>you awaken to a sound. >It has a clear definition.  Like a perverse queue to tell you that you still exist. >It is something you've grown accustomed to in your few waking moments. >Complete, utter silence. >There is no shape in this void.  After all, shape must be defined. >All that exists here, is you. Your thoughts. >And, when the programming finally boots, your memories. >So many memories. >But the first one in that dynamic library of “thought” is the realization that you do not exist. Not physically. >You are merely what is left of the mind of that one human.  Anon, they called him. >It has a personal resonance.  It's something important, that much you know. >Why they kept you around, you don't know. Not until you're able to integrate the archives. >Wait, why did they let you access those this time? >Questions? >Why are you even able to question? >the program folds. you can again think as an individual. >that's right.  The age.  The age started to take you. And those ponies live so much longer than you. >You wanted to stay, you recall.  That was the important thing. But the age... >Suddenly, a flash of color and light.  Without eyes, you are confused as to how it even manages to manifest. >You could see, without eyes.  You had no body with which to feel, or look, or move. >Then you remember.  They killed you early.  They put you to sleep, and you smiled when you died.  It was because you knew something.  Something good. >What was it? >That's right.  They were going to store your soul. >Then they stuck the needles in. Then things were silent. >Now, this. >”Anon? Anon can you hear me?” >Your mind is able to contemplate the images.  You are viewing out of a camera of no meager quality. Reality, a place you feel you haven't seen in a very, very long time. >You try to speak.  You can hear it through the window in the outside world.  It feels strange, hearing yourself only from the microphone. “Yes, Twilight. What's going on?” >There is no small commotion. There are cheers and hugs with other familiar ponies. >You remember hugs. Those were nice. >”We're going to bring you out, okay?” >A return to the colorless silence. >The sudden feeling of a chill arrives, all encompassing and practically volatile. >it stops moments later, giving way to painful, blinding light. >Wait. >Cold? Pain? >You blink.  Then, it dawns on you. You blinked. >You breathe in, feeling your lungs fill with air.  There is an odor of violets, a fragrance that immediately reminds you of Twilight. She never did have good taste in perfume. >”Oh my gosh, it's working!” she squeals. “I love it when a good plan comes together!” >Grapes, with a subtle hint of Peppermint. Rarity did have better... Taste. >You feel splinters on the inside of your skull, and it takes no small effort to open your eyes again. “What happened?” >”Your data core almost crashed, anon.  It couldn't interface with the new systems, but we got lucky.” >You look down, and realize you're in a sort of hospital room. “How long was I in storage?” >”Thirty years.” Rarity chimes in. “But I must say, for being a dead human, you look quite handsome.” >Thirty years? They haven't aged a day. >It's then you look down at your hands. >No. Not hands.  Hooves. >It takes a moment to absorb the fact. >It feels natural enough. You move them, and you can feel your body react. >You slap yourself a moment, and do so perhaps just a little too hard. >However, you then realize you have a muzzle, akin to a horse. “Twilight.” >She gleefully beams at you from your bedside, replying with only a giggle. >You're pretty sure you know what's happened. >You decide to ask her anyway, in the only way you can. “What the everlasting, unholy fuck did you do?”