TCB: He who stands at the top of the Food Chain

He who stands at the top of the Food Chain Chapter 2: Planning.

Equestria – Canterlot – Royal ‘War Room’ -

Celestia was grimly looking at the maps detailing the Barrier’s advancing on the human world with random sighs and/or groans, her horn was also going on and off as she recalled or banished charts, reports and files to cross-reference between the map of the territories occupied by ponies AND the ones on Earth occupied by humans.

“Too big...It’s all too big…Too wild...Too Independent! The food chains is all based on ‘Might makes it right’, the weather is so interlinked that a gust of wind north can ideally birth tidal-waves south...animals are savages, weather is savage, the earth is savage! The wind and the water too! Everything wants to says its own thing without listening to others!” Celestia growled tiredly as she summoned a new cup of coffee.

“Normally you can make it snow in Ponyville and keep full Summer in Manehattan without troubles...On Earth if a Pegasus slightly rises the wind strength too close to the Barrier’s border on the opposite side of the planet the weather too changes...and the Gulf current is balanced so precariously that a sneeze and the whole thing collapses...T-There is too much Chaos!” she muttered in disbelief as she finally couldn’t take it anymore and simply walked to one of the balconies above the castle gardens.

“Chaos...All is Chaos on Earth...The planet, the animals, the Humans, the weather...All is Chaos...” She muttered aloud as her eyes moved in the general direction of a certain magical tree.

“Your Highness?” a Unicorn soldier timidly asked interrupting the Alicorn’s thoughts.

“Y-Yes?” she asked finally reconnecting to the world around her.

“Just got news from our front in the Human world, as for this morning at dawn...T-The Humans are drawing back from pretty much every fighting zone to regroup...Eight hours later every human soldier as retreated behind their forts. We just got confirmation of our scouts, timed one hour ago.” the soldier said unsure.

“I take that many were happy of the victory then,” the Sun Princess offered nonplussed.

“To be honest, your Highness, nopony feels certain that it is a retreat at all.” he answered.

“What?” the other replied with a curious tone.

“Five minutes after the last tank left the fighting zone in New York a single plane started dropping leaflets. Apparently the humans in charge of the army were notified first...Then the message went delivered to the masses, and us.” the stallion answered producing from his saddlebag a small unassuming yellow piece of paper.

“Can I see it?”

“Of course, your Highness. I came here just to show it to you.” the soldier replied.

Said that the mare’s horn lighted-up to levitate the paper in front of her face, the message and the militia insignia of a human hand crushing a skull on it made her eyebrows shot high and her eyes widen slightly.

“Greetings pony invaders, forgive the interruption of your precious ‘War’ against humanity, but we have an announcement to make:

Our Humanizing Serum is almost completed and soon it will be deployed everywhere on Earth AND Equestria, as we found a way to make it pass through the Barrier, thanks to our Companions altering the effect of the Original Pony Serum to fit our sacred Mission.

WE ARE THE GAIA ORGANIZATION!

WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF ADAM AND EVE, THE GUARDIANS OF HUMANITY AND THE HAMMER OF GOD PUNISHING EVIL!

We are Gaia!

Vengeful messengers from the depths of Hell. Abandon hope all ye who enter here on our mother Earth or betray her!

If corrupted politicians and weak-willed traitors plan to destroy Humanity, then Gaia shall arise to return the lost children to our beloved mother Earth!

Beware you all who chose the abhorrent race of ponies as your Masters! Beware you Invaders coming to steal what is rightfully ours! The H-Serum shall force upon you the Humanity you stole or discarded in your blind blasphemy, it will make no distinction and only the worthy of Mother Earth’s love shall survive the change bestowed by our Holy Water.

When we hunt, we kill!
No one is safe!
Nothing is sacred!
We are Gaia!
We are the last children of Earth!
We will burn our own to hold the line of Humanity,
it is the last line to ever hold!

Might this message reach far and wide, the hour of judgment and liberation has come and Gaia will be the hand casting divine punishment on thy sinner’s souls...” Celestia red aloud gulping in dread.

“The humans soldiers are all being called back just in case that stuff is deadly to humans as well since by the Group’s very words the thing may also be lethal other than...Than able to turn us into humans. They are even now fortifying their cities and issuing Curfew for the civilian population as our spies had rapidly confirmed when we asked. Can they really do that, your Highness? Can they really reverse-engineer our Potion to turn us into them?” the Unicorn soldier asked worried.

“They wouldn’t boast this openly without being sure of their creation, even if flawed and in their minds simply letting only the ‘Worthy’ survive the change, even among their own kind that was already Converted. What we have fought up until now were Human soldiers still following some sort of code of honor...But this Gaia...They are what Humans call a ‘Terrorist Group’...Fanatical mad creatures even humans refuse to consider as members of their same species; they are men and women that are ready to do everything in their power to achieve their goals, no matter the senseless loss of life and destruction they would leave behind int their steps. The fact that ‘normal’ soldiers too retreated means that they too fear this weapon.” Celestia answered.

“What should we do then?” the now-way-paler horse asked.

“We will start by calling back our own soldiers and the other ponies out there, have all of them retreat behind the barrier and fortify the border between us and them just in case.”

“But they said-”

“I am aware they are saying that they are sure their weapon will pass through in virtue of it being a modified version of our potion, but the Barrier will protect us from other attacks the soldier may try to launch just to take advantage of our retreating. If we are lucky enough Pegasi should be able to command the wind on our side to blow away their serum if it is air-borne...I just hope that we’ll have enough time to develop a screening spell to detect it should they use it on our water or food...” The Sun Alicorn answered tensed.

“I will make sure everypony knows and obeys, your Highness.” the Unicorn answered snapping to attention.

“Perfect, we still have time as they said that their weapon is ‘Almost Ready’ meaning they are either giving it the finishing touches or simply mass-producing enough of it to soon start their plan, we must hurry.”

“We will be ready for them, your Highness.”

“Good. Have somepony deliver a message to Twilight, I need her and the other Elements here as soon as possible, they too can help in facing this new threat.” she added.

“Yes, your Highness!” he answered before rapidly leaving the room.

Sigh! “In another situation I would have tried the ‘Enemy mine’ angle...But I have nopony I can trust surrounding us...” she muttered deflating.

Meanwhile, outside the room, one of the two Pegasus guards standing immobile at the side of the entrance smirked in victory as he could still listen what was being said inside, welcoming grateful the switch coming to change guards securing the area; the good news making the stallion hum a rather dark-sounding tone as he calmly walked towards the soldiers quarters where he waited patiently for it to empty before dropping his armor while showing a feral smirk.

“Phase 1 is completed, the war is stalled until Gaia will deliver their next message and their attack starts; this also mean that ponies and humans will be too distracted by preparing for a new threat to stop Phase 2 from coming to fruition.” the soldier said as his dark-blue fur changed colour to turn light-grey, his mane switching from white to black and his wings melting into his body so that a long horn could pop-out of his forehead.

“I just hope they will keep Blackwatch out of this, last thing I need is those psycho adding to the mess.” the now-Unicorn finished saying plastering his most convincing smile on his face as he walked outside since he still needed to leave the place to turn into a more comfy form.

“At least I confirmed my suspicion, they still don’t have a way to tell that the pony they are talking with is not the Real one but me, even their precious ‘Princesses’ don’t seem to notice, even if they never really looked at me...I just hope they don’t get their hooves on those Bio-Scanners the others used to have. Even if it wouldn’t be the first time I have to hastily ditch an identity to run away while Consuming whoever stands in my way.” he thought sighing in annoyance as he moved towards the exit while greeting every pony he met to keep on the facade of the identity he had stolen...Even is the temptation of simply going Claw Form and slaughter them all was very tempting.

All that smiling was making his face hurt.

Let’s take a little step back – Ten days earlier – Sky above Manehattan – Equestria -

A lone stallion Pegasus with black fur and white mane (although the latter covered by the white hood of his black jacket) and a red ‘DNA Double-helix’ cutie-mark was silently flying towards the big city with a frown on his face.

“Stupid equine race and its need to be ALWAYS cute and fluffy. Stupid need of a stupid marking detailing their talent that cannot be modified and FUCKING STUPID Lizard-drawn-by-artist-under-LSD Discord threatening me with death if I do not help Humanity! I am a living Bio-weapon of Mass Destruction...NOT A FUCKING PONY!” Alex thought in fury as while he could change everything he wanted of himself while in his ‘default’ face as Alex Mercer, or the Equestrian Version of it, unless he was fully mimicking somebody he was forced to sport a double-helix Cutie-Mark as the locals called it no matter what.

Fur Colour? He could choose in detail the colour he wanted (black).

Mane? The same, he choose pure white no problems, same going with the red eyes; he choose a colour and he got the exact same shade he wanted.

But that mark? No! The bastard wanted to be a red double-helix and nothing could be done against it! Alex could only either show it or ‘bury’ it under his flesh...But that would attract even more attention since he was an adult pony and so SUPPOSED to have one.

“Best guess is that the Magic (ugh!) I consumed is influencing my body when I mimic a pony one, so while I have full control of it, when looking like Alex Mercer the pony I have that ‘Talent mark’...Maybe it should represent the fact that I can manipulate my DNA as I wish. If they ask, my talent is in Genetic...If they have Geneticists here in the land of sugar and rainbows...” The Living Virus muttered sighing as he landed near the entrance of the city close to a small group of guards.

“Halt! Name?” the guard asked sternly.

“...Black Light.” Alex answered grimacing again, between that and ‘Alex Mercer’ his original name looked like the more acceptable in that place.

“What Cutie-mark is that?” another guard asked confused.

“I am good with genetics.”

“Eh?” the earth pony replied in confusion.

“I am an expert in DNA and genetics...What makes your body work I can tell in detail.” the Living Virus answered annoyed.

“Woke-up with ruffled feathers? IDs, please.” the first guard said gruffly making his partner fall silent with a glare.

“I have none.”

“Why not?” the guard replied as he and the others not-so-subtly took a more defensive stance.

Groaning in annoyance Alex sneered in anger and tried to make his voice sound as much as a growl as he could.

“Look.” he hissed with narrowed eyes.

“I barely got away from some humans trying to capture me for who knows what sick experiment and I have been flying for hours ever since I escaped them just to return here. I am tired, I am hungry and thirsty. I have lost my papers since my saddle-bag is still in their possession in some military base. I! WANT! TO! ENTER! AND! GO! HOME!” he then roared making the guards shriek and jump back.

“Okay! Okay, horse-feathers!...You just had to admit that the humans tried to ponynap you and lost your documents. But why?” the guard asked.

“I am an expert in Pony DNA, maybe they wanted what I know to better kill us.” Alex answered scoffing.

“Wouldn’t put it past those psychos...” a unicorn soldier muttered shivering.

“I see. You are free to go, but if I were you I would hurry to renew your ID.”

“It will be the first thing I will do tomorrow. Now I need a shower and my bed.” the Living Virus said opening his wings wide to fly up and move towards the city.

“...Follow him, Sky Drill. That stallion is hiding something, maybe humans did get something from him. Discover what he gave them.” the same guard asked to one of his partners.

“Sure thing.” the Pegasus answered immediately flying up to follow Alex.

With Alex -

The Living Virus was silently flying above the clouds when a cloud twisted on itself to gain a very familiar face.

“We need to talk.”

“Good evening to you too, Discord.” Alex answered sighing.

“A guard is following for you, fly down and into the pent-house with the pool shaped like a diamond, I will distract the guard.” Discord-cloud said as a near cloud shifted to look exactly like Alex and fly in the opposite direction soon followed by a pegasus guard.

“As you wish, boss.” the Virus said in acidic sarcasm as he hurried down towards the hideously-expensive penthouse to find the glass door opened and Discord waiting for him sitting on the wide couch next to a thoroughly tied-up and gagged Unicorn mare with pale-lavender fur and black mane. Though her horn had been detached from her forehead and left on the short table in front of the two.

“Feel free to turn human, Alex boy. As for this moment this penthouse does not exist, so to speak, so here it’s Chaos to rule, not Harmony. They won’t even see anything out of ordinary if the look through the windows” Discord said pushing forward an ice bucket with beer cans floating inside.

“...”

Sigh! “At least try to trust me, okay? We are on the same side, I made sure you survived being eaten alive!” the Draconequus said rolling his eyes.

In answer Alex growled something resembling high-tier blasphemy under his breath before returning into being HUMAN Alex Mercer to take one of the dozen beers from the bucket.

“I am human thus I drink beer...It’s racist by the way.” he then said opening one to take a sip and enjoying in cruel amusement the mare watching him as he was Satan in person standing at barely a feet from her.

“I don’t see you refusing either.” Discord answered opening one himself.

“This is Antarctic Nail Ale, it is sold at 1800 dollars per bottle. Of course I accept the offer if you treat your employees so well.” the other said impressed

“Equestrian beer is not very diffused, and it’s not THIS good (too much diluted if you ask me). Several new-foals are making a killing in using the old human beer establishments to keep producing it just like how they did it before voluntarily choosing to get hooves. They just have to find a way to have non-unicorn open it since cans and bottles are fierce foes if you have not magic or thumbs.”

“Who’s the girl? She looks like about to pee herself.” Alex finally asked as he knelt down to look the mare in the eyes making her draw back trying to bury herself in the couch.

“Meet Fluffy Cake, once known as Meredith Lehemann. Half American and half German young woman that sold her kind to forced Conversion in exchange of...Money, to put it in simple terms.”

“I thought new-foals were confined in specific areas until they could finish ‘registering’ all of them, it is why NOW IDs are so important, to differentiate between Noew-foals and Ponies.” Alex said running a finger on her jaw-bone making her let-out a muffled shriek.

“Considering she helped advancing Conversion and her employer’s plans, having her get a fake ID saying she is a proper Pony and get a nice penthouse and more money than what she will likely be able to spend in her entire life-time...I wouldn’t be as surprised as you are.” Discord answered in disdain as he opened a new beer.

“How did she do that?” the other asked curious.

“She helped making sure most people in Santa Monica came to appreciate having hooves by spicing water and food with Conversion Serum, over thirty thousand new-foals in the first week only, THEN the numbers really started going up in Converted humans with her bank account growing accordingly.” he answered in disdain.

“Why? And how come nobody noticed?”

“Many ponies involved with at the head of this group Celestia’s own nephew Blueblood, he and his other rich (and spoiled rotten) friends covered everything and accepted paying Miss Meredith this outrageous tip for a simple reason: Real Estates.”

“...Forcing Conversion and then move the new-foals out their houses and into the ‘controlled’ sectors means freeing all that wealth for a pittance, then take the houses of rich humans and sell them at twice the price to rich Ponies that will then have the bragging rights to have a new Villa in an exclusive resort on their new planet.” Alex offered.

“Ten times the price actually, not twice, and they already seem to have a lot of requests. Celestia doesn’t suspect a thing because she is too worried with the war against Humans while the whole selling is done in secret...you know...For reasons of taxes.”

“So they are aiming at the coasts?”

“For now at least, but they want every ‘Rich’ area on the planet under their control as well to continue this little game of money ongoing. I heard they are having troubles in Italy though, even Conversion seems unable to reign their Mafia in, last week they found another Pony ‘accidentally’ drown in cement inside the wall of mall that was being renewed, with nobody the wiser...They are actually making more victims than the local army.”

“Small country doesn’t mean weak country. So why did you call me here?” Alex asked.

"Blueblood is only one of MANY that are using Conversion and this conflict for their own personal agenda; sometimes even sparking new fights to speed things up. THEN there are the ones simply predating Humanity for all the new stuff they have to offer, all stuff taken without asking first of course! For example: a still-unknown mare has recently emptied the Louvre Museum, and they suspect the same mare is behind the emptying of the Library of Congress...Dear Twilight can be sooo predictably one-track-minded I am honestly shocked she isn't even in the 'Top 100' of possible culprits in the guards mind. Rarity instead has just yesterday 'borrowed' the Crown Jewels and both have already set their eyes on several other places that will feed their obsessions with new 'exotic' collections...Even Applejack and the others are not-so-subtly commandeering this or that from the human world, and I find it quite saddening." Discord answered sighing.

“Okay, go on.” the other prompted.

“I need you to stop all those small groups, but not by simply go there and Consume them. It needs to be done in a way that scares every human and pony leader into giving this war a pause, we need a common enemy acting on both sides of the Barrier.” the Draconequus said.

“And then how do you want to do it if not by ‘Just Consuming them’? Let’s hear.”

“Ah-hum!” at that Discord cleared his throat to sing in a very off-key way.

“Do you want to build a Terrorist?
Come on lets go and play
I never see you anymore
Come out the Barrier
It's like you've gone away...
We will be like best buddies
Since now we're not
I wish you would tell me why!
Do you want to build a Terrorist?
It doesn't have to be a terrorist-”

“You watched Frozen, don’t you?” Alex asked grumbling and face-palming as he interrupted the other.

“I am this close to have the new-foals at Disney and Pixar accept continuing working even if now they are unicorns...Their stuff is golden.”

“Sing ‘Let it Go’ and I will hand myself to Celestia to get killed. You want me to become a terrorist? I am one already.”

“Not a terrorist actually, but a Terrorist group.” Discord clarified.

“I beg you pardon?”

“You can turn from human to pony...Let’s use this.”

“Ookay?”

“Imagine this, Humans and Ponies are at war pretty much, even if it’s not only fights everywhere with soldiers of both factions going at each other throat; most of this war is actually fought through politics, under-hand(Hoof) tactics, guerrilla, sabotage and so on...A mess, so to speak. But then a third party appears, They are a bunch of lunatics that want to turn Ponies into humans and New-foals back into Humans...They target everybody and everypony without distinction with THEIR Conversion Serum, but their weapon is unstable and has high mortality rate and they DON’T CARE…Are you following?”

“You want panic?” Alex asked incredulous.

“Yes and no. The problem will be that you will have to talk with the humans in charge of the army to organize this, this group would be A THREAT for the ones wishing the Conversion to spread faster (both humans and ponies), it will attract all the nut-jobs towards it as it will pose such a huge danger to their plans for money/power/Conversion/Etc that the destruction of this Terrorist Organization will come first. This also means that Celestia will be forced to also hunt down the members because they will show that they have members even among ponies so Equestria itself, her precious land, will be in danger of Humanification. I am pretty sure that if we exclude the humans really wishing to be ponies, every other human will be more than happy to look the other way since the main target would be ponies and new-foals pushing for forced Conversion.”

“They just came out from the Black Light infection, a new round of curfew and militaristic regimen shouldn’t be anything too new...What about her?” Alex said eyeing the mare curiously.

“Oh! She is here because you will need her identity to use this place as your HQ, she won’t be missed as she almost got her own family Converted, they didn’t take that well. She personally cut every tie to become a REAL Equestrian.” Discord answered making the mare pale considerably.

“Good for me. Any last words?” Alex asked removing the gag from the mare’s mouth.

“Only that this is the best that ever happened in my life, okay?! When I was a human I had lost my job because I refused to suck the dick of that old fart I worked for and got fired without proofs! I lost my house because the bank wanted their money back and I lost my boyfriend because his new girlfriend had bigger tits! Humans suck! Here ponies are all friends, I got a new job just because I asked and a nice house because I needed one! Then Mister Blueblood came and offered me all this and I took it! Why? Because for once I wanted to be the rich bitch having the perfect life where I can stay all day without doing a thing and just sun-bathe! No work! No responsibilities! Only luxury, fancy stuff and stallions selling their souls just to date me!” she answered angrily making Alex eyebrows rise a little in surprise.

“I returned her Bad Traits to her, she is more honest like that.” Discord answered shrugging.

“Makes sense. As for you, do you know who I am?”

“I just know you as Alex.” she huffed annoyed.

“Alex Mercer sings any bells?” the Living Virus asked with a fanged smile.

“...HOLY SHIT THE CANNIBAL TERRORIST!” the mare shrieked in fear.

“Yes, and I will take your place, farewell.” he answered grabbing her head to lift her from the couch.

“NO! NO! WAIT! I WON’T TALK! I WILL PAY YOU! I WILL SLEEP WITH YOU! ANYTHING YOU WANT JUST DON’T KILL ME!”

“Money I will take along your identity once Consumed you, you won’t talk because you will be dead...And even if technically I am an asexual living virus, I wouldn’t touch you that way even if it was the only thing able to keep me alive, I have standards.” Alex answered plunging his fist deep inside her stomach piercing her body all the way though and then Consuming her body completely.

“Disgusting. Did it work?” Discord asked gagging as he reconnected the horn to the body’s head just in time before it could completely disappear.

“It did.” the Virus answered compressing its bio-mass until it turned into a perfect replica of the Unicorn mare, even perfectly mimicking her voice and cutie-mark.

“Good, so you like my plan?”

“It’s good as any other, the problem will be convincing the human authorities...But I will take care of that.”

“Feel free to ask for my help, just in case.” Discord said getting up and stretching.

“What about you?”

“I will go annoy Celestia and Luna, to keep them occupied. You used that highly recognizable pony shape and it will help immensely.”

“Why?” Alex asked with narrowed eyes.

“Black Light is your name as a Bio-weapon, and your appearances are infamous between humans, I just need to move things a little to nudge towards Celly and Lulu the news of Alex Mercer being here.”

“WHAT?!” the other asked roaring.

“The humans are playing on defense, the ponies are the ones more active in this battle. They will need another threat roaming around to keep them occupied, you are basically a Changeling’s wet dream since you share similar abilities but yours are pumped up to eleven. You can be anypony and by stealing memories as well other than appearances you can blend-in perfectly, you have NO allegiances outside yourself and you hold no love for either humans or ponies; you managed to pass though the Barrier without Conversion and so may as well start your plans all-over again like you did in New York. Celestia won’t spread panic making the news of your presence here known...but she will still move the Elements and few trusty ponies to hunt you down. She will stretch herself thin in dealing with both you AND the Terrorists, leaving very little soldiers to march on Earth, only the bare bones to hold the situation under control.” Discord explained.

“Same going for the humans. Alex Mercer alive with a grudge against Humanity and terrorists that may or may not decide to not attack only ponies and new-foals.” Alex added.

“Military skirmishes are resource-expensive and both sides will have more pressing matters to worry about, in the meantime we will work on a way to convince the others to accept Conversion and remain where they are for Human Society to continue existing without turning into “Neo Equestria” I will show some good faith by returning the Bad Traits to few of the new-foals so they will know we are not tricking them but just trying to save humanity from death by ‘incompatible habitat’...As I said, by now the Barriers are too widely-spread to stop Conversion now.” Discord answered.

At that Alex took in a huge breath and spent a couple minutes pacing around the living room, his frown contrasting fiercely with the pale-lavender and feminine mare face he was sporting at the moment.

“So we will know that the few still going around are either desperate or people/ponies still trying to keep their dirty affairs ongoing while the authorities are distracted...”

“Pretty much.”

“I will need you to write-down all we said here, please.” he finally said.

“Why?”

“I have an idea. It’s REALLY BAD, but it is also the only one I got to make this work.”

“If you say so.” Discord answered shrugging as he snapped his fingers making a thick folder appear on the near table.

“Thank you.”

“I just hope you know what you are doing, once I am gone everything here will return to normal so remain a pony, just in case.” the Draconequus said sighing before popping out of existence.

“That is exactly the problem...I don’t know what I am doing...” the mare said sighing in annoyance.

A week later – Human Side -

“You do know this is crazy?” the man sitting in the empty office said to the man standing behind his back without moving his eyes away from the folder he was reading from.

“I managed to get here, disable the guards and I am now standing behind you with a combat riffle pointed at your head so you will comply calmly and read instead of asking for help...Crazy has been left behind a long time ago, we are in an all-new territory here.”

“The plan is a recipe for disaster, it won’t work.” the other human replied with a calm and detached tone.

“In fact the idea is to make it work, somehow. We are saving humanity here, we have to try everything.”

“Your friend will really give back to the Converted their Humanity?”

“Is more like Bad Traits, people are still what they used to be even after being turned into ponies...They just can’t express their hatred, anger, lust, envy and all that.”

“...You sure we REALLY want those things back though?” the man asked honestly curious.

“I exist without most of them by default so I can’t be a judge for that, I know for certain that anger and hatred I can very well live without now that I resolved my issues...But I guess you Humans may still resent having somebody else taking away what’s yours, even if just your ability to hate something/somebody just because you want to.”

“Sadly I cannot deny that, Mister Mercer. For now we should focus on making this Terrorist Group believable and have our guests discover you exist and can walk in and out their precious Barrier as you please. As you and your friend said, this fake Terrorist group if properly monitored will help us in finding out the more dangerous elements in our society, terrorists of other groups especially. We will make sure the group will appear very well equipped and so dangerous and ‘appealing’...In exchange though I may want you to take care of some recovery missions for us.”

“Like?”

“Like the soldiers that had been forced into Conversion, their family want them back; they don’t care if they are horses, if that really is Humanity’s future then it would be better to have a peaceful chance to get used to it slowly instead of being turned all at once be and told to suck it up.”

“I’ll see what I can do. How long it will take to establish our Terrorist Group?”

“Two weeks at best, we’ll start small with some ‘stolen’ equipment, we also have few dead pony soldiers frozen in several secret bases around the globe we took for study. The ponies do not know they are dead by our knowledge so they will be the perfect victims of few bombs, as a way for our Group to present themselves, to show they mean business.”

“Need a hand in knowing how they work? I Consumed a few...”

“If you don’t mind. In exchange I will personally see to it to have the Bio-scanner destroyed and the plans erased, nobody will be able to re-create them during this operation.”

“And Blackwatch?”

“IF they crawl out from whatever hole they had hidden themselves in after the New York incident, I am giving you permission to use them, and ONLY THEM, as a snack; if you get hungry use the Equestrians, not us.”

“May as well, as a show of good faith...And by the way, this riffle is empty, sir.” Alex said moving to stand in front of the man to show the empty clip.

“You don’t exactly need guns.” the other replied chuckling and relaxing a little.

“And yet I didn’t Consume you either, and I had PLENTY occasions to do it.” he countered.

“True. But you are our last hope against those horses as you can work on both sides with perfect disguises...You sure you are not interested in joining the Army? You got thousands years worth of experience thanks to all the soldiers you ate.”

“Over my dead bio-mass.”

“A pity, you would have gone far. Be at this address in a week and we will register the first video message to the ponies about the Human Serum, and two week after that we will work on the explosion of the pony soldiers, we’ll need time to find a proper place for it.”

“You better not betray me, I am still good at killing and Consuming.”

“I am not here because I am an idiot, Mister Mercer. We are trying to salvage humanity, so if I have to trust a mass-murdering bio-weapon because it’s the only option we have left then I will.”

“I thought Longinus was your last option.” Alex asked smirking.

“That or Icarus.”

“Those are military secr...You Consumed the people in the know, of course. I would prefer us not reaching that point, to be honest...Neither the Russian want to use their ‘Top Secret’ Jäger warships or the chinese and their prototype Kill Satellite with the first giant (and unstable) plasma cannon ever seen outside works of Fiction.

We are all this close at seeing nukes being deployed by the hundreds by the more unhinged Country Leaders, so you two and your plan are the last try before we decide to crack the planet in two ourselves with enough nukes to have the Sun itself blush in envy at the resulting heatwave. This plan MUST succeed...Otherwise there won’t be much left to save, even by the Magic of Friendship unless they can survive the void of space or even a black-hole.”

“A black-hole?”

“The Japanese Government has hinted that they are ready to create one and let it swallow the whole planet along the ponies if we lose, they would hypothetically just wait we others to give them the permission since it would very likely also extinguish half the solar system as collateral damage so they don’t want to shoulder the full blame of the extinction of the human race.”

“...”

“No, Mister Mercer. I am NOT joking.”

“Then yes, we better be successful.” Alex muttered impressed.

“Is that all? I have several calls to make if we want to put this show on the road, and Time is maybe the only thing we don’t have.”

“If things go as we want them to, the advancing of the Barrier should slow-down to a crawl.”

“I hope so. Good luck out there, Mister Mercer, after this the United States of America and the whole damn planet will be in your debt. Forever.”

“If Humanity won’t decide they want me dead for forcing them to turn into ponies.”

“That is also a possibility, but at least my daughter will be awfully happy, she loves ponies.”

“That is not fun, mister President.”

“To me it is, Mister Mercer, to me it is.”

Two Weeks later (Present time) – Human Side - Times Square – Manhattan -

Surveying the busy streets under him Alex Mercer watched as every screen started showing statics at the same time until they turned completely black shocking the few civilian ponies passing through to reach the safety of the Barrier and the soldiers acting as security force to stop humans from attacking.

“Celestia?” he asked aloud to his radio.

“She is watching, she is watching. She wants her precious ponies away from human territories so she is personally surveying everything through screening spells and strategically-positioned crystal balls;unfortunately for her the whole operation will take time and today’s announcement of the H-Serum existing will make it even more difficult. But at least only the ponies that can’t leave behind their dirty affairs and the soldiers will remain roaming about.” Discord answered.

“And the Elements.”

“Yes. I think I will offer Celestia to have the ones still in Equestria see this, just to make it clear that it is dangerous to wander outside the Barrier.”

“Do what you think it’s right. It’s starting.” Alex said as a loud cruel laugh blared from the screens as a tall man with broad shoulders, wearing military clothes and a gas mask hiding his identity appeared on every screen.

“Greetings Pony Invaders and Traitors of the human race.” the soldier that had been tasked with the role of the Terrorist Leader said with a deep voice speaking coldly at the camera immediately making every pony stop to look at him.

“He is a darn good actor.” Discord said impressed.

“You may wonder who am I, and the answer it’s easy, I am the Leader of the group that sent you those nice messages of warning about our answer to your coming to steal away our Humanity. Well, I decided that actions do speak louder than words so I am here to give you all a small preview...THIS is the H-Serum. THIS is the hammer of Justice that will strike down the evil that is Equestria.” the masked man said showing a vial of pale blue liquid in clear glee.

“What did they inject you with?” Discord asked curious.

“Water with blueberry-flavoured food colouring mixed in. It felt funny to taste it from my veins instead of mouth.” Alex answered.

On the screen in the meantime the camera had switched to an earth pony mare (Alex) tied to a chair with two masked and unrecognizable Unicorn soldiers keeping guard so she could not escape (two Converted human soldiers that were even too eager to stick it to the horses) as another human wearing a gas-mask took the vial to fill a syringe and roughly injecting the content in her neck.

“The Pony soldiers you see that have already joined our ranks will sadly have to wait before turning human as they wished to since we’ll need “somepony” in our group to bringthe Serum past that Barrier of yours, yes, it can pass through as have already tested the defense. And if you are wondering,our Holy Water works very well as a gas or mixed with water and food too, but for this demonstration we needed our friend to not hold her breath or spit out what we give her.” the Leader was heard say with a conversational tone as the mare started screaming and wildly spasm on the floor once freed.

What the horrified ponies saw was Alex then purposely going very slow in switching into a human woman: meaning that the spectators could see skin tear apart and change colour, bones grow and rearrange themselves, the cutie-mark dissolve and hands and feet take the place of hooves as the now naked woman, after few long minutes filled by clearly-agonizing pain, slumped to the floor unconscious to be covered by a plain sheet and then hosted on the shoulders of a third masked man to be took away off-camera.

“She will live and rejoin her brothers and sisters on Mother Earth’s soil as a human. Was it not nice? An ignorant mare will finally understand what it feels like to be on the other side! We are not killing you, we are removing the flaws of your Equestrian form to turn you into a more acceptable shape. Your Cutie-marks and your differences as Earth Ponies, Unicorns or Pegasi will all disappear, we will all be equal! We all will be a single family living together! You are trying to take away our Humanity? Then we will raise the ante and take away your being ponies...Soon we will launch an all-out Conversion Attack, our Brothers and Sisters here are ready to the ultimate sacrifice and nothing will stop us! Nothing will Convert us! The time for Gaia to raise and help Humanity retake its rightful place has come!

The choice is yours: Humanity or Death!”

“HUMANITY OR DEATH!” every masked man and woman or stallion and mare in the room, in and off-camera, yelled as one with a roar as the image switched to the yellow shield with a human hand crushing a skull on it sporting Gaia written under it before the screens again showed statics and then turned-off.

“Wow.”

“Yep, at the White House they have very good PR Experts.” Alex confirmed as ungodly chaos erupted in the streets as every single pony of all three races started screaming in complete and absolute panic, even the guards that SHOULD be there calming them down.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” the various screams echoed all the way up to Alex’ hiding spot making him chuckle amused.

“OooOh!”

“Tell me that is not an orgasm what I am hearing.” he then begged to his radio.

“...” a very low unintelligible muttering was heard in answer.

“...You are disgusting.”

When a week later still to the news of the Terrorist Group Gaia making their public appearance, and of even more ponies (again, still Alex) being discovered having expressed the will to join their ranks, went added the news of Gaia using a truck filled to the brim in explosive to reduce a human base several Pony soldiers had took control of into a smoking crater with barely enough pieces to recognize the victims, Celestia was forced to accept Discord’s suggestion the Draconequus made as a joke and have everypony take refuge behind the Barrier.

All for the third bad news popping up about Alex Mercer being still alive and kicking bringing further panic to both sides barely a day later.

A week later – Penthouse – Tea with Discord -

The Draconequus was calmly using his tail to fill two cups of perfectly-made tea for him and Alex, the latter once again free to take human form, as the two sat on a small round table next to the pool.

“I bet they all take the news of my return very badly.” Alex asked curious.

“On the Pony side? They don’t know if they should fear you more or Gaia, especially since some willing new-foals that managed to survive dealing with you told Celestia, Luna and the Elements some rather graphical anecdotes about your escapades...You can be quite the death machine when you want to.” Discord answered impressed.

“I once emptied a whole military base by Consuming every staff member one at a time without rising a single alarm and nobody noticed.” the other said sounding ALMOST proud of himself.

“Yep they told them that AND about the other times when failed stealth you just slaughtered and demolished everything on sight.”

“Not always subtly was easy to accomplish.”

“I can imagine. They are now on high alert and IDs are on an all-time height of importance, and dear Twilight is working no-stop on a way to create a spell able to find you no matter the identity you wear, she is taking ideas from the Bio-scanners those new-foals talked about. Even Sunset Shimmer was recalled from her exile to help. And in order to regain her permission to be a pony that mare is ready to do everything to stop at least you.”

“They can try, but I know how to deal with that SHOULD they manage to create such a spell. What about phase 2?” Alex asked.

“I moved the trucks and the container ships in the accorded area, soon we will be ready to get the new-foals that had been forced to change there so they will be free to rejoin their families, done that Phase 3 will start.” Discord answered.

“How will we be able to tell apart the ‘victims’ from the ones that choose Conversion on their own free Will?”

“Celestia is not stupid, just having the Bad Traits removed or suppressed won’t be enough. Whenever a human came voluntarily to be Converted they prepared their ID on the spot and made it coloured in blue; during the fights where people either civilian or soldiers were Converted their ID were made in block AND coloured red, so there are two different registers listing names and description of every pony of either of the two groups. And they are keeping the two groups separated just in case, in fact, the Blue Converted are already mingling with society back in Equestria, as a way to entice more to transfer on Earth and to help the New-foals to leave behind their old lives as Humans.”

“The ones forced may still vocally resent the Conversion and so become detrimental, and Celestia NEEDS to have her ponies to be willing to come here, thus the need of keeping blue and red separated.” Alex said nodding.

“Exactly, she has a very tight schedule, by the end of the year every pony MUST be moved to Earth and every square inch of land belonging to Pony Territory brought here, no later than that.”

“It’s her fault if she reached this point, now her hooves are tied.”

“This doesn’t excuse her for attempting Xenocide.” Discord replied hotly.

“I am not excusing her, just putting the blame where it should go.”

“Right. I would start tomorrow to organize freeing the new-foals if I were you.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Good to hear that, and good choice of tea as well.” Discord said before disappearing making Alex hurry-up to turn into the mare owning the penthouse.

“...” in the silence that followed Alex slumped on his chair with a long draw-out groan.

“Several hundreds of thousands of people to save...God, this will be hard to do.” the Living Virus moaned in tired despair.