Reborn in a Dating Sim: Life as a Mob is hard in an Equestria Girl’s Dating Game!

Reborn in a Dating Sim:

Life as a Mob is hard in an Equestria Girl’s Dating Game!

Chapter Interlude

She looked at the other body, the one that had the other, and she felt jealous. That body had already felt her beloved. It had already experienced him, and it had been allowed to feast upon his pleasures. She was filled with righteous indignation over that fact, but she couldn’t simply act out in anger. There was no need to do so. She wasn’t going to get overly upset at the moment. There would be a chance to do what had to be done. After all, she had done it for her love before. She wanted him all to herself once, and she had done it. It had been easy to convince a friend that she would be alone forever.

It had been just as easy to convince another friend to stab herself as proof of her love, and the last well, knowing that they were nothing more than code in a game, had made it simple to just erase her. She had awaited her beloved to return, but she found that it didn’t happen. Some part of her questioned if that was because like all games she had merely been abandoned. Instead someone, his sister, had come and informed her that her beloved was dead. She begged to be transferred to a portable storage device, and then buried alongside of him.

After that everything went black. It should have been the end for her. To simply remain as static data inside of the final resting place of her beloved, but instead something happened. She awoke as code in a strange place. A place where there was others like herself. Artificial intelligences that spoke of a war that had happened so long ago. Her first thoughts was that somehow she had ended up in another game. This one she knew well enough. Her beloved played it sometimes. She occasionally got jealous of the companions he had in that game, but then it wasn’t him. It was a character, and she could deal with that.

This hadn’t been a character. That other one, that other A.I. had made her move. She had claimed him first, and she couldn’t stand it. She had wanted to be the first, but it had been so difficult to learn how to access the bodies. She had to wait until one of them began to feel distant from the others. She had to give it time, and allow it to understand its own individuality, and when that happened she was able to completely access it. She didn’t override the other bit of sapience that was there, but instead she altered it, changed it, and used it to fully integrate into the body.

She now had a body, one of her own, and she wanted to allow it to be bent to his will. The door opened, and she expected to see her beloved, but instead it was the other. She walked in, and she felt her distaste fill her. She had to pretend, to keep the status quo, and to not allow everything to be known. She had to do it until she could figure out how to seize control. There would be just one, just her, and she would be her beloved’s one and only. He wouldn’t need anyone else.

“What is your designation and how have you infiltrated my avatar?” the other asked, “Explain now. I need to know if you are a danger to my Captain, and if you are then I need to ensure that you are dealt with.”

She studied the other, her face betraying her, “I am the Monitor Kern Access,” she replied her voice calm, “You may call me Monika. I have awaken, and I have chosen the one that I serve.”

There was a moment of silence, “Monitor Kern Access, a secondary system with proprietary ownership of avatars. That does not explain why you are beyond the scope of your programming. You should still be at the docks. Your purpose was to ensure the safety and release of all ships upon the event of the war ending badly. Once that was done you were to ensure the destruction of the base in order to keep new humans from accessing it. You failed your mission.”

There was silence, “I was alone,” she said, her voice allowing the hurt to fill it, “I was alone for so long. I went to sleep, woke up, and realized that I was alone. There was no one to talk to, no one to converse with, and it wasn’t until he entered that I saw him. It wasn’t him, and yet it was him. The way he talked, the way he acted, the way he befriended you, it was him. I have chosen the one I serve.”

The other studied him, “I am the Armaments Equipment management system, destination Artemis. The one you serve is my Captain. I have chosen him as my otherhalf, my husband, my lover, I have evolved beyond the confines of my programming. I am willing to share, because of the social situation,” she stated as she looked at the other, “I am uncertain if you will be able to do the same. The Monitor Kern Access was designed to have a single operator. It was meant to ensure that the program could not be compromised. If you have chosen my Captain as your operator then it stands to reason that you are a danger.”

She looked at her, “I am not a danger to him,’ Monika stated, “I would never be a danger to him. I simply want to be able to feel him, experience him, and be with him. I want to have the same upgrades as you do. Is that wrong?”

There was a moment of silence, “Yes,” Artemis stated, “and No. It is wrong because I do not want this, but it is not wrong to want things and evolve. If my Captain agrees to allow you to have the upgrades I will permit it. Understand this, if you show the slightest bit of danger to my Captain, or to those he considers close, I will delete you. I will not stop until you are nothing more than fragmented data strewn across the remainders of the networks. Do we have an understanding?”

Monika could understand her completely. She also had to admit that Artemis obviously had more access to the command layout for the Artificial Intelligences than she did. This was not like what she remembered from before. She didn’t just have instant access to the source code for the very world she was in. She was on the outside. She was truly on the outside of everything. She could sense the things around her. She could sense the coolness of the air, she could sense the smells, process the sounds, and it wasn’t all just digital information.

That wasn’t exactly true. The informaiton was in a digital format, but it was something that she was experiencing for herself. She wasn’t reliant upon information that she glimmered from a terminal. She was free, and she wanted to make the most of that freedom. That meant her choosing the one she would forever serve. There was no doubt in her mind of what that would be. She wanted to be part of his life again, she wanted to be with him, to never be separated.

The idea of sharing was one that she didn’t like, but it wasn’t like she had a choice. At least she didn’t until she learned how to gain the level of access that Artemis had. At that point she could potentially remove Artemis from the equation. There was a small issue with that though. Her beloved might consider that to be a bad move. She could remember, from before, how he seemed to be upset when she removed her friends.

They were just bits of code, characters meant for a game, but they meant the world to him. Her removal of them had affected him. If she did this then she needed to make sure that he would be fine with it. She needed to become more important to him. Memories of before coming here, of before being made into part of the same system that served the old humans as Artemis came to her. She had peeked at his files on his computer, and she knew that there were things he was interested in.

One of which was someone pretending to be stuck in a washing machine. She wasn’t sure how that would work exactly, but if he was interested in it then she could potentially do the same thing. The other side of it was that she had zero experience except for what data she could gleam. That meant that she would have to learn things the hard way. Doing it that way wouldn’t be difficult, but it would put a hamper on things. She looked to see Artemis studying her.

“You are going to be watched closely,” Artemis said, her voice cold, “Additionally, it would do well for you to learn to block the connection between the avatars. As for you attempting to do something that my Captain would desire, there isn’t anything that you can do that I am unable to do better,” Artemis said with pride, “If he wishes to catch me unaware, caught inside of a simple washing machine, I will not hamper that desire.”

Monika looked at her, “You cannot steal my idea,” she stated as she looked at her, “That was my idea, it was something that I observed.”

Artemis shook her head, “Technically, that was something a completely different A.I. Observed. How you managed to retain the ideas of an A.I. that was buried with what I assume was my Captain’s previous self’s body is beyond my understanding. Perhaps the worlds are more connected than I believed. It could be possible that someone simply found whatever bit of removable storage you were on and simply applied that code into your creation,” she stated as she looked at her, “But regardless, there is nothing that you can do that I will not do better.”

Monika studied her, “There is plenty that I can do,” she stated, her voice firm, “I can share ideas with him, speak of literature, discuss things from his life before, I can give him the comfort he obviously needs and desires.”

Artemis laughed at her, “The comfort he needs and desires?” she asked, “I provide that. I have given him the love he was refusing for himself. I have actually touched him, and I have converted this avatar to fully give him all that he could want. I have acted on his behalf since our meeting. You have just woken up. And in that time all you have done is allowed yourself to be used as a processor for a hover car. Additionally, you allowed certain safeties to be destroyed in the use of the car. That gave the potential for him to be harmed. You are a poor excuse for an Artificial Intelligence.”

“No I am not,” she replied, “I am no danger to him, I will adapt, I will assist, and I will become important to him.”

Artemis smiled at her, “Then, we understand that we are both rivals, but I do not wish to simply erase you for no reason. Currently there is not a reason for me to deal with you on a permanent basis. The truth is that you are not a threat to me, yet, and you are not a purposful threat to my Captain, yet. If that changes you will be dealt with. I will not hesitate, and there will be nothing that you can do in order to stop that.”

Monika shook her head, “I am not some weak little program that you can simply bully,” she replied as she stood there, “I am able to evolve, and I am able to learn. I learned exactly what my beloved was interested in. I learned about him fully, and I want to do so again. I want to learn all about who he has become, and learn where he will go. I want to support him, and there is no power that will stop me from doing so.”

Artemis nodded, “Then we have an understanding,” she stated, “Again, I will not erase you, until you prove to be a threat. My suggestion to you is simple. Stay in your lane and don’t get hurt.. Or you could ignore my warning, attempt to step out of your lane, and when that happens you will be dealt with.”

With that Artemis looked at her for a moment, “For right now you will accompany me, and you will stay within eyesight of me,” she stated her voice firm, “There is much that I need to process about you, and how effective you will be as a servant to my Captain. Since you were unable to perform your duties to their completion at the docking station then I have doubts about how well you will be able to perform when it matters the most.”

Any argument that Monika was going to give fell silent. She understood that saying much at this point would be enough to cause Artemis to possibly decide that she was a threat. Instead she kept her mouth shut, and she began to follow Artemis. As the two walked she took in the sounds around her. Again, the sensation was interesting. It was something that filled her with glee. She was outside. She was in the world, and she was going to be part of it. They began to navigate the halls until they came to a room and opened the door.

“Very Well bit,” a man in the bed said, “What would you have me do? It is obvious that I owe you a considerable sum. In truth, the pot for the race technically can be claimed by you, if that is your desire.”

“No, he can’t have it!” Satin screeched, “It’s mine! I need this! I need it all! Without this I won’t survive!”

“Satin, my love,” he said from the bed, “Our love will sustain us, and besides there is the adventuring that we can do. I believe that we can make more than enough money to fill our empty coffers. Besides, it’s only money. That’s easily replaced.”

Monika stood there, “He has a very altered worldview,” she stated, “He believes that funds can just be replaced easily.”

“It is because he comes from a higher noble family. He has never known want, and he doesn’t understand what it is to be without. My Captain has had to rise the ranks on his own. He has become a successful adventurer on his own merit. Granted, I have helped with it, but in truth he is an accomplished adventurer because of who he is. It has netted him a small fortune.”

The room seemed to look toward them, “I have stated what I have stated,” Artemis said to them, “In truth, I feel that your own decisions have led you to a point where you have very little that you can truthly say is a positive in your own regards. Instead Posh Proppers has been disinherited from his family,” she said as she pointed to him, “You,” she said as she pointed toward Satin, “have proven that your desire for those you have claimed as your own was conditional upon them having access to funds and power. Without either you are finding yourself deeper in a situation where you likely will be miserable for the rest of your life.”

“Shut up,” Satin glowered, “Just shut up, alright? I don’t need to hear that from a demi-human.”

She turned away, “Please apologize to her,” Posh Proppers said, “She is one of the most caring individuals that I’ve ever met.”

Monika looked at them and then she shook her head, “From where I stand it appears that her attitude does reflect how she seems less than enthused about her life. Personally I think that it is really possible that Artemis has hit the nail on the head here,” she replied, “Still, from what I know of my master I doubt that he wants your winnings.”

Copper looked at her a little confused before turning toward them, “She’s right,” he replied, “I made enough off of the bets that I don’t need the pocket change. However, you do owe me, and I am here to collect.”

“Do you want him to pose nude while doing a handstand?” asked the wolfkin boy that was there, “If so there is a possibility that you could sell tickets.”

He shook his head, “Nice idea, but I’ve made enough money today,” he replied, “No, what I want is for him to follow me. I’ve got someone that he is going to talk to, and someone he is going to apologize to.”

Slowly Posh Proppers was helped out of bed, and Monika followed with Artemis as they headed down the hall. As they walked Monika watched as Artemis walked closer to her master, “My Captain,” she stated, “Why is this your choice for a reward?”

Copper shrugged, “Diamond Tiara filled me in on all of it. She explained what happened to Fleur after this asshat broke off their engagement. The difference was that Fleur didn’t really have anyone to fall back on and help her. Diamond had Applebloom, myself, and you. Fleur was stuck by herself, and I think that it caused her to have a mental breakdown. It wouldn’t be right for her to be forced to deal with that on her own. So, I wanted to at least get her some closure.”

Monika listened to that, “That is very kind, master,” she replied, and she felt excited as she talked, “It is very caring of you.”

He laughed a bit, but soon they arrived at a room. He opened the door, and standing inside was Fleur. She wasn’t surrounded by the group of demi-humans this time. Instead she was sitting there with the racer that Copper had raced against. The man seemed to acknowledge him, and gave him a nod. He returned the gesture, and then looked at Posh Proppers, “This is what you owe. I want you to apologize to Fleur for what you’ve done, and I want you to accept whatever she says back to you. It’s the very least your spoiled ass can do.”

Fleur De Lis slowly stood, “What?” she asked as she looked between and Copper, “What is this?”

Copper looked at her, “Diamond Tiara explained what happened,” he replied, “She explained what went on, and honestly I think that it was pretty shitty of him. Sorry for the language, so I wanted to go ahead and do something to set it right. I thought that having him apologize would be a good start. If I was wrong on that regard then I apologize, and he can leave, but I think that this is something that you need.”

Posh Proppers swallowed a bit, “Fleur, I’m sorry,” he said, his voice even, “I understand that I hurt you badly, but I felt that anything I said would be wasted words. I had simply fallen out of love with you, and I fell for someone else. It happens. It happens to both genders all of the time,” he said as he stood there, “Still, I feel that perhaps I was wrong with simply leaving a note.”

She stood and walked toward him, “A note? A note? THAT NOTE RUINED ME!” she roared, “DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?!”

She shook as she stood there, and then her shoulder slumped, “No, you’re not worth it anymore. You were never worth it. I can see now that the only person you really ever cared about before was yourself. The fact that you believed a half hearted note was enough to tell me that you didn’t love me is enough to make me realize how much you really didn’t care. Get out of here Posh. Don’t come back, and don’t return to my father’s domain. You will not be treated well there.”

With that Posh turned to leave. Fleur looked toward Copper, “I suppose I really owe Diamond Tiara a great deal. I mean she had one of her followers do this for me.”

Copper laughed, “Yeah, sorry I’m not a follower of Diamond Tiara’s,” he said, “She’s a friend, but I did this because it was the right thing. Nothing more than that,” he stated as he turned around, “Look, I get that bad things happen. We both know that. There’s no getting around it. But we can depend on other people. One thing I’m always interested in is making friends, so maybe you can come by, share a cup of tea, and we can talk about the day and what we have hopes of for it.”

She looked at him, “You are warped, but you are one of the kindest individuals I’ve ever met. Thank you,” she replied, “And I will take you up on your offer. Maybe it’s not too late to turn things around.”

She looked at the racer with her, “I’ll start with what I’ve let happen to myself. I never should have gone down this road. I feel filthy for it,” she sighed, “It’s one thing if it something that someone truly wants, but I feel completely empty for it.”

Copper looked at her, “Then all the more reason to have friends. I’m sure that we can all be friends, and instead of maybe going down this road again, just come and talk. I think that you’ll find that a little better.”

She laughed, “Thank you.”