> A bio-weapon by any other name
>  by kottadragon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Things NOT to do in the hood
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I’m not sure why Murphy decided to fuck me in the ass. But he did big time! Now you’re all probably thinking I’m exaggerating, but let me explain to you what my life was like before shit went five different ways sideways.

My name was, and still is Noah. I’m a nerd of pretty much every conceivable form of media. Other then that I was pretty average in terms of looks and there wasn’t much outstanding about me, but hey I couldn’t really complain things were great all things considered. I had been seeing this really cool girl for a few weeks. My brother was on leave from the military and hadn't come back in a bodybag, which is always a plus. I had some good friends. Shit was looking good!

But nooo! Murphy’s law just had to say. You know what fuck this guy! And that’s exactly what he did. Now I was going to see my friend Andre… Now you could say Andre lived in a ‘less than reputable part of town’ and by that I mean full on hood. We’re talking gangbangers sitting on apartment steps, type of hood.

I made two fatal mistakes that day. One was stopping completely at a red light instead of running it. Mistake number DOS was having a nice car in said hood.

I was stopped at the red light looking up at it waiting for it to change. When all of a sudden I heard some tapping on the glass. I didn’t even need to look over to know my ass was being Uncle Benned. Sure enough there with a gun pressed up against my window was some motherfucker looking like he just stepped outta the Boondocks. I mean I’m talking sideways grip on the gun, chains, wife beater t-shirt, bandana, and probably pants so low he might as well not wear them at all. Couldn’t be more stereotypical if he tried.

Now I’m gonna be honest I’ve never had particularly strong survival. This can be attested to the fact I got into a lot of fights in school when I was younger. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that near non-existent survival instincts, plus anger issues, plus a sarcastic personality equals a whole lot of dumbass in a whole lot of bad situations.

This was made clear by my next actions. I calmly rolled down the window and said. “Good afternoon sir can I help you?” I said sprouting the biggest shit eating grin I could muster.

This seemed to piss off said street clown as his forehead decided it was time to start flexing, and bulging veins like a bodybuilder when a hot girl walks by. “You think I’m playing! Get outta the fucking car right now! Or I’m gonna put a bullet between your eyes!”

As soon as he said that the few parts of my brain devoted to keeping me alive took the reigns from the ones devoted to making me a sarcastic jackass. “Woah man calm down man.” I said my shit eating grin dissolving into a nervous one. With a nervous chuckle I got out of the car and walked a few feet away from it. 

Things would have probably turned alright, were it not for the facts I can’t keep my damn mouth shut, and because this dudes pants were so low he waddled to the car like a penguin. I probably would have been fine otherwise. But I just couldn’t help myself. Under my breath I muttered “Man. With a waddle like that you must be related to Mumble from happy feet!”

Suffice to say it took him a few moments to process he had just been insulted. But boy when he did, he was on me in seconds. “Just couldn’t keep your mouth shut could you!” He said slamming me up against a wall. Not particularly no. Pressing his gun against my head.

“Woah, Woah!” I shouted holding my hands up trying to placate him. As I ironically sweated bullets. “Come on it was just a joke man no need for all this, I mean do you really want to risk the trouble. Just so you can kill me?” I said in hopes I could stop him.

He looked angrily at me. Honestly I thought I saw a little foam at the corners of his mouth. As quickly as it came the rage seemed to leave him, leaving a disturbingly friendly smile. “You know what! Your right you ain't worth it!” He shouted pushing me down and hopping into my car.

It tires let out a screech, leaving nothing but smoke and the smell of burnt rubber. I jerked myself off the ground before dusting myself off. I reach in and grabbed what I still had in my pockets. “Let’s see house keys, phone, wall…” I got off before remembering where I was and shutting up. “NOPE! DAMN HE TOOK EVERYTHING!” I shouted into the darkness.

I began making my way down the sidewalk. I only made it a few steps before I heard my car tires screech, again. Quickly looking back I saw it had turned around and was blazing down the road in my direction. “Shit!” I tried to make a run for it, but the car caught up effortlessly. I hurt two shots, and felt some piercing thumps in my back.

My run slowed to a jog, then a slow walk, as I lifted a hand to my chest. I felt something hot and runny on my hands. Slowly I pulled my hands up and confirmed it was in fact my blood. I staggered forward a couple steps, still looking on in disbelief. “Mo-moth-motherfucker actually shot me.” I said before falling limply forward. 

Darkness consumed my vision, but not before a pair of boots stepped into vision. “You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven't you?”

Dying didn't last long though because after a few moments of pure darkness light started to return. Is this heaven no, no I’m definitely not ending up there of all places. Which to still left the question of where I was, but I definitely was narrowing it down.

Soon enough the light started to turn into shapes and different shades of color. Shades of only red mind you, but color nonetheless! I seemed to be in some sort of glass tube filled filled with some red liquid. I could make out the sound of someone talking. Oh my god! I’ve been abducted! But in all seriousness what I saw when I ‘turned’ around would have floored me… That is if I could be floored. It was a motherfucking pony!

I don’t mean let your sister ride at the fair type ponies. I mean MLP gouge your eyes out vibrant colors, soft, puppy eyed ponies. This really should have scared me, or at the least been off putting to me; and it was but not much more then ‘oh no what’s going on!’ for some reason.

Anything they said was muted behind the glass so I couldn’t make any of it out. I could see however that there were two. A pink unicorn with a golden mane was levitating me along beside her in a golden aura. The second one was a brown earth pony with a messy gray mane. I would have told you what their cutie marks were, but they were wearing generic lab coats so I couldn’t see them.

Oh there was also one other fact! THEY WERE FUCKING HUGE! They were as big as skyscrapers. Or at least I thought for a whole of five seconds. Because I finally got a good look at my ‘body’. I looked like a mass of black thrashing tendrils in the shape of a ball; floating in the middle of glass test tube filled with some funky red liquid.

I couldn’t make out much of where I was other then the fact the walls were made of thick concrete painted a snow white, and there were caged lights embedded in the ceiling every several feet. There was however two words that I keep seeing repeated in bold red letters, Genesis Foundation.

Sadly these assholes refused me the opportunity to take this all in. Cause next thing I know we’re in a large octagon shaped room full of blinding as fuck lights. I notice that off to the left is an observation deck about twenty feet off the ground, but oh no that isn't what drew my attention. Right smack at the back of the room is a large circular piece of metal inside of it being held at a slant was what looked like a human skeleton with some stringy muscle fibers here and there, along with the occasional piece of piping. In all honesty it reminded me where they made the synths from fallout 4, or westworld.

The Unicorn jammed my tube into a slot next to the machine that connected via a series of tubes. Oh no spider senses tingling. A blast of air pressure was sent out as my tube was slotted in. Now I know it shouldn’t work that way but for some reason I could hear better now.

“Golden Genes, Frayed Ends we are about to begin the test vacate the area, and join us on the observation deck.” Came the monotone voice of a mare over a speaker in the corner of the room. Oh I don’t like the sound of that.

‘Golden Genes, and Frayed Ends’ hauled ass like employees taking cover on black Friday. After a few minutes of fuck all an emotionless mare’s voice came over the speaker. “Recording start… Beginning Blacklight bio-weapon test seven. Initiating attempt of binding Blacklight compound to synthetic body begin.”

You guys know how in sci-fi movies and they activate their warp drives or whatever; how their bodies stretch and defy the laws of physics. That’s what it was like as I was shot through the series of tubes to the body. Was like being thrown into those machines that are constantly twisting, and pulling taffy. Not a pleasant experience whatsoever. I’m incredibly thankful I don’t have nerves to feel pain right now, or this would hurt like a bitch!

A few seconds later I was spit out onto the body with little to no care, frankly it was all a little insulting. But oh boy after a moment I began to spread and consume the body, I was like a fat kid in a candy shop. You know as in I couldn’t control myself, literally, my body was on autopilot with this whole thing. I was learning everything about the cells, and how to replicate them on an instinctual level. It was incredible, it was awe inspiring, it was a power rush! I was doubling in size by the second, and taking on a human form. After a whole minute I was complete. I was ‘human’ again! Naked but human! Then I felt a rumbling deep in my stomach as I dropped out of the machine onto the ground. Fuck, did they make this thing with taco bell!

That wasn’t what it was at all though. I suddenly felt everything pull away from me as I exploded outward as a mass of black tendrils, that had an orange glow to some parts. I could hear the sound of the walls and ceiling cracking as they tried to pull everything back to the center. I reformed at the center of the explosion a second later, and walked forward before falling to the ground gasping for breath, and sweating. Yesh what are these scientist feeding me? After I reformed the reddish orange glow from the tendrils went out as they ‘died’.

There was static from the speaker, which had miraculously survived, for a moment before the voice from before cut in. “Hmmm, interesting. Bonding appears to have been successful though with an aggressive side effect. Subject appears to already conscious…” I could hear a slight humming as. “Release knockout gas.” What surprised me most was despite the fact that my little outburst had almost pierced and ripped the observation deck apart the voice was just as calm as before. If that was me up there I would have been panicking like someone set my dick on fire.

Wait hold on… did she say knockout gas? As if on cue a green gas began rising up out of small drains I had missed before. I tried to fight it and stay awake, but the sandman’s got a mean right hook. The last thing I saw as my vision darkened was three sets of hooves in some sort of white body armor. Oh… fuck you… Murphy.

I came around… well I don’t really fucking know, but it felt like a few hours. I awoke groggily, I noticed four things. One I was wearing what seemed to be a custom muzzle. Two was that I was strapped to metal table. Third was that I was now wearing jeans and a black tight muscle shirt. FOUR WAS THE FUCKING MASSIVE BLOODY SAW ABOVE ME! Obviously my first response was to freak the fuck out and struggle against my bonds. My captors noticed this, and by captors I mean three ponies in white hazmat suits. One tightened my straps, and another took out what looked like an old tape recorder.

“Begin recording, first analysis of Blacklight subject. Codename...” The pony apparently a stallion on my left paused while thinking of a name. “Agis. While we were expecting a Minotaur like appearance, subject seems more like a mix between a diamond dog and an ape. Has shown incredible regenerative abilities along with an incredible resilience to poisons, and toxins. Subject may be unstable however, view reference for binding explosion. Will begin testing combat capabilities.” With a click he stopped the recording and teleported the device away. Combat testing? Why do I get the feeling that I’m not going to like that. The hazmat ponies left, and in entered three ponies in what looked like white plastic armor. The middle was a unicorn with earth ponies flanking him. He had one of those sticks animal control put around the necks of dangerous animals. The metal slab released me, and slid into the floor so fast that’s where I was left on my ass. The unicorn wrapped his stick around my neck and began trying to drag me out, of course I did what anyone would do, I dug my feet in and resisted. They apparently did not appreciate my efforts as I promptly received a powerful shock. I tried to scream but with the muzzle it just came out sounding like sensual grunting.

With no other choice I begrudgingly followed them down the hallway. It started off like the hall I was in when I first woke up, but it quickly got worse… much worse.

The stark white began to fade in favor of the concrete’s natural dull gray color. Drains were now constantly present up against the bases of the walls. The doors looked like something you’d see in solitary confinement. Inside of the ones left open I’d see things like the massive saw In my cell earlier. We past one of the intersections that lead off to another hall, from it I heard a blood-curdling scream that seemed to turn my veins to ice. Well at least I don’t have to worry about deciding to give this place five stars. I joked trying and failing to shake the growing sense of dread I had.

We soon stopped at what looked like a dead end before it opened up into another octagon shaped room, though this one was admittedly much larger. Before I had time to process what was happening the muzzle was torn off of me and I was thrown into the room, the door sliding back into place making appear like another wall. Well that’s some five star service. I thought brushing myself off.

That same damn static click played for a few seconds, which at this point I was getting tired of hearing. “Subject we are releasing a creature into the area, destroy it by whatever means necessary. Begin Blacklight subject Agis combat test #1.”

I heard the grinding of gears as the room shook from the vibrations. On the far side of the room a hole opened up in the floor. What I assumed to be a heavily mutated Minotaur crawled out. It’s left arm was fairly normal, but the right arm was massive, muscle and bone broke the skin while it had to lean on it like a third leg just to keep from tipping over. It looked around for the first few seconds as if lost in a haze, but the moment it laid its eyes on me the haze lifted from its eyes. It let loose a roar that shook the entire room. It’s massive weight shifted and it charged right towards me.

“Ah shit!” I shouted barreling out of the way. I might have regretted doing that because it fucked up my shoulder, however any regret I did have evaporated when it slammed into the wall. The entire room shook from the impact and cracks shot out in web pattern.

“Nope, nope, no thank you.” I said while trying to scoot back as fast as possible. When I stood it brought its mutated arm down where I was seconds ago with speed I didn’t expect from something so disfigured.

On instinct I punched the arm. To my great surprise it actually budged! I took a step back as it swayed to the side lazily. A small smirk started to overtake my face.  That’s right I’m a prototype now or something. I can beat this thing! 

Any other thoughts were put on hold though as the wall had a meeting with my face, after it knocked me to the side. “Uuugh.” I peeled myself off the wall. I needed to finish this before it got out of hand.

I ran back at it and slammed into its stomach trying to tackle it. In hindsight I should have realized that wasn’t a smart idea, because other then it stumbling back a few steps it did jackshit. But it was put more into this or die! I put everything I had into wrapping my arms around him, and tried to lift him up. Come on dammit work you stupid weird new body do something! My arms began to explode into black tendrils before reforming back into muscular arms with a skeletal like structure.

The tables began to turn. The massive disfigured Minotaur which I’d been struggling to even tickle was now being lifted above my head. It seemed to go even wilder now. Thrashing and shouting at the top of its lungs. Stop your fucking thrashing! My fingers slowly dug into the sides of the Minotaur. I began to pull my arms back down. I felt my arms struggle against its strength and toughness of its steel-like hide. But in moments its body gave. I felt muscle tear then skin, and bone. The more it gave the weaker it got, Until finally it reached it limit and its body tore clean in half.

The pieces flew in separate directions. My body had others plans though as two tendrils, without my consent, flew out and pulled them back to me. The flesh was pulled into me and digested cell by cell. I got a headache as I guess I tried to absorb its knowledge, but it had a ton of tumors in its brain making everything useless.

“Test finished. Results successful. Sending in personnel for retrieval.” Droned a speaker before more gas filled the room. Ah, fuck. I thought as I passed out.

I woke back up in another spartan cell. I tried to move my arms and legs, but all that did was cause a rattle. I was firmly attached to a tilted steel table. The door was solid metal as well and the only opening was several bars far too low to be eye level for me, but perfect for ponies.

I struggled against my restraints in vain for several minutes before they released a glowing energy that slammed me back. One thing was for sure as a another scream ripped through the hall. I have to fucking get out of here.
> Right behind you
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“End recording eight.” An all cloud white unicorn said into an old looking recorder. His guard a blue earth pony gave a gruff snort of approval. They didn’t like having to be in my idyllic little cell longer than they had too.

They trotted out of the cell in a timely fashion slamming my lovely door with no care. “I hate being near that thing. It gives me the fucking creeps.” Came the hoarse voice of the guard. Despite all the bindings they had on me they still were wary of me.

“Not hard to scare your pansy ass!” I called.

But seriously he was right to be afraid too. I was slowly learning how to control my body. I couldn’t practice much in here without setting off many alarms, but I could still practice under the surface. They also took me out a couple times to fight more mutants. Normally heavily deformed Minotaurs, but hey I wasn’t complaining. Every time I killed one I felt myself get a power boost.

I let out a gravely wracking cough which sent me forward in a fit, thinking of jokes I could have hurled at the guard. I slowly fell back relaxing my frayed body. Apparently hurting me was such a big part of my “conditioning” that they made some formula which forced my nerves to sense pain. Nothing quite like have your ribcage cracked open while your still conscious, vomited when it happened but all the came up was black goo. I let out another weak laugh at the memory of a pony in a hazmat suit screamed when it got on him.

I didn’t know how long I’d been down here, at least several weeks. But it’d given me enough to work with. This was actually MLP, or at least some world of it. I’d figured that out from the occasional conversations of patrolling guards. I’d also heard they were taking me for another combat test today.

With a somewhat wicked smirk I closed my eyes, and held my head against the cold metal, as if trying to sleep. Time of silence like this were some of the short times of solace I had. Hours passed and eventually I heard the clippity clop of hooves against stone. There was a pause and then a slow whispering hiss filled the room. They’d started gassing the chamber. But this time it had no effect on me. Over the past times they used it on me I’d learned how to absorb it, and even break it down. The clamps over my wrists and ankles would automatically let go after the minute was up. When they did I fell like a sack of bricks to the ground. The vents reversed sucking up the leftovers, and a click came from the door when they finished. I heard the clack of their hooves against the floor till they were practically standing over me.

With not much time to waste I shot out several tendrils, a little stronger than iron, out of my back. I retraced them back into me and after several tense moments heard two thumps onto the ground. I dragged myself up and turned around to see the results. A guard pony splayed out still on the floor, blood pooling around him from several large holes in him, including one in his head. To my surprise the scientist, the same white unicorn from earlier, was still alive. Despite the two gaping holes in his chest. He crawled weakly towards the door.

I stood over him as I let out an amazed breath. “Wow, sorry. I know exactly how that feels.” I told him flashing back to my own death. “Fortunately you tortured me a lot so I don’t feel particularly bad for this.” I turned one of my arms into the black skeletal fist I used on the Minotaur. Bringing it down with surprising force I pulped his torso and began absorbing him.

Flashes of his life began to fill my mind. Wanted or not they entered my head overwhelming me, causing me to claw at my head. I stood at the threshold to preschool hiding behind my mother, too afraid to go in. I tried to stop them but they continued. I saw my face slammed into a locker by my middle school bully Iron Heart. The memories went by faster, and faster. I collapsed to the floor.

One last memory playing itself. I took a shaky breath and entered the main office of the Manehattan, located near the top floor. A bile green unicorn with an azure mane looked up from some files to his right. “Ah! Mister White, just on time. Now I’m sure you’re curious why I called you here. Am I correct?”

“Y-yes!” I said shakily sounding a little more scared than I intended. Of course it was hard not to be afraid he could send me off to some facility as an experiment, or just dump my carcass in the dump.

But the CEO was kind enough to ignore it and continued on. “Now we’ve been looking for a scientist of your... caliber to overlook the combat training of a new bio-weapon experiment we’re testing.” CEO Creed brought his hoof to his chin in a fake gesture of thought. “Ah!” He exclaimed as if suddenly remembering something. Reaching into one of the drawers of his desk he pulled out a file. Speaking as he opened it. “I believe you were there for the Rip Tide incident. An accidental misfire of the weapon that killed all twenty seven scientist on the team…” Creed paused for a moment pulling the file closer. “Except you and two guards? Says here thanks to your quick thinking you managed to teleport yourself and two guards out in time.” He startles me as he throws the file down on the desk in a violent manner. “That! That is what we need. We need more with those survival instincts. Which is why we’re putting you on such an important project.”

“Wait… So I’m not being fired.” A weak smile graced my lips hoping it was true.

“Fired!” He shouted holding his chest looking to the ceiling theatrically. “Why you graduated with a masters at age sixteen. You’re only nineteen and proven yourself an invaluable asset. No my goodman! This is a promotion. What you’ll be working on is called Project: Blacklight. A very important offshoot of Operation: Eclipse.”

I’d heard of eclipse. All the staff at various facilities had heard of it through whispers. A plan to kill the diarchy. To be placed on the teams working for it was one of the highest honors, and guaranteed a very high position in a better world if successful. “I won’t disappoint sir!”

“Oh I certainly hope not!” His ever present smile left leaving a piercing glare that sent chills down my… no not mine, Stark’s spine. “I’d hate it if you proved to be a liability!” He threw a folder from his desk at me. “There's a airship waiting on the roof, it’ll take you to the facility. Everything you need to know is in there.” With a polite nod I left the office behind.

Returning to the current world I pulled in lungfuls of air. Pulling myself off the cold concrete floor. For a… I don’t know how long I was stuck in the memories of the pony I’d consumed. Looking at my reflection in the door I confirmed I was actually Stark White, or at least looked like him.

I stood in awe of my own reflection till a small radio on the guard started to crackle. “You’re five minutes overdue! Where in tartarus are you!” The radio yelled through the static. I stood unsure what to do. “NOW!”

I licked my lips nervously and used magic for the first time, drawing from the experience of Stark White it all comes naturally as if my own. The radio is yanked from the vest of the guard and levitated over to me in my magical grasp. “Stark here…” I pause remembering the name of the guard. “Mire is dead. The experiment has escaped and is heading towards test arena. Lock down the section, I’ll report to command.” I said in my best calm and collected voice.

The radio remained silent. I was afraid they saw through my lie but suddenly it boomed back to life. “Understood. Good luck with command.” His voice ending with pity for my likely lost job, and by extension life.

I was about to leave my prison when I remember the guard I killed. Well I wouldn’t want his death to be in vain now would I? A new tendril extended from my side and sucked up the body, mopping up the leftover blood when done.

I gave my neck a crack as I felt my body continue to change. In the surface of the door I watched as my muscles grew, becoming more apparent and tone, I became a few inches taller, my bones became more intense. I could even feel my organs, which were pretty much vestigial, grow stronger. Admiring my reflection for a few seconds I said. “Earth pony magic is a hell of a drug.” I wondered why I didn’t gain knowledge from him but figured it was because he was already dead… also the massive hole in his head.

I closed the cell and followed my memories through the hallways to where the higher ups monitored the rest of the facility. As I made it to the entranceway four heavily armed guards nodded to me, which I returned. Two huge reinforced steel doors automatically opened ushering me into the command center. More guard ponies patrolled an elevated walkway which went on every wall expect the one opposite the entrance, which had a large screen, in the octagon shaped room. I walked down a couple stairs where the walkway dropped down to the real floor. Several dozen ponies typed away at illuminated screens, some monitoring the facility, others going over reports, a couple relaying communications. From what I knew Equestria had recently adopted computing technology from the Minotaurs that was roughly on par with early nineties technology; but what was here could pass for late two thousands tech.

Out of the corner of my eye Lemon Range approached me, the third highest person on the totem pole here after Golden Genes and Frayed Ends. “Stark, you’re looking good.” She said appraising me. “Fortunately for you you’re too valuable to can for your little blunder. The higher ups believe you still have your uses. We’ve already sent a team to collect Agis, and locked the area down.”

“It’s not like Golden Genes to let a blunder like this slide?” I responded with a raised eyebrow. Golden Genes was in charge of the biological division of this facility and wasn’t know for her calm attitude. Not that I cared much this place won’t be standing much longer if I have my way.

“You’re right. But it wasn’t her it was Frayed Ends that made the decision.” Makes sense Frayed was in charge of the mechanical division and was much more level headed. “Golden left for a conference in Manehattan a few hours ago, and Frayed Ends just left. Till he can cool her down he’s placed you on his team so you’re suppose to report to level nine to work on the Eclipse machine.”

I gave her a nod and made my way to the elevator. After a short couple of minutes of mind numbing make you want to rip your ears off elevator music I arrived on the ninth floor. The lowest level of the facility. I walked steadily towards the room which contained the eclipse machine trying my best to blend in. The floor was also the most secure level, every couple minutes I passed a large patrol of heavily armed guards. The doors to the Eclipse chamber were also guarded. As I stepped inside there were thankfully no guards, or staff as everyone was on break.

I took a step back and gave an appreciative whistle as I laid my own eyes on the machine. Twenty feet tall, cylindrical, bigger at the base before tapering down at the top where four metal claws held a diamond shaped crystal bigger than my head. Around the base where several more purple crystals, all meant to serve as conduits for dark magic. Since Celestia and Luna drew power from their respective celestial bodies this machine was meant to cut off their connections.

Problem was without unicorns channeling magic into it needed power to remain stable. A very bad flaw to leave unattended. I walked over to one of the built in consoles covering it in my tendrils letting them snake deep into the circuitry, slowly one by one undoing the built in failsafes. “Now kids don’t try this at home!” I said cranking a few dials all the way up. The machine let out a piercing whir, purple lighting sparked from some of the crystals. “You’ll want to set your doomsday machine to bake for five minutes.” I joked crushing a couple nobs and circuit boards with my tendrils.

A screen in the panel flashed. [WARNING: ENERGY BUILD UP DETECTED. ESTIMATED TIME TO OVERCHARGE: FIVE MINUTES] Perfect should be just enough time to leave. I thought breaking the built in alarm meant to broadcast and warn command. With a merry jaunt I exited the room and made my way to the elevator.

Four minutes passed by peacefully before the lights flickered turning red as the elevator violently jerked to stop. I recognized what was happening as my ears picked out the muted blaring of a siren on some floor. Someone had discovered the overload and initiated the emergency alarm.

I quickly tried to think how much time had passed, probably four minutes. Shit! I really don’t have time for this. Ditching my pony disguise I reverted to my human form. Letting my arms and legs take their more powerful skeletal like muscle mass forms I ripped through the roof of the elevator. As fast as I could push myself I leaped from wall to wall up the elevator shaft. When I reached the top I curled on the wall opposite of the doors and launched myself at them, tearing them apart.

Concrete ripped from the ground as I ran as fast as my legs could carry me down the sterile corridors. Finally I burst into the entrance of the facility which resembled a massive hangar where several prototype airships were. Filling the place where about three dozen guards. As my spectacular entrance drew their attention they opened fire on me with some basic automatic firearms. “We’ve got Agis he’s on the first floor!” One said into a radio.

“I DON’T FUCKING HAVE TIME FOR THIS!” I yelled jumping through the hangar, bouncing off airships which were more like jets and sending them into guards. 

The door to the outside was a three foot thick; sixty by eighty foot tilted reinforced concrete bay door which slid into ground. Right now thanks to the lockdown it was up. I slammed into it with all my might, punching over and over again as bullets bit into my back. Cracks webbed out from where I punched. It’ll have to do! I shrunk down into as many small tendrils as I could, snaking my way through the cracks to the outside.

I reformed as soon as I could on the outside already running as my other parts flowed into me. I only made it a couple feet before I felt the ground beneath my feet shudder. I felt my eardrums blow as the blast shattered the area and the shock wave sent me flying fifty feet through the air.

Landing in the grass I moved my head back to see the entire underground facility was nothing but a giant crater of flames and concrete. “Good riddance you bastards!” I said triumphantly. Now I got to get on the move. I thought as I pushed myself up only to faceplant as my broken body gave out.

You know what on second thought I think I’ll just slip into a nice recovery coma for a couple hours.
> Have a plan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

One word to describe me right now. Soaked. Several hours passed before I woke up and in that time it had started raining. The sun had also set in that time. So here I was left alone, in the dark, and soaking wet.

I’d been on the move for several hours now, and to be honest my new body was doing pretty well, I wasn’t even tired. But the rain was starting to get on my nerves and the chance to get some rest, even though I didn’t need it, was appealing.

I was beginning to think I’d have to sleep in some dank cave. But as I was about to give up hope lady mercy had apparently decided her brother Murphy had ravaged my ass enough. Far in the distance I saw a faint light of civilization. Redoubling my efforts I covered the mountain side in record time, summoning my inner basketball player I jump over any obstacles in my way.

I was only a hundred feet away, and now I could make out what it was through the thick downpour. It was a small wooden cabin surrounded with dirt paths, simple farming tools, and three wagons. The light I’d seen in the distance was coming from a window in the front, curtain pulled to the side.

Ah, thank fuck! I think at the thought of a bed, where I won’t have to fear being woken up by my ribs being cut open. Concentrating I assumed the form of Stark White. Instead of charging in right away I stood there for a few moments to let my body be soaked by the rain.

After I felt I looked sufficiently like I’d been out here long I walked up to the door, and knocked. I heard the clattering of ceramic and someone curse. Someone walked to the door casting a large shadow over the opaque window of the door. What if they’re hostile? I suddenly thought. This was stupid what if this was a lookout post for the lab. As my own paranoia took control a small tendril snaked its way down hidden behind my forehoof.

With a quiet click the door opened to reveal a small middle aged Earth Pony mare, who had her mane tied in a bun. “Oh! You poor thing what’re you doing out in this rain!?” The small tendril I sent out quickly retracted back into my body.

“I’m so sorry to bother you ma’am,” I said closing my eyes and putting on the friendliest smile I could muster. “but my wagon was destroyed and then it started raining.” With a fake chuckle I asked. “Can I come in ma’am? At least till it stops raining.”

“Of course! Of course!” She said quickly. “Let’s get you out of the rain.” She ushered me into her home and handed me a towel. Which I used to give myself a quick once over, at least well enough to stop dripping.

“Honey who’s there?” A voice called from a lit room blocked by a wall.

“A Pony was travelling out in this weather!” She called back. “Please follow me to the kitchen.” She said turning away from me. I followed behind her to the room the other voice had come from.

When we entered the smell of cooked vegetables reached my nose. Looking around in the kitchen I saw large pot bubbling with something. To the left, near a window, was a dining table where three stallions currently sat.

The eldest one at the table, who had brown coat and a golden mane, looked up at me and waved me over. “Come on over lad I don’t bite.” He called in a hoarse weathered voice, strained from years of use. As I got closer I could make out more of his features. His golden mane seemed dull. Probably bleached from years of working under the sun. And despite what I expected his build was powerful, though I should've expected it from an Earth Pony.

I took a seat at the table where there was no plate and quickly cast a glance at the others. There was a well built Earth Pony mare on his right who looked at me briefly before dismissing me and turning back to, who I assume is, her father. To his left was a young stallion who I’d guess to be around my age. He waved at me before his father spoke up again.

“So, I’m going to cut out the nonsense, if you don’t mind me asking. What exactly were you doing out there in this weather.” He inspected me with a careful eye as if not sure what to make. “I don’t mean to get off on the wrong foot, but it’s not exactly like we see many Unicorns out here. Especially during a storm like this.”

I sat silent for a second trying to think up a story. I my story would need to be able to explain why I was out here, and give me a reason to head for Canterlot since that would put me closer to the Genesis Foundation’s goal.

“You alright there son?” I heard the Stallion ask as he saw me space out for a minute.

“Umm, fine just thinking was all.” I said. “My family lives further up north, and about a year ago I came back from school to help with some problems that popped up. But the troubles just cleared up a bit ago.”

“Glad to hear it," He says. "but still don’t explain why you’re out here.”

“Well before I had to leave to go help my family I was going to attempt to make it into the royal guard. Now that the trouble’s out of the way though there was nothing stopping me from going back.” I paused for a second to see if the Stallion had any questions, he just gave a firm nod.

After a moment a grin split his lips and a laugh escaped him. “Well I don’t rightly know what made you think it was a good idea to be traveling so long without a tent.” He said seeming to find amusement in how unprepared I was.

“Well didn’t start off that way.” I replied quickly. “Earlier today I was walking on this path through the mountains, everything was going fine. When suddenly I heard a loud explosion and the ground quaked for a bit. Wouldn’t have been much of a problem normally, but part of the path gave way under one of the wheels on my wagon with all my supplies. You can figure the rest out yourself.” I finished with a glum tone.

The old Stallion closed his eyes and gave an understanding nod. “Sorry to hear about that, heard that strange explosion down here ourselves shook the whole mountain!” He looked back up at me. “Look on the bright side though. At least it wasn’t you that took a tumble. Things can be replaced, Ponies can’t.” He looked at his son and contemplated something for a moment. I’d noticed out of the corner of my eye that the son peeked up when I mentioned the guard.

“Our son here is actually wantin’ to join up with the guard himself.”

“Really now?” I asked in a curious tone. Lady fate could this perhaps be byway of an apology? See I didn’t exactly know how to get to Canterlot from here on foot.. hoof. Stark White was always flown out here to help prevent leaking the location.

“Yep, he’s leaving tomorrow to join up with a caravan that’s going to be stopping at Manehatten before heading to Canterlot.”

I heard the clatter of ceramic behind me and a bowl of veggie stew on a plate appeared in front of me. “Sorry that took so long dear, had to clean another bowl.”

“It’s fine ma’am, thank you for the food.” I responded with a polite nod as she took a seat between her husband and their daughter. The father suddenly brought his hoof up to his head with wack startling me.

“Ya know I feel like a fool. We never traded names. Though I guess it’s good we waited for the miss. I’m Scruffed Heart, this beautiful creature is my wife Tender Warmth!” He said with pride leaning over to plant a kiss on his wife’s cheek causing her to blush and shyly bat him away. He leaned back into his chair before continuing. “That there‘s my eldest daughter Harsh Touch, and finally my youngest over there is Bulwark Heart.” A casual grin at the sight of everyone overtook the face of the kind old stallion, it had been a long time since his family had nice visitors. “So what’s your name pal?”

“Me? Well…” It was as if a part of stopped my words. Some part whispering their was no turning back. Like by assuming this new identity to the real world I was shutting away a part of myself for both our safety. With a deep breath I moved on. “My name is Stark White, but you can just call me Stark.”

The stallion… Scruffed closed his eye in an old way of approval nodded at me. “Stark, Stark White. It’s a nice name, I’m sure you’re proud of it. Now I’m not to sure about you but I’m starved!” We all enjoyed the stew occasionally stopping to talk to each other but other for the occasional joke and chuckle the dinner was mostly quiet.

Finally we finished up and Harsh gathered up the plates. After giving his stomach a slight rub Scruffed made a following motion and left down the hallway. Following him we entered a cozy living room with several nice armchairs and a couch in front of a fireplace that had mostly died out till he threw a log on it.

We all relaxed in the den for a while before I heard Scruffed mutter. “Storm sounds pretty bad. Hope none of the rams get out.”

“What was that?” I wasn’t actually sure what he meant by rams since I thought they’d be sapient.

“Hmm? Oh! Sorry didn’t realize you could hear me!” He exclaimed with a little shock. Not that it wasn’t expected, if it was anybody else they probably wouldn’t have heard. “Me and mah family are ranchers we raise and sell Herculean Rams.”

My face scrunched into what probably looked like a very comical confused expression. “Herculean what?”

“Ah! Sorry I forgot you probably don’t know what they are. Let’s get the fact we ain’t psycho murderers out of the way. Herculean Rams are a type of megafauna from the Griffon Kingdoms. Big, strong, and dumb as a bag of rocks. Couple wild herds that broke out from failed ranches roam the mountains now.” His hoof come up to rub his chin as he thinks of more to tell me. “They don’t take that much to raise and produce a lot of good meat when they’re butchered so some folks like me raise them and sell them to those who need meat in Equestria and export the rest.”

A slightly pained looked replaced his jovial smile. “Bout a week ago some big wild one tore right through the fence. None of the herd has left last we checked, just hope the storm ain’t given them a reason.”

“So why not just fix the broken part.”

“Yah daft boy?” He asked raising an eyebrow. “We can’t fix the fence till we get the feral one to leave. Big ol ornery son of a bitch. Me and Bulwark tried to fix the hole up and he busted it up more when he saw us.” He fell silent for a while clearly troubled by his problem. He was just an old Earth Pony with the help of his son and daughter, who wouldn’t even have his son by the end of tomorrow. I admit some vestigial part of me felt moved for Scruffed’s plight. I’m a complete stranger and he’d given me a warm meal and place to rest.

“Umm… Say Scruffed, I could try and get rid of it for you.”

“You? No offense Stark but… I’m not exactly sure ya can handle it.” He looked over me with another appraising look taking in my figure. “You’re pretty well built for a Unicorn, tartarus a lot like a Earth Pony actually. But if me and ma kids can’t get him out I’m not quite sure how you can do it yourself.”

“You said it yourself I’m a Unicorn.” I pointed to my horn and gave it a light tap. “I can use my magic to lure him out with and illusion or something.” I could see the emotions war on Scruffed’s face. His Earth Pony heritage was scolding him for thinking of using magic, but his responsibility towards his family told him he had to take the offer. I’ll admit I wasn’t doing it completely out of the kindness of my heart I wanted to see one of these up close myself.

With a deep sigh Scruffed resigned himself to my help. “Alright the path’s to the left of the house and leads up to the area we keep ‘em in. You can head up there in the morning if you want to give it a shot. For now ya should probably rest, my son sleeps up in the attic, we got a spare mattress up there.” He turned to his son Bulwark to find him sleeping on the couch. “BULWARK UP!” His son shot awake flailing his arms wildly.

The drowsiness quickly returned though. “Huh? What do ya need dad?”

“Take our guest up to the attic. He’s going to be using the spare mattress for tonight.” We marched together up the stairs and emerged in a fairly large attic. It was pretty empty just a bed, a mattress laying on the floor in the corner, and a couple of packed up boxes.

“So, place is pretty empty.” I said slightly nudging a box as I tried to make conversion.

“Hmm? Oh right! Like my dad said earlier I’m leaving for canterlot to join the guard tomorrow.” He laid down on his bed and threw the covers on and looked to the ceiling while I did the same thing with the spare mat. “What you’re looking at is all my stuff! Most of it’s going to get left behind, but at least it’ll still be here... I hope.” He turned over to look at me. “So you’re joining the guard too huh.” We spent an hour or two talking about the guard. I learned Bulwark had apparently been wanting to join the guard since he got his cutie mark. Though after his other sister left he’d started planning to stay on the farm, but the return of Luna sparked his desire again.

“So…” He tapped his hooves as if not quite sure how to speak. “I guess you’ll be joining me when I leave tomorrow.”

“What?”

“Well we’re both joining the guard. It just kinda makes sense we’d go together I guess.” 

Ah he’s trying to make a friend. I guess it did kinda make sense though, despite his awkward way of going about it. “Sure man, friends.”

“Cool, cool. To be honest I’ve not had many friends so thanks I guess.” An awkward silence began to drag itself out till finally he said. “Night dude. See you tomorrow.”

I turned to look towards the window above his bed. Through the wet glass came a few fractured beams of moonlight and a small piece of the moon broke through the cloud cover. It all suddenly came to crash on me that that was an alien moon, and my own was gone for good. This was my life from now on. “Night.”
> Rammered
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I trotted quickly with a hint of hesitation towards the office doors of Trojan Creed’s office. Security had just informed me of the destruction of Research Facility Terra, nearly half an hour after I’d been informed of a containment breach by subject Agis. My teeth ground against each other in frustration. The sheer incompetence! I’d barely left those idiots alone for three hours and they managed to make such a mess of it!

As time passed quickly over the rant in my mind I found myself in front of two large black and silver doors, showing two prancing mares engraved in silver on the corners. The doors to Creed’s office. I raised a hoof to knock. But mere milliseconds before my hoof reached the door the intercom sprang to life. “Miss Golden Genes. Please come in, I’ve been expecting you.” It was a voice that I could feel the anger emanate from; despite the small veneer of patience that attempted to hide it.

I gently pushed the doors aside and entered the cold office of Creed. It's appearance matched the temperature, black marble flooring and walls, a ceiling of rich blood red mahogany, the two walls on either side of him had large displays protected by glass containing various souvenirs and oddities from around the world. Behind him loomed a wall of enchanted windows that were completely black from the outside, but could peer outside, or cast an image of his choice, this time it appeared to be a slow moving wall of fire. Creed himself sat at a crescent shaped desk with a column also made from black marble with veins of gold on each side. Creed’s face was a cold passionless mask of indifference. His eyes, his eyes however, told a very different story; they blazed with rage and seethed like a maelstrom carrying a far deeper and darker anger. An anger more terrifying then his words could ever express. “Come closer.” He said betraying no emotion.

I closed the seemingly vast difference and stood at attention in front of his desk. He looked me over for several moments before standing and gesturing with a hoof to follow. We stopped by one of the displays as he went to a wooden cabinet and took out a large glass and bottle of whisky. He poured slowly, as the tension built in the air I could feel myself sweating. “The board is not happy, and thus I am not happy.”

I gathered the little courage I could and asked. “S-sir is everything alright? Is my job secure?”

An unexpected chuckle came from him as he finished pouring the drink, he took a slight sip, and without turning back spoke. “Is everything alright?” Another chuckle. “And of all the things to ask about” A slight note of anger was rising in his voice. “YOU ASK IF YOUR FUCKIN’ JOB IS SAFE!” Creed wheeled and hurled the glass at my head. Narrowly missing me, and shattering against one of the pillars instead. “DO YOU REALIZE THE MESS YOU’VE MADE!”

“Let me paint it very clearly for you shall I?” He said advancing on me till I felt myself pressed against the pillar. “Billions of bits in personnel, resources, and equipment from an entire facility poof up in flames. Thousands of hours of research erased. Countless prototypes all to dust. And all because you couldn’t keep your Tartarus damned dog on its leash!”

After a brief moment he asked me in a much more calm manner. “Tell me Golden. Who do you think runs things.”

I gave a shaky response hoping it would please him. “Um… You sir?”

It only seemed to anger him further. “No you stupid bitch! You’re an egghead aren’t you? Show me that brain isn’t for show. It’s the people who pay our checks. The investors, the shareholders. The. Board. Of. Directors.” He forced through clamped jaws. "AND RIGHT NOW HALF OF THEM ARE CALLING FOR MY HEAD ON A PLATTER!" Gathering himself he smoothed his suit with a hoof before taking several steps back. “To answer your previous question you need fear naught. Your job is safe… for now. Fortunately for you the backups of your research you’ve been bringing survived, so little progress on ‘Project: Blacklight’ has been lost. And the Eclipse Machine at Facility Terra was just a smaller prototype… We can recover.”

Hoping to try and drag myself from the fire I tried to bring up what he might consider good news. “Yes sir. We’ve also managed to set up some at the new facility and have readied several experimental subjects made from material gathered from Agis called-”

“Yes your hunters.” He said shocking me. “I’m aware. I’ve taken the liberty of requisitioning one along with several members of your team.” Creed said ignoring me as he stared at the wall of fire.

Anger flared in me and chased my fear away for a few scant moments. “Wha-what do you mean! They’re my team! Those hunters are my property! My research!” I stamped a hoof on the ground to emphasize my point. At which point Creed turned back to me. His look crushing any sparks of wrath beneath an iron boot.

“Let me make something very clear. Your toys are not yours. They are the company’s and I will be using one of them to clean up your blunder.” His eyes were cold and glassy like arctic ice, promising swift retribution. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Y-y-yes sir!” I said with a slight tremble in my legs. With a seemingly satisfied nod he made way once more for his alcohol cabinet. Gathering what strength I could in my legs, I made my way to the door. Part way through though I heard Creed call out to me.

“Golden! I want to make something clear. I want results. Should you fail like this again when the Board come calling for a head it will be yours on that platter. Not mine I assure you.” With a gulp, I took a final step, closing the door behind me.





A thin ray of light slashed through the attic window, catching the dust in its blinding illumination. One of my eyes blearily blinked open catching the light of the ray. The song of a distant bird could be heard somewhere far off. “Ah… fuck you, fucking Disney movie world.” I weakly muttered. It didn’t feel right… or at the very least real to wake up without saws, and various other dissection tools, above me.

Groaning I picked myself up, the blanket falling limply from my back in the process. I remembered feeling things like this was more a vestigial response and quickly shook away the grogginess. Looking over at the bed it appeared Bulwark was still sleeping, if the methodical rise and fall of the blankets was anything to go by.

Carefully I made my way to the door and gently walked down the stairs. On my way down I passed several family photos on the wall showing the family, and another mare who I had not met with a white mane and golden coat was present in them. Peeking my head out from the stairs into the living room, and listening for the kitchen. I confirmed I seemed to be the first one up.

Not wanting to waste this opportunity to deal with the problem I’d promised to take care of without curious Ponies I left through the door. A little way from the house, on the side opposite from the wagons. I found a small dirt path, trodden into the hard ground from years of service. As I put more distance between me and the house I became more comfortable and reverted back into my human form.

The path wound through the forest and further up the mountain, the path seemingly becoming more uneven as time went on. Finally light once again began to peek through the dense trees. Emerging into a clearing I was greeted by the sight of something I certainly didn’t expect. I stared up at a large metal wall, if I had to guess about seven feet tall and made of steel, barbed wire about as thick as my human arm and spikes as thick as a finger at their base.

There was a large gate in front of me but it was chained up and I couldn’t see the other side. Sighing to myself I tried to think back to the conversation from last night. The memory of Scruffed mentioning the Ram he wanted me to get rid of making a hole struck me. Getting to work I started walking alongside the wall searching for the hole.

Partway around the perimeter though I facepalmed. I’m a dumbass. I thought. I was still thinking like an ordinary person. With my body the way it currently was I could have just jumped over. But I continued to press onward, because I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about the damage this thing inflicted.

After about ten minutes I came to a large break in the fence; metal bowed inward and several spires of broken metal stuck out of the ground, thrown from the fence. If I had to guess I’d say it would take two of me laying head to toe to bridge the gap in the fence. Whistling with a little awe I stepped in and got my first good look at a Herculean Ram.

They were about eight feet at the shoulder. With long horns that swept back before curling back around. Thick cords of muscle tensed beneath coarse tan fur. Huh. So that’s what a young Arnold Schwarzenegger would look like as a goat. A small herd of them grazed about fifty feet away.

But the herd itself wasn’t what caught my attention. It’s back was turned to me but standing at the edges of the herd was a large black one, several feet taller, that shook the ground with each pounding step. Several additional black horns decorated the bridge of its snout. As it stopped it sniffed the air as if sensing me and turned to face me. 

It was as it set it’s orange eyes on me that something clicked about why this one was so much more strange. It’s been infected with the Blacklight virus! It’s eyes shone a furious and blazing orange, like a pit of fire, pupils contracting into an unnatural slit. It lowered its head raking the ground with a hoof, a jet of steam blasted from its nose, and a decidedly not Ram-like growl reverberated through its chest.

Oh shit. Spinning on a dime I spirited along the wall, throwing up swaths of grass behind me. Moments after I heard, and more importantly felt, the rhythmic pounding of thunderous hooves behind me. Going against my better judgement I looked over my shoulder to see the black Ram behind me. Worst of all it was gaining. Must go faster! Must go faster! I put everything I had into running. But no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t outpace it.

Umph. Suddenly my feet left from under me and a large horn appeared as I was impaled through my chest. First I saw sky than I saw ground as it sunk me further on its horn before slamming me into the ground. That didn’t stop its ceaseless charge though, it actually picked up speed. Using my body like some kind of plow it carved a large groove into the ground with me.

Sometime between spitting out mouthfuls of dirt a thought came to me. Wait I can get out of this! With some effort, which was much harder in the current situation, I managed to change my body into a wild swarm of viral tendrils. Sliding around the Ram I regroup and reformed my body several feet behind it.

The Ram noticed quicker than I would have liked and slid to a halt. Facing me it got ready to charge again. Knowing what would happen though I wasn’t about to let history repeat. Squaring my shoulders, and giving them a pop, I slammed my hands together as they changed into their muscle mass form. “Alright you roided out mountain climbing bitch. I’m tired of this, and can’t risk taking much longer with this. Now we can do this the hard way or the… harder way. Your choice.”

A bull-like bellow accompanied by another puff of smoke was the answer. “Harder way it is!” I rolled my neck popping it, and threw out a few experimental jabs. Before I made a come on motion with my hand. Big black took my invitation gladly. I stood still as stone till we were down to the last several feet between us. Which is when I made a dash to sidestep, avoiding the charge by the skin of my teeth. Without even looking I used the momentum in my dodge to turn and throw a punch into its gut.

From the reaction though it did little more than piss it off. Jumping away I tried my best to put distance between us to give me time to think. That was like a normal human punching a grizzly bear! As much as I hated it I would have to think my way out of this one. Hide is too thick. Brute force ain’t going to get me through it, and if I want to do any real damage I’ll have to destroy it from the inside out. Punching it will only piss it off.

Dodging another charge it was when the horn of the Ram nearly took my face off I remembered something. The opening. Thinking back in my mind I pictured the jagged metal spikes from the destroyed section of wall. Another close miss and I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted. “Your mother must have been an obese lamb with how slow you move!” For good measure I scooped up a hunk of earth and threw it in the Ram’s eye.

A weak laugh escaped my mouth before a much more roar like sound bellowed from him. “Oh shit. I might have pissed him off to much!” Abandoning any pretense of fighting I bobbed and weaved a path leading us back towards the opening. To my benefit I think the dirt in its eye slowed it down.

Up ahead I saw the perfect point. Most of the shards in the ground were to small. But still partially attached to the wall was one of the broken vertical supports. Which right now was pointed inward with a jagged end at chest level to the Ram. Checking behind me again I saw there was still several meters between us. Spinning I rooted my feet to the ground, literally, and threw my arms out in front. Using the precious seconds left I spread the roots further to brace myself.

It wasn’t enough however. As I grappled its horns with my arms it was only delayed for a moment. I found myself being pushed back quicker than I would have liked. Gathering every ounce of strength I had left I dragged myself down with the roots and fought to lift him up. Aided by its momentum it tumbled above my head. Swinging with as much force as I could gather I slammed it into the spike.

Catching my breath I gather myself up and admired my handy work, patting it on the flank. “Ya put up a good fight, but in the en-” A gruff snort erupted from it. I heard the grinding of bone on metal as it attempted to pull itself off. I let out a low whistle. “Damn still kickin’ huh.” Had to admit it was impressive. Suspicion began to bubble in me. Just how strong is its Virus? Is it infected with my strain?

Focusing on myself for a second I tried to tune everything out. I focused on the virus. Myself every minute fraction of me to the lowest cell focused solely on the connection between each one, working in tandem. Opening my eyes the world went various shades of gray. The only things that stood out were the Ram in front of me, its blood, and myself which were all a deep red.

I threw a fist up in the air as a little whoop of victory. I’d managed to switch over to my own sort of viral sense all on my own. It also alerted me to everything nearby for a couple hundred feet. It helped me confirm that the other fifty or so Rams weren’t infected. The virus in big black I could also tell was a little different from mine, incomplete.

Stark’s memories flooded back to me and I recalled him speaking to a security officer. Handing off a case with a ‘sterile’ form of the virus for testing on local wildlife.

I was brought out of my victory musings by the grind of metal. The Ram had been impaled completely with the tip poking out the other side of his chest. By now though he’d nearly pulled himself off.

“If I can’t beat you from the outside. I’ll do it from the inside.” With a short breath and a little shake of the body I dispersed into a swarm of tendrils. Worming my way along the spike I slid into the wound in his chest. Inch by inch I spread myself throughout him, my senses could make out some discomforted braying.

Skin pulsed and pushed, it’s eyes flared, and in one massive burst I devoured it down to the last cell. The sudden surge in biomass and genetic information causing me to explode outward. A few seconds after the explosion began to slow and sucked itself-myself up in a much smaller implosion.

I laugh out a deep laugh as I could feel some new power course through me. It was intoxicating on a whole new level. Looking down I saw I’d changed. My skin was an almost leathery black, with it hardening into almost plate like sections over large portions of muscle. Coursing beneath the breaks in it were a red bioluminescence. All in all it shared the same appearance the virus did when in an unaltered state. 

Bringing a hand up to my face I rotated it getting a good look. Their appearance had changed like the rest of me and in the place of fingers were small claws, grooves marking serrated edges to them. My toes had gone through the same change.

Looking for a reflective surface I found a clean enough spot on the wall and got a good look at my face. Looping around on both sides of my head were ram horns, along with a smaller serrated one in the center of my forehead. Splaying from the back of my head was a group of tendrils that seemed to be trying to pass for hair, but were as thick as dread. My eyes were missing as was my nose. My mouth was present though, but my lips were not. So my mouth was a collection of well ordered fangs.

I like out another deep chuckle to myself. “Looks like somebody’s armored up now!” Though I’ll admit the mouth was a bit strange. To my knowledge armored forms typically lost facial features, but then again Heller had eyes in his.

While I was appreciating my new form I suddenly fell to one knee. My appearance changed back to normal and I clawed at my chest with my right hand. Chest aching and organs pounding, virus worked into a frenzy. Frankly I felt tired as hell. “Guess that took more out of me than expected.”

Thinking back that thing managed to get a few good hits on me. I’d lost quite a bit of biomass, and I was definitely feeling it. Couple more missing chest cavities and I would’ve been out for good.

Taking a few deep breaths, out of habit more than anything. I gathered my strength and began making my way back down the mountain path. Once I could catch glimpses of the house through the trees and could make out talking I changed back to Stark.

Emerging from the trees I saw the entire family gathered around a packed wagon. Bulwark stood at the front hooked into the harness, seeming ready to leave. Scruffed noticed me and waved me over.

Putting a hoof on my shoulder his eyes held a questioning look. “Where were ya boy? We missed ya at breakfast. Don’t tell me you tried to get rid of that thing on yer own!” A slight note of panic entered is voice in the last part. But his worry was quickly dismissed once he looked me over and he saw I wasn’t hurt. “Is-is it done than? How?”

With an awkward chuckle I rubbed the back of my head with a hoof. “It took a while, but eventually got it done. In the end I just ended up making an illusion of a rival male and lured him out through the hole.”

“Well ya have mah thanks Stark. Thanks to you my family can get back to work.” With a chuckle he added. “And if you could probably tell from the wall to keep them in this business isn’t exactly one where you can skimp on payments!” As if remembering something important he winced. “Almost forgot!” Reaching back he unhooked a pair of saddlebags from his back. Hoisting them around with his hoof he offered them to me. “Here. Consider it a parting gift and a thank you from mah family.”

“Oh… you really don-” He pushed them out again.

“Wasn’t askin’ boy. Whether you believe it or not you’ve helped my family a great deal. Besides we would’ve given ‘em to ya anyway we heard about what happened to your wagon. Ain’t much, some bits and food, but should be enough to get you started again.” I briefly considered levitating them onto my back but decided against it and took them by hoof for a more personal measure.

“Thank you sir. I’ll take good care of them.”

With a slight grin he said. “Screw the bags! If you want to make sure something comes back in one piece make it mah boy!” We both shared a laugh and to my surprise he pulled me into a hug. “You stay safe now.”

Bulwark finished another round of goodbyes before we began down the path. Right before we were out of earshot Scruffed yelled down. “Don’t forget what I said! Bring him back in one piece!”