//-------------------------------------------------------// Dehumanized -by The Warmaster- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue: Moment of No Return //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue: Moment of No Return Sirens blared in Lucy’s head as she awoke from darkness. She felt something heavy on her face, and around her body. A metal mask and restraints. Lucy was exhausted, and less sick than she used to be. “The anesthetic is wearing off! Alert Dr. Night Light!” Shouted a male voice. Lucy recognised him. He was the head scientist of this research wing. Memories flooded her as she heard the doctor walking towards her. It finally registered in her head what he was doing. A wet, breaking sound rang throughout the cold, dark room. The doctor’s body slumping to the floor as his head was held by an unseeable force. There were screams, followed by more snapping and the echoing sound of liquid rapidly spraying onto the floor. Lucy finally regained sight, and the first things she saw were blood splattered walls. Three bodies littered the floor, two dressed as guards and the third wearing a lab coat. The latter had a syringe in his had, most likely filled with some form of drug. After getting her bearings, Lucy saw four see-through arms pointing in her general direction. The arms tore her restraints apart, freeing her sore body. The pink haired woman collapsed to her knees, the only things keeping her stable were her vectors. She panted before regaining her footing- the floor was icy to the touch, making Lucy wince at the sudden feeling. Slowly and carefully walked forward, the new sensation becoming background noise as her bare feet. She was hurting all over from sores and bruises, but she’d finally get out. The mask on her head was ripped in two by her vectors, revealing her face… And a grin was present. “What has happened?” Night Light asked one of the security officers accompanying him as they walked towards the research wing of Canterlot Castle, home to the Princess of Equestria. “According to the reports, we lost all communication from the private bunker twelve hours ago. Since then, no one has been seen leaving the area. I shall notify Captain Angelos of the situation, and request additional forces in case we need them.” The Guard reported, his gold armor shining brightly in the light of the rising sun. Heavy red leather armor sat underneath the golden plating, while a sword sat in its scabbard on his hip. The other three guards wore similar armaments. “No. This is a confidential matter. Inform Princess Celestia, and follow her commands from there.” Night Light replied. The Guards paused, fidgeting slightly. “Um, Sir, according to the Codex, we are supposed to report to our direct commanding officer.” The Guard said cautiously. “Captain General Armor is currently away, so our commanding officer is Captain Angelos. Subverting authority could lead to a court martial-” “This is a top secret facility, sergeant.” Night Light stated impatiently. “It has been around since before Captain Angelos’ reforms, and even informing you is a security risk. I report directly to the Princess, so I am asking you to notify her of the situation in my stead. Is that understood?” “V… very well, sir. It will be done.” The Guard saluted, before rushing off to deliver the word. Night Light sighed, turning back to the other three guards. “Captain Gabriel has made things so difficult…” Night Light sighed, rubbing the ridge of his nose. “The rest of you are with me. If the worst has happened, then there is an extremely dangerous specimen on the loose. Be on your guard.” The guards nodded, drawing their swords and forming up behind the esteemed scientist. Once they reached the doorway, Night Light nodded to one of the guards, who carefully opened the door. Beyond it was a flight of stairs, leading into the darkness that dwelled inside Canterlot Mountain. “Now, remember. This facility is highly classified. Anything you see cannot be spoken of. Ever. If we hear that you have told anyone of this, you will be brought for memory wiping. Is that understood?” The guards nodded, and with that, they descended into the shadows. The facility was in shambles. Blood covered the walls, entrails made nests in the ceiling, and corpses were mangled all over the floor, bloody hand prints covering anywhere that wasn’t drenched in gore. One of the Guards removed his helmet, leaning over to the side and vomiting at the sight, while the other two managed to hold it in. Night Light, however, remained unusually calm, and walked through the gore and Blood as if it wasn't there. “My fears have been confirmed, it seems.” Night Light muttered, examine the room they were in. “Men, I want you to ready yourselves. We don't know where the specimen is, and she could attack at any moment.” “U-um, sir, who is ‘she’?” One of the Guards asked, horror clearly evident in his eyes. “That isn't important right now. We need to get to the Command Center and find out where she is. There are several monitors using magic observation spells to display what's going on in the facility.” Night Light growled, stepping through the gore and more. The Guards looked to each other, before following him deeper into the facility, grips tight on their swords. After traversing through a scene not even Tartarus could replicate, the scientist and three warriors arrived at the entrance to the Command Center. Night Light was slightly nervous, as they had yet to see the subject of his experiments anywhere in the facility. He prayed to Celestia that she had not escaped the facility, and slowly opened the doors, peering inside, the Guards stepping through first with their weapons at the ready… Only for their heads to fly off of their bodies. Lucy sat inside, leaning against the control center’s desk, the body of an unidentifiable person in front of her. She was grinning from ear to ear. “Dr. Night Night… Why bring guards when you know they’re helpless against me?” Her cold voice didn’t match her smile. It was dry, almost hoarse, and grating to listen to. “It could be considered as a way to ease my worries. Strength in numbers after all, Subject 0.” Night Light replied, trying to remain calm even as sweat began trailing down his neck. “Please, call me Lucy. It’s not my name, so it’s not even formal…” Lucy said coldly, the smile not fading. “You’ve wasted my time, Doctor. Now I’m behind the others.” “Others? What do you mean?” Night Light asked. “Do you mean there are others of your species?” “No, the competition. My brothers and sisters in arms.” Lucy said, the body on the table suddenly flying to the side, revealing the rest of her body. She wore a hodge podge of different uniforms from the facility. A simple blue t-shirt, black dress pants that were too feminine for the scientists and security, so Night Light assumed Lucy had raided one of the nurses, and finally, a lab coat from one of his former colleagues. “Do you truly think you could escape Canterlot, Subje- I mean, Lucy? Things have changed greatly since you were put in here, and security is much tighter than what it once was.” Night Light said, trying to reason with her. “Please, all will be forgiven if you return to your room at once.” “So I can be used as a lab rat?” Lucy’s smile faded into a scowl. “I have been given this chance to become a god, and I won’t give it up so one of the others can kill me while I’m weak…” “Princess Celestia has already been notified of this incident.” Night Light warned, standing straight. “Do you truly believe you can defeat someone as powerful as her? Or have all of those experiments dulled your brain’s higher reasoning functions?” “You’re a stubborn idiot, aren’t you? I don’t plan on fighting her… All I’d have to do was kill innocent bystanders and she’d call off the chase long enough for me to get away~ Besides, if she hasn’t gotten here yet, that must mean she’s either too far away, or you were too eager…” Lucy said, standing up. She walked through the blood soaked floor, her bare feet getting stained. “I just stayed here to say goodbye. And to ask politely… Where are my children?” “They are either dead, or someplace you will never find them. I've made sure of that.” Night Light replied, staring her dead in the eye. “It's likely that they don't even know who you are.” “They will recognise their Queen...” Lucy said, walking past Night Light, her grin returning. “There’s one hell of a storm coming… And Equestria is going to pay dearly for my mistreatment…” “I doubt it. I don't know who, but someone will stop you.” Night Light stated, not turning to face her. “And all of your plans will burn in the face of Celestia's wrath.” Lucy’s smile returned. “You’re terrified though… Aren’t you?” With that said, Lucy walked off. “Don’t follow me, unless you want your children to be my next victim~” Once she was out of hearing range, Night Light collapsed onto the floor, eyes wide in fear as he tried to control his breathing. Once he had calmed down enough, his hand glowed, generating a messenger spell, a pamphlet of glowing blue magical ‘paper’ appearing in front of him. “To Princess Celestia…” Night Light muttered, the words etching themselves onto the paper as he spoke them. “Subject Zero has escaped containment. Enact curfew as per Exercise 31. I shall contact someone trustworthy to attempt to bring back the specimen… or terminate her.” Once done, the paper rolled up by itself, before vanishing in a puff of smoke. Meanwhile, Lucy exited the facility, breathing in her first lungfuls of fresh air in years. Guardsmen attempted to stab and/or cut her to ribbons, however, Lucy’s vectors blocked and executed them all with a single strike. When no more guards stood in her way, Lucy looked up to the cloudy sky, tearing up as raindrops began berating her face. “So this is… Joy…?” Author's Note And that's the prologue' cowritten by BP (almost entirely written by BP. I did Nightlight and the Guards) and part of a trio of stories regarding three different characters as they make their impacts upon this world! I hope you all will enjoy! //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter One: Let the Game Begin //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter One: Let the Game Begin I hear sobbing. It’s almost always what I hear. The muffled voice of my mother, crying her heart out beyond the door to my hospital room. The room I was in was bland and white, which bugged my eyes. The only color in the room I cared to note was my brown blanket. My entire body was on fire. It felt like my insides were on fire… The Doctor’s said the radiation would make me better… Didn’t feel like it. The pillow felt frigid against my hairless scalp, reminding me why I was in here. Not like I had a choice in the matter. My mother was solely focused on saving me. It hurt me to have to put her through this. My impending death driving her and dad to the brink of madness. If I could, I’d end it now. My name is Judith Haydon, I’m 16 and currently diagnosed with breast cancer. I know, my life sucks balls. But it’ll end… Eventually. In my hands was my phone. I was in the middle of playing an online “game”... “Would you rather kill a cat or a dog… Cat.” I grumble to myself in my hoarse voice as I press my answer. There wasn’t much I could do on my death bed besides this. I could watch a video… Silently. The speakers broke not long ago. The next question was easy. Then the next. And next. One actually got me thinking though. “Would you rather change into your favorite anime character, but go to another world, or stay the same…?” I stare at the question. It seems a bit disjointed, but I shrug it off. I press yes without hesitation. “Becoming Lucy would be better than this… And a change of scenery would be nice, even if I never saw my family again.” At that moment, a sharp pain shot through my chest. ‘Oh god, I don’t want to actually die yet!’ I instantly took back everything I’d thought about being better off dead. Honestly I would, but the prospect of actually dying this soon… And with that last thought, my mind fades to black. The moment I woke up was startling to say the least. My whole body felt… Strange. Like I was turned into clay and morphed somehow. I was sure I didn’t have hair before… My eyes burst open and I jerk straight up. I frantically look around, and the room I was in was… A smaller hospital room… One with yellow walls? I look down at my hands, and I freeze in horror. They’re… Smaller. “Oh my! You’re finally awake sweetheart-!” A nurse almost shouts as she walks into the room. My head shoots up towards the woman, and I feel something go towards her- Her body explodes into a gore ridden shower. Everything from her chest up was vaporized. I scream in fear and shock, and the room starts to tear apart. I wrap my hands around my head to shield myself from whatever was destroying the room, until my hands came into contact with two stubby horns on either side of my noggin. With this new sensation, I stop in my tracks. I look up to see a transparent hand protruding from my back. It was very long, and moved where I wanted it to. It finally dawned on me… The memories of my last moments alive came flooding back… And I grinned. The grin then turned into a chuckle, before that chuckle evolved into laughing and devolved into a mad cackling. I struggle out of my bed and rush into a tiny bathroom in the corner. There was a small mirror that I stared into. A little girl with short pink hair looked back at me, wearing a hospital gown and covered in the deceased nurses blood. The pink eyes were vibrant, excitement coursing through her- my face. I had become Lucy… I took about a minute to admire my new appearance. I was the young version of Lucy, from before her imprisonment. I wasn’t weak anymore. “Sir, the entire hospital’s been evacuated and there’s no signs of the screaming girl. We’re assuming she’s become a hostage of the attacker.” Said a police officer to his chief, who was a gruff man, sporting a cleanly cut white moustache and beard. The elderly police chief sighed. “Let’s hope so. Where in blazes is the magic expert!?” The chief shouted. “I arrived at the front door a minute ago. What seems to be the situation, officer?” Asked a young male’s voice. The police officers turned to find a relatively handsome man with dark blue hair, and a slightly ragged brown trench coat over a dark blue shirt, with a crescent moon image in the center. “My wife just gave birth in a different hospital, so excuse my somewhat ragged appearance. Night Light, at your service.” “It’s fine, I’ve been through that as well.” The chief said. “There was a report that a nurse spontaneously… Well…” The younger officer put a finger in his mouth before making a popping sound before remarking, “She lost her head… And more.” “Officer Clip Clop, that is no way to speak about the recently departed.” The chief scorned sternly. “But essentially. There were other reports that suggest there was a young girl in the room when… You know. Several patients and staff say they heard her scream.” “Right… so she might be suffering from paranoia, while having access to some highly dangerous magic spells… probably Third Tier.” Night Light muttered, pulling out a notepad. “The patients said the scream happened after the nurse exploded.” The younger officer said. “Really?” Night Light looked up at them. “Yeah, wouldn’t it make sense to scream at someone suddenly exploding?” Clip Clop asked. “We shouldn’t rule anything out. How do you suppose we proceed?” The chief asked. “I'd recommend setting up a containment force field Spell around the room. I'll head inside and try to identify a possible attacker.” He looked at the Chief. “How many police officers do you have that can use any form of protection magic?” “Four, not including myself.” The chief said. “Rollout, Loud Siren, Rough Pin, and Cuffer.” “Good. Set two at each side of the hallway, while you manifest the shield. They will reinforce it.” He glanced at him. “If I remember correctly, police officers at least get basic shield training, right?” “Yes. They all know the spell.” The chief stated. “Clip Clop, relay those orders.” “Roger, Roger Roger!” Clip Clop replied, saluting before running off. The chief looked mildly annoyed. “Your parents weren't thinking when they named you that, were they?” Night Light asked once the officer was gone. “My father was a comedian.” Roger Roger sighed. “Not very good though… Anyways, what next?” “Like I said, I'll be going in alone to try to identify the attacker.” Night Light stated. “I am one of the Princess’ best mages, and excel at personal shields.” “With all do respect, I’d feel a lot better if you went in with a squad.” Roger said matter-of-factly. “Are you giving me an order, officer?” Night Light asked, a serious expression on his face as he stared down Roger Roger. “Yes. This is my city, and these are my people. I don’t see why going in numbers is a bad idea.” The blue-haired man stared at him for a moment longer, before his facial features relaxed, and he let out a chuckle. “You have impressive resolve, Chief Roger. You could probably work your way into the Royal Guard with that attitude.” He sighed, patting him on the shoulder. “If you wish, I'll take a squad of your officers with me, if only to ease your mind. But they will follow my orders to the letter once we are inside that room. Can you agree to that?” “Of course.” The chief replied, nodding his head. “Now you better hurry.” “Understood, Officer. Assemble your men that will accompany me near the end of the hall.” Night Light said, walking into the hospital. “Understood.” The chief replied, before turning to his men and signaling for them to head towards him. “Alright, I want you all to set up a force field around the room. Once inside, I will set up a barrier around myself and two others. They will assist in strengthening the shield. Understood?” Night Light said as they neared the hospital, pointing towards two of the officers. One saluted while the other just nodded. And the trio walked into the hospital, the others forming the barrier behind them. They made their way deeper into the hospital, until they came across a blood soaked floor. “Hello? Is anyone still here?” Night Light asked, preparing a ‘Detect Life Spell’ as he stepped into a puddle of blood. He lifted his foot up, eyes widening as he backed away, before regaining his composure. One of the officers beside him ran to a corner to vomit, while the other one was frozen in place. In a split moment, the two who still had some semblance of bravery saw a decapitated head of a nurse fly by them. What they didn’t see was their vomiting companion getting hit over the head with it. “What in Tartarus?” Night Light muttered, turning around to find the source from which the head had come from. A little girl, no older than nine with pink hair and two fat horns on either side of her head walked through the blood barefooted, grinning from ear to ear. “There are too many women in this hospital! Then when any guy showed up I killed him because I wasn’t paying attention! Thank god you all showed up!” She said between her manic cackling. “I really need to look before I kill…” “That's the patient that was in the room, right?” Night Light asked, looking at the other officers with him. “She's the one behind the odd magic and murders?” The girl looked to her right, then her left playfully. “Magic? I don’t see any magic… Oh, you mean this?” The frozen officer was then lifted into the air, causing him to scream out in terror. “Hmm… Maybe I was wrong… You don’t seem to be a guy.” He then flew into a pillar and hit his head, blacking out in an instant. The still puking officer was next, seemingly being grabbed by the leg and hovered in the air by said appendage. “It… looks like a levitation spell… but I can't sense her using any magic?” Night Light muttered, backing away slightly and preparing a barrier spell. “So this world has magic?” The girl pondered, before Night Light felt what he thought was a hand against his chest as the girl walked past him. “It was a pleasure meeting you, sir. You were of great help.” The ‘hand’ then lightly flicked his chin before vanishing. “What the… that… wasn't magic…” He muttered, turning around and staring at her. “What… what did you just do?!” “Why should I tell~?” The girl said playfully, turning around and placing a finger to her lips innocently. “Why spoil the surprise?” Night Light gulped, casting his barrier spell around himself before he spoke, raising his now glowing hand. “You… are under arrest for crimes against the land of Equestria. Come… quietly, or we will have to use force.” “Against a widdle girl like me- Wait, Equestria? That’s what this place is called!?” The little girl burst into fits of laughter. “Y-yes… now release that officer, and come quietly…” Night Light repeated, glancing at the officer in worry. “You think I’d come in quietly after what I’ve done?” The little girl chuckled in minor amusement as the officer was flung around as if a child were playing with it’s toy. “It always helps to ask…” Night Light muttered. “Besides, this entire building is surrounded by a magic barrier. You can't escape.” “I have hostages thanks to you though… They’ll let me out.” The little girl’s grin returned. “We would rather die than let a murderer loose upon Equestria!” Night Light growled, his hand glowing. “Now… drop the officer.” The little girl seemed to have mentally shut down for a moment. “Murderer…” She spoke the word as if it were alien to her. It was almost as if it was finally dawning on her. “I… Killed people…” The officer fell to the floor as the girl gripped her horns, tears coming to her eyes. “Oh my god!” She collapsed to the floor. Night Light dropped the barrier spell, rushing towards her as he pulled out a pair of handcuffs and bound the girl’s arms together, before looking over at the officer. “Are you alright?” “I-I’m fine…” He said, gripping his leg with a grimace. “No!” The girl suddenly screamed and Night Light was flung across the hallway. “I’m not going to throw away my life!” She began to desperately crawl away, only for a short beam of magic extending from Night Light’s hand hit her in the back of her head, and she began to feel extremely drowsy. “No… I’m… s-sorry…” When she fell asleep, her body slumped forward. The conscious officer crawled to his partner and checked for a pulse. “He’s alive, thank Celestia!” “Good. Head outside and tell your boss to prepare transport to Canterlot.” Night Light ordered, leaning down next to the girl. “This one’s too dangerous to keep here…” Canterlot/Unknown Facility: One Month Later Night Light watched behind glass, sitting next to Celestia as scientists pointed to a stub where “Lucy’s” left horn once was. “This is the second time we’ve done this. This month, no less. The horn’s seem to regenerate, giving her control of her ‘vectors’ once more.” The lead doctor said. Lucy, whose mouth was forced shut by a muzzle, was shaking as her bloodshot eyes desperately looked around. “So there's no way to remove her Vectors permanently?” Celestia asked, concern easily spotted on her face as she looked down at Lucy with pity. “No, we’ve been able to subdue the vectors with specialized magics, but they’re only drugs, and she could easily throw up or not take them all together.” The head doctor replied. “She’s the first of her kind, and hopefully the last…” “But if we could learn how to remove these ‘Vectors’ beforehand, we could allow any future members of her kind to walk the streets…” Celestia sighed. “That's only assuming that the Vectors are the source of her murderous tendencies, Princess.” Night Light said, looking towards her. “If it isn't, then we’d be damning our people to murderers and more of her ilk.” “But… she looks so human…” “She isn’t, I assure you Princess. From our interrogations, she was a human that was changed into a ‘Diclonius’. Anything else she wouldn’t say.” The doctor said. “Diclonius?” Celestia asked, glancing back at Lucy’s bloodshot eyes. “Even so, this… this isn't humane treatment of another living creature.” “Have you forgotten what she did at the hospital?” The doctor asked. “With all due respect, she’s an animal with a curse that could wipe us all out. No magic user is prepared to face one.” “But…” Celestia muttered. “She's a sentient being, not an animal.” “Your highness, given the chance, she would kill you or I. And not just that, she may try to replace humans as the dominant species. We have no clue if it’s a type of mutation, evolution, or an alien invasion. You agree with me, right Mr. Light?” “From what I have experienced… yes.” Night Light sighed, turning to Celestia. “She tossed one of the officers around like he was a toy. She can't be trusted around other humans.” “I…” Celestia gave Lucy one last look, her gaze filled with the sorrow of condemning another creature to assured death. “I understand. Do what you must, but I will have no part in this.” Lucy screamed through her muzzle, tears flowing freely down her cheeks as she struggled. “Understood, your highness.” He turned to the Head Doctor as Celestia departed, tears dripping out of her eyes as she left. “Continue the tests.” “With pleasure.” The head doctor said. Canterlot/Canterlot Hospital: Four Years Later Night Light stared at a little horned baby in a crib. “That's… impossible…” Night Light stuttered, staring at her. “Is there something wrong sir?” A nurse asked him. “No, nothing.” Night Light replied, before looking back at her. “Can you send word to Canterlot Palace that Night Light humbly requests Princess Celestia’s presence?” He asked. “Of course.” She said, before rushing away. “This… this shouldn't be happening… this can't be happening…” He groaned, clutching at the window. “Oh Celestia… how am I going to tell Velvet?” “I'm here, Night Light. What's wrong?” Celestia asked, teleporting into the hallway. “Did something happen to Velv...et…” She trailed off as she looked down at the horned baby. “Oh… oh my… how did this happen?” “I don't know… but she can't be allowed among humans…” Night Light muttered, looking around. “I'll tell Velvet… that she died… I can't bear the idea of telling her the truth…” “So what are you going to do?” Celestia asked, a horrified expression on her face. “You aren't going to… kill her?” “No. She’ll be put with Lucy for now… perhaps one day she might be able to join society… but for now we cannot allow her to walk free.” Lucy breathed heavily into her metal mask, tilting her head from side to side. Her mind was buzzing, and she had nowhere to put that energy. “My, my, you look mighty sad today…” A female voice said. Lucy didn’t recognise this voice, as it wasn’t any of hers. “I’m Alice Wonder… I’m here to give you some information about… The others…” Lucy struggled. She wanted to move, to speak. It was a nightmare. “I understand what you’re going through. But hear what I have to say, dearie.” The woman continued. “In a few more years, when you turn twenty seven, you’ll be released and freed into the wide, wide world of Equestria! And there’ll be many others like you. Not Diclonius, but humans from Earth. And you have to kill them…” Lucy froze at that. Alice just giggled. “You’re such a child… You’re trying to blame yourself when you did nothing wrong… If you win, you can wash away your sins… Bring back all who’ve died at your vectors. You’ll be the god of this world.” Lucy was confused, but listened. “I’m telling you this now because you’re suffering a major handicap. You’re the only mortal Player in this game… You’re the only one who can age, and as such, die from it. You mustn’t let others know this, or they’ll exploit it… Now… Who’s gonna win my game?” ‘Me!’ Lucy mentally cheered, tears of relief spilling from her eyes. “Now, I need to go, but you, my number three are going to have a visitor with good news!” Alice said, before her presence vanished. Lucy was once again alone for hours, thoughts running through her head. The solitude was broken as Lucy heard a door slam open ahead of her. “What did you do to me?!” Night Light growled, marching close to the restrained Lucy. “What did you do to cause this?!” He pulled a small baby up to her, wrapped in a pink blanket, two horns sticking out of her head. He removed her mouth restraint, hate in his eyes for the first time in his life. Lucy open her eyes for the first time in weeks, and Night Light saw dried blood covering bruises. It took Lucy a moment to fully grasp what was happening. “You didn’t…” She began before taking a long, labored breath as she cracked a smirk. Her voice was hoarse mand cracking. “Think my vectors… were meant for killing only, did you?” Night Light’s glare continued for a moment, before realization dawned on his face. “No… no… you didn't…” “I altered your DNA with my vectors. They’re meant for breeding, since Diclonius besides me can’t reproduce normally…” Lucy looked down at the baby. “Hello little Mariko…” “No, her name is Twilight Swirl.” Night Light glared, pulling her back. “That's the name her mother gave her.” “Call her what you like… But in the end, she’ll just be another number for this facility.” Lucy giggled to herself. “She can’t be trusted by other humans…” “Even if she is destined to stay at this facility, I’ll raise her so she can enter normal society someday… unlike you.” “Tell that to Nyu… Mariko’s the second of my offspring.” Lucy smirked devilishly. “The doctors showed her to me last year.” “What? Why wasn't I made aware of this?!” Night Light growled, turning to leave. “There’s at least one more on the way…” Lucy snickered before she yawned. The baby began to cry, and Night Light immediately went to comfort it. “Shh, shh, don’t worry Mariko… Mommy’s coming to get you.” “You are not her mother, and you will never see her again!” Night Light yelled, before turning away and walking towards the door, using his magic to contact someone and forgetting to put her mouth clamp back on. “Hello? I need you to locate the officers who accompanied me to that hospital. It is of utmost importance!” Lucy sighed. It was going to be a long while before she could enter this “game” of Alice’s. Manehattan: Present Day Lucy sat on the curb of a clothing store wearing a pair of new clothes. A white tank top covered by an unzipped hoodie, pink short shorts, black and white stockings and black and white tennis shoes which she’s stolen earlier. Rain was pouring down on her rapidly as she stood up and walked away. She was tired already, and her lack of muscles did nothing but hinder her movements. Soldiers wandered the streets in groups of five, idly chatting with each other, their hands gripping tightly on their sword pommels despite the calm of the city, and wore the golden armor Lucy had accustomed to the Canterlot Royal Guard. Every five minutes a patrol would wander down the street, leaving little time in between. Lucy didn’t seem to have trouble moving around, pickpocketing unsuspecting people with her vectors. When she had five wallets, she entered a motel. The receptionist was helpful in getting her a room without question. After paying upfront with cash, Lucy went to find her room with the keycard. A two bedroom room with a busted air conditioner. Lucy pulled the blankets and sheets off of the beds, discovering bedbugs by the hundreds. The Diclonius sighed, before walking into the bathroom and making the tub her new bed. “Better than nothing I suppose…” She murmured to herself. Author's Note And that's chapter one done! This was made by me and BP (again, mostly him) and I hope you will all enjoy this and the other two stories this one is a sister of! ('Welcome to Heaven, Kick Everyone Out' and 'Celestia's Raven'. They have the same universe, yet tell different stories.