Life in Equestria

You stared blankly outside the window of your home, watching as it's pane gets drenched and coated with rain droplets from another "little" shower. You weren't surprised, you'd always expect one every once in a while throughout the week. I mean, you DO live beside the outskirts of the Everfree forest after all. All of the storm clouds that "rolls by", originally formed over Ponyville, were relocated elsewhere by weather ponies to the request of the town's residences, so they themselves may not be bothered, or harmed, by whatever that could befall them: Such as thunderstorms and/or hailstorms (mainly). And said-relocated area is, none-other, than the Everfree forest; right above your "home".

You always asked yourself the same question, constantly, 'Why even bother LIVING near the Everfree forest in the first place?! It's already infested with Equestria's most deadliest creatures, including Changelings, who would tear you up to shreds in an instant! Why not settle for a nice, quiet place over in Ponyville? No paranoia about what's watching you at night, n'or plotting for your imminent demise at their hands/claws. No unfortunate weather conditions that can quickly, and unexpectedly, destroy your entire household with nothing but a lightning bolt. No carnivorous plants ready to swallow you whole in one gulp. Nothing...' You released a sigh, already knowing the same old repetitive answer to that. 'We cannot afford rent with the amount of bits we own at the moment. Considering how nopony offers us a job that matches up to our skill('s). That, and the other residences aren't too fawned of our company there concerning our history. Which results in somepony nearly getting, either, obliterated or terminated. I'm pretty sure Mayer Mare has issued us a three-strike warning after our little "incident" that nearly leveled the town into rubble. And if memory serves, we already got two tallied up. One more and we're hereby "banned from Ponyville for eternity!"..'

It sounded silly how the Mayer would go as far as to account "eternity", but you can't go against that decision. They are all right anyways...

You gave a side glance to the metal pile lying in a corner across from you. There lied your failed experiments, piled atop one another in a heaping mess of nuts/bolts, shredded shrapnel, and exposed wires. Some pieces are torn from every angle, withering away from rust and weakening to the ash-crust adorning them. You never knew, even with your finalized data and observations, that the prototypes would erupt in a ball of fire after a second of activation.

'A second..'

Looking at it now, you wondered if it's been growing larger by each passing day, or if it's simply just your imagination playing a hoax on you.

Yet, you highly doubted that.

Like the weather, you weren't surprised about finding ANY type of cinder atop your machines whatsoever. Everything you've built and or created always-eventually-blows up in your face, leaving you to stew in your own failure and shame. Though, the next day you've managed to pick yourself up and start a'new again. Might as well, right? They're just machines after all.

And yet, machines are your only source of interest when apparently nothing else seemed to poke you 'intriguing'. You leaned your head onto your hoof, eyes still staring at the shower outside. There's still that one purpose you've always kept and held-dear to ever since moving into Ponyville: Excitement.

When you were but a small colt, you've always heard tales about the "magical" history Ponyville has shared every moon after moon. Such as: The invasion of the Changeling army, commanded by the infamous Queen Chrysalis herself, the reign of both Nightmare Moon and King Sombra, and the-near-extinction of Equestria by the hands of a malicious pony named Starlight Glimmer. You were so filled with glee when hearing all those tales of action against the forces of evil, you nearly wanted to immediately dash from home and head towards the middle of the action, getting a front row seat of the entire thing bestowed for your own eyes to take-in entirely.

But, of course, you obeyed your mother's wishes, and concerns, and stayed patient until becoming the perfect age to move on through life by your own consent now. And so, here you are, a "fully grown" stallion, living the "absolute dream of adventure" you've waited so long for...

You let out a disappointed sigh, "Oh, who am I kidding..?" You climbed out of your bed and trotted over to your disasters. "Nothing has been going on around here that's 'exciting' then the usual routine: The daily creation of a B0T, it's imminent disaster, a shower/thunderstorm, and another warning letter addressed to us on the behalf of the citizens of Ponyville, concerning our 'assistance'.."

You refer to your models as "B0T's" (Bio-mechanical Testing units) since you always favored and questioned the anatomy of machines and wondered what's it's like to create your own, how they function "properly", and what use('s) they could be for.

You picked up a large chunk of your 1C3-B0T's chest piece, looking at the holes adorning it, both large and small, from every angle. Not only that, but, and like your other B0T's, it grew a black moldy crust due to the fire, had some wires sticking out from the openings and rattled every time you moved it around, due to the many loose screws, nuts, and bolts.

Your intention into creating such a machine was to have it solve the intense heat wave Ponyville endured a while back.

As you can recall...

1 month ago

The sun beamed down all over Ponyville, showering the town with it's immense rays and heat, which, according to the temperature, was a scorching 105 degrees.

Ponies all around were sweating profusely, trying to come up with any solution that would cure their common situation. Such as: Multiple uses of many fans, ice water bathing, and 'umbrella shielding', while sipping on some clique beverages (lemonade, ice tea, and or fruit punch).

Weather ponies, especially the Wonderbolts, have been trying whatever they can to turn the weather around by adjusting the remaining clouds to give-off any form of a "chill breeze" that'l shower the residences in a nice, gentle, cool current, eventually picking up soon afterwards to last for the remainder of the day. But unfortunately, they've come up with nothing at the moment but small  puffs.

Among them was none other than Rainbow Dash, Equestria's # 1 top flyer of all time, and Wonderbolts team member, who is seen assisting the ponies in the sky by bouncing through every cloud she can get her hooves on, hoping that, with what minimal "puffs" emanating from them, could combine into a large wind gust that'l do the trick for everypony below.

And yet, her results were just like the Wonderbolts'

"Ugh, this is pointless.." grunted Rainbow Dash, as she let her tired hooves drop to her sides. "This is nearly every cloud around Ponyville and not a single one can give anything then..THIS.." she emphasized her disappointment by lightly squeezing a cloud, which lets out a small squeak, similar to that of a rubber duck.

"I don't blame you, Dash" commented Soarin, dropping his goggles from his eyes and lets them dangle from his neck. "Because of today's heat wave, and the weird wind patterns that's been throwing cloud after cloud all over the place, it's no wonder we couldn't get anything out of these at the moment, it's not enough"

"I have to agree" added Spitfire, appearing besides Soarin, "And by the looks of it, the water in these ones here are starting to evaporate and shrivel up in just a matter of minutes, so they'l be pointless to squeeze out anyways. Looks as if there wont be another shower for about a week or two from now"

"But, hang on a second. Didn't we had some 'darker' ones floating around here earlier last week?" Asked the rainbow-haired pegasus, "I could've sworn I've seen some around here before any of the other weather ponies showed up?"

"Hey, yeah, you're right" replied Spitfire, "There should be some more after the last 'clean-up'..." A realization then piped up inside the captain's head, making her look over to Soarin with a mild glare in her eyes.

Seeing this, Soarin's brows raised shortly in question, "What?"

"Soarin... If I can recall, the last 'clean-up' crew that came by here to round up any active thunderclouds was supervised by someone from YOUR department. And I'm quite sure that the others weren't out on patrol duty before we preformed over in Las Pegasus, but a certain somepony did..."

Getting what Spitfire is narrowing down, Soarin grew a guilty glint in his eyes, trying to avert his gaze from Spitfire's.

"W-well.."

"AND, I know that this particular somepony also had let HIS team finish the task early so HE may take an EARLY lunch break.."

"I-Uh..."

"And when we returned back to HQ, HE was 'snacking' on, none other than, APPLE PIE!"

The Wonderbolt felt tiny sweat droplets start to form around his forehead, slowly trickling down for every second he remained silent. "Urghh-OKAY! Okay! I did it! I accidentally told the team to relocate the storm clouds somewhere else then what you've instructed!"

"Oh, Soarin.." sighed Spitfire, placing an aggravated hoof on her forehead while giving a shake of her head. "Where did you guys put them?"

"Uh..The Everfree forest..."

"Well that's just perfect" commented Dash, "Now how are we gonna cool down Ponyville without any water?"

Just as that question was asked, the echoing sounds of squeaking wheels caught the attention of the three pegasuses. Their eyes widened shortly before another sigh was followed, but from Dash this time upon seeing 'another one'. "Oh no, not again..."

A large, vertical-rectangular machine is lightly trundling down the road of the town, gaining uneasy stares from other ponies on the sidelines, while some mumble to one another about itself; AND the pony behind it.

His fur was coated in a coal-black, adorning a short, hazel mane; to which his tail was a "bit" longer by comparison. His cutie mark, which was "odd" to other ponies, pictured a red '0' with a dash through it. Some question the stallion on what talent brought him to earn such an strange-looking mark, and why a '0' for Celestia's sake? The pony can only respond to that with the presentation of his latest B0T, which, at the sight, only struck fear towards them then what he intended.

Nothing else made the stallion more different then the average equine, except the robotic eye-implant in his right socket that is. The earth pony's only explanation for that was simply to "remember an old friend". Most ponies accepted the fact, to which they themselves share a similarity with their own memorabilia's, but others tend to disagree; considering the fact that it involves a robot.

Or, a "B0T"

He didn't mind that. His machines were all the company he needed throughout his foalhood and things went by pretty well afterwards. His parents, on the other hand, preferred him to forget about these apparatuses and go out to befriend ACTUAL friends instead of "inanimate contraptions". Of course, the stallion did as his parents wished and went out to socialize with the other colts and fillies around, including those at his Elementary school. Unfortunately, none of them seemed to share interest in his "work", but gave some liking nonetheless to show empathy. It was a nice gesture, but the pony decided gloss them over, seeing no point in interacting when machines were all he could concentrate on nonstop. He thought he was never going to find anypony that would share in his own fondness, and that he will just discuss his, future, cooperative ideas to simply himself.

That was until he met a certain unicorn afterwards, with her own "gadgets" roaming around too.

This perplexed the pony, seeing as how she's witnessed EVERY failure his creations undergo constantly, for about 3 years now, and yet she stays by his side nevertheless. He'd expected her to just run off, away from him to prevent herself from being caught in his luckless web, snared from hoof to hoof, hind-leg to hind-leg. Instead, she doesn't move an inch at all but keeps still.

He couldn't understand that from her, always asking, "Why?"

Apparently, "Friends never leave each other behind"

And speaking of which, she made a sudden appearance in front of the stallion, making him stop when seeing the shadow of two hoofs appear underneath his machine. He craned his neck around to see two golden eyes staring back at his brown, and mechanical, one's with a worrisome expression; just like the townsfolk's.

"Oh, hey, Gear. Didn't see you there"

Gearlock, or "Gear", is but another unicorn, colored in a purple-jasmine from head to hoof, to which her daffodil-colored eyes are the only ones that seem to brighten herself out. Her mane lengthens over her forehead and splits just above her muzzle, but her left half is a tad longer than the other by an inch or two. Her tail was a bit similar in length, but still short enough to not get caught in-between the mare's steps. They both shine in a dull iron grey, glistening almost as if her entire mane was actually MADE out of the element. Of course, that's idiotic if it EVER was true, but the stallion didn't mind it whatsoever and actually think it's interesting than un-ordinary. Her cutie mark, like her name, resembles two gears in-sync with each other; or "locked" together. How she was able to acquire it was with the assistance of her father, where, at a point, he had trouble with the town's clock tower after something jammed it's insides to suddenly stop at an unfortunate hour. As soon as Gearlock made-way inside to lend a hoof (mainly through the use of her own magic), her technique of replacing the damaged mechanisms, while racing against time in order to match the time of Celestia's sunrise, granted her said-cutie mark.

It sounded silly to the stallion how just fixing a clock before sunrise can get anypony a cutie mark in an instant. It's simply would do no harm to the ponies of the town that their tower would be out of commission for a short period of time. But, and from Gear's explanation told to her from her father, the tower has been Ponyville's ancient relic to which Princess Celestia granted with her own magic to make it account time precisely and accordingly, so nopony may be derailed to the ACCURATE time for each and everyday.

Gear's father witnessed the tower's creation and was awestruck at it's glory, and just how Celestia's magic make it as Ponyville's prime "clockwork". But, and on an unfortunate side, the magic wasn't able to affect the tower whatsoever, making it vulnerable just as a regular clock tower. And in that case, it's gears has been getting jammed from time to time by whatever-means, making multiple ponies resort into taking shift after shift to come by and repair it before sunrise or nightfall. And to spare that excruciating decision from everypony, Gear's father volunteered "full-time" and took the position as "clock watchpony".

But as soon as another 'jam' stopped the tower from functioning yet again, and the elder pony wasn't able to repair it by his hooves, despite his repetitive solution('s), in entered Gearlock.

Ever since then, Gear grew into a hobby of bio-mechanics, wanting herself to also understand the anatomy of clockwork's more then what she already knows when working with the tower. So, she broadened that to newer heights. Such as creating miniature gadgets out of 2x4, springs, and wind-up mechanisms, similar to wind-up toys ponies regularly buy for their children at the markets, only to have them eventually break apart because of it's cheap materials. But not Gearlock's own. Surprisingly, they've been able to withhold the passing hours of time, despite withering away chip by chip, they still function as if they've been created once again.

Plus, it's another form of an opportunity for Gear to practice her magic. Her mother did tell her that "practice always makes perfect". But the unicorn already knew that shtick, she was able to master her control by the age of 12, still continuing to try nevertheless afterwards. Had SOME slight setbacks here and there, but Gear still tried to keep her focus, and mind, clear and straightforward in order to keep her creation's constructions "right".

Though, one day, her latest wind-up stumbled upon sompony else's. But this stranger was made out of metal, screws, and bolts then Gear's own lumber, gears, and nails. That's when the jasmine colored unicorn met the stallion standing in front of her, later tying each other as friends when finding out about their main commonality: Bio-mechanics.

Unfortunately, as time passed on by, Gear grew a feeling of dismay when staring at *another B0T again. And what the outcome may be THIS time.*

"Another one, Z?" Gearlock asked, with a hint of disappointment.

'Z', a nickname the stallion acquainted himself before moving to Ponyville. Which is similar to the names he deems his B0T's: Z3R0

Nopony, not even Gearlock, knows Z's REAL name, to which he's been keeping under-wraps for quite some time now, but everypony gave up the chance when the stallion wouldn't drop the slightest of hints than the repetitive, straight-forward answer, "Z3R0".

'Z' got along with the idea pretty well, thinking that he's going to keep it until he'd POSSIBLY reveal it in the near-future; if the odds are against him that is. It's nice to have a change-of-things by your own control this time, you finally feel free; for once.

"Yeah, what of it?" responded Z, "This baby here's gonna solve today's heat wave in a flash"

"But..how are you so sure this...time?"

"BECAUSE, and unlike OTHER times, I've managed to avoid my earliest mistakes with the other prototypes and reconfigure that into this one here" Z tapped the machine's side with a prideful look in his eye, "Meet, the 1C3-B0T"

Gear gazed upon the robotic device, looking over it's features carefully, HOPEFULLY not to find any "mishaps" that could end this whole idea in *another disaster. It held a light blue screen atop it's front half while the bottom adores a vent shaft. Nothing else is seen around it then it's front-end, looking 'simple' enough. Well, apart from the robotic eye staring back at her with a cold, empty stare, almost similar to Z's own implant, but the iris on this one is blue.*

Nevertheless, the jasmine-colored mare still had a bad hunch nonetheless.

"Z, can you be REALLY certain that this thing will-you know-ACTUALLY do something useful this time? Unlike...other times.."

"Well of course!" retorted the stallion, "I haven't wasted my time looking over the statistics, design outlines, and data to create a hunk of junk that'l just do NOTHING. Just you watch, it's gonna change everything"

The mare never enjoyed going against her friend's passion for machinery, but the history they have made that nearly jeopardized the lives of everypony in Ponyville, including herself and Z's, may contradict that.

But before Gearlock could utter another word, Z reached a hoof behind his creation and flipped a small switch, causing the device's engine, or core (however it may be), to start running, letting out a low humming sound.

Then a blue smog slowly ventilates outside of the machine, cluttering itself up into one massive cloud, nearly enveloping the entire ground-level in it's giant haze; almost as if it's going to swallow anypony in an instant if they come into contact with it. Considering how desperately they try to evade it by whatever-means. Unfortunately though, it's to no avail as it reaches them anyways.

The fear in their minds, causing their limbs to shake and hearts to pound immensely against their chests, slowly begins to loosen up when feeling a cold chill slowly withering away their excessive heated bodies with ease. The source has been from the ventilated sapphire gas, continuing to expand even greater throughout the town.

Yet, despite the "refreshing" solution the ponies have been waiting for all day, some still try to keep-away from the smog, still unsure of the downsides that's bound to flip upwards in a matter of time.

The Wonderbolts watch as the machine does it's work, and just like the civilians below, they all had insecure looks themselves when watching it ventilate that ominous smog from itself.

"Should we do something before things get out-of-hand?" asked Soarin.

"I say we make it down there and destroy it before it does the other way around!" Dash proclaimed, about to take off towards the device before a tangerine-colored hoof stops her in her tracks.

"Hang on a sec, Dash, let's not jump in just yet" Spitfire responded, despite her own doubts, still held a calm composure when seeing another B0T do it's work again. "Nothing seems to be going on at the moment then..this. We should just stay back until things REALLY turn hairy. And when they do, THAT'S when we make it down there. Right now, let's just see if this one can actually turn out 'better' then the others"

"But they never do!" Dash shouted, her tone spiced with vexation. "They always wreck havoc the next second they're turned on! It's best to get rid of it now before it does any harm! Come on, Spitfire!"

Spitfire doesn't respond to the mare but keeps her gaze remained on the "B0T", her silence telling Dash to stay-put for now. Grunting in compliance, Rainbow folds her hooves across her chest and watches alongside the other two Wonderbolts.

As the device kept on pumping the gas, the cooler the temperature began to decrease, letting everypony relish in the new 'change', despite it comping from an unfortunate pony.

The stallion still kept his prideful grin plastered on, finally watching as one of his creations ACTUALLY function properly instead of breaking apart. He can finally understand his mishaps and make-do with the same changes for further-

That's when the B0T's engine then powered down shortly, ceasing it's cooling ventilation. This surprised both the earth pony and unicorn, even the Wonderbolts.

"Hm?" Z made-way behind the device, giving it a couple of light taps and shoves to see if it will start itself up again, but to no avail. "That's odd. It seemed to have shut itself off all of a sudden"

"'All of a sudden'?" Gear remarked, re-phrasing his words in a sarcastic manner, to which Z responded with a half-lidded glance and frown.

"I..was sure to keep it sustainable with it's battery core to keep on going for more then this long" Z opened up the B0T's back panel, looking over it's insides to find any noticeable deficiencies, moving some wires aside while observing.

"And I'm pretty sure that's the cue to pull it's plug before anything else happens"

Z let out an aggravated sigh, understanding what she meant by her tone. But he knew, deep down, she didn't REALLY mean it at all, yet STILL held her doubts nonetheless. He kept focus on finding the culprit to his machine's "unexpected" power down, but finds nothing then the usual's he outlined before constructing the contraption.

Without warning, once again, the device sprung back to life, the ventilation resuming normally again as the smog returns shortly. Z arched a brow at this, including Gear, a bit unsure if what occurred was a temporary mishap or something else unaware to them. Nonetheless, no harm was caused to put anypony in jeopardy.

"Ya see?" Z asked, closing the back hatch and taking a few steps back to return beside the unicorn. "Nothing more then a couple of 'hiccups' and it's still going fine as ever. I don't see what you were so worried about anyways"

Gear didn't respond but still kept a skeptical look at the B0T, waiting for whatever is to unfold already arrive now. But after a short five minutes, or more, there wasn't any more "hiccups", "interruptions", or "spontaneous combustion's" whatsoever, it was working.."fine". Seeing as her friend had SUCCESSFULLY created something that doesn't get them nearly obliterated made the mare release a pent-up sigh.

"Well, I guess you were right all along, Z" Gear spoke up, "You really made something that'l cure Ponyville of this heat wave. Congrats" she gave the stallion a pat or two on his backside, growing his prideful joy to which he responds with a fist-hoof in the air.

"Alright! Hey, maybe next time we-"

But before Z could utter his next 'constructive' idea, the ventilation suddenly shuts down again, cutting off the cool haze afresh. The two ponies looked back at the B0T again, confusion re-etched to their faces, except for Gear (of course). Once again, it's motor restarts, resuscitating it's faint humming. Except, it is now running at a quickened pace, sounding as if it was going to fly out of the device at any moment. Z quickly returned back to the B0T's rear panel, but as he tried to reopen it he was only met with an army of sparks.

"Agh!" the stallion retracted his hoof, seeing a burn mark burn through his fur from the inflicted flickers, but that didn't stop him from trying to reopen the console again. "Come on, come on, come on..."

"What? What's going on?!" asked a, now, worried Gearlock, "PLEASE tell me nothing's going to explode again! Will it?"

"What? No. It just need some rewiri-" Then, out of Z's surprise, a wall of fire erupts at his end, pushing him back on his hind-legs. Slowly, it begins to grow, swallowing the B0T in a blaze of flames. Z was unaware of the sprites coming towards them as his gaze fixed to the flaming contraption.

Seeing this, Gear quickly made it behind Z, picking him up from his front-hooves with her own, dragging him away from the, soon-to-be, incinerated 1C3-B0T.

"N-no, no!" Z got out of his Gear's grasp, trying to return back to the machine before he felt a strong yank from his tail. He looked over to see Gear, having it in-between her teeth, trying to prevent him from going back. "Gear, let go! I have to head back! I-It just needs some minor repairs!"

"Minor repairs?!" Gear exclaimed, a bit muffled from having the stallion's tail against her incisors. "Are you kidding me? For Celesta's-sake, look at it, Z! It looks as if it's going to explode! I'm not going to let you become chard pony meat by my watch!"

"B-but-"

"But nothing!"

As soon as the fire finished consuming the B0T, Spitfire finally got the signal she needed to finally head down. "Alright, it's on fire. Come on, guys"

"Finally!" Rainbow Dash cheered, cracking her hooves and flexing her wings, about to make another attempt at a nose-dive before being halted by Spitfire another time. "What now?"

"I say we try to make it to the spot where it ISN'T on fire. Unless you want to become Equestria's # 1 FIREBALL"

Rainbow gave a look at the blazing machine again, sighing a "no".

"Right. Well, just follow my lead, okay?" Spitfire slowly descended towards the B0T, but on the opposite side from the wall of fire. Rainbow and Soarin followed behind afterwards. The three Wonderbolts now faced the machine, wincing as some flames roar at them intimidatingly. Soarin slightly flinched at it, but not the Wonderbolts caption or rainbow-haired mare.

"So," Dash began, "what do you suggest we do to get rid of ANOTHER one?"

"Well," Spitfire responded, rubbing a hoof underneath her chin while examining the "monstrosity" top to bottom, "looks as if the only solution to this would be to extinguish the fire and destroy it before it, I don't know, 'self-destructs' after being tampered with. Or however HE programmed this thing.."

"I don't think it will be THAT risky" Soarin protested

"Do you know the creator, Soarin?" Dash asks the Wonderbolt, with half-lidded eyes and a flat line across her mouth. "When will it NOT explode sooner or later?"

"..Good point" responded the Wonderbolt, changing his opinion at the mention. "But how are we gonna get it dry without any rain clouds to begin...with...Why are you two looking at me like that?"

Spitfire and Dash gave Soarin a look that deems 'You know how', making the pony sigh in defeat upon realization. "I got it.."

With a stretch of his wings, Soarin shot upwards into the sky and made-way towards the only place he knew where said-rain clouds would be. Which, of course, was his fault to begin with.

The Evefree forest.

Upon making it there, the Wonderbolt was met with strong gusts coming left and right from an, unexpected, thunderstorm brewing. Momentarily, they strew him off course with a ruffle of his feathers, making it as if he was going to be propelled to the far ends of Equestria in a matter of seconds. Fortunately, Soarin was able to manage his task and retrieve as much of the raging-storm clouds as his hooves can carry and return back to Ponyville before anything else could befall him there.

When returning back to the other Wonderbolts, he watches as they try their best to keep some of the town's civilians to stay away from the flaming contraption, preventing them from getting  burnt, scarred, or chard from the rising flames. The trio then "kick-starts" the clouds to release their pent-up showers above the B0T, slowly extinguishing it before, by a matter of time, becoming a giant fireball. The other ponies of the town cheer at the Wonderbolt's deed, watching as the last flame sprite die down. And, on a positive note, the remaining storm clouds were placed on every gaping corner of Ponyville, letting them release their minimal showers, allowing some of the citizens to finally rapture the cool water raining down upon them; despite if it's temporary.

Rainbow Dash, seeing an opportunity open up for her, quickly makes-way to the remains of the 1C3-B0T and grabs it with both hooves; relieved to not have it burn through her cyan colored fur after 'lighting up'. As soon as she was at a good range away from the town, she, with all the strength she musters, tosses the B0T high upwards into the sky, watching it hover for a couple of seconds. In a split-second, the mare quickly bolts towards it, leaving behind a multi-colored trail behind her. Careful as to not cause any form hemorrhage upon herself, Dash bursts through the B0T, leaving a gaping hole that looks as if it'l split the machine apart at any moment.

The machine lets out some short-circuited sparks before enveloping itself in a large explosion, raining down bits and pieces of it's remains all over Ponyville below.

Z's jaw dropped once seeing another one of his creations be destroyed into smithereens, again. But, of course, it was imminent anyways, the stallion slowly started to accept that fact as the pieces hit the ground, one by one.

Seeing the self-loathing disappointment course through her friend, considering his slumped posture, Gear gave him a sympathetic look, releasing his tail before placing a reassuring hoof on his shoulder. He looked back up at his friend, seeing as she gave him a small smile despite what happened; a form of 'Cheer up, buddy' and 'It'l be okay. The next one will be better then the last'. Notwithstanding the sheer signs of chagrin the mare shared too, the stallion returned her smile with a miniature one of his.

Unfortunately it quickly dissipated once hearing the sound of multiple hoof-steps heading towards the two. They looked up to find the citizens of Ponyville, including the three Wonderbolts, and, of course, Mayer Mare staring down at Z with disproving glares, obviously indicating that the latest B0T was yet *ANOTHER** failure. And if it stayed any while longer, sitting at the center of town, ignited, it could've caused a catastrophic explosion that would've incinerated them all in an instant. That is If Dash hadn't beat it to that point, of course.*

Z let out a nervous chuckle, the multiple stares was starting to make him more uncomfortable than he already feels. "Uh.. Eheh. W-whoops..?"

And here's where you ended up. Stuck living beside the coast of one of Equestria's most deadliest forests around the land. It wasn't an immediate 'kick-out' after..THAT, but by your own choice. Deciding to not keep endangering everypony with your mistakes, you thought it'd be best to keep your distance from them so nopony would be harmed when you STILL continued your work.

Yes, you resumed your "hobby" into creating disaster after another, but what else could you do? It's your own ambition in life that makes you feel fulfilled then simply doing...nothing. You'd hate to resort to that when taking, multiple, breaks on your everyday "job".

But, on a brighter-note, you DID get to see some action at that time when Dash obliterated your 1C3-B0T. And it was exhilarating when it was from her, since, of course, she is one of Equestria's saviors from the ominous forces trying to conquer the land(s). So, it was KIND OF a sight-to-see at least. Right?

Sighing with a disappointed tone, you knew what you meant was just horse manure, but that's how advance through life. Despite the darker times coming to "ruin your day", a positive turn-of-events is on the other side of it all, reassuring you that, in the end, life isn't, EVER, as terrible as it seems unless you make it out to be.

Plus, your little home-or, in reality, your lucky finding-wasn't so bad. You get to have some cool air seep in whenever your trying to sleep and cold sweat builds up out-of-the-blue, making it UNBEARABLE to sleep when it feels as though your being blasted by a heating fan at full-capacity. That, and Gearlock always came by to visit you whenever she had the time, helping you improve on your other B0Ts as you do the same for her trinkets, really spending quality time together. Plus, the inside-surroundings are quite nice looking to not pass up. Everything is furnished, cleaned, with the exception of some dust build-up, and spaced-out for ANYPONY to just reside in at whatever time they please. The outside wasn't that bad either. Just an ordinary brown coating, with a rear door to boot, making it resemble a log cabin; in your perspective, that is. And, it's structure is so sturdy you can whack the walls with a sledgehammer and nothing would leave a dent.

But, of course, you'd NEVER do that; both being insane and ridiculous. Notwithstanding it's "stronghold" appearance of course. You just couldn't think of any analogy then that.

You gave your "home's" surroundings a nice glance or two, even closing-in and out with your mechanical eye. It was TRULY lucky that you've managed to stumble upon this place when you were out house-hunting. Surprised that nopony was already sheltered inside, or already settled-in and off on a trip that'l go through a month or two before returning, catching you in the act; red-handed. The usual "TV cliques". Or, if you'd like to think all "paranormal-like", the place is haunted by some unfulfilled, or vengeful, spirit, roaming the world of the living until it is satisfied and can finally rest in piece. The 'icing' to the cake.

But, nope, it was empty from the inside-out. So, you'd might as well take the chance while it was given for your own take. Just like how Rainbow Dash did with your 1C3-B0T.

You let the ruined chest-piece fall from your hoof and onto the ground, thinking that it's best to not dwell in the past any more. It's best to get out and clear your mind.

Making sure to keep some of your personal possessions away from plain-sight, you made it to the door and exited outside, taking in what the outdoors has to offer today.

The "usual" has already begun before stepping out: The flowers are starting to bloom and the wildlife, mainly the birds, who are flying all-about, singing their usual melody, all are preforming their daily routine's to make it through the day. You watched one fly over your head, going over Everfree forest, thankfully out of harm's reach. You hoped that nothing would befall the innocent creature by whatever dwells inside. And, surprisingly, nothing has for at least a minute or two, making you sigh in relief.

That is until a purple tentacle emerged and grabbed the small creature, dragging it back from where it surfaced, watching as some feathers floated from the spot where the bird once was for a second or two before descending down slowly. You wince when watching that scene, and when hearing a loud "CHOMP" afterwards.

It was a beautiful day to take a walk anyways, you needed it. But somewhere FAR AWAY from that accursed forest by any means, you are sure of that. Seeing a large patch of grass up ahead, you trotted over to it, following it's emerald-colored path as far as it goes. Thinking that you've distanced yourself away quite nicely from the forest behind you, you decided to finally take the next steps at a calming pace. You didn't want another day being spent trying to avoid death by the hands of the unknown, again. It's getting tiresome.

Some time alone out in the outdoors will lighten you up from a trip down memory-lane, it always does.

And you never know, something "exciting" could reveal itself for you to watch in awe with both eyes; organic and mechanical.

"Hopefully..."