"So, what am I supposed to do anyway? Just take the goddamn pills and stare at the screen?" I chuckled.
"Yeah, basically that."
"Sounds like bullshit to me, if you wanna know the truth."
"Oh, come on Paul, you're such a pussy — Swallow'em up already!"
I liked Twilight Sparkle, I really did. My friends said it was stupid, but I didn't care. She was my little obsession since I was a teenager. God knows why, I loved that egghead.
"Alright, alright — hand over the box." I said. "How many should I take?"
I inspected those tiny pills on my hand. They looked like candy — a bizarre kind of candy — the sort you wouldn't leave around your kids or something.
"Just one." My buddy said, grabbing my hand and forcing me to return a couple of extra pills I had gotten. "That's not Valium, for god's sake. It's not like you're getting any high out of these."
I pinched the little thing between my fingers; it was a soft white and pink pill. Nothing more than that, and yet, the never-ending infomercials on TV made it seem as if it had magic powers. We were going to a party that night, and everyone was supposed to wear a different modification. Neil already had his fox ears perched up on his head, but I wanted a unicorn horn — Twilight's horn, to be more specific.
Animale forced your cells to multiply extremely quickly, and the nano-robots guided them to assume certain shapes. The shape was determined by the focus in what you were seeing or thinking. Hence why so many teenagers had trouble in growing their cat ears — no focus at all — ended up with a pair of misshapen appendages hanging from their foreheads or something. It'd be gone in a few days, but it was a ridiculous sight anyway.
I had a very vivid idea of what I wanted when I closed my eyes and placed the pill on my tongue.
'Come at me, you purple freak.'
I swallowed.
Images of Twilight bubbled in my mind. I wanted that so badly — horn and ears. I wanted both. I visualized myself scratching the back of her ears, moving up a bit to feel the tiny contours of the unicorn's horn.
That was it.
There was a warmth building up in my forehead and somewhere in my scalp, it wasn't uncomfortable, but it was definitely weird to feel your blood vessels rearranging themselves.
Then came the urge to scratch whatever was growing up there, a vicious, hellish urge.
"Ah!" My fingernails must've ripped apart the couch's armrest. "What the hell Neil!"
"Hold on, it's almost done! Don't you ruin it!" He said, grabbing my arms and preventing me from touching whatever was up there. "Damn!" He laughed. "How the fuck did you do that, dude?"
The urge finally started to subside when I opened my eyes and let out a breath.
"I'm never — never — taking Animale again-" I froze. Neil held a round mirror in front of me, he had a hilarious expression stamped on his face.
"It works." I muttered. "The thing fucking works!" I couldn't contain my excitement. Not only I got the horn, but a pair of lavender ears also appeared near the back of my skull. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, for Celestia's sake!" I grabbed my phone to take a picture.
"Now, hold your horses partner. You can take as many selfies as you want later, we've got a party to attend now." Neil said, grabbing his car keys.
"Oh yeah... That."
The party was a blur on the back of my eyes. That taste of cheap booze still lingering on my tongue. I had left the building feeling quite a bit dizzy, and made my way back to the car.
Shortly after, I heard the door opening. Neil poked his head inside the car and stared at me with a confused expression.
"What the hell did you do?" He asked. I could feel my skin bubbling from underneath, as if my blood had started to boil.
"That goddamn whiskey gave me a hell of a headache" I pressed my temples. "I know you always have some aspirins in the car, so I came here and found some." I said, struggling to keep my voice as normal as possible. "Besides, the music sucks."
It really sucked. You don't wanna know what they listen to in a kinky furry party.
"Dude... It's been six months since my doctor forbid me from taking those. Whatever you took, it was anything but aspirins." Neil had a weird look on his face, the street was gloomy and I couldn't see straight. But I could feel in my guts that something was definitely wrong.
"Then what was it?" I turned on the interior lights, and found an empty bottle of Animale on the passenger seat.
"Oh shit, Paul!" Neil face-palmed, shaking his head as if to deny what just happened.
That was bad. That was pretty bad.
"Neil, take me home bro."
"I'm not taking you home! I'm taking you to the goddamn hospital. Look at your skin!"
I extended my arms in front of the light, and was shocked to see that I was now tinted in a shade of lavender.
"Holy crap, I'm becoming Twilight Sparkle."
"No man, you're becoming the pony version of that roach-thing from Kafka's Metamorphosis."
"The what?" I closed my mouth with both hands. My voice — Animale was changing my voice.
"Stop thinking about her! You're making things worse!" Neil started the car and set the GPS to the closest hospital — which wasn't close at all. The party was on an industrial zone, miles away from the city.
"I can't! She's all over my head!"
As Neil drove away down the streets, I curled on my seat and tried not to panic. My strategy seemed to be working, until a back-bending pain stabbed my shoulder blades.
"Ahhhh! Fuck!" I screamed, desperately trying to rip apart my shirt. Something was expanding, shredding my skin from inside out.
The car tires shrieked as Neil stepped on the brakes.
Then it happened.
As I disentangled myself from my coat and the seat belt, a pair of bizarre appendages sprouted on my back. I leaned forward, grunting in agony as those things blossomed into a pair of wings, together with feathers and all that crap.
"You said she was a unicorn!" Neil looked terrified.
"An alicorn. It's a flying version of a unicorn." I tried to explain with my ridiculously girly voice. I was being 'anthrofied' alive. The dream of the furry community was becoming my nightmare.
Looking down at my hands, I felt the skin between my fingers uniting in what first resembled a duck foot. The bizarre feeling extended itself deeply into my bones.
I knew what was about to happen.
A wave of muscular spasms and cramps made me curl up again, my bones were fusing and rearranging themselves inside of me.
I was gaining hooves.
"When is this going to stop??" Neil asked, dividing his attention between the road and whatever was left of me.
"You're my very best friend, you know?" I murmured.
"Jesus... Get yourself together dude!" By that time, I was afraid it was too late.
What began in my upper body, descended through my legs and spine. In terror I felt my fingers and toes retracting into my body, I felt myself shrinking like a grape that was left in the sun.
I moved my hands to touch my face, only to realize they were gone. My pants became too big for my shape, and after so many kicks and bumps, they escaped me.
The worse part happened when the effects reached my head. The feeling of having your eyes expanding like balloons into your skull is indescribable. It was by far, the worse thing I had ever experienced in my life.
Neil screamed from the driver's seat, but I couldn't hear any of his words. I believe he must've seen one of the most terrifying things when my nose and mouth fused together into a muzzle.
"D-don't take me to the hospital" I managed to say. "They'll cut me open."
My consciousness was escaping me like water from a leaking pipeline. One moment I was there in the car, seeing the city lights getting closer and closer, the other second I was somewhere else.
"Stay with me Paul — Paul, are you listening? — Stay with me dude." The car had stopped, Neil's voice dissipated in the air around my ears. Animale won.
They say that the first breath after coma is the moment your body breathes back your soul.
Light from the windows bathed the room in a white, diffuse glow. For a few seconds I thought I was dreaming, but I had never felt pain in a dream, and my muscles ached whenever I moved.
"How did I..." I muttered, rubbing my temples. There was just a blank space, as empty as the walls of that chamber.
The door handle moved, and I retracted under the covers.
"Hey. You're awake."
A vague memory flew like a ghost on the background, but I remained in silence.
"It's me... Neil." He said, approaching the bed.
"Take me home." I replied.
"Paul, this is your home bro. That's your room, and your bed."
"No!" I screamed, pushing the bed sheets away.
"Calm down Paul, I know it's difficult but-"
"Stop calling me that! Whatever that is." I said. The man gave a step back and stood in the doorway like a statue. "Take me home. Now." I ordered. "Take me back to Ponyville!"
"This can't be happening." He shook his head.
"I'm Twilight Sparkle, this is an order! My friends must be looking for me, and they will find you, mister."
"Nurse!" He called. "I'm so sorry man. I swear, we all tried."
"W-what... What are you even-"
"He's not ready yet." I heard him whispering to someone else at the door. "Actually... He's not there at all." The other person nodded.
She had a syringe filled with a white liquid.
"No. Get away from me!" I yelled, as another nurse immobilized my hooves. "You'll pay for that!"
"The developers of Animale deeply apologize for that, Paul." One of them said, as she injected the liquid into my veins. "Or Twilight Sparkle, if you prefer." I heard her voice saying as I drifted back into sleep.
A deep, comforting sleep.
Holy s***, that was pretty dark. Nice job.
By the way:
Pretty sure you meant 'scalp.' Unless he was growing ears from his surgical knife.
Whoa. Damn.
8682147 hahahahahahahaha, thanks for pointing that out. My auto-corrector is no help at all.
Nice story!
Sequel?
8682174
I had a feeling that was an FUAC moment.
8682251 Well, sequels are always a possibility.
I'm gonna keep an eye on this
8682303 Thanks! Keep an eye on a possible sequel as well.
By the nine that got dark fast
Curses! Too quick! But this does incredibly interest me. Yes.
I like it!
Although, I wonder how such nanomachines were able to replicate Twilight so well and also do a complete mind wide too...Do they also come with the character's history? Would love to see this expand upon. Curses for this story being too short!
Physician's note, Patient #49675 - Animale overdose
Blood tests done at admission show concentrations of Animale far in excess of LD50, and beyond what normal tissue should be able to retain. Normally, Animale dosage in excess of LD50 amounts will simply excrete by perspiration or urinary flow, but due to a quirk in this patient's biochemistry, we suspect retention of the nanomachines interacted with the chemical cues in an unknown manner. Unfortunately, upon returning to the patient's room to extradite him/her to a secure location for further detailed examination, we discovered him/her to be missing, despite all the windows and doors being verified as sealed. The only cue to the patient's whereabouts was a six-pointed star pattern burned into the hospital sheets and the lingering scent of lilacs. It is recommended that all records of this patient's admission be deleted, and any further requests for information to be directed to Animale's public information service.
Records deleted and sealed as per request
That was a good little short. I'm sad it's over already.
Definitely requires a sequel.
Don't forget that Earth Pony portion.
Well, that was dark.
8682366
Well that's an easy way to get a watch...
good thing I found this...
eagerly waiting for the sequel.
8682512 I believe the nano-robots replicate whatever the user is thinking. Since they were not supposed to be overdosed, the standard amount of one pill wouldn't do much. However, a whole bottle of them was capable of digging far into his subconscious mind, reaching every sort of memory related to Twilight Sparkle.
And yep, a sequel is a possibility!
My interest would certainly be piqued by a continuation/sequel. Stopping here would be quite a loss of potential.
8682593 Life Corporation Archives - Letter #1
To:
Dr. William Robinson, PhD
Dr. Lilian Hoffman, PhD
Dr. Spencer Matarazzo
Greetings,
It has come to our attention that another incident report has been filled regarding the experimental drug Animale.
It is not of our company's interest and/or goals to be disturbed by the media's attention, whilst having our name distorted and tinted by unconfirmed accusations.
Life Corporation aims to preserve its reputation at any cost; a reputation that was built upon decades of uninterrupted work, and sacrifices.
Since the '96/TTP7 incident in Congo River Research Facility, we have been cautious with any sort of pharmaceutical development outside the bio-engineering facilities, and unfortunately, the lastest events have only served to prove that our vision of security although considered 'radical' by many, is utterly essential and correct.
For these, and many other reasons, the Director's Board has issued an immediate relocation order for the entire network of New Haven's Pharmaceutical Laboratories.
All the facilities shall be evacuated and transfered to The Reserve. All employees should go through psychological evaluation before the transference, or else shall be permanently dismissed from their activities.
Test subjects shall be eliminated, alongside with any files regarding their existence.
We regret to inform that all laboratories will be kept in lockdown until Life Corporation's Transportation Service arrives for retrieval. Please, do not try to leave before the Transportation Service arrival, as our confidentiality contract allows us to use - 'force as a method of containment if lockdown orders are not followed'
Incineration will be applied to all suspect objects and/or possible sources of evidence.
The Department of Control and Security has already started working on the tracking of Patient 06xSPRKL
All these measures were taken for the general safety and well-being of Life Corporation's personel, and the continuity of its operations.
We wish you all a very productive day.
Respectfully,
The Director's Board.
8682688
8682503
8682751 If stories like these spark y'all interest, I shall not refrain from writing a sequel, or even something else in this same universe.
8682879 Thanks! I'll do my best to not disappoint!
8682916
8682997 I have been receiving sequel requests for this story since it was posted. So yes, I must write more of this universe, complete with bubbling liquids, missing ponies, evil corporations, and unethical laboratories.
8683034 Oh, really? I supposed it'd be fair to add the narcotics tag since the story is basically about an overdose.
8683027
Yeesh. I could actually see that as the beginning to the sequel, depending on which direction you want to go with it.
8683044 No worries
I'll leave the thing there. It's a slightly confusing tag - actually - the term 'Narcotic' is confusing by itself, considering that it is used to refer to illegal drugs (such as cocaine) that chemically speaking, are not narcotics ar all.
8683052 Well, possibly something along the lines of - 'Relatively small problem reveals a massive trouble. Friend won't believe the authorities and decides to go after his bro by himself.'
I'm not surprised if Twilight will be able to use magic thanks to the nanobots that it is still inside her system.
and then somehow it scales to a zombie apocalypse but with ponies.
8683031
One nifty thing I thought I would mention. Proteins are nano machines. There are even proteins that literally walk on two legs. A little sci for your Sci fi
8683155 That's really cool. I think I've seen a GIF of one of those 'walking proteins' before. Nature is amazing.
where can I get some Animale? I want cat ears and a fox tail
8683399 In the nearest pharmacy fifteen years from now!
8683428
It's funny because there is an actual chance of that with CRISPR being developed like it is. Although it would be a slow, personalized virus with the results decided ahead of time, but yeah.
I... I. W-what? What did I just read? Was this like a furry nightmare or something? Dont get me wrong, it was well written and interesting. But, let me reiterate... What?
8683538 I would say it is a Black Mirror-esque biological horror story. If you haven't watched Black Mirror, I strongly recommend it!
8683514 If we stop to think about it, a slow, personalized virus gone wrong, eating you throughout the years, with no known cure, is as psychological terrifying as an Animale overdose.
Actually, you gave me an idea for a parallel story in which an individual has his memories slowly replaced by fragments of a pony AI memory, until he feels no longer 'himself'.
Will this be permanent?
8683775 Perhaps... The damage seemed to be too extensive. Animale was designed to modify small body parts that would retract after a few days. I honestly don't know what would happen to let's say; an entire hoof, or hind-leg. In the best case scenario, he would go through another very painful transformation that would hardly bring back the shape of a perfect human body.
8683810
What about his mind? Will he remember who he is/was?
8683813 That's difficult to say. If his memories managed to survive in the background of his mind, perhaps he could remember something. It all depends on the extent of Animale's effects.
8683037
*Dives behind a couch and peeks over the back*
Here's hoping for at least a small bit of mental recovery; a pinprick of light in a void. Although maybe that's even more perverse than technical death.
I think this deserves a sequel/actual story dedicated to it. The concept is interesting (and deliciously dark )
8683981 You can be quite sure that this will have some sort of sequence! And more stories following this same 'Biological Horror' thematic are on the way.
Oh, the fun kind of dark. Too many people go directly for bloody stuff.
8684023
Agreed. The only other person that makes good fics like this would be WaxWorks. They so rarely do Gorey horror, that the one time they DID do it, It actually robbed me of a night of sleep, so they added a Gore Tag.
8684023
8684153
I never tried to write gore. Actually, I did, but the story never reached the bloody part, and it wasn't posted.
One of my main interest lies in writing Biological and Psychological Horror, those stories that eat you from inside out; the unknown presence behind your eyes, the bizarre incident in the laboratory, the rebellious AI locking you up at home, and things as such.
Whoa! Man,. That was short dark and scary that a drug could completely transform you. I will definitely vote for you to do a sequel.
8682593
nice!
Dude I think that was a lot more then ten seconds.
And here people complain about GMOs, then go and make this!