Manic awoke to the sound of something crashing from outside her room. Jolting up and scrambling over a bit of clutter on the floor, Manic took a few moments to catch her breath. Shaking away the pounding headache of a nights work, the filly groaned and groggily stood up. She looked over to Aurora, who appeared to be unmoving. Taking a quiet moment, she heard what sounded like moving and whispers. They were faint, but there. The filly grabbed a wrench in her teeth and quietly crept up to her door. Bracing herself, she opened the door and hopped out, wrench at the ready.

Nothing. She looked around. Everything seemed to be where it was. However, her ears twitched at the sound of something moving to her side. As she turned to look, the door next to her room opened and out stepped the most prettiest of mares she has ever had the honor of working for. Spotlight Glitter daintily trotted out of the room and was adjusting her mane. She looked to be wearing a casual pre-war dress that was neatly primed and cleaned. Which was surprising considering that most pre-war outfits were technically beyond saving due to exposure to sun and stains.

Spotlight smiled when she saw the filly mechanic.

"Hello, little mechanic~!? she cooed. Manic rubbed the back of her mane, the star struck feeling hitting harder than the coffee she had last night. Playing it cool, she leaned against the wall and spat the wrench out.

"Spotlight! Did you need something?" she asked. Spotlight giggled and looked back to the room with a coy smile.

"I've already gotten what I've wanted and a few more." The mare stretched almost in a cat like stance. "In any case, I've been meaning to ask you." Manic tried her best not to fan-girl. "How would you like to be the opening speaker for my show?" Manic stared gapingly. Her words stuttered.

"M-m-me? Sp-speak for you? Oh, I p-possibly couldn't!" she said, shrinking back into the wall. Spotlight cocked her head.

"Are you sure? I'll even mention about your work. You've already gotten Aretilla officials coming to you for work. It'll be great advertisement for both of us!" she said, clopping her hooves together. "Aaaaand, you'll even get to be the one to design my stage!" Manic was dumb founded.

"D-d-design the stage? B-but I thought White already had that handled?" Spotlight hummed with a smile.

"He's a little bit out of commission and hadn't had time to think about it. Mainly my fault. But I feel that if you were to design it, it'll be the best performance I could have ever dreamed of!" Manic looked at her, studying the pretty mare's intent. It didn't sound like a set up. And how can she resist one of her idols? Manic beamed and nodded.

"Alright, I'll do it!" She blinked and rubbed her mane, smiling sheepishly. "Err... but do give me a bit of time. I'm almost finished with my work and fixing my brother's record table." Spotlight giggled in response. As she did, the door behind her opened and out came a disheveled White Light. He had a look that told the filly something magical had happened to him. Spotlight brushed her tail under his chin and smirked slyly at him.

"Hey babe. Already rested?" White Light seemed to follow the movement of her tail as it brushed under him. White Light only nodded, his smitten look telling her otherwise. Spotlight leaned against him. "Then perhaps you would be so kind as to do a little bit of shopping with me?" Manic watched, seeing Spotlight manipulate her brother's disadvantaged state. It worked. "Perfect! There is this cute dress that I think would look great with the crystal Manic gave me. Would you kindly be a dear?" White Light shivered happily.

"S-sure thing." He sighed. Spotlight pecked his cheek and trotted past Manic.

"I'll stop by later and check up on the design. I can't wait to see what you have come up with little mechanic~!" And with that, the mare trotted down the steps. Hearing the door to the house slide open and close, Manic turned to the still smitten pony. She frowned.

"I take it you didn't really do shopping yesterday?" Manic asked.

"Isn't she incredible?" White said with a sigh of happiness. He then suddenly snapped out of his smitten state and looked at the filly. "Oh what? No, I did." He said, sliding a hoof through his disheveled mane. Despite his efforts in trying to fix it, the mane remained a total mess. Manic arched a skeptical brow.

"Oh really? Then how come the fridge is still short on supply?" she asked. White furrowed his brows.

"Huh, guess we drank all that ale than I had anticipated." He said. Manic shook her head with a disapproving sigh.

"Look, just do what you want. But if it gets in the way of my work, I'll make sure that everything in your room is set to go off if you make even a squeak." The filly entered into her room and threw on her saddle bags. White peered in.

"Where are you going? Out on another ruin exploration?" Manic shook her head.

"Picking up the slack my brother clearly can't do unless told by Spotlight." White frowned.

"If I wanted a Harsh Whinny, I would definitely turn to you." Manic ignored him and looked over to the sleeping android head. Tapping Aurora, the android found her systems rebooting. When they did, she spurred awake and blinked once.

"Morning." She said, registering a yawn. Manic arched a brow.

"Yawning? You're not even a whole robot." Aurora puffed her cheek out.

"My model and make is meant to resemble pony behavior." She pouted. Manic groaned and rubbed her muzzle.

"Alright, alright!" Manic grabbed the android's head and clipped it to her utility belt.

"Where are we going?" Aurora asked as the filly trotted out of her room.

"Shopping." She said. "But first, I need to check on those two." White furrowed his brows again.

"Manic." He said. Manic flicked an ear, signaling that she was listening but didn't want to turn and look at him. "You have ponies contained again, don't you?" Manic now turned and gave him her best innocent smile.

"Moi? You know I don't do that anymore." Aurora wasn't sure if her systems were glitched or not, but she could have sworn a halo had suddenly appeared above the filly. White sighed.

"Just... don't get too carried away." Aurora watched as the exchange suddenly turned a grim dark mood. Manic's expression was darkened by her mane.

"Just mind your own business." she said coldly. White frowned.

"You know I'm just trying to-." Manic looked over her shoulder, her face branding anger and annoyance.

"Just shut up!" Manic suddenly bolted into a gallop down the stairs.

"Manic! Manic!!" White called out. Aurora bounced against the filly's side as they made their way out the back and the filly slowed her movement.

"Asshole." She whispered under her breath. Heading towards the garage, she descended the steps and entering the room, the lights turned on. What she wasn't expecting, however, was the two ponies suddenly on their hind hooves. One of the hind hooves was crossed over the other and one foreleg was leveled evenly with their stomach and the other was high over their head. It was bizzare to see the pegasus in the stance. The zebra, however, seemed natural for the filly.

"What the hell are you two doing?" she asked. As she did, the two seemed to read each other and change stance in a slow meditated manner.

"We are looking upon our minds. Focusing on our chakra and channeling it throughout our body." Zelori said, her eyes still closed in calm thought.

"Basically. Meditating." Candlejack summed it up, his expression calm. Manic snorted in annoyance.

"No kidding. How are you even able to stand on your hind hooves?" she asked. Aurora chimed in.

"They've practiced Zebra Shaolin. It requires a lot of balance, endurance and focus. It isn't a traditional martial art as it was created during a time of war." Zelori seemed to nod to this.

"My ancestors practiced the art along with their heritage. While not the preferred method for zebra, it has proven to be one that we had accepted in our sirkel van kennis." Manic rubbed her chin.

"Sirkel van kennis? What's this zebra mumbo jumbo? I've never heard of a sirkel van kennis." Zelori and Candlejack changed stances.

"Gaia is mother earth. We live off of her and respect her in her return for the gifts she gives us. Through Gaia, we are given knowledge that we accept into a circle. One that we pass down to generations. It is tradition from my homeland." Manic smirked.

"If I didn't know better, I would have thought you were a part of the clans. But clearly, using the style means you are a black sheep." Zelori now opened her eyes and looked at the filly all the while changing stances.

"I do not belong to a clan. Any clans that my ancestors had derived from are with Gaia or separated beyond the point of isolation. I would not be surprised if zebra heritage was scattered throughout Equestria." Manic yawned.

"More than you would think." She said as she stretched. Zelori wasn't showing it, but her curiosity on the other clans definitely has been bugging her.

"Other clans... does that mean that there are more zebra living above ground? I wonder what they practice now?" Disbanding the thought, Zelori changed stances. Manic sighed and tapped on her hoof panel. The same slender arm came down and materialized breakfast. Hot cakes with butter and syrup. The smell was tantalizing that Candlejack licked his lips and sat back down on his haunches. Zelori remained in her stance.

"Well, I'll be out for a bit. I'll be back later to check up on you two. Manic said.

"Just a moment." Zelori spoke. Manic looked at the zebra mare as she exhaled and sat down on her haunches. "You've said that as long as we prove we aren't a threat that you would let us go. I was wondering if you had anything in mind that can show you?" Manic rubbed her chin.

She hadn't really thought about it. Being busy with other things made it difficult to keep track of what and what not to do. Of course, she remembers saying to the two that unless proven otherwise, they will remain a threat. An idea had struck her.

"As a matter of fact, I do." She turned to the terminal and pressed a few buttons. Candlejack raised his head from stuffing his face full of hot cakes that he didn't notice the arm coming down from above him. The two suddenly had a collar collapsed around their necks and the side wall dispensed a jump suite. "You two are going to prove yourselves that you aren't a threat. That collar around your neck is an arcanotech shock collar. It is connected to read your actions and thoughts. If you do anything that has hostile intent, the magic inside it will dispense electricity that will practically fry your insides. I call it, the Dog Collar. As long as you remain passive and doing your job, then you shouldn't worry about your insides being electrocuted."

Candlejack brushed the collar and frowned.

"So... what exactly do you mean 'no hostile intent'?" he asked. Manic frowned.

"It should be pretty obvious, but to dumb it down for the idiot, just don't do anything stupid and you will live." Candlejack smirked, as if he had come to a brilliant idea while sliding into the jumpsuit.

"Ah, okay. So don't be a Brilliant Mane. Easy." He said. Zelori rolled her eyes at this while the filly arched a brow, mouthing the name "Brilliant Mane?" under her breath. Candlejack then looked at Aurora, who was clearly lost in thought and was remaining silent. "Hey, Aurora." The android blinked out of her thoughts and glanced his way. "When you get the chance, think you can do a bit of snooping around town?" Aurora looked at him stoically.

"The best I can do is scan with my optics. I'm incapable, at the moment, of free movement." Candlejack rubbed his chin in thought.

"Hey Maniac."

"Manic." The filly retorted.

"Do you think maybe you can get our android's body fixed and all? With her to help with the work, we can probably show you that we are more than capable of no hostile intent." Manic frowned.

"Yehuh, good luck pal. I don't trust the android as much as I trust your poor judgement. I'm just bringing her along for some insight on a few things." The filly then rubbed her chin in thought. "Hmm... on second thought... maybe it would be a good idea to have another maid to keep the place clean." Aurora blinked in confusion.

"Maid?" she asked. Manic smiled.

"Well, since you 'accidentally' shot my previous one. I figure you can take his place and clean up the house. No harm, no foul. I already got rid of the luradiation and already looked through all your -ahem- 'personal entertainment' files and programs." Aurora turned a touch of pink. "This is great! Not only do you get to pay up for the damages, I get to have an actual servant android! Today must be a great day" Candlejack arched a brow.

"I take it something good happened this morning?" he asked. He could recall back when he and Zelori would wake up in New Equestria and there will be some days where something good would come their way and it would always be a good day all the way through. Lately, that hasn't been the case for them. But a pony can dream, can't he? Manic played it cool and dismissed the comment with a wave of her hoof.

"Pssh, please. All my days are pretty good." She said. Aurora replied to the comment with a skeptical brow. The filly ignored it and trotted over to the exit. As she did, the containment barrier hummed in a descent and the two walked out of it. Candlejack stretched almost like a cat with his wings outstretched. "Now then. You are going to do a little backyard clean up. I've been meaning to get Clockwork to do it, but I've just been so busy that I hadn't ordered him to do it." Leading the two out of the garage and into the open backyard with clutter everywhere, the two had to shield their eyes as the bright sun had just finished climbing over the horizon.

Manic turned to them. "So, what I want you two to do is basically organize the clutter. I want one pile where junk is and the other with anything valuable that I can sell. And remember," she motioned to the broken fence that marked the perimeter of the yard. "You leave or do anything hostile, those collars will ensure you don't walk out of here at all. Ciao!" Manic then turned and trotted out of the side gate and closed it, tossing a smug look over to them before disappearing around the corner. The two siblings exchanged glances and looked at the massive piles of junk and clutter covering most of the yard.

"How in the hell did they manage this?" Candlejack asked.

Manic trotted down a hill. Aurora was surprised to see how far out the filly was. Practically, they were the little lone house up on the hill. The rest of the filly's town laid before her as a suburb. Aurora tried her best to get most out of the view. The houses were neatly lined side by side, following the road. However, she noticed that the houses were transformed into something similar to that out of a 1950's movie. How odd that a place living in today could resemble how ponies back then lived.

What surprised her even more was the signs and billboards that advertised shops, clubs and other places that sold strange pieces and parts that Aurora had never seen before. Classy with a bit of alien technology. Nothing wrong with that, she guessed. But it still piqued her curiosity. The suburb continued to trail the road as they went further in. And as they did, the houses seemed to be expanded into workshops, complexes and motels. But what even struck her as curious was one shop that seemed to be designed around Neighponese culture. A little antique shop that displayed samurai and shogun Equin armor. Hoof brushed paintings with their strange symbols and letterings. And most importantly, the store next to it appeared to be an arcade with similar Neighponese style.

A banner over the store read:

The New Particle Mare Game on sale now for 400blts. Now for home consoles and terminals.

In fact, Aurora was even more surprised to see that this was the first stop Manic arrived at. Entering the arcade, the light blue and neon pink glows of the signs and machines chimed colorfully in her ears. Manic headed down the ramp, past a life size statue of a confident looking android mare in blue skin tight attire. Her foreleg extended to show a cannon aimed ahead and a small robo canine companion at her hooves.

The filly turned and passed the area where Aurora could see to be the arcade area. She saw young adolescents tapping away at the buttons on the many machines that lined the walls. There even appeared to be a competitive scene further in as she heard the cheering shouts and jeers of ponies. Manic, however, ignored the festivities and went further in. Reaching a doorway that had a plaque over head, Aurora saw similar Neighponese writing. By her guess, it must have been a library.

Shelves lined in rows after rows of books and comics. The few ponies that were in here were glancing over the selections, picking them out and flipping through them before putting them back and going on to the next. There was one corner where a meek little mare in belts and buckles sat in a corner, reading a comic that looked like it was in the form of a book.

"What is this place?" Aurora asked. Manic beamed.

"Paradise!" she exclaimed. "The best thing to ever happen in our lives." Aurora was confused by the sudden enthusiasm. The filly took a few moments and browsed the selection of books. Finding one she thought interesting, she pulled it down and began reading it. Aurora noticed her reading the story in reverse.

"Aren't you supposed to be reading left to right?" she asked. Manic laughed a little loudly than she should have.

"Oh nonono. My dear uncultured android, these type of 'books' don't work that way." The filly pulled one of them and began glancing through it. Aurora could make out pictures with dialogue bubbles. Based on the amount of dialogue she saw, it seemed to be about a young mare who was given a strange outfit that came to life with her blood and transformed her into a badass with a pair of blades that were strangely similar to everyday utensils.

While the logic behind it was farfetched, the android couldn't help but feel that the idea wasn't as bad as it sounded. The filly, however, snorted in disgust and placed it back.

"The novel was better than the anime anyway." She said. Aurora blinked.

"What's an anime?" she asked. Manic unclipped the android and held her up to see the mass collection of the books.

"You really need to get out more." She said. Aurora puffed her cheek slightly.

"I would if I had my body. And I do get out." Manic smirked.

"Because exploring ruins for erotic novels is a healthy hobby." Aurora turned a cherry red in response.

"I-I don't only go for those! I find other things!" she protested. Manic raised a skeptical brow.

"Look, I'm not judging you on your kink. In fact, I think they have an aisle where they have 'the good stuff' with them." Aurora looked at the filly worriedly.

"The good stuff?" she said slowly, uncertain about the intention. The filly trotted over to another aisle. One that was labeled for eighteen and up. Manic browsed the shelves and beamed.

"Oh, if you think 50 Shades of Metal was a classic. Then you have got to read the Clocktower Society." She said. She pulled out a book and already, Aurora was losing her white sleek color in return for red at just the cover. It showed a mare laying on a red velvet heart shaped bed on her belly, wearing black leather and buckles as she blushed happily with an ecstasy stare at the stallion in a colorful mask that was bent over her and clasping the mare's neck. The title above the two intimate ponies read:

Sun Priest and the Dainty Flower

Manic smirked slyly as the reaction from the android made her pull out a couple more. The book was the same title, had the same two ponies, but as the volumes were pulled out, she saw that the roster of the dom's slaves grew. A griffon, zebra, unicorn, pegasus, thestral. Manic looked around the area and placed the android down in a corner. She opened the first volume and placed it down on the floor in front of the android.

"W-what is going on!? What are you doing?!" she stated in protest. Manic waved to her.

"I have to go talk with the clerk about a new volume of The Courier's Tears." She sighed. "A severely underrated manga that should definitely have more spotlight." The filly suddenly had a tear escape her and she sniffed. "Oh, my little Tagami. You will find your sister! You just have to be strong... be strong!" Aurora sputtered as the filly walked away sniffling.

"W-wait! Don't just leave me here! What am I... supposed... to do...?" She slowly faltered and looked at the magazine in front of her. She bit her lip. The shame was just too much. And not only does a filly know about her interests, she wasn't sure if she should just play it off and turn around to face the corner. 'But... that mare seemed like she was having a lot of fun...' Aurora bit her lip even more, the thought struggling on her mind. She looked left. Then right. Giving into the curiosity, the android scooted closer and turned the page with her muzzle.

She was transfixed and shocked as her color turned from red to a dark crimson. The first scene already was "The good stuff". And it got better as she went on.

Candlejack wiped a sweat from his brow. Wasting no time in getting started to prove to a filly, the siblings made quick work of one of the piles. Being in the junkyard for almost their entire lives, the keen eyes of both picked out valuable metal and scrap compared to junk and garbage. Candlejack stood on top of a pile, peering over to see the endless vast distance of sand.

"Is above ground really all barren?" he asked to his sister, who was down below at a different pile and tugging away at a bit of metal. Breaking the piece free, the zebra tossed it to the side and continued digging in. Thankfully, the jumpsuits had protection for their flacks against the partially smoldering heated metal.

"We have only seen ruins that looked unappealing to the denizens." Zelori said as she picked up a statuette of a lavender unicorn pony and examined it. "I'm more curious as to what information we can gather before moving on." Candlejack sat down, using his tail to best protect his rear end from the heated metal.

"Kind of hard to do that when you are being held at the neck by a filly." He brushed the collar. "You hardly see these types of things in New Equestria." This was true. While most of the underground runs on solarium and lunarium constructs, these were made entirely out of luridium with a hint of unicorn arcane magic. They weren't strangers to these types of magical devices either. The collars reminded them all too much of a certain expedition that quickly got out of hoof. A bunker that seemed to be catered to only unicorns made it extremely difficult to get anywhere! And since they only had one pony who was a unicorn on their team, they had only managed to make it in as far as the lobby before half the team had set off rune traps and strange archaic floating gem like creatures they had dubbed "Fireflies" due to them shooting out streams of arcane fire. Candlejack had to be treated with most of their personal gels and stims.

Zelori was the lucky one out of the bunch. To have made it out with hardly any scratches proved just how reliable of a partner in crime she was. It almost made Candlejack have a twinge of envy. He couldn't say the same for the rest of the team. Once again, they were the only two to have made it out alive. The unicorn apparently had been caught in a surge of magic that it caused him to suddenly vanish into thin air. With no way back into the bunker with any idea of magic and unicorns being in scarce supply underground, the whole expedition was considered “abandoned” and left to rot.

The thought brought back a sudden hatred to the pegasus all of a sudden. The very same pony that ordered the expedition in the first place. Zelori noticed the look and sighed.

"Jack. Is there something bothering you about Brilliant Mane entirely?” she asked. The pegasus looked to her and blinked in confusion, realizing that the zebra had already tore down the pile and organized it with unusual neatness. He rubbed the back of his mane.

"Just the usual shtick of seething hatred for the guy. Nothing much of importance." He said, causally playing with a small piece of metal. Zelori furrowed her brows and motioned to the pile.

"Then if it is nothing important, we have a filly to impress." Candlejack sighed and nodded. The thought of being leashed by a filly was just downright confusing as it was humiliating.

'Oh hey, you must be new in town. What's that? A strangely sadistic filly put death collars on you and now you can't go anywhere unless you prove otherwise? How sad. Enjoy your stay!'

Candlejack nonchalantly kicked away what he assumed was just a piece of sheet metal. However, he wasn't expecting for the whole pile to suddenly give way under him. With a surprised yelp and a loud crash, Zelori immediately turned around, brandishing what appeared to be thin but long pipe in the form of a staff. Candlejack shook away the little selves and looked to see himself tangled in a bit of metal fencing. Zelori trotted over to him, the pipe resting on her shoulder as she stared in awe.

"By Gaia's grace..." she muttered. Candlejack arched a brow and looked over to where she was gazing. He couldn't quite make heads or tails of what they were looking at. It was a small metal cage. It was bent and rustic beyond repair. But that wasn’t what appeared to be the shocking part to her. Candlejack noticed a broken and splintered table. But it was clear as to what was etched into the wood.

"What exactly is so scary about a symbol?" Candlejack asked her. Zelori wavered a bit before casually helping Candlejack out of the entanglement.

"My ancestors believe in Gaia and all its' gifts that she gives us. In return, we respect it." Candlejack nodded.

"Riiight? You said this already?" Zelori returned the nod.

"My ancestors practice the respect for Gaia. And back during a time of when everything was equal, there were times where some things we had to touch only if we were left with no other choice. A forbidden voodoo art that were thought long since unpracticed during the time of the three nations combining." Candlejack frowned and rolled his hooves casually.

"Alright? And?" Zelori frowned and put her hooves on his shoulders.

"Jack, this is something I will only tell you once. If I speak anymore of this, I will be damned forever by Gaia herself." Candlejack furrowed his brows. He knew Zelori was always uptight when it came to ancient traditions by her ancestors. But suddenly freaking out about a strange symbol did have him partially intrigued. Candlejack put a reassuring hoof on his sister's.

"You made it this far. Don't let it stop you now." He smirked. Zelori bit her lip and struggled with a thought. Coming to a conclusion, she finally spoke.

"This form of voodoo is one of dark magic. Evil incantations and forbidden dances to wake the spirits of the dead. A practice that involved living beings to stir the deceased. In more modern terms, it is called necromancy." Candlejack rubbed his chin with his free hoof, the other being still restrained by a fence.

"Necromancy?" Zelori nodded.

"It is a term that even the most knowledgeable and creditable voodoos, witchdoctors and unicorns explore. Outlawed entirely, the use of such a thing is death itself." Zelori turned to the table. "Using this magic means you are willing to give up your soul in exchange for playing with death and his entourage. However, failing to take the necessary precaution of protection of your own soul, the art has dire consequences for the one performing it." She looked solemnly and made a motion of a zebra prayer Candlejack had seen her do many a times before an expedition. The pegasus then had a thought.

"Do you think maybe some time ago, this filly practiced it?" he asked. Zelori gave a worried look.

"A filly is not capable of doing such. Unless they are touched by an object encased in dark magic or have received the kiss of death in a premonition, a child using such magic is an instantaneous loss of their soul. Death will just collect it and put it on his shelf for other unfortunate souls to play with." Candlejack frowned.

"Perhaps we need to gather information on our captor first before anything else. If this filly has somehow managed to use necromancy, and if you say it is as bad as it sounds, then perhaps this filly is entirely the maniac I made her out to be." Zelori sighed and suddenly looked exhausted.

"I wonder if that android has been faring better." She said.

Manic returned from the counter with a few bought ramune and noticed that the android's head in the corner was suddenly piled up next to with mangas. Seeing the vast amount instead of the ones she picked out, she was curious as to how the android managed it.

"How long have you've been reading those?" she asked, a little hint of worry on her expression.

"It has only been ten minutes and already I have memorized at least four hundred thousand, six hundred and seventy five pages worth of this 'manga' as you refer to the term." Aurora responded, her eyes spastically darting through the page before a quick motion of her muzzle turned said page. Manic arched a brow. Reading quick glimpses of the titles, the android had apparently already finished the BDSM manga and few more eroge before the titles began drifting into romance and action mangas. The filly was mildly impressed with the android's taste in "love and war" esque stories.

Which lead to her next question.

"How in the hell did you pull all these books? I only picked out a few and already they are buried under a pile of smut and lemons." Aurora continued to scan the pages, turning it with a flick of her muzzle.

"The assistance of those around me proved to be fruitful. In exchange, I provided them with some intel on their favorite pop idols and topics of interest in their lives." Manic blinked once.

"So... you just counseled bribed young minds for free info in exchange for more leather and straps?" Aurora finished the book she was on and closed it, using her teeth to grab the book and move it aside before moving on to the next one.

"In more methodical terms. Yes." Manic sighed.

"Alright, come on. I think you damaged enough minds already." She said as she picked up the android. The android suddenly registered shock and surprise.

"W-wait! Can I just read the last part? I need to find out what happens to Charlie and his ties to the dragon botherhood! The princess is in dire need of his help and-!" Manic clipped the android to her utility belt.

"No. We are going to do the rest of the shopping." She said with a stern glare. As the filly turned from the piled mess, the android bit her lip, hastily making a desperate attempt at a bribe. When a thought came to mind, she stated:

"P-perhaps I can tell you more info about Spotlight! Did you know that she is currently looking for ponies to aid her in traveling? She wants to do a tour and she is willing to find somepony to design her stages! She is even dating a DJ who is going to be hosting a rave party in a few days!" Manic snorted.

"Oh really? Tell me. What else does my brother's mare-friend have to offer that she didn't already offer me?" Aurora balked.

"W-wait... the DJ is your brother!!?" The android had several ponies hissing at her. They were still technically in a library. Manic trotted casually out of the store and adjusted her saddle bags, pulling out a strangely formed glass bottle with a blue round tip. Peeling off the wrap with her teeth and spitting to the side, she took a white cap and poked out the center piece with her tongue. Swishing her mouth around, she spat out the outer cap and went to apply pressure to the top. A loud pop and a small hiss of escaping carbonation reached her ears and she took a quick swig.

"More importantly, did you know that they have been dating for over two years now? They have done plenty of duo performances in that time. Oh, aaand they were voted in 'Wasteland's Time' as the most likely to succeed couple." Aurora watched as the "paradise" became smaller and smaller. Registering a sad expression, the android quickly fell silent and watched the passing ponies and shops.

She was amazed that every house here had been modified in someway. And not only did she notice the extensive housing. She noticed that a majority of this place’s denizens were no more in their late teens and early twenties. This irked Aurora for some reason.

"Where is everypony's parents?" she asked. Manic hummed in thought as she took another quick swig.

"That is a question we get asked often. Frankly, we could care less." Aurora eyed the filly. Manic sighed. "Alright, miss curious-about-death-ruins. If you really want to know why a majority of us are kids, then I should at least shop and talk." Aurora waited for the filly. During the time she had explained, they had reached five stores and walked away with groceries and personal wants. The filly told her that long ago, their society started as a group of late night gatherings.

Most of the ponies derived from the outskirts of Detrot, and in some cases from Detrot themselves, that would gather together. The previous gathering practiced going over the Goddesse's Rites and other incremental "drink the mysterious liquid that may or may not be poison." Being in a cult back then was indeed a popular subject with the minors. Eventually, the cult society developed into a small community, teens, foals, couples and in some cases, adults; would gather together and preform chants and religious statements to the late princesses centuries back.

"If you ever wondered into town and noticed most ponies bringing up the goddesses, that is usually the norm. The cult leader was obsessed with the powers of the goddesses and their beliefs in a peaceful equestrian world that he deemed it a necessity to bring in the young and naive into the circle and speak the voices of the sun and moon goddesses." Manic said as she took another swig.

"So... you are a community of religious cultists?" Aurora asked.

"Were. I was just a foal born into this goddess damned world when the cult was disbanded. Now the community they had built became a safe haven for the adolescent and immature. Of course, even though most ponies know about our 'society', we are still friendly enough to do businesses." She snorted in disgust. "But of course, ponies with dark histories are always going to be looked down upon. The only reason we haven't died out is because of traveling samaritans and traders." Aurora hummed in thought.

"But... even that can’t be enough to sustain this place. I mean, I understand running on power with gems and luridium. But how are you able to keep it all going?” Manic smirked slightly.

"Easy. When you are the town's only prodigy mechanic, business gets interesting." She slumped a little. "And not to mention tiring as well." Aurora balked.

"Wait... you have been keeping this place up and running!?" she asked. Manic shook her head.

"I've only contributed a small amount. Aretilla are the ones that were kind enough to provide protection and enough supply for us. So long as I and a few other bright minds here provide certain entertainment and necessities to Aretilla." She smirked. "Consider us a small form of Akihabara. In Equin, of course." Aurora's pique interest nipped at her again.

'A society of post-cultists is now a small pinnacle of Aretilla's entertainment? But wait..." Aurora glanced up at the filly. "What about the cult? If they truly disbanded, surely there must be at least some ponies that still follow it." Aurora noticed her comment striking a strange reaction out of the filly. But as quickly as it appeared, the reaction was gone and replaced with a small smile.

"Who says we still don't? Sure, the cult may be disbanded, but that's what the radio show run by Record Scratch is for. He doesn't call us 'Apostles' for nothing." Manic took another swig, emptying the last of the sugar carbon soda and tossed it aside, leaving the bottle to spend a few hundred years to melt into the sand. She continued: "Equestria's religion was mainly princesses that raised the sun and moon. And of course, they were also the demographic point of politics and such. Now the Aretilla is pretty much a metropolis dedicated to the old ways, making sure that ponies don't forget their origins." Aurora was baffled.

This community of adolescents was just a small fraction of keeping Equestria alive. And to think that her father belonged to the expedition that basically made it a habitable place. Seeing as the filly appeared to be just window shopping at this point, the android finally spoke up about her problem.

"Err... I hope this doesn't come off as rude. But I was wondering..." she started. Manic flicked an ear to tell her that she was listening while her gaze wandered to the nearby shops. "Do you think... maybe you can get rid of a few programs I have on me?" Manic blinked once.

"Programs?" she asked. Aurora tried her best to nod.

"Well... one in particular." She turned a bright pink. "There is this program that I've had ever since I can remember. It has this annoying tendency to activate in... 'circumstances' that alter my way of speaking and actions." Manic rubbed her chin. Her look told the android she knew what she was talking about.

"That prototype breeding program, right?" Aurora said nothing but bowed her head in shame. Manic chuckled. "Well, I have to make sure it won't bug you out. But yeah, I can." Aurora registered a hopeful look. "Under one condition." The look changed to worry. "You let me install a few other programs that could prove beneficial to both parties. Aurora cocked a brow.

"Beneficial?" The filly nodded.

"You want that basic program gone, no biggie. In return, there are a few programs I want to install that will allow me to have access to a few... let's say 'opportunities' that most ponies don't get the luxury for." Aurora bit her lip. The thought struggling on her mind processor.

'On one hoof, I let a filly prod into my own systems and install some possible damaging programs that could potentially bug me out for the rest of my life. On the other, I can avoid all those possible damages but have to deal with that damn program.' Aurora sighed. 'It's not like I have lived with it for as long as I can remember. But it gets tiring eventually. I want to see the world for my own choices.' The filly waited for the android to finish her struggling thoughts before finally speaking.

"Alright. I'll let you install some programs. But please... make sure that it doesn't have any possible damaging side effects." Manic shrugged.

"I'm no programmer. But I know someone who you can talk too to relieve your worries. I can guarantee that you will be fine with these programs. After all... I do need another maid." Aurora saw a mischievous smile spread widely across the filly's face.

'Oh boy...' she thought.

Candlejack was partially amused by his sister. The more they dug through piles, the more artifacts that were onced used in necromancy they found. It got to the point where Zelori left the rest of the work to Candlejack while she sat in a crisscross, held her hooves onto her knees and began chanting strange words in zebra. Of course, Candlejack paid no mind as this usually happens when Zelori couldn't handle the stress and takes a moment to gather her thoughts. But having to be the only one to move the stuff used for necromancy into the junk pile, he couldn't help but feel that she may have been taking it a little too overboard.

"You know, from the looks of it, these things haven't been used in years. I doubt whatever 'dark energy' used before is around anymore. You said it yourself. Messing with these things need extra precaution." Candlejack waited for Zelori to say something. But the constant muttering of the chant increased in volume as if she was purposefully trying to drown out any thoughts on dark magic. 'Geez, in a world where technology is run by magic, it shouldn't be an issue.' The stallion thought. While scientific facts state about the common properties of the three main crystal gems that use to power and balance out every technological advancement, the solarium and lunarium materials were bestowed upon them through the power of Celestia and Luna while luridium was a crystal discovered to have malleable properties, including magic. Candlejack sighed and went to break down the table, placing his forelegs on it and rearing back before crushing down on it.

With a loud satisfying wooden crack, the table crumbled. However, when Candlejack stepped back to admire his work, he couldn't help but twitch his ears at the sounds of an escaping whisper. Zelori shivered and opened her eyes.

"Jack. Are you finished with the table?" she asked. Candlejack nodded.

"More or less. It would have helped if somepony actually gave a hoof here."

"I will not come into contact with Samedi himself." Candlejack felt a small twinge of annoyance reach him.

"Then at least help me break it down! You hate this shit, so why don't you just destroy it?" he asked. Zelori sighed and rubbed her temples.

"You cannot destroy dark magic. Only disperse it. My mother told me that items blessed with Samedi's touch cannot be so easily erased." Candlejack's annoyance grew a little. With a slight twist of the splintered wood, the table broke more, creating more whispers reaching his ears.

"Perhaps you should just go back to your chanting. I'll take care of the rest by myself." He growled. Zelori did just that. Turning back around, she continued on with her chanting. 'Dammit. I hate it when she does this... huh, what's this?' Candlejack spotted a strange book locked under metal and debris. Shifting them aside, he pulled it out and examined it. A dark leather book. No graphic cover art or anything made it stand out. No, that isn't what made it stand out. It was the fact that in high temperatures, the book hadn't even the slightest hint of a burn mark.

Candlejack brushed the cover, feeling the strange texture of the leather. He flipped open the book and turned to no page in particular. He rubbed his mane, trying to make sense of the strange notes and scribbles that were immediately dominate than the book's actual writing.

"More blood required for the ritual... Have to find a way to get buffalo hide... Skin a griffon of his beak and talons?" Candlejack turned a page and saw one page covered in entire scribbles.

I cannot seem to convince the griffon traveler to sell me some of his hide that he had smuggled. It is entirely necessary if I am to bring her back. Tonight, I am going to take what I can and continue the ritual. Long may be the black nights of my days, I will not rest until I am embraced in her light again.

Candlejack moved down the page:

Just a quick mental note. DO NOT try and convince the zebra antique dealer. That damned stripe nearly kicked my head in. I guess I am going to have to take what I can tonight. And this time, I will not do it alone.

Candlejack's ears suddenly perked up. Despite reading the passages, he couldn't help but feel he was being watched. Zebra instinct kicked in almost immediately and he turned to look over his shoulder. What he wasn't expecting was to see a unicorn in a neon green and black electric styled mane looking at him from behind the fence. He looked over to see Zelori still chanting. The fence opened and the unicorn made his way over to him.

"Err... pardon me for interrupting. But I've been hearing this strange chanting back here and was wondering where it was coming from?" Candlejack studied the unicorn. He appeared to be no more than a couple years younger than him. But in response to the question, Candlejack looked over to his sister. The unicorn followed and arched a brow. "Is everything okay with her?

"Just a bit of PTSD ancestral nightmares. Who are you?" Candlejack stated in a matter-of-factly tone. The unicorn smiled.

"Oh, I'm sorry. The names White Light. I live in this house. I take it your my sister's contained 'pets'." He said with a small hoof wiggle. Candlejack arched a brow.

"That maniac is your sister?" he asked. White nodded.

"Yeah. Sorry if she's putting you through this. She has a tough time trusting ponies much." White rubbed his chin and studied Candlejack. "You're a pegasus, aren't you?" Candlejack opened on wing and smirked. White seemed a little surprised. "So, you really are from Sanctuary."

"Okay, what is it with everypony sounding like I'm a lost bird?" Candlejack asked, now turning to face the stallion. White rubbed his mane and gave a sheepish smile.

"S-sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. It's just that... pegasi don't usually go this far out." Candlejack snorted.

"At least you make it sound like you have met some. Why is that?" White looked the stallion over again before turning to Zelori. Her chanting had stopped and she had one eye opened and staring at the unicorn. White smiled.

"You guys must have been working hard out here. Come inside. I'll get you both something to drink, then we can talk." Candlejack looked over to Zelori, who returned the look back. He then smiled.

"Well, it's good to see somepony with some decency. Names Candlejack. That mageiachaliphobiac is Zelori." White chuckled.

"Well, let me be the first to say welcome to our quiet little town. It's not much, but we do get by." He then blinked once and raised a hoof at the collars. A small sly smile crossed his face. "Ah, she got you with the old 'exploding collar' bluff huh? She means well, I can promise you that." With a quick motion of his hoof, the collar seemed to come undone and drop to the floor. Candlejack couldn't help but seem a little disappointed. He was certain these were indeed archaic in design. White went over and undid Zelori's collar. "Come on. I'll get lunch started."

The two siblings couldn't help but ease their tension a little. While a surprise to see somepony trusting them without any idea what they are capable of, they were glad they can at least finally sit down and catch their breath. Now free of their binds, they have just got to get Aurora back together and they can be off on their merry way. Sliding the book under his wing, Candlejack and Zelori trotted after the unicorn, unaware of a pair of eyes watching them from inside one of the neatly stacked piles.

Author's Notes:

Excerpt from Equestria and You!

Following the advancement and discovery of the three materials used for everyday power, many companies have come to accept these new matters and create an economy around them. This involved major corporations to expand greatly and production to create more in mass. ArcaneoTech is one of these companies that decided to build inventions with science and magic combined. And while this appeared to have big impact, they were short lived after Zillex blew them away in stock and production costs

However, while they have become shadowed by the company, they continue to sell their products, in aid for those who cannot use advance technology or prefer to retain magical items and everyday utensils powered by them.