Blade Runner: 友谊是魔术

Chipper snorted a bit as he started out into the rain. He looked up at the buildings that towered high into the skies of Manehatten. It was much more busy up there. Hundreds of signs and glowing advertisements flickered faster than you could tell. They're electric interpretations of food, sex, and clothes almost seemed to be ignored by the bustling sky walks that were lined with ponies, gryphons, and the occasional dragon. Chipper envied them all a little bit, but not too much, he didn't like to be mean.

To distract himself from the antagonizing heaven above, Chipper switched on his portable media set. With a click of the switch under the weight of his claw, the screen glowed to life with an image of the princess. Chipper settled himself on the floor and peeled off a sticker that had stuck to his hind hoof.

“Citizens of the Equestrian Republic, we ask you to denounce these silly religious notions from this dragon who has poisoned your minds with nonsense. Elementism is a dangerous practice that has left many scarred by the injuries inflicted by the friendship boxes.” The Princess was white, with a sort of rainbow-ish mane. Like all princesses would be, she was adorned with shining shoes and a shiny hat. Chipper only liked looking at the princess. She was visually pleasing. But, that was the extent of his appreciation. He didn't really know her name, not that anypony else knew her name; she was the princess.

“What about the sprite-heads? Chipper frowned at the outburst from the audience member that was hidden by the limitations of the screen.

“Please,” the princess rebuked, “they are unique, but that does not merit disrespect on their behalf.” Chipper switched off the screen. He didn't want to hear anymore of it.

He was a sprite-head. Chipper had been exposed to enough radiation that it began to affect the two most vital organs that off world colonists needed. His brain and his balls. With these two organs corrupted by the lasting fallout, it was impossible for Chipper to escape his dismal surroundings.

All around Chipper were the remnants of an old grand hotel. He had remembered reading how this place was once a vision of paradise in the old world, and the very bedroom he slept in was once the shelter for one of the elements of harmony. It had changed so much.

This hotel that Chipper lived in was abandoned after the Coda Wars. And, with little help to retain its image, it had deteriorated over the years. The wallpaper was faded and had peeled off to the extent of leaving some walls barren with only the sight of rotting wood. Tiles everywhere were coming loose or breaking up. Chipper’s level was considerably fine since he did his best to maintain it, but beyond that space, the top floors were exposed to outside world. Radioactive rain had broken down the roof and made a wasteland of a building on the top floor. It's surreal presence showed as the old world ghost that haunted the entire hotel. Chipper mostly remained in his own little apartment space he had made for himself by joining three rooms.

Still sitting on the hardwood floor, Chipper stared at his own self image as a hippogriff. His equestrian body mixed with his gryphon face and claws was not the merit of his self hatred. He was one of those unique figures that the princess talked about. He was the result of radiation mutation. His reproductive organs had been compromised and his mind had been impaired. His mind was the reason he hated himself.

He was good at complicated tasks, but when it came to socializing, he found himself a bit handicapped. There was that, and he couldn't afford to leave the hotel. He obtained it from his father, who got it from his father and so on. It was where he set up his own little pet repair shop. But, not many ever really came by. In fact, no one else lived in the hotel. There wasn't much Chipper could do to escape his surroundings. Well there was one thing.

Chipper eyed the friendship box that a elementist missionary had given him. He walked over to it and opened the lid which turned it on automatically. On a small screen, the image of a robed figure was seen hiking up paths in the old smokey mountains. Chipper placed his claws on the side panels which lit up his senses.

Chipper could no longer feel the presence of his home as he felt an entirely new sensation. He had linked himself to the robed figure who was known well by all who practiced elementism. He was a purple dragon with green spikes with eyes to match. His countenance was a powerful one to all who met him. Thousands if not millions of followers would link themselves to this dragon through friendship boxes.

Chipper was beginning to feel everything the dragon feel, now. He could feel the rocky path beneath him, the breeze, and the fatigue. He began to feel the presence of others linked to the dragon. “Let me share my memories,” came the voice of the dragon.

Chipper smiled as his mind was flooded with visions of the old world. He could see the elements of harmony as the dragon had once seen them. He could feel the happiness that radiated from them all. He could see a different world with a blue sky. There was an actual sky and not the dark void he was used to. There was a particular fond memory of the element known as generosity.

Then came the sharp pains ended the mirthful visions as rocks were being thrown at the dragon. Chipper let go of the friendship box and closed it.

Looking at his shoulder, he could see the scrape from where the rock hit the dragon. He made his way to clean it up and bandage it before an infection could spread. “That good for this day.” He was nearly finished with the bandage when he heard movement from downstairs.

“Me no alone?” Chipper smiled at the notion of having a neighbor. He rushed to a drawer and pulled out a “home sweet home” sign. “This good. I can give, and we be friends.” Chipper rushed to his door. “Maybe call me Chip, shorter nice name, Chip.” He slowed a bit in his step as he thought carefully to himself. “Remember, don't say you’s a sprite-head.”