"Blackwatch is lying. Something besides Elizabeth Greene came out of Hope."

-Dr. Raymond McMullen

“I’ve been meaning to ask. How is it that you create Evolved anyway?”

“I infect them with a specific strain of the Blacklight virus, manipulate it to attack every cell except certain neural transmitters in the brain and preserve them to ensure they retain memories, and then I wait for the virus to finish chowing down and convert their body into a living mass of viral cells before slapping them on the ass and sending them off to do my bidding.”

“Ah. That’s kind of what I thought you did.”

“Okay. That’s another part of my story. I believe I’ve earned the right to another question.”

“Ask away.”

“…”

“Well?”

“…I’m hesitant to ask, I fear I may not like the answer…but as much as it pains me to admit, it occurs to me you may just be the only one that knows around here…”

“And that would be?”

“…Who is it that gave Zecora the virus? Was it Heller? Did he somehow follow me here? Is he trying to kill me? Again?”

“…”

“You have to answer remember? That was our deal.”

“…”

“Stop smiling and answer me you sadistic bastard! Is Heller responsible for this or not!?”

“…Hehehehe…”

“…”

“…Celestia.”

“What?”

“Princess Celestia is who gave Zecora Blacklight.”

“What? That makes no sense! How in the hell did she manage to get her hands on it?”

“Don’t you mean hooves?”

“I don’t care! How did she get it?”

“You’ll need to finish your-”

“No! No more stories! No more games! This has become more then ridiculous! Tell me who you are and everything you know about what’s going on here, now!”

“…You’ve finally cracked, haven’t you Mercer?”

“…”

“…It seems my fun is coming to an end then…oh well, I knew it wouldn’t last.”

“…Who are you?”

“You already know that Mercer.”

“How is that even possible? I know but I don’t know? That makes no sense!”

“Let’s start simple then. What do you know about me so far?”

“Nothing! I know nothing! Yet you somehow know everything about me! You even basically admitted you’ve been stalking me all my life!”

“…”

“You knew about my fight with Mother, about Heller, and Dana…you knew what I did and where I came from…”

“…”

“…You could have only known all that if you had followed me here…”

“…”

“…You knew about how I felt towards Pinkie Pie…”

“I thought you said you didn’t like Pinkie Pie?”

“Of course I like Pinkie Pie! I don’t know why, but for some reason, I can’t help but feel affection for her! Like I have to protect her...even if that means apologizing when she cries or agreeing to some stupid promise…”

“Because she reminds you of someone.”

“…”

“She reminds you of someone important.”

“…Dana…”

“There we go.”

“…She’s Dana…”

“…”

“…She’s strange, talks a mile a minute, never seems to stop smiling and is obsessed with making me happy…she’s exactly like Dana was when we were little…”

“That’s why those pesky little memories kept popping up around her. That’s why you got so angry when she spoke of Dana. It wasn’t just because you didn’t want to talk about it; it was because you didn’t want to admit she reminded you of your sister.”

“How is it…that you know this stuff? You know things about me I don’t even…no…no…”

“I think he’s got it folks.”

“It can’t be…”

“By George, I think he’s got it!”

“It’s a Hive Mind…you know how I feel …you’re connected to me……because you’re Blacklight.”

“…”

“You’re even stronger than I am…the virus in you is different…I can’t even see it inside you!”

“Who am I, Mercer?”

“…”

“Who. Am. I. Mercer?”

“…”

“Say it!”

“…”

“So Mercer, is this going to be permanent?”

“More or less.”

“What do you mean ‘more or less’?”

“It depends on how you look at it.”

Rainbow Dash turned around from the mirror she had been looking at, gesturing at herself as she did to indicate the viral tendrils sticking out at intervals on her body. “Am I going to look like a tentacle monster forever?”

“Ooooh, that…no, that should wear off in another hour or two.”

She looked skeptical. “What did you think I meant?”

“I thought you were referring to your permanent state of being a…you know what, never mind. You look great.”

Rainbow sighed, poking at one of the tendrils, which coiled up like a snake. “You sure this was the only way to save me?”

“I told you already, the Changeling venom was going to kill you if I hadn’t done something. I admit, it may have been a bit extreme, but you’re alright now, aren’t you? And in the end, isn’t that what matters? Some philosophical bullcrap about friends helping each other in their time of need?”

“Couldn’t you have just sucked the venom out or something?”

“Slow down Rainbow. We’ve only been on one date. I’m not about to put my lips anywhere on you if I can help it.”

“That’s a relief…” They were silent for a moment after that. Rainbow continued to look at herself in the mirror, grimacing when yet another long, skinny tendril began growing out of her shoulder. “I know I’m not usually one to get stuck up on appearances, but even I have to admit this look is definitely not awesome!”

Mercer rolled his eyes. “I told you six times already, you won’t look like this forever! It’s a side effect; it will go away once the serum has finished its job! Now stop worrying about it, it doesn’t look that bad.”

Ever the opportunist, Nick chose that exact moment to come back from his repair job. “Hey, the doors fixed-woah! Rainbow, I, uh, don’t want to hurt your feelings or anything but you have some nasty looking pimples!”

The rainbow maned Pegasus blushed profusely and glared at Mercer. “I knew it! You are such a liar!” She turned around angrily, flicked her tail at him and stomped away into another room of the cottage, barely giving Fluttershy any time to jump out of the way before marching past her.

The sound of a door being slammed shut echoed down the hall Rainbow had disappeared in. Fluttershy wandered over to where the two stallions stood, confusion written all over her face. “W-wow…she looked angry. What did you say to her?”

Mercer shook his head. “Talk to the tactless wonder over here.” He gestured to Nick. “Do you even know how to speak without putting your own foot in your mouth?”

“Me? I wasn’t trying to hurt her feelings! She overreacted!”

“Whatever.”

There was a short pause, before Nick asked “So…what exactly was that I heard you tell her? Something about a ‘serum’?”

Mercer nodded. “I told her the reason she’s like this is because of a Changeling attack.”

Nick looked skeptical. “Changelings? And she bought it?”

“The proof doesn’t lie.”

“The proof is that she has a virus. Why not just tell her that?”

“I’m not completely sure how she will react. You and Pierce were quick to accept it, but Rainbow is a bit more unpredictable. I can’t afford to have her freaking out and blabbing to everyone what happened to her.” He brushed past the white Pegasus and peered down the hallway, making sure the rainbow mare wasn’t able to hear them. “For all she knows, she is now part of a secret mission given to us by Celestia herself to prevent a Changeling invasion currently in the works.”

“And she bought it!?”

“You’d be surprised what someone would believe given the right circumstances.”

Nick still looked at Mercer incredulously, but gave no reply right away. When he did speak again, it was on a different subject. “What happens now? What’s our next move?”

“You mean what’s your next move. I need you to take that DNA you consumed from that Canterlot Guard and disguise yourself as him so the others don’t get suspicious.”

“Right…wait, how do I do that?”

“First, tap your head three times.”

Nick did it. “Now what?”

“Now say ‘I’m a dumbass’.”

“I’m a-” He stopped. “…Why do you not like me?”

“I don’t really know. It’s something about your face. I just can’t quite put my finger on it.”

“Your finger?”

“Never mind about that. Just think of his memories and will your biomass to make yourself look like him. Think of it like Pla-Doh.”

Nick cocked his head to the side. “What’s play dough?”

“It’s like…never mind. Just do it. And be careful; if your cover is blown, don’t try to fight them. They’re a hell of a lot stronger then they seem.”

“Well that’s not surprising. With all that magic they use I wouldn’t be surprised if they could be as strong as you.”

“What are you talking about? The one I fought was a Pegasus, he couldn’t have used magic.”

Nick shook his head. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Well what did you mean?”

“I’m not completely sure…I…” He clutched his head, clenching his teeth as the feeling of Storm Shade’s memories flooded his mind. “They…they infuse magic into their armor and weapons…and even their own bodies.” Nick began grinding his teeth. “The magic makes muscles stronger...it makes bones denser…and it even protects internal organs.” Even after he was done with his painful explanation, he continued holding his head and chomping on nothing. Mercer patiently waited as Nick fought through it, more than familiar of the experience the stallion was being dragged through.

Once the pain had passed, Nick straightened up again. “It makes sense though. This whole ‘war with the Gryphons’ thing has been around for a long time. Since Gryphons are bigger and stronger than ponies, they needed to even the playing field.”

“Well that’s good to know. Maybe now the difficulty I had in the fight will have a bit more merit.” Mercer thought a moment. “You’ll have to tell me any other way they use magic to fight.”

“Right now?”

“No. It’ll have to wait until later. It’s getting close to noon; Storm Shade said he was expected to report in by then. We won’t have time to go over anything right now.”

“Um…Mercer?” The quiet voice of the butter yellow Pegasus would have gone unnoticed if she hadn’t tapped him on the back to get his attention.

Mercer turned around, mild surprise written on his face. “What? Oh, Fluttershy. I forgot you were still here.”

“H-how? It’s my house…” She blushed. “N-not that I mind you being here or anything! Really, I don’t mind at all…”

“What do you want?”

Still blushing brightly, she extended her wing to him, which held a letter clutched between her feathers. “This letter that Derpy dropped off earlier…it’s addressed to me…b-but it’s…meant for you.”

Mercer stiffened. “What?” He snatched it from her and unfolded it, reading it over quickly.

Nick peered over his shoulder. “What does it say? Wait, how did somepony know where to send a letter to you?”

Mercer didn’t take his eyes off the letter. “That’s what I’d like to know.”

Mr. Mercer, I hope you don’t mind me writing you. I took care to make sure no one found out your location, hence this being addressed to Fluttershy. I believe we have some things to discuss. Meet me at 15 Saddle St so we can talk in private. I await your arrival.

That’s all the letter had said. Nothing but a short, creepy message and a request to meet. There was no date, no time, not even so much as a fake name or handle. It was as vague as they come.

Of course Mercer had set out immediately after reading it, barely even slowing down enough to tell Nick not to forget he had his own meeting at noon and make sure Fluttershy knew not to let Rainbow Dash out of the cottage. As soon as he was out the door he sprinted for Ponyville, flying across the short distance so quickly he actually slid several yards before he made a complete stop. He shook the dust off himself and changed into Berry Punch, calmly walking through the streets of town in the direction of where the letter had told him to go.

Ponies greeted him as he walked by, large smiles adorning their faces as they waved hello. He waved back, trying his best to give a genuine smile in return but finding it hard with what was playing through his mind. Who sent that letter? How did they know where he was? If it was that easy to track him down, he obviously wasn’t doing as well at laying low as he thought.

“Well well, if it isn’t Berry Punch. You know, I see you less and less every day. You must really have your muzzle in a big project to disappear this much.”

“Don’t you know it, Ice Dancer.”

“I just hope you’re getting some sleep. I know how you can get.”

“You don’t have to worry so much about me, I’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, that’s what you always say…”

Halfway through Ponyville. He only had to keep up this façade for a little longer.

As he approached the middle of town, he was annoyed to see more than a few guard ponies scattered around Main Street. Not wanting to run into any of them in case they decided to question him, he took a detour down a side street to avoid them. Almost immediately he ran nearly headlong into another one, who was conversing with a familiar looking grey Pegasus with a mail bag on her back, the latter of whom looked in his direction just in time to notice him.

“Oh, Berry Punch! I’m glad you’re here, it’ll save me time on giving you your mail!” Derpy, still possessing as much of that quirky energy she held earlier, was already digging through her mail bag in search of whatever they held for Berry. Once she found it, she handed it over happily, grinning ear to ear as if handing over mail was the best thing ever.

Mercer smiled awkwardly as he took it, not sure what he was going to do with it seeing as how he had no pockets. “Um…thanks.” Not knowing what else to do with it, he put the small stack of envelopes in his mouth and gave a wave to the mailmare. “Welf Derfy, I fink I bfetter gef home.”

“Oh no, you can’t leave yet! I haven’t introduced you to my cousin!” Derpy wrapped her hoof around his neck and dragged him next to her, squeezing hard enough in doing so to make him cough up the letters. Berry, this is my cousin Charming Masquerade! He’s a member of the Royal Canterlot Guard!” She said the last part with an air of sarcasm.

The guard looked rather young, at least younger than the few Mercer had seen so far. The armor he wore fit snuggly on him, but the helmet he had on was a few sizes too big, causing him to keep pushing it back up into place every few seconds.

He sighed after Derpy introduced him. “Derpy, I told you, this isn’t a joke. I really am a member of the Guard!”

“Uh huh, sure…” She winked at him.

Charming shook his head, turning his attention to Mercer, smiling as he did so. “Hello. Berry was it? It’s nice to meet you.” He held out his hoof, waiting for his new acquaintance to shake it.

Mercer never did. “Hehe…yeah…did they run out of helmets in the armory or something?” He said pointing at Charming’s head.

He reached up and held the head piece in place, blushing a little while looking off to the side. “I, uh…kinda lost mine…so they had to give me this one as a replacement while they order a new one.”

“You really should be more careful, Charming. Props are pretty expensive, you should know that being an actor.”

“For the last time, I’m not an actor! I’ve been in the Canterlot Guard for years; you went to my graduation!”

Derpy narrowed her eyes. “Oh no, I’m not believing that again. I’m on to you, buster! The last time I listened to you, I ended up getting my head stuck in a tree!”

He facehoofed. “That happened when we were kids! And I already apologized for it!”

While the two continued their back and forth, Mercer took the opportunity to try and sneak by them without being noticed. He sidestepped them slowly, smiling lamely while acting innocent. Just as he thought he was in the clear and home free, he heard the gray mare say something that made him stop dead and perk his ears up.

At some point while he skirted around the two, their conversation had changed to Derpy’s mail route, about which she explained how she had met a weird new pony that day that she had never delivered to before. “…and I just thought it was odd that he had been living here for so long and hadn’t bothered to set up a mailing address. I don’t think he’s homeless or anything, but it’s just odd, you know?”

Charming looked at her with a suspicious look on his face. “A new pony, huh? And how long has he been here?”

She brought her hoof up to her chin. “Hmm, maybe about a week or so.”

“A week? So he got here just before the whole ‘Zecora’ thing…do you know what his name is?”

Before she could answer, Mercer popped up next to her, cutting her off from saying his name. “H-hey, Derpy! I just remembered I need your help with something! Do you mind? It’s kind of important.” Without giving her a chance to reply, he put his hoof around her shoulder and pulled her along, yelling “Nice meeting you, Charming! I hope we can talk some other time. Maybe over tea!” behind him as he walked. He continued to drag Derpy down the street until they were out of sight of her cousin.

After Mercer let her go and she fell into a trot alongside him, Derpy asked him “So, what is it that you needed my help with?”

“I, uh, need you to help me find something.”

“What?”

“Do you know where 15 Saddle Street is?”

“15 Saddle Street? Of course, it’s on the other side of town. But why would you want to go there? It’s empty.”

Mercer stopped. “What do you mean, ‘it’s empty’?”

She shrugged. “It used to be a restaurant, but it got closed down. I don’t think it’s been used for a while.”

That was unnerving to hear. Whoever this mystery pony was, they not only got in contact with him via creepy letter, now he was finding out the place he was supposed to meet them in was an abandoned building.

“So? Why do you want to go there?” Derpy asked again. That same curious look came over her expression again, like she was putting things together in her head.

Thinking quickly, Mercer came up with the first excuse that came to mind. “I was…I was thinking of…expanding. Maybe use it as a sort of…extra storage space, or something…”

Derpy brightened up at that. “Oh! Well that’s nice to hear! I’m glad you’re business is doing so well!” She started walking again. “So you just want to go there to check it out, right?”

“Exactly.” He sighed internally. Good thing she’s so trusting.

The rest of the time was spent in silence; the only time either talked was when someone offered up a greeting and they gave theirs back. Derpy hummed as she walked, that innocent smile never leaving her face.

When they finally turned onto Saddle Street, the grey Pegasus stopped and turned to him, saying “It’s just down there; it’s the one with boards on the windows. Sorry I can’t go with you, but I need to get back to work.”

Mercer was barely paying attention to her at this point; he already had his eyes set on the building in question. “Yeah, thanks for all the help, Derpy. Bye.”

“Glad I could help! See you later, Berry!”

He continued alone down the street, every step he took making him more and more anxious. Before he knew it he was standing in front of the building, which was indeed boarded up and abandoned, just like Derpy had said.

This was it. It was time to meet this stranger.

Mercer took a deep breath, placed his hoof on the door, and gave it a push. Oddly enough, it turned out not to be locked. The hinges gave protest at being opened, offering up their loud retort that echoed throughout the dark interior. He stood at the doorway, peering inside and scanning around for any sign of his mysterious contact.

Placing his hoof in the threshold, he was just about to take a step in when a thought crossed his mind, making him withdraw it and hesitate at the door. The last time he entered an empty building alone, he ended up choking on Bloodtox and being attacked by a psycho zebra. Not wanting a repeat performance, he tested the air inside by sticking his muzzle out and taking a deep breath. He stayed like that for a moment, waiting for the stinging sensation to pick up in his throat. After a minute of breathing in stale air, he concluded there was no harmful substance waiting for him, so he let out a sigh and entered it warily.

The inside of the building was dank, almost depressing. It was completely empty, nothing but spider webs and copious amounts of dust and grime filling up every inch of the floor and walls. Everything about it gave off the impression that it was unused, except for a small, nearly invisible trail of hoofsteps in the dust leading towards the back. Mercer took notice almost immediately, glaring at the trail as if it were mocking him simply by existing. He followed it to the back, watching it carefully to see if it turned or veered off somewhere, but it just kept going straight until it finally ended at the far wall.

Mercer looked around confusedly, not sure if he was missing something or if he was just being played. A voice behind him told him it was the latter. “Alex Mercer. Right on time.”

He spun around, locking his gaze onto a shadowy figure standing in front of the doorway. The light flooding in behind him obscured Mercer’s vision of his face, so he couldn’t make out what he looked like. Remembering he was still disguised as Berry Punch, he made sure to keep his voice at her higher pitch before he spoke. “Alex…Mercer? I don’t know who you’re talking about. I’m Berry Punch. Who are you?”

“Drop the act, Alex. I know it’s you. Please, you’re among friends; you don’t need to pretend anymore.” Biting his lip, he reluctantly dropped his voice an octave, shifting his form back to himself and taking a few steps closer to the pony. “There now, isn’t that better? It must be a relief to finally be yourself without putting up some kind of an act.”

“Who the hell are you? How did you know where to find me? How do you know who I am?”

The pony smirked. “I’ve been watching you Mercer, for a long time now. I’ve known about you from the moment you got here.”

“That’s impossible.”

“I wouldn’t say that. More like just unlikely.”

“Who the hell are you?”

“You already know who I am; you just haven’t realized it yet.”

Mercer glared at him. “What in the name of Celestia is that supposed to mean?”

“You sound just like a pony, Alex. Are you going native?”

“Don’t change the subject. Tell me who you are!”

“I told you already.”

“The hell you did!”

He chuckled. “My my, Mercer. You have quite a temper. You won’t make many friends with that kind of attitude.”

“I’m not here to make friends!” Mercer spat. “Frankly, I don't even know why I’m here!”

The creepy pony was silent, watching Mercer curiously. After a pregnant pause, he dropped his head, chuckling again as began walking away from the door, towards the side of the room. Mercer reciprocated, giving him a wide birth as they circled each other until they stood with the door and windows shedding light to their side. “Why must there be a reason for you being here? Why does there always have to be a logical answer?”

Mercer scoffed. “That’s a stupid question. Everything has to have a logical answer. That’s just how things are.”

“But then how do you explain this world? You’ve seen firsthand it’s beyond normal logic or reason. How can you still say that after seeing the wonder of this place? The magic?”

“I’ve done enough research to know that even this place is still bound by the laws of physics. With the exception of Pinkie Pie, there’s a detailed explanation for the actions and behaviors of every creature in this world. Even their so called ‘magic’ can be broken down to a science.”

The other pony fell silent again, an almost sad look crossing his features for a second before disappearing. Now that he had a moment, Mercer took the time to look over this pony, to see if his appearance synced up to the memories of the few ponies he’d bothered to consume. Thanks to the light filtering in through the cracks between the boards on the windows, he could see the pony more clearly, but he still didn’t recognize him from any of the memories in his head.

The pony standing before him was basic. Literally, he looked like he was the outline you drew first before filling it in with detail. He had no mane or tail, his coat was a light tan color and his eyes were a dull brown. He also had no cutie mark. He was, for lack of a better term, a blank flank. This was strange, since normally the only ponies Mercer had seen with no cutie mark were children. Hell, even he himself had received one after being dragged here to this crazy world. Why was this pony so…plain?

Finally, the pony spoke again. “You have done quite a lot since you got here, Alex. I’m quite impressed. You’ve been quite the busy little bee.”

“I’m just good at focusing my efforts in a productive manner…for the most part.”

The other pony raised a non-existent eyebrow, making him look like he was giving Mercer the stink eye. “’For the most part’?”

“I got caught up in a few things. Stupid things. It doesn’t matter now.”

“I beg to differ. Maybe if you talked about it we might shed some light on just how important it all actually is.”

“What is this, a game to you? You want me to spill my guts, tell you my life story and cry on your shoulder?”

“Only if you want to.”

Mercer stared at him dully. “You are an annoying pony. Almost as bad as Pinkie.”

He chuckled again. “I try. Now, go on. Spin me a tale.”

“…We’re really doing this, huh?” Mercer sighed. “Fine. I woke up in the Everfree Forest, in a clearing, lying on my back with no arms.”

The other pony gasped dramatically. “No arms!? My goodness, what happened?”

“I lost a fight.”

“With whom?”

“No one.” Mercer put as much venom into his reply as he could muster, signifying he wasn’t in the mood to talk about it.

The pony held up a hoof dismissively. “Alright, I can take a hint. So, you were in a forest, unarmed, and possibly near death. Then what?”

“I got attacked by a Manticore. It almost got me too, but I managed to kill it before it could finish me off. After that I had the biomass to regenerate my limbs, and it was then I came to the realization I had been turned into a pony.”

“Then you came to Ponyville?”

“That’s correct.”

“And you made some friends?”

“Reluctantly. They wouldn’t leave me alone.”

“That doesn’t necessarily mean you had to become friends.”

“Perhaps not…” Mercer fell silent, thoughts of Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy coming to the forefront of his mind.

“You’re thinking about your friends, aren’t you?” He stiffened. “I can tell. Your face says it all.” Mercer stayed silent, refusing to reply. “…You came to Ponyville. You made a few friends. Tell me what happened after that.”

Mercer hesitated a moment, unsure that he should continue. He didn’t trust this pony at all, in fact he downright creeped him out. But it was obvious this oddball wasn’t going to be answering any of his questions, so he saw no choice but to continue telling his little story.

With a deep breath, Mercer collected his thoughts, and recounted the events leading up to that moment...

“It’s a Hive Mind…you know how I feel …you’re connected to me……because you’re Blacklight.” Mercer’s mind was reeling at the realization, that bit of relief of finally figuring out something that’s been nagging at you being drowned out by the dread he was feeling from the knowledge it brought along with it. “You’re even stronger than I am…the virus in you is different…I can’t even see it inside you!” This pony; this seemingly normal, unspecial, plain pony, was a being of his own world. Just like Mercer, this pony came from a place born of misery and anger, and somehow wound up in this colorful, brightly lit and happy-go-lucky planet of cheerful, giggly ponies. And worse yet: Mercer didn’t recognize him in the slightest. His voice, his personality, his way of speaking. None of it rang any bells in Mercer’s memory. He wasn’t an Evolved, that was for sure. He certainly wasn’t Heller. He was something else.

“Who am I, Mercer?”

He didn’t want to answer. He wasn’t going to answer.

“Who. Am. I. Mercer?”

Not because he didn’t know; but because he was afraid he did.

“Say it!”

No. No, it just couldn’t be. It was a lie. A trick. There’s no possible way it could be him…

But the more he tried to make himself believe otherwise, the more he only delayed the inevitable. It was him. The missing link in the Blacklight evolution. Elizabeth Greene’s very own bastard child, the only one to ever be born of the virus and survive.

Mercer didn’t want to say it as much as he didn’t want it to be true. Yet in the end, he had no choice. Slowly, and painfully, he opened his mouth and said the one word he didn't want to say:

“…Pariah.”

Author's Note

You can all pick your jaws up off the floor now.

I was excited for this chapter. I kept pushing it back farther and farther because I didn't feel it fit right or the chapter was just too long to begin with. But yes, the pony Mercer has been talking to is Pariah.

I'm sure you picked up on the not-so-subtle hint I dropped about Mercer having trouble fighting that guard in the last chapter. I realized I made a mistake by "nerfing" his abilities, but you have to understand I never meant to downplay Mercer; if anything I was just up-playing the guard. I have a bad habit of leaving things out that I planned on putting in because I forgot about them, so I can see how you guys had so much confusion about it. Hopefully now this makes up for it a little bit.

Also, I'd like to add, the quotes are back. I made the excuse to one of you that the reason they disappeared was because I couldn't find anymore, but really I was just sick of looking. But that's not right. They're part of the story, and I need to stop being lazy. So I went back, doubled my efforts, and found some more that I can use. I even went back to the other chapters I left them out of and put them in, you can go check them out if your curious. I like to personalize the quote to the chapter, so that they have some similarities to the events happening. Think of them as a hint to what's going to happen later on in the chapter. If you didn't it catch it for this one, the something besides Elizabeth Greene that came out of Hope was Pariah.

That's about all I have to say. I'm hungry. I'm gonna go see if I still have some food left.

-Poly