3453 19.07 KB 325
Heartfallen Ch. 1
By LuckybuckCreated: 2022-10-03 13:33:15
Updated: 2022-10-03 13:52:27
Expiry: Never
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Ch. 1
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>Anon sits quietly on a rock, just inside the mouth of a sizeable cave in the side of a cliff.
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>The shade is a blessing on such a warm day, and Anon finds great comfort in resting his weary feet.
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>Having traveled far from civilization, he must enjoy whatever small pleasures he can.
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>His stomach growls.
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>It's been nearly a year since he began his journey, and he ran out of rations long ago.
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>Sometimes Anon wonders if he should have stayed in Ponyville.
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>The ponies were kind.
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>They offered him a place to stay, and a few offered him jobs to help him earn money so he could start saving for his own home.
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>But it just didn't feel right.
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>They were too nice. Too innocent.
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>Anon felt guilty living amongst them.
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>Twilight Sparkle, who had tried her best to help him integrate, pleaded with him to stay, spent days attempting to convince him, insisted that he was being foolish.
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>But he had to leave.
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>He told them he wanted to see the world.
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>To explore, and adventure, on his own.
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>It was too painful to stay. Reminded every day of the life he left behind to come here.
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>He had to leave.
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>For his own sake. And theirs.
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>Eventually they conceded, but were generous enough to give him, and force him to take, some supplies.
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>Anon remembers their somber faces, gentle smiles, tinged with disappointment. Waving as he walked away.
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>His stomach growls again, and he is pulled from his thoughts back into the here and now.
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A: "Gotta find something to eat."
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>Anon stands, and looks back into the cave behind him.
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>Should be safe to leave his bag here while he hunts.
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>He hides it behind a rock, and takes up his makeshift bow.
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>A simple weapon. A bit crudely crafted, perhaps. But it's effective enough.
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>That's one thing that's certainly in his favor here.
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>Most animals are unafraid of man.
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>There are few truly active predators here, at least that he's aware of.
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>There are some dangerous monsters out there, to be sure. But nothing prolific enough for the average critter to have evolved a good and proper sense of fear, like the animals back home.
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>Anon stalks into the forest, moving slowly and quietly.
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>It isn't long before he finds a small river, meandering through the woods.
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>He can see how clear and clean the water is from a distance, but he does not approach.
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>Instead, he remains in the treeline, hiding as best he can. Sitting still. Waiting.
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>Many minutes pass.
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>The bubbling of the water and the chirping of the birds is calming.
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>Anon rests his head against the tree closest to him.
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>It’s been at least an hour. Maybe more.
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>He thinks maybe it’s time to move on, but just as he is about to leave, he hears something.
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>The rustling of leaves, the snapping of twigs.
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>Something is coming.
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>It’s moving quickly.
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>Sounds like it’s decently sized.
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>Anon pulls an arrow from his quiver.
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>He knocks the straight and sharpened stick against the bow, and readies himself.
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>Then he hears shouting.
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>Caught off guard by the sound of voices, he immediately stands.
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>At first he can’t make out what they’re saying, but it doesn’t take more than a few seconds before they get close enough that he can hear them clearly.
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?: “THERE IT IS!”
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??: “I SEE IT!”
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???: “GET IT!”
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!!!: “EEEEEEEEEEEEAAHHH!”
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>Three gruff male voices, and a girlish scream.
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>Anon hesitates.
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>It’s been a long time since he’s seen anyone other than simple animals.
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>’What the hell?’ He thinks to himself.
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>Just then a dark shape bursts out from the treeline only a few dozen yards away from him, heading towards the river.
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>Following close behind, a trio of gray colored monsters chase the shape.
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>Anon can tell by their hunched postures and snaggle-tooth maws what they are. Even from here it’s obvious.
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>Diamond Dogs.
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>Mean and brutish creatures. Intelligent enough to speak, but rather simpleminded.
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>Smart enough to be dangerous, though.
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>Anon tries his best to see what the shape is, but he can’t quite make it out from here.
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>It sort of looks like a pony, but why would a pony be all the way out here?
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>Whatever it is screams, a high pitched squeal of fear, as the three Diamond Dogs catch up to it at the water’s edge.
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>They surround it, and anon fill his heart beat faster.
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>His adrenaline kicks in, and he acts without even thinking.
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>The twang of the bowstring sounds out and an arrow whistles through the air, striking one of the Diamond Dogs square in the neck.
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>It squeals in pain, clutches at the wound, and stumbles over.
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??: “What the!?”
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>Another arrow flies right past the second Dog’s face, missing by only a few inches, and a third strikes the ground near its feet.
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“It lead us into a trap! Run!”
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>The two remaining Diamond Dogs almost immediately turn tail and flee into the woods, howling in fear as they run.
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>They leave their fallen comrade laying in the dirt, kicking as his life drains away.
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>The black shape cowers in a ball, covering its head with its front legs.
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>Anon stands there for a moment, unsure of what to do.
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>Why’d he do that?
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>’Damnit.’ He thinks to himself. ‘This is bad.’
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>He walks slowly out from the treeline, bow in hand, arrow knocked.
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>As he approaches the shape and the injured Diamond Dog, he calls out,
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A: “Hey! Are you alright?”
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>The shape continues to shiver.
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>The Diamond Dog lies still.
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>Now that he’s closer Anon can see that this creature is no pony.
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>It’s body is black and there are holes in its chitinous legs.
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>A jagged horn juts from its head, and green insect-like wings lay folded against its back.
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A: “Shit”.
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>Anon curses aloud.
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>A changeling.
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>’Should I just leave it here?’ He ponders.
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>Looking around somewhat nervously, he can see that all has grown quiet again.
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>Other than the sounds of the river, all he can hear is the soft sobbing of the changeling.
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>’I’m going to regret this.’
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A: “Are you okay?”
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>Anon moves closer, lowering his bow, and returning his arrow to its quiver.
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!!!: “Stay away!”
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>The changeling shouts at him. Anon is surprised, but he thinks he recognizes that voice.
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>It can’t be, can it?
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“It’s alright, I’m not going to hurt you.”
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>He tries to sound as calm and reassuring as possible.
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!!!: “Y-you’re not?”
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A: “No. No, I promise.”
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!!!: “Are those *beasts* gone?”
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>The changeling remains huddled on the ground, covering her head.
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A: “One is dead. The others ran away.”
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!!!: “D-dead?”
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>She raises her head and looks about.
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>Anon’s suspicions are confirmed.
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>This isn’t just any changeling. It’s the self proclaimed Queen of the Changelings.
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>Chrysalis.
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C: “You killed it?”
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>She looks up at Anon with a worried expression.
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A: “I had to.”
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>He says, more to himself than to her.
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A: “You saved me.”
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>Her voice calms down a bit, and her expression changes. She looks relieved, but confused.
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C: “Why did you save me?”
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A: “I don’t know. I heard you scream and I had to do something.”
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>Anon looks away from Chrysalis, and curses his luck. Chrysalis sees something in his pained expression that calms her nerves, and she stands.
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C: “Well… I… Thank you, I suppose.”
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>She tilts her head and looks at him quizzically, wondering what sort of creature Anon is.
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>She’s never seen a human before.
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>And Anon has never actually seen a Changeling before. Not in person.
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>Looking her over, her face is very much like a pony’s. Well, not like a real pony’s. It doesn’t resemble any horse or pony from back home at all. But it looks a lot like one of the magical talking ponies that live in this world.
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>He’s somewhat surprised by her appearance. Somehow it’s not what he expected her to look like.
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>Not that he know exactly what he expected in the first place.
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>He notices that he’s been staring at her for too long, and he looks up to the sky.
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A: “You’re welcome.”
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>Anon is struck with the realization that the direction that Diamond Dogs fled is the same direction as the cave he was resting in earlier.
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>His mind races, and he worries that the cave might be an entrance to their abode.
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>If it is, his pack might be found, and even if it isn’t, it might be too dangerous to get it back.
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>Especially since they’ll probably be on guard, having lost one of their own.
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>Without saying another word he turns away from Chrysalis and begins walking towards the cave.
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>It might be stupid, but he has to get that pack.
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>He needs it.
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C: “W-wait! Where are you going?”
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>Chrysalis calls out to him.
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C: ”You can’t go that way!”
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A: “I have to.”
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>Anon keeps walking. Chrysalis hesitates for a moment, then chases after him.
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C: “What are you doing? Those vicious *dogs* live this way!”
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A: “Figures.”
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>Anon is not thinking clearly. All he is concerned with is his pack.
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>It has the gifts given to him by the kindest individuals he ever met. And it has quite a few things he needs to survive out here.
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C: “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
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>Chrysalis’s voice cracks, and she stops.
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>Anon stops as well, surprised by the sincerity in her voice.
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>He looks back at her, and sees that her eyes are full of confusion and fear.
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>The sight disarms him, and clears away some of the mental fog clouding his thoughts.
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A: “I have to get my bag. I left it just inside a cave a little up this way.”
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C: “A-a bag? Are you stupid!?”
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>Chrysalis’s expression turns from confusion and fear to confusion and anger.
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A: “I need it. It’s got all my stuff in it.”
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C: “But they’ll kill you if they see you! There’s a whole pack of them in those caves!”
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A: “I’ll die soon enough anyway without my pack.”
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>Anon’s voice and expression are serious, and oddly calm.
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>Chrysalis is clearly taken aback by his attitude, and silently stares at him in disbelief.
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>After a few moments of awkward silence, Anon turns back and begins walking again.
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C: “Please. Just… Wait a second.”
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>Chrysalis’s voice is calmer now, but full of worry.
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>Anon stops.
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C: “I’ve never… Nobody has ever… Who are you?”
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A: “I’m uh, my name is Anon.”
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C: “*What* are you?”
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A: “I’m a human.”
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C: “A what?”
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>Anon looks at Chrysalis with a solemn expression. What should he say? He needs to hurry and get his bag before those Diamond Dogs find it.
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A: “Sorry, I have to go.”
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C: “No! Please don’t leave me here!”
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>Chrysalis pleads, and moves closer to Anon.
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C: “I don’t have any magic left. If one of those *monsters* finds me, I…”
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>Tears well up in her eyes.
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>Anon never expected to see Chrysalis like this.
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>Hell, he never expected to see her at all.
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>He sighs.
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A: “Come on.”
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C: “What?”
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A: “Come on. Follow me.”
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C: “I’m not going any closer to those things!”
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A: “Then stay here.”
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>He starts to walk away again.
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C: “No! Hold on!”
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>He doesn’t stop. He keeps walking without turning back, and Chrysalis hurries to catch up to him.
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>She follows close behind as he walks, keeping pace with him as he makes his way deliberately through the forest.
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>Her footsteps are almost silent, even this close to him.
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>It doesn’t take very long for the pair to reach the cave entrance.
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>Anon stops at the edge of the trees, and observes the entrance.
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>Chrysalis nudges his arm with her hoof, and whispers,
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C: “I don’t think this is one of their caves. I don’t recognize it.”
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A: “Good. Still better be careful.”
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>He stands, and motions for Chrysalis to stay put.
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>She nods, and he slowly creeps up to the cave.
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>Silence.
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>’Thank god.’ Anon thinks to himself as he finds his pack, exactly where he left it,
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>Checking it over, he sees that it is unmolested, and puts it on, then makes his way quietly back to Chrysalis.
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A: “Alright, let’s get out of here.”
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>She nods in agreement, and they slink back into the woods.
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>Roughly an hour later the two have made it a good distance away from the territory of the Diamond Dogs, and crossed the river at a shallow point.
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>They walked in silence, cautiously, but with haste.
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>Now, believing that they’re far enough away, and having not heard any signs of their enemies giving chase, Anon stops and sits down on the dirt.
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A: “Let’s rest here a moment.”
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>Chrysalis sighs and lays down where she stands, clearly exhausted.
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>Seeing her like that, Anon sympathizes. She must have been through a lot.
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>Even if she is a villain, it’s not like she’s done anything bad to him.
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>He doesn’t know her at all.
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>Her eyes are closed, and if it weren’t for the labored breathing and dishevled mane, she might appear pretty.
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>’Wait, what am I thinking?’ Anon kicks himself in his mind. He’s been out here alone for too long.
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A: “You okay?”
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>He asks.
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C: “Yes.”
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>Chrysalis opens her eyes, and looks at him with an odd expression that he can’t quite understand. It looks almost sad, but there’s something else there.
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>Rather than dwell on it, he rummages through his pack, trying to distract himself.
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>Then his stomach growls.
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>He’d forgotten that he hadn’t eaten yet today.
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A: “Damn.”
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>He pulls a small green book from his pack and opens it.
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>’Forager’s Guide ; Edible Plants & Fungi’
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>This little book has saved him on multiple occasions. It’s one of the most valuable possessions he has.
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>By this point he knows quite a few plants he can eat by appearance alone, but he still likes to consult the book to be safe.
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>Chrysalis stares at him as he reads.
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A: “I’ll be right back.”
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>He takes the book with him, but leaves his pack with Chrysalis.
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>Maybe he shouldn’t trust this evil changeling he just met, but he really doesn’t expect her to do anything at this point.
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>She looks damn near helpless.
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>After a few minutes he finds what he’s looking for.
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>Wild blueberries.
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>’That’s another great thing about this place.’ He thinks. ‘It never takes me long to find some fruit.”
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>He takes off his shirt and uses it to carry more than a few handfuls of them.
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>On the way back to Chrysalis he notices some chanterelles and oyster mushrooms growing in the underbrush.
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>He picks as many as he can carry in his shirt, and walks proudly back to where he left his pack and new companion, popping a few blueberries in his mouth along the way.
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>When he gets back, he sees his pack sitting right where he left it.
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>But Chrysalis is gone.
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>He looks around, worried, but then sighs and relaxes.
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>Why does he feel so disappointed? What did he expect?
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>’More for me I guess.’ He thinks to himself.
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>But as he sits down next to his pack he can’t help but feel incredibly lonely.
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C: “Oh, you’re back.”
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>Anon looks up with a start.
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>Chrysalis stands a few yards away from him, levitating a cloth sack beside her, a bit of green magic shimmering around it.
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>One of his sacks, from his bag.
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>He’s so surprised to see her that he doesn’t even think about the fact that she must have plundered through his things.
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A: “Hey, I found some berries and mushrooms. Should probably cook the shrooms first, though.”
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>Without speaking she gently places the sack in front of him, and it opens to reveal a few dozen large, spiky chestnuts.
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A: “Oh wow, that’s awesome!”
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>Anon excitedly looks into the bag and gently lifts one of the spiky morsels.
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A: “I love these things.”
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>Pulling a small knife from his pocket he pries it open and discards the spiky husk.
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>Chrysalis watches him, silently but intently observing his movements.
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A: “Help yourself to some berries.”
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C: “I can’t eat them.”
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>She speaks flatly, staring at Anon.
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A: “Huh?”
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C: “I don’t eat that kind of food.”
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A: “Oh, uh, let me make a fire real quick and I’ll make you some of these chestnuts.”
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C: “I don’t eat those either.”
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>Oh. OH.
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>Anon had forgotten that she’s a changeling. They don’t eat normal food.
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>They feed on love.
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>’Crap. What am I gonna do?’ He thinks to himself. ‘Wait, that means she got these just for me?’
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>He looks at Chrysalis with a curious look, and sees that she’s staring at him hungrily.
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>Her gaze is intense, but she remains standing still.
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>She does not blink, and Anon begins to feel slightly uncomfortable.
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A: “Are you…”
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C: “I never introduced myself.”
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>She continues to stare, unwavering. She stands as tall and proud as she is able. Sitting down like this she’s a little taller than Anon while he’s sitting.
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>He reflexively, unconsciously, grips his knife.
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C: “I am Queen Chrysalis. Rightful ruler of the Changelings.”
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>She speaks loudly, with regal authority.
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>Then she relaxes, and summarily collapses in front of Anon.
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C: “Or at least I was…”
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>These whispered words bear a weight Anon can barely comprehend, but her sorrow is palpable.
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>He relaxes his grip on his knife.
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>She begins to sob.
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>Anon, not knowing what to do, merely stares for a moment.
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>Then he drops his knife and the sack of chestnuts.
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>Seeing a woman cry like this is just about more than he can bear.
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>Even a ‘woman’ that’s actually a strange bug-like magic pony creature.
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>It’s been so long since he’s talked to anyone.
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>And far longer since he’s been in any situation with someone displaying such emotions.
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>’Should I?’ He asks himself. ‘No… But she…’
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>Anon reaches out his hand, and places it gently on her hoof.
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>She looks up, and into his eyes, tears making their way down her face.
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A: “I’m sorry.”
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>Not knowing what else to say, he lightly squeezes her hoof.
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C: “You’re…?”
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>She wipes the tears from her eyes with her other hoof.
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C: “What are you sorry for? You saved me…”
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>Her voice quavers and cracks as she speaks.
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C: “I’m a wretched monster and you saved me.”
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>Suddenly her voice is tinged with anger, and she gets louder.
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C: “Why? Why did you save me? Why!?”
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>She’s staring straight into Anon’s eyes. He feels like her gaze is piercing into his soul.
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>He can’t think of anything to say.
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>But something blurts out anyway.
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A: “You have beautiful eyes.”
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>Her expression instantly changes. She stares at Anon in shock, mouth hanging slightly open.
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>’Fuck, why did I say that?’ Anon curses at himself.
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>All is quiet. Anon is keenly aware of the chirping of the birds, and the blowing of the wind.
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>Each moment that passes is like a razor blade scraping upon his psyche.
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>But he cannot look away from her eyes.
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>And she stares back into his.
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>Inside his mind sirens blare, screaming at him to run. That he’s in grave danger. That he needs to stop this before it’s too late.
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>But it’s already too late.
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>She’s moving closer.
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>Closer.
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>She stops. Inches from his face.
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>A wicked smile spreads across her own.
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C: “You are a strange creature, human.”
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>Her voice is little more than a whisper.
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C: “I can feel it. Inside you.”
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>Anon’s heart beats faster. His mouth starts to move, but she places a hoof to his lips to stop him.
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C: “Love.”
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>She breathes out the word with emphasis.
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>Anon stands straight up, startled like something bit him.
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>His breathing is heavy, and he stares down at Chrysalis, wide-eyed and confused.
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>’What have I done?’
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>She stares back up at him with eyes full of longing. Hey eyelashes flutter, and she slowly leans over on her side, exposing her stomach.
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>She never breaks her stare.
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C: “Do you want to love me, Anon?”
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Luckybuck
by Luckybuck
by Luckybuck
by Luckybuck
by Luckybuck