The Experiment

Running, hallway after hallway, it gets boring, if not annoying after awhile. We had passed many rooms; some had more people in lab coats. Others had weird instruments hooked up to tables; probably awaiting the arrival of more 'subjects'.

When one the more brave scientists ventured to try to stop us either the mystery mare or me would buck him a good one. On occasion he would be sent flying back into the room he came out of. There were sometimes however, that he would be sent flying into a wall, with a sickening Crunch. I never thought twice about it, this was a earthshaking ordeal for me and they were responsible. Well, that and we couldn't exactly take any time to maneuver, not wanting any more pursuers. I'd been hit with a dart already, narrowly missing dozens more that flew past.

The effects of adrenaline overload helped overcome the sudden effects the drug might have on me. The longtime effects were still there unfortunately. With every step I can feel my energy depleting. I have no idea where we are going but apparently the girl/mare in front of me does.

Woah!

Same here bro.

We had run into a massive enclosure. There were trees everywhere with bushes and water and... grass, delicious looking grass too... FOCUS DAMMIT!.

The mare kept running and I was forced to follow or else I would potentially lose my guide. I thought for sure we were outside though, given the nature around us. My hopes were dashed by a short glance up, instead of puffy clouds in funny shapes, I saw only metal plating bolted down. We were still in this god damn facility, whatever it was called and wherever the buck it was.

Wait what the hay was that tan thing standing on the grass? "Hey! There are more ponies here!"

One of said ponies waves then goes back to walking around. They seem so nonchalant about the entire ordeal. Didnt they know that they were stolen away and transfigured to meet the horrifying demands of science?

The mare in front of me continues running however. She either didn't see the pony, didn't hear me, or was completely ignoring me. Assuming the latter was correct I slow down to get her attention. Her ears swivel, noticing the sudden change of beat in my foo... no hoofsteps.

"What is it? We need to stay ahead of the security, I don't have the facility map memorized but I'm pretty sure we are nearly at the exit." Her tone is condescending but I ignore it.

"What about the rest of these ponies though? Why can't they come with?" I'm shocked that she was taking self-preservation to these extremities. Bucking evil demented scientists around is one thing, but blatantly abandoning people to the fate you were escaping from is another.

My thought process is interrupted however by her sigh of acquiescence. "Long story short, that's exactly what they are now, ponies. That fluid that guy was about to inject into you? That was the DNA of a true, human, earth horse. They transfigure you and then when you wake up and make a sense of who you are and learn to walk, they inject you to make you complacent so they can test on you. He must have been desperate if he was doing the procedure before you could properly adapt."

She pauses and glances mournfully over at the once human/ponies. "I'll answer any other questions after we continue."

I hear shouts echoing down the hallway we had emerged from. I have been wasting valuable time and a well earned lead.

"Alright," I reply with a sigh of defeat. All of these people, they were pretty much murdered. Condemned to wander aimlessly for the rest of their pitiful lives. How could one human do that to another?

We take off at an instant gallop again, the once loud voices becoming quieter and quieter, as we dash through the rest of the enclosure. Some ponies even join us, thinking we were a herd running through. It broke my heart to see them, smiles on their faces. I started to cry, the human race was a despicable people. I was almost glad that I was no longer apart of them.

My eyes flutter, causing me to snap back to reality. The drowsiness from the dart is still present, and the current situation concerning these ponies has slowed the adrenaline flow. Which reminds me, I look back. Yep the dart is still there.

Seriously, how could I forget that stupid thing was there?

You should probably get rid of it, if there is anymore of that stuff that makes you tired in there it will slowly drain into your body.

His tone becomes more joking. That and the fact that it looks ridiculous! I'm about to faint from laughter, but since i don't need air i dont need to worry about that! His laughter echoes in my head.

I roll my eyes. I glance down the hall, making sure that I wouldn't run into anything. Taking an extra big leap I shook my flank profusely, trying to dislodge my unwelcome passenger. No it isn't a sexual reference to anything.

Hm, I didn't think this mind reading thing could go both ways… Actually it doesn't, which kinda sucks for me.

I look back. I’m overjoyed to see that the dart has popped off. Then I smack into a wall.

“Ow…” Why do I have the feeling I will be saying that quite a lot over the next few weeks?

I plop down on my flank and sulk. If this is what comes from ‘trying’ to escape I’d think I’d be willing to test my chance with the creepy scientist

While I’m rubbing my nose the mare comes up to me again, and smacks me on my nose. The pain is excruciating…

“HOT DAMN THAT HURT!” I launch straight into the air the pain having dulled every other sense, including common sense.

“And it was what you needed to get out of your pitty party. We have to get moving, just because we haven’t seen any guards doesn’t mean they aren’t after us.”

“What’s the bucking rush? We have no idea where we are going anyways. For all we know we could be running in circles for the amusement of security.” I’m back to sitting on my flank.

She facehoofed. I had a feeling that I would be seeing a lot of that as well. "Don't you think I would have planned for that?" I continued sitting on my flank, staring blank eyed at her.

She sighed, "There was a map in my room." I continued my dull stare. "Ugh! You are insufferable! Get off your lazy flank, we have to go!"

I rose to my feet, taking extra pains to go through the procedure as slow as possible. "Maybe if you didn't yell as much I would be more compliant."

Stop being a hard ass Alex, she is just trying to escape.

Shut up you hypocrite, I know your enjoying every minute of this.

Yes I am, that shit was just for my conscience. Please continue.

"If you wont move; I'll make you!" She had maneuvered to my rear and was head urging me, actually making headway across the floor.

"This is… uncomfortable, I would rather run thank you."

'What, not enjoying the treatment? Hmm?'

Unlike you I'm not attracted to mares.

Yet…

Why you little…

And that is when I ran into a door. I'm not shitting you, a Celestia damned door. I blame it on my bodies poor coordination.

I don't know what's worse though, running into the door, or having the guy who just ran out if it pick me up and start running; not to mention adding yet another contingent of guards to our pursuers.

We caught up to the mare who squealed at the sight of the human.

"Can you please…"

"Oh my gosh!" How many times is she going to interrupt me? "Luke! Where have you been?!"

"Can you please put me down now? It's kind of…"

"Sarah, is that you? What the hell have they done to you?"

Dag it! She is already taken. He pouted.

Well yeah no shed tears here, maybe when your not a voice you can date her if they break up.

Also I would prefer if you didn't call by 'the voice’ or by pronouns, my name is…

"…and this is Alex who was supposed to help me escape but so far has not done much." She glared, which was another impressive feat for a pony. I'm not talking about a small glare but a glare that could fry bacon.

"Not my damn fault I can't figure out how to use my horn and wings. AND WILL YOU PLEASE PUT ME THE HAY DOWN!"

"Oh sorry," he didn't sound like it though. " thought you would need some time to recuperate after hitting that door. I'm happy that you finally said so, my arms were getting tired."

"Are you implying that I'm fat!?" I really didn't care; I was just not in the mood to take shit right now.

The pony, apparently Sarah, looked around the 'galloping' human, pun intended.

That wasn't very funny.

And your jokes are?

I consider them to be. He huffed.

"Did you get ANY of that?"

I gave her one of my infamous blank stares.

"Ugh! Why are you so annoying!" She shook her head.

"Not my fault I have a rouge pony stuck in my head!"

She gasped, "What do you mean 'rouge'?"

"I mean he is being very annoying and frankly, he thinks you’re attractive." I rolled my eyes to show that I was not in agreement. "Good thing your with lukey here or he might get a bit more aggressive."

"First off," Luke glared at me. "you‘re NEVER allowed to call me lukey, on pain of an ass kicking. Second," he pauses to punch another unfortunate scientist in the face before continuing. "me and Sarah AREN'T together. While we were both human we hung out for lack of anything else to do."

Oh good she is free, maybe later when we merge we can ask her out.

1. I dont know what you mean by merge but already i dont like it. 2. Im not interested in mares. Realization DING DING DING!

"WAIT, WHAT! You chose this shit?!" I'm flabbergasted that any sane person would be willing to under go this 'surgery'.

He shrugs, man I wish I could do that, "Yeah we had no homes so when they offered to give us new life we took it, do you blame us? Weren't you taken the same way?"

"No, the ass holes snatched me out of my damn bed where I was enjoying a nice sleep. Next thing I know I'm a fucking HORSE."

"Pony." Sarah corrected.

"Who the buck cares!" I threw up my arms, temporarily forgetting that I was a quadruped.

Cue face plant… right into another bucking wall! Why do these concrete monstrosities hate me so?

Maybe it's your face.

You calling yourself ugly?

Ah, good point, carry on.

I stood up and shook my head, today was just not my day.

Hey! What's that? I looked at a large sign above a doorway.

"Hey look! Storage!" I faced off in that direction, must be the child inside me.

"Alex!" Bah, if Sarah wants to be a party pooper let her crash her own, I'm going to check out storage!

Are you sure that that is the smartest idea?

Hay no it's not the smartest, but it's by far the more fun choice.

The door was locked however. That was a real mood dampener until I remembered pony's back legs were good for bucking.

Thankfully the door didn't need more than one good buck to knock it in. I looked inside to find a treasure trove. Glasses, hats, shoes, knickknacks and other items were all situated in small boxes or cubbyholes. Hey, one mans/ponies trash is another’s treasure right?

"Hey look! It's my necklace and watch!" I found my precious articles in a cubby hole labeled '2539', whatever that meant. “I completely forgot about them, but now they can be put to good use!

My necklace was a simple black leather string looped through a cross made with nails, strapped together with badly corroded metal (Too many showers curse you mom!). My watch was probably my most valuable possession at the moment. It displayed the time date and it was waterproof. For what depth I had forgotten. It wasn’t much but I was just excited to have something to remind me of who I was.

And will be if I had any say in my future.

My joy was cut short by the sad fact that I no longer had fingers with which to handle my effects. I might be able to get the necklace on with my muzzle/horn but the watch would be impossible. My rump hit the floor again. I looked down at the accursed stumps that used to be my hands, which reminds me, how the hay am I supposed to open doors again?

Wait, I've got a bucking horn for Celestia's sake! Why was I saying Celestia again? Oh yeah bucking ponyisms.

Took you long enough, want my help this time? Or are you going to reject me because of your stubborn nature?

Ugh…… fine. I felt a presence at the edge of my mind, as if it was standing at a doorway.

Well? Can I come in? Oh yeah, I metaphorically opened the door in my mind.

Suddenly it was as if I was two different ponies, urgh, people. I hastily threw up flimsy defenses to protect my identity.

Over time the pushing decreased to a throb. 'Sorry meant to keep most of my personality separate, unless those barriers were just a freak out reaction I'm guessing you don't entertain the fact of merging with me?'

If you mean like those people ponies in that one set of fics, no way. If I can get back to my fingered body I would be grateful. If I 'merge' with you I will never be able to go back…

Fine fine, whatever, anyways, open up a tiny crack so I can come in. I carefully made a small hole in my defenses through which came, I'm guessing, him.

”That’s better.” Standing before me, was well, me in my poinfied form.

"Since we don't have much time for introductions I’ll just tell you that my name is Shadow." His voice wasn't deep but it still carried a more masculine tone than my usual voice.

"So, shadow, can you help me? Preferably without losing myself to a merger."

He sighed, "Ugh, it would be a hellavu lot easier if we did but I'm guessing it wouldn't end well without both the participants willing to go through with it. Here you go." A small part of my mind unlocked itself.

"Woah!" A flood of new feelings rushed over me. I could feel the auras around me, including that of my new friends standing over me at the moment. I could feel my newly discovered appendage and its sensitivity to touch.

"Looks like he is in a trance, poke his horn, I've heard those are extremely sensitive." Luke sounded like he was on a P.A system.

What was that about horn touching?

"Oops, gotta go lest part of me gets stuck in here. Until next time!" And then the apparition was gone.

I awoke from my dream like state attached to the ceiling staring down at my companions. Luke was staring up at me like he had seen a ghost, one finger approximately where my horn used to be. Sarah on the other hand was on the floor laughing hysterically. It was good to see that mare finally loosen up for a change.

"Get off the ceiling! What the hay are you doing in here anyways!" Now we’re back to miss grumpus butt again

"I came to check it out." I flopped off the ceiling as the cartoon forces holding me there wore off.

"We don't have time for this! What could possibly be more important than esca…"

"OOOO my iPod and headphones!" Granted I was being a bit annoying but my iPod had all kinds of stuff on it, making it indispensable to me.

I felt Luke's hands reach around my stomach again. "Hay no, your not taking me away from my treasure trove." With that I instinctively tried to gather all my prizes to me, only to find them floating near my face surrounded by gray magic.

I quickly slid my necklace over my head and proceeded to put my watch on. Completely nonchalant about the fact that I was using magic within 3 minutes of figuring out how my horn works.

Hm with your personality I expected it to not take so long, but hey you learned a bit faster than most.

"But, you, you. What?!" Sarah's gaze flip flopped from the floating items to my efforts at strapping on my watch. Which were going a bit better now that I was able to envision the magic being my hands. It was a tight fit but I managed to get it around my leg.

"Oh yeah the pony in my head, shadow I believe."

That is correct, congratulations on finally remembering something important.

"He decided to help me out with that matter." I grabbed a black hoody off the wall and started resizing it by tearing off large strips from the body and arms. "So I can now work my horn though I don’t know how I learned this fast."

‘The fact that I know the spell already and that you’re the most adaptive person I have ever met.’

I smiled as I put on my improved clothing, putting the iPhone and half the ridiculously long headphone cord in with it.

"There now we may… what is that beauty?" The object in question was a tall cabinet labeled Authorized Personnel ONLY

Well that looks promising.

“Do I need to mention that we need to get going?”

“Hey chill, there might be weapons or something in here.”

“Or it could be just a stupid cabinet filled with science junk.” Wow, Luke’s pessimism almost rivals mine at times

Shadow sighed In for a penny, in for a pound I guess.

That's the spirit!

I broke the lock using magic and opened the cabinet. Inside was the most precious thing I have ever seen. Row after row of keys, all labeled for their proper use. I scanned the rack quickly; not really looking for anything special My eyes caught one set of keys in particular though. The label above this set read C-130-E.

What does C-130-E mean? I don’t feel like rifling through your mind to find out what it is.

“It’s a very, very big plane, and with the right modifications, a deadly weapon.” I felt an evil smile cross my face. “I don’t know what the E stands for but I’m sure it will add to the fun.”

“Why are you talking to yourself?” I turned to see them both with a puzzled look adorning their faces. “and why do you have the evil maniac grin pasted all over your muzzle?”

“We, are about to have some serious fun escaping and these keys,” I showed them the item. “are our ticket out.”

“This is most likely going to get us killed isn’t it?” Ah there is his pessimism again, maybe he is worse than me.

“Ehhh I give it a 50-50 chance.”