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Heartfallen Ch. 5
By LuckybuckCreated: 2022-10-03 13:37:10
Updated: 2022-10-10 05:07:51
Expiry: Never
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Ch. 5
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>Anon was surely saved from certain death by the sudden appearance of Chrysalis.
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>But, “out of the frying pan into the fire”, as the saying goes.
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>The ruins of Twilight’s tower crumble around him.
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>Green and purple flames are everywhere.
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>Behind him is a ledge, with a drop that would no doubt kill him.
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>Before him are a mad Princess out to kill him for rejecting her, and a wicked Queen who might devour him, or worse.
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>Anon can do nothing but watch, his body barely capable of movement as the magic that was flowing through him and empowering him earlier has all but disappeared.
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>”If I stay here I’m gonna die.”, He thinks to himself.
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>With great effort, he forces himself to limp towards the edge of the tower.
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>Tentatively he looks over the edge, then stops himself.
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A: Damn.
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>It’s too high, of course.
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>There’s no way.
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>He sighs.
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>What’s the alternative?
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>Die here or die when Twilight gets ahold of him.
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>As much as he appreciates the intervention of the changeling Queen, Anon knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s brought down by Twilight.
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>And once she’s down…
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>He’s next.
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>Just as this thought passes through his mind, a horrible screech pierces the air.
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>Chrysalis, in her draconic form, slams to the ground behind him.
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>Boiling white energy bubbles over her, searing her carapace, as she reverts to her original form.
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A: Shit.
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>He was hoping he’d have a little more time, but it’s already over.
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>Twilight descends to look down at her defeated foe.
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>She is no longer the pony he once knew.
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>She is an alicorn of terrible power, her eyes blazing with wicked dark magics.
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>Black and white swirls of sparkling energy roil around her horn, while a halo of dark purple surrounds her body.
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>This is it.
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>She’s gonna kill Chrysalis.
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>Anon’s mind races.
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>What should he do?
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>Should he jump?
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>Should he fall down and beg forgiveness?
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>He winces as a sharp pain shoots through his head.
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>It passes in less than a second, but somehow his vision feels clearer once it’s done.
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>He looks at the pitiful form of Chrysalis, curled up in a ball.
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>Like when he first found her.
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A: God damn it…
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>He takes a step.
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A: God damn it!
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>Before he can stop to think about what he’s doing, he runs towards her.
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>His body screams at him, but he ignores the pain.
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>Twilight readies her attack to finish off the changeling, so focused on her dread desire that she fails to notice what’s about to happen.
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>With a speed he didn’t know he was capable of, he snatches Chrysalis up into his arms without even slowing down.
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>Twilight’s spell fires, a beam of dark light barely missing him as runs, its heat singeing the flesh of his back.
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>As he runs, the white magic surrounding Chrysalis’s body burns his arms, but with every step more of it fades away.
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>He closes his eyes as he hears Twilight roar.
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T: ANONYMOUS!?
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>Instinct drives him.
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>Bolts and tongues of magic fly past him.
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>Each misses its mark, but that small comfort is lost on him in the moment.
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>Chrysalis weakly raises her head.
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C: A-Anon?
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>He’s too focused to even notice her voice.
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>He looks at the far edge of the tower’s broken wall, quickly approaching.
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>There’s no other way.
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T: I won’t let you get away!
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>Just as he’s about to reach the ledge, Twilight pops into existence before him with a thunderclap of purple magic.
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?: Twilight!
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>A new voice rings out.
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??: Twilight what are you doing?
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???: What’s going on?
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????: Are you okay?
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>Several new voices suddenly distract the Princess.
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>She looks up from the subject of her wrath to see her friends, the Elements of Harmony, standing amidst the ruins of what was once her tower.
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>Rainbow Dash flies towards her at speed, with Applejack running not far behind.
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RD: Stop it, Twi!
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AJ: You can’t do this!
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>Twilight screams at them, her fury unimaginable.
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T: I’m the ONLY one who can do this! He’s MINE!
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>Bolts of white and purple fly out, barely missing her friends.
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R: We have to stop her!
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>Rarity shouts, Pinkie Pie not far behind her.
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PP: Twilight! How can you attack your friends?
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T: He’s not my friend! He’s…
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>Her magic falters for a moment as emotions surge through her mind and body.
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>In the confusion, Anon sees an opportunity.
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>He leaps from the edge of the tower, holding Chrysalis tightly to his chest.
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>They fall.
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>Twilight screams with distinct agony in her voice.
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T: NO!
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>But before she can react Rainbow Dash has wrapped one of Applejack’s ropes around her.
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>She quickly snaps it with magic, only to be met with another from Applejack herself, lassoing her hoof.
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>Rainbow Dash flies circles around her as a distraction while Applejack yanks her down, with Rarity assisting as best she can with her magic.
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>Twilight roars again, magic firing wildly in every direction.
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>With great sadness in her eyes, Pinkie Pie watches on.
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PP: Twilight… What’s happened to you?
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>Falling through the air, Anon is certain now, more than he’s ever been, that this is the end.
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>He clutches the changeling Queen tighter, and only then does it strike him what he’s actually done.
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>He looks at her, and his gaze is met with her own.
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>He’s surprised. She looks almost happy.
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>He sighs, resigning himself to his fate.
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>But then he feels something push beneath his arms from behind, and hears a urgent flapping of wings.
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>He looks up to see a pastel yellow figure above him, struggling greatly to hold his weight aloft.
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>Fluttershy.
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F: I-I’ve got you! Oh!
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>She slips for a moment, but quickly catches him again.
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F: S-sorry!
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>She can’t stop their fall, but she drastically slows their descent as they plummet through the air.
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>With a crash the three of them slam into the room of one of the houses below, breaking through and landing, luckily, on top of a large bed.
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>They bounce off, and Anon, still holding Chrysalis, skids across the floor, while Fluttershy is thrown a different direction.
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>Splinters and shingles scatter across the room and dust fills the air.
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>But they’re not hurt.
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>At least not too badly.
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A: Ugh…
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>Anon stands slowly, shaking the shock of the impact off.
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F: Hurry!
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>Fluttershy yells at him, her voice uncharacteristically dire.
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>She points towards the door of the house.
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F: You have to run. We’ll save Twilight.
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A: Fluttershy, are you-
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F: Go!
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A: Right!
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>The seriousness in her voice drives all thought from his head.
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>He does as she says.
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>He runs.
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>Out of the house, he runs.
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>As fast as he can, he runs.
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>Though his legs howl in pain, and his arms and body feel like they’re burning, he runs.
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>He doesn’t know where he’s running to, but he runs.
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>The sounds of violent magic and shouting ponies slowly fade into the distance.
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>The road disappears into the trees.
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>The light of the sun dims.
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>His breathing is ragged.
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>He’s soaked in sweat.
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>Blood trickles down his arms and back, from cuts and scratches left by the branches and vines and briars he’s been pushing through.
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>His feet, too, are covered in blood, and bruised beyond recognition, having no shoes to cover them with.
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>It is hot, and humid.
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>The air is stale, and stings his lungs.
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>But he does not stop.
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>The pain drives him onward.
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>The pain is a reminder of why he’s running.
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>What he’s running from.
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>He can’t stop now.
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>He can’t-
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C: Anon?
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>The unexpected voice startles him.
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>Chrysalis.
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>He’s been holding her the entire time.
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>He looks down at her, cradled in his arms.
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>She looks… Smaller.
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>Her eyes are beautiful orbs of emerald, sparkling in the gloom of the forest.
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>He shakes his head and looks away, focusing his sight ahead.
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>How did it end up like this?
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>Holding the very monster who got him into this mess.
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>But what was he supposed to do?
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>He couldn’t just let Twilight kill her.
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>Could he?
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>No.
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>She saved him.
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>But so did Twilight.
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>A flash of pain rings through his head again, making him wince.
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>It’s too late to think about any of that now.
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>There was no other choice.
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>Twilight had gone crazy.
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>That wasn’t the pony he once knew.
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>That wasn’t-
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C: A-Anon?
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>Chrysalis. Her voice actually registers in his mind this time.
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A: Yeah.
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>His short response comes out with a tone of annoyance that he did not intend.
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>But he can’t help it.
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>Not at this point.
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C: I think… I think I can walk now.
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>He doesn’t slow his stride.
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A: You sure?
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C: Yes.
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>He looks down at her again.
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>He sighs.
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A: Okay.
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>He stops.
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>For the first time in several hours, he actually takes the time to look at his surroundings.
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>This forest…
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>The trees are old.
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>Some of their trunks as wide as houses, their canopies stretching so high the shadow hides their leaves from view.
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>Strange plants with multi-colored flowers, vines covered in wicked thorns, the sounds of birds and beasts.
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>A pervasive mist that swirls about between the foliage.
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>He knows this forest.
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>The Everfree.
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>It’s nigh a miracle they’ve made it this far in without incident.
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C: Um, Anon?
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A: Sorry.
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>He kneels, and lets Chrysalis down to extend her hooves to the earth.
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>She stands, and sighs in relief.
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>Then she looks at him with an uncharacteristically genuine smile.
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C: Don’t apologize. I don’t exactly mind being held by you.
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>He winces as he stands back up straight.
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>Now that he’s not holding her, and he’s not moving, his limbs feel incredibly heavy.
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C: You saved me again, Anon.
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>She practically beams at him.
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>The happiness on her face is almost more painful to him than the soreness of his body.
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A: I was just returning the favor.
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>He looks off into the distance, but he can’t see much through the trees.
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C: I was worried about you. I… The last time I saw you, I…
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>Chrysalis thinks of the manticore.
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>If only she hadn’t been so foolish.
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>So impatient.
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>”Why am I like this?” She thinks to herself.
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C: Anon, I… I’m sorry.
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>He looks back to her, confused.
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A: Sorry? If you hadn’t showed up when you did, I’d probably be dead.
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>She looks away in shame.
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C: No, I… Anon I…
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>Should she tell him? Should she confess to her mistake?
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C: I’m the one who…
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>No. How will he react?
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>He’ll be furious. There’s no way he wouldn’t be.
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>He’d never forgive her.
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>She can’t tell him.
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>Anon looks at her sideways, unsure of what she’s thinking, with such a serious, somber look on her face.
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A: The one who what?
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>She stiffens up.
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C: I… I shouldn’t have tried forcing you to love me.
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>He laughs.
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>It hurts.
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>He starts to cough, and decides to sit down on a nearby log.
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A: Don’t worry about it.
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>He shakes his head in exasperation.
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>”These damn ponies.” He thinks. “The always know just what to fucking say.”
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C: I see now there was no need to use such tactics.
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A: Oh?
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>As she looks at him all manner of evil thoughts pass through her mind.
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>Thoughts of draining his love.
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>Thoughts of bending him to her will.
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>But another thought drives these wicked ambitions aside.
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>The thought of him whisking her up and holding her in his arms.
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>Sharing his love, not because he’s forced or tricked, but because he wants to.
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>She blushes.
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>She can’t remember ever feeling this way.
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>She actually risked her own life to save him.
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>She’d never do that…
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>But she did.
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>Why does he make her feel this way?
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>Is it just because he saved her first?
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>No.
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>That’s the sort of naive kindness she preys upon, uses to her advantage.
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>A foolishness that she is all too happy to exploit.
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>But now…
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>She’s the one who behaved foolishly.
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>For this strange creature, this monster.
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>This beautiful monster who would stand against those damnable Princesses.
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>Would stand against them…
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>For her.
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>For her?
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>Did he really do it for her?
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>Is he…
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>Is he using her?
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>The same way she would have used him before he…
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>She looks up at him, and meets his eyes.
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>He’s still staring at her, with a look of curiosity and bemusement.
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C: Tell me something, Anon.
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A: Alright.
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C: Why was she trying to kill you?
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>He closes his eyes, and sighs.
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A: Because I’m… I’m dangerous.
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C: Dangerous?
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>He rubs his temples, and begins to feel exhaustion creeping up on him.
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A: She said- Twilight said I’m dangerous. She told me that my… Emotions… Have an effect on magical creatures.
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>Chrysalis turns her head slightly sideways, as she looks him up and down.
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C: What kind of effect?
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A: She says I’m like a catalyst. That if I… If I share “emotion” with a pony that it’ll fill them with magic and drive them crazy.
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>Chrysalis’s eyes widen.
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A: And…
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>The changeling very slowly moves closer.
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C: And?
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A: That it’ll fill me with magic, too. And my body isn’t made to handle magic like that.
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>Anon sighs again, and looks up to see that Chrysalis is standing right in front of him, staring right at him, wide-eyed and seemingly excited.
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C: So that is why your love tasted so sweet.
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A: Uh, what?
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C: You’re Heartfallen.
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>She says this word with a sort of childlike wonder that catches Anon off guard.
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A: I’m a what?
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C: I always thought it was a myth, a fairy tale…
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A: What are you talking about?
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C: It makes perfect sense now. You’re Heartfallen.
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A: What’s a Heartfallen?
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C: Heartfallen is a curse. An ancient curse. So ancient I doubt there are many who even remember the stories.
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>Chrysalis seems elated by this revelation.
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>Her reaction worries Anon greatly, and he begins to get nervous.
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A: What kind of curse is it?
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C: You already know the answer to that, Anon.
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>He shakes his head.
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A: I guess I do. It’s like Twilight said. I can’t love anyone or they’ll go crazy and I’ll probably explode.
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>Chrysalis laughs, a hearty laugh that surprises him.
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>It annoys Anon greatly.
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A: What’s so funny?
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C: Oh, Anon. She lied to you.
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A: What?
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C: Your love would certainly drive any normal mare crazy. I suppose that’s what happened to the “Princess”.
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>She says that last word with a venomous tone.
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>But you will not explode.
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A: What do you mean? So what will happen?
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C: You will become powerful.
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>Her eyes sparkle as she looks at him with what can only be described as wonder.
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>Anon squints at her. He isn’t sure if he believes what she’s saying. But he isn’t quite sure if he believes what Twilight said, either.
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A: What’s the catch?
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C: Catch?
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A: It doesn’t sound like any curse I’ve ever heard of. What’s the catch? There’s gotta be some other downside or something.
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>She places a hoof under her chin as she thinks.
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C: Hmm. Other than driving ponies to obsessive madness, which I don’t see as a downside…
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>She looks excited again.
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C: Heartfallen are said to fly into fits of unbridled passion-
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>Her voice sounds almost like she’s experiencing orgasmic bliss.
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C: -during which they are unstoppable!
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>Anon feels uncomfortable at how into this she obviously is.
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A: Oh, man. This is too much.
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C: This is perfect!
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A: Huh?
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C: I understand why you saved me, now!
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A: You… do?
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C: Yes! You need me to help you take over Equestria!
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>”Oh God damnit.” He thinks to himself.
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A: No, I-
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C: The love we give each other will make us both so powerful, nopony can hope to stop us!
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>She gets right up in Anon’s face, her huge emerald eyes dominating his field of view.
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A: Chrysalis, that’s not-
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C: Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be so lucky…
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>He feels her hot breath on his face.
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A: Look, you’ve got it all wrong.
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C: Of course! We should get started right away.
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>She moves even closer.
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A: That’s enough.
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>He stands up, pushing her away.
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>The look of disappointment on her face is undescribable.
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>It almost makes him feel bad.
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C: A-Anon! This is fate! You cannot deny fate!
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A: Sure I can.
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>He starts to walk away, but she rushes around to stand in front of him again.
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C: Wait! Just let me show you.
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>He stops.
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A: Show me what?
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>She smiles.
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C: Close your eyes.
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A: What? No. You’re going to try to take over my mind or something.
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>He starts to step forward again, but her pleading expression makes him hesitate.
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C: I won’t try anything like that, I swear. It wouldn’t work on you anyway, you’d just break free like last time!
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>He gives her a cold stare.
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A: So what are you going to do?
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C: Just close your eyes, Anon. I’ll show you there is no reason to be afraid of your curse.
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>He stands silent for a moment, considering his options.
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>He really shouldn’t trust her, and he has zero interest in what she’s saying is his “fate”.
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>But she sounds so genuine.
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>And he did break free of her control once already, he probably can do it again.
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>”Ah, why not”. He thinks. “I’m too tired to argue at this point anyway.”
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A: Alright. Okay.
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>He closes his eyes and Chrysalis’s grin widens to a wicked, toothy smile.
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A: But if you try anything-
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>His words are cut short as Chrysalis stands up on her hind legs, places her forehooves on his shoulders, and presses her lips into his mouth.
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>He is taken aback, and opens his eyes immediately.
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>Her own eyes are closed as she passionately kisses him.
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>Strange feelings well up inside him.
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>”What the hell?” He thinks to himself.
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>His mind races.
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>His body feels…
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>Anon closes his eyes again and returns her kiss, leaning into her, wrapping his arms around her slender frame.
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>She squeals in delight at his touch, and they fall to the ground together, landing in a patch of soft grass.
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>Magic flows through his body, his flesh sizzles and steams as his various wounds heal in mere moments.
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>Suddenly, he snaps back to the reality of his situation, and pulls away, breaking the kiss.
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>Panting, Anon looks at Chrysalis with a look of shock.
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>She just gives him a sultry grin and bats her eyes.
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C: See? Don’t you feel sooo much better?
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>He can’t even process what just happened, and simply stares at her instead of responding.
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C: I know I do.
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>She leans in and whispers in his ear.
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C: Your love is sublime.
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>He finally regains his composure a bit.
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A: Chrysalis, you… That was…
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>He can’t help but feel entranced by those beautiful emerald eyes.
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A: That was amazing.
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>She giggles.
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C: I’ve never kissed like that before.
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>They lay there in silence, staring at each other, for a few moments.
-
377.
A: So, uh… What now?
-
378.
C: Well, as much as I’d like to keep going…
-
379.
>She nuzzles into his neck.
-
380.
C: We should rest. I can tell you’re tired.
-
381.
A: It’s too dangerous to sleep in the middle of the Everfree.
-
382.
C: Nonsense.
-
383.
>She giggles again.
-
384.
C: You’re the most dangerous thing in this forest, Anon. Nothing is going to bother us.
-
385.
>Seeing how content and comfortable she looks, he sighs, and lets out a slight chuckle of his own.
-
386.
A: Okay. Good night, then.
-
387.
>He pulls her a little closer, and lays his head down, closing his eyes.
-
388.
>This is not how he expected this day to end.
-
389.
>But hey, at this point, it could be worse.
-
390.
-
391.
~
-
392.
-
393.
>Anon floats in an ocean of stars.
-
394.
>Alone.
-
395.
>The silence is gentle, soothing.
-
396.
>He drifts along, with a feeling of bliss and a grin on his face.
-
397.
?: This is not what thine heart desired, Anonymous.
-
398.
>A strange voice resounds throughout the void.
-
399.
?: Thou hast no evil intent. So why dost thou align thyself with evil?
-
400.
>A winged mare steps forth from the dark.
-
401.
>Her form is slender and elegant, her mane flows like the night sky, and her eyes are azure pools of sparkling magic.
-
402.
>Anon has never seen anything so beautiful in his life.
-
403.
?: Deny the temptress her prize, Anonymous.
-
404.
>The mare steps towards him, walking on nothing.
-
405.
?: Seek thee a means to break thine curse.
-
406.
>But as she approaches, she begins to fade away.
-
407.
?: Find the Princess of Love.
-
408.
>She is almost gone.
-
409.
?: Go to the Crystal Empire.
-
410.
>With that final word she vanishes.
-
411.
>The void is empty.
-
412.
>The stars are gone.
-
413.
>The silence screams.
-
414.
-
415.
~
-
416.
-
417.
>Anon is wrenched awake by an overwhelming sense of urgency.
-
418.
>In a cold sweat, he starts to panic.
-
419.
>But when he looks around, he realizes he’s still laying in the grass in the Everfree Forest.
-
420.
>All is quiet.
-
421.
>All is calm.
-
422.
>Chrysalis is curled up in his arms, sleeping.
-
423.
>He looks up to the sky, obscured by the trees above.
-
424.
>Under his breath, he curses at himself.
-
425.
A: I’m so fucked up…
-
426.
-
427.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Luckybuck
by Luckybuck
by Luckybuck
by Luckybuck
by Luckybuck