Heartfallen Ch. 5


                                            Ch. 5


                                            >Anon was surely saved from certain death by the sudden appearance of Chrysalis.

                                            >But, “out of the frying pan into the fire”, as the saying goes.

                                            >The ruins of Twilight’s tower crumble around him.

                                            >Green and purple flames are everywhere.

                                            >Behind him is a ledge, with a drop that would no doubt kill him.

                                            >Before him are a mad Princess out to kill him for rejecting her, and a wicked Queen who might devour him, or worse.

                                            >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.

                                            >”If I stay here I’m gonna die.”, He thinks to himself.

                                            >With great effort, he forces himself to limp towards the edge of the tower.

                                            >Tentatively he looks over the edge, then stops himself.

                                            A: Damn.

                                            >It’s too high, of course.

                                            >There’s no way.

                                            >He sighs.

                                            >What’s the alternative?

                                            >Die here or die when Twilight gets ahold of him.

                                            >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.

                                            >And once she’s down…

                                            >He’s next.

                                            >Just as this thought passes through his mind, a horrible screech pierces the air.

                                            >Chrysalis, in her draconic form, slams to the ground behind him.

                                            >Boiling white energy bubbles over her, searing her carapace, as she reverts to her original form.

                                            A: Shit.

                                            >He was hoping he’d have a little more time, but it’s already over.

                                            >Twilight descends to look down at her defeated foe.

                                            >She is no longer the pony he once knew.

                                            >She is an alicorn of terrible power, her eyes blazing with wicked dark magics.

                                            >Black and white swirls of sparkling energy roil around her horn, while a halo of dark purple surrounds her body.

                                            >This is it.

                                            >She’s gonna kill Chrysalis.

                                            >Anon’s mind races.

                                            >What should he do?

                                            >Should he jump?

                                            >Should he fall down and beg forgiveness?

                                            >He winces as a sharp pain shoots through his head.

                                            >It passes in less than a second, but somehow his vision feels clearer once it’s done.

                                            >He looks at the pitiful form of Chrysalis, curled up in a ball.

                                            >Like when he first found her.

                                            A: God damn it…

                                            >He takes a step.

                                            A: God damn it!

                                            >Before he can stop to think about what he’s doing, he runs towards her.

                                            >His body screams at him, but he ignores the pain.

                                            >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.

                                            >With a speed he didn’t know he was capable of, he snatches Chrysalis up into his arms without even slowing down.

                                            >Twilight’s spell fires, a beam of dark light barely missing him as runs, its heat singeing the flesh of his back.

                                            >As he runs, the white magic surrounding Chrysalis’s body burns his arms, but with every step more of it fades away.

                                            >He closes his eyes as he hears Twilight roar.

                                            T: ANONYMOUS!?

                                            >Instinct drives him.

                                            >Bolts and tongues of magic fly past him.

                                            >Each misses its mark, but that small comfort is lost on him in the moment.

                                            >Chrysalis weakly raises her head.

                                            C: A-Anon?

                                            >He’s too focused to even notice her voice.

                                            >He looks at the far edge of the tower’s broken wall, quickly approaching.

                                            >There’s no other way.

                                            T: I won’t let you get away!

                                            >Just as he’s about to reach the ledge, Twilight pops into existence before him with a thunderclap of purple magic.

                                            ?: Twilight!

                                            >A new voice rings out.

                                            ??: Twilight what are you doing?

                                            ???: What’s going on?

                                            ????: Are you okay?

                                            >Several new voices suddenly distract the Princess.

                                            >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.

                                            >Rainbow Dash flies towards her at speed, with Applejack running not far behind.

                                            RD: Stop it, Twi!

                                            AJ: You can’t do this!

                                            >Twilight screams at them, her fury unimaginable.

                                            T: I’m the ONLY one who can do this! He’s MINE!

                                            >Bolts of white and purple fly out, barely missing her friends.

                                            R: We have to stop her!

                                            >Rarity shouts, Pinkie Pie not far behind her.

                                            PP: Twilight! How can you attack your friends?

                                            T: He’s not my friend! He’s…

                                            >Her magic falters for a moment as emotions surge through her mind and body.

                                            >In the confusion, Anon sees an opportunity.

                                            >He leaps from the edge of the tower, holding Chrysalis tightly to his chest.

                                            >They fall.

                                            >Twilight screams with distinct agony in her voice.

                                            T: NO!

                                            >But before she can react Rainbow Dash has wrapped one of Applejack’s ropes around her.

                                            >She quickly snaps it with magic, only to be met with another from Applejack herself, lassoing her hoof.

                                            >Rainbow Dash flies circles around her as a distraction while Applejack yanks her down, with Rarity assisting as best she can with her magic.

                                            >Twilight roars again, magic firing wildly in every direction.

                                            >With great sadness in her eyes, Pinkie Pie watches on.

                                            PP: Twilight… What’s happened to you?


                                            >Falling through the air, Anon is certain now, more than he’s ever been, that this is the end.

                                            >He clutches the changeling Queen tighter, and only then does it strike him what he’s actually done.

                                            >He looks at her, and his gaze is met with her own.

                                            >He’s surprised. She looks almost happy.

                                            >He sighs, resigning himself to his fate.

                                            >But then he feels something push beneath his arms from behind, and hears a urgent flapping of wings.

                                            >He looks up to see a pastel yellow figure above him, struggling greatly to hold his weight aloft.

                                            >Fluttershy.

                                            F: I-I’ve got you! Oh!

                                            >She slips for a moment, but quickly catches him again.

                                            F: S-sorry!

                                            >She can’t stop their fall, but she drastically slows their descent as they plummet through the air.

                                            >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.

                                            >They bounce off, and Anon, still holding Chrysalis, skids across the floor, while Fluttershy is thrown a different direction.

                                            >Splinters and shingles scatter across the room and dust fills the air.

                                            >But they’re not hurt.

                                            >At least not too badly.

                                            A: Ugh…

                                            >Anon stands slowly, shaking the shock of the impact off.

                                            F: Hurry!

                                            >Fluttershy yells at him, her voice uncharacteristically dire.

                                            >She points towards the door of the house.

                                            F: You have to run. We’ll save Twilight.

                                            A: Fluttershy, are you-

                                            F: Go!

                                            A: Right!

                                            >The seriousness in her voice drives all thought from his head.

                                            >He does as she says.

                                            >He runs.

                                            >Out of the house, he runs.

                                            >As fast as he can, he runs.

                                            >Though his legs howl in pain, and his arms and body feel like they’re burning, he runs.

                                            >He doesn’t know where he’s running to, but he runs.

                                            >The sounds of violent magic and shouting ponies slowly fade into the distance.

                                            >The road disappears into the trees.

                                            >The light of the sun dims.

                                            >His breathing is ragged.

                                            >He’s soaked in sweat.

                                            >Blood trickles down his arms and back, from cuts and scratches left by the branches and vines and briars he’s been pushing through.

                                            >His feet, too, are covered in blood, and bruised beyond recognition, having no shoes to cover them with.

                                            >It is hot, and humid.

                                            >The air is stale, and stings his lungs.

                                            >But he does not stop.

                                            >The pain drives him onward.

                                            >The pain is a reminder of why he’s running.

                                            >What he’s running from.

                                            >He can’t stop now.

                                            >He can’t-

                                            C: Anon?

                                            >The unexpected voice startles him.

                                            >Chrysalis.

                                            >He’s been holding her the entire time.

                                            >He looks down at her, cradled in his arms.

                                            >She looks… Smaller.

                                            >Her eyes are beautiful orbs of emerald, sparkling in the gloom of the forest.

                                            >He shakes his head and looks away, focusing his sight ahead.

                                            >How did it end up like this?

                                            >Holding the very monster who got him into this mess.

                                            >But what was he supposed to do?

                                            >He couldn’t just let Twilight kill her.

                                            >Could he?

                                            >No.

                                            >She saved him.

                                            >But so did Twilight.

                                            >A flash of pain rings through his head again, making him wince.

                                            >It’s too late to think about any of that now.

                                            >There was no other choice.

                                            >Twilight had gone crazy.

                                            >That wasn’t the pony he once knew.

                                            >That wasn’t-

                                            C: A-Anon?

                                            >Chrysalis. Her voice actually registers in his mind this time.

                                            A: Yeah.

                                            >His short response comes out with a tone of annoyance that he did not intend.

                                            >But he can’t help it.

                                            >Not at this point.

                                            C: I think… I think I can walk now.

                                            >He doesn’t slow his stride.

                                            A: You sure?

                                            C: Yes.

                                            >He looks down at her again.

                                            >He sighs.

                                            A: Okay.

                                            >He stops.

                                            >For the first time in several hours, he actually takes the time to look at his surroundings.

                                            >This forest…

                                            >The trees are old.

                                            >Some of their trunks as wide as houses, their canopies stretching so high the shadow hides their leaves from view.

                                            >Strange plants with multi-colored flowers, vines covered in wicked thorns, the sounds of birds and beasts.

                                            >A pervasive mist that swirls about between the foliage.

                                            >He knows this forest.

                                            >The Everfree.

                                            >It’s nigh a miracle they’ve made it this far in without incident.

                                            C: Um, Anon?

                                            A: Sorry.

                                            >He kneels, and lets Chrysalis down to extend her hooves to the earth.

                                            >She stands, and sighs in relief.

                                            >Then she looks at him with an uncharacteristically genuine smile.

                                            C: Don’t apologize. I don’t exactly mind being held by you.

                                            >He winces as he stands back up straight.

                                            >Now that he’s not holding her, and he’s not moving, his limbs feel incredibly heavy.

                                            C: You saved me again, Anon.

                                            >She practically beams at him.

                                            >The happiness on her face is almost more painful to him than the soreness of his body.

                                            A: I was just returning the favor.

                                            >He looks off into the distance, but he can’t see much through the trees.

                                            C: I was worried about you. I… The last time I saw you, I…

                                            >Chrysalis thinks of the manticore.

                                            >If only she hadn’t been so foolish.

                                            >So impatient.

                                            >”Why am I like this?” She thinks to herself.

                                            C: Anon, I… I’m sorry.

                                            >He looks back to her, confused.

                                            A: Sorry? If you hadn’t showed up when you did, I’d probably be dead.

                                            >She looks away in shame.

                                            C: No, I… Anon I…

                                            >Should she tell him? Should she confess to her mistake?

                                            C: I’m the one who…

                                            >No. How will he react?

                                            >He’ll be furious. There’s no way he wouldn’t be.

                                            >He’d never forgive her.

                                            >She can’t tell him.

                                            >Anon looks at her sideways, unsure of what she’s thinking, with such a serious, somber look on her face.

                                            A: The one who what?

                                            >She stiffens up.

                                            C: I… I shouldn’t have tried forcing you to love me.

                                            >He laughs.

                                            >It hurts.

                                            >He starts to cough, and decides to sit down on a nearby log.

                                            A: Don’t worry about it.

                                            >He shakes his head in exasperation.

                                            >”These damn ponies.” He thinks. “The always know just what to fucking say.”

                                            C: I see now there was no need to use such tactics.

                                            A: Oh?

                                            >As she looks at him all manner of evil thoughts pass through her mind.

                                            >Thoughts of draining his love.

                                            >Thoughts of bending him to her will.

                                            >But another thought drives these wicked ambitions aside.

                                            >The thought of him whisking her up and holding her in his arms.

                                            >Sharing his love, not because he’s forced or tricked, but because he wants to.

                                            >She blushes.

                                            >She can’t remember ever feeling this way.

                                            >She actually risked her own life to save him.

                                            >She’d never do that…

                                            >But she did.

                                            >Why does he make her feel this way?

                                            >Is it just because he saved her first?

                                            >No.

                                            >That’s the sort of naive kindness she preys upon, uses to her advantage.

                                            >A foolishness that she is all too happy to exploit.

                                            >But now…

                                            >She’s the one who behaved foolishly.

                                            >For this strange creature, this monster.

                                            >This beautiful monster who would stand against those damnable Princesses.

                                            >Would stand against them…

                                            >For her.

                                            >For her?

                                            >Did he really do it for her?

                                            >Is he…

                                            >Is he using her?

                                            >The same way she would have used him before he…

                                            >She looks up at him, and meets his eyes.

                                            >He’s still staring at her, with a look of curiosity and bemusement.

                                            C: Tell me something, Anon.

                                            A: Alright.

                                            C: Why was she trying to kill you?

                                            >He closes his eyes, and sighs.

                                            A: Because I’m… I’m dangerous.

                                            C: Dangerous?

                                            >He rubs his temples, and begins to feel exhaustion creeping up on him.

                                            A: She said- Twilight said I’m dangerous. She told me that my… Emotions… Have an effect on magical creatures.

                                            >Chrysalis turns her head slightly sideways, as she looks him up and down.

                                            C: What kind of effect?

                                            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.

                                            >Chrysalis’s eyes widen.

                                            A: And…

                                            >The changeling very slowly moves closer.

                                            C: And?

                                            A: That it’ll fill me with magic, too. And my body isn’t made to handle magic like that.

                                            >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.

                                            C: So that is why your love tasted so sweet.

                                            A: Uh, what?

                                            C: You’re Heartfallen.

                                            >She says this word with a sort of childlike wonder that catches Anon off guard.

                                            A: I’m a what?

                                            C: I always thought it was a myth, a fairy tale…

                                            A: What are you talking about?

                                            C: It makes perfect sense now. You’re Heartfallen.

                                            A: What’s a Heartfallen?

                                            C: Heartfallen is a curse. An ancient curse. So ancient I doubt there are many who even remember the stories.

                                            >Chrysalis seems elated by this revelation.

                                            >Her reaction worries Anon greatly, and he begins to get nervous.

                                            A: What kind of curse is it?

                                            C: You already know the answer to that, Anon.

                                            >He shakes his head.

                                            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.

                                            >Chrysalis laughs, a hearty laugh that surprises him.

                                            >It annoys Anon greatly.

                                            A: What’s so funny?

                                            C: Oh, Anon. She lied to you.

                                            A: What?

                                            C: Your love would certainly drive any normal mare crazy. I suppose that’s what happened to the “Princess”.

                                            >She says that last word with a venomous tone.

                                            >But you will not explode.

                                            A: What do you mean? So what will happen?

                                            C: You will become powerful.

                                            >Her eyes sparkle as she looks at him with what can only be described as wonder.

                                            >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.

                                            A: What’s the catch?

                                            C: Catch?

                                            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.

                                            >She places a hoof under her chin as she thinks.

                                            C: Hmm. Other than driving ponies to obsessive madness, which I don’t see as a downside…

                                            >She looks excited again.

                                            C: Heartfallen are said to fly into fits of unbridled passion-

                                            >Her voice sounds almost like she’s experiencing orgasmic bliss.

                                            C: -during which they are unstoppable!

                                            >Anon feels uncomfortable at how into this she obviously is.

                                            A: Oh, man. This is too much.

                                            C: This is perfect!

                                            A: Huh?

                                            C: I understand why you saved me, now!

                                            A: You… do?

                                            C: Yes! You need me to help you take over Equestria!

                                            >”Oh God damnit.” He thinks to himself.

                                            A: No, I-

                                            C: The love we give each other will make us both so powerful, nopony can hope to stop us!

                                            >She gets right up in Anon’s face, her huge emerald eyes dominating his field of view.

                                            A: Chrysalis, that’s not-

                                            C: Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be so lucky…

                                            >He feels her hot breath on his face.

                                            A: Look, you’ve got it all wrong.

                                            C: Of course! We should get started right away.

                                            >She moves even closer.

                                            A: That’s enough.

                                            >He stands up, pushing her away.

                                            >The look of disappointment on her face is undescribable.

                                            >It almost makes him feel bad.

                                            C: A-Anon! This is fate! You cannot deny fate!

                                            A: Sure I can.

                                            >He starts to walk away, but she rushes around to stand in front of him again.

                                            C: Wait! Just let me show you.

                                            >He stops.

                                            A: Show me what?

                                            >She smiles.

                                            C: Close your eyes.

                                            A: What? No. You’re going to try to take over my mind or something.

                                            >He starts to step forward again, but her pleading expression makes him hesitate.

                                            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!

                                            >He gives her a cold stare.

                                            A: So what are you going to do?

                                            C: Just close your eyes, Anon. I’ll show you there is no reason to be afraid of your curse.

                                            >He stands silent for a moment, considering his options.

                                            >He really shouldn’t trust her, and he has zero interest in what she’s saying is his “fate”.

                                            >But she sounds so genuine.

                                            >And he did break free of her control once already, he probably can do it again.

                                            >”Ah, why not”. He thinks. “I’m too tired to argue at this point anyway.”

                                            A: Alright. Okay.

                                            >He closes his eyes and Chrysalis’s grin widens to a wicked, toothy smile.

                                            A: But if you try anything-

                                            >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.

                                            >He is taken aback, and opens his eyes immediately.

                                            >Her own eyes are closed as she passionately kisses him.

                                            >Strange feelings well up inside him.

                                            >”What the hell?” He thinks to himself.

                                            >His mind races.

                                            >His body feels…

                                            >Anon closes his eyes again and returns her kiss, leaning into her, wrapping his arms around her slender frame.

                                            >She squeals in delight at his touch, and they fall to the ground together, landing in a patch of soft grass.

                                            >Magic flows through his body, his flesh sizzles and steams as his various wounds heal in mere moments.

                                            >Suddenly, he snaps back to the reality of his situation, and pulls away, breaking the kiss.

                                            >Panting, Anon looks at Chrysalis with a look of shock.

                                            >She just gives him a sultry grin and bats her eyes.

                                            C: See? Don’t you feel sooo much better?

                                            >He can’t even process what just happened, and simply stares at her instead of responding.

                                            C: I know I do.

                                            >She leans in and whispers in his ear.

                                            C: Your love is sublime.

                                            >He finally regains his composure a bit.

                                            A: Chrysalis, you… That was…

                                            >He can’t help but feel entranced by those beautiful emerald eyes.

                                            A: That was amazing.

                                            >She giggles.

                                            C: I’ve never kissed like that before.

                                            >They lay there in silence, staring at each other, for a few moments.

                                            A: So, uh… What now?

                                            C: Well, as much as I’d like to keep going…

                                            >She nuzzles into his neck.

                                            C: We should rest. I can tell you’re tired.

                                            A: It’s too dangerous to sleep in the middle of the Everfree.

                                            C: Nonsense.

                                            >She giggles again.

                                            C: You’re the most dangerous thing in this forest, Anon. Nothing is going to bother us.

                                            >Seeing how content and comfortable she looks, he sighs, and lets out a slight chuckle of his own.

                                            A: Okay. Good night, then.

                                            >He pulls her a little closer, and lays his head down, closing his eyes.

                                            >This is not how he expected this day to end.

                                            >But hey, at this point, it could be worse.


                                            ~


                                            >Anon floats in an ocean of stars.

                                            >Alone.

                                            >The silence is gentle, soothing.

                                            >He drifts along, with a feeling of bliss and a grin on his face.

                                            ?: This is not what thine heart desired, Anonymous.

                                            >A strange voice resounds throughout the void.

                                            ?: Thou hast no evil intent. So why dost thou align thyself with evil?

                                            >A winged mare steps forth from the dark.

                                            >Her form is slender and elegant, her mane flows like the night sky, and her eyes are azure pools of sparkling magic.

                                            >Anon has never seen anything so beautiful in his life.

                                            ?: Deny the temptress her prize, Anonymous.

                                            >The mare steps towards him, walking on nothing.

                                            ?: Seek thee a means to break thine curse.

                                            >But as she approaches, she begins to fade away.

                                            ?: Find the Princess of Love.

                                            >She is almost gone.

                                            ?: Go to the Crystal Empire.

                                            >With that final word she vanishes.

                                            >The void is empty.

                                            >The stars are gone.

                                            >The silence screams.


                                            ~


                                            >Anon is wrenched awake by an overwhelming sense of urgency.

                                            >In a cold sweat, he starts to panic.

                                            >But when he looks around, he realizes he’s still laying in the grass in the Everfree Forest.

                                            >All is quiet.

                                            >All is calm.

                                            >Chrysalis is curled up in his arms, sleeping.

                                            >He looks up to the sky, obscured by the trees above.

                                            >Under his breath, he curses at himself.

                                            A: I’m so fucked up…


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