The Experiment

A/N Hello there, im late your mad this chapter was horrid when it came out. I fixed it and all that.... um am i done here?

No...

Oh yeah i have to tell you somethings... As you will notice i started bolding the conversations between Alex and shadow (Alex's parts) to make it a bit easier to read, i will go back before i do anything else and fix the previous chapters of this. Enjoy

END A/N

“Sir we have a visual in the hallway, one of the far cameras is responding."

”Zoom in on him!" Morgan shouted at the poor techy.

The image on the monitor went out of focus for a second then adjusted to sharpen the image. Shadow Alex had turned his back on the unconscious forms of Morgan's top commanders. Each one had months of training in their pony bodies, working with the new consciousness to form a bond that fused the two together. It was the perfect bond between hands on experience and the human aptitude for cunning, deviousness, and planning.

Yet a single 18-year-old boy, with no military training whatsoever, TEAMING up with his pony counterpart, took them down. He had unlocked something in that boys mind, something very important. When he was re-captured they would have a long chat in a private room.

"Sir he has entered the elevator shaft."

The time for harebrained schemes was over, "Switch us to the elevator and elevator shaft cameras then connect us topside. The guards must lock down all aircraft, sea-craft and land vehicles. Those subjects MUST not be able to leave the island!" Morgan, for the first time in his career, was afraid. All his work would be for naught should those people escape into the U.S

”Yes sir! Topside connection initiated, establishing stable frequency."

”Switching to elevator and shaft cameras… now."

All the screens in front of him changed. On one screen he viewed Sky Strike, or Sarah, and Luke. He cursed Sarah and Sky. They were his first failure, where the pony would not assume control of the host. They were an excellent warrior though. That was the only reason why he had kept her around. In fact they had been scheduled to be administered the serum that very day because he had grown tired of trying to break them.

What he saw on the others screens astounded him. He saw blurs as his greatest success zoomed up the shaft to catch up with the elevator rocketing topside. He marveled at the sheer speed that two wings could produce.

”Sir?"

Morgan snapped out of his analysis and turned towards the technician who had spoken.

”The connection is almost complete, should be another minute, maybe two."

Good, usually it takes longer. “Alert me the moment it comes online."

His vision re-focused on the screens. The elevator was just about to reach the top, the occupants oblivious to the fact that they were being monitored. He scanned the cameras for any sign of Shadow, for it had to be him flying not Alex. No matter how special that kid was it took even the most skilled recruits at least a week to complete flight training.

He found them not 3 stories below the elevator. He gaped at how little time it took them to get there. He knew that ponies were fast but going straight vertical their speed was limited. The elevator's max speed, the current speed, was 100mph to ensure the 100 floor climb was quick should an evacuation be necessary. That would have to mean that shadow was capable of speeds in excess of 130mph straight up.

This discovery was met with mixed thoughts. Hopefully they got through to the guards in time to lock down the island. If they didn’t he would lose the one thing that had been pushing him to complete this project. Everything else was just an added bonus.

--------------------------------------------------Alex POV---------------------------------------------

”Almost… there." My mouth sputtered.

I didn't really care that shadow was using my mouth. Given the fact that I could actually feel the strenuous effort he was exerting I actually sympathized with him. If I had to sacrifice my ability to speak to a foreign entity to escape, I would be glad to oblige

Well that's good, how are we supposed to get inside the elevator once we reach it? I could see the contraption above, rocketing up the shaft.

”Bottom… access panel… maybe?" Shadow was out of breath; he had pushed himself to the limit to reach the elevator. If this went on longer, it would be a LONG fall.

”Do you think he will be alright?" Sarah fidgeted. The trip upwards in the elevator had been very suspenseful for her. After Alex closed to doors in a stupidly heroic attempt to save their lives she had not stopped wondering what had happened.

“Don’t worry, if the hour I spent running with him are any indication of how he acts regularly, he is too stubborn to die.” Luke replied. “That or he just a lucky son of a bitch.” He added in a whisper.

“I hope your right…”

“Do you have feelings for him or something?” Luke’s eyebrow rose in confusion.

“No! I… I…” Sarah was saved from the awkward confrontation by something hitting the bottom of the elevator.

THUMP

“What was that?”

A panel near the middle of the floor started to move. Ever so slowly rising up. Sarah and Luke braced themselves for the worst, should one of those pony commander things manage to catch up with them. But it wasn’t an assault pony that tried it’s best to climb with hooves. This intruder had familiar black appendages, a horn and a stupid grin pasted on his face.

“Hey guys! Just thought I’d pop in and say hello, but if you want to leave me hanging that’s cool.” I quipped.

“Maybe I’ll just leave you there for coming up with such horrible puns at such a time as this.” Sarah retorted.

“I would clutch my heart and pretend to be wounded but as you can see my hands, I mean hooves, are currently indisposed of and unable to continue our little game. Oh and just a thought; I’m slipping.” I frantically tried to hold on but my hooves were slowly losing ground. Luke grabbed hold of my forehooves and yanked my upper body in.

“Thanks for the save there. Way to earn some pony points with me.”

“Pony points?” he mumbles.

“Yeah, they are worth absolutely nothing considering that I will most likely forget that I said that to you.” I smiled and Luke just stared in amazement.

For the remainder of our journey, (about 10 seconds after I managed to climb in; of course…) we were silent. Sarah pawed at the ground in anxiety while Luke stood in a corner peering at her quizzically. As soon as the elevator stopped and the doors opened I jumped out and quickly ran to the only place that had lights; what I assumed to be the guard shack.

Now, usually when your escaping you don’t head towards the guys trying to capture you. However, in this case I knew that we would need some kind of assistance in finding the transportation I sought for.

Of course, Sarah didn’t know didly what I was doing so she tried to stop me. “The hay you doing? You can’t go in there! We’ll just end up back where we started!” She shouts.

“It’s a well known fact that guards with nothing to do will either A. Fall asleep, B. Drink themselves under the table, or C. Play cards. I'm hoping the third is true. Now stop your shouting so I can go talk to them.”

Sometimes I second guess whether or not your actually sane.

I'm guessing the latter, since I have a voice in my head.

Hearing no response, I head towards the guard shack. Sure enough I hear shouting and laughing. I take a quick peak and see that they are in fact playing cards, what game I’m not sure, but they aren’t watching the door so that’s to my advantage.

“Excuse me sirs.” Better to play the part of the underling just in case they are total dicks. “Can one of you point me to the hangar that houses the C-130? There is some maintenance that I am scheduled to perform on it.”

They aren’t going to buy that shit.

Shut up! They don’t work like that; they are more interested in their game than they are me.

The guard with his back to the door belches loudly. Yep he is drunk. “I don’t remember any scheduled maintenance.”

Dude he is on to you!

“Well it was a last minute thing and I don’t want to keep Mr. Freedmondt waiting. I forgot to check where it was located and I was hoping you smart gentlemen could point me to it.” I'm being such a smart ass here and I'm loving every moment.

Well I have to admit that you have a talent for doing this kind of stuff. This is wrong is so many ways; they should have turned around and at least looked at the speaker. Why are humans so damn oblivious?

Getting no answer I try to appeal to their interests. “So, what are you guys playing?”

“None of your damn business. Boy, you should consider leaving before you get hurt too much.” The other guards tried to stifle laughter.

I feel heat building in my chest at being laughed at, but I try to keep cool. “Well then, if you’ll kindly tell me which hangar the plane is in I will be happy to leave you to continue your o-so-important game.”

“The Hangar that aircraft is located in is C-3, smart ass. Thought you would have known that. Now I suggest you get your fucking ass out of my sight before I…” He turns towards me while saying this and his mouth unhinges. “Your… your… one of those damn pony experiment things that those nerds are working on.” He grabs the bottle of beer sitting next to him and examines the label. “And you can talk… Jimmy what the fuck did you do to my beer?” He stands up to confront the confused guard when the radio suddenly crackles to life.

“SERGEANT! We have three escapees. Lock down EVERYTHING. Also, be wary of the black one, he shows extreme hostility."

The guy, apparently the sergeant slowly looks towards me. I in turn give him a small wave of my hoof. "Well? Aren't you gonna try and capture me?"

"Uhhhhhh… GET HIM!" He charges me.

My expression changes and my coat pales a bit. I turn tail and gallop out of there as quick as my four legs can carry me.

Shiiiiiiiiiittttt. We are in a tight spot.

No shit. I told you to run. But did you listen? Noooooooo don't listen to the ONLY SENSIBLE THOUGHT PROCESS YOU HAVE!

I found Luke and Sarah where I left them. "I've worn out our welcome guys time to leave. Apparently the guards aren’t very good conversationalists."

They just gawked at the six guards running towards me.

”Paralyzed by fear? Okay then I’ll have to carry you guys. Hopefully I can handle it.”

How the hay are you so nonchalant about this? Also, I wonder when they are going to figure out that they have guns…

I blow past them. Seeing as they still haven't moved I try to visualize picking them up. Much to my joy they are picked up by a dark grey aura. Unfortunately though I can feel a bit of a drain on my energy reserves when I do that. I'll worry about that later.

Or when you collapse from exhaustion. I forgot to tell you that all magic comes at a price.

"Um you can let us down."

I turned to Luke. "Oh um yeah sorry." I release them and they start running alongside me.

FORGOT!?!? What would have happened had I gone overboard and killed myself?!

First off you wouldn't have killed yourself, you would‘ve just gone unconscious. Second; I would have stopped you if you had tried.

“So, your plans with the guards not work out so well?” Luke joked.

“Actually it went perfectly, the buffoons told me which hangar the plane is. It was that damn radio that gave me away though. Hangar C-3 is what we are looking for.” I replied cheekily.

Just like you 'stopped' me from almost killing those three ponies? My thoughts refocusing on a more serious matter

Special case I wasn't prepared for. As I was saying, I figured that you knew but apparently you don't. Picking up something or teleporting or any other magical action requires the same amount of energy as it would regularly require.

Ponies smarter than me at this field explained it in great detail but I didn’t pay attention too much of it. The gist of it is, you can’t skirt physics. Magic still has to obey the laws of nature.

Some snapping refocused my mind again. “Dude you have to stop zoning out like that. We almost passed the hangar.” He points to a giant metal building with huge doors that had C-3 painted in black upon them. “You also haven’t told us what you’re going to do.”

“Only by request of the lady, I’ll tell you once we are in the plane.” I tip my head at the acknowledgement of Sarah.

*PAT PAT PAT*

O joy the guards finally figured out that they have guns. What else could possibly go wrong?’

The gunfire was followed by the sound of screeching metal. I looked in horror as a gigantic bolt at least as tall as me started to slide over the door of Hangar A-1 and A-2. Hopefully they can’t do more than two at a time.

Just had to test it didn’tcha?’ Shadow commented dryly as 2 more bolts were closing on B-1 and B-2.

A few shaved hairs and 2 loud booms signaling the closure of A-1 and A-2 we arrived at the desired hangar.

“Fuck, this is a huge door, how are we going to open it.”

Side door, duh.

“Dude how can you miss the side door sitting right there?” He ducked as a new volley of rounds passed through the thin aluminum above him. He kicks in the small door; man do I miss human appendages, oh well.

Inside the hangar was pitch black. After wasting a few precious seconds finding the light switch and pausing as two more booms signal the closure of yet two more doors. Bathed in light, pristine and new sat the most beautiful thing I had ever seen: a USAF C-130E. How I have wished for this moment, I sat awestruck at the magnificent machine.

Okay lover boy, time to wake up and smell the fresh gunpowder!’ I was given a few mental slaps that gave me a bad headache; however, they snapped me out of my trance.

“This,” Sarah gestured with a hoof at the huge machine that took up almost every square inch of usable space in the hangar. “is our ticket out? Do you even know how to fly an airplane? Like a regular small airplane?”

This ought to be good…

“Nope!” I replied with a giddy smile. A Look of horror crossed her face. “Well I do know HOW to fly it, I just never have.”

“I AM NOT GETTING ON THAT BUCKING THING WITH YOU FLYING!” She screamed.

“Who said you had to go willingly?” I grinned evilly as I picked her up and proceeded to the back of the plane. Pulling the keys out of pocket I wondered how to open the damn thing.

“LET ME DOWN YOU FEATHERBRAIN!”

*BOOM BOOM*

Only two more to go until ours, I gulped. Was this going to be it?

No bucking way I got this close to lose it now. I focused on the back on the plane; relying on sheer determination to guide my magic. I smiled to myself as a hole big enough for me was torn open. Running inside, I take a quick look around before heading up to the cockpit. Luke, finding no other option, climbed in behind me.

“Dude, even I’m not comfortable flying with you if you don’t know how and your flying this dinosaur.” He said with all seriousness.

“Would you like to be strapped down against your will?” He shook his head. “Then get in the co pilot’s seat, I for one am not going back down to that horrid lab. By now it is either death by plane crash or death by science experiment. I'm not willing to leave with the knowledge that I let you guys ruin your lives. Either you come willingly or you come. What do you say?” Even Sarah stopped struggling at my outburst.

Dude, I didn’t know you had it in you to be that hard on somepony.’

I sat myself as comfortably as I could in the seat my back hooves barely reaching the pedals. Thank you Shadow for being a tall alicorn.

Your quite welcome. Smart ass.

As the others strapped themselves in I immediately started up the engines, disengaged the breaks and prepared for impact with the door.

“This is your captain speaking, I would like you for choosing alicorn air for your traveling needs.” The roar of the engines beat down on the windows, the enclosed space making it echo even louder. The plane started to roll forward as I heard another BOOM. “We regret to inform you that we will be starting off with a bumpy ride today folks. Please prepare for impact.” I turned back and saw that somehow Sarah had managed to doubly strap herself in. Beside me I saw that Luke had fitted his properly.

I am truly amazed. You have somehow screwed up your remaining insanity to turn this into a commercial flight. Makes me wish you were under my command back in Equestria. Though your smart ass remarks might get you in trouble more often than not.

I don’t know whether to be flattered or offended, so I’ll be both.

A Warning light went off that the door to the back of the plane wasn’t closed. I dismissed it. The nose tip neared the door and another BOOM was heard. This was it, now or never. The screeching of metal on metal as the bolt slid was lost in the roar of the engines.

The nose cone tore through the aluminum with ease. The front half of the plane had made it safely out when the bolt managed to get close enough to cause me discomfort. I had almost navigated the door when a loud screeching was heard. Sensors all across the board indicated that I had lost control in the back right horizontal stabilizer.

“Luke can you see the tail?” I asked frantically, if we lost the tail we were bucked.

“Yeah it looks fine, but there is a huge gash in the last few feet of the plane.” I winced at the mention of the last part but was glad that complete control hadn’t been lost.’

Maybe I should fly? Since I’m the one who was born with wings? And how the hell do you know all this terminology and crap?

Look, I appreciate the offer but currently I’m busy with something… BUCK, oh well, Mr. Freedmondt now has 1 less lackey. Anyways, I'm perfectly capable of flying this aircraft. I did a VERY extensive report on this particular plane.

I give up, you’re completely insensible.

Unfortunately for us not only did I have no expertise in the matter but I had also lost the horizontal stabilizer, which was going to hurt during take off.

Do you mind if I, “Watch and learn?” just in case? I felt his inquisitive presence again.

Not at all, please join me. I opened a little hole again and this time only his conscious came through. He walked slowly towards me, his expression neutral. I looked at him for a moment before he touched his horn to my head. A bright white flash erupted and I was suddenly back in the cockpit of the plane.

You had better not done what I think you did! No response.

I should probably get going now. Wait where did that thought come from? What if he didn’t merge but just put his consciousness up to mine so he could learn easier? Buck, that’s what he did. Oh well. Better get going.

The aircraft had cleared the buildings and was nearing a expansive grassy hill area.

But, Murphy strikes again as the aircraft creaks and shifts a tad to the left. I look over and see one of the wheels in deflated, flapping uselessly against the ground as I rolled along.

DAMN! They are shooting at the tires now.

I can’t see the runway so I aim for a long patch of pavement that is overgrown and straighten out for the initial build up of the engine power.

I take one final look at the facility and see Morgan standing there, rooted to the spot as gunfire echoed all around him. I don’t know if it was a trick of the light or if I was just seeing things, but I could swear he was crying…