Author's Note

Credit to joeyjumper94 for submitting his OC Philips Diesel Quinn to be used in the story.

Chapter 5: New and Improved

New and Improved

Manual start-up requested
Request acknowledged
Performing systems check....DONE
Performing software check.........DONE
New software detected;
Installing.........DONE
Performing Diagnostics...DONE
Diagnostic report:
Hull fully repaired
Shields at maximum capacity
Batteries: FULL
Loading last accessed data.......DONE
Initialising FalAIr

I awoke with a start, nearly screaming till I noticed where I was, I was standing in front of seven ponies, six of them I recognised but I couldn't quite place it. "Where am I?" I turned my head, scanning the room to get some idea as to where I was.

A white alicorn with a multicoloured mane and a sun cutie mark approached me, her mane flowing in a nonexistent breeze, "You are in Canterlot Castle, the infirmary to be exact." It was then that I realised why I recognised the six mares behind the Alicorn.

"Nightmare Moon! Twilight and the others! Did we stop Nightmare Moon?" I frantically asked the alicorn, attempting to get off the bed I was laying on.

A blue coated stallion pushed me back onto the bed, surprising me as I had not noticed him in the room, "Careful, you're still plugged in." The stallion's right wing tranformed into a multi-tool and he starts disconnecting cables that I didn't notice. "I'm Philips Diesel Quinn, but you can call me P.D.Q." I looked at him, confused as to how he knew what I was.

That was when I realised I was naked, figuratively speaking of course, my synthetics were disabled, my metal body bare for all to see.

The alicorn nodded to P.D.Q, then turned back to me as he walked away, "Twilight and her friends defeated Nightmare Moon using the Elements of Harmony. But they refused to go home until they saw that you were all right. Because of their concern, I called the only pony I knew would be able to help you," I leaned over to look behind the alicorn, smiling when I saw Twilight and the others looking at me with obvious concern and relief.

Twilight walked forward, "I didn't know what you were, but I knew that you went out of your way to protect me. It wasn't until I moved closer that I realised," she gestured to the engravings on my body and limbs, they were faded but it was still clear that they said F.A.L.A.I.R.

Applejack walked up beside her, "When Twilight showed us, we immediately turned to the princess asking her to help."

Rarity walked up too, "We couldn't very well leave you in that state now could we?"

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy walked up too, all five of them nodding their heads in agreement at what Rarity had said.

"Thank you. All of you... Wait," I turned to P.D.Q, "How did you know how to repair my systems and re-wire my leg?"

He turned to me smiling, "It is my special talent," he gestured to his cutie mark, which was a plain red toolbox with gears and wires inside.

"But, I thought my creator was the only one to work with wiring," I said, confused.

"That was a long time ago, FalAIr, Equestria is beginning to use more and more technology, though not quite advanced as you," Said the alicorn, as she walked up to stand next to P.D.Q, "Diesel here is one of a few ponies who work with wiring, though out of all the ones I've seen, only he was able to understand how to fix you," with that said, she turned towards him, "Diesel, thank you for helping fix FalAIr, I'll send for a chariot to take you home,"

"You're welcome, Princess Celestia. If you need anything, my laboratory is on the other side of town." he bowed before leaving the room.

I watched as the stallion left the room before turning back to the Princess, "So, what will happen to me?"

She turned to look at me, a calm smile on her face, "That is your choice," I turned to look at Twilight and the others, who were still there, awaiting my decision.

"Princess, I would like to stay with Twilight Sparkle. My creator's old laboratory is built into where she lives. But not only that, I've come to know these ponies despite the small time we've been together. They ignore the fact that I'm just a metal contraption, and actually see me as a pony. These six mares made my life, from the time I was activated up until now, the best life I could have hoped for," I turned back towards the Princess, "I do not wish to give that up."

She turned towards Twilight, a silent exchange happening between them, "I'm not about to abandon my friends," Princess Celestia nodded, acknowledging Twilight's response.

"I'm proud of you, not only have you discovered the magic of friendship and unlocked the elements of harmony, but you also defeated Nightmare Moon, saved my sister and you continue to show the values of friendship," she turns back to me, "You may return to Ponyville. I will send a letter ahead of you to inform the Mayor of your presence. I will also send a message to the guards. I would ask that you don a disguise however, so as not to cause too much chaos."

I nod, acknowledging the Princess' wishes, "Thank you, Princess Celestia,"