Original Poster: Love and Powerlifting (http://ponepaste.org/u/lapsbin) Reason this is posted here is because LaP regularly doesn't bin things. Will be removed upon or shortly thereafter being posted on his bin. Maybe. *I am sure I am not using the right tags, but I'm confident that mainly the people in the RGRE thread will read this since it was posted there >"Anon, get down from here." "Not today, Sporkle! As of today I've had it with this shit!" >"Anon, you're causing a scene!" "Today I'll be causing a heck of a lot more than THAT!" >Be Anon >It was a Tuesday morning >The weather was fair >A little crisp, but fair >You were standing on top of the crystal castle of doom >Your shirt was off, and you had a gallon of bleach in hand >Twilight stood at ground level, looking thoroughly done with you >But fuck that >Screw her and her dumb wings and her ugly castle >And Poochy >And that dumb fucking school >And you know what? Fuck those weird diversity 6 that kept bothering you >A man could only take so much, and you were beyond your breaking point >The ponies walking about town down below were mostly ignoring you and Twilight, with only the occasional glance >Fuck them too >You were blowing this popsicle stand >Twilight stomped a hoof >"Anon! This nonsense right here is EXACTLY why nopony wants to let stallions vote! Now get your butt down here before you hurt yourself!" "Fuck off Sparkle! I can't die! It didn't work last time it won't work now," you yelled >You uncapped the bleach bottle "I'm sick of this shit! I'm going to a new Equestria!" >"What are you talking about, you stupid stallion?!" "I'm going to a new Equestria, weren't you're not a filthy dyke princess!" >"I'm not a dyke--! "I want the treebrary back! I want that sassy little unicorn book nerd! I'm sick of all these fucking dragons and yaks and all this other bullshit running around!" >You looked toward the market place "Ponk! Witness me!" >Pinkie Pie, who had been stopping for groceries, looked toward you >Seeing you, she pointed >"WITNESSED!" she yelled >You grinned, and before Twilight, or anyone else for that matter, could do anything, you brought the bottle of bleach to your lips >Just like last time, the first swallow was the worst >If you hadn't done this before already, you'd have said that it was the worst burning sensation you had ever experienced >Then the pain came >A ripping, eye searing pain >You fought through it, tears in your eyes, bleach running down your chin >You could already feel it working >Darkness was closing around your vision >Everything felt light, and loose, and warm >You smiled, even as you lost strength, falling from the top of the castle >You were going to a new Equestria >Hopefully, with blackjack and hookers >And the first thing you were doing was burning all of Starswirl's fucking books ~_~_~_~_~_~ >Slowly, you felt consciousness come back to you >You were sitting, leaned up against what felt like a tree >There was a dull ache in the back of your head, but no loss of memory like last time >There was nausea as well, like you had a really bad hangover >You couldn't help but smile >Looks like you made it... >"Oh my goodness. Hello? Are you okay?" >It sounded like Fluttershy >She had been the one to find you last time >Back then you had accidentally scared her into a tree >Her friends had teased her about it for months, calling her a little colt >You kept your eyes closed, not wanting to make any sudden movements >This time you'd like to make a good first impression >A hand touched your forehead >It was then everything went out the fucking window >All your plans, your hopes, your dreams >A >Fucking >Hand >Touched >You >Not a hoof, a HAND >Your eyes snapped opened >It took several seconds for your eyes to adjust to the light, but when they did your heart leapt into your throat >There was a... thing in front of you >Not quite pony, not quite human >It had the upper body of a woman, with a pair of hoofed hind legs >A fucking abomination >A vile, horrible thing >It was staring at you, eyes filled with concern >"Um... are you okay?" it asked, tucking a stray bit of hair behind it's ear >You tilted your head away from the thing >The bottle of now empty bleach was still in your hand, as it had been last time >Heart racing, you lifted it up Great Value "Bleach" A bleach-like solution for all household cleaning Trademark of Gryphon Cleaning Solutions >Groaning, you closed your eyes, tossing the bottle away >It would take awhile to get enough free reign to buy more bleach >That meant you were stuck here >In this hell >This cesspit >This... shit place >And there was one little horse at fault >A garbage horse little communist dyke shit >Goddamn did you hate her guts, no matter what world you ended up in,,, "Fucking Poochy," you croaked. "Couldn't even get me the right bleach..." >Be Anon >Be fucked beyond belief >"Fucking goddamn bullshit... I'll play... You want a shit show I'll be a bull in a freakin' china shop..." >Be Fluttershy >It had been a lovely day >Mr. Bear had helped you catch some fish for the baby otters you were taking care of >You had been about to check up on a colony of nice bees that had just moved to Applejack's farm when you saw a stallion propped up against an apple tree >Even from a distance, you saw that his shirt was off, and, fearing the worst, rushed over >What you came upon was a shirtless male, yes, but not a stallion >Whatever it was, it was massive >Almost twice your size, even bigger than Princess Celestia >Like one of those amarezon colts in your neighpon cartoon books >It woke up as you got near, and it wasn't happy >Not even a little >Before you could introduce yourself--like a proper gentlemare--it was on it's... >Claws? >Paws? >It was on it's... whatever they were and off towards town >Still concern, you followed >It, HE, ignored you, grumbling to himself >His place and stride meant that you had to jog to keep up >Not that you minded really >You were just concerned that he was in trouble >You also weren't ogling the muscles in his back >No ma'am "Um... excuse me? Mister?" you said >"Fucking bunch of bullshit... I swear if I see Poochie here I'm beating her commie ass," the creature grumbled >You cleared your throat "Excuse me, my name is--" >The creature stopped >Before you could finish your sentence, he spun on a heel, turning toward you >A hand bigger than your head was gently, but firmly, placed against your mouth "eep!" >He shushed you, bringing a finger to it's lips >... >Huh >He had five fingers... >Strange... >"Fluttershy. Before I deal with any of your bullshit I need to go to town and check on something," he said, voice and accent... strange >It was base-y >There was a harshness to it too >If he weren't a colt it would have been super duper scary >As it was, you were only a little terrified >"So, please just keep your weird horse abomination mouth shut, alright? Just five minutes of silence." >Eyes wide, you just nodded >The creature nodded back, letting go of you and spinning back around >He glanced at the clouds >"Rainbow Dash, I swear to fucking god if you're up there ready to fly at me I'm going to lose it." >You stopped, looking up at the clouds >Rainbow? >How did he know who Rainbow-- >Sure enough, Rainbow poked her head through a cloud >"Hey, how did you know I was up here, you freaky monster?" she demanded, eyes narrowed >The creature didn't stop walking, or even slow it's pace >"You always sleep here in the afternoon, since your boss doesn't look for you out here," he replied. "You tackle me I'm filing sexual harassment charges." >"WHAT?!" >"I'm not playing with you today." >"How do you--" >"SHUT IT!" >The creature stomped off toward town >Rainbow, looking as confused as you felt, flew down toward you >"Are you okay, Flutters? That weird thing didn't hurt you, did it?" she asked, looking you over >You just shook your head "No, but he seems really grumpy," you replied >Rainbow snorted >"Its a colt. You know how they are, monster or not," she said, shaking her head ~_~_~_~_~_~ >Be Anon >Be still fucking livid >You were walking into town right now >The awful horse-things were eyeballing your shirtless form >You heard some cat-calling and whistles as you walked into the market >Thankfully, most kept their distance >Unfortunately, you could see a certain green unicorn staring at you like you were her favorite salt lick >Usually, that wouldn't be that big of an issue, but it was the one right next to her >Fucking Bonbon >Even in this horrible form she looked peeved >She was standing behind a cart, wearing an apron >A fucking secret agent candy mare >She was going to tell someone about you probably >Nothing you could do about that unfortunately >Just meant that you had to check what you needed to check >You also needed to look out for-- >There was a blast of confetti and a giggle >"Hiya! I'm Pinkie--" >Without missing a beat, you slung Pinkie over your shoulder as she appeared in front of you, much to the amusement of everypony watching "Shut up Ponk," you said. >"Kay," the party pony monster said, kicking her hoofsies. "Mister, is it okay if I lick the sweat from your--" "Shhhhhh." >You walked over toward a cart >There, a mare was selling horse two-by-fours >Thankfully, you had some bits from the last Equestria in your pocket >You tossed a handful onto the counter, grabbing one of the boards of wood >It fit into your hand pretty well >Just some tape around the end for a handle and it'd be perfect... >You continued walking as Pinkie talked, welcoming you to Ponyville and whatnot >She was halfway through with asking if you were a sloot, since you were shirtless, and the only stallions she had seen walking around outside in public shirtless were sloots, when you saw it >A place of welcome >A place of peace and harmony >A place nopony in Ponyville went to because they were all illiterate hicks >The treebary >Even in this fucked hellscape of a world, the sight of it made you stop in place >You felt tears coming, and did nothing to stop them >A treebary meant unicorn Sparkle >It meant no school >No diversity >None of that bullshit >You just stood there for what felt like an hour, looking at it, tears spilling down your cheeks >You eventually collected yourself, wiping your face before letting Pinkie down "Ponk, did you hear anything about Twilight getting a fancy new book?" you asked >Thankfully, amazingly, perfectly, the earth pony shook her head >"Nope. Also, how do you know my name, mister?" "Not important," you said. "I need to go to Canterlot." >The mare cocked her head to the side >"What for, mister?" >Your eyes narrowed "I'm gonna kick Celestia's butt." >Be Cadence >Pinkest princess in the land >Shining was out doing royal guard things, meaning that you could indulge in one of life's greatest pleasure >Peetzer >Shining didn't like you eating it >Said that you "needed to lose some weight" and that eating pizza every single day was "bad for your health" >Silly colt >You had alicorn metabolism >You could eat all the bad stuff you wanted and live to be ten thousand >Just like auntie >Humming to yourself, you grabbed another slice of pizza >It was from Pappa Pia's >Your favorite >Giving it a sniff, you brought it to your mouth >"Stop right there!" >"Celestia's sake colt! Stop!" >"We need back up!" >"URGH! Stop... resisting!" >Mouth open, you watched as a giant lumbered into view, dragging about a dozen guards along with it >All of the mares were straining as hard as they could, teeth gritted as they tried to pull it back >The creature didn't seem to even notice, looking around >It saw you and, brow furrowing, walked over >"Did you get your shit pushed in by a bug monster at your own wedding yet?" it asked in the strangest accent you had ever heard >You frowned "Well, I wouldn't say it like THAT..." >The male grunted, handing you the bat he was holding >"You see a black, sharp-toothed evil looking sob hit him with this," the creature said. "I don't care if it's a stallion. I want you to walk right up behind him and crack him as hard as you can. Also, start working out, it'll be good for you when you have a kid. Trust me." >Confused, you could only nod >The creature nodded back, turning away, much to the dismay of the guards still clinging onto him >"Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta beat up both your aunts." >He then walked away, ignoring a poor screaming guard as she tackled him and nearly broke her own neck >You watched him go, taking a bite out of your peetzer >Mare... >Equestria really was a magical place... >"Oh Celestia, oh Celestia, that cake isn't the best for yaaaaa!" "..." >"Celestia, Celestia, about to make a messtia!" >Be Celestia >Day Court had just finished >You were tired, your throne was making your rump ache, and you needed to pee >Unfortunately, there was no time to pee just yet >Plans were in motion >Schemes within schemes >Discord, the biggest pain in the flank you've ever met, and the reason while a stallion will never be able to vote as long as you lived, floated around your throne >He was singing, talking, and just generally being a nuisance >You just say there, resting your chin on a fist, waiting for him to either get bored or tire himself out >Thankfully, after what felt like an entire afternoon, he stopped his coltish nonsense >Grinning from ear to ear, he floated right in front of you >"So, what can this worthless servant do for you, your highness?" he asked >You let out a sigh, leaning back into your throne "Have you found the book?" you asked >Discord nodded >"Of course. It was difficult I admit, ol' Starswirl was a personal old hag, but I was able to get it." >A smile came to your face >Starswirl's personal spell book >Just the thing you needed for Twilight >Her final-- >"Will you bucking--OOF!" >The throne room door swung open >This was followed by a half-dozen of Equestria's finest flying into the throne room >You sat up, and even Discord turned around, eyebrow raised >A creature stomped into the throne room, a stallion by the look of him >He looked furious >Heck, you hadn't seen a stallion this mad since you put a new tax on make up >And sweet Harmony was he a big one >Bigger than a yak by the look of him >Seeing you, he growled >"Yoooooou." >You blinked "Me?" you asked, pointing at yourself >Hands clenched into fists, he walked over >Discord floated in front of him >"Hello there, Anon--" >The creature cocked a fist back, punching the draconequus >Discord let out a grunt of surprise, crashing to the floor >You smiled >Then a look of horror came to your face >Then you smiled again >Hah! >That smiled disappeared as the creature walked right up to you >It reached out, grabbing you by the collar >Your horn sparked to life, ready to stop this nonsense, only for it to fizzle out >Alarmed, you tried to cast a spell >Nothing >Goodness... >Looked like you had a magically resistant colt... >The stallion lifted you to your hooves, raising you up so that they were just off the ground >You dryly swallowed "W-Well, hello there. You seem very upset. Why don't you put me down so we can have a nice--" >That was when the stallion reared his head back >He then drove his forehead into your nose >Hard ~_~_~_~_~_ >Be Anon >"BUCK!" >Celestia's head snapped back from your headbutt >Blood began to pour our of her nose, her wings flapping in pain >You let her fall back onto her throne, where she pressed her hands against her face "That is for being a shit, lazy horse," you said, pointing at her as she loudly swore. "Also, for trying to give folks wings when they might not want them." >Turning around, you turned your attention to the other shithead in the room >Discord was still on the floor >He was dazed >Obviously, he wasn't used to feeling pain >You walked over to him, picking him up >"Anon, what are you--" "Shut up. SHUT. UP." you growled. "I'm not dealing with your bullshit, you dollar store demon. Tell me where the book is." >Discord sniffed >"I don't know what you're talking about," he said >You smacked him >A real good, head snapping to the side hit >It was like you were hitting a slab of lead >In fact, that punch you had landed on him probably broke a finger or two >Freaky god monster >Thankfully, you were too upset to care >You continued slapping him, until your hand was swollen and Discord's cheeks were red "I didn't die twice to deal with your bullshit. Now give me that book. This place might be a hellhole, but no one's getting wings here!" >"I--" >You shared shaking him like he was a baby >You shook him so hard it felt like your shoulders were about to pop out of place "Give it to me. Give it to me right now you chimera, Mr. Potato head pain in the ass!" >Discord made some weird sounds >He turned sickly green >You continued to shake him "I'm not stopping until I get that stupid--" >He snapped his claws >There was a pop, and something heavy landed behind you >You stopped shaking, slowly turning around >It was there on the floor >That familiar book >You'd know it anywhere >Just seeing it made your blood boil >You let Discord go >He magicked himself a garbage can, and proceeded to empty his stomach into it with whatever the hell he ate >Bending down, you picked up the book with your good hand >Standing back up, you turned to the princess and god "This was for your own good," you said. "You'll thank me for this someday. Probably." >With that, you made your way toward the hallway >One thing done >Now you needed to find that FUCKER that'd destroy the treebrary... ~_~_~_~_~ >Be Cadence >Be still holding the bat that the big, weird stallion had given you >Making your way into the throne room, you saw that your aunt was clenching a bloody nose, and Discord was laying on the floor, curled around a garbage can >You blinked "Huh... Are you two okay?" >Neither said anything >... >You should probably tell auntie Luna about this... >"Soooo... you make the trip to ClopsDale often?" >Be Anon >You had somehow escaped Canterlot, and had gotten onto a train >You were headed to the other side of Equestria, to a small coastal town >ClopsDale >In the other Equestria, it had been a tourist-y place >Kinda like Ponyville ended up being before you "left" >It was also where that dumb fuck Centaur was hiding out >The one that began that whole mess you left >You were in a seat far too small for you >The only other person in the cart at the moment was some pegasus was a slicked back mane and a leather jacket >You looked over at her >She grinned, staring back expectantly, her filthy anthro self leaning back in her seat >A snort escaped you, and you looked out the window >The mare deflated >"Alrighty then... dick," she mumbled. "That's what I get for trying to be nice I guess..." >She jolted upright as the train wildly jerked, head snapping up as what sounded like a dozen hooves slammed into the top of train >"What the buck?!" she yelled, standing up, her head whipping this way and that >You stayed where you were, nursing a fucked up hand and a splitting headache >The train slowed down for a minute or so, before it started to pick up speed >The cabin was now so silent that you could hear hoofsteps from the cart over >The pegasus turned toward the door as it opened, revealing a guard in midnight blue armor >A moment later, the door that lead to the other cart opened as well, revealing another guard >They quickly made their way into the cabin, wicked-looking spears at the ready >Both walked the length of the cart >One of them made a hand signal >The other took a deep breath, opening it's mouth >You could almost hear a sound if you strained hard enough as the windows in the cart shook >Both then leveled their spears at you >"Don't move," one of them growled "Don't tell me what do to," you replied irritably >Somepony else stepped into the cart >A mare so large she had to duck her head to keep from hitting the top of the doorway >Just like the other two, she was wearing armor, though hers was far more ornate >Her spear crackled with lightning as she slammed it down onto the floor >She looked around and, seeing the pegasus, her expression softened >"My little pony." >"P-Princess Luna, what's going on?" the mare asked, holding her arms close to her chest >"It's none of your concern, dear," Luna said, shaking her head. "Sergeant, please escort her to safety. I will call upon you if back up is needed." >One of the guardsponies saluted, grabbing the terrified mare, and gently but firmly leading her out of the cart >The Princess made her way over to you, spear leveled at your chest >"You will rise and follow me," she said. "Male or not, you assaulted a Princess of Equestria, and you shall be punished severely for such a transgression." >You looked toward her "No," you said. >She frowned, pressing her spear tip an inch or two below your nipple, right where your heart would be >You just shook your head "Not gonna work. You kill me I'll just go to another Equestria and try this again. Probably." >That puzzles the beastman ass looking alicorn >Her spear lowers, though she keeps a firm grip on it >"Another Equestria?" she asked "Yep. I was in a different one this morning. Those ones were cute little horses. Think of a big dog, but with hooves and a tail and a longish muzzle," you said, showing her how big a pony would be. "Here though, you're fucked up. It might even be worse than if you were all fucking human." >The whole cart lapsed into silence >The sole guard still here looked over at Luna, looking confused >"Big, dog-like creatures?" the princess finally said "Pretty much. I'm not that good at explaining it, but gives you a good idea. I met the pony you. I've had a conversation with you and your sister. I know you like to paint murals." >The princess's eyes narrowed "Twilight once told me you tried talking Shining into doing a risque portrait. Cadence wasn't happy about--" >Suspicion was gone from the mare's face, now replaced with panic >She loudly shushed you, turning toward the guard, nearly driving her spear into you >"Private, please leave at once," she said. "Tell nopony what you just heard." >"But your highness--" >"No buts! That's an order!" >The guard, still looking confused, saluted, rushed out of the cart as fast as her hooves could take her >When the door slid closed the spear was lifted away >Luna, staring at you strangely, took a seat opposite from you >"Who and what are you?" she asked "I'm Anonymous." >The alicorn clicked her tongue >"You broke my sister's nose and knocked her two front teeth out," she said. "She deserved it. If my head wasn't throbbing so bad I'd do the same to you." >"You would find I'm not as easy prey as my sister," she said, fingering her spear >You just grunted, looking back out toward the window >As much as you wanted the silence to return, she leaned forward >"How did you come from this "Equestria", as you put it?" she asked "Died." >She sat back, eyes widening >"Oh... My condolences." >You shrugged "That was the second time. Wasn't as bad as the first," you told her. "I just wish I popped up in a different Equestria." >"I would call you a liar, or perhaps say that either Celestia or Cadence put you up to this, since Twilight would never do such a thing, and my sister has done stranger things for a laugh, but..." >Her eyes flicked to the hand you were currently holding against your stomach >"It appears you've broken fingers attacking Discord. I don't have my sister's humor, but even she would consider the joke too far gone if it were one. He seemed to know you, from what my sister said." "He did when I was the other Equestria too. Called me by my first name like he knew me." >"Then I suppose that your name isn't actually Anonymous?" >You ignored the question, looking back outside "I can't stand that you have four fingers," you said. "At least you have hooves on the bottom end. If it would have been feet I wouldn't have bothered with any of this and tried drowning myself in a river or something." >The princess snorted >"If you would have my morning would have been much more pleasant," she said. "Though that begs the question, why bother staying here if you loath our forms so much?" >You swallowed "I was just going to go into town and take a bottle of bleach from a pony selling it so I wouldn't have to deal with the whole thing of me appearing to ponies again, but then I saw the library." >"Twilight's abode?" "Yeah," you said, nodding. "It had been so long since I saw it that everything kind of... I don't know. Something clicked in my head. I can't stand how any of you look, but I couldn't let what happened to the other Equestria happen here." >"And what happened?" Luna asked >You looked away from the blurred landscape, turning your attention back to the alicorn >She was leaned forward, staring at you intently >It was hard to get words out now, but you forced them, word by word "The library was destroyed, and everything went to shit. Twilight changed, her friends changed, the world changed, all for the worse." >"Ponies change, Anonymous." "Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty, tried selling Fluttershy into slavery for a Daring Doo book. Applejack, a mare who wanted nothing more than to start a family had a "coming out" party totally unprompted. Each day I saw her Twilight began to turn further and further away from everything she learned while she was a dork that wrote letters to a teacher she idolized." >You clenched a fist "It was little things at first, but I noticed how different they were all acting, like someone that didn't know the girls had tried replacing them. It wasn't just Twilight and her friends, it was like everyone was different one day." >You sighed "I remember Twilight telling me something your sister had told her. You couldn't learn friendship in a school. It couldn't be taught. You had to go out, find yourself, find ponies that make you happy. You should have heard her when she told me. Those words meant so much to her." >Your shoulders slumped "Then, somehow, she got the idea to build a friendship school, and have her friends, mares with careers and lives, teach children. It just goes on and on and on like that." "...I see." "I really hope you don't. For your sake. It was driving me nuts. The world did a one-eighty overnight and everyone thought I was weird for trying to say anything about it." >"And you believe the same thing will happen here?" Luna asked, crossing her arms. "Did you try to get Shining to wear socks?" you asked. "Ones with frills on the end?" >Luna's cheeks puffed out, her blush growing "That's what I figured" you said. "There are a things I need to fix. If I do that it might make everything better. If it doesn't, at least I can say that I tried before killing myself again." >The princess frowned, just staring at you >"What happened, Anonymous?" she asked softly. "Who destroyed Twilight's home? If you told me I might--" "Nope. I need to find and stop them first," you said, shaking your head. "If you know it might make things worse." >You pressed your injured hand against your chest more firmly, the book underneath your shirt shifted >Thankfully, Luna didn't seem to notice, looking you in the eye >"I will be frank, young stallion. I do not trust you even a bit, despite your knowledge of things I'd rather be forgotten." "I'll be honest with you, Princess. I could really not care less. You can come with me, and when I'm done you can take me back to Canterlot." >"And if I simply take you here and have the conductor change course now?" "Then I'll have you or your guards kill me, and if I can't do that I'll throw myself off the train head first. If that doesn't work, and you tie me up, I'll just bite my tongue off or something." >You shrugged "It's a bit morbid, but like I said, I've died twice. If you won't listen maybe another Luna will." >"You seem to be a very troubled stallion." "I did swallow a gallon of bleach this morning." >The princess snorted >"As much as I feel that I should throw you in irons now, I'll humor you a bit, Anonymous. I must ask however, why do you think my involvement in anything will make things worse?" >Aw... >The difficult question... >You looked around >There was no one here but you and the blue mare, but that didn't mean anything >Eyes were always watching, even when they weren't eyes "Something turned my friends into shadows of their former selves. It turned the Equestria I loved into a hellscape. I never saw it, I never knew what it was, but I realized it was there, pulling their strings like they were puppets. After the library was destroyed I got a funny feeling that never went away, like someone was watching me. Someone that didn't like that I was in the same sandbox playing with their toys. I can feel it here too." >Be Princess Luna >Guardian and Ruler of Equestria, and the Protector of Dreams >You were in ClopsDale >Admittedly, you had never come to this sleepy little town before >It was a small fishing village with a population of less than two hundred >It was late >Your moon hung high in the air >You were on a rooftop, with one of the stranger creatures you had met >Anonymous, as he called himself >The giant that had attacked your sister and Discord >The one who had spouted strange nonsense >A very confused, obviously bitter stallion >He had requested that you stay in the train whilst he did whatever he had set out to do in this town >You had, of course, refused >No matter what happened here, he was coming back to Canterlot to pay for the assault on royalty >Had his ramblings not overtaken your common sense, you'd be halfway back to the capital by now and he'd be in chains >He didn't seem to appreciate this fact at all >In fact, like a typical stallion, he had insisted you both go shopping as soon as you both stepped off the train >And, to add insult to injury, he had insisted you pay for all of it >He had wanted the strangest things as well >A clay pot, a large box of marbles, two rolls of tape, thirty feet of rope, a map, and some food and water, among other things >He had gotten this all, with barely a thank you mind you, and had gotten you to climb onto a roof with him, where he had proceeded to fill the pot with the marbles before sitting down and helping himself to bread and cheese >The map he had bought was sitting on his lap and he was looking at it as he ate, obviously in no hurry >You stood a few feet away from him, arms crossed >Your patience had been thin when you had stepped off the train, but now it was SEE THROUGH "I pray this was more than a sight-seeing luncheon for you, for your sake, creature," you said, tapping a finger against your forearm >Anon looked down toward the street >He was seated right above an alley >There was a stallion and a mare below >The two were talking and laughing, obvious to anything but themselves >From the way that the colt was hanging onto that filly, it looked like somepony would get lucky tonight >"He should be coming around soon," he said through a mouthful of bread >Your eyes narrowed "Who?" >He said nothing, just helping himself to another bite of cheese >You gritted your teeth "Will you be less vague, you damnable stallion?" >Anon looked back down at the couple >"I remember Twilight saying that he stuck around this town for a few weeks. He'd pick off random ponies wandering around at first, since he was so weak and frail," he said. "He was able to take just a little bit of magic at first. Twi explained to me how he couldn't take too much too fast, but he was eventually able to suck a pony dry with one inhale after getting his strength back." >In the relative silence of the night, you heard hoofsteps coming from the main street >They sounded wrong however >Almost like whoever was walking had more than one set of legs >It took a moment or so, but you realized what, and who, Anonymous was referring to >Your heart leapt to your throat, eyes widening >Cerberus had left his post for a day or so >Had that truly been enough time for HIM to escape? >You peeked over the edge of the building >A hooded figure made it's way onto the alley >Too long and too oddly shaped to be a pony >It slowly pulled back it's hood, revealing an old, withered monster >A creature you and Celestia had fought so long ago >Even in his sorry state you could see the rage in his yellow, ugly eyes >Tirek >The Great Devourer >He was making his way toward the unknowing couple >You were about to shout a warning, only for Anon to shush you >"Hey, lift the pot for me," he said. "With the marbles I can't with my hand. With your magic. Hurry up before he starts sucking." >Seeing that there was no time to delay, your horn glowed >The pot was lifted >Anon motioned you to lift it above his head >Closing one eye, he looked down at Tirek, moving the pot with his uninjured hand >You grunted in surprise as the pot became far heavier with his touch >It seemed sister was right about his magical resistance, though it didn't seem a total resistance as she suggested >Good to know >Tirek puffed his chest out, deeply exhaling before opening his mouth >Anon whistled, the sharp, loud noise cutting through the air >The couple jumped, the monster jumped, even you were so surprised that you lost your grip on the pot >Tirek looked up just in time for the pot to hit in right on the forehead >"ARUGH!" >The poor stallion below let out a scream as marbles went flying everywhere, seeing the old monster >Tirek himself let out a shout of pain, hands flying to his face >"WHO DARES ATTACK ME?" he roared. "I AM TIREK, DESTROYER OF--" >The centaur attempted to take a step >The bottom of his hoof stepped on some of the many marbles now sitting about, causing his leg to jerk violently to the side >His body tensed in surprise at the loss of footing, and he attempted to correct it by moving his other front leg, only to step on more marbles >He fell to the ground with another roar >The mare, wisely, grabbed her stallion and raced out of that alley as fast as her hooves could take her while the monster tried to rise back up >"ENOUGH OF THIS! FACE ME COWARD," Tirek yelled to the sky. "I WILL SMASH YOU! SUCK YOU DRY! LEAVE YOU A PITIFUL--" >Anon pulled out another thing he had forced you to buy >A large metal ball the size of an apple >One again closing his eyes, he looked down at Triek before letting go of the ball >The monster pulled his hands away from his face, only for the ball to slam into his nose >"AAAAARRRRRRUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHH!" >You couldn't help but wince as the centaur leapt to his hooves, racing forward as fast as he could, no doubt to get away >Of course, he tripped on more marbles >He lost his balance, becoming a tumbling, swearing blur before slamming headfirst into a steel garbage container >There was an earsplitting clang >The container screeched as it slide a few feet before stopping, a massive dent now in the side of it, along with a now very unconscious Tirek laying in a pile of marbles and his own blood >For the first time since you met him, Anonymous turned toward you with a grin >"Well, that went a lot better than I thought it would," he said, happy with himself as he folded the map up and dusted the cheese and bread crumbs off him. "Come on. Lets get him tied up." >He made his way toward the building's ladder >"Grab that rope and stuff for me, will ya?" >You didn't reply, just staring at him as he walked away, eyes still wide >You remembered how terrifying Tirek had been when you had fought him so long ago >He had been unkillable, unstoppable; a monster without peer or equal >Easily the most dangerous force on the planet >And he had been laid low by a pot, marbles, and a ball... >"Quit messing around, otherwise he might wake up!" >Giving your head a shake, you grabbed the paper bag filled with tape and rope "...Of course. Forgive me." >Anonymous seemed to enjoy tying the monster up, taking his time and being as thorough as possible >First, he securely tied his legs together with the rope, then used a whole roll of duct tape to secure his arms >Two more rolls were wrapped around his mouth >Anon would have put it over his nose as well, but you stopped that >Mostly, you just stood there quietly watching him as he did his work >It wasn't until Tirek was more rope and tape than monster did Anon stand back up >"There. We should be fine until you get him back to Tartarus," he said, turning toward you "I believe so," you said with a little nod. "Anonymous?" >"Yes?" "What would have happened if you hadn't... subdued him?" >Anon's smile dipped >"He would have taken the magic from every mare and stallion in Equestria. He destroyed a lot of towns too; a lot of ponies got hurt." "I see." >You cleared your throat "I will make sure he is returned to Tartarus. You've done a very good thing here today. Despite a very poor... impression, you have my thanks. I will have to let my sister--" "Before all that, princess. I got a question." >Your shoulders slumped as some of the air left you >Harmony, did you hate a nosy stallion >Still, after everything you supposed you'd humor him a little longer before taking him back to Canterlot "And what question is that?" you asked >"How are the roads?" >You blinked at the strange question "The roads? They were fine in Canterlot. A bit muddy from the rain, but there is supposed to be a dry spell--" >"HOLY FUCK, IT'S CHRYSALIS!" Anon suddenly yelled, pointing behind you >Without thought, you whipped around >Your spear appeared in your hands with flash of your horn, and you leveled it at any would be attacker >You expected Chrysalis to be just a few feet from you, but the alley was empty >Your eyes scanned, looking for any enemies "Anonymous, where did you see her?" you asked. >There was no answer >You frowned "Anonymous?" >Again, nothing >Now worried, you peeked over your shoulder >The giant was gone >You stood straight up in alarm, nearly dropping your spear >Horse apples! >Your horn crackled to life "My guard, the giant has somehow escaped me. Leave the train and take flight. Search every road, every exit out of this town. He cannot be allowed to wander where he pleases. Do not fail me." >Cancelling the spell, you looked down at the still unconscious Tirek >You nudged the monster with your hoof >Still bleeding, he let out a pained groan >Anonymous needed to be found at all cost >If the place where he came from was like your world Harmony knew what other nonsense he could, and would, get up to... >But first... >Grabbing Tirek by the tail, you began to drag the centaur toward out of the alley "Come monster, your old pit in Tartarus will welcome you back." ~_~_~_~_~_~ >Be Anon >Be in the trash container >You watched as Luna dragged Tirek away, grinning >When she was out of sight, you cackled, rubbing your hands together >You were so jazzed that you almost couldn't feel the pain in your fucked up hand >If Luna didn't mess anything up, and you sure hope she didn't, that was one thing fixed >Now you needed to fix the Poochie problem >No matter what, Starlight was going to be an issue, you felt >She was too powerful to just ignore >Hell, she might be stronger than Twilight is as a unicorn >You had an idea to stop her >Something way better, and possibly more permanent, than outright murder >You'll also help out another horse in the process >Here she's an ugly beast-looking thing, but you'll take what you can get for now >Time to head to Manehatten! "Huh..." >Be Anon >It had been a week since you had escaped ClopsDale >Thank God ponies weren't too good with disguises >You had walked out of that town with a hastily made pillow mask with some holes cut out for the eyes and a ice cream cone tacked on for a horn >The guard had asked to see your cutiemark >You had shown them the one you had drawn on with a marker you had stolen, and you were gone >That didn't mean everything was peaches and cream though >Getting back on any train was a no go, and you couldn't stay on the main roads for long >Shitty disguise not, eventually someone with half a brain would figure you out >It was touch and go for a few days >You slept where you could, drank water from streams >Any food you got was either from other ponies on the road or from a tree or bush >The ground was hard, and your feet were starting to ache from doing nothing but walking, but at least it wasn't that cold >You hand was also getting a better day by day >It looked like you had busted a knuckle, but you could open and close your hand without much difficulty >There were no headaches either, which meant that you didn't have a concussion, which was pretty great >It was a long, long way to Manehatten, but you were covering ground day by day >You had a bit of luck and "borrowed" a backpack that someone had left near a stream filled with goodies >A knife, flint, food, even some clothes >Most of the food was for horses, so you couldn't eat it, and the clothes were tiny, but it was something >You were sitting underneath a tree, a small fire going >You had an apple roasting on a small stick that you were holding >You had some sticks, and a few dead branches keeping it going >You also had that fucking book in there >Starswirls book sat right in the middle of the fire, completely fine >Not a burn or anything >There was a frown on your face as you poked at it with the stick in your injured hand, trying to drive it deeper into the coals >This book was the most dangerous thing on the planet at the moment >Anything you did on this hellhole of a planet would be nothing, zip, nada, if Twilight got her hands on this >It needed to go "I figured you'd be harder to destroy," you grunted. "What, am I going to have to throw you into a volcano or something?" >The book, of course, said nothing >You kept it in there, hoping against hope that it would eventually catch fire, until your apple was fully roasted >Shaking your head, you used the other stick to fish it out of the coals >Nothing >There wasn't even soot on the cover >You nudged it with your foot and then reached down to touch it >You quickly jerked your hand away as soon as your fingertips touched the binding and, realizing that it felt cool, you reached back out to touch it Ȳ̸͚͚͈͎̽̎͐̐̊͋̄̀͊̔o̸̡̗̥̘͎̩͚̦̩̫͇̾̈́̀͛̓͋̎̃̔̔͘̚͜͜͝u̶̻̪̱͇̱̘̭̓̓̊̀̑͐͘͝ͅ ̵̫̫̠̗̪͙͖̖͈̠̙̫́̈́̓̊͌͜ķ̷͖̦͚̦̝͚͓͈̿́̔̀͑̽̔̀̑͐͗̚n̸̢̧̡̪̘̘͔̗͖̝̘͔͎̐͒͆͝ǫ̷̬̜͙͎̰̰̤̪̰̻͍͖͇̓̍̓̿͜͠w̷̡̨̯̖̣̙̻͙͚̻͖̱̼͈̟̌͂͆͒̆̇̇͝ ̵͚͇͔̩̱͚̘̃̂̿̐͂̐̓̊̊̚n̴̩̼͓͊̌̈́̈́̍͘͝ỡ̴͇̜͖͈̼̗͙̱͎̼̮͆̏̈́͑͜͝ͅt̷̢̥̭̱̣̣̻̯͖̆̓͒̄̌̂̆̋̇͑̍̐̈̚͜ ̸̠̦̺͙̪̾̀̄͑̽͗̔͆̈̎͒͝w̷͚̻̝̪̹͓̜̰͍̳̦̗̽͑͗̏̊̏͝h̴̢͔͎̬͙̙̠͍̜́͊͛̇͊͐͗͜ͅa̸̢̹͖̳̣͉̩̜̪̺͎̐̾̏͌͗̓̓̀̓̕ṯ̴̹̺̺̟̫͎̫̗̑̓̃͜ ̴̢̧͔͓͆ȳ̶̛̙͇̯̮̮̞̤̯͚͚̹ͅô̴̡̋͆̂͐̿͐u̴͕̭͍̦̖̻̺̒̽̇̌̾̇̂͑̀ͅ ̴̜͍̳̺͕̯̮̟̖͈͖̯̖̃̀̾͛̚͝ͅd̶̢̛͕̝̗̮͖̩̣̺͐̾̔̓̇̋̐̈́͊͒̕͘ő̵̱̌̈̂͝ >Your vision went white >The sounds of the fire crackling and bird chirping disappeared into a loud ringing >Your body felt weightless and it felt hard to breath, like something was picking you up and holding you very tightly >Several terrifying seconds passed until your vision returned and the ringing stopped >You were no longer holding your stick >Both hands held the book tightly to your chest, and your heart was beating a mile a minute >You were also grinning "I knew it. I fucking KNEW IT," you muttered to yourself >You hadn't been crazy >There was a puppet master >Not just in the other Equestria, but this one too >Most importantly though, whoever or whatever they were didn't like what you were doing >Which meant you were doing the right thing >You leapt to your feet, laughing >A feeling began to well in your chest; something you hadn't felt in years >Hope >"Uh... you alright there, fella?" >You spun around to see two mares standing not a few feet away >Both looked like country folk, with overalls, straw hats, and a piece of grain hanging from their mouths >The one mares elbowed the other >"Musta gotten the latest Coscoltpolitian," she said, nudging her head toward the book still held tightly against your chest. "Probably saw a new line o' makeup." >"His poor mare," the other said, which had them both chuckling >You quickly hide the book, too happy to even scowl at the abominations "Yeah, yeah, something like that. Hey, I got a question for you fine ladies." >The mares perk up >"Fine ladies? Well, I'll be. There might be some hope for us, Plow," the one said. >"I reckon not, though that's mighty polite of ya to say, Mr," the other said, tipping her hat at you. "What's yer question?" "There wouldn't happen to be a town nearby, would it?" you asked >Manehatten was too far away to walk >Pretty much on the other side of the country >As fun as it would be to walk all the way there, you might not have the weeks and weeks that it'd take >You didn't know EXACTLY when you were in this world >All you knew was that it was post Nightmare Moon, pre wings >A lot of shit happened between all that >The trains might have been a no go, but you could try a carriage >If not a carriage, maybe a balloon? >You still had bits from back in ClopsDale >Took Luna's bag when she was buying you all the stuff to fuck up Tirek >Said Princess would no doubt be looking for you, but unless she and her sister had the whole guard looking you might just get away with it >You had to get to Manehattan quick, and then the real work would begin >You had to find her >Then, it was Poochie time >The one mare nodded >"Yep, a little town called Trot Ave. Me an' my friend here are on our way now." >"There's some fancy magician there performing for the next couple o' days," the other said. "Some gal that called herself the great an' powerful something or another. We wanted to see her 'fore she left." >You blinked >No way... >You thought she'd be in Manehattan already >That's where she said she had gotten that Alicorn Amulet >You honestly couldn't believe your good luck >Here you thought you'd have to look all over for the blue pain in the ass, and maybe even figure out how to get a super dangerous magical artifact off of her >Trixie >The Great and Powerful >A unicorn who couldn't use actual magic >The one that would help solve the Starlight problem >You kicked dirt over your fire, snuffing it out >Dusting yourself off, you walked over to the mares "Ladies, I'd be ever so grateful if you escorted me into town," you said with your sweetest smile. "I'd like to see this Great and Powerful mare myself." ~_~_~_~_~_~ >"Please hold still, your highness. I'm very nearly done." >Be Celestia >It had been a few days after the... incident >You were in your personal chambers >Today was the fifth day that Day Court had been cancelled >Your little ponies were worried and asking questions >Some of the papers had reported a "giant of a stallion" stomping out of the castle, but not much more >A blessing if there ever was one >Your personal physician, Sweet Touch, hovered around you >You were seated on the royal beanbag chair, mouth opened >That blasted creature had knocked your two front teeth out with that headbutt of his >The idea of holding court looking either like some little filly or some country bumpkin had been too much to bear >Thankfully, today was your last treatment to get some new teeth >With the doctor's careful magicks, you could feel the small nubs sticking out of your gums getting bigger and bigger >It hurt like the devil, but you weren't some little colt >"You're doing very well, your highness. Just a bit more and nopony will be able to tell the difference. If you like, I can even adjust the color of each teeth to match perfectly with the others." >She ceased her spell, allowing you to close your mouth to answer her "That won't be necessary, my dear. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time I've lost a tooth to a stallion. I know how this works. A few cups of tea and they'll look just like the others." >The doctor chuckled, motioning you to once again open your mouth >When you did so the tip of her horn once again lit up >"I'm surprised a stallion could knock your teeth out. If you don't mind me saying so, you are very durable, your majesty." >Though you couldn't reply aloud, you did agree with her >Giant or not, alicorns were made of some tough stuff, but not only did he hurt you, he smacked around Discord as well >Sure, he stumbled out of the throne room if what Discord said was true, but even so >A large, magic resistant, angry stallion was running around, and not only that but he had the book >The linchpin of your plans >Harmony only knew what he wanted with it >Were it not for Luna's "report" on what happened in ClopsDale, you'd have had the entire Equestrian military combing the country looking for the stallion >He had known Tirek was in the town, and had nearly killed the centaur with some marbles and a clay pot >That had been rather amusing >The old monster deserved much, much worse >What was far less funny was the fact that he was from a "different" Equestria >It sounded like some nonsense with your mirror in the royal vaults, so much so that you had gone down personally to check up on it >It hadn't seen any use since you had last tinkered with it two hundred odd years ago, but nevertheless you doubled the guard there >No need to have anything else running around your castle... >Annnnnnd... I think we're done, your highness," Sweet Touch said with a smile, stepping away from you >With a snap of her fingers, a mirror appeared in front of you >You opened your mouth a little wider, drawing your lips back so you could look at your new front teeth >Thank Equestria... "Thank you very much, my little pony. Now I can go out in public again," you said with a smile >The doctor bowed >"It was my pleasure, your highness. I'll take my leave now if that's alright with you. I'm no doubt needed in the medical ward. If you still feel any lingering pains just let me know." >Still bowing, the mare made her way to the door, only standing upright once her rump hit the door >A very traditional mare that one... >As she closed the door behind her, you allowed yourself to slump in your beanbag chair >You even indulged yourself by letting out a groan "Holy Hayseeds... what a week... >You rubbed your temples >The headache you had been nursing only grew when the scent of chocolate milk hit your nose >"Oh Cellllllly." >Oh horsefeathers... >You looked up to see Discord >The draconequus had a small bandage on his cheek, but was otherwise unharmed from the events a few days ago "Did my sister return Tirek back to his pit?" you asked >"She did. Tirek didn't seem too happy about it," Discord replied. "Not that I could blame the poor stallion. Do you know what kind of magazines they have down there? Nothing but hoofball and fishing." >He shivered >"All of it outdated too. Simply AWFUL. If it was that or being a statue I think I'd--" >You raised your hand, motioning for silence >You give him an inch and he'd talk your ear off, like all stallions "Did you find the giant?" you asked. "Anonymous, or whatever he's called?" >"I did not," Discord said with a frown, tugging at his beard. "It seems our friend blends well in a crowd." "He's a ten foot tall GIANT!" >"Which makes it all the more impressive. You'd think somepony would have seen him by now, or at least mentioned a giant walking amongst your "little ponies"." >Your stomach tightened as he said little ponies >There was so much mockery in those words >So much thinly veiled anger >As much as he liked to try to hide it, to be casual, you knew he resented you >Nearly as much as you disliked him you imagined, the old goat >Were it up to you, you'd have him back as a statue in the royal gardens >But that trail was closed >He had been unleashed on you all; better to use him >You didn't know why, but you felt that he'd be important with your plans for Twilight >Plans that, admittedly, you were becoming lukewarm too >You didn't know why, but as soon as that book was taken, you had begun to have second thoughts >Why make Twilight into a princess? >She could rule as an unicorn just as well >Why not give her a choice? >She was not your puppet >She was a fine, wonderful little Ḓ̴̨͕͂̇̔̑̄͠ǫ̶̨̤̣͖̥̙̟̟͇̳̫͈̭̝̟̹͉͓͊̈́̐͌̀̈́̄́̌͑̑͝͝ ̸̼͚̤̥̫̖̊̀͆̋̔̄͑̀̋̂̈́́̐͛̇̌̚͝Ń̸̢̛̫͖̠̺͓̝͈͕̼̠̹̼̝͋͐̈͒̈͋̓͂̈͜͜ō̷̧̡̠̯̳̦̹̭̜̭͈̬͚͚͓̼̱̞̟̮̔̽̀͊̈́̑ͅͅt̵͖̻̠̰͍̱̻̙̘̣̝̓̈́̓̍ ̶̡̹̗̭̗̬̭̘̞̠̭̗̜͕̹̮͕̰̹͓͐̒̆͆ͅQ̵̛̘͓͙͔͉̦̹̱̖̗̖͈͕̞̝͒̿͌̂̂̊̓̈́̃̃̋͗̎̈͋͝ȗ̵̧̳͍̬̠̰͕̱̖̥͍͎͖̐͂͂̊͗͊͛̎̀͒̔͋̏͛́̽͝͝ͅẽ̵͔͙̼̦̺̞͎͎̝̣̮͙̙̝s̶̘̩̼̳͔̠̙̯͚̭̝͑̑̐̎̀̉̏͛̀̆͂̂̋̎͗͝͝ť̸̪̠̞͉̇̃̏̾͐̋͌̊͗͗̆̍̈́͑̎i̶̢̡̧̡̦̥͎̼͚͍̦͈͔͙̗͑̾͒̔́́̐͒̈́͊̌̈́̕̚͜͝ò̵̢͖̻͓͇͗͛͆̐͐̒̿̍͋͝ņ̶̛̝͉̪̿̐͂͗̓̒̀̿͗̂̍͆̔͂͋̈́̄ >You closed your eyes, covering your face with a hand >No... >This was what needed to be done... >For the good of Equestria Twilight Sparkle would need to be an alicorn >She MUST be an alicorn... "Discord?" >"Yeeeeeees?" "Return to Luna. Tell her to keep searching for this creature. Starswirl's book must be found at all cost." >"--And for my next trick, the Grrrrrreat and Powerful Trixie will make this wagon DISAPPEAR." >You were standing in a crowd of ponies >In the back, since they were all so freakishly small >You might have hated how they looked, but you weren't rude enough to stand in the front >No one was cheering >No one was clapping >No one looked enraptured >Most were staring at the unicorn on the stage with a mixture of irritation and boredom >The mare, sure enough, was Trixie >Wizard hat and cape and all >Even as an abomination, you'd recognize that voice and that arrogant smirk anywhere >Now, you had never seen the unicorn perform >You'd seen her fireworks show that she had every few months when she was parked in front of that ugly ass crystal nightmare, but never a proper "magic" show >Honest, you had no idea why she was so smug all the time >The mare sucked >You had seen kindergarten magic shows that were better by a country mile >It wasn't that her tricks were bad per se >Everything she did seemed well practiced, masterful even >The thing was the mare just wouldn't shut the fuck up about how great she was >She hadn't shut up about herself since she stared >How nopony but she could do this trick, or how the pathetic unicorns now watching couldn't hope to guess what she was about to do >Honestly, it was hard not to boo the little turd >The crowd had been quiet so far, but you could tell that the mood was as sour as could be >Half of the original crowd had dispersed, some giving Trixie dirty looks as they left >Trixie didn't seem to notice or care as she did trick after trick, bouncing around the stage >She was now hanging upside down, tied with a rope >She was hanging over a kiddie pool filled with water >A knife was sawing at the top of the rope as the mare wiggled and grunted >"Oh no folks. I don't know if the Great and Powerful Trixie is Great and Powerful enough to get out of this one," she called, looking out at the crowd >There was silence >Not even a cricket chirping >It was awkward >Too awkward >To your shame you blinked first, clapping "Yeah... go Trixie," you said with as much enthusiasm as you could muster, which, admittedly, wasn't all that much >Trixie beamed as the rope was fully cut >The crowd just watched as she fell into the pool with a splash >When the water settled, the mare was nowhere to be seen >"Ahem." >Ponies turned, and you looked over your shoulder to see Trixie standing behind all of you, looking as pleased as punch >"Tada!" she yelled, throwing her hands up >That actually got some claps, and a cheer or two >Trixie bowed >"Thank you, thank you, the pleasure is all yours," she said, pulling off her hat. "Now, if you are feeling generous, Trixie needs bits to eat, so it would be lovely if you filled her hat up with everything in your pockets. Thank you and goodnight, you filthy hic--I mean, wonderful crowd!" >You watched as the teeny, tiny amount of goodwill vanished in the blink of an eye >Many grumbling, the crowd began to disperse >Some bits were placed in Trixie's hat, but not much >The smile on her face began to sour more and more as ponies walked past her >"Come on you ungrateful cretins! Trixie gave you the show of a lifetime! Pay her!" >You stood there, arms crossed, trying hard not to laugh >You waited until you were the last one before making your way over to her >Pulling out the bag of bits that you still had, you dropped them into her hat >She nearly dropped her hat, her head snapping toward you >She looked at your chest, then raised her head up and up until she was looking you in the eye >You watched as she swallowed, then smiled, bowing >"Thank you very much, fine gentlecolt. It's nice to see SOMEPONY WITH TASTE!" "Trixie--" >"The Grrrrreat and Powerful Trixie, if you please." >You frowned, leaning down, you placed a hand on her shoulder "Trixie," you said again. "My name is Anonymous, and I'm--" >"Trixie's biggest fan. I'm sure," she interrupted, patting your stomach gently. "This isn't the first time a colt has come to Trixie lavishing her with praise. Trixie will humor you with a kiss, and perhaps some heavy petting, but try not to--" >Your hand left her shoulder and clamped over her mouth >You had spent the last day or so trying to come up with a story to get Trixie to follow your plan >After kicking around a few ideas, you think you had come up with something just perfect >Something to do with a conversation you had overheard the unicorn having with shit-purple-princess-not-the-real-fucking-Twilight "My name is Anonymous, and I'm from the Equestria Tax Services. You, young filly, are in a lot of trouble." >Your words had an immediate effect >Trixie's pupils shrunk to pin pricks and all the color left her face >Fuckin' got her >She stepped away, snatching her hat off her head and placing it against her chest >"T-Tax services? What in Equestria could you want with Trixie? She pays her taxes in a s-sensible time every year." >She took another step back, her tail curling around her leg as you raised an eyebrow "If I remember correctly, you haven't paid your taxes in the last five years." >"Lies! Trixie is a sincere and thoughtful citizen! Even though she thinks taxes are unlawful and hurtful to a traveling businessmare like herself, she still does her duty." "..." >"She does! You morons at the ETS must have lost her check is all." "..." >"Or the mail did. Those mare ponies and their unions have been a thorn in Trixie's side since she was a little blankflank." >The mare puffed her chest out, doing her best to look outraged and furious >You just cleared your throat, trying hard not to laugh >In the blink of an eye, she deflated >"Please, you large, strange stallion. Have pity on the forgetful and sorrowful Trixie," she said, getting down onto her knees. "Trixie is just a simple mare struggling to make her way in the world." >You leaned down "You made two hundred thousand bits in Las Pegasus over the course of three years. You're doing more than fine." >"How in the horse seeds do you know that--I mean, I don't know what you mean, sir." >Trixie looked behind her >You could see the gears turning in her head >If she made a run for it things might get difficult >You were bigger than her, but these "ponies" seemed to be a lot faster than you >There was also the nasty little fact that your hand was still messed up >You'd eventually be able to get her, but who knows how long that'd take >Thankfully, it seemed like Trixie didn't have much fight in her, the mare letting out a whimper as she turned back to you >"Please don't put Trixie in jail," she begged. "She wouldn't do good in prison. Some large, muscular earth pony would make Trixie into her carpet munching sex slave! Please, Trixie will do anything!" "Anything?" you asked >"Anything," Trixie replied, nodding her head >You pretended to think about it, looking up at the sky while tapping a finger against your chin >Again, doing your best not to laugh as the unicorn looked up at you like some kicked puppy >After a minute of letting the mare sweat, you offered her your hand >Trixie blinked, staring at it for several seconds before hesitantly taking it >You pulled her to her hooves, a smile coming to your face "In that case, Trixie, I need your help with something." >"Help? What do you need Trixie's help with?" "It's very simple, my little tax evader. I need you to help me save the world." ~_~_~_~_~ >Trixie was hesitant at first >Said something about it "being bad luck to bring a stallion on the ride" and there "not being enough room in her wagon for all of your clothes and other colty nonsense" >She also had absolutely no desire to save the world >She just wanted to be a simple magician >You listened to her arguments calmly and patently, with complete understanding >You then asked which maximum security prison she'd like to spend the next ten years in >That made fixed her attitude right up >You went ahead and explained the situation in brushstrokes >Where you both were going, who you were stopping, and Trixie's role in it >Though she seemed less than happy with this turn of events, you could tell that she was also secretly pleased in being the keystone in something so important >She wasn't the keystone quite yet, but she would be, you just needed a bit of elbow grease and determination >It wasn't until Trixie led you to her wagon that you was just how much elbow grease would be needed >"Here it is, the Grrrrrrreat and Powerful Trixie's humble abode," she said, gesturing toward it with a proud sweeping motion >Now, you were no wagon expert, but you were pretty good and deciding if things were pieces of shit, and this wagon seemed to tick all the boxes >The wooden wheels were cracked and had spokes missing >The metal on the wagon looked chipped and worn >The wagon itself looked to be in desperate need of a new roof and a paint job "...What the FUCK did you do with that two hundred thousand bits?" >"None of your business." "..." >"...Trixie has all the money in her mattress. Don't tell anypony though." >With a sigh, you walked over and opened up the wagon's door >Sure enough, a mountain of wrappers, plastic bottles, and smelly trash fell out >You poked your head inside, accessed the damage, then turned back toward the unicorn "Alrighty then. Time to get to work." >What followed was a two week headache >The entire wagon needed to be worked on >The residents of the little town had been hesitant to help you at first, but as soon as you dug some bits out of Trixie's mattress and started handing them out they got a lot friendlier >Thankfully, there were a lot of ponies walking around with woodworking cutiemarks, so work was done pretty quickly >Trixie complained the whole time of course >The mare held onto her bits so hard that you were surprised half didn't have finger indents >The little blue donkey >It was a struggle, but you eventually got the entire wagon cleaned and aired out >New wheels were put on, the interior carpet was torn out and redone; her old, filthy bed had all the bits taken out and a new bed was bought >Trixie fought you the whole way >Even though she had a duke's ransom in bits, she was a pretty angry mare >You don't know if it was because of Twilight, or something else >There had to be something else going on >Sure, Twilight showing her up might have been a little part of it, but the filthy wagon? >The keeping bits in her mattress when Equestria had a centralized bank where she could keep her money? >The mare also didn't seem to know how to act around other ponies >She was rude, abrasive, strangely anti-social >She got a bit better the longer she was in town, but she sure as hell wasn't winning any friends, nor did she seem to want to >It wasn't until she saw her wagon, all fixed up and just needing a new coat of paint that she had calmed down >She had just sort of looked at it for a long while, before asking to pick out a color of paint for it >She wanted blue; a bit lighter in color than her coat >You had gotten her what she had asked for--along with two more cans just so you could do any needed touch-ups while on the road--and she had insisted in helping with the painting >With her help, and the help of five other mares, you had it looking spic and span by the end of the day >She actually thanked the carpenters before the two of you left the next morning >The wagon was pulled along by magical means >Trixie just needed to sit on top of it "steering" like it was a stage coach >Not wanting to stay in the cramped little wagon, you had elected to hop up right next to her, waving to the little town's citizens as the wagon drove along >The sun had just started creeping up into the sky, the air was crisp >You could hear the birds chirping >You were tired, and sore, but happy that you were finally starting your little journey >Trixie was just staring straight ahead, lost in thought >It wasn't until you had been on the road for around an hour that she finally spoke >"Anonymous?" "Yes?" >The mare looked over at you, then back toward the road >"Trixie would like to thank you. With this. She hadn't realized what state her wagon was in. I had let it, and myself, go. I suppose a stallion's touch was needed for me to see the error of my ways." >You couldn't help but smile >Freakish monster or not, there was still a pony somewhere in this Trixie >And ponies, as everyone knew, were pretty easy to nudge back onto a better path >They just needed some care and friendship, then they'd stop being deranged, evil fucks and start being ponies again >At least that had been the case... >Before whatever had fucked up the last Equestria had turned everyone into shadows of themselves >That hadn't happened here yet, and you meant to keep it that way if you could >Reaching over, you placed a hand on her shoulder "We still got some work to do, but this is a good start, huh?" >Trixie smiled, nodding as she spurred the wagon to go a little faster >"Trixie supposes so. So, how are we going to find this Starlight Glimmer?" "She won't be too hard to find. If I'm right, and I'm pretty sure I'm right, she built herself a little town not too far from Manehatten." >"That is a considerable distance. A week away at least." "I'm in no hurry. Besides, we need to adjust your act a bit for her." >"Adjust her act? Trixie assures you that her act is PERFECT." "Not yet it's not," you said, leaning back as the mare glared at you. "What we're dealing with is a very powerful unicorn. She might almost be as powerful as one of the princesses. We have to be a bit careful here." >Trixie's glare disappeared, replaced with a look of worry >"And you're sure it'll be safe?" "Pretty sure. Starlight is strong magically, but she isn't the brightest. She's got a lot of the traits and quirks of your usual dictator. What we need to do is outsmart and unbalance her." >"And you can do this?" >You, in fact, didn't know if you could do this >This was Poochie you were talking about >Not just average, annoying Poochie either >This was the Poochie that could rip a cutiemark off a pony, and thought doing so was a good idea >A powerful control freak that hated change more than you hated feet >Lord knows what she'd do when you got there "Yep, I'm sure. This just needs a stallion's touch." >Your answer seemed to calm Trixie a bit, her smile returning "First though, we'll need to make a quick stop." >"Oh? Where?" "A place you don't care very much for." >"...And that place is?" "Ponyville." >The glare returned, along with a frown so deep that you swore it left her face "Just for a bit," you promised. "I need to take care of something very important before we go up north." >"You know, Trixie can't help but wonder why in Equestria a tax services agent was sent to save the world, much less a tax services agent that was also a stallion." >You reached into your pocket, pulling out a pair of glasses that you had bought from the market the other day >They were a size too small, but you liked to think they got your point across as you put them on "Because I'm damn good at my job, that's why. Now put this thing into cruise mode. I don't want to fall off this thing if we hit a pothole." >"Trixie doesn't know what that is. You weirdo." "Good." >"Ugh, Trixie hates this town." "Shhh, don't be so loud." >"Trixie doesn't understand why we need to be in this dump." "Because I said so. Now make sure you stay away from anypony that might remember you when you're in the market. If you see Twilight or her little friends you walk in the other direction." >"This is dumb." "Shut it. We'll be in and out before the day is over." >"Can Trixie at least wear her cap and hat?" "Can you wear the most distinctive and recognizable thing about you?" >"Yes!" "Absolutely not, and you're fucking dumb for even asking." >You were back in Ponyville >The starting point of the little adventure in this freak-o world you had found yourself it >It hadn't been easy to get here >It seemed like half of the guard was out looking for you >Thankfully, Trixie's all-consuming terror in being put away for tax fraud meant that she was pretty good at blending into the background when needed, but even then it hadn't been easy >The wagon had been stopped more than once >The last time, the unit of guards almost saw through your paper mask and drawn on cutiemark >After the first time you had put on your "disguise", your cover of being a tax services agent had been thrown right out the window >Trixie had been... peeved to say the least, which had been pretty funny >It had been even funnier when you told her that you were actually a twice-dead alien from an entirely different universe that was here to change the future >She hadn't believed you, and went on all day about yarn-spinning colts and the stories that they made up, along with some pretty colorful things about you, your family, and your mother in particular >Oddly enough though, she had still wanted to go along with your plan, which was pretty awesome, since you had no idea how you'd be able to pull this off without her >You and Trixie were on the very outskirts of town >Hopefully far enough that Pinkie's Pinkie Sense didn't go off telling her that you were both back in town >She'd know you were here eventually, but if you were quick enough maybe she wouldn't find you >Trixie was in a sweatshirt with a cap on her head, hands in her pockets >You were wearing the same clothes you had worn since dying >They had been washed, but they were starting to get a little raggy >Maybe you could get some clothes made in Manehatten before going to "Our Town"? >To be fair though, even if you had another set of clothing, it'd be pretty goddamn hard for you to blend into a crowd >You weren't going to be wearing your paper mask or anything either >Hopefully there weren't any guards patrolling the village >From the hill you and Trixie stood on, you could see ponies milling around >Trixie let out a long-suffering sigh, looking up at you >"Trixie is sure she'll be able to move undetected, but she fears a large, gullible, simple-minded stallion like yourself will have a much harder time. Be careful." >You couldn't help but smile "Hey, you're the one that thought I was a tax agent." >Trixie puffed her cheeks out >"Trixie didn't believe that for a second," she said, puffing her chest out. "She saw through your ruse immediately, but it was so desperate and terrible that she couldn't help but take pity on you." "I'm sure." >You watched as a group of pegasi flew overhead >Mailponies by the look of them >They were busying carrying what looked like a piano, but they had no doubt seen you >Better get started before somepony got nosy "Alright. I'll go down first. Wait a few minutes before following me." >"And why must Trixie do that again?" "Because it should look like we didn't come together." >"Why not?" "Because that's what they say to do in the movies." >"...What in Luna's name is a movie?" >You ignored the question, giving her shoulder a pat before starting down the dirt road >You knew the layout of the town well enough to take the less used back alleys and roads >Ponies did see you, and some seemed curious, but not enough to make you worry >As far as they were concerned, you were just a big stallion wandering around lost >Hopefully >Over the next hour or so, you made your way from one side of town to another, looking for a particular horse >You looked everywhere, and had almost given up hope, when you saw her in the middle of town >She was sitting neat the town's fountain, a hay smoothie in her freaky hand >Lyra >Human enthusiast and all around weirdo >Seeing her almost made you want to leave the alley you were standing in and rush over to her, but you resisted >There was nopony close to her, meaning you might be able to get her to come to you without anyone noticing if you were careful "Lyra!" you called as loud as you dared, eyes darting around to see if Bonbon was out and about. "Lyra! You, with the green mane and little horn!" >You had to call a few more times before the mare's ears perked up >She looked around, gaze eventually settling on you >You watched as her smoothie fell out of her hands, her eyes growing huge "Get your butt over here," you said, beckoning her toward you with a hand. "I need you to--" >Lyra disappeared in a flash of green magic >Before you could fully process that she was gone, she reappeared right in front of you with a pop >She had the same smile on her face as her horse version had the moment she had seen you >Wide, toothy, manic >"Are you a human?" she asked, bouncing in place. "You're a human, aren't you?! Please tell me you're a human! Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease!" >You lifted a hand up to place over her mouth, but thought better of it >Whenever you'd do that to horse Lyra, she'd lick your palm "I am, Lyra, but we can't focus on that right--" >"I KNEW it. Ponies always told me I was crazy, that you guys didn't exist, but I never lost hope. Ohhhh, I have so many questions!" "I know you do, but I really--" >"Why are you go big? Do you have hands for feet like the stories say? Do you have a flying machine that you could show me. Ohohoho! How about--" "LYRA!" >"Yeeeeees?" >You wiped your mouth with your hand, standing down at the thrilled unicorn "I need you to keep it together for five minutes," you said. "Can you do that for me, you silly horse?" >"I don't think so," she replied happily, shaking her head "Well, I need you to try. I know you have a lot of questions. I get it. Sometime in the future I'll answer them for you, but--" >"When?" "Sometime soon, and shut up for a second." >"Yes sir." >You placed a hand on her shoulder >She let out a squeal, looking at your hand, then at you, then back at your hand >She looked so happy that she looked about ready to explode "I need you to do something for me, something very important. Are you listening?" >"I haven't listened so hard in all my bucking LIFE!" "Good. Your buddy Twilight, do you talk with her a lot?" >Lyra stopped her bouncing, some of the excitement leaving her face >"...No, not really," she said, face scrunching up. "I talk to her here and there, but I kind of leave her alone. Twi was really never the social type when we were in Canterlot, and I never want to bother her, since she's Celestia's student and has so much going on." "Well, I need you to bother her now," you said, leaning down so that you were eye-level with her. "Moondancer needs you help." >"Moondancer?" Lyra parroted, brow furrowing. >You nodded "I need you to go to Twilight as soon as you can. Catch up with her, get buddy-buddy again. Say something about Canterlot, about all of your friends up there. Most importantly, I need you to talk to her about Moondancer." >"Why? What's wrong with Moonie?" the unicorn asked "Your friend wasn't the same when Twilight left without a word. She's not in a good place right now because of it," you said. "She needs to go up there and fix things between them. I don't care how you do it, but you need to get Twilight up there, Lyra. Do you understand? You need to trust me when I say that this is really, really important, alright?" >Almost all of the excitement had left the little unicorn in front of you >She now looked concerned, staring up at you with a thoughtful expression >"Is something bad gonna happen to Moonie?" she asked quietly "It might if Twilight doesn't get up there asap," you replied. >She nodded slowly >"Alright, then I'll go talk to her today," she said, puffing her chest out. "I'll drag her to Canterlot if I have to." >You smiled "Good, I knew I could count on you." >Lyra took a step back, biting her lower lip >"Mister?" "Anon's fine." >"Okay, Anon. If I do this, could you do something for me? Pretty please?" "Depends on the something." >She looked behind her, then up at the sky >Hopping forward, she leaned into your ear and began to whisper >As you listened, a frown came to your face, until you eventually stood back up, very concerned and not too happy "You want me to..." you began, only to stop >She nodded >"Pleaaaaaase?" she asked, clasping her hands together >You looked at the unicorn for several seconds, before letting out a sigh "Goddammit. Fine. You got yourself a deal. Just go talk to Twilight. Keep your mouth shut about seeing me too. I have a lot of secret human things going on that you ponies can't know about. Got it?" >Lyra let out a squeal, giving you a hug >"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" she said, giving your chest a nuzzle >Breaking the hug, she spun around and took off out of the alley and back out into the marketplace, so excited that she nearly collided with the Cutiemark Crusaders >You watched as she reached toward the direction of the treebrary, shaking your head >That had gone pretty well... >You had sort of been expecting Bonbon to appear out of the shadows to try and arrest you or something... >Turning back toward the alley, you began to make your way down it >You had spoken with one horse, now you needed to speak with another >This one would be a hell of a lot harder to convince than the town weirdo >She might have also been far more important >Nothing really interesting happened as you made your way through town toward the Whitetail Woods >Not a lot of ponies came out this way, other than the occasional weather pony or two that liked to hide in the trees to snooze during their shift >You made your way down the dirt road, listening to the birds singing >There were so many of the little guys flying around >If you didn't know any better, you'd say that they were practicing >You continued along until a little bridge came within sight >Not far from that little bridge, seated above a babbling brook, was a cottage >The bird chirping was getting louder, more musical >With it, you could hear a voice >"Oh, that's very good Seederson. Um, Chirpers, could you please keep with the tempo? You're messing the others up a teeny bit. There we go. You're all doing so wonderfully." >Walking over the bridge, you saw the mare you were looking for >Fluttershy >She was standing in front of a wooden contraption of her own making >The thing allowed about a hundred birds to sit comfortably wing-to-wing >About that many were sitting on the thing, chirping away >It sounded like bird calls to you, but to her it was no doubt a lovely melody >She was moving her arms like some sort of conductor, her body swaying >Her back was turned to you, but you could feel the smile on her face >You stood there, arms behind your back, patently waiting as Fluttershy led her little flock through it's lesson >Some of the birds singing eyed you curiously, but none stopped their singing >As much as you needed to talk to Fluttershy, you didn't want to be a bother >Not yet anyway >She might have looked like some sort of freak of nature, but she was still Fluttershy, and there wasn't any need to give the poor pegasus a heart attack >A good ten minutes passed before she lowered her arms with a happy hum >"Thank you very much for your hard work, everyone," she said with a little bounce >One of the birds--a big, fat bluejay-- chirped, pointing toward you with a wing >Fluttershy stiffened, looking over her shoulder >You could barely see her eye with her long pink mane in the way, but she could obviously see you >She seemed to get a little smaller, ears pinning against the sides of her skull >"Oh... um. Hello," she said, so quietly that you had to strain to hear her. "You're that stallion from the other day. Are you feeling better?" "I am," you replied with a nod. "Thank you for taking me into town. I appreciate it." >She slowly turned around, still hiding her face behind her mane >This wasn't the Fluttershy you had seen yesterday; the caring mare that forgot her shyness whenever there was someone in need >This was baseline, nervous Fluttershy >A tricky Fluttershy that would fly into her house if you weren't careful >Thankfully, you were wise to this little butter yellow horse, and had a trick up your sleeve >Lifting your hand up, careful not to move too quickly, you coughed into it >Fluttershy fidgeted with her hands, obviously uncomfortable >Taking a deep breath, you did something you knew would calm her down >You began to sing "The sun'll come out tomorrow Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow There'll be sun Just thinkin' about tomorrow Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow 'Til there's none When I'm stuck a with day that's gray and lonely I just stick out my chin and grin, and say, oh The sun'll come out tomorrow So you gotta hang on 'til tomorrow Come what may!" >Fluttershy's ears perked up >The mare seemed to get just a little bit bigger, standing up straight as she listened >The birds seemed to be listening as well, ceasing their chirping to look at you "Tomorrow, tomorrow I love ya tomorrow You're always a day away When I'm stuck a with day that's gray and lonely I just stick out my chin and grin, and say, oh The sun'll come out tomorrow So you gotta hang on 'til tomorrow Come what may!" >A small smile came to her face >She began to sway as you turned your back on her, lifting your arms up >Time for the finisher "Tomorrow, tomorrow I love ya tomorrow You're always a day away Tomorrow, tomorrow I love ya tomorrow You're always a day away!" >You heard chirping as you lowered your arms >Turning back around, you saw the birds clapping their wings together >Fluttershy was clapping as well, no longer hiding behind that mane of hers >"That was very good, mister," she said, taking a step toward you. "You have a lovely voice." >You cleared your throat >That end bit always fucked up your vocal cords "Thank you very much, Fluttershy. I'm glad you think so." >You took a small step toward her, ready to move right back if she suddenly got nervous >When you saw no negative reaction, you took another step, then another, eventually stopping just a few feet from her "I've heard you had a pretty good voice yourself," you said >"Oh, I don't know about that," Fluttershy replied, looking down at the ground. "There's so many better ponies than me." "Oh, I doubt that. You were the one that helped me learn a thing or two after I had a bit too much to drink at one of Pinkie's parties. I don't remember much about it, but you told me I was so bad that ponies were begging Twilight to turn me into a statue to make it stop." >Fluttershy looked back up, confused >You just continued to smile, taking another step toward her "I was so bad in the beginning, but you were so patient. You were always patient and understanding. I think out of everypony in town, you were the next one after Twilight to give me a chance. I don't know if I ever told your pony-self, but that meant so much to me in the beginning." >Another step >This time, Fluttershy took a half-step back, staring at you like you had grown a second head >You stopped, squatting down >She seemed to calm down a bit once she was bigger than you "Fluttershy, I know I sound like a crazy person, spouting a whole lot of nonsense. I know you're probably thinking that you need to go tell Twilight, or make an excuse to get away from the nutso colt in front of you. I get it. Sometimes I think I'm crazy too, and not in a good way." >She let out a giggle at that, taking a step toward you >There was still confusion on her face, but you could see curiosity as well >You were quiet for a few moments, trying to think on how to get your point across as clearly and believably as possible >Unfortunately for you, words weren't your strong suit, so you just decided to hit the nail right on the head "Fluttershy, when you found me I wasn't just sleeping under that tree. I came from... somewhere else. I can't really explain too much. I don't know if it's safe, and I have no idea who or what is listening to us right now. You and your friends, and everyone else you know, is in a lot of trouble. Right now I'm doing my best to fix things, but I need your help." >"Trouble?" Fluttershy said, taking another step toward you "Something is trying to change you all for the worse. It's trying to turn you into something that you're not," you replied. "It's going to do something to Twilight in particular that I can't let happen." >The pegasus took another step forward >She was so close that you could now smell the shampoo that she used this morning >"It's nice that you came to tell me this, mister, but I don't think I'm the sort of pony to come to for this," she said. "But I can take you to Twilight, and maybe she can--" "She can't help with this one thing, Flutters. Only you." >Fluttershy opened her mouth, then closed it >"O-Oh... Is it scary?" >You said nothing, just nodded >The mare let out an "eep", wings flapping >"Are you s-sure nopony else can help you? What about my friend Rainbow? She's awfully brave, unlike me." >You frowned "That's where you're wrong, Fluttershy. You might be one of the bravest ponies I know." >You stood back up >Thankfully, she didn't move back "You and I are a lot alike. We don't like crowds, or people in general. I don't know about you, but I always felt different, like everyone I ever spoke to knew something that I didn't. Even when I tried to put myself out there and people talked with me it didn't feel right." >You shrugged "I got sick of it, that bad feeling, my anxiety. I turned away from people for the most part and gave up. Even here, and even where I was before here, it was always hard to be social. You're different from me. Where I gave up you keep trying; not just once in awhile, not when you feel up to it. You try every single day to face that anxiety, that fear. You not only do that, but you're an actually caring, kind pony while you're doing it." >You leaned forward "That is why I think you're the bravest little horse I've ever met, Fluttershy, and don't you dare think otherwise." >Fluttershy looked down at her hooves, flush with praise >"I d-don't know about all that..." she muttered >You placed a hand under her chin, tilting her head upward to look at you "Fluttershy, soon, maybe as we speak, there's someone really bad about to come back into the world. He's a genuinely awful, terrible pony. He hurts others, takes over their mind, even enslaves them and god knows what else." >"O-Oh... my..." "Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are going to go try to stop him, but they won't be able to do it alone. That's why you need to help them." >You reached into your pocket, producing a letter you had written this morning "Have Spike send this letter. You need to go up north with them to stop this evil person. It'll be scary, but you need to think about all the ponies he's hurt, and will hurt. I don't need to tell you to be brave, since you are already." >She looked at the letter in your hand, eyes filled with trepidation >You could tell that she didn't want to take it >She really, really didn't want to >Nevertheless, she slowly reached out to take it >Atta girl >She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath >She flapped her massive wings, the force of which nearly knocked you off your feet >Seconds ticked by, and she reopened her eyes, looking at you >"What can you tell me about what I'll be doing, mister?" >Your body refused to listen >No matter how hard you tried to thrash, fall, curse, or fight, nothing was moving >You could stand, you could breathe, but that was pretty much it >At that moment, you were nothing but a prisoner in your own body, staring into a set of blue eyes >And you did not like it >Not even a little bit >Twilight had told you once about Fluttershy's stare >Said it did things to animals >As far as you knew, the pegasus had never used it on a pony >You had just figured that it was something that only worked on animals >Maybe there wasn't a stare at all; it's just that all animals respected her so much that if she glared at them they'd stand to attention >That theory was wrong >Fluttershy did have a stare, whatever it was >And it didn't just work on dogs and chickens >The scariest thing about it was, other than the lack of control you now had over your body, there wasn't any feedback from it >There was nothing physically holding you in place like magic would >There was nothing making your head all funny >You were just looking into her eyes as she stared at you, frozen in place >Fluttershy hadn't wanted to use it on you, but you had insisted >You wanted to see if it worked, otherwise she might have a much harder time with Sombra >And boy did you wish you hadn't asked her to >It felt like an eternity until Fluttershy looked away >You let out a gasp the second she did so >Your body tried to go limp, and you weren't able to catch yourself, falling down to one knee with a grunt >"Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy said, grabbing your arm, her eyes wide with panic. "Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?" >You didn't answer her at first >Your heart was racing, and the hairs on your arms and the back of your neck were standing on end >You really, really hadn't liked that "I'm... okay... I'm alright," you said, more to yourself than to her. "Everything's fine." >With Fluttershy's help--the pegasus apologizing the whole while-- you eventually got to your feet >Even then, your legs were shaky >Twilight had said that you had some resistance to magic, but there was no resistance to that shit >That'd stop Sombra right in his fucking tracks, no problem >As you caught your breath, Fluttershy was walking around you, fretting, and talking a mile a minute >"Are you sure you're okay? Why don't you come and sit down? Oh, I'm so sorry. I tried to warn you. That had to be SO traumatizing for a stallion. Why don't you come into my cottage. I can run you a nice warm bath and you can have a good, long cry and--" >You raised a hand, placing it on her shoulder >She jumped, letting out an "eep!" "I'm fine. Better than fine actually," you lied, giving her a weak smile. "I knew you were the perfect pony for the job." >Fluttershy just looked at you, unsure >"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked. "There's a reason why I don't use that on ponies." "I'm fine, and if it makes you feel any better, I'm not a pony." >"It doesn't," she replied, tugging on the bottom of her shirt. "Are you sure I need to use The Stare on the pony I'll be fighting?" "Yes. You need to hold him in place so Cadence and Shining can physically stop him. He can turn into smoke, but he needs to see. If you can get him to look at you he won't be going anywhere." >Fluttershy bit her bottom lip >"And you're really sure that he deserves it? Couldn't I just talk with him, maybe buy him a nice scented candle?" >You snorted "Unfortunately, I don't think that'll get you anywhere, Flutters," you replied. "You need to believe me when I tell you this guy is bad news bears. He will hurt you if be can. Or worse." >Though she didn't look very sure, Fluttershy nodded. >"Alright... If this will help ponies," she said. "It will. I promise." >"And you're sure you're alright? You don't need to sit down?" "Oh, I'd love to sit down and have some tea with you, Fluttershy, but I need to go." >You gave her shoulder a squeeze, taking a step back "I have a lot things to do. Hopefully, sometime soon, I can come back here and see you all. For now though, just remember everything I said. Get that letter up to Canterlot as soon as you can, and if you can try to make sure Twilight doesn't know about it. It's for her own good." >Again, Fluttershy nodded >"Okay. Good luck, mister. Thank you." >She suddenly darted forward, hugging you >A feeling of revulsion filled you when she touched you, but it wasn't as bad as if some other anthro fuck had tried touching you >You just awkwardly patted her back until she let you go >With a wave, you turned around, making your way down the path toward town >You felt exhausted, but happy >Everything seemed to be going according to plan, and even if it wasn't anything you could do to keep that stupid book out of Twilight's hands was a good thing >You still had it under your shirt right now >The stupid thing >Right then though, you could barely feel it as you walked >There was a smile on your face >You had been smiling so much lately that it was making your mouth sore >It was... nice >So much shit could go wrong at any moment, but you had-- YOU DARE?! >You stopped, looking around, ears ringing from what felt like a gunshot going off right next to you >It was that voice again, and it sounded pissed >The book suddenly felt hot against your skin "Hey, fuck you!" you said, pointing at nothing in particular. "Go be shit back in that other dimension." YOU KNOW NOT WHAT YOU DO, INSECT! "I know what I'm gonna do your mother, shithead. No one's getting wings here. So suck my--" >You winced as a sharp pain suddenly came from your wrist >Looking down, you saw the cluster of veins right below your skin >Everything looked normal >There wasn't even a mark of anything >Maybe it was just a bug biting you or something? >Frowning, you tapped a finger against your skin "Huh... that--" >The pain came back, a thousand times worse >All the muscles in your back and legs spasmed as you let out a wordless scream >You could feel it >Something was moving INSIDE OF YOU >You tried to run, tried to say something, but another bolt of agony tore through you, dropping you to your knees >The veins in your wrist changed from blue to red, then red to black >You watched as it began to run up your arm >Panting, you tried to stop whatever was happening by grabbing with your hand and squeezing your arm as hard as you could >It was then you noticed the color change wasn't just for the one arm, it was for both >Just out of the corner of your eye, you could see a figure >It was so white that it hurt to look at >It had a mane of the deepest red, and eyes that looked like little stars YOU WISH TO PLAY A PUPPETEER? I SHALL SHOW YOU WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE THAT WISH TO DEFY ME >Another spasm of pain came on >This time it didn't go away >You curled into yourself >The pain was so bad that you could barely think >So you didn't >Instead, you screamed ~_~_~_~_~_~ >Be Cadence >Pinkest princess >You were walking down a lone hallway in Canterlot Castle >You were holding the bat the giant stallion had given you >Auntie Celestia had wanted you to get rid of it, or at the very least not carry it around everywhere that you went >Unfortunately for her, you were a princess too, and she couldn't technically tell you what to do >You liked carrying around a bat, thank you very much >It made you feel like a real tough mare; like one of those gangsters from the musicals that Shining always made you go to >There was also something comforting about having something to protect yourself >Sure you had your magic, but there was something to be said about having something long and hard in your hands >Heh... >Long and hard... >Like a fat di-- >"Your highness!" >You stopped, looking over your shoulder to see a guard that you didn't recognize running toward you with a letter in her hand >She stopped just short of you, kneeling down onto one knee and offering you the letter >"Your highness, you just received a letter from one of the elements. I was told it was to be brought to you as soon as possible." "Oh, well, thank you very much, guard," you said with a smile >You took the letter out of her hands >It was slightly singed >Looked like magical fire; maybe from Twilight? >The seal on the letter had also been opened >Not unusual if the letter was sent via dragonfire, since that was pretty hard on paper, but still a little odd >It could have been the mare's commanding officer, but who would have thought it was a good idea to open a princess's mail? >As much as you would have liked to read the letter right there, you stopped yourself, instead looking the guard over >There was something... off about her "Guardspony? Which company are you from?" you asked. "I don't think I've seen you before." >The mare's ears perked up >"I just got out of boot camp, ma'am," she said. "I'm part of five-o-second." "Five-o-second?" >"Yes ma'am." >You nodded, stepping around her "Well, that's great. Thank you very much for the letter. Have you been enjoying castle life?" >"Well, I have ma'am. It's been--" >Changelings had very tough armor >You had heard, during the Invasion of Canterlot, that daggers and spear tips had bounced off the little buggers' hides >Even against blunt objects; hammers, mauls and the like, the bane of most armors, they could take a beating and come back for more >So, with that in mind, you didn't bother holding anything back, swinging the bat as hard as you could >It connected with the "guard's" head with a dull, meaty thud >The impact shot up your hands, but you followed through >A changeling was all around a pretty tough cookie, but you were stronger than any earth pony, and they hadn't expected the hit >The guard slammed into the wall, making the windows above shake from the impact, disappearing into a flash of green flame >Queen bucking Chrysalis herself slumped onto the floor, not moving "Yes!" you hissed, pumping a fist into the air. "I bucking called it. The five-o-second isn't based anywhere near Canterlot, you dumb husband stealing bug!" >Chrysalis, of course, didn't answer >She was still breathing however, which was both a relief and a shame >A Changeling Queens' hide must be particularly tough >You walked over, nudging her with your bat >She let out a groan >You just giggled >If you ever met that big stallion again, you'd have to thank him >You also had to see if you could change your title now >Princess Mi Amore Cadenza >Princess of Love and Bats >It had a wonderful little ring to it if you did say so yourself >Tucking your bat underneath your arm, you once again turned your attention toward the now crinkled up letter in your hands >You opened it, and to your surprise it was an actual letter, not something Chrysalis had given you as a distraction to try to coltnap you again >The handwriting was obviously a colts, written in a small, neat hand Dear Pink Princess, I hope this letter finds you well. I hope you like your bat. I don't know if your aunt told you this, but a place called the Crystal Empire is going to appear up north soon. I don't know if you know anything about it, or if you know who ruled it before it disappeared, but when it does come back you need to bring Fluttershy with you. I promise she'll make taking the kingdom back a hell of a lot easier. Your aunt won't want you to do this. Ignore her. Please. Also, don't let her know about this letter. You only met me the one time, and I didn't make a very good first impression, but trust me. Not taking the yellow shy horse with you will make things a lot harder. Yours, the big green guy >... >Huh... >You read the letter again, then one more time >You remember Auntie Celestia saying something about the Crystal Empire >She had told you about a heart in the middle of that crystal city, one that could drive away all evil >She didn't explain it very well, being as mysterious and vague as always, but you remembered the name >You frowned "Very, very strange alright..." >Chrysalis let out another groan, bringing you back to reality >You looked down at her, folding up your letter before tossing it into the air >With a thought, it went up in flames, turning into nothing but ash before it hit the ground >Usually, you wouldn't listen to strange stallions, no matter how large or strange they were >But, that being said, he HAD given you a bat >At the very least you could humor him a bit, right? >Snapping your fingers, you lifted Chrysalis into the air "We'll see if this Crystal Empire appears anytime soon. For now, lets get you to the dungeons. I'm sure they have a cramped and wet cell waiting just for you, you cunt." >Bound in your magic, Chrysalis just groaned yet again ~_~_~_~_~ >Pain >You felt it in every cell of your body >Parts of you you had never felt before hurt >Everything was blurry and faint >It was so hard to breathe that you found yourself passing out from lack of oxygen, though never for long >The sound of your blood pumping roared in your ears >All the veins in your arms were black >Your body was shaking >Something was leaking out of you >You couldn't see what it was, but you could FEEL the leaking >You were somehow both freezing and burning up >It was scary >You were scared >You wanted the pain to stop >This was so much worse than dying >If you died at least it'd be all over >"Well, well, well, what in Equestria do we have here? Looks like I found the stallion of the hour! Goodie me!" >Somehow, you were able to lift your head up >There was someone in front of you; who, you couldn't quite make out >They also seemed to be saying something, though you didn't hear a word of it >A pony maybe? >"You seem to be in quite a state. It's been a long time since I've seen somepony in so much pain. You really must have upset somepony big in the grand scheme of things. Here, lets see if uncle Discord can help." >Something touched your forehead >It was sharp, cool >The second it touched you, the pain went away, allowing you to suck a proper lungful of air >You gasped and sputtered, before turning your head and emptying the contents of your stomach all over the ground, along with what looked like blood >Speaking of blood, you could feel it dripping down your nose, out of your ears, even out of the corners of your eyes >At least you hoped it was blood and not brain matter >You already didn't have enough of that stuff as it was >"There we go! Right as rain. Well... right-ish." >You were about to slump over, but a paw stopped you >Shaking like a leaf, you looked up >It was Discord >That pain in the ass, mismatched demon >God, if your legs were working you'd have kissed him >Your body jerked as you began to dry heave, only saved from kissing the cold, hard dirt because of Discord >Relief swept through you >Nothing you had ever done had felt that horrible >Not Fluttershy's stare, not drinking bleach, nothing >You weren't afraid to die, but now you knew there were things much worse than dying >Much, much worse >The relief swelled and swelled until, to your shame, you let out a sob >Tears filled your vision >Were you in the right state of mind, you'd be horrified with yourself right now, but you couldn't help it >It was like your body was acting all on it's own and you were just there for the ride >Discord held you upright as you dry heaved, shook, and cried with an almost bored expression on his face >"Come on, don't be such a little colt about this, Anonymous. You were only just about to be erased from existence. No need to make such a big deal out of something so silly. Next you'll be complaining that you can't vote! Honestly, there's something wrong with you modern stallions!" >With a snap of his fingers, a glass of chocolate milk appeared right next to you >You took it, emptying the whole glass in two swallows, and almost puking it all back up >Discord then summoned a rag, which he used to clean the spit, tears, snot, and blood from your face >"Come on, chin up. The big, bad otherworldly thing can't hurt you while I'm here. For now." >Slowly, you began to calm down >The tears stopped, as did the sobbing >You even got enough strength back to keep from falling over >It took a good, long while, but you were eventually able to speak "That... fucking sucked." >"It seemed like it, my boy. Usually, when somepony is erased, it happens in a flash. You seemed somewhat resistant. Unfortunately for you," The draconequus said, tugging on his beard. "Now get that fanny up. You have a wagon to get back to." >You were hauled to your feet, only to fall back down onto your knees >Discord clicked his tongue, and with a snap of his paw, candy canes appeared on either side of both legs >He lifted you back up to your feet away, and the candy canes kept you upright >"Come on, before the sun goes down," he said with another snap >You began walking >Well, more stumbling than walking, but it was something >Discord floated right next to you, arms folded against his chest >The two of you were quiet as you both made your way toward town "Discord?" >"Hmmm?" "Thank you, for whatever you did." >Discord scoffed >"You know, I had come down here to teach you a lesson, young stallion. Hitting your elders like you were some rotten crook; shame on you." >He tsked >"If I were a harsher Spirit of Chaos, I would have let you suffer for a bit longer." "What even was happening to me?" >"You were being erased, like I said. Not just killed; you were being made to disappear, from hearts, from minds, even from reality. You're lucky I got here when I did, otherwise all of your hard work would have gone up in smoke." >You swallowed, throat dry "Do you know what was trying to do that to me?" >"I have some ideas," Discord said. "There aren't many creatures that could do something like that. Certainly no mere god or goddess. Whoever they are, they're a might bit scarier than myself." >He looked over at you, eyes narrowed slightly >"My boy?" "Yeah?" >"What is your name?" "My name? It's Anon. You know it is. You called me by my name the second you saw me, remember?" >"No. We both know that's not your name. Tell me what it is." >You frowned, looking away from him >"Tell me your real name," he said. "Don't you think I deserve something for saving you? You tell me your name and we'll be square. Pinkie Promise." "..." >"Just your first name would be fine, or your last name if you prefer." "..." >"What about the first letter in either?" "Shut up." >"Could you tell me what your father looked like? Or your mother? Do you remember their name. Did you have any family?" "Shut. Up." >"Do you remember anything from your original world? Your hopes, your dreams? What was your favorite color? Your favorite food? What color was the sky on your world? Were you always green? Could you--" >You turned to face him "What does that have to do with anything?" you demanded. >Discord stopped his floating, lowering himself on his mismatched limbs >You were a giant here, but he was larger still, towering over you >He was staring down at you strangely >"I think you're ankle deep in trouble you can't even begin to understand, Anonymous," he said. "I'm all for a little chaos, but changing fate?" >He gestured toward the book still hidden underneath your shirt >It still felt unnaturally warm >"That is another thing entirely. No wonder you humans have such a horrible reputation. Heaven knows what will happen if you keep it up. If you continue to push, something might break, and if that happens the very world could be altered. Still..." >He smiled his ugly, single-toothed smile >"I want to see what happens. Come, lets get you back to the wagon. You still have work to do." >Be Trixie >The Grrrrrrreat and Powerful! >Things had been very... strange lately >There you had been, getting more and more upset at each performance >Your acts had suffered, and more than once you had been run out of one of the many towns you visited >What Twilight Sparkle had done to you festered like a wound >You had wanted that mare to pay >Not the buck-her-coltfriend-to-get-back-at-her sort of payback >You had wanted to hurt her, and not only her but the ones she cared about as deeply and painfully as you could >Honestly? You had been in a very dark place >But then this weird, ugly, giant stallion had come into your life >Anon, he called himself >Anon the human; whatever the hay a human was >He was a ill-tempered, disrespectful, noisy stallion that ate far too much of your food >He needed a good kick in the mouth too, just to adjust that little attitude of his >Luckily for him, The Great and Powerful Trixie did not hurt stallions unless they were into rough play >That and he was twice your size >Not that you couldn't beat him up if you wanted to, since you were great and powerful in all things, stallion-beating included, but you didn't want to test that out at this time >Still, despite his looks and manners and general disposition, he had been like a splash of cold water to your mental health >Revenge no longer invaded every thought >You had been sleeping better, looking after yourself >Heck, with his help, your wagon was looking brand new! >Sure, he had lied to your face and threatened you with jailtime so you'd help him stop a dangerous unicorn, but you had to admit that you owed the human for his help >Not that you'd ever say that to him of course, but still >It had been a few days since you had returned to Ponyville >The place was as uncultured and filthy as you had remembered >It was so country that you half expected banjos playing and mares kissing their brothers >Country bumpkin town or not, they did seem to have a rather extensive market >You had stocked up on everything you had needed, along with something very special >Fireworks >Anon had insisted that you get as many as you could >When you asked why, he simply insisted that you'd need them for the act you were going to perform at this place called "Our Town" >Did he know how to set up a performance, or everything that went into doing something like that? >Absolutely not, but he wouldn't hear anything from you >Typical colt; they're right even when they have no bucking idea what they're talking about >After getting everything you had "needed", you moved your wagon around the outskirts of the town and waited for Anon to do whatever he needed to do in Ponyville >You had expected him to turn up with bags full of clothing and colty knick-knacks that he didn't need >What happened was that he turned up, pale and shaken, helped by Discord >The bucking Lord of Chaos turned up at your wagon at the drop of the hat >Scared the crackers out of you >He said hello to you, all smiles with his creepy red eyes, then she did... something to your wagon >You had no idea what >It didn't look any different, but when he snapped his claw something felt strange >Anon seemed a bit more relaxed after he did it >They talked quietly for a bit before the draconequus disappeared in a puff of pink smoke >The human had gone into the wagon, laid down onto the floor near your bed--it was too small to fit him; besides, you weren't sharing a bed--and passed out >A few days had passed since then, and Anon was different >He was quieter, more sullen >You could barely get a rise out of him no matter what you tried >Sometimes, you needed to make him eat >Most of the time he'd just stare off down the road as your wagon ate up the miles >In most cases, you wouldn't have much of an issue with this >You loved nothing more than a colt that kept his mouth shut >But Anon seemed a tad traumatized, which made you wonder what the hay had happened in Ponyville >Did some mare molest him or something? >You sure as heck hoped that hadn't happened >As your wagon chugged along, you looked over at the human >He had his hands in his lap, looking at nothing in particular >You cleared your throat >There was no reaction from him >You tried again, this time louder >Again, nothing >This time, you nudged his ribs with your elbow as you cleared your throat >He jumped, looking over at you with a frown "You know, you never told Trixie what happened in Ponyville," you said. >He grunted, looking back to the road >"I was talking to some ponies." "Oh? Did whatever they say to you put you into your little rut?" >"Rut?" "Yes, a rut. Some mare didn't touch you, did they?" >Anon snorted >"No," he said, shoulders slumping. "I just realized that I could really, actually die." "What?! Is somepony trying to kill you?" you asked, wide eyed >Thankfully, the human shook his head >"Not... exactly. Not a pony at least," he said. "I just learned that there's a very good chance that I'm able to die. It's a lot to take in, and I'm still trying to process it I guess." >You let his words settle in, though with each second that passed you found your eyes narrowing "...That is the stupidest thing Trixie has ever heard," you said, looking over at him. "Of course you can die. Everypony dies. What kind of school did you go to that said you couldn't die?" >"I'm talking about a different kind of dying," Anon said defensively "There's no different kind of dying," you replied with a shake of your head. "Dying is dying, slow or quick. Unless you become a princess, there's no getting away from it." >Honestly, you had been worried there for a second... >But no, he was just being a dumb stallion... >Next he'd tell you the weather worked on it's own or something stupid like that... "And so what if you're going to die?" you continued. "Many ponies aren't on this earth for a long time, so we may as well enjoy ourselves while we're here." >"We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time..." "Exactly! Now quit being so glum. The only thing worse than a prissy colt is a sad one. BE. HAPPY. You get to spend your days with the Grrrreat and Powerful Trixie; most aren't so lucky!" >It was quiet then for some time >You snuck peeks over at him ever so often >He looked thoughtfully ahead, processing your words >As he should! >You weren't just a pretty face and magnificent talent after all! >He suddenly stood up straight, rolling his shoulders >"That might have been the worst pep talk I've ever heard in my life," he said with a grin >You made a suitably outraged noise >Quickly glancing around to see if anypony else was on the road or looking at you, you smack his chest "Trixie is one of the greatest pep talkers that have ever lived, colt!" you said, puffing your chest out >Anon chuckled >"Could have fooled me," he said. "Trixie?" "What?" you said, a little more angrily that you should have >"Thanks for trying. I get what you were trying for, and I think you're right." >He looked up at the sky >"If I'm gonna fucking die I'm dying making a goddamn difference. Even if no one remembers me, even if the dying is awful. I'm not gonna stop; stopping and being alive would be so much worse." >He shivered, a haunted look coming to his eyes for a moment before he turned his attention back toward you >It appeared as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders >As you thought it would >You were VERY good at talking to stallions >Usually, the conversation would end up with the stallion in question without any pants on with his muzzle mashed into your marehood, but it was nice to see that you could use your silver tongue for good too "You are very welcome," you said with a smile. "Also, Trixie believes that we need to begin to get the performance ready for this strange mare you keep referring to but never properly explaining." >The human nodded >"I agree. We got a lot of work to do." ~_~_~_~_~_~_ >Be Anon >This was it >You were here, maybe ten or twenty miles out of Manehatten in the infamous "Our Town" >The ground was rocky and barren >There were houses placed seemingly at random >Each house was made of wood; they were uniform and looked a little worse for wear >There was no color, no sense of expression, just a bunch of creepy horses with smiles that looked like they were glued on >Trixie was somewhere in her wagon, getting ready for her "introduction", leaving you out on top of the thing, dressed to the nines with a suit that Discord had made you with a snap of his claws >It was real nice, though the top hat and the bowtie were a bit much in your opinion >You felt exposed and unsettled, as if someone were watching you >A pony someone, not whatever the fuck tried to erase you a week or so ago >The "ponies" that walked around wore uniform grey one pieces, both mares and stallions >Twilight from the last dimension had told you that none of these ponies had cutiemarks >You couldn't see them with their clothes on, but you were sure it was the same here as well >There seemed something off about these ponies, and not just their creepy smiles >Their color seemed duller than a ponies' should have been >They all looked a bit lost too; lost and unsure >There was something about their eyes that made you skin crawl when they looked at you >Still, you needed to be a trooper >This would be all over soon, one way or another >The townsponies seemed interested as you rode by >Some even stopped what they were doing to follow you >There were a couple dozen, not the two hundred or so souls that Twilight had told you made up this town so long ago >It must have meant that ponies had only started coming here recently >Why, you had no idea >Starlight was a fucking weirdo >She didn't have the sort of charisma that a cult leader needed >Then again, common sense had started going right out the fucking window after Chrysalis had crashed Shining and Cadence's wedding back in horse-universe >It looked like you were here before this dumb shit could fester >You rode into the very center of the tiny town, stopping the wagon >It looked like nearly every resident was at least looking over at you >You loudly cleared your throat, standing up and spreading out your arms "Colts and gentlefillies, may I please have your attention! For one day and one day only, the greatest magician and showmare in the WORLD is here to give you the performance of a lifetime!" >You stomped your foot down onto the lever right below you like Trixie had said >There was a click, and the side of the wagon sprung open >A whole ass stage sprung out through clever pullies and wooden joints and springs and a whole mess of other shit >And there, standing in the middle of the stage, striking a pose, was Trixie >"Citizens of Our Town. Trixie is here to defeat mundanity and give you a show that you'll NEVER FORGET!" >You jumped off the top of the wagon, landing onto the stage next to the unicorn >The first time you had tried it whilst practicing your parts in the performance, you had almost broken your ankle, but thankfully you managed to stick the landing "Get a chair, steal a box, sit on the ground if you need to! You won't want to miss a single second of this!" >The crowd murmured >Some began to look around, as if searching for someone >Trixie nudged you >You looked over at her, and she nudged her head at your pants >Closing your eyes, you sighed, then did your best to smile "Did I forget to mention that if I'm not careful, one of the tricks you'll see tonight might leave me as naked as a blue jay?" >Almost every mare in attendance perked up >Their hesitation forgotten, the crowd began to scramble for seating "I swear to god if I actually get naked I'm ripping your arms off." >"Hush. Just smile and wave like the cute stallion that they all think you are." >It took a few minutes, but almost fifty ponies were seated right in front of the stage >Fifty sets of eyes were staring up at you >Waiting >Being an anti-social weirdo that didn't like crowds in any situation, you found yourself freezing in place under so much scrutiny >"Anon." >You got another elbow to the ribs, making you grunt >You looked over at Trixie >"Don't think about the crowd," she said. "Just remember the routine. Trixie's excellence will outshine any mistakes on your part." >You nodded, forcing yourself to let out the breath you had been holding "Alright." >You stepped toward the end of the stage, doing your best to calm your nerves >Thinking about all of them in their underwear wouldn't help, since they were all furry abominations, so you just went for it >The next few minutes were warming the crowd up >Talking, doing some simple tricks with with a pack of playing cards that Trixie showed you >The crowd oohed and aahed, watching each trick with wide eyes >There was something so silly about a race that could do actual magic mesmerized by silly tricks >You found yourself becoming less robotic and getting into it a little bit >As your last trick--picking a stallion's card from the deck while he held it--ended, the crowd cheered and clapped and stomped their hooves >As you bowed, it kinda felt pretty good >No wonder Trixie did this sort of thing for a living... >You weren't able to think much on that, since it was Trixie's turn >Where it took you a bit to get going, she was on full blast right out of the gate, interacting with the crowd, talking, laughing, strutting around the stage like she was born to do it >Her tricks were a heck of a lot better than yours too >She was doing shit you couldn't make heads or tails of >There was sword juggling, rabbits and other animals being pulled out of hats >She was somehow able to walk off the stage and float around without any wires that you could see >You KNEW Trixie only knew the most basic of magic, so she wasn't using any sort of spells >But you had no fucking idea how she was doing all of it >It was so nuts at some points that you just had to stop and watch her along with the crowd >Thankfully, she was effortlessly able to get you into the swing of things as her assistant >You handed her stuff, got into boxes, she even blindfolded you at one point >You didn't know exactly what she did while you were blindfolded, but whenever the trick was done the crowd went fucking nuts >She went from one trick to the next, only giving the crowd a few moments to clap and cheer before doing some even grander >And there you were, doing your best to keep up >It didn't matter if you stumbled or you went blank on what to do next; she was right there, making you seem like some sort of professional >Say what you will about Trixie, but she seemed to be able to put on one hell of a show >As much as you would have liked to just bask in the clapping and cheering, you kept an eye out even as you helped the unicorn >Starlight hadn't been with the crowd that sat down in front of the stage >She was probably somewhere being fucking shit and doing shit horse things >Communist little turd >Hopefully she was still in town somewhere, and if she was you could only hope that the crowd was loud enough to get her to come out to figure what was going on, because if not this was going to be a much bigger pain in the ass than it needed to be >Ten minutes into the act, she still wasn't there >Twenty minutes into the forty minute show, you were starting to get really, really nervous >But then you caught a flash of purple and teal >There was Starlight, in that STUPID haircut of hers, wearing a long, white, cult-y gown >Around her neck was some weird necklace, and she was holding a staff >The one she pretended to use to take cutiemarks off ponies >You stopped dead in your tracks, bile rushing to your throat just at the sight of her >You had tried to mentally prepare for seeing her again, but right away you could tell that it hadn't worked >You had hated Horse-Glimmer, but as an anthro abomination? >Doubly so; maybe even triply >You saw red, and if it weren't for Trixie shoving an armful of, thankfully, dull swords into your hands, you might have jumped off the stage at her >Starlight seemed annoyed as she walked toward you, standing at the back of the crowd of ponies with her arms crossed >As discreetly as you could, you nudged Trixie, giving her "the signal" >With a nose scrunch, some rapid blinks, and tapping a finger against your chest, you let her know that the hen was now in the cock house >She turned toward the crowd, quickly scanning all the faces before bowing deeply >"Trixie hopes that you've all been having a wonderful time today. Trixie knows that she has," she said, standing back up to get full height and adjusting her hat. "You've been a LOVELY audience, and right now I believe it's time to have one of you come on stage to help Anon and I with a little trick. Would anypony like to come up?" >Immediately, a dozen hands shot up >Ponies started calling out, some even standing up and waving >Trixie let out a loud hum, pretending to look around to pick >"How about... you, in the back. The one holding the staff," she said, pointing at Starlight >The crowd looked back at the unicorn >Many tensed, ears folding against skulls >Starlight perked up, eyes widening in surprise >She looked around, then pointed at herself >Like she wasn't the only fucking pony here holding goddamn staff... >Fucking idiot... >Fucking dumb, stupid, shit idiot... >"Yep, you. Please come on up and help us dazzle the crowd." >Slowly, Starlight made her way toward the stage >The crowd parted as she walked >Finding your happy place, you reached out with a hand >Starlight took it, and it took every ounce of your willpower to just lift her up onto the stage >No punching, no throwing, no headbutting >Nice and calm... >Nice and calm... >"Thank you," Starlight said, dusting herself off before turning to Trixie >"Thank you very much for coming up here, Ms..." Trixie began. >"My name is Starlight Glimmer," Starlight said. "I actually happen to be the leader of this town." >"Oh, well, then it's very nice to meet you, Ms. Glimmer," Trixie replied with a bow. "This seems to be a... fine town. Isn't that right, Anon?" >You said nothing, just looking down at Starlight >If you were quick enough, you could grab her and suplex the mare off the stage >It'd probably kill the both of you, but holy hell would it be worth it... "Yeah... sure." >Starlight puffed her chest out >"Well, thank you very much," she said. "Myself and everypony here worked hard to build it up. More and more ponies are flocking here every day. In no time, I have a feeling that this town might become a city and then, who knows?" >Her eyes wandered to Trixie's hip, where her cutiemark would be >"Would you both like to come to my home after your little show? I'd like to speak with you about some... things." "I'm sure you would, you fucking cunt?" >"What was that, cutie?" the unicorn asked, looking over at you "Hmm? Oh, I was just saying that there's nothing that's little about this show. You're actually in the presence of one of the greatest magicians in the world." >Starlight tried to hide a snort by coughing into a hand >"It does seem pretty cute; using no magic and all," she said. "None that I could see at least." >"No magic? Trixie assures you that everything she does it not only magical, but it's beyond magic," Trixie said, flapping her cape. "Super magic, if you will." >"It is... something alright," Starlight said, adopting the tone of someone talking to a child. "It's not very magical however. It's neat, in it's own way, but not magical." "Oh, and you know a thing or two about magic?" >Starlight smirked >"Yes. That's one way of putting it." >You and Trixie looked at each other >You then looked at the crowd out of the corner of your eye >Everypony was watching you three in dead silence >The excitement and joy that had been on ponies' faces was gone, replaced with anxiety and fear >You had asked horse-Starlight why ponies stayed in her town after she took their cutiemarks, or if they ever asked to get them back >She had never answered you, quickly changing the subject >Seeing this first-hand, you had a feeling that the ponies here might be more prisoners than residents >Just the thought made you upset >This horse right here had done--and was going to do-- so much fucked up shit >Steal cutiemarks, try to destroy reality, try to hurt Twilight and her friends >All for some colt that she was friends with when they were little >And not only doesn't anything happen to her, but she got to become Twilight's student >Her STUDENT! >Twilight was perfectly fine turning a child into a statue, but a super-powered psycho with stallion issue was able to run around without so much as a fuss! >That familiar anger built up again >You closed a hand into a fist and took a deep breath >On the exhale, you forced that hand open, taking a step toward the unicorn >Starlight was a bit taller than Trixie, but these ponies were all tiny to you >You towered over the mare, and as she looked up at you she seemed to realize it, taking a hasty step backwards "I detect a little jealously there, Mrs. Glimmer," you said >Starlight blinked >"Jealously? Why in Equestria would I be jealous?" she asked >You looked up at Trixie >She looked puzzled, which was perfect since you had no fucking idea where you were going with this >One step in front of the other... >You'd get somewhere... >Hopefully... >If not, you could still try punching her... "This town of yours is nice and all, and I'm sure you're a very magical little unicorn--" >Starlight's ear flattened against her skull as you emphasized the word "little" "--but I saw you watching our show. You seemed utterly amazed at what you were watching." >"Amazed? No, I was just curious what was going on," Starlight said, looking out into the crowd, who recoiled the second she did so. "A good leader keeps an eye out on her ponies after all." "You don't need to tell anyone here tales, Ms. Glimmer. I know child-like wonder when I see it." >"The only child-like thing here is this 'magic' of yours," Starlight said, looking over at Trixie. "I don't mean to be rude, miss, but can you tell this big stallion to be quiet? A colt should be seen, not heard." >It was Trixie's turn to snort >"Oh believe me, Trixie's tried. Unfortunately, Anonymous here isn't the type of stallion to listen." >You took another step toward Starlight, giving her your toothiest smile as you pulled out a deck of cards "You keep calling what we did here today childish, Ms. Magic Mare, but I think what we're doing is a bit more advanced than whatever magic you can do." >"Oh really?" Starlight said, horn glowing >She disappeared with a pop >You looked over your shoulder just in time to see her reappear >"How about that?" she asked, hands on her hips "Teleportation is a neat trick, but any pony in Canterlot could do something like that," you told her >Starlight's brow furrowed at your words, a frown coming to her face >"Is that so? Well, how about this?" >A beam of magic shot out of her horn, hitting a stool that you and Trixie had just used for one of your tricks >It disappeared into a flash of purple light >In it's place was a book >You snorted >You used to live with the most magical purple mare in all the land >There probably wasn't a spell out there that you hadn't seen or heard about "Transfiguration. Very nice, miss," you said with a nod. "And still..." >Starlight gritted her teeth, horn crackling to life yet again >She became a blur, racing from one side of the stage to another so fast that it would have made Rainbow Dash jealous >The crowd of ponies let out a "ooh!" "Acceluro," you said, inspecting your card deck >Starlight stopped >With a growl, she closed her eyes >The twinkle of her magic turned into what only could be described as a jet engine noise >You watched as a ribbon of light surrounded her >When it disappeared, two Starlight were standing in front of you, looking smug >The crowd now let out an "aah!" >"How about THIS, smart aleck?" they both asked "Simulo duplexus combined with acceluro," you replied without missing a beat, pulling the cards out of its little cardboard box and starting to shuffle them >You could hear Trixie take a few hasty steps back >The crowd also looked like they were about to make a break for it >To be honest, you were a bit concerned as well >You knew Starlight was an autist, but you never thought she'd be so easy to rile up >No wonder her followers were terrified of her >The fucking garbage, horrible horse... >Even so, you did your best to appear cool and collected, shuffling the cards >Under Trixie's tutelage, you had learned some fancy ways to shuffle >Arching the cards into the air so they fell into a hand, spinning them around midair, stuff like that >You honestly weren't too bad at it either "Why don't you stop with those silly tricks and pick a card, Miss? Any card would do." >"Unlike what you're doing, none of what I did were simple tricks," Starlight spat, stomping over to you and jamming a finger under your chin >Or, at least trying her best, since she'd have had to hop up to touch your chin >"This is actual magic. Magic that I've perfected over the years. Magic that some of the most powerful unicorns in history had trouble doing." >An evil glint came to get eye, her glowing >"I've even created some spells myself. Like this one." >She hefted the staff still in her hands, horn glowing as she tapped it against the wooden boards of the stage >The staff glowed, an eerie green light coming from it >That light surrounded you >An evil smile came to Starlight's face >A smile which, slowly but surely, disappeared as you continued to shuffle your deck >Dumb horse though you had a cutiemark for some reason >Or maybe her Staff of Sameness only worked on ponies? >You're pretty it was just a stick that she pretended was important while she used some spell, so that was probably the case >You took a step toward her, then another, then another >Her spell sputtered out, though she stood her ground >When you were close enough, you spread the cards out, offering them to the now flabbergasted mare "Starlight Glimmer, please pick a card." >Starlight just looked up at you >"...Who the hay are you?" she asked, eyes narrowing "I'm a simple stallion with a deck of cards in his hand. Now--" >You leaned down slightly "Pick a card." >Not looking away from you, Starlight took a card from the deck "Very good. Now please take a look at the card." >She did as you asked, taking a glance at it before stuffing it back into the deck >"And now I suppose you're going to shuffle that and show me my card?" she asked "Nope," you replied with a shake of your head, putting the card back into a neat little stack. "You're going to shuffle, for as long as you want; anyway you want." >You offered the deck to her >Muttering something under her breath, she snatched the deck out of your hands and began to shuffle them, doing it so forcefully that she was bending and messing up the cards >You just stood there, hands behind your back "You know, there's many types of magic. Normal, everyday magic, chaotic magic, the magic of friendship--" >Starlight let out a guffaw at that "So many, all with different uses. You seem like a pretty smart mare, Starlight." >"Of course I'm smart. How many idiots have ever built up a town from nothing?" "More than you think I'm pretty sure. Now, could I have that deck back please?" >The deck was placed into your hand, and you started shuffling it yourself "I'm just saying, magic might not be the sort of thing that will help you with your problem." >"Problem? I don't have any problems!" "You must, otherwise you wouldn't be out in the middle of nowhere trying to start a town, since you don't seem the type to be bringing ponies together out of the goodness of your heart." >"You don't know me, colt," Starlight said with an angry flick of her tail "I don't," you agreed. "I really don't care to either, but I think you trying to figure out what you actually want will be good for everyone. Yourself, the ponies in this town, maybe the whole world. Who knows, but you being in the middle of desert stealing cutiemarks isn't helping anyone." >"Cutiemarks are vile. They take the decision of what a mare or stallion wants to do with their life away from them," Starlight said, getting into your face, so angry that she didn't even seem to question why you knew about her cutiemark stealing hobby "As someone without a cutiemark, I would say if I had a mark that told me what I was good at it would have made a whole lot of things easier when I was younger. Now..." >You stopped your shuffling, picking a card out of the deck >Looking at it, you flipped it over to the unicorn could see it "Is this your card?" >Starlight looked at the three of clubs, nose scrunching up >"No. No it's not," she said. "Not even close." >You frowned, looking at the card again yourself "...Really?" >"YES!" >Fuck... >You did the trick wrong... >You lowered the deck >"Well... the point still stands I guess..." >Starlight's eyes widened >"Point? POINT?! There was no bucking point in that," she snarled, trying to shove you back. "All you did was flap your gums like the stupid colt you are! This is MY town, these are MY ponies, and you're not--" "You might find Sunburst if you go from town to town." >All the anger left her face, and most of the tension left her body, so much so that her knees almost buckled >She stood there quietly, processing your words >"W-What?" she whispered. "How do you know that name?" "Going from town to town might be a pain in the ass, but I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad once you got used to it," you said. "It might help if you know someone that's been all over Equestria too. Someone that can show you some things to keep you both fed and dazzle all the colts. Who knows, you might find someone on the road that you need." >You stepped to the side, gesturing toward Trixie >The magician looked as unsure as you had ever seen her, but she still gave Starlight a smile "Trixie here could use an assistant, since I'm not that good at my job, as you can see. Her wagon would be big enough for the both of you if you packed light. Heck, if you grilled her, she might know or had seen that Sunburst guy during a performance. If not, well, I know she's a bit of a heartbreaker, so she could help you fool around--" >"NO!" Starlight shouted, before looking back down at the floor. "No... I just... I want to see Sunburst again..." >Again, crazy, shit horse >Why the fuck would you care about a horse you only knew for a few years when you were younger? >It was dumb, but something you'd work with "Well then, I guess you really need to go get packed then, huh?" you said, stuffing the deck of cards into your pocket. "Trixie here is a very busy mare, and we were supposed to only do the one show." >There was no hesitation on Starlight's part >She dropped her magical staff and took off, leaping off the stage and racing toward her house >You, Trixie, and the crowd watched her go with mixed reactions "Well... job done. I guess," you said, putting your hands on your hips. "And here I though we were gonna need to blow her up with all the fireworks I made you buy." >"WHAT?!" Trixie yelled, her head whipping around to look at you. "Blowing her up? I thought you were going to use it for the show!" "Easy, that wasn't plan A. Plan A was us having a crazy magic/sleight of hand duel. Blowing her up was plan C. Maybe plan D." >You shrugged, giving her cheek a pat "Good luck with her. I know you can help fix her up." >"At least one of us is sure about Trixie's abilities," Trixie said, looking at the house Starlight just disappeared into. "Are you sure Trixie needs to make her her assistant?" "I am. Give her a bit of time. She's a garbage horse, but I think she'll grow on you," you said. "See if you can help her laid. That might calm her down. If she's still insistent on the Sunburst thing you remember where he's supposed to live, right?" >"Trixie does." "Good. Then I'll be off. If you need any help send a letter to Twilight Sparkle, or one of the princess. Hell, send a letter to Discord, I'm sure he'd get it." >Trixie just nodded >"Trixie will do her best," she said, puffing her chest out. >You patted her cheek "I'm sure you will. Just make sure she doesn't try to destroy the world please." >The mare suddenly darted forward, hugging you >"Anon... Thank you. For all your help," she said "I didn't do that much. It was mostly you." >"Trixie does not feel the same way, but it's nice to find a stallion that's willing to humble himself." >You both chuckled >The unicorn broke the hug, looking up at you >"Are you sure you don't wish to come with me?" she asked. "I'm very sure," you replied. "All this traveling isn't good for me. I'm a homebody by nature. Don't worry though, I'm sure I'll see you again. Look for me in Ponyville whenever you want to visit." >She nodded, taking a step back >"So what will you do now? Do you have more plans to save Equestria?" >You could feel the book against your chest >It felt cold against your bare skin >Looking up, you slowly started to nod "I don't think so. I think I've done everything I can. For now I just have to trust that I've done enough." >You looked back down at her, smiling "I'm going to Ponyville now I think, if I can get there before some guard eventually catches me. But first, I need a sledgehammer. These ponies need their cutiemarks back." >With that, you hopped off the stage, head held high >Man... >You hoped you actually did everything alright...