Prisoner of Technology...
Chapter 5-G: Fixations
Previous Chapter“Yeah, yeah I’ll be fine…” I replied.
“Hey Cinthya, I didn’t think this thing would actually work.” Twilight exclaimed.
“Yeah, it’s great…” She replied.
“Yeah, we’ll call you back… Good luck keeping those two safe.” I replied.
“Well, how long until we get there?” I asked.
“A few hours, why?”
“I have many ideas on what to make next, but I need to think them out…”
“That’s great! Can I see them when they’re done?”
“Sure, but to think them out I may not respond when addressed…”
“Oh, okay. I’ll poke you when we get there.”
“Thanks.” I replied, and dozed off… It was like dreaming, but I still saw everything I saw before. Yet, it was like The Matrix, numbers, pictures falling down without an end in front of my eyes. Eventually, I felt one of her hooves firmly burrow itself into my ribs, waking me at last. “Wh- Wha? Are we there?”
“Yes, but you were staring into the void, the inspector could’ve sworn you stared into his soul too… Are you okay?” She wondered.
“Yes… Yes, I’m fine, thanks… Let’s go, before the train moves on.” I replied, and we left the station, soon arriving to her castle, where she introduced me to her friends. They were also known as the Elements of Harmony… Kindness, Generosity, Laughter, Loyalty, Honesty and Magic, all of them were mares, which I found slightly weird… By the time we got the introductions out of the way, it was late into the night once again, and we got together for dinner.
“So...Ryan, right?” Asked the cyan mare.
“Yes, Dash?” I replied.
“What will you be doing again?” She wondered.
“I’ll be working on creating numerous items, objects and such of which my kind have already discovered… That is, if I can make them with my own hands… “ I ate a few pancakes and continued. “I mean… If I need a few devices to make them, I’ll make those too…”
“Uuuuhum, aaand… What for example?” Asked the same mare.
“Medicine, tools, weapons even…” I replied, and excused myself from the table. “Now, I don’t mean to be rude or ungrateful, but will I get my own room, or will I have to live in the basement?” I wondered.
“Which one would you prefer?” Twilight asked.
“Up to you, I’ll eventually get a workshop in town somewhere else, so I won’t wake you all in the middle of the night…” I replied. She showed me to my room, and we all went to sleep. The next morning I woke up, having just talked to Luna in my dream before… I sat up, and found a small bag of money on my desk with a note.
“Here’s some money to get a workshop, and funding for the materials you may need to purchase for your projects… Should they prove not enough, let us know.” It had also wore the signature of both sisters… How did th… Magic… I get it… I thought to myself, and pocketed the bag, sword at my side, energy levels on max. When I reached for the doorknob, a familiar buzzing nearly startled me from my bedside cabinet.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked after picking up the call.
“Yeah, sorry… We were tired and forgot it too…” I replied.
“The sisters left me some money for a workshop and materials… Question is… Should I buy or rent the workshop?”
“Good point… What should I make first though?”
“If you can send it to me through the mail, I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good to know, what would you be interested in?”
“I’ll keep that in mind, what do you have planned for today?”
“So you’ll get a day out, and have time to walk around freely in the capital while I hopefully spend the day cleaning an old warehouse filled with cobwebs, dust, and perhaps even rodents… Charming…”
“I hope not, you would risk your life for theirs… While I sit at a table and do nothing but combine things…”
“Glad to hear that, how’s the local kitchen so far?”
“Yeah, maybe I could get some of that stuff from hunting… This thing has a stealth mode, turning me invisible… Then again, it only cloaks me and my weapons, doesn’t mask sounds…”
“Good point, listen, we’re preparing for breakfast so…”
“It helps maintain the energy levels… The consumed food in my stomach is turned into energy… Don’t ask how…” I replied with a grin.
“I’ll remember, later Cinthya.” I replied, and hung up.
“Cinthya… Or was it Chrysalis? Huh?” Asked Rainbow.
“Uh, who?” I asked sheepishly.
“Don’t play dumb with me all right! I know something’s off with you…” She replied.
“Listen, I have no idea what you’re talking about, okay?”
“Oh, I bet…”
“Look, I have a few things to do for today, and I wouldn’t want to miss breakfast, okay?”
“As if I were to miss it because of your ass…” She replied, and we went to the kitchen to join the others.
“Uhm, Ryan?” Asked Fluttershy, quiet as always.
“Oh, yes?” I replied.
“Excuse me but, could you come help me get something in the kitchen?” She wondered.
“Uuhh, sure.” We made our way there. “So, where is it?”
“It’s… Yeast… Above the shelves up there,” She replied, pointing at one of the cupboards.
“Sure, here you go but… Why don’t you use your wings?” I asked while reaching for said material.
“They hurt for some reason… Thank you for the help.” She replied.
“Have you seen a doctor?” I asked.
“Not yet, but if it won’t stop I will…”
“You know that I am one too, right? When it comes to education, I’m around the level of the sisters or Twilight…”
“Then you must be very smart… It should be easy finding job then…”
“Yeah, the current one will do just fine… I’m glad with it, really…” I replied, and she began cooking something, when Pinkie walked in.
“Oh, hey you two! It’s a good morning isn’t it?” She asked.
“Oh, hi Pinkie… It really is, would you like to help me bake something?” Fluttershy inquired.
“Yep! Let’s get started!” She replied.
“I’ll leave you two to it, do you need anything else from the shelf?”
“No thank you, we’re good now.”
“Sure, see you then.” I replied and left.
After finishing the call with Ryan…
I got my stuff together. First day at the new job, whoopty fuckin’ doo.. I put the vest and the helmet on, then checked the rest, all good except for the stick… And that colt’s neck… And spine… And everything… I was about to see the sisters, when someone knocked on the door. “Open!” I yelled, and the Captain walked in. “Oh, hello Captain…” I greeted him.
“Hello, Cinthya… I came to see if you’re fine.” He replied.
“What can I do now? I feel okay…” I replied.
“Good to hear, the Saddle Arabian Prince will be returning today, would you walk with him to the station?”
“Gladly.” I replied.
“As for myself, I bet my wife misses me, so I’ll be returning to the Crystal Empire later on as well…”
“Are you any better since… You know.”
“Like it never happened… Actually, from what the sisters told me, you were the one who cleared way for them so… Thanks.” He replied.
“You’rrree… Welcome. Are the sisters up by now?”
“Then should be in the throne room… Good luck.” He replied and walked off, while I made my way to the throne room. What can I say? The hallways and corridors were filled with stained glass windows, each telling a different story… There were pillars at the sides, seemingly marble, flower pots hanging from their sides, a few guards here and there, it was beautiful to be honest… As for the guards, all of them greeted me with at least a nod, tho some of their faces expressed many things… Concern, suspicion, trust, confidence, even hatred and sympathy. Once getting to my destination, the guards stopped me, wings and spears crossing my path.
“Name, rank, purpose of presence…” One of the exclaimed.
“Cinthya, Private Guard, reporting for duty.”
“Go on.” They replied and allowed me pass. As I stepped in, the sisters were sitting on their thrones.
“Hello Cinthya.” Celestia exclaimed, while I closed the door behind.
“Morning you two…” I replied with a yawn. “Have you got any tasks for me?”
“Do you have plans for today?” Luna wondered.
“I will walk the Arabian Prince to the station, then do the same with the Captain later on…” I replied. “Also… Remember that colt yesterday? Yeah, I need this thing fixed… Could you get this to Ryan in any way?” I asked, showing them the night stick in pieces.
“Certainly.” Celestia replied, followed by a whistle. Soon a red bird flew in through one of the windows, and landed next to her, still radiating light and heat.
“Is that…” I noted.
“A Phoenix, yes… “ She replied, then levitated my broken piece of equipment close. The bird closed it’s claws around the pieces, then Celestia began to whisper, and the bird took off.
“Why wasn’t I expecting that…” I muttered.
“Anything else?”
“Depends on your needs, my job is to keep you safe when necessary… But seeing the amount of guards on the hallways, I doubts I would be needed today, unless you go somewhere or expect visitors.” I replied.
“You’re free to roam so long you don’t leave the city for now… Here’s some pocket money too… Buy yourself something nice, and have fun today.” Luna replied, throwing me a small bag, which I caught, followed by jingles.
“Thanks.” I replied and left. When leaving the castle I met up with the Prince. Two birds at once… Why not…
“Ah, hello ma’am, did Ryan arrive yesterday?” He asked.
“Hello sir, yes, they’re fine… Listen, I was asked to keep you company to the station today…” I replied, switching the rifle to burst fire mode.
“I don’t see any reason to decline so… Be that way.” He replied, and we set off to our destination, soon coming to a commotion… A barfight to be specific.
“Stay here, I’ll do what I can.” I exclaimed to him, then readied my pistol. Once I approached the building a stool flew out the window, crashing it to dozens of shards, hitting me in the face. Someone’s going down for this… I stood up, blood flowing down my face from the cuts on my forehead. I aimed the pistol upwards and fired a few rounds to gather attention, which worked. “Now, which one of you shitheads gave me a trip to the hospital?!” I asked, they simply pointed at a rather buff looking stallion.
“It was me allright… What are you gonna do about it huh? Beat me u-” *Bang* I shot him in the chest, under his heart paying attention not to kill him instantly. As the bullet punctured his skin and shattered his collarbone, he gave way and dropped to the ground, sobbing in pain while the others got as far as possible from him.
“I should’ve.” I replied, then continued firing at his guts, causing immense pain and damage. “If you’re so tough, survive a week with after this and find me again… Then we’ll see who’s the tough guy…” I exclaimed, having fired 25 shots in total, including the warning. I took a deep breath. Inhale… Exhale… Okay, let’s go. I returned to the Prince, covered in the blood which splattered from the shot wounds.
“Are you okay? All good?” He wondered.
“You should see the other guy.” I replied, and we continued on our way. Once getting there we said farewells, he thanked me for the company, and I left to wander the town. It couldn’t have been 10 minutes, when it began to rain. At least it will wash the blood off...
At last, I finally found a fitting place…
“Aham, rats, spiders, cobwebs… No problem, I’ll take care of those… How much for the building?” I asked.
“Are you in that much need of it?” The mare asked.
“Let’s say the sisters wanted me to get a place like this fixed… I’ll be doing so many things here on their request…” I replied, briefly explaining my reason.
“Like what?” She wondered.
“What do I say to make you believe I’m not just some nut… Huh, tough question… Things like these.” I replied, pointing at the firearms.
“What are those?” She asked.
“Long range weapons.” I replied.
“Believe it when I see it.” She replied.
“Be so.” I replied with a grin, she used her magic and threw a rock mid air, which I shot with relatively good accuracy.
“Not bad, I believe you… You know what? You can have it for free, I’ll come back and see how you do in a week, okay? Then we’ll settle a price.”
“Sure by me, see you in a week.” I replied.
“Here’s the keys.” She replied, and gave me a few keys. each labelled with small paper notes sticked onto them, indicating which lock they were for… The entrance, the back room, the toilet, the storage, and the basement.
“Thanks.” I replied and she left. I turned to face the door, and inserted the key. When I turned it I heard a loud crack, indicating the key or lock is broken. Fuck… I let go of both the lock and key, thinking about a way to fix it. Why not… *Crunch* *Crash* *Crack* And so, the hinges finally gave way, and I busted through the door, and fell in as the shards of old, mossy wood scattered across the floor. Umph… Well, easy access for looters now… Not that anyone would want to steal the rodents or cobwebs… I stood up, and dusted myself off, when I began to feel an unusual amount of warmth. I looked up, and found myself staring into the golden eyes of a bird seemingly made of flames.
*Bawk*
“Hey little one, what do you got?” It began to flap its wings, and put three pieces of metal into my hand. Cinthya’s night stick? I put the broken pieces down into a nearby desk, the weight sufficient enough to cause the table to fall into pieces. Really? I extended my left hand, on which the bird landed, providing a source of light in the dark, boarded up building. I took a few step in, as both the bird and I looked around curiously. “This place is a mess…” I muttered, the bird simply looked at me and nodded. “I guess I’ll ask Twilight for a favor later on.” I continued, and left. “Here, give her this instead.” I exclaimed, and the bird grasped my night stick in its beak instead, and took off. I looked up, trying to tell what the time was… Noon. Let’s see… First of all, I’m gonna need a door… For that I’ll need some wood, and an axe or at least a hatchet… A new lock and keys… And maybe I can salvage the hinges… Thoughts finished, plans done, I went back to the castle to see how and or what the Elements were doing. “Anyone home?!” I yelled in through the main doors, soon the response arrived.
“In the kitchen!” Pinkie replied.
What else could I do? Right? I made myself to the kitchen, and opened the doors only to be greeted by pitch black darkness. Luna again? I reached for the light switch. Right when it turned on, I was shot in the face by a cannon… Pinkie Pie right behind it.
“Welcome to Ponyville!” Yelled the six of them.
“Smile!” I yelled back, and took a photo of them with my phone… You should’ve seen their reaction… And mine, when I realized I could’ve just turned the flash on back in the building.
“Welcome to Ponyville Ryan!” Pinkie replied, and put the cake onto the counter, while Rarity began cutting it.
“Thanks, this was a surprise…” I replied with a grin. “Soo… Does any of you know a carpenter?” I asked.
“We’ll speak at the table… Talking is much better with cake!” Rainbow replied.
“Sure.” I threw back, and soon we sat down, where I told them what I was planning and what happened so far.
“So… Why a carpenter again?” Twi replied.
“I need wood for the new door, to get wood, I need an axe or hatchet…” I replied.
“Ey now, If I remember right, we may have an axe in the ol shed ya can borrow… Keep even.” Applejack replied.
“When could we go for it?” I asked.
“After we clear the plates.” She replied, and we devoured the cake Fluttershy and Pinkie had began making when I left. When we finished erasing the cake from existence, she leaned in to whisper. “We’d better get goin before they pick us to clean up…” I simply nodded, and we left while they argued whose turn it is to clean the dishes.
“All right, let’s go before they notice our absence.” I replied, and she lead the way to the farm I came to know as Sweet Apple Acres… Where she trotted into the mentioned shed, and came out dragging the axe with her mouth. “Thanks.” I exclaimed.
“Any time partner.” She replied, and we went back. She went to the castle, I, to the building.
Now, which tree to take?
[End of Chapter 5-G]