AJ is a cyborg searching for her family
Pinkie Pie is a runaway
And Rainbowdash?
She just wants a normal life.
System: Normana
Planet: Aeyr
Date: j/9/1269
Hour: 16b
The hallway was soaked, tiled walls bursting with a brilliant array of molds and algae. The floor was patches of broken cement, which was navigated carefully by a pair of black leather boots. Puddles of foul water reflected the shattered green light leaking in from the holes in the ceiling. The air carried the thick scents of earth mixed with swirls of decay and rot. The boots clicked, the sound echoing down the corridor. As they passed underneath a rare ray of sunlight, the boots’ owner was visible.
Long black hair was braided down a bony back covered only by a thin tank top. Ripped jeans clung to her skin, accenting her curved body in just the right places. Sharp, angular features scowled in displeasure, electric blue eyes mere slits. Her lips were pursed and she glanced about as if worried of an immediate attack, her fingers resting lightly on her blaster.
“Halt.” a voice rumbled. The woman turned her blaster, red lights blazing along the metal weapons sides.
“Who says?” she shot back, her chest heaving with halted gasps. She was afraid. The voice made a growling noise, deep and monotonous.
“I say.” The woman doubled back as a huge figure appeared from seemingly nowhere.
Bulging muscles were all she could see, a taut stomach hidden underneath a black jumpsuit. Navy blue combat boots that could fit Bigfoot planted themselves a few feet away, huge scarred hands curled into fists. The face was cleverly hidden within the shadows, but two lime green orbs stared out from the darkness.
“Y-You? But how did you find me?” the woman stuttered, fear shining in her eyes. The figure chuckled ominously.
“I have my ways.”
“I left your group three years ago….you didn’t need me, you don’t need me sir.” the woman said, casting her gaze to the ruined floor. The man might’ve smiled, there was a white flash of teeth, but the woman did not see. He straightened himself, and uncurled his giant fists. Placing one hand on the woman's shoulder he cleared his throat.
“That is where you are wrong Ele. I do need you.” The woman shook him off, anger rushing through her veins.
“Because you want my help? Because you need my robotic expertise? I’m done making armies for you.” Her voice was fierce, a snarl. The man only laughed.
“You think you have a choice? That’s cute.” he paused, noticing her murderous expression. “I’m not asking for an army. I’m asking for a cyborg implant to be done, and you’re the best in the field.”
“My work is illegal...cyborg implants have been outlawed by the central government...not that I care about the stupid princesses and their stupid rules.” Ele huffed. “Why do you think I’m here? I don’t want to be found out. Celestia isn’t exactly merciful these days.” The man growled again, a hissing noise that grated at Eles’ ears.
“Don’t you dare mention her name in front of me!” he spat, fists curling again. Ele swallowed and shook herself. She couldn’t allow him to see any weakness, it would only feed his anger.
“I am only telling you as it is sir. I don’t want to be thrown in a jail cell or worse.” she sighed, leaning against the slimed walls. “I love my work….people don’t see how delicate they are. One wrong move and their lives are meaningless. But if they combine with machines...the knowledge, the protection it gives.” she looked at the man, her eyes shining. “I save them...from a life that has no purpose. Only melded with machines will they be able to efficiently function.” She stopped, brow crinkling. “I sound crazy.” she murmured.
“Yes, you do.” the man said with an eye roll. “But I enjoy crazy, if it means I can get revenge.” The woman grit her teeth, lifting her chin with eyes flashing.
“I won’t help you.” she said menacingly. The man only shook his head.
“I’m afraid that you really don’t have any choice.” he said gravely, before strong hands wrapped around the woman’s shoulders, shoving a dirtied cloth into her open mouth. The man crossed his arms and waited until the few seconds of muted struggle ended with the woman hanging limp from another man’s arms. “That’s better.” he commented before signaling to the other man. “Come now, it’s best we get going before they find us here.” With those words the man and his accomplice disappeared into the darkness of the abandoned building.
***
System: Myoa
Planet: Beayr
Date: k/8/1288
Hour: 23b
It was late, the young woman noted as she stared up at the sky. The orange sky that was pin pricked with tiny dots of blazing light. She sighed, the stars were lucky. They were free in the sky while she was stuck within the confines of gravity, doomed to stay trapped on the planet's surface, never to feel the wind on her face or the rush of flight. She rested her arms against the porch railing, staring out at the city.
It really was beautiful she decided thinking back on her sister's words.
“It’s like...alive.” the young girl had exclaimed. The woman allowed herself a smile, she had to agree.
The skyline was a circus of different flashes of lights and sounds. People trotted along underneath, hurried footsteps creating a steady beat along with the chorus of car horns and dog barks. Neon signs blinked frantically, bright colors screaming out into the night. The city had a heartbeat, and it was joined with the smells of heated garbage, sweat and fresh flowers bloom.
It all disappeared in one flash, her mind transported to the day back on that spaceship. Where all her rose colored eyes could see were fiery explosions and mutilated bodies floating in the black void that was space. She and her sister were tight in each other’s arms, watching their spaceship tear itself apart outside their thick plated survival pod. Her mother...her father lost in the stupid mistake ridden accident.
“Dash?” a girl's voice shook her from the nightmare. The woman blinked away tears and faced her sister, who stood with concern written all over her sharp features.
“I’m good Scoots.” she replied hastily, brushing past the girl so she wouldn’t see the pain scribbled across her face. The girl frowned, grabbing her sister’s hand.
“Don’t run anymore.” she said quietly. Dash went still, sweat collecting on her brow.
“Go to bed Scootaloo.” she snapped wrestling her hand away. “I’m not running from anything.” Dash heard the flinching gasp and the tired feet dragging themselves to bed, heard the slight hiccups that meant her sister was crying. But she stood there with her fists curled and face red.
It wasn’t her fault the ship went down, leaving her homeless and responsible for her younger sister. She shouldn’t have to keep moving herself around to escape the memories, or worry about how much credits they had. She shouldn’t have to deal with the insane prices of fuel or how long it would be until their stupid Clunker broke down and they’d be stranded on some unknown planet. Her chest heaved and she felt the hot trails of tears slide down her cheeks.
“Dash…” the voice was small, afraid. The woman turned, blurred vision making her sister nothing more than a pink haired blob. “I’m sorry...I just thought that I could help.” Dash swallowed, furiously wiping away the salted water that slicked her cheeks.
“I-I” she blurted, hating herself for acting this way. Suck it up. She told herself angrily. This wasn’t how she wanted to be seen, even by her sister. “I’m the one who’s sorry Scoots...I’m just tired.” she muttered as the young girl wrapped her up in a hug. Dash didn’t react, standing still and letting her sister’s tears soak into her blue t-shirt. Her words were sour on her tongue. She wasn’t as sorry as she should be. Her sister had no idea what she had given up to get them here, in this place. But, she decided looking down at the magenta haired girl, there was nothing she wouldn’t do to keep Scootaloo safe.
“Dash...do you think Mom and Dad are watching us?” Scootaloo whispered suddenly, pulling away. Her purple eyes were shining orbs in the gathering darkness. Her thin fingered hands reached for Dashes and her mouth was pulled tight trying to keep back sobs. Dash took a shaky breath and knelt so she was somewhat level with her younger sister.
“Scoots...Mom and Dad are totally watching us, they keep us safe.” her words sounded hollow, even to her. Scootaloo nodded slowly, sniffing.
“I miss them a lot.” she murmured. Dash put her hand on the girl’s bony shoulder.
“Me too kiddo.” she said soothingly, her anger and frustration fading as she gazed at the child before her. Her sister had done nothing to deserve the pain and loss she’d gone through. “Tell you what, tomorrow we’ll go flying, you and me.” Dash hoped that her ship was well enough to make any sort of journey. She’d landed it pretty roughly when the primary fuel tank ran itself empty without alerting her. Scootaloo smiled slightly.
“I’d like that.” she said sleepily.
“Yeah okay now go to bed kid, you’re exhausted.” Dash gently guided her back to the cheap hotels’ rickety bed. The girl fell into it, snuggling into the pillows at once. Dash smiled and tucked her in, watching with sisterly love as the girl’s eyelids closed and her body relaxed. The girl was all she had left and if anything were to happen to her….well Dash didn’t know what she’d do. Fight. Her brain whispered. Fight until whoever had her let her go. Letting out a sigh the woman slumped onto her own bed and fell asleep almost immediately.
***
System: Asphene
Planet: Rokae
Date: j/3/1274
Hour: 17a
The night sky was choked with smoke, and all she could see was the faces. The twisted, tortured faces as they burned. She wanted to hide, to cover her ears so she wouldn’t hear the screaming, but there was nothing she could do. Her body was frozen as she watched the grey walled farmhouse go up in flames.
They can’t be dead, her mind whispered.
They aren’t burning to death.
But as her heart hammered against her rib cage and tears wet her paled cheeks she knew. She knew they were gone. It was all her fault.
I’m a murderer. The thought chilled her entire being.
It was an accident. She countered, backing away.
Her feet slipping through rocky sands, connecting with small lumps that she knew were rocks. Her sister’s rocks. Stop it. She cried turning from the disaster and running. Running as fast as her short legs could carry her. Away from the smoke, from the flames that had consumed her life.
***
System: Normana
Planet: Calphine
Date: d/7/1288
Hour: 12b
Pinkie considered herself an excellent runner. Her whole childhood was built around the flight or fight survival tactic. Well most of it, the first few years were nothing but abuse and torture. Then there was the blackened hole in her memory, some event that her brain refused to conjure up. Try as she might, she could never seem to call up a single detail from the day she chose to run. But she’d never stopped. Whatever, whoever, she left behind was lost and there was nothing she could do to about it.
The people she met called her crazy, called her a psychopath. Pinkie thought they were overreacting. Sure she killed some people, but they were really nasty people who were trying to kill her. They shot first anyways Pinkie reasoned. However she didn’t know why the men were particularly intent on ending her life. She wasn’t rich, she wasn’t important. Unless she somehow stole from them, but Pinkie didn’t think that was possible. She prided herself on her excellent memory (apart from the missing childhood trauma). She never forgot the people she stole from, which is how they received repayment, which was usually some sort of baked good. The men who attacked her were not on that list. Whoever they were, they didn’t like her. But that was okay, because not many people did. Except the folks at Lyra’s Place
The bar wasn’t always packed, but tonight it seemed that everyone in the small town of Ashor was seated on one of the ancient wooden bar stools that lined the expensive looking counter. Pinkie was a regular here and though the Lyra who had once owned the joint had gone off on her own life’s adventures long ago, the new owner insister on being called Lyra. The new owner was probably the most obnoxious person that Pinkie had met and Pinkie found a way to like almost anyone. But this woman was completely off her rocker.
“Heyo P-Pinkie P-Pie!” the shrill, nasally voice grated at her ears.
Forcing a pleasant smile on her lips Pinkie turned toward the small round alien woman. “Hey Mai” she said evenly refusing to call this woman Lyra. The real Lyra was much more sensible than this. Mai pouted, her cherry scented lip gloss gleaming underneath the electric lightning. Her dark green hair was coiled in two tight buns at the top of her scalp and her large round yellow eyes blinked from behind long eyelashes. Mai was a regular alien, a Moria to be precise.
Aliens weren’t uncommon, most everyone was an alien now since there was only a few native species of the galaxy left. Moria’s, though not natives, had settled in the galaxy a very long time ago and were often mistaken for natives. Pinkie had no problem with alien life, as she was considered an alien herself, but she could not bring herself to like the alien woman who had wormed her way into Pinkie’s life.
“You know you can call me Lyra, right darling?” Pinkie tried her best not to make a sour face.
“Yeah...but’s it’s kinda weird.” she responded awkwardly.
Mai snorted, but said nothing more, choosing to go bother someone else. Pinkie wrapped her hand around the handle of her cider mug. While hard cider did some pretty nasty things to her brain, she was kind of addicted to the stuff. She took a sip, loving the buzz of the alcohol.
“This seat open?” a rough voice cut through the fog in the pink haired woman’s brain. She glanced over at the woman who seemed like she could use a good drink.
“No siree.” Pinkie bubbled. The woman gave her an odd look but settled her light frame onto the barstool. Pinkie noticed her sunken cheeks and tired rose eyes. She noticed the streaks of colored hair hanging out of the dark hood the woman wore and she noticed the heavy air of loss that seemed to weigh heavily on the woman’s shoulders. She wondered what the woman’s story was, there was always a story.
“Do you know if there’s a place to get a ship around here?” the woman asked gruffly. Her eyes narrowing as she took in Pinkie’s loud appearance.
Pinkie was wearing her brightest pink top, some white and pink polka dotted jeans and some red sneakers. Her hair was normal, big puffy and pink. Pinkie nodded earnestly. “Why? Gotta date somewhere?”
The woman gritted her teeth. “Something like that.” she hissed.
Pinkie sighed and gave her a disapproving frown. “You’re being grumpy.” she said, watching the woman’s frustration level rise.
“Oh yeah? You’re being annoying.” the woman shot back, though she clearly was too exhausted to think of any sort of clever comeback. Pinkie smiled apologetically, she liked this woman.
“There’s a shipyard a little ways from here. I can take you there….” she looked at the woman imploringly.
“If I tell you why? Sorry kid, I don’t do that kind of thing. I don’t need help.”
Pinkie shrugged. “Then no ship.”
The woman shrugged back.“I’ll get it myself.”
Pinkie laughed. “Good luck with that.” She watched the woman’s brow furrow and smiled as the woman charged out the bar’s doors. Just wait. Pinkie told herself. She’ll be back.
***
System: Myoa
Planet: Calipion
Date: h/18/1288
Hour: 15b
Sunshine, over fields and fields of apple trees.
Water, splashing in a pond.
Earth, the scent in her nose, the mud on her clothes.
Family, surrounding her on a winter’s night, in the orchard, together.
Terror as she was taken, worry, fear, sickness.
Computers, wires, pain, so much pain.
Awake, scary, new, alone
The thoughts were a hurricane in her mind, swirling and pounding.
“You’re awake.” the voice was slimy, cold, unpleasant. She blinked, terrified to find the green lights of a computer in her left eyes view. Words running across her eyeball, information screening in, noise screeching in her skull. She could barely hear the man’s oily voice.
“W-What happen to me?” she questioned. The man chuckled.
“That’s not obvious?” he did not allow her to speak as he continued on. “It does not matter what you are now. I need something done. And you’re going to help me.”
Author's Note
I made a thing. It's probably stupid....but I'm going with it anyway.
