Project Apocalyptica: P.U.N.K.

Aurora.EXE

        Detrot. What was once a haven for those looking to drown their sorrows and live a simple life, is now a place divided. The outskirts, or more commonly known to the citizens as The Subdivision, is a scavenger haven. Crumpled buildings rotting with sand and stone concrete. But inside these once habitable ruins lies treasures that can make one rich. However, that is if they know where to look. And a lone figure was doing just that. Her body covered by a tattered body cape meant to protect her from the sun's harmful rays.        And yet, something about this figure was uncanny. She looked like a pony, which she knows. However, she knew that she wasn’t entirely flesh. And while her design was sleek and her mane long and silky, her eyes were dark, illuminated by the neon light blue that were her irises. And with each steady movement she made through the ruined streets of the Subdivision, her eyes scanning each pile of debris and metal she passes that were lit up through her metal finding program, her hums with each step were the only thing accompanying her.        One would question why a mare would be wandering around the Subdivision without any form of protection. But to her, she felt she didn’t need it. She had no trouble scouring the ruins and avoiding the dangers that littered it. She quickly ducked behind a dumpster that had seen better days when her scanners picked up something hostile ahead. She waited, her breath non-existent. The ground beneath her rumbled in a slow steady quake. The dangers that were in the Subdivision were considered “Lost Residents”, a name that was always intriguing to her.        Aside from the purpose of finding salvage and scrap, she was also exploring this place more out of sheer curiosity. Her personality chip allowing her to think freely of her actions and expressions. And she narrowed her eyes, waiting patiently as the rumble grew louder. Her scanner detected the hostile rounding the corner. Optic nerves allowed her to zoom in. She could see them. Small tiny scavenger units hopping over debris in a carefree manner. Aiding them was a giant bulk unit. The pony like robots grouped together, their beeps and hums loud and clear.        “Big brother.” The tinier units rasped metallically in an echo. The bigger one rolled on tractor like hooves, the ears fuming out smoke. It’s dimly lit yellow eyes scanning the area. It stopped, its engines roaring faintly as its head moved. The little units bounded up and down as they clambered the debris. The lone figure watched from the shadows, studying a way around them. The tiny scavenger units hopped on a concrete pile and a compartment on their back opened. A long arm connected by a claw at the tip reached in.        The other units followed suite, but in different areas. The metallic mare frowned slightly. ‘Finding alternate routes.’ Her thought program told her. Symbols and lights flashed in her sights. A small square displaying an area map around her. Circles formed over what looked like random places on the map. They were immediately crossed out with an X before one circle stood out to her. It was in fact, right beside her. She looked to her left, seeing the ruined building. Above her was an open hole in the wall.        ‘Best route found. Caution to proceed.’ The mare slid a fore hoof out of her body cape and held it out to her side. She then blinked and looked to her hoof, eyeing it in confusion. The tips of her hooves were stuttering. She brought her hoof in and examined it. The claw stubs were jammed. Her hoof protesting against her will. She remained stoic as she placed her hoof against the dumpster. With a quick strike of her other hoof, the claw stubs broke free. Moving them in a wave like motion, testing to see if they are stable, she dug into the concrete wall, her other hoof resembling the one she had freed.        With a quick hop and a spring forward, she climbed the side with ease and crawled into the hole. Despite the sun bearing high overhead, increasing the temperature above five hundred degrees (according to her built in thermostat), the building was dark. Only a small beam of light from the sun lit the way from the destroyed windows. She activated her optic lights, illuminating the area in a light blue hue. The room was in a mess.        Chairs and tables littered in no particular angles or against one another. Burnt specs of paper and metal rust littered the floor. She scanned the area, reading that there were no hostiles on this floor. The red dots on her map in the top right of her HUD were small, but they depicted the threats outside. She walked forward, her movements humming in a steady pace. Her metallic hoofsteps echoed through the ruin. Her scanners were picking up metal and scrap, but she ignored it and kept walking, her gaze more interested in the architecture.        Something about this place made her feel as if she was walking through a part of history. ‘Who were the ponies that used to work this place?’ She had thought. ‘What did they do here? Was it something they enjoyed? Or was it something they loved to hate?’ She studied the wall, seeing destroyed and cracked picture frames. Whatever had laid dormant in them must have long been decayed. She then fell her eyes onto a whiteboard.        She cocked her head, seeing dried out ink on the board:Profits for Solarium:

        Year 1: 400b quartz

        Year 2: 367b quartz

Year 3: 234m quartz

        The last option was circled and a line was drawn next to it, connecting to a sentence:

Massive drop in pay. Somepony is getting fired for this.

        She wasn’t sure what to understand about the sentence, but the chart depicted an increase steadily rising before it took a dramatic drop before increasing slowly. She dismissed it for now, having to turn her gaze back down the hall. Some halls and doorways were blocked off by the crumbling ceiling. But she was able to find her way to the other side of the building. She reached for the doorknob, her claw like hoof grasping it. Before she could do anything else, the knob popped off and the door fell forward with a loud creak and landed with a loud clunk. She arched a brow before looking at the knob and tossing it aside before stepping in.

        This room had terminals inside. A row of them lined up symmetrically to the walls. She scanned the room. All the terminals were either destroyed or stripped for parts. She frowned quietly, sensing that somepony had already been through here and had a field day with the terminals. Although… one seemed to strike her curiosity. Her ears twitched to a faint hum and click of a terminal. It sounded like it was buried underneath the debris. She released her claw stubs and dug in, lifting the heavy debris aside with ease. She felt herself smile as she found a terminal humming alive on its side.        Pulling it out and letting the debris she held drop with a loud crack of metal and concrete, she placed the terminal on the desk and studied it. It was dented, but the humming it made told her it was still kicking. The keypads were small to use her whole hoof, but big enough for the tips. However, she found it more easier to use her claw like stubs to tap away at it. She scrolled the files, finding only summaries for Solarium and Lunarium export and import. However, she did find a personal log file that may have belonged to the previous pony assigned to this terminal. She tapped a key and read through the first report:        >Things couldn’t have gone from worse to utter shit. Stock Market is pissed at the sudden decrease in import of Solarium and it seems he is out for blood. I wouldn’t blame him if I was in his shoes. He practically lost millions of bits due to a stupid bug in our system. The repair bots told us that they tried everything they could, but he wouldn’t hear another word of it. I guess our IT team got lucky this time around.        She scrolled to the next one:        >This is hell! I can’t even seem to catch a break without Stock Market looking down my back! He practically threatened to dock our pays if we don’t fix this bug soon. I could practically give two shits about this. He doesn’t know what I know. And I think it is high time his little secret got out.        She narrowed her eyes, seeing an email report:        >To PR Department>You know better than to have declined the issue. I have the proof right here in this document. All you had to do was read it. But it seems you won’t even listen to a concerned employee.        The next report was a response:        >To Makinroy of IT>We are not responsible for employees neglecting to inform their higher ups about their issues. If you want something done, take this complaint to the actual Complaints Department.The reports seemed to end there. The sleek metallic mare frowned. She was expecting more out of this exploration. However, it appeared to be just an employee having a bad week in the office. She scrolled through the terminal again, seeing if there was anything she missed. Unfortunately, the heat in the building seemed to make the terminal crackle before popping on her in a burst of smoke. She stoically looked around, spotting the doorway leading out.        As she stepped out, mimicking a sigh of disappointment, she stopped and stiffened. Her HUD was flashing red. She looked to her right and she saw the sun being blocked by a looming figure. A giant red eye peering in through the window, the red light shining on her. She darted her eyes, seeing that her options out were blocked by debris. She looked back to the door she had exited, only to balk when she saw a small scavenger unit look at her red eyes.        “Big… Brother…” it rasped metallically. More red eyes lit the room. How had her scanners not pick them up!? She racked her head, making her HUD static a bit before seeing that the map was displaying a warning:        Threats detected. Proceed with caution.

        ‘Thanks for nothing.’ She growled. The shadow looming over her moved. She looked back to see the bulk unit back up, a beeping sound accompanying it. When it stopped, the muzzle fumed with steam out of the nostrils. The mare’s map was finding a best route to take to avoid this. However, being cornered, she grit her metallic white teeth in frustration. ‘Time to create a route.’ She thought when the map couldn’t’ find any available route. The bulk unit whistled before the tractor like hooves tore the dirt and sand up. The mare stood in front of the doorway, glancing to see the scavenger units creeping up on her.

        The bulk unit moved forward, intending to ram into the building. The scavenger units sprang forward. The mare, however, hopped quickly to the side as the bulk unit rammed into the building, crushing the scavenger units. The mare’s body cape flapped at the impact as she moved forward, bounding up the body of the bulk unit, her claw stubs digging into the metallic chassis. Having reached the top, she quickly galloped gracefully over the head of the bulk unit and jumped onto the building’s roof. The bulk unit rumbled as it backed up.        The mare quickly turned and bounded towards the edge of the roof. With one good hop, she heaved herself up and over onto the next building.        “Big… sister….” The bulk unit groaned and the compartments on its side opened. Scavenger units crawled out of it and hopped onto the roof.        “Big brother…. Big brother…” they echoed. The mare neared the edge and came to a halt. Peering over, she looked to see the long drop underneath her. Which was an inconvenience to her when she glanced back to see the scavenger units hop over to the roof she was on and surround her.        “Are you proud… big brother?” they echoed. The mare bit her lip, drawing white blood from it. ‘I… I am uncertain if I should…’ she struggled with the thought. But she had to use it. It was the only way she can make it out of here. Her HUD flashed with a prompt:        Activate 4UR4?: >No      Yes

        She swiped her hoof, moving the arrow over to the ‘yes’ and tapping it. Her HUD flashed with long lines of statuses, but at the same time, she could feel the program run through her. She had always found it a mystery as to why she has this unknown program with-in her. And discovering upon accident, she had blanked out at first. And when she came too, the danger she was in at the time was nowhere to be seen. But this time, she was aware. And she was ready. Her irises glowed brightly and her mane and tail glowed as well. This program was a mystery to her indeed. But she is certain of one thing. She could rely on it to aid her.

        And when a scavenger unit sprang forward, the mare lashed out her claw hoof in blinding speed and hooked the neck of the unit. She heaved forward, shoving it into the ground and latching the wires and metal, she pulled out her hoof. The scavenger unit crackled with electricity and spazzed.        “AhhhhHHHAHHAaaAH… It…. Hurts…” it said as it twitched underneath her. The scavengers looked on, their eyes changing color to yellow. The mare held up the hoof, wires and metal dangling loosely in her claws. Her expression stoic. The units seemed to get over their confusion before rushing at her all at once. The mare took two gallops forward and ducked as a unit sprang over her. She dug her claws into the scavenger unit and sliced its metallic insides out. The other two units sprang at her as the one she had fallen landed and rolled off the side of the roof.        The mare quickly held out both hooves to her side and hooked their necks. They struggled to break free from her grasp, extending the excavation arms they were built in with lash out. But she quickly moved and shifted her head and body as the arm claws tried to land true. She winced, feeling that one of the claws grazed her side and tearing off a bit of her protective cape. A white gash on her side signaling that it had struck. She then spun and heaved one of the units away, tearing the neck in the process before planting the other in the ground.        The one she had pinned under her claw hoof lashed at her with the arm. But she quickly caught it in her other claw hoof and she struggled to force the arm downward. The scavenger unit doing its best to fight back.        “S-scared… don’t want… to die…” it rasped metallically. The mare remained stoic, studying the robot. It made no expression of any kind. However, seeing the arm fight against her grip was a sign that told her otherwise. But this program wasn’t designed for mercy. And she definitely didn’t want this to come back and bite her in the ass. She then widened her eyes angrily before digging her claw hoof into it’s neck. The unit gurgled a bit before the mare took the arm and pierced its head. It went limp under her, the light dimming from its eyes.        Taking a moment to claw her hoof out of the robot’s neck, her ears twitched at the sound of a roar. The bulk unit had rounded the building and lined itself up. It fumed at the nostrils again before the tractor like hooves dug up the dirt sand again. This time, the mare was ready. She faced the unit and quickly galloped forward and jumped. Time slowed as the mare soared across the gap. As the bulk unit rushed by her, she dug her claw hoof in and latched on. Time sped up and the unit rammed into the building.        It dug itself a little further in than she had expected, but ignoring the rebar that had grazed her and tearing up her cape, she stuck her other hoof in and climbed up to the back of the unit. Her eyes scanning the back, her target sensor picked up an energy reading from a small compartment. The Solarium core lit up on her screen right next to the Lunarium core. She ignored the groaning protest of the bulk unit as she dug in and ripped the compartment off. She then dug her claw hoof in, hooking the cores and ripping them out.        It crackled with electricity and a loud groan of pain emitted from the bulk unit.        “So much… pain… big sister… why…?” The mare squinted her eyes slightly before looking at the cores in her claw hoof. The amber and sapphire like cores glowed brightly. She then crushed them both, feeling the energy disperse through her. She felt her body tingle a bit before digging another claw in and slid down the side. The loud humming sound signaled the defeat of the massive unit. The mare let go of the side and fell quite a bit before landing on the cement, cracking it underneath her. Her HUD flashed again.        Impact Compensation. Solarium and Lunarium core absorbed. Beginning repairs.        Her body tingled again. She looked to see her cuts and gash seal up as if they were being sewn together. She also found this to be an intriguing part of her functions. She was able to absorb the energy from Solarium, Lunarium and Luridium. However, she deems that the first two were much more appetite friendly than the latter. Luridium always seemed to mess with her. However, despite the worrisome effects, she found herself maintained and fully functional.        The program deactivated and now her usual curious self again, she looked back to the bulk unit. She then smiled when she noticed that the bulk unit dropped enough of the material she was tasked to look for. Gathering what she could and stuffing them into her saddlebag, she began making her way back towards the exit of the Subdivision. However, she stopped, her map suddenly picking up blue dots. She narrowed her eyes and quietly but quickly stuck to the shadows as she neared the blue dots.        They were moving slightly, but it was strange to see friendlies here. Usually, the scavenger ponies would just shoot you on site. She rounded the corner and peeked out. She studied the figures. They were wearing suites designed to explore the outer areas of the Subdivision. However, they seemed… exhausted. In fact, she couldn’t help but stare in awe as one of the figures was standing on two hind hooves and lugging another pony in a suite over the shoulders. It appeared the second one was limp. She watched with quiet interest as the figure put one hoof out in front of the other.        She had never seen a pony walk on two hooves before. She then winced when she saw the suited pony fall forward and the one on its shoulder rolled a couple feet away. The second made no motion. The one that had dropped did her best to push herself off of the dirt sand. She was able to crawl just a bit before reaching out to the second suited pony. That was when the figure went limp and fell to the ground.        The mare darted her eyes in thought. ‘How odd. A pony that walked on her hind hooves? And more interestingly enough, they are unarmed.’ She quietly stepped out of the shadows and over to the figures. Her scanners analyzing them. One was indeed a female and the other a male. However, both of them appeared to be slowly losing their vitals. She picked up on their heart beats, seeing the line slowly rise and fall. She scanned the female one.        Scanning scavenger database… Error.

Non-existent background check. Action required.

        She cocked her head, intrigued more. She then looked to the male one and scanned.

Scanning scavenger database… Error.

Non-existent background check. Action required.

        She was in awe. ‘These two aren’t from around here?’ her HUD beeped again and this time, a different scanning was taking place. She frowned. ‘Dammit, of all the times for my basic program to scan… wait…’ it was scanning the male. A list displayed before her.

Compatible match found. Scanning…

         Information found.

         Age: 22

         Species: Pegasus

         Job Affiliation: Unknown

         Likes: Unknown

         Dislikes: Unknown.

DNA is required for further information.

        If an android could blush, she did. 'DNA?' She looked to the unconscious pony in the suite. Her basic programming had gotten to her again. But this time… it appeared to have found a…

        “Match? But… how?” She quickly blinked out of her confusion before her ears twitched at the sound of another steady rumble. She grit her teeth before looking at the two. ‘Something about this is… odd. But I can’t just leave them here like this. I need to figure out what is going on. And more importantly…’ she looked to the unconscious pegasus in the suite. ‘Why did my breeding program pick him?’

~~~****~~~

        The ruins of Detrot. While, not a place to write home about, it was a habitable space for scavenger ponies and units alike. And the sleek white mare sat in a chair while a gruff and elderly looking buck fiddled with her hoof claw stubs with tools and gadgets. A soldering mask over him while he repaired her hoof. And as the buck was doing this, she was looking over to the two unconscious ponies on the sofas. The old buck was surprised to see the mare trot up to his place with two ponies he had never seen before. And the suites they have worn were especially ancient. So ancient, in fact, she was surprised when the buck told her they had walked quite a ways with the AC unit busted.

        She couldn’t help but feel giddy. Not only did one of them walk in on two hind hooves, it appeared that they were strong willed enough to survive the heat. And she was glad she was able to get them back in time. They had suffered from heat exhaustion. They were lucky nothing attacked them in the state they were in. And when they were in the AC confine of her home, she took the liberty of removing their helms.        She was in more awe than she thought her personality chip could register. The one that had walked in on two hind hooves was a zebra mare, no more than twenty-five years of age. The other was a young pegasus stallion with a white spiked mane. She hesitated at first to remove his helm. But mustering away her embarrassment, she removed his helm and felt a little relieved. Her scanners indicated that his physical health was in good conditioning. In fact, both of them were in good health.        However, their mental health on her scanners indicated abnormal levels. Which increased her curiosity even more. The buck pulled back out and dusted off her hoof, pulling up the helm and admiring his work.        “Welp, yer’ all set ta’ go!” he said with a toothy grin. The mare lifted her hoof and tested her claw stubs. They were no longer stuttering. She smiled and looked to the elder buck.        “Thank you, father.” She said. The buck rubbed his nose with a foreleg proudly.        “Think nothin’ o’ it. Jus’ doin’ me job!” The vanilla buck with a balding red mane and thick sideburns in overalls rubbed his chin. “Speakin’ o’. Where exactly dija’ find ‘em?” The mare shifted slightly.        “I… was exploring the Subdivision.” She said. The buck sighed and shook his head.        “Aurora, Oi told ya’ specifically the dangers o’ that place. What in Trotland’s buttered hole were ya’ doin’ over there that was so important?” The sleek white mare in a blue silky long mane registered a guilty expression.        “I was looking for materials you needed for the Condition Antenna.” She said. The buck rubbed his chin again.        “Aye, tis true oi needed the parts. But ya’ didn’ hafta go out an’ get ‘em.” He snorted. “Oi was goin’ to let that Pastel feller go instead.” He growled quietly. “Oi don’ like the lad eyein’ me only daughter.” Aurora giggled softly before patting the buck’s cheek.        “Do not worry, dear father. He is a nice stallion at heart. But you know full well that he is out not just for me.” She said. The buck smiled before patting her metallic sleek hoof.        “Oi know. Is jus’ hard tryin’ ta’ keep this place runnin’ and the mayor constantly breathin’ down me back.” Aurora kissed the top of his head before smiling.        “Perhaps I shall make dinner tonight. You just rest for now. I expect an all-night work tomorrow on the antenna.” She said. The buck smiled before spinning on his stool and shifting the metal scrap on his workbench. When he did, the zebra mare suddenly jolted up, startling both the mare and the buck.        “Jack… Where is Jack?” she said suddenly, looking around. She then fell her gaze onto the unconscious stallion. She gave a sigh of relief before wincing and rubbing her head. “Where… am I?” Aurora and the buck exchanged a quick glance before the buck gave a toothy grin.        “Welcome back ta’ da’ livin’!” he said heartily. The zebra mare looked to them, her eyes bearing caution. That caution then turned to surprise.        “Who are you?” she asked. The buck gave a hearty laugh before rubbing his muzzle and speaking.        “Names Truffelton. Oi’m the mechanic o’ this joint! An’ this ‘ere is me lovely daughter Aurora.” He said, nodding to the mare. The zebra’s eyes studied the mare, making her shift uncomfortably. The zebra then bolted out of the sofa and reached behind her.        “Android! Here!?” she stated. She then blinked in confusion and looked over her shoulder. She was unarmed. And Aurora noticed the sudden heart rate increase on the mare. The buck frowned.        “Aye, she’s an android. But she ain’t jus’ an android.” He smiled proudly at her. “She’s me angel o’ me life.” The zebra arched a brow.        “Angel?” she asked. The buck nodded before frowning.        “And ye bes’ watch yer’ manners. It was thanks ta’ her that ya’ are still walkin’ this earth.” The zebra mare took a cautious step back, the uncertainty clear on her face. Aurora registered a sad look.        “I’m sorry if this is sudden, but I had happened to find you both wandering the outskirts of the Subdivision.” Aurora stood up and smiled at her. “My registration ID is 4U120124. Or in simpler terms, you can call me Aurora.” The zebra narrowed her eyes suspiciously towards her before looking to the unconscious stallion. She walked over and put a hoof to his head.        “He’s burning up…” she said. Aurora studied the two. Who were these two? And why did they intrigue her so much? And more importantly. She felt a bit of red touch her cheek, seeing her basic programming activating. She shook her head furiously before looking to the mare.        “He must be suffering heat fever.” She said. The zebra arched a questioning brow at her. “It’s similar to what you would call a ‘common cold’ but more along the lines of excessive exposure to heat.” The zebra looked worriedly at the stallion.        “Is there any way to cure it?” Troffelton laughed.        “O’ course there is a way. She said tis like the common cold. But instead o’ pills an’ cold medicine, we use…” Aurora trotted over to a cabinet and pulled down a plastic box, using her claw like stubs to grip it. This caught the zebra’s interest before Aurora turned and held up the box.        “A special coolant pack.” She popped open the plastic box and pulled out a red looking pouch. The zebra watched as Aurora shook it and the pouch inflated. “It consists of crushed Lunarium crystals that melt into a cooling liquid. Similar to an ice pack.” She trotted over, her steady movements unnerving to the zebra, before she placed the pack gently on the stallion’s forehead. They noticed the small relief of his pain stricken face ease. Aurora read his vital signs stabilizing. And she smiled at this. Something about the stallion peacefully sleeping made her feel giddy. She then blinked in confusion and frowned, deactivating her annoying basic programming.        The zebra sighed, slumping a little. She must have been on full alert all this time. And when she sat down on the sofa, she put a hoof to her head and leaned back, closing her eyes. Aurora furrowed her brows before turning.        “I’ll go ahead and get dinner started.” She said, trotting past the buck and into another room. Troffelton rubbed his chin, seeing the zebra mare ease a little.        “Oi’m curious now. Jus’ who are ya’?” The zebra mare made no motion of looking at him before speaking.        “Zelori.” She said. Troffelton smiled.        “Oi bet ye from Zebrica, am oi right?” he said. Zelori looked at him now, a questioning brow displayed.        “Zebrica? How do you know Zebrica?” she asked. Troffelton puffed his chest out proudly.        “Oi’m no stranger when it comes ta’ travelin’. Oi been all over ta’ continent afor’ settelin’ ‘ere.” He winked. “Even been ta’ Zebrica.” Zelori darted her eyes in thought before sighing.        “No, I am not from Zebrica. But my ancestors are.” She said. Troffelton rubbed his chin again.        “Really now? The Last Migration oi take it?” Zelori narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the buck.        “And you know this, how?” she asked. Troffelton smiled.        “Well, oi’m glad ya’ asked! Ya’ see, ‘ere in Equestria, people o’ all kind mingle about in ta’ world!” he said. Zelori furrowed her brows. She wasn’t sure if she was going to regret this or not. However, she remained calm and listened. It was interesting to hear the old buck speak about Equestria.        How it once was a place that was filled with luscious grass, trees and flora. How everything wasn’t all dirt and sand. Buildings were tall and brilliant during the post-industrial era. A place where any creature could call home. The way the buck described it, Zelori couldn’t help but smile at the thought. ‘Perhaps, maybe I can gather more information about this place.’ She then looked to the stallion. ‘But I don’t want to let Candlejack out of my sight just yet.’ Troffelton caught the worried look from the mare and he smiled a toothy smile.        “So, what’s ta’ lad’s story?” he asked. Zelori shook her head.        “It’s best I not say. He really doesn’t like it when ponies know about his personal business.” she said.        “Then I bet ya’ both are closer than me an’ moi’ gut ‘ere if that be ta’ case.” He said, slapping his bulging belly. Zelori arched a brow again at the buck. ‘What an odd pony.’ She thought. Zelori then eyed the door Aurora had went through. She could see the mare move about on the other side. She could see it, however. An android with a cutie-mark. And one that wasn’t particular to the ones she had faced in her expeditions. Instead of the Z like pattern surrounded by a circle, this was a blue heart with a barcode striking across it.        “So, what’s the story about the android?” Zelori asked. Troffelton frowned slightly, making it clear to her that she didn’t like her referring to his ‘angel’ as an android. But if she wanted to get anywhere, she had to know.        “Me daughter is me pride an’ joy. Took care o’ her fer’ twenty-two years and countin’.” He said. ‘Twenty-two?’ Zelori rubbed her chin.        “How old is she exactly?” she asked. Troffelton returned the gesture.        “Not rightly sure. Found ‘er in the scrapyard over yonder.” He smiled. “Oi was frankly getting’ too old ta’ be runnin’ aroun’ the scrapyard. Me ol’ bones don’ work like they used ta’. So, oi’ figured oi’ build a personal assistant ta’ help aroun’ the house.” He had a tear fall down his cheek. “Little did oi’ know that oi’ had brought an angel ta’ life. Been a carin’ like daughter an’ treatin’ ‘er like so ever since.” Zelori displayed more than interest. She couldn’t help but feel a bit of guilt. She looked to Candlejack.        ‘So, he too has found a pony that changed his life.’ She then looked around the room before standing up and cracking her neck. Troffelton arched a brow. “I apologize if this may seem sudden. But I would like to know exactly where I am. You… wouldn’t mind giving me a tour of the place?” Troffelton smirked.        “Now that, oi can gladly do.” He then looked around and shambled over to a locker. He reached in and withdrew a belted vest with pockets. He motioned for the zebra mare to take it, which she hesitantly did, before reaching in and pulling out another one. Zelori watched as the buck clipped the vest over his hide and adjusted it so it would fit over his gut. Zelori then followed suite, adjusting the vest to make sure that it was well fitted to her needs. She then caught a cape in her hoof. “Ya’ don’ hafta worry ‘bout burnin’ up ‘ere. This place be protected by o’ Conditioner Antenna.” He said. Zelori arched a brow.        “A Conditioner Antenna?” she asked. Troffelton smiled proudly.        “Aye. The big ol’ lookin’ metal tower in ta’ distance. It spreads o’ aura that’ll keeps places like Detrot from burnin’ up! I’ll show ye’ on ta’ tour.” He motioned to the stallion. “An’ don’ ye’ worry ‘bout the lad. Me daughter will watch over ‘im.” Zelori furrowed her brows, copying the concerned look he gave suspiciously over to the stallion. Clearly, both of them were hesitant in leaving them behind. However, Zelori found it strange to trust this buck’s words. And she wanted to be fully prepared. As one of her ancestral wisdoms have taught her ‘Knowledge is power.’

~~~****~~~

        Candlejack tossed and turned. His head was aching, but he couldn’t wake up. His thoughts were forcing him to keep himself sleeping. The thoughts of DD being crushed by the rocks haunting him. He replayed it over and over in his head. Thinking of ways that he could have probably done better. ‘If I wasn’t so damn reckless, I could have… no… I should have…’ Images of him and DD exploring the junkyard came back to him. A memory showed him mimicking the robot in a dirtied bed sheet he had found in one of his explorations. Using it as the tattered shawl, he mimicked every movement he could. DD and Zelori found this questionable, but amusing at the same time. And when DD bounded up a pile of junk, Candlejack frowned before looking back at his wings. He flapped them, the rhythm off key. He had managed to fly once, but that was out of sheer panic to get away from being shot at.

        DD looked down, giving a worried garbled hum. It was about to make a motion when it spotted Zelori looking out from the porch of the small junk house and shaking her head with a smile. DD rubbed its head with a stub before looking down, seeing Candlejack struggle to fly. An idea struck the robot. Turning and bending down, gathering up a metal pole and rope, the robot threw together what it could and made a fishing like pole. Using a bent pole to form a hook that could fit around the colt, DD lowered the pole and while Candlejack was distracted in trying to concentrate in getting the right rhythm, DD hooked him under his belly. However, it kept it there, waiting patiently for the colt to get the rhythm down.        When it and Zelori noticed the colt getting the rhythm down, DD slowly lifted the colt up. Candlejack blinked and looked back, seeing him lifting up with his wings flapping. He beamed and went to extend his forehooves out, only to stop and blink confusedly as he came face to face with DD. The colt kept his wings flapping, but he soon noticed the rope and hook keeping him afloat.        He frowned slightly before turning to face a chuckling DD. And yet, Candlejack felt like DD had taught him something. And everyday during his explorations and Zelori’s lessons, DD helped him understand his lacking ability to fly. The hook and rope being his “training wheels”. Eventually, he managed to lift himself up off the ground and was soon flying over piles of junk, going to and fro and able to swerve and avoid collisions. The only other problem he had was landing however. And when he flew back and tried to land, he found himself losing his footing and rolling comically straight into a junk pile next to an amused Zelori.        The image ended, causing Candlejack’s head to ache. He tossed and turned again before forcing his eyes open and jolting up, flinging a red looking pouch off of his head and against the wall. He looked around quickly, his breathing heavy. Realizing he was in an unfamiliar place, his mind went full red alert. The place seemed like a mess. But he could make out one thing that was familiar to him. A workshop in the corner. His ears twitched when he heard clattering coming from the next room over. Candlejack took a moment to steady his heartbeat before maintaining a stoic look and sliding off of the sofa. He quietly crept towards the workshop. He looked around, seeing if he could find anything for offense.        Spotting a monkey wrench, he unhooked it and gave a test swing. Heavy, but blunt. Perfect for head trauma. He then crept back to the door, leaning against the wall and leaning in to hear. There was humming coming from the other side. Candlejack furrowed his brows. The humming sounded familiar. His eyes widened.        ‘Android.’ He thought. He was confused. This place was empty and looked messy. However, it seemed an android had made a home here. Whatever was going to happen next, he wanted to get the drop on it. He quietly opened the door, sliding in through the small gap. He peeked over, seeing that it was a sleek white mare. Indeed an android. But… one he wasn’t familiar with. This one seemed like it was brand new. Its design completely flesh like, looking exactly like a pony. Even the mane and tail were silky enough to make it look real. But what gave it away were the black like slits at the joints and the dark eyes illuminated by a neon blue hue.        And not only that, it was actually humming a small tune. It dug through a cabinet and pulled out a strange looking small sack. Candlejack noticed the hoof like claw holding onto it before it was placed neatly down on the counter and the android went to work at a chopping board. Candlejack felt the sweat form from his brow. This android was acting like any normal pony would.        ‘No… no she isn’t real… she’s just a tangled mass of wires and bolts… nothing more…’ he thought to himself. Taking a quiet deep breath, he quickly crept up and readied the monkey wrench. Only to stop and realize the android had stopped cutting. She had dropped the knife and a hoof like claw gripped it before she spun and swung the blade at him. Candlejack immediately reacted by bringing the monkey wrench in front of him, blocking the knife from advancing any further.        He then quickly followed it up by wrapping a foreleg around the android’s foreleg and twisting, causing the knife to fall from her grasp. He smirked victoriously before realizing that the android had brought her other free hoof claw around and gripped his foreleg. She twisted, causing him to yelp in pain. The android then followed up by knocking the monkey wrench from his hoof locked around it and shoulder bashed him away. He had planted his hind hooves into the ground, expecting the weight of his boots to keep him from flying.        However, he quickly realized that he wasn’t even in a suite. He sailed through the air and crashed into the wall, knocking down pots and pans. The android took a step forward before her eyes widened.        “O-oh!” she said suddenly. Candlejack shook away the daze and looked confusedly at the android. He then furrowed his brows. Uncertain of what to do.        ‘Dammit, I’m cornered. What can I do?’ he looked around desperately trying to find a means of defense. He then looked down at the pots and pans beneath him. The android quickly shook her head and held out a hoof, the claw stubs retracting into them.        “W-wait! I didn’t mean to-!” she ducked when a pan sailed towards her. It clattered against the wall. Candlejack stood, smiling now that he had an arsenal of weapons. He then proceeded to hurl them one by one. The android frowned before dodging one. Then another. “Please! I can explain!” she said, furrowing her brows worriedly at the stallion. He hurled another, forcing her to duck again. She popped out her claw stubs again and held up a hoof, catching another pan before dodging another. Candlejack was quickly running out of ammo.        ‘Crap! This thing is good!’ He darted his eyes, spotting something on the top of the wall. It looked like a Solarium rifle. He grinned before bolting to it. The android balked when the stallion suddenly pulled it down and took aim, standing on two hooves.        ‘He can stand on his back hooves too!?’ the android thought with interest. She then realized the weapon he had and her look went from curious to dead serious.        “Let’s see how good you are dodging sun infused bullets!” he said with a wide victorious grin. He pressed the trigger and time slowed. The android narrowed her eyes. She then lifted up her pan she had caught and the solar beam bounced harmlessly off of it as time sped up. Candlejack was dumbfounded. The pan sizzled a bit. The android then shifted it slightly, showing her stoic look. Her gaze then fell to the clock over the stallion’s head. She wasn’t sure when Troffelton would be back, but she might as well hurry up and get dinner started. Her basic program activated again and she sighed in defeat.        ‘Alright, you stubborn program. Let’s see how great my match is at making dinner.’ Candlejack shook away his dumbfounded look before gritting his teeth.        “Dammit! You won’t get the better of me! I will show you I’m not one to be toyed with!” He cocked the ball point lever, making the rifle hum again before firing. He repeated the process in quick succession. The android, however, moved the pan, bouncing the beams harmlessly off of the black exterior. She noticed the pan turning red now. She quickly tossed the pan, pirouetting in the process. Candlejack grit his teeth as he cocked the lever again and fired. His last bullet.        The android took the opportunity. As the pan landed on the stove, the force caused a bowl and a few vegetables to fly. The android quickly grabbed the bowl. Time slowed as the android brought the bowl around, scooping the beam and the vegetables in the air before quickly flipping the bowl and placing it down. It burned red hot. The smell of cooked vegetables reaching Candlejack’s nose and making his stomach growl slightly. He wasn’t sure what the android was doing, but the dance wasn’t going to trick him one bit. He flipped the rifle and charged, bringing it around. The android caught it and quickly yanked it out of his grip before dropping it. Candlejack went forward still, planting into the counter.        When he did, the cabinet rattled, causing a sack of sand flour to tip over and sprinkle into a baking bowel. The android casually strolled over to the other side of the cabinet. Candlejack felt the sweat form on his brow.        ‘It’s reaching for a weapon! I have to act fast!’ Candlejack spied the knife he had forced it to drop. He reached, locking his hoof around it before bringing it up and swinging. When he did, the android pulled back, tossing dirt covered onions into the air. The force in which Candlejack swung cut the onions in half. The android quickly moved, graceful on her metallic sleek hooves, catching them and juggling them. Candlejack cocked his head in confusion. He then shook it, growling. ‘This thing is toying with me! I won’t let it think so!’ He grinned.        “Fancy moves. But I’m not an idiot to your android ways!” he said. The android arched a brow as she juggled them in her hooves. Her expression was stoic when she replied.        “Depends on what way you want it.” She smirked slyly. Her basic programming forcing her speech to alter. “Do you want it dry?” she tossed the onions at him. Candlejack balked before swinging the knife, cutting the onions again. “Or perhaps, play a little in the water.” Candlejack arched a brow as the android had somehow walked past him during the onion juggling. The tap water in the sink soaking the onions. “I’m not picky. But I prefer it if you would decide quickly. The heat is running out.” Candlejack quickly moved to the side, gaining some space between him and the android.        “What are you talking about!?” He pointed the knife at her. “I’ve killed plenty of your kind! Although… you’re not stark raving mad?” Candlejack rubbed his chin before shaking away the idea. “Doesn’t mean you won’t be yet.” The android stirred the onions in the sink with her hoof before plucking them out of the now dirt filled water and trotting over to the bowl.        “But I’m not the one causing a mess in my kitchen.” She then gave him a flirtatious glance. “Or maybe, you prefer it to be rough.” Candlejack was confused by this gesture. He then frowned and brought the knife in, ready to move.        “What nonsense are you blabbering about?” The android licked her lips. Candlejack couldn’t’ help but notice that the tongue was strangely white. The smell of the onions and the cooked vegetable suddenly reached his nostrils. And in doing so, his stomach growled. The android smirked as she quickly flipped the bowl over along with the steaming vegetables. She tossed the onions in and stirred a bit with a bent spoon before putting them in the baking bowel. Candlejack’s stomach growled again.        Now that he thought it, perhaps the android was seeing through his moves because he hadn’t eaten anything in a few hours. ‘That must be it! I’m slow in my reactions because I am hungry!’ He looked to the android, seeing her stir the brown looking flour and vegetables. He licked his lips and the android caught it.        “Well, you have been a help in getting it ready.” She then eyed him suggestively, looking over her shoulders. “But are you truly ready for the main course? I’ll let you have a taste, if that will sate your appetite?” Candlejack was tempted by the smell of the cooking vegetables. He then blinked once before shaking away his hunger.        “N-no! I won’t slack off here! I still have a head to collect!” he said. The android narrowed her eyes.        ‘What is this stallion then? A bounty hunter? A scavenger? He definitely is pretty skilled with his hooves. But it seems my advances aren’t working.’ She then frowned and eyed the active program. She was frankly getting annoyed with it. The way it altered her speech made her feel like she had lost control of herself. Candlejack noticed the struggling look and smirked.        ‘Time to go in for the kill!’ he twirled the knife around his hoof skillfully before rushing at her. Finally deactivating the program, the android noticed the stallion rushing. She quickly shifted her position slightly and felt the blade brush past her cheek. She then shot a claw hoof out to grip his foreleg and brought him forward… head first into the stove. Candlejack started seeing little Candlejacks as he slumped to the ground and the stove popped open with a ping. The android carefully placed the bowel in and closed the door, turning an egg like timer and propping her hoof against her cheek. She looked down to the dazed stallion.        ‘He certainly seems capable in a fight. And he’s not bad looking either. But… why does it think this pony is a suitable match?’ She then blinked and looked around, seeing the mess the stallion had committed. She rubbed her chin before coming to a sudden realization. ‘The way he fought… the way he strategized his movements… his confusion at my advances… This stallion…’ A sudden dread came over her. ‘Is a total idiot!’