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// ×formance 
// Story: Book 1 - The Behemoth came to Canterlot 
// by Equimorto 
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"Very well. Very well indeed."
The two unicorns sat on one side of room, their heads held low, eyes focused on Nightmare Moon but occasionally darting towards the crumbled pile of crystal to their far right. "It's an honour to serve," the male one said, his tone shaky.
The alicorn ignored him. She instead remained focused on the creature in the middle of the room, studying it attentively as she smirked. "A pity about his mental capacities, but I trust you will solve this issue in future subjects." As she said so, she finally looked at the two unicorns, sending shivers down their spines.
"Of course, Your Highness," answered the mare, tilting her head downwards just the tiny amount left between her already curved position and actively looking at her own hooves.
Smiling, Nightmare Moon began to walk away. She said nothing as she left, and her steps echoed in the room as her hooves clacked against the stone pavement. The two unicorns remained in their positions, as was expected of them. The thing that had once been a stallion instead walked behind her, his own steps heavy against the ground. The pace of his walk and the waving of his tail made him look somewhat like a dog loyally following its owner. But as he passed beside the unicorns, his eyes turned to them for just a moment, and the two swore they saw something else frothing beyond his pupils. And they were afraid.
Finally, the doors shut with a click as both Nightmare Moon and her new guard left the room, leaving the mare and the stallion to sit alone in silence.
A few seconds went by, as both stared at the ground.
"What do we do now?" the stallion asked. 
"Survive," replied the mare. "Keep on testing, keep on hoping, keep on living. Same as always." She looked up, and sighed. "Does your neck hurt? Mine does."
The other immediately tried to look up as well, and immediately regretted it. "It hurts now," he said, clenching his teeth and bringing a hoof to rub behind his head. 
"Well, that means you're still alive. You should be happy."
That got something that sounded vaguely like a chuckle as an answer, followed by more pained moans. "I'm not sure about that. That thing is still alive too, and I'm starting to think maybe there are fates worse than death."
"Having to clean the lab when a test subject melts on the table is already a fate worse than death. Cheer up and be glad this one made it through." The mare gave an affectionate jab to her companion's shoulder. "And look at the even brighter side. At least she didn't use us to test what he can do."
The stallion looked towards the shattered crystal fragments on the opposite end of the large room, the broken remains of what had served as a test for their creation's destructive capabilities. "You have a fascinating concept of what qualifies as the bright side."
"We live in eternal night, Starburst. You need to appreciate what little light life throws your way."