//------------------------------// // New life new body // Story: Prototype: Friends until the bitter end // by Carmine Prophet //------------------------------// BANG BANG BANG “Coming.” Fluttershy said, hearing the door knocking. Getting to the door she was greeted with the sight of a gas mask, goggles and an all-around intimidating ponies. She slammed the door in the ponies face. “Well, that was rather rude.” Quann said. He noticed that he might look a little intimidating. He reached up and pulled his goggles up just below his horn, pulling down the gas mask to hang on his neck, and pulling down his hood. He knocked on the door again. “Please go away.” He heard from the other side of the door. “Please! My friend needs help.” Quann said. He saw the door open and saw a yellow mare with a pink mane and three pink and blue butterfly’s for her cutie mark and the kindest blue eyes he’s ever seen and those eyes widened when they saw Cooper on this new ALICORN’S back. “Oh no. Quickly, bring him inside.” She said, motioning for him to put his friend on the couch. “Please, wait in the kitchen, I-I mean if it is alright with you.” The mare said, hiding herself behind her mane. “No it’s fine, just please help my friend.” Quann said. Walking in and taking a seat in the kitchen while sitting he saw a mirror. He saw that his coat was a dark lavender and his eyes where purple border line pink. He also saw that his mane was medium length and was black with a blood red stripe going down the center looking behind him he seen that his tail was the same way. But what caught his attention was the cutie mark on his flank which was a yellow star with wings bordering it on the left and right. It was the Blackwatch symbol but what caught his attention was that inside of the star was a DNA double helix where the long parts where black and the connectors where red. After a while Fluttershy came into the kitchen and Quann dashed in front of her. “Thank you so much, is he okay?” he asked “Yes, he’ll be okay, he just needs to rest.” She said, happy that this alicorn had gotten his friend some help when he did. “Oh, I almost forgot my manners, my name is Quann. But you can call me Raptor two one, or just Raptor.” He said “Nice to meet you, I’m Fluttershy.” She said with a timid smile. “Well, I’m lucky I met somepony as kind as you when I did. Otherwise, I don’t know what would have happened.” Quann said, thinking for a moment then looking at a nearby calendar and gasped. The implanted memories kicking in. It was almost the Summer Sun Celebration and he realized what most of the decorations around the town were on his way here. ‘She was preparing for the ceremony, I wonder if there is something I could do to help.’ He thought. “Is there anything I could do to make it up to you for helping my friend?” Quann asked. “Well I don’t need any help but you could. I mean if it isn’t to much to ask. Could you help my friend Rarity, she needs help with decorations.” She replied. “ok can you tell me how to get there pleas? I’m new here.” He replied with a smile “Angel!” Fluttershy called and a white rabbit came out of the living room where Cooper was with an annoyed look on its face. “Can you please show mister Raptor to Rarity’s boutique?” She asked, receiving a nod from the rabbit. “Oh, before I forget!” Quann/Raptor reached into a pouch on his chest with his teeth and pulling out some kind of square with a blue screen and pressing with a hoof, and placing it on the table. “What is that thing?” Fluttershy asked curiously, looking at the strange device on the table then looking back and finally taking into account all of the strange devices on this alicorn’s clothing. “this is a two way communicator. I’m going to use it to leave a message for my friend so that he does not freak-out when he wakes up.” Quann replied putting back on the goggles and mask with the bangs of his mane obscuring him like the hood did but leaving his horn showing, and hitting record. “Reaper One-One, this is Raptor two-one. You have be injured and I took you to a safe location. A mare here patched you up. Her name is Fluttershy she, the residents of this town, or her animals are registered non-hostile. If you are wondering how we got here all I can remember is you being knocked unconscious and I broke off offensive action was forced into a defensive engagement with Tango Primary to keep you safe. During the engagement you and I were transported here.” Quann said. Making Fluttershy what this Tango Primary was, but she kept listening. “Your orders are to help Fluttershy with anything she needs to prepare for the Summer Sun Celebration in one week. But when you get some free time today get to a secure location and radio me or report to Rarity’s, that is where I will be. I will upload the coordinates to your communicator. Raptor Two-One Out” Quann Finished his message and hit the stop button, pulled up the goggles, and pulled down the gasmask and looked towards Fluttershy with a smile. “Anyway, sorry about that, let’s get going shall we” he said, lowering a wing like a ramp for the rabbit to climb onto his back, which it did and he walked to the door and turned his head around. “Thank you again for everything.” He said before he turned back around and walked out the door. On his way to Rarities boutique, let’s just say it was rather annoying. Every time he would veer off course Angel would tug his mane, effectively ruining it. Other than that it was just plain awkward on his way. The residents of Ponyville would stop whatever they were doing and ether stair at him, start muttering things to each other, mainly having to do with his strange outfit, or him being an alicorn which led to some of them thinking he was a prince for some reason, which led to some of them bowing to him. Along the way he met a cyan pony with a rainbow mane that crashed into him who after some conversation identified herself as Rainbow Dash. What really made him think was when he tried to talk to a pink pony with a cotton candy pink mane who the second she saw him she gasped and shot off in a blur of pink. Eventually he made it to a building that resembled a large carousel. “I guess this is it.” He said to Angel. Looking to the armor his right shoulder where Angel Bunny was now residing and after receiving a nod from angel Quann/Raptor Knocked on the door. Receiving no response. When he looked back to where Angel was he was surprised to see that he had left. “Great, I got ditched by a fucking rabbit.” Quann said to himself. He turned around and knocked on the door again. “Sweetiebelle, would you be a dear and get the door?” He heard after a fuss from the other side. “Fine Rarity. Coming!” he heard a younger voice say. The door opened to revile a small filly that had a white coat, lilac and pink mane, and jade green eyes that if he was still human would barley come up to his knee but was half of the size of your average mare. “Coooool.” She said, staring at Quann, who looked down at the little filly with a smile. “Hey there my names Quann but you can call me Raptor. What is your name?” He said “My name is Sweetiebelle. Wow your armor is so cool looking. And what are those things on your back?” she asked. That is when he remembered that he still had his SAW and Javelin missile launcher on his back and decided to not tell the little filly what they really were. “They are my tools. No touching, okay?” He said stepping inside, receiving an nod from her. Rarity stepped around the corner, having just heard her sister’s question and this new-comer’s answer. “Sweetiebelle who are you talking to. . .” *gasp!*” she snatched him up in a magical blue aura and moved him to a pedestal in front of three mirrors (you know the one she used for twilight) and proceeded to style his mane and tail much to his protest when almost every Blackwatch trooper would have shot her and moved on. “Sweetiebelle, why don’t you go and play outside.” Rarity said “Okay, now that she is gone what are those ugly things really?” Rarity asked in a demanding tone. “They are my weapons.” Quann responded “don’t worry I don’t plan on using them. To be honest I forgot I had them, sorry.” he said with a sad smile. ‘how the hell did I forget I had these things on my back’ Quann thought. -------------------------- Cooper groaned as he opened his eyes. The world was a blur. The last thing her remembered was the assault on Tango Primary and him and Quann, “Quann!” he shouted, sitting up. He looked around, absorbing in the new environment. He rubbed his eyes with his… HOOVES?!?! He stared at his new appendages. “I must be dreaming.” he said aloud. He heard footsteps in the next room. He tried to stand on his hind leg but fell flat on his back. “Oh, you’re awake.” a quiet voice said. He looked at the person that was talking to him. The yellow pony looked down at Cooper, who’s masked face was crimson from embracement. He rolled over and stud on all fours. He started inquisitively at the mare. He could have sworn he recognizes her. He closed his eyes and thought hard. It came to him in a flash. A little girl he had escorted had a plush of her. He put his hand on her check and ran it down the length of her body until he reached her cutie mark. “Umm, excuse me, can you please stop touching my butt?” Fluttershy asked. Cooper quickly pulled his hand away. “This, isn’t a dream.” he said aloud, “Oh, well then. I should probably introduce myself. I’m Cooper, but call me Reaper.” “My name’s Fluttershy.” she said extending, a hoof. “By the way, have you seen my friend? His name is Quann but he also goes by Raptor.” he said, shaking it. “Yes I have, he left something for you.” she said, retrieving the device. Cooper listened to the message. “Thank you for your kindness, Fluttershy. I their anything I can help you with.” Cooper asked as the message finished. “Actually, I could use somepony’s opinion on how my preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration are going. I-I mean if you have the time.” “I have all the time in the world.” After a performance by Fluttershy and her chorus of birds Cooper stomped his hooves on the ground. “That was amazing! My only complaint is the off key blue jay.” he said, pointing to the bird. A rumble came from his stomach, “I’m starving, can we go get something to eat?” “My friend Pinkie Pie works at a bakery in town.” she replied with a nod. “Huh, Pinkie Pie, that’s a very peculiar name.” Cooper said, trotting alongside the butter yellow mare. “Well, she is a very peculiar pony.” ------------------------- One hour later Rarity had finished and she was proud of her work. Quann tail resembled a slightly shorter version of rainbow dashes tail but it was black with one blood red stripe and while she didn’t know it his mane resembled Twilight Sparkles mane except with one stripe instead of two. “Perfect, now to change you out of that drab and MAY I say ugly armor.” she said as she levitated some other outfits to her, causing the normally kind Blackwatch trooper shoot her a glare that struck her to the bone. “I’m here to help with the set-up of the Summer Sun Celebration, Miss Rarity. Now, do you need help or not? I am Quann or Raptor two-one and I am not any ponies show-pony!” He said as he began to turn around to leave "Oh where are my manners, I'm truly sorry I didn't mean to offend you Mister Raptor two-one, but when I see a pony with such a horrible mane I have to do something about it, no matter how much you protested. On a different note though may I ask what is such a regal pony as yourself doing in my humble shop." She stared at the dark lavender alicorn as he began to go wide-eyed at her proclamation. ‘I wonder what an alicorn is doing here, let alone armed and armored?’ she thought. "Please. I implore you do not leave Mister Raptor two-one, I assure you are in capable hands. So may I ask what you need form me, and I will take the time to aid YOU in any way as possible, For my rudeness." she said She watched him stop in his place and turn towards her, his eyes gleaming as he stared at her whole heartedly, making her realize that maybe she should have worded things better. "You'll do anything right Rarity, well I have something in mind." He said with a devious smirk. ‘Oh, this is going to be fun.’ He thought She gulped as he stared into her eyes hungrily, she knew what he was going to ask and silently cried to herself, he was an alicorn while she was some slightly famed seamstress every pony would turn a blind-eye to his actions no matter what. "Can you treat me to some food, I’m starving, and call me Quann or Raptor, no one calls me Raptor two-one” He said with a smile. She nodded dumbly at the sincerity of his comment, before laughing to herself for fretting over nothing and letting her mind wander into much darker territory. "Sure, let me get some bits. I'm sure Pinkie Pie and the Cake family would love to have such a resounding figure in their shop.” she said, Quann nodded Imagining various foods, before being dragged with the same blue aura, before jumping up and trotting alongside Rarity. "Come along Raptor, no time for dilly-dallying, I'm quite parched as well, and I have only a few minutes to spare even with such company as yourself." She said Trotting alongside Quann she sparked up a brief conversation with him about his past and everything about him in general. The conversation ended abruptly as Rarity looked on as he licking his lips. "So this is the place where we get something to eat, huh." Rarity couldn't help but stifle a giggle, as Quann’s eyes darted back and forth before walking up to the store and going inside. The disappointment written across her face usually newcomers tried to at least bite the confectionary serving house. It was clear that he was somewhat smarter than the occasional visitor. "Come on in Rarity all of it looks awesome." Quann said stepping inside. But then he saw someone he wisent thinking he would see until the next day sitting and talking with Fluttershy and the pink pony from before with bandages around his abdomen holding his wings down. And still in full armor. “Oh man, Pinkie that is funny!” Cooper practically yelled, gaining the attention of every pony in the shop. “Look, it’s the alicorn.” A random pony said. making everyone turn to the entrance gaining gasps from the ponies in the room most of whom were frozen by the glare the armored alicorn was giving but quickly discovered it wasn’t meant for them and calmed down but kept watching. “Reaper One-One!” Quann shouted. And every pony turned to the other heavily armored pony who was scrambling to his hooves and over to the alicorn muttering curses the whole way. “shit, shit, shit, shit.” Cooper said as he galloped to get to Quann, who was standing there with a very UN amused look on his face “LIEUTENANT, SIR!” Cooper said as he got to the alicorn, saluting with his right hoof. Shocking the other occupants ‘why was a Prince only a lieutenant?’ “At ease, Cooper. I am glad to see that you are feeling better.” Quann said placing a hoof on Cooper’s shoulder. Both finally seeing just how tall Quann was. Cooper guessing that he was as tall as the only stallion he had met so far Big Macintosh but not as bulky. “Reaper have something important to tell you.” Quann said, gaining everyponies attention “What is it, Raptor?” Cooper asked, causing Quann to turn to everybody else in the room. “What you are about to hear is top secret, that means telling no one.” Quann said to them making, them nod, some in fear and others in curiosity. “Okay then.” he said turning back to Cooper, pulling down his mask and up his goggles to better Gage his reaction revealing his… “During our engage meant with the Tango Primary I have discovered that the two of us are now infected with the Mercer or Blacklight virus.” Quann said, making most of the ponies step back. “I knew, I felt different but I couldn’t place it. Shouldn’t we be dead?” Cooper ask. “But don’t worry, apparently the amount of the virus was have not only the last in the entire world, but it was so diluted it didn’t kill us. We are no better than that asshole Heller. But the good news is that we can’t infect anypony no matter what we do.” Quann said with a sad smile towards the end. “So what you are saying is. . .” Cooper started. “Is that the virus starts with us and will end with us.” Quann paused, letting him take it in and so the ponies understood they were not a threat. “But Now we have to make a decision to make.” Quann said moving his and Cooper’s mask and hoods into position in their respective places. “What is that?” Cooper asked “The Decision everyone who joined Blackwatch made. The choice to Destroy…” he said, Making the ponies a bit nervous by the ominous blue lights and goggles that then changed red on Quann and Orange on Cooper. “…Or the choice to protect.” Quann said making the ponies wonder what they would pick but he wasn’t done. “Cooper. Tell me where do you think you would be if it wasn’t for The Watch?” Quann asked ‘What kind of question is that?’ the ponies thought “Either dead or in prison.” Cooper said in a joking but also truthful tone, the ponies were shocked to hear this, Cooper was so kind. “Same here, now let’s change that and Protect this town. We couldn’t Protect the NYZ, so let’s protect Ponyville.” Quann finished. He pulled down his mask and up the goggles on both him and Cooper and both smiled making the ponies glad they had these two to protect the town.