Behind Blue Eyes in Equestria - Part 6

>*"Good morning, Anonymous."

>Your eyes blink open, having spent the night in a dreamless sleep.

>A cloudy sky beckons through the open window.

>Rainy weather today, it appears.

>*"You guess correctly," Pearl notes. It was sometimes concerning that your computer could read your thoughts.

>*"Anonymous, if you could please move towards the window. There is something that I would like to confirm."

>You push your suit up to its feet and stomp to the window.

>In the clouds you can see pegasus p0nies drifting in and out of view; they appear to be arranging them.

>*"The scanner was correct then... the p0nies are arranging storm clouds to prepare for a storm."

>Odd. Weather systems were based on air pressure, water content, and wind currents.

>*"The atmosphere appears to be unable to produce the normal amount of precipitation required for a temperate planet, and the pegasus are able to create an environment with regular - and scheduled - rains instead of relying on weather patterns. Fascinating."

>You had wondered about the almost completely cloudless skies.

>"Rain today, then."

>*"Correct."

>You hadn't seen rain that many times before. Your time was mostly spent on ships or space stations.

>The only times that you had experienced rain was during your brief childhood, while training.

>Clones grew up in two years, enough time to train them in every facet required.

>Rain today.

 

 

>You trudge to Applejack's house and pause at the door.

>*"Knock, gently."

>You raise your thick glove and stop.

>Gently now.

>You move one finger and tap on the door.

>Knock-knock.

>You check the door: no damage.

>You felt very self-conscious about how fragile things were here.

>The door swings open to reveal Applejack. She looks like she just rolled out of bed.

>"What are y'all doin' here? We got rain comin' today so that means no goin' out buckin'."

"I was not aware of a break."

>"Ah thought Ah tol--" she pauses. "Aw shucks Ah went an' forgot all about it. Well, ye got today to yerself," she is interrupted by a rumble of thunder. "Uh, such as it is."

>You nod your suit.

>She had told you about the p0ny in the hospital: Rarity. A free schedule meant you could go for a visit.

>You excuse yourself from Applejack and head for Ponyville.

>'that makes you a hero.' ...the phrase flutters through your mind.

>The rain starts to patter on the ground as you leave Sweet Apple Acres.

>It didn't bother you. In fact the soft sound of rain was relaxing.

>THUMPH. THUMPH. THUMPH.

>You suddenly felt strange.

>This thin forest was natural, but you were an intruder.

>Unnatural.

>You felt suddenly out of place.

>You were designed with only war in mind, and the peace here made you uneasy.

>Best to move on.

 

 

>Your boots fall hard into Ponyville as you make your way towards the hospital.

>It was off to the side near the edge of town, but it was easy to spot.

>A red cross was a fairly obvious sign.

>You were also thankful that the double doors and high ceilings allowed you entry.

>The receptionist recoiled from your imposing form.

>"H-How can I help you?"

"I am here to see Rarity."

>"Oh! Y-Yes she is just down that hall, in A wing, room 2."

>You nod your suit and move down the hallway.

>Your boots are tentative, careful to avoid ruining the floor.

>The floors are tiled, but the colours of the hospital are subdued and neutral.

>Your bootfalls ring heavily down the corridors.

>The buildings here were not designed for your suit's massive weight.

>You found A wing easily enough, and Room 2 just to the left.

>She should be awake, you guess.

>Your finger carefully raps on the door.

>"Come in!"

>Your finger and thumb carefully open the door's handle and you slip past the larger frame.

>You're met with Twilight, who appears to have been speaking with the p0ny lying on the bed, Rarity.

>"Anon! You came!" Twilight seems very happy. "This is Rarity."

>The white mare's blue eyes stare into your optics.

 

 

>"So this is Anonymous," Rarity eyes you, remembering you from the fire. "Yes... the eyes."

>You blink your optics at her, which elicits a gentle titter.

"I was told you wished to see me."

>"Indeed I did! I wanted to see my rescuer in a less... dangerous environment."

>You shift your weight from side to side.

"I did what needed to be done, no more."

>"You are -much- too modest. Come closer and let me have a look at you."

>You stomp forward and come to a rest opposite of Twilight.

>"My... this outfit, how do you wear such a thing!"

"It is--"

>"--just dreadful! And the colour! What was its designer thinking?"

>You shift your weight again.

>Twilight hadn't told her.

>Wordlessly, you hold out your gauntlet. Your sheathed arm-blade gleams in the dim light coming through the rainy window.

>"What are you--" her eyes widen at the thick, 20-inch blade.

>"Um... Rarity, before Anon got here, remember what I was saying?"

>"You... you mentioned he was a fighter, yes."

>"Well... that's what he does... for a living."

>You weren't exactly a glorious knight.

>"W-Well... that would explain his atrocious fashion sense."

>Your eyebrow rises.

>Fashion was a word you had heard about, a concern of civilians with no grasp of danger.

>An empty void covered in clothes with too much thought put into them.

>War seemed to be unheard of on this planet, the innocence was almost sickening.

 

 

>"Hey Rarity, maybe if Anon had some nice clothes, he'd be able to go around Ponyville without his suit on."

>Such a plan made sense, and your form would be much less imposing.

>"Oh Twilight, you make a good point. I was celebrating finishing my latest order in the cafe before it... er, went up in smoke."

"You would have time for such an endeavor, in other words."

>"Yes, that's right. And it may be a good distraction from the unpleasantness of yesterday."

>Rarity fiddled with her mane, trying to straighten it.

>In fact, you noticed that her coat and mane were very presentable, at least compared to being completely covered in soot.

>"I simply cannot wait to get home, I am such a mess!"

>"You look fine, Rar. Better than fine, you always do."

>Twilight looks to you with an expectant look on her face.

"I have only seen Rarity covered in soot, fearing for her life. Her appearance at the moment is presentable as opposed to blackened and fearful."

>"Um... yes..." she trails off.

>You can see memories in her enormous eyes.

>"...the fire."

>"You're okay, though, you weren't even hurt that much. It could have been much worse."

>"If it were not for you, I may not have gotten away from... those... those flames..."

>You face Rarity and blink your optics.

"But you did."

>"Yes but, if you hadn't been there--"

"But I was."

>Your unnatural voice is painfully inappropriate.

>You can see Rarity is still uneasy about the possible outcomes of the day before.

 

 

"Miss Rarity, if I may," you pause while she focuses on you. "I am a soldier. On a regular basis I am exposed to situations that I may not escape from. You will only harm yourself if you dwell upon what could have occurred."

>Clone psychology 101, frequent and repeated exposure to horrific and life-threatening events took a toll on the mind. Allowing such things to get the better of you is disastrous.

>"I suppose you're right Anonymous. Thank you."

>You nod your suit.

>Just then, another p0ny enters the room. The white lab coat suggests this colt is a doctor.

>"Oh, hello. Family?"

>Rarity looks at Twilight, and then to you.

>"In a way. What is it, Doctor?"

>"All of the tests we've run turned out fine. We are discharging you from the hospital: you can leave as soon as you're ready."

>"That's great news!"

>"Thank you, Doctor."

>The colt nods and leaves the room, but not before giving you a curious glance.

>"Anon, are you free today?" Rarity asks.

"Applejack told me that harvesting apples today is ill advised. I will be free."

>"Perfect! I would like you to accompany me to Carousel Boutique! I would very much like for you to indulge me on what you know of human fashion."

"I know little, but I will do my best to answer."

 

 

>About half an hour later, Twilight, Rarity, and you are outside the hospital.

>The two p0nies have an umbrella to avoid getting wet, while you stand content inside your suit.

>"Anon, won't the rain... um... ruin your suit?" Twilight asks.

"It can survive impacts from meteors, and temperatures that would kill you before you even realized there was anything amiss. Rain will not harm me, or you."

>The two p0nies scoff at the last part.

>"Your speech suggests you're of high class, but to suggest something so... so brutish!"

>You didn't really understand what she was talking about.

>"A p0ny's appearance is important, Anon. We can't just be seen soaked and muddied!"

>You think on that for a moment. Applejack seemed less concerned about such things, and was insulted at the notion of being delicate. Perhaps Rarity would not be offended by such a comment.

"You value delicacy and finesse, then."

>Twilight sniggers slightly at the comment.

>"What? Oh, yes, indeed Anon! Now you understand where I'm coming from."

>Twilight tries hard to avoid laughter.

>"What is it?"

>"He said the something similar to Applejack after she got mad at him for kicking down an apple tree."

>Rarity's eyes go wide.

>"Kicked... down?"

>"Oh yes, applebucking."

>She tries to imagine the strength it would take to upend such a tree.

>"You truly are something different, Anon."

>You weren't sure if that was a compliment.

 

 

>A short trek later, your group arrives at a rather strange building that Rarity calls Carousel Boutique.

>Her boutique, actually, where all the latest fashions are designed and hoof-crafted.

>You barely manage to squeeze through the door, but the spacious interior lends itself well to your bulky frame.

>After Twilight and Rarity stow away their protective gear, Rarity rushes back with measuring equipment held aloft by a magic field.

>Adorning her snout is a pair of glasses.

>"Um... weren't you going to ask him about fashion first?"

>"Oh-Oh yes! Of course!" Rarity sheepishly hides her equipment with a smile.

>You take in the surroundings. Fabric is everywhere, from unused rolls to dresses and all stages in between. It seemed to gush colour, and you noted precious gems adorning a few pieces as well as overflowing from a nearby box.

>She catches you looking at the box.

>"I get them from the fields near Ponyville, they're the reason for my cutie mark," she explains, showing you a trio of gems on her flank.

"Explain."

>"Well... I can use a spell to find gems, you see," she demonstrates by flashing her horn, and all the nearby gems light up in a similar faux-white.

>*As good as scanning technology, fascinating.

"I have never encountered a life form that could detect in such a way."

>"He's, uh, a bit new to magic, Rar."

>"I see. Well, you were about to explain human fashion, yes?"

 

 

>You search your computer for examples of human fashion, and upload all the results to a small holo-projecter.

>You set it down on a nearby table and have Pearl operate it.

"As you know, I am a soldier. Fashion is not my concern. However, my computer has records that you may find of use," you tell her. The hologram flashes to life, and a smoky image of an admiral appears.

>Grand Admiral Zahn was dressed in a pure white uniform with crimson trim. The design was slightly angular, with precise lines and right-angle shoulders. Dozens of service medals and awards lined his left breast.

"This is a Grand Admiral: he commands over one million soldiers and ship's crew. His uniform is recognized throughout the Union. A very important man."

>Next was an admiral, with a similar uniform coloured dark gray with the same trim.

"The admiral, who answers to his superior."

>Rarity studies the two men closely. Their uniforms fascinated her. The simple designs were quite conservative, but tasteful in the various patterns that the few lines and angles presented.

>You moved down each rank, with each uniform becoming simpler and more subdued. Rarity noted each in turn, and was quite perceptive of how a uniform's look was important to distinguish the standing of its owner.

>"You can see, Twilight, how the lowly crewman cannot hold a candle to the Grand Admiral."

>Twilight nods. "So do humans wear dresses? We've only seen male humans; females don't wear these, do they?"

"My information for females is limited, and these uniforms are what those in the military wear, similar to your guardsmen in Canterlot," your voice rumbles.

>"That's right... Shining Armor's armor is quite different than the others... now it makes sense."

>Pearl brings up a picture of a woman in a tasteful evening dress, which sparks Rarity's attention.

>That attention soon diminishes.

>"Um... well..."

>"Are those... udd--"

>"Twilight!"

>"Um, sorry."

>You stand in confusion.

>"I can see very thoughtful craft here... the fabric is very nice..." she trails off.

>Twilight speaks next: "Can we see the Grand Admiral again?"

>The woman disappears and is replaced by the dapper admiral.

 

 

>"Anon, may I keep this record and look at it some more?"

>You swallow hard.

"I am afraid I cannot do that. I am under very strict orders to prevent my people's technology from falling into..." you pause. Twilight notices immediately.

>"He's not supposed to give his things to p0nies. It’s more advanced than what we have, and he's afraid we'll use the parts inside of it and harm ourselves."

>You blink your optics, and then nod.

>"I see. Well, in that case, may I take your measurements now?"

"As you wish."

>You stand up and move into the open.

>"Um... can you take off your suit?"

>You hesitate. If you were to get clothes, Rarity would need proper measurements.

>You suddenly felt vulnerable.

>"Anon?"

"I apologize."

>You take a deep breath and blink through your suit's menu, selecting the option that would open your suit.

>Click-click. Hiss. GROAN.

>Something was wrong.

>You select 'Open' again.

>GROAN.

"Engage dismount protocol."

>GROAN.

>You check your suit. The pair of armored latches on the front were working properly. The other mechanisms seemed to be in order...

"Twilight, there is a mechanism on my back, just under the reactor. It is rectangular. Do you see it?"

>Twilight moves and checks. "I think I see it."

"Describe it."

>"Um... it’s about the size of my hoof, there are four areas on the corners that have three dots..." she trails off. Right, the back plate was reinforced. "There's also a jagged line running down the center."

"Is it a crack?"

>"It looks like it."

>A sinking feeling of dread descends upon you.

"Pearl, run a diagnostic."

*"The mechanism is partially destroyed underneath the armor plating. The damage occurred during your encounter with the fighter pilot before your discovery of p0nies. I am also sad to report - since the fine metal processor is damaged - repair will be problematic."

>"W-What does that mean?"

>The dread overtakes you.

"I'm trapped."