>You vault over the car wreckage, back tight against the rusted steel.
>The choppers wail in the background as they pursue you, another pest to be stomped out by their military boots.
>Blackwatch always smelled fishy to you, but now with them on your tail you can’t help but curse yourself for not trusting your instincts.
>The second they show up so did the infected, mindless zombies who’ve been deformed and mutated by some plague.
>You sniff, footsteps pounding from behind you, the intense sweat of Blackwatch soldiers emanating off their flesh.
>Flesh… You grip your stomach painfully and look back up to the ruined back alley.
>You sprint out from cover and down the alleyway.
>”There he is!”
>They fire upon you, three shots tearing through the flesh of your back and into the brick wall.
>You grimace as your insides are exposed to the steamy air of the city.
>”Command, target neutralized.”
>If only…
 
>You fingers grip the concrete and you lunge yourself forward around the corner.
>They hunt you mercilessly, but you won’t die. Not by them.
>The breathless soldiers lean against the wall, their bodies exhausted, “Command, we lost him.”
>You stand atop the roof and give them one last look before you walk away, your skin stitching back together.
>This isn’t the life you set out for when you moved her.
>You never asked for this.
>Drink some water they said.
>It’s clean they said.
>We promise they side.
>You shake your head at the thought.
>A false truth had you strapped down in a Blackwatch lab while the infection bubbled within you.
 
>You put a knee on the roof’s edge and lean over to peer at the facility in the distance.
>That’s it. That’s where you’ll end all of this.
>You jump off the rooftop and slam into the stone beneath you harmlessly.
>You work your way into the crowd, all the while moving to your objective.
>They said they were working on a cure, experimental, something called Whitelight.
>Blackwatch, Whitelight… Needless to say you were getting fucking tired of the colors.
>They said they needed ‘consent.’
>You laughed through clenched teeth at the statement.
>They threw people from their homes and cut down people in the streets.
>It didn’t matter if you consented to it or not, they were going to have their guinea pig.
>So you said yes and they pumped you full of their liquid death.
>The gleam in the scientist’s eye told you right away that you weren’t going to survive.
>But your parents told you when you were a kid you could be anything.
>And dead wasn’t it.
 
>You dodge into an empty roadside shack before darting back out, adjusting your tie and lab coat.
>It felt dirty to impersonate the grim bastard who made you like this, but you didn’t have a lot of choice.
>The rim of the glasses is what truly drove you batty. Scientists… What do you expect?
>”Oh, Dr. Cohen,” the guard salutes you at the checkpoint, “I didn’t know you were arriving so soon.”
“I do not have time to report my every move to Blackwatch, I have importance business to attend to.”
>The guard stammers, “I-I’m sorry sir, let me open the gate.”
“Be lucky that I don’t contact your CO. If they heard…”
>”Please sir, I apologize.”
>You huff in his persona and step into the facility’s courtyard.
“Get back to work,” you stab at him as you walk away, “Busy, busy, busy.”
>Just hearing his voice makes you want to puke.
 
>When the so called cure hit your bloodstream everything you knew about pain was wiped away.
>It was as if they had replaced your blood with oil and then lit you ablaze, except worse.
>You tore out of your restraints and punched the attending guard in the helmet, crushing both it and his skull.
>The power was unreal, but it wasn’t your own.
>You press your hand against the scanner, looking around to make sure you’re clear.
>*Ding* “Welcome Dr. Cohen.”
>You threw the doctor against the wall as your skin sizzled and eroded away into a mass of morphed bone and blood vessels.
>All he could do was smile at his creation.
>And as you stood there, your body twisted and mangled, pinning the good doctor, is when you felt the hunger.
>A hunger so intense, so foreign, that it couldn’t be stopped.
>His smile disappeared when you tore him in two, tendrils ripping from your back and sucking the doc into your own core.
>Relief, temporary, but relief all the same.
 
>”Dr. Cohen? I thought you were running the Whitelight tests today?” a scientist inquires at your entrance.
“Finished. I have come to check in on the prototype.”
>”Very well sir, this way.”
>When you, consumed, the doctor, you also absorbed his collective memories.
>Vast records of knowledge poured into you, too much to sort through normally, but you caught a glimpse of something.
>The scientist flips a switch, the observation room’s lockdown lifting and raising the metal gate.
>Something that you could be of use to you.
>”She sure is a beauty.”
“Yes. Yes she is.”
>A cure.
 
>”It’s still experimental of course and there’s a couple hundred miles of red tape before we can even think about testing,” he explains as you’re lead down the stairs.
>The device looks rather simple, a metal sheet where the subject is to lie down, straps to ensure cooperation and two top-of-the-line military grade miniature reactors.
>What could go wrong?
“You don’t need to explain that to me.”
>”Of course sir. I can only imagine how much effort you’ve gone through putting this together.”
“Indeed,” you give it a once over. It’ll do. “Turn it on.”
>”Sir?” the scientist asks in shock.
“I said turn it on, or do I need to pull seniority on you.”
>”But sir,” he tries to argue, “The device is still unstable, if we turn it on…”
>You grab him by the collar and stare into his eyes.
“Do it. Or I’ll make sure you never see so much as a magnifying glass again!”
>”Y-y-yes sir.”
>You release him and he runs off, flipping switches and hollering to his peers.
>It’s so close you can taste it.
 
>Your stomach growls and you grab hold once more.
>A guard notices your predicament and walks over, assault rifle… HK- 416.
>5.56x- Ugh… 45mm.
>”Sir, is everything alright?”
“Does it look like everything’s alright?! You snap at him.
>He looks coldly upon you as your fingers dig into your coat, “Sir. I’m going to ask you to stay still for a second.”
“Take your time,” your grunt, focusing your attention on the scientist fulfilling your request.
>The reactors roar to life and you can’t help but smirk as you look to the soldier.
>He’s carrying a- Wait that isn’t a- *Beep beep beep*
>The soldier’s eyes widen as he looks up to your monstrous metamorphosis.
“Play time’s over I guess.”
>He raises his gun but you force your hand over his mouth and reach behind his neck.
>You close your eyes as you break his neck, the marine slumping to the floor.
>The light’s glow red as a siren blares.
>”Security Breach!”
 
>Hooking a pair of grenades from his belt you lob them at the top of the stairs on either side.
>The explosion knocks out the supports on both sides, leaving you trapped inside with your prize.
“I never wanted this,” you explain through the bullet proof glass, “I just wanted to be left alone.”
>You close the soldier’s eyes, a true marine, not one of the Blackwatch scum you’ve come to despise.
>Planting your body against the steel plate you type out the starting sequence from memory.
>”Anon…” one of the scientists says over the microphone, “You don’t need to do this. We can help you.”
>You strap yourself in and extend a lengthy tendril from your fingertip.
>You smile and lie back in your seat.
“Help? You’ve helped enough.” *click*
>Blinding white light, and then darkness.
 
>Moisture titters on your exposed back lightly, a soft rain filling your ears.
>Your body aches as you try and stand, the weakened muscles sending you back down to the soft earth.
>Earth… Where are you?
>This isn’t the park, the air’s too clean and the sky’s a deep blue.
>Maybe… Oh lord. It has to be.
>It worked! By god and his miracles you’re cured!
>They must’ve thrown you out once they realized you weren’t of any use.
>You’re not sure where they deported you too, but that doesn’t matter.
>You may feel like shit. You may look like shit, but holy hell you’re more than happy to be shit.
>The soft petals of the grass stroke your face as you inhale the fresh air.
>You can finally start over. It’s done…
>You can go home.
>*growl*
 
>Your eyes split open at the noise. Please be a rabid animal, please god. *growl*
>The flesh around your torso rumbles hungrily like the true animal it is.
>Dear god no… The blood in your veins burns once more, solidifying what you already knew.
>It was for naught. Everything…
>You work up to your knees, your body exposed fully to the elements as you grip the floor with your head cast.
>The rumbling in your stomach grows as you feel it work its way up your throat.
>A rustic fluid fills your mouth and you purge over the ground.
>It runs red, both relief and sorrow coming at the thought of it not being yours.
>You fall to the side, the world growing hazy.
>After all this you still failed…
>A sheet is thrown over your body, the silky touch reminding you of home.
>You hear a voice, but see nothing, her concern thick in her tone.
>Closing your eyes you ask only one question.
>Where are you?
 
>The sides of your head throb painfully as you awaken to- a ceiling.
>The crown molding wakes you up in a jiffy.
>So you go from a military base to some fields to Rooms To Go.
>Must’ve been a wild night.
>You sit up in bed- Alright, you’ve got a bed to, fancy at that.
>Your skin sits exposed to the air and you give an experimental sniff.
>The fierce aroma of perfume makes you want to rip out your nose hair.
>Curse your acute sense of smell.
>Looking around you find the room you’re in fairly dim and you walk over to the window, using the bed sheet as a towel.
>You immediately regret opening the blinds as your eyes are seared by the intense rays of the sun.
>You grunt and escape back to the side of the bed where it’s safe.
>A person gasps from the other room
>They get closer, their steps one you don’t quite recognize.
>It must’ve been the girl from last night.
>You should thank- her?
 
>Before you stands, and you’re going out on a limb here, a white unicorn p0ny thing with curly purple hair.
>”Thank Celestia you’re awake. How’re you feeling?”
>And she wants to know how you feel.
>Oh yeah, she can talk too, this isn’t an immense mindfuck.
>She watches you as you stand there silent.
>”Do you understand what I’m saying?”
>You nod, too stunned to speak.
>”Well, would you like some breakfast? I made pancakes.”
>Food, maybe that’ll take the edge off.
>You nod to her once more, “Why don’t you just lie down and I’ll be right back.”
>She twirls around and disappears from view off to get your pancakes.
>Alright, what the hell just happened?
>You focus, your skin twisting to morph back into your clothes.
>It takes a bit out of you but you make it work.
 
>You step on through the door, your eyes assaulted by the rabid colors that are flung about.
>You haven’t seen this much color since you had that bad Chinese.
>Mannequins, p0ny ones, stand about allowing you to piece together something about your host.
>She must be a fashion designer of some kind. Listen to yourself, it’s a p0ny not a human.
>But where does that leave you?
>And where the hell are there talking p0nies that makes dresses?
>The smell of fresh flapjacks pulls you away from the clothes and into another room.
>The sweet aroma of maple syrup assaults your nostrils as you enter.
>She stands off by the stove, apparently p0nies know how to cook to, and flips the pancakes.
>Without touching them.
>And the pan is levitating.
>Congratulations, Mind Fuck has reached rank two.
 
>You spy a stack of magazines to the left and read over some of the titles.
>Equestria’s Rising Stars. P0nyville Confidential. The Princess’s New Look.
>You start to piece some of this stuff together, but when you apply them to what you know-
>Nothing makes sense.
>The unicorn turns around nearly dropping the plate when she spots you looking over her magazines.
>”Ooh you startled me. I didn’t hear you come in- How- Where did you get those clothes?”
>You look down to your attire silently, “How can I be so rude as to interrogate you upon our first meeting. Please sit.”
>You oblige her, the unicorn setting the plate in front of you.
>”I hope you like them, it’s a Canterlot recipe that I’ve been dying to try out.”
>Taking hold of your fork you take a bit of the fluffy cake.
>”Soo…”
>You swallow, covering your mouth.
“It’s good.”
 
>She smiles triumphantly, “Of course it is. Just who do you think I am?”
>You raise a brow and set down your fork.
>She realizes her mistake and laughs it off, “Silly me. My name is Rarity.”
>Rarity urges you to continue eating, which you do. It feels like you haven’t eaten in ages.
>”And just what may I call you?”
>You dab your mouth off with your napkin.
“Anon.”
>She nods, “A mysterious name. Can I?” she offers to take your plate out of your way.
>”When I saw you out there by the forest edge I was terrified, but what kind of lady would I be if I didn’t try to help you.”
>Alright let’s stay focused. You need to find out where you are and how to get out.
>Someone in Blackwatch knows how to cure you and Blackwatch ain’t here.
“I’m sorry Rarity,” you interrupt her, “But where am I?”
>”Well in P0nyville of course. Where did you think you were?”
>P0nyville. This has to be some kind of joke.
 
>You stand up and look out the kitchen window, dozens of other p0nies walking along.
“Am I dead?”
>She puts a hoof on your heart, “You seem very alive to me. Now, I don’t mean to pry but what were you doing off naked by the Everfree Forest?”
“Forest. Oh, I don’t remember.”
>She gives a small ha before looking at you, “It must’ve been quite the party.”
>Your stomach growls again, your ears picking up the strong throbs of her heart.
>”My word, you have quite the appetite. Let me fix you up something else.”
“No! I mean, no thank you. It’s quite alright you’ve done more than enough.”
>You have to get out of here. This has got to be some elaborate ruse by Blackwatch in order to pacify you.
>There’s no other explanation.
>This just happens to be a very elaborate ruse with skillful animatronics.
>But that’s not it.
 
>You can smell it in the air, the musk only an animal would give.
>Her heart beats in her chest, that blood shooting up through her tender veins…
>Stop it! You have to keep a firm head if you’re going to get through this.
>”So Anon, don’t take this the wrong way but… By Celestia this sounds silly to ask, what are you? Species-wise.”
>You’d like to know that yourself, but for now you’ll have to do with your previous answer.
“I’m a human.”
>”Really? Are you in anyway related to those minotaurs?”
“You have minotaurs here?”
>”They’re rare but- You know, I have a feeling you aren’t from around here.”
>Wonder what the fuck gave her that impression?
>The fact that you asked where you were and look lost.
>Or maybe it was the fact how you woke up naked next to a god damn-
>Calm… There we go. Nice and relaxed.
 
“I’m not ma’am. Just one tinsy question,” Going for broke, “Have you heard of Earth?”
>”Like the soil?”
>You nod to her and look back out the window.
>Yeah, it’s going to be one of those days.
>”This is so exciting,” she glees, “I just HAVE to introduce you to my friends. I know Twilight will berate me for not bringing you straight to her, but I couldn’t leave you passed out on her doorstep.”
>Let’s see, unladylike?
>”How unladylike.”
>Rarity doesn’t seem like she’d be able to help you.
>She can make pancakes, that you’d never deny.
>And damn were they good.
>But as far as helping you get home, she’s doesn’t smell like the sharpest tool in the kitchen.
 
>She takes you out to the front of her room and heads up the stairs.
>”Let me grab my bag, and we’ll be on our way. So exciting!”
>She disappears up into one of the upper rooms.
>What could’ve sent you to a place like this?
>That contraption is the obvious answer, but how does it fuck up that bad?
>How does something go from curing a virus to sending you to p0ny land?
>It’s going to be alright. You just need to keep telling yourself that.
>As long as you keep your… hunger, under control you should be fine.
>If there’s one thing that you excelled at its not drawing attention to yourself.
>You pick up a faint breathing comes from your right behind a curtain.
>You stand up and walk over to the source.
“There’s one thing I despise-“
>You tear open the curtain revealing a smaller p0ny behind.
“And that’s peeping toms.”
 
>It’s just a kid, whatever you call a young p0ny.
>”I’m sorry I didn’t mean to-“
“Mean to what? Spy on me? I’m sure you accidently hid behind here.”
>The kid’s shaking at your tone, “No it’s just-“
“Do you do this often? Huh?”
>Moisture builds in her eyes and her lips quiver, and then you catch the red reflected off her eyes.
>Calm.
>You kneel down to her level.
“Shh shh, I didn’t mean to yell. Please don’t cry. I hate seeing people cry.”
>You’re not a monster. Not yet at least, you’ve got some semblance of humanity left in your bones.
>She picks up her chin and sniffs in an attempt to stay strong.
“There you go,” you tap the bottom of her chin and wipe away a stray tear, “What’s your name?”
>”Sweetie Belle,” she manages to peep.
“That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”
>Alright you’re nice, but you’re not a pedophile.
 
>The kid manages a blush after her brief fright, “What- What’s yours?”
“Anon. I assume you live here?”
>She shakes her head, “Rarity’s my sister so she lets me come over, but I live with my parents.”
>You nod as Rarity comes back down the stairs clutching a bag.
>”Oh Sweetie have you said hello to Anon yet?”
>”Yep,” she jumps away from the display and hugs her sister.
>”Me and Anon are going out for a while alright Sweetie?”
>”Ok…”
>”Don’t have too much fun while I’m gone.”
>Because there’s so much to do here.
>She opens the door, leading to an unknown future, “Shall we?”
>Remember Anon, keep cool, stay calm, get out.
>That’s the plan and you’re sticking to it.
“Let’s.
>You step through the door and into what lies ahead.