Simulated Pain

Chapters

Chapter One - Introduction
Chapter Two - Spectacle
Chapter Three - Flashbacks

Chapter One - Introduction

Celestia stood at the front of a large, metal door, that read 'Political Prisoner' on it's front. Behind it was Equestria's only human, Ian Mulbac. Today seemed as any other did. The day of weekly interrogation was here, and Celestia was usually up to the task, ready to dive into the same boring questions she would always ask. However, today seemed different. She didn't know why, but that didn't stop the strange feeling crawling up her back.

She bowed her head before allowing her magic to unlock the door, swinging it open just enough for her to walk in, before closing it behind her. She sighed, before letting her head come up, and meet the eye's of a man sitting on his bed. His eye's stared at her with unknown intentions, and they didn't blink. She glanced over to the left, where a table sat with a coffeemaker, one of the few luxuries that he was allowed to have.

She noticed that there wasn't any coffee inside.

"Ian, did you run out of coffee?" She asked casually, walking over to the table, viewing the coffeemaker up close. There were definitely no coffee beans inside, and it seemed like it hadn't been turned on at all. In fact, the recent coffee bean package that they had given him sat against the wall on the table, unopened.

"No. I just didn't feel like having any today, is all."

His voice was casual back. His voice wasn't unique in the slightest. It wasn't overly deep, yet it wasn't high pitched either. It was adequate, and it used to scare Celestia. The fact that such a normal person could be capable of such things that he was charged with, was quite troubling to her. Dealing with Villains in Equestria was quite easy to her, as they were able to stand-out. Yet, the only way that Ian stood out was the difference of species. Other then that, he was simply on the middle line.

Celestia turned to face him again, scanning him. He was dressed in the same clothes he usually was. A white shirt, with jeans. It was quite difficult to get anyone in Equestria to make him brand new clothes, but after pestering Rarity enough, he was finally able to get some. The best part about it, is the cleanliness spell put onto them, allowing them to be washed way less than usual.

She took a seat on the floor. Though, due to her height, she now matched his own height. Being such a tall Alicorn was something that intimidated most ponies, but Ian, after his first few encounters with her, had become quite comfortable with the size difference. She never felt like she ever really scared him all that much. Well, atleast after the first few encounters.

Ian gave a frown towards the floor, diverting his eyes downwards at the tiled floor. He clasped his hands together, his right leg occasionally lifting, his heel raising slightly before bring it back down. It held a rhythm, strangely enough. "I've heard that the science-center has finished putting the simulation tech together."

"You've heard right." Celestia said, not taking her eyes off of him.

"Do I need to repeat what I've said previously about it?"

"Ian, I understand your concerns. However, there have been no recorded incidents of what you claim has occurred during your time with the technology on Earth, and even if there was, the rest of the nobles and scientists would refuse to listen to you because of your... ahehm, reputation."

Ian shook his head, not taking his view away from the floor. "Your messing with dangerous stuff. All you have is a user manual for the damn thing, and you're trying to run it like you've worked with it for years. That machine is alive, despite not having a beating heart. I swear it's true."

Celestia could spot the seriousness on his face. Even if he was convincing her with his looks, she wasn't completely sold. "As I've said, according to the research that the Terra Colonies have handed over, there has been no recorded incident of this 'A.I' taking over the thousands of tests that have been conducted on Earth. And, let's say what you say is true, there are plenty of safety systems in place."

Ian looked up at her, staring her directly in the eyes. She stared back, feeling the weight of his brown eyes on her own. "Tell me this, Celestia. What happens when you try to force someone out of the chamber during a simulation? You must've read that part of the information they gave you."

"Well, yes, but-"

"And what did it say, Celestia."

Celestia sighed, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them back up. "The information given to the science-center stated that forced removal from the chamber before the simulation is over results in severe brain damage. They say that it's because the brain begins to fuse the virtual world with the real world, resulting in hysteria and mass delusion."

"And none of that worries you?"

Celestia thought about it for a moment. She knew the risks, she knew the problems with believing in something one hundred percent, and she was definitely worried somewhat about the whole ordeal. However, she had already gone so far in letting the science-center do what they wish with the technology, that she couldn't turn back.

"No."

Ian got up, heading straight past her and to the table with the coffeemaker, opening the lid and pouring the beans inside it. "Now I feel like having some coffee.." He said, closing the lid and turning it on, letting the machine do its magic. Ian then looked over at Celestia, letting himself rest against the table.

"The tests are going to happen in three days."

"Well, I hope that no unlucky soldier gets caught in the hellscape that that machine can produce."

Celestia paused, knowing that what she says next would not calm him. "It's not going to be with soldiers."

"Then with who?"

"..."

Ian stood up straight. "Celestia. Who."

"The School of Magic and Friendship was given the opportunity to allow its students to participate in its first test."

Ian looked up, his right leg now twitching more than usual. "Are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm not."

"You're insane. Not only are you allowing a machine that's capable of trapping hundreds into your world, now you're allowing students, kids, to be the first ones. Not any volunteer's for testing, not any safety tests first, just straightup sending little timmy in to get fucked. Wow..."

Celestia shook her head, standing up. "I must be going. I hope you enjoy your coffee, Ian."

"And, I hope you have a fun time managing the shit-show that's about to be caused."

"Until next week." Celestia said, before giving him a nod and allowing herself out of the room. Once the door slammed shut behind her that wasn't from her magic, she gave a big sigh. The tension in that room was almost palpable, and now Celestia understood why.

She felt like she should be listening, but it wasn't her decision alone to make. Her sister, the other nobles, the council, and the countless scientists at the head of the science-center were all in the decision making process. Ian claims that he had prior testing with the simulation machine, and claims to know the inner-workings of the machine very well. Yet his reputation strips him of all believability, despite him claiming he was innocent. In recent times, he seems to have stopped saying that.

"Princess Celestia?" A familiar voice called out from behind her. Celestia turned around, only to be met with the eye's of her own student. That being Twilight Sparkle, someone that she hadn't had the luxury of speaking to in the last two or so weeks. Trade-deals with the Terra Colonies was quite difficult, and involved a lot of back and forth, each world carefully stepping on thin ice, as to not cause anything troublesome.

"Twilight, what brings you here?"

Celestia didn't want to sound rude, but she was quite honestly curious. She wouldn't have questioned it if Twilight had found her in the throne room, or during lunch, but this hallway was different. It was locked on either side with heavy steel doors, each with a guard posted outside. Inside the hallway, was one single door. The door that held Ian Mulbac.

"Oh, just.. Nothing- I was wondering if you'd like to talk during up-coming lunch? I wanted to talk more about the class, and who's signed up for the test. I hope that wouldn't be a bother... would it?"

Celestia shook her head with a smile. "No no, of course not. Meet me for lunch at about, say twelve-fifteen?"

Twilight nodded her head, ready to turn back to the way she came from before pausing, her eye catching on the door. Her eyes read 'Political Prisoner' over and over, before turning to Celestia. "Is this where he is kept?" She asked in a whisper, as if to try to keep it a secret.

Celestia nodded. "As much as I trust you, I'll have to ask that you do not come down this hallway ever again, dear Twilight. This hallway carries too much importance. I'm sure you felt the countless spells place upon this room when you entered."

"I did. There's hundreds."

"There is good reason for that. I'll meet you for lunch soon enough, Twilight. It was nice to speak to you after these past two stressful weeks, and I look forward to talking more later in the way." Celestia said before nodding her head at Twilight, and turning away from her, going to the end of the hallway and out the steel door.

Twilight watched her mentor walk out the hallway, before her eyes turned to the big steel door. She wondered what he looked like behind it after all these months, and whether or not he still remembered her. She could feel something emanate from the door, though it wasn't anything nice. It gave her chills down her spine.

She shook her head, trying to ignore all the past memories. She couldn't focus on those, especially not right now. Instead, she had to go and meet with her brother. She was dying to see him after all, or atleast that's what she claimed to herself. With a shake of her head and a smile now on her face, she headed right out the opposite door that Celestia came from.

"Twily!"

Twilight hugged the warm coat of her older brother, the smell and feel of his armor's defense spells giving her a calmed feeling, before pulling away from him. She looked him up and down, examining her brother as if she hadn't seen him in years. It had only been a month. "You look a little different."

"Grew out the mane. I'm trying something new."

"Aren't the soldiers supposed to keep their manes short?"

"I told them I'd give them an exception. It's only fair. Anyways, what's school and all that been like? I've gotten all the news about the up-coming trip you and your students are taking. The science-center, right? I've got to say, I'm a little jealous that I'm not the first group."

Twilight chuckled. "Yeah. A lot of the students are excited for it. Though it hasn't come with it's fair share of complaints from parents. Plenty of parents have yelled at us for allowing their child into the program, but since a lot of the students are seniors and of legal age, they don't need their parents permission."

"It sounds to me that some of those parents are jealous."

"Maybe." Twilight said with a smile, before shrugging. "Applejack isn't too happy either with it though. Applebloom and the other two crusaders are going along with the trip. Applebloom's a legal adult, and that means Applejack doesn't have parental permission over her no more. She's not exactly happy about it.."

Shining Armor began to walk slowly down the hallway, Twilight following beside him. "Why is she upset?"

Twilight sighed. "With Applebloom gone for a couple weeks, Applejack won't have the extra help during one of their harvest weeks. It means it'll be mainly Applejack and Big Mac doing the work. Alone."

Shining smirked. "Big Mac's a big stallion. I'm sure they'd be able to do it no problem."

"Yeah, say that to them when they need to harvest another thousand or so tree's."

"Ouch... Nevermind."

They both rounded the corner, coming into a hallway with a chandelier hanging above, and countless stained glass window's with past events painted on, acting as a quick history lesson of sorts for whomever decided to look at them as they passed by.

"Did you talk to Celestia yet?" Shining asked, to which Twilight nodded her head.

"I did. I actually met her in that really secure hallway at the far back of the castle."

"They let you in there?"

Twilight shrugged. "I'm guessing they saw the wings and horn and assumed I was safe."

"I've gotta' talk to those guys... Security like that isn't good. You didn't go in the room, did you-"

"Celestia was there too. She told me I was no longer allowed in there, so you don't have to worry about anything."

Shining nodded with a sigh of relief. "Alright, that's good. I'll still have to lay into those guys later though.." He said with slight disdain in his voice. He knew that Changelings were hardly a threat anymore, and with the spells inside the containment hallway it would certainly counter-act their disguise. However, they still had to be as careful as possible, especially with dealing with a political prisoner such as Ian. One injury, or even death, and they'd be at a legal battle with the Terra Colonies.

The Terra Colonies, although lacking in magic, still held brutal technology.

"How is he?"

"Huh?" Shining asked, glancing over at Twilight with a slightly confused face.

"How is he. I haven't seen him in a long time, and..."

"He's okay." Shining said, keeping his head straight. "He still claims innocence."

"Does he talk about me or the others?"

Shining sighed. "Twilight, I don't get why-"

"Just answer the question!"

Shining shook his head before giving yet another sigh. "He used to talk about you and the others. Especially you. However, in recent weeks, he's stopped. Anytime we questioned him about the change of attitude, he would say that things aren't going to change for him, and reminding himself of the few friends he did have, and how he lost them, would only make him hurt."

Twilight's face turned from one of interest and hope, to sadness. Shining saw the change, and got slightly angered. "Twilight, I don't get why you'd even care about him. You've heard what he's done-"

"What everyone say's he's done. What proof is there?"

"Enough proof has been shown, Twilight. He's not a good human. He's not a good friend."

"Like you'd know... You refused to be friends with him even when he first got here."

"Yeah, and I'd say that I was right about my suspicions."

Silence overtook the both of them only moments after.

"Look.." Shining said, stopping. "I've got to go handle some things in the barracks. I'll talk to you later." Without waiting for a response back, or even a look of any understandable emotion on Twilight's face, he turned and headed down the opposite end of the hallway, disappearing around the corner seconds after.

Twilight groaned, obviously upset. Trying to get her mind off of what just happened, she searched for the nearest clock, reading it's time. "Eleven... Time is moving way too bucking slow."

Dorm life was quite fun for the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

The three of them were closer than ever, and made even more friends outside their small group. It was fun to finally be apart of a group bigger than just three ponies. They've heard countless times of how other big groups of friends had drama and boy and girl trouble, with some scandalous acts being had. Yet they only ever experienced any of that once they moved into the dorms.

Two years of living on campus made it seem like home to them, despite being really close to Ponyville still.

"I seriously can't wait for this trip. I mean, virtual whatever-it-is stuff sounds pretty awesome." Scootaloo said whilst laying on her back, staring up at the ceiling, kicking a ball up towards the air with her hooves. Being Athletic was her specialty, despite her not having functional wings.

"Yea, but I'm a little nervous." Applebloom responded, currently sitting on her own bed.

"And why's that?" Sweetie Belle asked, who was currently in the kitchen making herself an avocado sandwich. "Don't tell me it's-"

"Applejack."

"-applejack... Look, Applebloom. You're an adult now. So are we. You don't have to consult Applejack on every little thing you do, especially something this cool. Being an adult means that you've got to realize that you're your own guardian now, right?"

"I suppose so.." Applebloom said, not all that convinced. "I just... She's real upset, but she's hiding it. I know she's been pestering Twilight about it, and she tries to get me to not go by talking about how hard it'll be without me there. She doesn't want to say it to my face, but I can tell... y'know?"

"Oh I know how that feels." Scootaloo chimed in, accidentally missing a kick on the ball she was messing with, which allowed it to hit her in the face, forcing an 'oof' out of her. She shook her head before sitting up. "Rainbow has a hard time with telling me what she really feels a lot of the time. So, she tries to say what she feels without saying it. Like, 'oh, going to the next wonderbolt show alone is going to suck.' Like, I get that she wants me to go, but all the wonderbolts remind me of now is the fact that I can't be them."

"I'd honestly rather have that then what Rarity does. She just says what she thinks, but sometimes it can be blunt and rude. It's not fun when somebody comes up to your face and tells you that 'you look absolutely hideous' in a dress you were about to go out in."

"I would've paid to see your reaction to that." Scootaloo said with a smile. "And, did you look hideous?"

"I don't think so..."

"I'm just messing with you Sweetie."

Applebloom sighed, letting her head lay on the bed. "I suppose I'll just ignore what A.J say's for now.."

"Yeah-" Scootaloo got off her bed, making her way over to Appleblooms before putting a hoof on her head. "-focus on having fun. It's going to be weird and different, but so cool at the same time. What's it for again, Sweetie?"

"Survival Skill training, Societal Impa-"

"Yeah yeah- Survival Skill stuff. Like chopping down tree's and all that. Think of it like a camping trip!"

"I guess." Applebloom said with yet another sigh. "I suppose that would be fun. But the others are coming with us, right? Tiara and Spoon? Wait- they said they couldn't come because they're going out of town during it, right? So it would really just be us."

"Did you forget we have other friends other than those two? What about Feathers, or Cog?"

Scootaloo chuckled. "You mean the two idiots?"

"You only call them idiots because they're guys."

"Isn't that basically the same thing?"

"Don't get mad just because you haven't had a boyfriend yet, Scoots-"

"Hey!" Scootaloo groaned. "That isn't the reason. I swear..."

"Just messing with you, Scoots."

"Hmph..."

Author's Note

New Story, completely original.

My stories that have done well are all based off of games, and this is the one that I've come up with all my own! I hope it does well, because I'm willing to put a whole lot of effort into this one.

Chapter Two - Spectacle

Ian's life was boring ever since he was forced into jail.

The room had no windows, only a clock to tell what time it was. The room's walls were simple concrete, likely with metallic steel underneath it. Despite being unknown to magic, he could feel the tensity of the amount of spells that were placed inside the room. It was so thick, you felt like you were swimming in the room, not walking in it.

He was allowed some freedom. Mainly because he was nice, and never caused any trouble for any of the guards or Celestia herself. In fact, him and Celestia had gotten to know eachother very well, and have become extremely casual with eachother. He was allowed a small tennis ball, which he bounced off the mundane looking walls of the cell. He also had his coffeemaker, and a pen. However, due to safety rules, the pen's ink and tip were removed.

He cared little about writing anything anyways. He was quite fond of learning how to twirl the pen between his fingers when he was bored. What else was he going to do for hours on end, locked up in a cage? So, he eventually learned how to bounce the tennis ball off the wall and twirl the pen in the other hand, almost effortlessly at this point. Without any other obligations to do throughout the day, each hour was spent to perfecting such a useless skill.

Sometimes, his mind would drift off to Twilight.

Her friends too, no doubt, but mainly Twilight. She was the nicest one he met when he first came through that portal. He was considered a VIP to both Equestria and the Terra Colonies at that time. He remembered the conversation he had with his father the day before he went through the portal.

"Now son, don't you go offering apples to those horses. They might get offended."

He missed him.

Twilight would show him around the school, and would routinely spend hours almost everyday with him. They became extremely close, extremely fast. Not for really any reason in particular. He wasn't quite fond of books, though he did read a bit. He wasn't a scientist at all, but he didn't mind learning. And, he had no idea what the hell magic could do. The fact that it existed almost made his head explode.

They just liked eachothers company. That alone was enough.

Ian continuously thought about his predicament. Why was he the one chosen? Of all the people, on both planets, why was he chosen? He wasn't special in any capacity. He was 5'11, a slightly tanned white color to his skin, dark brown hair, and only twenty-four. The universe had seemed to pick him for some reason, and he really didn't like it's choice. Though, he was biased on such a thing, as he was obviously caged up due to it.

He scratched at the little facial hair that began to grow, an outline of his beard showing. Without access to a razor in quite some time, it was coming back. He didn't mind the look, but it definitely made him look older than he was if it grew out all the way. He only was able to rock the look with a plaid shirt. He'd look like a lumber-jack.

The door to his cell opened, in which a female pony walked in. She was green in color, with a light blue mane and tail. Ian smiled at her. "Ah, Sage. How are you today?"

"I'm fine today, Ian. How've you been holding up? Celestia came in yesterday, didn't she?" Sage asked, rolling in a cart which carried a plate of food. That being, an egg and avocado sandwich with spice (which was requested by Ian himself) and a side of fries. She grabbed it with her teeth, only gripping the edge, and set it on the table.

"I'm doing okay, I guess. Celestia did come in today, but it was the same as usual." He lied. "You wouldn't happen to have any other news, would you? Being cooped up in here kind of makes me... well, unable to hear anything that happens in the outside world. These thick walls are quite hard to see through."

Sage smiled at him, before shaking her head. "Other than the kids going to the science-center this week, there's really nothing. The agreements between Terra and Equestria have been going on in a peaceful manner. Nothing's really come out about you either lately, which is good news."

"Depends on what side your on. I mean, that's good news for me, but some people would want me to burn in hell. Atleast, that's what I would think."

"Well, I'm not one of those people."

"Oh?" Ian asked. "And, what kind of person are you, Sage?"

"Look, all I want is you to come in the kitchen once in awhile and clean up the plates you dirty up." Sage said with a playful smirk. "But, honestly Ian, I don't know what to say. I don't hate you or think you're evil in any manner, but when so many people say it-"

"You have trouble disbelieving it."

"-...right."

Ian sighed. "Well, thank you for the food. You did put spice on it, right? I swear, you can't knock it until you try it. It's amazing."

Sage nodded with a smile. "Yes, I did put spice on it, but you can't ever convince me to try that. Spice on avocado and egg? I could understand spice on the fries maybe, but the avocado and egg thing with spice just doesn't mix well. It's like... like..."

"Strawberry on pizza."

"What? No! Strawberry on pizza is amazing, you're just-"

"Okay, you've officially crossed the line Sage." Ian said with a slightly serious tone, before chuckling and waving a hand in her direction. "Go, go, I'm holding up your job. They're going to be asking if I tried to strangle you or something once you're out of here."

"They know that it would be me doing the choking."

"Oh?"

Sage shook her head, kicking the cart out the room, about to slam the door shut before saying: "Bye, Ian."

"Bye Sage."

And just like that, he was left alone once again, except he had a sandwich to comfort him.

"Shining Armor has told me that you both had a bit of a quarrel." Celestia stated. Both Twilight and her were sitting in the royal dining hall, which was for special occasions. Such as when a diplomatic meeting was being held, or when her favorite pupil showed up. Well, she did only have one pupil, but still.

"It was nothing important." Twilight responded, trying to avoid the situation.

"He told me it was about Ian."

Yet, the situation couldn't be avoided. Even after all these years, Shining Armor was still a tattle-tail. Twilight groaned, shaking her head, obviously not happy. Could a conversation no longer be kept private between a brother and his sister? She supposed not. Perhaps because it was the content of the conversation. "Yes, it was about Ian."

"What would you like to know?" Celestia asked, floating a piece of cucumber into her mouth, chewing it with a neutral expression. Twilight gave her an odd look, as if trying to figure out exactly what she was planning.

"What do you mean?"

"What would you like to know. I visit him every week. If there's something that you're wondering, I'd more than likely be the right pony to ask." Celestia said, now facing Twilight with a smile.

Twilight's eyebrows raised, a little in surprise. "How is he?"

"He's fine. He's honestly better than I would have imagined him being. Being inside a closed off cell for months without time outside wouldn't be something I would imagine anyone would particularly enjoy. Him and I have gotten to know eachother from our brief visits, and we're both quite casual in conversation. He does miss being outside, though."

Twilight nodded. "I can imagine so..."

Celestia placed a hoof onto Twilight's shoulder, giving her a soft, motherly expression. "I know that you want to talk to him, but you understand why I can't let that happen. Ian is not just a regular prisoner. If anything were to happen to him, it would be the catalyst that would end up hurting the relations between Equestria and the Terra Colonies. He's vital."

"Yet nobody is treating him like he's important."

"With the thing's he's been charged with, Twilight, I can't imagine we'd be able to treat him like he's normal."

Twilight sighed, shaking her head. She desperately wanted to change subjects. All this would do was get her more angry, and cause an argument between her and her mentor. That wouldn't be good in the slightest. She looked back at her plate. "I have the forms for everyone who signed up for the simulation."

"Ah, yes." Celestia said, watching as Twilight's magic enveloped a mass of papers from her bag, floating them over in front of Celestia. Celestia then sifted through the papers, reading each at a speed unmatchable without training. She nodded with each passing paper. "I see that the crusaders have signed up as well."

"Yes, those three were actually the first ones to sign up. They kind of provided the support for the idea, which then caused most of the school to end up signing up for it too. They're quite popular in the school now. I'd assume that they would be the leaders inside the simulation."

"I would assume so." Celestia said, stacking the papers up and setting them off to the right. "I'll check through these and send them off to the science-center later today. They'll need to label the chambers with the names. It'll make it easier for processing."

"Well, that's all I really wanted to talk to you about."

"Well I'm glad you came to show me this. However, I must get to another meeting. You can stay and eat as much as you like. Perhaps visit the new garden? It's undergone some big changes, and I know that you'd be amazed by the new design. Plus, the new flowers give it just a touch more life." Celestia said with a smile, getting off the chair, and sliding it in with her magic.

"I'll go check that out soon, Celestia. Thank you."

"Anything for my pupil."

Celestia then turned around, and left the royal dining hall, leaving Twilight alone in the gigantic room. The silence that took the room hostage made Twilight's fur stand up on edge. Each tiny move she made was followed by a louder echo. She hated being alone in any royal room for that reason alone. With a sigh, she floated her bags onto her back, and made her way out the opposite entrance of the dining hall. The entrance that would lead to the garden.

Three knocks banged on the Crusader's door.

"Hey... Is-Is anyone in there?" A male voice called from the other side.

"Oh for the sake of- nobody let him in. I swear, I'll kill him." Sweetie Belle said with a groan, turning her back to the door. Her face was now in a scowl, her eyes staring at the floor with angry intent.

"Come on Sweetie, maybe you're jumping to conclusions-"

"I saw him kiss her!"

"Oh.." Scootaloo said, now laying her head on her bed. "I didn't know that much about the whole situation. But, maybe it'd be better if you two talked it out or something. You two were really great friends before all that. Maybe you could try to become friends again?"

"Yeah- it'd be like... a coming of age story. Not letting yourself get all beat up by yer' feelings." Applebloom said.

"Oh yeah? Your one to talk about feelings, Applebloom."

"Ouch... I deserved that." Applebloom said, hopping off the bed. "But- come on. I'll let him in and-"

"No!"

The door slowly opened, revealing a Pegasus on the other side. His color was a bluish grey, and his eye's were pure white. His mane was a streak of white and black, and he looked quite sad. "Hey, Applebloom."

"Hey, Grayson."

His mouth opened to ask a question, but Applebloom pointed to the floor, where Sweetie Belle laid, her back turned away from him. He nodded slowly, stepping inside, his hooves slightly shaking, most likely from being nervous. He shook his head, as if to tell himself to get over it. "Sweetie-"

With a flick of Sweetie Belle's magic, the door opened and he was thrown right out of it, a slam following right after. She didn't turn to look at what happened, and instead kept staring at the floor angrily. Applebloom stepped right in front of her, forcing Sweetie to look up at her. "Now what in the hay was that?!"

"I didn't want to hear him say my name again."

"Yeah? Well that was just rude. How are we going to be leaders and role-models if we're throwin' out every bad relationship we had out the buckin' door without thinking about it first? I understand what he did was wrong, but you've got to get over it. He signed on for the test too."

Sweetie Belle's eye's went into confusion. "What? He said he wouldn't!"

"Yeah, well he lied about kissin' another mare, don't you think he'd lie about that too?"

"I can't believe him!"

Scootaloo shook her head. "And now you wonder why I don't get involved in all that. I'd end up like that." She pointed to Sweetie Belle, who responded with an angry grunt, turning away from Scootaloo. This only caused Scootaloo to laugh a little. "Exactly my point."

"How about we go and get something to eat, huh? I'll pay." Applebloom said, trying to divert the situation into something more positive. Or, atleast, something that wasn't on the topic of cheating coltfriends. It seemed to work, because Scootaloo was already right by her side, and Sweetie Belle slowly stood up.

"Maybe... But- not that noodle place. I hate that place." Sweetie Belle said, opening the door with her magic.

Both Applebloom and Scootaloo knew that there was really only one reason she hated that place.

Grayson.

"Oh great. What are you doing here." Ian asked Shining as he entered the cell. "This isn't the day for your interrogation thing. Today was Celestia's."

"I know that."

"Then why are you here."

Shining slammed the steel door behind himself, eyeing the human in front of him. "People like you really don't get the luxury of asking things. Especially after what you did."

"What I did was nothing. I've been charged under general terms of bullshit."

"Oh really?" Shining said with a smirk. "So, letters found in your suitcase dictating the plot to merge the Terra Colonies into Equestria, forcing a takeover of the government isn't terrorism? Even your own planet has denounced your actions, calling you a treasonous terrorist."

Ian folded his arms, leaning back against the wall on his bed. "I've argued my point many times already. What's the point of saying anything more, if it's not going to better my situation. I feel like you're trying to rile me up. What, something piss you off today or something? Trying to take it out on the prisoner? What, is your wife fucking the next door neighbor?"

"Don't bring my wife into this."

"I assume she's innocent, isn't she. Well so am I, and I was brought into all this shit. God, I can't believe you're Twilight's brother. I guess your parents only had room for one loving child in the bunch, huh?"

Shining stomped his two front hooves onto the floor. "Don't bring my family into this, terrorist!"

"Then get the fuck out of my room!" Ian said, now pointing towards the steel door. The room fell silent a moment after, in which Ian folded his arms up again, leaning his back against the wall, staring at Shining with as much confidence as he could muster. Before all this, he wouldn't have dared to talk like this to the former captain of the royal guard.

Shining stared back at him, obvious anger showing on his face. He was tempted to just blast the prisoner right then and there, but he knew the consequences would be way too much. He wasn't going to be the reason for causing a war between his home and another planet. He wouldn't even be worthy of a tombstone at that point.

Shining shook his head, turning to the steel door. "I wonder how a freak like you managed to poison my sisters mind."

Ian shook his head. "I wonder how such a good person like your sister has a brother like you."

Shining left the room.

Chapter Three - Flashbacks

Days had passed, and it was the day of the simulation.

All students were funneled into the train to Canterlot, ready to experience the most revolutionary technology to ever grace Equestria. They were going to be apart of history, and they had that opportunity thanks to the Terra Colonies. Getting the technology over world-borders wasn't easy, but it was done.

Ian sat in his cell, as usual, however he knew what the day was. He knew what was about to happen, and he could only feel anger and sadness, combined together in a strange harmony. He hated knowing that he knew what was going to happen, and that he was powerless to do anything about it. Strangely, he blamed himself for some of it. After all, he was one of the reasons that the trade relations between both worlds existed.

If he had been more cautionary, none of this would have happened.

The door to his cell opened slowly, white hooves standing on the other side. It was Shining Armor, dressed in his armor as usual, though it had undergone some recent changes that Ian could notice. Polished to a shine, and a darker purple added onto the armor. Ian stared at him, his eyes unmoving, and his expression blank.

"What."

Shining Armor closed the door behind himself, walking towards him. His expression was stern, and looked of anger.

"What." Ian asked again.

"Why are you so against the simulations?"

The question was not what Ian had expected. He had told Celestia and him countless times why he despised the Simulation technology. "I've already told you multiple times. It's dangerou-"

"What made you think that way?"

"What?"

Shining Armor shook his head. "What the buck happened to you to get you to hate it so much?"

Ian stared at him, his face a little confused still. After all this time, he had only told snippets of what happened to him during his own experience in the simulations. Nobody had asked, and he had never thought it necessary to explain it to anyone as nobody was going to listen. But, now, he had someone willing to listen.

Ian shook his head. "Take a seat." He said, pointing at the chair over to the table. Shining Armor slowly made his way to it, before hopping up on it, and sitting. Ian shook his head once more, and sighed. "It's not a story of a fun time. Don't expect to smile."

TERRA COLONIES UNITED LABS

"All of you, I'm very thankful that you have volunteered for this position. I know that this is unknown and scary, but you're going to make history. More so than any other human on this planet has so far. You're the pioneers into this new age. Good luck."

That was the speech the head scientist gave before sending Ian and twenty others into the simulations. Ian looked up at the top of his pressure chamber, watching it slowly close, before locking once fully closed. The next thing he remembered was a flash of light, though strangely, it wasn't blinding to his eyes.

Moments later, he was in a pure white void wearing the same clothes he had on. The simulation wasn't programmed with anything, so this was simply a test. The scientists working on it called it 'The Sandbox.' It was an area that they could, essentially summon anything from the real world into the simulation, and do what they wished with it. Do you want to drive that new car? You could. Want to shoot a gun? You could. The potential was limitless in the sandbox.

Upon turning around, he noticed that the other people were also there, wearing their same clothing. They all looked at eachother, amazed by what they were seeing. Not one of them said a word to eachother before testing out their sandbox abilities. Some of them summoned cars into existence, while some summoned food.

Ian simply watched in wonderment at the others, before trying it out for himself.

Shaving Cream.

A can of shaving cream appeared in his hand. It was the first thing he thought of as he was recently thinking about shaving, and with being in this simulated world, he could test out infinite amounts of styles without the repercussions of it being permanent for weeks.

Razor.

Not a moment later, a big object formed in his hand. An object, that was definitely not a razor.

Instead, it was a large knife, serrated on its edges. It was colored with a dark crimson splatter, and looked menacing. Ian stared at it, a little confused on why it formed in his hands and not a razor. This must be a bug. Well, new technology didn't come without its fair share of problems. Though, the few seconds he spent in thought, a high-pitched scream echoed throughout the void.

Ian instantly turned his heads toward the sound. What he saw wasn't something he intended to witness.

Black tentacles protruded from the ground, from the sides, and from above, and began to grab people. A woman's legs were already tore off, blood pouring from her open-half. She wasn't dead though, and Ian knew she could feel the pain as if it were real life. The tentacles targeted others, wrapping around them, or stabbing through them with ease, though not 'killing' them. Whatever it was, it wasn't killing them.

It was torturing the subjects on purpose.

If you weren't 'killed' in the simulation, you wouldn't get pulled out. However, stress-levels and panic will cause the heartbeat to increase in speed, causing the scientists to likely force them out of their pods. They'd still all be able to get out, but with the added bonus of trauma.

Ian felt something grab at his arm, to which he responded quickly by slicing the knife towards the tentacle. It disconnected the tentacle, and a low demonic rumble sounded through the white void. Though, his friends were not exactly able to get any weapons in time.

"IAN!"

Ian turned towards a known friend of his, Jake, who was being pulled up into the air at an impossible height.

Ian stared in horror. "SUMMON SOMETHING- ANYTHING!"

"I CA-" Jake's voice died out in a muffled gurgle, blood pouring from the foggy heights above. Jake was no longer in sight, and was gone. Within a couple of seconds, everything went terribly wrong. Did the scientists program this into the tech? Was this a part of the simulation they didn't tell anybody about?

Ian remembered feeling a piercing pain shoot through his left shoulder. His head whipped to it, to see a black tentacle had punctured through his shoulder like butter. He sliced his knife towards it, cutting it off, but the pain was already there. It was so painful that once the tentacle had retracted, he fell to the floor. Tears had instantly welled up in his eyes, and he stared at the white abyss below him.

What was going on?

A few seconds later, he felt his two bottom legs rip from the rest of his body. He remembered staring at the floor, the pain so intense that he couldn't get anything out. The feeling of his muscles and his bones being ripped straight from the rest of his body would stay with him forever.

Another tentacle pierced through his other shoulder, before another pierced straight through his neck.

Yet he still wasn't considered 'dead' in the simulation. It was torturing them all, forcing them into pain beyond comprehension, and keeping them there. Ian couldn't move, he couldn't breathe, and he certainly couldn't move. He was unable to do anything as more of those black tentacles stabbed into each part of his body.

And within an instant, he was back in the real world.

He jumped forward, and was pulled out of the pressure chamber. He grabbed at his throat, trying to take as many deep breaths as possible. He could see the real world again, but an overlay of that white abyss stayed. Black tentacles pierced through the walls of the laboratory, and the scientists were being massacred.

"Ian- IAN!" He could hear a yell in his ear, but he ignored it. A tentacle came flying towards him, and he sliced at it with his knife, cutting it into two pieces. Another low rumble was heard, and he could feel the building begin to collapse on top of himself. A big, concrete block had fallen right on top of him, knocking him out, or killing him. Either way, he wasn't in pain.

Two days later.

Scientists and doctors had told Ian what happened when he was pulled out of the pressure chamber. That he put his hands at his throat, choking himself, before looking around frantically at the scientists that surrounded him. They told him that he began swinging at the air, with nothing in his hands, before collapsing onto the floor.

They had told him that when he was pulled out of the pressure chamber, he was hallucinating.

He was kept inside the hospital room for a couple weeks as the doctors were unsure if he was able to be okay being sent back into society. Ian later learned that he was one of the lucky ones, and in fact, the only lucky one during the simulation tests.

The others never recovered from their hallucinations.

It was a terrible situation, and yet he came out on top. Only him. He didn't feel special in any way, despite the doctors telling him he was the lucky one. He didn't want to be the lucky one. Why did he get to be free of pain, while his friends and colleagues had to suffer through that trauma everyday, constantly?

Assisted Suicide was even talked about during a convention on the technology.

They were planning on putting those people down. Like they were dogs, or feral cats. Like they were nothing, and that treatment just couldn't be afforded. Yet, Ian couldn't imagine a better solution. Atleast in political ways. There was no way they were going public with the news, and they certainly weren't going to get extra funding to find a treatment for them. They were considered waste.

And yet, Ian was considered a marvel.

Ian stared at the floor, Shining Armor unmoving from his position at the table. Now that he talked about it, he remembered why he didn't want to talk about it. He re-lived it in his head once again, and he could still remember each second of that traumatic day as if he were experiencing it at that moment.

Shining stood from the table. "I'm sorry that happened to you."

"Hmph. Don't act like you care."

"I do, but you were one of the first to get tested. They've had plenty of time with that technology, and they've got it into working order. Despite your hatred towards it, you were the first step in getting it fixed. Now it's usable. The Terra Colonies would never give us something defective."

"Why not?" Ian asked.

"It'd be damning. Relations would tank instantly, and more than likely a war would come out of it. Killing students is low."

"That's pretty funny, considering you're the one killing them. And, a war with the colonies? You'd be dead." Ian said with a laugh, though there was no humor in his words or voice.

"Why's that?"

"The colonies are more technologically advanced than you. While magic might have limitations, technology is nearly limitless. They have weaponry that could annihilate the entirety of Canterlot within an instant, and it'd cost them a fraction of their current defense spending costs."

Shining smirked. "That sounds fake."

"Keep believing that until you see it. Oh, wait, you'd be gone so fast your shadow will be burned into the ground."

Shining shook his head, turning his head towards the door. He slowly walked towards it, his magic opening the door with a heavy swing. "I'm sure that they've told you and their citizens about things like that, but there's no possible way in a weapon such as that. It'd be too destructive to ever use-"

BAM!

Ian had knocked Shining Armor out with a chair.