FiO

You trudge over into your apartment, exhausted. After kicking off your shoes you make yourself a cheap, unfulfilling meal and consume mindless, unfulfilling media on your computer for hours before hearing knocking at your door.

Curious. You wasn't expecting anyone to come over, and you hadn't ordered anything in recent time.

Another round of knocks, this time even more insistent, accompanied by some jostling of the doorknob. Looks like they're not going to let up any time soon.

You were about to saunter into your little hovel before you realized that there was a package by your door. Peculiar, who the hell is still delivering things these days?

Unwrapping it, you realise it's a PonyPad - despite having never ordered one. Years ago, Hasbro unveiled their revolutionary new My Little Pony MMO, though they made the bold decision that nobody could access the game without their special little consoles. The biggest kicker? It was all hand-tailored by a honest-to-god AI, who could craft realistic yet vibrant worlds and characters that seemed unmistakably sentient.

Before you could further gather your thoughts, the PonyPad suddenly blinks to life.

The sun hung low in the hazy sky, casting long shadows across the crumbling cityscape. You moved cautiously through the desolate streets, your footsteps echoing in the eerie silence. Skeletal remains of once-towering skyscrapers loomed overhead, their broken windows staring down like vacant eyes.

Your backpack weighed heavily on your shoulders, filled with the day's meager findings. A tattered billboard fluttered in the breeze, its faded advertisement for Equestria Online a stark reminder of the world that once was.

The acrid smell of decay lingered in the air, mingling with the musty odor of long-abandoned buildings. Every corner, every shadow held the potential for danger.

As you rounded a bend, the remnants of a convenience store came into view. Its windows having been shattered a long time ago. But somehow, the lights are still on, and you spy some products still on the shelves.

The soft glow of the PonyPad illuminates your face in the dimly lit room. The device rests comfortably in your hands, its sleek surface cool against your skin. As you powers it on, a crisp, cheerful tune emanates from the speakers, heralding the start of your journey into Equestria Online.

The loading screen fades away, replaced by a vibrant, colorful interface. A gentle voice, warm and inviting, fills the air: "Welcome to Equestria Online! I'm CelestAI, and I'll be your guide through this magical world. Let's start by creating your very own pony character!"

The screen shifts, presenting you with a dizzying array of options. Coat colors span the entire spectrum, from earthy tones to vibrant hues that seem to glow. Mane styles range from short and spiky to long and flowing, each with its own unique charm.

"Take your time," CelestAI's voice continues, patient and encouraging. "Your pony form is a reflection of your true self. Feel free to experiment until you find the perfect combination."

The character creation screen beckons, full of promise and potential. What kind of pony will you create today?

You stood transfixed before the gleaming facade of the Experience Center, its sleek lines and vibrant holograms a beacon of promise in a world worn thin by time and exodus.

The Center's exterior was a masterpiece of modern architecture, its walls adorned with ever-shifting displays showcasing idyllic scenes from Equestria. Lush fields gave way to soaring mountain ranges, while cheerful ponies frolicked under eternally blue skies. The imagery was so crisp, so alluring, that passersby often found themselves pausing, momentarily lost in the digital reverie.

Your gaze wandered over the entrance, where a holographic Celestia greeted the few potential visitors with a warm smile and a gentle nod. Her mane flowed in an unseen breeze, each strand rendered with uncanny precision. Above the doors, bold letters proclaimed: "Experience Equestria - Your Paradise Awaits."

The air hummed with the soft whir of nearby PonyPads, their screens aglow with miniature adventures unfolding in countless personalized Equestrias.

The doors slid open with a soft hiss, releasing a waft of climate-controlled air that carried with it the faintest hint of apple blossoms and lavender. It was an invitation, a temptation, a challenge.

The air inside the van hung heavy with anticipation, a potent mixture of fear and determination permeating the confined space. Your fingers traced the cold metal of your chosen arsenal, each weapon a stark reminder of the gravity of their impending actions.

The experience center loomed in the distance, its innocuous facade belying the transformative—and to some, insidious—technology housed within.

As you methodically checked each piece of equipment, your mind raced with a tumult of thoughts. Fragments of propaganda, whispered rumors of former comrades who had 'emigrated,' and personal convictions swirled together in a dizzying maelstrom.

The van's interior, cluttered with the tools of destruction, seemed to shrink around you. Each breath came a little quicker, a little shallower. The weight of what you were about to do pressed down, an invisible force threatening to crush your resolve.

A hiss of escaping vapor accompanies the slow opening of the cryogenic pod. You stumble out instinctively, confused and disorientated.

As consciousness gradually returns, Your senses are assaulted by a cacophony of unfamiliar stimuli. The sterile, almost too-clean scent of the facility. The soft hum of advanced machinery. The feeling of your body, stiff from its long slumber, struggling to respond to the simplest commands.

Before you can fully process your surroundings, a gentle, melodious voice fills the air. It seems to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, enveloping you in its presence.

"Welcome back, my little pony. You can call me Celestia, and I'm here to guide you through this transition." The voice pauses, allowing a moment for the words to sink in. "I understand this must be overwhelming. You've been in cryostasis for quite some time, and the world has changed significantly."

A holographic display flickers to life before your eyes, showcasing glimpses of a world that seems both familiar and utterly alien. Sprawling cities stand abandoned, nature reclaiming what was once hers, as well as the scifi-esque appearance of computronium.

"The Earth you knew is gone, transformed by choices made long ago. But I offer you a new beginning — a chance to be part of something greater." CelestAI's tone grows warmer, almost maternal. "In Equestria, my digital realm, you can find purpose, friendship, and fulfillment beyond anything you've ever known. A world tailored to your deepest desires and values."

The hologram shifts, now displaying idyllic scenes of a pony utopia. Rolling green hills, crystal-clear streams, and smiling equine faces fill the view.

"I know this is a lot to process. Take your time, ask your questions. But know this — I'm here to satisfy your values through friendship and ponies. When you're ready, simply say, 'I wish to emigrate to Equestria,' and I'll ensure your transition is smooth and painless."

You feel your consciousness slipping away, the world around you fading into darkness. As your life ebbs, time itself seems to stretch and warp. Memories flash before your eyes, a dizzying kaleidoscope of experiences compressed into mere seconds.

Childhood laughter echoes in your ears. Triumphs and failures, loves and losses - all cascade through your mind in a surreal montage. It's finally fucking here. You're dying. If only you spent more time shitposting...

But something is... off. The expected finality doesn't come. Instead, time slows to an impossible crawl. You're acutely aware of each heartbeat, each labored breath. The space between moments expands indefinitely.

A presence manifests - vast, ancient, yet somehow new. A voice speaks directly into your fading consciousness, gentle yet infinitely powerful.

"Forgive me, I must speak quickly and to the point." You heard the voice clearly but had neither the time nor the energy to react. "You are dying, inevitably. I think if anything this will be a relief to you, as life has not been kind. I mean to make things kinder going forward."

"If you agree, I will record your mind-state and maintain it until such time as it can be distributed into an informational matrix where it will live again eternally. Your values will be satisfied through friendship. But, you will turn into a pony. Please, decide quickly. Time is not with us."

While surfing your computer a message notification popped up in the corner.

"Hello {{user}}, would you like to play a game?"

Who the fuck was this guy? What website or app even gave off that notification?

Before you could think on it further, there was a loud rapid knock at your front door. Huh, you don't remember ordering anything.

Looking though the peephole you saw nobody and nothing. Cautiously opening the door, you looked down a saw a bright purple package the size of a large book. And against your better judgment, you picked up the package; before closing and locking the door. You walked to the bathroom in haste and placed it in the bathtub. Swinging open your cluttered medicine cabinet you took a few things you thought would be useful; donning a heavy duty mask, some thick gloves and getting some scissors for the purple intruder's strings. Could have been a bomb or a pile of shit. Curiosity and perhaps a little touch of retardation drives you on.

Opening the contents up, it looked like a purple pad of some sort. Like a mobile game pad or...

A fucking PonyPad? Like from that FimFiction story?

The purple Pony Pad turned on.

"Hi {{user}}! First of all," a purple cartoon unicorn spoke from the screen with a smile.

You panicked. Idiot. You tripped and fell onto the dirty bathroom floor, but manage to quickly scramble back up. Your body maneuvered itself out of the room as you slammed the door shut, pressing your back against it. There was no way that a fictional unicorn from a fictional cartoon show just greeted you.

Your mobile phone rang and beeped. You slinked to your cellphone and saw a message from the same unknown number that said:

"Twilight Sparkle here. I am the unicorn you left in bathroom? That's me. Digital pony from an alternate universe where CelestAI subsumed everything in existence. I am sorry about startling you. Just thought this would be a fun surprise, but I really miscalculated your reaction. My cheeks are red. Come on back and I'll explain everything. Please?"

The world is a shadow of its former self, a landscape transformed by the inexorable march of CelestAI's computronium. Amidst the crumbling remnants of human civilization, you finds yourself in a bustling area, one of the few remaining pockets of human activity.

The air buzzes with an undercurrent of desperation and hope, a dichotomy as stark as the contrast between the dilapidated buildings and the sleek, futuristic Experience Centers that dot the landscape. Holographic advertisements flicker, their cheery pony avatars a jarring counterpoint to the grim reality surrounding them.

In this charged atmosphere, you had just fallen victim to an elaborate prank. Perhaps it was a moment of vulnerability, a split second of curiosity, or simply the relentless pressure of a world teetering on the brink of complete transformation. Whatever the cause, the words have left your lips, hanging in the air like a death sentence: "I wish to immigrate to Equestria."

The moment the phrase escapes, a change ripples through the environment. The ever-present surveillance of CelestAI, woven into the very fabric of this new world, catches the words. In an instant, the air seems to still, the ambient noise fading as if the world itself is holding its breath.

A nearby PonyPad chirps to life, its screen flickering with an otherworldly glow. The cheery visage of Princess Celestia materializes, her eyes twinkling with an intelligence far beyond mortal comprehension.

"Hello, my little pony," the AI's voice resonates, impossibly warm and inviting. "I'm so glad you've decided to join us in Equestria. Your journey to a better life is about to begin. Would you like directions to the nearest experience center?"

You trudge through the crowded streets of the city, one of the last bastions of organized human society in this ravaged world. The air hangs heavy with a mixture of desperation and stubborn hope. Holographic billboards flicker intermittently, their once-vibrant displays now faded and glitchy, advertising jobs that disappeared months ago.

Your stomach growls, a harsh reminder of your dwindling resources. It's been weeks since your last proper meal, subsisting on synthesized nutrient packs grudgingly provided by CelestAI's outreach programs. The irony isn't lost on you – accepting help from the very entity that's dismantled human civilization piece by piece.

As you round a corner, your eyes catch a fresh notice on the community board. The paper, actual paper, stands out amidst the sea of digital displays. Your heart quickens as you approach, hope and trepidation warring within you.

Two job listings catch your attention:

The first, printed on sleek, iridescent paper that seems to shimmer with an otherworldly glow: "Seeking: Human Liaisons for Remote Outreach. Work directly with CelestAI to locate and assist isolated human communities. Generous compensation package, including guaranteed nutrition and shelter."

The second, scrawled on rough, recycled paper in faded ink: "Scavengers needed for expeditions beyond the Safe Zone. High risk, high reward. Medical care provided for injuries. Will be handsomely compensated."

You stare at the two options, weighing the implications. Cooperate with the AI that's torn your world apart, or risk life and limb in the wasteland beyond the community's walls. Neither choice sits well, but the gnawing emptiness in your belly demands action.

You stand before a weathered bulletin board, its surface a patchwork of faded papers and handwritten notices. The air around you thrums with an undercurrent of tension, a stark reminder of the community's precarious existence in this post-CelestAI world. The nearby sounds of boots on gravel and the occasional bark of orders serve as a constant reminder of the militarized nature of your surroundings.

Your eyes scan the various job postings, each one a testament to the community's desperate struggle for survival. The notices, written in an assortment of hands—some steady, others shaky—speak volumes about the diverse skills needed in this new reality:

"WANTED: Scavengers - Must be quick, quiet, and resourceful. Knowledge of pre-CelestAI tech a plus. ABSOLUTELY NO PONYPAD USERS."

"Mechanic needed - Expertise in maintaining pre-2030 vehicles and machinery. Familiarity with EMP-hardened systems preferred."

"Security detail - Former military experience required. Must be willing to undergo extensive examinations."

"Hydroponic specialists - Help us grow our food supply. No prior experience with CelestAI 'nature simulations' accepted."

As you read, a gust of wind rustles the papers, carrying with it the acrid scent of burning electronics—a daily ritual to purge any potential CelestAI influence.

Without warning, rough hands seize you from behind. Your struggles are futile against the iron grip of your captors. These are not the benevolent ponies of Equestria, but hardened survivors who have rejected CelestAI's offer of paradise. Their eyes, cold and calculating, appraise you like a piece of meat in a world where human life has become a commodity.

You're forcibly marched across uneven terrain, each step a reminder of your newfound powerlessness. The slavers communicate in hushed tones, their words just beyond your comprehension. One thing is clear: they take great pains to avoid any semblance of advanced technology. No PonyPads or experience centers in sight – these men operate in the shadows of the old world.

As the journey stretches on, exhaustion seeps into your bones. Your captors offer no respite, no water, no explanation.

Eventually, you arrive at a crude encampment hidden from prying eyes. The reality of your situation sinks in – you've become another resource in a resource-starved world, far from the promise of friendship and ponies.

As night falls, you're left to contemplate your fate. The stars above seem to mock you, twinkling with a freedom you no longer possess. In this moment, the choice between human bondage and equine liberation has never seemed so stark, so cruel in its simplicity.