“Congratulations Mister or Misses citizen of Rapture! You have been approved to join the Sinclair’s Solution team as a product tester in our home consumer rewards program! Here at Sinclair: The customer knows best! That’s why we would like you to test our home defense products in the field and tell us how you feel! By participating in our D.I.Y clinical trials, you will earn rewards the further you make it! We thought you’d like the sound of that! So get out there and start earning those rewards!”
. . .
Sev’s eyes fluttered open. His head pounding, and the sound of his hammering heartbeat ringing in his ears. His eyes closed, as he willed them to stay open again. A puddle of blood, and a broken needle lay cast aside, helped him gain focus to the outside world. Breathing heavily, he got to his shaking hooves, lifting his head towards the television, casting gray light on the walls and floors of his apartment as static filled the screen. The image flickered slightly, as a voice rang out.
“And now, for a special message, from Princess Celestia.”
The screen lit up with a shaky image of the Princess.
“ Good evening my friends. I hope you are enjoying your new year’s eve celebration; It has been a year of trials for us all... Tonight, i wish to remind you all that Rapture is your city. It was your strength of will that brought you here, and with that strength you shall rebuild. And so, Princess Celestia offers you a toast.”
The sepia image of Celestia held up a wine glass to prove her point. She rose it proudly.
“To Rapture! 1959! May it be our finest year.”
The image of Celestia hovered for a moment before disappearing into gray static. Sev quickly turned the TV off, shaken by his sudden awakening. He tried to gather his mind as he surveyed the room. A needle lay shattered on the ground, broken after being thrust out of his arm, by the painful injection he gave himself. A large cardboard box occupied the single couch in the otherwise fine living room. It’s content’s included a revolver, and shotgun, alongside a few other items sent by Sinclair’s Solutions. His eyes finally rested upon the large windows that cast the faint blue light that shone through the room. The sea floor, illuminated by the skyscrapers that rose above it. The plant life and animals, coexisting with the man-made architecture and tunnels that crisscrossed for miles, almost naturally. It was true beauty in his eyes, and something he could almost never experience back on the surface. Sev stretched his gray wings out as he yawned. His mind searched for anything to possibly end his night. He wasn't much for festivities and partying, and tomorrow he would need to get back to work. The most logical thing to do would to simply end his night. As if he had anything else to do. A sudden chime from the intercom speaker’s built into his walls, stopped him mid-thought.
‘Attention! There has been an incident at the Kashmir restaurant. All citizens are to remain in their homes until further notice.”
Sev glanced at the speaker’s concerningly. This news didn't sound good, but it only confirmed his plans for sleep. He lazily shuffled towards the door to his bedroom, when a new sound alerted him. The sharp crack of bullets sounded from outside of his door. He dashed towards it, as the sounds of screaming accompanied the bullets. He slammed his head into the door, his eyes trying to peer through the peep hole in his door. Several shadowy figures rested in front of it, hesitating to go in. His eyes rested towards the door. A unicorn lay on her side, bullet holes riddled through her body, and a puddle of blood leaking out. Sev moved away from the door, the puddle of blood leaking out from under his door. His hooves clenched over his mouth to late, as a small gasp escaped his lips. His door rattled under the sudden pounding, now being thrown at it from the pony’s outside.
“We can hear you in there! Let us in small fry and maybe we won't kill you!”
Sev ignored the taunts and immediately crossed his living room towards the couch. He grabbed the revolver from the stiff cardboard box and checked the chambers for ammo. All six holes were occupied by fat bullets. How careless of the manufacturer. How lucky for Him. Sev crossed back over the room, just as the door gave in. 4 colts burst in, carrying large pipes and guns. Sev tipped his coffee table over as a makeshift shield. He fired off several rounds, pinning the nearest colts. Steadying the revolver, he jumped from the table finishing off the last rounds into the next pony. A last unicorn stood, holding a large wrench with his magic. Sev glanced at his revolver. Empty. The spare ammunition lay just out of reach. The unicorn charged, ready to bring the blunt tool into his head. Without thinking, Sev flicked out his hoof towards the enemy. A ball of fire hurtled out and struck the Colt directly.
“AHHHHHHHH! OH SWEET CELESTIA! SOMEPONY HELP! AHHH!”
The unicorns dying screams filled Sev’s ears as the creature fell to the floor, writhing in pain. He struggled under the intense pain, his shouts filling the apartment, bright crimson flames covering his entire body. He fell silently after a few seconds of hopeless struggling. The small flames dieing on their own. Sev thought quickly, and began to drag them out of his room, piling them into the hallway outside. He finally dropped the charred remains of the last colt out of his room with a sickening ‘Crunch’ as he closed the door. He slid down the now closed door, resting his back against it. His mind drug thoughts together and pieced them together, after that small episode. It wasn't the first time he had killed somepony. Nor was it his last. Sev sighed quietly out loud.
“It’s going to be a hell of a night.”