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x by Raackman

By grapenut
Created: 2022-07-20 17:28:21
Updated: 2022-07-20 17:31:16
Expiry: Never
sim

  1. 1.
    x by Raackman
  2. 2.
     
  3. 3.
    https://desuarchive.org/mlp/thread/21594261/#q21660748
  4. 4.
    https://desuarchive.org/mlp/thread/21764308/#q21786207
  5. 5.
    http://pastebin.com/S7x88bTt
  6. 6.
     
  7. 7.
    ---
  8. 8.
     
  9. 9.
    >Those foolish little ponies thought they could stop you from taking over the world
  10. 10.
    >Even the elements were no match for your power
  11. 11.
    >But not even you can efficiently rule this world by yourself
  12. 12.
    >No, you're going to need some help
  13. 13.
    >You glance in the direction of the pod that your king is still being grown in
  14. 14.
    >He will likewise be seething with power, but still easy for you to control
  15. 15.
    >Only a few more days before he is born, even now his embryo stirs now and again
  16. 16.
    >The result of all of equestria's greatest minds combining to create the perfect life-form
  17. 17.
    >You thought of a "name" for your king
  18. 18.
    >Anonymous, for the nameless king
  19. 19.
    >Months is what it took, waiting in anticipation for him to grow and to be born
  20. 20.
    >Constantly feeding him all kinds of life forms, anything your servants could get their hooves on was killed then fed through the nutrient pod surrounding him
  21. 21.
    >It was nice of the changelings to lend you such a thing
  22. 22.
    >With such a rapid growth, he will most likely be aggressive at first, but eventually he will warm up to you, and will be able to rule just as cruelly as you do
  23. 23.
    >Perhaps you can even give him those worthless allies of Celestia as slaves
  24. 24.
    >But for now, you must wait for him to be born
  25. 25.
    >Although you will not be able to see him personally as he is born, your most loyal servants will make sure he is pushed in the correct direction
  26. 26.
    >It is risky, but it's the most convenient method of acquiring a trust-able King whom will also be at your side for all eternity
  27. 27.
    >You walk down to the chambers below the castle where his growth pod is being held
  28. 28.
    >The servants scurry hither and thither, making themselves look useful and busying themselves
  29. 29.
    >You walk up to one of them
  30. 30.
    "How much longer do you estimate?"
  31. 31.
    >He swallows hard before responding
  32. 32.
    >"W-We estimate either tonight or early tomorrow, it won't be long now, your highness."
  33. 33.
    >He bows his head as he finishes speaking
  34. 34.
    >You turn away and walk back up the stairs
  35. 35.
     
  36. 36.
    >Muffled sounds and vibrations surround you
  37. 37.
    >You're surrounded by liquid and flesh
  38. 38.
    >Where are you?
  39. 39.
    >Who are you?
  40. 40.
    >What are these shadows surrounding you?
  41. 41.
    >No, none of that matters right now
  42. 42.
    >What matters is that you're hungry
  43. 43.
    >Very hungry
  44. 44.
    >Even though you were being engorged recently...
  45. 45.
    >It's not enough
  46. 46.
    >No, you need to get out of this thing
  47. 47.
    >Looking around, you don't find any openings
  48. 48.
    >You'll just have to make one
  49. 49.
    >With a quick thrust forward, you break the wall and the liquid begins to spew out
  50. 50.
    >You bring your hand down, sawing through the wall of flesh between you and the outside
  51. 51.
    >The flow of the liquid brings you out, and you step onto the ground for the first time
  52. 52.
    >You see several scared creatures surrounding you
  53. 53.
    >They're somewhat familiar for some reason...
  54. 54.
    >Regardless, you are still hungry
  55. 55.
    >You look around at them, and approach one of them
  56. 56.
    "You."
  57. 57.
    >Pointing to one of them
  58. 58.
    "I'm hungry, you will bring me food immediately."
  59. 59.
    >They just stand there
  60. 60.
    >A few of them mutter among each other
  61. 61.
    "I will not repeat myself."
  62. 62.
    >Your patience is wearing thin
  63. 63.
    >"Y-Your highness, I'm afraid we cannot give you f-food yet, you must wait until after Nightmare moon has given you p-permission."
  64. 64.
    >You shake your head
  65. 65.
    "I will not wait until later, and if you will not give me any food..."
  66. 66.
    >You look at yourself briefly, and see your body
  67. 67.
    >It seems that you're wearing a type of suit, well dressed, but for some reason feels strange
  68. 68.
    >But it is of no consequence
  69. 69.
    >You swing your hand hard, decapitating the creature you had been speaking with
  70. 70.
    >The body falls, and you watch the head roll
  71. 71.
    "If you will not bring me food, I will make you my food."
  72. 72.
    >You kneel down, and study your hand before partaking in your first meal
  73. 73.
    >These fingers are tipped with sharp claws, and your arms have strong, built in muscles
  74. 74.
    >You plunge your fingers into the flesh of the creature, and pause a moment
  75. 75.
    >What are these creatures called?
  76. 76.
    >You scoop up the flesh and put it in your mouth, then bite down and chew it
  77. 77.
     
  78. 78.
    >The flesh has an interesting texture, and the taste is pleasant
  79. 79.
    >But in the pod... you occasionally received food that was heavenly
  80. 80.
    >You continue to rip through the skin, exposing the insides of this creature further
  81. 81.
    >Continuing to eat, you begin to fill
  82. 82.
    >A few different tastes here and there, though some organs did not taste well, and you ripped them directly from the body immediately
  83. 83.
    >You need to know more about these creatures if you're going to eat more
  84. 84.
    >Speaking of which, the rest have fled the area
  85. 85.
    >If they hadn't prevented you from acquiring your food, this wouldn't have happened
  86. 86.
    >The one you're eating... it mentioned a name didn't it?
  87. 87.
    >Nightmare Moon?
  88. 88.
    >And it said something about you needing permission from who ever this is?
  89. 89.
    >Curious, you should find out who this is
  90. 90.
    >But first thing first, you require more food
  91. 91.
    >You've eaten most of the corpse, leaving behind mostly bones and some distasteful organs
  92. 92.
    >But, you haven't eaten the head yet
  93. 93.
    >You stand, and on your way to what seems to be an exit, you scoop the head of the creature off of the ground, and begin picking away flesh from it's neck
  94. 94.
    >Skin and muscle seems to be the best part of these things...
  95. 95.
    >The exit leads to a small flight of stairs, once you climb it, you spot another one of the creatures, but this is sitting down, and appears to be holding something
  96. 96.
    >It spots you, and seems shocked, but not long after, seems to quickly compose itself
  97. 97.
    >You approach it, bearing questions
  98. 98.
    "You, you will take me to where I may be fed, and will answer any questions that I ask."
  99. 99.
    >It carefully nods, and stands from it's seat, leaving behind what it was holding
  100. 100.
    "What are your kind called?"
  101. 101.
    >You hear it take a deep breath
  102. 102.
    >"Ponies."
  103. 103.
    >That answer that
  104. 104.
    "Do you know my name?"
  105. 105.
    >The pony continues to look forward, away from you, apparently afraid to face you
  106. 106.
    >"I believe I overheard Nightmare Moon say Anonymous."
  107. 107.
     
  108. 108.
    "I believe I overheard Nightmare Moon say Anonymous."
  109. 109.
    >You struggle not to glance back at the head the king is holding
  110. 110.
    >Or at him, for that matter
  111. 111.
    >Didn't they say that he would be a stallion?
  112. 112.
    >What is that thing?
  113. 113.
    >Sure, they said that he would be aggressive at first, but this seems insane
  114. 114.
    >The first thing he did was decapitate one of the servants because he was hungry
  115. 115.
    >Why didn't you run?
  116. 116.
    >Why did you let yourself get into this situation?
  117. 117.
    >One wrong move and he'll probably kill you too
  118. 118.
    >"How much longer until we arrive at the area where I may eat?"
  119. 119.
    >You gulp again, clearing your throat
  120. 120.
    "It is some distance away, sir, it won't be long now."
  121. 121.
    >Each trembling step and ragged breath with such a presence right behind you
  122. 122.
    >That must have been what stopped you from moving
  123. 123.
    >Just being in his sight is enough to cause a creature to freeze with fear
  124. 124.
    >When you saw his eyes, all you could see was apathy and cold cruelty
  125. 125.
    >Is that how he will see all living things? as food or means to an end?
  126. 126.
    >Finally, after having maneuvered through the large castle, you and the king reach the dining hall
  127. 127.
    >The table has already been set, with food waiting to be eaten
  128. 128.
    >He walks forward, and drops what's left of the head on the ground with a splat
  129. 129.
    >You had almost forgotten about the sickening feeling in your stomach almost causing you to throw up
  130. 130.
    >All that's left of it is the top of the skull and some of the brain, and it lands with a splat on the pink flesh of the brain
  131. 131.
    >You almost throw up at the sound and sight
  132. 132.
    >"Clean that up."
  133. 133.
    >Your heart skips a beat as he points to the pile of gore and flesh
  134. 134.
    >No choice in the matter
  135. 135.
    >Wait, how are you going to clean it?
  136. 136.
    "M-May I acquire cleaning s-supplies?"
  137. 137.
    >You look up at him from your bow, and he nods
  138. 138.
    >Quickly, you turn and leave the room, with intentions of not vomiting and to find some cleaning tools
  139. 139.
    >But why would you go back?
  140. 140.
    >Can't believe that you're saying this, but where is Nightmare Moon when you need her?
  141. 141.
     
  142. 142.
    >You finally reach your watch tower to make absolutely sure that there will be no hesitation of loyalty to you among your citizens
  143. 143.
    >The door leading to the room suddenly flies open, and you turn to see a servant from the king's room frantically running in
  144. 144.
    "What is the meaning of this intrusion?"
  145. 145.
    >The servant suddenly stops in their tracks, and slows their heavy breathing
  146. 146.
    >"Y-Your highness, it's the king, he's been born, but something is wrong."
  147. 147.
    >Something is wrong with the king?
  148. 148.
    "Speak, what is wrong with him?"
  149. 149.
    >The servant gulps
  150. 150.
    >"He's not a stallion, and he's killed one of the servants."
  151. 151.
    >What?
  152. 152.
    "He's not a stallion?"
  153. 153.
    >The death of servant does not matter
  154. 154.
    >What matters is the king's well being
  155. 155.
    "Where is he now?"
  156. 156.
    >You can see the servant's eyes widen even as he bows down
  157. 157.
    >"I... don't know, when we checked he wasn't in the growth area anymore. Although there was a small trail of blood that we could follow, but it eventually stopped."
  158. 158.
    >A dangerous king is now skulking around your palace...
  159. 159.
    "Do you have any idea of where he might be?"
  160. 160.
    >"Well, he demanded that we give him food, and when we denied him, he killed one of the servants... when we got back, the corpse was mostly eaten and that bass player was gone."
  161. 161.
    >So much for a soothing entry to your palace
  162. 162.
    >You'll know who's fault this is once you've seen the king
  163. 163.
    "I shall leave at once, you shall gather the rest of the servants, I presume he is in the dining hall, that is where we shall meet."
  164. 164.
    >The servant nods and leaves through the door he came through
  165. 165.
    >Now... where is the dining hall again?
  166. 166.
    >It takes you a moment to conjure the vision, but soon enough, there it is
  167. 167.
    >The king sits at the head of the table, eating the food that has been set out
  168. 168.
    >Ironically, the food was set out specifically for him
  169. 169.
    >Though you wished to speak with him before he ate
  170. 170.
    >It does not matter anymore
  171. 171.
    >You cast a teleportation spell, appearing at the opposite side of the table
  172. 172.
     
  173. 173.
    >Sitting at the head of the table, now you must decide what to eat
  174. 174.
    >Many different kinds of food are here...
  175. 175.
    >May as well start with the closest items to you
  176. 176.
    >You take a bite from the nearest food item
  177. 177.
    >No, this is not the taste that you seek...
  178. 178.
    >When will you be able to experience that absolutely magical taste again?
  179. 179.
    >It was nothing like anything you've tasted so far
  180. 180.
    >Then again, all that you've tasted is this strange food and a pony
  181. 181.
    >You drop what you had taken a bite out of and move onto the next
  182. 182.
    >No, that isn't it either
  183. 183.
    >Again...
  184. 184.
    >No
  185. 185.
    >You continue around the table, taking a single bite of each of the various foods
  186. 186.
    >By now you've taken a bite out of every single item, and are no longer hungry
  187. 187.
    >But you still didn't experience that wonderful taste again
  188. 188.
    >You look around the large room, and spot that pony that you ordered to clean the remains standing a distance away
  189. 189.
    >Now that you are no longer hungry, what to do now?
  190. 190.
    >Find out more about this world?
  191. 191.
    >You point to the pony
  192. 192.
    "I have more questions, and you will answer them"
  193. 193.
    >It nods as you walk back to your original seat at the head of the table
  194. 194.
    >As you sit a flash of light suddenly appears at the opposite end of the table
  195. 195.
    >You look over, and a moment later, a much larger being appears, resembling a pony, but with longer limbs, wings, and a horn
  196. 196.
    >Now who could this be?
  197. 197.
    >It seems to have something surrounding it, like a type of light or aura that seems to extend several feet out
  198. 198.
    >This reminds you, your next move was to find this Nightmare Moon
  199. 199.
    >Perhaps this is whom you seek?
  200. 200.
    >The newly appeared creature stares at you for a few moments
  201. 201.
    >Then it's attention shifts over to the pony that has been accompanying you
  202. 202.
    >"Is this the king?"
  203. 203.
    >The pony nods quickly
  204. 204.
    >"Something must have happened during the final stages of his growth."
  205. 205.
    >You tilt your head
  206. 206.
    "And who are you?"
  207. 207.
    >"I am Nightmare Moon, of course."
  208. 208.
    "So, you are the one who has commanded that I be deprived of food?"
  209. 209.
    >You flex your fingers as you stand
  210. 210.
     
  211. 211.
    >Nightmare Moon tilts their head
  212. 212.
    >"Indeed, but only so that I may speak to you as soon as possible."
  213. 213.
    >You crack your fingers and your neck
  214. 214.
    "You wish to speak with me? About what?"
  215. 215.
    >It might have the answers to your various questions
  216. 216.
    >You don't know much at the moment, you still need to learn about this world
  217. 217.
    >"At the moment, I wish to help you find your purpose."
  218. 218.
    >Intriguing, indeed
  219. 219.
    >Perhaps you ought to listen to what this Nightmare Moon has to say
  220. 220.
    >You can forgive them for their accidental disrespect
  221. 221.
    "Very well, speak."
  222. 222.
    >"I will start off with the reason for your birth, to rule this world by my side. You will be the king, and you will have all the luxuries that accompany the title."
  223. 223.
    >A king?
  224. 224.
    >To rule this world?
  225. 225.
    >This will take time to sort out, and to decide your future
  226. 226.
    >For now, you must wait
  227. 227.
    >"With being king, you will rule your own subjects and kingdoms. For now, I will start you off small. Six ponies that you may do with as you please."
  228. 228.
    >Does she trust you with these six?
  229. 229.
    >Are they to be in your care or for you to simply order around?
  230. 230.
    "If they are to be my responsibility, I need to know more about your species' anatomy."
  231. 231.
    >"Very well, I will personally escort you to the library."
  232. 232.
    "A library?"
  233. 233.
    >"A place in which knowledge is hoarded and gathered for public use."
  234. 234.
    >Clarification on this world, finally
  235. 235.
    >This should be simple enough
  236. 236.
    "Very well, let us go to this... library."
  237. 237.
    >Nightmare Moon walks over to one of the many doors leading into the dining hall, and opens it with their aura
  238. 238.
    >You follow through the door and down several hallways
  239. 239.
    >Eventually, the both of you arrive at large double doors
  240. 240.
    >"Here it is, there are servants inside that will assist you. I have other duties to attend to, but once you are satisfied, send a servant for me."
  241. 241.
    >You nod and open the doors
  242. 242.
    >"One more thing, I'd prefer that you not kill any more servants."
  243. 243.
    >You sigh, and nod again as you pass through the doorway
  244. 244.
     
  245. 245.
    >There are large shelves with books within them, and stacks of books here and there
  246. 246.
    >Here and there are ponies awaiting orders or inspecting books
  247. 247.
    >You point to one, colored with mint green and striped hair
  248. 248.
    "You, bring me a book with information about your world."
  249. 249.
    >They look around before suddenly spotting something among the shelves
  250. 250.
    >The pony quickly trots over, grabbing a book and bringing it over to you
  251. 251.
    >You grab it from it's mouth and open it
  252. 252.
    >...
  253. 253.
    >What are these symbols?
  254. 254.
    >They accompany pictures, but you still cannot identify anything
  255. 255.
    >You see a table and walk over to it, then sit on one of the chairs
  256. 256.
    >Since you cannot use these books...
  257. 257.
    >And you would never degrade yourself to being taught by another being
  258. 258.
    >You point to the pony that had brought you the book as you place the book on the table next to you
  259. 259.
    "Come here, and sit before me."
  260. 260.
    >They tilt their head, looking confused
  261. 261.
    >Foolish creature...
  262. 262.
    "I will not repeat myself."
  263. 263.
    >Suddenly they seem to understand and quickly run over, and sit down in front of you
  264. 264.
    "Turn around."
  265. 265.
    >They do so
  266. 266.
    >"May I ask what you're going to do, Sir?"
  267. 267.
    >Patience...
  268. 268.
    "Remain calm, and still, you won't feel a thing."
  269. 269.
    >You look at your hands
  270. 270.
    >Still filthy with dried blood and food
  271. 271.
    >You lick your nails clean, as they are all you will need
  272. 272.
    >This feels strangely natural
  273. 273.
    >Hopefully what you're about to do works
  274. 274.
    >You drive your index finger nails into the top of their head, but only enough to get through the layer of hair, skin, and bone
  275. 275.
    >The pony suddenly shudders briefly, but stops
  276. 276.
    >Next, you cut out the top of their head, and carefully pull off the top of it's head
  277. 277.
    >Now, with it's brain exposed...
  278. 278.
    >You push several points in the brain with your nails, and feel...
  279. 279.
    >Feel it
  280. 280.
    >It's a strange sensation, but you know what it means
  281. 281.
    >Information from the pony flows directly into your mind
  282. 282.
    >How did you know to do this?
  283. 283.
    >No, you didn't, it was... almost instinct
  284. 284.
    >This pony's name is Lyra... she's a unicorn
  285. 285.
     
  286. 286.
    >The top of her head is bleeding, so you have to extract this information quickly
  287. 287.
    >Their language... it's... English
  288. 288.
    >Not too long ago they were celebrating for a different ruler
  289. 289.
    >Princess Celestia
  290. 290.
    >But at that celebration, Nightmare Moon appeared, and swiftly took over the world
  291. 291.
    >That was about two months ago
  292. 292.
    >Interesting world, and view from this Lyra
  293. 293.
    >You have what you need
  294. 294.
    >Picking up the cut from the skull, you place it back over the hole, and drag your finger across the space between the slice and her skull
  295. 295.
    >The skin seems to close above the bone, which also comes together
  296. 296.
    >But you still don't know how you did that
  297. 297.
    >The Unicorn starts shivering
  298. 298.
    >You pat her head
  299. 299.
    "That was quick, wasn't it? Your mind will be foggy for a while, but otherwise you'll be fine."
  300. 300.
    >She slowly nods, still looking away from you
  301. 301.
    >Now that you're literate...
  302. 302.
    >You pick up the book she brought
  303. 303.
    >Encyclopedia
  304. 304.
    >This ought to do
  305. 305.
    >Lyra knew enough, most of this information you technically already know
  306. 306.
    >Aside from a few creatures and magics, nothing new from the book that you haven't already gotten from Lyra
  307. 307.
    >Her name...
  308. 308.
    >You haven't asked for anyone's name, have you?
  309. 309.
    >That grey pony that took you to the dining hall?
  310. 310.
    >...Octavia, and that was a bass violin she was holding
  311. 311.
    >Still learning about this world, ever so slowly
  312. 312.
    >Nightmare Moon, she mentioned you having subjects to order?
  313. 313.
    >You look around, other servants glance to you then back around the room, while others continue walking by
  314. 314.
    >This pony didn't know much about getting around this palace
  315. 315.
    >In that case, you'll need the help of another servant
  316. 316.
    >How exciting, your first subjects for you to rule and warp to your pleasure
  317. 317.
     
  318. 318.
    >Blindfolded, Wings tied, gagged
  319. 319.
    >You're stuck here, and you can't fly any more
  320. 320.
    >All you can do is listen
  321. 321.
    >But listen for what?
  322. 322.
    >Only occasionally do you even hear distant foot steps
  323. 323.
    >Or the shuffling of rock under a body from your other friends
  324. 324.
    >They threw you into these cages, and told you to wait
  325. 325.
    >But they haven't told you what to wait for
  326. 326.
    >Or why you have to wait
  327. 327.
    >Just... wait
  328. 328.
    >Voices?
  329. 329.
    >Yes, some are there, approaching the door to this dungeon
  330. 330.
    >Next, the sound of the lock opening, followed by the door
  331. 331.
    >"And here they are, the would-be elements. I assure you that they will be fine subjects."
  332. 332.
    >"I will be the judge of that... You said they would or could be the elements of harmony?"
  333. 333.
    >You can't recognize either voice
  334. 334.
    >"Indeed, the elements are Loyalty, Honesty, Laughter, Generosity and Kindness."
  335. 335.
    >"I want their blindfolds and gags removed, I wish to speak with them before conducting... experiments."
  336. 336.
    >"As you wish."
  337. 337.
    >The moment they take this blindfold off, you'll take them all down
  338. 338.
    >And save your friends
  339. 339.
    >The door opens, you feel the blindfold lax, then slip back
  340. 340.
    >You see the guard who took your blindfold off first, but instantly see the figure behind him
  341. 341.
    >A strange, two legged creature, looking right at you
  342. 342.
    >Why won't you move?
  343. 343.
    >Just... do it!
  344. 344.
    >...
  345. 345.
    >No, you can't
  346. 346.
    >Why not?!
  347. 347.
    >He's right there, just do it!
  348. 348.
    >The gag comes off, and the guard steps back out, locking the door behind him
  349. 349.
    >Your only chance... ruined
  350. 350.
    >All because of you
  351. 351.
    >With the gag gone, you'd like to try and spout some insult towards them, but your parched throat won't let you
  352. 352.
    >And with that strange creature eyeing you...
  353. 353.
    >You probably wouldn't speak anyway if you could
  354. 354.
    >Two guards go around, taking off blind folds and gags from the rest of your friends
  355. 355.
    >All of you sit in neighboring cages in a half-circle room, with the only door in or out on the flat side, and the cages on the opposite side
  356. 356.
     
  357. 357.
    >The six ponies all exchange glances between themselves and you
  358. 358.
    >Those guards that entered the room with you now leave through the door, and lock it behind them
  359. 359.
    >It's been three days since your visit to the library, since then you've learned much more, and have acquired six more pods
  360. 360.
    >Just for this occasion
  361. 361.
    >The six elements... Loyalty, that could be useful
  362. 362.
    >Honesty, also
  363. 363.
    >Laughter, you have no need for that
  364. 364.
    >Kindness, entirely dependent on the situation
  365. 365.
    >Generosity, useless
  366. 366.
    >The sixth is unknown, but you'll figure it out soon enough
  367. 367.
    >How to figure out which one is which?
  368. 368.
    >That blue one to your left, seems to have much fire in her eyes
  369. 369.
    >An orange one next to her, similar
  370. 370.
    >After her a scared pink one
  371. 371.
    >Then a purple one who currently glares at you
  372. 372.
    >Next to her, a yellow one cowering even more than the pink one
  373. 373.
    >Then a white one, who also seems quite frightened
  374. 374.
    "Now, which one to start off with?"
  375. 375.
    >Perhaps Kindness? they might be able to sway the hearts of the others and make the conversion process quicker
  376. 376.
    >Or the one with the strongest will, which will make the others easier to break
  377. 377.
    >Perhaps Loyalty, to show that their bonds aren't as deep as they may think
  378. 378.
    >Maybe you can just ask
  379. 379.
    "Who wants to go first?"
  380. 380.
    >You sweep your vision over all of them
  381. 381.
    >Upon further examination, both the Purple and White one have much fainter auras surrounding them
  382. 382.
    >Nightmare Moon's is much larger and more defined
  383. 383.
    >You walk over to the white one's cage
  384. 384.
    "How about you?"
  385. 385.
    >She just stares at you, wide-eyed, in the far side of her cage
  386. 386.
    "I'm not going to hurt any of you if you cooperate."
  387. 387.
    >You walk past each cage, getting a closer look at the occupants
  388. 388.
    >All of them remain completely silent...
  389. 389.
    >You stop at each of the cages, kneeling down and staring straight into their eyes to see any wavering in their eyes
  390. 390.
    >The Blue and Orange ones waver the least, as they both stare straight back at you
  391. 391.
    >One of them...
  392. 392.
    >Yes, the Blue one shall go first
  393. 393.
    >You walk to her cage
  394. 394.
    "What's your name?"
  395. 395.
     
  396. 396.
    >She swallows hard, and croaks out
  397. 397.
    >"R-Rainbow... Dash."
  398. 398.
    >You lick your lips
  399. 399.
    "Now, you're going to come with me, and if you attempt to escape or cause any commotion, I will personally torture every single one of your friends to death, do you understand?"
  400. 400.
    >She nods
  401. 401.
    >You reach back into your pockets and pull out the key to her cage
  402. 402.
    >Unlocking it, you open the door, and motion for her to move
  403. 403.
    >She stands, and walks forward
  404. 404.
    "The rest of you, don't worry about her."
  405. 405.
    >You open the door, and lead the way for the both of you
  406. 406.
    >Several pairs of guards flank the hallway, standing at attention as you and the smaller blue pegasus walk past them
  407. 407.
    >Down the hall, the room that holds the other pods awaits
  408. 408.
    >Silently, you both travel the distance and arrive in the room
  409. 409.
    >You point to one of the unraveled pods
  410. 410.
    "Stand over there."
  411. 411.
    >She gives a worried glance to the pod, then back to you
  412. 412.
    "I'll take your bindings off if you do as I say."
  413. 413.
    >She nods, and stands atop the flat, plantlike surface
  414. 414.
    >You walk over and cut the rope with your nails
  415. 415.
    >Then you jab her in the neck, and with a gasp, she collapses
  416. 416.
    "This makes it much faster."
  417. 417.
    >You step off the pod as it begins to twist upwards, lifting it's lazy arms into a crude spherical shape
  418. 418.
    >The sound of rushing liquid is heard as you walk away
  419. 419.
    >Good, one down, five to go
  420. 420.
    >Should you wait?
  421. 421.
    >Perhaps you should wait for the process to finish, and surprise her friends
  422. 422.
    >Regardless, you'll have your first Royal Guard born in an hour
  423. 423.
    >You walk to one of the guards
  424. 424.
    "I want you to bring the prisoners water, just bring a barrel with six bowls, I can handle the rest."
  425. 425.
    >He salutes and nods, then is on his way
  426. 426.
    >They all looked rather thirsty
  427. 427.
     
  428. 428.
    >Rainbow Dash was just taken by that... thing
  429. 429.
    >And neither of them have returned yet
  430. 430.
    >What's happening to her?
  431. 431.
    >Are they torturing her?
  432. 432.
    >Raping her?
  433. 433.
    >Have they killed her?
  434. 434.
    >The door suddenly swings open, and several guards bring in a small table, place a barrel on it with a stack of bowls
  435. 435.
    >Then that strange creature walks in, and the guards leave
  436. 436.
    >That creature pours water into the bowls from the barrel, walks over to your cage, and places it in front of the door of your cage
  437. 437.
    >He does so for the rest of the cages in the room
  438. 438.
    >"Feel free to drink up."
  439. 439.
    >It reminds you of your completely dry throat and mouth
  440. 440.
    >You look over and see Pinkie already gulping down the water
  441. 441.
    >The strange creature notices her, and walks over to her cage, then sits down in front of her
  442. 442.
    >"So, why don't you tell me your name?"
  443. 443.
    >She finishes the bowl, and looks up
  444. 444.
    >Much less afraid now, for some reason
  445. 445.
    >Is it just because he's offering water to quell her desperation?
  446. 446.
    >"I'm... Pinkie Pie... what's your name?"
  447. 447.
    >He widens his eyes
  448. 448.
    >"Well... my name is Anonymous."
  449. 449.
    >You edge forward towards the bowl as he focuses on Pinkie Pie
  450. 450.
    >It's hard to move with one front leg tied between your back legs
  451. 451.
    >Makes it impossible for you to kick anything, and extremely hard for you to move
  452. 452.
    >You finally reach the bowl, and begin drinking
  453. 453.
    >Pinkie Pie is still just sitting there in front of him
  454. 454.
    >"So... Mr. Anonymous, where's Rainbow Dash?"
  455. 455.
    >He scratches his head
  456. 456.
    >"Come to think of it... oh, she's already finished? That was quick."
  457. 457.
    >What?
  458. 458.
    >The door opens, and in walks...
  459. 459.
    >No, that can't be her
  460. 460.
    >It has segmented, armor like skin
  461. 461.
    >It's hooves are now strangely grooved and segmented as well
  462. 462.
    >No wings, but it still has the rainbow mane and tail
  463. 463.
    >Those... red eyes
  464. 464.
    >It's... her?
  465. 465.
    >"Hello, Pinkie, and hello, everyone."
  466. 466.
    >Her voice is... different
  467. 467.
    "Rainbow, what'd they do to you?"
  468. 468.
    >She looks over to you, and smiles
  469. 469.
    >"He changed me, and I've never felt more alive."
  470. 470.
     
  471. 471.
    >You look back, and see your creation
  472. 472.
    >She's been combined with multiple creatures to create what she is now
  473. 473.
    >And now, with absolute loyalty to you, and more then willing to be nothing but an extension of your will
  474. 474.
    "Why don't you show them what you really are now?"
  475. 475.
    >She nods to you, and stands on her hind legs
  476. 476.
    >The armor around her legs opens, revealing paw-like appendages
  477. 477.
    >Her front legs shift into arms, and her hooves turn to hands with dangerous claws as she stands at full height
  478. 478.
    >The skin around her shoulders shifts, causing her to become more slender akin to her new form, which resembles a cat now
  479. 479.
    >Armor on her head moves to reveal her mouth, which now appears to be a mass of sharp teeth and fangs
  480. 480.
    >Finally, large wings unfold from her back and stretch outwards
  481. 481.
    "Good work, you may choose which ever form is most appropriate for you."
  482. 482.
    >She nods, and once again, shifts her form into something between a cat and horse
  483. 483.
    >More of a horse with cat legs and armor
  484. 484.
    >Ant, Cat, Horse and Eagle all in one
  485. 485.
    >"You're... You're a monster!!"
  486. 486.
    >You look over, to the orange pony
  487. 487.
    "Oh, Am I?"
  488. 488.
    >She stares daggers at you
  489. 489.
    "Pinkie Pie, I'm afraid your turn will have to wait."
  490. 490.
    >You walk over to her cage, while occasionally glancing back to Rainbow Dash
  491. 491.
    >Hoping that she doesn't attack this pony
  492. 492.
    "What's your name?"
  493. 493.
    >"I'm not speaking to filth like you!"
  494. 494.
    >Rainbow Dash slips over to you and purrs in your ear
  495. 495.
    >"Her name is Applejack."
  496. 496.
    "Applejack, you're going to come with me and y-"
  497. 497.
    >"I ain't going anywhere with you! Rainbow Dash! Snap out of it! Can't you see what he's done to you?"
  498. 498.
    >What manner of insolence?!
  499. 499.
    >You stop yourself at almost ripping the door to her cage off, but then you get a better idea
  500. 500.
    >Calm yourself...
  501. 501.
    >Take a deep breath
  502. 502.
    "Pinkie Pie, come with me, Rainbow Dash, keep an eye on them."
  503. 503.
    >You walk over to her cage, and unlock it
  504. 504.
    >She carefully trots out of the cage past Rainbow Dash
  505. 505.
    >No, Applejack will be last
  506. 506.
    >And she'll find no support from her Chimera friends
  507. 507.
     
  508. 508.
    >Rainbow Dash glares at you through the twisted metal bars
  509. 509.
    >"You know he was about to rip your head off, right?"
  510. 510.
    >Poor Rainbow Dash...
  511. 511.
    "Ain't that you? C'mon, tell me that you're still the Rainbow Dash that I know!"
  512. 512.
    >She starts grooming herself as she stretches
  513. 513.
    >You look over to the others and see that they have finished their water bowls now that Anonymous has left
  514. 514.
    "Rainbow, please, I'm your friend, help us get out of here and we can rescue the princess!"
  515. 515.
    >She shakes her head as she prances over to Rarity's cage
  516. 516.
    >"Don't I look fabulous now? My tail, beautiful feathers, and my adorable little ears!"
  517. 517.
    >Rarity gives her an unsure look
  518. 518.
    >"I... Suppose... Rainbow, is this really fine with you? Just listen to yourself, look at yourself! You're not you anymore!"
  519. 519.
    >Rainbow Dash eyes her for a moment
  520. 520.
    >"You just don't get it, but you will once he changes all of you. It's actually really nice."
  521. 521.
    >Twilight looks up from the floor in disbelief
  522. 522.
    >"How could he have done it? You're something completely different! Now you've accepted his domination over you because you're changed?"
  523. 523.
    >Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes
  524. 524.
    >"Whatever Twi, I'm still me, but better! I can run faster, fly further, I can't see what all of you are all worked up about! I'd say you're all jealous."
  525. 525.
    >Fluttershy suddenly stands, stomping her foot
  526. 526.
    >"Rainbow Dash, you're an abomination of nature now, why would you be so proud of that? I'm disgusted just by looking at what he's done to you. Just let us help you and we can escape!"
  527. 527.
    >Her eyes narrow and ears flatten
  528. 528.
    >"An... Abomination?! Well, I... You..."
  529. 529.
    >She's clearly suppressing tears now
  530. 530.
    >"I'm not speaking to any of you... until you've changed."
  531. 531.
    >The door opens, and in walks...
  532. 532.
    >No, please no! Not Pinkie too!
  533. 533.
    >Instead of plated armor skin, now her skin is covered in different shades of pink and stitches, all the while looking like it might just fall off her body
  534. 534.
     
  535. 535.
    >Her right eye is covered by skin, but it most likely isn't there any more, it's just a depression of skin in her head now
  536. 536.
    >And to top it all off, three, brightly colored balloons matching her cutie mark are tied around her waist
  537. 537.
    >In a horrible, quiet, dying voice she turns to Rainbow after a deep breath
  538. 538.
    >"Hey... Rainbow... looking... Umm... good."
  539. 539.
    >She constantly shakes, while still seemingly thinking hard
  540. 540.
    "Pinkie... why?!"
  541. 541.
    >Mechanically, she turns to you, her head likewise mechanically jerks back and forth as her one eye seems to constantly shiver
  542. 542.
    >"I'm... happy...Applejack..don't... umm...worry."
  543. 543.
    >He really is... a monster
  544. 544.
    >You sit back
  545. 545.
    "I'll never give in, you hear me?"
  546. 546.
    >He looks over, and rolls his eyes at you
  547. 547.
    >Then turns to Rarity
  548. 548.
    >"I have something special for you, my dear."
  549. 549.
    >She shakes her head
  550. 550.
    >"P-Please no... I don't want that to happen to me, please!"
  551. 551.
    >Anonymous brings a hand to his head
  552. 552.
    >"Your highness, may I speak with her?"
  553. 553.
    >He nods and steps back
  554. 554.
    >"Rarity, it's fine, really. Pinkie may not look it, but she's actually bursting with glee and happiness."
  555. 555.
    >She continues to shake her head
  556. 556.
    >Pinkie Pie awkwardly steps over, looking as though she may trip at any moment, then cocks her head over at a strange angle
  557. 557.
    >"Rarity... it's... fine."
  558. 558.
    >Her head cocks back and she mechanically steps back
  559. 559.
    >Rarity lowers her head
  560. 560.
    >"I'll... do it."
  561. 561.
    >What?
  562. 562.
    "Rarity! No!"
  563. 563.
    >"What choice do I have? It's either that or starve to death down here!"
  564. 564.
    >Anonymous walks to her cage, and opens it's gate
  565. 565.
    >Silently, they walk out
  566. 566.
    >Now you can make out the sound of gears and cogs coming from within Pinkie Pie's body
  567. 567.
    >She constantly trembles this way and that, her eye darting around the room
  568. 568.
    >"So, Pinkie, how do you feel?"
  569. 569.
    >She awkwardly turns to Rainbow Dash
  570. 570.
    >"It's.... umm.... nice."
  571. 571.
    >That strange, empty smile and her empty eye
  572. 572.
    >"So, where's your other eye?"
  573. 573.
    >This time, she makes a real smile, one that reminds you of the old Pinkie
  574. 574.
    >"It's.... a secret."
  575. 575.
     
  576. 576.
    >He's turned Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie into... strange creatures
  577. 577.
    >How could you call your friends monsters?
  578. 578.
    >But, what you find most strange is how he is able to do so?
  579. 579.
    >Yes, it's cruel but... admittedly ingenious
  580. 580.
    >Chimeras are the stuff of legend, and two have been made, just like that
  581. 581.
    >How does he do it?
  582. 582.
    >Do you want to find out?
  583. 583.
    >Rainbow Dash... what is she now?
  584. 584.
    >Pinkie Pie, just as confusing
  585. 585.
    >Rarity, what's going to happen to her?
  586. 586.
    "Rainbow Dash, do you know what's going to happen to Rarity?"
  587. 587.
    >She turns to you, then tilts her head slightly
  588. 588.
    >"Nope."
  589. 589.
    >If only you could get this magical inhibitor off of your horn...
  590. 590.
    >You look over to Fluttershy, who just sits at the far end of her cage, facing away from everyone else
  591. 591.
    >Applejack is also just sitting in her cage, unsure of herself or what to do
  592. 592.
    >Convincing your turned friends seems to be impossible, the old ones you knew are most likely gone now
  593. 593.
    >And you were so close to defeating Nightmare Moon
  594. 594.
    >Of course the price would be immense... but this is just insane
  595. 595.
    >The door leading out swings open again
  596. 596.
    >Anonymous walks in, then steps aside
  597. 597.
    >Some strange creature walks in, most likely Rarity
  598. 598.
    >Her mane is still it's perfect curly shape, along with her tail
  599. 599.
    >But her legs, are now segmented like Rainbow Dash's, but in a different pattern, and her hooves are still the same shape
  600. 600.
    >Her body, though, is much different
  601. 601.
    >Stitches cover her belly and around her neck
  602. 602.
    >"Rarity, show them your special talent."
  603. 603.
    >She looks back and nods to him
  604. 604.
    >Her legs shift, and the plates on her legs stretch apart, revealing pale, red flesh
  605. 605.
    >Next, her stitches unravel and open, then several knives, clamps, needles, and countless metal objects and mechanical arms lower themselves
  606. 606.
    >It's definitely cruel what he's done...
  607. 607.
    >But how?
  608. 608.
    >Should you just ask?
  609. 609.
    >Rarity's legs compress and the plates shift into their original places as the machines recede and her body closes
  610. 610.
    >She turns to Anonymous
  611. 611.
    >"This isn't so bad, thank you, your highness."
  612. 612.
     
  613. 613.
    >He glances between you and Fluttershy
  614. 614.
    >Who will he turn next?
  615. 615.
    >And how?
  616. 616.
    >Wait... did Rarity just say your highness?
  617. 617.
    "Your highness, what?"
  618. 618.
    >Anonymous fixes his sight on you
  619. 619.
    >"Indeed, I am the King."
  620. 620.
    >How?
  621. 621.
    "Where did you come from? I've never seen anything like you before, nothing in my books, nothing taught by Celestia... what are you?"
  622. 622.
    >He tilts his head
  623. 623.
    >"Of course you haven't, I was born about three days ago."
  624. 624.
    >What?
  625. 625.
    "That's not possible! You're fully grown!"
  626. 626.
    >"I was created with the purpose of ruling along with Nightmare Moon. She does not have the time nor patience to raise another creature, so I started out at this stage of growth."
  627. 627.
    >Why would Nightmare Moon need someone else to rule with her?
  628. 628.
    >And why would that person be something like this?
  629. 629.
    "Wouldn't Nightmare Moon want another equestrian by her side?"
  630. 630.
    >"Actually yes, but something occurred during the growth process to turn me into what I am now."
  631. 631.
    "How were you born, then?"
  632. 632.
    >"I'll tell you when you're... like me."
  633. 633.
    >So, he's not going to say anything until you've changed?
  634. 634.
    >You still haven't figured out why he's doing this...
  635. 635.
    "I'm curious, why are you doing this? Did Nightmare Moon tell you to punish us?"
  636. 636.
    >He raises his eyebrows
  637. 637.
    >"Why?... At first, just because I can, but now I've figured a real purpose for myself. I'll tell you when you're changed as well."
  638. 638.
    >He cracks his neck
  639. 639.
    >"Now, where was I?... Ah yes, you, you're next."
  640. 640.
    >He points to Fluttershy
  641. 641.
    >She still faces the wall
  642. 642.
    >Anonymous clenches his fists
  643. 643.
    >"Stand, and face me."
  644. 644.
    >"Or what? You'll kill me? Go ahead."
  645. 645.
    >He strides forward, with a furious expression on his face
  646. 646.
    >Rainbow, Pinkie and Rarity all seem to give worried faces, towards both Anonymous and Fluttershy
  647. 647.
    >He reaches into his pocket, pulls out a key and jams it into the lock, then opens the gate
  648. 648.
    >"You're only making this harder for yourself, fool."
  649. 649.
    >He grabs Fluttershy by the mane and rips her back, as he stomps back out of the cage still holding her hair
  650. 650.
     
  651. 651.
    "You're only making this harder for yourself, fool."
  652. 652.
    >You grab her mane, and pull back viciously as you quickly stomp back out of the cage, dragging her with you
  653. 653.
    "All of you, listen well, and watch closely."
  654. 654.
    >You release her mane, only to widen your grip to the back of her head, and force her face to the ground
  655. 655.
    >Her wings are also bound, you quickly cut the ropes
  656. 656.
    "Now then... this is what happens when you attempt to test my patience."
  657. 657.
    >You grab the base of her right wing, and pull up as hard as you can
  658. 658.
    >She screams as you feel the flesh underneath your grip strain and stretch
  659. 659.
    >Then the wing rips
  660. 660.
    >You can hear her sobbing now
  661. 661.
    >Now, for her other wing
  662. 662.
    >You grab her left wing, and pull up while twisting
  663. 663.
    >Once again, she strains and screams, to no avail
  664. 664.
    >It tears as well, and comes free
  665. 665.
    >The two wounds bleed freely, as the pegasus under your grip still attempts to stand
  666. 666.
    >You look over to the other ponies, first to Applejack
  667. 667.
    >Her expression has hardened again, as now she glares at you with all her rage
  668. 668.
    >She's going to take forever to turn...
  669. 669.
    >Then to the purple unicorn
  670. 670.
    >She seems to likewise glare at you, and look at you in disbelief
  671. 671.
    >You pull up on the pegasus' mane, then turn to Rainbow Dash
  672. 672.
    "What's her name?"
  673. 673.
    >She looks at the pony in your grasp with a disinterested expression
  674. 674.
    >"Fluttershy."
  675. 675.
    >Interesting name
  676. 676.
    >You lift her to her hooves
  677. 677.
    "Now, do you want me to drag you there, or will you walk?"
  678. 678.
    >She responds in a weak, quiet, shaky voice
  679. 679.
    >"W-Walk... please."
  680. 680.
    >You release your grip and allow her to walk past you
  681. 681.
    >"You're a sick and twisted monster, you know that?"
  682. 682.
    >Once again, Applejack
  683. 683.
    >Only a little while longer before you'll stop her from running her mouth
  684. 684.
    >It's taken everything you have to not decapitate her now
  685. 685.
    >You follow Fluttershy through the door
  686. 686.
     
  687. 687.
    >"Y'know I'm impressed she could still walk after that. Her screams hurt my ears."
  688. 688.
    >"Indeed, I found it to be unpleasant."
  689. 689.
    >Pinkie Pie turns from her corner
  690. 690.
    >"What.... happened?"
  691. 691.
    >Rainbow turns to her
  692. 692.
    >"Oh, Anon's turning Fluttershy into one of us now."
  693. 693.
    >Pinkie smiles weakly
  694. 694.
    >"Oh.... that's.... good."
  695. 695.
    "That's cute, you already have a nickname for him?"
  696. 696.
    >Rainbow rolls her eyes while Rarity scoffs
  697. 697.
    >Funny, they act the same...
  698. 698.
    >Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to turn
  699. 699.
    >What would you be turned into?
  700. 700.
    >Might as well accept it now
  701. 701.
    >Silently, you all wait for Fluttershy's appearance
  702. 702.
    >You never did find out what happened to Celestia...
  703. 703.
    >The door opens, and in walks Fluttershy
  704. 704.
    >But, she looks... the same
  705. 705.
    >In fact, she looks better than before
  706. 706.
    >Except now she has... antennae?
  707. 707.
    >And something folded across her back
  708. 708.
    >"Fluttershy, show them."
  709. 709.
    >The folds open, and radiant light shines from her new, butterfly-like wings
  710. 710.
    >In fact, they might as well be giant butterfly wings
  711. 711.
    >With shimmering particles raining from them as a rainbow of colors constantly cascades down her wings between the lines
  712. 712.
    >It's almost mesmerizing
  713. 713.
    "Fluttershy... you look... great."
  714. 714.
    >She smiles towards you
  715. 715.
    >"Thank you, Twilight."
  716. 716.
    >You've completely forgotten...
  717. 717.
    >His cruelty, his brutality
  718. 718.
    >Celestia always told you to never judge based on first impressions
  719. 719.
    >"I was going to lose my original wings anyway, the conversion process would have taken longer if I still had them."
  720. 720.
    >She sounds the same, and sounds happier
  721. 721.
    >The only difference is that she no longer has ears, and her coat is slightly paler
  722. 722.
    >Anonymous walks in behind her, going around her large wings
  723. 723.
    >"Now, you, it's your turn."
  724. 724.
    >This isn't so bad, so long as you don't resist
  725. 725.
    >"You all sicken me, ya know? I can't believe you've all fallen for this! He's a monster! You're all gonna be slaves!"
  726. 726.
    >Anonymous completely ignores her as he opens your cage, and gestures for you to exit
  727. 727.
    >You walk through the open door with Anonymous behind you
  728. 728.
     
  729. 729.
    >You're the last one...
  730. 730.
    >Now you're in the minority
  731. 731.
    >And it's impossible for you to to do anything about it
  732. 732.
    >You'd kill him if you could
  733. 733.
    >If you died, that'd be fine, if it saved your friends
  734. 734.
    >But it wouldn't
  735. 735.
    >The friends you knew are gone now
  736. 736.
    >All you can do is wait...
  737. 737.
    >You're annoyingly anxious, really
  738. 738.
    >Waiting your turn after having seen what your friends turned into
  739. 739.
    >How can you cope?
  740. 740.
    >You'd need help, but no one else is here that would
  741. 741.
    >Suddenly...
  742. 742.
    >Your family
  743. 743.
    >Where are they?
  744. 744.
    >You haven't seen them
  745. 745.
    >For... who knows long?!
  746. 746.
    >This is the last time that you'll be able to even think about them... as a pony
  747. 747.
    >You'd cry if not for...
  748. 748.
    >For...
  749. 749.
    >A sudden comforting feeling
  750. 750.
    >Like another presence warming you
  751. 751.
    >You snap up, and look around
  752. 752.
    >No one else is in your cage
  753. 753.
    >Why do you suddenly feel so warm?
  754. 754.
    >"Applejack, it's alright."
  755. 755.
    "W-Who's there?"
  756. 756.
    >None of your chimera friends spoke
  757. 757.
    >Though they've all noticed your sudden outburst
  758. 758.
    >"Applejack, calm down, it'll all be clear soon."
  759. 759.
    >No, it's not coming from any particular direction
  760. 760.
    >It's... coming from all around you
  761. 761.
    "Who is this?"
  762. 762.
    >"Have you already forgotten my voice?"
  763. 763.
    >The voice chuckles softly
  764. 764.
    >"It's me, Twilight. I'll be in the room in a few seconds."
  765. 765.
    >The door suddenly opens, and in walks...
  766. 766.
    >Twilight, but her eyes... they're empty
  767. 767.
    >No pupils, no irises, nothing
  768. 768.
    >She's blind?
  769. 769.
    >And there are several, small purple spheres floating around her
  770. 770.
    >She immediately turns to you, and smiles an extremely warm smile
  771. 771.
    >"Alright everyone, get ready to have the whole gang back together again."
  772. 772.
    >You hadn't noticed until now, but there's a strange, sweet smell in the air
  773. 773.
    >Anonymous walks to your cage, and calmly opens it
  774. 774.
    >"They're all waiting for you, Applejack."
  775. 775.
    >He gestures for you to move from the cage
  776. 776.
    >"This time, all of you can see her transformation."
  777. 777.
    >You walk out from your cage
  778. 778.
    >Strangely calm
  779. 779.
    >Rainbow Dash opens the door for all of you as everyone files into the hallway
  780. 780.
     
  781. 781.
    >The guards continue to stand at attention as the entire group heads into the pod room
  782. 782.
    >You look back at your current creations
  783. 783.
    >All of them have undergone drastic, physical changes
  784. 784.
    >Although they haven't gone through many psychic changes, aside from increased apathy and loyalty towards you
  785. 785.
    >To increase their loyalty and apathy however, you had to swap parts of your and their minds with each other
  786. 786.
    >Therefore, you have some of them with you at all times
  787. 787.
    >But it does help them actually enjoy having been turned
  788. 788.
    >Regardless, it won't be long until Applejack changes into another one of your Royal guards
  789. 789.
    >Twilight will act as a guide, and radar for you
  790. 790.
    >Fluttershy will be your maid and spokesperson
  791. 791.
    >Rarity will be a surgeon and clothes designer
  792. 792.
    >Pinkie Pie will be another guard, along with Applejack
  793. 793.
    >Each of them is wholly unique, and similar
  794. 794.
    >You and the group finally reaches the pod room
  795. 795.
    "That one, right there."
  796. 796.
    >You point to the unused pod
  797. 797.
    >The others simply require time to recover or rejuvenate from their usage
  798. 798.
    >Applejack looks back to the others as she steps forward to the pod
  799. 799.
    >"Well, guess I'll see y'all again in a few minutes."
  800. 800.
    >She steps onto the pod, and it's arms lazily reach upward and envelope her in the same way the others had
  801. 801.
    "Once she is finished, I will show you all to your quarters."
  802. 802.
    >You and the others watch the pod
  803. 803.
    >The rushing of liquid, the writhing of the pod itself
  804. 804.
    >And why are you doing this to them?
  805. 805.
    >Something that you've known ever since you were born
  806. 806.
    >Literally buried into your subconscious
  807. 807.
    >To create more creatures like yourself
  808. 808.
    >Rather than direct reproduction which would take months to have an effect, you can quickly start your own species right here and now
  809. 809.
    >No more ponies or griffons
  810. 810.
    >Not equestrians
  811. 811.
    >Instead, chimeras, all with the same thought process and ideals
  812. 812.
    >Worldly equality at last
  813. 813.
    >But that comes later
  814. 814.
    >The pod stirs
  815. 815.
    >You step back from it as the arms unravel and the liquid begins seeping out
  816. 816.
     
  817. 817.
    ...
  818. 818.
     
  819. 819.
    >Muffled voices...
  820. 820.
    >Who are you?
  821. 821.
    >You can feel your body...
  822. 822.
    >Awake, finally
  823. 823.
    >Your mind is in shambles, as if you can only loosely make thoughts
  824. 824.
    >It feels like... you're underwater
  825. 825.
    >But you can breathe?
  826. 826.
    >It's warm here...
  827. 827.
    >You open your eyes
  828. 828.
    >Blurry, yellow liquid all around you
  829. 829.
    >You relax your tensed limbs, and begin gently floating
  830. 830.
    >More muffled voices from outside
  831. 831.
    >What are you?
  832. 832.
    >You flex your arms and hands
  833. 833.
    >Some times you feel something scrape against your fingers
  834. 834.
    >No, not your fingers themselves, your fingernails
  835. 835.
    >You feel something flow into you, although you can't tell where it's coming from
  836. 836.
    >But it's quelling your hunger
  837. 837.
    >And it's quite delicious
  838. 838.
    >Very filling.... empowering, in fact
  839. 839.
    >Then it stops
  840. 840.
    >You must have more
  841. 841.
    >How to get out of here?
  842. 842.
    >You twist your head around, looking for a way out
  843. 843.
    >All around you, nothing
  844. 844.
    >You look up, and see a tube leading down to your body
  845. 845.
    >Looking down, you see your body
  846. 846.
    >You stretch your legs, and your feet reach the bottom of the fleshy sphere
  847. 847.
    >Maybe...
  848. 848.
    >You reach forward with your hand, and meet another wall
  849. 849.
    >Using your nails, you push your fingers forward into the wall
  850. 850.
    >It splits, and you feel the liquid rushing past your fingers
  851. 851.
    >Now where does this lead to?
  852. 852.
    >You push further, opening the hole wider and more liquid begins to pour out
  853. 853.
    >Now you can feel the tube from above you beginning to stretch as you seem to be carried towards the opening you've made
  854. 854.
    >You claw the opening further open with your long nails
  855. 855.
    >The tube snaps
  856. 856.
    >Why are you suddenly so hungry?
  857. 857.
    >Your legs meet the bottom of the tear in the wall, and you feel it further give way as the liquid begins to carry you beyond the wall
  858. 858.
    >Suddenly you meet another surface
  859. 859.
    >And you can hear the voices clearly
  860. 860.
    >"Is... that what he's supposed to look like?"
  861. 861.
    >Without all that liquid... it's quite cold
  862. 862.
    >No, it's not another wall, it's the ground
  863. 863.
    >You push off from it with your arms, and look up
  864. 864.
     
  865. 865.
    >It's a dark room, and you are surrounded by several...
  866. 866.
    >You just had the word...
  867. 867.
    >Things are constantly slipping from your mind
  868. 868.
    >Ponies?
  869. 869.
    >You eye each of them as they stare back at you
  870. 870.
    >Some of them seem to be covered in glinting materials... armor?
  871. 871.
    >Others are completely bare
  872. 872.
    >You try to speak, but the words seem to get caught in your throat
  873. 873.
    >Now you notice that the air and ground are both quite cold
  874. 874.
    >You're completely naked, as well
  875. 875.
    >"Is that the King?"
  876. 876.
    >You widen your eyes
  877. 877.
    >King... King!
  878. 878.
    >Of course! That's who you are!
  879. 879.
    >You push off the ground with your hands, then you bring your left foot forward as you sit up in a kneeling position
  880. 880.
    >But if you're the King...
  881. 881.
    >Why does it feel so natural?
  882. 882.
    >It feels like...
  883. 883.
    >There's more than one consciousness within you
  884. 884.
    >You can hardly tell
  885. 885.
    >But what matters now, is establishing your authority
  886. 886.
    >You ARE the King!
  887. 887.
    >Bringing your right foot forward, you pause for a moment before slowly rising
  888. 888.
    >You take a deep breath through your mouth
  889. 889.
    >What will your first order be?
  890. 890.
    >Well, first you need to figure out how to actually speak...
  891. 891.
    >"Wasn't he supposed to be born tomorrow?"
  892. 892.
    >You clear your throat
  893. 893.
    "I... am... King."
  894. 894.
    >What a strange sensation
  895. 895.
    >The bare ponies begin to exchange worried glances with each other
  896. 896.
    >"He was in the middle of mental organization."
  897. 897.
    >"Be careful, he's probably still hearing voices."
  898. 898.
    >What are they talking about?
  899. 899.
    >You... are you not the King?
  900. 900.
    >Not the one to rule the world?
  901. 901.
    >You point to one of them with a shaky finger
  902. 902.
    "Obey..."
  903. 903.
    >Why are you trembling?!?!
  904. 904.
    >You tense up, clenching your fists
  905. 905.
    >What voices are they talking about?!
  906. 906.
    >Why can't you stop shaking?!
  907. 907.
    >Stop... IT! STOP IT!!
  908. 908.
    >You grab your head
  909. 909.
    >"I think he's breaking down!"
  910. 910.
    >One of the ponies with armor begins to approach you
  911. 911.
    >You yell out as loud as possible
  912. 912.
    "AWAY!!"
  913. 913.
    >Why is your mind shifting so much?!
  914. 914.
    >Suddenly you were confused... and angry
  915. 915.
    >Maybe... those ponies have the answer?
  916. 916.
     
  917. 917.
    >All these other voices
  918. 918.
    >You can tell they aren't coming from the ponies around you... but you still don't know exactly why you're hearing them in the first place
  919. 919.
    >But the ponies around you, they should know
  920. 920.
    >They were standing around the thing you came out of
  921. 921.
    >You look back to the deflated structure
  922. 922.
    >So that's where you came from.... but why do you hear all these voices?
  923. 923.
    >And... these other places you've seen... memories?
  924. 924.
    >They took you from your family
  925. 925.
    >What? You have no family...
  926. 926.
    >No, you are the King
  927. 927.
    >These ponies will answer your questions
  928. 928.
    >What happens when they don't recognize your authority?
  929. 929.
    >You'll have to decide later
  930. 930.
    >All of them have maintained their distance since you yelled
  931. 931.
    >You should be straightforward for now
  932. 932.
    >No, you should KILL ALL OF THEM!!
  933. 933.
    >You grab your head at the sudden rush of blood lust
  934. 934.
    "BE QUIET!!"
  935. 935.
    >Most of the ponies back away further, save for a few of the armored ones
  936. 936.
    >This is so annoying...
  937. 937.
    >No, you need to focus on gathering information
  938. 938.
    >You straighten up as well as you can, and shift your gaze between several of the ponies
  939. 939.
    >Again, you clear your throat
  940. 940.
    "Tell me where am I?"
  941. 941.
    >You keep your voice as stable and deliberate as you possibly can
  942. 942.
    >The armored ponies look back to the bare ones
  943. 943.
    >One of them steps further towards you, though still staying further back than the ones with armor
  944. 944.
    >"We are beneath the castle, your Majesty."
  945. 945.
    >At those words... your Majesty
  946. 946.
    >The voices seemed to recede, and become much quieter
  947. 947.
    >It felt... reassuring
  948. 948.
    "Who are all of you? And what is that?"
  949. 949.
    >You point to what you came out of
  950. 950.
    >"We are servants of Nightmare Moon, and that is the pod used to create you."
  951. 951.
    >Nightmare Moon... why is that name familiar?
  952. 952.
    >The voices seem to return at the sound of the name
  953. 953.
    >It's her... she's the one!!
  954. 954.
    >KILL HER
  955. 955.
    >KILL THEM
  956. 956.
    >NO! Be silent
  957. 957.
    >Whispers continue to persist
  958. 958.
    >You... you are the King
  959. 959.
    >Ignore these voices
  960. 960.
    >They are insignificant
  961. 961.
    >You suddenly notice your clenched fists, then quickly relax them
  962. 962.
    >Just... calm down
  963. 963.
     
  964. 964.
    >You need to get rid of these voices
  965. 965.
    >But first, you need to figure out what you're going to do
  966. 966.
    >And where you're going from here
  967. 967.
    >Where to start...
  968. 968.
    >You are the King, therefore, you ought to have your own quarters
  969. 969.
    "I wish to explore the castle, you will escort me, correct?"
  970. 970.
    >The pony that had been speaking to you seems to glance back to the others
  971. 971.
    >"Well... by order of Nightmare Moon herself, you are not to leave this room unless given permission by her, this rule may only be changed henceforth by her."
  972. 972.
    "So, I can only leave this room if she allows me to?"
  973. 973.
    >A wave a rage ripples through you as some of the voices begin to scream in anger
  974. 974.
    >Just... be quiet... we'll talk soon
  975. 975.
    >At that, the majority of them quiet down
  976. 976.
    >"Yes, your highness."
  977. 977.
    >This will give you time to sort out these voices
  978. 978.
    >You relax, and sit down on the cold ground
  979. 979.
    "Very well. Do not worry about me, I shall stay right here. Though you will still answer any questions I have."
  980. 980.
    >They nod
  981. 981.
    >Now then...
  982. 982.
    >Pay attention to these other minds
  983. 983.
    >Hear what they have to say
  984. 984.
    >...
  985. 985.
    >Her royal guards came to your home, to collect debt
  986. 986.
    >You tried to tell them, without any sun your crops were dying, and your family still needed you
  987. 987.
    >They wouldn't listen
  988. 988.
    >Eventually, you asked if there was any way you could pay the debt without money
  989. 989.
    >They said they had something in mind, and they brought you to the castle
  990. 990.
    >That's where you died
  991. 991.
    >...
  992. 992.
    >His name... he forgot
  993. 993.
    >Most of his memory is gone
  994. 994.
    >You look up at the ponies around the room
  995. 995.
    >The armored ponies have returned to their initial places
  996. 996.
    >And the bare ponies still murmur among themselves
  997. 997.
    >You point to one
  998. 998.
    "Come here a moment."
  999. 999.
    >The one you point to is quickly singled out as the others move away from... her
  1000. 1000.
    >You know some things about these ponies, although you have to use loose and broken information from other's memories
  1001. 1001.
    >For now, you can alternate between listening to the voices, and getting information from the ponies around you
  1002. 1002.
     
  1003. 1003.
    >You are Octavia
  1004. 1004.
    >The King has been born, but something is wrong
  1005. 1005.
    >He's not a stallion, he's... something else
  1006. 1006.
    >"Come here a moment."
  1007. 1007.
    >His voice suddenly snaps you to attention
  1008. 1008.
    >You look up, and see that he is pointing in your general direction
  1009. 1009.
    >All of the other servants have moved away from you
  1010. 1010.
    >You gulp
  1011. 1011.
    >No helping it...
  1012. 1012.
    >You walk toward him, stopping a few feet in front of him
  1013. 1013.
    >His face changes from cold to... warm?
  1014. 1014.
    >He relaxes his face, no longer glaring at you
  1015. 1015.
    >"What's your name?"
  1016. 1016.
    >This is bizarre, he's a completely different creature, and he isn't nearly as cruel as they said he would be
  1017. 1017.
    "It's Octavia, your Majesty."
  1018. 1018.
    >He seems to thoughtfully tilt his head
  1019. 1019.
    >"What do you do around here?"
  1020. 1020.
    "Well, ever since I was brought here, I was made a maid servant."
  1021. 1021.
    >"What did you do before?"
  1022. 1022.
    "I used to play the bass violin."
  1023. 1023.
    >It's a shame, you enjoyed playing that instrument
  1024. 1024.
    >"Used to?"
  1025. 1025.
    >Why does he even care?
  1026. 1026.
    "Yes, I'm not allowed to use the instrument here."
  1027. 1027.
    >"Could you still play if you had one?"
  1028. 1028.
    >He seems... interested in your life
  1029. 1029.
    "That's hard to tell, but I think I could."
  1030. 1030.
    >"Maybe I could have one given to you."
  1031. 1031.
    >Suddenly his face turns to disinterested, then to angry
  1032. 1032.
    >"What the hell?"
  1033. 1033.
    >He's obviously insane...
  1034. 1034.
    >And he's glaring right at you
  1035. 1035.
    >"I'm hungry, is there any chance I could receive food in here?"
  1036. 1036.
    >You swallow other words
  1037. 1037.
    >It would have been nice to continue that conversation
  1038. 1038.
    >The atmosphere became somewhat pleasant
  1039. 1039.
    "I do not know, sir."
  1040. 1040.
    >His eyes darken
  1041. 1041.
    >"I may just have to eat one of you if I'm not fed soon..."
  1042. 1042.
    >You need to get away from him, it's impossible to read him
  1043. 1043.
    >He waves you off as he rests his head on one of his hands
  1044. 1044.
    >"You may go back to the others."
  1045. 1045.
    >As you stand, a tear seems to roll down from his eye
  1046. 1046.
    "Your Majesty, are you alright?"
  1047. 1047.
    >He looks up at you
  1048. 1048.
    >"What?"
  1049. 1049.
    "Your eye..."
  1050. 1050.
    >He reaches up and wipes the tear away
  1051. 1051.
    >Now he looks confused
  1052. 1052.
    >"Give me some time to think."
  1053. 1053.
    >You walk back to the others and breathe a sigh of relief
  1054. 1054.
     
  1055. 1055.
    >You are Anonymous
  1056. 1056.
    >The King
  1057. 1057.
    >Why don't you remember most of the conversation you just had?
  1058. 1058.
    >And why did it feel like you already knew Octavia?
  1059. 1059.
    >What are all these minds surrounding your own?
  1060. 1060.
    >But... you are curious about them
  1061. 1061.
    >To learn about them, to better cope with them
  1062. 1062.
    >Though it would be better to remove them altogether
  1063. 1063.
    >Several names seem to suddenly appear in your mind
  1064. 1064.
    >When you talked to Octavia, one in particular distinguished itself
  1065. 1065.
    >One called Vinyl
  1066. 1066.
    >Why should you care?!?!
  1067. 1067.
    >Why do you want to know?
  1068. 1068.
    >Who are they?
  1069. 1069.
    >Just go away already
  1070. 1070.
    >And you were crying?
  1071. 1071.
    >What is this foolishness
  1072. 1072.
    >This... insanity
  1073. 1073.
    >First, you must figure out the source of these voices and minds
  1074. 1074.
    >Most of them say they died
  1075. 1075.
    >Specifically eaten, mostly
  1076. 1076.
    >Some were killed, then woke up here
  1077. 1077.
    >Many have told their stories, even now you listen to the countless voices
  1078. 1078.
    >The more you listen, the more you understand them
  1079. 1079.
    >And it drives you mad
  1080. 1080.
    >You are the King, why should you be concerned with such petty matters?
  1081. 1081.
    >Ignore these voices, do not give in
  1082. 1082.
    >But, why do you listen?
  1083. 1083.
    >Are you growing... attached?
  1084. 1084.
    >Impossible
  1085. 1085.
    >They are nothing but lower life forms that happened to be put into this body
  1086. 1086.
    >Perhaps you should say that they're rubbing off on you already
  1087. 1087.
    >Is that really your personality? Becoming attached at first glance?
  1088. 1088.
    >Pathetic, perhaps you don't deserve to be King...
  1089. 1089.
    >What?! NO! Impossible, there is no other fate for you!!
  1090. 1090.
    >Be SILENT
  1091. 1091.
    >How much longer until this... Nightmare Moon arrives
  1092. 1092.
    >Until then, you must suffer this internal torment
  1093. 1093.
    >It's hard to do... on an empty stomach
  1094. 1094.
    >You should just kill one of them
  1095. 1095.
    >They won't be missed
  1096. 1096.
    >No, not at all
  1097. 1097.
    >You begin to stand
  1098. 1098.
    >What? What are you doing?
  1099. 1099.
    >Immediately, you drop
  1100. 1100.
    >These voices are getting to you
  1101. 1101.
    >So annoying
  1102. 1102.
    >But you are hungry
  1103. 1103.
    >You speak out, not to anyone in particular
  1104. 1104.
    "How much longer until Nightmare Moon arrives? I am getting impatient."
  1105. 1105.
    >Most of the bare ponies look to you, along with the few armored ones
  1106. 1106.
     
  1107. 1107.
    >"We do not know, but you must wait."
  1108. 1108.
    >You can do nothing now but wait, entirely restless
  1109. 1109.
    >Why are you so damn hungry?
  1110. 1110.
    >You need to learn more about yourself
  1111. 1111.
    >About your body
  1112. 1112.
    >And the voices
  1113. 1113.
    >Just ask one of them
  1114. 1114.
    >You look to them
  1115. 1115.
    "Do any of you have an explanation for the voices in my head?"
  1116. 1116.
    >Most of them give you a confused look, while others seem to think
  1117. 1117.
    >One of them steps forward from the group
  1118. 1118.
    >"I believe it has to do with you emerging from the pod a day early. Your birth date was to be tomorrow. And you just so happened to be at the most sensitive stage of mental development."
  1119. 1119.
    >A day early?
  1120. 1120.
    >"You were in the middle of the breaking down of the mental barriers. So, now all those consciousnesses are distinguished within you."
  1121. 1121.
    >Is that why?
  1122. 1122.
    "Would I still hear if I were born later?"
  1123. 1123.
    >They pause for a moment
  1124. 1124.
    >"Most likely not. They would be gone."
  1125. 1125.
    >Interesting
  1126. 1126.
    "Do you know how I might be able to get rid of or deal with them?"
  1127. 1127.
    >The pony shakes their head
  1128. 1128.
    >You can still hear them, and feel the subtle pressure they exert on your mind
  1129. 1129.
    >Speaking of them...
  1130. 1130.
    >Their memories, while shattered and distorted, are also yours
  1131. 1131.
    >Many things involving Nightmare Moon
  1132. 1132.
    >And most of them seem to have some level of hated for her
  1133. 1133.
    >But a few of them feel loyalty
  1134. 1134.
    >So many mixed emotions and thoughts
  1135. 1135.
    >Why are so many focused around Nightmare Moon?
  1136. 1136.
    >And why do those memories seem to be exaggerated?
  1137. 1137.
    >You take a look around the room and notice that most of the ponies are no longer looking at you
  1138. 1138.
    >Following their eyes to a figure standing in the entrance of the room
  1139. 1139.
    >It's... her
  1140. 1140.
    >Nightmare Moon
  1141. 1141.
    >Pure rage is the first thing you feel
  1142. 1142.
    >You quickly stand, outstretching your hands
  1143. 1143.
    >The voices scream out
  1144. 1144.
    >KILL HER!!
  1145. 1145.
    >STOP HER HERE AND NOW!!!!
  1146. 1146.
    >They're... overpowering!
  1147. 1147.
    >Controlling your body!!
  1148. 1148.
    >Just as you lunge forward you hear her speak
  1149. 1149.
    >"King, your chariot awaits."
  1150. 1150.
    >Suddenly, they stop
  1151. 1151.
    >Silent
  1152. 1152.
    >You drop back to your knees in front of her

Submission is Mandatory archive

by grapenut