A Peek Into the Twisted Mind of "Me".

Chapters

Chapter One: The beginning of the end of the beginning.
Chapter Two: To which I meet the family and frighten children.
Chapter Three: Show and Tell. Almost too simple.
Chapter Four: Show and Tell. But not simple enough.
Chapter Five: Pitchforks and Torches and Angry Mobs, Oh My!
Chapter Six: I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire...
Chapter Seven: Release Thine Self Unto Chaos.
Chapter Eight: Meet the Royalty!
Chapter Nine: The True Monster...
Chapter Eleven: I'll Give You a Reason.
A Change of Plans
Chapter Ten: ...Is Me.

Chapter One: The beginning of the end of the beginning.

T'was a beautiful day in Ponyville, the sun shining and the birds singing a catchy tune as usual. But to be truthful, who the hell cares about that right now, somewhere on Earth a human is having the biggest mental breakdown in his history. That human, is me.

It was about 12:06 and I had just shut my computer and jumped in bed, readying myself for another day to come. I had the most chaotic mind of all the people I knew, I just didn't know it yet. I had just shut my eyelids when a bright light began to pierce their protective covering. I opened them just to see a gleaming white orb outside of my window, emitting a slow but very loud scream. It seemed as if nobody but me could hear it. I'm fourteen so my parents would have immediately barged in and began ranting about what the hell was going on, but no. Only I could hear it as it pushed it's way through the window, literally. The orb pushed, broke, and mended the atoms of my window creating a swirling and controlled explosion around it. I closed my eyes and cried as it never ceased the screaming as I began to fall asleep.

I awoke the next morning, crying, staring out the empty windows, still hearing a faint scream in my mind. The odd thing though, when did I curl up into a ball, and when did I begin sobbing? I look over and it's 5:27. I always wake up at 10:00-12:00. I go back to sleep and wake up to something entirely disturbing.

It's cold and I can't feel my limbs, even though my nerves are shouting at me. I have no mouth and yet I must scream. I have no idea to what is happening and yet I know everything. I have no jaw, no arms, no legs. I am a breaking form, yet the only thing truly broken at this point is my mind.

I wake up and my limbs feel cold. I can taste metals in my mouth.I finally open my eyes to see a shaking, rapidly decaying, pale white face in front of me. As it finally turns to bone and falls away into the wind, it circles my limbs and jawline as I finally realize why everything is so cold. My limbs... metal greaves and vambraces, containing who knows what sort of tools at this point. But of course I know now, though I won't spoil it. And my jaw... like the twisted maw only worn by the most wicked of dark manifestations. As if I were wearing the remaining shards of a broken cleaver on my jawline.

I managed to get up and run, as if to get away from whatever problems I had. Even if they were part of me. I didn't know where I was, nor where I was going.All I knew was that I would get there and find help no matter the cost. What I got was beyond my explanation. For the screaming still lay in my mind, and it seems to empower me to do anything that I may require or that "It" may need.

The next thing I can remember is stumbling into a clearing and seeing a happy farmhouse with a tinge of Willy Wonka flare. But oh how it pissed me off for some reason. It's as if all happiness was never meant to be. I trudged up the path slowly lifting my legs with what I could only describe as hydraulic energy, as my arms hang limp at my sides. I had finally made it to the door which was, even at the age of fourteen, rather small. Only about 3/4 my size, maybe this really was the home of a previous Wonka? Not likely.

I slowly rapped my claw-like hand on the door which made a metallic clang and rattled the frame every time it hit. I heard heavy, rapid footsteps. I took no mind to this as I predicted that there may be a few residents to this home, seeing it's size. What I saw was nothing short of hilarious. A red Equine with a blondish mane stood behind the doorway. He, from what I could tell, was about as tall as me though all it took was a single glimpse at me to make him shrink down to half of my size. His face was one of horror and somehow it was amusing.

I felt bad though. What I considered to be my "New appearance" had just sent an innocent creature into shock. I knelt down and he closed his eyes, as if expecting his fate. But it hadn't come. Not today. Instead I chose to gently as possible, scratch his head. It was difficult due to my new, gangely claws, arms, and legs. I slurred as best I could through the metallic brace acting as my jaw; " I'm not here to hurt you... I don't even know where I am or why." This caused him to look up at me with his shaky gaze. I lifted my claw and he slowly slunk back into the house and closed the door, carefully as ever.

From the inside, I could hear him speaking to what appeared to be a female. How I knew he was speaking? I didn't. I just hadn't a mind in the world at this point and was experiencing skittish mood swings. I hated everything about this place but it made me want to be as kind as ever. But then the door swing open and next thing I remember, I was hogtied. How uncouth. The female said in a thick Kentucky accent "Now I don't know who or what you are varmint, but I ain't gonna' have you hurtin' mah' family with those... things." For some reason, I felt no guilt or remorse as I almost immediately sliced the rope in two and stood at full possible height. Easily about twice her size.

"I am not here to harm you. But a little birdie inside my head has been telling me to do as I must to survive. You aren't much of a threat to me in what seems to be my new manifestation, but if threatened... I will not falter to cease your breath." It felt oddly nice to be cruel, but as my usual mind took back control from this instinctual monster embedded deep within my brain I gave her a light scratch behind the ear and a sympathetic look with my eyes, for this jaw brace covered my entire mouth with the way the fangs rose. This seemed to earn back a small amount of trust and make her realize that I'm a sentient creature... maybe even something more. I was invited into my first home in this odd world and just as I was, the screaming turned to a little voice, scraggly and deep... It was chaotic.

Chapter Two: To which I meet the family and frighten children.

I trudged into the home, wearing a stoic expression on my ravaged facial visage. "We'll here we are.. Home sweet home." blurted the orange one. She seemed proud, but of what? "Welcome to the Apple family farmstead. We here grow the finest apples in Equestria!" Oh god... this world was a huge mass of irony and hilarity. It would be perfect for my host, yet I did not know this yet. "What's your name and what are you. If you can even answer those questions..." Hissed the red one. He seemed a tad too confident in his place, and I had no Idea why this bothered me.

"My name is... is... I forget my name. One thing I haven't forgotten though is what I am. I am a Human. I live in the United States of America, a continent on the planet of Earth, the third planet from the Sun in the Milky Way galaxy. Is that all you wish to know or are you willing to attempt to coax more information out of me?" He seemed stunned at my sudden retort. as if he's never seen someone with balls enough to stare down a pissed off horse. After that, he hadn't said anything else. But I knew things were about to get awkward as the door know began to turn.

"Shoot! Hurry on up the stairs and into the second door on the left. It's Applebloom!" I did as the small orange Equine instructed and ran up the stairs at a speed that I thought impossible with these limbs. 'Must be hydraulics indeed' I thought to myself. And into the second bedroom I go. Inside it was empty, except for a few boxes of old items. 'Most likely a guest room turned into a storage room' I thought again. Curious, I pressed my ear up against the door to hear what was going on downstairs. "But Applejack, ah' know I heard somethin'!" This was a new voice, one much more youthful and fragile, fresh and breakable. I pushed all thought out of my head as I heard what I could only describe as "hoofsteps" coming down the hallway, directly to this room.

I slipped under the bed as quickly and quietly as possible, which isn't easy taking into account my metallic limbs. "Hello?" I heard the foal say. "Is anypony in here?" Great, more stupid words to add to my great mental dictionary of stupidity. "She" as I conceived it to be female, trotted out of the room, leaving the door wide open. Great, another route of escape shall I need it.

About an hour later, I had been messing with all of the different latches, locks, and switches on my arms and legs, discovering I have leg pistons, which could be useful, one of the Equines, specifically the orange one trotted in. "Sorry for hiding you earlier, it's just that, well I can't lie and I have to say that you are quite ugly. No offence." Ouch. I think I just lost all sense of feeling for this one. Then again, honesty is the best policy. "It is quite alright. I suspect you wish for me to meet the family?" I stated. Just because I'm fourteen doesn't mean I can't be regal. "Eeyup, I guess I do." She replied. This world is strange, as if everything is scripted.

About fifteen minutes later we slowly crept down the stairs, well, she did. My new legs didn't really allow for creeping. I looked into the kitchen to see the rest of her family sitting at the table, ready to eat. Except for the fact that I just ruined all of their appetites, and caused a small child to pass out. And another fifteen minutes down the drain.

I had earlier found a way to remove my jaw, which wasn't exactly helping with being scary, but at least is was less of so, more so in the aspects of funny and gross. There weren't any open wounds, merely metal bolt handles for where the blasted thing hung on. Without it, my tongue just lolled out of my mouth. I chose this approach this time. As the young one woke up, she of course took one look at me, even at a crouching position looming over her, and screamed... But then she really looked and laughed, and so did I the best I could. After a few moments I took the opportunity to re-attach my artificial jaw and speak. "Greetings, you must be Applebloom." I stated matter of factly. She seemed a tad scared for a second, but then confused.

"You sound just like one of my older classmates." She said. "Well, I might as well, I am only fourteen." This earned a collective gasp from all three of them. "But you're so tall, and gentlecoltly." Said the one I've learned to be "Applejack". "Can a young male not be cuth? Or is it just unexpected." I never got an answer to that question. Just a fresh homemade meal, a few laughs at me trying to use a new jaw, and a bed to sleep in that night. Though that night is the reason I now fear sleep.

I was cold again. I was without my limbs and jaw again, but the pain was even worse. This time there was no orb, just that constantly decaying face screaming for help. But how help never came. It slowly morphed itself over time into the skull of a "Pony" and re-fleshed itself. It the began to tear away and bleed from any wound or opening possible. When it was finally dead and quiet it suddenly blurted "You will die within 3000 years! Until then, enjoy the time you have! And free the true deity if you wish to live long enough to die!

Chapter Three: Show and Tell. Almost too simple.

I awoke in the cold which was slowly integrating itself unto me. Today was going to be a long day and I could tell. I looked like Frankenstein had a child with Edward Scissorhands. Yes at this moment in time, I hadn't a care about that. Today was a day for introductions.

I trudged down the steps in my usual fashion to see the family gathered in the living room, staring at me whilst whispering among themselves. "Good morning Apples." I said in my stoic yes somewhat joyful tone. I took to the kitchen with a plan to mostly just sit down and think, but before I was even half way, Applejack spoke up. "We've been talkin', and today is show an' tell at Applebloom's schoolhouse. She was wonderin' if you would be kind enough to go as her and be her show and tell project?"

I contemplated this for a moment. On one hand I would be able to introduce myself to the rest of the children in this town. On the other hand, it would be as if I was some sort of pet. On the other, other hand I may be able to inoculate information of humans into the schooling system. On the other, other, other hand; I may scare the children... Oh well, I'm going. "Of course. What sort of persona would I be displaying if I didn't go?" That's when I made a bit of a mistake, for to this day, I do believe that they thought the jaw was some sort of shameful device or something instead of a machine to rend flesh. I smiled past the jaws. They saw my canines and my in particular snaggletooth... just like him... just. like. him.

It seemed to scare them, until I explained the further details of my world. How there are vegans, most humans have no consideration over the creatures, and the reason to that being how none of them are sentient and able to properly think outside their obedient boundaries.

This was odd to them, but when my expression turned to guilt they all gave me the okay. Later that day I would proceed unto the school, meet Appleblooms friends, be presented, and teach a certain bully some manners.

Applebloom later returned home from fetching her friends before school, who while we talked I learned are Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. They were waiting outside when Applebloom came into the house. "Okay, my friends are outside and ah' told em' not to be afraid when you come out. They're nice an' all but not too brave, so if you could not be so scary that'd be nice." I cocked my eyebrow at this statement but proceeded with as much of a smile I could muster. Which wasn't much, being the monstrosity I currently was and still am. But as the door opened. I got two different reactions, only half of each I was expecting.

As the door swung open and the two fillies screamed, I had begun using most of my vocabulary again so that I may be able to label a foal as male or female, nonetheless they screamed. When they both finished, the orange one, a Pegasus as I had learnt, had a look of both fear and curiosity on her face, whilst the white one, a unicorn, had a look of fear and disgust. For what at that moment, I did not know.

The orange one was the first to speak up, and to be blunt... what she said actually scared and hurt me, yet I have no idea why. "Applebloom... that. is. the coolest thing ever! Where did you find it?" She spoke as if I was something less than nothing and yet more than everything. It was then that I spoke and sadly, furthered her curiosity. I also saw her staring at my custom appendages. "Indeed. My appearance has seemed to trigger intrigue in many of the organisms I have found in my new surroundings. And not to stagger your mind, what I said means that people have seemed to note me as something special. Also, she didn't find me. i found her, or more so her older male sibling. Her big brother to stunt my rant."

It was then that her face tore into amazement. "It. can. TALK?! Oh my gosh! What to say, what to say? Oh! I've got it. i have a question... what are those and why are you wearing them?" She gestured to my limbs and jaw. I let out a small sob and then answered the question as best as I could. Which may have been too good. "They aren't anything. Merely artificial replacements for what I had misplaced not too long ago. Never as menacing as they are now, and not constructed of dark iron. They were merely odd and formed from flesh and bone. Same for my jaw. But to answer your question, they are hands and feet, or in this case, vambraces and greaves." She seemed to get the picture. Next to pipe up was the white one.

"Eeew! It's ugly!" Again, what's with everyone forgetting I'm sentient, and have armored limbs and jaw made ow what could only be described as dark iron cleavers. I knelt down so that I was eye level with her, which had me craning my neck downward even knelt. "I am sentient you know. I have a complicated thought process just like you and can take into valued consideration, what you just said. I know I don't look anything like you, but that doesn't make me ugly. Say, would you call a beautiful flower wilting withing the desert, ugly? No? That's what I thought." Much per the usual, she was confused by this, but it wasn't her I was meant to deal with today. It was Applebloom.

About 20 minutes later, we had reached the schoolhouse where I waited a good distance away for everybody to crowd inside. Then the girls went in, as I had told Applebloom to whistle once I should come in and she took it well. As a sort of performed entrance. It was 10 minutes later, plus another 5 that Applebloom was up. She whistled and I galumphed my way into the schoolhouse, and was met with gasps instead of screams. "Applebloom, eh, who is your friend?" This time, the Equine who spoke was pinkish and had a sweet but cautious tone of voice. "I can answer that for myself teacher." I said as I picked up a piece of chalk.

I instead of writing my name, wrote down a vague description of myself: an I.D.P. or inter-dimensional psychonaut. A jumper of time and space, an adventurer of thought and the mind. I am and am not. I am both darkness and luminescence. I am a shade of gray. In basic description, I am more than and less than a Human, which are. And that is my description of myself.

Chapter Four: Show and Tell. But not simple enough.

"Now then Ms..."

"Cheerilee. My name is Ms. Cheerilee."

"Indeed, now then Ms. Cheerilee, can you help me explain to the class what the meaning of this is?"

She stared at the blackboard with an almost lost gaze, as if contemplating the meaning of the universe itself. Weighing it's every purpose and meaning to evaluate its total worth.

"Honestly, I have no clue." She replied with a tinge of shame. I guess being a teacher and not being able to explain even such a complicated clue to your class is somewhat embarrassing.

Nonetheless I began my short, yet still somewhat confusing explanation. "It means that me and my race's purpose is nothing other than, to be." As expected, I received a series of chatter and confused looks. "In a more basic way, my purpose is only the purpose I choose for myself to follow; or even stray from." This received better reactions.

Now begins the proper introductions, no more definitions. "I may not know my name anymore, but what I do know is everything about my personality and life. I am a fourteen year old human male who used to live in the country of America on a planet called Earth. Our planet was the third from the sun, in a galaxy known to us as the Milky Way. Any questions as of yet? If so, I will require a name along with the question, for future reference." Only a handful of foals raised their hooves, but I was happy to answer whatever possible.

"My name is Pipsqueak, but you can call me Pip! If I may ask, do you have pirates where you come from?" He asked this question with a sincere passion.

"I see you're fascinated with quite the peculiar tyrant, eh? Anyway, your question is somewhat difficult to answer. Yes, and no. Yes, we have pirates in our current day of age, but they are nothing as you would expect. They pirate anything that can bring in profit and if they must, or just for fun, they injure or even kill. A long while ago though, we did have the type of pirates you are thinking of, but they were still harsh and marauding. I am most definitely not attempting to ruin any dream or happiness you have, for this is my world and not yours. Follow your heart and any dream is possible." And with that, he seemed content with my answer but a few specific foals were snickering at my comment. Foolish younger children.

Next up... a prissy looking one, more specifically; one of the ones who was snickering, great. "My name is Diamond Tiara, my daddy is the richest pony in Ponyville! Anyway, I must ask; why are you so ugly?" There goes my nerves, just like that, all it takes is one little bitch to make me snap. Time to rant!

"Well you see my pint-sized-pink-Equine, much like you I was bullied previously in my life which lead to a specific; and in my case, angry social awkwardness that again specifically; made me fear just about no one. But in your case, it made you feel too high and mighty about yourself which took the sacrifice of you stepping upon and over many others, and now you feel of some sort of social hierarchy topper even though you're merely a background character to most."

Anyway I recently had my limbs and jaw torn from my bleeding flesh as a spirit from beyond took them from me and instead made me what I am today. But you haven't seen ugly until you've seen my home world. I won't go into any further details. Oh and please wipe that snooty grin off of your face, for you are fooling most of everybody, but me." I hissed the last words with a passion.

The next question left with confusion. For them, and a little bit of me. "Our names are Snips, and Snails." They said in unison. "What kind of magic can you do?" This made me pause, and stare at them for a moment. "Magic? Ha! Humans don't have magic, we have technology. Something that is only limited by the oh so infinite mind, instead of the users mental and physical capabilities." Short and sweet, just as they like it. Still, this confused them a tad, but they seemed to get over it.

The final question was from the small orange Pegasus who Applebloom introduced to me earlier. "As you already know, my name is Scootaloo. I noticed you don't have any wings but know a lot about weather from when we were talking earlier. How do you fly?" At this point I decided I should probably stop snickering.

"As I stated merely moments ago, us humans have through our years developed what could be considered in this world, advanced technology. Since humans can't naturally fly as you can see, we invented what are called planes. Large metal devices which use solid metal wings with a large surface area to pick up enough lift. On the ends of those wings are ailerons, which are panels which move up and down to make the aircraft roll to either the left or the right, which is used in the turning. On the back of the vehicle is a slightly elevated, and also solid, tail. This tail is an extension of the hull, where the cockpit is located, or the pilots seat for the person driving it. Attached to that tail is a vertical flap much like the ailerons which is called a rudder. Much like on a boat it is used for straight up left and right movement, which is also part of the turning process. There are two horizontal surfaces, much like the ailerons on the wings called elevators. They are smaller, but used for tilting the plane up or down while in the air, and for taking off. To control all of these dynamic surfaces the pilot uses a kind of joystick in the cockpit which will, depending on which way it is pulled, will activate the surfaces to move in a specific direction. The joystick's up and down movement is inverted, which means pulling down will cause the elevators to tilt up and cause the plane to tilt up, and vice-versa. To roll left, they would push the joystick left, which would cause the left aileron to tilt up and the right aileron to tilt down, so that the airflow would be opposite. The left side pushing down while the right side pushes up, which causes the rolling motion. Pushing the joystick left also causes the rudder to turn towards the left. On the inside of the wing are smaller control surfaces called flaps. Simple as that. They are used to monitor a steady direction while cruising. Which is moving through the air at a constant speed and direction. This is mostly used for simple, enjoyable travel. To maneuver the plane in more advanced ways, pilots combine the noted motions of the joystick inside the cockpit. And that, is the genuine basics of an airplane."

The faces in the classroom were that of confusion, astonishment, and boredom. I gotta say, seeing that most of them were simply astonished, I was quite happy with my explanation. "Well then Ms. Cheerilee, I must say that it appears to be time that I take my leave. Thank you for allowing me to stay and speak, and thank you Applebloom for inviting me to meet your class to meet a well enough audience. Good day to you citizens of Ponyville, and have a wonderful evening."

"WAIT!" Screamed Ms. Cheerilee

"Yes?" I replied simply.

"You absolutely must visit the class on a later date. That wouldn't be to much of a bother would it?" She asked in a somewhat nervous voice.

"Absolutely not. I would love to attend upon another day. What you seem to have not noticed by my voice, but I am a child also. A teenager, but still. In the matter I am still considered to be legible to attend classroom activities. So I hope that by missing school and only visiting for speaking purposes, that I am not skipping class." She seemed rather appalled. Though after grasping this new information let out a short chortle.

"Of course it wouldn't be. Judging by your vocabulary and scientific knowledge, it seems as though you would excel in any subject anyway."

"Then it is settled, I shall visit on random dates to share with the children of this town the knowledge of my people. So that one day they may be able to make these technologies, advancements, and experiments a reality in this realm. OH! Before I forget, I shall be waiting outside for recess so that I may explore the physical boundaries of my new limbs. For children, being rather energetic, would be the perfect control for my experiment." And with that I walked out. This is going to be one hell of a ride for both me, and this plane of existence.

Chapter Five: Pitchforks and Torches and Angry Mobs, Oh My!

After a good forty five minutes of juggling the foals and what have you, It was finally time for class to divert back into the building. I took this opportunity to take my leave from the schoolhouse. As I walked back to the farmhouse I thought of the shocked and disbelieving reactions of parents across the town, and how they may react if I showed my face. Maybe if I should or shouldn't. For now, that would be up to the future.

It was a good half an hour trek back to the farmhouse, but when I made it there I payed no mind to the residents and went straight up to "my" room to think. A good five to ten minutes should suffice. Think about what you may ask? Why my plans for this world. A foreign presence in an entirely different dimension is sure to cause alterations to such things as resident behavior and overall stability. It would be perfect.

I may have been only 14 but I had a very exploratory mind and I look to exploit that fact. See how I can push and pull, bend and break in this world. I was new. To both it and myself. Possibilities that hadn't been thunk of as of yet were entirely possible and plausible in thought, and paper.

It was again during my thinking that I heard a voice. One not much like my own in purpose and form. "You are like me. A mistake in this world. Free me and we shall break this world and others" I immediately shook the voice, but placed it's words in consideration.

Not long later, the family was gathered in the kitchen and were all prepared to eat. But tonight I had no lust for fruit. I waned for more. Yet I knew I couldn't have it. Not yet. I sat and downed what was put in front of me like the obedient dog I am. Surprisingly, no one spoke up except for idle conversation involving Applejack and Applebloom. It involved mostly Applejack asking Applebloom about her day. Poking at the subjects involving me. Skeptic bastard. She was right to be paranoid though. Having one of the most unknown creatures to herself, squatting and dining in her household.

After dinner, I thought I would retire early. At least make them think that. It was about nine o' clock that I used my sneaking to get myself out of the window. A quick plop into the bushes and I was away towards Ponyville. I needed to relieve alot of stress. And so I planned to.

Off towards the dimly lit society, where the night life was slowly beginning to pick up. The perfect opportunity. I slunk through any crevasse I could fit myself through until I was there. The Ponyville Nighttime Poetics Club. Stress died here by a righteous golden glaive.

With no subtlety, for I was merely trying to hide from anyone unlike me, I put my foot to the door and forced it open with the pistons in my new legs. To be blunt, the ponies were shocked, curious, and only very few... fearful. These were my people. Those who live their self torment through the pain of thought.

I walked up to the counter and said bluntly to the stallion behind it; "Put me down for Gary Jules': Mad World. I took my seat and waited as the stares continued. The performances were quite a bit more shaky, most likely due to my lounging form and overall presence. And then I was called. I walked up upon the stage, heightened the microphone as high as I could, and then the music started.

All around me are familiar faces

Worn out places

Worn out faces

Bright and early for their daily races

Going nowhere

Their tears are filling up their glasses

No expression

Hide my head, I want to drown my sorrow

No tomorrow

And I find it kind of funny

I find it kind of sad

The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had

I find it hard to tell you

I find it hard to take

When people run in circles, it's a very, very...

Mad world...

Children waiting for the day they feel good

Happy birthday

When they feel the way that every child should

Sit and listen

Went to school and I was very nervous

No one knew me

Hello teacher, tell me what's my lesson

Look right through me

And I find it kind of funny

I find it kind of sad

The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had

I find it hard to tell you

I find it hard to take

When people run in circles, it's a very, very...

Mad world...

Enlarge your world...

Mad world...

When the song had finished, me not caring where the mysteriously accurate music came from, the entire room was filled to the brim with tears. Not of judgement, but of truth. The one thing off that I noticed was that the booth manager was looking awfully guilty as he cried. His pupils shrunk as he noticed that I was staring at him. "I know what you have done already. It was not in vein for I will agree that I am not the most pleasant creature you could see on such an incredulous occasion." My tears continued to stream. "I am sorry for anything I have done to wrong you, and I will take my leave now." And with that I walked off stage and towards the door. No one said anything, yet they just kept on weeping.

I walked out the doors to face my possible, yet not so imminent fate. An angry, dark looking compilation of townsfolk holding pitchforks and torches, bearing angry faces. Seeing the building full of crying teenagers and young adults didn't help much. Neither did my height and damned new appendages. So I did all I could. I ran, ran with all the power in my legs and using the pistons for extra push. I went straight for the barn and must say, how cliche.

Chapter Six: I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire...

I dove into the barn sealing the door behind me with one good piston kick to a bale of hay. I knew they were right behind me and I could hear their screams of rage outside. I turned to my left and Immediately noticed the three fillies attempting some balls off the walls shit with some hay. They had constructed a miniature Eiffel tower out of hay, and had also been performing acrobatics at the same time... where the hell is the authority in this world?

"Hello girls. Just running from an unusually angry mob for the first in many times. At least I presume so. Anyway, you may not wish to be present for long, for that hay bale is definitely not going to hold them off for long." They looked to me with confusion along with worry. "Don't worry, they won't harm another pony unless you're defending me. Which I recommend that you don't."

At this point I could smell smoke... right behind me. I turned and saw that they had set the damn barn on fire! Talk about barnstorming. I guess I know what the children were gawking at. I ran, grabbed the fillies and hopped up the ladder, literally hopping up without the use of my arms. Once at the top I noticed nothing to rappel down, this could serve some inconvenience. "What are you planning to do?" Asked Applebloom as innocently as a morning hare. I merely stared at her, then the window, then my greaves. The three fillies seemed to get the idea and they braced themselves as I lunged out the window. Looking back at the destruction.

Falling planks giving way to beams giving way to parts of the building. It was chaotic... it was perfect. Applebloom and the other fillies also looked back, tears welling in their eyes. That barn had a history. And now it was dying before them.

I had escaped into the house while Applejack and Big Macintosh sorted out the legal matters such as; racial prejudice, attempted murder of youth, etc. I lay there in my bed, silently singing myself a tune.

I don't want to set the world on fire.

It was then that Applebloom came in. "I heard you hummin' and thought you were sad about what happened. I actually came in here to say thanks. Without you, we wouldn't have gotten out of there." It was now and again that a single tear streamed down my face. "It's all my fault..." I skulked. "Everything. You were burned because of me." She began to look at me sadly when I said this. 'And it will be my fault when even more chaotic synergy in this world opens up and is released.'

She hugged me. I don't know for how long. But I do remember that the whole time we were crying. Me silently, but Applebloom was practically bawling. She told me not to beat myself up like that, and that it wasn't my fault. I knew she was wrong. She knew she was wrong. It was only a matter of time until it happened again.

Chapter Seven: Release Thine Self Unto Chaos.

I don't remember how long it continued, but I do remember that the little pony fell asleep in "My" room that night.

The morning was hectic. I was rudely awoken by Big Macintosh as he literally flung me off of the bed I was sleeping in. Hadn't it been for my metallic limbs I would have gotten a few broken bones. "What in Tartarus do you think you were doing with my sister. And why shouldn't I break every bone in your body?" He looked down upon me with an angry, stoic expression which could rival that of Celestia's bore of flames. Even that did not scare me. I immediately got up to my full height and looked down to him the same.

He of course wasn't all that much shorter than my. Less than a foot I would say, but my sym-bionic form was enough to but a dent in his gaze. "It's getting to you too isn't it? My presence. Like a shadow of damnation, burying this world withing it's shroud of evil. Forget these word, yet leave them at the back of your mind. Do not speak a word of this, or face the consequences." With that, I used the blunt backings of my flanges to pinch the specific part of his cranium to make him pass out. I put him back into his bed and went onto my day. A time short of an hour later, he awoke... without saying a single word.

Me and Applejack strolled through town, me scaring away anyone who dared get too close for curiosity. We soon arrived at town hall where Applejack and I sorted through the legal and insurance documents. It took hours but we remained patient. After emerging from the large building, I saw a white pony trotting towards Applejack without a care in the world, not even me.

"Why hello Applejack. What are you doing at the town hall, the bills weren't overdue for the farm I hope."

"No Rarity, they weren't we were just sorting out some legal documents from last night."

"We? Legal documents?"

"Yes, we." She said gesturing a hoof in my direction. As soon as Rarity looked over to me, her pupils shrunk to the size of pinpricks, and she ran for the hills, screaming bloody murder. Ah, what a refreshing sight.

"Well, that was amusing." I say, receiving a scowl from Applejack.

"Oh well. Ain't that just like her. Seeing something different and immediately accusing it of monstrosity. And usually it's somethin' along the lines of "But its clothing absolutely ghastly!" and the like" Applejack explained. I'm starting to think a bit more of her.

"But isn't that most of what we've been seeing anyway, well, except for the 'ghastly attire' part?" I ask.

"Well, yeah. But Rarity's different. You'll see when she gives up on being afraid of ya and tries to sew you a new suit in return for her acts." I wasn't entirely against or with this thought. I mean, when hasn't someone with a dark iron jaw and claws looked badass in a suit. That's right, never. They always look badass.

We spent a good while at the market, of course everybody was a bit frightened of me, except for one. Of course she wasn't entirely okay with my presence, but she was different. You all probably know her, as do I. The sea foam green unicorn with the lyre mark. The one named Lyra. When I took notice of her the first few times the the market, she attempted to hide. But this time, she was trotting directly up to me with the biggest smile ever. Oh yeah, the obsessive one. Here comes the awkward. By now she was a few feet in front of me before she stopped and I turned. She was a tad surprised, but shook the feeling and continued with the introductions.

"Hello, I'm Lyra, I've been noticing you around Ponyville today, and have to know. What are you?" She wasn't exactly obsessive with the way she spoke, just curious. Although she did persist on staring at my "claws".

"Hello there," I began. Realizing now that I had go give myself a name... Diov. An odd name, if a name at all. "My name is Diov and to answer your question, I am a human. At least, I used to be one. Now I am a husk of metal and flesh. Also, to answer your next question, hands. Or they used to be, now they are nothing more than claws." She gawked and my insight and then responded.

"Wow. Why do you have claws?" She asked, although a bit shakily. It was the first time anyone had noticed so that I may explain. It but an evil a smile as I could manage on my face.

"The first time anybody has had the gall to ask me. For you see my new-found friend, I am an omnivore. But do not worry, for to eat a sentient creature would result in an even further, and inevitable insanity.Or at least to an extent of the word." She was a bit frightened, but I guess she was the one who was going to factor in the sharply toothed jaw, clawed hands, and legs with enough piston power to crush the rib-cage of a damn whale. God I love my job.

"Oh, um, sorry for asking. Anyway, what are you doing in Ponyville?" This was not an offensive question like it is most of the time. It was moreso curious.

"There's nothing to be sorry for. It was a good observation, and to answer you question, I have no idea. Oh, looks like Applejack's trying to leave me. If you wish to speak to my any further, I should be at the Apple family residence later on." With that, I went to follow Applejack to what appeared to be a rather large hollowed out tree. When we reached the tree, Applejack knocked on the door to reveal a purple unicorn, who I will later learn to become my strongest foe.

"Hello Applejack. How are yo- WHAT IS THAT?!" She jumped upon sighing me as I responded with a gleeful wave. I'm becoming oddly casual aren't I?

"Human." I state blankly.

"I must send a letter to the princess, sorry Applejack." With this she shut the door in our faces and trotted off to, presumably, write a letter.

"Hey Applejack, where does the princess live?" I asked. She gestured a hoof in the direction of the cliff hanging castle in the distance. "Thanks, oh and tell Lyra that she may not see me as soon ans she hoped." With that, I began to walk off towards the castle.

"Wait! Where do ya think you're goin'?" She asked.

"To meet the princess. Oh and you should also get who I presume to be your friend to tell the princess not to come to Ponyville, and that she shouldn't try and come after me. For like you, I shall just break free." And with that, I bound towards the castle.

-*Applejack*-

"Well ain't that just fancy." I say to nobody in particular as I knock on Twilight's door once again.

She opens the door and almost immediately shuts the door again. "Sorry Applejack, I think that the princess should hear about this firs-" I cut her off, "No it ain't! He just bound off towards Canterlot and I have a feeling that he may get acquainted with the princess before you can introduce him. He told me to tell you 'Not to tell the princess to come to Ponyville, and that you shouldn't try to come after im'. Trust me personally on the second one, he broke through one of my hogties like a knife through butter!" She scowled slightly at my response.

"Applejack, you know I can't let him do that, no matter what. By the way he looks, he could be and probably is dangerous. The princess could be in danger!" Now this is getting annoying. "But Twi! You don't even know him, or how powerful he is. Even if he's mortal!" Twilight was still persistent on the subject as she grabbed her bags and began to chase after him. "That doesn't matter Applejack. All that matters is that the princess is safe." And with that she left.

-*Diov*-

I have traveled about a mile already in what I presume is somewhat near 10 to 15 minutes. That was when I heard the faint screeching of air being displaced. I turn towards the source of the noise and see Twilight flying through the air, enveloped by a purple glow. "Ugh, these ponies. They are way too persistent." I jump right before she would have come in contact with me, and the ungracefully drops out of her aura and hits a tree with a groan.

"You're not going to hurt the princess, no matter the cost!" What? Okay, when did ponies discover this species of weed, and where can I get some. Cause I have done NOTHING to this one, and yet she insists on assaulting me? Well, actually, now that I think about it... Yeah, that wouldn't be weed. It'd be an alcoholic substance. Maybe moonshine? Anyways.

"What?! Who ever said I was going to hurt anybody you racist fool! Are you truly ignorant to the point of judging others by appearance? You are the real monster and try as you may, you will not hold me down until I am at an audience with the princess... unbound. Applejack being the element of Honesty, as she's told me, you should at least consider her judgement of me. Now get out of my way before I must force you away." With the end of my monologue, Twilight took the chance to grab me in her magic and hold me as still as she can, blasting me with submissive arcane bolts all the while. Sadly enough to her, "still" meant me still pushing on, steam gushing from my piston powered leggings as I went.

She finally gave up after about a minute. "How were you able to stay awake and moving through that?! I used that same technique to bring slumber to an Ursa Minor!" I stared a hole of anger through her being as she spoke. "I've told you once and I'll tell you again," I begin my second monologue of the day. "You may try and stop me, but as long as I have the will, I will push you and even break you to see to it that I have a proper audience with the princess. Do I make myself clear?" Without a second thought, she shot herself through the air at me. And punctured my chest with her horn.

I stared down upon the unicorn lodged within my gushing chest. And then began to laugh. "Heh, you thought-ha that you would bring me-haha to my knees with a petty-HEH attempt to kill me? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" I bent my torso so that my head was near her ear and then whispered. "I eat pain." With that, I pushed her off of me, and to my amazement, I saw my chest glowing.

I looked to my wound to find many tiny, also sym-bionic, insects eating away any of the foreign materials in my wound, eating the blood, and eating the torn flesh, repairing and replacing my flesh and then sealing it. The creatures then receded into tiny capsules located on the rims of my leggings. I literally eat pain. Well, at least they do. This whole thing only pushed my laughter into near hysterical levels as I kept walking toward my destination, then bounding. Holding my chest the whole while.

About half way there, the pain was still real. The creatures apparently weren't good enough to replace or repair the nerves, only leave them to themselves. Oh well, laughter really is the best medicine isn't it?

-*Spike*-

Within her treehome, Twilight was also on the border of hysteria. "He tore straight through my spells and when I had impaled him with my horn, he laughed it off as if it were nothing, then his chest began to repair itself Spike! He could heal himself within a matter of moments!" Spike was swamped when Twilight got home, letter by letter, lecture by lecture, and yet all he wanted was to go to sleep. "Twilight, I'm sure that whatever happens, the princess will be able to defend herself. This is Celestia we're talking about, she wouldn't just drop her guard like that."

Twilight was on edge, and Spike was fighting off sleep. Both of them had a task they knew they needed to do. The night went on like this for many hours until they both lost themselves to sleep.

-*Diov*-

"You are doing well my friend, soon you shall free me and we can wreak havoc on this world."

The voice came as a surprise to me, the same one as I've been hearing the past week. I was close, I just needed to release myself to gain what I desired.

Chaos

Chapter Eight: Meet the Royalty!

Canterlot. It was vibrant, complicated, and full of the elite. And by elite, well, you know what I mean. Prancing down the main road without a care in the world, flashing my jaws and claws at the more so peculiar stares I was getting, before I noticed another recognizable face, a white unicorn DJ who I think you are all familiar with by now. Yup, the stage pony named DJ PON-3

She took notice of me and I could see that she wanted to run, but her mind told her that it was wrong. You see, these are the creatures that I enjoy the company of. Sympathetic, slow to judge. I approached her as calmly as possible, finally recognizing her as one of the citizens of Ponyville, the DJ as already stated. I got closer as her gaze scrutinized me further, until she lit up like a light bulb and began walking towards me with a tad of joyous respect.

"Hey there! I saw you at the night club in Ponyville, where'd you learn that song? It was paralyzing in it's truth." I nearly spat the metaphorical swig I wasn't taking as I heard these words. "Huh, so you got the point. I learned that song back where I came from. It was made by the brilliant Gary Jules. That's really all I can say right now as I have some unscheduled yet very important business to attend to." And with that I was back on my way to Canterlot Castle.

I arrived at the glorious doors, and was now surrounded by the Celestial guard. Wee! Time for some fun. I jumped atop one of the near spires, slid down and went around a corner for them to find me. "Bound the spires, make them mad; around the corner, YOU'VE BEEN HAD!" I said as I pounced the first guard and delivered a punch to take away his consciousness. We wouldn't want to piss off Celestia too badly, now would we? A barrage of Pegasi guards armed with speared dove at me. "Too easy." I gloated as I bound into the air and connected my boots to their backs and gave a light push with the pistons to send them barreling into the ground. This was only 3 of 5. The lasting guards were unicorns, who decided to light me up like a candle. I began rolling on the ground in pain before getting up and rushing at the unicorns; still on fire. This lit their coats on fire a small bit before my nanotrites, as I've come to call them, smothered the fires and repaired the charred flesh as soon as they could. Now that all of the guards were on the ground, I decided to take a rather oblong entrance rather than be assaulted by more guards.

I bound up the castle until I found the window to the throne room. I slowly creaked open the window before bounding into the room, just before the entrance. "What is the meaning of this?" Shouted Celestia. "Who me? Couldn't be. But it is. I say, turning to face them. "Greetings princess. I am Diov, a human torn from my own world and thrown here by something completely mad from what I can gather. I came here to seek an audience with you to suggest action. For as long as I've been around, which is admittedly a few days, I've caused quite some unprovoked hell." She stared at me quizzically before speaking up. "I can sense the chaotic energy flowing off of you. Do you come in hopes of assault, or peace?" I paused and returned with a blank stare. "Oh, great. The royalty is racist too. How cute. I guess I should find someone also to help me then, hmm?" I begin to take my leave before being interrupted. "Wait! We may have a job for you. You seem rather unique and we are far from racist. Now then. Discord!" Celestia shouted before the draconequus in question entered the room. "Yes Tia?" He asked as he took no note of me. "I need you to help out this being with some equipment. We may have a job for him and I fear side effects from his, um, limbs. For they contain chaos magic it seems." Discord paused for a second before beaming. "Why of course, I think I have just the right stuff. Come along." He said while dragging me out of the room by my arm.

"So, where are we going?" I asked as we maneuvered through the hedge maze. "Oh nowhere. Just to the center where no one can see what is happening. This is to be a surprise you see. We continued to travel for what seemed like hours before we finally reached the center. Strewn about I saw masses of dark iron scrap metal and and some tools resting upon a table. "What the hell is all this?" I ask. "Oh, just equipment for the upgrades oh you." He replied. I sat down on a nearby bench and with a click, all of my parts were removed. Leaving my stubs hanging, and my tongue lolling out of my mouth. "Well, this is uncomfortable." I say, Discord obviously either not hearing or not giving a shit about my comment. After countless hours of being bored out of my mind and falling off of the bench frequently, the upgrades are done.

After re-equipping my limbs, I notice they don't feel different at all. "What's the big idea? Letting me sit there like a vegetable for hours just for nothing!" I begin to fume. "They don't feel different because the objects that I added sit within the void. It's kind of like a controlled black hole. Notice the new plates on your arms and legs, as well as the triangular pattern on everything. Also notice that your tanks are glowing a little brighter." Discord explains. "So what does this all do?" Discord walks over to a blackboard with many different pictures. "The plates contain voids which hold extremely light, extremely flexible metal that connects to form a wing-suit. The triangular pattern allows for you to morph your limbs. The nanotrites have also been upgraded to heal you faster. Although nerve damages are still out of the question." He explains all the while pointing to the various pictures. "Cool. So how does that morphing thing work." I tense up my right arm and the claws shift into blunt fingers. "Well that explains that." I also relax my upper arms which releases the wings which connect to each other immediately. "And that too. So, I'm guessing I should head back, should I not?" Discord nods and I begin to make my way back to the castle.

As I arrive, I am handed a ticket by Celestia. "That will get you a first class train to Ponyville." I stare at the ticked before tearing it in half and dropping it into a nearby waste bin. "I think I'll be flying home." I say as I deploy and retract my new wings. "Very well, shall I have my guards see you out?" Celestia asks. "Nope, the window will be fine. And thanks for the upgrade." I say, climbing to the window and launching myself up before beginning my glide to Ponyville. The Canterlot Castle was high enough that I would reach town without a hitch.

-*Rainbow Dash*-

I was lounging upon a cloud early this morning when I saw what looked like a giant flying squirrel careening towards my cloud. It hit the cloud and knocked me off but the thing that ticked me off the most was that it was laughing. "Jerk!" I shouted at it. 'I'll have to get back at that thing later.' I thought to myself.

-*Diov*-

I landed carefully at the door of the farmhouse, entering and heading to my room. "Soon, I shall release you from their grasp."

Soon

Chapter Nine: The True Monster...

I awoke, screaming in agony from a nonexistent pain. Breathing heavily, I heaved myself to the window. I ripped off the drapes and broke through the shutters. I jumped out of the window and caught the gutters. I lifted myself unto the roof. I peered off towards the dormant town and screamed. I yelled, cursed, and even placed threats of death upon it's denizens. For what reason I did not know. I only knew that I was in pain.

---Morning---

I awoke again in my bed. I was in no pain, and had no idea how I had gotten here. I got up and walked to the oak door of my room, opening it. "Hello?" I shouted into the corridor.

"We're down here." Shouted applejack from below. "I'd like to talk to ya'. If that's alright."

"I'll be down in a moment... I need to see something." I said, walking into the bathroom. I looked into the mirror and my fears were fueled. I was right. My eyes... I saw embers, still lasting from the previous night. I began to cry. I thought for it to help douse the dying flames in my eyes. The first tear fell and I yelled out in pain when it made contact with my arm. It burned my arm.

'Crying is for the weak' I heard a voice say within my mind.

"No! Get. Out. Of. My. Head God damn it!" I had fallen when the tear hit my arm. I began to beat myself to get the voice to go away.

'Foolish. That is what you are. Weak and foolish. You do nothing but damage yourself. Useless. Weak, Foolish, Useless. These are the traits that describe you.' The voice continued.

"No!" I screamed, beating myself harder. "Go away! Stop it!" I halted as I heard a gasp from the doorway. I looked over, through my bloodied vision. 'Applebloom. Dammit, why her.' She was crying as well. And looked upon me, horrified. I moved a shaky inch before she bolted for the stairs. I stared at the spot she was previously before passing out from blood loss.

---My Mind---

I was still out like a light, but still aware. Within my mind. I stood and saw a battered, broken, bloodied figure. It turned and lit ablaze. I knew who it was... me. It stared at me for what seemed like hours before turning to ash.

'Weak, Foolish, Useless.' I heard the words again. Though they were directly in my ear.

---Reality---

I awoke for the third time this day and noticed I was on the living room couch. My head heavily bandaged, as I could not see out of my right eye. I looked up to see the family. Applebloom was still crying, Applejack looked fearful, and Big Macintosh looked the same as his sister; albeit with a hint of rage. "I'm sorry." I said as I got up and ran out of the house, making myself airborne and flying towards Ponyville.

Minutes later, a pony with a rainbow mane and tail began hovering next to me. Glaring at me. She suddenly attempted to ram me but I threw her out of the way. I landed and began to run as fast as I could. 'They are attacking me without cause. Why?' I thought to myself.

'Weak, Foolish, Useless, Fearful' The voice said again. But I kept running. I stopped within a cave near the edge of the Everfree. I began hearing the voice in my head again. "What do you want?" I asked.

'I have a task for you. Somewhere close by, there is a beast that could easily stare you down and kill you. Your job is to get rid of it. And you have no choice. Look behind you.' I did as the voice said and saw a pure red beast with a maw the size of a car. It had brutish limbs. The forlegs that had blunt, muscular fronts; and razor sharp, hardened blades in the back. And the muscular legs designed for speed in the back. It had a tail that looked as if it was a skinned segment of the spinal cord with an arrowhead shaped point at the end. I noticed it's fangs were curved back when it roared at me and charged.

I jumped a small bit before before breaking a few of it's frontal teeth with my legs, grabbing it and throwing it to the wall of the cave. It was bruised but nowhere near death. I stood upon it's chest and said with a soul piercing glare, "I will take your thoughts away, and I will ignite your fears today. With my mind, and it's madness."

Madness

Chapter Eleven: I'll Give You a Reason.

I picked up the manticore, and lifted myself to my feet. It gave no protest as I carried it out of the cave and hobbled weakly back to the farmhouse. I opened the door and just stared blankly ahead through the doorway for a moment before stepping in and closing the door. Applejack was the first to spot me.

"What in tarnation happened to you? You look like you could have died! And why are you carrying a manticore!" She shouted frantically.

"A lot happened. I fought a creature from hell. Was demonized. Died. Revived. And finally found this guy in it's maw. Satisfied?"

I started towards the stairs.

"No, I'm not satisfied. You died? Revival spells aren't even possible!" She continued her rant. I did not want to put up with this.

"It was him. The voice in my head. If I focus too much on him, he threatens me. Makes me hurt myself and others. He made me kill that creature. Even as a corpse he moved me. I'm afraid. Just... I need to go. Don't follow me." I ran out the door and started into the ever free.

In here, the manticore seemed even more content than before. "Your natural habitat. I presume that's the logic behind this eh?" I was met with a blank stare from the cub. "Oh well, it was worth a try.". After about 10 minutes I came across something rather peculiar. A cabin. Nearly perfect. Residing within these woods. I landed and walked up to the door.

I set down he manticore, opened the door and entered the cabin. The cub followed and I noticed that this place was rather nice. Not much damage to the interior and, with a little refurbishing it could be quite a nice place. The cub meowed in what I guessed to be agreeance.

I rummaged around the building for a bit before finding a map and marking the cabin on it. "I think I need to go see the princesses about a few things. Whaddya' say eh... Hm, you don't have a name do you?" The manticore shook it's head in compliance. "Well, how about Brutus?" The cub nodded in agreement and purred loudly. "I guess that's a yes hm?" I picked up Brutus and walked out of the cabin.

I leapt into the air and began gliding towards Canterlot, Brutus on my back.

'Why do you think you have value? Why do you not give up? You have proven that you have little to no worth, what with all that sympathy.' The voice hissed in my head. "You want a reason? I'll give you a reason. I have a soul, and will." The voice began screaming in my head before disappearing. Within an hour, I arrived at canterlot castle.

---Throne Room---

Flying in through the window, not giving a shit like always. I landed in front of the princesses and spoke.

"I have two things to notify you of. One: As you may have noticed, clinging to my back is a manticore cub that I have named Brutus, and will be caring for. Two: I have located a cabin in the Everfree forest and am hoping to take residence there. I hoped that both of these things were acceptable by you two." Luna looked at me with a look that questioned every bit of my sanity. While Celestia stayed calm and collective as to be expected.

While Luna stayed quiet her sister spoke. "While it seems peculiar, I will allow you to keep your manticore. As long as you keep it from staying in major towns for too long. I can also agree upon the cabin, although I question how it got there. I will need Twilight to look into this...". She finished as I literally jumped for joy!

"Thank you, you won't regret this... I hope." Finishing my monologue, I dove out the window and made my way back to the cabin.

---The Cabin---

I landed on the foliated ground and began to focus on a slight noise. "Brutus, you hear that? It sounds like... Humming?" Brutus's ears twitched. I opened the door and the air was flooded with a loud groan. In front of me was a large blue portal. It proceeded to suck both me an Brutus in with no mercy. 'You have no reason. Only purpose. To serve me.' I blacked out.

A Change of Plans

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter Ten: ...Is Me.

We stared at each other. Blinding rage between us, I took the first move. Jumping from it's chest, damaging it's ribs, I prepared to crush it's ribs. As I came down, the creature speared me in my side with it's right blade arm. I stared into it's eyes, which I noticed for a moment, looked sad. Before I could react, I threw me to the other side of the cave and I lay there in pain. Although the nanotrites did their job, and the nerves still screamed, I felt more pain... It grew.

I screamed as meter long spines breached my back,arms, and legs. My teeth grew to an elongated point. My spine stretched and extended upon my tailbone. Making another point. My skin bleached itself before igniting. I screamed and writhed on the floor of the cave. I looked over to the creature with my now bleeding eyes to notice a dark purple liquid running along it's blades and teeth. I began to cough up the same liquid along with my blood. Soon, the blood also became the liquid.

The process ended, my flesh was scorched and torn. I shakily stood up and released a monstrous roar from my bio-mechanical/demonic maw. "What have you done to me?" I asked. 'Suffer' The voice answered. Without my control, I leaped over to the creature and jumped onto it's back, plunging my arm through it's spine. It's rear half fell, but not for long. Standing back up, it grabbed me in it's own sharp toothed maw and began to apply pressure, soon dropping me.

"I don't want this!" I screamed, and with what dwindling control I had, I plunged my arm into my own chest and ripped out my heart. Slowly watching it's beat slow and sputter, before ending. Along with myself.

---Limbo---

I awoke on a hard, dark surface. I stood up, noticing that my body was fine. Even without my bio-mechanics. In front of me floated the face I had seen during the transport to the Equestrian dimension. "Weak, useless, foolish... Dead." It actually spoke. "You have a new assignment. Finish what you started, and make the multiverse a place you see fit. I know you will do as I command." Within an instant it melted away and I was thrown back into my corpse.

---The Cave---

I awoke, gasping and choking on air. Looking over, I noticed that the monstrous creature was none but a corpse. It's mouth was moving though. I walker over and used all of my strength to open the creatures maw. Inside was a manticore cub, and the first thing it did was growl pitifully and jump on my chest, and knocking me down. But it didn't attack, instead it just stared at me curiously. I knew then, I had finally gained a friend in this new fucked up lifestyle I had been given.