Daedalus' New World

Daedalus walked into town, one he had been to many times already, albeit as a bird. He noticed pretty quickly that he was being waved at and greeted by ponies who had never seen or heard of him before. He, of course, returned the waves and greetings, surprised at the kindness and hospitality of the ponies. Granted, they knew not the truth of him.

The virus had already decided he would head to Town Hall first and check for any jobs that may need to be done. First, he needed income. Then, a place to stay. Food was unnecessary for him, yet he knew he needed to keep up appearances. A pony not buying food was suspicious, at least.

He continued down the street, taking in the sights he paid no attention to in the past, and allowed his mind to memorize the layout of everything he passed. Before long, he approached the multi-story building that was the center of town. Daedalus was prepared to enter the building, yet paused when he saw a board with several papers posted on it.

Allowing himself to smile externally, Daedalus approached the notice board and examined it. After all, it would be far easier than talking to the Mayor.

Missingdog- 75 bits.SpeaktoApplejack in Sweet Apple Acres for information.

RunningoftheLeavesinfourdays.

DiamondDogsreturnedtogemfieldsoutsideoftown.

ChangelingssightedinEverfree?

Daedalus allowed himself a small frown as he became unfortunately aware of the fact that this literally was a noticeboard, nothing more. Job openings would not be listed. The virus turned and was ready to enter the Town Hall, but stopped.

Imight as wellwanderaroundtown. It'llfamiliarizemewiththelayoutevenfurtherandmayallowmetochanceuponajoboffer, notthatIneedonefor any reasonotherthanappearances.

Nodding to himself lightly, he turned and around and began walking, heading in the general direction of a large tree he had seen. Daedalus had already decided to check out the library as it would let him speak to the librarian, who may be able to point him in the proper direction. As he walked, he took note of the buildings on each side of the road, taking special care to note the ones that weren't houses.

Of course, the vast majority werehouses, but a few weren't. He passed by a couple shops. One was a strangely silent blacksmith shop, another a bakery he had been in before and still believed to be over-decorated, a clothing store, and a carpentry shop. Looking forward, he smiled as he saw the library coming up in the distance, the living tree still amazing him. Before long, he had arrived. Stopping before the door and glancing at the sign, he knocked thrice.

"Come in!" A voice called out, which he recognized as Twilight.

He pushed the door open and entered, seeing again the shear amount of books lining the walls. He looked in the center of the room to see Twilight looking at him with a friendly smile. He smiled back and she spoke. "Hello! My name is Twilight Sparkle and the librarian here at Golden Oaks. How can I help you?"

"My name is Gene Splice and I have a few questions I'd like to ask, both about history, and the town in general." Daedalus replied.

She smiled in reply and nodded her head. "Ask away."

"Well, my first question is do you know of any place hiring?"

She raised and eyebrow. "You're new here?"

Daedalus nodded and she continued. "Well, you can probably check Sweet Apple Acres. Being a farm, I'm sure they'd be happy to have help."

"Do you know of any places to stay such as an inn or hotel?"

She tilted her head to the side. "You don't have a place to stay?"

He shook his head. "Nope. I'm new to town and have spent quite some time traveling, so I don't have anyway to stay."

She nodded in understanding. "There's an inn not far from Town Hall. You'll recognize it by the large green dragon on the roof. I believe its thirty bits per night."

Daedalus smiled. "Thank you. And for a house, I'd need to speak to the Mayor, correct?"

"Yep! You'll be able to either buy a house, or just land. I don't know what's for sale or the prices, so you'll need to speak with Mayor Mare."

"Thank you. Do you have any books of Equestrian history? I've been meaning to brush up on it and keep my facts straight."

Despite the paper, no, nano-thin cover for the book, Twilight accepted it and smiled brightly, quickly levitating a large tome over and setting it on a nearby desk. Glancing at the title, Daedalus saw EquestrianHistory: ACompleteCompendium.

"Here you go! One history book. Of course, you'll need to sign it out. Follow me." Twilight said.

Daedalus followed her over to the desk and watched as she pulled out a ledger-like book and wrote something, then turned it, pointing at a blank space. "Just sign right here."

He did so, taking a moment to familiarize himself with writing with a hoof. The virus did, however, notice the strange look he was given when he gripped the quill in his hoof. Iamverygladformicroscopictendrils to grabit.

Afterward, she smiled and handed- hoofed?-the book to him and he placed it on his back. As he did so, she spoke. "The book is due in two weeks, and every week its late has a fee of three bits."

"Thank you, Ms. Sparkle. I must see if Ms. Applejack is hiring. Have a nice day."

"You too, Gene!"

Exiting the library, Daedalus looked at the sun and saw it was a little past noon. He started heading in the general direction of the Everfree. When he had left it earlier that day, he had seen the apple farm. After he had reached the edge of the town, he same the farm and headed that way. Pretty soon, he arrived and headed toward the farmhouse.

As he walked, he passed countless rows of trees, each bearing the literal fruits of their labor. They extended far into the distance, albeit Daedalus' eyes could see where the farm ended. A little off-center of the farm was the house and barn, and the virus saw the roof of another building in the distance. When he neared the house, he saw Applejack coming out of the barn and so he changed his directions and headed straight for her.

When he was close enough, he spoke up and gained her attention. "Hello, Ms. Applejack."

He donned a confused look when he saw the befuddled look she directed to him. Turning, she approached him and replied. "Good mornin', but don't worry about callin' me miss. Just Applejack is fine. What can Ah help ya with?"

The hidden virus nodded and answered the inquiry. "My name's Gene Splice and I'm new to Ponyville and happened to be looking for a source of income. Ms. Sparkle, the librarian, pointed me in this direction after I met with her earlier."

Applejack looked him over, taking note of his race as well as muscle. When she spoke up, she did so with something he never thought he'd hear. "Can ya buck?"

Instead of shouting in shock, he settled for simply titling his head to the side and perking an ear. Applejack, in reply, smiled. "Just follow me. Ah'll show ya."

Daedalus followed, after setting down the book, the farm pony to an unharvested apple tree. He watched in intrigue as she turned around, reared her hooves, and kicked the tree solidly, shaking the mass to its tips and knocking loose all the apples within, effectively harvesting the tree in a single blow. She turned back to him with a proud smile. "That is called buckin' a tree."

Internally, Daedalus was roaring in laughter. He simply couldn't help it. A single change of one letter would be all it took to drastically change the meaning of that sentence. After settling himself, he spoke. "I've never done it before, but I'll try."

She nodded and watched as he approached a different tree. He faced away and pulled his hind legs in, balancing for a moment on his front hooves. Knowing his own strength to be far greater than hers, he pulled his blow massively, his legs impacting the tree.

Two apples fell.

He physically winced. Maybenotsomuch.

He heard laughter and turned to see Applejack struggling to suppress it. In reply, Daedalus smiled. "Don't worry. I'm not upset. I didn't know how hard to hit it so I hit it weakly. Too weakly, obviously."

The farm pony nodded, a trace of mirth still on her lips. The virus repeated the earlier actions, hitting the tree muchmore solidly, smiling in satisfaction as the rest of the apples fell, landing around the tree, filling buckets up- buckets that he didn't even notice were there. When he turned back to the farm mare, he saw nodded slightly. "Not bad. We could certainly use ya 'round here. You're hired, then."

Daedalus nodded. "Thank you. Will I start today or?" He left the question hanging.

"Today's fine, if its alrigh' with you." She replied.

He nodded and she smiled. "Well let's get ta work!"

***

Roughly six hours had passed by Daedalus' reckoning. In that time, they managed to harvest a rather decently-sized portion of the field. Midway through, the virus had his body reproduce sweat and emit it through his pores, otherwise he would have alluded to his tireless state of being. Currently, he was waiting for Applejack to return with his pay for the day, something he did not expect to be altogether too much, considering he only worked for half a day.

After a short spell, the farm pony exited the house with a bag resting on her back. He stood up and placed the book, which he had recently reacquired, on his back and approached the mare. When they met, she smiled at him and handed, or hoofed, rather, the pouch to him. Gripping it, he felt the weight and set it in the book, securing both with his powers.

"There ya go, thirty-six bits for six hours labor. Will Ah see you tomorrow?" Applejack asked.

Daedalus nodded. "Of course. What time should I arrive?"

"Eight o' clock's fine. Good night, Gene." With that final sentence, Daedalus was on his way back to town, looking for the inn. After roughly fifteen minutes of walking through the town, he approached a three story building made of wood with a thatched roof. Glass windows faced the street, light being emitted from some of them. A small, steady drone of conversation could be heard through the closed doorway.

Just as Twilight had said, a large green dragon was perched on the roof, rearing back and seemingly roaring to the world. Approaching the door, he read the sign and smiled in slight amusement.

TheGreenDragon.

Allwelcomedexceptdragons. The inn happenstobeflammable.

Opening the door and entering, he paused as half of the patrons turned and looked at him. When they did, he thought to himself irritatedly, Thisisn'tanold western movie.

Unlike said movies, the occupants quickly lost interest upon seeing an Earth pony and turned back to their beers and peers. Daedalus approached the counter and was greeted. "Welcome to the Green Dragon. How can I help you."

The barkeep was a orange Unicorn mare with a silver mane, quite the unusual color scheme. Smiling at him, he noticed her eyes were an unusual silver as well. He smiled back. "I believe a room for a night is thirty bits, correct?"

She spoke cheerfully. "Yep. Thirty a night or fifty for two, seventy for three, ninety for four, and so on. What's making you stay at an inn?"

He opened the back and counted out thirty bits, leaving him with a mere six. He answered after sliding the golden coins over to her. "New in town and don't have a place to stay. You can expect me here a good bit until I have enough for a house. So its thirty for the first night and twenty after? Does it count for succession, or just at once?"

"If'n you're still here tomorrow night, it'll be twenty. It only goes back to thirty if you're gone for a couple days. Boss wanted to give a discount to long-term stayers like you."

She levitated a key into his hoof. "That's to your room on the second floor, Room 8. Breakfast is served at six in the morning, lunch you're on your own, and dinner at eight."

He smiled. "Thank you, Ms.?"

"Fire Brand. Don't worry about the miss. Have a nice night?"

"Gene Splice, and a good night to you, as well."
He climbed the stairs to the second floor and found Room 8. He checked the hall and after seeing it empty, he used his tendrils to manipulate the key and unlock the room. He entered to see a small, three-room apartment.

The main room was the living area, consisting of two coaches and a small table in between. A single window let in light, as well as a likely magically powered crystal imbedded in the table. To the right, deprecated by a small counter, was a kitchen. A stove, toaster, and something reminiscent of a fridge were situated in the offshoot.

Left led to a simple bedroom with an attached bathroom. The bed was a simple twin-sized bed, with white blankets, sheets, and pillows. The bathroom was stocked with towels and products.

Lying back on the bed, Daedalus smiled and nodded to himself, satisfied. "Not bad. Certainly not the worse hotel I've been in."

Closing his eyes, he allowed his mind to settle and fell asleep.

***

Daedalus opened his eyes and stood to his full height of 6'7'', obviously augmented by his Assaulter strain of Blacklight. He looked at his surroundings, surprised to see the familiar layout of a destroyed, infected Manhattan. However, when he glanced a the night sky, he was made aware of two moons.

Staring at them, he realized why it was so familiar. SecundaandMassar... Iplayedthatgameonce and itstillaffectsme.

After seeing the moons, he realized immediately that he was dreaming, although lucid dreams were rare. Turning, he climbed up a partially-standing skyscraper and sat down, admiring the billions of stars twinkling in the night sky. While the dreams may have been rare, he knew he wouldn't wake up until it was time to do so, ergo he decided to simply enjoy his eight hours of peace.

The peace, however, did not last long. Soon after, he felt another presence and could hear a heartbeat. Standing up, he looked around. His surprise was great when he saw a large, dark blue, horned pegasus descending from the sky. He stood and watched as she landed on the building in front of him, seemingly uninterested at the destruction and fleshy growths dominating the city.

After landing, she folded her wings and approached Daedalus. When she was close, the mare spoke. "Pray tell, what manner of creature be thee?"

Raising an eyebrow at both the speech, and the question, he replied. "Human. Who are you?"

"We art Reagent Luna, Mistress of Dreams and of the Night. We hath senses thy dream and became intrigued. We hath never seen thy kind before."

He nodded, smiling slightly. "We happen to be rare. Rare enough for me to be the only one. So you're the monarch here?"

She shook her head slightly. "Nay, not a monarch. A diarch. I rule alongside my sister, Celestia, Lady of the Day. We reside within the city of Canterlot."

The virus hummed slightly. "I may need to speak with both you and your sister soon. Can that be arranged?"

Luna nodded. "Aye. For what day?"

He thought about it, then replied. "A week from now, you're Majesty. Keep an eye out for the name Gene Splice. I've got some information for you two. Its about me and what I am. I figure the rulers should know about me."

She nodded again, accepting this. "It shall be arranged. See thee then, Human Splice."

She lifted off again and he smiled at the name she had given him. Turning back and sitting down, he soon felt the presence leave. He lied back and began staring at the sky again.

Forapony, sheain'thalfbadlooking.

***

Daedalus awoke the next morning and spent the next week working at Sweet Apple Acres, reading the book he borrowed from the library, and preparing go travel to Canterlot. Having stayed every night at the Green Dragon, his coat was twenty bits a night, allowing him an increased profit.

Working ten hours a day at a rate of six bits an hour, he earned sixty a day. Having paid twenty per night, he made an extra forty. In six days, he made two hundred and forty bits, plus the previous six. Not having to pay for food or anything else really let him save up.

During the fourth day of work, he informed Applejack that he had to take a trip to Canterlot for an important meeting. If all went well, he wouldn't stay more than a day. She accepted it readily and thanked him for warning her.

On the sixth day, he went to the library and returned the book he had borrowed. Twilight was quite happy he didn't keep books too long, as well as a little impressed he read the entire book. On the subject of the book, the tale of Nightmare Moon stuck with him. He was a little awed that Princess Luna had endured an entire millennia on the moon and showed no clear sign of it. From his meeting with her, he never would have suspected anything of the like.

Finally, the day he would depart came around and he alerted Fire Brand, returning the key in case he was delayed. He left Ponyville via the rather feminine train. After paying for a ticket, he was led with two hundred thirty bits he kept in a saddle bag he had bought prior to departure.

The ride to Canterlot was uneventful and quiet, due in part to his disguise as Gene Splice. The ride itself took roughly four hours, not insufferably long compared to what it could have been. When he arrived at the Canterlot station and disembarked, he was surprised at the shear wealth the city exuded. As he walked, he paid some attention to the ponies walking down the streets. Each one walked with their noses stuck in the air, surprising Daedalus with the fact that none of them tripped.

In fact, just to amuse himself, he extended a hidden tendril and tripped one, barely preventing himself from laughing when it sparked a domino effect that toppled nearly a dozen ponies before anyone noticed. Mood raised, he continued down the road toward the castle, consuming any fur or feathers he came across. It allowed him to considerably increase the equine gene pool he had stored within himself.

The final thing the sentient virus noticed during his walk through Canterlot was the guards patrolling the city. Each one wore a set of golden armor that shielded the bare minimum of the body. Each was adorned with a Roman-style horsehair helmet of varying colors, likely signifying rank.

Their weapons were always either a sword or spear. He never saw anything like halberds, other polearms, bows, shields, or any other weaponry.

Granted, polearms wouldbearatherineffectivepatrolweapon.

It may have taken nearly half an hour for him to navigate his way to the castle through the crowded streets, but he succeeded. Soon enough, he was approaching the front gates of the castle grounds. Guarding the entrance were two guards equipped with spears while swords hung at their sides. He walked past without incident and continued onward before he came to the front doors of the castle itself. When he neared, two more guards blocked him and spoke.

"Halt. Day Court has been cancelled. If you wish to voice your concerns to the diarchy, wait until Night Court or until tomorrow." The leftmost one spoke.

Daedalus raised an eyebrow. Theycancelledcourtforme?

"I was led to be believed that I would be expected today. Is there a mix-up?" The virus replied.

The same guard replied. "What is your name?"

"Gene Splice." Came simply.

"Oh, my apologies. The Princesses are expecting you in their study. I'll lead you there now, if you please." He spoke.

Daedalus nodded. "All is forgiven."

The virus was led through the halls by the member of the military. They moved down several hallways, taking a convoluted path of twists and turns, yet his viral brain memorized the path perfectly. The walls were made of pristine marble and decorated with vases, tapestries, and stained windows. The wealth of the crown was quite clear.

In short order, they arrived at a large oak door emblazoned with the insignias of the sun and moon, signifying a room of the Crown Princesses. When they neared, the guard turned to him. "The Princesses are inside and waiting. I will return to my post. If you need help finding your way out after the meeting, ask any maid or guard."

Daedalus nodded. "Thank you."

The guard nodded back and left, returning to his post at the front door of the castle. Turning back, he knocked solidly on the door. Moments later, he heard a response from inside. Examining the handle, he realized it was significantly different than the ones found in Ponyville. Instead of a knob or latch mechanism, it seemed to be an indent shaped like a hoof. Pressing his hoof into it, he rotated his leg to the right, seeing the device turn as well. Soon, he heard a soft clickand the door swung open at his push.