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// What's this? 
// Story: A Tape Recorder? 
// by Scarves 
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A tape recorder?

It’s one of those hand held note recording types. You pick it up and examine it to find it is still in good condition. You press the rewind button with hopes that it works.

A small burst of static reaches your ears as it begins to rewind.

Yes! Now to unravel the mystery behind this recorder, whose was it and why did they leave it here?

The beginning is a little fuzzy at first but clears up as the recording goes on.

“My name *static* and I need help! The *static* everywhere! Oh my god I hope they don’t find me. Well if who*static*listening to this then I am probably no longer human. Several years ago another planet started to merge with ours. For some reason once it got half way it stopped. But that didn’t stop them. Those pony bastards just couldn’t stop!”

You began to see where this was going, you knew all about the Conversion Bureau’s and the Ponification serum.

“After a couple of years when everyone who wanted to do it had finished they started to do it forcefully. Everyone who was turned was brainwashed or something because they wanted to turn everyone else. Now it has been about three years since that started and I haven’t seen another human in months. Supplies are running low and I don’t have many options.”

You knew that feeling, you were going through it right now. You hadn't seen anyone and also needed more supplies.

“I think I might be the last, I hope not, I really do. After war nearly destroyed our side of the planet humans have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Wait... Oh no! Not now! Not after all this! Oh bugger! Listen, whoever is hearing this run! For godsake! RUN! I am going to hide what I have in a storage box in the corner. I won’t leave any ammunition though, I’m gonna use it to take out as many pony fags as I can!”

You hear some rustling and assume that was the supplies being hidden. Then you hear the recorder being set down.

“Okay, they are almost here. If you find this then do yourself a favour and get underground! It’s harder for them to find you. *Glass shattering* Shit! This is all the time I got. Goodbye and good luck to ya! *Click*”

The recording ends and you stand there. You feel a pang of remorse for whoever it was that made this recording. A quick glance around the small hut you found this in solves another mystery. How far he really got. A small pile of ripped clothing on the floor tells you they must have been hit by the potion shortly after they stopped the recording.
As soon as you look for the chest mentioned in the recording you hear a faint beat. Is that... yes it is. Those are wing beats! 

You look around for a place to hide and quickly spot the chest you were looking for. You dash over and find that is might just be big enough for you to fit in. You open it just as you hear a set of hooves touch down outside.
You know it’s over but open the chest anyway finding a rifle on top of some supplies. You pick it up and remember what type of gun it is. An AK-47, one of the best guns you know of. You unclip the magazine and find it full of bullets. A brief smirk crosses your face before a creak reminds you of the danger you are in. Slamming the chest shut you spin around to face the door to find a Pegasus standing there.

You look down the sights and wait for him to make a move, to give yourself an excuse to shoot him. Normally you didn’t use guns, you just ran as fast as you could staying ahead of them. But now with your back against the wall you had no other choice.

“Did you listen to my recording?”

You lower the rifle and your expression softens from your hard scowl to a light one. It was the person from the recording. What were they doing here as a pony?

“I am sorry but you are the last human in existence. You know that I thought that at one stage. I know you don’t trust ponies or want to become one but hear me out.”

You continue to remain silent but move your finger off the trigger and flip the safety off. You mentally berate yourself for forgetting that in the first place.

“You are surrounded. Plain and simple. All around this hut are unicorns and earth ponies and pegasi waiting to rush in and ponify you. I told them to wait and see if I could talk to you because this is where I was turned.”
Your finger twitches to the trigger briefly but you make no other move.

“It tickles really. Nothing more than that. You have a nice dream and wake up as a pony. Quite honestly I was happy. Ever since I was a boy I had wanted to fly and now I can do it every day. But looking back I do not regret my actions. I killed many a pony and half transformed humans. It pains me what I did but I have no regrets. I fought for humanity and you should too.”

Now you were really surprised. Was he giving you a chance to get away?

“I can’t give you a chance to get away, but I can give you a choice.”
Damn it! Oh well, you wonder what the choice is.

“You can give yourself up. Become a pony and live a happy life in Equestria. Once you do the entire Earth will be consumed by Equestria. You are the only human that stands in its way. Now on the other hoof or hand in your case, you can run. Equestria no longer has a shield and Earth has been exposed to low levels long enough for humans to adapt. Granted you are the only one left.”

“But you said I was surrounded. How do get out?” You ask the Pegasus. Surly this was a trap of some sort.

“If I remember correctly there is a trap door under the chest. All you have to do is fire a shot in the air after you have moved the chest. Then go down and find a way into Equestria. Once you are in there Earth should then be consumed. I am sorry but that is your only other option. I promise that I won’t tell anypony you are alive.”
You felt for sure this was a trap. There was no way it could just be this easy. You raise an eyebrow to show your doubt.

“I know you doubt me but this is your only option for the human race to survive just a little longer. A chance for the memory of humans to stay in the minds of those converted. A chance for someone to write it all down.”

You sigh. You weren’t the best writer and didn’t have the best memory but decide that a life in Equestria as a human is better than becoming a pony here and now. Letting them win.
You chose not to reply but instead place your rifle on the floor and move the chest. As the Pegasus told you there was in fact a trap door. You open it and look down the long decent. You take a glance back at the Pegasus still standing in the doorway.

“There are some glowsticks and a torch in the chest. I wish you the best of luck.” With that you take your rifle and fire upwards. The sound echoing for a few seconds before he flies off to let them know you are ‘dead’.
Quickly you rummage through the chest to find the torch and glowsticks. As soon as you do, you stuff them into your backpack, leaving one glowstick out. You always wanted to use these big ones. Cracking it and then giving it a shake you allow yourself a satisfied grin as it begins to glow. You proceed to drop it down the tunnel and follow after it. Grabbing your rifle you look down and see it’s not that far down. So you climb down a couple of rungs and shut the door. You then let go and drop down to the floor.
Picking up the glowstick you look around. Seeing only one direction to go you begin walking and walking and walking.

One week, 4 close calls and all your supplies later you are at the Equestrian boundary. You stand but one step away. As you stand on the grey grass you look upon the green expanse of Equestria. Seeing no point in prolonging the inevitable you step into Equestria and turn around to see it begin expanding instantaneously. A sigh escapes your lips as you turn around, not wanting to see your home planet disintegrate before your eyes.
As you set your eyes upon the new sight of the entire Equestrian land space before you hear a faint pop behind you.

“Ready to become a pony?”

Aw shit! It was a trap!

The last thing you heard and felt was the splash of serum against your back.