dark Descent into the clockwork.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

The tale of Clockwork Green is a tragic and grim one. Most fear and loath his very presence, for he was the next best thing to discord. But he hadn't always been this way. Clockwork green was a pony like any other, at least in the beginning. He lived with his father, Tinker Tok, who was a clock and watch maker. He had learned his father's business, building timepieces, and taking extreme care in the minute details. His interest in the inner workings of things went hand in hand with another special talent. His understanding of the nature of harmony and discord between ponies, and the intricacies of these relationships. He was so good with it, in fact, that he began to get ideas, ideas that would eventually end him in ruin. Clockwork began to find that he was able to manipulate situations to his benefit, by convincing others of things, and setting up situations for them to end up in. He could destroy or create relationships between ponies, and get them to do things for him through indirect emotional manipulation. His art soon manifested in his work, when he began to tear apart mechanisms and build his own inventions.
    Clockwork began disrupting harmony so much throughout his friends, that many of them had chosen to abandon him, having grown tired of being used. Almost all, except for one, his most loyal friend of all, Nova strings. Clockwork kept his friendship with Nova, as it was his only, and because Nova had proven herself useful to his chosen tasks. She would collect things for him, while he worked, and he would pay her in bits and inventions. Their friendship continues until she began to notice one day, that Clockwork had begun to change. He had been building a set of mechanical wings, which did not have a harness, and appeared to be unfinished. Nova looked to her friend, and asked him. "When will you be finished your new wings, Clockwork?"
Clock turned around, his pupils mere dots, and a huge grin across his face. "They are finished."
Nova was startled. "What do you mean? There's nothing to hold them on. How will you use them?"
Clock pointed at her. "I need you to help me with that actually. Bring me my tools, and we can begin."
Nova looked around, and located Clockwork's tool kit. She brought it over to him, laying it out, and was met with a sight that made her gasp. "These.. What are these? Clockwork? What are you doing?"
The kit was filled with surgical tools. Clockwork glanced down at the tools and back to Nova as he climbed onto a work table. "I need you to implant them, and attach the cables to the right places. I've already taken painkillers, I won't feel a thing... Now get started, they won't last forever, and I don't want to do this myself."
Nova gulped, realizing there was something wrong now, but decided to go along with it anyway. She knew he wasn't kidding, he would attempt it himself, and likely bleed out. She picked out the tools Clockwork instructed her to, and did her job with accuracy and care. Blood poured down the side of the table and pooled at her hooves. When she finished, she closed him up, and bandaged the area.
Clockwork had blacked out some time ago. Once he had given his last instruction, he went silent, but was still breathing. Nova began cleaning up the blood, and attempted to wake Clockwork. He stirred, and then came to. "How long has it been?" he asked, groaning with the pain he suddenly felt.
Nova had tears in her eyes. "It's been almost an hour since you blacked out.. I was so worried."
"Nonsense" Clockwork remarked. "I had this all planned out. I knew I'd be out from this, it's all going according to plan."
He climbed down from the table, and wandered wearily over to the mirror. "Excellent.. EXCELLENT!" He laughed. "This is exactly how I envisioned them." Clockwork tried to move them, and began flexing his new wings out. Tears of pain rolled down his face. The stitching was still fresh, and blood began to ooze into his bandage. But his grin went wider and wider.
Nova went to him, placing a hoof on his wing. "You should let them heal first"
Clockwork glanced back, realizing his bandage was drenched. "Yes.. yes I suppose you're right. But they work perfectly. I can't thank you enough."
Nova added more bandage to his sides and back, and looked at him, intimidated by the colt he was becoming. She said nothing,  though thoughts raced through her mind. This wasn't the Clockwork she remembered from her fillyhood.
    A week passed by, and Nova hadn't heard anything from Clockwork since they'd last been together. That is until she received a letter from him. It was written messily, reading "Come to my shop, I need you."
She swallowed fear of what should wait for her in Clockwork's shop. Reluctantly, she made her way over, and knocked. Clockwork answered on the other side of the door, yelling. "COME IN!"
She entered to find him strung up into something, some sort of machine. His wings were locked into it. Nova gasped at the sight.
"What's the matter Nova? Something wrong?" His tone was nearly mocking. Nova teared up, and looked up to him. "Who are you?" She asked.
Clockwork laughed heartily. "You know me! I'm always looking for attention. Here's my answer to the world. My beginnings in flight technology for Earth Ponies. Isn't it marvelous?"
Nova Cried out and ran from his shop.
"NOVA!! COME BACK! NOVA!" Clockwork was furious. "How could she do this to me?" He frantically attempted to escape his own machine, not having anticipated this turn in events. He struggled, but became yet more entangled in the cables.
"NOVA! COME BACK!! HOW COULD YOU ABANDON ME??" Tears rolled down Clockwork's face. He swallowed down great sadness and anger, and then began to laugh. "Who am I?" He asked himself. "Do I even know?"
He thought for a moment, and then looked up at the only thing within reach. The power switch.
"Even if everypony has left me behind, I still have my creations. Let them laugh.. I will show them! I'LL SHOW THEM!!" He bellowed and burst out into maniacal laughter. "I'll Show them all." And with that, he hit the switch.
Mechanisms began to whir and power up. His body had been fully entangled within the machine, and was unable to move much, but he could still see one thing. The clock on the wall, ticking away, second by second. He began to feel the energy course through his wings. "It's working." He thought to himself. His machine was driving power into his wings. Soon they would be capable of making him airborne, and he would have the last laugh. Everyone who doubted him would be shown, this was no ordinary pony. No, this was Clockwork Green, the inventor of Earth Pony flight! He would be honoured and praised for his achievements.
Nova had spent her day hiding in her room, attempting to suffocate the reality of who her friend had become. Hours passed by, the clock, ticking away, each second, ringing in her head, reminding her of who she had left behind. Finally she stood up, and walked out of the room. She returned to Clockwork's shop, and swung the door open. The lights were off, nothing was visible except a couple cables across the floor where the light poured in. From the darkness, a voice came. "Help me.. please.. let me out of here."
Nova knew it was him, but there was no way to tell where he was. She flicked the light, but nothing happened.
"The lights are dead, my machine blew the breaker. You'll have to use your horn to light the way." Clockwork could see her from his metallic prison. Nova lit the room with her magic, and located him within the mechanism. "How do you get out of there? Her voice shuttered with fear.
"The switch on the back, there are four valves you have to open. Let the pressure out, and hit the switch." Clockwork looked up with glazed and bloodshot eyes. Nova turned and went to the back, turned the valves and watched as the pressure gages dropped. She hit the switch, and all at once the room was filled with a deafening hiss. Steam billowed everywhere, she couldn't see anything at all. "Clockwork? Where are you? Are you alright?"
Suddenly she felt something hit her, causing her to lose her balance and fall. She gasped as the weight of Clockwork's hooves pressed into her throat.
"You should have stayed." He said coldly, and began to press down with all his weight.
"N-NO.. WAIT" Nova tried to breath, choked by Clockwork's hooves. She couldn't break free from him. She kicked at him blindly, but kept missing and was losing strength.
"Sleep now, just let the tick tock of the clock, lull you away." Clockwork's face was dark, but she could make out his crazed grin through her fading eyes. "Shhh. Quiet now.. Sleep now, and everything will be fine. I have plans for you."

Edited March 18, 2014 by Midnight Scribbler

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

If anypony actually takes the time to read this, please let me know what you think. I'm curious to know if anyone liked or had any writing suggestions.

[RainbowShard 2]

Wonderful. Very energetic and exciting. My favorite part is the ending where Nova is being choked. Again its very exciting and I loved it. Thank you for sharing this.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Wonderful. Very energetic and exciting. My favorite part is the ending where Nova is being choked. Again its very exciting and I loved it. Thank you for sharing this.

Thank you for throwing some feedback my way. I think you're the first one to read this actually.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, It means a lot to me.

[Starlight Sky 374]

Quite a character you've got there. I'm also interested in the fate of Nova Strings. Did Clockwork's exile from Canterlot come after this fallout/choke-out? Why is his full name: Clockwork Green? So many predictions, but no definitive answers xD  Which I don't really mind...alternative interpretations are so fun. Can find so many lessons and views in something

 

Certainly welcome your original intent though

 

The story gave a good feel for his struggle and how it'll develop. Showcases an alternate ending discovering talent; especially the one he found. Like "Lesson Zero" gone terribly awry.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@Starlight Sky,

Firstly, thanks for the feedback.

 

I named him Clockwork Green, partly for his talents and background and partly in homage to A clockwork Orange, one of my favorite stories/movies. I intend to write more at some point, and I intend to expand more on Nova's situation.

 

His exile from Canterlot came afterwards, but not because of this incident. It had more to do with the disharmony he caused with his inventions.

Edited January 9, 2014 by Midnight Scribbler

[Starlight Sky 374]

Ah! Another awesome movie I should see someday  Cool to know the origin of that name. I attributed Green to him being a bit "green". Prematurely discovering that aptitude, which had a hefty price and led him to experiment with harmony rather than maintain/restore it. Again, an excellent alternative to finding that ability.

 

I asked about the time of exile because I wanted to know if Nova willingly followed him after the incident. Now I'm curious whether guilt kept her by his side or he did something to her like some ponies suspected.

 

Should probably keep some answers a secret for now though Look forward to reading more whenever you get to it

[123 111]

This was very good in my opinion. The story was very interesting and did a lot for a short story. I really wish there there was more...

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@Lucid Dream, @@Starlight Sky,

 

Thank you both for all the feedback. I do plan to write more, possibly a much more in depth second part.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@Starlight Sky, @@Lucid Dream,

 

Chapter 2 is now in the works! If anyone's interested, click the link to my blog, there's a sneak preview and a brief description of what I'm intending to bring into play for the next segment!

 

Hope you guys like what you see!