//------------------------------// // Chapter1 // Story: [Prototype]:Sapient Virus // by Proto-pony //------------------------------// Alex Mercer/DX-1118/Blacklight/Zeus had been trying to find answers to what is its purpose in the long run. So the virus broke into the Castle of Friendship. DX-1118 explained who and what it is and tells them why it hunted, killed, consumed, and became those people. Because DX-1118 didn't know shit about anything. Before getting to Ponyville, however, DX-1118 needed to get out first. Even though the quarantine was lifted because of the dying infection, people didn't want the infection to leave the island. Also, Blackwatch and Gentek were keeping an eye out for DX-1118. Got past the viral detecter network by consuming a hacker in a trench coat and baseball cap. When DX-1118 did get in, via consuming a guard, It also told them what was really going down in Manehatten, that the news they've been hearing was not the truth. The virus knew that ponies would be more cooperative if it explained what happened and what's happening now. Then Alex said that he saved the city from a nuclear weapon. Everypony in the virus's presence immediately had one question on each of their minds. "Why did you, a lethal virus made for mass destruction, save New York from that nuclear weapon?" Asked Twilight, breaking the silence. "Looking back now I think it's for the following reasons" said Alex. "To save my not-really-sister, The nuke was out of my control, To make up for what I and the real Alex fucked up, To save myself, Or simply because the sentience I had gained was a pony one. All makes sense but I don't really know witch one was the real reason. I do have an affection for Dana but I'm not sure if that's from the real Alex Mercer or myself. The city was quarantined so I couldn't leave without being blown to a pulp. That means I couldn't escape the nuclear weapon that was going to be detonated" explained the virus. "However, I could have simply left in the helicopter without the nuclear weapon and got out of the blast radius, but I took the weapon out to sea, it doesn't make sense. Alex was perceived as a very bad person so why is my personality not like his? I've been trying not to be like that for Dana" Pondered DX-1118. After thinking for a moment Princess Twilight said "I think it's because when the real Alex Mercer died some of his memories left him. I say "some" because the pony brain can keep functioning a few minutes after death. So when you instinctively consumed him and gained sentence there were gaps in the personality and memories you consumed. So your new mind filled the gaps of his personality with your own as you mentally grew and experienced the world" she hypothesized. DX-1118 thought about that for a moment "you could be right but I kept coming back to the Alex Mercer form. It's like I'm him but I'm actually not. So I've been pretending to be Dana's brother for the last little while but I left 36 hours ago" the virus said. "Why did you keep pretending to be Dana's bro when you didn't have to anymore?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Dana was my only certainty. The only thing I really knew and the only way I knew I could go. Nothing else was solid knowledge" DX-1118 explained to Rainbow Dash. "If she was that important to you, what made you leave?" Asked Rarity. "I wanted to stay with her and I did for a while but then the quarantine was lifted. Dana wanted to move and I wasn't against that but when she stated that she didn't want to live with me I immediately protested. After the inevitable argument that resulted she said and I quote 'I know you care about me so much and that's sweet of you. But I need to move on with my life. We can't stay together forever'" replied DX-1118. "I ultimately agreed to her conclusion. I don't know my natural lifespan so Dana would get suspicious if I didn't age. I of course could mimic age but Dana would die eventually. I have to find answers and a new purpose before that happens" Alex Mercer said. "You can think for yourself. You can be whoever you want to be" stated Applejack. "I know, but I needed more information to do that. That's why I came here. Of course, I knew I couldn't consume all of you, I had to think to find the best way to get information from all you. If I consumed you it would draw unwanted attention and cause an uproar. Gentek and Blackwatch would eventually figure it out and come save the day and pretend to be heros. They would even fool you into thinking they're the 'good guys'. I've already dealt with enough Blackwatch to know what it's like to be chased because of what you did. Even though I didn't release me, Alex Mercer did, but you get the point. So here I am wanting to know more" replied DX-1118. After another silence Sunset found another question. "Do you have any friends?" Asked Sunset. "Not really, the closest person to being a friend would be a stallion named Dr. Ragland. Even then, I really only spared Dr. Ragland from consumption because he was willing to help me. He was simply useful to me" explained DX-1118. "Friends can be helpful to have, but there is more to friendship than that" said Twilight. "I don't understand. What is friendship? Can you explain?" asked the bio-weapon of mass destruction. Princess Twilight smiled greatly "yes, of course" she said. She was going to teach this sentient virus the magic of friendship. DX-1118 then agreed to meet with each of the Mane 6 over the course of six days. Princess Twilight knew that to teach someone friendship they need to know what makes up friendship. Loyalty, Honesty, laughter, kindness, generosity, and magic. Can this weapon made for mass destruction learn these values?