A Story Never Told

I turned the machine on. Various sounds accompanied it coming to life. This wasn't intentional, but I hadn't had time to make the machine properly. I knew I only had about a half hour before someone came to check on me, so I turned on the recording.

"Hello. When you get this message, I will, no doubt, be gone. The machine in this room in a trans-dimensional portal, and although you can probably get it to work, you won't be able to follow me, even though I know you'll try. But I didn't leave this message just to gloat, I have some important things you need to hear. First: Do not make a subject-628. Some of you may have already suspected I broke down my mental barriers, but although I am annoyed with you all, I doubt another test subject will be so kind as to leave you alive. Second: In my room, you will find traces of a deadly virus I created. Don't worry, though. It won't kill humans. I figured that the best way to help you lot would be to kill every species of livestock in the world, as well as several other impediments to society. You may complain about not getting bacon and eggs now, but I calculate that the chance of humanity lasting another century has significantly improved. Third: On another file on this computer, you will find all of my research I've deemed 'safe'. None of the brain stuff, though. We don't want anyone else intelligent enough to create a virus that would kill essentially all humans."

I noted the time in my head , "Well, it's about time to leave this nightmarish place now. Oh, and the camera here is playing a recording from last month. I don't know how you guys haven't caught on by now."

And with that, I stepped through the portal.

***

I woke up in a forest. I immediately realized that something was wrong. My body had not only completely changed (which was intentional. I didn't want to look like an alien to the natives), but I had significantly reduced capacities. Although I was fairly sure I was much more physically able than average, much of my genetically-engineered capabilities were gone. Thankfully, I retained my increased awareness of my body, and I knew I would be able to re-design my structure over the next couple years. In light of my physical limitations, I decided to calculate my current intellect. There used to be a type of intelligence test, called the IQ test, but I had reached the maximum 300 by the age of 8. Anticipating this, the scientists had created a new intelligence test, the Relling test. The average person measured at one thousand Rellings (by definition), with two thousand being highly intelligent, and three thousand being genius. I currently measured at 8256.3 Rellings, which, although intelligent, was nothing compared to my previous one hundred and twenty thousand Rellings. Even my telepathy was greatly weakened.

I also realized that the servos in my joints, and other mechanical parts had been left behind, not having been transported by the portal. I quickly calculated the size of the explosion that my power cell would have made, and although it would have damaged the portal and computer, both would be recoverable, but I reflected it would put my message in a slightly different tone.

The next thing I realized was that I'd been sitting in the forest for a half hour. I tried to get up, but immediately tripped.

"Quadruped. Right," I muttered as I got up to examine my new body. I was equestrian, with blue fur and orange mane and tail. And although I had a horn of unknown purpose, the strangest thing of all was the image imprinted on my flank, a black square with a red pattern overlaying it.

The image itself was not as surprising as the fact that I recognized it. I had drawn that picture when I was three, a stereotyped version of a microchip. At this point, I was starting to get really creeped out. Unable to find any source for the image, I moved onto examining my horn. My horn was about four inches long, and had an uncanny amount of nerves. It was obviously not meant for stabbing, but there were several nerves that made it seem like some sort of limb. However, nothing in the structure implied bio-luminescence, or anything at all, really, especially nothing meriting that amount of sensitivity. I began to 'push' with my horn, trying to figure out its purpose, and, although the air began to fill with a static charge, nothing else of note happened.

Not seeing any point in staying put, I headed east, where the forest was slightly clearer. After about ten minutes, I came upon a cottage. Before approaching the cottage, I spent a few minutes making a primitive covering of leaves, just in case of nudity taboo. I reached the door, and knocked on it with my front hoof.

A yellow mare with pink hair and wings opened the door. Despite the small size of the wings, they appeared to be designed for flight. She was not wearing anything. I pushed physical attraction from my mind, and psychically (not to be confused with physically) probed her mind for basic information.

Name: Fluttershy

Race: Pegasus Pony

Age: 2.18 * 10^8 half lives of carbon-15

Intelligence: 1012.7 Rellings

Language: Equestrian

Basic Abilities: Flight, Class 3 Hypnosis

Learning a language by observing someone else's mind fast enough to understand something they say immediately is quite difficult, but I got the general idea of what she said

"Oh my goodness! You need to come inside now! You must be so cold to wear that!" She hurried me inside and removed my cloak, throwing it outside. So much for nudity taboo, "You must be hungry too! Oh my, where did you come from?"

At this point, I had a hold of the language enough to respond in a short sentence, "The forest"

She paled. As much as she could beneath brightly colored fur, that is, "You came from the Everfree Forest? Are you hurt? Hold on, I'll be back with medical supplies and soup."

I knew I had no need of medical supplies; whatever Fluttershy was afraid of in that forest, I hadn't met it. However, I hadn't appeared through the portal with anything in my stomach, so I was hungry. I looked around, seeing various kinds of animals. I'd seen some outside too, but it was obviously more of a hobby than a farm. She probably worked as a veterinarian or something similar. I decided to scan one of the birds.

Name: N/A

Race: Robin

Age: 6.3 * 10^6 half lives of carbon-15

Intelligence: 206.4 Rellings

Language: N/A

Basic Abilities: Flight

Before I could think very much about a robin with 20% the intellect of an average human, Fluttershy re-entered the room.

"I brought you some soup. It's got potatoes, carrots, and oats. Are you hurt at all?" She was carrying a large bowl of soup, and had a sack that presumably contained medical supplies over her shoulder.

"I have no injuries I am aware of," I said, before using my front hooves to drink the soup. Fortunately, my hooves had a sort of 'sticky' quality when I wanted them to.

Fluttershy gave me a look that indicated something I was doing was odd, although she was to polite to say what. She spoke on another topic, however,  "I don't believe I've introduced myself. My name is Fluttershy. What's yours?"

Not knowing much about names here, other than that hers was appropriate, I decided to introduce myself with the name of a character from an old favorite game of mine, rather than subject-627, "My name is Recumen. Pleasure to meet you, Fluttershy"

"Recumen. That's an... interesting name," she then added hastily, "Not in a bad way, I mean. I hope I didn't offend you"

"When you travel as far as I have, naming practices change"

Fluttershy blinked, "You're from the other side of the Everfree forest? I didn't think there were any ponies there"

Darn.

"It's kind of a long story. Anyway..." I quickly changed the subject,  "is there anywhere I could sleep tonight?"

"Of course! I have a guest bedroom. Are you planning on staying around long?"

"I don't know. Is there a town anywhere nearby?"

"Oh! Ponyville is just a half mile or so east of here"

Not commenting on the terrible pun, I went to the guest bedroom and pretended to get ready to sleep. Once Fluttershy left, I got up, climbed out the window, and headed towards Ponyville.