Rugia

After the party at the castle, Rugia and Candace went home to Ponyville. They were happy to get home because of the exhaustion they felt. When the carriage disappeared from sight, Candace went inside to ready herself for bed. Candace felt that Rugia was starting to loosen up since leaving Earth. He hadn’t smiled as much as he did tonight since when their marriage first started. Candace climbed into bed and was ready for sleep. However, Rugia was not in the house. Candace knew he had gone to the restricted section of his lab to check on the SCS series. She knew they wouldn’t do any harm to him or herself. But they still frightened her. Even she had concerns that one of the SCS’s would leave the lab. Candace heard the front door open and could hear Rugia talking to what didn’t sound like R-17.

“Alright you two, “He said, “one of you can guard the entry of the house and the other in the living room.” As Rugia said this, R-17 came running into the bedroom and jumped onto the bed and hid under the covers. He began making a small robotic whimper. Candace knew that if R-17 was scared and hiding under something it meant only one thing. Rugia gave the SCS series permission to guard the house itself. Rugia came into the bedroom but looked out of the room to tell one of the sentries to stay in the living room. These robots were masters of stealth because Candace could never be able to hear one coming, even though she was a fox. R-17 was terrified of the SCS series and made sure to avoid them as much as possible. The reason for the SCS’s being in the house was because they worried about Rugia being gone for several hours and wanted to be close to him. They also didn’t trust the residents of Ponyville. According to Rugia one of the sentries had gotten out of the lab to spy on the residents. Being in a new environment made them more defensive. Rugia comforted R-17 and laid down for bed himself.

Later that night Candace woke up and laid in bed awake for a while. Since it was a new place she couldn’t sleep hardly. She laid on her back and thought about her new friends. She remembered how Rarity wanted her come by the store so she could try to make a dress for her to ware. Candace looked forward to it. When Candace turned to look at her sleeping husband, her eyes stopped on a pair of alien-like eyes in the door way that glowed red instead of green like R-17’s. One of the security sentries was watching them. Since the house was so dark she could only see its’ eyes. When she blinked the eyes were gone, the robot had vanished as quickly as it had been noticed. Candace found it hard to go back to sleep, the fact that one of the sentries had been watching them worried her. She could tell by that one’s behavior that they were getting restless.

The next day there was no sign of the SCS series, it was as if they were never in the house to begin with. Rugia said they had gone back to the lab and haven’t come out since last night.

“Rugia,” Candace hesitated, “One of the security sentries was watching us last night.” Candace was looking at Rugia with a look of worry.

Rugia continued to flip eggs on the skillet, “I know, I saw him too.” Rugia tossed the eggs onto a plate and handed it to Candace and started on his own. “That was SCS-1 in the doorway last night. He’s kind of nervous about being in an unfamiliar environment, so it’s making him get a little too defensive.” SCS-1 was the first of the SCS series, he’s the leading sentry of the series. SCS-1 was also very protective of his creator Rugia. Come to think of it, all five of the SCS series were very protective of Rugia and the rest of the house.

Rugia sat down at the table with his breakfast to join his wife. Other than the discussion on SCS-1’s behavior, they discussed what was on today’s agenda. Candace had to meet Rarity to have a dress crafted for her; Rarity seemed very excited to try to make a dress for a being that wasn’t a pony. Rugia had been invited to Sweet Apple Acers to meet Apple Jack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash to get a tour of the town. Of course he also had to do some arranging in his lab. Boxes were still cluttering the place do to the unpacking needing to being finished. Rugia stepped out of the house to begin his day. Opening the garage door and hopping into a red Ferrari sports car that he had designed himself. The engine started and he drove off in the direction of the farm.

At the farm, Apple Jack had just finished the last touches on the paint-job for the barn. Upon exiting the barn, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy arrived.

“Has he arrived yet?” asked Rainbow. Rainbow has been wanting to know more about Rugia since the party. She still felt as if he was still hiding something but didn’t want to treat him like a bad guy anymore.

“No, not yet.” replied Apple Jack while closing the barn door.

“I’m so excited to show him all the cute animals I have.” said Fluttershy.

“I would like to see what other inventions he has.” Rainbow was astounded when she saw R-17, and was hoping to see more of what Rugia had in his lab.

“He’ll get here when he get’s here.” Apple Jack blew a puff of air to get her hair out of her face, “We jus’ have to wait fer Rugia to get here.”

Right as Apple Jack finished speaking, Rugia came driving up in his car. “Well Rainbow,” Apple Jack said looking at the unusual contraption that came to a stop in front of them. “looks like you got yer’ wish.”

“Hey Apple Jack,” Rugia climbed out of the car, “how are you?”

“I’m fine.” replied Apple Jack still looking at Rugia’s car.

“How about you Rainbow?” Rugia locked the doors on his car. “What’s up, other than you and the sky?”

“Only the excitement of seeing more of your inventions!” Rainbow flew over next to Apple Jack.

I’ll make sure to show you today.” he said walking over to Fluttershy. “So how are you feeling today Fluttershy?”

“I’m doing great.” she said quietly. “I’m so excited to show you the animals I have.”

Rugia pulled out his PDA and began typing on it. “We can add that to the list of things to do today.” he said putting his PDA back in his pocket. “So let’s get going.”

With that the four of them set out on foot to town. While in Ponyville, they viewed everything. From simple residential homes to businesses. Upon entering Sugar Cube Corner, they were greeted by Pinkie, who had been raiding the sweets again. Rugia was offered deserts to try and gladly sat down for a piece of red velvet. Afterwards Pinkie joined them as they made their way to Twilight’s house, where they were greeted by Spike. Twilight was deep in her studies, and when no one could get her attention Rugia slammed a book on the table next to her. Which scared Twilight into knocking the stack of books next to her over. After the unexpected greeting and tour of the house, the six of them headed to Rarity’s house. When they arrived, Candace had already been fit into a very beautiful dress made by Rarity. Candace was very pleased with it and so was Rugia. He stated that the dress reminded him of their prom night in high school. Rainbow was getting fidgety and was wanting to see Rugia’s lab, and so were the others.

“Pardon the mess I still have to finish unpacking.” Rugia said leading them into his lab.

“We’d be happy to help you unpack Rugia.” said Twilight. Rugia took the offer and began opening boxes. Within an hour they had organized most of the lab. Rarity noticed a door with the word “restricted” on it.

“Rugia,” she said, “What is behind this door here?”

“That is the restricted section of my lab,” He said, “that room contains inventions that are used for emergencies and the generator powering the house.”

“Would you mind showing us?” she smiled.

“No,” he shook his head, “that room is far too dangerous to take all of you in there.”

“What could possibly be in there that could be so dangerous?” Rarity looked back at the door.

“Ok Rarity,” Rugia said calmly, “I’ll let you go in there so you can be target practice for my security sentries I warned you about.”

Rarity’s expression changed, “Oh…. right…. I forgot about them.”

“So that’s where you keep the SCS series to guard your lab?” Twilight stared at the door.

“Yeah,” Rugia answered with the same look of dread as last night, “like I said last night, they will target what ever isn’t part of the household. It‘s best to just leave them alone.”

“I want to see one of them up close!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“What part of “leave the sentries alone” do you not understand Rainbow Dash?” snapped Rugia. “I am warning you, stay away from the restricted part of the lab.”

The rest of the time was spent finishing with the organizing of the lab and Rugia took the time to introduce them to his small, robotic assistant named Vox. Who had been wedged under Rugia’s fusion reactor. Vox ranted on and on about Rugia putting him in a box and forgetting he was in there. Rugia got Vox to calm down and the one foot tall robot started floating around the room making sure everything was in order. While Rugia continued to show them the rest of his work, Vox began singing “Banana Phone” and R-17 was playing the tune for it. After show and tell was over, Rugia was knee deep in animals at Fluttershy’s cottage. The sight of so many animals was quite a joy to him. Rugia spent a couple of hours with Fluttershy before retrieving his car and returning home.

Later at a café, Rainbow and Apple Jack sat discussing the day they had with Rugia. Rainbow was still focused on the mysterious security sentries. It kept her in a state of suspense. Even though Rugia warned them about the sentries, she still wanted to catch a glimpse of one. After talking Apple Jack into going with her to Rugia’s house in an attempt to see one, they set out for the restricted section of the lab.

“Rainbow this is crazy,” Apple Jack said as they headed for the back entrance to the restricted part of the lab. “Rugia told us to stay away from there.”

“Relax AJ,” Rainbow replied with a confident smile, “we can just peek through the window. Besides, if one does attack we can out run it easily.”

Apple Jack was as curious as Rainbow Dash was, but didn’t want to risk her life to see one, “This is the most foolish thang y'all have ever talked me into do’n Rainbow.”

“Oh quit you complaining AJ.” Rainbow rolled her eyes and trotted for the back window.
As they approached the back window, Apple Jack tried to reason with Rainbow one more time. Unfortunately, Rainbow was already looking through the window. Inside the room was very dark, which made seeing anything close to impossible. Rainbow squinted to try and at least see the form of one. Apple Jack however, was constantly looking around in hopes that they wouldn’t be attacked by a free-roaming sentry, or caught by Rugia. All though she would rather Rugia to come and talk some sense into Rainbow Dash.

“Hey Apple Jack I see one!” she said nudging Apple Jack.

“You do?” asked Apple Jack as she too placed her front hooves on the window seal to look in.

Sure enough they saw the shadow of a robotic figure moving in-between objects. They couldn’t see its’ details because of the darkness of the room, even with the four o’clock sun out. They continued to watch it move about the room, Rainbow was ecstatic to actually see one. Apple Jack was watching it hoping it would not notice them, but it appeared to be focused on what it was doing. The sentry disappeared without a trace, and brought up the question of where it went.

“Ok,” Apple Jack got back down on all fours and faced away from the window, “We saw one, now let’s get out’a here.”

“Alright,” Rainbow huffed as she joined Apple Jack, “You have to admit, it was cool to at least see one of them.”

“Even though it was against Rugia’s wishes,” said Apple Jack, “ah’ have to say it was pertty some-”

CRASH!

Before Apple Jack could finish her response one of the security sentries came smashing through the back window. Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack got a good look at it this time. Unlike R-17, this sentry was at least five feet tall, its’ color was solid black, the head was the shape of an arrow head with three points in the back. It had a thin torso, like R-17, and four spider-like legs. Its’ for-arms were bulky and the fingers looked like they could stab through solid metal. On its’ right arm was its’ name; SCS-1.

Before either of them could react, SCS-1 came charging at Rainbow so quickly she didn’t have time to react. However, when SCS-1 got within five feet of Rainbow, Apple Jack kicked him in the head. SCS-1 ceased his attack on Rainbow, and turned on Apple Jack. Apple Jack tried for another hit on SCS-1, but the sentry grabbed both her legs and broke the bone in them. Apple Jack let out a wale of agony and SCS-1 knocked her to the ground sending her hat across the lawn. Rainbow could only watch in horror as SCS-1 began brutally beating Apple Jack.

“All unauthorized intruders will be eliminated,” SCS-1 said as he slammed Apple Jack’s head against the ground.

SCS-1 held Apple Jack in the air by her neck. Time seemed to slow down as SCS-1’s right arm changed into a sword and he stabbed it through Apple Jack. Her eyes widened and she gasped in pain. For Rainbow it was if time froze for that moment. SCS-1 removed his sword and threw Apple Jack against a tree, where she hit the ground and lay motionless.

“APPLE JACK!!!” Rainbow shrieked with terror. As she looked at her dieing friend, Rainbow began regretting ever talking her into coming with her to see the sentries. She got her wish of seeing one up close, but the result could cost them their lives. Rainbow couldn’t move, she was frozen with terror at the sight of the vicious killing machine in front of her. With no time to react, the sentry tackled Rainbow to the ground. Its arm changed into a machine gun. All Rainbow could do, was lay there and wait for her fate and wish she had listened to Rugia when he warned about the sentries.

“STOP SCS-1, STAND DOWN!” cried the terrified voice of Rugia.

Immediately, SCS-1’s arm reverted to normal and he released his hold on Rainbow and backed away. Rugia saw Apple Jack laying in a puddle of her own blood, and took off in a dead run to her. He scooped her up in his arms without stopping and set off in a furious dash to the hospital. Rainbow stood there frozen in place. The terror she felt inside rendered her from moving. Apple Jack was going to die, and it was all her fault. As she watched SCS-1 disappear through the window, she became overwhelmed by regret and fell to the ground sobbing.

“Wh-what have I DONE!?”