A New World, A New Way: Deepground

Chapter Seventeen

Clashing Mindsets

(Ponyville Hospital)

“I…don’t even know where to begin.” Doctor Horse said as he sweated bullets upon the situation he was in. It’s not that he wasn’t used to injuries like this, far from it due to his usual clients like Rainbow Dash or Scootaloo. But the fact that he was in a room with a new species, the princesses, the god of all Pokemon, and the strange creatures that resembled Emma for the most part…this was a new thing for him to walk into when one of the nurses mentioned that Celestia requested his assistance in the matter. “With all due respect Princess, but you know I have little to no knowledge…human anatomy, right?”

“We know, but we just needed you to patch her up as best as you can,” Celestia said as she motioned to Emma who was currently in a hospital bed with a cast on her leg, and a morphine pouch being pumped into her body.

“Even with the assistance of Ms. Heartstring’s…human anatomy knowledge, we could only do the best we could. It’s like somepony just twisted her leg to the point where they try to pull it off.” He said as everyone looked over at Arceus who in turn stared at them with a stoic expression.

“I will take the blame for what has happened. I should’ve been more clear in choosing who to send in finding the source of the problem.”

“I’ll…just pretend I’ll know what you’re talking about and continue.” Doctor Horse said before looking at Emma’s X-rays. “Normally it would be nearly impossible for anypony to have a full recovery from this amount of damage. But given how she’s not a pony, this might be an exception.” He said before showing them three copies of her X-rays.

“Okay, what’s the point? You fixed her leg, right?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Well yes, but the thing is. The first picture is her leg before the operation. Note how mangled and messed up it is. The second picture is of her leg during the operation. Keep in mind that during the operation, her leg began to repair itself at a slow but steady pace, and the third picture is her leg right now.” he said which caused Luna to speak up.

“Are you saying that during the past five hours we’ve been here, her leg has been practically healing itself?” Luna asked as the doctor nodded.

“It would appear so. We took some of her blood to run a few tests to see what might be the reason behind it. We’ll let you know what we find, but for now, she’ll be free to go within an hour or so. It still baffles me that she’s recovering so quickly without the need for any potions or
Magic.”

“I could think of a few reasons as to why.” Celestia thought before breaking from her train of thought upon hearing the doctor speak up.

“Sorry if I’m not that good with something like this.”

“It’s fine. We don’t blame you for your lack of knowledge given how she’s new to Equestria. You’re free to go.” She said, which caused the doctor to nod as he left the room. The moment he left, Emma let out a low yawn as she adjusted herself on the bed.

“So...you’re the self-proclaimed god of Pokemon?” Emma said as she looked at Arceus up and down. “Not going to lie, but I was expecting something more…I don’t know, something that didn’t look like a mutant horse from outer space.”

“And I wasn’t expecting a human to be the source behind the strange energy flowing from the planet,” Arceus said while making his way over to the human. “Hard to believe someone as small as you can give Mewtwo such trouble. It begs the question as to how you’re able to understand me without the need of a translation spell or me reading your mind.”

“Don’t know, I've been trying to figure that out myself. But I’m not complaining, not a huge fan of beings with psychic abilities that allow them to read minds without a person’s consent, like your son.”

“Hm, suppose it could be that you’re from another world. Nevertheless, I would once again like to apologize for what my son has done to you. It was my lapse in judgment for not taking into account Mewtwo’s…dislike towards humans.”

“Yeah, not the best Pokemon to have as a representative for Pokemon kind if I’m being honest. What made you think having an antisocial Pokemon as a diplomat for Pokemon was a good idea?”

“It was meant to help him break out of his antisocial tendency, but I see that might’ve been more of a challenge than it needs to be on his part. I’ll be sure to have someone else replace him as a representative for Pokemon other than myself. Now as for more important matters involving your presence on this planet. I can only assume that you had something to do with that creature residing next to Twilight’s castle?”

“I wouldn’t know as to how I’m involved with Emerald Weapon,”

“You know that creature’s name?”

“Only from information from my world seeing how that same weapon is on my planet,” Emma said while leaning back in the bed. “Weapons like the Emerald Weapon were created by the planet to deal with threats that would destroy the planet.” She said before pointing a finger at the Alpha Pokemon. “And seeing how you’re the god of Pokemon, I can only assume that it’s here because of what you did.”

“A bit bold to assume that, human. For all we know, that…thing could be here because of you.”

“Yeah because a medical scientist can do so much damage compared to a powerful being that created Pokemon and humans from out of thin air.”

“Given the image I saw from that creature when I first encountered it in Manehattan, it leads me to believe otherwise.”

“What do you mean by that?” Twilight asked.

“I sent some of my children around the world to see if they could find the source of the strange green energy coming from the planet. They soon came across the weapon in Manehattan by accident. I tried to establish communication with the creature, but all it did was show me an image of the human making its way over to a large machine. And that human was this girl right here.”

“Well don’t I feel special~”

“That’s nothing to be proud of.” He said before looking at Celestia. “I would advise you to let me keep the human along with the others she changed at the Hall of Legends.”

“Is there any particular reason for that?” Celestia asked while noticing the alpha Pokemon’s gaze upon Burgundy and Georgia.

“What they are is something not natural in nature. There’s a reason why I turned them into Pokemon.”

“Oh, this I have got to hear~,” Emma said in a sarcastic tone, which Arceus chose to ignore as he continued.

“I explained to the others before, but the reason why I turned them into Pokemon was because history can not repeat itself as it did on our planet. Humans use Pokemon for their evil intentions, enslaving Pokemon for horrific experimentations, hurting my children just so they can abuse their powers for their greedy desires. I’ve watched for countless years while I was imprisoned by the humans of the past and couldn’t do anything to stop it. The moment I was freed, I decided to take my children and the humans that represented the good of humanity and brought them here to this planet. Seeing my work being corrupted to the point where it looks similar to humans is the reason why I left the earth. I will not have history repeat itself.”

“So basically in short, you just up and left because your feelings were hurt by your children for imprisoning you all those years ago…wow, you must’ve gone insane being locked away for a long time to come up with a half-ass plan like that,” Emma said which took everyone minus Celestia and Luna by surprise.

“...Excuse me?” Arceus asked as the human could hear a bit of anger in his voice.

“Human, I would advise not to anger the god of all Pokemon if I were you,” Lucario whispered as Korrina and Iris nodded in agreement. “I get that you’re from another world and things are different there than they are here. But Arceus is a god that created an entire universe with little to no effort. Do you want to make him angry to the point where he might turn you into a Pokemon?” He asked as the soldier ignored his warning and continued her statement.

“You decided to take all the good humans and Pokemon from one planet and then plant them onto another planet, one where it already has life on it. Was your planet about to blow up or something?”

“Over time it would-”

“I’m not asking about it blowing up over time, I’m asking was it about to blow up like right now?” She asked as the alpha Pokemon didn’t speak. “I’ll take that silence as a no. Did you bother to talk to the inhabitants of this planet before you even thought about doing this, or was it a spur-of-the-moment kind of deal where no one else's opinion mattered?”

“I believe what I did was the right thing to-”

“So pretty much a spur-of-the-moment thing. Alright, did you at least plan to teleport the humans you turned into Pokemon in safe areas on this planet? Because given how Pokemon can adapt to different environments, humans can’t. Especially if they don’t know how to use their new bodies.” She asked as Arceus remained silent, which in turn caused Emma to deadpan at him.

“Did you at least have a plan on dealing with the outcome that they might end up in a situation where they could be killed? Like giving them the knowledge of how to use a move in the Pokemon body they’re in.”

“I…”

“Okay…so we can add mass death on the list of things that you’ll be blamed for.”

“This planet is safe enough where they wouldn’t be hurt or injured.”

“Did you look into this planet, or did you just look at the good aspects and not the bad parts of it? Because here’s a little bit of information for you.” Emma said before pointing over to Georgia and Burgundy. “Those two that I turned into humanoids were in a situation where they ended up in an Illegal underground fighting ring where they were forced to fight against either other creatures on this planet or other Pokemon that were forced to fight for the past couple of months or so.”

“....That can’t be true…can it?” Arceus asked as he looked over at Burgundy and Georgia. He notices them looking away from his gaze along with having bandages on certain parts of their body.

“She speaks the truth,” Celestia said as the alpha Pokemon looked over at her. “Much as I would hope the new rules we placed to protect Pokemon from something like this, it would seem that there are still ponies with enough money to bribe other ponies to allow something like this to happen. The fault is mine and mine alone for letting something like this happen for too long during my years of ruling over Equestria.”

“...I see.” He said before looking back at Emma. “H…Emma…while you make some valid points about how I handle the situation, that still doesn’t excuse you for changing them into these…humanoids as you call them.”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure I have the right to do so seeing how they asked me to do it. Also, keep in mind that you turned them into a glaceon and deerling. You know, two species that can’t open doors without hands? Not to mention they were dealing with unicorns that can use magic, so you can see where this is going.”

“....I mean she does have a point.” Rainbow Dash said as she flinched upon seeing Arceus’s gaze. “What? Have you ever opened a door without the use of magic or your mind?” She asked which in turn caused him to sigh in annoyance.

“While I can understand your reasoning behind it, I can assure you that I will do my best in trying to remedy the situation that my kind and the humans are in. But that still doesn’t change the fact that what you did is unnatural. Hence why you will change them back to how they were.”

“Sorry, but the change is permanent until I can find a way to make them completely human.”

“Which is something I will not allow. Don’t you understand what I’m trying to get you to understand?”

“That Pokemon are good, and humans are evil. That’s a dangerous mindset to have thinking everything is black and white.”

“And you don’t agree?”

“It should be obvious that all species, no matter if they are human or Pokemon, can choose to be good or evil. You seem to be so focused on what humans can do, you seem to forget what your kind can do.”

“Do you have proof of Pokemon doing horrible actions?”

“Well from what Korrina had said to me, there was an event on your planet when a group of Malamars tried to terraform the planet you came from.” She answered which took Arceus by surprise as he looked over at the gym leader, who sheepishly waved at him before slowly hiding behind Lucario. It’s not that he had forgotten about that, he just hoped that no one would remember that from his planet. Not the best mark in Pokemon history, but he couldn’t deny that.

“It seems that the human is beating you in your logic behind your sudden migration, Arceus~” Celestia said with a slightly sassy tone in her voice.

“I…will not deny my plan may have some holes in them. But my statement remains. Can’t you see that there will be violence between the inhabitants of this planet if humans were to come into the fray?”

“A bit late for that, don't you think? Like it or not, there will be violence between your species and the inhabitant mainly because everyone isn’t the same. Ponies, griffons, minotaurs, dragons, etc. Each race has its way of thinking, its mindset, and its own opinions. You think just because you’re a god means that everyone is supposed to listen to what you say?”

“You're saying as if I don’t know this already.”

“Hard to say given how lofty you value life.”

“Watch it human, you’re stepping over the line you don’t want to cross.”

“Well, it’s the truth. You did say that you only brought the humans you deemed good to this planet, so it tells me that you left the bad humans back on your planet which I can assume is pretty much dead seeing how you took every Pokemon as well?” She asked which caused everyone to look at Arceus with shocked expressions on their faces.

“She can’t be right…right Lord Arceus?” Lucario asked as the alpha Pokemon didn’t reply to his question, though the aura Pokemon could sense that he was getting angry at the human’s line of questioning and pulling apart his logic.

“Would you bring the evil of humans here to this planet if you were in my shoes?”

“I would’ve given them the option. Either to come with me and change your ways, or stay here on the planet that was still living to live out their years without Pokemon. Better yet, I would’ve made a planet to place them on instead of moving them to another planet. For a god that could do just about anything, you are just as bad as the bad humans you left behind.”

“I don’t need a human like you lecturing me about the rights and wrongs of my actions. Especially when she isn’t freed from sin.” Arceus said which in turn caused Emma to raise an eyebrow. “I may not be able to read your mind, but your eyes tell me all I need to know. You have the eyes of a killer.”

“Oh I’ve killed, there’s no denying that.”

“Yet you have the gull to lecture me about my actions?”

“Because unlike you I don’t try to hide my actions behind justifications. I joined an evil company so I could obtain knowledge on healing my mother’s injuries without having to come out of pocket with my own money. Because when you’re poor, you don’t have a lot of options to a certain degree that doesn’t require breaking the law. Once I had the knowledge I needed, I would leave and help those in need. But things didn’t turn out as planned and was made into their weapon to kill their enemies.” She said while staring at the alpha Pokemon with an emotionless expression on her face. “I killed hundreds if not thousands of people, be they men, women, children, or even the elderly. I’ve killed just so that my family doesn’t end up like me or worse. Sure I could’ve just up and left at any time, but unlike you, I wasn’t born into power to where I could make them disappear or save my family from being killed by them.”

“...You poor human. What kind of god would allow something like this to happen to their creation?”

“Oh wow, sympathy from a god who denies his murderous actions, that’s the highlight of my day,” Emma said in a sarcastic tone.

“My actions were justified for the safety of my children. How would you know what it's like to watch as your children are attacked and tortured by humans?”

“I may not know what it's like to watch my children suffer, but seeing your comrades get killed around you might fall under that category.” She said before leaning back in the bed she was in. “The bottom line is that unlike you, I don’t make excuses for my killings. I did it because I knew what I was doing at the time and knew what would happen if I did or didn’t do what I needed to survive. It would be one thing if you admitted what you did and understood it, but you choose to make excuses to justify your action as if it’s the right thing to do. But let's face it, murder is murder no matter how much you want to sugarcoat it. Hence why I’ll be sure to bust your balls whenever you make some stupid excuse or something to make yourself look right in the eyes of others. Because right now, you’re just another killer. Just like me~”

There was a moment of silence hanging in the room. Though everyone including the princesses was staring at Emma in shock, they soon looked over at Arceus who from what they could tell still had a neutral expression on his face…but for those who could sense emotions via aura like Lucario, Korrina for the most part, and Emma or tension like most of the ponies in the room…he was visibly angry. The silence lingered for what seemed to be forever until Arceus spoke up.

“Hm…given the short conversation, I’m going to assume words aren’t going to persuade you into turning them back to normal?”

“I’ll put it in terms that you can understand. Unless you’re willing to change the humans that you turn into Pokemon that want to be human again, then I’m going to change them into humanoids until I can change them back into humans completely.” She said as Celestia quickly moved in between the two before anything else could happen.

“I think we might need to come to this at another time.” She said before looking at Arceus. “Like it or not, you can’t do anything to stop Emma from doing what she’s doing.”

“And you think I can’t?”

“Not unless you want to make things difficult for the Pokemon. Keep in mind that Mewtwo did break the accidental magic law by attacking Emma and Lyra, who was the one who summoned the human here. If word were to get out that a Pokemon went against the rules that he didn’t even bother to look into, then other ponies will end up doing the same and go after the Pokemon that are under the protection law.” She answered with a stern expression on her face.

“We wouldn’t want that to happen, do we?”

“No…No, we would not.” He said as Celestia looked over at Emma.

“And you, are you going to turn every human who turned Pokemon into humanoids?”

“Only if they ask. Unlike that jackass of a god, I ask if a person wants me to do so.” Emma said in a sly remark to what Arceus did.

“Okay, good. Now keep in mind, this planet doesn’t belong to you or Emma. This planet belongs to the inhabitants of this planet, the rules and laws from your world do not apply here, but that doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want. Now if any humans that have been turned into Pokemon want to become humanoids, then they’re free to do so. If not then they’re free to remain as Pokemon.”

“You can’t be serious. Do you know what will happen if you-”

“It’s not like she has a device that turns them all into humanoids. She’ll most likely limit it to ten people per day given how much magic it would require. Plus, she’ll be in Ponyville given how that creature will follow her, depending.”

“I mean yeah, take me a day for me to recharge after the tenth time I use it.”

“....Fine, I know when I can’t beat an argument like this. I will take my leave for the time being.” He said before looking at Emma. “Know this, human. When the time comes when you have to return to where you came from, I will undo the damage you have caused.”

“Good luck with that~,” She said before watching him leave the room they were in via teleportation. The moment he left, everyone's attention was on Emma as she let out a small chuckle. “This might be the morphine talking, but that was fun.”

“....What is wrong with you!? Are you insane!?” Lucario yelled.

“There’s a lot of things wrong with me, you have to be a bit specific.”

“You were arguing with the logic behind Arceus’s excuse for turning us into Pokemon and moving us to another planet!?” Iris yelled. “Even a kid wouldn’t be that immature or stupid to talk back to their parents, let alone a god!”

“Again, I don’t see him as a god. Just an idiot with a lot of powers who pretty much had an insane or stupid idea after being free from his imprisonment.”

“And you didn’t think he could just, oh, I don’t know. Might’ve just vaporized you or something!?” Applejack yelled which caused the human to roll her eyes.

“Even he’s not that stupid enough to try and do that. Especially in a place like this. Plus if he did do something like that, then he’ll be in even more trouble with Celestia and Luna.” She said before leaning back in her bed. “Well, that and Weapon that’s still in town.”

“How can you be so calm about something like this?” Rarity asked.

“I'm a thirty-nine-year-old girl who's been turned into a weapon by an evil company. I’ve been experimented on, beaten up, tortured, shot, stabbed, impaled, clawed, mawed, fucked both physically and mentally, and a whole lot of other things I can list. What can he do to me that hasn’t been done to me for the past twenty years?” She asked as the room fell silent upon her question. “Look, it’s been a long day for everyone. Especially me given how I just got into a fight with a psychic Pokemon with xenophobia towards humans. I would like to rest up and pick this up tomorrow if possible?”

“Perhaps that would be for the best. Given what happened today, a nice restful sleep might do us all better to refresh our minds for the next day.” Celestia stated as everyone looked at each other with worried expressions on their faces, but nodded in agreement. “Lyra, Burgundy, Georgia, and Bon-Bon. As the ones who found her, would you be willing to stay here during the night to watch over her?”

“Are you sure it’s okay?” Bon-Bon asked. “Not that I would question what you say Princess, but I don’t think the hospital would allow visitors to stay longer than needed.”

“Not unless we say something about it,” Celestia said while smiling. “We just need Emma to stay here for a bit while we tend to some concerns in Ponyville in the morning. Not to mention, I’m pretty sure the four of you aren’t up for ponies or Pokemon to freak out because of your appearances.”

“I mean…she does have a point,” Burgundy said while looking over herself in the mirror next to her. “Suppose this would be a nice place to try and get a bit better at moving around in this new body.”

“Then it is agreed? We keep them here until morning when we hold the town meeting?” Luna asked as Celestia nodded before looking at the others.

“Tomorrow’s going to be a long day, so try and get some rest.” She said which in turn caused everyone to nod as Twilight, her friends, Iris, Korrina, and Lucario began to leave the room. The moment they left, Celestia and Luna’s horns lit up as they teleported back to Canterlot.

“Welp, I’m going to pass out,” Emma said before reaching into her bag to pull out four small metal orbs and toss them over to Lyra, Bon-Bon, Burgundy, and Georgia. “Press the green button on the side and a sleeping bag will pop out. You can stay up and chat if you want, I’ll be knocked out until morning or if someone tries to come in here and attack us.”

“Um…Alright, thanks?” Georgia said before hearing Emma snoring a bit before going silent. “Geez, not even a second, and she’s passed out?”

“Well given what she showed us…I’m not surprised by this.” Bon-Bon said as the four of them began to set up the room for them to sleep in for tonight.