Tales of a robot

I braced for impact. The sound of the shot had echoed through the entire cave. I felt it bounce off of my hoof. I saw Apple Bloom duck for cover.

Rarity had enhanced my metal plating before I left. I looked down and my hoof had shattered from the impact. But the plating had protected everything on the inside and I was still able to move perfectly fine. The broken hoof exposed the mess of wires underneath the metal plating and I felt my head go fuzzy.

I watched as Apple Bloom tackled Scootaloo to the ground just as she was loading up another shot. "GO SWEETIE BOT!" I heard her yell.

She didn't need to tell me twice. I reached down to my command key and pressed it quickly. Run: "Run"

I felt my senses go blank. I could still see and hear everything that was going on around me but it was different. It was almost as if I was watching my body from the outside. I began to feel my legs move all on their own. They weren't just moving though, they were moving incredibly fast.

I darted around the two mares wrestling on the ground. I saw the Apple Bloom had kicked the gun out of Scootaloo's hoof. Right before I left the cave, I saw something I wish I hadn't.

Scootaloo growled at Apple Bloom and said, "If you're not with me, then you're against me! This is my job and I won't let you screw me over again!" I saw her quickly draw a knife from her hoof and stab Apple Bloom in the side. As I was leaving the cave, I could hear Apple Bloom's shriek pierce the air.

*********

I ran so far that I had exited the forest by the time I stopped. I looked around and saw that I was near a bunch of train tracks. Following these would lead me towards Apple Loosa. It's better than nothing. I thought as I began walking. I had most definitely lost Scootaloo for now. I don't even know if she was chasing me because I was moving too fast.

I began contemplating exactly what had happened. Scootaloo betrayed me, then betrayed Apple Bloom. Was there anypony I could still trust in? I kicked a rock as I walked. It wasn't fair. I didn't ask to be created the way I was. But people hated me for it anyways. I shrieked out in rage until I heard a voice from behind me. "End of the line!"

I turned around to see an orange pegasus mare standing there with her wings spread. Her hooves were covered in a crimson red. Her hoof held a gun. She had a wild look in her eyes. Not that of a deranged pony but more like that of a very very determined pony.

I began to back away. Scootaloo continued walking forwards. "I'll admit it. You run pretty fast. But now, there's no stopping me from doing what I came here to do."

"What did you do to Apple Bloom!"

"Unfortunately, it seems Apple Bloom will no longer be with us."

I was taken aback. Had this mare that I had once considered a friend just killed Apple Bloom? "What happened to you Scootaloo? You never would have done anything like this before."

Scootaloo looked at me. Rage now filled her eyes. "I'll tell you what happened, Sweetie! You left us both! We were completely lost without you! We couldn't crusade anymore. Nothing felt the same! We had to take this job just to cover our broke flanks!"

"What do you mean? We never charged ponies money to help. We were going to have to get jobs anyway."

Scootaloo smirked. "That was a *Ahem* New development."

My head tilted in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"

Scootaloo laughed. "Come on Sweetie Bot! We had to make a living somehow! Eventually we had to start charging for our help! We had to make money or we were going to be living in that treehouse forever!"

My eyes widened with anger. "You think I didn't know that! I always planned on getting a real job! But how could you even dream of charging for our work! Go work at a restaurant or something! You know what? I don't think my absence is the reason you guys fell apart! All you were doing was taking advantage of poor ponies who were desperate to find their purpose in life!"

I saw the sting that my words had left in Scootaloo's eyes. She quickly shook her head. "You know damn well that you were the one who ditched us!" Scootaloo shouted while holding the gun out in front of her.

"See! Now you're going in circles! This is where this argument started!" I took a step closer to her. As I took another step, I saw her hooves trembling as she seemed to mentally struggle with pulling the trigger again."Face it Scootaloo! You have no argument. Without Apple Bloom, you have no friends! You have NOTHING!"

"Drop bucking dead!" Scootaloo shot the gun again. I felt the impact in my left eye. The eye broke into small pieces, revealing the whirring and spinning sensor underneath. My eyes went red as I crouched down into an offensive position. I clicked down on my command key.

Run: "Threat"

My guns popped out and aimed directly at Scootaloo's head. I saw as she drew back and glared at me. "You won't use those! You don't have the guts!" I sighed and put my guns away.

"You're right. I won't." I put my hooves up and began walking towards Scootaloo slowly. "Listen Scootaloo.I know my leaving hurt you. I can't do anything to fix that. I was forced to leave you and Apple Bloom. All I can really do is offer my hoof in friendship." By this point, I had reached Scootaloo. I extended my hoof out to her.

She backed away. She was clearly skeptical. Finally, she spoke. Not angrily. As if she was genuinely emotional. "Can I ask you a question?" I nod with my hoof still extended. "Why did you do it in the first place? Why did you fight her? Why did you cause this?"

"Don't you remember the trial? I didn't do it on purpose. I didn't know."

"I know! But why in Equestria would you even engage with her! It takes two people to fight Sweetie Bot. I withheld my tongue at the trial. But you were just as much at fault as she was."

"No I wasn't!" My voice was rising and Scootaloo stepped backwards. "If I didn't acknowledge her, she would've kept throwing things at me! She would have kept being mean! Not just to me. But to everypony she would come in contact with in the future! She was a self-righteous bitch who deserved what she got!"

Scootaloo said nothing but instead sighed. She expanded her wings. "Listen. I'm sorry. I bucked up. This was all my fault. I'm gonna go try to help Apple Bloom and then I'm going to head back to town. I'll tell them that some timberwolves accidentally activated some old landmines from the war. There's a warehouse about a mile north of here. Just follow the train tracks. You can easily fix yourself up there. I don't think you're going to make it back to your cave on your current battery. I'm assuming it's pretty drained after all that running."

I nod. "Thank you." I tilt my head. "If I may ask, what made you change your mind?"

"I'm not sure. All I know is that our fates are intertwined. I don't know how, but I can feel it. It's like some sort of vision. I'm not completely sure. But I think only one of us will be left by the time this is over."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know! Something strange is going on. I'm getting strange feelings I've never gotten before."

"Well if you're so sure that one of us isn't going to make it out, why not just kill me now and get it over with?"

"Bye Sweetie Bot."

"Wait Scootaloo!" But it was too late. She had flown off in the direction of my cave. She was right about one thing. I definitely wasn't going to make it back there on my current battery. I saw no other choice but then to head towards the warehouse she told me about.

As I walked, I couldn't get what she had said out of my head. Our fates are intertwined. Only one of us will be left by the time this is over.

I clicked and held my command key until I felt my body stop and I entered the subspace.

Me: AI? Are you there?

I'm always here Sweetie Bot.

Me: Can you please turn on auto-walk while we talk?

I can do whateverer you want.

Me: What do you think Scootaloo meant by "Only one of us will be left by the time this is over?"

I think you know what she meant. Either you will kill her, or she will kill you. Simple as that.

Me: I don't want to do this anymore! I don't want to run from my friends! I don't want to live in caves or warehouses anymore! I just want to go home. But I don't even think I have a home anymore!"

Home: Noun: The place where one lives permanently. See! You have a home! It's just not with your family.

Me: Of course not! Because I don't have a family!

Of course you do!

Me: No. I don't. I'm just a stupid robot that my "Sister" Made because her parents couldn't give her the sister she actually wanted. Can you please assess damages to "Left_Sensor" please?"

No

Me: What do you mean "No?"

We aren't finished talking.

Me: Don't pull this bullshit on me right now! I know you can multitask! You just don't want to! Why?

Because. You're trying to brush aside your feelings when these kinds of feelings can really hurt you. I want to make sure that you are mentally and emotionally okay before I let your thoughts wander.

Me: Just assess the damages to "Left_Sensor" Please!

No.

Me: ASSESS THE BUCKING DAMAGES!

One more question and then I will. Fair?

Me: Fine.

Are you going to kill yourself?

Me: I was thinking about it.

I know. You seem to forget I can see your thoughts.

Me: Then why ask?

Because I wanted to know if you would attempt to lie.

Me: Well, after thinking about it, I'm not going to. I can't give Scootaloo the satisfaction of winning.

Analysis of previous statement=TRUE

Me: Now please, assess damages to "Left_Sensor"

Left_Sensor functionality is at 100% However, your left eye is severely damaged. If you take another bullet to that eye socket, you won't have any bullet proofing to keep you safe. You will most certainly die.

Me: I may have to sneak into town to get Rarity to fix me.

You really think she'll fix you after you've barely talked to her for 20 moons?

I said nothing more on the matter and pressed Run: EXIT

* * *

Scootaloo flew over the Everfree forest. She looked down to see Sweetie's cave. She flew right by it and instead headed straight for town hall.

She burst into Mayor Mare's office so fast that the older mare toppled over in her seat. "Mayor! We found it!"

Mayor Mare got back up on her seat and readjusted her glasses. "You found the source of the shots?"

"Yes! Rarity lied to you! It was Sweetie Bot! Quickly! Call for the Canterlot military! We have to take her down!"

Mayor Mare was shocked and stared at Scootaloo. "Where's Apple Bloom?"

Scootaloo sighed as she forced a fake tear to fall down her cheek. "Sweetie Bot stole her knife and stabbed her in the side. She's dead now."

Mayor Mare gasped. "She could be anywhere in that giant forest! How can we track her down if we don't even know where to start."

Scootaloo laughed. "Just get the military. I know where she's headed."

"And given her current battery state, I know where she's spending the night..."

Scootaloo flashed a grin and walked out of the Mayor's office. She flittered her wings happily as she thought,

"Tonight's the night"