name on it, a compass, what looks like several maps, and a strange looking thin cylindrical shaped piece of metal. The envelope getting her attention first, Clockwork set the compass and maps on the counter as she brought it close to her so that she could give it a closer look. “It looks like a letter.”
Jace watched Clockwork open the envelope and sure enough she pulled out a letter and a photo along with it, she then started to read the letter. As Jace watched the unicorn read the letter that's apparently from her mom if Jace had to take a guess, he saw her eyes starting to get teary as she let her magically grip dropped the letter and the photo, not once looked at it, as she turned away from him and started to walk towards her room. “I'm going to bed Jace, so don't bother me till morning when we need to leave.” Jace quickly took note of the upset hint behind her barely controlled tone of voice, so he didn't say anything as Clockwork stepped into her room and closed the door behind her, cutting them both off from each other.
Curious, the former human stood up and walked to the dropped letter, silently grateful that Clockwork had oiled his joints so that he won't make any unnecessary noises. He reached for the letter and saw that it is written with hast as if the writer didn't have much time and was crying as well if the few smears here and there of long dried tear stains was any indicator. It was still legible however, so he started to read it in the soft glow of candlelight...
'Dear Clockwork... If you're reading this, that means that you were put in danger recently and I'm sorry, for the cause is of my doing, but know that I never intentionally wanted any harm to come to you as I was trying to keep you safe. You're probably confused about everything and have questions about me, but I can't reveal anything without fear that I won't be putting you or the others in danger. I'm sorry Clockwork, but if something had happened to you, I don't think the others that I put your care in will ever forgive themselves, even I couldn't live with myself if some harm did come to you because of me. So that's why, enclosed in the package, are several objects that you will need if my fears are a reality, you'll eventually figure out what they are because your a bright filly, reminding me of myself when I was your age.
Clockwork... you're probably hurt that I left you all of a sudden and I'm sorry, all I can hope is that I'll be able to deal with this problem soon so that I embrace my sweet little filly once more without the ghosts of the past haunting me. It pains me to no end that there's a chance I might never see my little filly again, so if everything goes as plan, then I'll be home within the week and get rid of this letter as if it never had existed as I make it up to you for disappearing the last few days without the fear of losing you being in my heart again, but if I don't however... know that I love you so much Clockwork, and please... forgive me.
With a love and hope to see you soon, your mom,
-Aurora Gearwork.'
If Jace still had a body of flesh and blood, he was sure that he'll be crying right now due to the message that the letter contained. However, he could still feel and right now he's feeling great sadness and worry for Clockwork if the letter was any hint to what may have happened to her mom all those years ago. Jace looked away from the letter and towards the silent door of Clockwork's room and worriedly thought for the unicorn behind it, I hope that she'll be okay.
He then noticed the photo on the floor, causing him to reach for it...
…
Clockwork doesn't know how long she's been laying there in her bed, but she has to say that it must have been hours from the way the light of the setting sun gradually made its way across her bedroom wall until it faded away, leaving the light of the rising moon starting to shine through her window and make its way down the path the sun had taken. All the while hearing Jace moving around in the room next door, probably packing and some cooking by the sound of it. The recent memory of the message from her mom once again made its way back, causing Clockwork to once more shed some tears into her already tear soaked pillow as she tried to suppress the anguish wail deep within her as the meaning of the letter made itself known to her once again.
She had really loved me all this time, but that doesn't matter if she's dead though, Clockwork thought as she rolled in her bed and stared into the distance in the raising darkness. She then remembered the promise that Jace made to her earlier that day and scoffed at the idea of it, what good will it do to find somepony for answers if they're dead? I don't know what to do anymore, I'm left in the dark with no answers of what I need to do. What am I to do?
'Try to look for the good in every situation,' Clockwork's ears quickly perked up at the sound of Jace's voice as she sat up in her bed. She looked around her room, she saw nothing but shadows that couldn't hide his metal form. She laid there quietly, listening to see if Jace had said anything, but she was rewarded with only silence as the automaton had already became silent almost an hour ago. She leaned back down on her pillow and contemplated the words of advice that Jace had also given her earlier that day. “Okay, I'll give it a try I guess. Let's see here... she sent a letter, even despite that I got it years later. She just didn't abandon me like I thought she did, because she actually wanted to keep me safe from her past. Sh-she was upset that she was leaving me because she... loves me, mom loves me and wanted to come back.” When she said that, she felt warmth spreading through her as a small smile started to make it way to her face. 'Now don't forget laugh... it's good for the soul, you know?' Clockwork let a small chuckle escaped her throat as she remembered Jace's final advice as she laid there, enjoying the feeling of knowing that she was loved.
A small groan from her stomach suddenly erupted from her stomach, reminding Clockwork that she skipped dinner and the fact that she cried up to now had made her rather hungry. She then remember the sounds of Jace cooking something, inspiring her to climb out of bed and make her to her bedroom door. She opened the door and was about to step out when she saw that there's a covered plate on the floor at the base of her door. Picking up the plate in her magic, she removed the cover and was greeted by the sight of a couple of sandwiches underneath.
“Sorry, it isn't much.” Clockwork looked away from the sandwiches and at Jace who's sitting just outside the doorway and staring into the night sky. “Most of the dishes I know how to cook involve meat in one way or another, heck even those sandwiches suppose to have meat in the original recipe, but I replaced it with something you ponies call hay bacon, so I suppose it'll make do.”
“It's alright, thanks Jace,” Clockwork said as she walked up to him and leaned against the door frame as she levitated a sandwich off the plate and took a bite out of it, enjoying nice fresh crispiness of the lettuce and tomato, accompanied by the salty taste of the hay bacon and crunchiness of the toasted bread. When Jace didn't move once as Clockwork ate, she followed where he's looking to and saw the bright full moon, surrounded by many bright stars in the sky. She quickly finished the sandwich before asking Jace, “So what are you doing out here Jace?”
“Just enjoying the night sky you ponies have,” Jace answered. “I've always been kind of a night owl, so I always enjoyed nights like this, but the night skies back on my old world isn't anything like this one, it's like someone had just painted it. Also it's a nice way to pass the time as I just recently discovered, maybe it's because I'm now a machine and all, the need of sleep isn't there anymore. I can still sleep though, it's just it isn't a needed necessity anymore.”
“That's really interesting, I never thought that being in this body will change some of your mental thoughts on things like that,” Clockwork said as she too gaze up at the moon.
After a moment of silence between the two, Jace broke it as he spoke, “Clockwork... I read the letter.” The unicorn's ears splayed back at the mention of the letter, but Jace didn't noticed as he continue talking, “I could tell that your mom loved you and I know that I promised you that we're going to find her. However, the way the letter was written, that might be a promise that I couldn't keep, but there's a possibility that your mom might still be alive though Clockwork.”
“What do you mean Jace? There was chance that she wouldn't make it back home.”
“That doesn't mean that she's dead though,” Jace retorted as he finally looked away from the moon and towards the unicorn next to him. “I felt a lot of love from that letter, hurt to as well, but there was also hope. She wanted to come back Clockwork, so I think she's still alive and I think that this proves it.”
Clockwork saw him reach out his hand and opened it, revealing the photo that was inside the envelope with the letter that she completely forgot about. She took the photo in her magic and brought it into the light that's flooding out of her home and onto the walkway. When she saw the photo, she couldn't help but let out a stifled cry at the sight of it. It was a faded photo of an older unicorn mare that's smiling as she embracing a small filly with a silver coat and golden mane that's playing with a puzzle cube in her hooves with a look of concentration that Clockwork immediately knew who the ponies in the photo are. Below the pair of unicorns was something that made Clockwork put a hoof to her mouth as her sight became watery, tears threatening to fall any moment. For there, written in ink is a simple message...
I'm coming back home to my little filly, no matter what.
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MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
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Italics got messed up halfway through, so half of the story is in italics. Otherwise, great chapter, I enjoyed it! Can't wait for more.
4878496 there fixed, thanks for letting me know
The adventure continues. I'm looking forward to the next chapter :D
5194598 actually, the adventure is about to start
Not as great as it could be. I saw many grammar and spelling errors that... well, were the reasons for this being one of the less popular chapters on this fic.
5195822 I'm sorry that this chapter wasn't to your expectations due to the grammar and such, if you can point out the errors that should be fixed, theb I'll see what I can do to fix them.
5196488 ... Yeah, there's too many to point out.
5197697 then if you're not going to point them out, don't complain as we all aren't perfect and let them be a reminder for me since I don't have a proofreader anymore that I need to work harder to make sure that there aren't any errors before I update.
5197802 didn't know that you didn't have a proofreader. In that case I salute you for doing your best and striving to become better.img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111107190743/fallout/images/3/31/Rainbow_dash_tank_salute_2.png
5203744 thank you, I try to make sure that my chapters are of the best quality of my ability. I hope that you'll enjoy this story in the future.
5203772 I'll try to. And I'll try to point out the worst of the mistakes so you can become better sooner
5203826 thank you
Nice job with the story! Keep it up.
5293008 thanks, I will
I've decided that your story deserves to be featured in the group's front page to celebrate that you are updating again. You can see it here
5334018 thank you :'-)
You know since hes a robot does that make him immortal meaning he will one day outlive his friends and who will oil him then? i am sorry but this is the only question i have had since the start of the story
5458096 ssh, don't point out that fact already, not many people caught that fact. I already have something that addresses that fact
5463017 ok ill keep quiet
*pokes with hoof* Is it... is it dead?
5640021 nope
life has been getting in the way a lot
5641580 ok hope you can find time to get the defibrillator..if thats ok with you that is
5643484 don't worry, I'm still writing it, it is just taking me longer than usual
That would need LSD.
8695543
It is, Fate is name of a god from another story of mine and got them mixed up and never got around to fixing it, you're the only one that ever mentioned it