Chapters Molten Fox: Tech and Magic
"DAMMIT ALL!" I screamed over the loud noise of the waves crashing about and the downpour of rain as I was trying my damndest to keep my bike up over the waves. I was being rocked side to side as my monitor was going nuts, everything was going red as I felt myself going sideways towards the water, making me try to level it again. I was beginning to wonder what crazy idea I had to ride my bike out over the ocean away from home, in this weather !
It was too late to turn back now! I wasn't going to let her win this! I gripped the controls as I saved myself from turning over again, another wave broken through. I had to get away. I wanted to see what lies beyond the island, beyond what I ever thought possible. I tapped on the console, making it a bit easier for me to keep things
“Okay… Okay! I got this! I just need to keep things as is and I’ll be alright!” I said with a smile as I continue on before I saw something coming at me. I looked up and saw that… there was a giant tidal wave coming right at me. “OH COME THE FUCK ON!!!” I tried my best to get out of the way but it was like a mile long and it over came me. “... fuck.” was the last thing I said before it crashed down around me.
Several Days earlier.
I was humming to myself as I was tuning up my bike, giving her a well needed upgrade. I worked on the mechanical bits on my bike before making a holoscreen to check to see if the systems were all working as intended.
"Mmm… everything looks good, the new parts should take a bit for a full scan…" I said to myself as I took the holoscreen and tapped on it, causing more screens to appear.
I skimmed through the available data, watching it process through all screens before the screens showed a several hours long time limit on when it'll finish compiling. I sighed as it unfortunately left me with time to kill and I threw my head back, groaning as there was nothing else for me to do!
"Damnit, I should've had something planned to keep me occupied for this." I grumbled to myself as I glanced over to my window to see it was a nice day outside. I frowned at this as I don't really have anything to do outside… no one to talk to or hang out… though I do have friends… I could count them on one hand but I have friends!
Just… none of them are into the stuff I'm into. Out of my group of friends, I'm the techy one. I sighed as the nearby holoprojector activated, showing my virtual assistant. She had no discernable features, just a womanly shake.
"May I be of assistance? " She asked, bowing her head at me.
"I don't know… I'm just bored!" I groaned before slamming my head against the desk in front of me and staying there for a few moments before pulling myself back up. "There's not a lot to do as I wait for everything to be done!"
"Perhaps I could make a suggestion? " She asked me, suddenly appearing right beside me with her head tilted for my well being.
"And what would that suggestion be?" I asked, sounding somewhat hopeful for some kind of activity or… something I could do to pass the time. Maybe I could resolve that puzzle for the twentieth time?
"Your mother has requested another check on the weather cannon. " My holo assistant brought up which made me slump my shoulders… right. That.
"Ugh… again? Wasn't it already checked like… a day ago… don't answer that." I said as I pushed myself up. The dang weather cannon has to be checked every so often to make sure it doesn’t fire out a blank shell… or explodes. It's not the most fun job to do but it's something better than nothing. "Aren't there other people that can do this?" I asked myself.
"Your mother prefers that you be the one to do it. " My assistant said as I grumbled… at least my mom actually wants me to do something that I'm good at.
"Yeah yeah…" I said half heartedly as I got up and began to make my way towards the cannon. On the way I was left with my thoughts, mostly on my mother. The two of us were nothing alike, she's strong, brave, and if she wanted to she would take on the whole world with ease, things I am not. I'm no Warrior, I mostly deal with gadgets and gizmos, not really one to fight unless I have to which my mom had to make me learn. Honestly, if it wasn't for how much we look alike one would think we weren't family. Hell, just looking at the two of us I'm tiny to her! Like, she's huge!
As of late, she's been trying to get me to do these lessons of hers. How to lead the tribe, how to handle a crisis when in charge, all that crap. She wants me to follow in her footsteps and be the next chieftess but… but I don't want to!
I don't want to lead the tribe! I don't want to follow my moms footsteps! I don't want to be the next chieftess! It's… it's not for me damnit! I let out a sigh, I love my home I really do but sometimes I just want to leave, get away from it all and just… I don't know.
I let out a sigh as I walked out my workshop, hearing the hums of hover cars and bikes above me soon afterwards. The marvels of Amazon ingenuity, us Amazons are an advanced people… and very isolated as we lived on a single island, cut off from the rest of the world. And to keep it that way? A never ending storm surrounding the island, destroying any vessel brave enough to cross it.
Ugh, I've always thought the way they wrote that in datapads was so smug. What do we have to be smug about!? We're a bunch of isolated islanders with tech that, if my mom says is true, is eons ahead of the outside world!
I continued my walk through the pristine walkways of the city, occasionally taking some stairs up a level or two. It wasn't a short walk but when I arrived at the doors to the weather cannon control center, I let it scan my eye before the door opened to let me in.
“Alright, let’s get to work.” I said to myself as I make my way inside the building. “I need a diagnostics report on the state of the weather cannon, from the last check up to now.” I said out loud before a nearby holoprojector activated and out came The Assistant.
"Greetings, Miss Malkun. " Said the assistant, her appearance was exactly the same as my own back at the shop. The reason for that is simple, she is everyone's assistant. She's apart of every bit of tech this island has. I still can't really fully understand it myself as her creation was nothing short of a miracle from what I've been told. "The reports show no changes since you last ran a check. " She said to me as I walked up to the control panels and inspected the ammo, seeing that everyone was normal. This is a waste of time… I sighed as I shut off the console after finishing.
“Well, everything is in order… even though I don’t think I needed to check on it in the first place… again.” I said which turned into a grumble. It’s not like I mind checking on the reports of the weather cannon, it’s mostly that I'm annoyed that there are many others that can do the exact same thing without issue. Why does mom always send me out to do the check ups?
I groaned as the holo assistant looked at me curiously before I waved at her dismissively. She vanished soon afterwards and left me alone once again as I began to head out once more, hearing the colossal sized mechanical hums of the cannon powering up as it was time for the monthly shot.
Maybe I should talk to my mother… finally ask her these things and tell her how I feel. But how? How do I go about saying this? 'Hey mom, turns out I don't want to be chieftess afterall. Surprise! ' Ugh! I frowned a bit as the mechanical hums grew louder and soon the loud thud of the cannon firing went off. I hummed a bit as the sounds and hums grew quiet and all there was was the steady hum of everything. I like that sound, it somehow calms me down… oddly.
I shook my head and focused on my earlier thoughts. If I tell her that then she would go on that all she has done for me was all for me and… stuff. Ugh… just thinking about it makes my head hurt. I decided to take the long way so I could think of something better than being as blunt as possible. Honestly, I’m kinda worried that she would throw me in a dungeon for thinking like this… or something. Hope she doesn’t go down the ‘Trial by Combat’ idea, nooooo way I can beat her like that! Honestly, she could cleave a mountain!
I shook my head at this, I doubt she would do that to me but I bet she was going to be upset at me. She'd probably even call me a disappointment… like I've always been. I've always been a disappointment in the eyes of others.
With a sigh I continued on down the path, trying to keep my mind busy with other things. After five minutes I already have in mind some blueprints of a little drone that flys around. Sure it’s nothing new but with some modifications it could be use for other things that would be useful. It wasn’t long before I got to where I was heading, my home. I stared up at it, seeing it tower over every other building. With a sigh I headed inside and made my way towards where I believed where my mom was.
Our home was practically a mansion. Huge enough to house a small garrison of troops. And aside from being our home, it was also where my mother worked. Making huge decisions that would affect our people, all that important chieftess stuff.
Upon reaching the throne room, I heard my mothers voice through the large doors. She was already in the middle of a meeting. I stood in front of the door, unsure what I should do. Go in and interrupt her meeting, though if I do that I’ll just be more of a disappointment. I just… stood there, listening to the voices and waited for everything to finish up before I could talk to her.
After what felt like forever, the voices died down and I was allowed to peek in to see what’s going on in the room. Inside was my mother sitting upon her throne, eyes closed and deep in thought before she opened them.
"Double the wave makers strength. I do not want a repeat of this." She said in authoritative tone towards the person below her. Another woman, donned in armor as she was on one knee.
“Yes my chiefness. Right away.” the armored woman said with her head bowed. If I’m right she was the chief of defense… What was this about making the wave makers double their strength? I didn’t say anything before the chief leaned over to another guard and whispered something, causing the guard to nod and headed out quickly. I moved out of the way when this happened as I continued to watch and listen.
"I fear that the conflict of the outside world will soon finds its way to us." My mother said with a deep sigh before continuing. "I want my soldiers to be at their absolute peak." She said down to the chief of defense. "And make sure our stockpile of Ragnarok rounds are at full capacity." Was the last thing she said to the chief of defense.
“Right away Chiefness. I’ll see to that personally.” The Chief said, I believe her name was Amari? With that said she stood up and headed out of the room quickly, on the way out I saw her turn towards me and I could feel her glare at me, I tried really hard not to simply shrink away from that. The fact that mom asked to make sure we have enough Ragnarok rounds and they are full capacity is something, this was very serious.
Honestly, I’m a bit glad mom wanted them for defence. If it were Amari in charge, she would have them used as a bombardment weapon onto the outside world. Though I doubt she would do that, she was loyal to Mom and would do anything for her and just her.
I think she doesn’t even bother to notice me when we’re in the same room… or that she doesn’t like me because of how different I was to mom. It didn’t help that with the way she looks at me… as a disgrace to my family's name… I’m starting to believe she might be right…
Shaking my head at this I look towards my mom before walking forward. Gulping as I soon spoke.
“Hello… mom.” I greeted her, keeping my head low as I looked up at her. She turned her head to look down at me, again making me feel even smaller than I already felt like.
"Viri… what can I do for you?" She asked down at me as she stood up from her throne and made her way towards me. Okay… I can do this. Come on!
“Uhh, well I just came from the weather cannon, everything is working perfectly normal. No duds or anything.” I said to her, gulping again as I saw her slowly nod at me. I blushed a bit, I want to say what I wanted to say but… the words just weren't coming out of my mouth! My mother hummed at this before speaking.
"That's… great! That's amazing to hear as always." She said awkwardly with a similarly awkward smile before she saw my conflicted look. "Do you have something on you mind, sweetie?" She asked me softly. I gulped at this, trying to summon the courage to say what I want to say. Just… just say it damnit!
“It’s… it’s just… you know about everything you tried to teach me for being the next chiefness right?” I asked her which she simply stared and nodded. “Well… I just…” I stuttered a bit before groaning. “Damn it, Mom I know what you’re trying to do but… I don’t want to be the next chiefness!” I yelled which surprised her as I kept going. “I hate each of those lessons! I’m bored of each and every one of them! I don’t want to lead the tribe! I don’t want to do any of that! I want to make things! I want to go out beyond the storms and see the world! I’m sick of it all!” I yelled out, okay I wanted to say what’s on my mind but not really scream it out. Tears are actually streaming down my face. “I… I just… it’s not for me… I hate it, I really just… I don’t want to be an even bigger disappointment than I am now.”
"D-disappointment?" She repeated, as if questioning if what the last thing I said was actually said. "Viri… you're not a disappointment… you never were." She said to me, most likely to cheer me up. But was it even true?
“Please, I’ve seen how others see me. They all see me as a failure. I’m not some warrior princess or anything! I just… I can’t… I just can’t… And don’t lie to me, I’m… I’m nothing like you.” I said before shaking my head. “Mom is so great and strong! Why can’t her daughter be like her instead of being in her workshop tinkering with things!” Tears was falling down my face as everything I was holding back was pouring out of me.
"Viri…" Was all my mom could say… before suddenly wrapping her arms around me and pulling me close to her, hugging me tightly as she softly spoke to me. "You're my treasure. The light of my life, the very reason I get up in the mornings." She whispered down to me before she added. "I didn't care that you were different. You're my baby, and I'll never, in my lifetime, ever call you a disappointment." She said to me. I didn't know what to say. She… didn't think I was a disappointment? I was so shocked I didn't notice that I was crying my eyes out and hugging mom back. I honestly didn't want this moment to end, because in the moment she wasn't the chiefness of the Tribe, but my mom.
"I know what it's like… to have these feelings of wanting to leave the island." She whispered down to me when I had eventually quieted down. "I was around your age when I began to be as rebellious as you. But my mother forbade me from doing anything remotely close to leaving the island." She said down to me before looking down and adding. "But I'm not my mother." She whispered softly and finally finished with. "Give me a few days. I'll figure something out." My eyes widened.
"You… you actually are… what?" I asked in shocked, wiping my tears away as I stared at her. This was surprising to me… mostly on the idea that my mom was actually rebellious and she was actually going to let me go!
"Shh…" She shushed me before whispering. "I'll think of a way to get you out the island. I just need time." She said to me, making sure to not be heard from anyone nearby but us. I mean it didn't seem necessary as there was no one else in the room but who cares! My mom is helping me!
"O-Okay mom." I whispered back with a smile on my face before giving her another hug, allowing her to hug back as well. We stayed like that for some time before pulling away. With that I soon left the room as my mom had other things to do, though I left the room in much higher spirits than when I entered, heck I was even skipping down the hall. Today was a good day.
present time.
I thought I was dead. I was dead, on the bottom of the seafloor to never be seen again. But in truth, I opened my eyes to see… a roof? I didn't recognize it before seeing that I wasn't back home, I'm someplace else. I groaned a bit as I put a hand on my head, feeling something on my head. A cloth?
I tried to push myself up, feeling my body stiff and sore as I did this which got a few groans from me as well.
"You should rest and thank whoever was looking out for you." A voice spoke out, unlike I've ever heard before. My eyes widened before I looked towards the door to see… a man… an actual man!
I stared at him wide eyed… a man! An actual man! Oh my… this is just… Whoa! Wait, if I meeting with a man… that means I got out of the Storm Wall! I'm actually off the island and on a new one! Ooo this is so exciting!
"Well… yeah umm… hey, who are you? And are you… a man?" I asked the person, making him arch a brow at me. I have to make sure! "Hey, I was probably out on the sea in a storm, I'm just asking." I said to him.
"I'm Indigo… and yeah… I'm a guy?" He said practically confused, no doubt about having to say that he was a man. So many questions!
"That's… wow…" Was all I said as I stared at him for a few moments before shaking my head. "Ah, I'm Viri by the way, and Uhh… I'm guessing you found me?" I asked him. As I stared at him I took note of his form, short black hair, sharp features, a well tone, muscular body. I couldn't help but stare at him for a bit before I heard him clear his throat.
"Yeah. I was out on my boat, saw you out from the shore drifting on some hunk of metal." He said to me as straightened up from leaning against the doorway. "Whatever you went through overseas must've left you exhausted. Rest up some more, I'll get you something to eat." He said to me as he left me in the room to myself.
I laid back down in the bed, sighing as I stared up at the roof of the place. I'm actually here… I'm really here! I'm so excited about this, to see new things and people and- wait.
"WHAT YOU MEAN, HUNK OF METAL?!"
Author's Note
We're at this again friends! This time Viri has a Bike!... kinda.
Any mistakes? Please leave them down in the comments. It would be greatly appreciated.
Molten Fox: Tech and Magic
Today was not my day.
“AHHHHHHHHHH!” I screamed out when I was taken out of the place I was in by the man and led to where I saw my bike… or what’s left of it. The whole thing was smashed and bent in odd ways and… it was simply scrap. All that work… gone… I fell to my knees with utter despair. “My bike… my poor bike…” I sobbed out to myself. I put my hand on the metal of it, feeling how cold and still it was… oh my heart…
Not far away from me, looking at me oddly was Indigo, the man who saved me from the sea. I had rambled about my bike for the better part of twenty minutes but managed to keep it mostly to myself…save for the screaming.
"Are you done being dramatic?" Asked the man from afar. I took a deep breath… promising myself that I'd fix this whenever I get the chance. Hopefully. Just as I gathered myself, I could hear the wood creak behind me as the man spoke once more. "I didn't see anything else beside that hunk of metal and this little doohickey." He said to me as his hand came to view revealing… my bracelet! I scrambled to my feet and looked at him. I opened my mouth to yell out again but was able to hold back from yelling as I clearned my throat and took my bracelet back.
“Thanks… This… This means a lot to me.” I said to him as I held it in my hands, feeling the metal in my fingers, a sense of ease came over to me as I held it in my hands, feeling the groves of it. I looked at Indigo as he stared at me before I added. “It used to belong to my mother.” I said to him, which made him nod.
"I see… well… I'll be inside. Leave you to… grieve over that." He said to me regarding my bike before heading off the dock and back into his home. I let out a sigh before looking down at my bracelet. Thank the all mother… I quickly put it on and, once Indigo was just out of earshot, my bracelet let out a beep as it glowed a little. I sighed as it still works, I mean of course it still works. It would take far more than some water to short it out, I wish I could say the same about my bike but… beggars can't be choosers. I looked down at my bracelet as it soon gave off some holo-screens that showed a number of things. See, my bracelet is actually my handy dandy Multi-tool, it can be anything I need it to be without issue but I couldn’t show that to Indigo. Don’t know what reaction he would make when he sees it.
“Alright… at least this is still with me.” I said with a smile. I took a deep breath before I went to contact my mom. She would be worried sick about me and… yeah I should call. I flipped through until I got to my communication and went to call my mom. I waited and waited but soon received a… dead signal screen? What!? That's not… how? “Oh what the hell is this? Why can I connect?!” I said as I tried again and again, no signal. I shook my bracelet a bit, wondering if it was damaged in the storm… or was the storm blocking the signal? “That would mean I have to get closer to the storm just to get something through… even then it would be hazy at best. Ugh.” I groaned.
Great… I can't even tell my mom that I made it through the storm. She'll probably think I'm dead! Or worse… I frowned at the memory before shaking my head… and shivering. Fuck… I looked down at myself, seeing the clothes I wore were torn up, not so much that I'm indecent but I’m not going to be safe from the chill of night if I stay in said clothes. Hmm… maybe Indigo has some spares or something. Kinda wish I installed a clothing mender in my multi-tool now. With a sigh I turned ahd headed back into the building I was once was. Now able to look around I saw that it was the only building around. Call about being isolated. Once inside I looked around for Indigo.
I soon found him in his kitchen, where he made some sandwiches. When I saw one… it made me realize how hungry I was. But I had to hold that back for now and-
"These are for you. You've been out for a few days since I found you." He said to me which made me double take. What!? Why didn't he start with that!?
“A few days?! You think that’s something you should've told me earlier?!” I asked him in a shocked and angry tone which made him blink a few times. I let out a sigh before rubbing my head. There was an awkward silence between us as I did this before he cleared his throat.
"Do you want these or not?" He asked me simply which… yeah… I walked up to him and he soon handed me the plate of sandwiches. They didn't look like much but… I'm too hungry to even think about complaining. He sat me down on the nearby table and soon asked. "How are you holding up?" He asked me simply as I sighed. I got to come up with a good lie… something that won't raise any questions.
“I’m… I’m doing fine.” I said as I finished up my first few bites. “Uhh, thanks for saving me from the water. I don’t know if I would’ve survived if it wasn’t for you.” I said after, still trying to think of a good lie if he asks what I was doing in the water. Maybe I was working on something out in the sea and something happened? That could work.
"It's no problem, though you city folk really need to keep your jet skis near the beaches." He said to me which… huh? Jetski? Roll with it Viri, roll with it!
“Y-Yeah, sorry about that… but it’s just… really fun out on the water with it.” I said with a laugh… Yeah, that’s convincing Viri, totally. He simply shook his head at me before speaking up.
"Right, well I'll go check if I got any spare clothes for you. If push comes to shove I'll let you borrow some of mine and… ugh… I'll go out and buy you some." He said to me and he sounded not too happy about it. I guess I wouldn't be to, having to buy some clothes for a stranger I've only just met. He left me alone to eat which left me with my thoughts.
What was I going to do? I've got no way of contacting mom, no way back to the island if I needed to go back… I was essentially stuck in the outside world. Normally it wouldn’t be as bad since I was out here, it was what I wanted but… I prefer having a way back… maybe there is a way. If I just get close to the storm… or boost the signal to get through the stormwall… right, first things first I need to find my way to the nearest city to learn more.
After finishing up the last of the sandwiches, I got up and left the kitchen only to be met with Indigo out in the living room. He motioned towards an open door and I walked over to it. It was a bathroom… a really… really primitive bathroom. There were some clothes folded on top of the sink. They looked roughly my size… but I'm assuming it's Indigo's. With a sigh I stripped out of the clothes I wore and put on the ones Indigo gave me, soon seeing myself in a pair of simple jeans and a sleeveless shirt with a jacket. They were… comfy, be it a bit loose… it did however help with my tail not being in pain of the jeans. As much as I wanted to make a hole I didn’t want to damage Indigo’s pants. Once put them on I looked at myself in the mirror and… I look very much… what’s the word? Tomboyish? That the word? Whatever the case I soon picked my other clothes up and carried them out of the bathroom.
“Hey, thanks again for the clothes.” I said to Indigo once I was out.
"No problem. I'll take you town in a little bit. I've got business to tend to so make yourself comfortable." He said to me and I felt like an ass for having to lie to him. He's been nothing but kind. He left soon afterwards and once again I was with my thoughts.
… though to be honest, I was alone in his house… I could take some time to learn more about him and this place. Isn’t that a good idea? I believe I read it somewhere back home to gather information so… yeah that makes sense. With that in mind I started to go around the house to… well, snoop around.
When I mean by snooping around, I didn’t think it would be very quick since this place is small. Like, there’s at most five rooms and it’s pretty small rooms so looking around wasn’t the most time consuming. I did find a few pictures… man, so weird to have physical pictures. One of them was of him holding a large fish with an older woman beside him with a smile. Was that his mom or something?
There was more pictures hanging about, some with the same woman and a younger Indigo… then… oh… oh no… nearby was a small urn, it was simple looking but it has the word ‘Mother’ on it. Oh hell… I felt more uncomfortable now than before. I looked around at the place as there wasn’t really much anything else to look around before looking back at the urn.
I moved back away, not knowing if I wanted to risk stumbling into something that depressing again. So I sat in the living room and kept myself busy with my thoughts. There was clearly a tech gap with what little I've seen but I remained a little hopeful for a nearby city. Maybe they could help! I just hope they've got some sort of signal booster or something. With that in mind I stood up again and checked the time, seeing I was at this for a few minutes, close to half an hour. I wonder if Indigo is ready to go or not? Just as I thought this, the door opened and he came back in with a grunt.
"Alright come on, the town is not too far from here, the sooner we start walking the sooner we get there." He said to me as a matter of factly as he left some things behind before heading back out. I followed behind him and after he locked his door, we began the trek to the town. He was obviously taking the lead as I didn't know where to go. Sure enough he lead the both of us towards a dirt trail that was hidden under some brush that overgrown it which made me stare a bit. Dirt paths? Overgrown plants? Isn’t there anyone tending to them or something? Droids or whatnot?
“If you don’t mind me asking… What's the name of this town?” I asked Indigo as he pushed a branch out of his way and allowed me to walk past so the branch doesn’t smack me in the face.
"Everfree. It's an old town, nice folk. Too crowded for my tastes." He said to me as he glanced back at me. "You're able to find practically anything in the town, no matter how obscure." He added. Oh?
“Anything you say?” I asked him which caused Indigo to look at me with an arched brow before nodding. Yes! That means I could find a signal booster there! “Well then, better not let the sunlight burn out, let's go!” I said happily before making my way forward with a brisk pace… before I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw Indigo there.
"And where do you think you're going?" He asked me with the same arched brow. I blinked at this before he pointed at a nearby cross road sign… oh… I stare at the sign which the way I was going was a place simply called ‘Howling Canyon’ which was definitely not the right way to go. I chuckled nervously before looking back.
“Whoopsy. W-Wrong way… hehe.” I said which made Indigo roll his eyes at me. He gave an unamused glance before continuing to lead the way. The rest of the trip was uneventful aside from some… scares here and there. This forest is so… wild and seemingly untamed. I saw glimpses of creatures I've never seen before!
"I have business outside of town so this is as far as I go." Indigo suddenly said before stopping and turning to look at me. I was surprised to hear this but before I could voice said surprise, he handed me something. Was this money? It was a heavy little bag. "Use this to buy yourself some clothes. Ask around for directions, the people are nice enough to help." He said to me simply.
“Uhh… thanks.” I said as I looked at the bag and looked like… gold coins? I took one of them out and looked at it. “This is… a gold coin…” I said out loud. Why a coin? Do people use material items to pay? Also why gold?
"Yeah. It's a bit." He said to me with an arched brow before adding. "You're from across the border I'm guessing." He said to me which made me freeze. Uhh…
“Y-Yeah… never really crossed the border…” I said as I continued to look at this… bit? It’s a coin, so why is it called a bit? He believed my answer as he shook his head.
"I'll meet you back at the house, just don't go off the path." He said to me as he turned to leave once more though he headed off the path and deeper into the forest to do… whatever it is he needed to do. Luckily for me though, I could hear the town not too far from here and after continuing the path on my own, I exited the thick forest and into a large clearing and… woah.
I saw a number of buildings before me that look so… ancient. I haven’t seen any thing like them other than in data pads of old history… just… woah. I walked into the place, looking around at everything around me. Was home like this in the past? If so man, everything really changed over the many many years. Not only that I saw a number of people out and about, talking going about their day. Everything looks so…surreal.
I took a deep breath to collect myself. Okay… first time ever interacting with another civilization. Nothing to freak about… nothing at all! Yup. I-
"You alright miss?" Someone said, bringing me out of my thoughts. I looked at them, seeing that he was a man like Indigo but more… muscular? It was obvious he was some sort of warrior… or farmer.
“Uhh, y-yeah um… Yeah I’m fine.” I said to him before remembering why I came all the way out here. “Umm, I’m new here. Where can I find a clothing store?” I asked him, wanting to get into some new clothes.
He gave some simple directions which thankfully were easy to follow as soon after he told me this, I went into town fully and followed his directions to the letter. The streets were bustling with plenty of folk, all of which differ from the last. In what regards? Well I saw one with wings! Wings!
I mean, sure I stand out as well with ears and a tail, being fox Faunus and all that but seeing someone with actual wings was a sight to behold. Didn’t help that I stared for too long that I ran into a pole… ow. I collected myself and continued on my way. After some time I found the place I was looking for… I think? Honestly the place looks odd, like someone took a building and made it look like a carousel. I don’t know if I want to walk into the place or wait in line to get on and ride around on a horse. In the end the need of clothes won out and I made my way into the place, the place was spaces with a few mannequins station off to the sides, all in different clothing that looked… nice? I think? I wasn’t really good with clothing design.
“Hello? Anyone here?” I called out into the place, wondering if anyone was here. My ears twitched a bit as I heard some sounds from the back.
"Hold on dear!" A voice yelled out as there was more shuffling around before a door opened and stepping out. The woman had long dark purple hair and pale skin. Her hair was glossy and well kept so that it shined in the light and that goes double when you see her tail. A pair of cat ears sat on top of her had as she simply smiled at me. She wore a nice fancy business dress shirt and a skirt that goes to her knees.
"Ah yes, welcome dear." She greeted me with a smile and a little polite bow. "Welcome to my humble Carousel Boutique, where high society doesn't have to result in an empty wallet." She said with a kind smile as she straightened back up. I blinked at this before returning with a kind smile as well.
"Thanks, I was wondering if you had anything in my size." I said to her which caused her to tilt her head a bit. This made me blush, did I say it wrong? "I mean… I uhh, I'm trying to get some new clothes and when I asked around they sent me here." I added, hoping that made sense. She simply smiled and chuckled before she spoke with such confidence and elegance.
"Well, I am well known for my art and my art is known for it's one size fits all." She said before snapping her fingers, making several articles of clothing float around me as she gave me a focused look and hum. "No, not that." She said with wave and another bundle of clothes floated around me. "No, not that either." She said before yet another bundle of clothes hovered closer to me. "Ah yes!" She said before snapping her fingers, causing a bright light to fill the room in a second, leaving me dazed and confused before looking down at myself. Ah!? What!?
“W-What the hell?!” I yelled out in surprised as I saw my clothes changed to a white and gold top that was sleeveless and it showed off my belly a bit and my pants were dark with gold highlights. I was shocked at this but I was more shocked at what just happened. “W-What did you do to me?! And my clothes?!” I yelled at her while she stared at me in surprise.
"I switched them out with something more you, darling." She said to me as she picked up the discarded pile and looked like she was about to puke when she did. "These filthy things didn't belong on a physique such as yours so I switched them then and there." She said before discarded the shirt back to the floor in disgust. But how!?
“B-But… but how?! How can you… I mean you… h-huh?!” I stuttered out as I was totally confused at this. She blinked at me as if I was crazy.
"With magic, how else?" She asked back and well.. what the hell was I meant to say to that!? Magic!? "Oh dear, you aren't from around here, are you?" She asked me and by some miracle I managed to nod. She shook her head and sighed.
"You Remnants always freakout at the first sign of magic." She said to me before looking back and saying. "Yes magic is real, and more potent over here. So do please not freak out at the sight of it like so many others." She said to me which… works for me as I didn't even have to lie. So magic is real… I wonder what potential it holds. "Anywho, dearie. Your new clothes should cost you around twenty bits." She said suddenly and brought me out of my thoughts.
“Huh? Oh right uhhh…” I went over to my old clothes and pull out the bag of bits and started pulling out the twenty bits for her. “Here… you go.” I said which she smiled as she counted and took them into her hands. She nodded and looked back at me.
"And like that, I thank you for choosing the carousel for your clothing needs. Have a wonderful day!" She said to me cheerfully as I picked up Indigo's clothes and held onto them. She offered a bag to put them in and I happily thanked her for it and it wasn't long before I found myself outside again… what now? I looked around at the place before I started walking to where I believed I came from… which soon resulted in finding myself lost in town.
“Oh… shit… where am I?” I said to myself as I looked around at the place. I had no idea where I was in this town. I continued to wander for almost two hours before I found myself in front of a building… I say building but it was actually a large tree with a door and windows. Treehouse? House tree? I saw a sign out front that says ‘Golden Oaks Library’. I blinked at this as I stared at the house building. With a hum I decided to walk into the place to see what’s there. Once in the place I noticed the shelves which held… books? My eyes widened before I went towards the shelves, picking one of the books and held it in my hand. I have never seen a book up close before, I’ve read about them back at home but I never saw them in person.
"Uhh… can I help you?" Came a voice right beside me as I had held the heavy book in hand. It brought me out of my thoughts and I looked over to see a young man, younger than me no doubt. He had short green hair and was wearing a purple shirt and jeans.
“Huh? Oh umm, sorry. I’m uhh, I’m just looking.” I said to him as he stared at me. “Umm… you work here?” I asked him.
"Yeah, live here too." He said before looking down at the book I held. "Are you really going to read that?" He asked me with an arched brow as he pointed at the book in my hands. I blinked at him and looked at the book.
“Uhh… why do you ask that?” I asked him, unsure what he was talking about as he arched a brow. I turned the book around to read the title, Lusty Fox . My face turned bright red when I did and quickly put it back. “N-Never mind!” I said as the young man chuckled at my embellishment.
"So are you new to town?" He asked me after a moment, where I took some breaths to calm down and not be so… red in the face. "We don't get a lot of new faces around here. People usually tend to head to the big cities when crossing." He added.
“Really… yeah I’m new here… kinda uhh… never really had much choice to leave my home.” I said to him as he smiled before I spoke up once more with. “Umm… I’m Viri by the way.” I said to him, finally introducing myself.
"Spike." He said back with a nod before adding. "So what brings you here?" He asked me once more and I looked back at all the rows of books. The history of the outside world… I can see several books that have already piqued my interests greatly.
"There's some books that I want to take out to read." I said as I pulled a few history books that I saw. Already I had three of the books that I moved them over to a table.
"Alrighty then, I'll just check these out for you." He said as he then took the stack of books and brought them over to another table, one that had some… trinkets or something. Was that meant to be a stamp? After a minute of watching him stamp my books, he handed them back to me and said. "Here you go, you have two weeks to bring them back. Any longer and we will start charging you a bit per book." He said to me, handing my books. Huh? The stack felt a little heavier than before and I noticed a fourth one. Did I grab a fourth?
"Were there four books?" I asked Spike, unsure if I did grab a fourth one or not. Spike hummed a bit in thought before answering.
"Yeah. I'm sure there were." He said to me as I looked back down at the book in my arms. Hmm… oh well.
"Alright, thanks for this." I said to him with a smile which he returned with one in kind as well as a wave as I turned to head out of the library. And upon exiting the library, a familiar voice greeted me.
"There you are!" The voice of Indigo greeted my ears through the still busy street. I looked over and saw him walking up to me. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Thank the all mother! I'm not lost anymore! "Didn't see you back at the house when I got back. Figured you were lost." He said to me and I… chuckled nervously. Me? Lost? Nah.
"No no, I was simply… looking around and decided to check some books out." I explained to him, trying to lie that I was lost. I was totally not lost.
"Riiight." He said, not convinced by this one bit. I let out a sigh before he spoke. "Well, if you want to find a place to stay in town, I know of a couple of places but I always have that spare room I gave you when I brought you back on land." He said to me, giving me the option to either find some inn or stay with him. To be honest, staying with him sounded like the better option. His place was quiet, scenic, has a great view of the ocean… and that's where my bursted bike is. I arched a brow at him before saying.
"What? Sick of me already?" I said jokingly, smiling innocently as I did before chuckling at my own little joke and saying. "Your place is nicer, I think I'll stick around a little longer." I added. He nodded at me with a smile of his own and as we started our walk back, he spoke up.
"So what are those books on?" He asked me, glancing with an arched brow. Okay… I'm a history geek normally so… yeah that works.
"History, I've been a bit of a history lover since I first read one." I answered as I looked at my bag before looking back to Indigo. He gave me a puzzled look.
"'History' huh? Is that what they call it now?" He asked me to which I was confused and looked down at my bag once more, seeing one of the books that was more notable than the rest… Lusty Fox.
"W-Why do I- oh that little…" I fumed at this. I knew I didn't have four books! Spike snuck it in! That bastard! "That little… thinks he can pull a fast one on me…" I said as I turned to march back into the place to give Spike a piece of my mind.
"Too late for that. I ain't turning around." Indigo said to me as he grabbed my arm. I wanted to scream out and curse at the little green haired dork from earlier but I kept my cool… for the most part. I was stuck with an erotic novel for the next two weeks. Great.
Author's Note
Fun fact! This AU is set in a world where Equestria, and Remnant are one place. It was actually an idea that my co-writer Uncle Smiles suggested and it was neat!
Any mistakes? Please leave them down in the comments. It would be greatly appreciated.
Molten Fox: Tech and Magic
My eye twitched a bit, a sense of dread washed over me that shook me to the core… a feeling of despair that I have not felt for a long time, since when I was a child! I just… can’t believe something like this could be possible!
Everything is so… so… PRIMITIVE!!!
I just… everything is so low tech and slow… the handheld devices, Scrolls I was told, were some items that are basically as high tech they have here but it’s… so not! How could anyone live like this?!? The history books I got were some help on figuring out where I am, a place known as Equestria, and here the place is ruled by a Princess named Celestia… Why a Princess and not a Queen? It was quite odd honestly kinda odd for a Princess running everything but that’s not the crazy part! What was insane was the fact everything here is run on… Magic. Like, actual fairy tail magic… At that point I lost interest in this as things like magic were just silly!
With that out of the way… I was left to wallow in my despair for the state of being I’m in. Normally when I’m like this I would go build something or tinker on something but… THERE’S NOTHING! My bike is so banged up and I couldn’t find anything that I could use to fix it up… It’s just so… depressing.
"Why are you sulking on the floor like that?" The voice of Indigo brought me out of my thoughts as he was peeking into the room with an arched brow. He has been kind enough to let me stay with him for a while until I could… get back. I had to lie, pretend I'm from whatever city he keeps referring to.
“Oh you know… questioning my existence in this depressing place we call a world.” I answered in a monotone voice as I was laying on the floor. Yes It’s depressing but I was depressed! I want to tinker but there’s nothing to tinker with!
"You city folk really are dramatic." He said to me as he was about to walk away. "You could try booking a train, help you get home." He added to which I had to hold back a groan. Locomotive transportation… it sounds so… ancient.
“I… well, sadly I don’t really have any… coin to buy myself a pass onto a train.” I said to him, kinda weak answer but really that’s all I got. He arched a brow when I said this and I sat up from my slump a bit. “Again I lost my coin all those days ago and the coin you gave me was used for my clothes.” I added with a shrug.
"Have you tried looking at odd jobs? The summer solstice is tomorrow morning, maybe there are people still trying to finish up?" He offered with a shrug before leaving me to my thoughts. I had to keep the lie up somehow and I doubt I could just lay around any longer without getting suspicious. Besides, how hard is it to get a small job or a few?
With that said, I got up to my feet and, after brushing myself off a little, I made my way out of the room and then out of the building. When I made my way toward Everfree I pondered on what Indigo said, something about the Summer Solstice. If I remember it correctly the Summer Solstice is a very important event in all the Equestria, so much so that the princess herself would go to one of the many towns within the land and the place had a pretty big party. Supposedly, the royalty of Equestria is modest and humble to her subjects.
I frowned at this as I found this to be a bunch of bull. No way someone in charge is this kind and generous without doing something that isn't. From the books she is depicted as a saint and again, I find that total bull. Even though I hated them, the lessons of being a leader did say there would be times when the leader has to make hard decisions.
I was left to stew with these thoughts before I found myself coming out of the forest and into Everfree. I saw all the townsfolk going about setting everything up for tomorrow. I hummed at this as I didn’t actually know where I could find some jobs I could work at… maybe find a central place there could help me. I glanced around to see if there were any stand out buildings that were a good waymarker… except every building here stood out greatly. My ears flattened on top of my head at this thought so I did the next best thing; go ask someone where I could find some jobs.
Asking around I learned that there was a place, a workshop that’s looking for someone with some knowledge and experience in building. That’s perfect for me so I got some directions and headed over there. I learned that it was owned by a man named Theodore Ironwood, had this shop for quite a while. Using the directions that was given, I made my way towards the shop and upon arriving, I found it quite… cozy. As I made it up to the front door there was a loud explosion from the side of the building and I saw some sort of flier flew off out of control in the air.
“What in the-” I started to say before I heard some coughing from where the explosion was. I went closer to where the coughing is just as I looked back in time to see the glider explode violently.
"Gods above, if I'd known those crystals faulty." Came the older voice of a man. When the dust cleared, I was able to get a good look. The man before me was quite in shape as he wore some coveralls that were stained from use, short black hair with some gray running through it and I saw, and heard, his one arm and legs were mechanical.
“Ummm, excuse me?” I called out towards him, getting his attention.
"Huh? Oh, a visitor. Welcome to my little workshop, Sir Theodore Ironwood at your service." He said with a bow of his head to me, as I was still looking at his mechanical limbs. They're so… so advanced! I shook my head, trying to pull my head away from his arms.
“Uhh, hi there. I’m Viri Mal’kun, I heard you’re looking for someone to work for you?” I asked which made him arch a brow. “I assure you I’m quite skilled in this.” I said with some pride in my voice.
"Not really work for, more looking for an apprentice. I want to pass down my knowledge to someone worthy of it." He said as he began to pick up the scraps of his old double door. Oh? "But yes I am looking for someone who's interested." He said to me and well, the lack of a pay was a downer but his craftsmanship was out of this world!
“Well… honestly I wouldn’t mind taking that apprenticeship. I’m kind of also interested in those prosthetics you have as well.” I said to him, my eyes darting towards him and his prosthetics. He hummed a bit which made me sweat a bit. I hope I didn’t screw myself out of this, I wonder what else he has in his shop.
"Ah, well, made them myself if that's what you're asking. Lost my arm during the Great War and as for my legs… ha, well, a man such as I would benefit more with mechanical legs." He said with a laugh. Did he cut them off? Is that what he's saying?
“I see… well they look very cool, also very advance as well. Haven’t seen anything like it before.” I said to him which got a smile from the man. The way they were designed reminded me of the stuff back home. In fact, they… were a little too close in similarities.
"Well, for me to actually see if you're capable. I'll give you access to my workshop. Wow me and then we'll see." He said to me as he continued to clean up. I looked around his shop, seeing many devices both big and small, some looking to be weapons while others… Well, I guess they were just time killers. I glanced around for a bit, seeing everything before something caught my eye; a small mechanical fox with glowing orangey red eyes… that was staring right at me. I moved to the side and saw it turned its head. Whoa…
"Hey, what's this?" I asked, pointing up at the fox.
"That's Sylph, one of my greatest creations yet. Made her soon after I moved here." He said to me but I didn't really know how long that was. Sylph continued to look at me with fiery red eyes, its metallic body beginning to glow red hot. Uhh. "Duck." Theodore said to me quickly and I did just before Sylph opened her mouth to a jet of hot fire.
"WHAAAAAAAT THE HELL!?" I yelled as this happened as the flame died down and I saw Sylph sitting there, wiggling their ears a bit. "How… did you do that?" I wondered out loud in shock.
"Her core, it's made of Fire infused magic crystals, it tends to generate more than needed and that's the result." Theodore spoke behind me as he continued to clean up. I blinked at this, fire infused magic crystals? He… can’t actually be serious. I looked back at Sylph who was busy brushing itself with its paw.
“I… see.” I said to him as I stood up and helped clean up a bit. I wasn’t sure if he was actually being serious about ‘Magic Crystals’ and all I could go on with it being real was a fire breathing robotic fox. After finishing I went around to see what’s there I could use to prove myself. There was a number of tools here I could use, though honestly I brought my multi-tool with me since, well I never leave without it. I saw a number of these… magic crystals, which looked like small crystals of different colours. I arched my brow at this before looking what else I could work with.
There was a lot to work with but… uhh… I didn't know where to even begin! Or what I should even make! Hell those Crystal's themselves are news to me, how the hell am I supposed to make anything with this?
I glanced back at Theodore and saw him leaning back against the way, idly petting the robotic fox who seems to enjoy it. Part of me wanted to ask for her schematics and take a look at them, figure out how she ticks and everything. It was fascinating to think about what they would show. It reminds me of the schematics of the Weather Cannon. I've seen those a hundred plus times already that I know of it like the back of my hand, every little detail of it. Hell, I've had dreams of them many times over which was somewhat annoying.
Then, I had a thought. A crazy thought, a thought so crazy even I started to question my own sanity if it was possible to do, and that question was simple.
What if I made a Weather Cannon, only smaller?
As much as I thought it was crazy, I looked around at everything around me, even the crystals. This can’t be done in a day, it might take a few at most.
“Do I have to get it done soon?” I asked Theordore who hummed a bit.
"Not really. I don't really set a due date for these sort of tests, I just expect results." Theodore said, which honestly left me more relieved than it should've. I got time then.
“Thanks.” I said as I grabbed a few tools and got to work. With the image in my head of the cannon I had to think of it much, much smaller. Sure some of the force and power of it will be diminished by this but honestly, the fact that the normal cannon had enough power to blast anything down with a shot is nothing to sneeze at. Besides, I could see how it could work in my head. I already started working with some metal to get the frame of it made. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Theodore watching me work as I was folding some parts together. It was odd… never really had someone actually watching me work.
Deciding to push that thought to the side I continue working on this for some more time. It was until I got working on some internals that I felt a hand on my shoulder which made me jump and look at Theodore.
“Huh? What?” I asked him. He didn't say anything and simply wandered off, leaving to my devices. I blinked at this, a bit confused before shrugging and continuing on, getting the first part down I can start on the next part. This one took hours to get it finished.
Hours past and the sun went down just as I finished up about half of the internal stuff of the mini weather cannon. I felt tired as I stood up and stretched a bit. I should head back… Yeah.
"Whatever it is you're making can wait for tomorrow, I need to close up shop." Theodore said, making me yelp as I didn't realize he was back. "Say… where did you learn to make that?" He asked regarding my project.
“Oh umm…” I looked back at the skeleton that is going to be the mini weather cannon. “I uhh, do a lot of tinkering and uhh… read something like it in a book.” I said with a smile. This got him to arch a brow at me. Not only was he staring at me, so was the robotic fox.
"Right, well regardless of where you've learned this, it's certainly unique." He said as he gave the unfinished cannon a good look. "I look forward to seeing it completed." He said to me afterwards. I smiled and nodded at him before I left the shop.
There were other people out and about so late in the night but I simply continued on my way, retracing my steps back towards Indigos place. As I walked I noticed I was smiling a little. I enjoyed myself as I was working on the cannon, it reminded me of back home where I spent the day tinkering away on a project or on my bike… which I have to disassemble due to being a total wreck.
I let out a sad sigh as this was a thing, though I could just use it for parts and use them for something else. Maybe use them for the cannon! Ooo, that would be good since some of the parts that could work greatly. At this thought I quickened my step to get back.
Author's Note
If you see any issues or spelling/Grammar, please point it out.
Molten Fox: Tech and Magic
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