Virtually Inspired Pony
Friends. They care for you and love you. They cheer you up and have your back. But are they always living? Do they need to have a spirit, a soul? Can you befriend somepony who, under normal circumstances, should not and could not exist? Would this thought even cross the normal pony’s mind? Not unless something happened. Something that would bring two ponies together.
“Listen Doc. I don’t care how much time, research, bits, sweat, or tears that you’ve put into this project” The young stallion with a lab coat and a brain cutie-mark said to the grizzled, old pony in front of him. “You need to get some rest, otherwise you are going to kill yourself.”
“Relax Full Thought.” The older stallion said, pulling his eyes off of the computer screen in front of him, and looking at the younger through thick bifocals. “If I can finish this last bit of programming, then I can eat and get some sleep. I'm just having a little trouble with the control interface.”
“This will be your funeral. All this work. Staring at that dreadful screen.” Full Thought said. “You’ve been working down here for the past four days with not so much as a bathroom trip. that kills ponies.”
“WILL YOU STOP PESTERING ME? DO YOU THINK THAT I'M TRYING TO KILL MYSELF?” The aged pony yelled as he bolted out of his chair, his look of anger melting into one of lethargy and fatigue. Sitting down he continued. “Listen Full. You know me, right?”
“What do you mean?” The young stallion said as he sat down on a nearby shipping crate creaking, slightly as he did.
“Who am I?” The other pony asked, turning toward him. “I mean, what have I done that defines me?”
“You, first of all, are Count Light Brine. You are the direct descendant of Star swirl the Bearded and the inventor of electrical magic. You used electrical magic to create this amazing machine.” Full paused to get up and place his hoof on Brine’s shoulder. “And most importantly you are my uncle. You took me in when my parents left to explore the areas outside of Equestria. For that alone, you are my greatest hero.”
“Thank you Full.” The elder pony said, as he turned around and hugged his nephew. “You have no idea how many days and nights I’ve sat there, most often at this very computer, wondering if I actually matter to Equestria.”
“Well Uncle” Full Thought said breaking the embrace. “ No matter if this works or not, You are still important to me.”
“Thank you Full.” Light Brine said. “ Now, could you bring me a sandwich?”
"Sure uncle." Full said, beginning to snicker. "I'll get right on it." Brine soon joined in and relished the shared laughter. The same could be said of Full, who had not heard his uncle's laughter in such a long time. "
-<+>-
Sometime later, a plate with crumbs on it dwelled next to a lone computer with a sleeping Stallion in front of it. On the screen was a lone control terminal with a progress bar. The bar showed some sort of start up at 99 percent. Above it, the words: Virtual Intelligence System Launch. Then a chime was heard and on screen appeared, a lone pony.
Testing, sarcasm, and a paradox
System run: start operation cycle /day/
Several server fans whined to life, the room filled with the sound of electricity and motors. The lone screen in the center of the room blinked to life, and the pony that inhabited it awoke. He looked out of the screen and straight into the greyed mane of his programmer and creator. As he stared at his creator, the old stallion awoke and looked at the screen. "Good morning creator." It said as he got up and wiped the small amount of spittle off of his face and the keyboard.
He stared at the screen for a moment, trying to process the sight before him. "G-good morning. I-I see that you've successfully powered up." "Why, yes creator. All systems seem to be functioning as per intention."
Brine yawned and leaned back on his chair. "Ahhh. That's good. Now, how is your AI response working?"
The pony on screen was silent for a moment. "I require something easier to respond too."
"Alright then." The old pony said, thinking of a clever question. " What year is it?"
"It is year 314 of the Mane-an era." The virtual pony responded. "Is that the most difficult question you can conjure?"
"I thought you said you needed an easier question." Brine said, scratching a hoof on his white beard.
"Your first question required further testing. And so, I can now reply with a confirmed yes." The pony on screen replied. "Do you have a different test, such as a riddle?"
"I need to test the limits of his processing systems." The programmer said to himself." Ah yes, I have a statement for you to process."
"Oh? And what is this statement?" The VI asked. Brine grinned and responded, "This statement, is false."
-<+>-
Several hours, and a completely redone com-processing attachment later, the VI had rebooted. "So, my creation." Light Brine said beginning to type a few keys into the system. "I still need to name you."
"Then by all means creator, input a name." He replied. "But please, for Celestia's sake, give me a good name."
Brine glanced up from his keyboard and stared at the screen. "I see your sarcasm system is functioning wonderfully. At any rate, I have decided to name you VIpony. Which stands in full as Virtual Intelligence pony." With a few taps on the keyboard, the name appeared on screen, set in stone.
"VIpony, at your service. Thank you creator, it has a nice ring to it." VIpony responded. His eyes glowing ever so slightly brighter.
