Grind 3.9: The Adventures of Golden Girl and Dr. Shot!
Amy
I slid into my seat and cracked my knuckles as I started up the laptop the PRT had loaned me. I sipped at my coffee as I glanced around my temporary room. It was small but that was fine. I did not need a lot or a lot of space.
I plugged in my flash drive and started to copy over some of my files, including my pride and joy; "The Adventures of Golden Girl and Dr. Shot." It was something of a guilty pleasure, in more ways than one. Carol would have scoffed if she knew I wrote fan fiction in my spare time. Never mind the fact that it was fan fiction based around a kids show about ponies, or that it was yuri. Not that the term would have meant anything to her. For more than a year this wandering serious of random adventures had been my escape from reality, or that the modest following the series had acquired was a constant boon to my self confidence.
But what should I do now? I had loosely based the leading characters off of Vicky and I. The earliest snips had all detailed Dr. Shot's troubled upbringing as an adopted unicorn in a family of pegasus,then onto Dr. Shot's infatuation with her adopted sister. But those had been the early days of my writing. Lately all my chapters had revolved around Dr. Shot's ever growing frustration with her sister's on again off again coltfriend, the charming but clueless Grey Knight, a strong unicorn who knew only a week magical blast spell and no other magic.
Perhaps it was time to take the story in a new direction, but not quickly. No, right now what the story required was a plot twist, and an open ending that would leave my audience wondering what would happen next.
Smirking I settled down into my chair and started to type.
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Golden Girl and Dr. Shot: The Love Bug Nest
Golden Girl and Dr. Shot strolled through the streets of Fillydalphia. Having only just returned home from their latest adventure to cure the poor ponies afflicted by the slobbering sniffles the sisters kept a sharp ear out for whispers of any new adventures to be had.
Or rather Dr. Shot kept an ear open while Golden Girl occupied the other. "I'm telling you Shot, adventures don't just fall into your lap from walking around town listening to people. If you want an adventure you have to go out looking for it." The white pegasus said as she tossed her golden mane.
"Oh is that so?" Dr. Shot responded in her most smug tone. "Then would you care to remind me how we found out about the golden horse shoes of General Blood Mane? Or how we learned about Sea Serpent Extravaganza we attended? Or how about,"
Dr. Shot's list of past adventures was cut off by her exasperated sister. "OK, I admit it we've found some adventures this way before, but I still say that adventures do not just fall into your hooves."
At that precise moment a small burst of purple smoke deposited a scroll onto the head of the hovering Golden Girl, it then bounced into the out held hooves of her bemused sister. "I don't know Goldy, I think you may be wrong about that." Dr. Shot said with a chuckle. Grumbling, Golden Girl landed beside her sister leaning in close to read the note. Mercifully for Dr. Shot her sister proved too interested in the letter to notice the blush creeping up her face.
My dear friend's Golden Girl and Dr. Shot, I have been given a mission by my teacher princess Celestia. This mission is of the utmost importance and requires swift action! Unfortunately the source of the problem is nowhere near Ponyville. It is much closer to your hometown of Fillydalphia. My friends and I will be on the next train headed your way but I fear we might arrive too late. Enclosed is a map that will guide you to the nest of the love bugs.
The love bug comes in two varieties, the red and the blue. The bite of the red love bug will cause the pony bitten to fall deeply in love with the first pony they see, while the blue bugs seek out only those who have been bitten before by one of their red counterparts, and their bite reverses the original effect. The orders of Princess Celestia are to destroy the reds and to try and capture as many blues as possible, to help treat previous and future victims of the reds.
My friends and I will join you as quickly as we are able, however the nest is expected to hatch soon and the bugs must be contained or destroyed before they have the chance to spread, please make haste.
I look forward to seeing you two again, your friend,
Twilight Sparkle
Golden Girl was the first to recover. "I don't believe this. An adventure actually fell right into our hooves."
Dr. Shot shook out her maroon mane, which was offset by her white coat. "It is rather convenient, maybe if we do a good job the princess will start sending us adventures like this directly."
"That would be amazing! OK, for a mission like this we could probably use some help, and we'll need food and water, and something to hold the blue bugs in!" Goldy exclaimed excitedly.
After a quick conversation Golden Girl set off to find her coltfriend, Grey Knight, while Dr. Shot headed back to their home to pack saddlebags for the trip.
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I leaned back in my chair, and sipped at my now significantly cooler cup of coffee. This was a good start, and I liked where it was going. Still I felt like it was missing something. More characters maybe? The series had always focused on Shot and Goldy. Sure Grey had come along and taken a leading role awhile back but really, given that the original cast made only semi frequent appearances in my series I really could do with a few more supporting characters.
It's not like anyone would fuss about adding OC's to a story focused on OC's, but I still needed a way to naturally integrate the new character or characters. Besides, I had a feeling the coming chapters would have less and less to do with Goldy. If that remained true I really would need those new supporting roles just to keep the story interesting.
Now what kind of characters should I bring in? Well, I could revive a few of the barely used characters that were Grey's friends, knights, guards, police ponies, and what have you. They would be good for filling in some of the dialogue but no more than one or two, otherwise it would get cluttered. Not to mention I did not want to bombard the readers with barely developed characters. Still though, I think I would need at least one entirely new character, someone that had no prior connections to any of my current cast, somepony to replace Goldy as Shot's love interest.
Well I had recently made a new friend, though I would have to tweak the personality, I wanted a character more along the lines of Rainbow Dash. Still the idea of one day presenting Taylor with my fan fic, and asking her if she and I could play it out sounded like fun. Unless of course I turned the character based off of her into Shot's new love interest… or any ones love interest… maybe I just wouldn't mention it.
Shaking my head I tried to refocus. I still needed a natural introduction for this new character. Who also needed a name, and some kind of theme, all ponies need a theme. Well, it is a yuri fan fic I suppose I could get away with something like tripping over each other's hooves or something, but that just felt lazy. Draining the last of my coffee I went back to my typing.
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As Dr. Shot made her way out towards the edge of town where she had agreed to meet with Golden Girl she was lost in thought about what exactly they were heading out to stop, and what they might mean for her.
If she could get her hooves on one of the red bugs she could force herself to fall for someone else. Then she could finally stop chasing her sister. A risky plan, and it would not guarantee her happiness but if it meant she could stop chasing after Goldy then it would be worth it. Besides if she got a blue as well then she could always undue the effect.
At the back of Shot's mind a tiny conspiratorial voice whispered to her, told her she could get one of the red bugs, it could 'accidently' bite her sister in a few weeks or months. Then she could have Goldy all to herself.
Dr. Shot shook her head wildly silencing the little voice of temptation. She was a good sister, and she would never do such a terrible thing. For all her internal protests and indignation she knew the idea would never leave her now. She resolved that she would simply have to stay strong and focus on the mission, and on getting herself a chance at new love.
As Shot came up on the group lead by her sister she was surprised to see two extra ponies she had not been expecting.
Golden Girl hovered a little above the street bouncing over the heads of the other members of the hastily organized group. Shot recognized the two unicorns as Grey Knight and his boss Spear Beard from the local police station.
The fifth member of the party was someone Shot had never seen before. The young filly was a pegasus, her coat a light blue and her mane white. She wore spiffy looking goggles with large circular lenses and a dark blue vest covered in large pockets. Her flank was adorned with a cutie mark of a closed book with a storm cloud on the cover. However what really made the filly stand out was her apparent nonchalance with the current situation. While Grey and Spear both seemed tense and anxious ,and Golden Girl seemed excited, this new filly appeared calm and unconcerned as she leaned against a nearby wall book in hoof.
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Wait a second, aloof calm attitude, book, some kind of head wear that covers eyes and a vest… Groaning I planted my face into my keyboard. This wasn't anything like Taylor, if anything I had just created a gender swapped, pony, Kakashi.
Shit, but I like this character design. And now that I'm thinking of her like a Kakashi insert I have a cool idea about how to use storm clouds to recreate the chidori attack… Son of a bitch, I had to do this now. It was just too interesting an idea to pass up on! Still if she had Kakashi's attitude I would get sick of her character before I finished writing this particular story. No, I would have to play with the personality a bit or this was going to end up being stupid. So, another reason why someone would be calmly reading a book before something important and dangerous was about to happen.
Alright maybe if she is just really new, and does not quite get what is going on, or that the situation is supposed to be serious. Yeah, that could work. Hmm I still needed a name though.
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Spear Beard cleared his throat prompting the filly to look up. Seeing Dr. Shot she quickly tucked away her book in one of her pockets. "Dr. Shot, I presume you have everything needed?" Spear Beard asked.
"Naturally." Replied Dr. Shot.
Spear Beard nodded. "When Golden Girl explained the mission the station decided to send my team and I. You are of course familiar with Grey Knight," Aforementioned colt waved cheerily, "and this is my latest student, Book Storm." Book Storm gave me a bright smile. "Pleasure to meat you, just call me Storm."
"Sure thing Storm. So, you all know what we are up against right?"
Spear Beard nodded. "Indeed."
Golden Girl chose that moment to break into the conversation. "Well alright then let's get going! Sis, toss me my bag!" Obliging Dr. Shot hovered Golden Girls saddle bag up onto her back, then the five set out down the road.
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Hmm not too bad I guess. As long as Storm did not act like a jerk this could probably work, though I knew I was going to catch some flak for it regardless.
I blindly reached out for my coffee cup as I quickly proofread the newly finished section of my story. Bringing the cup to my lips I was disgusted to find my cup empty. Sighing dejectedly I stood made my way out of the bedroom, and into the little kitchenette off to the side of the Wards ready room where I poured myself another cup of coffee.
Now should I skip straight to the nest or describe conversations along the way? I suppose if they are trying to get there quickly they would set a fast pace, and not waste the breath on talking. I thought as I wandered slowly back to my computer.
But no, I could not just jump straight to the confrontation with the bugs. No I had to introduce the audience to Storm first, give them some background on her, and what she is like. Not too much or there wouldn't be anything to develop latter on, but still I needed to give the audience something to show Storm was going to be more of a regular fixture than characters like Spear.
So how about after a long hard day of travel they break, and make camp for the night agreeing to take on the bugs in the morning? Nodding to myself I put down the coffee, and resumed writing once again.
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After a full day of running the ponies decided to stop, and rest for the night so they could be at our best when facing off against the bugs.
Spear beard took the opportunity to show off his latest magical contraption, a little box that unfolded into an entire camp site with enough tents for everypony.
After everypony had eaten something, Spear Beard who did not have a fun bone in his body went straight to bed. The remaining four ponies however stayed up to sit around the camp fire for a bit. Grey Knight and Golden Girl naturally took advantage of the situation to sit as close together as possible, and whisper sweet nothings into each other's ears.
Dr. Shot simply stared into the fire, doing her level best to ignore the couple, and the jealousy it stirred in her.
And perhaps the three ponies would have stayed like that until they chose to turn in, but they were each broken from their thoughts by the sound of a harmonica playing a melancholy tune. The song was sad, and sweet, and for some reason the ponies felt it called for a piano to accompany it. And so the two lovers, and the jealous sister found themselves distracted from their romantic contemplations, drawn out by Book Storm's unexpected music.
After a few minutes the pony tucked away her harmonica before lying back down and looking up at the stars.
"That was beautiful." Said Dr. Shot.
Book Storm smiled at the praise. "Thank you. I like to play, but something about a harmonica just doesn't sound right in a city like Fillydalphia. It fits better out here in the middle of nowhere." The three other ponies sitting around the fire all nodded their understanding.
"So you three do this a lot right? Go on adventures, save ponies, see strange things?" Book Storm asked.
"Of course," Golden Girl said, "Sis and I have been doing this sort of thing since we were little. We travel around, Shot heals ponies that are sick, and I keep her safe! But you can't really travel around without running into adventures. Somewhere along the line that just become part of what we do, heal, protect, and adventure." Golden Girl's voice carried the distinct feel of nostalgia as she thought back over their many exploits.
"Don't you two ever want to settle down, stay put and meet somepony special? Or even just unwind and de-stress with a good book?" asked Book Storm.
The sisters shared a look as they thought that question through. "Sometimes." said Dr. Shot. "But then what about you?"
Book Storm smiled. "I don't really know yet. There is a lot to be said for picking one place and working to keep it safe, but then there are a lot of threats you have to go out and meet head on, away from the ponies and places you care about so that they stay safe. Which one is more important? And which one will make me happier? I'll have to decide someday, but not quite yet."
With those big questions hanging over their heads everypony went off to bed.
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HA! I practically vibrated with excitement in my seat. Big questions like that would be sure to draw readers interest, not to mention the question that was not asked. Why does Storm feel she has to protect anyone at all?
I could leave that open ended, then draw it out over the course of multiple chapters. This was perfect for a few reasons. Most importantly it would give me enough time to invent a back story, less importantly it showed the readers that Storm was here to stay, and made them interested to learn more about her.
Unfortunately my excitement was being tempered by frustration. Next was the impending climax of the little adventure. A showing of tricks, a bit of tension, and then bam I'd be done. But the writing was starting to drag on. Every sentence came just a bit slower than the one before it. Still I'd come this far, might as well finish it.
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The nest as it turned out was a rather large hole in the ground. Filled to the brim with a nasty, goopy, disgusting blob of what could only be bug eggs.
"Sooooo this is it?" Asked Book Storm.
"Seems like it." Said Dr. Shot, as she floated a large clump of the eggs into the air, and started sorting out the blue goopy eggs from the red one's. She filled several jars with blue eggs before returning the remainder to their nest.
"Well we have the samples we needed now we need a way to destroy the rest."
"I got this!" Shouted Book Storm. "Golden Girl, help me find some clouds we need to make it rain on the eggs first!"
The two ponies proceeded to hunt down clouds, and use them to drown out the nest. Once the nest was well and truly soaked Book Storm landed and flipped open a pocket on her vest. Book storm pulled out a clump of storm cloud which crackled and popped in her hoof. "Now just one last touch to be sure." And with that she shoved the bit of cloud into the water. The water soaked pit popped and crackled with electricity for a moment before dying down and leaving us all in silence.
"That's it?" Asked Golden Girl. "No big fight, or running for our lives, not even a song? We're done already?"
"Well we can't always have exciting adventures now can we?" Asked Dr. Shot. "At any rate we should head back.
And so the ponies turned about and headed for home. At least that was the intention until they noticed the two very large, very angry red and blue bugs sitting in the road in front of them.
"Yes! I knew that was too easy!" Shouted Golden Girl. "I'll get the Red one! Come on Grey you're with me! Everyone else just draw away the blue one!"
Spear Beard, cursing took off down a side path with Book Storm winging her way behind him. As Dr. Shot made to follow her path was cut off by the blue beetle that came up to her knees.
Dr. Shot's horn lit up with white light causing branches and stones from the surrounding area to launch at the now charging love bug. But alas, the vile creature bobbed and weaved avoiding the healer's desperate attack.
As it raced by Dr. Shot faster than its stubby legs should have allowed the Dr. could feel a line of fire race down her back left leg.
Dr. Shot stumbled feeling disoriented and confused.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" Shouted Book Storm.
Dr. Shot looked up just in time to see the charging pegasus slam into the bug with a hoof full of thunder cloud. The bug jerked once, twice, then collapsed dead onto the ground. For the first time in years Dr. Shot noticed something, she noticed something about a pony other than her sister.
Dr. Shot stood there with one leg in pain, but despite that she could not stop herself from thinking about how truly beautiful Book Storms mane looked as it crackled with residual electricity.
'But how?' thought Dr. Shot. 'The blue ones are supposed to reverse the effect of the reds. I was just bitten by a blue so how…' slowly a thought wormed its way through Dr. Shots mind, she had been bitten years ago, that was why the blue bug had gone after her instead of any of the others. All these years her infatuation had been a product of a red bug bite.
Almost absentmindedly Dr. Shot used her long practiced talents to close the cut in her leg.
"You OK Doc?" asked Book Storm.
Blushing as red as her mane Dr. Shot could only nod as she struggled to come to grips with her new found emotional freedom.
Soon the pair was joined by the other three ponies.
"For the record I blame you for that Goldy." Huffed out Dr. Shot.
"What, how is this my fault?"
"How many times do I have to tell you not to tempt fate when things seem to be going well."
"Yeah yeah, anyway we took care of it so let's head home."
Grumbling the party fell in behind Golden Girl as they made their way back to the city.
For two hours the party trekked along the road. Golden Girl flitted about Grey Knight's head, and Dr. Shot reveled in the freedom to appreciate Book Storms mane, and well the rest of her really.
Of course after running into the group from Ponnyville the good Dr. found that she had quite a lot to appreciate, and silently thanked the love bug for giving her a chance to find her special somepony.
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Finally! God, that last bit took way too long to write. Finding no errors I opened up my account on excessive velocity, and posted my latest snip. I leaned back into my seat to soak up the reactions. After all reading the responses is the second best part, second only to the initial burst of inspiration.
I let a slow smile spread across my lips, only to have my reflection interrupted by a knock at the door.
"It's open"
Dean stepped into my room. "Hey Amy, Taylor and Missy just got back from patrol. They had a run in with Uber and Leet, want to come watch the Youtube video with us?"
"Anyone hurt?" I swear if that girl had gone and gotten herself hurt already…
"Nah their fine. Hey is that… it is! Golden Girl and Dr. Shot! I love that one, did it just update?"
My mouth fell open, this had to be a joke, Dean read my fanfic. Dean was one of my small group of fans?! What the hell?!
"Ugh yeah, just updated."
"Cool going to have to read that latter. Ughh don't mention that to anyone, please. Dennis would never let me live it down." Dean said rubbing at the back of his head.
"Sure, why don't we go check out that video." Before you realize I'm the author, and one of the characters is based on you, I neglected to add.
Dean and I headed into the Wards ready room to find Uber and Leets channel opened up on the main television.
"Hey guy's, you mind if we check out this one minute clip they posted before we watch the actual fight? The title is 'Watch This Player'." Dean asked.
"Wait the title is what?" Taylor almost shouted from where she was waking up her flock of dragons.
"I know right? That's why I want to see this one first."
"That's fine." I said
Dennis hit play and the group settled around the big couch. The video opened up onto a darkly lit room, and two men wearing masks with the letters U and L on them. Dramatic slow music played in the background.
Uber leaned in towards the camera. "Player, nice to be speaking with you again, such as it is… You see we figured out your power. Don't worry we don't plan on blabbing… At least not yet anyway."
Beside him Leet nodded. "See we know what your power is doing, but we want to know how… We plan to give this video two days to circulate so you have time to hear about it. When those two days are up expect a call from us."
"When you get that call we will tell you what we believe your power is doing." Uber continued. "You will then tell us if we are correct. If we are you will tell us how your power does what it does, oh and don't bother lying. Any tinker worth their tools can whip up a lie detector."
Leet leaned back into his seat. "If you choose not to answer us, or decide to lie we will release an explanation of your powers as we understand them. Nothing personal Player, this is just way to interesting to leave alone."
And with that the video ended, leaving the entire room in stunned silence.