//------------------------------// // 2: Awakening // Story: I am Alive // by Diloboi //------------------------------// ...Activating... ...Running Diagnostic... ...Optical Units... ...Functional... ...Audio Processor... ...Functional... ...Thirium Pump Regulator... ...Slight Damage... ...Functional... ...Thirium Pump... ...Functional... WARNING! ...Thirium Volume Low... ...Thirium Replenishment required ...Awakening... A sharp ringing was the first Connor heard, as his audio processor jumped back online and re-calibrated. His eyes followed suit, fluttering open, slowly taking in his environment. He was in an alleyway, tall walls of brick surrounded him and trash of all sorts lay nearby. It was familiar to Connor, but something was... off. The memory rushed back to Connor, clear as daylight that surrounded him. He had taken his own life to live free... but here he was, somewhere, alive. Am I alive? Is this even real? The thought disturbed him. Was he trapped in some system at Cyberlife. Was his body torn in pieces, being meticulously analyzed as to find out why he failed. No... That can't be it. Cyberlife failed to stop the uprising... And I was destroyed... Connor, confused at his predicament, finally pushed himself from the ground. He stumbled, but regained his footing. He took the chance to scan his area. It was filthy, for one. Trash bags lay in metal cans and spilled out onto the pavement. If Connor could smell, it most likely wouldn't have been pleasant. On one side, the path continued till another brick wall, where a fire escape hung above. On the other side, light poured into the Alleyway. Walking in this direction, Connor's ears kicked on. The burst of noise disoriented him for second, but afterwords he could here the sounds of... hooves? The clops could be heard on pavement and gravel, along with the rolling of wheels and chatter of words that Connor couldn't quiet make out. Odd. There appears to be hooved animals nearby. Likely equines. Coming to the end of the alley, Connor hung his head around the corner. The buildings looked more 1930's era, being constructed from mainly brick and having the architecture. The street was indeed made from gravel, with concrete sidewalks lining them. And walking down said sidewalks were... bipedal horse creatures. They wore various garments, most looking like dresses and suits from the aforementioned era. Their legs had hooves on the bottom, but they had 5 fingered hands. Some of them had horns or wings, while others did not. There's... They're... Not... Human... Connors thoughts lagged. Even as impossible as being alive seemed, horses that walked around on two legs stunned him. He pulled back into the darkness, trying to make sense of everything. I've not been destroyed. I'm in some city. And there are strange equines roaming around. What do I do? The question was simple, but it had Connor stumped. Should he step out, and attempt to communicate with them. Should he run back to that fire escape, and run away. Should he pull out a pistol and demand answers. Bringing his hand down revealed that he still had it with him, somehow. Put your answer's in the comments bellow- Connor snapped back to reality, and decided on the first option. Attacking at random isn't the best plan. Just stay calm. Connor returned to the light, this time stepping out fully. He reached up to fix his tie, but he felt nothing there, giving him a tinge of discontent. Turning to his left, he came up to a short one who stared into the streets. She had a beige fur, a brown mane, and a horn atop her head. She wore a simple formal jacket and a simple skirt. Clearing his throat, Connor spoke in a polite tone. "Hello. My name is Connor. I was wondering if you could tell me anything about this city." She turned, responding in a irritated sounding New York accent. "Tourists... Sorry. I don't have the time at the moment. I am late and I need to catch a cab-" Her voice trailed off as her eyes met Connor's, they widened, and she screamed. Connor raised his hands, again talking in a calm manner. "I didn't mean to scare you. I mean no harm." "Get away from me!" She said, turning tail and dashing into the streets. The disturbance caught the attention of everyone nearby, who all seemed to have the same reaction. Panicked equines sprinted away from Connor, leaving carts, suitcases, and other belongings behind as he attempted to calm their nerves with his fleeting cries. "Wait! Stop! I just want to talk!" He called in vain. After the stampede, the streets lie empty, leaving Connor standing alone. There goes attempting to talk with them. Why was everyone so afraid? Connor stood lost in thought for few seconds in eerie quiet when a gruff voice shattered it. "You there! Don't move!" A grey furred horse person, wearing a old time police uniform, ran up to him, wielding a baton. Close behind him, 5 more cops followed. They surrounded Connor, who stood still. "Wait. I just want to know where I am." Connor said slowly as he looked at the small crowd around him, each of them having scowls on their faces. The grey one, who looked older than rest, came closer to Connor, spitting words at him. "By order of the princess, You are under arrest for disturbing the peace, monster." Princess? Monster? "I believe you are mistaken. My name is Connor-" He was interrupted as one of the cops forced his hands behind his back. Connor wrestled the man from behind. "Stop resisting!" One said, delivering a blow with to Connor's side his baton. Another swung at Connor's head, which he promptly dodged, sending a kick in response to the Guy's chest, knocking him to the floor. "That's it! Get him!" The old one called. The others descended on him, swarming him like flies. Connor struggled as they began to force him to the ground. "Stop... I haven't done anything..." Connor struggled out, as he fought the mass of arms dragging him down. "STAY DOWN!" A kick struck him in the back, forcing him to the ground. He lay flat on the floor, as a one worked on putting on handcuffs. His nose began to drip blue blood, and his vision was blurred a bit. "Nice work. We'll take it to a cell and report this to princess-" "EXCUSE ME! What in Celestia's name are you doing?"