I groaned, and sat up. All around me, was a blank whiteness. Definitely NOT what I wanted to see. There was someone facing away from me, hands in their pockets. I looked around, and suddenly felt very aware that there was something missing: my clothes. I covered myself up with one arm, and stretched out my other, ready to say something, when the person turned around.
"Finally came to for the most part? Nah. Near death experience...that isn't something you recover from so quickly."
His facial features were familiar to me. Too familiar. Because they were my own. He kept talking, and my focus snapped to what he was saying, as I tried to ignore how odd it was to see myself.
"You almost died. Now, let me explain something: You're still recovering. Right now, you're unconscious, but neither of us; you, the conscious, me, the subconscious; know where you are right now. But this gives us some time to reflect on life. So, here's the first thing: Obviously, you aren't on Earth anymore. But with how real everything is, and the fact that there's no Heads-Up Display, it is safe to say that this isn't Virtual Reality." He dusted off his shirt, and I thought about it.
Those are all observations I made...Its like he really is me. But how much so, or is this some crazy dream induced by an all-powerful entity? I thought, and almost immediately, I found myself asking something completely different. "If this is Equestria, which variation? How much of an influence do I have? And why would there be Yoma here?" I pressed him with questions, knowing that either way, I wouldn't get answers that I wanted the answer to, if I didn't know them. But I was given a surprise.
"Common sense would dictate that this is a hybrid variation, most likely the Claymore variation. A possible sub-variation would be the Nyxverse, but that's highly unlikely. You most likely won't have much of an influence, until you start making a name for yourself. I suggest choosing a new identity, though."
"Why's that?" I asked, before remembering. "Oh, yeeeaaaah..." I face-palmed, telling myself off for forgetting such a key detail. "Maybe something that reflects who I am now?"
"Or you could use the name your character had for the game."
"Or that." Everything around me slowly started to blur, and I felt confused. "So...Tell them my name is Tamora, and try to make it convincing?" I asked him, falling to the ground, dizzy.
"Pretty much. Oh, and whatever you do, try not to lose control. If there's more Yoma than the one, these ponies will need you more than they think."
With my subconscious's last remark, my thoughts slipped, and I woke up.
*****Castle of the Two Sisters*****
Twilight Sparkle was a genius. She had read every book Princess Celestia had ever provided for her, but never in any of the books had they mentioned anything like the two creatures that had fought in a deadly battle. She was pacing back and forth, fretting nervously. "What do we do!? I don't know what these...things are! I've never read about them!" she started rambling about her lack of knowledge in panic, when Rainbow Dash grabbed her firmly.
"Twi! Get a hoof of yourself!" She said firmly. "That pon...uh...whatever, is bleeding!" Dash pointed at the bleeding, crumpled figure on the ground. Everypony was staying away in fear of the creature, having witnessed the uncanny power it had exhibited.
"R-right. Except I don't know anything about it!" Twilight said, extremely worried.
"What if we brought it to the Princesses?" Rarity said, looking rather disgusted. "Let them decide what to do with this ruffian?"
"I suppose we don't have a choice…" Twilight agreed thoughtfully. The five(Because Rarity wasn't willing to risk getting covered in blood) hauled the unconscious being out of the ruins, and eventually pulled it to Ponyville. Thankfully, they didn't have to take a train, as Princess Celestia stopped by for yet another unexpected visit. "Princess!" Twilight cried out, gasping for breath. Even with her magic, and her friends aiding her, carrying the creature had been taxing. The royal mare opened her mouth to speak, but that was when the creature stirred, and awoke.
*****Josh's POV*****
As soon as I woke up, I realized I was floating. I fell to the ground, and looked around, grimacing in pain. My injuries hadn't healed fully, and I was certain I wasn't a defensive fighter, like my character Rachael. Which honestly sucked big time, but I wasn't focusing on that.
"What might you be?" A voice, like that of a minor goddess(Or something similar in power) said from in front of me.
I looked up, and scowled. "The name is…" I paused, thinking. Should I use Tamora? Yeah. What the hell. "My name is Tamora," I said, rolling onto my side, and slowly getting to my feet. I continued to speak, focusing my Youki on recovery. My side slowly sealed up, leaving a scar. "I am a Claymore. Half-human, half-Yoma." I watched the regal mare study me, when I realized my clothes were still in tatters. "Trust me…this is NOT"- I put emphasis on 'not'- "how I wanted to meet you."
The pony smiled, when I realized something: My memories of the show were slipping away. I was so distracted with that realization, I didn't notice her speaking.
"-You here. Do you have any questions about Equestria, or what my expectations of you are?"
"Yeah. Can you repeat that?" I rubbed the back of my neck, and tried to adjust my uniform so I didn't gel so exposed. Great. Now I'm more modest than before.
"Very well. As I had said, my name is Princess Celestia, one of two leaders of Equestria. My sister, Princess Luna, rules with me. I wish to understand you, and would be honored to have you here."
"Yeah, but any funny business, and we'll kick your butt!" Rainbow Dash said, hooves up like she was ready to fight.
"Uh huh. I'm guessing before anything else happens, you'll need me to explain who/what I am, how I got here, and what I plan on doing, exactly?" I said, feeling, and hopefully looking, extremely bored.
"Yes. We've never seen anything quite like you, and so we shall hear your tale." Princess Celestia said, most likely on behalf of everybody in the vicinity. I checked to see if I was sitting, and nodded approvingly: My habit of sitting without notice had struck again! I took a deep breath, getting my thoughts back on track, and nodded again.
"June 22nd, 2015. I went to a convention called ComiCon. I decided to cosplay a character I had created for a game I was beta-testing, called My Little Claymore." Twilight interrupted me, with a question. Predictable.
"What is this 'game' supposed to be?" She asked, jotting notes down furiously.
"I'd explain, but I honestly don't feel like it." I responded lazily. "Anyway, I bought a prop for my cosplay, and attended. Everything was working out fine, but something about the prop felt off. I didn't notice who had sold me it, except it was some chick who was hot as hell."
"What?" Rarity and Princess Celestia asked simultaneously.
"It's a way of saying she was really good-looking."
"Oh."
"So, a few weeks later, I was given the position of head beta-tester for the My Little Claymore project. Things went screwy with the Virtual Reality system, and when I woke up, I found myself in that old, ruined castle."
Twilight flipped the page of her notepad, probably again, as I hadn't been paying attention, when Pinkie asked, "What about magic? Do you have any magic? What kind? Ooh, ooh, can you do a magic trick!?" She asked, firing off questions about as fast as I could draw an arrow from the quiver.
"Well..It's not really magic, but a Claymore, and the Yoma, which I don't think I've explained, but I'll explain in a second, has what's called 'Youki'. It's a form of supernatural energy that flows through Yoma blood. It's origin is relatively unknown, to me at least, but Youki is like..." I paused, thinking, before finding a nice comparison, "Hyper adrenaline: It increases your strength to unrealistic levels, increases your reaction time, and enables you to move faster. There is, however, a major downside." I paused, letting Twilight jot down another page of notes, before continuing. Of course, Rainbow Dash butted in before I could keep talking.
"What, being awesome?" She said. I thought I heard an egotistical tone in her voice, but dismissed the thought.
"No. Youki has a limit as to how much you can exert before you go over the limit. The average Claymore has to stop at 80%, otherwise they become a more powerful version of a Yoma, called an Awakened Being."
"That's what you called that monster back at the castle, right?" Fluttershy asked softly, hiding behind Rarity.
"Yes. I'm a bit worried, but I need a better arsenal if I'm to declare war on the Yoma."
Celestia narrowed her eyes, and said, "You've mentioned these...'Yoma', multiple times now. What are they, and what makes them so dangerous?"
"A Yoma is basically a parasite, but it can alter the physical form of it's host to accommodate it's Youki when it reveals itself. The result is normally beefed up muscles, and increased speed."
Princess Celestia seemed to be trying hard not to vomit, but I continued. "Then there's Voracious Eaters, also known as Awakened Beings. Often times, they exist because a Claymore lost control of her Youki, and went past her limit. Only one has ever Awoken to the point of change and pulled back from it. Her name was Clare."
Pinkie burst in on the conversation, and looked up at the sky. "Hey Mr. Author? Are you sure it's spelled like that?"
Everypony blinked, and I gave the classic 'What the fuck?' face.
I am quite certain Pinkie. Please do not break the fourth wall like that again, though! It compromises the story!
"Okie dokie lokie!" She bounced up, and vanished, only to reappear sitting down.
I shifted uncomfortably, and asked, "What in the name of the gods was that about?"
"Nothing you need to worry your silly head about, silly-willy!"
"Uh...anyways...an Awakened Being often has traits that reflect a Claymore's strengths. For example, a fast Claymore who Awakens would most likely have a streamlined body, with slender limbs, whereas a strong Claymore would have a muscular body and weapons as part of her body." Everything I said of course, was speculation on my part, but I needed to sound confident. After all, I WAS a Claymore now! "The normal limit is measured in percentiles, and a regular Claymore's limit is eighty percent. At ten percent, the eyes change to gold. At twenty, veins bulge, and teeth become sharp, as well as speed increasing. Thirty, the muscles visibly change, growing larger to compensate the additional strength. After that, there isn't much record of visible changes."
"So..." Princess Celestia said, her eyes narrowed, "You must be rather new, correct?"
"Uh..yeah. By the way, do you know anyone who can fix my uniform? And maybe help me up my arsenal?" I replied hesitantly. "I'm good with a sword, but I have a technique in mind that might be even more useful."
Assessment: The girl seems to be adjusting, and has not realized what has been stolen. She has shared information with the Elements, and may compromise the plan. Retracting statement concerning an instructor.
A figure sat in a dark room, surrounded by monitors, smiling maliciously. "Soon...soon you will be tested, child, and war will ensue." The figure smiled darkly, and turned around, his golden eyes shining with malice.