Author's Note

I'm still alive! And so sorry for be absent for so long. Lot of things happen and I wasn't sure how to continue the story, mental block and all that. But I'm back and would try to continue this story or at the very least finish this arc. Hope you enjoy and apologies for the grammar mistakes, I seems to be in need of a new one.

Mental Damage Control (Unedited)

As the other day in ponyville came to a close, the tension in Twilight palace was palpable, as mane six sitting on the round table were still processing everything that unfold soon after Discord and a group of ponies and the strange been they meet this morning emerge from a portal mirror moments before it burst into a million pieces.

Needless to say, an explanation was needed, yet even when their story was collaborated by the princesses and answer the most obvious questions, a thousand more questions were brought to light in the process. With the arrival of the mysterious human and how his presence alone was causing 3 of the elements to have conflicted emotions the very top of their doubts.

“If it wasn’t for the Princesses backing him up I genuinely would have thought this was another of Discord weirds pranks.” AJ inform the group massaging her forehead

“And it is not like this isn’t anything new we have faced, we have been mind controlled before.” Rarity points out.

“But to be brainwashed by Twily herself? Even if it is a meany version from another universe?” Pinkie mane deflates a little and some of the colors of her fur darken “It heartbreaking, maybe she is under some mind control too? I mean, perhaps her Chrysalis do something to her and…”

Twilight stop her by grabbing her hand “I don’t like to think about it either Pinkie but we simply can’t discard the notions that not all of our version would be paragons of friendship and morality, the idea of multiverse is infinite possibilities, by probability alone we were doom to find a evil version of our self at some point or another.”

“Which brings us to the subject at hand, that human” Rarity raises her hand “Can we trust him? I mean I really want to, believe what Princess Celestia is saying, and I’m afraid of of admit it but I really want to trust him for no apparent reason, but should we really lower our guards around him?”

They all remain quiet as Fluttershy look around the table before nodding to herself “I’ll do it.”

The rest look at her in surprise. “I trust Discord and I trust the princesses, so if they say that he is our friend I'm gonna believe them.” She then smiles and looks away “He makes me feel relaxed and even more sure of myself. I may don’t know why yet but I know it in my heart that there is nothing to fear.”

“Heart....heart." Twilight suddenly comes to a realization “That is it! Fluttershy you are genius.”

“Am I?” The pegasus looks at her friend confused as she nods eagerly.

“The spell targets memories, but not emotions. That is why we all have been feeling confused and empty. We still remember how we feel.”

“Yeah, it's weird, like I should be happy and sad but don’t know why.” Dash confirms it.

“Exactly and that is our ticket to remember.” She opened her scroll “There is no magic stronger than love so if Cadence helps us, and we join force with the elements I’m sure we can undo this mental block of ours?”

“Oh! Oh! And then can we make a “Thank Celestia, we remember you” party to celebrate?” Pinkie raise an arm like they were in a school eager to ask

“Sure” Twilight nods and starts making the call.

“Sounds like a plan.” AJ shrug “Also do you think it was prudent letting Mark stay alone with Chrysalis and that Holstaur? I mean Discord botch for them, but it true that we don’t even know who that Daisy lady is.”

“I swear I have seen her face somewhere else.” Rarity mumbles to herself while looking up.

“True, but they also were the one that rescued him and helped us realize why we were feeling like there was something missing.” Twilight rebuttal “I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt, besides they are in Canterlot. I’m pretty sure there isn’t much they can’t do there.” She shrugs and shakes her head.

At that moment in Mark Room in Canterlot

Looking at the starry night Mark tries to clear his head and calm down. Memories of the past he doesn't understand and the insistent warning of the evil Twilight continue to invade his thoughts and refuse to leave his head.

Finally a knock on his door snapped him back to reality and turning around he saw Chrysalis and Daisy entering the room.

“Hi Mark sorry for invite our self like this.” Daisy apologies with some embarrassment “But considering how this day went you could use someone to talk about."

“Understatement of the year if you ask me.” Chrysalis mentions with a roll of the eyes “Even I’m shaken by what I saw, when I took all of your anger. Mark, is there something you would like to talk about?” She closes the door behind her. “Promise nothing will leave this room.”

He shakes his head and stares at his hand deep in thought. “Even if I wanted to, I don’t even know where to start. My head...”

As in on cue a piercing headache appears forcing him to kneel down and hold the side of his head in pain.

“Mark!” The Holstaur and changelings rush to his side and place their hands on his shoulders in concern.

“My mind, ever since I saw that picture of Cadence…aght! It's like I've been bombarded by memories of another life…a gladiator arena…me doing what I must to survive…that bitch.” He starts to lose himself to anger until he feels his face being squished between Chrysalis and Daisy chest as they try their best to calm him down.

It works immediately but he doesn’t say anything not wanting them to separate. Not yet at the very least.

After a couple of minutes they do so and he nod and take a deep breath “Thank you…both of you.”

“Why don’t you tell us about those memories?” Daisy suggests sitting next to him, Chrysalis following her example and doing the same. “Maybe we could find some answers that way, even if they are just some pieces.”

“I don’t think that is such a good idea, every time I start to remember I start to get angry and lose control. What if I lash out because of that?”

Chrysalis hums and brings her hand to her chin looking up “I might have an idea.” She extends her hand “Do you trust me?”

He look at the hand and then her before nodding once, and complete the gesture

“Good then whatever happen do not let go of my hand.” She place her other hand on top of his before looking at Daisy “You too, grab on and close your eyes.”

Nodding Daisy grab their hands with her own and close her eyes just like Mark did. They heard a low humming and felt Chrysalis getting closer to plant a kiss on their forehead.

Feeling light headed and weightless the two soon felt like they were launched into other space as the humming increased in volume until finally everything went dead quiet.

“You can open your eyes now.” Chrysalis instruct and when the human comply he realized that he was no longer in his room but rather dingy, damp dungeon alongside other ponies full of scars, some even missing an eye or a hand and all of them wearing very little armor. Like a leather skirt, a shoulder path and a chain shirt that cover only one arm and part of their chest.

Looking up Mark realized he was wearing the same and wanted to stand up and scream but couldn’t move his body.

Relax Mark.

Chrysalis voice appear in his head

What is happening? Chryssy what did you do?

Daisy question as disorientated as Mark was feeling at the moment

It is hard to explain but in a way I connect you to your most vivid memories, and implant us into Mark's mind, so we can act as observers. Don’t worry Mark, nothing here is real and you will not be lashing out in the real world just relax and go with the flow we will be right here with you the whole time.

The human was still feeling a bit taken aback by the actions but feeling a sigh of relief of this being safer, decided to trust the changeling and go with the flow.

Suddenly one of the walls starts to move up revealing a stadium in front of everyone, as the gladiators sigh in defeat and stand up before marching to what was most likely their death as the crowd around the arena cheer for their arrival.

Feeling his body moving on its own Mark listens to Chrysalis advice and surrenders himself to the events playing before him as he unsheathe a sword and ready himself to fight for his life against a Manticore.

Does any of this seem familiar to you Mark?

It…it is coming back.

The human agrees as he tries to ignore the siring pain on his chest from being stabbed by the beast tail and be subject to his poison. Standing his ground Mark manages to chop off the tail of the beast and exploiting the moment of surprise and roar of pain from the monster, stab him in the face. Soon everything turns red as Mark regains control of his body somewhat as he revives more pieces of his mind.

What is happening?

Daisy ask trying to hug Mark until Chrysalis stop her and shake her head

His mind is slowly piecing together once more. Right now Mark is reviving everything he locks away.

She looked up in pity and sorrow as they could watch the things he had to do and the horrors he had to suffer as a gladiator.

And remember why he decided to block them in the first place.

Is this…his birth nation?

Daisy asks, looking at the images of him crawling a dead body of what looks like Big Mac, also in gladiator clothes and with Mark sword impaling his chest, as a huge rain storm cleans the blood off of him. Royal guards looming in.

In a sense

Mark answers having recovered somewhat as the memories keep swirling around the 3

This is the Equestria I originally ended up in. I don’t…don’t remember much but I know something happened, and before I knew it I woke up in the middle of an open field in that Equestria.

A memory of all of that happening with the human looking around confused and startle plays out

Confused, hungry and disoriented I headed to a town near me when I woke up. Where I caused mass panic just by my appearance and subsequently captured by the guards.

He clenched his fist in anger as he was brought to a Celestia wearing a roman emperor assembly with a yellow toga with the symbol of her sun embroiled on the side of it and with a hefty amount of golden jewelry.

That Equestria was way different than this one. It resembles more ancient Rome for the customs, architecture, wardrobe, and even the games in the coliseum. As well as their matriac tyranny where women had all the power and males were treated as nothing more than slaves, pets or tools.

The image changes to him hugging himself in a corner as he cries himself to sleep, royal guard mares taunting and laughing at him after being tossed into the dungeon.

Once they figured out I was sentient and male, Empress Celestia tossed me into the dungeon for who knows how long, until she and the rest of the prin…empresses decided to see how well of an entertainment I would be and sentenced me to die in the coliseum.

More and more images of him having to fight to the death with other animals and even other slaves keep popping out as he slowly start to embrace his new life and gain the favor of the public. The human barely registering the hug Daisy was giving him in sorrow with tears in her eyes.

The first time they forced me to grab a sword I was convinced I would die…

He flinched when he heard the sound of a whip in the distance and the image of Rainbow Dash discipline him to use the weapon and be mad flash in front of them

The training was hell and the arena was even worse, as they didn’t hold back and right away forced us to fight until we were half dead or on the verge of dying before healed us, gave us one day to rest and then repeated. Over and over again until you were ready to try your luck in the Coliseum.

He start to tremble and hug himself

The things I had to do to survive, the friends, those bitches forced me to watch as they were killed…

He has to look away when a memory of Cadence suddenly appears making his way toward him with lustful eyes as he was being presented naked in front of another noble woman as he was at an art exhibition.

I’m ashamed of saying it but after I lost hope that I will go back home somehow, I…I…

You decided to embrace your new life, nobody will judge you, for trying to get the best of a bad situation.

Chrysalis answer for him keeping her gaze low

We all have our past Mark, there is nothing to be ashamed of, you only were trying to survive that is all.

But what I did…

It already happened!

She insist and when looking at her, the two see her glaring at him with teary eyes

No use in letting guilt consume you, trust me. That would only crush your soul

He just remains quiet and everything turns tense as new memories of him being escorted to Cadence´s room where the princess in question was taking a bath in a small indoor pool. The place was covered in statues of naked gladiators on different attack positions, among them was even one depicting Shining Armor.

Even so, when I got the attention of one of the rulers. And idea appear

He sighs in frustration.

I thought…maybe if I play a little with their minds, if I keep them happy then at least one of this monsters would listen

Mark got flustered when Cadence stood up and let her massive F size breast expose for him to admire the glittering of the water massaging the massive pillows with dripping water hanging from her erect dark pink nipples begging to be play with resulting in him to stand to attention as she licked her lips.

Now I see how I was still only trying to find a way to survive…and was thinking with my dick.

This version of Cadence never married Shining Armor?

Chrysalis question with a raised eyebrow as Mark shake his head

The story is far worse than that, but I didn’t realized it until it was far too late

She tell him to come closer with her index finger and as in trance he comply while slowly undressing himself until they were both naked. Cadence looming over him with her hands on her hips.

Of all the empresses in that mess up Equestria, Cadence by far was the craziest, thirstiest and most sadist, out of the 3 and I like an idiot, just wanting to fuck her, because she flash me, result in me falling face first into her honey trap.

Mark confess in equal parts rage and shame for what happen next.