Metro: Canterlot Line

The High Estate station was utterly beautiful, rather than tents and sleeping bags the station had been entirely transformed to almost a perfect representation of pre-explosion architecture, the walls were covered in beautiful apartment buildings and the rails had been bricked over and transformed into a path with street lights around it. Benches and metal bins were a common sight and the roof of the station had been painted over blue and detailed illustrations of clouds were scattered around it. This was truly the place of anyponies dreams, the citizens themselves were very welcoming. Whether that be because word of the invitation or killing had got around or the fact that they may be like this to everypony. Taking a few more moments to believe his eyes Sprocket wandered towards the market area which still looked just like pre-explosion architecture. Decorated stalls with buckets of food and various other items spread along tables and displayed for sale, he wandered towards the ammunition stall which, typically, was built into the wall and a pane of bulletproof glass separated the customer from the products and stall owner.

“I’d like to buy a few rounds for my bolt action rifle” Implied Sprocket

“How many?” replied the shopkeeper, uninterested in anything except what he wanted to buy

“Four boxes” Stated Sprocket trying to keep the conversation formal, the shopkeeper turned away and picked up four boxes of rifle ammunition, placing them on the counter on his side of the glass.

“200 bits” Demanded the shopkeeper, sighing and placing a small bag onto the counter the shopkeeper greedily pulled the bag through to his side and pushed the ammunition onto Sprocket’s side. Turning away without any farewell Sprocket wandered towards what looked like the place to get a drink around this station

“I’m gonna need a drink after travelling through those tunnels...” Stated Sprocket under his breath

Sprocket stepped into the building, it was in fact a club, not exactly ideal for Sprocket as he wanted to think while relaxing with a drink but he could still manage to drink. Taking a seat near the bar the music in the club slowly deafening Sprocket he signalled to the barkeeper

“Get me anything” Yelled Sprocket over the sound of the music which grated on Sprocket’s nerves so much, the barkeeper nodded and passed him a glass full of what seemed to be slightly irradiated vodka.

“5 bits” Stated the barkeeper, Sprocket tossed the bits towards him and took a sip from his drink turning to the DJ of the club. It was a strangely familiar looking pony with a white coat and blue mane wearing a peculiar pair of purple glasses. He thought over the books he had read, of course this was Vinyl Scratch or more known as “DJ-PON3” rolling his eyes and turning back to the bar Sprocket took a larger sip of his drink. He was going to need it if he was to put up with this music which grated on his nerves to an unbelievable extent, he began to gather his wits about him and think where he would have to go next.

The hours had flew past and Sprocket had made his way through 5 glasses of vodka, the music still playing and he still struggled to ponder upon where his next destination would be. Suddenly the club went quiet

“Oh thank Celestia...” thought Sprocket, finishing off his current glass of vodka, maybe now the annoying DJ would change to somepony who wouldn’t use as much volume as DJ-PON3. A new song began to play as the DJ had, as Sprocket though, changed. Sprocket ordered another vodka; he was growing quite fond of the drink but decided this would be the last order from him. Sprocket noticed  the seat next to him had a new pony sat on it, turning his head to look who it was he immediately looked back at his drink. It was that annoying DJ, DJ-PON3, that had played that annoying music. One thought rushed through his mind

“Please for the love of all things, don’t breathe a word to me” He thought repeatedly

“Sir?” Inquired the barkeeper “Pay the bits please” reaching quickly into his pocket and producing the bits he grabbed the glass and quickly drank it all. Extremely eager to leave

“You’ve been here all day” said a voice

“Aw crap...” Thought Sprocket “She’s started talking...”

“Is there something wrong?” Inquired the DJ

“Nope, just have a long journey ahead of me.” Stated Sprocket in the most serious tone he could manage, keeping his eyes fixed on the wall in front of him

“Really? You seem to be drinking a lot for somepony that knows that he has a long journey” replied Vinyl “So what’s really up?” at this point the DJ was getting on Sprocket’s nerves more than ever

“I...” began Sprocket, the DJ leaned towards him eager to listen “I...”

“You...?” Asked Vinyl

“I CAN’T THINK WITH THIS CURSED MUSIC!” Yelled Sprocket, the music stopped and he could tell the entire club was looking at him, getting up from his seat Sprocket turned to the exit with his bolt action rifle in his hooves.

Vinyl sat looking at the exit, puzzling over this strange pony who had just showed up and yelled that in the middle of a club, after a few moments the entire club returned to its previous state. Also getting up from her seat Vinyl wandered towards the exit.

Sitting on the bench outside Sprocket sorted out his backpack and throwing the empty ammunition boxes into the trash

“So I see you don’t plan on staying for long” Said the familiar voice of Vinyl Scratch, Sprocket let out a heavy sigh

“I don’t intend to, I was summoned by Celestia to join her royal guard at Canterlot Gardens” Replied Sprocket simply, Vinyl gasped

“That’s so amazing! I’ve always wanted to go to Canterlot Gardens!” Exclaimed Vinyl “Hey! I have an idea!” Sprocket prayed this wasn’t going where he thought it was

“There’s a caravan leaving town soon which go to the Canterlot Power Station, 3 stations away from Canterlot Gardens” Began Vinyl “I don’t suppose you’d let me tag along for a few stations?”

“To dangerous” Replied Sprocket, thinking back to the incident in the tunnels on the way here

“I’ll buy a weapon or something...” Uttered Vinyl, disheartened by Sprocket’s answer. Sprocket thought for a few moments

“I don’t want to get anypony injured or killed on the last stretch to Canterlot Gardens...” began Sprocket “The Canterlot Gardens tunnel is known for a large amount of crime and mutants, that’s why they need new guardponies”

“I can get a cart on the last stretch, I have some friends over near Canterlot Market station which can take me straight there... I just need to get there”

“Canterlot Market... that’s two stations away isn’t it?” Replied Sprocket, was he really considering this?

“Yeah, but there’s caravans from here to Canterlot Central” continued Vinyl “And then the only tunnel left is the one to Canterlot Market and that tunnel... well I haven’t really heard much about that tunnel...” she could be good as an information source about which tunnels they were going through, and if there was a caravan then that meant a cart ride to the next station. But knowing the mutants the ride would be the least relaxing travel he would have in his life

“Fine...” uttered Sprocket finally “Just... no music and no yelling when we’re walking through tunnels...” Vinyl leaped for joy

“Thank you so much!” She exclaimed “I have a friend in Canterlot Gardens that I haven’t seen since this explosion business, I doubt she even remembers me but I’ll hopefully get to see her!”

“Just... go get this weapon you talked about and we can find the caravan leaving for Canterlot Central” Sighed Sprocket as the excited unicorn paced around him

“I’ll meet you at the exit gate!” chirped Vinyl “Just don’t leave without me!”

“Oh... how I wish...” thought Sprocket