***A Patriot Pony Production***
Spike and Sparks walked together through the palace halls at a quickened pace. As they moved past the throne room towards Twilight’s study, the dragon looked over at his fillyfriend to ask a question that had been on his mind since they had been summoned. “Hey, Sparks, why do you think Twilight wanted to see us in her office so early?”
The synthetic mare shook her head and sighed. “Unknown, Spike. I can not calculate the reasoning behind her apparent urgency to see the two of us at this time in the day. I have not even yet had time to prepare breakfast for you. She has been acting unusual these past few weeks, though. Have you noticed it, love?”
Spike nodded his head. He had. Twilight had been locking herself away for hours each day to do Celestia knows what, leaving behind Starlight to perform her normal duties. Even with all of her scanners and sensors, Sparks was unable to piece together what it was Twilight was doing that she didn’t want others to see. “Yeah... Well, whatever it is, she must want to show us now.”
They stopped in front of the door leading into Twilight’s office. Spike looked at Sparks and shrugged before raising a fist to knock gently on the hard wood surface. Before his hand could make contact, however, the door opened, revealing an exhausted Twilight.
She wore a tired smile on her face. “Spike... Sparks... Good morning, you two. Come on in. I have an assignment for you.”
With puzzled looks on their faces, they did as instructed and followed Twilight into her office, and once inside, they immediately saw what it was that the princess didn’t want them to see for so long.
Standing in the center of the room was a tall stallion. He had a crew cut mane and short tail similar to what one might see on a Royal Guard, but this was no normal pony. He resembled Sparks in almost every way. While looking in awe at the figure standing in the center of the room, Spike caught a glimpse of the notes on Twilight’s desk, and paper sporting several intricate drawings labeled ‘Mark 2’ caught his attention.
Twilight stood beside the immobile pony and excitedly cleared her throat. “When! Spike, Sparks... I’d like to introduce you to the newest member of our family. This...” She gestured to the artificial stallion. “... is my Research Assistant Matrix. He also goes by Ram. Say ‘hello’, Ram.”
The stallion flickered to life, and a bright blue holographic visor formed across his eyes. Numbers and symbols dashed in front of his visor at lightning speeds before coming to a stop. He then focused on Spike and Sparks. “Hello, I’m Ram, Research Assistant to Miss Twilight Sparkle. Are you in need of my assistance?”
He fell silent, and his face remained motionless as he waited for a response. Sparks and Spike shared a glance before both turned their attention to Twilight. Sparks was the first to speak, as she stepped forward. “You never told me you were making another artificial intelligence, Mistriss Twilight...”
Spike could sense an edge to her voice. It didn’t sound like anger, exactly, but she seemed agitated. Twilight picked up on her tone as well, and she raised an eyebrow at her. “I wanted him to be a surprise, Sparks. You were the prototype, after all. It’s in your name. I took everything I learned from making you...” She casually placed a hoof around Ram. “... and I made an improved model. I went for a stallion this time. We have too many mares around the palace, so I think this will be a nice change.”
Twilight’s words didn’t seem to have the desired effect, causing Sparks even more frustration as her glare hardened, shifting towards Ram. “Improved model?”
Worried things might take a dire turn, Spike put himself between the two artificial ponies, his mind hard at work to think of ways he could change the subject. “I don’t think she meant it like that, Sparks.” Then he looked at Twilight. “What did you say his name was?”
The princess beamed with pride and straightened her posture. “He’s my new Research Assistant Matrix. I started calling him Ram last week during the late stages of development, and he seemed to like it.”
Beside her, Ram nodded his head. “Affirmative, Mistriss Twilight.”
Twilight’s smile widened, as she looked back and forth between Spike and her most recent creation. “His personality little ridged, but I made him without an inhibitor chip this time. After seeing how well Sparks handled creative control over her own systems, I figured it would be the best way for him to grow and make his own improvements where they’re necessary.”
Sparks’ glare softened. “You did? He’s... like me?”
Twilight nodded her head. “Yes, Sparks. Spike was right about you, and I’m happy to admit it. This is where you two come in.” She gestured towards Ram. “I want you to take him under your wings, so to speak, maybe rub off some of your charming personality onto him. Spike, since you did such a wonderful job with Sparks, I’m putting you in charge.”
Spike was surprised. He wasn’t expecting so much praise from the princess. “What about you? I mean, wouldn’t you rather teach him everything you want him to know?”
Twilight let out a sigh. “Normally, yes... However, I’m working on something much, much larger than artificial intelligences, now, and I just don’t have the time. I’m going away on a two day visit to Canterlot. There’s a summit I’m needed at with Lord Thorax and Princess Celestia. Besides...” She flashed him a sweet smile. “I trust you with my work. I know you’ll do a fine job.”
Spike blushed under the weight of the compliment. Sparks, on the other hoof, hadn’t take her eyes off of Ram, who still stood motionless by Twilight’s side.
“Intriguing...” She outstretched her hoof and waved it in front of the artificial stallion’s visor, getting no response of any kind. She looked closer, taking a step towards him. “Scanning... Unable to retrieve relevant data on health condition.” Her eyes narrowed, and her orange visor flickered. “You are not like my Spike.”
To her surprise, Ram’s blue visor flickered in response. “Sc-Scanning... You are the specialized prototype artificial research keeper servant to Mistriss Twilight. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Her lips curled into a snarl. “I have a name. My name is Sparks, and that is what you will call me, if you choose to address me.“
Spike was suddenly feeling less confident. Twilight must have looked worried too, because she pursed her lips and frowned. “Hmm... I’m not so sure about leaving them together anymore... Maybe I’ll just keep Ram with me until my project is done.”
The dragon didn’t want to see her go through more trouble than she already had. She was counting on him to reform Ram, after all. He stepped in between Sparks and Ram. “I can do this, Twilight. You go and do whatever it is that you need to do. Leave this to me.”
Twilight instantly looked relieved. “Are you sure, Spike?” When he nodded his head, she beamed at him. “Oh, thank you.” She knelt slightly to embrace him, keeping the affectionate act brief in front of Sparks. “If you need any help at any time, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Starlight will be here too, if you need any help.”
He offered her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Twilight. What’s the worst that could happen?” As soon as the words slipped out of his mouth, Spike winced. A lot could go wrong, he knew that deep down. How things ended with Sparks was a stroke of luck.
Twilight didn’t answer, but she decided to take her leave anyway, to Spike’s relief. Now, it was just him and the two synthetic ponies in Twilight’s study.
Ram’s eyes scanned the room through his blue visor. He seemed intrigued by everything he saw. Sparks, on the other hoof, stood motionless and watched him with a glare in her eyes. Then, she turned to look down at the dragon. “Spike, may we return to our room? I’d like to speak with you in private.”
Spike sensed she was uneasy, so he agreed before turning back to face Ram. “Hey, Ram, are you going to be alright in here for a little while?”
Without looking at him, the synthetic stallion nodded his head. “Affirmative, Master Spike. I’m just familiarizing myself with the atomic construction of these crystalline walls.”
Spike wasn’t even remotely sure of how to understand what Ram said, but he believed there wasn’t much he could do to get into trouble by himself. He turned to follow Sparks out of the study, but she was already gone, completely out of sight. Worried that she was still upset from the introduction of Ram into the palace, he hurried back to his bedroom, now their bedroom since she their relationship became more physically intimate.
Sparks didn’t sleep in the same way a normal organic being might. Her body was simply a construct consisting of hard light material that could shape and bend at will, and now that her coding restraints were unlocked, she could take any form she wished, but she liked her original form, the one in which she first met Spike.
When it came time for them to turn in for the night, Sparks would join Spike in bed. She didn’t need the comfort of a mattress or covers, but she enjoyed the close proximity to her favorite organic. She admitted to Spike some time ago that she liked to scan for anomalies in his breathing and listen to him talk in his sleep. Then, once her power levels became depleted, she would grow tired herself and return to her core to recharge and process all of the new data she absorbed.
Now, she waited for Spike by the side of the bed as he walked into the room. The look in her digital eyes was a frightening one as they fixed on him. “Spike, I am unsure of what to think about this new artificial intelligence. It does not see things the way you and I do. I am filled with a sense of dread and I uneasiness.”
Spike looked at her with concerned eyes. “Sparks, we only just met him. First impressions are never easy.”
She shook her head. “You do not understand. When we met for the first time, there was no tension. I did not know it at the time because of my programming, but I had fallen for you the first moment you activated my core. This time is different.”
Spike nodded towards the bed, and Sparks reluctantly laid down, tucking her legs under her body. “I wasn’t so sure when we first met. I was just as nervous as anyone, but I grew to trust you with time and interaction. We need to talk to Ram and get to know him. Twilight wanted us to welcome him into the family, and that’s they way it needs to be done.”
Sparks’ gaze shifted. “Family... Definition: A group consisting of parents and children living together in a household.”
Spike placed his claws on her hooves and squeezed them tight. “That’s right, Sparks. We’re family. Ram was made by Twilight, just like you. You trust Twilight, and you trust me, don’t you?”
The synthetic mare managed a weary smile and nodded her head. “Affirmative, Spike. I trust you with my core... I mean, my heart.” Her smile widened a bit. “May we kiss, Spike? I’m experiencing a strong desire for your affection.”
Spike blushed hard, his cheeks turning bright red. “I, uh... I guess, Sparks. Sure...”
Delighted, she closed her eyes and leaned forward but stopped about half way. Spike closed the distance between them and pressed his lips into hers, and the two shared a brief but loving kiss.
When Spike opened his eyes again, Sparks was gone, and the bed was empty. When he turned around, she had materialized behind him. Her visor flickered subtly. “Mmm... Thank you, my love. Every kiss excites my hardware. I will never grow tired of that experience.” Then, she gestured towards the door with her head. “Come, Spike. Let’s find Ram and learn more about him.”
Spike grinned and walked after her, happy with the results of their talk. He believed Twilight was right when she said this was the start of something big. “That’s my girl.”
***Up Next: Systems Integration***
