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Duties of the Revolutionist

By Nechayev420
Created: 2020-12-17 21:26:17
Expiry: Never
anoneqgmane 6alone in eqg versevillain protagonistsunset/anonrevolution

  1. Act 1: A Doomed Man
  2.  
  3. >"Hey girls, you ever wonder why Anon is always alone?"
  4. >You look in the direction of Sunset's extended index finger, landing on the odd, disheveled-looking boy sitting at his own table on the other side of the cafeteria
  5. >You are Twilight Sparkle and this is the second time you've even noticed the new CHS student since he enrolled three weeks ago
  6. >Rainbow Dash waves her hand dismissively with a cavalier expression.
  7. >"Pfffttt, that kid's got problems. He's gotta be the only guy in the history of the school who managed to get kicked out of Cheerilee's class. I mean honestly, what the fuck?"
  8. >"Language, dear," Rarity admonishes Rainbow with a hmmph before putting a finger to her lip thoughtfully.
  9. >"Though, now that you mention it, I must say that is quite...odd. What on Earth could this Anon ruffian have done to get on that absolutely lovely woman's bad side?"
  10. >Rainbow pounds her fist on the table for emphasis. "That's exactly my point! I have that period with him; she was just giving a normal lecture and this goddamn spazz bursts out of his seat and starts going on this unhinged, psycho rant about how she's corrupting the minds of the youth with propaganda or some shit."
  11. >Applejack squints her eyes in skepticism at that. "Ah don't know, that doesn't sound real likely. Boy's got an awful thick accent, ya'll might have misheard him, don't cha think?"
  12. >"Um, n-not to i-interrupt or a-a-anything, but I also saw anon yell very, um, quite loudly at Vice Principal Luna in the hallway. He said she was exploiting the school's manual laborers and that she better s-s-sleep with one e-eye open."
  13. >The whole table gives a gasp at that.
  14. >Threatening Vice Principal Luna? Who IS this guy?
  15. >All you know about Anon is that he is new to the school, has an extremely pronounced Russian accent, and is quite handsome
  16. >Wait what
  17. >where did that last part come from
  18. >Forget you said that
  19. >Focus Twilight
  20. >Pinkie is saying something
  21. >"-positively, absofrutely, catastrophinifically, aerodynamicociously, unacceptable! We HAVE to get to the bottom of this and become super best, close, happy, comfy, accomplices-but-only-for-felony-misdemeanors-and-not-truly-reprehensible-crimes-style friends with Anon!"
  22. >Yep you've seen this before
  23. >Pinkie's talking so much without breathing that her head looks like it's about to pop
  24. >You put your hand up and your friends quiet down
  25. "Have any of you even considered the possibility that maybe Anon is just an introvert and doesn't want or need any new friends?"
  26. >At that, your friends all look to each other sheepishly in quiet thought
  27. >Damn Twilight, you're getting better at being the voice of reason
  28. >Don't stop now
  29. "Honestly, I think you might be jumping the gun a little; just because he apparently has a temper, that's no reason to assume that Anon is some kind of deviant or threat to public security!"
  30.  
  31. >Be Anon, committed revolutionary and violent threat to public security
  32. >Well, technically it's Aнoнымoyc, but these filthy disgusting American pigs have bastardized the transliteration to the horrid "Anonymous"
  33. >Tangent over
  34. >Be former Narodnaya Volya operative, deeply involved in the plot to bomb the Winter Palace in 1880
  35. >The plan was going along swimmingly and you were constructing one of the explosive devices with your comrade, Pyotr Yevseyev, when the damnable bomb blew up in both your faces
  36. >You suspect that Pyotr, the dimwitted ignoramus, got one of the chemical formulas wrong
  37. >May he burn in Hell for forsaking the revolution with his stupidity
  38. >In any case, rather than being welcomed into the sweet warm arms of black, swirling oblivion, like all natural law led you to believe was the likely course, you ended up here
  39. >This brightly colored, strange, futuristic land of consumerist degeneracy and rotten bourgeois exploitation
  40. >Makes you sick to your goddamn stomach
  41. >Given that you at first spoke no English and hadn't the faintest idea how to navigate life in this bizarre new world, you quickly ended up living on the streets
  42. >Fortunately, in your futile efforts to organize the other bums into a revolutionary cell, you managed to pick up some decent English and you can now communicate with the proletarians (or what's left of them) in their own language
  43. >Afterward, there were several failed attempts to unionize some warehouse workers, some grocery store workers, and some construction workers
  44. >Now you've settled on so-called "Canterlot High School", a fertile ground for taking back the minds of the youth from their hideous slave drivers
  45. >Assuming an an identity as a student was easy, given the utter stupidity of the school administration, your youthful features, and, most importantly, your superhuman talent for forging legal documents
  46. >Students' minds can be molded so easily and you suspect that in a mere matter of months you will have control over the entire school
  47. >If these stupid bastards would shut the fuck up and listen to you for even a second
  48. >Hence, your current activity
  49. >In the useless period allotted for "lunch" (there is no time to eat when the revolution awaits!), you've been writing down your machinations
  50. >Looking at your notes sprawled along the empty cafeteria table, you can't help but chortle ever so slightly
  51. >This is the best idea you've ever had
  52. >Of course, this beautiful moment has to be interrupted by a grating female voice coughing "politely" directly behind you
  53. >Nearly makes you jump out of your fucking skin
  54. >You turn around to face the...bacon(?)-haired high school girl standing awkwardly behind you with a small smile
  55. >"Hi, my name is Sunset Shimmer! I noticed you sitting over here and thought I'd just pop over and say hi real quick," she says with an irritatingly bubbly disposition
  56. >However, behind the facade, you see grit, determination, and strength in her eyes
  57. >Could she be a viable candidate for the Society?
  58. >Okay Anon, here is a golden opportunity for recruitment
  59. >Don't blow this
  60. >Time to turn on the charm
  61.  
  62. >Be Sunset Shimmer
  63. >Be absolutely fucking horrified at the contorted expression on Anon's face
  64. >Is that supposed to be a smile?
  65. >Jesus christ, this may have been a bad idea
  66. >But you're no quitter and it's too late to back out now
  67. >Before the day is done, you WILL be friends with this mysterious foreign exchange student
  68. >"Ah, Miss Shimmer, how wonderful for you to join me. My name is Anon. Please, take a seat."
  69. >Anon gestures to the seat opposite him with an exaggerated flair
  70. >You suspect he's trying to be a gentleman, but he's coming across more like he wants to rape you, eat your organs, and wear your face as a mask
  71. >Okay that was a little too graphic Sunset, nice thoughts only
  72. >You resolutely sit down opposite from Anon, giving the friendliest expression you can
  73. >As you do so, Anon quickly sweeps all of his many scattered pieces of notebook paper into a huge, disorganized folder
  74. >You only managed to get a brief look at the pages, but they were clearly written in some other language (presumably Russian), though you saw some diagrams and flowcharts
  75. >Homework, probably
  76. >Focusing your eyes on Anon now, a few things immediately come to the forefront of your mind
  77. >First, he's got bulging psycho eyes with dark bags under them and he looks like he hasn't slept in weeks
  78. >Secondly, his clothes are cheap and wrinkled, his hair is completely unkempt, and his face is covered in scars
  79. >And finally, he's actually quite nice looking (you might even go so far as handsome), but his underlying features are completely negated by the other two things
  80. >But, if there's one thing you've learned from your friendship with the other girls, it's not to judge a book by its cover
  81. >Shaking your head of any negative preconceptions about the boy in front of you, you firmly place your arms on the table, lean forward, and take a deep breath
  82. "So, Anon, tell me a little bit about yourself. Why did you transfer to CHS?"
  83.  
  84. >Be Anon
  85. >Fuck, you weren't expecting that one
  86. >Quick, think on your feet Anon, Bacon-Hair is looking at you expectantly
  87. >Why would a Russian student transfer to this shitty school?
  88. >Wait
  89. >You've got it
  90. "Ah, well, you see, there was great deal of political repression in my former country. I decided that I had to escape Russia to a more free, open environment."
  91. >You focus on making your eyes watery and you try to sound as somber as possible about your tragic departure from your homeland as you gaze wistfully off in the distance
  92. >Is she buying it?
  93. >You move you eyes away from their distant position and look back at Sunset for a moment
  94. >She's nodding sympathetically and her sensitive, pretty eyes are filled with compassion
  95. >Uh, did you say pretty?
  96. >You meant proletarian
  97. >Yes, proletarian
  98. >"That's just awful, Anon. It really gets me upset to think that there are still countries in the world without freedom or democracy!"
  99. >You grit your teeth and clench your fists at that remark
  100. >Stupid, foolish, idiot pig girl, do you not understand you are LIVING in one such country?
  101. >Focus, Anon
  102. >Deep breaths
  103. >She means well, you're sure of it.
  104. >And she would be an excellent addition to the Cause
  105. "Yes, well, it's nice to be back here in the USA. Though..."
  106. >Okay here it goes
  107. >Time to plant the seed of pity in her naive, girlish heart
  108. >You love this part
  109. "I must admit, it has been difficult getting settled in. S-some of the students don't take so kindly to my accent or the way I do things. And I do miss my family very much."
  110. >You add some shaking and trembling to your voice for good measure
  111. >Sunset gasps at the revelation, her own expression seeming troubled; like she's gazing upon a baby bird with a broken wing
  112. >You'll have to train her to be much less gullible in the future, but for now her childlike trust is working in your favor
  113. >"Your family didn't move with you?" Sunset asks softly, her own voice a little shaky
  114. >Now's the climax of this performance
  115. >The future candidacy of your recruit DEPENDS on you getting this part right
  116. >You shake your head grimly before speaking
  117. "I have six brothers and sisters, you see. My parents had to stay behind in Russia to raise them. I try to send money back now and again, but I can only work part time, so I worry it's not enough to feed and shelter them. I worry so much for them...."
  118. >Dear God, even you are impressed with that delivery
  119. >You briefly consider breaking down into tears, but decide that would be a little too on the nose
  120. >And unnecessary
  121. >Looking back at Bacon-Hair, she's having to fight back tears as she looks between the ground and behind your shoulder (what is she looking at? Another table, perhaps) repeatedly
  122. >She's clearly wrestling with some sort of internal conflict
  123. >You barely even realize you're holding your breath as you wait for her to respond
  124. >Come on you damn, silly, sweet-smelling girl, take the fucking bait!
  125. >Sweet-smelling?
  126. >Oh, her perfume
  127. >Well it is intoxicating, but you chastise yourself for noticing such a petty, trivial, useless thing nonetheless
  128. >Finally, the girl speaks
  129. >"Hey, I know lunch is almost over, but would you wanna meet my friends later? Maybe after school? We could even go hang out and do something fun, if you wanted. No, pressure though!"
  130. >You close your eyes and summon every ounce of mental willpower you have not to display your triumphant rapture
  131. >This is it
  132. >This is your way into student body, your way to propagate your ideas among the youthful, impressionable masses
  133. >Your way to spark the Revolution
  134. >Clearing your throat, you respond as calmly as you can to the girl's inquiry
  135. "Why Sunset, I have to say: That sounds like a fantastic idea."
  136.  
  137. >You are Sunset Shimmer
  138. >And you are incredibly ashamed of yourself right now
  139. >You had assumed so much negative shit about Anon, all without even so much as SPEAKING to the guy first
  140. >After finally having a conversation with him, you see that his eccentricities are just a mix of culture shock, homesickness, and overwork
  141. >Having to work a job to help his family on the other side of the planet?
  142. >You shiver at the thought
  143. >This poor, generous kid needs your help and you're gonna give it to him
  144. >But you've quickly realized that you can't do it alone
  145. >They may not like the idea at first, but you're sure that once you explain the situation to them, the girls will assist you
  146. >They HAVE to, Anon NEEDS you all
  147. >Standing up with renewed vigor at his acceptance of your offer, you give him the biggest, beaming smile you can
  148. "Perfect! You know the statue in the courtyard?"
  149. >Anon nods quickly, a small smile spreading across his own face
  150. >Look at that, you're already managing to cheer him up!
  151. "Meet me there after last period. I'll introduce you to the girls."
  152. >After Anon confirms this plan, you walk back to the table
  153. >The bell rings just as you get there, signalling the end of lunch
  154. >As the girls all stand up and pack their stuff, Pinkie spots you first
  155. >She doesn't even wait for you to open your mouth before badgering you with a million questions
  156. >"SUNNY! Did you talk to him? Was he nice? Were YOU nice? What part of Russia is he from? Where did he get the scars? Oooh, does he like parties? What am I saying, EVERYONE likes parties! Did you tell him about us? Did you tell him about me? Is he gonna help me plan a party for him? What's his favorite type of cake? OH, I HAVE THE BEST IDE-"
  157. >You clamp Pinkie's lips shut with your fingers
  158. >You hate having to do that, but this called for extreme measures
  159. >Applejack chuckles bemusedly at your antics
  160. >"Really though, how'd it go?" she asks in her folksy drawl
  161. >You perk up and start explaining the situation to the girls
  162. >By the end of your brief retelling of the encounter, you can tell they've all warmed up a bit to the idea of Anon, though some skepticism remains
  163. >"I don't know, he still seems like kind of a jerk to me," Rainbow says in her usual brash tone
  164. >Twilight rolls her eyes at that, but she's not much better
  165. >"Well, personally, I still think he probably just likes his alone time. But, if you really think introducing us all will help, I'm always up for meeting new friends!"
  166. >Perfect
  167. >All the girls are on board
  168. >As you make your way to your next class, you can't keep the smile off your face or the bounce from your step
  169. >Soon, Anon will know the joys of having friends and he'll really start to relax and fit in
  170. >Hell, before you know it, he might even become one of your best friends
  171. >You like that idea: The first girl to befriend the cute Russian immigrant student
  172. >Did you say cute?
  173. >You meant quiet
  174. >Yes, quiet
  175. >Walking through the door to your next class, you hope no one notices the twinge of pink in your cheeks
  176. >Oh well, not like they can read your mind
  177. >Besides, you have nothing but noble intentions
  178. >Noble intentions for the mysterious, complicated, kind figure that is Anon
  179. >You may not know everything about him yet but one thing is certain:
  180. >He's got a heart of gold
  181.  
  182. >You are Anon, currently reviewing your bomb diagrams
  183. >Sitting on a bench in the empty hallway, you're technically supposed to be in class right now
  184. >But your class this period is US History, and you just don't have it in you to listen to the bourgeois propaganda today
  185. >Anyway, back to the diagrams
  186. >You are actually very proud of your designs here
  187. >Not only are these sophisticated devices capable of doing a great deal of damage, but you believe the raw materials should be relatively easy to acquire and assemble
  188. >The real question is what their target will be
  189. >Pulling out some pages from your folder, you give your brainstorm list a quick glance
  190. >You've tentatively considered the school's power grid, the principal's office, the security guard's office, and the football field as potential strike points
  191. >But they all leave you feeling underwhelmed
  192. >The opening move of the revolution has to be something big, dramatic, and effective; otherwise you will not be able to maintain the faith of the Student Revolutionary Front you are planning on forming
  193. >It's times like these that you wish you had your old comrades with you, helping you concoct a masterful plot
  194. >Sighing, you put your plans back in the folder and instead pull out a big stack of flyers and leaflets
  195. >Designed by Yours Truly, these pages feature provocative slogans such as "Strangle the Masters with Their Shackles", "No Education, No Indoctrination", and "The Revolution Needs YOU!"
  196. >Might as well toss some of these bad boys up on the walls if you're gonna take the period off
  197. >Pinning various flyers to the hallway walls and random students' lockers, you hear a chorus of chortles faintly coming down the hall
  198. >Turning to look at your (unwelcome) company, you see three mean looking bitches walking in your direction
  199. >Wait, you know these particular mean bitches
  200. >Well, not "know" know, but you've seen them around and heard them referred to as "The Dazzlings"
  201. >What the fuck that means, you haven't the faintest clue, but they could be good recruitment fuel
  202. >Walking to greet them, they stop dead in their tracks and look at you with an unpleasant mixture of disgust and boredom
  203. >You pay their feelings no mind, instead handing them three of your leaflets
  204. "Take these, friends. Arm yourselves with knowledge."
  205. >Grabbing the papers from you, the girls now look somewhat bemused, though the poofy-haired head bitch is getting a malicious glint in her eyes you don't like the look of one bit
  206. >"Excuse me, could you explain something to me about these?" she asks with a fake smile plastered on her face
  207. >You've got a bad feeling about this
  208. "Certainly", you answer flatly.
  209. >"Oh, good. I was just wondering why the fuck you think we care about you creepy weird loser posters? Do you know?"
  210. >Just like that, she drops the smile, settling for a sneer instead
  211. >The two bitches next to her begin cackling, though one seems rather lost and even confused
  212. >Okay, that's the way these fucking pigs wanna play it?
  213. >You got in plenty of vodka-powered brawls with Tsarist-supporting goons back in your homeland
  214. >This will be child's play by comparison
  215. >Dropping your folder with a thud, you immediately shift into a standard boxing pose, ready to give a fierce jab at a moment's notice
  216. "Let's see 'em, put 'em up, I don't have all day."
  217. >Well, actually, you say that last part in Russian
  218. >Which you tend to do when you lose your temper
  219. >Weirdly, the three girls don't assume fighting positions
  220. >Instead they stare at you dumbly with wide eyes, seeming confused
  221. >And then they look BEHIND you, seeming absolutely petrified of whatever they're looking at
  222. >Ah, oldest trick in the book
  223. >Like you're dumb enough to turn around, how gullible do they think you are?
  224. >Just when you're about to throw a mean right hook at the head bitch's face, you hear someone softly clear their throat behind you
  225. >"Ahem. May I ask what has prompted the situation I'm looking at right now?" you hear a light, feminine, faintly amused voice ask
  226. >You turn around and see the unfortunate sight of the Chief Administrator.
  227. >Tsar of the School, if you will
  228. >What's her name, again?
  229. >Celine Dion or something?
  230. >"P-principal Celestia!"
  231. >That's it, Celestia
  232. >Wait, who said that? Oh, right, one of the Dazzling bitches
  233. >She keeps going in a pathetic, panicked voice
  234. >"W-we were we just going to class when this maniac jumped in front of us and started attacking us! Honest!"
  235. >God, does this girl have no shame?
  236. >Not only volunteering to speak with an authority, but then proceeding to SNITCH on a fellow student?
  237. >You can't believe you ever saw these girls as recruitment material
  238. >Making your face as expressionless as you can, you unflinchingly stare into the eyes of the School Tsar
  239. >She, on the other hand, looks back and forth between you and the Dazzlings, before settling into a decisive look
  240. >"Mr. Anonymous, would you be so kind as to join me for a chat in my office?"
  241. >Shit
  242.  
  243. >Still Anon
  244. >It's been roughly half an hour since the tyrant brought you back into her private interrogation room
  245. >She surprisingly hasn't brought out any instruments of torture yet, but you figure it's only a matter of time
  246. >Meanwhile, you've found it quite easy to resist her odd line of questioning
  247. >Strangely, she hasn't really asked you any questions about the Dazzling situation at all
  248. >Instead she's asked you things like "How are you finding your experience at CHS so far?" and "Have you been adjusting well?" and "How's life at home, any issues there?"
  249. >You assume these are all just bizarre ways to trick you into revealing your subversive plots, so you avoid all these questions with your well-practiced insolence
  250. >This is hardly your first interrogation and you doubt it will be your last
  251. >After a few more minutes of trying this route, Celestia eventually rubs her eyes with an exasperated sigh
  252. >"I have to confess Mr. Anonymous, I have been quite troubled to hear some accounts of your recent behavior"
  253. >Here we go
  254. >Time for the other shoe to drop
  255. >The Principal continues her odious soliloquy, designed to break your will and confuse your thoughts
  256. >It won't be that easy, bitch
  257. >"Skipping class, berating teachers, threatening Vice Principal Luna. These don't seem like the signs of a healthy, well-adjusted young man, wouldn't you agree?"
  258. >You remain stone-faced and silent at this inquiry
  259. >Even if the question wasn't rhetorical, no good can come of answering a loaded accusation like that
  260. >Celestia leans forward, hands on her desk, with a simultaneously warm yet concerned look on her face.
  261. >"I want to help you, Anonymous. Believe me, I do. But for me to do that, I need you to meet me halfway."
  262. >You simply shrug your shoulders at her devious mind games
  263. "I have nothing to say in that respect."
  264. >Looking vaguely disappointed, she retracts back into her chair, absently sticking the end of a pen in her mouth
  265. >After a thirty seconds or so of what you imagine you are supposed to interpret as "deep contemplation", she leans forward again, resolutely
  266. >"You know, there's a big basketball game in two weeks. Our team will be playing Crystal Prep. It's a big event, half the school is expected to turn out for it. Even the Mayor is planning on attending, if you can believe it."
  267. >For the first time in this entire conversation, your interest has been piqued
  268. >The mayor? Attending some silly school ball game?
  269. >Typical unrestrained uselessness and audacity of public officials, you suppose
  270. >Nonetheless, you listen closely to the Principal's next words
  271. >"As you can imagine, an event like this requires a lot of planning and coordination. The Student Council has had to put together a whole Committee for it! It's led by two of the brightest and most competent students in the entire school, but they could still use some additional help."
  272. >Normally, you would never initiate a conversational topic with a Tsarist figure such as this, but your curiosity is driving you crazy
  273. "Which two students, if you don't mind me asking?"
  274. >Celestia brightens up at your question, her voice seemingly perking up noticeable
  275. >"Why, two organizers named Sunset Shimmer and Pinkie Pie! Absolute star pupils, and just about the friendliest girls in school to boot. They've been heavily involved in nearly every aspect of the event planning and coordination."
  276. >You find yourself getting an epiphany as your muscles lock up and your eyes look past Celestia to a future vision you have for this basketball game
  277. >Gears turn in your head as you imagine the scene; an explosion, gasps, a loudspeaker announcing the beginning of the revolution
  278. >And it just so happens you have a foot in the door already for this master plan forming spontaneously in your head
  279. >One Sunset Shimmer
  280. >Involuntarily, your lips begin to curve upwardly into a smile
  281. >Damn, you've given away information
  282. >Don't panic, just look and see see if she's noticed
  283. >You hold you breath and meet Celestia's gaze as she observes you with a curious expression
  284. >Fuck, she's noticed alright
  285. >"Is that something you'd be interested in helping out, with Anonymous?"
  286. >Well, there's no hiding it now
  287. >Might as well make the best of the situation
  288. >You give a big, full-teeth smile as you look the sadistic ghoul of an administrator directly in the eyes
  289. "Why, I'd be delighted to, Principal Celestia."
  290.  
  291. >You are Applejack
  292. >Hanging out with your friends under the Wondercolts statue
  293. >You guess "hanging out" is one way to put it
  294. >Rainbow Dash is bouncing a ball back and forth on her knees while bragging about how many track records' she's shattered this semester and the rest of you can't really get a word in
  295. >Those who want to, anyhow
  296. >Twilight's busy working on her AP Physics homework because that girl don't ever rest, Fluttershy is giggling and softly speaking to a bird, off in her own world, and Sunset...
  297. >Well, Sunset has barely even acknowledged ya'll
  298. >She's too busy nervously fidgeting and looking over at the school entrance every five seconds
  299. >You get that she wants to make sure Anon shows up, but she's gotta take it easy before she gives herself a heart attack
  300. >To be honest, you don't really see what the big deal is
  301. >The way Sunset described her encounter with Anon, you'd think he was a saint or something
  302. >So, the kid's family is poor and he has to send them money, so what?
  303. >Shoot, the Apple Family has had more than its fair share of tight wallets, and you always helped out extra when times were tough
  304. >And you never acted all weird about it neither
  305. >Unlike Anon, who is WAY too twitchy for your comfort
  306. >You sigh
  307. >But, Sunset's your friend
  308. >And if she wants Anon around, then YOU want him around too
  309. >Speaking of which, you see Sunset instantly brighten up, a huge smile plastering her face as she waves her hand wildly toward the entrance
  310. >Turning to look in that direction, you see Anon walking in your direction
  311. >....Ohhhhhh
  312. >You can't help but smirk
  313. >Now you've got more than a bit of a hunch about what's REALLY going on
  314. >Looks like Sunset has a little bit more than a strictly platonic interest helping Anon out
  315. >Ain't that just adorable
  316. >After a few minutes, Anon reaches you all, giving a nervous smile at each of you
  317. >"Hello, Miss Sunset and company. Nice to see all of you," he says in his thick accent
  318. >Miss Sunset and company?
  319. >You groan internally
  320. >Rarity's gonna like this one, you bet
  321. >Sunset lets out a light burst of laughter
  322. >"Oh please, Anon, just call me Sunset. Let me introduce you to all of the girls!"
  323. >Going down the line, before long Sunset reaches you
  324. >"And this is Applejack, the hardest working, most honest, down to Earth girl you'll ever meet in your life! Applejack, this is Anon."
  325. >Aw shucks
  326. >Why's Sunset gotta compliment you like that? Now you feel bad about ribbing her in your thoughts
  327. >Oh, wait
  328. >Social interaction
  329. >You smile and shake Anon's hand as you look him in the eyes
  330. "Pleasure to meet ya Anon, how's it goin'?"
  331. >Anon grins at you as he shakes your hand back
  332. >Huh, well at least he's got a firm grip
  333. >Guess he's not all bad after all
  334. >"Applejack, the pleasure is all mine. I've heard talk around school that you work manual labor on your family's farm?"
  335. >Interesting
  336. >You're the first girl he's asked a personal question
  337. >Also, the dang hell is up with his phrasing?
  338. >Guess it's on account of English being his second language
  339. "Reckon that's one way of puttin' it. I help with growin' the trees, keepin' 'em healthy, and pickin' 'em when the apples are nice and ripe."
  340. >At that, Anon gives you a strange look
  341. >He looks....captivated
  342. >Far more interested than most folks are when they hear your job description
  343. >"Extraordinary! Workers like you keep the world moving. The cold indifference of all the bosses and all the parasitic leeches on top can never take away the hard-earned pleasure of knowing that all the tables of all the families, high and low, feast on the fruits of your labor. I envy the sheer honor of it."
  344. >Whoa
  345. >That was intense
  346. >All the girls are looking at Anon like he's a space alien, completely speechless
  347. >He, on the other hand, looks very satisfied with his words, and eagerly awaits your reply
  348. "Uh...well, I don't know about all that. I just know about growing apples, h-haha."
  349. >Shoot
  350. >He knocked you off balance
  351. >You're not one for flowery words, but apparently they're Anon's favorite pastime
  352. >Anon just smiles knowingly at your answer, like you two are sharing some sort of joke
  353. >"Of course."
  354. >Turning to look at Sunset, Anon returns to a more normal, polite expression.
  355. >"What did you and your friends have planned for the afternoon?"
  356. >Sunset absolutely lights up at this, completely leaving the awkward moment behind you all
  357. >"Oh well, I figured since it's a Friday night, and this is the first time we've all hung out together, we should do something REALLY fun. So, we talked it over, and decided that the arcade is our best bet!"
  358. >As Sunset giddily explains the plan for the night, her body language is clear as day
  359. >The big, beaming smile, high pitched voice (well, for her anyway), pointed feet, ever-so-slight reddened face
  360. >Yup, you were right
  361. >This girl's got a mad crush, though she might not realize it yet
  362. >Frankly, you don't get it
  363. >Anon's thin rail, has got noodle arms, a sickly pale complexion, and looks malnourished as all get out
  364. >There's a simple rule of thumb in the Apple Family: If a fella ain't fit to chop a tree, he ain't fit to marry
  365. >But, you might as well help her out if this is really what she wants, so you just nod enthusiastically at her words
  366. >And heck, you gotta admit the arcade sounds like a real hoot right about now
  367. >Anon seems less excited at the prospect
  368. >"I apologize, uh, my English is not perfect...by "arcade", you mean what, exactly?"
  369. >Before anyone can respond, Pinkie is on the job
  370. >"OHMYGOSH, Anon, you have NO IDEA!!! There's games and prizes and food and drinks and, ooh, you can pretend like you're in a race car, or you can win a stuffed animal with a claw, you can shoot up hundreds -- no, strike that, THOUSANDS of zombies with just one gun, you can throw a ball through a hole, but like, in a SUPER FUN way and -- did I mention the dance machines? Oh Anon, you HAVE to come with us, you just HAVE TO!!!!!!!"
  371. >Through this entire stream of consciousness, Pinkie gesticulates madly, invading Anon's personal space, grabbing onto his shirt collar, briefly levitating above him, the whole works
  372. >You can't help grin widely at this
  373. >Ahhh Pinkie Pie, never change
  374. >Meanwhile, Anon still seems confused
  375. >Not only that, but he seems very uncomfortable with Pinkie's proximity....and by that, you mean her face is still pressed against his as she grips his neck tightly
  376. >"Uh...sure, let's do that," Anon says, not sounding particularly convinced by Pinkie's sales pitch.
  377. >So, it's decided then
  378. >Time to show this Anon fella how Friday nights go in the good old US of A
  379.  
  380. >Be Fluttershy
  381. >[spoiler]I-if that's alright w-with you...[/spoiler]
  382. >And you are very excited right now because you just love the arcade
  383. >Except for the loud, scary noises, the flashing lights, the big crowds, and the closed spaces
  384. >Ok so maybe you don't actually like the arcade very much
  385. >But you love being around your friends and your friends are all here with you!
  386. >S-sort of
  387. >In the hustle and bustle getting into the building with the packed Friday night crowd, you kind of got separated from everyone
  388. >There was just so much pushing and shoving, it all happened so fast!
  389. >So now you're hiding under an air hockey table, revising your fifth draft of a text to Sunset
  390. >She's texted you five times now asking where you are, but you don't wanna sound like you're whining in your text
  391. >And it's hard to hit the keys because the phone won't stop shaking with your hands and your tears are making the touchscreen not work right
  392. >Oh heavens, this is all just going terribly
  393. >N-not that you're complaining or a-anything
  394. >Just when you're about to tense up and go catatonic like you sometimes do, you hear a familiar Russian voice above you
  395. >"Shutterfly? Is that you?"
  396. >Eeep
  397. >W-wait, Anon?
  398. >Wait, Shutterfly?
  399. "A-actually, i-i-it's F-Fluttershy..." you say, hiding your head behind your hair
  400. >You just can't bear to look up and see what you're sure is Anon's disgusted, mocking expression
  401. >Not until you can get the tears to stop, at least
  402. >Come on Fluttershy, snap out of it, STOP CRYING
  403. >Oh gosh that just made you cry even more
  404. >You're so broken
  405. >Out of your peripheral, you see movement level with your head
  406. >Turning slowly to see the object through your blurry vision, you recognize it as a hand
  407. >"My apologies, Fluttershy, I'm dreadful with names. Need some help?"
  408. >W-well, at least he doesn't sound like he's mocking you
  409. >And you figure it's not like this can get any worse
  410. >Sighing, you gently grab onto Anon's hand and let him help you up from under the table
  411. >Standing face to face with Anon now, you can mostly see him despite your teary eyes
  412. >To your surprise, he doesn't look cruel or amused
  413. >He looks soft and gentle
  414. >Kind, even
  415. >Suddenly, you don't feel quite as bad anymore
  416. >The tears are even slowing
  417. >"Are you alright?" Anon asks lightly
  418. >Oh you just feel like a fool now
  419. >You brush the tears out of your eyes before responding
  420. "Y-yes, I'm a-alright. I j-j-just got l-lost, that's a-all..."
  421. >You try to add a smile for effect, but you're sure Anon can tell that you're very upset
  422. >This night is going quite awfully, you just want to go home now
  423. >Anon nods understandingly at your response
  424. >"Yes, I got sidetracked coming in myself. Well, not sidetracked so much as, uh, preoccupied. There was a horrible sight I had to deal with."
  425. >H-horrible sight?
  426. >You don't like the sound of that one bit
  427. >Before you can ask Anon what he means, your phone buzzes again
  428. >Sunset! The girls! Oh dear, they must be getting so frustrated with you
  429. >Anon notices you looking down at the screen with a...suspicious(?) look on his face
  430. >"Is someone trying to contact you?"
  431. "J-just S-sunset," you reply shakily. "She must be l-looking everywhere for me."
  432. >Anon waves his hand dismissively at that
  433. >"Ah, just tele-communicate her that we'll meet up with her later in the eve. Say, is that your rainbow-headed friend over there?"
  434. >Turning to see what Anon's pointing at, you indeed see Rainbow Dash a short distance away, looking around the crowd for something
  435. >You begin waving desperately with both hands
  436. >Seeing your signal, Rainbow smirks triumphantly and begins pacing over to you and Anon
  437. >Oh goodness, finally
  438. >One of your friends is going to save you
  439. >They always do!
  440. >You could just explode with joy and relief right now
  441.  
  442. >You are Rainbow Dash
  443. >That's your name, don't wear it out
  444. >After realizing that you and Applejack had gotten WAY ahead of everybody else in your rush to be the first ones to collect tickets, you decided to go back and track 'em all down
  445. >AJ wanted to do things the boring way and just text them and agree to a meetup point, but you told her that's for pussies
  446. >And you were right goddamn it, 'cause look!
  447. >Less than five minutes in and you've already gathered up two of the slowpokes
  448. >Well, this might count for more like 1.5 because Anon's not really your friend and Shy's not exactly a moving target
  449. >Oh well, you're counting it anyway
  450. >Walking up to those two, you slap each of them on the shoulder
  451. "The hell you two been, huh? Couldn't handle my speed?" you tease.
  452. >Both of them just kind of mumble in response
  453. >Pffft
  454. >Wet blankets
  455. >Wait a minute
  456. >Fluttershy's face
  457. >You know that face
  458. >Despite her smile and genuine bliss at seeing you (too cute), you can tell she's been crying
  459. >You stiffen up and get tense as fuck, turning over to Anon
  460. >Yep, this confirms it
  461. >That bastard looks all uncomfortable and awkward
  462. >Well, ok, he always looks that way
  463. >But still, you swear to GOD
  464. >If Anon hurt YOUR Shy, you're about to BREAK a motherfucker's NOSE
  465. "What the FUCK happened to Fluttershy?" you growl at Anon, staring him down with pure venom.
  466. >Damn, you still got it
  467. >Fluttershy flinches and lets out an "eeeeeep", which you feel bad about, but Anon looks way caught off guard and starts stuttering nonsense
  468. >Just the reaction you were looking for
  469. >You clench your fists and get ready to clock this fuck in the face, dropping right into a fighting stance
  470. >You KNEW this prick was bad news, the whole time!
  471. >Anon backs up and sees what you're doing
  472. >Frowning, he immediately mirrors your stance with his fists up, staring you down with a glare of his own
  473. >Shit, this guy's got the balls to fight back?
  474. >Must be even dumber than you thought
  475. >His stance is pretty solid though, you might be in for a real brawl
  476. >"W-wait, p-please, guys, s-stop!" you hear Fluttershy cry out in distress
  477. >You're too pumped up to register her words, your heart's pumping like crazy and all the blood is rushing to your head
  478. >Readying your arm for an upper cut, you feel a hand roughly pull your right shoulder from behind
  479. >Suddenly, both your arms are above your head and you can't break free
  480. >What the fuck?
  481. >You start thrashing, getting read to beat the ever-loving shit out of whoever just sneak attacked you
  482. >"Whoooooooaaaah there, sugarcube, let's simmer down," comes a twangy voice right behind you
  483. >...Oh
  484. >Damn it
  485.  
  486. >You are Applejack
  487. >And you reckon you don't know what the hell you've just stumbled into
  488. >One second you're texting a nervous Sunset that you and RD are gonna wrangle up the stragglers and bring everyone to the big foam sculpture at the center of the arcade
  489. >The next you see Rainbow and Anon circling each other like two pigs fighting over a third dead one
  490. >With Fluttershy curled in a sobbing ball right next to them
  491. >You run past the flashing machines and bustling crowd, yelling and hollering the whole way, trying to get Anon and RD to hold their horses
  492. >But they don't seem to hear you, so when you get there, you figure it's time for a little hands-on wrasslin'
  493. >Now, you'll admit you don't know this Anon feller very well at all
  494. >But you DO know Dash
  495. >And she's such a damn hothead that you've got NO doubt this fight is her fault
  496. >So, with that in mind, you grab RD's arms and get her locked up in a nice grappling hold
  497. >She squirms and wiggles, but you've got plenty of practice controlling wild animals, so this is a cakewalk
  498. >But you figure a few soothing words can't hurt nothing much
  499. "Whoooooooaaaah there, sugarcube, let's simmer down."
  500. >At that she seems to finally realize she's acting like a rabid coyote and settles down
  501. >You wait a few more seconds just to be sure and then gently let her go
  502. >She immediately pushes away and looks between you and Anon, frazzled and with a clear look of betrayal on her face
  503. >Eh, you'll sort that wound out later
  504. >Right now it's time to get some answers
  505. "Now, y'all wanna CALMLY tell me what in tarnation is goin' on here?"
  506. >Seeing that the danger is gone, Anon drops his fighting pose and looks ready to respond
  507. >But Dash cuts him off
  508. >"I'LL tell you what happened. This fucking foreign CREEP attacked Fluttershy or something!"
  509. >RD says it with such conviction that you're just about damn near convinced she's telling the truth
  510. >"I did no such thing, you psychotic blue cunt," Anon spits out, glaring daggers at Dash.
  511. >Shoot
  512. >Well, now you don't know WHO to believe
  513. >As if God himself is answering your dilemma, Fluttershy begins speaking
  514. >Er- trying to speak, anyway
  515. >It's more just coming out as incoherent cries of pain
  516. >You kneel down and hush her, gently brushing the hair and tears out of her face
  517. "Wanna try that again, sugarcube? Take yer time, we ain't in no hurry,"
  518. >Fluttershy takes a second to catch her breath, as she's clearly been hyperventilating
  519. >And then she speaks, this time decipherably
  520. >"I w-wasn't upset b-because of A-anon...I was u-upset because I got l-lost. A-anon came and f-f-found me..."
  521. >Ok that makes sense
  522. >Standing to your feet, you turn around and see just about exactly what you were expecting
  523. >Rainbow Dash is blushing something fierce, looking down at the ground as if there was something REAL interesting, and rubbing her neck sheepishly
  524. >Anon, meanwhile, is looking straight at RD, appearing equal parts furious and fearful that she's gonna attack him again
  525. >You sigh and roll your eyes before clearing your throat
  526. "Ahem. Somethin' ya wanna say, Rainbow?"
  527. >Looking up at you with a look of dread on her face, she sputters for a few seconds before turning to Anon with a resigned expression
  528. >"A-alright, I'm SORRY Anon, alright? But you could have said something, you know!"
  529. >Anon looks ready to dispute that point, but then puts a finger to his lips thoughtfully
  530. >"Yes, I suppose I could have. To be honest, I guess I was too impressed with your fighting form to bother."
  531. >At this, Rainbow lights up, any trace of guilt or self-consciousness vanishing from her face
  532. >"GET OUT! I was thinking the same thing; where the hell did a nerd like you learn to fight?"
  533. >You rub your eyes, exasperated
  534. >A couple of blockheads, these two
  535. >But you can't help but smile at how quickly the misunderstanding is becoming water under the bridge
  536. >Anon even starts chuckling at RD's question
  537. >"Hmm, let's just say in my tim -- uh, I mean, in my country -- knowing how to hold your own in a brawl with a pair of paid goons becomes a childhood skill."
  538. >Huh
  539. >You had no idea things were so bleak in Russia
  540. >Anon turns to you now, a look of gratitude on his face
  541. >"Of course, your friend here clearly knows what she's doing too. You have militia experience, Miss Applejack?"
  542. >Militia experience?
  543. >What, he mean like JROTC or something?
  544. >You just shake your head and shrug your shoulders
  545. "Can't say that ah have. I just learned some basic wrasslin' on mah farm; well, and takin' care of mah kid sister, which is its own farm in a way."
  546. >You can't help but chuckle a bit at your own joke
  547. >Anon just looks between you and Dash, seeming a bit contemplative.
  548. >"Hmmm, but still, both of you know combat well enough. And you're in good shape. I think I might have an opportunity for the two of you, if you wanna talk it over later."
  549. >Opportunity?
  550. >That's a little funny sounding
  551. >Come to think of it, this whole line of questioning is rubbing you the wrong way
  552. >But RD is just beaming at all the compliments about her physical prowess, and you don't wanna spoil the mood
  553. >So, you just smile politely and give a noncommittal answer
  554. "Well, ah reckon any opportunity is worth givin' a look-over."
  555. >Anon grins oddly at that, giving a firm nod
  556. >"Excellent. And you?" he says, turning to Dash.
  557. >She just gives a cocky grin and a thumbs up
  558. >"I'm up for ANY challenge you throw my way!"
  559. >Before you can even roll your eyes at that, you feel something tug at your shirt
  560. >Looking behind you, you see Fluttershy is on her feet now
  561. >And she ain't even seem like a hot mess anymore, though she is looking at the ground bashfully
  562. >"Um, s-sorry to interrupt, but I think I'd like to meet up with the rest of the girls now. I mean, i-if that's alright with you all..."
  563. >Thinking it over, you reckon that's EXACTLY what you all need right about now
  564.  
  565. >Be Fluttershy
  566. >The night is going so much better now, you can hardly believe it
  567. >Turns out Applejack texted Sunset and the other girls and they're all gonna meet you here at the Canterlot PepePinball Sculpture
  568. >It's a foam piece of...art where a frog is playing pinball
  569. >You think the frog is the arcade's mascot or something, but you still don't really get it
  570. >But oh, you're just too happy to even care!
  571. >You swing your legs back and forth merrily, sitting on a wooden bench underneath the sculpture, taking a sip from your pink lemonade
  572. >Rainbow Dash bought it for you to apologize for the...altercation with Anon
  573. >Oh heavens, that was the most stressed you've ever been this week
  574. >But hearing Anon talk about it later, you'd think it was all just some big joke or something
  575. >And he kept complimenting AJ and Dash on their v-violent skills...
  576. >You feel yourself start to shiver a little as you stop swinging your legs
  577. >Maybe Anon isn't quite as kind or gentle as you thought
  578. >Cautiously, you turn to glance at him inconspicuously as he sits next to you
  579. >AJ and RD challenged each other to a Whac-A-Mole competition while you all wait for the others to arrive
  580. >So for now it's just you and Anon, silently sitting together on the bench
  581. >Fortunately, Anon doesn't seem to notice you observing him
  582. >He's too busy staring at all the flashing and buzzing game machines around the arcade
  583. >His expression is difficult to read
  584. >Like a strange mixture of confusion and distaste
  585. "D-do they not have arcades in R-Russia, Anon?" you ask so quietly that you're surprised he even hears you.
  586. >You almost instantly regret initiating a conversation with this strange, possibly violent boy
  587. >Unconsciously, you bring your knees up to your chest and wrap your arms around them protectively
  588. >Anon doesn't seem to notice your change in posture
  589. >"Hmmm? Oh, no, yes, of course! In Russia, every village has its own local arcade station. Why, me and my comra - I mean, me and my buddies, we used to bring burlap sacks filled with MANY pennies and play video electronic gambling deep into the night."
  590. >He gets an odd, nervous expression on his face as he explains, and ends the sentence with an inappropriately wide smile, not meeting your eyes
  591. >Oh my
  592. >Sometimes, Anon is almost as socially awkward as you
  593. >For some strange reason, you find this reassuring, and you relax your posture a bit
  594. >But this reminds you of something
  595. >Earlier, Anon said something rather a-alarming
  596. "U-um, Anon? E-earlier, you mentioned a h-h-horrible sight you had to d-deal with. W-what did you mean?"
  597. >You hope you don't sound as dreadfully nervous as you feel, but experience tells you this is wishful thinking
  598. >Anon gets a serious look on his face at your question
  599. >He starts looking around the two of you with an alert expression
  600. >For a moment, you almost think you crossed a line with your question
  601. >Before you can apologize though, Anon answers your question with one of his own
  602. >"You care for animals, yes? I've heard many students mention your shelter volunteering," he asks, his eyes focused on yours like a laser.
  603. >This seems like an obvious dodge of your question, but you can't help but light up at the new topic
  604. "O-oh yes! I volunteer as often as I can; I just love to help take care of any critters I find. They have such a wonderful innocence to them, they are so pure and good. They...they don't judge or hate like people do."
  605. >Oh gosh, you've gotten way too personal haven't you? Silly Fluttershy, stop opening up to people!
  606. >It's h-humiliating...
  607. >But Anon seems incredibly pleased with your answer, a grin crossing his face
  608. >"Yes, that is very true, I've found."
  609. >Suddenly, his face becomes deathly serious
  610. >"But, God forbid, what if someone were to hurt an animal? Betray their trust? Abuse them, even? That would be wrong, yes? No, worse than wrong. That would be a grave crime, a sin, you agree?"
  611. >You can feel your blood go cold and your stomach churn
  612. >Your fists clench and your teeth start grinding as anger pulses through your body
  613. >As much as you hate to think about it, you've seen it
  614. >SEEN people hurt animals, toy with them, TORTURE them!
  615. >The thought makes you...you don't know what it makes you want to do
  616. >Something bad
  617. >Something you'd never do otherwise
  618. "The thought is horrible. Too horrible to bear. I couldn't allow it, not anywhere near me. EVER," you say firmly, surprising even yourself at how strong and steady the words feel leaving your mouth.
  619. >A small smile crosses Anon's face as his eyes burn with an unreadable emotion
  620. >"Yes. You are right, of course. But, say the animal wasn't an animal at all. Say it was a servant; a servant at the whim and mercy of its master."
  621. >You feel the anger dissipating and being replaced with confusion
  622. >Not an animal? A servant? You don't see the connection
  623. >Anon seems to read your expression as he moves his body closer to yours, looking at you with an intensity you find rather frightening.
  624. >"See, a servant, forced to work at the beck and call of a master, is no better than an animal, subject to the will of a human overseer. His dignity and freedom have been robbed from him; he is submissive, helpless, vulnerable to harm."
  625. >Y-you suppose that makes sense in a way
  626. >But you don't see where Anon is going with this train of thought
  627. "I-I'm not sure I understand your point," you say as gently as you can.
  628. >Anon takes a pause and a deep breath
  629. >You can see struggle on his face
  630. >He seems to be choosing his next words very carefully
  631. >"When I walked into this building, I saw a finely dressed man. From context, I believe him the owner of this establishment. He was scolding a lowly uniformed man, a manual laborer of some kind. He told him that his work pace was unacceptable, subpar."
  632. >Anon begins baring his teeth, gripping the back of the bench with his hand, his face frozen in a glare
  633. >He doesn't seem quite here anymore
  634. >Like he's off in another world
  635. >You begin nervously looking around for AJ and Rainbow, or the other girls
  636. >This is making you feel very uncomfortable
  637. >Anon begins practically spitting out his next words
  638. >"He said the man had but one chance left to prove his competence. He threatened to kick the worker to the curb if he didn't perform adequately tonight. The owner said the laborer could kiss his paycheck goodbye if he didn't do EXACTLY as he was told."
  639. >Now, Anon's eyes meet yours and he seems to return to the present
  640. >His body language relaxes a little, but he moves his head even closer to yours
  641. >The words that come out of his mouth now radiate with passion
  642. >It's...enchanting you, somehow
  643. >What is going on?
  644. >"Understand, Fluttershy. So hateful was this sight to me, that it would for you be the same as watching a man swing a cat by its tail or kick a dog in its teeth."
  645. >What sight?
  646. >This was the horrible sight?
  647. >A boss telling his employee to work harder?
  648. >That doesn't make any sense; what on Earth is Anon TALKING about?
  649. >And why, despite your confusion, do you feel like you are finally speaking to someone who really understands you?
  650. >Anon relaxes now, leaning backwards, giving you some breathing space
  651. >"And this is why I'm forming an activist group of sorts at CHS. To draw attention to these kinds of abuses and protect the most vulnerable from the most dangerous."
  652. >Pulling out a stuffed folder from his coat pocket, Anon hands you a flyer
  653. >"Look it over and consider if it would be a good fit for you. I must use the restroom."
  654. >Before you can even respond, Anon has left the bench and is briskly walking away from you
  655. >Looking down to examine the flyer, you see a white headline on a black background:
  656. >'No Education, No Indoctrination'
  657. >Below, a subheading:
  658. >'Join the Students for a Better Tomorrow Committee; We Need You!!!'
  659. >Your head starts spinning
  660. >This night has been too much
  661. >Y-you'd like to go home now...
  662.  
  663. >You are Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
  664. >Just kidding
  665. >You're PINKIE PIE, silly
  666. >Hmmm....though you do make a MEAN pie
  667. >But your pies are made out of fruit, not meat!
  668. >Case closed
  669. >Anyway, you are currently jumping around in extra-spectacular, ultra-deluxe, high-octane, infinity-powered EXCITEMENT
  670. >The arcade is just the coolest, most special, most dazzling place EVER and you can't help but soak in all the flashing lights, cool 8 bit sound effects, rapturous laughter and screams of joy, and wafting smells of treats and food and goodies
  671. >This is like your Paradise, your Garden of Eden, your Cradle of Civilization, your large pizza and chocolate milkshake
  672. >Granted, technically you're supposed to be going to the little girls' room right now, not playing around on the arcade machines
  673. >But you're ON YOUR WAY, you just took a detour
  674. >Or fifty
  675. >Ok, you love the arcade, FINE, happy???
  676. >Heheheheh, just kidding, you know that the disembodied presence reading your thoughts back to you in the second person means no harm
  677. >FOCUS PINKIE
  678. >Anyway, some poor little boy made the unfortunate mistake of tripping and spilling soda all over Rarity's outfit
  679. >He was too distracted by all the amazing games and prizes and colors and sounds and WHO COULD BLAME HIM????
  680. >But, while Twilight and Sunset try to talk down Rarity from her mega-malignant, mischievously mysterious, miserably macabre, monstrously maniacal MELTDOWN, you figured you'd meritoriously multitask and take care of your popping bladder
  681. >As you speed toward the restrooms, however, you spot a familiar sight walking aimlessly around some Pac-Man machines
  682. >Mr. Pepe, the owner of the arcade himself!
  683. >A short, stocky, balding, and pot-bellied man in his early forties, Mr. Pepe has only a couple character flaws
  684. >One, he over-indulges in sweets and sweet-adjacent foodstuffs (and who doesn't????)
  685. >And two, he has a bit of a short temper
  686. >But you know he means well deep down; you can tell by the way his eyes light up as he walks around the arcade that he has the same sense of awe and wonder when he's here that you do
  687. >Bouncing (very literally!) up to greet him, your big smile turns to a frown when you see that there's tears in his eyes and his face is flushed
  688. >He's sweating very profusely as well and he looks downright distraught
  689. >No worries Mr. Pepe, PINKIE PIE will sort this ALL out
  690. "HIYA, Mr. Pepe sir! What's got you down? Let me help you turn that frown upside down!" you say, grabbing onto his shoulders and giving him a massive smile.
  691. >Mr. Pepe looks at you distractedly, as if just noticing where he is
  692. >He rubs the tears out of his eyes before speaking in a shaky, stuttering voice
  693. >"Oh, h-hello Pinkie. I'm just a bit preoccupied; someone's done something just horrible to my office, I'm afraid."
  694. >You lean in closer to him, meeting his eyes and absorbing his somber mood
  695. "What happened? You can tell 'ole Pinkie Pie anything, I promise!"
  696. >Turning to look around (trying to see if any over-eager ears are listening in, you'd wager), he sighs and starts explaining
  697. >"Well, earlier tonight I left the office to go survey the operation and make sure everything's running smoothly. I get back an hour or so later and s-someone had broken in."
  698. >You GASP, shocked at the very notion
  699. "BROKEN IN? Like, you mean, a BREAK IN? But why? Who would do that?" you question, frazzled and confused and no small part indignant that poor Mr. Pepe has been the target of a crime.
  700. >Mr. Pepe shakes his head vigorously
  701. >"I have no idea! It's unthinkable. The whole room was trashed, and papers had been torn apart, display cases were broken, it was a disaster. Several of my tax and accounting documents had been stolen, even!"
  702. >This is CRAZY, just CRAZY!
  703. >Who could possibly have incentive to do something so horrible to such a sweet, harmless, poor old man?
  704. >Ok not old
  705. >Middle aged, but you're in high school, so to you that counts as old
  706. "My GOSH, that's just so terrible, Mr. Pepe. How are you holding up? I feel gut-punchingly awful, just AWFUL, thinking that such a vicious, pointless, savage, beastly, barbaric crime could happen here, in this golden sanctuary from all things evil!"
  707. >Your penchant for hyperbole seems to be cheering Mr. Pepe up a bit as he has a smile smile on his face now
  708. >"Ah, I'm doing alright. I've called the police and hopefully they'll help me sort this out. T-though I have to say, the ransacking wasn't even the worst part. It was the message."
  709. >Message? Oh no, this sounds dark and foreboding, which normally is very exciting, but not when it's happening to someone you care about
  710. Your curiosity gets the best of you and you practically scream "MESSAGE? WHAT MESSAGE?"
  711. >Ok, not practically, you absolutely screamed
  712. >Mr. Pepe flinches.
  713. >"No need for the shouting, Pinkie, I'm right next to you. The message was written on the door-facing wall of my office. It, uh...well, I don't know if this is appropriate to share with someone of your constitution, Pinkie. I'd feel guilty."
  714. >Your constitution? What the HECK is that supposed to mean?
  715. >You've long considered yourself the most mature and toughest of all your friends and you don't even need to ASK them because they'd probably agree so fast it would make your head leap off of your body and start break-dancing!
  716. "COME ON, Mr. Pepe sir, please, I'm a big girl, I can handle a gritty story. And how can I help you fix this if I don't even know what happened?"
  717. >Sighing, Mr. Pepe reluctantly agrees to share the details
  718. >"Alright, alright. The message was written in big, jagged letters. It, uh...it said that my days were numbered. That I'd face the wall for my crimes when my time was up. And then it, uh, told me to go to hell and uh, called me a...I quote, 'fucking pig'."
  719. >You gasp so hard that you worry your lungs might have floated out from your body and up into the air
  720. >"And it was, uh, well, written in blood."
  721. >Okay, that DOES IT
  722. >This has gone too far
  723. >You WILL catch the fiendish, fiendly fiend who did this fiendish, fiendly deed and bring him or her to justice if it's the LAST THING YOU DO!
  724. "Don't worry Mr. Pepe sir, Pinkie is ON THE CASE. Before the week is up I will have the vile villain who perpetrated these acts and you will have your justice! I PINKIE PROMISE it!"
  725. >Mr. Pepe begins frantically waving his hands back and forth
  726. >"No, no, really Pinkie, that's not necessary, you don't have to-"
  727. >You cut off what you're sure was gonna be a resounding endorsement of your mission with a reiteration of the Pinkie Promise:
  728. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" you solemnly swear, going through the motions with the utmost integrity.
  729. >"Pinkie, please, this isn't a good ide-"
  730. >Giving Mr. Pepe a resolute military-style salute before he can heap any more boundless praise or bestow any more blessings upon your righteous investigation, you sprint away and immediately begin searching for the culprit
  731. >You will stop at NOTHING to achieve your objective!
  732. >However, you are interrupted by a sharp pain in your near-bursting bladder
  733. >Oh, right.
  734. >Gotta sort out those pesky bodily functions first
  735. >But then you will stop at NOTHING to achieve your objective!
  736.  
  737. >Be David Lynch, famed director of 'Eraserhead', 'Blue Velvet', and 'Twin Peaks'
  738. >Just kidding, you're still PINKIE PIE
  739. >You gotta stop falling for that, silly billy
  740. >Walking out of the ladies' restroom, you resolve to immediately begin searching for the culprit of the heinous crime against Mr. Pepe
  741. >Nothing and you mean NOTHING will distract you from your mission of -
  742. >Hey, is that Nonny?????
  743. >Turning to look to your right at the figure you spotted in your peripheral, you confirm that it is, indeed, Nonny
  744. >He appears to be exiting the men's restroom and he doesn't seem to have noticed you yet
  745. >You know just how to remedy that!
  746. "HEY NONNY, WAIT UP!" you shout with uncontained excitement, bouncing toward him like a kangaroo high off a sugar rush
  747. >Craning his head to look at the loud noise, Nonny spots you and instantly perks up
  748. >Then furrows his brow in confusion
  749. >What's his dealio?
  750. >Oh
  751. >Probably your newly-christened nickname for him, 'Nonny'
  752. >You can't help but giggle uncontrollably as you stop bouncing mere inches away from Nonny
  753. "HIYA Nonny, quit being silly and give a hug to your good pal, Pinkie!"
  754. >You extend your arms to wrap Nonny in a friendly hug, but he quickly sidesteps the advancement
  755. >Looking at you with irritation and then, quickly (almost suspiciously quickly) a sheepish smile, Nonny speaks
  756. >"Uh, apologies Miss Pie, I'm more of a handshake sort of person myself. I hope you take no offense," he says, extending his hand for you to shake
  757. >Oh
  758. >Well, that's ok, everyone has their own preferences!
  759. >You enthusiastically shake his hand in response
  760. "No problemo, friendo schmendo!!! Oh, but I HAVE to correct you, I'm sorry to say; you called me Miss Pie, but Miss Pie is me as an old lady. Please, call me PINKIE!"
  761. >Nonny just smiles and nods politely at the new information, his eyes momentarily darting down at your hand, still shaking his
  762. >His lips curl, almost like he's displeased with the handshake
  763. >Strange
  764. >Maybe Nonny's not one for much physical contact at all; now that you think about it, you've been shaking his hand long enough as it is
  765. >Silly Pinkie Pie, getting distracted by titles and observations and the splendor of the arcade
  766. >You drop Nonny's hand and try to steer this sailboat of a conversation toward greener pastures
  767. >Wait what?
  768. >Your metaphors are getting tangled again
  769. "So Nonny, where you off to in such a hurry? You're not having too much fun without us, are you????"
  770. >Nonny shakes his head with a smile smile
  771. >"Just keeping the other girls company while we await you and your friends. Say, where *are* the other girls? I haven't seen Sunset since we arrived, it's been quite unfortunate."
  772. >Oooooooh, you're getting the distinct, ticklish, tingle wingle feeling of a 'someone is in LOVE with one of your best friends' Pinkie Sense
  773. >You resist the urge to tease Nonny, as he doesn't seem to have quite your same sense of humor
  774. >At least not yet
  775. "Oh, we just had a minor code red fashion incident with Rarity. Nothing a little bit of scientific ingenuity can't fix! We'll be meeting up with you all in no time at all!!! And then we can finally GET THIS PARTY STARTED!"
  776. >You can't help but shout that last part
  777. >It's just gonna be so much more fun having the whole group together and it's already been a BLAST so far
  778. >Nonny nods understandingly at your explanation before his eyes dart down to your chest
  779. >At first your face brightens and you feel like maybe Nonny is taking a gander at some goods he ought not be taking a gander at
  780. >But then he speaks and your fears are thankfully put to rest
  781. >"That's quite an interesting pedant you have. I've noticed the other girls wearing similar ornaments as well," Nonny says, pointing below your neck.
  782. >You look down, seeing that he's talking about your geode
  783. >HMMMMM, this is a toughie
  784. >A VERY strong gut feeling emerges that you should most definitely, assuredly, indubitably NOT relay to Nonny that these geodes are the source of you and your friends' magical powers
  785. >You don't like to lie, but you simply don't know him well enough to share the whole truth just yet
  786. "Oh YES, ain't it a beaut??? These geodes are Friendship Symbolizers. We wear them to symbolize our friendship!!!!" you say nonchalantly, stretching your mouth into a spectacularly wide smile and contorting your body into a highly flexible Pinkie Pose
  787. >A NONCHALANT Pinkie Pose, mind you
  788. >Nonny seems unsatisfied with your explanation, but fortunately he doesn't decide to pry
  789. >"Ah, I see, of course," he says, before abruptly changing the topic. "Well, you may be interested to know that I've joined the student planning committee for the big basketball game."
  790. >WAIT, WHAT????!?!?!?!?
  791. >OHMIGOSH
  792. >This is too much
  793. >You're hyperventilating
  794. >This is the most EXCITING THING you've heard all night
  795. "WHAT? That's wonderful. OH MY ABSOLUTE GOLLY GOSH, I cannot WAIT to tell you absolutely EVERYTHING you need to know about the game. Ooooh, what part of the planning do you want to be involved in????"
  796. >Nonny's face lights up as a big grin appears on his face
  797. >aHA, you just KNEW you two would hit it off eventually
  798. >"Oh, well I'm interested in everything, but I thought a combination of seating, security, and entertainment would be delightful. You know, to get a good variety."
  799. >Huh, that sure feels like a weird mishmash of unrelated things
  800. >But hey, who are you to judge what floats someone else's boat?
  801. >NO ONE, that's who!
  802. "Ah, well no worries Nonny, BELIEVE me when I tell you that we can definitely arrange that! Oh gosh, I can hardly wait until Monday for us to get started with the planning!"
  803. >Nonny energetically nods his head in agreement. "I share your sentiment entirely! This game sounds like quite an extraordinary event; why, I even heard that the Mayor herself will be attending. How will that even work with seating, I wonder?"
  804. >Nonny's got a light, curious tone, but his eyes are boring into yours like laser beams as he asks his question
  805. >WOW, he must be almost as excited about this as you! You didn't even know that was possible
  806. "Oh, I'm so glad you asked!!! We're gonna set up Super Duper Special Seating court-side for all the school faculty and Guests of Honor! They'll be able to get a HEAD-CHURNINGLY good view of the game! Pretty neat, huh?"
  807. >You raise your eyebrow, a little confused at Nonny's reaction
  808. >He...looks like he's about to pass out from excitement
  809. >Even weirder, he looks like he's trying to HIDE how excited he is
  810. >Why would anyone ever want to conceal their excitement?????
  811. >"...Neat, yes. Very neat. My goodness, this game sounds like...the ultimate spectacle. A page for the history books, I imagine!"
  812. >A strange, malformed grin stretches across his face as he speaks
  813. >Alarms start flashing in your mind
  814. >Your muscles begin tensing in a very ominous Pinkie Sense, alerting you of danger
  815. >You don't usually get senses like this and you hardly know how to interpret this one!
  816. >No, wait, you know EXACTLY how to interpret it actually
  817. >Anon is hiding something
  818. >Maybe something good, maybe something bad
  819. >But whatever it is, you need to find out
  820. >Time to do a little digging of your own!
  821. "Yeah, but I just hope the planning won't interfere with your other responsibilities! What, with having to work and send money to your family and all," you say casually.
  822. >Anon's smile drops and he looks at you with a confused expression
  823. >"Family?"
  824. >You lift your eyebrows at that
  825. "You know, your brothers and sisters? Sunset told us you've been having to send funds back to them in Russia."
  826. >A look of recognition immediately crosses Anon's face as he smiles nervously and begins hastily speaking.
  827. >"Ah yes, of course, my poor four little siblings. Uh, see, me and Principal Celestia actually worked out a system and my boss is also being very understanding, s-so that won't be an issue at all," Anon stammers, clearly caught off guard.
  828. >Hmmm
  829. >FOUR little siblings?
  830. "Four, you say? Interesting; Sunset said you had six siblings," you point out, almost giggling at how quickly the color drains from Anon's face.
  831. >"Y-yes, six, did I say four? Must be the h-heat, and the loud noises in here, making me lose my grip, of course, yes, six siblings, absolutely," Anon blurts out, his words becoming almost indecipherable towards the end.
  832. >Welp, that confirms it
  833. >Anon is, for some reason or another, lying about his family and work situation
  834. >You've repeatedly learned that it's NOT polite to point out when other people are lying, though, so you decide to throw some more questions Anon's way instead
  835. "Ahhhh, gotcha. Say, what are their names? And which part of Russia are you from, again? Those scars sure are interesting, what's the background on those? When did you move to America, anyway?" you ask in rapid-fire fashion, moving your face closer to Anon's with every question
  836. >The tips of your noses are practically touching at this point
  837. >Anon takes a step backward, trying to compose himself
  838. >At first he seems to be preparing to deliver a response to each of your questions, but finally an annoyed, dismissive look appears on his face instead
  839. >"It's not appropriate to ask so many personal questions to someone you've just met, *Miss Pie*."
  840. >Dodging your questions AND being a grouchypants about it?
  841. >Not looking good for Anon
  842. >You'd bet he's lying about a WHOLE bunch of stuff now; heck, he might not even be who he SAYS he is, if your Pinkie Senses aren't lying to you (which they haven't yet!)
  843. >...Hey, wait a minute
  844. >What's with the 'Miss Pie'?
  845. >You thought you told him you didn't like that
  846. >Just when you're about to remind him, you see something very unsettling
  847. >Anon's frown has turned into a sneer and he's looking at you with very cold, yet...amused eyes
  848. >He KNOWS you don't like being called that
  849. >And he DELIBERATELY called you it anyway
  850. >A-anon is TRYING to upset you
  851. >And that's when it hits you
  852. >Your hair deflates a bit as you get a sudden moment of clarity
  853. >You don't use this word lightly, but....
  854. >Anonymous is a meanie
  855. >No, WORSE than a meanie
  856. >Anonymous is a JERK
  857. >He just smirks, seemingly satisfied with your mood shift
  858. >"Something the matter, Miss Pie? I hope I didn't offend you in some way," he says with a faux politeness.
  859. >Steel resolve grips you
  860. >So what???
  861. >If Anonymous wants to be a jerk, FINE BY YOU!
  862. >You'll just make sure to keep a close eye on him, ESPECIALLY when he's around your friends
  863. >And DOUBLE ESPECIALLY when he's around Sunset
  864. >You plaster on the biggest, most ridiculous, most obviously fake smile you can
  865. "NO WAY, Jose. In fact, Nonny, I think Sunset and the others can catch up. I'd like to walk to the meetup point with you, if you're up for it!" you say in a tone of pure cotton candy sweetness.
  866. >You extend your arm out for Anonymous to take and lead the way
  867. >Hesitating for only a moment, Anonymous puts on his own obviously fake smile before wrapping his arm around yours
  868. >"It would be my pleasure, Miss Pie."
  869.  
  870. >Be Rarity, Canterlot's most promising teen fashion designer
  871. >Be trying not to panic
  872. >Be failing
  873. >Hard
  874. "Oh my, darlings, DARLINGS, Oh my dear sweet heavens, what are we going to DO about this?"
  875. >You try to avoid shrieking or making a scene, but it's impossible
  876. >Several people are staring and gawking as they pass by you
  877. >This is dreadful, simply dreadful
  878. >You were having a lovely, wonderfully enchanting evening when out of nowhere disaster struck
  879. >The worst of the worst happened, a turn of events so profoundly severe and unexpected that you had NO contingency plan in place
  880. >Your outfit has been covered in sticky, brown, sugary liquid
  881. >"Now, now, let's just bring it down a notch, Rarity, it's really not that bad."
  882. >Sunset's false words of comfort only serve to inflame your panic
  883. "NOT THAT BAD? Darling, you seem to be WOEFULLY unclear on the extent of this catastrophe. Need I remind you that my blouse AND skirt have been soaked in that vile, accursed drink?!"
  884. >You do feel incredibly guilty about exploding at that boy; after all, it was an accident
  885. >Oh well
  886. >A wrong that you will do your best to right, but after and only after the immediate crisis has been resolved
  887. >Meanwhile, Twilight is on her knees, examining the stains on your clothing
  888. >The magnifying glass seems like overkill, but you are in no position right now to question the wunderkind prodigy herself
  889. >Rising to her feet, your hopes are momentarily inflated...
  890. >...Only to be crushed spectacularly when you see the disappointed look on her face
  891. >"Sorry Rarity, it looks like a no-go,"
  892. >She says it bluntly, eyes to the floor, rubbing her shoulder in equal parts guilt and nervousness
  893. "Oh merciful heavens, WHY???"
  894. >Twilight takes a deep breath before explaining
  895. >"Well, if the stains were localized to just one or two areas, I'd suggest a generous application of baking soda, but the wide-area...uh, spillage, renders that option non-viable."
  896. >Okay, you simply cannot maintain your proper composure any longer
  897. >You begin sobbing into your hands at this cruel twist of fate
  898. >Meanwhile, you see in your peripheral vision that Sunset keeps impatiently checking her phone and looking around the arcade nervously
  899. >You shoot a glare at your friend, who has been MOST unsupportive indeed since this fiasco began
  900. "Oh, I'm sorry darling, am I keeping you from something MORE pressing than the plight of a close friend?"
  901. >Sunset gets a deer in the headlights look before sighing defeatedly
  902. >"I'm really sorry, Rarity. It's just that, well, this whole thing was really about helping Anon come out of his shell and feel more comfortable around us and I have barely even seen him at all. I feel like I've blown this."
  903. >The soft, discouraged tone from Sunset is simply too much to bear
  904. >Oh my, you have just been terribly selfish tonight
  905. >How ever are you going to make this up to Sunset?
  906. >Well...you can think of a start, at least, as much as it pains you to consider
  907. >You smile grimly at Sunset before using all of your willpower to force the words out
  908. "You know what, i-it's fine, dear, really. You and Twilight go meet up with the others, I'll catch up later tonight. Really, it's okay!"
  909. >Now that you think about it, there is a clothing store down the street from the arcade
  910. >It shouldn't be too long of a trip to grab a quick change of clothes
  911. >Sunset immediately lights up at your suggestion, but her face then morphs into one of concern
  912. >"Are you sure, Rarity? I don't want to abandon you, it wouldn't be right."
  913. >You force a more natural-looking smile on your face before nodding
  914. "I'm QUITE certain, darling. In fact, I insist! This Anonymous ruffian needs a civilizing hand and lord knows he won't be getting it anywhere else. Off, you two! I'll meet up with you later, I promise."
  915. >You've only barely finished speaking before you feel yourself pulled into a tight hug
  916. >"Oh THANK YOU Rarity, you are just the best friend a girl could possibly ask for," Sunset gushes into your shoulder
  917. >Okay, now your smile is no longer forced
  918. >You bid your two friends farewell as they run off to meet up with the others
  919. >Now
  920. >Time to sort out this grotesque wardrobe malfunction
  921.  
  922. >You are Rainbow Dash
  923. >AKA the fastest, strongest, and all-around best athlete in the school
  924. >And possibly the country
  925. >But, somehow this isn't stopping you from temporarily getting your ass kicked at a Dance Dance Revolution contest with AJ
  926. >TEMPORARILY, you emphasize
  927. >Wiping the sweat from your brow as you step your feet to the rhythm of the song, you briefly turn to Applejack to see how she's faring
  928. >To your fury, she's just smiling and dancing around like she's having a great time
  929. >Meanwhile you feel like your calf muscles are about to collapse on themselves like a dying star
  930. >...Hey, what the FUCK was with that nerdy metaphor?
  931. >You've been spending too much time with Twilight
  932. >Shaking the thought from your head, you double down on your efforts
  933. >You WILL get a higher score than AJ or die trying
  934. >And nothing, and no one, and not a THING is gonna be able to stop yo-
  935. >"OH heya, Dashie! Oooh, you girls are playing DDR? I wanna turn!"
  936. >Before you can even react, you're suddenly spun from the platform in a pink blur
  937. >By the time you get your bearings, you see you're several feet away from the dance machine and Pinkie Pie has taken your place
  938. >She has effortlessly picked up where you left off, despite the game being in the middle of a song
  939. >"Better start preparing now AJ, 'cause I'm gonna beat ya!" she shouts gleefully over to Applejack
  940. >AJ simply grins and gets a determined glint in her eye
  941. >"You're on, pardner!"
  942. >Growling, you step forward and prepare to resume your rightful spot as Applejack's challenger
  943. >But before you can get any further, you feel a tap on your shoulder
  944. >Rounding on whatever dickhead decided to interrupt your warpath, you see Anon standing there with a nervous smile
  945. >Ah shit
  946. >To your surprise, you're actually starting to like this guy
  947. >Not "like" like, mind you (Anon's not even KIND of your type)
  948. >But you know, just a decent guy to shoot the shit with
  949. >"Nice to see you again, Miss Dash."
  950. >You slap his shoulder at that
  951. "Call me Miss Dash again and I'm gonna punch you in the throat, Anon."
  952. >You say it playfully enough so that he knows you're not mad but also seriously enough that he knows you mean it
  953. >It seems to work, as he smiles and puts his hands up defensively
  954. >"Apologies, Rainbow. How goes the contest with your apple rival?"
  955. >You turn your head back and glare at Pinkie as she obliviously dances in YOUR position
  956. >She's gonna pay for this
  957. "It's a work in progress. Anyway, I've been meaning to ask, what's with the 'opportunity' thing you mentioned earlier? You putting together a heist, Anon?"
  958. >Anon grins widely at that
  959. >"Oh good Lord, no, the heist comes MUCH later."
  960. >You can't help but laugh at his joke
  961. >Okay, maybe Anon isn't as much of a fucking awkward spazz as you first pegged him
  962. >He continues on talking
  963. >"I was just thinking of forming a self-defense class, of sorts. Just to teach some of more vulnerable students basic defense skills should they be confronted or assaulted in some way. You and Applejack seemed like perfect candidates to help me out."
  964. >You think over his words for a second
  965. >Huh, that actually sounds pretty cool
  966. >An involuntary smile comes to your face
  967. "So, basically, you wanna teach nerds how to PROPERLY kick their bullies in the nuts?"
  968. >Anon rolls his eyes at that, but he's smirking
  969. >"More or less. Would that be something you're interested in?"
  970. >You give a resolute grin
  971. >'Are you interested? '
  972. >That sounds suspiciously like a challenge
  973. >And everyone knows you don't back away from a challenge
  974. "Hell yeah, I'm interested! I'll pass on the word to AJ too once Pinkie's tired her out. I know that's something she'd be down for."
  975. >Anon's eyes light up as he claps his hands in genuine delight
  976. >"Perfect! Now, how about we go keep your gentle friend over there company? She looks like she needs it."
  977. >Turning to look where Anon is pointing, you see Fluttershy sitting all alone under the Pepe Sculpture
  978. >She looks sad and scared and VERY uncomfortable as she keeps nervously looking around at passing arcade-goers
  979. >Too
  980. >Fucking
  981. >Cute
  982. "Yeah, we better go take care of her before she gets into any more trouble."
  983.  
  984. >Be Twilight Sparkle
  985. >Be trying with all your might to keep up with Sunset but jesus christ why is she walking so fast
  986. >Like a deranged Naruto cosplayer, she's decided to speed with all her might through the arcade toward the meetup point
  987. >N-not that you know what Naruto is or a-anything
  988. >Taking deep breaths and chasing after her, you see a steeled look on her face as she rounds a corner and searches for the PepePinball sculpture
  989. >Apparently she really wants to make sure her 'new friend' who she's known for all of two hours is having a good time
  990. >Why does she care so much about this Anon guy anyway?
  991. >So what if he's nice? You girls have Fluttershy
  992. >And you don't want to embarrass yourself having to navigate awkward social conversations for the purpose of making yet another friend
  993. >You were just starting to get comfortable with these ones
  994. >Feeling someone tapping your shoulder, you look over
  995. >Sunset is looking very happy now and points ahead
  996. >Ah, there we are
  997. >Anon, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash are sitting under the Pepe sculpture
  998. >Fluttershy is looking down and appears nervous and uncomfortable, but Dash is smiling and having an animated conversation with Anon
  999. >Huh
  1000. >Wouldn't have pegged those two as fast friends
  1001. >"Thank God, he didn't leave," you hear Sunset mutter (evidently to herself)
  1002. >Jeez, why was she so worried?
  1003. >It's not like Anon is a close friend
  1004. >Is there something you're missing here?
  1005. >Before you can muse over it further, Sunset gestures for you to follow
  1006. >She practically sprints over to the gang, with you trailing behind
  1007. >"Hey, guys! Sorry we're so late, we had an incident with Rarity. But she'll be back later tonight!"
  1008. >Sunset pants out the apology and explanation, out of breath from how fast she's been moving this whole time
  1009. >"Pffft, no problem Sunny, me and Anon were just talking some more about some kickass martial arts moves we know!"
  1010. >Rainbow Dash is, true to her character, too dense to understand the apology was meant for Anon
  1011. >Fluttershy, meanwhile, looks absolutely distressed at the mention of martial arts
  1012. >Have those guys been talking about violence this ENTIRE TIME in front of poor Fluttershy?
  1013. >Rude
  1014. >Anon merely gives a wave and a small smile before speaking
  1015. >"Yes, it's quite alright, the night has practically flown by," he says in that sludgy accent
  1016. >Sunset smiles brightly at Anon
  1017. >And keeps looking at him
  1018. >...For an awkwardly long time, even by your standards
  1019. >Suddenly, Sunset's face reddens at Dash coughing and giving her a knowing look
  1020. >Why a cough?
  1021. >Why a knowing look?
  1022. >Why a reddening face?
  1023. >WHAT IS HAPPENING?
  1024. >Sunset begins looking around the area with a puzzled expression
  1025. >"Where are Pinkie and AJ?"
  1026. >Dash looks around, apparently not noticing the two are gone
  1027. >She waves her hand casually
  1028. >"Beats me. Those losers must have been too embarrassed with my mad DDR skills to bare the shame of hanging around us!"
  1029. >That sounds implausible
  1030. >Fortunately, Fluttershy was apparently paying attention
  1031. >"T-they u-um, went to go do s-some sort of r-race simulator c-contest," FS says in her characteristic near-silent manner.
  1032. >Sunset groans and rolls her eyes
  1033. >"Just my luck. Rainbow, help me track them down! Oh, Twi, wanna keep Anon and Shy company while we're gone?"
  1034. >Sunset must have (correctly) decided that search and rescue missions are not where your natural skills lie
  1035. "Sure, no problem," you say with a shrug, sitting down next to Anon
  1036. >As Rainbow and Sunset run off to locate the two missing members of your party, you turn to your companions
  1037. "S-so, what's your guys' favorite unified field theory contender?"
  1038. >Oh dear God, why Twilight
  1039. >Why do you do this to yourself
  1040. >Fluttershy just squeaks and looks down, smartly deciding she wants no part in your autism
  1041. >Anon, on the other hand, raises an eyebrow in interest
  1042. >"Unified field theory?"
  1043. >Ok Twilight, you can still save this conversation
  1044. >You just have to steer the topic away from nerd shit
  1045. "Uh, h-hello, Earth to Anon! You know, something that reconciles quantum mechanics with general relativity? T-this is pretty basic physics, Anon."
  1046. >...Just fuck your life
  1047. >Anon shrugs, his expression quickly turning into one of boredom
  1048. >"Ah, I see. Never cared much about physics, to be honest."
  1049. >Never CARED about physics?
  1050. >Ok, this cannot stand
  1051. >If you can't have a good conversation, you'll settle for having a CORRECT conversation
  1052. "That's probably just because no one's taught it to you properly. Physics is the glue that holds all of the natural sciences together, Anon! I myself can't get enough of it; I'm taking advanced physics this year and I think I might major in it when I go to university. It's absolutely fascinating."
  1053. >Satisfied that you defended the intellectual lineage of Newton and Bohr, you rest back in your seat
  1054. >Meanwhile, Anon has perked up
  1055. >Ah, it seems your impassioned defense of the hard sciences FINALLY got through to someone
  1056. >"So, you're very interested in science, then?"
  1057. >You scoff at that
  1058. "'Interested' is a bit of an understatement, to put it lightly."
  1059. >For fuck's sake, Twilight
  1060. >Stop being a butthole right this instant
  1061. >Anon, however, is not deterred by your panicked, socially stunted bragging
  1062. >"So, then you must know a great deal of say, chemistry and engineering? The applied sciences? Utilizing chemically active substances for...productive endeavors?"
  1063. >Chemistry?
  1064. >And engineering?
  1065. >Ok, play it cool, Twilight
  1066. >For the love of god, don't mention any of the theorems or chemical structures flashing through your head right now
  1067. >Just say something witty and insightful
  1068. >OH, answer his question with another question!
  1069. "Do I know a lot of chemistry and engineering? D-did Joseph Black discover magnesium?"
  1070. >Phew
  1071. >Nailed it
  1072. >Anon gives you a very wide grin as his eyes seem to light up with something...weird
  1073. >Like he's just found something extremely pleasing
  1074. >"I hope you'll forgive me for being terribly forward, Miss Sparkle, but I have the feeling you and I are going to be VERY good friends, indeed."
  1075. >Oh, god what???
  1076. >You must be getting better at this friendship thing than you thought!
  1077.  
  1078. >You are Sunset Shimmer
  1079. >And finally, at last, you've gotten everyone together
  1080. >At first it was Fluttershy and Anon getting lost
  1081. >Then it was Rarity having a mental breakdown
  1082. >THEN it was AJ and Pinkie deciding to ditch everyone and go race each other
  1083. >But, dragging the latter two behind you as Dash lectures them on her own superiority in all arcade games, you are FINALLY going to reunite the group
  1084. >And, most importantly, you are finally going to get to spend some time with Anon
  1085. >N-not that you like him or anything!
  1086. >Of course not
  1087. >You would just feel bad if, after pressuring the guy to come hang out with you and your friends, you didn't see him all night
  1088. >Completely noble motives
  1089. >Shaken out of your reverie by the sight of the horrifying pinball frog sculpture, you see Anon, Fluttershy, and Twilight right where you left them all
  1090. >Fluttershy unfortunately looks as miserable and uncomfortable as she did when you last saw her
  1091. >But Twilight is absolutely gushing about (from what you can hear) some obscure science trivia
  1092. >And, most shockingly, Anon is staring at her, not with contempt, but with genuine interest at her knowledge
  1093. >Jesus, he's hanging on every word
  1094. >You feel a smile tugging at the corners of your mouth
  1095. >For how (endearingly!) awkward he is, Anon sure seems to get along with everyone
  1096. >Walking up to the trio, you're about to speak when Pinkie Pie bounces in front of you and cuts you off
  1097. >Goddamn it Pinkie
  1098. >"SO, now that we have all STUPENDOUSLY reassembled, what's our game plan soldiers? Pinball? Zombie shooting? Air hockey? Dinner and a movie? Huh, huh, HUH?!!!!"
  1099. >AJ chuckles and answers before you can get a word in
  1100. >For fuck's sake why are all you friends talking faster than you?
  1101. >"Well ah reckon ah've worked up a mighty appetite from all this dancin' and racin' and wrasslin'. I wouldn't mind gettin' a bite at all, tell ya the truth."
  1102. >Fluttershy adds on her own agreement, though you have to strain your ears to hear her, as always
  1103. >"U-um, I w-wouldn't be upset about leaving the a-arcade for dinner at all, i-if that's alright with you all."
  1104. >You're about to respond when RAINBOW DASH interrupts you
  1105. >Alright, you're about to lose your shit
  1106. >"Whaaaaaat, are you KIDDING me? I've barely had time to kick any of your asses at anything! I've only gotten a handful of tickets, this is just sad. C'mon, it's like, what, 8 PM? Food can wait."
  1107. >Huh
  1108. >You're actually inclined to agree with Dash for once
  1109. >But, before you know it, Rainbow's fierce opposition has ignited a big discussion/debate between all your friends
  1110. >Their overlapping voices are reaching a fever pitch and you figure it's a waste of time to even bother trying to talk now
  1111. >Weaving through them all, you sit down next to Anon and speak to him in a low volume
  1112. "Hey Anon, I haven't gotten a chance to show you the coolest part of the arcade. You interested?"
  1113. >Anon looks at you with a curious expression, but smiles and nods all the same
  1114. >"Of course, Sunset. Lead the way."
  1115. >Oh, this is gonna be good
  1116.  
  1117. "Isn't it gorgeous, Anon?"
  1118. >Be Sunset still
  1119. >And be gazing at the breath-taking view of the night time city skyline from the roof of the arcade
  1120. >Anon also seems enchanted by the view, staring at the city quietly
  1121. >"T-this is...incredible," he says, his voice filled with disbelief.
  1122. >Oh yeah, this was your best idea yet
  1123. >You smile smugly at your own genius
  1124. "Yeah, this is maybe my favorite view of Canterlot from anywhere. It just is the perfect angle to look at everything," you say, gesturing toward the skyline.
  1125. >You take a pause before inhaling deeply
  1126. >Ok Sunset, now's the time
  1127. >Just apologize and get it over with
  1128. "H-hey Anon, I'm really sorry about tonight. So much unexpected stuff happened, I just lost track of time and couldn't really hang out with you like I should have."
  1129. >Anon turn to look you in the eyes, a reassuring smile quickly crossing his face
  1130. >Oh God why is your heart melting
  1131. >How is he doing this to you?
  1132. >You don't like it, but also you very much like it
  1133. >"It's more than fine, Sunset! It has been a pleasure and a privilege to get to know all of your wonderful friends. They...make me feel at home."
  1134. >Anon suddenly looks down at the ground, getting a troubled look on his face
  1135. >"I...I have to thank you. For inviting me. I confess that I've not made a single friend since I came to this place. Just this one night, I've experienced more joy than a hundred nights before."
  1136. >He looks up, his gaze meeting yours intensely
  1137. >"I am...indebted to you. You've shown me so much kindness, so much appreciation. I don't know that I deserve it."
  1138. >Your knees are shaking
  1139. >And your head is getting all cloudy
  1140. >It's like everything he says was hand-picked to make you want to hug him
  1141. >If you didn't know him like you do, you could almost imagine Anon as some sort of manipulative sociopath, deliberately playing you like a fiddle
  1142. >But staring into his kind, humble eyes, it's clear that the truth is so much simpler than that
  1143. >You and Anon just get each other
  1144. >You both come from far off places and feel like outsiders
  1145. >You both have struggled with fitting and making friends
  1146. >...You both just want to help people and do the right thing
  1147. >Giving Anon a warm, genuine smile, you try to fight the blood rushing to your cheeks
  1148. "I-it's no problem, Anon. Really. I like you and my friends like you and we just wanted to spend some time with you."
  1149. >Anon gives a small smile at that and turns to admire the skyline some more
  1150. >After a few moments of silence, he speaks again
  1151. >"I talked with Principal Celestia earlier today. She told me about the basketball game that's coming up and offered me a place on the planning committee."
  1152. >Wait, what?
  1153. >That's incredible
  1154. >Your energy ramps up at this and you can't help your joy from spilling out
  1155. "GET OUT! I'm heading that committee with Pinkie! Oh Anon, this is awesome, you're gonna have so much fun helping us plan this. I can't wait to tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about all the cool stuff we've got planned."
  1156. >Anon gets a massive grin on his face before he looks deep into your eyes with a laser-focused gaze
  1157. >"Sunset, that sounds absolutely perfect. I don't exaggerate when I say that I ask you not to spare me a *single* detail about the game. I want to know everything about the plans and the...logistics, of the event."
  1158. >You just bob your head up and down, somewhat distracted by the butterflies in your stomach
  1159. >And the heat in your skin
  1160. >...And the mushy feeling in your chest
  1161. >Ok, there's no denying it anymore
  1162. >You like Anon
  1163. >Like, you REALLY like Anon
  1164. >In fact, every bone in your body is telling you to kiss him right now
  1165. >The setting is perfect, the mood is perfect, and Lord knows you want to
  1166. >But...
  1167. >No.
  1168. >You have no idea if he even feels the same way about you
  1169. >Besides, you just officially met him today
  1170. >It would be WAY too forward to kiss him even if he did like you
  1171. >That said, you can't totally restrain yourself either
  1172. >Taking a deep breath, you gently wrap your hand around one of Anon's as it absently rests against the roof's ledge
  1173. >At first Anon jumps, seeming very surprised by the motion
  1174. >But then, after realizing what's happening. the warmest, most vulnerable smile you've yet seen on his face appears
  1175. >You're so enraptured by the sight that you almost don't notice the pulsing, electricity-like volts of emotion coming through Anon's hand
  1176. >As a rule, you avoid reading people's minds unless you think they're dangerous
  1177. >Respect for personal privacy and all
  1178. >But sometimes it's borderline impossible to completely tune out the thoughts and feelings magically transmitting themselves to you
  1179. >And this is no exception
  1180. >Feeling the waves of intense sentiment, it's difficult to describe what you're picking up on
  1181. >To your disappointment, it doesn't quite feel like affection or love
  1182. >Not even happiness
  1183. >More like...concentration?
  1184. >Like the feeling when you're in a final boss battle and your health bar is almost depleted but in just a COUPLE of moves you're gonna beat him
  1185. >After a second, you decide that the word you're looking for is focus
  1186. >That's puzzling, but you figure that's enough emotional violation for one day and you slowly let go of Anon's hand
  1187. >Quickly forgetting about the strange sensation he gave you, you instead think about the intimate gesture
  1188. >You just held Anon's hand
  1189. >And he held it back
  1190. >And it felt GOOD
  1191. >Turning back to admire the skyline (and hide your ridiculously intense blush), you can't help but swing one of your legs a little in sheer glee
  1192. >It's decided
  1193. >You like Anon
  1194. >And you're pretty sure he likes you too
  1195. >And there's no WAY you're gonna let yourself mess this up
  1196.  
  1197. >You are the fabulous, incomparable,and ever-stylish Rarity
  1198. >After going to the clothing store and picking out a delightful new outfit, as well as changing out of your old wet, sticky clothes, you feel supremely reassured
  1199. >Indeed, your mood has improved so vastly that you're finally ready to have a simply lovely time at the arcade with your dear friends and one promising acquaintance!
  1200. >Looks like tonight might not be a dreadful catastrophe like you feared be a mere hour ago
  1201. >Walking through the doors of the arcade, you look down to your phone, ready to send a text to Sunset and ask where you should meet the girls
  1202. >However, you're barely past the entrance when you hear a accentuated male voice behind you
  1203. >"Miss Rarity?"
  1204. >Taken aback at the voice (and pleasantly surprised at its manners), you turn behind you and see Anon resting against a claw machine
  1205. >He has a small smile on his face and he appears to have been looking over two papers in his hands
  1206. >You flash him a wide and warm smile before stepping over to him in a gregarious fashion
  1207. "Anonymous, darling, it is an absolute treat to see you again! I apologize for not noticing you as I walked in, I'm afraid I was boorishly distracted by my little attention-killer."
  1208. >You disarmingly gesture to your smart phone before placing it back in your purse
  1209. >Anon grins at that, a strange look taking over his eyes when he glances at your phone
  1210. >Almost like he doesn't like it
  1211. >Hmm, that's surprising
  1212. >It's the latest model, has a wonderfully elegant and brilliantly custom-styled (by yours truly) case, and is extraordinarily well-maintained
  1213. >No matter
  1214. >It very well might be that Anon is one of those technology enthusiasts and he knows something about your phone's specs that you don't
  1215. >"No worries Miss Rarity, I'm just waiting for the others to arrive. Please, feel free to continue on," Anon says casually.
  1216. >His words take you out of your thoughts and you find yourself puzzled
  1217. "Hmmm, arrive? Have they gone somewhere?"
  1218. >Anonymous shakes his head as he places his papers back into a folder before securing the folder in his coat's pocket
  1219. >You didn't get a good look at the papers, but they seemed to be flyers or event advertisements of some kind
  1220. >"Oh no, we simply were going to depart the arcadium for the evening and instead dine at a nearby restaurant. Will you be joining us?"
  1221. >Arcadium?
  1222. >Strange accent, this Anonymous
  1223. >Wait, they're leaving?
  1224. >Already?
  1225. >But...but you didn't get to spend any time partaking in the festivities
  1226. >D-did the girls do everything they wanted without you?
  1227. >You take a deep breath and try to wipe any hurt expression off your features
  1228. >You plaster a big smile on your face and brightly look Anon in the eyes
  1229. "I'd be delighted to, darling! Where are the others right now?"
  1230. >Anon shrugs, a bored look crossing his face
  1231. >"Miss Pie seems to have gotten distracted by something shiny or another, so the other girls are tracking her down. Good luck to them, I say."
  1232. >Hmmm, you're not sure you care for the gentleman's tone
  1233. >It almost feels like he's mocking Pinkie Pie
  1234. >You quickly shake the thought from your head
  1235. >What are you saying, Rarity?
  1236. >It is most ungenerous to assume such malice of someone you barely know
  1237. >Surely, Anon's questionable tone can be explained by the language barrier
  1238. >You instead keep a smile on your face as your grasp for a conversational topic to kill the time
  1239. "Ah, yes, perfectly sensible. Say, Anon -- is it alright if I call you Anon, by the way?"
  1240. >Anon merely nods his head once in response
  1241. "Excellent! So, I was simply wondering whatever has inspired your fashion choices? They are quite unique!"
  1242. >Looking Anon over, unfortunately "unique" was the most positive adjective you could find that wasn't an outright lie
  1243. >He's wearing a thick, multi-colored coat that is clearly patched together from several different, clashing fabric sources
  1244. >Covering his legs, he wears black sweatpants pants that are faded and torn in several spots
  1245. >On his feet, you see incredibly worn and beaten moccasins that look as though they might fall apart at any moment
  1246. >Oh...oh dear
  1247. >He's only wearing one sock
  1248. >No, this simply cannot stand
  1249. >Politely and subtly, you will design and gift Anon some far more suitable casual wear
  1250. >Anon looks down at himself and scoffs
  1251. >"Mostly took inspiration from my compatriots on the streets, I'm afraid. Whatever kept us warm enough on the streets."
  1252. >The streets?
  1253. >Oh goodness, Anon's backstory may be more troubling than Sunset even told you
  1254. "The streets, I see. W-were you homeless, Anon?"
  1255. >Anon's eyes widen and he looks...frustrated
  1256. >Not with you; with himself
  1257. >Perhaps this was not meant to be public knowledge
  1258. >"For a while after I came to America. Didn't speak very good English, so it was impossible to get a job."
  1259. >Oh, that's simply dreadful
  1260. >You had no idea there were students at CHS going through such troublesome circumstances
  1261. "That's simply awful, Anon. I'm sorry you had to go through that, truly, it's incredibly unfortunate."
  1262. >Suddenly Anon looks directly in your eyes, glaring
  1263. >Have you offended him somehow?
  1264. >"Yes, well, it is quite *unfortunate* that we can't all be born into wealth, Miss Rarity."
  1265. >Born into wealth?
  1266. >Is he implying that your family is rich?
  1267. >Well...he's not WRONG, but still
  1268. >What an incredibly rude assumption to make about someone trying to befriend him!
  1269. >You glare back at him
  1270. "Of course, Mr. Anonymous, but it's important to remember we *all* have our personal struggles."
  1271. >He merely scoffs and looks away from you, plainly losing interest in this conversation
  1272. >Hmmm
  1273. >Despite his brashness, you don't want to end the night on a sour note with Anon
  1274. >Perhaps school would be a more neutral topic?
  1275. >You smile and try to steer the conversation in a more pleasant direction
  1276. >"Well, I quite love fashion myself. I'm even designing costumes and uniforms for the basketball game that's coming up. I just finished the mascot's costume today, in fact."
  1277. >Anon whips his head over to look at you
  1278. >And it's like a complete 180
  1279. >His eyes are bright and curious, he has a friendly grin on his face, and his features have completely softened
  1280. >That's...odd
  1281. >Anon is striking you as quite a moody fellow, just in this brief conversation
  1282. >"Mascot, you say? How delightful! Tell me, is it quite a big costume, Miss Rarity?"
  1283. >Any thoughts of Anon's strangeness vanish at the genuine pleasure of someone taking interest in your primary passion in life
  1284. "Oh, yes, darling! It's a very large costume; it has to be to incorporate all the features of the animal. It is a colt, after all, so some extra space is needed!"
  1285. >Anon leans in, becoming unexpectedly enraptured in your words
  1286. >You take back every negative thing you thought about him; no one this interested in fashion could be anything other than perfectly decent
  1287. >"I see, I see. Excellent. So, say the person in the costume had to bring something with him, concealed? Some kind of special effects prop, for instance, perhaps the size of a small locker. Would it fit in the costume, with him inside it, I wonder?"
  1288. >Huh
  1289. >That strikes you as a very bizarre question, but you think it over for a second
  1290. >Nodding, you turn back to Anon
  1291. "It would be a tight fit, but yes, Anon, I imagine the kind of object you described could be carried insight the costume. What makes you ask?"
  1292. >Anon merely gets a big grin on his face
  1293. >"Call it scientific curiosity, Miss Rarity. You'll have to show me some of your fashion work at some point, I find the whole topic...fascinating."
  1294. >You beam at his interest, before looking down and catching something that makes the breath leave your body
  1295. >The sleeve on Anon's left hand has rolled up slightly and you see a distinct, bloody gash on his wrist
  1296. "O-oh, dear! You're bleeding, darling. Are you alright?" you ask Anon with no small degree of alarm, pointing to his wrist
  1297. >Looking down, Anon furrows his brow before rolling his sleeve back down
  1298. >"Huh. So I am. No worries, a small cut never hurt anyone. I...must have hurt myself on one of the arcade machines."
  1299. >Looking up at you now, Anon flashes you a strange, intense smile
  1300. >"I trust that someone with your propriety can exercise some discretion, Miss Rarity. How about we keep my dreadfully humiliating clumsiness as our little secret?"
  1301. >You...you don't know what to say
  1302. >Every fiber of your being is telling you that Anon's wound is NOT accidental, but you have no proof otherwise
  1303. >And what good would it do to betray his trust and broadcast the incident to others?
  1304. >No, that wouldn't be helpful at all
  1305. >You simply smile slightly and give a short nod
  1306. "Y-yes, of course, darling. What are friends for?"
  1307.  
  1308. >You are Russian freedom fighter, Anonymous (finally dear god wtf took you so long dumbass writer, go fuck urself)
  1309. >The year is 1879 and you presently stand before Comrade Andrei Zhelyabov, Head of the Narodnaya Volya Public Figure Executive Committee
  1310. >In short, this is the cell leader who will be responsible for the impending public execution of Tsar Alexander II (death be upon him)
  1311. >After two years of backbreaking, painstaking involvement in the organization, you have come to see the man himself
  1312. >Your idol; no, your personal GOD
  1313. >It took sacrificing every part of yourself you'd ever valued and breaking contact with anyone you'd ever loved, of course
  1314. >Born in the unforgiving hellscape that is Omsk to a middle class administrative family, you were carted off to St. Petersburg to study Agriculture in your late teens
  1315. >There, undercover recruiters for Narodnaya Volya came upon you and, sensing your uncompromising nature and forceful will, invited you into their cell
  1316. >Quickly learning of the soul-crushing poverty and true misery that confronted the broken, trampled working masses in Russia, you almost immediately lost touch with your foolish petty bourgeois parents, your vapid, idiot girlfriend, and your callous, self-centered friends
  1317. >What good were personal relationships when every day you were faced with the suffering victims of the tyrannical, blood-sucking leeches of Russian capitalism?
  1318. >Beginning work in propaganda distribution, you soon made a name for yourself through hard work and utter fearlessness
  1319. >No matter your expulsion from University, your repeated arrests and subsequent tortures, your twice-failed exile back to the countryside, etc. you never gave up a single comrade and you NEVER ceased your activities
  1320. >As a result, you were gifted with increasingly important and risky assignments, the most recent of which involved the successful sabotage of several major factories and untold profit losses for their owners
  1321. >And this cold, dreary, November evening, all of your hard work has paid off at last
  1322. >Comrade Zhelyabov looks you over in this stuffy storage room
  1323. >Though the man is notorious for having never smiled in his life, you nonetheless believe you can make out some approval in his eyes
  1324. >"Well, Comrade Anonymous, I must say, I have heard tale after tale of your impressive dedication to the cause. Do you believe you really are fit for the highest privilege a member of our organization could have?"
  1325. >You put a fist to your heart, answering immediately
  1326. "There is no doubt to be had, Comrade Zhelyabov. I would joyously accept death by a thousand cuts if it meant even a one percent chance of Alexander's death, that blind, vile fool."
  1327. >Giving a sharp, satisfied nod, the leader immediately places his hand on your shoulder
  1328. >He looks into your eyes with a burning intensity and you feel your heart stopped as you listen with rapture to whatever he may say
  1329. >"It is decided, then. Given your proficiency with basic chemistry and previous explosives experience, you will help our comrades design, construct, and assemble the bomb to be used in the mission."
  1330. >Taking a breath, you see the faintest hint of a smile cross the stern, impassive man's lips
  1331. >"Stand tall and proud, Comrade. I have just assigned you the highest duty a revolutionist can have."
  1332. >You fight back any tears of joy as well as the urge to fall to your knees and thank the heavens
  1333. >And it is the hardest thing you have ever had to do
  1334.  
  1335. >Noticing a flickering light, you are drawn coldly from your reveries
  1336. >Blinking and looking around, you realize you are in the hallway leading up to your apartment door
  1337. >The flickering light would be just one of many examples of your landlord's stinginess
  1338. >Sighing, you walk up to your door and unlock it with the old, shitty key you were given
  1339. >Sliding the door open, you flick the light switch on and are faced with the sight of your tiny, shithole apartment
  1340. >Trash strewn across the floor, only the barest furniture to bee seen, and the open window letting in the sound of barking dogs and honking cars, the smell of cigarettes, and the sight of the adjacent apartment where a couple is having very...ugly-looking sex
  1341. >You close the door and walk to slam the window shut, tossing a filthy towel over it since you don't have a curtain
  1342. >Absently sitting on the lawn chair in the middle of the room, you think back to that day
  1343. >By far and away the happiest day of your entire life
  1344. >Leaning back into the chair, you muse that it's only fitting to remember it all today
  1345. >A deep, wide, triumphant grin spreads across your face
  1346. >Today, the SECOND happiest day of your entire life
  1347. >When your foolish comrade prematurely activated your bomb, blowing you both to bits and sending you to this God-forsaken land, you admit that you were rapt with despair
  1348. >The most important task a revolutionist could possible be given and you had failed miserably, with no way to atone for your misdeeds
  1349. >But, you immediately threw yourself back into your work, figuring another opportunity would present itself for true revolution
  1350. >And at last it has
  1351. >The Canterlot Mayor
  1352. >That pompous, useless, corrupt, greedy public 'servant' will be within your sights in just two weeks
  1353. >And you have the means to do something about it
  1354. >Barking out a laugh, you rejoice in your many accomplishments during this long, productive day
  1355. >You secured your place on the planning committee for the basketball game, ensuring you will have access to all vital logistical information
  1356. >The Apple bitch and Rainbow cunt will make themselves useful as captains of your Red Youth Army, though they have yet to realize that's what they are
  1357. >The shy, spineless, admittedly very adorable Flutter girl will serve on the Student Revolutionary Executive Committee, ensuring at least one halfway competent member other than yourself
  1358. >The Twilight imbecile will provide you valuable scientific input to perfect your planned weapons of revolutionary destruction
  1359. >And, most importantly, Sunset "The Pawn" Shimmer and the Pink tramp will be a primary source of information for all events and happenings related to the basketball game
  1360. >At that last thought, you absently place your hand on the one that Sunset held earlier tonight
  1361. >A useful pawn indeed, as it turns out
  1362. >You've somehow managed to ensnare her in your charm without even trying
  1363. >She...appears to have developed a sort of schoolgirl crush on you
  1364. >Why that could possibly be, you haven't the faintest clue
  1365. >Ever since you became a revolutionist, you've not put any thought into relationships at all
  1366. >You have no idea what mysteries worm their way around in the minds of women
  1367. >Exhaling, you think it over
  1368. >Like it or not, this infatuation on her part can only benefit you
  1369. >She'll be much more inclined to hand over valuable information to you now and aid your plans without question
  1370. >And, if, in the mean time, you have to deal with weird warm feelings in your stomach that you find it frustrating and impossible to interpret, so be it
  1371. >A small price to pay for the liberation of the masses
  1372. >Frowning, you think back to the Pink girl
  1373. >Far too clever for your tastes, she picked up on your lies almost immediately
  1374. >Granted, you were in a relaxed state at the time, but that makes her no less dangerous
  1375. >Pondering it for a moment, you quickly decide that she must be neutralized
  1376. >Preferably by peaceful and quiet means (emotional sabotage? bullying? threatening her parents so they leave the city?)
  1377. >After all, you don't want too much heat to rise in the school mere weeks away before the opening volley of the revolutionary army
  1378. >But, you WILL dispose of her by any means necessary, up to and including lethal action
  1379. >If you have to perform a deed of contemptible violence and sacrifice a chunk of your soul to ensure your plan's success, well...
  1380. >That's never stopped you before
  1381.  
  1382.  
  1383.  
  1384. Act 2: Speedy and Total Destruction

Duties of the Revolutionist

by Nechayev420