Like Clockwork

Chapters

Prologue: The Missing Guest
Act I: Into the Woods
Act II: The Dollmaker

Prologue: The Missing Guest

The curtains hung in front of the balcony and gracefully danced as the breeze pushed its way through to the large and extensive study that laid beyond them. A purple alicorn sat at a desk and used her magic to write as she glanced to and from books and lists of names from previous galas held by the Princesses of the Sun and the Moon. The princess sitting at the desk was hunched over and intent upon the task given to her by none other than the Princess of the Sun, Celestia. Her task was simple, but complicated nonetheless; she was told to write out the guest list for this year's Grand Galloping Gala, the largest annual celebration in all of Equestria.

Ponies from near and far would be invited to attend this grand ball-- whether they were rich or poor, musicians or players, alicorns or not. Twilight knew that the guest list was one of the most difficult things to put together, because they couldn't just invite anypony. Everypony that was selected to receive the royal invitation would have to be special in one way or another.

Upon putting the quill down on the desk, she slowly sat back and stretched her wings and let out an uncomfortable groan as her wings crackled as the joints were released from their constant place against her backside. She felt a stir of magical power in the air just as the curtains blew open as if a great gust of wind had caught them. The alicorn stood slowly and awaited her former teacher and now fellow princess to come to a graceful landing on the expensive rug that graced the floor of her study. Both of the alicorns nodded to each other as friends before they immediately got down to business.

"I assume that you have finished with the guest list for the Grand Galloping Gala like I asked?" Celestia asked in a kind and motherly tone of voice that could make anypony want to come near and simply bask in her goddess-like presence.

The young alicorn nodded and used her magic to levitate the list over to her former mentor and said, "I've done just that, Princess. I have invited everypony from last year's list as well as the few ponies that you asked to be added. Although I have crossed off many ponies that I know will not be able to make this year's gala."

The solar princess' eyes scanned over it lightly, as if she recognized virtually every single one of the ponies and stallions whose names were listed on the immense scroll. Despite the length, she managed to read all of the names and nodded with approval as she rolled it up slowly. The elder princess looked to the younger and saw the glimmer of anticipation in those violet hues. There was a moment of silence as the elder finished rolling up the scroll with her own magic before addressing the single flaw in that guest list.

"I am impressed by the amount of time and energy you spent on this list and am proud of how thoroughly you scoured former guest lists for this year's list." There was a sigh of relief from Twilight's lips before the princess continued slowly and without slight disappointment. "Although... you have forgotten a very special somepony."

Twilight's mouth dropped and she tore the scroll away from Celestia's hold with her own magic as she began to search the list frantically. "I could've sworn I've invited the guests that are always invited as well as those that you specifically asked for to be added! Who could I have missed?!"

Celestia used her magic to gently take the scroll from Twlight's hold and set it aside. "It is a mistake that is made on an almost yearly basis. You are not the first to forget this single pony and you won't be the last unless we can change her attendance."

Twilight sighed with some relief before the younger sat down on her stool yet again and waited for an explanation to her single mistake. Finally, she realized that she had to ask the elder about it. "But who could I have missed?"

"You simply forgot about Princess Fabricia. That's it."

"B-but... Who is she? I mean-- I've never heard of her and I've not read of her in any of my books! If she's a princess... then how come she is never heard of?"

"Fabricia is the princess of creativity and invention. Despite her great importance to Equestria, she made me promise that I would not crown her and make her known as I did you and Cadence. She wished to be left forgotten, but I fear that it has harmed her more than it has helped her. We need her again, Twilight. Equestria is being held back from progressing as it should have since granting her the powers of an alicorn."

"Even though she's shy... why should she hide away like she has?"

"Simply telling you about her is not going to be enough. Perhaps you should visit her and ask her yourself? I'm fairly certain she has not had any visitors or friends since she hid away in the Whitetail Woods. She is very much like you were back before you found the power of friendship. Now, I would like for you to pass it onto her."

"But what if she turns me away?"

"Then I will have no choice but to allow our world to continue to fall behind in technology unless she grants us her knowledge and trust."

At that moment, Twilight knew that she couldn't just ignore this predicament. She had to get Princess Fabricia to come to the Grand Galloping Gala whether she had to drag her there by her tail or not.

End of Prologue.

Author's Note

Wow, here goes nothing! Please leave comments and constructive criticism below!

Act I: Into the Woods

Endless trees surrounded two young mares as they made their way through the secret and forgotten paths of the Whitetail Woods. Princess Twilight Sparkle was ahead of the white unicorn that was whining so loudly that she was positive that all of the wildlife had taken refuge in their homes until the threat of having their ears whined off had passed. And perhaps a few days later just in case. Despite having told Rarity to tone down her loudness, the fashionista seemed oblivious to the haunting silence which was broken by none other than her high-pitched groans and comments.

"Why must we walk, Twilight?" The white unicorn asked in a tragic tone of voice.

"Because Celestia warned me that any means of transportation might startle Fabricia is we weren't very careful. Besides, we have no idea where her cottage actually is. Wandering these paths might give us a hint as to where she might be and if we're lucky, we won't have to scour every inch of this forest for her home." Twilight replied.

Rarity simply rolled her sapphire blue eyes and plodded along after her long time friend. The unicorn glanced down at her once fashionable and clean hiking boots that weren't actually meant for hiking and vest that had burrs dotted along her sides and back. She hoped that this 'forgotten princess' had someplace she could wash her outfit as well as be lent a lovely outfit. Maybe if she were lucky, this Fabricia alicorn would have an entire closet dedicated to fashionable items that she would be willing to let Rarity have. After all-- royalty dressed to impress.

They wandered down one path after another and sometimes Twilight even made them travel without one as they searched relentlessly for Fabricia's cottage. It wasn't until a couple hours later that the purple alicorn finally gave in to Rarity's pleading for a break and they both sat down beside a small, clear stream the quietly ran across a path that led to a darker portion of the woods. The mares hardly spoke as they tried to catch their breath and allow their hooves to sink into the sweet elixir of life that the stream carried. Of course, Twilight went on and on about streams and their origins, but Rarity simply ignored her friend as she tried her best to wash off her vest without wrinkling it.

"Why don't we just call it a day, Twilight?" Rarity insisted. "I would like to believe that we'll find that princess' cottage, but the sun is going to set soon and we'll have no choice but to camp without a luxurious tent or bedding! Isn't that a horrible thought? I can't imagine that sleeping in the dirt will help with my alabaster complexion."

"I would like to get out of here before nightfall as well, Rarity, but I won't give up until I've at least found her cottage! The Grand Galloping Gala is in three days and we need her to attend or Equestria will hardly progress without her assistance." Twilight's voice rang through the trees. Just as she stopped, she had come to conclusion that they weren't alone. "We need to keep moving. There's something ominous ahoof here."

And so they began their trek yet again, except both of the mares were silent and moved across the stream and to the darker section of the woods before they were found not by somepony- but something. It wasn't long after they had crossed the stream and into the older part of the wood that they realized their mistake. They were no longer being watched by fearful woodland creatures, but by the trees themselves. It even seemed as if there were more peers than just the trees. Twilight didn't want to think about what types of creatures roamed here in this forbidden place.

As soon as those thoughts crossed her mind, she heard something more than just the typical sounds of the woods, but something could be only be a snarl of anger. The ponies stopped in their tracks and looked around as they became surrounded by a white fog that was soon identified as smoke. They coughed and huddle together as a pair of glowing eyes stalked around through the smoke, never showing itself, but simply eyeing them as if trying to decide what to make of them.

Rarity had been about to suggest that they make a break for it before she felt Twilight begin to shiver with fear. At that moment, she realized that she, too, was too frightened to move. She tried not to meet the glowing red eyes from beyond the smoke, but she was curious as to what the creature was doing and whether or not it would make its move sooner rather than later.

Just then a black shadow emerged and it slowly formed in their vision as none other than a black dragon the height of a tree. Perhaps it wasn't the largest dragon they had seen, but it was obviously hungry and they were just the right size to make for a decent portion.

This is the end. Rarity thought with frightened eyes as the creature stalked towards them.

She could feel its eyes burning with thirst for blood and with every breath it exhaled, saliva was quick to follow. Its long talons scraped the dead grass clean from the dirt without any struggle. Then again, Rarity knew that she would probably end up being the same way once he dug his immense claws and fangs into her unblemished flesh. She wondered why Twilight hadn't used her magic and that was when she realized that they weren't just frozen by fear, but also by its gaze.

This was the end of the line for the pair of frightened ponies- both paralyzed by the creature's eyes and unable to do anything to protect themselves.

End of Act I.

Author's Note

I would like to thank the iBrony community for showing support towards this story. Thanks, y'all! Huggles to each and every one of you!

Act II: The Dollmaker

The moment the black beast loomed over them, breathing down upon them a foul air, Twilight prayed to Celestia that this wouldn't be the end. At least, not yet. There were so many things that she had yet to do and that if she didn't finish her current task that Equestria might find itself in quite the predicament. Just as these thoughts raced across her mind-- a shadow flashed by in the distance. Perhaps it was just her hopeful imagination as death's drool dripped down and formed a black puddle on the ground in front of her hooves.

The shadow appeared, vanished one and then twice before it seemed to be coming towards them from behind the black dragon. Twilight's heart had been pounding like a drum earlier, but now it was beating so hard and fast that her chest ached. The beast above her was lowering its head and blocking her view before she could make out what the shadow actually was. All she knew was that it didn't seem dangerous. But she had been wrong many a time before. Little did she know that this time would be an exception.

The dragon roared victoriously before it plunged its head towards its first victim-- Rarity --bearing fangs that were longer and sharper than anything they had ever encountered before. The white unicorn watched as her life flashed before her eyes and her heart nearly burst from fear.

Alas, the dragon's maw never reached their destination.

Both of the magical ponies felt themselves be released from the spell that the dragon had cast upon them. Although Rarity blacked out, Twilight watched as the shadow took the form of a slim mare. There was a glimmer of dark green magic as the dragon began to roar angrily and freeze in place as if the spell had been reversed.

With violet eyes she watched as the slim mare came nearer and stood behind the creature, muttering something about it's personality being corrupted. Just then there was a grinding noise and the black dragon slumped forward, the red glow dying as if a candle had been suddenly blown out, but Twilight didn't see much more than that before her eyes rolled into the back of her skull and darkness held her in its embrace.

Clanking noises woke Twilight from her unconscious state and as her violet eyes fluttered open, she noted that she was surrounded by what seemed to be giant clock gears. The gears lined the walls and rotated slowly, but surely. The room was warm, but pleasantly so, and it seemed too dull for even her plain tastes. There was nothing but a red blanket on the ground and a grey one nearby that protected Rarity from the old wooden floor. With a twitch of her ears, the purple alicorn slowly stood up and noted that there were wrenches and other oddities laying around.

It's like a mechanic lives here... Twilight Sparkle thought to herself as she walked quietly over to Rarity and nudged the dirt-smudged unicorn who continued to slumber. "Rarity... wake up! I think we found her cottage! Well... more like she found us and brought us to it, but that's not the point. Oh, get up!"

The white unicorn's azure eyes slowly opened and took in the environment and she sat up without much more thought. Shock was obvious on the diva's face, but no elegant language escaped her lips. The unicorn was simply too frightened by their dim and murky environment. Though she had not been able to speak just moments ago, her voice found her just as she asked, "She lives in a clock?!" She fell silent once more when hoofsteps sounded outside of the door. Not a moment passed before the door slowly creaked open to reveal their hostess.

The mare that stood before them was slim and had an elegant figure that could rival many of Equestria's beauties. Her coat was the color of coffee mixed with cream and her mane was a lovely auburn that had streaks of red and dark brunette. The eyes which glanced between the two ponies were the most amazing feature of this alicorn; they were a dazzling icy green that seemed to attract even the most distracted of gazes.

Finally, the alicorn spoke in a hushed and hesitant tone of voice, "I apologize about my friend, Naarga. His personality had been corrupted by some imps that have been trying to cause me nothing but sorrow. Normally he is quite the greeter and is a pleasing companion to my cottage here."

Twilight and Rarity both sat there with their jaws hanging in amazement as well as confusion. The princess had never heard of any other ponies having dragon friends and wished to know if this quiet--if not strange--pony had raised the creature since it had hatched. Of course, she was interrupted by Rarity before she could ask this question, "That... that... thing has a name?! I am appalled! That creature was a brute!"

The white unicorn immediately regretted her words when she saw the other pony's sadness well up in her eyes. The cream colored pony nearly started crying as she said, "I didn't mean to make him be reckless and dangerous! I made him so I wouldn't be alone out here..."

If Twilight hadn't been confused before, then she was terribly confused now. "Wait... you said you made that dragon?"

"Of course I did! I made him with my own designs and magic." A green glow surrounded her horn as she nodded for them to follow after her and into a larger room that was obviously a workshop. The workroom was filled to the brim with mechanical creatures in all sorts of shapes and sizes, some finished and others not; there were many machines that lined the walls and gear clanked and creaked. Once the two ponies took in the sight of her glorious workshop, the alicorn continued, "I created everything here out of scratch and imagination." Gears and springs were levitated by her magic as she sorted them out on one of the three desks that was scattered about the room. "My magic allows me to create things once I have pictured them in my mind. I just happen to prefer clockwork entities rather than real ones."

Rarity then asked, "Then you live here all alone?"

The other princess shook her head and smiled a sad smile, "No... each of my creations are my friends and family. They keep me from being swallowed by the loneliness that threatens to swallow me whole whenever I venture into the world of ponies far beyond my woods."

"But... they can't talk." Twilight said in a hesitant tone before being hushed by the older alicorn.

"Shh... just listen to the song that the gears sing..."

They all fell silent for not even a minute before Rarity whined, "I hear nothing by their clanking and grinding." Both of the alicorns sighed at the unicorn's shallow behavior.

Twilight watched as her fellow alicorn's eyes became even more sad and distant. That's when she realized that the other stood on a thin line between sanity and insanity. Finally, Twilight spoke up and said, "Well, I'm sure that their song is lovely, Fabricia."

"How did you know my name?" Fabricia asked in a terrified manner and stepped away from the other ponies as if they had suddenly turned into monsters.

"Princess Fabricia... I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, former student of Princess Celestia, and this is Rarity." The purple alicorn then went on to explain that they would need Fabricia to attend this year's Grand Galloping Gala. Although she saw great detestation cross the other mare's face, she continued onward in hopes of persuading the other princess of her importance to the kingdom. It wasn't until she finished that she dared to allow anypony else to speak.

The moments of silence that followed after the speech made Twilight feel immensely uncomfortable. Rarity had nothing to pitch in and she knew that it was all up to the cream colored mare. Sweat slowly rolled down her forehead as if the lovely temperature had become unbearably hot before Fabricia opened her lips to grant her an answer.

The single word that answered made Twilight feel queasy. "No."

End of Act II

Author's Note

Well, here goes part three. I hope not to disappoint anypony with this story!

Thank you, Naarga (iBrony member), for allowing me to use your character for this first portion of the story. I hope that you didn't mind being a clockwork character. ;)
For the other iBrony members that have allowed me to use their OCs-- I ask that you be patient as I have yet to really get this story rolling. You'll be in there soon enough!
~ Fabi