Madness by the Cup

by Mad Hatter

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Tragedy, Dark, Zecora, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 4068

Java Chip takes inspiration to a level unkown before to himself. Entirely too far.

Java Chip, a coffee expert and amateur inventor, is struck by inspiration as to what he needs to finish his latest work. Though the twin fires of inspiration and a specialty additive acquired from Zecora (With warnings ignored) turning everything else to so much mental slag, will the completion of this invention cost him everything else?

Published 2012-01-22 22:15:33 UTC
Last updated 2012-01-22 22:15:33 UTC

Inspiration

Standard notices and warnings - My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is owned by Hasboro. All characters featured with the exception of Java Chip are the sole property of said company.

This is my first fanfic, so please excuse the mess. Comments of almost all sorts are welcome, much like insane amounts of coffee are welcome to the writer.

Another night in Ponyville. A gentle wisp of smoke rises from the Sugarcube bakery - or rather - from the edge of town. Another fire. The PFD (Ponyville Fire Department) sends a tired young Pegasus to the scene. She knows this is a waste of time, but duty is duty. Upon arrival, she finds a barn with a large hole in it's side, smoldering at the edges from some unknown cause.

“Yeah, sorry about that. It's fine, you can go back to bed now.” says a pale gray stallion, clad in a work apron stuffed with various tools, a pair of soot-stained spectacles on his face. Java Chip gave a weak smile to the evidently annoyed pony. “Anything I can do while you're here?”

“No, just be more careful. But, what the hay were you making that would do that anyway?” questioned the olive pegasus.

“An assistant.” Java said, pointing a hoof to a jumble of parts leading to the top half of a roughly pony-shaped collection of metal. “Have a good night Sun Shower.” as she finished raising a brow at that and started to fly home.

Java Chip needed an assistant to finish some of the larger projects, most of which involved delicate balances of chemicals, or occasionally just explosives. He couldn't afford to hire a helping hoof (Once you included hazard pay) and he wouldn't even consider letting some little filly or colt into his workshop as an intern. Not that it was an issue, as nopony would let their kids near the place, especially considering its proximity to the Everfree Forest. The location came in handy though. The noises and occasional fire almost never bothered ponies who were in town, so it was about the safest place to be. Also, it was cheap.

“Still can't get there fast enough.” Java mused, looking at the shattered half. This automaton needed several connections to it's inner workings in a matter of seconds, or the first ones attached would overload, sending it running into a wall before something burst - again. “Ugh. Guess I'll have to wait.” He hated having to stop on an invention, as his notes would get scattered, lost, or simply outdated by the time he got back. Rubbing a hoof over his eyes and taking off the glasses, “Better get some sleep, she told me I shouldn't rely on that stuff too much.” Zecora had given him a powder that intensified his coffee to such a degree that it was capable of keeping him awake and sharp for days on end. He was probably getting addicted to it. Consigned to defeat, he blew out the candles on the workbench, and walked from the barn to his house proper, just far enough away to spare it from all but the worst of his mechanical mishaps. Beginning to sway as the last of the chemical mixture worked its way out of his system, he flopped onto the bed and bid the world goodnight.

Brushing the sleep from his eyes, Java looked to the sky out the window. Mid-afternoon. This was hardly a surprise as he dragged himself up and made some more coffee. The regular stuff this time, he had errands to run in town, and the adulterated stuff left him with a wild-eyed look that would scare somepony in the wrong situation. After a cup of his namesake (And cutie mark - He crafted roasters and brewers for his trade, as well as knowing a significant amount about the beans themselves), a bath and some breakfast, he hitched a small wagon to himself loaded with the day's events and set off.

Let's see here... Lumber and such for that blasted wall, dropping off another book at the Ponyville library, maintenance on the roaster at the Sugarcube Bakery - what did that insane pony manage to do to it this time anyway? Deliver some merchandise to Filthy Rich, that pompous, self-important.....

He snapped back to reality just in time to stop as a small orange Pegasus jetted by on a scooter, no more than a foot in front of him. Kids. He smiled and continued on to Barnyard Bargains, intent on getting the worst of it out of the way. He backed the cart into an opening in the back of the shop and took off the harness to give a hand with the unloading. “Now you be careful with that merchandise, that's my livelihood, and yours too!”. Here we go... mentally grumbled Java as Filthy Rich started his condescending speech. Most of it was blocked out, but Java still felt sorry for everypony who worked under that jackass-in-a-pony-suit. When it was done he wordlessly walked up to the money-marked pony and waited for his pay. “Hm? Oh, yes.” as a small bag of bits was hoofed over. “Thank you, See you next time Filthy.” He quickly turned and walked towards the cart, mostly to hide the mildly venomous smirk as he went back to the cart. Filthy Rich hated being called Filthy, and that jab was a consistent joy to anypony who could get away with doing so. He re-parked the cart at the front and returned with the lumber for the job waiting at home.

Now on to greener pastures. Or in this case, neon green pastures of grass that jumps... or something... Java had no idea what to think of Pinkie Pie, the hired help of the Sugarcube Bakery, who took exuberance to an extreme unknown to any other pony. He unhitched the cart again and walked up to the counter. Fortunately it was Mrs. Cake behind the counter this time. “Good afternoon dearie, what can I do for you?” inquired the kindly mare. “Just here for the weekly repairs Mrs. Cake, but thanks all the same.” He listened intently as she described the various knocks and shakes, but couldn't quite offer the difference in taste, as she - Much like a majority of Ponyville - was primarily a tea drinker. “Right. Be right back then.” Java smiled and returned not more than a minute later, the small toolbox in a pack slung over his back. “The standard stuff should suffice this time.” First thing was to get a sample. He pulled out a pouch from the other end with a common type of coffee and turned the machine on, listening as it finished. After sampling the results, he shut it off and began taking it apart from the back. After a degree of reassembly with a couple of replacement parts, it was sealed up again. “Should be fine for a while now Mrs. Cake, but you need to run some cleaner through it more often. It's a good old model, but can't say how much longer it can work as an industrial.” That one had been in the bakery almost as long as Java had been in town.

A slight look of concern lengthened her face as she handed over the pay for the job. “It's a bit more up front, but you'll save in the long run with a newer one. Even cut you a deal seeing as you're a regular and all.” he smiled. It sounded like any sales pitch, but it was the truth. He started towards the door, thinking on how much of a deal he could give the place to keep them calling, wondering at his own finances. “Oh! I almost missed you! Heya Java!” Yep, there she is as a bright pink pony bounced down the stairs, with a nigh-rictus grin on her face. “Hello there Pinkie Pie, how're you today?” Java retorted, immediately realizing what he'd just done. The blur of words matched the physical bouncing of the hyperactive pony as he struggled to comprehend. Eventually, after every bit of good-natured gossip in the past week escaped her lips, he found an opening to politely excuse himself.

Last stop of the day, not that there's much day left. He entered into the Ponyville library mere minutes before it closed. “Welcome, what can we get ya?” piped a small dragon as the proprietor's horn glowed, levitating a quill over a piece of parchment, virtually oblivious to anything else. “Just here to drop off some books, sorry for showing up last-minute. Real pony of Luna you know, late start on the day.” Java chimed as he pulled the last of the cart's contents that weren't for fixing that hole in the barn. He handed off the books one by one as Spike checked a list. Just as they finished it stuck him as he gave a quick glance at Twilight Sparkle. The horn! Of course, it's all so simple! “Excuse me!” he practically yelled, breaking Twilight's reverie of information. “Just came to mind and it's important! What do you have on magic?” The purple unicorn looked quizzically at him, before giving an ever-growing list of tomes on the ancient subject. “I didn't know you studied magic, being an earth pony and all.” she noted, a slight blush at realizing that was probably a bit insulting. The faux pas went completely unnoticed as the gray pony's eyes whirled around at the selection, overlong dark mane (He consistently forgot to ever get that thing cut) whipping a trail to match his head. “No - sort of - current new project. Natural magic that is, not unicorn - you know what I mean.” he rattled off at a frantic pace reminiscent of Pinkie's earlier display of verbosity. The random directions of sight produced a few titles that struck the concept: Super Naturals, Ley Lines of Equestria, and a couple pieces on gems, metals, and various products of the earth that, long ago, were once though to have magical properties. “You do know that these books are old pony tales, right? Well, except Super Naturals I guess.” Twilight noted as she revised her tremendous checklist. “Yes yes of course - about to find out!” Java ranted as he turned around and tossed the books into the cart, seemingly unable to hitch himself up to it fast enough as he bolted across Ponyville to his home, leaving a confused and mildly stunned Twilight and Spike.

Upon arrival he took off the hitch with equal violence, going so far as to break a hinge this time. Fix it later, gotta work! he thought at the same speed as earlier words. Dumping all the books on the workbench and lighting the candles at the side. He ran over to his personal coffeemaker, a collection of brass and copper tubes fit together, a prototype of one of his first successful models, and lit the small fire underneath it. Grabbing the bag of powder off a shelf and the largest mug and placed them next to it just in time to grab the first cup. Gulping the impossibly hot substance burned his tongue, but he had too much to do to feel it. Grabbing Super Naturals, he slid it to the middle of the space and began to pour over the words.

No, no, nope. So that's what Zecora used. Though that part of my mane would have never grown back after the fire last year. No, no, NO!

He closed the book, tossing it to the floor next to the work bench, unsatisfied with it's collection of plant life and herbal uses. This required something else. Another swig of the enhanced brew and he pulled out Ley Lines.

Hmmm, seems all the local ones converge on the ruins of that tower... Not a surprise. Only thing here though. A quick tear of a piece of parchment used for scribbling notes made a serviceable bookmark as he set it to the other corner of the table, grabbing another and finishing the cup. Refilling it and taking another, he began to get that wild look as the mind went into an overdrive rarely seen by other, relatively saner ponies. On to the materials.

Resonant qualities of quartz, not for this... Ability of opal, emerald, ruby - I don't need some story about luck! The ability of blue diamonds to... conduct... lightning storm when it happened... YES! THIS IS IT!

The Twin Fires Burn

The next step was rebuilding the assistant-to-be. A solid week it took him, fueled almost entirely by the chemical concoction, as he stopped bothering to eat after the third day, and hadn't even tried to sleep. The only thing left was to install a few safety features; parts kept in boxes on a shelf. He scanned over them. I'll take care of those later. Looking at the calendar, he noticed that he was late for A delivery on the second day. But he was so close! I'll make sure to send a note of apology with the order. The third and fourth day came and went as he obsessed over the implications of this invention's success. Another appointment missed. Buck it. As he finished the base model, he pored over the useful parts of the books again as his mind began to fray.

He scribbled plans so hastily they were indecipherable, but they were there to keep focus. Another cup of the stuff as he lit the fire of a forge in the corner. Now beyond stopping, and possibly sanity, he grabbed sheets of scrap from a pile in the corner, and worked them into a facsimile of a unicorn's horn. Now for the focus! Where do I.... Oh no, not now! he frantically looked around, but there was nothing even close to what he wanted in the shop. The rest of the sleepless night was spent writing largely meaningless plans, spaced in between several pages about how to cut a gem for performance in terms of light refraction, the closest thing he could think of, as this story was hundreds of years old.

The next sunrise, still sleepless and hopped up on the special brew, Java ran to the library. This Twilight Sparkle's the preeminent researcher on just about everything, she'll know! He paced furiously near the door until the library itself was opened. About an hour and a half earlier than usual actually, and that was after an earlier hour and a half of thought and pacing. “Can I help you?” inquired a still slightly sleepy Twilight, Spike at the rear, perhaps waiting for some kind of trouble from the troubled-looking pony at the door. “Blue diamonds.” he retorted quickly. “Where can I get them?”

“Well, Rarity usually has a lot of gemstones at her Carousel Boutique, but they're for clothing.”

“Close enough, thanks!”, and he bolted off towards the fasionista's abode.

This time the place was open proper, and he walked in hastily. “Welcome to the Carousel Bo... Oh my!” she nearly shrieked at the profoundly disheveled and increasingly scrawny pony staring bug-eyed at both her and the products on the walls. “We simply must do something with that mane dear!”

“No time, later! Do you happen to have any blue diamonds?” He inquired, eyes constantly surveying the surroundings.

“Well, yes, but all my stock is for dresses already ordered. I've had orders from all the way to Canterlot and Fillydelphia since the Grand Galloping Gala.” she beamed.

“Then where do you find them? I'll get some myself!” he shot back, almost at a snarl for the delay.

“N-now calm down dearie! I can't just give up trade secrets like that!” Worried, she began to step back. “I... I know of one place I won't go. But the diamond-” The sentence was cut off by the demands of it's location. “O-of course!” The location of a field she wouldn't go near was given. N-now please d-don't hurt me!” The last part was choked with the beginning of sobs also unheard as the verbal assailant was gone.

Fueled by the twin fires of the brew and truly vicious inspiration, Java arrived at the place. A snarl preceded his entrance. Just as he was finishing the decanter of brew (He'd brought several) it was knocked out of his hoof by a clawed paw. “Grrrand just what do you think you're doing on our turf?” snarled the apparent owner, a diamond dog - What Rarity was originally going to warn of. “Blue diamonds.” quickly but flatly stated the pony.

“Heeheehee, hey guys, this foal wants gems! Gems from us!” This was followed by a cacophony of howling laughter by the mangy mutts. This in turn was followed by a loud thud, as the first dog lay on the ground, jaw at an unnatural angle. A soft, gurgling whimper escaped it's lips to the shocked look of the others. Another jumped over the hill and charged. Java pulled a wrench from the tools in the work apron he'd been wearing since starting and swung. A loud crack. This one rolled ahead to land in front of a mound. This one was dead.

Zecora had warned him of overusing it. “Be very careful with this dust, moderation is a must.” He had used small amounts over time to stay up for days when need be, though it left him incredibly drained when it wore off. This time, however, he'd been slugging it back as if it were regular coffee. Far too much of it. This time, he was gone, and nothing would stand in the way.

“I don't have the time for this. Now!” he scowled at the few that had not retreated below. The reply came via a small cart loaded with gems. Not all of them were blue diamonds, but a few were, and he wasn't inclined to be picky. He took the goods and left as hastily as he'd arrived.

Back at the shop, he fitted a space in the center of the artificial horn and installed the gem. Re-heating the forge, he finished fitting the pieces together, along with a leather strap. It was almost complete. Soon he would have the ability to finish his work, and in turn the possibilities were endless! Grabbing a bundle of notes from the table, he darted off to the Everfree forest. Travel time alone today was significant over the demented errands, and it was night. Aware but effectively insane, he barreled into the foreboding place, occasionally glancing at the top note - a crude map of the forest. The closest thing to a road was the fastest method, and few creatures traversed it, outside of zap apple season's timber wolves. By this time his eyes were unable to blink, and the murk of the forest held an ever-closing haze. His movement was erratic at best, and the constant shaking scared smaller creatures from his path. His inability to clearly focus by this point helped him only to barrel into one of the larger creatures .

A cockatrice slithered up from the mud, but not before Java, who was already on unsteady hooves. It reared up to cast it's petrifying gaze, but even it faltered in the face of the bizzare energy of the virtually vibrating pony. Java didn't have time to study the beast as it was studying him. A pair of shears were slashed across the cockatrice's eyes, resulting in a screech that would give nightmares. Opening the tools proper Java quickly decapitated the thing. In a more rational frame of thought he would probably wonder if he could use this power to reinforce his shop's walls. Instead he left a twitching corpse.

The rickety bridge to the tower's ruins was the second worst of it, with several boards loosing at his charge. Beyond worrying about how he was going to get back, he placed the metallic horn on his head and stood in the middle. The weather reports were reliable, thanks to the pegasi working the town, and the clouds overhead portended the oncoming storm. He clumsily climbed to the top of a statue's remnants, fearlessly jumping onto the edge of the ruined parapet, the highest point. Mind buzzing with anticipation, he held his head high and waited for the bolt. The clouds did not dissapoint.

Ashes

Ungggh, that's one Luna of a headache!

He groaned as the hazy surroundings became clearer. A mask of foreign origin. How did I get to Zecora's hut? “I saw you running as if late, apparently to meet your fate.” the zebra answered from behind him. “And no I do not read minds, but the question was obvious behind your eyes.” Java blinked a few times, relieved at having regained the ability to. No, not relieved at all. There was a misery hanging over him he couldn't describe; a malaise that permeated everything without cause. “Feel terrible. Was something broken? Did I catch something out there?”

Zecora placed the near-empty bag he had been carrying in front of his resting place. “A type of curse you must endure, for it is the price of attitude cocksure.”

Java stared at the bag. “So this feeling is here because I took too much of it?” A nod. “How long will it last?”

“No one has survived taking this much, an unknown time with misery's crutch.” she solemnly replied.

“How long has it lasted for others? A day? Week? Month? Years?” A series of shakes followed by a single, slow nod. “Oh, no...”

The next two days were spent with rest and constant questions as to the possibility of a cure for this slowing of the mind and profound depression. There was nothing to soothe the wounds of the mind, unlike his body, which largely recovered, sans a round scar where the ill-fated experiment burned, a perpetual reminder of his eleventh-hour failure. After this rest Zecora walked with him to his house, with orders for a bit more rest, and to not ask for more of the powder (Something else he had queried during his time there). “Alright. Just one thing, I have to take another shot at my invention.”

“No you must not, you need rest from the fires that yet burn so hot.”

“Just one then. Everything's set up, all or nothing. Then I won't try again.” This prompted a moment of thought, Zecora putting a hoof on her muzzle as she pondered it. “One more you may take, but after that only rest may you make.” Java nodded, providing a feeble smile (Though faked) and quickly leaned forward. The kiss caught Zecora by surprise, resulting in a mild blush. “And I know what you're thinking this time. It's not just because of all the help. I've wanted to do that for a while. But... I'm sorry I've proven myself unworthy of your trust.” The smile faded as quickly as Zecora's blush intensified. “Everything will be fine, and hope to see you in a couple of days.” The zebra offered a smile of her own, and headed back into the Everfree forest.

Did I just do what I think I did? he mused during the short walk to the workshop. The vicious lack of the drug twisted his every thought. Now I've disappointed her and embarrassed myself. And the only thing left is to endure this feeling for years, probably the rest of my life... A heavy sigh could be heard only in the shop, but felt for a mile.

Here it is then, my last attempt. All or nothing. He looked at his unfinished masterpiece and readies himself. Jamming a hoof into a gap of the machine until he could lean into it, he readied himself to start hitting the connections one final time. A quick glance at the parts on the shelf. Somepony else will take care of it later.

A lightning-fast series of clicks as various gears, cords, and various other parts linked metal hooves to it's core.

All or...

He took one final look at the parts on the shelf. One was labeled “Activation surge protector”.

Nothing...

Another night in Ponyville. A gentle wisp of smoke rises from the edge of town. Another fire. The PFD sends a tired and annoyed Sun Shower to the scene. There is a large hole blown into the wall of the barn again.