~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Begin holotape

Dear Princess Celestia,

It's been a while since I've recorded one of these but I don't have a lot else going on right now. I've finally completed it and now I must wait to see if it works, though it's not like I have any other choice but to be patient. I can entertain myself - I have control over part of the facility. Slamming doors, operating machinery, video feeds, even the speaker system.

My assistant isn't coming back. It's probably for the best. That's what I've been telling myself.

I figured out what my biggest regret is though. Not becoming an engineer!

Yeah, I didn't think that joke was funny when I first heard it either.

Anyways, I should wrap up. I hope that you are able to hear this, wherever you are.

Sincerely,

Twilight Sparkle

End holotape

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Darkness.

Darkness was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. At the time I was unsure if they were even open. The sounds of clicking and scrapping rung in my ears as I tried to move more than just my eyes. I struggled and struggled but my legs refused to move. My body felt heavy like the weight of the ocean was pressing down on me as I sunk to the bottom. To be honest, I couldn't breathe either, so the thought of drowning was making more and more sense with each second that passed. But at the same time I felt so alive, like I was just shot with an adrenaline filled bullet that spread across my veins.

But, aren't I supposedly drowning? Isn't your brain supposed to cycle through all of the events of your life as you die? Why am I not remembering anything?

Wait, who am I?

A blinding flash burns my retinas as the heads-up display was brought online. It wasn't even that bright of a light but it felt like I was opening my eyes for the first time only to stare directly at the sun. I quickly shut my eyes. For a moment it was calm, until the beeping started.

BeepBeepBeep

A cooling sensation against my skin and fur created a nice feeling, then turned colder like a bucket of ice was poured onto every inch of my body. I let out a quick, effeminate yelp. I didn't even know I had air in my lungs to do so, but after that I started to breathe regularly. The cold stopped and I slowly opened my eyes once more.

I wasn't sure what I was seeing at first, but it took me only a second to realize I was wearing a helmet. Hazardous display unit, stability sensors, kinetic energy levels, cooling system, even my heart rate. It seemed so alien to see all these things smooshed up against my face but just enough in the peripherals that they didn't get in my line of sight.

The HUD itself was just there, sitting like condensation on the window that is my vision. After looking past the numbers and indicators, the first thing I saw was the ceiling. An eggshell coloring played well off of the light auburn from the walls.

It certainly wasn't beautiful what with the paint chips that had been curling, and the cracks running through the ceiling – but I couldn't help getting caught up in staring. It felt like waking up after a long sleep. So much so that I instinctively tried to rub my eyes. Of course I was met with a smack to the helmet. It certainly jogged my head back down from the day dreaming cloudiness.

While it indeed looked like an opening in the helmet, it wasn't even technically a glass window, just a direct feed from a camera that was inside the eyes of the helmet. Smacking my hoof against the bucket that was wrapped around my head was pretty embarrassing, but what was even more embarrassing was how long it took for me to realize I moved my foreleg.

Once it finally kicked in, I sat up, I was actually able to move. The weight that I once felt was gone and replaced with a chilled, feather-like movement. While it felt light, it sure didn't look light. My entire body was surrounded in a metallic suit. If you had told me I was trapped in an iron maiden I would have laughed at you, at least until I saw it with my own eyes. The inside felt so soft and nice like being wrapped up in a blanket, but the silvery grayish coloring of the metal told me it was anything but.

Speaking of blankets, why am I laying in a bed? I have no recollection of who or where I am, but I'm pretty sure I would not be lying in bed with a set of armor on. Of course, after looking at the other walls of the room I can safely say I may not have arrived here of my own free will. Three simple walls with the fourth being a cell door had surrounded me. Large iron bars remained unopened, but still allowing the light from beyond this prison to shine in.

Words were written on the wall across from my bars, as if they were etched into the stone itself. I arose from my bed to get a closer look, only to be met with the checker board pattern floor. I was not accustomed to standing, walking, or generally any movement and it didn't help that the suit was unusually light. Planting my hooves firmly, I managed to stand up properly, even with a little leg wobbling.

It might have been easier to remove the suit and just try to walk on my own first, but I'm sure glad I didn't. Inching my way across the cell was troublesome, but I managed to reach out and grasp the iron bars of the metal door and pull myself up onto my hind legs. It was a lot easier to lean on the door than it was to stand but I was already out of breath just from this simple walking exercise.

I pressed my helmeted face as best I could against the metal bars and read off the words that were displayed on the wall. The words weren't actually etched into the stone like I had thought, but it was far more disturbing. It was as if somepony took an ink pen and drew the letters on top of each other over and over.

'DONT TAKE OFF THE SUIT'

To be honest, I generally don't like the idea of a message that is clearly directed towards me, looking like it was written by somepony from a psychiatric ward. Seeing as how I'm the one in the suit however, I'd better not take any chances.

At least this meant that there was a pony out there that knew I'd be waking up, and they also knew I'd probably have taken off the suit if I hadn't read those words. Hopefully somepony will know who and where I am. Well, besides the obvious answer of 'hell'.

Luckily for me, the iron bar gate wasn't actually locked, it simply slid on its rails out of the way. But it didn't need to be locked to keep me in the cell, as stepping out revealed some truly brutal shit. There were plenty of other jail cells to the left and right, but all they contained were bronze and dark red piles of goo. The only way out seemed to be the stairs down, right next to the wall with the crazy ponies writing.

There were more jail cells, of course, who could have guessed? If this were a guessing game though, I would never have bet on 'headless pony goo things'. Yeah, that's about the best I can describe them since these cages held more of the bronze and dark red piles of goo, along with the forms of ponies. It was almost as if they were melting really slowly. Oh, did I mention headless? I didn't stick around long enough to check if they were all headless, but the ones I saw were. Little dark brown bumps pushing up from the open neck, matching the coloration of the gooey piles.

This level contained a security door at least, unlike the level my cell was on. Of course, the door was locked. You would think a pony in a metal suit could bash down a door pretty easily. Unfortunately, security doors are meant to keep prisoners in and no matter how hard I tried to force it, it was not going to budge. That didn't mean I wasn't going to keep trying though.

"Piece of shit!" I yelled out after one last ram against the door knocked me on my ass.

Another stair case was around the other side of the one I came down, so I literally had two options. I could go back up into my cell and stay there until I die, or I could go into the super creepy pitch black lower level and fall to my death because I can't see where I'm going.

I'm not sure if I talked to myself a lot before I lost my memory, I certainly hope I didn't, but I'm thankful I do now. I said "I wish I had a flashlight" and voila, a high powered light spread its glow from my helmet like magic. "I wish I could teleport" did not yield the same effect to my dismay. Turns out the magic word was flashlight.

From atop the stairs I shined the light down into the darkness. From its appearance, it was the bottom level of this little slice of heaven. Water had flooded high enough to reach the underside of the bottom step, so walking in the stuff wasn't too bad. I checked the cells closest to the stairs first, but they didn't reveal anything of use.

None of the metal cages seemed to have anything of interest, not even a large goopy pile like that of the first floors. It wasn't until I turned around and looked underneath the stairs that I noticed a pony was sitting hunched over. I called out to him but was met with no response.

I slowly built up the courage to walk over to him and get a better look. It was a security guard still in uniform, his tie was undone but still hung around his neck. Guess I'm not the only one having a bad day, at least his head was still attached. I pushed his hat up to get a better look and to check his pulse, but then I saw it. Blood and scabs all over his face and neck, his lips were completely disintegrated, a large veiny tumor growing out from his skull down his jawline on one side. Gross. At least his eyes were closed.

He still wore his security badge. The white coloring had a smidge of blood on it, but read off like so.

'#815 Picket Patch – Eclipse Station: MANE Security Level 2'

I checked his pockets to see if he might have any other information. Glad I did since he had keys soaking in the water, still tied to his belt. I managed to snap off the rubber that held it attached with one quick pull. Since I was unsure how this place worked I also took the badge just in case.

"Well, you won't be needing these anymore."

All of a sudden a wheezing and low toned growl could be heard. I wasn't sure from where it was coming from at first, the noise was so quiet. It wasn't until I looked back up at Mister Guard here that I realized something had changed. It seemed that a cloudy gray coloring had taken over his pupils to where there was no real color or blackness to his eyes. Wait, when did his eyes open?

"Oh, fuck…"

The growl became apparent that he was the cause as his mouth moved, I reeled back in horror slamming my back into the water. Fear causes you to do stupid things at a moment's notice, I say this because I lost the keys and badge IMMEDIATELY to the water. As I pulled myself together and back to my feet, I looked back at the living abomination. His head was moving but the rest of him was not, although it was definitely trying.

I searched the water with my flash light. The badge was floating nicely atop the dirty water. I grabbed it and heard a plop in the water behind me. Perhaps the next dead pony I come across I'll actually check their pulse before I check their pockets. This disease in pony form was getting to his hooves slowly but surely. About the same time that I found the keys, he had risen up on all four legs.

He growled and moaned as I ran past him to the other side of the stair case. The water seemed to cause him to move at a snail-like pace. Of course you have no idea how hard it is to run up stairs with three soaking wet legs that cause you to slip and slide, all while you're carrying two small items in one hoof. I reached the top and trotted as fast as I could over to the security door next to the other set of stairs. Throwing the badge to the ground in front of the door, I quickly tried the chain of keys as fast as I could.

Apparently snails can move pretty fast since he had already made it to the top of the stairs. He was making his way around the railing just as I managed to pick the right key. I opened the door and slammed it behind me, only to reopen it a second later after realizing my mistake. The badge laid there on the floor just as he was nearing the corner guardrail of the stairs next to the door. I swiped it quickly and slammed the door once more.

It was able to keep me locked in so I felt pretty secure with the locked door, but just in case, I pressed my body against it just so I could take a moment to catch my breath. Slamming and pounding could be heard as I gathered my thoughts. Well, technically, the only thought on my mind was 'what the fuck', but it was a pretty appropriate thought.

I stared down the checker board pattern floor of the corridor. There was another security door that looked identical to this one on the other side of the hall, no way was I going back in another cell block though. There was also an opening to another corridor on the left side which seemed like a better option. I rose to my hooves and grabbed the keys and badge. Inching my way closer to the opening I pressed my body against the wall and tilted my head out to get a better look.

A large iron bar gate was blocking the way, but right next to the gate was an open door from which a bright blue light shined from. I moved my body along the wall, careful to not make much noise, as I got closer to the gate. Peering my head into the open door revealed it was the security checkpoint. Television monitors gave off the bright blue glow that I had first noticed.

Two tables sat against the left side of the room from where I entered, TV's mounted to them with wires crawling along up into the ceiling. The other side held a water cooler and a black couch, perhaps a place to rest during guard duty. I made my way to the back end of the room where a panel of buttons and knobs sat.

Next to the panel sat a stool covered in a dark red gooey gloss, along with clothes of a security guard. I checked over the panel first, since I figured the gate was connected to here. Sure enough, three levers that controlled different gates. I pulled them down one at a time until I heard the gate outside start to creak. No need to be stupid and open every one, if I needed in a specific place I could just come back here and unlock it.

Before leaving I checked over the stool. The clothes held a badge, but it was covered in blood. Ew. The tie had very little goop on it thankfully, I swiped it up out of the gross pile of bloody clothing. It wasn't going to be around my neck originally, but tying it with one hoof resulted in a sagging and clanging. So, here they both dangle around my neck now.

It would be easier to just open the suit and toss them in, but I'd rather not take the chance until I know what the hell is going on.

With the gate unlocked I made my way down the open corridor. A few twist and turns don't tell me much about this place, but I do finally reach another gate. I probably should have left all the gates unlocked, but this one had a filing cabinet that kept it from closing. I leapt over it easily, keys jangling all the way.

There was another door fairly close to the gate. It was a little bit hidden in a shadowed nook off the corridor, but I heard static coming from inside as I walked past it. I peer in a little to look inside before I entered the room. It was another security checkpoint but this one seemed like an actual rest stop. There was a table with mounted televisions, just like the last checkpoint, but all of them were tuned to static broadcasts.

Unlike the last checkpoint, this one had a map! I could finally figure my way out of here, maybe find somepony that could help me. Hell, maybe find somepony that knew me. Of course, the map wasn't going to just say 'exit'. Only thing that looked like an out was a tube-like connection that said 'tram' that goes to a place called HOOF.

"The shit is up with these weird names?"

Apparently, ask and you shall receive has been my gift for today. Right at the very top of the map in big bold letters read, 'MANE - Mechanical Analysis for Neuroscience Experimentation'.

"The fuck is that!?"

To be perfectly honest, I only know one of those words, but I had a really big question on top of the numerous others after I read that. 'What was I even doing here?' Does that mean I'm a scientist who worked here, or maybe one of the security guards? Or maybe… I was a prisoner in a cell all along?

I shook my head. Can't think thoughts like that since it doesn't even matter. Everypony seems to be dead, so they will probably be thankful to come across an amnesiac, regardless of my background. HOOF appears to be the only way out of this dump. All I've got to do is take a left out the door, go through the cafeteria, make my way past the engineering factory, and then head for the tram station. Piece of cake.

One note to add is that, while 'ask and you shall receive' has been a blessing, it's also got a bit of monkeys paw to it. Whenever you think you're going to get something easy, it's never easy.

Moaning and growling could be heard outside the door. I rushed to it and peeked my head out only to witness two rotting abominations wandering the hall. They hadn't noticed I was here thankfully, so I quietly closed the door. I'm actually surprised that they didn't notice me in here, what with me vocally losing my shit, or the large amount of static…

"Wait. What happened to the static?"

I quickly looked over at the monitors, they had changed to an image of an unknown purple ponies face. I only managed to see it for a second or two before it reverted back to static, but I know what I saw. A loud, scratching, metallic clatter broke my focus on the static filled monitors. It was followed up with an alarm I could only barely hear from the distance. I once again peeked my bucketed head out.

The two monstrosities were shuffling down the corridor I had come from towards the noisy alarm. This was becoming a common occurrence, one freaky thing right after another. But I wasn't going to look a gift abomination pony in the mouth. Immediately, I headed for the cafeteria just like the map showed to me. It was right around the corner from the checkpoint, but as I reached the cafeteria doors I found that it was locked together by iron chains and a metal pipe. The only other path was in the opposite direction - the barracks.

Those disgusting flesh bags probably came from the barracks anyways. I placed my hoof on the pipe and lifted it up through the chains. They metal chains slid off the handles and clanged together as they hit the floor. The noise was sure to draw the guys behind me if the alarm had quieted, and of course anything behind these doors.

I expected bodies to be hanging from the ceiling and blood smeared across the walls by the same lunatic that scribbled the words on wall across my cell. There wasn't. The entire cafeteria was well lit, some of the benches were moved erratically, but there was no blood. Bodies on the other hoof, well, just one body at least. I pulled back the cafeteria doors behind me as I entered, just in case the rejects heard the clanging of the chains.

On one of the tables in the middle of the room sat a body, it had remained seated with its torso and head lain across the tabletop as if they were sleeping. It wore the same type of suit that I was wearing. I felt secure in walking over to it, mostly due to the big knife sticking straight up out of its neck.

Examining the outside of the suit told me nothing of who they were, which was great news because that would make it too easy to find out who I was. Sarcasm aside, there was nothing that told me how to remove the suit either. The weirdest thing was that the blade was stuck, as if it was glued to the inside.

I pulled their head back and tried to remove the helmet. Twisting and turning did nothing. It was then I noticed the latches that held the helmet to the suit. Lifting the steel fasteners one by one, I was finally able to open it, the knife still held in their neck. The brown fur and blonde mane of this unicorn was accompanied by a neck ring of blood, most likely from the stab wound.

"Why does this one still have a head? Was it because he had a suit on? He isn't even melty."

Talking to myself seemed to help. Not in getting answers to the questions, no, but just relieving my anxiety. Seeing my heart rate didn't help my level of stress, but taking the time to think and question did. Maybe I was a scientist after all.

The knife didn't seem strong enough to pierce the suit. The edge of the blade was flat against the casing, which meant the helmet and suit could clamp together without it being in the way. I checked the seal around both the neck of the suit and the helmet, neither had its edges cut or torn around the wound.

"He was stabbed and then the helmet was placed on?" I picked up the helmet to see what I could view from the inside. "Who was this dude?"

Just as the words left my mouth, something popped up from my HUD. 'Would you like to connect?'

"Um, sure?"

Text appeared in my HUD once more. 'Please insert cable.' A panel of metal opened on my right foreleg. At first I thought I was done for; or at least infected with some sort of plague. Turns out the panel doesn't open to the inside of the suit.

An image appeared on the screen below the text describing where to open and find the wire on the other suit. I slid open the panel on the back of the dead ponies helmet and pulled out the cable. Once I stuck it into the slot I was greeted by a wall of text and information, it almost went by too fast for my head to take in. After it connected I was able to find out everything about the pony.

Occupant – #417 Golden Rose

Biochemical Supervisor: Level 6

Eclipse Station: TREES

Status: 404 Suit Unconnected

213 Days remaining power, please dock at charging station.

Would you like to view last available holotape?

I was unsure what a holotape was, much less what information it could contain. Needless to say, any info was better than none. I activated the holotape.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Begin holotape

Chief,

While it is clear that HOOF is responsible, it should also be said that MANE did not contain the outbreak like they said they would. I'm meeting with Monkey Wrench now to tell them they will be denied access to TREES. I don't care what the director says, she's over at PONI, and we have to keep TREES infection free.

You can yell at me when I get back. I'll let you know once I'm done meeting with them at MANE's first quarter cafeteria. Shouldn't take long.

This is Golden Rose, out.

End holotape

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

"Well, guess we know what happened to you, eh Rose?"

I disconnected the wire from my leg plate and tossed it aside. If I was able to see the status of another, why couldn't I see my own? On a whim I tried and sure enough, 'Suit Status' was the magic words.

Occupant – Ki8LPRX30

Information invalid

Please update information subsets.

Status: Cognitive Connection Disabled. Vitals Normal. Kinetics Enabled.

1767 Days remaining power.

"Well hot damn! I'm a series of numbers and letters! That's great, now I know everything about myself and my memory is kicking back in!"

I let out a long exasperated sigh. One step closer, and one step back. If the suit didn't even know who I am, how was anypony else supposed to know either? Was there a point to even go on?

"Fuck it."

I kicked Rose's helmet off the table in frustration.

"I'm alive. That's all the matters."

After pulling myself together I headed for the exit. The coast was clear for the next corridor, it was like a polar opposite of the security area. With the employee quarters on the left, that meant the right went to the factory. The map had shown that they were mostly connected to each other through corridors like this, but it seemed like going through the workshop was the shortest route to the tram.

With the shambling horrors that roamed about, I was slow and steady in my speed. The many questions I had were met with many assumptions. First assumption, they were attracted to noise. Second assumption, this place still has the lights on so there must be ponies still working. But, you know what they say about assuming.

The corridor eventually led into a doorway of darkness at which point I turned on my flashlight. There was no sign or information as to where this was, but I had assumed it was the factory. Cautiously I walked in and took a look around with my light. It was definitely the factory, the machines still looked functional even with a little rust. Metal parts were strewn about on conveyer belts. It was as if everypony got up and left in the middle of work.

Tools and boxes lined the walls near the heavy machinery in an orderly fashion. It looked as if they mostly built computers, though I doubt that's all they built. Maintaining a hushed pace, I eagerly looked for the exit door. I had the map memorized, so I knew I was heading in the correct direction.

Of course, what I didn't expect was the monstrosities that crowded the exit door. They twitched and convulsed as they stood congregated, unmoved by the light from my flashlight. I could tell they didn't care about the light as one of them stared in my direction but completely disregarded me. I grabbed the closest tool I could with the minimalist of sound I could make, then reared back and threw it as hard as I could in the opposite direction.

I'm unsure if they all heard the noise or just one of them, but when one started to move the others followed. As they passed my location I got a good look at the horrid features that their bodies had succumbed to. One of them had their back split open and their spine exposed. Another had its muzzle completely missing. None of them had any form of hair though, their shaven heads and skirt-less docks seemed to be a feature for these atrocities.

The pony in the suit had hair at least, so hopefully I still have mine. I won't be taking off my suit to find out, at least not any time soon. First I've got to get out of here.

With the gurgling horrors far enough out of earshot I quickly made my way to the door. It was locked, but I've got a chain of keys still holstered around my neck. Noise wasn't an issue anymore if I could just open the door. I could hear the shuffling behind me. It was the third to last key but it finally unbolted the lock. After I opened the door and entered the room I slammed it shut behind me and relocked it, no point in seeing how close those things were.

I turned off my flashlight. The room was well lit, no, blindingly bright is a better description. The entire tram area was a bright white – the ceiling, the floor, even the walls.

The floor was tiled in a hexagon pattern which fit well with the seated benches that lined the wall across from the railway. Arms of the benches matched the shape of the tiles, the logo of 'MANE' printed on the inside. The tram itself was at least a nice shade of teal, and the benches posh lining matched its blue hue. It was as if I was entering a different dimension from what I just bore witness.

Another map was suspended overhead but this one displayed the tracks. Two trams would alternate between going to HOOF and going to another section of MANE. Suffice it to say, I was happy with just having one tram for my personal use.

I boarded the tram and headed straight for the controls. Since the passenger carts were all connected to the station entrance, it was easy to make sure they were cleared out of any gruesome's while I made my way to the front. No blood, guts, or mayhem. Could it be that the nightmares were all locked away and everypony else made it out okay?

Once I reached the controls I realized something, I have no idea how to operate a train. It's completely foreign to me. Well, everything is foreign to me at this moment in time. Levers, knobs, and switches all make no sense. There's a monitor above but it's just a black screen. The seat doesn't even seem that comfy.

Pushing one of the switches seemed to close a set of doors, while one of the knobs controlled the lights of a single section. The levers don't even seem to do anything other than piss me off. I slam my hooves on the circuit controller and begin to curse at the train.

"Why don't you just freakin' work!? It's not that hard to move your ass! Just, fucking, go!"

I'd given up hope to start it, thinking I'd have to walk the tunnels on hoof. I sat down and laid my head against the back of the chair, giving myself a little rest before I make my journey. My body didn't feel at all exhausted, I assumed it was the suit, but my head was drained from all the tension and strain.

"So, you're just going to sit on your ass all day?"

I promptly answered that question with a smart ass remark. "Well it's better than getting my ass pounded all day. Wait- Who!?"

Looking around the cabin of the tram revealed no one. Did I just imagine myself talking to somepony?

"Up here metal head."

The monitor held the face of a purple unicorn in it, when did it change from the black screen?

"Wait, are you a computer or something real?" I stood up from the chair to get a better look at the pony on screen.

"You lose your brain or something? How do you not know who I am?" The purple unicorn berated me, but her mouth didn't move when she talked. It seemed like just a still picture, how was I supposed to know it was a real pony?

"Hello, are you going to answer me or what?"

I stuttered with my words, not sure that I even cared if she was real or not anymore. "Oh, uh, actually I did lose my memory. I have no clue who I am and it's driving me nuts. So, you'll have to excuse me if I have no idea who the little purple unicorn insulting me is."

"Tough break. You're smart enough to sit in a diving suit though. Don't ever take it off."

I let out a chuckle. First time I'd actually laughed, it felt nice. "A lunatic once told me that and now look at me, talking to a monitor. Perhaps I was the crazy one this whole time."

"Great, you're insane, which means you're of no use to me. Guess I won't start the train for you."

"Woah, hold on now it was a joke! Don't be like that! Come on!"

This little purple bitch had me by my nonexistent balls. No way did I want to walk the tunnel to HOOF. Not that I couldn't, but I'd like to take a minute to relax, y'know?

"Alright lug nut, I'll send you to HOOF."

Technically, I wanted out of the whole complex, but at least this got me away from the abominations of MANE. "Awesome, anywhere is better than-"

"On one condition."

Fuck. Me.

"Uh, okay, what condition is that?"

"I need a servant to get me a few things."

This shithead was going to make me run errands? She's joking right?

"Why can't you get them yourself, or somepony else to get them for you?"

She didn't respond for a few seconds. I thought she had actually disconnected on me.

"I'll make this very clear for you. Every. Pony. In. This. Station. Is. Dead." I was unsure if she paused to see the reaction on my face, but seeing as how I've got a helmet on she probably couldn't see my jaw drop. "I can almost guarantee I'll be no help in getting your memory back, but I can offer something much more. I won't explain more until you agree to help me."

"What's my end game?" I blurted out without any real thought, not actually wanting an answer, but I had become accustomed to talking to myself. I had no reason to live other than the pursuit of my past.

"I'm trying to save pony-kind. Hell, if your 'end game' is just getting your memories back, why not start by helping me in the mean time? I'm sure you've met me, I've met everypony in Eclipse. It could jog your mind into place."

"Alright, screw it, I'm in. What's your name or am I just going to refer to you as bitch-who-is-in-charge?"

A giggle came from the monitor, it was rather cute. "Actually, when everypony was alive I'm sure that was a more common name for me. But since you're 'new' here, I'll have you address me as Twilight Sparkle, or just Twilight for short. Hell, if you want to play by old world rules you can even call me Princess Twilight Sparkle. But mostly, I'm the Director of Eclipse Station."

I wasn't sure what she had meant by 'Princess', but I wasn't going to question it. I'll add it to my catalogue of questions that still need to be answered. For now, I just wanted to be away from MANE.

"Alright Twilight, send me to HOOF. I'm more than ready to be out of this hell-hole."

The tram's doors that were still open had slammed shut, the entire locomotive had started to move.

"Sorry soup can, I need you to go to the second quarter of MANE first."

Slamming my hooves on the console in front of me, I shouted at her as I shoved my helmeted face against the monitor. "Are you FUCKING flooding the toilet with this shit right now!? You cannot EXPECT me to head back into that place! There is no possible way!"

"Calm down, I need you to get an energy tablet and bring it to me. It's better to get it now than come back for it."

I stomped my hooves up and down, filled with pure rage. "And if I die to those hemorrhaging beasts, then what?"

"Well, seeing as how you are an empty shell waiting to be filled by memories, I'd say you're already technically dead."

The tram had been moving at a steady pace for the last minute, at the speed it's traversing I'd be lucky not to die from the jump. If it makes it to the other side of MANE, it'll take even longer to get to HOOF by walking.

"Fine, where do I find your energy whatchamacallit?" The annoyance in my tone felt sharp enough to cut glass.

"Chief Overseer Gleaming Spanner's office. Should be the third floor. Ponies evacuated their offices and headed for HOOF once the outbreak started. Still, you should be cautious. In fact, even when you make your way to me you should remain quiet."

"Where even are you?"

"I'm at HOOF, actually. So once you get this you can come straight to me. Oh, we've arrived."

The tram had made its stop in a station almost identical to the last. Bright white, hexagon shapes, just as eerily quiet. Only difference was the large amount of suitcases that lay on and around the benches. Unlike the last station, it seemed these ponies had time to pack and get ready to leave.

"Great. Let me go risk my neck real quick, shouldn't take me long." I sarcastically said as I adjusted my tie and got off my ass.

"Oh right, before you go I've been meaning to ask, what's with the stupid tie?"

Jingling the keys and badge at the monitor, I explained the problem. "I'd rather not carry these around in my hooves, so I made a nice little carriage. I can't use magic, so either I'm not a unicorn or I've forgotten how."

She laughed. She was literally laughing at me. Rude.

"You really are lost, aren't you? You're wearing a diving suit, magic doesn't work inside it. There's a button on the underside of your left foreleg, fourth panel up. Once it's pressed, it allows you to lift things through telekinesis just like if you had been using your horn."

A list of movements appeared on screen over the picture of Twilight. "When you want to lift something, just put your hoof on it and say 'lift'. When it's lifted you can command it to do a number of things. Hold - which will hold it to your body until you remove it. Follow – which will make it follow you as long as its path isn't blocked. And finally, stay - which will make it stay in the air unless you've moved a few dozen yards away from it."

Holy shit. That's a lot to take it all at once, but it's good to know she's helpful. Maybe once I meet up with her I can ask for an instruction manual. Well, actually I'd like to just get out of this rust bucket.

"Alright, education aside I'll keep the tie on. Although I don't think these keys or badge will do any good in this part of MANE." To be honest, I just didn't want them to accidentally clank against my suit if I were to run into another one of those bloody creatures. I set them both down in the seat next to the console.

"I'll be watching you."

The monitor turned back to a black screen after she said that creepy statement. I don't expect much will really come from meeting her but if we are the only ones still alive here in Eclipse then I've got no other options. This facility isn't the whole world after all.

After exiting the tram I looked over some of the open suitcases, mostly just testing the telekinetic abilities of the suit, but also to find something to defend myself. The ability to use a weapon without the requirement of using my hooves to fight would be an advantage over the horrors that may await me inside.

Personally, I'm more of a flight than fight pony. Hope I wasn't a security guard before I lost my memory. Nothing worth taking in any of the suitcases that I could find, unless you count money as useful. Even as the threat of death loomed, ponies still wanted keep their fat stacks of bits.

From the other half of MANE, I expected a large number of ghoulish figures standing near the door to the inside. This door wasn't locked like the other one was, may as well take it as a good sign. I grabbed the handle and pulled one of the doors open slowly. Surprisingly, it was lit up just as nice as the tram area.

Upon entering, the first thing I noticed is that it was one big waiting area. Three large corridors sat to the east, west, and north of the entrance. They all intersected in the middle, which was just one big reception desk. The area around the entrance leading up to the reception contained blue and red stools, large vending machines, and withering potted plants. It felt as if I was at a hospital or something.

Seeing this lobby, soaking in the environment, it's best to be described as if I were coming home for the first time in a long while. I'd like to say I remembered something, but the feeling did not spark anything in my mind. But I know I had felt this sensation before, and that has to mean something.

Checking in at the reception desk revealed nothing other than these ponies left in a hurry too. A cup of coffee still sat mostly full next to a keyboard. The walls of the corridors had guidance markers to explain which section was at least. The east was engineering, the west was neuroscience research, and the north was living quarters and office space.

"May as well get Twilight's bullshit then check out the other areas."

I'm sure the living quarters will be the most dangerous anyways. I'd like to take a moment and change the sign to say 'unliving' quarters but that'd take too much of my time.

The northern corridor took me to a smaller corridor that held a few offices, elevators, and some other doors that I'm not sure what were. Papers were sprinkled about, chairs had been knocked over, some suitcases here and there.

I don't recognize any of the names on the offices. Pressing the button to call the elevator didn't seem to do anything. I followed the signs from the elevator to a door that contained a stairway. After the last time I had to deal with stairs, I'm surprised I don't have a stress disorder from seeing them or something. There seemed to be only four floors as I looked up the siding of the rails after reaching the third floor.

Tape covered the window on the door, blocking the view of what could be behind it. Luckily, the tape was on my side and so all I did was pull it up enough to see in. The hall was dark, but some of the offices still had their lights on. Filing cabinets lined the walls of the hallway, and I could see a corner to another hall at the other end.

I've got to give myself credit though, I'm one smart pony trapped in a tin can. I opened the door and slammed my hoof against one of the closest filing cabinets.

"Hey! Metal hooves for sale! Come eat your metal hooves!"

Shutting the door quickly, I pulled up the tape once more and waited to see if anything crawled out of the open offices. Narrowing your eyes to see further away was pretty difficult when you're looking through a camera's feed. Apparently the helmet didn't come with a zooming function, or I'm too stupid to know the key phrase.

Nothing seemed to be drudging out from the open doorways of the hall, so suffice it to say I was pretty happy, even if my little trick didn't seem to work. I opened the door and entered, carefully taking notes of each open offices interior. The closed doors were not ignored either, as I made sure each one was unquestionably shut tight. The elevators were still out of order on this level, not that I expected them to suddenly start.

This quest for the 'battery-thingy' was actually helpful. It let me take time – time to think. About myself, about my past self, and even about my future self. Was I paranoid because of the horrors, or perhaps was I always paranoid even before I lost myself? My memory of everything since I first awoke had been crystal clear, but if my memory was so good then why am I an amnesiac?

"It's bullshit…" I whispered. Can't seem to stop talking to myself, but I can keep it from getting myself in trouble.

Reaching the corner of the hallway, I poked my head out. All the doors were closed except for the one at the end. Presumably the overseers offices would be at the end of the hall, he was the most important, right?

The sign outside the final door did read 'Gleaming Spanner', so either my memory knew it or I'm really lucky. The room itself was dark and the blinds on the door had been shut. Flashing my light through the cracks of the shades revealed nothing other than a desk was inside the room, who could have guessed a desk would be inside of an office. I turned the knob, but it was locked.

"Maybe I should have kept the keys."

The wooden door seemed sturdy enough that a bashing could hurt me more than damage it. Only way in was to bash the door knob off, but if there was something inside the room - I'd be alerting it immediately. I knocked on the glass part of the door a few times before pressing my helmeted head against it, trying to hear the shuffling of hooves or the moaning of a mindless lout.

I was scared. The feeling rang out through the bones of my body as I waited in anticipation. A second passed, then another, and another. Finally, a loud thump and the slamming of blinds against a window. The noise caused me to jump and shriek in terror all at the same time. It wasn't the door I was expecting, as the sound came from one of the doors behind me.

Regaining my composure quickly, I knew I didn't have time to waste. Slamming the knob off its screws with one quick kick of my foreleg, I pushed open the door and slammed it behind me. I'm not sure if these walking atrocities are robust enough to deal with the simple workings of a door, but sticking around to find out seemed like a dramatic ordeal that I refused to be a part of.

Looking around the room I noted how small the space was for a pony that held the title 'Chief Overseer'. Barely enough room for two filing cabinets, a desk, a chair, and a table next to the door. The desk took up most of the room, but barely had anything on it. Some pencils, papers, a small fan, and one of those ball clickers that move back and forth on its own.

Quickly searching the drawers of the desk revealed something, I have no idea what an energy tablet looks like. Did the bitch even know for sure there was one here? Every drawer seemed to be empty or filled with papers and files of things I didn't care about. All I could hear was the pounding coming from a door in the hallway as I searched the room.

I pulled back the last remaining drawer and looked inside, but it was just as empty. An exasperated sigh left my mouth as I shifted my eyes to the door. It would seem as if I'd never find it. I peered back down to the desk, a reflection of light crossed my vision. It came from underneath the desk itself, down on the floor.

Using the lift command of the suit, I raised it to eye level. Chrome plating with the words 'Pony-Power-Pack' scrawled across the side. I flipped it over to read the description. Of course, I didn't really understand any of what it said, but the words energy source appeared in several of the sentences. This little rectangular plastic piece of shit that was barely the size of my hoof was what I risked my neck for?

"Fuck it. Hold."

The commands for the suit seemed to work, so maybe this wasn't all for naught. It would stick to me regardless of where it was placed, I tried a little bit of everywhere. Neck, back, head, even the crotch. Technology sure is something. Another slam from the hallway finally broke my foal-like amusement.

"Oh, right, I suppose I don't have time to waste."

Rushing to the door, I first pulled up one of the blinds to see if the beast had escaped his cage. The door vibrated with another wallop, signaling it was my time to leave. I opened the door to Spanner's office and stepped outside, just as the door in the hallway smashed open. Naturally, I panicked and rushed back inside - slamming the door behind me.

Probably a bad idea since the monster is blind and not deaf. Actually, it was undoubtedly a bad idea as the uncoordinated steps could be heard as it traversed the hall towards the office I was in. Pressing my body to the corner near the table, I tried to make as little noise as possible. Then, brilliance struck.

As quick and quietly as possible, I walked over to the ball clicker that sat on the desk. After pulling and releasing one of the balls, I threw myself as quickly as I could back into the corner. The clicker continued to bounce back and forth as the rotting creature pushed the door open with its face, or what remained of its face.

This one didn't even have an eye in one of the sockets, it just hung there on his cheek. I'd say that was pretty gross, but in place of its eye, a fleshy muscle looking object protruded from the socket. I held back the gagging reflex I was feeling as I waited to see what it did. Hearing the ball clicker, it stumbled onto the desk, knocking itself and the fan on to the floor.

I took this opportunity to rush past it, not even bothering to close the door behind me. The adrenaline surged through me as I hit the exit stairs and rushed down the three flights. I didn't stop running till I hit the reception desk, where I took a moment to catch my breath.

The once calming entryway that had me reminiscing of a home lost in my memories, now punctured my stomach with the dread of isolation and claustrophobia. I was trapped in my suit, everypony was dead except for me... and Twilight. Twilight! I had to get back to her.

As I started to move past the desk I could feel my vision go blurry, darkness seeping in around the corners of my peripherals. I latched on to the counter to pull myself together, knocking off papers and pens. My body felt heavier and heavier as I lugged it along the counter. The entrance between the desks were further apart than anticipated.

I lunged for the other side of the counter to continue to use it as support, but my visualization of the distance was far greater than perceived. Slamming my head against the counter only intensified the shadows entering my vision. The only thing I could do was crawl into the reception's work area and slide my body underneath a desk.

For a moment, I felt safe huddled underneath the receptionist's workstation. The numbness took hold as the light fell in its battle to the shadows. Cold, warmth, soft, rough. It was as if all my senses clouded into one higher former of sensitivity.

Then, darkness.

A grassy field, a cerulean sky. The sun shining overhead. Sounds of gears scratching back and forth.

Flying. I could feel the wind blowing my mane around as I flew through the sky. I looked down at my forelegs, the suns warmth felt nice against my black fur. The happiness I felt resonated clearly within my very being. Nothing could compare to this love inside my soul.

I don't have black fur.

That thought pierced my world. I looked down at my forelegs once more, they had begun to melt. Skin sizzled and slid off like grease in a pan. I began to fall to the ground whilst screaming out in agony. The ground got closer and closer as I stretched out my forelegs to embrace the oncoming collision, but only bone was left after the skin had melted.

Boom. Right before I hit the ground, blackness once more filled my vision. I could still feel the flames burning me, the searing of my skin as it slithered off my bones.

Finally, the light returned. I opened my eyes, scanning the area of where I was. The hexagonal tiled floor told me exactly where I was. My head slammed against the desk as I tried to stand up. The soft padding inside the suits helmet really didn't do much when it came to banging into things.

I pulled myself out from underneath the desk before finally coming to my hooves. First thing I did was check to make sure I still had the energy tablet. Hell yeah I did. It was time to get my metal ass out of this hell-hole.

I'll ask Twilight if she knows what caused me to blackout, but I'll be keeping the strange dreams to myself. My walking wasn't wobbly at all, in fact my whole body felt completely normal. Status showed I was perfectly fine as far as my vitals were concerned. I'd need to ask Twilight about 'cognitive connections' for the suit when I finally met up to her face to face.

Since I felt like the life had just been poured back into my veins, why not check out some of the other areas of MANE real quick? I still hadn't found out anything about myself, maybe I worked and lived here. How else could I have woken up in a jail cell?

Both engineering and neuroscience looked interesting, but for some reason my gut was telling me to say 'fuck engineers', so neuroscience it is. Maybe they left something that explained why my brain didn't communicate with my nervous system. Fainting was pretty horrible, the feeling of numbness still sickened my stomach. At least, that seemed like a good enough excuse to check out the labs.

I walked to the doors of the lab and tried to gaze inside, but was unable to see past the frost tinted glass. I grabbed the handles of both doors and pulled them open simultaneously. Y'know that trick earlier that made me feel super smart? Well, maybe it was because I hit my head, but I sure wasn't thinking clearly before I opened the doors.

The light from the lobby shined into the doorway, only to be blocked by the first row. I could count seven, then another row behind them of eight or nine. There were more even behind them, too many to count in the short amount of time I stood there.

As soon as I heard the first growl I turned tail and ran. I looked back as I reached the reception desk to see how fast they were. They were incredibly slow, trickling out the door like sand in an hourglass. While that may have been a relief, the sheer numbers that continued to pour out was more than disconcerting. The grotesque bodies just shuffled across the floor slowly with no real direction other than towards the sounds I made when I ran away.

Could they even harm me in my suit? If I just stood quietly would they even know I was here, and what would happen if they bumped into me? The fear in my heart fought valiantly against the critical thinking of my mind.

It wasn't until I saw it. The slowest and largest of the bunch made its way through the crowd. The abomination seemed to be jacked up on steroids, twice the size of any of the others, and was missing its lower jaw. The other horrors just seemed to be an inconvenience for him, as he would just crush them if they were in his way. I don't think he even meant to do it but he was just so large, and his stride was so long that they couldn't seem to move out of his way fast enough – not that they were trying.

How had these physical nightmares not burst from the door of the labs? The door wasn't even locked, and the big guy probably could've smashed through it regardless. He could probably smash through metal doors, he was that threatening looking.

I was staring at these ghoulish ponies for only a few seconds, but it felt like ages. It didn't take long for me to snap back into reality after I realized the big guy could crush me on accident, let alone on purpose.

Running back out to the tram station, I slammed the door behind me and took off my tie. There was no deadbolt on this side, so I used the tie to keep it secure. Even if that enormous, tumor filled, bone crusher of a monster could crush the metal doors, the others probably couldn't, and this would buy me enough time for the tram to be out of volumetric range. I then hurried back onto the tram.

"START THIS SHIT! NOW"

I slammed my hooves on the console to get Twilight's attention. Her picture appeared back on the monitor.

"I didn't think you were coming back. Did you find the energy tablet?"

Pulling the chrome box off my shoulder, I waved it in front of the monitor. "Yeah I got it! Just move the damn train!"

The trams doors closed and the screeching of the rails signified its beginning movement. I let out an exasperated sigh of relief as I sat down in the conductor's chair.

"What the hell happened in there?" Her voice showed concern, but I'm sure she was more worried about the tablet's arrival than my well-being.

"Oh, you know, the usual. Got the tablet, took an accidental nap, and released a walking nightmare twice the size of myself with its posse following along. The usual."

"Oookaaay. Well, you'll be at MANE's first quarter shortly, then it's off to HOOF." The monitor blinked off after she finished talking.

It felt nice to just sit and relax, watching the tunnel lights flash by every few seconds. It was a moment of silence, I hated it and loved it. I needed to talk to somepony, but the stress was really aching my blood to where being alone just seemed so pleasant.

"Hey. You still there?"

"I'm always here." The monitor flicked back on after she said that. I guess she's always able to hear me, that's an eerie notion.

"Who do you think I am? Like, what's my name?"

"You're in a diving suit designed by TREES, I may have been director but I did not oversee every operation. Who knows who you could be?"

I just sat there trying to contemplate who I was. Remembering the dream vividly, it was so surreal. Am I a pegasus or unicorn? Maybe just an earth pony, though I don't seem very strong.

"Is… Is that all?" She questioned.

"What?"

"I'm not good at chit-chat, so, I wasn't sure if there was anything you actually wanted."

What I wanted? I want my memories. I want to not be in this soulless landscape.

"I want a name." There I go just blurting out things again without any thought.

The sounds of her stalling for time to think about an answer came briefly over the speaker system before she responded.

"Let me think up one for you, something that kind of matches. I'll have one for you once you finally reach me at HOOF."

"Alright, cool." I said nonchalantly. Actually, I really wanted one right then and there, but it's not like it mattered. It felt nice just to talk to another pony that didn't want to snap my bones.

"How did you survive, Twilight? Are you in a suit too?"

"Not exactly. It'll be easier to explain once you've arrived."

Another silence fell between us. I could tell it was going to become an ordinary issue.

"How long's the wait till I get to HOOF?"

"Forty-five minutes. You should get some rest. I don't need you passing out while you're helping me."

"Okay. Wake me up once we're almost there." I replied as I got up from the chair.

"Will do."

The screen went black again. She really doesn't seem like the type of pony that socializes. I wonder what type of personality I had before I lost my memory. Hopefully something sarcastic.

I laid down on one of the passenger benches of the front cart. Not the most comfortable of spots for trying to catch the elusive sleeping cloud, but it would have to do.

It's hard to sleep when you've got so many questions floating around in your head. It wasn't just 'Who am I?' anymore, I needed to know who I was emotionally and mentally. A name would help, but was my former self the same as I am now? Do you become a blank slate when you've lost all your sense? What if I was a pathetic, weak-willed individual? Would it clash with my brash, confident self that I feel I am now?

I couldn't even wipe away a tear that strolled down my cheek, instead I hit myself in the face, completely forgetting about the helmet.

Just… Damn it.