Equestria, 1991. The country was on the brink of war with the Zebra domain. Time was running out and Celestia needed a new plan of action. In a secret laboratory in the North, a special project was underway. Dubbed ‘Super Six’ by the scientist that worked in this hidden lab, six embryos were being cultured and developed in special giant tubes. A few days after what was believed to be a success, two of the six failed. The remaining four were utilized as a top priority to keep alive. Six months later, the eldest of the four was showing signs that there was something very wrong. That is where the story of the Skunk Mares begin.
Celestia paced the back wall of the laboratory. Her mind was on the report that her top scouts gave her. The Zebra army was massing at the borders, preparing to set sail for the war to end wars as most ponykind had called it. The Sun Princess was worried that her newest program was showing signs of absolute failure.
“Why is the eldest growing a massive tail? Most ponies have fairly short tails and the females have long tails for the most part! That tail that Number 1 has... The length of it is outrageous! What is going on!?”
As Celestia slammed her hoof down, the chief scientist cautiously walked up to her.
“Your majesty, please contain your anger. The Zebra Army has a huge ocean to cross. We just know that there is plenty of time to finish this project.”
The chief’s words soothed Celestia’s nerves. She kept pacing back and forth hoping this fight wouldn’t have to happen. Over the past two years, the peace loving zebras had been becoming more aggressive at the international conferences. They want more fertile land to grow fruit. Appeasement deteriorated and no solution seemed to be in sight. Celestia had been at wits end. Just when she needed her sister the most, Luna was banished to the moon.
A buzzer went off and a young scientist motioned for the chief to come to her.
“I found the reason on why the four remaining specimens are looking more different... She isn’t going to like the answer.”
The chief spoke silently with the young mare for a bit, then walked back to Celestia.
“Your majesty... There seems to be a huge flaw in the project and we recommend immediate termination of the subjects. The plan to build super soldiers has work, but there is a major malfunction in the subjects. Unbeknownst to us, a rouge scientist had mixed another DNA sample in with the DNA that was made into the super soldiers serum.” He took a slight pause. “I myself have no way of saying this, but I guess I must be blunt... The new DNA that we didn’t catch until now was DNA from mephitis mephitis... a skunk.” He said turning red in the face, worried about Celestia’s reaction to such news.
Celestia stopped in mid walk. Her ears heard him, but she didn’t understand how a folly of this magnitude was able to go unnoticed.
“A...A skunk?” She stared at the chief. “Terminate them over that and risk the potential super soldier program falling away? Oh...Luna! Why did you have to go insane when you did!?” Celestia shook her head. “Keep them! Slow the other three down! We will have to see how Number One will act upon release! Until then, I will see if we can halt the progression of the war...” Celestia stormed out of the lab.
The chief shook his head and gave a hearty sigh. “Add the suppressor to the three. They will be put into hibernation until we can see how Number 1 will react as a half skunk half pony. Who knows, maybe they will not make it. Except the vital signs are saying otherwise.” He clopped his hooves together as the lab started to stir. “This is going to be the ruin of me! I will wager bits to doughnuts that it was that freak of an OCD scientist that caused this. Better clear my mind however, ‘Tia wants to see this through, therefore we will finish...” He said heading to the vital machine.
Three months later...
The lab began to stir as the time to wake the filly had come. Her pink skin had been replaced with short black fur. Her mane had grown out as well and had a single white stripe through it. On her back, there was the markings of a regular skunk as she had a two white stripe pattern on her back that led up to the tip of her huge tail. She was small for the size that they wanted and seemed to be the runt.
“Drain the tube!” The chief called out and moments later, the liquid that had surrounded her drained and slowly the young filly fell to the bottom of the tank. She had come to a rest at the bottom as the tube rose up and above her. Her wet fur hit the semi-frigid air and the young filly shivered and took a deep breath. This was the gasp of life for her and she slowly opened her eyes as the chief walked up to her.
“So young and precious. You are mighty adorable for a skunk pony.” The scientist paced around her. As he did, the small filly watched him closely. “Hmm... Everything seems to be in order. You have the warning marks on you, but the one question that needs asked: Can you spray like a skunk?” He said, his horn started to glow. The skunk mare was surrounded by an aura as she was carefully lifted into the air.
Upon liftoff, the filly seemed a bit scared as she was brought up face to face with the chief scientist. She had a cute smile on her face and reached her hoofs out to him. “Da-da?” She said grabbing his muzzle.
To be honest, the chief was a bit stunned that she recognized him as a surrogate father. Equally impressive was the fact that she was able to speak so soon. The scientist may have bypassed the infant stages of her life, but being able to speak so soon was outstanding. “Name must be given to her. Celestia wanted to use Darkmane as her last name, but her first... Tough choices... L...ela...nnie... Lelannie Darkmane. I think it would be wonderful. What do you think, young one? Do you like Lelannie?” He playfully joked with her.
Surprisingly, she understood. “Lelannie!” She said with an excited throw of her forelegs. She was now looking around the lab, checking out the bleeps and the blooping. The lights were awe striking to her as well. She giggled a bit and batted the chief on the nose.
The chief didn’t flinch. He smiled as he had a feeling that she would be troubling to them. The false assumption of his project would prove very badly later. For now, he set her down and backed up a bit to see how effective her walk cycle was. She bounded towards him like a normal skunk would. “She needs to act more like a pony...oh well. There is work to be done! We need to educate her and get her ready for war!” The chief thundered as the lab once again fluttered with activity.
Over the next several months, Lelannie grew in size, but not much. She was a quick learner of history, science and math. Her learning skills severely out ranked her combat skills unless it came to her natural defense. She strangely loved to spray without warning and reason. The chief noted this as the crew had to become careful around her. So far, the magic was able to make walls to stop the team from being hit. She was ornery and wanted to make everyone aware of the power. She loved it. That was until she had to start actual combat training.
She never wanted to fight, and the poor soul that was chosen to help her train eventually quit on the spot after what seem to be his 800th spraying. The chief had to sit her down for a pretty severe scolding. Lelannie didn’t take this well at all. She became less and less enthusiastic about living there. She stopped her normal routine of sneaking around and trying to spray those she meets while doing so. The chief was having less and less time to be with her. Then the lab received word that Celestia wanted to meet her. The chief sat her down to tell her about it.
“Lelannie...we have received word that the Princess herself is on her way to meet you. I am asking you to please be on your best behavior. Celestia herself will not take getting sprayed lightly. She is a very busy mare and doesn’t have time to wash 12 times just to smell decent enough to go into public. She would gut you like a hog!” Chief said very concerned about Lelannie and her actions.
“But dad! There are spells you can use to de stink her! I don’t want to meet Celestia anyway! She is a meanie! I want my sisters now! I’m sick of being alone! I want to have people to play with!” Lelannie whined. In truth, being stuck in the lab meant that she couldn’t meet other fillies and colts. She was growing up with adults only.
Chief shook his head. “No buts young lady! We both know that at this point, the three embryos are dead in the freeze tanks! You will be on your best behavior tomorrow! We have a dress made for you and you WILL wear it! Celestia’s judgment on your progress will say how things will go. If you pass, I will try my hardest to get the other three living again. Now! Its time for bed.” He said picking her up with his magic. “Lelly…just do this for me...your father...please.” He laid her in her bed and tucked her in. “I may have been busy, but I promise to spend more time with you.” He said kissing her head. “Goodnight Le-“ She had fallen asleep and he let her rest. He walked out of the room, silently closing the door behind her.
