open Building the Future

[ReverieRiver 526]

@, @@Mr. Critical,

 

Ariel glanced at Critic before looking to Rocket, her ears flattened and her eyes watery as she still felt the ache of her injuries. "I-It hurts..." she whimpered quietly. But just a few moments after she said that, she suddenly seemed worried, afraid even, as she turned her head away and tried to wipe away her tears.

 

"I-It's okay," she said quickly. "It's not... r-really that bad... N-Nothing to... to worry about... I'm f-fine..." But in spite of her words, she sounded as if she would break down in tears at any second - and was trying her hardest not to do so.

 

The filly sniffled, rubbing at her eyes as she kept wiping the tears away, only for more to come. "A-And I'm not crying... I'm fine, r-really..."

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Miss Reaper,

Critical saw her display of pain. Her tears kept coming, no matter how much she wanted to stop. He hated seeing this one cry. In an attempt to calm her down, he leaned in and gave her a comforting hug. He didn't know if it would work, but it was worth a shot to him.

[ReverieRiver 526]

@@Mr. Critical, @,

 

The moment Critic moved in for a hug, Ariel's eyes went wide, and she immediately shrank away before curling up into a tight ball, her hooves moving in front of her face as if shielding herself or bracing herself for something.

 

"N-No... Don't hurt me! Please! I'm sorry!" the filly sobbed, trembling and looking absolutely terrified. Galatea, who had fallen into an exhaustion-induced, half-asleep sort of daze, snapped to alertness upon hearing Ariel's distress. Standing up, she immediately walked to the bed.

 

"What happened?! Is she okay?" the mare asked, biting her lip anxiously as she looked at both Critic and Rocket before looking down at Ariel with a worried frown. Ariel had always been somewhat skittish about being touched - with Galatea being the sole exception - but she didn't normally react so strongly. But then again, she hadn't been injured like this before, either.

 

That was what concerned Galatea the most; those injuries were not something to fool around with. Ariel was lucky to have survived. She kept worrying that Ariel was in too much pain, and yet she still didn't want to have to resort to sedatives to calm the filly.

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Miss Reaper,

Critical pulled away from Ariel.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
Critical got up from and proceeded to leave. He looked back to the small filly and her guardian.
"Hope you feel better soon, Ariel."

With that Critical took his leave, his face showing regret for scaring her. Maneuvering the halls he came to a closet. But it was actually his home. Bringing out his key, he entered the tardis. And maybe figure out what is going on in this future,

[ReverieRiver 526]

@@Mr. Critical, @,

 

Galatea watched Critic leave, her ears flattening against the sides of her head. She then looked at Ariel once more, and reached out to gently stroke the filly's mane. Ariel whimpered and shied away, seemingly afraid of even Galatea's touch at this moment. Galatea let out a sigh before she looked at Rocket.

 

"What happened?" she asked again, more gently this time. "Ariel's not usually like this... She's not in pain, is she? Did she hurt herself?" While awaiting an answer, Galatea looked down at the filly once more with deep concern in her eyes. Ariel was still curled up tightly, the stuffed bear lying next to her all but forgotten.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@@Miss Reaper,

 

"I think...she...may have...turned over on the wrong side. I really hope that didn't damage anything further. Remember, we can always go to that shop where natural medicines are sold." Rocket stated as he gently patted the little delicate Ariel on the head. He was trying all his best to help Galatea.  

[Mr. Critical 434]

Critical went over to the console. He began to search for any information on Tia and Lulu's locations. Within minutes he found that Luna was currently in Another country, sorting out political disputes. How long he has been there or which visit that was he did not know. But it did settle his heart that she was still alive. However, Tia and Twilight's locations were unknown. He knew they were alive. That date hasn't come yet so she was alive. But time was a tricky mistress, so who knows what could go on.

[ReverieRiver 526]

@, @@Mr. Critical,

 

Galatea stared down at Ariel for a long while. The filly had flinched slightly at the contact from Rocket, but at least she didn't try to pull away this time. She just stayed curled up, though she lowered her front hooves slowly so that her face was no longer covered; there were still tears in her eyes as she looked up at Rocket, not saying a word.

 

"I think... that it would be good if we could go and get some of that natural medicine," Galatea finally said. "But... I really don't want to leave Ariel here... She needs me." She stopped to think for a few moments, and then turned her attention towards the robot in the corner as an idea struck. "Nano!"

 

Nano woke from sleep mode at once, blinking a couple of times before he turned to look at Galatea. "Yes?"

 

"Would you like to perhaps go with Rocket to get some natural medicines for Ariel?" Before Nano could respond, Galatea quickly glanced back at Rocket. "That is, if you wouldn't mind going with Nano?" she said, tilting her head slightly as she looked at the cyborg.

 

-------------

 

All that was known about Princesses Celestia and Twilight was that they had gone on a journey to try and find a way to bring peace to the land once more. It was rumored that they were traveling all across Equestria and perhaps even beyond. No one seemed to know their locations, though there had been several that had reported spotting the royals in question; everypony had faith that they were still alive.

 

And alive they were indeed. But they were traveling through treacherous territories much of the time, their abilities constantly put to the test. Whether or not they would return was unknown, although the skeptics said that they would never make it back. Rumors; Celestia and Twilight were hardly anything more than rumors now as far as society was concerned.

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Miss Reaper,

Critical tried again and again to find Celestia. Yet to no avail. The tardis could only look through documented history. But he occasionally came across a rumor or two of alicorn sightings. He thought about going to look for them. But he was needed here. His meeting with Galatea and Ariel was not a chance meeting. Something was happening. He wouldn't dare look up their future, in fear of setting in a course of events he could not stop. Critcal was stuck. Without his friends, no help. Just him and the tardis.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@@Miss Reaper,

 

"That would be a great idea! Nano could right on my back. It's not very far from here. Come on Nano. Let's go over to that natural medicine store." Rocket stated as he headed out the door and waited for Nano. While waiting for Nano, he drifted into deep thought.  

[ReverieRiver 526]

@@Mr. Critical, @,

 

Nano hesitated, looking at Galatea. "Are you certain that you and Ariel will be alright here by yourselves?" he asked, seeming somewhat concerned.

 

"We'll be fine," Galatea reassured him. "Now, go on. The sooner you get that medicine, the better."

 

Nano slowly nodded and proceeded to follow Rocket out the door, but not before glancing back at Galatea and Ariel one last time. She gave him one more reassuring smile, and he continued on following Rocket.

 

Once Nano and Rocket were out of the room, Galatea sighed and laid her upper body down on the bed, resting her head next to little Ariel. The small filly looked the mare in the eyes after a few moments; she was still somewhat teary-eyed. "Where did Nano and the other pony go?" she asked softly.

 

"They've gone to get some medicine for you."

 

"But I don't like medicine..."

 

"This will be good medicine, though, sweetheart. All I ask is that you give it a try once they come back. I'm pretty sure it will help you feel a lot better."

 

Ariel pondered it for a little while, before reluctantly conceding, "Okay..."

 

Galatea smiled at the filly, affectionately but gingerly nuzzling her. "Good girl."

Edited January 23, 2014 by Miss Reaper

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Miss Reaper,

Critical sat on his couch pondering the words of Ariel. 'Where had Tia gone? What was she doing?' He got up and began to pace around the tardis, thinking to himself. He would go back to the medical room, but he felt that wouldn't be best. Though he did have a monitor on the room as to make sure there are no intruders. He did see Nano and Rocket leave. He was wondering what that was about.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@@Miss Reaper,

 

Rocket went out the room and picked up Nano and put him on his back. He then trotted outside. Once outside, he set his rocket wings to ascending position and fired the rockets. "Hang on." Rocket stated as he rose into the air and flew off towards the natural medicine shop.  

[ReverieRiver 526]

@@Mr. Critical, @,

 

Ariel looked around for a few moments, her ears twitching curiously before she looked back at Galatea. "Galatea, where did the other other pony go? The one that gave me the teddy bear?" she asked, tilting her head.

 

"Well... he thought it would be better if he left, after what happened."

 

"But it wasn't his fault. I... I just didn't want to be a crybaby, but I was... Mommy and Daddy used to punish me for being a crybaby... I thought he was going to do that, too..." she said earnestly, her ears drooping as she hugged her stuffed bear tightly. "I shoulda known better, though. He's a nice pony. He's nice like you, Galatea. He wouldn't hurt me."

 

Galatea looked at Ariel, speechless at first. Ariel had hinted before that her parents used to treat her badly, but abuse like that? Galatea was shocked, appalled to think that any parent would ever harm their foal in such a way. But she slowly nodded, saying, "Yeah... That's right. That's right, Ariel. He's nice. And it won't be often that you'll get to meet nice ponies like that, unfortunately."

 

Ariel considered that for a moment. "More ponies should try to be nice. Then things wouldn't be so bad here..."

 

-------------

 

Nano immediately held on tight upon being told to do so. Once in the sky, the robot looked around and below, taking in the sight of the clouds and the distant landscape with a sort of wonder. It wasn't often that Nano got out, let alone witnessed sights like these; especially since he never had the privilege to fly like this before. His expression was that of pure awe - the most feeling that he had ever been able to display.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@@Miss Reaper,

 

"So, I guess this is your first time up here eh?" Rocket asked Nano. While he was talking to Nano, Rocket was calculating the distance from his current location to the natural medicine shop. It was only three-quarters of a mile away. Rocket continued to fly.  

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Miss Reaper,

Critical heard Ariel's words through the monitor. Bringing a tear to his eye. Shutting the monitor off, Critical went to rejoin Ariel and Galatea. After a while, he met with the room they were in. He knocked on the open door and they were aware of their presence.

"Hi."
Critical walked in and sat down once more.

"Sorry, Ariel. I didn't mean to scare you. I hope you forgive me."

[ReverieRiver 526]

@, @@Mr. Critical,

 

"Indeed," Nano said. "I have never been up in the sky like this. I must say, it is quite exhilarating." His curious gaze continued to roam, mostly searching the landscape down below; it fascinated him to see how different it looked from up in the sky as opposed to on the ground. His expression was exuberant - if he were capable of smiling, he would have certainly done so.

 

-------------

 

Galatea looked to Critic and smiled, acknowledging his greeting with a nod. Ariel turned to look at him at once. "Hi!" she said in return.

 

When he apologized, Ariel found herself looking down at the stuffed bear for a moment before she looked up at him again. "It wasn't your fault, mister. I was afraid you were gonna punish me for crying, like Mommy and Daddy used to... But I know now, you wouldn't do that! Right?"

 

She looked up at him with her large mismatched eyes, tilting her head. "I wanna thank you for being so nice... um. Mister? I don't think you ever told me your name?"

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Miss Reaper,

"My name is Critical. Mr. Critical. It's nice to meet you Ariel."
Critical nodded his head in a greeting manner.

"And I wouldn't hurt, Ariel. Especially for crying."

Critical sat in a chair next to Ariel's bed. So he could be closer to her. Ariel was sweet. A bit skittish, but sweet. Almost reminds him of Fluttershy in a way.

[ReverieRiver 526]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

Ariel did a sort of shimmying crawl on her belly to move a bit closer to the edge of the bed as she then looked up at Critic once more. "Mr. Critical... That sounds like a cool name!" she giggled. "And thank you for being so nice, Mr. Critical. There's not a lot of nice ponies around here. So it's good that there's still a few around!"

 

Galatea smiled and gently patted the filly's head. The mare couldn't help but think about how utterly innocent Ariel was. 'What I wouldn't give to be able to see things the way she does...' she thought with a little wistful smile.

 

@,

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@@Miss Reaper,

 

Rocket continued to fly. He then started to descend as they neared the Natural Healing Shop. After a few seconds, he was on the ground. He then slowly walked towards the shop, with Nano still on his back. "Well, this is it." Rocket stated as he entered the shop to the smell of herbs.  

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Miss Reaper,

"Yeah, it is a cool name in a way. Kinda wish I knew what my real name was though, but Critical will suffice for now. And I take it that kindness is a hard thing to come by this time around, so I guess you got lucky in that department. But, I'm not the kindest, that would go to a friend of mine. Ms. Fluttershy."

[ReverieRiver 526]

@@Mr. Critical,
 
 "Fluttershy... That's a really pretty name," young Ariel remarked. "It also sounds a little familiar somehow... I dunno. Maybe that's just me." She then paused as something else registered in her mind. "It's not your real name? How... How do you not know your real name?" She tilted her head as her ears twitched slightly in confusion.
 
@,

 

Nano looked around the shop curiously. He could smell the herbs; though he didn't exactly have nostrils, he had scent sensors built into him, similarly to how he had a voice chip built in that allowed him to speak in spite of not having a mouth.

 

"So, I take it that these herbs here have some sort of medicinal properties?" he asked curiously, continuing to look around.

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Miss Reaper,

"Well, you see, Ariel. When I was about your age, I was hated by the whole town I lived in. Long ago, I went by another name. When I found my cutie mark, They began to mock me for it calling me Mr. Critical, and various others. Mr. Critical was the most common. After a while, that's what I went by, until I forgot it entirely. So now I carry that insult like a badge of honor. Where it was once used to bring me down, I now see it as apart of me."

[ReverieRiver 526]

@@Mr. Critical,

 

"Oh... kind of like me, then..." Ariel said softly, her ears drooping. "Everypony else hates me... They call me a freak." She paused for a little while, memories flashing in her mind; the most recent experience with the unicorns being the most prominent of the images that showed up.

 

"But... I don't wanna forget my name... And..." Her ears flattened further against the sides of her head as tears began forming in her eyes. "I don't even know why... I don't know why they hate me... They say I'm different, but... What makes me different? Why do they hate me? Why do they say I'm a freak...?" The filly hugged her teddy bear as tightly as she could manage, sniffling. "I just don't understand..."

 

@,

[Mr. Critical 434]

@@Miss Reaper,

"Well, if I had to guess. I'd say it was that pretty eye you have there. I think they're just jealous."
Critical gave a smile to the filly.

"As for me, I think I was just an emotional lightning rod. A form of release for the hard times that befell my home. Except my sister though. I think she just did it as a sick thrill. But that doesn't matter now. They're behind me and I have a better life without them."