ATLASby KriegorChaptersNew EarthDistrict Hex-Twenty: PonyvilleGoneThe ApexClub DamnationRebirthSetting SailNew EarthATLASNew Earth Welcome to Post-Vector Earth... or whatever you want to call it. It really doesn’t matter, not after all these years. My work; the same as always. My library, a tad more roomey but nevertheless, still the same. The only thing that hasn't changed is my job as a librarian. Although now I have more studying to do than ever before, given all the knowledge the USC has accumulated over their centuries of existence, I have managed to carve my way through quite a bit during the last years. It’s been ten years now, ten years since they first arrived, since they changed everything. Once the massive monster that is the Vector blocked our skies and shrouded our land, I just knew that our lives would never be the same again. My friends and I, at least, have remained in contact, but it isn’t the same as before. Now the whole mix of demo and meritocracy of the humans slithered in. It’s not bad, but us ponies have had a hard time adapting since, well, we had been ruled by the Princesses for so long... Ponyville, once the center of my life. Now it’s being absorbed into the massive, metallic, and automated space of the city of Apex; once a human colony, now a so called “Megapolis.” The literal culmination of the United Species Coalition, the government that now covers the planet. I can’t believe that my treehouse is now surrounded by metallic buildings. Corporations, big and small, filling the land in the hundreds, spreading far over the Equestrian border... or where the border used to be. I guess Princess Luna got what she wanted; now the true life is at nightclubs, filled to the brim with alcohol and other substances. Did I mention how hard it is to get a human drunk? I’m never partaking in a drinking contest again. Even after all these years, we haven’t found a way for them to return. Most have settled, though many are still hellbent on trying to get back to the original USC. Small skirmishes have broken out between the two major pseudo-factions that dominate the land: the Pro-USC and the Anti-USC. Both being made up of ponies, minotaurs, changelings and griffons alike. Marelings are still desperate to catch a man... And now I realize that I haven’t been on a successful date in over ten years. Anyways... We have an entire fleet now, the Vector leading it. I was once in a ship, and I vomited... It’s hard to get used to artificial gravity, specially if you’re a pony. Minotaurs, Zebras, Gryphons, Changelings, Ponies, Humans, and even more now compose the USC. The humans did in one year what we never did in thousands. I’m happy with what I’ve got, to say the least. I’m happy to see Spike, who’s practically my son, grow up and spend more and more time with Apple Bloom. I wish he spent more time with me, though. I’ve been rather lonely for the last years, except for the occasional get-together with my friends. So, this is the USC... Cities of metal, harsh law, and both normal and underground life. What’s not to like? District Hex-Twenty: PonyvilleATLASDistrict Hex-Twenty: Ponyville I remember when I could see the sun just by standing near my window... Now all the buildings block the view. My treehouse consists of a barely-living tree, and since the sunlight never reaches it, it’s almost always cold. I guess I should talk about how much the old Ponyville has changed, huh? Well... I miss the smell of books. Now all it takes for me to earn credits is to dictate things into my holopad and sell my recordings about magical and technological study. Sweet Apple Acres went bankrupt soon after we started to massively grow genetically-engineered fruits. Luckily, the Apple Family had enough resources left to finance Apple Bloom’s studies. She would then lead the creation of “Apple Industries,” now the leading corporation in technological advancements for humans and earth ponies. As for Applejack... She and what’s left of her family now live in a house ten times the size of mine, and still enjoy harvesting apples. I should also note that Big Macintosh was married to a short-lived, bipedal insectoid, (AKA Gektar), namely “Stars”... It was sad to see her go. SugarCube Corner is now a factory. They’re one of the biggest suppliers of, well, sugar-induced food from all around the globe. For the last five years Pinkie Pie has spent her life basically trying to welcome every new citizen on the sector. There are at least two per day... We still don’t have the heart to acknowledge that the recent years have gotten to her. Fluttershy... she’s deep into what remains of the Everfree forest, which is consistently getting smaller. The new, imposed urban life just wasn’t made for her. She lives near Zecora now, spending her days trying to save as much trees and animals she can, and even has invested onto “GoldenTalon Enterprises”, a company not very well known for its attitude towards humans. I wish I could go back in time. Now the whole concept of doing so is banned, burned, and worthy of execution on sight. Anyways... I remember Rarity’s face when all these new opportunities showed up, thinking it was finally her time to shine. And I also remember her face three years later, when she finally realized that her dreams were never to be true. Some images just never go away. Maybe it was the fact that Royalty was practically dissolved, meaning that fashion changed dramatically. She never quite got used to the new “modern” clothing. I guess something good had to happen to one of us. Rainbow Dash volunteered to be the first pony to have a cybernetic replacement for a limb. No anesthetics, of course. We didn’t have the knowledge for that. Luckily, everything turned out fine, but the searing pain left her somewhat afraid of the scalpel. The only way for her to fly as fast, or even faster, than before would be to have her other wing replaced. But of course, she doesn’t want to, for obvious reasons. And here we are now, just making the best we can out of our lives... Or whatever’s left of that. GoneATLASGone ‘You never know what you have...’ I leaned into the scanner set at the door of my house, prompting it to flash into my right eye. Immediately after did I blink, pushing the now unlocked door and walking into the dark depths of the semi treehouse library. “I’m home!” ‘Until you lose it... Turning on the lights, I disposed of my scientific coat and sighed, looking into the main part of the house that once held a myriad of books. Yet something was missing. ‘I never saw it coming....’ Alone for once, nor Spike to be with me. I called out again, the single name of the giant who once occupied my house. ‘‘Made, not born,’ he always said. Used as a tool, he was. He lost his friends: Torres, Mac, and Becker.’ In complete silence, making my way deeper into my living room, I picked up a holopad, clicking on the last entry log. ‘He just said that he needed to find himself once more. I couldn’t stop him from that, but I was still worried.’ ‘My name is Twilight Sparkle... and this is the Path of Atlas...’ The ApexATLASThe Apex I opened my journal and began to write... -------------------------------------- ‘Twilight’s journal...’ ‘Apex is quite a marvel, isn’t it? I’ve been there, and my neck ended up hurting from looking up at all the wonders. You could say that the entire city is human-sized, except for the occasional building.’ “Welcome to Apex, citizen,” a female, cybernetic voice rang out. “Enjoy your stay.” ‘He had no real purpose in mind, even though he hadn’t stepped into the city for years. It was practically the same style as one from the original USC... ’ Stars, their brightness overwhelmed by that of the artificial lightning coming from what remained of the city’s old lights. Luna’s legacy, at the mercy of mankind’s own magnificence. Buildings that grazed the sky, yet never threatened to fall. Broad metallic streets, exclusive for the inhabitants and visitors of the great metropolis of steel. A multitude of civilian craft soared overhead, cutting through the clean air and the labyrinth of metal canyons that the city had become. Crowds of all species gathered throughout the streets, chatting, walking and enjoying the night. He examined the utopia from the checkpoint into the city proper, curious of how much it had changed over the course of the years. Set all around, holoscreens displayed advertisements from all sorts of corporations, leaving no room for any simple occupation. ‘Humans always refer to it as a shard of their history.’ “Come on big guy, keep moving!” Atlas was brought out of his musing as a small pony stallion nudged his leg. He looked over his shoulder to see a large crowd forming up behind him, eyeing him with curious and worried faces. Sighing, he continued walking while gazing up at the buildings that surrounded him. “Remember to join the Clan of Mankind, led by Iron Will!” “Meet a marelingtoday!” “The Colonial Guard is always there for you.” “Hmph.” The titanic man decided to pay no heed to the advertisements at the time, instead focusing on his task to explore Apex: once a military colony, now the center of the USC. He couldn’t help but remember how it had once looked. ‘What really piques my interest is just how diverse the city is...’ Higher Apex, the area for big time corporations and high-end civilian housing. Not the place he was looking for by any means, and his pocket fell short for the sort of things it offered. His sights were set on Lower Apex, where the true nightlife took place. Clubs, low-end housing, and shady business. Crime was pervasive, but it wasn't anything the titan couldn't handle. ‘Just what he wanted.’ He walked into a small building, then into an elevator placed inside. Cramped with ponies, changelings, gryphons, and a few minotaurs. They each looked up at him curiously and distanced themselves as the metallic box began its descent. The giant closed his eyes for a moment, several different images fluttering through his mind, reviving old times. ‘Just as me, he found it hard to believe that so many years had already passed... ’ “Mah name’s Apple Bloom!” ‘The ghosts of war still haunted his waking thoughts...’ “Get down!” “I’m not dead yet!” He shook his head, sighing, old times now past. Life, always playing tricks. He looked at his left arm, Syntex fibers for skin and muscle, metal for bone, cables for nerves. A second chance was given to both him and his friend, a chance he would not waste. “How many friends do I have now?” he asked himself. His friends were mostly gone, either dead or missing. Twilight, perhaps. The little pony that still seemed to show companionship towards him, at least. ‘I do feel affection towards him, and I feel that many do. It’sjust hard to get him to trust you.’ The elevator finally passed through the bowels of Higher Apex, allowing those inside to peer out from the closure of the windowed elevator. Atlas leaned down to gaze through, into the mass of Lower Apex. Endless expanses of underground caves, buildings that rose from the water below, streets that were purely bridges above. Few craft floated slowly nearby as the elevator lowered itself, gently touching the end of its course. The giant walked out, and following was the rest of the crowd, only to be replaced by those who sought to reach the almost autonomous upper city. ‘However, I've never been to Lower Apex, nor do I want to. It’s not exactly one of the safest places to be in...’ He took a deep breath of the sector’s cold, damp air. Tightening his cooling vest, he continued onwards, no specific direction in mind. Neon signs hung from the buildings, serving as reminders for both the new and the old. One grabbed his attention, reading “Hatcha’s Crashing Place Hotel!” ‘He had to find a place to stay at. What better than a half-decent hotel? He never asked for much, and knew that he had to save as many credits as he could.’ The door slid open, hydraulics whirred to life. Inside, a rustic room greeted him. He didn’t care for anything other than the small counter. He walked over to it, almost having to crouch in order to avoid hitting the ceiling. ‘A single, elderly changeling greeted him. Hatcha, just as the name of the hotel. Quite a good person, as far as I can tell, and didn’t seem to be scared of Atlas.’ “Hey there, stranger!” the old changeling exclaimed. “What’cha need?” ‘Needless to say, Atlas didn’t match up to Hatcha’s personality...’ He looked at the elevator over at the other side of the hotel, muttering, “Room.” ‘Simple... Particularly when talking to people he had never met before.’ “Oh!” Hatcha said, placing his hooves on the counter and smiling up at the giant. “How many da-” ‘Straight to the point...’ “Week.” Hatcha craned his neck backwards, looking at Atlas with an inquisitive expression. “OOookay...” He pointed at a small console set on the counter. “It’s fourteen thousand creds, friend. Just scan yourself with that doo-weeckle over there to confirm the transaction.” Wasting no time, Atlas moved over to the console and leaned closer to it, prompting it to scan his eyes. ‘He knew that I would follow him, since he used my own account to make it easier for me...Or just wanted to save credits.’ “Alright, stranger. You’re in room twenty, enjoy your stay!” Hatcha waved at Atlas as he made his way over to the elevator. ‘I think the elevator broke while he was in it, since it was gone when I got there.’ Atlas sighed, looking at the burned out panel that controlled the elevator. He crouched out of the metallic box and looked at the awestruck changeling. “Sorry, I’ll just use the stairs.” ‘I also remember the bent stairs...” “Sorry!” he exclaimed, glancing at the damaged metal stairs that led to the second floor. He silently chuckled and moved on. ‘Second floor, end of the hallway... Room twenty.’ The door slid open automatically as he reached the end of the hallway. Crouching through it, he sighed, looking around the room. ‘Just the basics... A bed, a small kitchen, bathroom, closet, desk...’ He calmly made his way over to the desk and sat down on the floor. Pulling a holopad out of his pocket, he tapped it with his large fingers a couple of times, bringing up a small photo album. ‘Torres...’ He gazed longingly at the picture. In it were his last true friends. Becker, Mac, and of course Torres. He sighed as the pain of his lost comrades hit particularly hard. ‘He missed them... Becker had died, the others just disappeared some years later.’ Atlas stared at the picture, smiling. “Guess we all parted ways, then...” He zoomed in on Torres’ face, huffing. “You wanted to see my face one last time... Thought you’d at least return the favor...” ‘None of them had reallysaid anything when they left... All of that just added to his already deteriorating state.’ He sighed, shaking his head while flicking the photos away. “What now?” he said to no one in particular, leaning down to look through the window, overlooking the vast underworld of Lower Apex. ‘As he continued to gaze over the undercity, something caught his eye... Club Damnation.’ Atlas smiled and chuckled. For the first time in years, he had a direction to follow. Club DamnationATLASClub Damnation -------------------------------------- I opened my journal and began to write... -------------------------------------- ‘Twilight’s journal...’ “Rise and shine, Mister Atlas.” Ringing, the alarm clock caught his attention. He turned to it, sighing. ‘He’s never been able to sleep. He used to be my watchdog, you know?’ Gingerly, he placed his holopad onto the bed, right next to himself. ‘He had been looking at a picture of my friends and I, with him behind us. The last picture we took, when his friends were already gone...’ His eyes stared at the pad, looking deep into the picture of old. The alarm clock kept ringing, he ignored it. ‘I should have known... All he needed was friendship, and me, an old student of the magic of friendship, didn’t notice that. Nostalgia was eatingat himinch by inch, consuming his mind.’ Finally, he took his eyes away from the flat device, focusing on the window instead. Morning, yet Lower Apex remained dim as ever, only the artificial neon signs and lights to provide just enough brightness for one to be comfortable. His hands rested upon the bed, feeling the soft linen of the covers as he broke them. Such a gentle feeling, yet unsuiting for his destructive nature. ‘Alarm clock continued to rattle away...He never did really like alarm clocks, I guess he didn't like the one in his room either...’ Atlas looked at his bloodied hand, then back at the obliterated clock. Shards of metal and plastic stuck out from his palm. He watched as the crimson fluid seeped out of the wounds, trickling onto the floor. ‘I had to follow the trail of blood into the bathroom.’ He looked at the broken valve held in his undamaged hand, tossing it away. The sink continued to pour water constantly. He dipped his hand into the stream, watching as it washed the blood away. ‘He spent some minutes pulling the broken clock pieces out of his palm.’ With a stoic expression, unchanged since his arrival, he pulled the last piece out of his self, his hand once again bloody, yet the flow diminishing. Flicking the shard away, he formed a small cup with his hands and let the stream of water wash away the remaining trails of blood before leaning down and washing his face. ‘When I got there, the first aid kit under the sink was open...’ Tightly, he adjusted the bandage around his hand, then looked at the mirror, at the reflection of himself. ‘His scarred face and overly large body made him feel almost like a monster. I... don’t blame him for that...’ His cybernetic fist, now stuck into the broken mirror. Breathing heavily, he pulled the limb away, allowing the shards of glass to fall, then looked through the window. ‘Damnation was waiting for him...’ Atlas’ eyes locked onto the large building that was Club Damnation. -------------------------------------- “Howdy stranger!” Hatcha exclaimed from behind the counter. “How’d the sleep go-” ‘I feel bad for the old changeling...’ “No,” Atlas muttered, slowly walking down the stairs and into the living room of the hotel. “I don’t sleep.” He crouched to avoid the ceiling, moving over to Hatcha. ‘He noticed Atlas’ bandaged hand.’ “Uhm... Stranger?” Atlas huffed, reaching into his pocket to reveal a credit chip. “It’s nothing, now take this.” He tossed it onto the counter. “Nobody walks into my room, okay?” ‘Once again, he knew that I was behind him, or at least, he hoped so. I can only assume that he wanted the room to be intact so I could trace him easily.’ “What...” the changeling muttered, picking up the credit chip. “Oh! Sure thing stranger!” ‘Good thing that he didn’t have the idea of using my account again...’ “Good.” The giant turned to the door, sighing and walking over to it. ‘Waiting for him was Lower Apex. Hovering above were civilian craft, casting shadows over a crowd of people composed by all species who walked below. Buildings that stretched all the way up into the top of the cave system, neon signs and lights all around... I really hope that Ponyville doesn’t turn into this. It’s okay, but... Can’t we keep at least a piece of our original culture? I’m sure Atlas would agree.’ People shot worried glances up at Atlas and moved away from him as he walked through the middle of the street. He looked around the area for a particular building. ‘A twelve-foot tall giant is hard to miss. Some even confuse him for a Colonial Guardsman in a heavy exosuit, and even without it they only standat nine feet...’ He smirked as his eyes locked onto a restaurant. “Joe’s Restobar!” He walked over to it, bumping into other people as he did so. They looked up at him fearfully, returning to their own world as they saw him enter the building. ‘A human restaurant... I couldn’t stand the smell of burning flesh...’ Once inside, he was greeted by the sight of several tables, the smell of grilled meat, and the sounds of both conversations and clattering utensils. Humans, Gryphons, and Changelings sat behind the tables, enjoying their meals along one another. ‘He walked over to a table and sat down, several eyes locking onto him...’ Atlas sighed as he pushed away the bent metal chair, opting to sit on the floor instead, but not without causing a small earthquake. He carefully rested one of his arms on the table, glaring at those who were still looking at him. ‘A waiter cautiously approached him. A gryphon, whose eyes were of gold.’ “Welcome, sir. May I take your-” “Five family portions of bacon and eggs, along with five large beers,” Atlas said with a blunt tone, not even bothering to look at the waiter, who smiled awkwardly. “Will do, sir!” he exclaimed. “Your meal should be here in... fifteen minute-” Atlas calmly turned to the waiter. “Make it five, or I’ll make you into fried chicken myself.” ‘Classy...’ He spent his time trying to get a hold of the forks and knives, only managing to bend them in the process. ‘Three, two, one...’ A team of Gryphon waiters rushed to his table, each of them holding a single, oversized plate of bacon and eggs, along with a massive jug of beer. They set their baggage on the table and smiled, waiting for him to say something. He eyed each of them, watching as their feathers drenched with cold sweat. “Good.” ‘The waiters sighed a breath of relief and went to different tables, leaving him alone with his food... His eating habits are as bad as he looks.’ Atlas chugged down the last of the beers, calmly placing the jug on the table and looking down at the empty plates. He huffed, grabbing one of them and biting into it. ‘He also eats ceramic...’ The wait staff and everyone else in the restaurant looked on in stunned disbelief, the former frozen in terror. Atlas turned slowly to them, and smiled. Half the waiters were too terrified to even react. When Atlas finally opened his mouth to say "That was a good meal,” they each turned away and went back to their tasks. ‘Once he paid for that oversized meal using my account, he got up and walked out into the streets once more...’ With his spirit lifted by the meal, Atlas continued to walk, following the path that would eventually lead him to the club. ‘There’s a saying that goes, ‘It’salways night in Lower Apex’... I can only say that it’s basically true, since there is no day-night cycle, and the clubs function all day, all week.’ He rounded a corner, finding himself at the end of a long line leading to a massive building with holoscreens displaying the word “Damnation!” ‘And almost always, especiallyin Damnation, you’ll have to wait a few hours before even walking into it.’ “Hmph...” He estimated that at least an hour had passed, an hour of boredom. Eventually, all that stood between him and the entry to the club was a group of three men. ‘He wasn’t in the mood to wait any longer...’ A single, young man cut into the line, right in front of him. Atlas unfolded his arms and grunted, prompting the man to look up. “H-Heh... S-sorry, big guy, I was here first!” ‘Everything but the music went silent, and even the Gryphon bouncers looked up at him. The group of men turned to him, glaring up at his face with barely enough confidence.’ “Move,” he muttered. The young men grinned, one of them exclaiming, “You got a problem with us?” Atlas sighed and shook his head. He folded his arms once again, waiting for the line to diminish in length. ‘He may not look like it, but he sometimes likes to avoid conflict... sometimes...’ Once it was his turn to enter the club, he stepped forward, only to be blocked by the bouncers. ‘Unfortunately, the bouncers weren’t too happy that night...’ “Hold on there, human!” one of them yelled, adjusting his suit and standing in front of the doorway. “Now, we ain’t got no place in the club for a big sack of shit like you, so you better get out.” ‘And fortunately, someone else was somewhat happy...’ The Gryphon pressed his talon against his head, sighing out, “Yes, understood...” Atlas smirked as the guard folded his legs. “Look, human, I’ll give you another chance... You want a job?” ‘He does seem like a good bouncer, doesn’t he?’ “Maybe,” he said, leaning down. “Why?” Huffing, the Gryphon continued, “Go talk to the bartender...” He made way for Atlas to step into the hallway. “Tell him that Reaver sent you. Now get outta my face or I’ll change my mind.” ‘And so he was let into the world’s most well-known club...’ He began his walk through the club’s entry, ignoring the protests of those still in the waiting line. ‘I think it was one of the closest instances of a ‘drug trip’ that I’ve ever had, just walking through that hallway. Strobing lights, trippy paintings, and...’ “Oooh...” a voice rang out as he reached the actual entry to the club. “Hello there, hunk!” Once his eyes adjusted to the lightning, he looked down to see two unicorn mares beaming up at him. ‘Except that two stallions greeted me instead...’ “Hmph?” “Welcome to your ‘Damnation’!” one of them exclaimed, lighting up her horn and bringing a small pill out of a small vase set upon a metallic table. “Here you go, you sexy thing!” She held it out for Atlas, who pinched the little pill out of her magical grip, keeping his stoic expression. “Now stand still!” A small, eye-like device on the ceiling scanned him, followed by a cybernetic voice speaking up, “Human, Ex-Guardsman, Over-augmented.” “Mmmh!” The other mare smiled. “Seems like you’re special! I like that...” “Now take these, and you’re ready to go!” They each held out a single earpiece for him, and just as before, he grabbed ahold of both items, though not bothering to place them in his ears. ‘I figured out that his ears wouldn’t explode like mine would have, so he didn’t put on the mufflers...’ “Have fun!” they both exclaimed as they parted to make way for him. He pushed open the doors and entered Damnation. ‘Just as him, my vision was attacked by a myriad of strobing, colorful lights. I could see people of all species just constantly dancing, each of them with a different style. All the way atthe other side of the massive club, I could see a huge platform with a female minotaur mixing the music... Easily one of the most interesting experiences I’ve ever had.’ Atlas continued to walk through the outer rim of the club, tossing the earbuds away. He pushed through the crowd, spilling drinks, forcing people to insult him, yet he paid no attention. His objective was only to find the main bar. ‘If I remember correctly, it was a male Gryphon that ran the bar... I could recall more, but it was probably a bad idea to swallow the pill they gave me at the entrance.’ He sat at one of the stools in front of the bar which, surprisingly, sustained his weight. Looking around, he spotted the bartender and snapped his fingers, catching the Gryphon’s attention. ‘Ah! He wore a business suit, and one of his eyes was blind!’ “What’s your poison?” “Water,” Atlas replied. “Soft stuff for a tough guy, huh?” the Gryphon chuckled as he leaned down to retrieve a bottle of water, setting it in front of Atlas. “Don’t try to be funny.” Atlas adjusted his cooling vest as he grabbed the bottle. “Let me guess...” The bartender leaned over to him. “You’re over-auged, so you overheat?” Atlas looked to the side. ‘The only thing that makes him uncomfortable...’ “Well, that explains the water.” He chuckled. “So, anything else?” Atlas looked back down at the Gryphon. “Reaver told me to talk to you.” “I see...” He rubbed his beak with his talon. “You like to fight, right? You sure look like it.” Atlas replied with a nod. “Heh!” The bartender turned to a door set on the other side of the bar. “Wait a sec, I’ll be right back!” ‘He smirked while watching the bartender rush to the door... And someone else rushed to him.’ “H-hello!” Atlas craned his neck to the side, then down, to see a small mareling sitting in the stool next to him and looking up at him with a smile. “Hi.” He turned back to the bottle of water. “I’m K-Karen, nice to meet you!” The little changeling beamed up at him. ‘Did I mention that he’s pretty much asexual?’ He chugged some of the water. “Uh-huh...” “What’s your uh... n-name?” She blushed, looking away from him. He huffed. ”Does it matter?” ‘What a gentleman...’ After a few minutes, Atlas looked behind the little changeling. “Hey, look at that!” He took the moment she turned around to crush the pill in his hand and allow the dust to fall on her drink. “Uhm...” She looked back at him. “What’s up?” “Can you drink?” he asked. “H-huh?” Atlas rolled his eyes. “I...” He groaned. “I like marelings that drink...” “Oh!” Karen grinned and lifted her drink. ‘Changelings absorb energy and chemicals extremely fast, and they’re not very resistant to the latter...’ The Gryphon bartender scratched his head a few moments after he arrived, looking at the sleeping mareling. “What happened?” Atlas shrugged. “Huh... Well, anyways, I’ve got a job for ya’. Just go through that door over there.” The bartender pointed to the door on the far side of the bar. The giant nodded. “Sure thing.” ‘He didn’t know what he was getting into...’ RebirthATLASRebirth I opened my journal and began to write... -------------------------------------- She huffed as the camera displayed the large man in one of her clubs. He stood in front of a door she knew very well what it led to. He hesitated, though, prompting her to tilt her head to the side. “Run a record check on him. Bring him in if everything fits.” “Yes ma’am.” -------------------------------------- Atlas woke up, the last thing he remembered being walking through a hallway, past the door at Club Damnation. His vision was hazy, looking around, trying to decipher where exactly he was at that moment. Corrupted sounds reaching his senses, voices, distorted. “Is everything ready?” a female voice asked. Atlas looked up, seeing a large medical machine, syringes, saws, drills, above him. “Begin now…” Atlas vision changed as the face of a pony looked down at him, red mane, yellow coat. “I’m sorry, Atlas.” He muttered something in response, only to be interrupted by an oxygen mask being placed over his mouth. His eyes widened as the pony left his field of vision. The machine above him whirred into life, coming down onto him. “Right arm, begin amputation.” Atlas’ senses fell silent, his view fading into darkness. When he was able to open his eyes once more, he groggily looked down at his body, finding a team of surgeons working on his open chest cavity. Pain, oh so much pain. He couldn’t scream, grunt, or anything like that. Both his arms were gone, replaced by metallic sockets. He examined his viscera, watching as the surgeons remove his lungs, hearts, and replaced them with cybernetic variants. His ribs, reinforced by metal and syntex. Further down, both his legs, the skin no longer there, the muscle replaced by more syntex. He briefly wondered what he was being turned into. Perhaps even more of a monster. His wanderings ended when one of the medics realized that he was awake, thus applying more anesthetics. He didn’t know how much time passed, but he woke up once more. Looked down at his chest, something else was being implanted. An energy core of some form, with a glimmering crystal inside of it. “He tried to move, alas, he could not. “Log number one hundred and thirty: assimilation of syntex fibers and reinforcements successful… I can’t believe how much this human can withstand… We’re beginning installation of the core, now.” Steadily, he watched as the new implant began to be installed into his chest. Was it even his chest anymore? He did not know. He did not want any of this. Why? He asked himself more questions before falling into unconsciousness again. He woke up with a searing pain across all of his body. His arms were still nonexistent. He screamed as loudly as he could, his new muscles tensing up. “Log number hundred and sixty five: installation of the core was hard, but manageable. His brain fought against the energy waves, but eventually gave up… Maybe it’s true, after all… The mind is weaker than the body.” “Beginning installation of ocular implants, now.” Atlas tried to break off of the surgical table he was strapped to, as the machinery above began to approach his eyes. “No anesthetics for this one… It’ll make it through.” He screamed as the searing pain of his eyes being removed struck him. For once, he wished he could just pass out, but he had been made to whistand pain. His vision faded away, feeling his the strange sense of air brushing against his open ocular cavities. Soon enough, two new eyes were forcefully implanted in the same holes. Cold, they were. “Good…confirm that subject is able to endure quite a lot. Pump his full of the nanite solution, now. The bots will do the rest from now on.” An emptiness within him began to be filled. He could not see, but he felt his three hearts working hard to pump a new form of blood into his body. “Hmph… DNA is beginning to change. Good. He’ll be the perfect mix of man and machine in no time.” The voice fell silent, then spoke up once more, “Unlock the dopamine receptors and install the arms. We’re almost done. Time passed, the pain diminishing. What began as sparks and random colours in his vision, soon began to adapt, showing him the world once again. “Good job, everyone… We just gave life to a monster.” Setting SailATLASSetting Sail ‘Twilight... You want to know who I am, don’t you?’ The stars, overwhelmed by the light coming from the massive Megapolis, were the only ceiling for the one and only remaining dirt road to what used to be Apex and Manehattan. ‘I’d tell you to just dig deeper, but... I guess it’s too late for that.’ Thundering steps, making their way, over the grassy hill. A massive silhouette made itself visible. ‘I’ll probably be gone for a long time, so I’m leaving you with this... A brief explanation of myself before I move on.’ He looked at the enormous city before him, with a stoic expression, unbreakable from foundation. ‘I’m at least three hundred years old. I was never born. I was ‘made’ somewhere during the Genesis Wars; you could say that I was bred in a glass tube. Of course, I wasn’t always the twelve foot giant that I am today. I still have the trace genes of a deceased man whose name I won’t give out. I have always been, and still am, ‘Atlas-C’... Or just ‘Atlas’, since the others are dead anyways.’ The city of metal, for every race in the planet, waiting for him. ‘I fought during that time, with a blank mind. It was later, after I was released, that my actual personality began to build itself. Becker took me under his wing, making himself my first friend... It was sad to see him go.’ He made sure the cooling vest he was wearing was tightly fastened. ‘I was used as a tool during the Aug Crisis, then sent to die on a planet without a name. I spent two hundred years there, my brain just rotting. I salvaged a MAC unit, which I’m pretty sure you’ve met... He was my only form of company during all that time. ‘Eventually, I was pulled out of the planet by Becker, during the rise of the Ubor war. He had me basically be mentally rebuilt, and then thrown into war once more. I just focused on one thing, to survive. That hasn’t changed... You already know how things went from there, since we got stuck onyour planet.’ Atlas drew in a deep breath, then sighed it out. ‘Now... If you want to know more, I’m afraid that you’re gonna have to follow my steps.’
New EarthATLASNew Earth Welcome to Post-Vector Earth... or whatever you want to call it. It really doesn’t matter, not after all these years. My work; the same as always. My library, a tad more roomey but nevertheless, still the same. The only thing that hasn't changed is my job as a librarian. Although now I have more studying to do than ever before, given all the knowledge the USC has accumulated over their centuries of existence, I have managed to carve my way through quite a bit during the last years. It’s been ten years now, ten years since they first arrived, since they changed everything. Once the massive monster that is the Vector blocked our skies and shrouded our land, I just knew that our lives would never be the same again. My friends and I, at least, have remained in contact, but it isn’t the same as before. Now the whole mix of demo and meritocracy of the humans slithered in. It’s not bad, but us ponies have had a hard time adapting since, well, we had been ruled by the Princesses for so long... Ponyville, once the center of my life. Now it’s being absorbed into the massive, metallic, and automated space of the city of Apex; once a human colony, now a so called “Megapolis.” The literal culmination of the United Species Coalition, the government that now covers the planet. I can’t believe that my treehouse is now surrounded by metallic buildings. Corporations, big and small, filling the land in the hundreds, spreading far over the Equestrian border... or where the border used to be. I guess Princess Luna got what she wanted; now the true life is at nightclubs, filled to the brim with alcohol and other substances. Did I mention how hard it is to get a human drunk? I’m never partaking in a drinking contest again. Even after all these years, we haven’t found a way for them to return. Most have settled, though many are still hellbent on trying to get back to the original USC. Small skirmishes have broken out between the two major pseudo-factions that dominate the land: the Pro-USC and the Anti-USC. Both being made up of ponies, minotaurs, changelings and griffons alike. Marelings are still desperate to catch a man... And now I realize that I haven’t been on a successful date in over ten years. Anyways... We have an entire fleet now, the Vector leading it. I was once in a ship, and I vomited... It’s hard to get used to artificial gravity, specially if you’re a pony. Minotaurs, Zebras, Gryphons, Changelings, Ponies, Humans, and even more now compose the USC. The humans did in one year what we never did in thousands. I’m happy with what I’ve got, to say the least. I’m happy to see Spike, who’s practically my son, grow up and spend more and more time with Apple Bloom. I wish he spent more time with me, though. I’ve been rather lonely for the last years, except for the occasional get-together with my friends. So, this is the USC... Cities of metal, harsh law, and both normal and underground life. What’s not to like?
District Hex-Twenty: PonyvilleATLASDistrict Hex-Twenty: Ponyville I remember when I could see the sun just by standing near my window... Now all the buildings block the view. My treehouse consists of a barely-living tree, and since the sunlight never reaches it, it’s almost always cold. I guess I should talk about how much the old Ponyville has changed, huh? Well... I miss the smell of books. Now all it takes for me to earn credits is to dictate things into my holopad and sell my recordings about magical and technological study. Sweet Apple Acres went bankrupt soon after we started to massively grow genetically-engineered fruits. Luckily, the Apple Family had enough resources left to finance Apple Bloom’s studies. She would then lead the creation of “Apple Industries,” now the leading corporation in technological advancements for humans and earth ponies. As for Applejack... She and what’s left of her family now live in a house ten times the size of mine, and still enjoy harvesting apples. I should also note that Big Macintosh was married to a short-lived, bipedal insectoid, (AKA Gektar), namely “Stars”... It was sad to see her go. SugarCube Corner is now a factory. They’re one of the biggest suppliers of, well, sugar-induced food from all around the globe. For the last five years Pinkie Pie has spent her life basically trying to welcome every new citizen on the sector. There are at least two per day... We still don’t have the heart to acknowledge that the recent years have gotten to her. Fluttershy... she’s deep into what remains of the Everfree forest, which is consistently getting smaller. The new, imposed urban life just wasn’t made for her. She lives near Zecora now, spending her days trying to save as much trees and animals she can, and even has invested onto “GoldenTalon Enterprises”, a company not very well known for its attitude towards humans. I wish I could go back in time. Now the whole concept of doing so is banned, burned, and worthy of execution on sight. Anyways... I remember Rarity’s face when all these new opportunities showed up, thinking it was finally her time to shine. And I also remember her face three years later, when she finally realized that her dreams were never to be true. Some images just never go away. Maybe it was the fact that Royalty was practically dissolved, meaning that fashion changed dramatically. She never quite got used to the new “modern” clothing. I guess something good had to happen to one of us. Rainbow Dash volunteered to be the first pony to have a cybernetic replacement for a limb. No anesthetics, of course. We didn’t have the knowledge for that. Luckily, everything turned out fine, but the searing pain left her somewhat afraid of the scalpel. The only way for her to fly as fast, or even faster, than before would be to have her other wing replaced. But of course, she doesn’t want to, for obvious reasons. And here we are now, just making the best we can out of our lives... Or whatever’s left of that.
GoneATLASGone ‘You never know what you have...’ I leaned into the scanner set at the door of my house, prompting it to flash into my right eye. Immediately after did I blink, pushing the now unlocked door and walking into the dark depths of the semi treehouse library. “I’m home!” ‘Until you lose it... Turning on the lights, I disposed of my scientific coat and sighed, looking into the main part of the house that once held a myriad of books. Yet something was missing. ‘I never saw it coming....’ Alone for once, nor Spike to be with me. I called out again, the single name of the giant who once occupied my house. ‘‘Made, not born,’ he always said. Used as a tool, he was. He lost his friends: Torres, Mac, and Becker.’ In complete silence, making my way deeper into my living room, I picked up a holopad, clicking on the last entry log. ‘He just said that he needed to find himself once more. I couldn’t stop him from that, but I was still worried.’ ‘My name is Twilight Sparkle... and this is the Path of Atlas...’
The ApexATLASThe Apex I opened my journal and began to write... -------------------------------------- ‘Twilight’s journal...’ ‘Apex is quite a marvel, isn’t it? I’ve been there, and my neck ended up hurting from looking up at all the wonders. You could say that the entire city is human-sized, except for the occasional building.’ “Welcome to Apex, citizen,” a female, cybernetic voice rang out. “Enjoy your stay.” ‘He had no real purpose in mind, even though he hadn’t stepped into the city for years. It was practically the same style as one from the original USC... ’ Stars, their brightness overwhelmed by that of the artificial lightning coming from what remained of the city’s old lights. Luna’s legacy, at the mercy of mankind’s own magnificence. Buildings that grazed the sky, yet never threatened to fall. Broad metallic streets, exclusive for the inhabitants and visitors of the great metropolis of steel. A multitude of civilian craft soared overhead, cutting through the clean air and the labyrinth of metal canyons that the city had become. Crowds of all species gathered throughout the streets, chatting, walking and enjoying the night. He examined the utopia from the checkpoint into the city proper, curious of how much it had changed over the course of the years. Set all around, holoscreens displayed advertisements from all sorts of corporations, leaving no room for any simple occupation. ‘Humans always refer to it as a shard of their history.’ “Come on big guy, keep moving!” Atlas was brought out of his musing as a small pony stallion nudged his leg. He looked over his shoulder to see a large crowd forming up behind him, eyeing him with curious and worried faces. Sighing, he continued walking while gazing up at the buildings that surrounded him. “Remember to join the Clan of Mankind, led by Iron Will!” “Meet a marelingtoday!” “The Colonial Guard is always there for you.” “Hmph.” The titanic man decided to pay no heed to the advertisements at the time, instead focusing on his task to explore Apex: once a military colony, now the center of the USC. He couldn’t help but remember how it had once looked. ‘What really piques my interest is just how diverse the city is...’ Higher Apex, the area for big time corporations and high-end civilian housing. Not the place he was looking for by any means, and his pocket fell short for the sort of things it offered. His sights were set on Lower Apex, where the true nightlife took place. Clubs, low-end housing, and shady business. Crime was pervasive, but it wasn't anything the titan couldn't handle. ‘Just what he wanted.’ He walked into a small building, then into an elevator placed inside. Cramped with ponies, changelings, gryphons, and a few minotaurs. They each looked up at him curiously and distanced themselves as the metallic box began its descent. The giant closed his eyes for a moment, several different images fluttering through his mind, reviving old times. ‘Just as me, he found it hard to believe that so many years had already passed... ’ “Mah name’s Apple Bloom!” ‘The ghosts of war still haunted his waking thoughts...’ “Get down!” “I’m not dead yet!” He shook his head, sighing, old times now past. Life, always playing tricks. He looked at his left arm, Syntex fibers for skin and muscle, metal for bone, cables for nerves. A second chance was given to both him and his friend, a chance he would not waste. “How many friends do I have now?” he asked himself. His friends were mostly gone, either dead or missing. Twilight, perhaps. The little pony that still seemed to show companionship towards him, at least. ‘I do feel affection towards him, and I feel that many do. It’sjust hard to get him to trust you.’ The elevator finally passed through the bowels of Higher Apex, allowing those inside to peer out from the closure of the windowed elevator. Atlas leaned down to gaze through, into the mass of Lower Apex. Endless expanses of underground caves, buildings that rose from the water below, streets that were purely bridges above. Few craft floated slowly nearby as the elevator lowered itself, gently touching the end of its course. The giant walked out, and following was the rest of the crowd, only to be replaced by those who sought to reach the almost autonomous upper city. ‘However, I've never been to Lower Apex, nor do I want to. It’s not exactly one of the safest places to be in...’ He took a deep breath of the sector’s cold, damp air. Tightening his cooling vest, he continued onwards, no specific direction in mind. Neon signs hung from the buildings, serving as reminders for both the new and the old. One grabbed his attention, reading “Hatcha’s Crashing Place Hotel!” ‘He had to find a place to stay at. What better than a half-decent hotel? He never asked for much, and knew that he had to save as many credits as he could.’ The door slid open, hydraulics whirred to life. Inside, a rustic room greeted him. He didn’t care for anything other than the small counter. He walked over to it, almost having to crouch in order to avoid hitting the ceiling. ‘A single, elderly changeling greeted him. Hatcha, just as the name of the hotel. Quite a good person, as far as I can tell, and didn’t seem to be scared of Atlas.’ “Hey there, stranger!” the old changeling exclaimed. “What’cha need?” ‘Needless to say, Atlas didn’t match up to Hatcha’s personality...’ He looked at the elevator over at the other side of the hotel, muttering, “Room.” ‘Simple... Particularly when talking to people he had never met before.’ “Oh!” Hatcha said, placing his hooves on the counter and smiling up at the giant. “How many da-” ‘Straight to the point...’ “Week.” Hatcha craned his neck backwards, looking at Atlas with an inquisitive expression. “OOookay...” He pointed at a small console set on the counter. “It’s fourteen thousand creds, friend. Just scan yourself with that doo-weeckle over there to confirm the transaction.” Wasting no time, Atlas moved over to the console and leaned closer to it, prompting it to scan his eyes. ‘He knew that I would follow him, since he used my own account to make it easier for me...Or just wanted to save credits.’ “Alright, stranger. You’re in room twenty, enjoy your stay!” Hatcha waved at Atlas as he made his way over to the elevator. ‘I think the elevator broke while he was in it, since it was gone when I got there.’ Atlas sighed, looking at the burned out panel that controlled the elevator. He crouched out of the metallic box and looked at the awestruck changeling. “Sorry, I’ll just use the stairs.” ‘I also remember the bent stairs...” “Sorry!” he exclaimed, glancing at the damaged metal stairs that led to the second floor. He silently chuckled and moved on. ‘Second floor, end of the hallway... Room twenty.’ The door slid open automatically as he reached the end of the hallway. Crouching through it, he sighed, looking around the room. ‘Just the basics... A bed, a small kitchen, bathroom, closet, desk...’ He calmly made his way over to the desk and sat down on the floor. Pulling a holopad out of his pocket, he tapped it with his large fingers a couple of times, bringing up a small photo album. ‘Torres...’ He gazed longingly at the picture. In it were his last true friends. Becker, Mac, and of course Torres. He sighed as the pain of his lost comrades hit particularly hard. ‘He missed them... Becker had died, the others just disappeared some years later.’ Atlas stared at the picture, smiling. “Guess we all parted ways, then...” He zoomed in on Torres’ face, huffing. “You wanted to see my face one last time... Thought you’d at least return the favor...” ‘None of them had reallysaid anything when they left... All of that just added to his already deteriorating state.’ He sighed, shaking his head while flicking the photos away. “What now?” he said to no one in particular, leaning down to look through the window, overlooking the vast underworld of Lower Apex. ‘As he continued to gaze over the undercity, something caught his eye... Club Damnation.’ Atlas smiled and chuckled. For the first time in years, he had a direction to follow.
Club DamnationATLASClub Damnation -------------------------------------- I opened my journal and began to write... -------------------------------------- ‘Twilight’s journal...’ “Rise and shine, Mister Atlas.” Ringing, the alarm clock caught his attention. He turned to it, sighing. ‘He’s never been able to sleep. He used to be my watchdog, you know?’ Gingerly, he placed his holopad onto the bed, right next to himself. ‘He had been looking at a picture of my friends and I, with him behind us. The last picture we took, when his friends were already gone...’ His eyes stared at the pad, looking deep into the picture of old. The alarm clock kept ringing, he ignored it. ‘I should have known... All he needed was friendship, and me, an old student of the magic of friendship, didn’t notice that. Nostalgia was eatingat himinch by inch, consuming his mind.’ Finally, he took his eyes away from the flat device, focusing on the window instead. Morning, yet Lower Apex remained dim as ever, only the artificial neon signs and lights to provide just enough brightness for one to be comfortable. His hands rested upon the bed, feeling the soft linen of the covers as he broke them. Such a gentle feeling, yet unsuiting for his destructive nature. ‘Alarm clock continued to rattle away...He never did really like alarm clocks, I guess he didn't like the one in his room either...’ Atlas looked at his bloodied hand, then back at the obliterated clock. Shards of metal and plastic stuck out from his palm. He watched as the crimson fluid seeped out of the wounds, trickling onto the floor. ‘I had to follow the trail of blood into the bathroom.’ He looked at the broken valve held in his undamaged hand, tossing it away. The sink continued to pour water constantly. He dipped his hand into the stream, watching as it washed the blood away. ‘He spent some minutes pulling the broken clock pieces out of his palm.’ With a stoic expression, unchanged since his arrival, he pulled the last piece out of his self, his hand once again bloody, yet the flow diminishing. Flicking the shard away, he formed a small cup with his hands and let the stream of water wash away the remaining trails of blood before leaning down and washing his face. ‘When I got there, the first aid kit under the sink was open...’ Tightly, he adjusted the bandage around his hand, then looked at the mirror, at the reflection of himself. ‘His scarred face and overly large body made him feel almost like a monster. I... don’t blame him for that...’ His cybernetic fist, now stuck into the broken mirror. Breathing heavily, he pulled the limb away, allowing the shards of glass to fall, then looked through the window. ‘Damnation was waiting for him...’ Atlas’ eyes locked onto the large building that was Club Damnation. -------------------------------------- “Howdy stranger!” Hatcha exclaimed from behind the counter. “How’d the sleep go-” ‘I feel bad for the old changeling...’ “No,” Atlas muttered, slowly walking down the stairs and into the living room of the hotel. “I don’t sleep.” He crouched to avoid the ceiling, moving over to Hatcha. ‘He noticed Atlas’ bandaged hand.’ “Uhm... Stranger?” Atlas huffed, reaching into his pocket to reveal a credit chip. “It’s nothing, now take this.” He tossed it onto the counter. “Nobody walks into my room, okay?” ‘Once again, he knew that I was behind him, or at least, he hoped so. I can only assume that he wanted the room to be intact so I could trace him easily.’ “What...” the changeling muttered, picking up the credit chip. “Oh! Sure thing stranger!” ‘Good thing that he didn’t have the idea of using my account again...’ “Good.” The giant turned to the door, sighing and walking over to it. ‘Waiting for him was Lower Apex. Hovering above were civilian craft, casting shadows over a crowd of people composed by all species who walked below. Buildings that stretched all the way up into the top of the cave system, neon signs and lights all around... I really hope that Ponyville doesn’t turn into this. It’s okay, but... Can’t we keep at least a piece of our original culture? I’m sure Atlas would agree.’ People shot worried glances up at Atlas and moved away from him as he walked through the middle of the street. He looked around the area for a particular building. ‘A twelve-foot tall giant is hard to miss. Some even confuse him for a Colonial Guardsman in a heavy exosuit, and even without it they only standat nine feet...’ He smirked as his eyes locked onto a restaurant. “Joe’s Restobar!” He walked over to it, bumping into other people as he did so. They looked up at him fearfully, returning to their own world as they saw him enter the building. ‘A human restaurant... I couldn’t stand the smell of burning flesh...’ Once inside, he was greeted by the sight of several tables, the smell of grilled meat, and the sounds of both conversations and clattering utensils. Humans, Gryphons, and Changelings sat behind the tables, enjoying their meals along one another. ‘He walked over to a table and sat down, several eyes locking onto him...’ Atlas sighed as he pushed away the bent metal chair, opting to sit on the floor instead, but not without causing a small earthquake. He carefully rested one of his arms on the table, glaring at those who were still looking at him. ‘A waiter cautiously approached him. A gryphon, whose eyes were of gold.’ “Welcome, sir. May I take your-” “Five family portions of bacon and eggs, along with five large beers,” Atlas said with a blunt tone, not even bothering to look at the waiter, who smiled awkwardly. “Will do, sir!” he exclaimed. “Your meal should be here in... fifteen minute-” Atlas calmly turned to the waiter. “Make it five, or I’ll make you into fried chicken myself.” ‘Classy...’ He spent his time trying to get a hold of the forks and knives, only managing to bend them in the process. ‘Three, two, one...’ A team of Gryphon waiters rushed to his table, each of them holding a single, oversized plate of bacon and eggs, along with a massive jug of beer. They set their baggage on the table and smiled, waiting for him to say something. He eyed each of them, watching as their feathers drenched with cold sweat. “Good.” ‘The waiters sighed a breath of relief and went to different tables, leaving him alone with his food... His eating habits are as bad as he looks.’ Atlas chugged down the last of the beers, calmly placing the jug on the table and looking down at the empty plates. He huffed, grabbing one of them and biting into it. ‘He also eats ceramic...’ The wait staff and everyone else in the restaurant looked on in stunned disbelief, the former frozen in terror. Atlas turned slowly to them, and smiled. Half the waiters were too terrified to even react. When Atlas finally opened his mouth to say "That was a good meal,” they each turned away and went back to their tasks. ‘Once he paid for that oversized meal using my account, he got up and walked out into the streets once more...’ With his spirit lifted by the meal, Atlas continued to walk, following the path that would eventually lead him to the club. ‘There’s a saying that goes, ‘It’salways night in Lower Apex’... I can only say that it’s basically true, since there is no day-night cycle, and the clubs function all day, all week.’ He rounded a corner, finding himself at the end of a long line leading to a massive building with holoscreens displaying the word “Damnation!” ‘And almost always, especiallyin Damnation, you’ll have to wait a few hours before even walking into it.’ “Hmph...” He estimated that at least an hour had passed, an hour of boredom. Eventually, all that stood between him and the entry to the club was a group of three men. ‘He wasn’t in the mood to wait any longer...’ A single, young man cut into the line, right in front of him. Atlas unfolded his arms and grunted, prompting the man to look up. “H-Heh... S-sorry, big guy, I was here first!” ‘Everything but the music went silent, and even the Gryphon bouncers looked up at him. The group of men turned to him, glaring up at his face with barely enough confidence.’ “Move,” he muttered. The young men grinned, one of them exclaiming, “You got a problem with us?” Atlas sighed and shook his head. He folded his arms once again, waiting for the line to diminish in length. ‘He may not look like it, but he sometimes likes to avoid conflict... sometimes...’ Once it was his turn to enter the club, he stepped forward, only to be blocked by the bouncers. ‘Unfortunately, the bouncers weren’t too happy that night...’ “Hold on there, human!” one of them yelled, adjusting his suit and standing in front of the doorway. “Now, we ain’t got no place in the club for a big sack of shit like you, so you better get out.” ‘And fortunately, someone else was somewhat happy...’ The Gryphon pressed his talon against his head, sighing out, “Yes, understood...” Atlas smirked as the guard folded his legs. “Look, human, I’ll give you another chance... You want a job?” ‘He does seem like a good bouncer, doesn’t he?’ “Maybe,” he said, leaning down. “Why?” Huffing, the Gryphon continued, “Go talk to the bartender...” He made way for Atlas to step into the hallway. “Tell him that Reaver sent you. Now get outta my face or I’ll change my mind.” ‘And so he was let into the world’s most well-known club...’ He began his walk through the club’s entry, ignoring the protests of those still in the waiting line. ‘I think it was one of the closest instances of a ‘drug trip’ that I’ve ever had, just walking through that hallway. Strobing lights, trippy paintings, and...’ “Oooh...” a voice rang out as he reached the actual entry to the club. “Hello there, hunk!” Once his eyes adjusted to the lightning, he looked down to see two unicorn mares beaming up at him. ‘Except that two stallions greeted me instead...’ “Hmph?” “Welcome to your ‘Damnation’!” one of them exclaimed, lighting up her horn and bringing a small pill out of a small vase set upon a metallic table. “Here you go, you sexy thing!” She held it out for Atlas, who pinched the little pill out of her magical grip, keeping his stoic expression. “Now stand still!” A small, eye-like device on the ceiling scanned him, followed by a cybernetic voice speaking up, “Human, Ex-Guardsman, Over-augmented.” “Mmmh!” The other mare smiled. “Seems like you’re special! I like that...” “Now take these, and you’re ready to go!” They each held out a single earpiece for him, and just as before, he grabbed ahold of both items, though not bothering to place them in his ears. ‘I figured out that his ears wouldn’t explode like mine would have, so he didn’t put on the mufflers...’ “Have fun!” they both exclaimed as they parted to make way for him. He pushed open the doors and entered Damnation. ‘Just as him, my vision was attacked by a myriad of strobing, colorful lights. I could see people of all species just constantly dancing, each of them with a different style. All the way atthe other side of the massive club, I could see a huge platform with a female minotaur mixing the music... Easily one of the most interesting experiences I’ve ever had.’ Atlas continued to walk through the outer rim of the club, tossing the earbuds away. He pushed through the crowd, spilling drinks, forcing people to insult him, yet he paid no attention. His objective was only to find the main bar. ‘If I remember correctly, it was a male Gryphon that ran the bar... I could recall more, but it was probably a bad idea to swallow the pill they gave me at the entrance.’ He sat at one of the stools in front of the bar which, surprisingly, sustained his weight. Looking around, he spotted the bartender and snapped his fingers, catching the Gryphon’s attention. ‘Ah! He wore a business suit, and one of his eyes was blind!’ “What’s your poison?” “Water,” Atlas replied. “Soft stuff for a tough guy, huh?” the Gryphon chuckled as he leaned down to retrieve a bottle of water, setting it in front of Atlas. “Don’t try to be funny.” Atlas adjusted his cooling vest as he grabbed the bottle. “Let me guess...” The bartender leaned over to him. “You’re over-auged, so you overheat?” Atlas looked to the side. ‘The only thing that makes him uncomfortable...’ “Well, that explains the water.” He chuckled. “So, anything else?” Atlas looked back down at the Gryphon. “Reaver told me to talk to you.” “I see...” He rubbed his beak with his talon. “You like to fight, right? You sure look like it.” Atlas replied with a nod. “Heh!” The bartender turned to a door set on the other side of the bar. “Wait a sec, I’ll be right back!” ‘He smirked while watching the bartender rush to the door... And someone else rushed to him.’ “H-hello!” Atlas craned his neck to the side, then down, to see a small mareling sitting in the stool next to him and looking up at him with a smile. “Hi.” He turned back to the bottle of water. “I’m K-Karen, nice to meet you!” The little changeling beamed up at him. ‘Did I mention that he’s pretty much asexual?’ He chugged some of the water. “Uh-huh...” “What’s your uh... n-name?” She blushed, looking away from him. He huffed. ”Does it matter?” ‘What a gentleman...’ After a few minutes, Atlas looked behind the little changeling. “Hey, look at that!” He took the moment she turned around to crush the pill in his hand and allow the dust to fall on her drink. “Uhm...” She looked back at him. “What’s up?” “Can you drink?” he asked. “H-huh?” Atlas rolled his eyes. “I...” He groaned. “I like marelings that drink...” “Oh!” Karen grinned and lifted her drink. ‘Changelings absorb energy and chemicals extremely fast, and they’re not very resistant to the latter...’ The Gryphon bartender scratched his head a few moments after he arrived, looking at the sleeping mareling. “What happened?” Atlas shrugged. “Huh... Well, anyways, I’ve got a job for ya’. Just go through that door over there.” The bartender pointed to the door on the far side of the bar. The giant nodded. “Sure thing.” ‘He didn’t know what he was getting into...’
RebirthATLASRebirth I opened my journal and began to write... -------------------------------------- She huffed as the camera displayed the large man in one of her clubs. He stood in front of a door she knew very well what it led to. He hesitated, though, prompting her to tilt her head to the side. “Run a record check on him. Bring him in if everything fits.” “Yes ma’am.” -------------------------------------- Atlas woke up, the last thing he remembered being walking through a hallway, past the door at Club Damnation. His vision was hazy, looking around, trying to decipher where exactly he was at that moment. Corrupted sounds reaching his senses, voices, distorted. “Is everything ready?” a female voice asked. Atlas looked up, seeing a large medical machine, syringes, saws, drills, above him. “Begin now…” Atlas vision changed as the face of a pony looked down at him, red mane, yellow coat. “I’m sorry, Atlas.” He muttered something in response, only to be interrupted by an oxygen mask being placed over his mouth. His eyes widened as the pony left his field of vision. The machine above him whirred into life, coming down onto him. “Right arm, begin amputation.” Atlas’ senses fell silent, his view fading into darkness. When he was able to open his eyes once more, he groggily looked down at his body, finding a team of surgeons working on his open chest cavity. Pain, oh so much pain. He couldn’t scream, grunt, or anything like that. Both his arms were gone, replaced by metallic sockets. He examined his viscera, watching as the surgeons remove his lungs, hearts, and replaced them with cybernetic variants. His ribs, reinforced by metal and syntex. Further down, both his legs, the skin no longer there, the muscle replaced by more syntex. He briefly wondered what he was being turned into. Perhaps even more of a monster. His wanderings ended when one of the medics realized that he was awake, thus applying more anesthetics. He didn’t know how much time passed, but he woke up once more. Looked down at his chest, something else was being implanted. An energy core of some form, with a glimmering crystal inside of it. “He tried to move, alas, he could not. “Log number one hundred and thirty: assimilation of syntex fibers and reinforcements successful… I can’t believe how much this human can withstand… We’re beginning installation of the core, now.” Steadily, he watched as the new implant began to be installed into his chest. Was it even his chest anymore? He did not know. He did not want any of this. Why? He asked himself more questions before falling into unconsciousness again. He woke up with a searing pain across all of his body. His arms were still nonexistent. He screamed as loudly as he could, his new muscles tensing up. “Log number hundred and sixty five: installation of the core was hard, but manageable. His brain fought against the energy waves, but eventually gave up… Maybe it’s true, after all… The mind is weaker than the body.” “Beginning installation of ocular implants, now.” Atlas tried to break off of the surgical table he was strapped to, as the machinery above began to approach his eyes. “No anesthetics for this one… It’ll make it through.” He screamed as the searing pain of his eyes being removed struck him. For once, he wished he could just pass out, but he had been made to whistand pain. His vision faded away, feeling his the strange sense of air brushing against his open ocular cavities. Soon enough, two new eyes were forcefully implanted in the same holes. Cold, they were. “Good…confirm that subject is able to endure quite a lot. Pump his full of the nanite solution, now. The bots will do the rest from now on.” An emptiness within him began to be filled. He could not see, but he felt his three hearts working hard to pump a new form of blood into his body. “Hmph… DNA is beginning to change. Good. He’ll be the perfect mix of man and machine in no time.” The voice fell silent, then spoke up once more, “Unlock the dopamine receptors and install the arms. We’re almost done. Time passed, the pain diminishing. What began as sparks and random colours in his vision, soon began to adapt, showing him the world once again. “Good job, everyone… We just gave life to a monster.”
Setting SailATLASSetting Sail ‘Twilight... You want to know who I am, don’t you?’ The stars, overwhelmed by the light coming from the massive Megapolis, were the only ceiling for the one and only remaining dirt road to what used to be Apex and Manehattan. ‘I’d tell you to just dig deeper, but... I guess it’s too late for that.’ Thundering steps, making their way, over the grassy hill. A massive silhouette made itself visible. ‘I’ll probably be gone for a long time, so I’m leaving you with this... A brief explanation of myself before I move on.’ He looked at the enormous city before him, with a stoic expression, unbreakable from foundation. ‘I’m at least three hundred years old. I was never born. I was ‘made’ somewhere during the Genesis Wars; you could say that I was bred in a glass tube. Of course, I wasn’t always the twelve foot giant that I am today. I still have the trace genes of a deceased man whose name I won’t give out. I have always been, and still am, ‘Atlas-C’... Or just ‘Atlas’, since the others are dead anyways.’ The city of metal, for every race in the planet, waiting for him. ‘I fought during that time, with a blank mind. It was later, after I was released, that my actual personality began to build itself. Becker took me under his wing, making himself my first friend... It was sad to see him go.’ He made sure the cooling vest he was wearing was tightly fastened. ‘I was used as a tool during the Aug Crisis, then sent to die on a planet without a name. I spent two hundred years there, my brain just rotting. I salvaged a MAC unit, which I’m pretty sure you’ve met... He was my only form of company during all that time. ‘Eventually, I was pulled out of the planet by Becker, during the rise of the Ubor war. He had me basically be mentally rebuilt, and then thrown into war once more. I just focused on one thing, to survive. That hasn’t changed... You already know how things went from there, since we got stuck onyour planet.’ Atlas drew in a deep breath, then sighed it out. ‘Now... If you want to know more, I’m afraid that you’re gonna have to follow my steps.’
