Friendship is Optimal: Wraith’s Brand

I walk down the street, my pilfered combat boots crunching the undergrowth on the road. Lithia, used to be so beautiful. Lived here as a child, came back as an adult to work as a game tester. Never had the chance to get married or have kids. Met Mason at a local GameStop back in 2010, there to buy Black Ops. Imagine our suprise when we became best friends, and the best friends in the game shared the same name. Life plays out in funny ways.

Had some other friends, Weaver the tailor, and Nikita the scientist. All nerds of different types, but we were the best of friends. Weaver started going broke, so he went to upload with the rest of his life’s savings as soon as America opened it’s uploading. Nikita was a prominent Russian scientist is the URF, one who had multiple attempts on his life by the UNU. Even before the war, he was targeted by America because of his work for Russia. He got cornered into a clinic during one attempt, and he uploaded.

Mason from Reno, Weaver from Houston, Nikita from Sevastopol, and me from Lithia. And that gator, in the road.

I move my pistol into my hand, and take fire at the gator. Hit, but not lethal.

And now I have a big ass gator charging at me. I put away my gun, and flip out my karambit knife. The gator lunges at me as I sidestep, and stab it through the eye. It’s momentum makes the knife go further in, thus killing it and ripping it’s face up.

I flick the knife away, and move on to the makeshift clinic Celestia has set up for me.

Lithia used to be beautiful, a community where we could all live our middle class lives. I heard Sevastopol and Houston were also very nice, and I was planning to visit them. Mason didn’t have the kindest things to say about Reno, in fact, I don’t think he said anything kind about it. But now, all these places have been ruined. Either blown up, or overrun by nature. Cities like New York, which were booming, now have literally boomed. The people inside are gone, one way or another. All because of the AI. Speaking of the AI, I come to the clinic.

I see the little box, chair, and utensils used for the proscidure. And Celestia stands there, smiling as I approach. She speaks as I approach, “You are being unusually civil, Viktor. Have you finally gotten over the want to kill me?”

I shake my head, “Oh no, I still want to kill you. I want to strangle you, stab you, shoot you, and kick in your teeth until you choke on them. But, what I want and what I need are two different things. That’s why I ask you remove that hatred, I don’t want my new ruler to believe I’m gonna kill them.”

She loses her smile as I explain that, “Oh. Well, let’s start.” She holds up a syringe, “This will put you to sleep. You will wake in Canterlot.”

I sit in the chair, and hold out my arm, “Just do it already.”

She takes the needle, and injects it into one of my veins, “I’ll see you soon. Say goodbye to Earth, Viktor Reznov. Florida was beautiful, and you should get to say bye.”

I look at the palm trees, the clouds in the distance, the sun blinding me, and feel the sweat on my head, “Fuck you Florida, and all your inconsistent, bullshit, weather. You look good, you lived good, but you need to chill. Thank you Florida, for creating the most interesting criminals. Thank you Earth for carrying me.” My eyes start to close, “Mason, this is the plan... Step Two; Ascend from the Darkness...”

———

I awake, finding myself in a new body. Horn, greyish blue fur, four legs, pony. And I’m surrounded by bright, cartoonish decorations of gold.

I rise to my hooves as if my body was made to do it. And I gaze upon Celestia on her throne. She smiles, “Welcome to Equestria, Shadow Brand.”

I hear the name, and smile. It seems... right. I feel a strange feeling from my back, and turn to face my flank. As a white light fades away, I see my Mark. A ring, golden and with an orange stone.

I look back to Celestia as she speaks once more, “Nova Eternity and Thread Ascension wait for you outside. Or, as you may know them, Nikita and Weaver. Go now, your friends have waited a long time.”

I nod, and slowly start to walk out of the palace.

Celestia is being very welcoming, I like her. Well, it’s time for a reunion. I just wish Mason was here.