Eye of the Storm

Eye of the Storm (2)

“Useless… We are useless once again, even today… How couldst we be so blind as not to see that we hath been replaced…”

“Luna? Please, don’t…” The sentence hung in the air, incomplete, as Tinkertoy tried to find a satisfactory way to end the sentence. Please don’t cry? Please don’t feel miserable about something that was utterly world-shaking and truly deserving of such misery? He let his voice drop, ending the sentence there. He didn’t know what to do, how to comfort Luna. He was lost, the only course of action left being simply to be there and act as a shoulder to cry upon, occasionally hugging her closer when the sobs got particularly loud.

They had returned to the Palace.

For the first time, Tinkertoy noticed the recent brickwork and patches of more recent paint indicative of this wing being a hasty addition. They had passed back through the throne room, a sheet and plywood supports keeping the room relatively sealed. It covered the window, at least. The massive blast hole in the roof would need a little more work just to patch together. The Batponies were keeping watch in the rafters.

The floor was still stained blood red in spots, where the guards had fallen in Luna’s defense. The bodies themselves had been removed and given proper funerals, their families reimbursed. But the blood remained, left there as a show of respect for the deads’ efforts. Nopony would clean it up, and nopony had asked. By the throne itself were several powder burns, scorches of the flash-bangs. Luna’s blood and unsavory liquids had been eagerly cleaned, however, a slight discolouration the only reminder of their presence.

They walked past it all.

Luna’s tower was built into the wing, a door behind her throne leading to a spiral staircase that emerged, after a twisting climb, through a door and onto an outer balcony. The top of Luna’s tower was comprised of this balcony, and her quarters. A circular metal door made of some sort of purple metal with a moon carved into it (Or perhaps it had been made like that?) was the only other feature of the tower. Luna had pointed her horn at it, and it had unlocked, the gentle curves and waves of the metal glowing and separating. It had opened like a metal flower, and disappeared into the sides of the doorframe. On the other side of her tower was a balcony, with a silver and glass framework door preventing casual entry.

Tinkertoy realized, with a start, that if Luna had her food brought to her, she had almost no reason to leave this little section of the palace. The room was fully furnished, split between bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, and study, all built within the confines of fifteen metres. He rescinded his thought of having her food brought to her. The fully-stocked kitchen proved that she was expected to cook for herself. Only social events would be able to extricate her from this tower, and he’d heard that she never went.

They sat then in the bedroom, on the bed. Luna had torn all of her bits armor and her crown off, and wrapped herself in her blankets with only her muzzle poking out. They now lay across the floor. Tinkertoy sat, cradling her head in his forehooves as she wrapped herself around him. He was glad he hadn’t been born a Pegasus. He was tempted, of course, but he wouldn’t act on those impulses. He was a gentlecolt, if nothing else. At some point, the cold had crept in, and he had wrapped a few folds of the sky-blue (At least on one side. The other was more of a navy blue) blanket around himself as well.

And that was where they sat. Sat for at least half-an-hour, with time seemingly dragging by. He didn’t mind spending it with Luna, but he sorely wished he were with her under happier circumstances. Still, no matter how slowly a nearby  clock ticked, he stayed still, and comforting Luna as best he could. He looked down at her once more. She was still sobbing quietly. She didn’t wear much makeup, in fact almost none at all, but what she did have was beginning to run. Her beautiful mane had been pulled into the blanket, but he could still see the twinkle of stars within the dark folds. Her eyes were just the slightest bit puffy from the crying. He pulled out his handkerchief to dab her eyes, but decided against it. After all it had been through, it was covered in ash, scorch marks, blood, and sweat. Adding tears to it seemed like a step too far.

His eyes searched the room. It was a dark purple, with the ceiling sporting an odd glow. Some sort of magic, he gathered. He idly wondered what spell it was, before returning his attention to the nightstands and dressers. There was even an ironwood wardrobe against a wall, in place of a proper closet. In fact, most of the furniture seemed to be made of the material; it wasn’t hard to imagine why. He found what he was searching for. A box of nose-wipes sat on the nightstand next to him, and he plucked one out of the box before wiping Luna’s eyes.

As he did so, she blinked, as though unaware of her surroundings. The tears had stopped, but Tinkertoy didn’t know if this was because she had calmed, or if she had simply run out. “Luna? Are you feeling better?” She blinked slowly, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes once more. Well, that answered that question, at least. She shook her head, paused, and then nodded just the slightest bit. He pulled her head until he was looking straight into her eyes. “Luna. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now. Sadness, loneliness, I dunno. Just remember, I’m here.”

She spoke, tentatively, her voice was as fragile as a Chineigh plate. “But… Thou shalt not always be…” Tinkertoy pulled her closer, cradling her once again. “I’m here now, Luna. That’s what matters.”

From the front of the tower came a knock, the kind of knock that wasn’t quite impatient, not yet, but said simply, “Get out here, because I don’t want to have to open this door.” Luna’s horn glowed, and Tinkertoy felt his ears pop without warning. Then yelled, in the royal Canterlot voice (Though he heard it as being just louder than her normal speaking voice) “PISS OFF!”

Her horn glowed once more, and Tinkertoy’s ears unpopped. She had deafened him, so she wouldn’t… Well, deafen him? A few moments of shocked silence passed, before Celestia’s voice came through the door. “Well. That is hardly how I expected to be greeted.”

Both sets of eyes widened, and they both made a quick scramble to get off the bed as they door began to click open. However, they both moved too quickly in different directions, and the blankets became tangled, wrapping around them like an oppressive snake. They realized where they went wrong, and both moved again, once more at cross-purposes. The door had been opened now, and regal hoofsteps came down the hall. There was an unsettling split second of freefall, and they both hit the floor in a tangle of limbs.

Celestia opened the bedroom door, and stepped in. “Luna, what in Equestria could have you using such lan-“ She stopped dead as she entered the room. Luna had hit the floor first, cushioned from the fall by the carpet and the blanket, and Tinkertoy had fallen atop her. Celestia, goddess of the sun and (Co-)ruler of Equestria, looked at their incredibly compromising position.

Silence.

Shocked silence.

Quickly becoming awkward silence.

And then Celestia grinned.

“Heavens, Luna. Is that it? You could have said. Or… What is the etiquette these days… Put a tie upon the door?”

There was more shocked silence.

And then a quick scramble as they both tried to explain and disentangle themselves from the blankets, both voices fighting for dominance.

“This isn’t what it looks like, I swear, we just fell off the-“

“Sister, we wert not… No! Free thy mind from the gutter!”

“Ow! I mean, this is a side of you that I’ve not seen before-“

“Sorry, I think ‘tis knotted like this…”

“-And to be honest, it’s a little creepy, and- Agh! Other way!”

“And what doth thou mean ‘Is that it?”

“And we didn’t have a tie or anything anyway…”

There was a twang of fabric, and Tinkertoy found himself free of the blankets once more, landing at the pure white hooves of Celestia. He could see his reflection in her golden shoes. Something clicked.

“Wait… You’re not angry?”

Celestia looked down and gave him a quizzical look. “Of course not, my little pony. Why would I be?”

“…Because the first time we met, you threatened to have me executed? And you were kinda cold the second and third time we met?”

“Tinkertoy!” Luna tried to leap at him to shut him up before he insulted Celestia, but she was still tangled in the blanket, and merely flopped forward.

“’Tis quite alright, Lulu. I understand my demeanor was less than admirable. Lulu’s life was on the line, however, and time was of the essence. But if you two have truly romantic intentions…?”

“What?! I…uh…”

“You do not?” Her gaze hardened, just slightly. Tinkertoy looked past her, back at Luna. She was sitting back on her haunches, still wrapped in the blanket, like a particularly messy dress. Even when he was being stared at by Celestia, he couldn’t deny how cute she looked like that, caught off guard. She was over a millennia old, at least, but that never crossed his mind. He really, truly did love her.

He made his decision.

“You’re right.” He said, with a smile. “I do love her.”

Instantly, Celestia’s gaze softened, and she beamed at him and Luna. She looked down, and picked Luna’s crown off the floor. She polished it on her foreleg, and placed it back on Luna’s head. Luna looked surprised, but she still smiled, a happy, almost dopey grin spreading across her muzzle. “Excellent.” She placed a hoof on Tinkertoy’s shoulder. “Luna, do you mind if I borrow him for just a moment? I feel we should have a conversation about respective futures and such.”

Luna’s smile dropped, and she frowned at Celestia. “If you even think of bedding him after that-“

Celestia laughed, and wrapped a long forehoof around Tinkertoy, who recoiled just slightly. “Ha! A funny thought, Lulu, but fear not. I wouldn’t dare! I simply wish to show him something in the south tower. A cautionary tale, if you will. Just thought I’d show him the Chalice of Princess Christina, let you both know I still want both of you doing your jobs despite what you two are doing together!”

Luna still looked unsure, but she nodded. Tinkertoy gently moved out of Celestia’s grasp, and back to her, cautiously nuzzling her. She quickly returned the favor, however, and he nuzzled her without worry before pulling back. “Don’t worry, Luna. Apparently I’ll be right back.” Celestia placed a hoof on his shoulder and gave him a nudge towards the door. Luna gave a wave before the door shut.

“Follow me.” Celestia said, all cheer drained from her voice.

“You are an inventor.”

“Er…Yes…”

“That is both good and bad.”

“How so?”

“Luna needs somepony to properly introduce her to modern technology. She is reading and catching up, and I have been doing what I can. Nonetheless, she still a fair bit behind, and I wish you to instruct her.”

“I…assume that’s the good?”

“Correct.”

“And the bad?”

“Several reasons. I’ve met many inventors over the years. Some were geniuses, some were thieves, and some meddled in things they should not. Some wished simply to have their inventions get used, and the recognition with it. Others would give ponykind the world. For a price.”

“Ah. Any other reasons?”

“You shall see. We are here.” They had arrived, after a fair bit of trotting. Before them was a massive metal door, made, seemingly, of some sort of mix between Titanium, Thaumium, Silver, and Marble. Each of the components had it’s own use. It was famous for it’s construction, as it was one of the most massively magical devices in the world. The Titanium, for strength. The Thaumium, so it could store the massive amounts of magic necessary to allow it to work. Silver, for supernatural protection. Marble, just because. And yet, nopony knew what was behind it.

Theories ranged. A portal to other dimensions. The meaning of life. A device that could teleport the royal sisters to a secret torture dungeon, or another planet. Free energy. The answer to life, the universe, and everything. A prison filled with the most horrible monsters to have seen sunlight. Pinkie Pie’s horn, wings, and sanity.

Well, okay. That last one was Tinkertoy’s theory.

It was built straight into the wall, and stood out no more than a foot. There had to be some sort of spatial manipulation behind it, as otherwise, it wouldn’t hold much. The door itself was split into six sections, one for each of the elements of harmony. That, too, was common knowledge. The center was a transparent disk that seemed to glow slightly.

Celestia’s horn glowed with golden light, and she loosed a surge of magic into the disk, which accepted it eagerly. It hummed, and energy bent into arcane shapes as it span quicker and quicker, before stopping suddenly with a final thump. The disk shimmered and disappeared, leaving the door to split into six equal parts as it slid apart. She turned to him, and gently tapped his head with her horn. A shiver, like electricity but not quite, hummed through him before that too, dissipated

“Wha… What was that?”

“Temporary access. Welcome, Tinkertoy Smith, to Vault Six.” The door slid open fully, and white light shining from inside blinded him. Celestia didn’t seem to be similarly affected. She stepped into the light without hesitation, and motioned for him to follow.

He stepped in, and the door shut behind him. As his eye adjusted to the bright light, he found himself standing in a white metal tube, albeit one with overly-bright lights.

“It’s not that impressive…”

“Just wait. This is identification.” As she said that, a red wave of light shot across the top of the tube. It began moving downward, and as it passed across Tinkertoy, it tingled and began moving back upwards, coming to a rest and disappearing once it reached the ceiling.

“Confirmed. Princess Celestia and… Guest?” The voice came from the door at the far end, or rather a speaker above it.

“That is correct, Hidden Treasure. Tinkertoy Smith. He is an inventor, so play nice.”

“Long as he keeps his hooves- Uh… metal claws? To himself, I don’t mind.”

“What was that? Who’s she brining in?”

“Greetings to you too, Sunset Shimmer. Once again, Tinkertoy Smith. Spread the word, or I shall soon grow sick of hearing it.”

“You got it. Ma’am.” Tinkertoy’s eyebrow raised. “Ma’am?”

“A story for another time. Not even Luna knows this one. All I can tell you now, and I stress that you shall tell nopony, is that this is a pocket dimension, with a staff of it’s own. We store dangerous things here, things that should never see the light of my day, and things that are too wonderful to reach Equestria. Yet.” Before them, the door opened, and they strode in, Tinkertoy suddenly much less confident than before. “Follow closely, Smith. This dimension shifts, but a few things remain consistent.” Behind them, the door slid shut.

The walls and floor seemed to vary in material and construction, between tile, concrete, rubber, wood, and some unidentified plastic. He made a point to walk around the sections made of clouds. Light came, seemingly, from everywhere at once, without any actual source. They walked past racks of assorted items, shelves of seemingly random odds and ends, and barrels filled with unidentified liquids.

The passed four books, all underneath a solid-looking glass shield built into a wooden lectern. The first was a beat-up brown book, labeled AITRAN. Next to it lay a blue book, a red book, and a green book respectively, all unlabeled.

They pushed onward.

They passed a large metal cube, with a door set into the side. A window was set into the door, and Tinkertoy looked inside. The room inside was absolutely empty, save a floor coated in Light-knows-what, and a concrete statue facing away from him. It was bipedal, cartoonishly rounded, with a pair of arms facing the wall. He blinked, and it was facing him, with a face made of spray paint and pure hatred. He jumped away from the door in surprise, and the window made a loud ping sound. He looked back in to find it pressed against the glass, a miniscule scratch where it touched it.

“Smith, stop playing with 173. This way.”

He shivered, and followed her.

It seemed the place went on forever. He had just passed a massive yellow bipedal robot (Labeled Elemental Gimmick Gear) when Celestia stopped. After all the things he’d seen, they had stopped at a simple safe, with an alphabetic lock. A glow of magic clicked several buttons in order. Tinkertoy caught the order by pure chance. D…U…S…T…Y.

The safe clicked open, and the golden glow swung the door wide. Inside, on a velvet pad shaped specifically for it, sat an ivory-handled Spinspistol. But this one looked different.

He looked closer, and found that the chambers didn’t spin along the axis of the barrel, but was turned ninety degrees, so it would spin horizontally to it. A golden corona surrounded it, and it levitated out of the safe. Gently, Celestia slid it into his mechanical hand,.

Now holding it, he inspected it in detail. The handle was painstakingly etched with images of the sun, whorls of light, and pure, intricate beauty given form. Turning it towards the floor, he found an inscription on the butt of the handle. An etching, of two cutie marks spliced together. One was unmistakably Celestia’s, but he didn’t recognize the other. Until he did, at least somewhat.

It was a bullet, turned sideways on the flat end, facing upward.

“A gift,” Interrupted Celestia, derailing his thoughts. “From a …very close friend.” Tinkertoy nodded. He kept his finger pointedly off the trigger, and pointed it at the wall. He brought the sights up to his eye, and found that it had been perfectly aligned. He moved it away, and noticed a button to the side of the hammer. Carefully, he thumbed it. He heard a small click, and felt the revolving chamber loosen. He wrapped his left hand underneath the gun, and pushed the revolving chamber out completely.

It popped free on well-oiled hinges, revealing six bullets placed in a roughly hexagonal position. He tilted it backwards, and a single brass casing fell out before he could catch it. Celestia caught it with her magic, and passed it back to him. It was the only spent round. He clicked the revolving chamber back into the gun, lining the empty chamber up with the hammer so that it would reach the empty one first.

He lined his arm up with the wall, and pulled the hammer back. He pulled the trigger, and the clockwork inside struck the hypothetical bullet with a loud click. “The design is ingenious. Who made it? Why have I never heard of them?”

Celestia was still staring at the shell. “His… Name was Dusty. Dusty Hooves. He asked for an audience with me, nearly two hundred years ago. Before Luna rejoined me on the throne. He brought me many clever inventions, and showed them all to me and my court. He finished his presentation by giving me this as a gift, and… Declaring that he loved me. Truly loved me, with all his heart. But… All of his inventions were weapons. Tools of war, made to kill and maim and murder in order to defend Equestria. His intentions were good, but all he chose to build were weapons. He explained how he received his cutie mark after he had perfected the first one of these. His talent was making weapons, and all the death and despair that came with them.

“So… I went to his workshop. I visited him personally, out in the desert, near where Appleloosa stands now. I explained it all to him, why he could not continue his work, why he had to disappear.”

A tear slid down her cheek, and splashed onto the floor. Her impenetrable mask cracked.

‘Why he had to die.”

The pistol was gingerly taken from Tinkertoy’s hand, and the shell reinserted into the chamber. She placed it back into the safe, and turned back to Tinkertoy, and the mask was back, like it had never left. But there was still a bit of moisture on her cheek.

“What kind of Pony are you, Tinkertoy Smith? You have so much potential. You have made weapons, and I have no doubt you will make more. But how will history remember you?

“As the Pony who built the gun that ended the world? That brought a bloody glory to Equestria, and money to himself, to fritter away during his short existence? Infamous?

“As the Pony who found a better way? Who fought not only with his knowledge, but with common sense? Who won without firing a shot, or, if he did, made the world a better place anyway?

“The madpony who got Lulu killed?

“Will history remember you at all?” The safe clicked shut.

“Think about your answer. Keep Luna in your mind, and close to your heart, with everypony else you know. And think about who will be the one to remember you, and record you for everypony who did not..

“You will not live forever, Tinkertoy Smith. Nopony does. Even I shall fade, given time. But she will live much longer than you, and she will have to live with what you have done regardless.

“Think about your answer.”

Her eyes were wet again, and Tinkertoy still had a nose-wipe in his toolbelt from earlier. He pulled it out and offered it to her. She took it graciously, and wiped her eyes. He took a deep breath.

“I know what kind of Pony I am.”

“Do you? Well, if you are sure. But! Do not tell me.”

She pointed back at the door from whence they came.

“Go out there and tell them.”