The obvious place to go first is the Cake’s Sugarcube Corner. The mares and the two cyborg stallions approach the building, the former tiptoeing as if to not attract attention to the eye-popping characters next to them.

A mare covers her foal’s eyes and watches in horror as the metal ponies pass, and others react with screams and running away at top speed. Those that stay would emit a squeak or a whimper, and watch them leave curiously.

As they walk, Chain slowly looks around at all of the ponies, whether or not they flee, the scanners in his eyes basically giving him all the information one would otherwise need to have an introductory conversation to obtain. How this works, he frankly has no idea, but doesn’t care to question.

As they approach the pastry shop, word must have spread as ponies flee at the mere sight of the cybernetic stallions, which quickly turns into confusion as they wonder why the mares are escorting them so formally.

“Aaaaaand here it is!” Pinkie cheers happily when they arrive. Chain’s attention is drawn to the building, and his eyes flash briefly as he begins to scan the establishment. “Sugarcube Corner! The home of sweets, pastries, chocolate, sweet pastries, chocolate pastries, sweet chocolate-”

“I think they get it, Pinkie,” Applejack interrupts with a chuckle.

“Is this a shop for sweets and such?” Deadbolt asks in his hollow voice. “I remember such a place, a while ago.”

“How long ago is ‘a while’?” Twilight asks, cocking her head.

“I… don’t exactly remember. I remember most of my life before the accident, but some of my memory is missing.” The cyborg shrugs.

Chain raises a hoof, finally turning away from Sugarcube Corner. His voice takes on a more robotic and sophisticated tone, almost unconsciously. “Assuming our deaths were around the same time, it would have been about seventy-two days since he was alive. How long he went before then without seeing such a place is unknown.”

“And Mr. Computer takes over once again,” sighs the larger stallion.

“So he’s an egghead too?” the rainbow mare asks, chuckling and giving a pointed look to the Alicorn.

The purple cyborg’s eyes flash again, and he just rolls them before turning. “So are we going inside, or do we just get to stare at it?”

Pinkie giggles. “Well, we’re going inside, duh! Why would we just sit out here and stare at it?” She throws the door open, startling the few customers inside. “I mean, I know it looks cool and all, but that’s just silly! You’re silly.”

“...right. I’m silly.” Chain just slowly nods as the group walks inside. “We’ll go with that.” Giving an uneasy grin, Twilight follows, along with the others.

“So… colorful,” remarks Deadbolt. “Almost too colorful.”

“Do you want to eat anything?” Rarity asks cautiously, walking to the display case of cupcakes, the customers already petrified.

Not waiting for an answer, Pinkie ducks behind the case and comes up with a plate of two cupcakes in her mouth. She drops it loudly onto the counter, the cupcakes somehow staying perfectly in place. “How about some free samples?”

“Um, no we really can’t-” The large cyborg is cut off by the large pastry shoved in his mouth, a similar one being stuffed into his companion’s. He chews slowly and swallows, sighing. “Chain,” he mutters, indicating for him to continue.

After chewing thoughtfully for a few seconds, the smaller cyborg’s eyes flash, and he swallows before speaking. “Red velvet cupcake; fresh, home baked. Contents include but not limited to flour, eggs, sour cream, milk, and sugar. Lacks salt typically seen in such recipes; boasts copious amounts of sugar instead. Icing, chocolate; also homemade, slightly melted from heat, indicating cupcake was not left to cool before iced. Taste sensors indicating significant preference to these decisions.” His eyes flash again and he nods. “Compliments to the chef.”

“Can you actually tell what all that is?” Deadbolt asks. “I lack taste buds. I feel a paste that has the consistency of styrofoam.”

Pinkie Pie blinks before grinning again. “Glad you both like it!” She hops off to put the tray away.

“That’s definitely liking it.” Rainbow sighs, shrugging.

“I’m sorry for Pinkie’s...”

“No need,” Deadbolt interrupts the purple Alicorn, continuing on to a table. “So, what are we here for?”

“Well, this is a tour, isn’t it?” Twilight cocks her head. “I just wanted to show you around.”

“Yes, and the majority of ponies gather here every day. It’s a nice place to meet new friends.” Rarity grins awkwardly, then backs up again as the large cyborg sighs.

“And yet no one is here now; shocking.” His cybernetic eye explores the main room, curious. “This is a large building. What resides upstairs?”

Pinkie pops out from behind them all. “The bedrooms! Those are where me and Mr. Cake and Mrs. Cake sleep! They’re probably up there now with the twins!”

“Twins...” Deadbolt mutters, then shrugs. “I suppose they can’t be bothered with us now. Shall we continue?” He looks first to the purple mare, then to his smaller companion. “Or do you wish to stay here?”

“I’d rather continue the tour,” Chain offers. “Regardless of how good the stuff tastes here, I don’t have money yet, and I technically shouldn’t be trying to digest anything for a couple days.”

“Hmmmm...” Twilight taps her chin for a moment, thinking. “Perhaps we can go pick up Fluttershy at her cottage.”

“Sounds fine to me.” Rarity nods. “Shall we?”

Shrugging, Chain nods and turns to the door. His eyes flash again as he briefly analyzes the outside. “Nopony’s around.”

“Again, such a surprise.” Rolling his eyes, Deadbolt walks out into the street and waits for the mare to follow. “Where is Fluttershy’s home?”

“Just follow me,” Twilight says, walking in front of the two metallic equines. They walk on, with the other mares dragging behind except for Pinkie, who bounces happily.

Twilight raises a hoof and knocks on the cottage door, at which plates are heard crashing from the inside. A pink mane pokes into view in the corner of a window, and a soft scream is heard as the color withdraws and the curtains shut. The other five mares sigh collectively.

“Well, at least we know she’s here.” Rainbow shrugs and knocks this time, harder than her purple friend. “Hey! Open up! You have to say hello!”

Only a squeal is heard from inside. Chain blinks his robotic eyes. “...my sensors indicate either she is particularly afraid of us, or she’s trying to rip a cat in half.”

“...didn’t want that mental image.” Applejack shudders.

“We really aren’t bad ponies, Fluttershy.” Deadbolt chuckles and steps forward, despite the yellow mare’s whimpering. “We’re here to live normal lives.”

Finally, the mare pulls the door open… very, very slowly. It takes almost a whole minute for just her eye to peek out, and at that point she stops, just staring out fearfully.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy, I promise they won’t do anything to hurt you.” The Alicorn steps forward, pushing the door further open and nudging her friend gently.

“...o-okay...” Still clearly frightened, the pegasus mare takes several steps back to let them in. The other mares sigh again, this time in relief.

“Well now that that’s out of the way, how about some tea?” Rarity steps inside the cottage and, for the most part, the others follow. The two cyborgs take a moment before slowly walking in, a little dumbfounded by the sudden switch of mood.

“E-Excuse us...” the larger bows his head the Fluttershy, “Um, analysis, Chain? Best course of action?”

Chain looks at him before shrugging. “...go along with it?”

Deadbolt nods and sits in the main room, looking around in slight confusion at all the animals. He turns to Twilight and cocks his head. “These animal are all hers?”

Fluttershy, normally one to brighten up at the mention of the critters around her home, can only nod meekly. Chain, on the other hoof, sits down beside Deadbolt as he gives the room a quick scan. “Negative. Most belong to her, but a fair amount are being taken care of. Some belong to other ponies and some are wild.”

Twilight’s eyes widen and she hurries over to the mechanical pegasus. “You can tell that just by looking around? You’re so smart!”

He blinks at her. “As I said before, I have scanners in my eyes that can find any necessary information from any living creature and store it in a database within whatever my brain consists of in this new body. This includes name, species, location of birth, close companions, family or owners, and for ponies, special talents. I do not think they installed such a function in my companion, however.”

“According to what I was told, I did not receive any such function. There is, however, something I was built for and a reason behind why I only have one eye like this.” The larger pony indicates his glowing blue eye. “Though I’ve only used it once or twice, so I’m not as specific or precise as Chain can be.”

Twilight nods seriously while the other mares stare on in confusion. Applejack, for her part, growls to herself a bit. “Can either of ya just talk normal? I feel like I’m back at the gala with how sophisti-whatever you’re being!”

“Sophisticated,” Chain corrects. “Adjective; aware of and able to interpret complex issues; subtle. Alternate definition: having, revealing, or proceeding-”

“I know what it means!” the farmer snaps. “Just stop being it!”

The cyborg pegasus goes quiet for a moment before replying, his eyes flashing briefly as he exits his analytical stage. “Suit yourself.”

“Yes, well, you could all use some work on being more sophisticated.” Rarity huffs, giving sharp glances to all of the others. “We have guests, after all.”

“Right.” The Princess looks around. “Is there anything you two drink in particular?” she asks the pair of newcomers.

“I drink only when necessary, and not normal drinks.” The cybernetic earth pony shrugs.

Chain shakes his head. “I don’t need to drink at all, though I can. It’s more for analytical purposes. Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it.” The Rainbow pegasus waves a hoof nonchalantly. “But if that’s the case, what do you drink?”

Deadbolt looks to his companion. “I occasionally drink a fluid that enhances power and movement, but I don’t exactly know what it is.”

“Well, if it was just one or the other, I’d say it’s alcohol or coffee,” Chain snarks. “If it’s both, though, I don’t know. I’d have to analyze it first… as for me, I don’t need it, so there’s that.”

“We’re not allowed to drink those substances, Chain,” sighs the larger cyborg.

“Maybe you aren’t.”

“Yes, well… since we’re sitting down now, let’s talk about you two.” Twilight steps between the two, gesturing to the table, now set with the mares’ drinks. “Just who exactly are you?”

Deadbolt settles next to his companion, tapping the floor. “Well, depends on what you want to know. We- or at least I- can only say so much for now.”

“I wanna know everything!” The purple Alicorn’s eyes sparkle, and she rocks back and forth on her hooves, much to the chagrin of her friends. Rainbow groans audibly.

Chain raises a hoof. “Everything. Definition: all things; all the things of a group or-” He cuts himself off when Applejack glares at him. “...I mean, uh… be more specific with your questions, please.”

“Perhaps let’s start with who you are; what did you do before…?” Twilight starts, then looks down, not sure how to end the question.

Deadbolt chuckles. “No need to be so worried; I don’t mind. I was a factory worker in Hoofington. My mother and sister worked a small grocery store - they still do, but I haven’t been back to see them since just after the operation finished. I lived an extremely normal life, almost disappointingly so.” He thinks for a moment. “One day a piece of equipment had weak support, and it collapsed. I happened to be right under it. The result is my magnificent form you see before you.” He strikes a gallant pose, wearing a cheeky yet joking grin.

Chain rolls his eyes. “Narcissism readings increasing significantly.” After that remark, he turns to the mares. “I already told you what happened to me. My story before then is basically like his, but substitute Hoofington with Manehatten, add a couple more siblings, and keep in mind I haven’t been home to see them since I was brought back. Other than that, it’s pretty identical, unless you’re wanting to go a lot further back.”

“Well then?” Rainbow presses, leaning forward, the others watching in anticipation.

The cyber pegasus sighs, his eyes flashing. “Scanning memory banks...” A few more seconds go by before he continues. “Born in Fillydelphia, youngest of five. Moved to Manehatten at age twelve. Graduated school young. Difficulty choosing career. Took job at factory. Untimely demise. End.”

“Very… punctual,” the seamstress mutters, sipping her tea.

“Is there anything more we could know about you, Deadbolt?” Twilight turns to the large stallion, who thinks.

“Nothing important. Nothing from before, anyways.” He shrugs.

“Then… you mentioned what your eyes can do, Chain. What were you built for exactly?” Twilight, now keenly interested, circles the metallic pegasus.

He tilts his head before responding. “I was constructed for analytics and intelligence, with some combat ability should the situation call for it. All of my abilities reflect that in some way.”

“So then how far do those analytics go? Where does it all go?” The other mares and Deadbolt chuckle as Twilight examines Chain like a science project.

“I’m not sure what you mean by ‘how far’, but as for where… the information is stored within whatever they gave me as a brain.” He narrows his eyes. “I’m not letting you dissect me to figure out what.”

“Of course not!” She backs away humbly. “I’m just curious, is all.” Now the Alicorn turns to the larger of the pair. “What about you?”

“I’m a combat-only construct. My eye is used to analyze the battle and find out who my enemies are and send the message to my fighting… companion. My torso was remade to be ‘extra large’ so that I could contain a combat assistant who receives information from my eye and uses it to find out who to attack.” He pats his chest as if to emphasize the point.

All movement freezes as the mares stare at him.

“There’s something… inside you?” Rarity places her cup back on the table, struggling to stay composed.

“Is it cool?” Rainbow asks instantly, without any cares. Applejack just groans at the expected reaction, while Fluttershy only shrinks further back.

Pinkie, apparently missing the point entirely, leans down and taps his torso. “You’re pregnant?”

Startled by the question, the cyborg makes a sound that is a mix between gagging and coughing. “N-No! Do I look like I can give birth?”

“You look like a lot of things,” Applejack remarks with a chuckle.

Grumbling to himself about pregnancy, Deadbolt frowns in consternation. “Anyways, that’s all for me.”

Chain tilts his head at him. “You’re not going to tell them what it is?”

“I’m not allowed to show or talk about TIMBER other than its name unless in a situation of duress.” The larger cyborg shrugs.

“TIMBER?” Applejack raises an eyebrow. “Like the Timberwolves?”

“Just the same. That should tell you about its function.” Deadbolt nods.

“Then does that mean you were sent here to protect us?” Twilight asks with a slight tremor in her voice.

“From what?” The white unicorn now drops her tea in surprise.

“I am only intended to protect you if necessary. Not from anything in particular… yet.”

Chain fakes a coughing sound. “Same here, if you’ve forgotten about me.”

“So then why specifically Ponyville?” Rainbow Dash asks. “There are tons of other places you could go.”

“This place keeps us close to you girls,” Chain explains. “We are supposed to remain near the Elements of Harmony’s bearers. So if they should ever fail, we aren’t in another city completely unaware of the situation.”

“If we fail?” The Alicorn exclaims.

“And just what does that mean?” Rainbow shoves her face into Chain’s aggressively. “If we fail? We won’t fail!”

“It has almost happened before,” the cybernetic earth pony remarks. “Actually, it did.”

“Remember the Canterlot Wedding incident?” Chain adds, not reacting to the sudden invasion of personal space. “You know, when the Elements were kept sealed away and you were kept from getting to them? You kind of failed. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor saved the day then.” He taps the side of his head, recalling things. “There’s also the fact that, technically, you don’t even have the Elements themselves anymore, so the chance of you failing is a fair bit higher, even if still low. The two of us are essentially just backup suppORT.” His voice gets suddenly louder on the last syllable as a hoof taps the other side of his head a fair bit harder.

Pinkie giggles and does it again. “Hehe! This makes your voice go all funny!” She leans in front of him. “Say something!”

His eyes lock onto hers, and his voice comes out far more monotone and robotic than before. “...01010111 01101000 01100001 01110100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01101000 01100101 01101100 01101100 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01110100 01110010 01111001 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01100100 01101111 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01101101 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01110011 01110100 01110101 01110000 01101001 01100100 00100000 01100011 01101111 01110100 01110100 01101111 01101110 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 01100100 01111001 00100000 01101000 01101111 01110010 01110011 01100101.”

She blinks, actually dumbfounded. “...huh?”

“Oops, you broke him. Here, give me a second.” Deadbolt smacks the back of his friend’s head with a hoof, grinning. Like hell he’s broken… still fun to do this.

This garners a more comprehensible, but no less disturbing, message. “HOSTILE REACTION DETECTED. MANUAL SYSTEMS INCAPACITATED. AUTOMATIC RESPONSE SYSTEMS ACTIVATED.” He sits down, and a compartment on his chest opens up, a metal tube coming out. “DELTA LAUNCHER EXTENDED. LOCKING SYSTEMS INITIATED. YOU HAVE TEN SECONDS TO SURRENDER.”

“Dammit man, just stop!” The large cyborg smacks him yet again.

“TEN.” Chain turns to his companion, the tube turning to aim at him as well. “NINE.”

All six of the gathered mares back away quickly, shuddering and watching in fear. Except for Pinkie, who giggles and sits with a huge grin on her face.

Deadbolt sighs and grabs the smaller pegasus, dragging him outside. “Excuse us.” He slams the door unceremoniously.

“Th… that was...” Twilight begins, but gulps noisily, unable to continue.

“... so these guys are supposed to be our backup, right?” The rainbow-maned pegasus asks, looking around. “Some backup.”

“Yes, well… at least they are not total brutes,” Rarity chimes in.

Applejack rolls her eyes. “To be fair...” She motions to Pinkie.

The pink earth pony tilts her head. “What’d I do?” The farmer responds by walking up and tapping her hoof against Pinkie’s head. “Ohhhhhh. ...oops?”

“Oops indeed, Pinkie.” The Element of Magic sighs and looks at the door. “I wonder what they’re doing...”