Automaton Soul

The day had been spent at Pinkie Pie's "Let's Welcome Sprocket and We're Headed to Canterlot Tonight" party. Which had, obviously, led to Sprocket and the gang boarding the night train to Canterlot. Sprocket, having both loud footsteps and the inability to sleep, had been defended when she resisted being shut down for the night. This led to her being sent to storage so she wouldn't disturb anypony's sleep with her constant pacing.

This pacing was spurred by sorrowful thoughts, for death had left a hole in her heart. It was strange to grasp at first, the thoughts would've come more easily if she had entered a normal afterlife, although what is a normal afterlife? Certainly not this. Now that she has the time though, she thinks of her lost father, friends, future.

But of course, she has a new future waiting for her. A future, vague in its true form, yet it is full of scary things, that is for sure. The threat of death looms evermore presently when one isn't even seen as alive in the first place. Even more so when one is expected to perform as a weapon against an ancient threat. This future, no matter how far it may go, is bleak. She has been rendered incapable of experiencing much, other than sight and sound, even at Pinkie's party there wasn't much room for excitement or happiness.

Perhaps being unable to sleep could be seen as a blessing, for it gave her the time to decide on moving forward. Regardless of her tragic destiny, there was no crying over it, for she couldn't even do that. And whilst they aren't humans, or beings that she even suspected had existed in the first place, they were living creatures that needed her. She doesn't expect to live up to Twilight's expectations, or truly save this realm from The Darkness, but she can try.

The train slowly comes to a halt and Sprocket spends a few more minutes in her thoughts. Which had been distracting enough that she hadn't noticed she stopped moving, and was now on a cart, likely headed to where the gang would be staying. She remained still, not wanting to scare somepony by suddenly moving, when they had likely thought she was a statue.

Canterlot happened to be much more beautiful in person.  Stuck between supply crates, full of Rarity's cloths and Twilight's books, Sprocket couldn't see much, but what she could see was magnificent. The marble white buildings, some with gold trimmings along their windows or beautifully accented striped overhangs. Gardens here and there with colorful flowers and lively birds. All very impressive, just enough so that as the cart came to a stop, most of Sprocket's depressing thoughts had been repressed.

"Oh? I was sure my little friends would arrive first."

"Uh, sorry, we were asked to get their stuff so they wouldn't have to worry about it."

"Well, allow me to help." The crates and Sprocket are suddenly lifted into the air. "Off you go, tell Celestia, or whoever it is you report to, that everything is fine."

The stallions, who Sprocket could now see, look at each other in befuddlement, yet trot off without any fuss. All of the stuff above the cart was slowly levitated into the nearest building. However as Sprocket nearly passed through the door, she stopped and was pulled away and spun around to face Discord.

"Well, well, well, look at that. I wonder if good ol' Twilight knows what she's done." A smirk forms on his face, "You're quite aways from home aren't you little girl?" He looks away, pondering, but shakes he head after a moment. "So many hilarious things I could do with you, but of course that boring Celestia would disapprove." He then forms a look of shock. "Are you serious? That can't be right, of course that explains why Sparkle created you, a good backup plan if things go south, figuratively of course." He continued, as if somehow he could read Sprocket's mind. "I'd hate to see anything happen to... er, maybe just Fluttershy. Never mind that, our little princess has only created a shell of what would be required to fight The Darkness head on, if it happens the elements can't be revived to push it away with their light." Discord makes a gagging gesture at the thought. "Let's get you some upgrades, so that if the time comes, you'll create chaos amongst The Dark."

In a wink they appear in a loud place, the warehouse-like buildings still resemble that of Canterlot, yet the unbearable noise of machinery ruined the atmosphere. Discord knocks on the door of the warehouse they appeared in front of, directly onto the "Do Not Disturb" sign.

"Oh, what was I saying before, I've met plenty friends since then, especially this little gem."

The door swings open and smacks the wall, "Can't you read?" A small silver leg flails at Discord. "I was just finishing forgetting you even existed and now you've mucked that up!" Sprocket looks down to the loudmouth filly, a silver coat with a messy black mane, she stood only a bit taller than most fillies she had encountered, was this the one meant to upgrade her? "And the hay is this cruddy art piece you're showing off?"

"This, my dear Brash, is an automaton in dire need of some combat upgrades, ones the more peaceful ponyfolk might disapprove of preferably."

"Pfft, yeah it also needs an upgrade to its face!"

"Oh, you're just the most adorable thing... but I'd prefer it back looking just the same if you could. Tootles!" And like that he's gone, leaving Sprocket with Brash.

"Get your slow donkey flank in here!" Brash yells as she reenters her warehouse.

Jarred by the sudden chain of events, Sprocket enters the warehouse with uncertainty. Discord had shown he knows exactly what's going on, and that he has no intention of helping her out in the way she'd like. However, no matter how scary a monster she might face may be, some weaponry beyond heavy metal hooves would surely aid her confidence.