My vision was blurry and red, that's the first thing I noticed. The second was the mild headache and ringing in my ears. I tried to stand up, but it felt like something heavy was on me. I kept trying to stand up, but to no avail, then I heard something move, like a rock moving. I suddenly remembered being on a mountain, but why was I on one? I kept trying to remember, but it would hurt my head when I tried to remember more. I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard more rocks move. Next thing I knew, the weight was removed from my body. I tried to move again, but nothing was responding. A voice called out from above me, but it was muffled and fragmented.

I looked up to see a blurred figure, although I wasn't able to make out the shape.

I was still hearing only fragments. My head is starting to feel dizzy, maybe I should take a short nap, yeah, that sounds good right about now.

The sky was a blazing red, rivers ran crimson with blood. The sounds of gunfire thundered through the battlefield like a storm. I was running, but stopped just as a bolt of magic shot past me. I looked up and saw pegasi in metallic blue and yellow suits flying in the air, they were firing at other pegasi and gryphons wearing dark yellow and black suits. I kept running, the sky was being set ablaze as bodies continue to drop all around me. I couldn't fly away, for I had no wings.

Rushing through gunfire and magic bolts, I reached a small bunker. Getting inside, I curled into a corner. I noticed there were other ponies in the bunker, all unarmed, all afraid, like me. Hopefully we're safe here.

That hope soon faded as two canisters rolled into the bunker, they began to release a gas into the air. I held in my breath, but my eyes began to get irritated, so did the skin beneath my fur.

The others were screaming, choking as they began to cough blood. I couldn't hold my breath any longer, so when I breathed in the gas I too began to cough as my nose started to run. My stomach hurt as I vomited, my face was itchy, so, so itchy. It was hard to see, I could feel my skin bubbling, blistering.

I couldn't help it anymore, I started to scratch my face. I could feel the blisters popping, blood and pus covering my face, but I kept scratching, peeling more and more flesh from my face. I bellowed out in pain, it wasn't long before my scream joined the others as our cries of pain, became a symphony of agony.

I shot up with a gasp, panting heavily as sweat rolled down my face. "What the hell was that?" I thought to myself, then I looked around at my surroundings, "and where am I?"

I was on a couch in a rundown looking cabin, there wasn't much light aside from the rays of light, which I presumed was sunlight, shining through the gaps in the ceiling. The place wasn't much to look at, it was very empty, asides from an operating table in the next room over. "Guess this must be some kind of infirmary." I thought to myself again.

Some not so quiet footsteps snapped me out of my thoughts, looking around I saw a dirty blue unicorn wearing a doctor's coat by the entrance to the cabin. I guess I must have been staring too long since he also just noticed me.

In a gruff voice, the unicorn spoke, "oh, your awake. That's good, hope you don't mind, but I need to run a check up on you." As he finished he took a seat across from me, which gave a slight sting of pain in my head as it was familiar somehow.

A random headache came suddenly, and a static voice answered me back, "Why Shouldn't it?"

Then the doctor across from me coughed, "I said, "do you feel any headaches at all"."

"Um, yeah, a weird headache just now." I decided to leave the voice out of the explanation, don't want first impressions to be that I'm crazy.

The world was static like, everything seemed frozen, even the doctor in front of me. I looked around as the world around me shifted, it looked like I was now in a bedroom.

"What is your problem" Another voice echoed, and while it sounded like me, it was greatly distorted.

Then a figure appeared before me, it was a light grey pegasus with a reddish grey mane. It's eyes were not there though, just two empty voids.

"........" It was silent, then it screeched and lunged at me. I shut my eyes awaiting the inevitable.

I opened my eyes again when I felt nothing, I was expecting the...thing, to be in front of me, but I found the doctor shaking me with concern in his eyes instead.

"Are you alright, you kinda blacked out on me for a while there." the doctor asked.

The doctor chuckled, "It should be, the supply runners found you a few days ago buried under some rubble at the bottom of a mountain, my guess is that you fell from a high ledge judging by the injuries you came in with," the doctor shook his as he continued, "honestly, not only is it a miracle that you're alive, but also that you're up and awake in less than a month, I thought you'd be in a coma for months, maybe years."

Was I really out for weeks? I guess the explanation of how I was injured could explain why there were gaps in my memory.

Thinking on it some more I began to look around, out of the corner of my eye I caught a figure in a reflection. It looked just like that thing from my vision, by its eyes or rather eye, as it's mane covered the other, it had an iris that was gold. It would move whenever I move, so maybe it is my reflection. Thinking on it some more I remember the creepy version of me said that it's name was Ghost, so maybe it's my name as well.

I went to answer, but I hesitated for a moment. Should I really use the same name as that entity? It's not like I have much choice, I'd rather have a familiar name than a random name and be someone else.

The doctor chuckled at my answer. "Ghost, huh? Nice name, better than Blue Flu."

"Blue Flu? Is that your name?" I asked. I didn't want to laugh since I didn't want to offend him, though I couldn't keep a chuckle from escaping.

The doc did a mock bow. "Yep, that's me. Doctor Flu, who can fix your blues, at your service."

In the end I couldn't stop myself from laughing, not in a way that I was mocking him, but I thought it was funny, like it reminded me of someone. The doc ended up laughing as well, so I guess it was alright.

Dr. Flu nodded. "Just a few more things and we'll be done, it'll take just a few minutes."

It turns out that a few minutes was actually a couple hours, but at least it's done now. With the check up done I was finally free to leave the infirmary, though I was given a warning not to strain myself too much for a while. I even ended up nicknaming the doctor, Doc Blue.

"Oh, before you go I believe you should take these with you." Well speak of the devil. Turning around, I was greeted to the sight of the Doc levitating some clothes and a strange watch like object towards me.

Grabbing ahold of the clothes and watch, I proceeded to thank the good doctor, "thanks, though I have to ask, what's up with the weird watch?"

Doc Blue simply chuckled at my question, "that's not just any watch, that's an X-05 wrist-mounted Codex."

Turning and inspecting the watch some more, I noticed that it was rather well made, sure there were some scratches here and there, but I wasn't expecting to get one fresh off the shelf in the first place. The Codex was small, only slightly bigger than a pocket watch. The screen was a curved rectangle in shape, spanning a good five inches in length and three inches wide.

Looking up to Doc Blue I gave him a nod of gratitude. "Thanks, so what does it do?" I asked.

The Doc answered with a nod of his own. "No problem, as for the Codex, it's meant to be a means of keeping track of the amount of DigiBit you earn."

"It means Digital Bit, it's the currency that we folk outside of Haven walls use, it can be traded, and spent."

Giving the Codex another look I thought, "how does it keep track of the amount, or distribute it?"

"You may wonder how it keeps track or distribute it, well it's rather simple, they're all connected to a database. Each Codex has its own VI, that stands for virtual intelligence by the way, and are all connected to a Mother AI that is based in Shills Fortress north of what used to be Canterlot."

"Well that's convenient." I chuckled in thought, then a question popped into my head, "so what's stopping others from raiding Shills Fortress?"

Doc first response was to burst out laughing, "why would they? It's called a fortress for a reason, it's one of the only places here in the Dead Lands that can compete with the great walled cities. Shills Fortress is huge, they have a thousand guards of varying species and enough fire power to challenge a Leviathan."

I'm pretty sure I went beet red from embarrassment for asking what now seems like a stupid question.

"Anyway, that X-05 Codex you've got there is my old Codex, I think it'll be of better use to you than with me."

"Wait, then shouldn't you keep this if it was yours? It's got all your money in it!"

Doc Blue only shook his head, "no need, when a codex is given to a new owner all data is transferred or stored when the original owner gets a new codex. The codex Mother AI would create a new VI once a new owner, who's never worn one before, wears it."

I looked down at the codex in my hooves, seeing the reflection of me on it, "so all I have to do is wear it?"

"Yep, but get some clothes on first, can't have you strutting around town completely naked."

"Inside the walls of safe havens sure, but not out here, don't want to get an infection or parasite do you?" the Doc replied with a smirk, then he pointed to a room near the main entrance as he put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it, "changing rooms are over there."

The clothes given to me were pretty plain, but they were comfortable. A dark blue turtleneck sweater that was long enough to be considered a dress. Of course I was given other clothes, but I was feeling cold so I wore the warmest article of clothing. To be honest, to anyone who doesn't know that I'm a stallion would think I'd look like some nerdy mare if I had glasses to wear.

Leaving the changing room I was greeted with seeing Doc Blue with his jaw dropped, his cigarette now lying on the ground.

"Oh, uh, nothing, nothing at all. For a second there I thought a lovely young mare was in my home."

I looked around then back at the doc while pointing a hoof at myself, "Are you talking about me?"

"Yeah, it's just old habits, there's not many mares out here in the Dead Lands you know, so watch yourself out there."

I nodded, I guess that would make sense, if there's a very low population of females in this wasteland then it's safe to say that it's not very safe for the very few females that are out there. "Oh sweet Celestia, I hope I'm not gonna get into that kind of situation, I may look like a mare, but I don't think many would be fooled right?"

I was shaken from my thoughts when I heard a cough from the doc, "Anyway, how about you try on the Codex I gave you?"

Picking up the Codex from my pile of things I attached it to my left hoof, with a snap and a hiss it locked itself in place. The screen on the Codex then flickered on.

>System Startup
Inventory log [Online]
Medical systems [Online]
Banking [Online]
Map [Unavailable]
Modifications [Unavailable]
>No errors detected
>Would you like a tutorial?
[YES] [NO]

I pressed yes, the boot up turned off and was replaced with a loading circle. Then it began to speak.

>Welcome to the Altarsis systems, I will be your Virtual Intelligence for the duration of your continued stay with the Altarsis corporation, My designation is A-3R15, or AERIS.

The screen then finished loading and showed an accurate model of me with numbers and icons on the side in a chart of sorts.

>This is your Medical assistance page, it will show the state of your health and level of injuries. You are currently experiencing a minor head injury, would you like to know the cause?
[YES] [NO]

I looked up to the doc to see his reaction, he didn't seem to show much of a reaction, but he looking slightly curious. After a few seconds in silence he nodded, so I tapped yes on the screen. The screen zoomed in on my model's head.

>According to analysis, it appears injuries were from multiple impacts to the head.

>Fractures seem to be recent, but it appears the injuries should have been far worse.

>It appears you have an enhanced healing mutations, while not instant regeneration, you can heal from very minor injuries with a good night's rest.

>Further mutations are at a 0.0001% chance.

The screen than changed to another screen, this one was mostly bare except for the shirt I was wearing, at the top right was a fraction.

> This is your inventory, this codex will log every item you carry, the fraction 0.1/57.9, the first number is the weight of the items you are currently carrying, the other is the max you can carry.

Swapping screens again, the codex showed a large map of all the continents of the world.

> This is the map feature, the codex will automatically update as you discover new locations that are listed in the Altarsis database.

Switching screens again, this time the codex showed a circle in the middle of the screen with a zero in it, with a few smaller circles around it.

>This will be your banking information. The center circle and number is your current balance, the smaller circles are for if you intend on making investments.

>Lastly is the modification and fabrication unit, unfortunately this function is unavailable, please refer to an Altarsis Codex manufacturer to repair this function.

>Would you like to repeat the tutorial?
[YES] [NO]

I looked to Doc and smiled, "I like it, though I wish the modification and fabrication thing was working, it sounded like it could be useful."

Chuckling Doc replied, "Yeah, sorry about that. Anyway, I'm clearing you to leave, but try not to strain yourself too much, doctor's orders. Now then, pack your stuff and get your fat flank out of my infirmary."

"Glad to know you're staring at it." With that I left the infirmary with my bag of clothes, leaving Doc Blue in a sputtering mess.

Wandering around for a bit I ended up at the entrance to a Grill house, I don't know why, but I just felt drawn to it, like it feels familiar, and yet it shouldn't. There was also a sign that said "Temporary Help Needed". I'm basically broke, so I guess I need some money, or DigiBit as it's the currency in the Dead Lands.

As I stepped into the restaurant, I wasn't expecting for it to be so barren. It felt like I've seen this scenario before, but where?

Then a sudden pain shot through my head, it was dulled quickly, but it was strange, like I was supposed to remember something.

A loud voice boomed from across the room, startling, "Hey! Don't ya know we're closed ya daft cunt!"

I look to the owner of the voice, and for a split second I swear I saw the image of a Sand colored pegasus. I quickly rubbed my eye and looked again, this time it was a blue tinted grey Gryphon, and he's staring at me with a impatient look.

"He-hello, my name is Ghost, and I-I saw your hiring sign, a-and was hoping I could get a job?" I meekly responded as I walked closer. The gryphon's eyes widened.

"Y-you did?" I asked, I could've sworn there was a large sweat drop on the back of my neck.

"Yes, and ya lookin' for work lass? No problem, I need a waitress afterall, at least for two days." He's still basically calling me a mare, either he doesn't believe I'm a male, or he's crazy.

"Hmm, two days huh?" I thought to myself, "And how much would I be paid, Mr....?"

"Screcko, call me Screcko, and you'll be paid 50 Db per day, and a living quarter for the duration of your services as a waitress. Oh, and free food will be provide, so long as you know how to cook for yerself."

I thought it over, 100 DigiBits, free food and a temporary place to stay doesn't sound like a bad deal if I'm only working for two days, nodding to myself I reached my hoof out to Screcko, "I'll take that offer."

Screcko smiled and reached his claw out to shake my hoof, "Oh, and by the looks of it you're new here, so I'll give ya the traditional greetin' lass! Welcome to Shardsvile, where the broken go to die."

I was creeped out with how he said that with such a straight face. Just as we finished shaking hoof and claw a loud bang came from the entrance. Looking over to the door, there stood a group of ponies with weird mane styles that looked like loaves of bread or breadsticks.

Then one of them stepped forward, this one having an even longer mane and a toothpick in his mouth. "Well lookie here, I didn't know you were harboring a chick here ya cracked nut."

Apocalypse: Beyond the Walls

by NoxNexus

Chapter 2