> A chance at a new life or just the same old same old? > by Belendu Armshire > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue: Experiment 227. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Entry 53. Experiment 227 Dubbed "Belendu Armshire" by staff. Overseer Jared Jones log. Experiment 227 aka Belendu is nearing completion. He currently resides in the cylindrical tank in the center of the Lab. The tank is filled with a viscous fluid that is both semi buoyant, making the subject float in the center, and can enter the lungs to serve the same purpose as oxygen from the air would. I write this log as though none of my other logs have been read before seeing as this is the most important one. The breakout. For the sake of the probability that the tapes from this or any other session are corrupted i will describe the subject. He is a tall man, standing at just over six foot seven. He has a wide build, he may have some awkwardness entering doorways due to his broad shoulders. He was grown with short brown hair and no pubic hair that i have noticed. His eyes, were they to be open are a reflective golden color with slit pupils much like a cats or a lizards. In his mouth are a set of normal teeth though his canines are much longer and sharp as a razor blade. His front incisors look no different to the casual glance but are known to be just as sharp as the canines. Other than that he is quite normal looking. 0900 hours. The regular scientists have just checked in and are heading into the lab. I of course am watching this from a separate wing of the building through several cameras. I can see them all going about their business of checking 227s vitals and other statistics. 227 is designed to be a 'super soldier' though I have always hated that term. To me he is just an animal wearing human skin. No discernible signs of intelligence except for that which the scientists have pumped into his brain, though that is a more personal bias. Not a scientific observation. 1030 hours. The lab coats seem to be getting excited over something. After looking over the data from my remote terminal I can see why. It is nearing the time of Release. The time where they drain the fluid and get the subject oriented, telling him his name, number Ect. Even though I think this is all a mistake I cant help but be curious how he will handle being released. Sometimes the subjects go catatonic and never fulfill their purpose. Or they simply die of shock from the different environment. 1300 hours. The Release process has just started. The fluid in the chamber being drained out through vents in the bottom to be used in later experiments. Subject 227 now lays on the bottom of the tube in a crumpled heap. Looking like a puppet with its strings cut. The glass of the chamber is receding into the floor right now, exposing him to the air outside. There seems to be no ill effects except for the fact that he is unmoving. The lab coats are helping him to his feet now. It seems he is in fact awake, his body is just too weak to stand on his own. 1400 hours. The subject has been moved to a chair and given a towel for decency. For the past hour they have been telling him his name and telling him exactly what he is. I have a list of his augmentations here. I will attach it to this hours log. Strength: The subject needs to be strong enough to assist soldiers in the field. His strength has been calculated at two to three average human males. Speed: His genetic code was infused with that of several sprinting animals to give him increased running speed and reflexes. (This was a surprise to me) Intelligence: He has had his IQ boosted to a very high level in order to have quick thinking on the battlefield. Augmented eyes: Gives him a sort of 'night vision' quality. Weapons training: He has had the memories of soldiers and swords fighters implanted into his mind that allow him to figure out most any weapon once he has had some time to look it over. 1430 hours. It.... It happened so fast. One moment i'm watching the video feeds and the next there is a... creature in the room with them. It was a long sinewy creature. It seemed to be made of several parts of many different animals that I can barely even recall it... The lab coats didn't even see it. It just waltzed right by them, whistling a merry tune and flicked the subject on the forehead with a talon. The subjects eyes widened and he jumped to his feet with a strength that he shouldn't have had yet. With that the creature released a dark chuckle and moved to the side of the room to watch as the subject tore into the lab coats, grabbing arms and legs and tearing them in half, throwing men and women against the wall, killing them instantly with sickening crunches. Once every lab coat was dead the subject moved to a locker that appeared next to the creature. He pulled out clothing and slipped it over his blood splattered form before the creature touched his forehead again, making the two of them and the locker vanish. 1500 hours. Its gone... The video feed. The sound recordings. All of it. Its all gone. No one will believe me, they think that the subject just went feral and are now combing the city. I dont know what to do... I.... *A sigh is heard* I'm just going to get a new job... Im done with this shit. Jared Jones signing off. > Oh god my head... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Oh god my head..." Those were the first words out of my mouth before I realized that I wasn't in the lab anymore. I sat up quickly and looked around. It looked like I was on a street of some kind. Large colorful shops decorated both sides of the smooth cobbled street as far as I could see. In the distance I could see what looked like a castle, though honestly it looked like a castle you would see in a childs storybook. I turned my eyes to my own body and slowly stood up. I'm wearing a thick leather jacket, white shirt, blue jean pants, and combat boots. I don't even know how I got these. The last thing I remember is getting told by the scientists that my name is Belendu Armshire. Past that its just blackness. I shake my head to clear my thoughts and figure that the castle has to contain someone of importance that may know where i'm supposed to go. With a groan of some pain, I put one foot in front of the other and start walking down the street towards the castle. The streets are dark, though that is understandable considering it looks as though its around midnight. Around twenty minutes later I reach the large golden gates of the castle. I'm busy marveling at the fact that they are actually made of gold when I hear a gruff male voice from a figure I didn't notice. "You there! Whats your business here?" I blink and turn my head to the source of the voice to answer. "Hi. Sorry I'm subject... 2... what?" I take a good look at the figure and rub my eyes to make sure that i'm not seeing things. But when I take a second look it is unchanged. Standing by the gates are two horses.. Well ponies really. Both wearing dark purple armor and having glowing yellow eyes with pupils not unlike my own. Strangely enough they both seem to be unicorns as well. The one that spoke, on the right, clears his throat "Subject 2? What is that supposed to mean?" He nods to the one on the left and with a pop, his horn glows and he vanishes. Before I get over the shock of one of the ponies just up and vanishing, my body is covered in a yellow aura matching the now glowing horn of the first guard. "It doesn't matter. You're coming with me." With that his horn glows brighter and the world fades into blackness. An indiscernible amount of time later I slowly come to, my vision fading in and out, blurring much of what I see. What I can see confuses me even more than I already was. I see iron bars and a stone floor, behind the bars an old style torch flickers, illuminating my prison cell. I pushed myself to a sitting position on the rock hard cot that I seemed to have been tossed on. I blink away the blurriness and take a good look around. On my wrists and ankles are thick iron shackles, restricting my movement. The bars of the cell are well made and have sheen to them that I cant place. The floor is made from a grey stone that is seamless where the walls and floor meet. There are a few cracks in the floor, showing that the place is old and not very well kept. In one corner I can see a nest of rats watching me, daring me to make a move. I shiver involuntarily and pull my feet up onto the cot just as the sound of clopping hooves on the stone floor reaches my ears. I turn my head just in time to see a large white horse. Yes a horse, not a pony this time. The creature seems to have both wings and a horn, the word Alicorn comes to mind. It also is wearing some sort of regalia, a crown with a deep purple gem in its center, a large golden chest piece with a matching gem and four golden hoof covers on each of its feet. For several minutes I stare at the things hair, or mane i suppose. It seemed to be constantly in motion by an invisible wind, held constantly aloft. The hair itself looked like it was made of a rainbow mixed with sunlight. Truly fascinating to stare at. It looks at me from the other side of the bars with an almost kind look that gives me the first hint at its gender, though its voice is really what confirms that. "Who are you?... WHAT are you?" She tilts her head at me, looking me over with a strange expression, seeming to focus on my chest. When I look down I can see some blood staining my white shirt. Ignoring her questions I lift my shirt up quickly to check for injury. I find no injury but... I'm splattered in blood. Its not mine or at least I don't think it is. Her eyes widen at the sight of the blood and she stamps a foot on the stone floor. "What have you done to my ponies??" I blink in confusion and speak to her for the first time "Your ponies? I've only met two horse things so far... I don't even know how I got here but i need to get back. Do you know where New York is?" Her blank stare is answer enough so I try a little more "America?" The same blank stare. I sigh "Earth...?" She shakes her head "No. I have never heard of any of these places. But you are in no position to question me. Tell me how that blood got there. Now." I sigh in frustration "I. Don't. Know. All I know is I woke up on the streets of some town and then two horse things took me. I don't have any clue where this blood came from. Now can you please tell me where I am?" She doesn't seem to be satisfied with that, but answers my question anyway "You are in Canterlot. The castle prison specifically. You're the first prisoner we've had here in quite some time." Her eyes flick to the rats in the corner that hiss when they notice her staring. I clear my throat to get her attention back on me "What country is this? I've never heard of any place that has talking horses.. Er.. ponies." She cracks a small smile at that "This is Equestria. On planet Equs. Though I don't know if that means anything to you." That confirmed it. I put my face in my hands and groaned. "Great... So im not even on earth anymore... Fucking great..." I pull my face back up to look at my shackles. "As much fun as these are. Can I get them off?" She frowns and shakes her head "Im sorry. But until we know you aren't a threat we cannot be too careful. But.." The shackles around my ankles vanish with a pop "We can let you out of this cell and into a more hospitable room." With a glow of her horn the door to my cell opens up and she smiles "Please come." I eye her suspiciously but stand and slowly make my way to the door, suspecting a trap at how quick she was to trust me. "So where is this room we're going to?" I ask as we walk down the stone hall and through a very ornate door. On the other side is a long hall with many paintings, statues and other shows of power and money. She smiles "We have many guest rooms here in the castle. We just wanted to put you in the cell in case you were hostile. But it seems you are more confused about your situation than we are. So I think it is best if you are given a proper room." I fall silent at that, eyeing her and a few passing ponies wearing maids outfits or armor similar to the guards that captured me. After leading me through a maze of halls and side doors, we reach a simple wooden door. She opens it with what I assume is magic and shows me inside. Its a nice enough room, though simple. A single bed and desk decorate the room. Other than that there is one door that after looking inside later, is revealed to contain a small bathroom. "This is where you will stay until morning. When you wake, my sister and I will question you on your origin and intentions. Be ready." With that she shuts the door behind me and locks it from the outside. Once the door is locked, the shackles on my wrists pop open and fall to the floor with the same golden glow that she has been using. I rub at my sore wrists and walk over to the bathroom, stripping and washing myself clean of the blood. Once clean I stare into the mirror, trying to remember anything but nothing comes to mind. I sigh and make my way to the bed, laying on it nude and covering myself with the surprisingly soft blanket. Soon enough the darkness of sleep claims me in its velvety embrace, keeping me warm in my slumber. > The black abyss. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I opened my eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time in the past 24 hours. I sighed and looked around to try to see where I was. When I get a good look at my surroundings I nod in comfort and relax. I'm in the Black abyss that I know so well, otherwise labeled (By me) the Dream bubble. I spent over five years in that tube at the lab, all of it spent sleeping. After so long you learn to control your dreams and by extension, have better focus. I smiled to myself and poofed a comfortable armchair under me. I let myself drift in the inky blackness for what seems like hours before feeling... something. I snapped my head in the direction of the disturbance to find another one of those horses. Not the little pony things, but a full grown horse. Though this one was smaller than the white one. This horse in particular had a bluish purple fur color, both wings and a horn just like the last one, regalia that looked very similar to the last horse, but this set matched the darker horse more. When I craned my neck I could see that she had some sort of splotching on her flank, a black splash with a crescent moon. Her hair and... Sorry mane. Her mane and tail flowed just like the other but instead of being made of rainbows and sunlight, this one was crafted from what looked like the night sky itself. The horse in question seemed just as fascinated by me as I did by her. She slowly floated circles around me, eyeing me from top to bottom, almost as if she was seeing if I was a threat or not. I held a hand up and snapped my fingers, throwing the both of us into a large hallway, lined with paintings of various scenes of battle. I stood from my armchair as it dissolved into smoke and turned to face the horse. "Let me guess. You're some sort of construct? Capable of entering the dreams of people?" She smiled at me and shook her head "We are the Princess of the night. Princess luna!" Her voice blew a huge gust of wind my way that, had it been in the real world, would have blown me to my ass. I rub a finger in my ringing ear and hold a hand about head level. "You're here. You need to be," I lower my hand to my waist "Right about here. Too damn loud." She blushes faintly and replies "Sorry... We- er... I... Have been trying to learn the ways of the ponies in the current day. Being away for a thousand years leaves me with a few outdated habits..." Before I can ask what she means about being away for a thousand years she points a hoof at one of the paintings. "What is this? Depictions of battle?" I smile and nod, walking closer to the painting in question "Yes. The Alamo battle. Fought in 1836. The pivotal fight in the Texas revolution. Fewer than 200 Texan men guarded this fort." I tapped the form of the Alamo fort in the distance of the picture. "Wherein roughly 1500 Mexican soldiers led an assault on the fort." I chuckle a bit "Those Texans defended that fort with their lives, holding out for thirteen days before the Mexican soldiers broke through their defenses and slaughtered the remainder of the Texans that surrendered. But. Of the 1500 Mexicans that fought, around 600 were wounded or killed." Princess Luna nods and points at another picture. It continued this way for around 4 to 5 hours. She would pick a painting and I would explain the history given to me by the scientists behind said battle. Around the five and a half hour mark she finally relented. "This... Is morbid yet inspiring. It is strange to think that so much destruction can be caused by weapons crafted without magic." She lightly smiles at me and holds out a hoof. At first I think she is pointing at another painting but at her silence I realize that she is wanting to shake my hand. I smile and reach out, shaking her hoof firmly "I am Belendu." She nods and tells me to just call her Luna. "Well Luna. You say you're the princess of the night? Does that me the other horse is the Princess of the Day?" She giggles when i say horse but nods again "That is true. My sister and I share the responsibility of the day and night cycle here. I raise and lower the moon whilst my sister, the sun." I scoff the idea of horses raising the moon and sun but don't say it out loud. Horse or not, they have magic. If they can make things vanish and knock me out, who knows what else they are capable of? Luna walks around, looking the paintings that we hadn't discussed yet as she talks "My sister told me to look into your dreams to see what your subconscious was like. I had no idea you would be aware of my entry." She says with a side long glance at me "But it is clear to me that you are a warrior. Someone who fights to the death without remorse for the killing you do in the process. In other words, a threat." I open my mouth to argue but close it when I realize that she is right. So instead I sit in the armchair that appears behind me and stare her down. "And just what do you and your sister plan to do to me? Kill me so that i'm no longer a threat?" She narrows her teal eyes at me. "And if I said that was the case. What would you do?" I chuckle darkly and grin at her, baring my sharpened canines "Kill everything that stands in my way to freedom. I may have been bound by my creators but they are not here. You are NOT my creator and I will not be treated as a prisoner or an animal. If you leave me be I will do nothing. However. If you decide that killing me is the best decision I will make you sorely regret it." She keeps her eyes narrowed for a while before smiling "Then let us not get to that point." She turns her gaze upwards before looking back at me. "It is nearing dawn. My sister and I will have a servant come get you for breakfast where we will discuss what shall be done with you. I bid you goodnight Belendu Armshire." I blink at her use of my last name. I hadn't given it to her... How did she know it? Before I can ask she vanishes from existence, leaving me in the art gallery in silence. I sigh heavily before starting the process of waking myself up. Its going to be a long day.... > Scratchy scratch! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I cracked my eyes open to stare at the pristine white ceiling of my room/holding cell. Truth be told its much more comfortable than the prison cell from before but it still serves the same purpose. I sit up with a small grunt and look around the room, rubbing my the sleep from my eyes. To my surprise I find my clothes from the day before sitting on a side table, folded and smelling of soaps. A few minutes later I stand at the foot of my bed, fully dressed and heading into the bathroom to wash my face and scrub my teeth with my finger, lacking a toothbrush. Once my daily ritual, that technically only started today, was finished, I made my way back into the bedroom to find a small blue unicorn wearing a maids outfit staring at me from the door with the handcuffs in her magical grasp. "P-princess Celestia s-said that you h-had to wear these. I-if thats ok?" Her whole body was quivering and she stared at me with obvious fear in her eyes, fear which confused me. What could they have been saying about me already? What could be the issue that caused such terror already? I smiled at her and held out my arms with a nod, letting the blue pony attach the cuffs to my wrists. Once latched shut she backed out of the door, motioning for me to follow with her head. I walked forwards and out the door, still smiling. My smile seemed to put her at ease slightly, enough that i could start up conversation. "So.... Whats the word around the castle? Or palace. Whichever." I looked at the paintings and busts of the two princesses as we walked, wondering how old could these two be? I'm no art expert but some of these paintings looked old. Very old. The little unicorn glanced at me and said in a quiet voice "That... You assaulted a guard and nearly killed him..." I blinked in confusion and looked back down at her "No... I never did that. In fact if anyone has been assaulted its me. Got knocked out with magic and thrown in a jail cell just for showing up at the castle gates. But if you're worried that i'm going to do something, don't be." I chuckle and pat her head with my cuffed hand and instinctively scratch behind her ears. Instantly she stops and stands stock still, a blissful look on her face with her eyes rolling back into her head. At first i'm worried and try to take my hand back but at the expression that told me she would gut me with her horn if I stop, I nervously chuckle and continue scratching, much to her obvious delight. After a few minutes she finally shakes her head and smiles up at me, holding out a hoof. "I'm Berry Delight. I... I'm sorry about what I said.... Nopony that can scratch ears like that could be mean." She giggles and takes my hands, shaking them with both her front hooves. How she balanced I have no idea, she went back to all fours before I could look. I introduced myself and she nodded, leading me down the hall some more, staying a little closer than she was before. Roughly ten minutes later (Seriously how big is this place??) We arrived at two large golden doors. The left door was decorated with a moon and a dark pony figure with wings and a horn, an alicorn. The other was decorated with a sun and a white version of the alicorn. Obviously the two sisters. The door was opened from the inside by a guard in golden armor at our approach and with a warm goodbye, Berry trotted down the hall, tail wagging like a puppy that just did good for its owner. I shrugged and headed inside the large room. By large I do mean LARGE the room could easily fit a couple football fields, though most of it was empty space. Six pillars made from some sort of white marble lined the center path, three on each side. The path itself was just a simple, yet decorative red carpet that lead all the way to two thrones. One being golden, the other a more navy blue color. Sat upon their respective throne were the two sisters, Luna and Celestia. Luna smiled wide upon seeing me and waved a hoof in the air "Belendu! Come come!" I gave the large room one last look before settling my view on the two sisters. Half way to the thrones, my handcuffs took on a blue aura and vanished from existence with a pop. I looked down and rubbed my wrists as I neared the thrones, getting circulation back into my fingers. At the foot of the steps up to the thrones I stopped and looked up at them, ready to bear the assault of questions from the two. Luna, I noticed, seemed happy to see me. As though I was a good friend of hers. Celestia on the other hand, seemed to watch my every move, as though just waiting for me to fuck up so she can throw me back in the prison. I decided there that I liked the Princess of the night more. Luna nodded her head for me to come up the small stairs. I stuffed my hands in my jacket pockets and trudged up the stairs, still ready for the inevitable question attack. Once at the top I stood there in military fashion with my hands behind my back. Just as predicted they had hundreds of questions. Questions about who I am. What I am. What earth is like. What humans are like. I would write the whole conversation here but it would take pages upon pages. To simplify, I told them that humans are intelligent, yet brutal. I told them that I am a genetic experiment that was designed for preparation of World war 3. Then I told them of the world wars. I told them everything I could about humans to the best of my knowledge given to me by the scientists. To say that they were shocked is an understatement. They were stunned beyond belief. That a race without magic could achieve so much. Craft weaponry that could kill millions in an instant, but at the same time, create medicinal machines capable of healing someone back to pristine. Surprisingly, Celestia was the first to speak. "You.... Your people... Are monsters." She stated simply. At first i'm offended but when I think over the information that I gave them, I cant help but agree. Luna shook her head and looked over at her sister. "Nay sister. Remember the dark ages? We are no different than they. His people did what they had to, to survive. Thrown in a world without magic and with creatures that could easily make a meal out of you. Its only understandable that they would evolve into a more warrior species. Much like the griffons." She turned her head back to me and nodded to me "We have thought long of this and have decided to give you a citizenship, granting you free realm of Equestria, on one condition." She smirked a bit "You must take a guide with you that my sister and I can trust. For now you will go to Ponyville to see Celestias student. Maybe learn a few things about this world." Celestia has a student? If so why aren't they here? Learning from their teacher. I nodded to the two of them, though looking more at Luna as I spoke. "When will I leave?" She giggled at that and pointed a hoof at a window. Once I looked through it, I could see some sort of closed chariot with two Pegasai attached to it. "Right now. Those two stallions are waiting for you." She prodded me in the chest with the same hoof used for pointing and smiled. "Go Belendu. Go make some friends." I thought that rather strange but shrugged it off. What do I need with friends? I wasn't designed to need friends. I was made to be a soldier. A killer with a purpose. A weapon. I walked back to the large throne doors, noting that on the inside, both doors were decorated with a sun and a white alicorn. The guard from before (Or at least I think its the same one. They all look the same to be honest.) opened the door for me to reveal a smiling Berry Delight. At my quizzical expression she trotted up next to me. "The princesses asked for me to be your guide. Isn't that great!" She practically filled the room with happiness with the size of her smile. I merely chuckled and patted her head, careful not to scratch behind her ears and put her in a coma. "That's wonderful Berry." She beamed at that and walked beside and slightly ahead of me, leading me to the chariot outside. The two guards spotted us and one walked around to open the chariot door for me. I thanked the man- er... Stallion, and climbed aboard, quickly followed by Berry. On the inside it looked like an old west chariot or wagon. Simple cushion seats and a small window. I sat on the side closest to the front, expecting Berry to take the seat opposite. Instead she sat right next to me and nuzzled my hand. "Scratchies now! Pleaseeeee" She gave me the saddest puppy eyes I think ill ever see. With a small sigh I raised my hand to behind her ears and started scratching gently, sending her into the drooling coma of scratchitude. ........Never thought i would write that down...... ever..... > Ponyville? Seriously? That's the name? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three hours and a cramped hand later, our chariot landed in Ponyville. Let me just say that as soon as I felt the thing lift off the ground, I nearly had a heart attack. It was only the soothing words of Berry that kept me from bailing three seconds after takeoff. It didn't take long to land, and it could have been a bit smoother. But all in all it seemed to be a good mode of transportation. The door opened from the outside by the same stallion. I smiled and thanked him as I stepped out, followed close by Berry. We had apparently landed on a hill overlooking the sleepy town of Ponyville. Berry had informed me of the towns name and what to generally expect when we get here. I cant say i'm surprised. The town didn't look overly large, which was to be expected. There were just over 50 buildings in total, give or take ten or so. A few buildings were larger than others, and there were some that weren't in the town at all. I could see a few buildings on the edges of town. One that, even from this distance, could tell its a farm. Barn, fields and all. There was another that looked like a hobbit house, half hill and half tree. A few more buildings of note stood out to me but I was interrupted from my study of the town by a brown cloth back held up in the hoof of one of the guards. "Princess Luna told us to give this to you." He seemed to have an exasperated look on his face, as though he was sick of guiding around the 'freak' or whatever they are considering me as. I took the bag with a smile and opened the top up. Inside was a small pile of golden coins, probably around 20 or so. On one side was Celestias face, crafted out of gold with no coloring. On the other was a stamp of said sun gods butt tattoo. I seriously need to ask about these butt things. Every single pony that I see has one. I closed the bag and look back at the guard. "Thank you sir. Have a good flight back." He nodded at that and ruffled his... feathers? How am I not noticing this stuff? I really need to pay more attention. The guard headed back to his spot next to his partner and hitched back up. I stopped paying attention after that and turned back to the town with a smile. "Well Berry. You ready to go meet some people?" She gave me a strange look. "I'm ready to meet some ponies.... Yes..." I rolled my eyes at that and gestured for her to go ahead and lead me. Her signature smile returned and she trotted ahead of me with a skip in her step. I chuckled a bit and followed behind, taking in her maids outfit. "Why are you still wearing that by the way? I figured you would be wearing something more practical since you're my 'guide'" I tilted my head slightly, confused about the whole situation. I mean honestly? A guide? If it weren't for the fact that Berry is nice and that the princesses have magic powerful enough to raise the sun and moon, I would have booked it out at the first sign of freedom. Berry giggled at me and ruffled the maids outfit "I like it. Its been my uniform for six years now so it would feel strange to wear anything else." I nodded in understanding. I didn't write it in my previous journal entries but berry and I had a long talk on the carriage ride here. Apparently she worked as a maid for the past six years and before that was raised in an orphanage. A head maid in the castle itself found her cleaning something in the orphanage and decided to take her in as a student/daughter. That was only six years ago, meaning that Berry is a little naive at times. But shes bubbly and has a good sense of humor so it balances out. By that time we had reached the edge of town, getting many strange looks. Some fearful, some cautious, some curious, but all watching me. I hunched my shoulders, not used to the close attention I was getting, though I can say I was glad to have Berry at my side. I think without her being there the locals would have already gotten the pitchforks and torches to turn me into burnt Swiss cheese. Berry on the other hand, seemed completely unaffected by the stares. Even going so far to wave at a few towns people that she must have known. I on the other hand just kept my head down and shuffled past them, keeping Berry in view while keeping my eyes on the ground. Eventually the torment stopped when I bumped into Berrys behind. She eeped and I hopped back. "Sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going. Heh...." I scratched the back of my head awkwardly and looked up to see why she stopped. Apparently we had reached our destination. A tree.... Well... Half tree. The thing had a door, a couple windows, and a balcony with a telescope on it. The front door of it opened to reveal a purple unicorn. Or maybe lavender, i'm not so good with colors to be honest. Her hair was a darker purple color with a pink stripe going through it. Her eyes nearly matched the color of her mane. And on her butt was one of those tattoo things, a large purple star with five smaller white ones surrounding it. Said woman.... well mare I guess. Said mare looked at Berry with slight recognition, but when her eyes landed on me... God... I was expecting fear, caution, suspicion. Not... Well to be honest I recognized that look from the scientists. Her eyes lit up with excitement and her horn started glowing. Before I could get even a word in, she surrounded me with the glow and drug me into the house and down to the basement where I was thrown onto a table and had some sort of instruments attached to me, measuring all sorts of things while she rattled off numbers with an amused Berry standing behind her. Will I ever get a normal day in this place?..... The loud bestial roar I just heard outside probably answers that question well enough... > (Update) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey everyone sorry about being gone for so long. Things are crazy what with my eye surgery and some other personal things. Ill be back to writing by the end of next week though. Im moving houses and things are just insane around here. So.. Yeah.... See you guys then!