Turnabout Storm- Fatal Ending

by John Rigger

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Human, Crossover
Length: 16150

A newcomer enters the courtroom and brings plot twisting information that introduces an unheard of concept.

John Rigger, a member of a foreign race in a world that used to know him, takes on a case that endangers one of his friends who doesn't remember him. His mission to find the one who erased this planet's memories will take a turn for the worst as a fatal mistake he made a long time ago finally takes its toll.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-04-30 18:20:02 UTC

Alpha

    "The court finds the defendant, Rainbow Dash..."

    "GUILTY."

    (Unacceptable...)

    "We lost..."

    (Intolerable...)

    "Was there ever any doubt?"

    (PITIFUL... PATHETIC...)

    "Court is now adjourned."

    *SLAM*

    (I won't let it end this way.)

    ...

    "OBJECTION!"

    (What is this?)

    "I object!"

    (Fluttershy?)

    "Um... I-if... you know... it's alright..."

    "Fluttershy!?"

    The crowd started a commotion. Were they allowed to object after the verdict is given? The judge hadn't seemed to like it, following that he slammed the gavel in retaliation.

    The judge asked provocatively what the interruption's motive had been.

    She said she had remembered an important detail. She wanted to share it with the court. I hoped the information was vital to the case, if not, at least a reason to interrupt. Trixie was making it sound like there was no hope, however, with her own rant objecting that any further input was inapplicable to the case.

    (Oh, how I would love to just cave in your skull and be done with your rambling nonsense. In true justice, all evidence is necessary.)

    It sounded like Phoenix and Twilight wanted her to testify, but the stubborn pony in the prosecution's stand had her own reasons not to. Phoenix fought back, and I couldn't've put it better myself why they must continue. The judge was cautious to why they should delay the suspension any longer, but in the aid of Fluttershy's efforts, decided to let the testimony proceed. Their only way out was through her, but...

    ("The defendant is still to be considered guilty." No, you can't do that, this is what the verdict revolves around.  Discrediting significant witnesses just like that is ignorant. The proceedings have to be valid, beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.)

    Fluttershy began giving her testimony. She remembered another pony exiting the forest, but didn't recall what she looked like.

    (I don't remember this...)

    Any further information hadn't wielded anything I would've considered necessary, but the judge appeared to be well surprised by the new testimony. Even I could see a hint of a chance that the judge could change his mind. On the other hand, Trixie was gradually losing her temper, asking aimless questions.

    (She has a lot to say that doesn't involve actually figuring this out. I wonder why Phoenix never objects to what stupid questions she always asks.)

    Phoenix was suspicious of the newcomer, as well as Twilight. The judge began Phoenix's cross examination, and with the restrictions right on him, made his decisions careful. He tried to squeeze out details about the pony no one knew, not even me. All he got was that the pony was female with dark colors. Asking differently, he found that the pony was actually a unicorn, and wore glasses.

    (These traits didn't match the scans from earlier. No one in Ponyville resembles this description.)

    Despite the scans, though, Phoenix mentioned he recognized the pony. But, that was impossible. Nothing is supposed to be more accurate than the scan. At least Twilight agreed. Phoenix addressed the pony as Sonata, and not from Ponyville.

    (Not from Ponyville? That still doesn't explain why the scans hadn't picked her up. She was here when the crime was committed, that's what Fluttershy says.)

    Trixie also agreed that she was the victim's manager. As a response, the judge wanted to bring her in as a witness. Trixie argued why they shouldn't, but thanks to the judge's curiosity, decided to do so. Trixie didn't let up, though. She tried to disregard the testimony from before, rendering Fluttershy's potentially useless. The judge stood strong on his decision.

    (Perfect. I need to know about this pony as well. It could help me piece everything together.)

    Trixie started rambling again, just to verbally assault Phoenix of his method on accusing people.

    (At least he could be right this time. Shut up for once.)

    The court was given a 15-minute recess to gather their thoughts and bring in Sonata. I stayed in the court, but being hidden, no one had disagreed on my inconspicuous presence. I wasn't supposed to be in here anyway.

    (Once she comes in, I'll scan her, see what happens, and hopefully find the answer to why she didn't pop up on the radar last time.)

    It'd been a while and they finally brought in Sonata. She was the same as the description made her out to be. She seemed a bit reluctant, as well, seeing that her expression wasn't very happy.

    (Okay, now's the time to scan her.)

    I used a device with all sorts of identification properties. Sonar, infrared, thermal, anything of the such. I began by enabling an X-ray, but through the sight there was nothing.

    (What? She's not there...) I tried thermal. (Not this either.) Sonar had to work. (What is this sorcery? This is a nanotechnological plexipurpose radar. I didn't know a spell could inhibit its functions. Well at least I know how she avoided detection.)

    "This better be important. My time is more valuable than this court.", she said.

    (Someone's cocky. Maybe it is, though. Apparently she can cast a spell making my radar completely useless.)

    "Trixie doesn't have time for this court either, but she will have to deal with it.", the magical fraud added. "Besides, you would've been the prosecution had Trixie not made it here first."

    "Hmph."

    Sonata made her way to the witness's stand and waited for Phoenix and Twilight to come back. I tried to prepare myself for the testimonial shitstorm that might happen if Phoenix was to try and accuse her. I bet Trixie would object to Hell and back just to win the case and see Twilight crash and burn.

    (If I can do anything to stop Trixie's rampage I'll make sure it's done. I don't care if I have to reveal myself, I'm not letting Rainbow Dash have her ass handed to her on the moon, or worse, the sun.)

    Phoenix and Twilight came back in and everyone else got themselves situated. Trixie was the only one who gave any hint of an unsettled condition. Even Sonata could see it. I wondered whether either would want to cooperate with the other.

    "Court is back in session. Is the prosecution ready?", the judge asked."

    "Trixie is always ready, Your Honor.", the obvious said.

    "Mr. Wright?"

    "The defense is ready, Your Honor.", Phoenix answers.

    "Then trial will begin. Sonata, will you please give your testimony?", the judge requested.

    "If it gets me out sooner, then of course.", Sonata plainly replied.

    (Trust me, you're going to be here a while. Better get used to it now, or you're gonna have a real bad time.)

    She began to give her testimony.

    "I was only looking for someone. He was away very late and we had things to do that were top priority.

    Last he said he was going to the Everfree forest. That's where I was headed, but no less did I find him already dead surrounded by seared land.

    I used a spell to give me an analysis of the damage and what happened to cause it. Severe electromagnetic shock straight down the spinal cord. Instantaneous paralysis and death.

    I suspected the previous thunder I had heard had been why. Lightning would be the case. 2 strikes had occurred, one on Ace Swift and another after I left that I could hear from my hotel.

    The spell had depleted most of my energy, so I had to find something still luminescent. A metallic glowing rod on the ground caught my eye, so I bit the handle and ran out of the forest.

    Once out, I noticed a portion of the rod I held was actually glowing from extreme heat. I had to find a water source to avoid causing a fire and tossed it in the closest river.

    I went on with my business to file a report and eventually take role as the prosecution, but as you can see, Trixie has already beat me to it."

    Sonata finished the testimony and appeared to give perfect detail. I couldn't find a single error anywhere that didn't follow up with the current events.

    "My, my, what a thorough testimony! Must we even cross-examine this witness, Mr. Wright?", the apparently impressed judge asked.

    "We never know. If at all possible, I would still like to have a cross-examination.", Phoenix answered.

    "OBJECTION! Your Honor, Trixie finds absolutely no error with the witness's testimony. What could the case possibly gain from a session of aimless questions?", fizz-bitch asked.

    "Trixie may be right, Mr. Wright. This testimony is flawless. It'd be wise to not put yourself in contempt of court as once before by trying this stunt again. You must understand you should only take this action if you are positive about what you'll find.", the judge sternly warned.

    "I do understand. I still wish to cross-examine the witness."

    "Think about this, Phoenix. You don't want to make this any worse for you. I can't defend Rainbow Dash, you know that.", Twilight pleaded.

    "I know what I'm doing. Rainbow Dash is making this out not guilty if it's the last thing I do."

    (Don't say things you don't mean, Phoenix. I'd be more careful if I were you.)

    "Very well, but remember my warning. You will only question vital information, anything otherwise will not be taken lightly. Tread carefully, Mr. Wright."

    "Thank you, Your Honor."

    Trixie was pissed beyond comprehension. I think if the most dumbfounded person in the universe were to see her, even they'd know her obvious case of shatten-in cornflakes. Their cross-examination began.

    " I was only looking for someone. He was away very late and we had things to do that were top priority.

    Last he said he was going to the Everfree forest. That's where I was headed, but no less did I find him already dead surrounded by seared land."

    "HOLD IT! Why would Ace tell you he was going to a forest?"

    "I was his manager, as you should know. The contract we had was strong. He reported everything to me."

    "Had he told you why?"

    "The only information necessary was where he was going and when. I need to be able to find him when certain jobs must be tended to.

    "Would you mind telling the court what jobs of the such you must attend?"

    "That business is none of ours, Your Honor. The witness does not need to share irrelevant information within her occupation.", Trixie mentioned.

    "Mr. Wright?", the judge asked.

    "O-of course. Moving on."

    "... I used a spell to give me an analysis of the damage and what happened to cause it. Severe electromagnetic shock straight down the spinal cord. Instantaneous paralysis and death."

    "HOLD IT! I didn't know you were capable such a spell. I'm not even sure Trixie could perform the latter."

    "Do not underestimate the Great and Powerful Trixie!"

    "Trixie, you will refrain from interrupting with personal concerns.", the judge demanded.

    "To answer your question, me and Trixie had quite the competition in magic school. Learning the best of spells was our fight to the top."

    "And I was, as usual, the star of the class."

    (Trixie, shut up.)

    "Phoenix, those kinds of spells aren't natural, either. It's arcane. Don't you have anything you can use against her?", Twilight asked.

    "As a matter of fact, I do. I have to slip it past Trixie, though. She'll halt me on the spot.", Phoenix answered.

    "Go get her, Phoenix!"

    "I find that hard to believe, Trixie."

    "What? You dare question the Great and Powerful Trixie? I had my hooves on the most complex of advanced spells, there is nothing she can do to surpass me!"

    "I doubt you can do any better...than arcane!"

    Trixie jumped and launched her hat off. I don't think it came back down. Sonata was surprised as well, but more suspicious than I thought she should be.

    "If I didn't know better, a spell on cause-of-death analysis would've seemed normal. Something a doctor could do easily. However, that testimony seems a bit accurate, too accurate. To know the cause of death to the very last detail."

    "Mr. Wright! Whatever do you mean?", the judge asked in exasperation.

    "I know all too well now that this unicorn doesn't just practice any ordinary magic. I am to believe that Sonata studies arcane magic, and not just for research. I have reason to think that the witness didn't just find out about the crime, but take part in causing it."

    "This is outrageous!", Sonata scorned.

    "He's trying to shift the blame again, Your Honor! Don't let him make the same mistake as he did with his last accusation.", Trixie assaulted.

    "You did falsely accuse a witness, Mr. Wright. She was arrested and released the very same day, in fact. Surely you don't intend to do this?", the judge asked.

    "Judge, you know very well that my tactics lead us only in the right direction. You've been through the experience plenty of times.", Phoenix defended.

    "Correct. Mr. Wright. I have witnessed the way you work, first hand, the proceedings, but I'm afraid we haven't the time for another event like that. If you want to attempt another stunt like this, you better make it count. You would need to prove Sonata guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in this very trial."

    "I won't let you down."

    "Your Honor! How could you even consider this? Do you really know this lawyer so much as to trust him with incrimination of a witness? Are you sane? I didn't come here to be accused.", Sonata burst out.

    "...", The judge was silent. "The witness will refrain from questioning the judge's knowledge."

    "But-!"

    "No 'ifs', 'ands', or 'buts'. Mr. Wright?"

    "Yes, Your Honor?"

    "Please continue. Just know that you must prove her guilty, undeniably."

    "Understood. Sonata."

    "WHAT?", she scowled.

    "Answer me this. Where did you learn this arcane magic?"

    She shrugged vigorously and said, "A major. In ancient magic. He gave me a book to study from."

    "Witness, will you please amend this to your testimony?", the judge requested.

    "That won't be necessary, Your Honor. The trial ends today, we won't need records kept.", Phoenix pleaded.

    "If you wish, Mr. Wright."

    "Now tell me, why were you having a private study on arcane magic?"

    "If anything were to happen to Ace in the race I'd need advanced medical training to suffice for nearly all damage. Identifying injuries is one such thing."

    "Why not just take him to the hospital? You both came from Canterlot, no doubt there would be an exceptional medical center there."

    "He doesn't approve of doctors. The closest he will come to treatment is from me."

    "Phoenix, she might be lying. I was with Cruise Control, like I said a while ago. He told me Ace had a special place in a hospital for nobles.", Twilight whispered.

    "Thanks. Sonata, I don't think Ace would distrust doctors. Especially when he has access to the best one there is."

    "He made the resignation a long time ago, back when he had no choice whether he should get health insurance."

    "He could've cancelled it. He would've cancelled it!" He slammed his desk. "But he didn't. He didn't need your 'medical attention'. I want to know what you really looked for. Where is this book being kept?"

    (I thought he had it.)

    "You should know."

    "What makes you say that? I have no idea where you would hide the book."

    "Your Honor, we don't need to know this witness's personal history as a bookworm. If we could pass on the secondary trivial questioning, Trixie would be grateful to get to more important aspects of the case."

    "Trixie, if I wasn't allowed to blow my cover, I'd shove my foot so far up your ass it'd come out that arrogant mouth of yours.", I whispered to myself, dead silent, but unknowingly.

    Sonata suddenly glanced at me at that very moment, then a horror crept on her face once she quickly looked away. It stayed for a moment until she found a new half worried, half motivated expression. I thought I was invisible.

    (FUCK! I can't believe I said that! I could've jeopardized the entire mission! This might make everything a Hell of a lot harder.)

    "A-actually, I wouldn't mind going to get that book for you.", Sonata nervously agreed.

    "Well, well. Look who's cooperating, now.", Phoenix commented with a smirk.

    "H-how...", Trixie said in disbelief.

    "What a turn of events! The otherwise docile witness is now helping! Mr. Wright, I'm impressed.", The judge complimented. "Court will have another 15-minute recess as the book is retrieved."

    The parties left and I followed Phoenix and Twilight to the waiting room unnoticed.

    "Good going! So far you didn't have to bring up you-know-what. Keep it up and we'll be safe for sure!", Twilight cheered.

    "It's gonna have to come up eventually. You know that, Twilight. I'll get Rainbow Dash out and I'll be locked up trying before I let her go."

    "No, it doesn't have to be that way. I know you can get passed it. You've done great, and you can keep doing great. We can still prove her guilty without the blackmail."

    (I've blown my cover to the mastermind, might as well make my appearance now as inconspicuous as possible.)

    I disabled cloaking outside the room where no one sees and entered. The 2 were slightly surprised to see me. I was guessing they haven't seen an abnormally plain pegasus around. I just had a light brown coat, a darker brown lightly spiked buzzcut mane and greener-than-grass eyes. I was as ordinary as it got.

    "Sorry, do you need something?", Phoenix asked.

    "I don't need anything right now. I'm here to help you.", I replied.

    "Do I... know you?", Twilight also asked.

    "I... I think it'd be better if you just assume I've been keeping a close eye on the court trials."

    "What's your name?", requested Phoenix.

    "I'm John Rigger. You can just call me John."

    "That's odd for a pony. Most of everyone has these names that aren't actually names."

    "Look who's talking." He shrugged awkwardly. "Hey, it's better than Sofa King Many Quills."

    "Excuse me?", inquired Twilight as she misheard.

    "Heheh, nevermind. Anyway, I think I can help you."

    "How's that?"

    "There are some things you haven't worked out yet. I have a hunch there is something more to that pony than you think."

    "I know what you mean.", Phoenix said.

    "No, something deep. You wouldn't understand. She's hiding something, I just can't put my finger on it."

    "Yes, she's not giving us the whole story."

    "Beyond that. Think harder. Think about her willingness to give you that book. Something's in there that will help her or force you to spill the beans about that blackmail."

    "Hey! How'd you know about that?"

    "I'm keeping a VERY close eye on this case. Except that you don't have that book."

    "Oh, I gave it back once I got what I needed from her."

    During the talk Twilight was circling me and looking for details or something. I thought she spotted something when she stopped abruptly.

    "What does your cutie mark mean? I've never seen anything like this before.", Twilight asked. "It's just a green circle with a vertical and horizontal line, not to mention another solid circle."

    "I had a feeling you wouldn't be familiar. This is the symbol for nanotechnology. That's why it's all green. I'm the best designer there is."

    "Nanotechnology? I haven't heard anything of the such in Equestria.", Phoenix asked.

    "You're not supposed to. I believe I'm the first to introduce it. Even then, I'm a private worker. It's not a very open subject, but we're veering off track. We need to get back to the case."

    "Uh-right. Tell me, how much do you know about the crime."

    "I know almost everything since I've been watching you two for a while. Don't call it creepy, it's just that I couldn't give away my position before. If I could I'd just accompany you normally, like I am now."

    "So I'm assuming you're position has been given away?"

    "Yeah. Now that I know I can trust you, I guess it's safe to say I've been hiding in the court room for every part of the trial."

    "How come no one saw you?", Twilight asked.

    "Crystalline cloak. Check this out."

    I enabled cloaking and the two jumped in shock. I walked behind Phoenix and flew behind his head, disabling the cloak and whispering, "Boo!" He jumped again.

    "Gah!", he screamed. "Very funny. Don't do that again."

    "Take a joke, Phoenix. Anyway, there's still a detail I'm very shady on."

    "What's that?"

    "I have little of an idea who this Sonata is. She didn't show up on a scan I ran. I've been avoiding her ever since, even when you went around her. She has very strong magic if she's capable of avoiding this scan."

    "I don't remember any spells, even arcane, that can slip through a scan. You told us this was... nanotechnology? Something so recent couldn't have had a spell developed for avoiding detection from ancient magic. Are you sure it's magic?", Twilight inquired.

    "It has to be. Nanotechnology doesn't exist in... wait..."

    (The Abandoned Civilization...)

    "What is it? Did you remember something?", Phoenix asked.

    "Phoenix, you need to call me as a witness sometime today. It must be done. You're not winning this case without me."

    "Did you see the crime?"

    "Of course. Putting me in will answer a lot of questions. Sonata and Trixie will be less than shit to me when I'm through."

    Twilight gasped. "I've never heard somepony use vulgar language so casually! You should be ashamed."

    "Seriously, Twilight? It's just a word! You shouldn't even know what that one means."

    "Why shouldn't she? Apparently you know about it.", Phoenix said.

    I sighed. I gestured him to follow me, but not Twilight, once she decided to follow. I knew her enough to understand she wasn't allowed to hear this. Phoenix and I walked to a private room and left Twilight in confusion.

    "Why are we in here?", he asked.

    "I'm gonna share a few things with you. I'm not sure it might be vital, but it'd be good to know."

    "Lay it on me."

    "Okay. I'm here on a mission. It's very important and I can't let anything get in my way."

    "So why are you participating in a case?"

    "Let me finish. This mission involves a very confusing matter. It's a long story, but I'll give you the short version. Um, here goes. Once upon a time Twilight and her friends got turned into nanotechnological beings. Don't ask how. They've had the trait ever since. Twilight and I kept connections, we always talked over long distances. Recently the communications stopped and I planned on finding out why. I'm here now and no one remembers me, the six ponies who were nano-integrated aren't anymore. None of them, but one. My readings tell me Rainbow Dash is unaffected by whatever caused this. She hasn't lost her memories, either. Since Rainbow is stuck in this case and refuses to break out, I'm here trying to help any way I can. That, and this Sonata character gives me the feeling she's very involved in what I'm looking for. Do you understand?"

    "It...was a mouthful, but I think I've got it. The only thing I don't know is how this is all possible."

    "I need to figure that out, too. You can't remove bioengineered nanotechnology without causing overwhelming damage unless you have the perfect device. I've only heard of one such device."

    "So what you're saying is that we need to help each other incriminate Sonata?"

    "You could say that. If she's guilty, you're client and my friend is innocent, then I can question Sonata about what the meaning of this is."

    "But how does Sonata relate? You said yourself that nanotechnology can't be taken out of someone without damage. We both know she doesn't have this device you're talking about. You make it look like you're the only one who could have one." He waited for a response. "You're not being completely open with me, are you?", he asked.

    "N-no. I guess not. But anything further that I could tell you would have nothing to do with the case unless I introduce it myself."

    "This technology wasn't designed by you, was it?"

    (Why's he looking at me funny?)

    I took a neural reprocessor and synchronized it with his sight, letting me see what he saw. There were locks and chains.

    (Oh Hell no.)

    "Phoenix, I have nothing to hide that you need to know. Put those locks away.", I said.

    "H-hey! How'd you know?"

    "Neural reprocessor. I can see what you see, in a way. You were looking at me weird just seconds ago, so I used it."

    "Well, it doesn't matter. I think you're hiding something important, or else you wouldn't be hiding it."

    "It's something that I've decided to keep a secret until the time came. First, it won't change the case. Second, you're eventually going to know, so I recommend not wasting you're time."

    "I'm going to know? For all I know, you're just another person going on about his business and then he'll leave. It won't be easy since you know what I'm doing."

    "Not giving up yet? Okay, I'm gonna make this a million times harder now." According to the reprocessor, the locks now stockpile his entire sight.

    "What?! How'd you do that?!"

    "This information is something fatal if I let anyone know. I have to trust you to death before I could tell you. Maybe if you came about it another way, you wouldn't have 5 million locks in your face."

    "Okay, okay, I'm sorry! I'm just curious. It's important, to me at least, to know a bit about my witnesses before they go up to testify. If it's something you say is so dangerous, I won't press you on it."

    "That's better. Here, if you think you're trustworthy, I'll give you another shot. I'll go easy on you." Now there were only 3 locks. "Hit me with your best shot."

    "Well... okay. First off, I've noticed how you use your language. If I'm correct, the residents of Equestria hate inappropriate words."

    "That is."

    "You're different. You cursed in front of Twilight as if there was nothing to it. Even then, you explained she shouldn't know its meaning. How wouldn't she know? How would you know?"

    "No one here has the same digestive track as one of you. Notice that everyone's naked, and there are absolutely no bathrooms anywhere."

    "Odd. That's another thing, though. You say 'everyone' instead of 'everypony'. It's the same for 'anyone'."

    "So what's your first piece of evidence?"

    He thought for a moment. "You speak more of a human language than Equestrian. You've probably been outside this world. I guess it's not hard to believe, personally."

    "Bingo." And one of the locks broke. "Only 2 more."

    "Let's look at your cutie mark. You say it represents nanotechnology, though the least advanced of technology hasn't even scratched surface. Something this advanced would need the use of previous technology. Humanity hasn't even perfected it yet."

    "What if I were to tell you magic can improvise?"

    "You're a pegasus."

    "But I have contacts."

    "No one knows you."

    "Only recently did everyone forget."

    "Hmm... if you worked on the technology before the event but contacts were forgotten, you wouldn't have the technology now."

    "Research was completed just before the event."

    "But then you would've detected the coming threat as you did everyone in Ponyville."

    "One got past."

    "With magic. One device only can remove the integration, and you're the only one who could have it. You would've detected the device if she did. And surely you're not saying you did it yourself."

    "Heh... of course not. But let's say I was out of range. The scan only goes so far."

    "If it's nanotechnology that got you your scan, the others would've had the same. You said yourself they were integrated, they would've known the threat was coming."

    "That doesn't prove anything. The spell could've affected the device, too."

    "Then how were they disintegrated? It wasn't you, and you said there aren't any more devices."

    "The only explanation would be the Abandoned Civilization."

    "What's that?"

    "It's some kind of ancient ruins. Nanotechnology flourishes there."

    "I bet that's the research you were talking about."

    "Impossible. The site's technology was undetectable without nanotechnology itself. And no, the integrated ponies did not find it."

    "Well this topic is out of the question. How about how you know so much about humans? How did you leave the planet?"

    "The Abandoned Civilization has a portal."

    "And you activate it with nanotechnology? How did it guide straight to Earth?"

    "I haven't figured that out yet. Every scan didn't show any results, and magic has no effect. Apparently nanotechnology always shows resistance to magic, whether it's alive or not. What confused me was why the scan hadn't picked up any of the site's versions of the disintegrating device."

    "But doesn't that contradict what you just said?"

    "About what?"

    (Oh, wait. Shit, I let him off easy.)

    "Magic has no effect on nanotechnology. That means if Sonata were to have your device, you would've detected her whether she cast a spell or not. Anything integrated would've caught her. This also means that you didn't design nanotechnology, because your model of the device hadn't existed yet!"

    "My model could've easily stayed with me. I understand why they wouldn't detect the site device, I couldn't either."

    He shook his head and smirked. "Your mistake. The site hadn't been detected yet, according to what you said. This was before the disintegration. You also said it couldn't be found without nanotechnology."

    "Your point?"

    "The landmark had to have been discovered, if Sonata were to know of its existence! Before the discovery, you hadn't finished your own integration. However, you say you discovered it after the event. I have reason to believe the integrated ponies found the ruins before the event and they didn't tell you. That was their downfall, seeing that you weren't targeted as a threat to her own plan. You must've not been integrated yet."

    "Oh, that was unexpected. Great move." The second lock broke. "You're catching on."

    "I'm not done. If the integrated ponies were gone, that means you couldn't've found the ruins at all. You wouldn't even be able to activate them. That makes me question if you're even from Equestria."

    "Whoa, that's a bit fast for an attorney like you. I have the technology now, why wouldn't it be there then?"

    "There's a gaping hole in this story. You never got integrated. You had to know somehow that the ruins were there, but yet the project wasn't finished. There's no proof you ever even made contact with these integrated ponies. If you did, they would've told you."

    (How?!)

    Another lock broke.

    "Okay, that's enough, you did amazing!", I quickly said.

    "Hold it! There's something still missing. Since you never finished the project, you wouldn't be integrated now."

    "No, I finished it with contacts afterward."

    "No one knew you."

    "God...damn..." Even the chains broke. They didn't retreat, they just snapped in half. "I... didn't know you could just tear through... my defenses like that..."

    "You were never integrated. You started that way."

    I fell, I crashed, I burned. Only the first two words literally.

    (Another fucking lock broke. This one wasn't even there! It's like it was a lock in case hidden limits were to be found. A safeguard lock.)

    "You're probably not even a real pony."

    The black background shattered.

    "STOP. I'LL TELL YOU ALREADY."

    I disabled the neural reprocessor and got up. That was not very healthy for my mind.

    "But now you'll tell me the whole truth. If I let you go before, you'd only say the most likely story. 3 locks didn't seem that significant for such a significant secret.", Phoenix inquired.

    "How would you know?"

    "You know what I saw. You trembled when I got to the third lock. Besides, I felt the presence of another lock. Too bad you didn't tap into my gut feeling. It's odd. I've never seen that kind of lock. I wonder what was different."

    "For that, I only know as much as you know. But I'll let you in on the secret now. I'm... actually not a pony. I'm not human either, though. There's another species. Nanohumanity."

    "Is that a nano-integrated race of humans?"

    "Not exactly. This race was humanoid, but not the same humans as Earth's. The history of my race is very long. Do you want me to go into history, or just tell you the important parts?"

    "I don't see why I'll need to know your history. Just explain your mission honestly and tell me about the race."

    "Okay. Nanohumanity is a humanoid race with integrated genetics. These genetics are the blueprint of nanohuman anatomy, and in the form of nearly indecipherable code. Adults have unbelievably superhuman everything. They can transform, fly, shoot and control plasma, you name it. They aren't vanguards, they have limits. Electromagnetism it's a particular weakness. Their are six types, each one a color of the visible spectrum. Generally, we're just a whole bunch of carbon compounds that have found a way to professionally alter themselves at a masterful magnitude. There are six gods as well. They are called the Thorangaulds. They are the like the predecessors of all known technological arts. They are the masters of absolutely everything specific to their class. I learn from one of them."

    "That's quite a background. What about the mission?"

    "I didn't completely lie when I told you. I kept contact with Twilight over a seriously long distance. We were in different dimensions. It's true that, recently, I've lost contact with her and I've been careful about that the whole time. Their memories were revoked and replaced, which sucks for me because no one has a clue who I am, so I used that as a vantage point. Now I'm here trying to solve everything, starting with Rainbow, who I believe is still in a normal condition with her integration and memories. Everything that's happened since then is just me following you around learning everything I can."

    "And why did you keep Twilight from hearing this?"

    "She'd be in the mood to question me for the long haul. I don't have that time, I've been there before."

    "I see. We should go back out to Twilight now. I know just what to say if she asks what we've been doing."

    "If you say so. Oh, and thanks for being trustworthy."

    "I never really proved that."

    "You're wise. That's all I needed to know."

    We exited the room and found Twilight reading the hell out of a book. It looked like arcane.

    "Researching while I was gone?", Phoenix asked.

    She wasn't responding. My turn.

    "Tapscoot."

    "Aah!", she yelled. "Oh, it's just you... what've you been doing?"

    "How'd that work?", he asked.

    "I'll tell you later. Give her the answer.", I whispered.

    "We just found out that John's going to be a witness for the case. He's a lot of value for a 'not guilty' retried verdict. Tell her what you got."

    "Oh, um, of course. At the scene of the crime, I searched the area, scanned everything. The guy that died, instant death by lightning, as you know. I should tell you that the second bolt wasn't a 'dud'. It just hit me. It's logical it didn't make sound because I absorbed almost all its energy. I also have answers to Fluttershy's seemingly broken testimony from early on in the case."

    "This is great! Maybe we can actually change the judge's mind! Oh, this so exciting! Wait, I almost forgot, I found this in an arcane book of mine. It's a pure electricity defensive spell. It's very strong, enough to get past the lightning proof suit. This could be a vital detail.", Twilight added.

    "A defensive spell? Do you think she was being attacked? I don't imagine Ace would want to."

    "But the letter, it said something about Sonata not wanting to work with him anymore. It's possible Ace did something she didn't like, she threatened to cancel the contract, and Ace was violent mad.", Phoenix predicted.

    "Sounds good. Oh, John, this might be useful to you, too. There's another arcane spell, called the 'warp effect'. Judging by its description, the 'effect' seems like a disturbance in any kind of signal you could give. I can't cast the spell right now to test it, I'd have to study it more."

    "That's okay. It gives me enough reason to believe she cast a spell.", I said.

    "You'd think the book would be found by now, wouldn't you?", Phoenix asked.

    "Yeah. It's just a book, it should be easily found, especially when they have its owner looking for it.", I inquired.

    "You don't think Sonata's changing something in there? There might be evidence in the book somewhere and she's just tossing it aside.", Twilight deadpanned.

    "Maybe. But I think with me here, we wouldn't needed that piece. I'll just prove things with nanotechnology."

    "How?", they both asked.

    "I'll make it work."

    Then the bailiff came in and directed us to come back in. He was confused where I came from since I wasn't there before.

    "Is there a limit to how many people can accompany the defense?", I indirectly requested.

    "Well, yeah. Did you want to join? I know Twilight isn't the defendant's official attorney yet. I guess you can climb up there with them.", the bailiff replied.

    "Cool."

    I followed Phoenix and Twilight out and sided them on the defense's stand. Twilight was a bit surprised I had joined, but she shrugged it off.

    "Um, who is this young stallion on the defense?", the judge asked.

    "You Honor, I'm flattered, but... you know me.", Phoenix answered.

    (Haha, doesn't know who he's actually talking about.)

    "No, no, no, I meant the pony beside Twilight!", the judge recovered.

    "Huh? Oh, you meant John. I didn't know he was here."

    "John, do you wish to aid the defense?"

    "It'd be my pleasure. Is that an option?", I asked.

    "Nothing says you can't. I figure it's allowed."

    "Thanks, Your Honor."

    "At that, is the prosecution ready?"

    "Why ask? Of course it's ready.", Trixie questioned.

    "It's been a while. I think everyone should get themselves together. The defense?"

    "We are ready, Your Honor.", Phoenix replied.

    "Then the trial will resume. Last we were at your cross-examination, Mr. Wright. The book has been retrieved."

    "Good. Sonata, what spell exactly had you been studying? I know you say it's diagnosis, but I think there's something else."

    "You can search the book. You won't find anything.", Sonata said.

    "This book is personally owned, right? The major 'gave' it to you?"

    "Y-yes. What about my belongings?"

    "The book was brought in to be examined. I would like to see this book, unless you're willing to tell us what's in it."

    "There's arcane magic in a foreign language. You wouldn't understand it. I don't see any reason to delve in when I'm the only one who can read it."

    "OBJECTION! Trixie can read this book.", Trixie said.

    "So can I.", Twilight added.

    The two stared daggers at each other. They broke contact only after Trixie blinked. (Odd.)

    "... I would still like to see the book."

    "Suit yourself. Bailiff, please give Mr. Wright the book.", the judge requested.

    The bailiff transferred the book to Phoenix and searched through it for a while. Sonata didn't look as worried as before.

    "This isn't right... there used to be words here...", Phoenix mumbled.

    "Did those words happen to be 'continue from here, 3rd line'?", I asked.

    "Um, yeah. Do you know what happened to them?"

    "Call me as a witness when you're done with Sonata. Don't use you-know-what."

    "Got it. Your Honor?"

    "What is it?"

    "I wish to submit evidence I recorded while investigating, if you'll trust what I have to say."

    "Go ahead."

    "This book was modified when I had last seen it. Words were written in this very spot stating a location to resume on the 3rd line of this spell."

    "And what's the problem?"

    "They aren't here anymore."

    "Do you hear this? Mr. Wrong has just attempted to submit evidence that's proven wrong before his eyes. What do you think of this? Trixie believes he's been scamming us on more than just this account.", Trixie insulted.

    "What else are you talking about?"

    "Oh, the thought that she knows arcane magic. If she were to know only one spell, she would have it marked. You've figured that out. However, this is not the case, so neither is true."

    "You don't know what I saw."

    "Mr. Wright, she completely stomped on your reason. You can't accuse this witness without evidence. I'm afraid you've failed to do what you're only option is."

    "Wait, Your Honor! I have one more witness."

    "Oh, come on. You're resorting on another testimony? You've got to be kidding.", Trixie floundered.

    "This isn't just any testimony. This is an honest testimony, no details left out, no strings attached. Your Honor, if I may, I want to call John Rigger to the stand."

    "You mean, the pony to your right?"

    "Yes."

    "Well, alright. He's very mysterious. I would like to know what he has to say, just popping up out of nowhere. Sonata, you may leave."

    "OBJECTION!", I shouted. "I request that she stay here in the courtroom. She's very relevant to what I have to say. We both need to be in here if my testimony is to be in efficient effect."

    "Do you insist?"

    "No shit I insist. I'm dead serious."

    "Oh! ... Okay... the witness will stay."

    "Thanks. I'll make my way to the stand now."

    I walked up to the stand and took Sonata's spot. She moved aside and stood nearby, but not next to me. It was like she knew who I was. Unsettling.

    "I'd be sitting comfortably right now if I hadn't been told to stay here.", Sonata complained.

    "Here, have a sofa." And one popped out from the ground. "You're welcome.", I said.

    Everyone in the courtroom was shocked. Everyone but Sonata.

    "What was that, John?!", the judge asked in alert. He was also backed up in his chair regaining balance.

    "That was my first demonstration. I'll have to prove some things to you if you'll even remotely believe me. I'll answer questions none of you would know without me."

    "Judge, show some backbone!", Phoenix jeered.

    "I presume I deserve that. Ahem! Fair enough. Prosecution, if you'd kindly... um, Trixie?"

    "H-...ho-...", Trixie stuttered.

    "How? That's easy. Nanotechnology.", I interrupted.

    "Nano... what?"

    "I'll explain in my testimony. Tell me to give it."

    She shook and looked back. "The Great and Powerful-"

    "-Polka dot will not address herself that way anymore. Come on, Trixie. Please get a reality check that actually works on you."

    "How dare you!"

    "Trixie, shut up or I'll make a demonstration out of you."

    The judge slammed his gavel multiple times and shouted, "ORDER! ORDER! Insults will not be tolerated in this court!"

    Everything went silent. Trixie was flaring and glaring.

    (That felt good to say. I've been trying to hold it in since day one.)

    "Hmph! Trixie will not be made inferior to your empty threats. Give your testimony."

    "They weren't empty. I'll get to my story."

    I began to give my testimony.

    "I was wandering around Ponyville because of a missing entity in a scan I had conducted. It was at 7:30 exactly. I could tell by a universal timekeeping device.

    The hunt for the entity lasted a while, but I was unsuccessful in finding it. My only caution was to remain hidden with a cloak so no one would see me.

    About an hour went by, nothing found. However, in that moment, something popped up on the radar. It was from inside a forest. I sneak in to search.

    I find Applebloom walking a trail, but she wasn't the source of the radar acting up. A bolt of lightning occurred and I saw Rainbow Dash flying away, but the filly fell off the path, so I followed her.

    For 5 minutes she wandered off track surprisingly close to the trail. I stayed with her to keep her safe, but then this random pony comes out of nowhere and barely brushes into the filly, somehow electrocuting her lightly but enough to be dangerous.

    I could tell her eyesight had been affected, so I got her out as soon as possible. I warp her outside the forest, but nowhere near the entrance. That other pony would come out that way.

    Applebloom was okay, so I looked for the other pony, but I couldn't find her. I gave up and went back to the crime scene, finding a dead pegasus. I scanned him and found the cause of death was severe electromagnetic trauma, but more than a flimsy bolt could deliver.

    After searching the area a bit, another bolt occurs and hits me square in the face. No harm though. As I'm nano-integrated, it's just more energy to me. Not to mention the absorption of sound from absorbing nearly all energy.

    I left after that and went home. A third bolt occurred later and I just slept the night off. I'm pretty sure it hit a tree. The end."

Omega

    I finished the testimony and waited for a cross-examination. Instead, everyone stayed quiet and looked at me weird.

    (They don't believe me yet...)

    "I'm done. Did you not here me say 'The end'?"

    "John, your... testimony... I don't know what to think of this.", the judge said.

    "He can prove everything he just told you.", Phoenix added.

    "No, I believe him, it's just... I've never heard of such nanotechnological perfection! Not even humanity has come this far!"

    "How'd you know it was nanotechnology?"

    "He said he was nano-integrated. What else could it mean?"

    "Good point. Do we need a cross-examination for this witness? It seems he has answered enough mistakes to just ask questions now and piece things together."

    "Trixie wants to have a cross-examination. You do know they aren't just for the defense.", Trixie requested.

    "I bet you just want him to prove everything. He'll do it. Easily."

    "Trixie just wants to do the same thing you've been doing to all the other witnesses. Interrogate them until they break and tell the truth."

    "What makes you think I'm not telling the truth? Your lack of knowledge for nanotechnology is not the flaw in my testimony.", I defended.

    "We'll see about that. Your Honor, the Great and Powerful Trixie would like to have her cross-examination."

    "Very well. But you will not press on any matters regarding his abilities. Only I will request when this needs be done. Mr Wright, are there any objections?", the judge asked.

    "No. If anything, I want her to have this cross-examination. The only thing it will do is bring Rainbow Dash closer to being innocent."

    "The prosecution will have her cross-examination."

    "Thank you." And it began.

    "I was wandering around Ponyville because of a missing entity in a scan I had conducted. It was at 7:30 exactly. I could tell by a universal timekeeping device."

    "HOLD IT! What do you think caused a missing entity?"

    "Nothing gets by the scan. Looking for the entity was priority. It meant either that a massive magical force shadowed it or shade armour was applied. Both are probable causes for the event."

    "Do you have any idea what this entity was?"

    "Honestly, I think it's Sonata. I tried another scan recently. She didn't pop up."

    "How recent?"

    "Right when she walked in this courtroom."

    "No one saw you. That couldn't've happened.", Sonata said.

    "Funny you say that when you're the one who did.", I replied.

    "Sonata?", Phoenix asked.

    "No, I didn't see him. He must've been cloaked."

    "I was. I'm wondering how you saw me. I mumbled a single sentence and you look me dead in the eyes. I have proof."

    "I'd like to see this 'proof'.", Trixie demanded.

    "Do we have a white screen?", I asked. No one responded. *Sigh* "I'll get one." And I spawned a blank sheet that was 7*7 feet. "Lights?"

    The bailiff turned off lights that were actually lights and not candles. Yay, something that wasn't medieval.

    "What, did you record what happened? I doubt it.", Trixie remarked.

    "So you know how to record stuff? What an achievement. Frankly, I saw this and now it's engraved in my mind. I can project these memories."

    "What a feat! I'd like to see this. Actually, would you mind playing your memories from the crime scene as well?", the judge requested.

    "Of course. Then we can save time because I'll prove everything as video evidence. I'll say you're allowed to object and press me while the movie is projected."

    "Fair enough.", Trixie agreed.

    And I started the movie with my eyes.

    {This next part written in format of its own story. Only objections and "HOLD IT"s interfere. "Resume" means the projection is, well, resumed.}

    I was flying around Ponyville looking for the missing entity. Anything already identified appeared in green. If an unidentified object, or the missing entity, were found, it'd appear in red. That hadn't happened yet.

    I searched for an hour. After that time period a tiny dot blipped on my radar. I instantly looked towards the direction of the forest and saw a unicorn shaped figure.

    It was red.

    (Gotcha.)

    I flew towards the forest at breakneck speed and entered inconspicuously. Unfortunately, the blip had passed. It was a dog hunt from there.

    A green entity was on the radar at the time. It's identification was 'Applebloom'. I knew that filly, so I flew over to keep her safe from the unidentified entity. It could've been dangerous.

    (Come on... show yourself...)

    No sign of the entity was given. I kept track of Applebloom and waited. 5 minutes I watched, then out came a female unicorn with dark colors and glasses. Scans didn't detect her and she became a red entity.

    Without time to react, the unicorn's oddly super fizzy mane brushed against Applebloom's, causing some kind of electromagnetic transfer. I didn't know how it was possible, but my neural reprocessor also found visual handicaps with the filly. If she were to stay in the radius any longer, she would continue to see nothing permanently.

    "HOLD IT!", Trixie called.

    I paused the memory and looked over.

    "How would you know that the filly was blinded?"

    "Neural reprocessor. It will either detect external visual anomalies or I can use it at will to see what others see. I used on Phoenix just a while ago."

    "Mr. Wright, is this true?", the judge asked.

    "Yes, he described what he saw very accurately.", Phoenix answered.

    "OBJECTION!", Trixie shouted.

    "What?", I asked plainly.

    "You said you detected a handicap in her sight. The way you make it sound, you saw the same thing she saw."

    "Pretty much nothing."

    "That's the thing, she did see something. Actually, she saw white light! That's everything but nothing."

    "Trixie."

    "What?"

    "Do you know why she saw just white?"

    "Something must've illuminated the area when she was shocked. That's another contradiction. Applebloom never mentioned in her testimony that she felt electrocuted."

    "You're not understanding. I didn't say she was electrocuted, electromagnetic fluctuations were transferred. She didn't see anything, it was just a miscalculation on a massive scale because of the electromagnetic interference. If it stayed that way, any received wavelengths wouldn't be interpreted and then she'd stay in a white blind condition forever."

    She looked confused.

    "Let me explain.", Phoenix offered. "Trixie, we see light because a particle called a photon vibrates immensely fast to produce a wave. This wave can repeat many times or few times in a second. This is called frequency, and determines the color. White is every color, as you know. When you can't receive these waves, you see blackness. However, in this case, the electromagnetic, or light energy would've disrupted these signals to produce pure white perception."

    "Very well put, Phoenix.", I complimented.

    "Thank you."

    "I see, now that you've lightened this up. No pun intended.", the judge said. "Objection overruled."

    "Hmph. Continue.", Trixie mumbled.

    {Resume.}

    I instantly warped her out of the electromagnetic influence to a distant location. This was far from the entrance, anywhere near it would be effected lightly, but Applebloom's current state would take heavy casualties. After ensuring she was safe, I returned to the forest clearing to try and find the missing entity. It wasn't there anymore.

    Given the opportunity, I decided to search the area. The first thing my scans picked up was a dead body. It was identified in green as it was scanned the first time at 7:30. I searched for a while more, finding objects that were moved from position, like a 30" stick imprint and scratched up dirt.

    Microscopic scans revealed the handle and body of the club to be the imprint, as well as the head still there, but extremely damaged. The rustled dirt showed signs of pressure differences, this pattern similar to that of a pony's. The previously found pony, to be specific.

    (I wonder what happened here. That missing entity... it's a threat to Equestria. It might relate to my mission.)

    "HOLD IT!", Trixie interjected.

    I paused again and asked, "What do you want this time?"

    "What's this mission?"

    "OBJECTION! This is not what we're trying to prove! John's purpose here is of no concern.", Phoenix defended.

    "Trixie begs to differ. He directly started that the missing entity, or perhaps "the murderer", could be related to what he was doing. This murderer is related to the case, therefore they go hoof-in-hoof."

    "She has a point. I don't see why she can't press on this matter.", the judge stated.

    "But-!"

    "Phoenix.", I interrupted. "Lay off for a sec. I got this."

    "O-okay..."

    "What if I were to tell you that this mission has no logical explanation that we can prove?"

    "Trixie would say you're just making foolish remarks. No one would believe your story or that you're trying to convince us not to figure it out.", Trixie said.

    "Good. Now let me tell you what I'm doing here. I'm from another dimension trying to find someone who caused genocide of a memory."

    "John, what are you doing?!", Phoenix asked in fear.

    (Haha he's getting worried. He has no idea.)

    "This memory had me in it, as well as six ponies who were nano-integrated like me. They were revoked of their integration, too. All but one, who signalled me here as a last resort to solve this. Now I'm here. Any comments?" And I made that sound humans call a "squee".

    "That's ridiculous. Ludicrous. This excuse will be infamous in court history.", Trixie insulted with a smirk.

    "I agree. This science-fiction-like mission doesn't make any physical sense.", the judge said.

    "Perfect. Now let me make something up. I'm just a very unknown surveillance pony that scans this planet as an occupation. The more we know about the world the more efficient use we can make of it. This one pony got by. That means it's dangerous so now I'm trying to neutralize it. This town was where it was.", I explained.

    "It's... better, but I won't believe it until I know how you're hunting a mysterious pony that you can't detect.", Trixie stated.

    "If I see something plainly, my scanners will acknowledge it. I could see her, but my scanners couldn't see shit. Even now she's just red... Twilight, Phoenix didn't make me say shit. That was my own decision, stop glaring at him."

    She heard me and startled Phoenix by how she spazzed her sight back to me with a surprised expression.

    "You heard me. Stop blaming Phoenix just because people curse. It's not like he taught everyone profane language."

    She slowly moved back into her spot and kept a studious face on me like she did when Trixie used first-person.

    "This is getting off topic.", the judge interfered. "John has explained his reason and it makes enough sense."

    "Actually, Trixie would like to know why he can see this entity at all if he can't scan it. Wouldn't sight be part of the scan?"

    "It is. Sight is part of a sensual scan, not a diagnostic scan. Diagnostic scans tell me details beyond appearance like heat signatures, x-rays, solar, etc. Entities turn red when I can't diagnostically scan them."

    "And sensual scans?"

    "Then I don't know they exist. If only one sensual scan is missing, it will become blue."

    "I don't see anything wrong, then. Continue."

    {Resume.}

    I kept the thought for later contemplation and continued searching. I found a cloud which I didn't pay much attention to so I just scavenged around for a bit. Later, the cloud struck again, but right in my face. Its sound was completely damped by my surface and I was given my own synopsis. A human nano-integrated layout was shown, revealing little to no reports on damage, but absorbing significant amounts of energy instead.

    I leave the cloud be and head away, invisible, to my house in Ponyville. The search was put off until another day.

    {End of memory.}

    I stop projecting and disable my projector eyes.

    "That's all for the crime scene. Anything seem odd, or should I go to the part where Sonata looks at me?", I asked.

    "Trixie, do you have any objections?", the judge added.

    She stood there and contemplated for a moment.

    "Not now. Continue.", She said.

    Phoenix didn't look too good, though. I think he saw something I missed. Trixie noticed him, too.

    "Will you please play the memory, John?", the judge requested.

    "Got it." And I projected the next memory.

    {Same rules as last time.}

    "He made the resignation a long time ago, back when he had no choice whether he should get health insurance.", Sonata said.

    "He could've cancelled it. He would've cancelled it!" Phoenix slammed his desk. "But he didn't. He didn't need your 'medical attention'. I want to know what you really looked for. Where is this book being kept?"

    (I thought he had it.)

    "You should know."

    "What makes you say that? I have no idea where you would hide the book."

    "Your Honor, we don't need to know this witness's personal history as a bookworm. If we could pass on the secondary trivial questioning, Trixie would be grateful to get to more important aspects of the case."

    "Trixie, if I wasn't allowed to blow my cover, I'd shove my foot so far up your ass it'd come out that arrogant mouth of yours.", I whispered to myself, dead silent, but unknowingly.

    "HOLD IT!", Trixie bellowed. "What did you just say?!" She didn't even wait for me to pause the projection. "You think you can just make a cowardly threat under your own breath against the Great and Powerful Trixie?" I got to pause and I stared at her in utter disapproval. "Don't look at me like that."

    "You bring back a bad memory, Trixie. Don't try to make me tick or words won't be the only thing thrown at you. People on my bad side have a tendency to evaporate in my grasp.", I scorned.

    The judge snapped and smashed his gavel on the stand. He glared at both us and stood strong.

    "This is your last warning! You have heard before my rules and I expect you to obey in this court! Threats are not taken with any less than brute enforcement. I will have the violating side removed from court and give the verdict accordingly on the next offense."

    "I-I'm sorry... Your Honor.", I apologized.

    Trixie stayed silent.

    "Respect the court and the court will respect you. Being wise will solve the greatest of disputes.", the judge said. "Proceed in the memory. I hope I don't have to do this again."

    {Resume.}

    Sonata suddenly glanced at me at that very moment, then a horror crept on her face once she quickly looked away. It stayed for a moment until she found a new half worried, half motivated expression. I thought I was invisible.

    (FUCK! I can't believe I said that! I could've jeopardized the entire mission! This might make everything a Hell of a lot harder.)

    "A-actually, I wouldn't mind going to get that book for you.", Sonata nervously agreed.

    {End of memory.}

    I stopped projecting and dissipated the white screen. The court was silent, even the jury. It was only because of Trixie's outburst and my retaliation. I decided to break the silence.

    "There's the proof you wanted, Trixie.", I said. "I did scan her on entry and she wasn't on the radar."

    She wasn't responding.

    (I don't think anyone has ever made more of a serious threat to her before. Maybe I should apologize for bringing incineration up against her.)

    "Hey, Trixie, look I didn't mean that... I'm sorry if I did anything to offend you, it's just... well, you kind of piss me off sometimes a little. I know better of you, believe me."

    "No...", she muttered. "You don't know anything about me..."

    "Um, Trixie, if your gonna go into a philosophical lecture, now's not the time. Please don't do it, I beg you sincerely."

    "A lecture? That's not what you'll get from me. I'm going to tell you that I'm not here for the reasons that you think I am. You have no idea."

    "Okay, I vaguely understand. I won't stress you on it."

    "It's not a problem, but I have a case to win and Rainbow Dash won't be getting any slack from me."

    "Oh... well if that's how you feel I'll just continue to be an ass until you decide to talk to me later. So, what do you have to say about Sonata? Why would she avoid my detection?"

    "Maybe it's because she's merely insecure."

    "I'm not insecure.", Sonata said.

    "I agree. Sonata isn't one to worry about herself rather than others.",  Phoenix added. "I think she was trying to hide from something."

    "What would that be, Mr. Wright?"

    "This brings me back to my first alibi. Remember what I said about ponies being disintegrated and having their memories erased?", I asked.

    "We already determined that story complete rubbish.", Trixie stated.

    "Consider it. If everyone's memories are gone and a missing entity were to exist, that entity is most likely to blame. Not to mention that one pony was still integrated, and that one happened to be Rainbow Dash."

    "OBJECTION! Trixie's afraid Rainbow Trash isn't anywhere near as technologically advanced as you. She can't be integrated."

    "I scan it. Nanotechnology is the most significant thing on the radar and it'd be going haywire right now if I used it. If she's integrated, my first excuse is nothing but fact."

    "Trixie bets you could integrate her whenever you want. You're made of it yourself."

    "Then it wouldn't be my problem. I'd just fix everyone and hunt down the antagonist for the memories."

    "Maybe you have and you're just trying to blame Sonata."

    "Twilight isn't integrated. I am trying to blame Sonata since she's not on the radar, though. That and only missing entities could've disintegrated the six integrated ponies. Nothing came close to them that was still on the radar."

    "Then prove it! Show us your own memories of these ponies. Trixie even thinks Twilight and her friends might be these nano-integrated."

    "You're right. It was them. The elements of harmony themselves trusted with the power of nanotechnology. If I show you these memories... well, let's just say... your funeral."

    "My... Your Honor, the witness has just threatened me again! Have him removed from court!"

    "John, that was a very bad decision.", the judge growled.

    "No, Your Honor! You don't understand, that wasn't a threat! If I show these memories, shit will unravel and a force I can't stop will be at hand.", I begged.

    "Do you hear this? Something he can't stop brought by his own mind. I've never heard of something more ridiculous."

    "I fear I will have to remove you from court. Bailiff!", the judge called.

    The bailiff came up to me to guide me out. I shook in anger and stood immobile.

    (No no no... this isn't happening! Trixie, I could just FUCKING KILL YOU.)

    [Irritation 80%. Outrage Imminent. John, you must calm down. The mission depends on it. Any further infractions and Rainbow Dash will be lost.]

    {This is Percept. He's John's subconscious in AI form, controlled to be like a companion in perilous moments or whenever John wants something.}

    (Percept, be quiet, I can handle this!)

    I refused to move. I grabbed the stand in resistance.

    [Irritation Critical. Outrage Near Certain. John, this is easily solved. Fury isn't anywhere closer to the answer. You must keep your temper.]

    (I don't have time for your philosophical bullshit, Precept! This won't be the end!)

    He pulled, but the harder he did so the stronger I gripped the stand. I gripped so hard it was breaking.

    [Irritation 100%. Outrage Determined. You're on your own. It can't be stopped now.]

    I shoved him off and stood still. I didn't shake, I wasn't raging. One more miniscule inconvenience and I'd break.

    "Back off.", I said in a new voice. "Or you'll suffer a pain not worth keeping your life. This is your only warning."

    He slowly squirmed back and kept his distance.

    "I will not let you threaten anyone in this court! Leave NOW.", the judge barked.

    "No... You think I will just sit here and let the innocent be deprived. YOU OF ALL PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION." I stomped and reverberated the ground. "I came here to save Rainbow Dash. You won't make that possible if you actually believe a stated fact is a threat."

    "Nothing remotely related to violence is tolerated. Your ignorant-"

    "I'M IGNORANT?! Look at this court! You have an element of FUCKING harmony on something nearly equivalent to the death penalty! The holders of the very binding of this entire civilization shouldn't even be mentally capable of killing one of their own! Look at this court!"

    "There are very powerful beings here on this planet. They will not let you bring negative influence to their land."

    "Negative influence? YOU DON'T SEE THIS?! I'M AIDING THE ONE WHO WAS CALLED HERE BY THEIR GODDESS!"

    I quaked in place and sent a shockwave through the court, breaking the stand. I shifted my pegasus body into a bipedal stance and morphed my shape. I got taller, thicker, and transformed my joint structure. My human form resembled perfectly my previous characteristics.

    "You're a... human?!", Trixie asked while cowering.

    Everyone was extremely shocked and scared, except for Phoenix, who was only slightly scared.

    "And you Trixie!" She hid more. "You're making the most trouble! You strive to imprison an innocent on the sun! That is almost as malevolent as the devil himself! You think this is just a game where you can die and just respawn? WELL IT ISN'T."

    "B-but you lied to us! You're not a pony, you're a human!"

    "SO FUCKING WHAT? If I'm a human, it doesn't change shit. My story is still true, and if you want me to prove it, be my guest!"

    Sonata had backed away as far as she possibly could and stood frozen. Her expression was more intense than when she first looked at me.

    "No, it can't be...", she said. "It's impossible..."

    "Recognize me? Don't know why you would, you've never met me before today! What do you have to say?"

    She stayed silent. I looked around the room with my plasma green eyes and started. I found the judge leaning away, but not hiding. Trixie was just barely visible for but moment. Phoenix stood intently, eyeing me, waiting for my next action.

    But then I saw Twilight...

    She was running out of the room... crying. The door slammed behind her. It was the only thing I saw, felt, and heard for the next minute. My eyes stopped phasing and I returned to a more stable condition.

    (I've made a terrible mistake... What have I done...?)

    "Twilight!", I called. "Twilight, wait!" My voice was back to normal.

    I prepared a repair drone to clean up the mess I made. Then I ran slowly to the door and opened it gently. Twilight saw me immediately and put a force field around herself. I touched it, but it wouldn't let me in. No one else was in the room.

    "Twilight... please don't do this...", I said carefully. "I... I didn't mean to do that back there..."

    "But you did...", she muttered. "You don't sound like you were kidding about any of that."

    "No, it's not like that. It's... a long story. I wish I could've told you sooner, but this case is getting in my way of that."

    "Then tell me now. You've made it obvious you just petrified everypony in the courtroom. They won't be coming in."

    "Remove the shield. I don't want to try and tell you like this."

    She resisted my request. She didn't seem like she wanted me anywhere near her. Not after that. I went to the opposite side of the room and slumped in a chair. I hoped telling her something would progress into getting her trust back again, to take away that barrier.

    "Look, they were going to end the case there.", I stated.

    "He was only going to take you out."

    "I was part of the defense since I walked in. If I made an infraction, you and Phoenix would undergo the same circumstance. I wasn't gonna let it end there."

    "The case can be solved without turning into a human and scaring everypony. I still want to hear what you have to say about our missing memories."

    "F-fine... have it your way. It's not like you'll remember anything, though."

    "Well..." She stopped after that.

    "Well what? Do you know something?"

    "I do remember one thing. I... probably shouldn't mention it. Just in case."

    "Please, tell me. I need to know. Anything from before the event will help."

    "The event?"

    "It's when you and your friends were brainwashed and disintegrated. Before that, everything was fine. After, it just... something was wrong."

    "Like what?"

    "Tell me what you know first. It could make understanding what I have to say easier."

    "Um, okay. Do you remember when you first showed up?"

    "Yeah. I was a pony then."

    "Because you were a pony, I didn't recognize you. Your name, your powers, they were familiar to me. I thought I knew you from somewhere, but I didn't know where or who you were."

    "And you didn't say anything because you thought it would be better kept secret."

    "Right. I had a feeling you'd interrogate me if I said anything. But when you turned human..."

    "Something ticked, didn't it?"

    "You could say that. I saw you... and I remembered. I remember the things you saved us from. The times we spent together. But the one most significant thing... was him."

    "Him? Who's that?"

    "The one who took our memories... he wasn't human, he wasn't a pony either... I don't know what he was, but he got each one of us except me and Rainbow Dash. I told her to send help, to call you... but before she could, I was caught. He tried to disintegrate me, and he was successful, but I put a mental lock on memories of you. They weren't erased, just forgotten. I did it in case you came back. I could tell you what you needed to know and you'd help us. Unfortunately you disguised yourself as a pony and became invisible. I wouldn't remember until I saw you this way."

    "Can you remember what he looked like? Anything?"

    "N-no... nothing. He was indescribable."

    "He wasn't a pony or a human?"

    "He was shaped like a human... but he didn't look like one. His skin was different. I don't think he had skin..."

    She started shaking and her barrier was crumbling.

    (This can't be good... these memories must be making her insane.)

    The barrier fell completely and I rushed over to her trembling body. She was falling and I steadied her, sitting right beside her. She continued shaking and her eyes had been clamped shut in fear.

    "Twilight, get yourself together! It's just a memory, it's okay. I'm here."

    She slowed her shaking and rested against me, only shivering. I tried to comfort her, but it seemed her mental condition was a bit pressuring.

    "It's so vivid... I've never seen or felt anything closer to a nightmare... being ripped apart and put back together..."

    "Oh God... Twilight, are you sure it was male?"

    "He spoke to me... it was like your voice back in the courtroom... when you changed."

    She was getting better, but a little shaky still. I sat her back up when she appeared normal and she gave no effort to repel me. She must trust me again, then.

    (Sounded like me... that doesn't exactly sound like Sonata.)

    "Twilight, you said he had no skin?"

    "I don't know. That's what I thought, it didn't look like a pony's or yours." Her voice had regained its original strength.

    "Did it look like metal? Was it pitch black?"

    "Y-yeah! It looked just like armor! And it glowed."

    (No fucking way. Everyone's in trouble now.)

    "Thank you, Twilight. I now have a new lead on who could've done this. We have to return to the courtroom."

    "Can you give me a few minutes?"

    "Sure. Come in when you're ready."

    She nodded and I left the room. The repair drone did a good job fixing up anything that broke, if not, making it better than it used to be. Everyone got their bearings in the time I left, but they still had this unnerved look.

    "Okay, look. I'm sorry, I scared everyone half to death with my little transformation, I didn't mean it. Trixie just really pissed me off there. I made no threats.", I apologized.

    "So you're... back to normal? Or... what?", the judge stuttered.

    "Yeah I'm back to normal, so don't worry, I'm not going apeshit. Besides, this is my default form."

    "So... I'm guessing you're not coming anywhere near leaving."

    "Pretty much."

    "OBJECTION! Your Honor-"

    "Objection my ass.", I interrupted. "Trixie, from here on out, your objections mean dick."

    "What?! I'm allowed to object!"

    "Not anymore. Your only objections ever with me around are to question my reasons on why things happen. I can prove anything you disapprove of."

    "You know what? If you're just gonna take absolute control of the court, I'm out! There's no point in fighting a case that you have unlimited power over."

    She started walking away but I stopped her in her tracks.

    "NO ONE, is leaving this courtroom. This is still a case and I'm on a mission. Someone or something in here is what I'm looking for and they're not getting out. If anyone tries to leave they're going through me. Understood?"

    Everyone nodded except Trixie, who reluctantly did so after I glared at her. Even the jury acknowledged. All but Applejack.

    (Damn your honesty.)

    "What's wrong Applejack?", I called.

    "Whah' can't we leave? This is all confusing.", she said with an odd western accent.

    "Are you okay? You're accent is a bit... off."

    "Huh? Hey, you makin' fun o' me?"

    "No, I'm stating a fact. Your accent isn't the same as its supposed to be. You remind me of something that happened before the event."

    "Watcha' talkin' about?"

    I looked over and saw Sonata shitting bricks over in the corner. I chuckled.

    (Heheh... I've got a good idea what might be going on here. It's not as bad as I thought.)

    "Oh, nothing. Just a small problem I thought I fixed a while ago seems to have creeped it's way back here. I'll give you the short version."

    "Do we really need to hear this story? We've wasted plenty time already.", Trixie deadpanned.

    "Yes, you need to hear the story." Twilight then walked in. "Great! You're just in time! I'm gonna tell everyone a quick story."

    "What about?", she asked.

    "A little fuck that squeezed between my fingers and caused shit to go down."

    She looked like she was about to say something, but then shrugged it off and looked plainly at me.

    "Once upon a time..."

    {Story mode activated.}

    I was helping Fluttershy with her animals and I accidentally pissed her off so I ran off to get Lyra for help. I returned and let Lyra handle the problem while I searched for Angel. I found a secret entrance in the nearby river and went through.

    I came out in an out-of-commission basement all locked up and dark. Only one way to go;.up. I climbed stairs to another broken down door which basically opened itself for me. Inside was a pure white room with an unconscious Applejack and Angel tied up. I woke Applejack and she got all angry.

    She asked me stuff about that awkward situation she was in and then another Applejack came in. We talked, she had a weird accent, the  second Applejack transformed her body into a  human shape with armor plates held together by orange plasma, and we fought. Another pony came in and saved us and we escaped. I went to a party that night.

    The next day I ran into him again and we fought again. He had powers I didn't but I had something that could utilize his weakness. I EMP'd his ass with a sonic boom and we both fell unconscious when we hit the ground. I woke up first and made sure he didn't do anything stupid if he did, too.

    He tried escaping, I temporarily paralyzed him, and I took his additive powers away. Sucked for him since he got locked up in a cave full of crystals that he couldn't break. Not even I could break them. They broke me.

    A while later I let him out to give him a second chance but he screwed up bad so I killed him in a lengthy battle.

    {Basically a summary of earlier events.}

    "I thought he was dead, at least. Now he's back and decided to take it out on everyone that I knew here.", I finished.

    "What does this have ta' do with mah' accent?", Applejack asked.

    "Oh yeah, I forgot. Last time he impersonated you, he utterly failed to imitate your accent. He spoke normally, disguised as you. Now it looks like he did it again."

    "Are ya callin' me a lier?"

    "If I suspect correctly, then yes. If not, you're not remembering correctly. Either way, you're wrong."

    "That ain't very nice! What, do ya think Ah'm the bad guy?"

    "Kind of. Tell me the correct answer to this question and I'll know it's you."

    "Try me."

    "You planned a family reunion a year ago in Ponyville. You made plans that resulted in... 'Raise This Barn', should I say. What were these plans?"

    "Um... can Ah' say this somewhere prah'vate?"

    "Sure, fine." And I levitated her down with this electromagnetic grasp called physikinesis. She trotted in midair with a surprised expression and I laughed. "Sorry, that's just a funny thing you're doing."

    "It's not funny! Put me down!"

    "Okay! Heheh, stop shaking."

    She did as I said and I let her go right on the ground. I was being the least kind just in case she was actually Applejack.

    "Okay, where to?"

    "Follow me."

    I lead her to the same room Twilight ran from and just stood there. No sitting, it would only take a moment.

    "So, what were the plans?", I asked.

    "Y'already know, right?"

    "Yes, but I need to know if you do. Be honest with me."

    "Easily. Looky here, Ah' actually planned the barn to fall. Not that good at actually makin' a sturdy reunion get together, so Ah' thought I could mix it up a bit. Don't tell anypony, but it was all for mah' little sis, Applebloom. She loves ta' explore what she can do."

    (Exactly. At least he isn't fucking with Applejack this time... oh wait, he already did.)

    "You're good. You can go back in now. If you don't want me to levitate you up there again, just tell me."

    "Nah, you can do it."

    "Okay then."

    We walked into the courtroom and I found something odd. Sonata wasn't exactly there. I looked around, but I didn't see her anywhere. I levitated Applejack to the jury and quickly scanned the room. I didn't get anything, as I suspected.

    I wasn't gonna let her escape. I checked the opposite exit and still found nothing. Only two things came to my mind then. She could've escaped, or she was hiding. On the off chance she was hiding, I sent an electromagnetic shockwave to see if it would screw up the warp effect. She stayed off the radar, but apparently a cloak had been disturbed.

    I caught a glimpse of her unicorn silhouette and sprinted before her instantly, grabbing her by the neck. I lifted her and glared.

    "What did I say? 'If anyone tries to leave they're going through me'.", I scowled.

    The cloak dissipated and Sonata was revealed. I carried her back to the court room and sat her in the corner where she intended on staying before. This time I kept a close eye on her.

    "If anyone tries to leave this courtroom again, you tell me.", I scorned. "Leaving isn't an option. Next time someone will be disciplined for disobeying."

    "Can you be a little... nicer? You're kind of scaring me.", Twilight said.

    "You know I don't mean you, Twilight. I'm talking about Sonata and Trixie. They're the only ones who'll risk it. Don't take the warning personally."

    "Oh, okay. How'd Applejack do?"

    "She answered the question correctly. She's not the enemy, but something sure is screwed up with her accent. Not to offend you, Applejack."

    "I-it's fine.", she reassured.

    "Good. Now that I know you're clear, I'm gonna go ahead and place all the pressure on Sonata again. I'm pretty sure she's the most suspicious person here."

    "I find that offensive, if you don't mind.", Sonata muttered.

    "I don't give a fuck. You've had me convinced it was you for a while. That's your fault. Now cooperate or this will take more time than I know you have the patience for."

    "Ugh, fine. What do you want to know?"

    "Hmph!", I laughed. "I don't need to know anything. I already know it's you. It's gonna be Phoenix who proves it."

    "Wait, what? I have to prove it? How?", Phoenix asked.

    "You proved what I was without a single piece of evidence. You can do the same with her."

    "I don't have to talk. He broke the truth from me once. I know how to avoid it this time.", Sonata defended.

    "If you don't, I will. I know answers, I can back him up the whole way."

    "You stubborn... have it your way!", she growled. "If you're just gonna fool around and nitpick..." And she stood bipedal. "I'll just cut to the chase for you.", she said in a voice nearly as deep and masculine as mine when I transformed.

    Her body morphed like mine did before. She was turned human, male, with a slicked black hairstyle. He didn't stand quite as tall as me, but it was close. His clothing was nobel and fancy, unlike mine which were as casual as humans get.

    (He's different. I can't tell what, but the last time I saw him he looked less... imperfect. Oh well, at least he came out of his shell.)

    "Just as I thought. Jackson.", I greeted.

    "You know this man? Is he integrated like you?", the judge asked.

    "Yes and yes. Old frienemy. Still is."

    "And you, John. I didn't expect you here. Never knew you had a pony form. Didn't recognize you until you burst. Pretty impressive threatening tone you had, if I do say so myself.", Jackson added. His voice, too, had calmed like mine had when my own fury was over.

    "Thank you, but I couldn't've done it without Polka Dot over there.", Trixie popped her bored head up and looked over.

    "Couldn't agree more. That one got very annoying."

    "Speaking of Trixie, how did she even get positioned as prosecution before you did?"

    Trixie said, "Trixie-"

    "Shutupnooneaskedyou.", we both retaliated, and she jumped back and fell.

    "Is this even a case anymore?", the judge asked.

    "Not really. Think of this as a quick reunion. Who knows what'll happen next.", I answered.

    "I want to know how this affects the murder.", Phoenix stated. "This changes a lot."

    "As if it hasn't already."

    "I can explain.", Jackson offered. "I was taking the form of a Canterlot resident to most efficiently disintegrate Rainbow Dash. She is still integrated. It bothers me."

    "How did you try to do this?", Phoenix asked.

    "It's not easy, but I can redistribute my electromagnetic energy to focus its pattern to safely remove all nanotechnology from a body. That's what I was doing in the forest, since she was there." He gestured towards Rainbow Dash.

    "And you were disguised as Sonata?"

    "Just to shadow my existence."

    "How come Fluttershy didn't see you come in when she saw you get out?"

    "I have a cloak, too, idiot."

    "But she saw you afterwards."

    "That's because I was hit by a stupid lightning bolt. My electromagnetic energy was released in bulk, so I couldn't hold much more to cloak."

    "This lightning bolt was called 'flimsy' when John was struck with the second one."

    "Hey Phoenix, get this.", I interrupted. "He's a different kind of me. His type is fragile with their electromagnetic system, so that bolt could've done serious damage. It's also how I detected him in my memory. This energy was released as an electromagnetic pulsar, something I can easily detect."

   "Fool, I'm not fragile. I was just in a vulnerable state. Realigning energy is perilous.", Jackson argued.

    "If you were struck with this lightning, why was a sound made? John absorbed it soundlessly.", Phoenix questioned.

    "The energy released afterward, remember? It was just as loud, if not louder."

    "Then what killed Ace?"

    "I did. When I was charging, my target was that rainbow pony. However, she struck me and my energy was released all into that other one. He was sent flying."

    "So Rainbow Dash is innocent! She did nothing to this pony, just you, and by accident!"

    Everyone was silent.

    "Phoenix.", I said.

    "Yeah?"

    "That doesn't matter anymore. She was safe a while ago. I'm just trying to get this guy out of here."

    "Oh... well at least she isn't considered guilty anymore. What happens now?"

    "I was thinking you'd ask me why I did this. I'm getting impatient.", Jackson suggested.

    "Good idea. You know, it really pissed me off that you did this to some of my best friends."

    "Yeah, right. Ponies as friends. Who would've thought? Horsefucker."

    "Now hold up! Who're you calling a horsefucker? I said they were my friends, not my bitches!"

    "Whatever. You know very well that you all were the reason that I nearly died. I suffered. Carboinhibition is agonizing, and you had to worsen it by overcharging my balance. Little did you know that you created a monster. A deity. A disintegrator."

    "A... disintegrator?", Twilight asked. "You don't mean..."

    "Yes, pony. Your foolish attempt at murder only made me stronger. You gave me this power... to... neutralize the greatest of nanohumans! I've trained myself to perfect this ability, but even with it, I still suffer to this day. I've come back to get revenge on every single one of you. Especially you, John!"

    "Wait... you can disintegrate? A nanohuman? No it can't be...", I muttered.

    "That's right. You know who I am. You've been hunting me. You've been on that mission for years. Say it!"

    "You're... you're...", I had to gather myself to even say it. "Format..."

    "Yes... and now, I'm going to make you pay."

    He grew angrier and quaked the entire courtroom. His skin molded into plates of armor, pitch black and gleaming. He became taller and buffer. The area between his plates glowed with a perfect orange plasma. The symbol on his chest, my own cutie mark being torn in half, only in orange. On a perfectly round helmet, his visor was piercing, resembling an inverted blade without its handle, but still with the crossguard. It was solid orange without detail. He was nanohuman.

    "Everyone, get out now! He'll kill you all! I'll stall him while I can!", I bellowed.

    I transformed as well, my own armor not differing much from his. My plasma was green and my cutie mark was placed upon my chest as its symbol, perfectly green. My visor was a downward facing perimeter of a green  semicircle with a square green digital eye. Within that eye was another black square pupil. I was just taller than Format.

    (I've beaten him before. I can do it again.)

    Everyone had started running out, but Format targeted Rainbow Dash first. She was the only one still integrated.

    I shot a grapple at Format and stopped him in midair, the end engraved within his back. I tugged hard and brought him crashing down behind me. I picked him up and threw him at a wall, but unfortunately he broke through it. I flew outside, but I didn't see him. He popped up behind me and slammed me to the ground, leaving a decent impact crater. He didn't relent, though. He came back down and slammed again, deepening the crater. His next gesture seemed like one that would disintegrate me. I wasn't letting that happen.

    I warped inside the ground and then out behind him. He just struck, so I dodged his attack just in time. His glow was weak, so the effort must take massive toll on his energy. I turned my arm into a piston and revved it up, having it jut back and forth rapidly. The perfect hammering weapon. I came at him unknowingly and repetitively pounded his back into an almost critical condition. His armor was shattering, but it still held to his body in plasma. Which reminded me, I had an arm cannon that shot plasmaterial dubstep.

    I backed off after kicking him a few hundred feet and enabled the dubmaster. It was a cylindrical lengthy speaker with superior design. It was capable of replicating any electronic sound with intense amplification. I chased the other to where I kicked him, which was at an open field. He was getting ready to attack. He shot a boomerang of condensed steel my way, nearly hitting me and gutting part of my arm. I landed and aimed for his body. The dubmaster let out a heavy bass strong enough to launch a vehicle skyward and it nailed my intended target. He was sent flying another distance ten fold the last impact. I followed him to a mountain that absorbed pretty well his own momentum.

    The very second afterward he split open the surface of the mountain and pierced me with a blade sharper than diamond. It sliced right through me, right out the other side. Unfortunately for him, I was smarter than to just push it out. I generated unrelentingly powerful vice from my waist perpendicular to the blade and clamped down on it. The blade was trapped in its grip and I jutted it and his arm sideways. His joints were displaced from their default and I ripped the blade from the arm it was attached to. Only then did I take it out of me. My body absorbed the blade and healed. We were still traveling quickly through the air, so I used our current velocity to plummet him into another mountain.

    The smaller mountain broke in half, revealing a coal vein, which meant carbon. However, he was absorbing the coal and not me. He used this excess material to generate a stronger massive blade which he tried driving into my center. It was too big so it didn't go very fast. Besides, he already did this before, so I knew his strategy. I jumped on the blade and shot him with a high frequency wave in the face. He retaliated by trying to grab his face, throwing me off, but this exact situation happened before so I caught myself. He hadn't learned anything, though, because he still hit himself in the face, only this time much harder.

    (His fighting style hasn't changed at all. He still aims to be on the permanent offensive. Maybe I can trick him into my own traps again.)

    I disabled the dubmaster and brought out my EMP gloves, flying skyward. Format regained awareness and charged at me with his giant sword, which didn't let him get very far. He turned it into wings instead and closed in much faster. I needed to stay just ahead of him. I generated physical jets from multiple points on my body and thrusted ahead. He couldn't keep up, so I slowed a bit. When I reached a critical height I reared and blasted right past him, where he in turn made a sharp turn with the aid of his large wings. Terminal velocity was easily surpassed, but an electromagnetic sonic blast had to be withstood until the right time.

    I was nearing the ground and Format was close behind. Here I amped up my EMP gloves and readied an EMSB. I reached supersonic speed and obliterated the sound barrier. A phased green shockwave filled the sky endlessly, but my attempt was destroyed. Format stopped more than far enough from the influence to not be affected.

    (No you don't...)

    I channeled my energy for a impending rebound and made a gratuitous impact on the earth. I turbo thrusted off with every ounce of strength and supercharged my EMP's. The incoming air flow pressured against me, but stood no match. I was instantly past the sound barrier and impeded another parallel EMSB, but twice as strong and pressurized. It was all heading straight for the other nanohuman, who couldn't do shit to dodge it. The strength of the impulse of my entire body in relativity to his pitiful resistance was tectonic. Unbearable quantities of energy were transferred into his fragile system and nearly disabled him permanently. The magnitude of offense continued until I swerved around and grounded him far deeper into the earth than the height of the Empire State building.

    If I didn't know better, I'd think he was already dead, but judging from the previous time I killed him, I needed a bit more to finish him. I didn't know what, though. My only hope was a code-on-code shutdown.

    (If I let myself in the system, he'll have access to any location of my own. I have to be perfect.)

    I jab my hand into his body and inject my genetic cipher into his system and battle his crypts. He jutted right then.

    "*COUGH!* *COUGH!*. Ha... ha... you fool... do you actually think you can fight me off? I'm a Wilcom. Our precision structures are more advanced than yours. You won't survive.", he muttered.

    "Vangaulds are the prime of our entire race. We are inferior to no one. You are speaking to their Successor. I am trained to endure. To destroy." I bled the words out.

    "You don't see... I was a s-successor, too. You killed me, though. Wiped my existence off Thorangauld. I was replaced. You fail to see that."

    "I am A DEMIGOD. I AM YOU, BETTER IN EVERY WAY. YOU FAILED A LONG TIME AGO, AND YOU PAY FOR IT ALL NOW."

    My code was overcoming his, but it stood strong briefly. An unknown defense came up and I couldn't stop it.

    "You forgot...", he whispered. "I am the disintegrator."

    He jabbed his own hand into me and I felt the nanotechnology being burned from body that very instant.

    "AH! GOD, NO! I WON'T LET YOU SURVIVE, EVEN IF I DIE."

    I rammed my EMP gloves into his head and unleashed every molecule of energy into the most vital portion of the body. He pulsed furiously, his light flickering before me. In moments his glow died off, and he was just armor. I was dying, though, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.

    My sensors faded away.

    My armor fell.

    My body crumbled.

    I dwindled for an hour, agonizing pain from being torn apart in this massive crater. Having my own composition being degraded to nothing. My strength was too little to even make a weak sound in pain. My pathetic body fell.

    And my reality disappeared.

   The last thing I heard was...

    "You failed."