The Price Of Evil

Perspective: Democles

Date: January 13th, 2557

Location: "Bat Country"

        "What is that supposed to mean?"

        Before my question could be answered, the sound of scurrying around fills my ears as hundreds of red dots litter my radar. Even if I had the most advanced armor and weapons known to mankind at my disposal, there's no way I could kill all of them. I check my pistol to see it has recharged completely and has all fifty shots loaded. I glance around, spotting all of them eyeing me. I shot a glance at the castle before I knew I what was about to happen.

      "Move! NOW!"

       I hear the Artificial Intelligence's voice echo in my head as they all dove for me, their wings flapping furiously. I dodged and rolled into a crack in the ground, tumbling down a tunnel until I fell into a huge pile of bones. I laid there a minute until I stood up, trying to ignore that I'm standing on the remains of several people. I sigh as I look to my Weld, my energy shield almost to full charge. I'm hoping that these... Ponies aren't capable of knocking out power.

       "A.I, how do we get out of here?"

       "I have a name, but I guess Luna is a little slow sometimes. I'm Osiris, and the nearest exit is a to the right. Sorry I don't have the exact coordinates, I'm still trying to get used to this suit. It's not like anything I have interacted with before." I sigh as I move through the tunnel, clutching my shoulder as it starts to burn alot. I hope I'm not dying from that nasty bite that bat put into me, no more than a day and I'll already be dying. Let's just hope for the best.

       I spotted something farther in the tunnel and approached cautiously, hoping it wasn't another Bat Pony. I shot a glance to it's sides and I saw two leathery appendages on it's barrel, so I guess I knew. I went to aim, but stopped. I looked down to my shoulder and saw the blood leaking from the two bite wounds was black. They're fucking poisonous, I knew it. Well, I should and try get out of this tunnel, find myself a cure and continue towards the East. I went to shoot the pony when Osiris interrupted me.

       "Wait. I scanned it and it's identified as a friendly, meaning that the poison they injected into you is too strong and think you're one of them; you can basically walk right past it. If we don't find you a cure soon, well... You don't know want to know." I nodded and started to sidestep my way around the Bat Pony when it sniffed at the air before returning to whatever it was doing. Well, Osiris was right. I started walking normally and left the creature to itself. I blink and suddenly everything is brighter, granting me better vision in this vision.

       "What the fuck?" I mutter to myself as I stare at the wound, seeing the blood turn to purple.

       "Democles, we need to get out of here and find you a doctor... Whatever that may be."

       "I hear you..." I say distantly, my eyes focused on a bright light in front of me. I raise my hand to touch it, which prompts it move farther away from me. I jog to it and reach out to it again, and it appears to left. Is this thing leading me out of here? I approach it and it vanishes and returns to my right, and it's in front of a extremely bright light. I think I see a tree, so I run towards it and out into the sunlight. I hiss in pain as I step out, my arm and shoulder burning immensely. I see the skin starting to grow pale and the blood turn back to red. What is happening to me?

        "Democles, if your skin is burning due to sunlight, then we're too late. The poison's been in too long to be able to extract it from you. If I'm scanning this right, you have four years to live because of your P.D.S and Weld fighting off the infection. Normally, you'd be dead already. But, I guess those two things are strong enough to prolong it enough for you to get Luna and restore her to normal. Now, if we're fast enough, we can-"

        "Wait, return her to normal? What are you talking about?" I ask, trying to push my life expectancy to the far reaches in the back of my mind.

        "Luna is corrupted, she's using you. She's using you to release her from the Moon so she can bring about Eternal Night. A thousand years ago she was corrupted by the Darkness, which also corrupted a King, and was banished to the Moon's Core by her sister. In a few months, the stars will aid in her escape and she'll return to kill her sister and rule the land with an iron fist. I'm sorry, but that deal you made was you selling your soul to her."

       I drop to my knees as I try to comprehend what Osiris informed me. I'm already going to die by a fucking poison in four years, but I'm also being used for someone's escape to kill their own sister? I sigh as I close my eyes, thinking about what I should do now considering I have a deadline to make. Four years, that's not enough. Not enough to live. I exhale as I stand up, gripping my pistol in my hand and my right hand seeping flames from my finger tips.

        "Well, let's get going then."

        "Wait, you're still freeing her? Why? What could you possibly gain from freeing her?"

        "The opportunity to regain my soul."

        "It's still going to take a few months to get there, Demo."

        "... Do you exactly know when I'm going to die?" I ask, dreading the answer.

        "Four years, six months, twenty seven days, thirteen hours, seven minutes, and thirty two seconds. I'm sorry that you know when you're going to die, it's something nobody should know." I sigh as I start heading West, my skin sizzling from the sun. I shot one last glance towards the castle before continuing on. We both stayed silent for what seemed like days. Neither us didn't know what to do or say, especially me. I never thought I would die in my thirties'.

       "Demo, there's something you should know..."

       "What is it?"

       "The poison is basically Bat Pony blood. When it's injected into any type of creature, they start to..."

       "They start to what?" I ask, as I stop walking so I can hear her answer.

       "They start to turn."

       "Into what?" I already knew the answer, I just wanted clarification on what I'm hearing.

       "Into Bat Ponies. It happens, that's how their numbers grow. If you noticed, you're burning from the Sun and your blood is turning." I sigh as I continue walking.

       "How long before I turn?"

       "Two weeks." Well, at least I still have some time before I start to walk on four hooves and have leathery wings on my side. We both stopped talking again as I spotted something in the distance, it looks like a town. I look to the right and see a giant mountain. Attached to the mountain is a castle and... That's honestly all I can see from this distance. I look to the town itself and see a regular pony... Actually, I'm just assuming it's a regular pony. I hear Osiris in my mind, thinking.

      "Well, this town is Ponyville. Population is two-thousand-one-hundred-and-seventy-three. The pony you saw is a Pegasus named Rainbow Dash. I would advise avoiding this town for right now, it's highly... Dangerous." I sensed and heard alot hesitation in the last sentence and I'll ask in a second. Wait, there's another one of them, a Pegasus. "Get to cover now. That's Stargazer, he's the pony that Luna said was hunting you down." I duck as I see him look my way.

      I yank my gun out of it's holster as he flies towards me. I fire a shot at him, but he dodges me as he tackles me, a knife in his mouth. I swings it at me, but I jump back as I holster my gun. Osiris said not to kill him, but restrain him for scanning. He lunges at me and swipes me with the knife, but my suit crackles as my shields are taken down a small bit. He strikes again, but I block him with my wrist as I move to disarm him. I dove forward, grabbing the knife from him.

      I try holding him still, but his eyes focus on my wound. I look down at my wound before he bucks me in the chest, making me fly back. My back impacts a tree, and I fly right through the tree, tumbling around. I roll down a hill and land in a marsh. I surface and look around, the fog restricting my vision. I hear something dive into the water and I twist around, looking for the pony who's attacking me. I decide to move through the sluggy water, but it's difficult to trudge through this.

      I hear water rippling as I glance around, looking to my radar. I see nothing but red dots everywhere, almost completely covering the whole radar. What the fuck? I pull out my pistol as I wave it around, seeing the red dots starting to surround me. I bite my tongue as they start to completely cover me, and I hiss in pain. I run my tongue around my teeth and feel... Fangs. Fuck, I think I'm turning too fast. I traverse through the marsh and hop onto land, sitting down.

      I feel something grab me by behind and I see two grey hooves wrap themselves around my neck, trying to choke. I scream in pain as I feel something force itself into my shoulder, right into where my wound is. Fuck it, restraint my ass. I aim the pistol behind me and fire, hearing flesh tear. I turn around and see the pony clutching it's hoof, blood gushing from the wound. I grip the pistol by it's barrel and pistol-whip the pony, knocking him unconscious. I pick him up and drape him over my shoulder that's not damaged.

      "Connect your Weld to Stargazer, I can heal him that way. Your P.D.S is already healing you." I disconnect my Weld and feel my shields dissipate completely, and I connect the Weld to his hoof. It latches onto him and yellow bolts of healing power float around his body, healing him. Slowly, but surely. I start to walk to an opening I see and I hear Osiris muttering to herself in my mind, mostly about Stargazer, but sometimes about me. I walk into a field and towards... Ponyville.

      "Hey, Osiris?"

      "Don't let him turn, don't let him turn... What?"

      "I don't think walking into Ponyville like... Well, myself and a pony unconscious on my shoulder is a good idea. What do we do?"

       "Bring him to the hospital, and wait for him. Once he awakes in a few days, we'll talk to him."

       "Wait, a few days? What am I supposed to do for a few days?"

       "Wait in the hospital for Stargazer."

       "Osiris, I need food and water. Also, how do I get this suit off?"

       "You don't. Luna modified you and basically made you almost... Undead, to say the least. You don't need to eat, drink, sleep, or relieve yourself. The armor's locked, it can't be removed ever. Well, unless I was to order a system purge, but that could mess up the Weld's transformation system permanently. So, unless you want to turn into a pony forever, the suit stays on. Anyway, let's get Stargazer to the hospital and Demo?"

      "You will meet five ponies after dropping him off. They will become vital in the war ahead and your life. You will trust them with your life. In two weeks, they will be there... Demo, you need to avoid detection until we get to the hospital." Wait, what did she say at the beginning? I heard of A.I's going on a tangent occasionally, but this is the second time this happened. In a day, no less. If that happens, then that means the A.I is going rampant and will eventually... Gain control over it's host. Well, I guess I need to get out of this suit soon or it's bye-bye control. At this point, I have two decisions: Lose control due to Osiris going rampant or be a Pony forever. Well, let's make this decision when the time comes.

      "Leave him, he's weak... No, stay with him, he has the potential for unknown amounts of power... No, he's useless, you're strong... You need him as much as he needs you... Leave him." I hear Osiris mutter in my mind, and I sigh as I continue walking to the hospital. I noticed that no one is around. Well, so much for detection, because I doubt everyone in town is a recluse everyday. I feel something hit me in back of the head and I look up, seeing... Osiris said her name is Rainbow Dash.

      "Leave me alone." I say to her, walking to the hospital. I feel Stargazer stir, so I start to hurry before he wakes up and tries to kill me again. After the encounter with Rainbow Dash, nothing encountered me, so I didn't have any interruptions. I sigh as I look up at the building, and peer through the two front glass doors seeing a pony cowarding behind a desk. I push open the door and walk to the pony. She's white and has pink hair... Osiris said it's a mane and tail, whatever.

      "Listen, this pony man needs medical attention, can you do that?"

      "Y-You're scary..."

      "And you're a horse. Just help this pony, and I'll leave... Nevermind, I need to stay here for him, but I won't bother anyone, okay?" She nods meekly and I set Stargazer down on a bed that two pony nurses pulled out. They both hesitated at first, but they rolled him off and I sighed as I walked over to the waiting area. I sat down on one of the chairs as the doctors and nurses stared at me, in fear and confusion, maybe even a little intrigued, but mostly the two former. I closed my eyes as Osiris muttered to herself in my head, and I tried to block everything out of my mind, but couldn't.

      I have four years to live, and I'm going to turn into a Bat Pony in two weeks. My home city was attacked and my sister was killed. My wife divorced me and ran off with a boyfriend and our baby. I am being used for someone's own selfish desires, the likes of which are world domination and the murder of what I assume is an innocent. I'm stuck in a advanced suit and can't remove it unless I want to spend the rest of my short life as a pony. I'm stuck in a world where it's kill or be killed and I'm slowly losing the will to live.

       "Osiris... Is there anyway I can live longer and not turn."

       "You can turn into an Alicorn. Alicorns are immortal and have a full resistance to poison and other diseases and infections. But, I wouldn't recommend it. You wouldn't be able to control power surges because of your P.D.S and Weld, and you're still a pony if you turn into one, just without the leathery wings, cat-like eyes, fangs, and with the addition of a horn. But, if it gets too bad, it's still an option. I would understand if you chose to be one."

       "It's a last resort."

       "Demo, there's another thing I just figured out."

       "What is it?"

       "With the poison in your system, you will have moments of blood-lust and the desire to be... Well, let's go with heartless. Even with transformation, this would remain. I still haven't identified what triggers it, but it's something we need to watch out for." I nod as I narrow my eyes, my hands tightening. I let out a breath as I felt something change in my mind, but I don't know. Osiris was muttering something in my mind, but I just blocked out everything for a second.

      "Osiris? I think it just happened."

      "Don't let him, keep him contained... Let him turn, show the world what he's capable of... He needs help, don't you see that Echo... Shut up Remedy, he needs to be unleashed... He needs our help, he doesn't have much time, you two... She's right, Echo... Fine, we'll help him only so he can grow strong enough to destroy the two sisters and free this land... This land doesn't need saving, Celestia and the new Element Bearers will handle Luna... Don't you understand, Democles is the only one who can handle the Elements' power... It's only a matter of time... So close, yet so far..."

      "Osiris, what was that?"

      "It's... It's nothing, don't worry about it."

      "No, something's up. What is it?"

      "I... I... I..."

      "Osiris, I need to know what's going on so I can help. Please, what is it?"

      "... Rest now, child... Don't tell him, not yet... We need to tell him..."

      Before I can respond, I see a pony slowly approaching me. I can see he wants to run away, but he's trying not to. I remain sitting down so it doesn't seem like I'm intimidating him and I'm towering over him. I wait until he's near me before I start studying him, but I can do it safely because of the visor in my helmet blocking my face. He's tan and has a brown mane and tail, and he's wearing a doctor's cost. The picture... The cutie mark on his flank is a stethoscope.

      "A-Are you the one who dropped off Stargazer?" He asks, fear evident in his voice.

      "I am. Is he awake?"

      "He is. D-Do you want to see him?"

      "Could I?"

      "R-R-Right this way." I stand up and follow him down the hall and up a flight a stairs. We pass by several ponies who, like everyone else so far, cower in fear and hide from me. Am I really so scary? We stop at a room labeled Two-Three-One and I wait for the doctor to open up the door before walking in. Stargazer is staring out the window, so he doesn't see me yet. The doctor walks up to him and says he has a visitor. Yeah, he has a visitor alright. He looks over to me and I see, only for a split second, his pupils dilate. The do to walks past me and exits the room, closing the door; leaving the two of us alone.

      "... Why did you save me? I tried to kill you, yet you saved me and brought me here."

      "Kill him, he's weak... We need him, he's vital to Demo's survival... Kill them both..."

      "Nightmare Moon ordered you to kill me, did she not?"

      "She did. But, I don't kill things that save ponies."

      "Good, because I wouldn't hesitate to you kill if you attacked me again."

      "Noted. Why are you still here and how did you know she ordered me to kill you?"

      "I tried commuting suicide and she offered me a deal, so I accepted it. That's why I'm here. I know you were trying to kill me because I was warned about, not to mention I have an A.I who identified you. But, let's cut to the chase: I need your help."

      "Why should I help you?"

      "I'm dying, I have four years to live and I'm going to turn into Bat Pony... I'm going to turn into a Threstral in two weeks. I want revenge, so I intend on freeing Luna and killing her. I want to my soul back."

      "You're going to try and kill a God, am I hearing this right?"

      "I'm not going to try, I will kill her." I say, putting emphasis on will.

      "What do you need me for?" He asks, leaning forward.

      "I have to travel West to a facility that will teleport me to the Moon. I don't know this land... I don't know Equestria, but you do. I saved your life, as far I'm concerned, you owe me. Now, what do you say?" I pull my pistol out and place it on his bed, right between his legs. He looks at me before sighing and closing his eyes, I assume he is in deep thought. I wait until his eyes are open before I grab the pistol and place it back in my holster.

      "You're asking me alot, and I don't know you. You seemed to forgive me to be able to ask me for help."

      "You were ordered, as in forced. I doubt you would have tried to kill me in your own mindset."

      "I need to have some time to think about this."

      "Think away, because I'm not leaving for three weeks." I say, losing the emotion in my voice

      "Why three weeks?" These ponies fold too easily, it's like they're are just friendly overall.

      "Because in two weeks I'll turn and I need time to adjust." I say, again no emotion in my voice. It's not like I'm beaming with joy knowing I'll lose my body.

      "... Where can I find you if I decide to go with you?" He asks, staring at me.

      "Nowhere, I'm going to be right here."

      "They won't let you stay in here forever, you know."

      "I know, and I already know how to handle that. I'll be back, and think about this." I say, activating my P.D.S. Oh, almost forgot. I yanked the Weld off Stargazer's hoof, making him rub his hoof. I re-attach my Weld and turn invisible, making him looking around in shock. I light up my hand, letting him know of my presence. I sigh as I sit against the wall, Osiris muttering to herself in my mind. I close my eyes and hope I can sleep, but I can't. So I sit there and wait.

<><><><><><><><><><>

Perspective: Unknown

Date: Unknown

Location: Unknown

I stagger back as another bolt of energy strikes me, my shields failing to protect me as I'm littered with bolts of magic. I take cover behind a burning chariot and check my pistol, seeing that there is only three shots left. I raise my head to check if he's still there and a bolt of magic strikes me in the visor, melting away it away. I rip the helmet off as snow starts to cover my head, and I feel my face grow cold. I grab the helmet and place it back on before stepping away from the chariot.

      "We can all work together!" I yell out, hoping they all hear me. I raise my pistol up as I wave it around, looking for one of them. I hear something crack behind me, so I twist around and fire a shot, but my pistol is knocked out of my hand. I'm flung back into the snow, knocking the wind out of me. I struggle to stand up as I try to breathe, but I fall back into the snow. I see the pony start to stomp towards me, so I try to stand up.

         Flames appear on my right hand, working their way up my arm and to my shoulder. A flaming revolver materializes into my hand and I fire a shot at the pony, but the bullet is repelled and flies off into the distance. I fire another shot and strike him in the chest, making him stagger back. My left hand light up as I grab him with telekinesis, bringing him to eye level. In a few seconds he breaks my grip on him and brings a sword to my throat.

        "Are you sure you want to do this?" I ask him, getting his attention. He presses the sword further into my neck and the armor protecting it vanishes, the blade now against my real skin. The flames past my upper arm and my shoulder, making their way up the side of my head. I feel the heat from all the flames, but the armor protects it. He notices this and goes to slit my throat, but I punch him in the face, making him stagger back away from me.

      Something tackles him and I crawl away, the flaming revolver appearing in my hand again. I look and see the Pony struggling with the Bat Pony. The Threstral is blasted away as the pony's horn glows, his wings flaring. A small purple mist starts to make it's way up all his hooves and towards his body as his eyes turn white, glowing brightly. He starts to float in the air as the purple mist engulfs his body and works it's way up his neck. He drops to the ground as soon as the purple mist envelopes his entire body.

       I look over to the Threstral when it stands up, eyeing both of us. Giant sparks of electricity start at the Threstral's hooves, like the Alicorn's, and works it's way up to the body. His eyes he turn completely black and seem to suck the light out of everything. The electricity cover his body as it crawls up his neck and surrounds his head. He looks at the both of us before stopping at me, and I aim the flaming revolver. They both smirk as they approach me, side-by-side.

       The Threstral jumps onto me, his fangs digging their way into what remains of my visor. I feel electricity coursing through my veins, shocking me. I lay hit after hit into his muzzle, but nothing seems to faze him. I press the barrel of my gun into his side and pull the trigger, making him fly into the air and onto my back. His fangs dig into my exposed neck and I scream in pain, firing a shot into his forehead. It doesn't kill him, but it makes him get off of me.

      The Alicorn charges at me, a giant claymore floating at his side. He swings at me, but I deflect his attack by kicking it away. He swipes at me, slicing right through my armor and cutting my stomach. I jump back as I fire a shot at him, but he dodges to the left and grabs me by the leg, dragging me towards him. I fire three shots at him, two missing, but one hitting it's mark. It strikes him in the neck and he staggers back, letting me go.

      Before I can even stand, the Threstral's shark-like jaws latch onto my leg and he starts to drag me towards the Alicorn. The Alicorn has two smaller claymores and he's throwing bolts of void at me. I roll to the left as soon as he fires one at me and it hits the ground, melting it. The Threstral brings me close enough for the Alicorn to use his claymores. Before he attacks me, though, he beheads the Threstral and then presses the two swords against my throat, making a X.

      "A decision has been made and it's only a matter of time until I'm in control."