Author's Note

Hey there reader, I’m not sure if I’m progressing the story too fast but I don’t want this arc to be too long because I’ve got plans, big plans for Anubis. After all fate works in ironic ways. HA HA HAHAHAHA!!!

S-sorry for that outburst but if you could give me your thoughts on the matter, it’ll help greatly.

C6 let the torment begin!!!

“So what are they going to do with us Twinkle?”

“Um well they make us do these tasks that they call games, that are…”

Rustic continued. “The so called games are brutal and life threatening most of the time. But some of us have to complete them otherwise we won’t get fed, but we can get supplies from the games.”

“Well that sounds fucked up. Has anypony died from these games?”

“Unfortunately yes, 3 colts and 1 filly I didn’t know them that well tho.”

“Oh that’s truly tragic. But If you don’t mind I would like to know what happened to the bodies?”

This made them both freeze and they looked as if they were reliving a traumatic experience. I probably shouldn’t have asked that question.

“Believe me Anubis you don’t want to find out.”

“I’ll take your word for it then Rustic.”

Twinkle bolted away and I was now more interested in finding out, but judging by the reaction of those two, it couldn’t be pleasant.

“So Rustic how do you guys choose who’s playing these games?”

“Well it normally those who are brave enough to risk their lives. we have never had to force anypony to do it. And please don’t speak about the game so casually because they are horrors beyond your worst nightmare.” He stated firmly.

Poor naive colt, if he saw and experience the atrocities I committed, he’d see this place as heaven. But then again if I can get my hands... I mean claws on a corpse then it would be a breeze for me to convert said corpse into a flesh craving zombie. Although I don’t plan on starting a zombie infestation, I’d just need to get my claws on some basic elements and a virus to spread the infection to the one running this carnival of carnage. That sounds like a decent plan oh I can’t wait to see the look of horror on the yellow unicorn’s face as I dissect him, starting with the least vital organs and slowly making my way to the more sensitive parts.

But that will be plan B, I don’t want to get myself killed again, maybe that stallion’s lab will have something of use for me. I mean he’s definitely deranged and there’s magic so maybe some sort of way for me to utilise. Definitely worth looking into but I still don’t have an idea of how to escape from here, I don’t even know where here is.

As I continued to follow the rusty red colt, I was led into another room with metal walls and on one side a there was a large mirror which I instantly knew was a one way window. That’s going to be a problem, speaking of problems the pain is becoming unbearable. “Ah shit Rustic can we rest for a second?”

He looked over his shoulder and said. “Sure thing Anubis. I’m honestly surprised you haven’t fell unconscious yet?

“Yeah I honestly feel sore and tired right now, is there anywhere I could get some shut eye?”

“Dude you just woke up, how are you tired?” Then his eyes widened. “Oh never mind. I’ll see to introducing you to the others after you get some rest.”

“Thanks Rustic and where did Twinkle run off to?”

“She had to bear witness to what happened to the filly that got killed. So I imagine that she’s using the toilet.”

“Why did she watch, if it’s so bad?”

“She was hiding from the Warden and she said that she couldn’t close her eyes for some reason. I’m not going to ask her and don’t you think about questioning her about it. Ok?”

“Don’t worry I didn’t plan on asking her, judging by her reaction it’s probably not good.”

“Any way Anubis, this is my sleeping mat so get some rest, oh and expect to wake up in pain a lot of pain. After all that painkillers they gave you only last a few hours.”

They gave me painkillers after cutting me open! Those fucking assholes but I’m too exhausted to be angry. With that I began to drift off to the land of dreams.

———————————————————————

Doctor Crude Cut trotted back and forth, allowing the inner cogs of his mind to turn. It was the griffon cub that his two employees had brought back. Apparently the cub had killed his third worker but it was a small price to pay for the fascinating subject.

He was conducting multiple experiments on the various tissue samples he took from the cub. But one experiment riddled his brain with questions, instead of answers. This occurred when he exposed the cubs tissue samples to a magical artefact that the self-proclaimed doctor had acquired a long time ago. In all the years he had it, he could never figure out what it did. That was until now. The perfect opportunity has presented itself to him.

“I need to record this, the samples are reacting, strangely towards the artefact. By strangely I mean they are trying to make their way to the artefact. This shouldn’t be possible but my eyes are definitely not deceiving me. The cells should be dead but there still moving.”

I wonder what would happen if I placed this artefact inside the griffon cub. Only one way to find out. I’ll have to wait until he’s healed a bit more otherwise I run the risk of him dying, so I’ll give him a week. Yeah that sounds like a plan.

“Oh I can’t wait to see the results. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!”

And with that, the mad doctor left his lab and made his way through the abandoned hospital. He made it out onto the streets of Canterlot and nopony had a clue about what had just occurred.

He didn’t have to worry about the captives escaping, because the Warden was watching them with eagerness.

——————————————————————

When Anubis awoke he noticed that the other occupants of the testing centre as he deemed to refer to it, as such. Were looking at him and whispering between themselves. Probably about him, but he saw a familiar face approaching him. “Morning Twinkle did you sleep well?”

“How do you know it’s morning?”

“I don’t know.”

“Oh, well I guess I slept fine thanks for asking. Don’t mind them, they’re just scared. But are you feeling better?” She offered him a welcoming smile.

“Yeah, I feel better now, definitely more energy in my body.” But internally i was in agony but I’d have to manage for now.

As I got up Twinkle looked a bit worried, but I’ll ignore it and focused on pushing the pain into the back of my mind. “Now that I’m on my claws, I’d best introduce myself to all of you ponies. My name is Anubis grimgost and I have an important question, why does the adult ponies have tattoos on their rear ends? I have to know.”

This earned me a torrent of giggles from the some of the foals in the group. The others look annoyed or afraid. To be fair most people would be terrified or on guard if you were a pray animal trapped inside a confined space with a predatory animal that had claws. So I didn’t blame them for it.

A red filly started by introducing herself and her sister. “Hi Anubis Grimgost, my name is Rosey petal and this is my little sister Moon Lily.”

“I’m only a year younger! Rosey.” The dark blue filly protested.

I noticed that there were some foals who were culled up and trembling, murmuring something to themselves.

“And Anubis the tattoo are actually called cutie marks. Everypony gets one when they discover their special talent. How didn’t you know that?”

“Because I’m a griffon, Rosey.”

“Wait griffons don’t get cutie marks! but how do you know what you’re special talent is?”

I shrugged in response. But then a voice rang out. “4 participants are needed to enter a game. The rules of this game will be given when the 4 players are ready. You have 5 minutes to decide who will play.”

They have speakers and microphones, so does that mean they have radios? I’ll need to find out. But as for now I need to see what this so called game is about.

“Twinkle I’d like to volunteer to take somepony’s place in this game. And before you tell me no I must inform you that I do have basic survival skills.”

B-but you can’t be serious Anubis! You could die!”

Then a white unicorn colt spoke up with an air of disgust. “If that thing what’s to volunteer Twinkle, then I say, let it. After all, better that predator dies than a pony.”

“Shut your stupid face, Gold blood! What’s wrong with being a griffon.”

“What’s wrong do you want me to list everything wrong with the hybrid predatory race.”

God this is entertaining as hell. Where’s the popcorn? But then they were interrupted by Rustic.

“Will you two quit fighting for the love of Celestia.”

Then he approached me. “Anubis are you sure you want to go? You should be resting still?”

Don’t worry about it, I’m 100% sure about going into this Rustic.”

I’m not going to turn down a volunteer. But you’ll need to stay close to me so you can learn how to survive the games.”

“Don’t sweat it, someone’s got to do it and I’ve got claws just in case.” Yeah like I was going to rely on them, More like a last resort if it comes to it.

5 minutes passed and me, Rustic and two others that refused to acknowledge my presence were waiting for the big iron door to open. We didn’t have to wait long, it opened and two masked ponies commanded us to exit the holding room. We all followed the pony in the lead, it was wearing an off white full body suit with a black blank mask, the pony behind us was identical, except for a horn that was covered. I didn’t see any weapons but I wasn’t about to find out what happens if you try to run.

They took us to a small room and pushed us in, locking the doors behind us. Then I noticed two doors on opposite sides of the room. So this is where it begins.