SB - Sweetie

> It's another morning in the town of p0nyville.
> An early morning.
> Very early infact.
> The sky still has a deep blue cast to it and the sun is only just pinkening the horizon.
> P0nies all over the town still have sleep ahead of them before waking for another day of work and fun.
> Somewhere though, somep0nies are already awake...
> At the Carousel Boutique, a pink maned filly closing the back door quietly behind her.
> She's standing on the tips of her hooves, desperate not to make a noise.
> The door gives a painfully loud *click* as it shuts and she winces.
> Her head darts this way and that, checking she wasn't spotted.
> With a mischevious smile, she picks up her satchel and trots off into town.
> She's Sweetie Belle.
> She's sneaking out before school to visit her friend professor A.
> ...and if her sister Rarity catches her, she's in biiiiiig trouble.

*Knockknock*
> "um... professor A.?... Prof A.? hellooOOoo?"
> Sweetie Belle peeks her head around the door of the dilapidated old barn.
> The sky outside is already a bright blue and the sun has banished the night's cold.
> Sweetie looks up at the sky and bites her lip nervously.
> She's already taken so long to get here...
> Prof A. lives soooo far out of town, right on the edge of the woods near the old Sweet Apple Acres orchard.
> He say's it's because he needs quiet for his work.
> Sweetie always thought that was an excuse.
> He's alot of fun... sometimes.
> She peers into the dirty blue, chipped barn again.
> Inside, it's a mess of cables hanging across the rafters with dangling lights, powersockets and... shiney things.
> In the distance she can see a shape, illuminated from beneath by sparks
> The flashing light casts a shadow on the ceiling of somep0ny standing on his hind legs and hunched over a table.
> ...of course, Prof A. isn't a p0ny at all...
> The little filly carefully nudges the door open further and steps inside.

> She creeps into the barn, eyes darting between the tables and workbenches.
> They're messy at best and pure chaos at worst.
> One has what looks like an unholy union between a weedwacker and a unicycle sitting on top of it.
> Another has a torso made of shining metal, three arms attatched and, sitting next to it, a stylised but simplistic human head made of the same metal.
> Sweetie Belles green eyes sparkle with wonder.
> It's all soooo strange!
> So exciting.
> So different to anything they have in p0nyville... even in Equestria!
> Tools and machines of every kind.
> Tools that can prune bushes... find buried things... pick apples... write out homework... everything!
> Machines that fly... machines that trundle... that walk... that talk!
> ...and Prof A. makes it all himself.
> All of it.
> "ooooo!" says Sweetie as she notices a copper box with hoof holes in the side.
> She reaches a tentative hoof up to... see.

*smak!*
> "ooowww!"
> Sweetie snatches back the hoof, holding it limply before her and looks up at the towering figure in the white lab coat.
"...what did I tell you, Miss Belle?"
> "ummm..." Sweetie digs at the floor with her forehoof, looking at his shoes "...'we look with our eyes, not with our hooves...'"
"..."
> Sweetie looks up at the angry figure, his arms folded across his chest.
> "*snf*" tears start to build at the corner of her eyes... she didn't want to make him angry! she was just... curious.
"That's not going to work."
> Her lower lip starts to quiver and her eyes well up "...b-b-b-b-but... I-I-I-I-I-I...*snf*"
> "I d-d-didn't *snf* w-w-want to maaay*bawl*aayke yoo a-a-ah ah*sob* ahngry!"
"..."
"...upon further inspection, my hypothesis may be flawed."
> His features softening, the towering figure leans down to the shaking bawling filly.
> He scoops her up and holds her firmly against his chest, her head resting on his shoulder and his hand patting her back.
"Shhh little Sweetie...shhh."
> Her sobs soon become sniffles and soon they become smiles.

"Why are you here then, little one? Is it not a school morning?"
> "um... yes sir, it is." She hangs her head as she stand before him.
"...you know you're not meant to come here. Your sister will be-"
> "Humph! she's ALWAYS angry with me." The little filly folds her forehooves over her chest and flops down on her rump.
> Her tail catches a pile of electronic components as it swishes angrily... they topple.
> A swift hand from the professor catches them before they fall, but they still teeter and frighten the filly.
> She skitters backwards on flailing hooves, clunking into the wall and knocking over a 6foot calibrated science pole.
> It falls, clanging into a pile of pre molded exiderm plating making a noise like a brick through the window of a cymbal shop.
> Sweetie Belle grins sheepishly at the Professor and says, in a sing song voice "Ooopsie. hee hee..."
"Outside. We talk outside."
> She bites her bottom lip and slinks towards the doorway, Prof A. following her.

> The two sit outside the barn on haybales.
"So. Miss Belle. Why are you here, despite detailed instructions from your sister pertaining to the 'off limits' status of this place?"
> "humphf...she's always got 'detailed instructions' for me... s'not fair..."
"Please answer me, Sweetie."
> "I... missed you Prof..."
"Once again your naming proves to be apt..."
> ...the Professor notices Sweetie's puzzled look...
"...ah. In brief? that was very sweet of you."
> She gives bright smile and hops down from the hay bale to courtsey "You are most welcome Professor."
"Manners. Good. I see you're listening to SOME of your esteemable sister's lessons."
> Sweetie hops back on the haybale "...well, I suppose she's not ALL bad. *giggle*"
"Indeed. She does care for you. That's why she-"
> "why can't you live in p0nyville again?" The filly give a sad little frown as she asks.
"No interrupting..."
> She hangs her head, pink mane flopping over her eyes.
*sigh*
"...because there were too many distractions... It was too accessable... Too many things impeding my research. If I am ever to return home I-"
> "...but why do you have to go home?" blurts out Sweetie, then winces and adds "...m'sorry I interrupted."

"Every creature longs for it's home... for it's own kind. Would you not try everything in your power to find your way home, should you become lost?"
> She swings her legs sullently and mumbles "...I guess..."
"I need isolation. I need to be able to work undisturbed. It's... essential. Some of the work is delecate. Some is easily damaged."
> He raises an eyebrow at that last word, looking pointedly at the filly.
> "..was...was I a distraction?"
"...yes... but a welcome one, Sweetie.
"I am glad you understand. Now, with that resolved I would like to assess your latest breach of rules."
> "Oh..."
"If your sister has requested-"
> Sweetie mutters "...she doesn't 'request'..."
"-that you seek permission before visiting me. She has good reason for this. Please, my dear. In the future abide by this."
> "...but... I had a good reason..." She looks at the floor, still swinging her legs.

"I am sure you did, but this is a dangerous place. If I have time to prepare? I can eliminate these dangers to your sisters satisfaction."
> "...but... I"
"No buts. I shall visit Rarity and discuss matters with her in detail. You shall hasten to school. Education is important, is it not?"
> He stands, adjusts his glasses and locks the barn door with a strange, hand held beeping box.
> Somewhere in the recesses of the barn a metallic voice intones ]...Security Measures : Engaged.[
> "...ok... m'sorry..." Sweetie rummages in her bag, taking out a few small items and placing them on the hay bale.
> She trots off, stopping to glance back and murmur "...happy birthday, professor..."
> The tall man turns and notices the brightly coloured box sitting on the haybale.
> Atop it sits a card decorated with blue and green gems surrounding a sketchy drawing of two smiling p0nies, one pink maned, one purple.
> Next to them stands a tall human in a lab coat.
"Oh...oh dear."

-----

> School...
> Being late is bad.
> Having to explain to miss Cheerilee and apologise to the class for holding them up...
> That's bad.
> That long walk to your desk while all the others laugh?
> That's worse.
> Hearing Diamond-I'm-sooo-special-'cause-I-got-my-cutiemark-Tiara whisper 'maybe her cutiemark will be a broken clock' is the worst bit.
> Sweetie Belle sits there, slumped over her desk, face against the wood so she doesn't have to look at the class giggling.
> "Don' worry none, sugarcube." Hisses Applebloom, trying on her sisters phrases.
> "Yeah... everyp0ny'll forget by recess." adds Scootaloo.
> Sweetie looks up smiling wanly at her friends, but hears Silver Spoon whisper "...and we're all used to you being slow by now, Sweetie miss the Belle."#
> Sweetie Belle groans and slams her head into the desk again.
> "Hey!.. you shut up you... grey old mare!" blurts out Scootaloo, shaking a hoof.
> "I'll have you know that this is SILVER,  you stubby winged dodo."
> "Whatever you say, Grandma Spoon *croak*" Scootaloo does a good impression of Granny Smith.
> Applebloom Giggles.
> "Girls!" says Cheerilee at the chalkboard with a raised voice. "Concentrate, please. This is an important lesson on-"
> Sweetie Belle tunes it out, forelegs folded beneath her head, mumbling "...m'not slow... I just think things through..."

-----

> The schoolbell rings in the end of the day.
> That means one thing.
> Crusading time!
> SweetieBelle, Applebloom and Scootaloo run giggling through the door of the schoolhouse.
> Cheerilee starts to say "DO be careful girls.." but gives up as the zoom past, with a mirthful smile and shake of her head.
> The three fillies skid to a halt just outside the school.
> Applebloom says, grinning "Ah've got ah plan today... it's gonna work... Ah just know it!"
> "Spill it!" answers Scootaloo, bouncing up and down while her little wings flutter with an excited *flpflpflp* noise.
> Sweetie Grins widely.
> Applebloom always has the best plans... they nearly work!
> "So..." The little yellow filly leans in to a huddle with the other crusader and hisses "...Ah reckon we should be..."
> "Cutie."
> "Mark."
> "C'moooon" whines Scoots
> "Lumberjacks!"
> SweetieBelle stares at AppleBloom "That...is..." her eyes are as wide as saucers "...brilliant!"
> "Everyp0ny needs to get wood somehow!" SweetieBelle chirps
> The other two stare at each other, smiles waving on their lips "*snrk*"
> "What?" asks the puzzled little unicorn
> "nuthin.*pffft*" Applebloom covers her mouth with a hoof.
> "What?!?"
> Scootaloo squeezes her eyes shut, shoulders shaking with poorly hidden mirth.
> The two of them trot off laughing while SweetieBelle follows "...what's so funny about getting wood? Girls? Girls? Girls!"

-----

> "She's late."
> Rarity stands outside her kitchen door, looking up and down the street for her sister.
> Her hair has a few strands out of place.
> On another mare, that wouldn't be cause for comment, but on Rarity it's positively unheard of.
> Her make up has been slightly smudged too.
> Near her stands the labcoated human, with a hand on her shoulder.
"We should have gone to the schoolhouse."
> "That would have been disruptive... you said that yourself, Professor."
"...*sigh*... I'll... find her. You wait here."
> Rarity looks up at the human as he adjusts his glasses and she gives a shallow smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes.
> She sighs and adds "She misses having you around, dear. We all do. It was-"
"-is a conversation for a more appropriate time, Miss Rarity."
> Labcoat flowing behind him and small bleeping disk in his hand, the Professor heads out of town and towards the woods near Sweet Apple Acres.

-----

> Applebloom went to the farm to find an axe.
> Every lumberjack needed one of them.
> They had one on the farm, so off trotted Applebloom.
> Scootaloo is trying to find the checked shirts in town.
> Every lumberjack had one of them too.
> For some reason, everyp0ny they asked thought Rainbow Dash would have them, so Scootaloo volunteered to find her.
> That just left one job for Sweetie.
> Find a good tree.
> Sweetie gives another push on a nice looking one "nnnn*grnt*nngh nope." She shakes her head.
> "Hmmm." the little unicorn taps her chin with a hoof as she looks around her.
> "...what does make a good tree?"
> She peers off into the distance, spying an old looking gnarled oak.
> It's... kinda scary... buuut all these other trees look young and strong... and this one has had a long life...
> "It wouldn't be fair to chop a baby tree down..." reasons Sweetie to herself.
> She trots over to the large dark wooded tree that leans to the side, as if already toppling under the weight of years.
> Her pace slows as she gets closer.
> It's a twisted, ancient thing with patches of bark bare wood, a burn mark from a lightning strike mars the trunk...
> ...it DOES look scary...
> It's branches are leafless and strech into the canopy like the fingers of a crone... the other trees almost seem to shy away from it.
> She gulps down her fear then tip-hooves closer.

> She taps the tree gently with a hoof.
> It makes a dull, hollow noise.
> Well... that must be good, right?
> Ripe melons make that noise when they're ready to eat.
> She gives it a shove and some bark comes off under her hooves causing her to slip and *squeak* out in panic as she slumps into the leaves that line the tree's twisted roots.
> Sweetie stands, "*pblblblbt*" then shakes her head, spitting out a mouthful of leaves and sticking her tongue out in disgust "...ick... *blegh*"
> She looks up at the tree, pondering the situation.
> The little filly spies a thick branch hanging low on the tree...
> Maybe they could just cut off a big branch instead, that'd count as lumberjacking... right?
> It's just about low enough for her to reach, if she climbs the slanted tree a bit.
> ...but she doesn't have to do that.
> The filly smiles to herself...
> Being a unicorn is awesome.
> Her horn glows with a splutter and the branch above...
> ...doesn't move in the slightest.
> Sweetie sighs, then starts to scrabble up the side of the tree.
> Being a LITTLE unicorn sucks.

> She balances on the branch, legs either side of it and hooves quivering.
> "...it didn't look this far up from down there..." she whimpers.
> The branch creaks a little.
> Eyes closed, she brings up a hoof and taps the branch carefully.
*tunktunk*
> ...a dull, hollow noise.
> Ripe... just like the-
*krk*
> "...eep" Sweeties eyes widen in panic.
> She starts to shuffle backwards...
*KrAck!"
> ...too slowly.
> Tree limb and filly plummet to the floor with an echoing *krash!*.
> For a moment, there's only silence punctuated by the pattering of twigs cascading around the fallen branch.
> ..
> ..
> "oooh..." Sweetie sits up slowly.
> Everything hurts
> Legs, head, body... even her horn!
> The little filly's head is rocking gently, eyes almost spinning...
> She then looks at the branch... her green eyes light up.
> A squeal escapes her grinning mouth, banishing all thoughts of pain, and she shouts "Now THAT's lumberjacking!
> Quickly, she jumps up and glances back at her flank...
> Nothing.
> "Awww."
> Sweetie tries to stand, but her foreleg tugs against her back down to her rump.
> "Oof!"
> She looks down, following the line of her foreleg... and see the reddened patch of ground... where her foreleg disappears under the branch.
> Her breath quickens "...n-no..." Sweetie's head feels light... her vision is blurring... the pain is back...
> She pulls at her leg, trying to free it...
> It doesn't move.
> A panic clenches it's fist around her heart and she starts pulling... straining... sobbing... her little hind legs peddaling in the dirt and leaves.
*Krnch*
> Sweetie Belle suddenly flies forward, skidding through the leaves.
> Panting with spent energy, she sits up and takes a step forward... her leg doesn't hold her weight...
> It hangs limply...
> There's something wrong.
> She looks down at it... not wanting to see...but she has to...
> Red...
> She can see red.
> She near whispers "oh....nooo...m-m-my l-l-leg *sob*"  she weeps quietly, shoulders shaking "...P-professor... help.. muh*sob* meee..."

-----

> Labcoat flowing behind him, the man runs along the loose dirt trail at the edge of the forest.
> The disk makes another bleeping noise.
"She's moving... Where are you going to, my little friend..."
> He tinkers with the disk for a moment, then readjusts his glasses.
> His run loses momentum and he jogs... then halts.
"Trajectory indicates... oh no."
> The Professor takes off at a sprint, dropping the disk.
> He knows where she's going.

-----

> The wind blows with an unexpected ferocity as the Professor pounds around the corner of the lane.
> Rain patters on his labcoat, giving parts of it a drenched see-through quality.
> His glasses are spotted with fat droplets of rain.
> His breath burns in his chest, but he finds enough to cry out...
"Sweetie Belle?"
> ... between the shaking of the appletree branches, the howling of the wind and the blood rushing in his ears he knows he will hear no reply.
> Still he cries out again and again.
> Unscientific, yes, but at least the little filly will hear someone who cares is near.
> He hopes.
> As he approaches his workshop, he notes the barndoor remains closed.
"g-*hah*good..."
> He... slows... spotting an anomoly.
> The small disused woodshed next to the barn is ajar.
> He knows he isn't lax enough to leave it unsecured.
> It could only be Sweetie.

> Stooping at the doorway, he peers into the darkness.
"Sweetie Belle?"
> "P-p-professor...*snf* H-help me... please... my leg... it huuurts... I don't... It's..."
"Shh, little sweetie. I am here."
> He tries to keep the quaver from his voice.
> The professor draws a small penlight from his top pocket and fits it into a holder on the arm of his glasses.
> The light falls across the filly, she's hunched in the corner shaking.
> Her eyes stream with tears.
> That normally bouyant pink mane is drenched, hanging limply against her head.
> Wrapped around her foreleg is a grey old blanket... a red stained grey old blanket.
> She sniffs back her tears and tries to smile for her friend... but the smile collapses into tearful, shaking wail.
> The professor wraps his arms around her and carries the filly to the workshop.

-----

> He discards the coat, throwing it onto a pile of debris.
"Voice command - A zero - Deactivate security measures."
]Compliance :-  Welcome. Back. Professor. Anonymous.[
> The professor sweeps a work bench clear with one arm, half built chrome plated drone skittering across the floor with it's components.
> He places the snivling filly on the bench and peers into her eyes.
"...shock..."
> "P-professor?... m-my l-leg... it's... there's something..." sweetie makes a mewling noise  "...w-wrong... with it... p-please... I d-don't understand..."
> Slowly, and with such care, the professor unwraps the bundle of cloth.
> The inside of the blanket is darkened by the red stain...
> Sweetie Belle sits there, foreleg hanging limply...
> The hoof is still there, but its... wrong.
> It's attatched the the frayed tatters of skin at her ankle.
> Attatched by a red stained, skeletal limb devoid of flesh.
> A limb of metal, joints and pistons.
> Red liquid leaks in arrhythmic squirts from severed tubes.
> "Why... *sob*... can't I feel my l-leg, Professor?"
*sigh"
> Professor Anonymous buries his head in his hands, gasping back a sob... and then hurls his glasses from his face, smashing them against the wall.

> The filly jumps in fear.
> She tries to put weight on the ruined leg, but it falls out beneath her.
> Gasping in shock, the professor grabs for her...
"...no...no... I'm sorry, Sweetie... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
> "P-prof? wh-what?,.. muh...leg?"
"I couldn't have known... that's what she said... I should have. I'm a professor, Sweetie... Consider ALL variables. Prepare for EVERY eventuality."
> "muh...my... leg? *sob*"
"You sweet, sweet child... I wish I could have done more..."
> He hugs her tightly as she sobs into his shoulder.
> The professor strokes her mane, soothing the weeping filly.
> As he does so, his other hand reaches for his pocket and pulls out a small cylindrical device which he raises to the back of little Sweetie belles neck.
> It gives an atonal high pitched *whirr*
> ...and her crying slows... slows... tone dropping... and she collapses gently to the table with a whir of motors powering down.
"I'm sorry."
> She lays there limp... lifeless.
"...you'll be as good as new. I promise."

-----

> The professor walks slowly through the storm, wrapped in a thick coat, long scarf bount at his neck and wide brimmed hat tucked close over his eyes.
> Old clothes, but just right for the occasion.
> The filly is wrapped in an old cricket jacket...
> She's as good as new.
> Engrams stabilized, no degredation...
> Today... gone from long term memory.
> Reset.
> He couldn't have known.
> That's what she told him.
> These... beautiful creatures that live on this world.
> So forgiving.
> So kind.
> ...so wrong.
> It WAS his fault.
> He should always be prepared.
> For anything.
> Nothing takes him by surprise.
> Nothing should be able to.
> ...but this place... it's so safe... so welcoming...
> Slowly, but surely it ate away his instinctual drive to be ready for anything.
> To plan for every twist of fate.
> He became... lax.
> Comfortable.
> ...and an innocent paid for his weakness.
> Again.

> The day sweet little Sweetie Belle came to visit.
> The day she decided it was his birthday... "Because everyp0ny should have a birthday."... he wasn't there.
> He was elsewhere... following some trivial lead into finding his way home.
> Selfish.
> She found her way in...
> He. Should. Have. Known!
> They were searching the town when he returned.
> He went back to the workshop to knock together a tool to help.
> That's when he found her.
> ...broken...
> The memory of her little body lying there...
> Another to add to the slideshow of horrors he'd seen.
> ...but this one he was going to put right.
> He had everything he needed.
> An engramatic transferal conduit.
> High density neural pathway biocomputational unit.
> Chameleon surfaced, morphable dermal plating.
> Light titanium alloy sufficient for three endo skeletons.
> The tools.
> The genius.
> He took her back to Rarity.
> She was supposed to be watching her... but she escaped.
> Somep0ny had to know.
> He wished he could have spared her... but somep0ny needed to know that Sweetie...
> ...what was left of Sweetie... was different now.
> To help him watch over her.

-----

> The door was answered by Rarity trying her best to look dignified.
> Her parents cluster behind her, worried to near hysterics.
> The professor steps through the door, releasing the gently snoring filly into the warm embrace of her parents.
> He shares a glance with the Rarity over the heads of the two relieved parents and the flustered, confused little Sweetie Belle.
"I found her in the woods. She'd be struck by a falling branch... The storm."
> Rarity's mother holds a shocked hoof to her mouth.
> Her father smiles and nods as he holds a hoof out to the professor.
> "This is the second time you've gone and found our little Sweetie mister professor. I'll never be able to repay you..."
> He removes his glasses and tucks them in his top pocket, rubbing his face clear of rain and disguised tears.
> With a bright smile he proffers his hand out and give a bright, liars smile.
"Always a pleasure Sir."
> Two hooves wrap his hand as both Sweetie Belle and her mother hug the legs of the professor.
> "You'll always have a friend in us, mister professor, Ain't that right girls?"
> A chorus of "oh yes." "yay" and furious nods follow the proud fathers statement. "We'll be gettin' our lil' sweetie home now... you take care!"
> Bidding farewell, the family heads out into the storm, umbrellas shouldered and little Sweetie Belle riding on her fathers back with a joyous smile.

> The professor and Rarity stand in silence, her unsure where to look and him dripping in a pool of rainwater.
> Eventually Rarity breaks the silence.
> "...that scarf is disgusting."
"I like it. Reminds me of... good times."
> "It reminds me of crimes against fashion and the poor flock of sheep that went cold to make that monstrosity."
> He smiles.
> Comfortable old subject of banter.
> He did like the fiery ones.
> Eventually Rarity, with tears starting to line her sapphire eyes, whispers "...Why does it keep happening, professor? Why does she keep sneaking out?"
"...*sigh*... the memory engrams were taken at a point of trauma. her thoughts were locked in that day... She's reliving it."
> Rarity holds a hoof to her mouth, eyes welling with tears.
"Oh no...nonono...not the... moment... "
> The professor grasps his head with both hands, slicking back his hair.
"...the day. Deciding it's my birthday.. Drawing the card....It'll happen less and less. I promise."

> Rarity nods slowly, a single tear trickling a blue path through her mascara.
"...I promise..."
> The white unicorn gazes at the gangly human, "...you should come back, Anonymous. You were a good friend to so many..."
".."
> "They miss you. They don't understand why you don't want to live with us anymore..."
"...it's safer for all if I stay away."
> "You are *snf* my friend... and I miss you so."
"I'm sorry. I can't..."
> Rarity takes shuddering breath before continuing.
> "you done so much for us... for p0nyville.. you fixed things.. you solved problems..  you were even a pretty good d-"
"Don't say it... please..."
> She nods sadly
"I always be here for you."
> The professor leaves for home, trudging through the rain, still thinking about the sweet little unicorn he couldn't save.

-----

] Sleep. Mode. Disengaged.[
]Systems. Check. : Complete.[
]Date. : Confirmed.[
]Auditory. Input. Detected.[
> "Sweetie Belle? It's almost time for school, dear!" shouts the filly's mother from downstairs.
]Reply. : Request. Tone. : Happy.[
> "I just need a little more time, momma! I'll be done soon... Promise!" yells Sweetie Belle.
> She lays on the floor, drawing on a piece of card.
> A small pink maned p0ny, a taller purple maned p0ny and a gangly looking human with glasses.
> They all look so happy together.
> This'll be the best birthday present EVER!
]Smile. : Cute. : Engaged.[