//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Nightly Routine // Story: I Have No Social Skills, But I Must Go Out! // by Trashmaniac //------------------------------// (Anon POV) Cocoa, slippers, and a good old book—these have consumed my life lately. I ended up here through a wormhole drop-off and have been living peacefully ever since. I sell herbs and spend my days in the serene beauty of the ponyvill. It's been pretty easy-going overall, with good food, breathtaking scenery, and the ponies keeping to themselves. However, there is one pony who stands out. When I first arrived, it was a struggle to adapt to the eccentricities of a certain pony. But just like anyone facing challenges, I learned to adapt. I smirk as I caress a small wooden case on the table beside me. It's just big enough for a pair of glasses. In my cozy red and black checkered house coat, I lean back in my chair, enjoying the warmth. Taking a sip of my cocoa, I pause and notice my green skin, an unexpected side effect of my drop-off. Oops, I realize I've been absentmindedly pressing the cup into my own face, so I place it back on the table. Looking out the window, I see the sun slowly setting. I woke up earlier than usual, but now it's the perfect time to head out and find some relaxation. I stretched before getting up and headed to the kitchen to grab an apple. Taking a bite, I scratched my chin and looked around, a nagging feeling of having forgotten something important. Shrugging it off, I made my way to the door and put on my shoes. Still feeling a bit off, but unable to pinpoint why, I muttered to myself, "Oh well, I'll remember it eventually. Right now, it's time to harvest some herbs." Anon grabbed a lantern and set off towards the woods. Unbeknownst to him, he had missed the calendar hanging on the wall. It had a red circle around a specific date, clearly marked as the summer solstice celebration. As I casually walked down the bustling streets of the town, I couldn't help but notice the ponies preparing to wrap up their day. They had gotten used to seeing me around, and some even waved at me in a friendly manner. Lost in my own thoughts, I barely acknowledged their greetings. With my unusual green complexion and a question mark covering most of my facial expression, I walked by without making eye contact, causing the ponies to feel a bit unsure about my presence. This world I found myself in was truly puzzling. The day and night cycle seemed to follow its own rules, the weather was completely predictable, and the behavior of the ponies... well, let's just say it was unlike anything I had ever encountered before. And let's not forget the unique visual style of this place, where things appeared less detailed but burst with vibrant colors. It was a world that defied the norms I was familiar with. Two things remained consistent: taxes and money. Luckily, the housing in this town was charming, even for someone like me. It was one of the reasons I didn't mind staying here; I was already more successful than in my previous life. Although I still had a soft spot for Earth - after all, it's where my heritage and history lie - I quickly shook my head to rid myself of those thoughts. Dwelling on them never ended well. Finally paying attention to my surroundings, I found myself on the last trail leading out of Ponyville and into the Everfree Forest. Admittedly, it was a dangerous place, but it also held untapped potential. The unique plants and herbs found solely within its depths presented a lucrative market. With the townspeople often fearful and the zebra rarely seen, it provided me with an excellent opportunity to gather useful items during my walk and sell them to people both within and outside the town. This could sustain me for quite some time. I lit my lantern and approached the edge of the forest, the sounds of the town slowly fading behind me. The tranquility of the surroundings would have been comforting, if it weren't for the unsettling noises of the animals around. Nevertheless, I tried my best to ignore them and followed my familiar path as the setting sun's orange glow was blocked by the trees. As I ventured deeper into the Everfree Forest, my senses heightened, attuned to the unique herbs and plants thriving in this untamed wilderness. The serene surroundings were occasionally interrupted by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of mysterious creatures. Carefully, I collected various herbs, focusing on those with potent healing properties or enchanting aromas. Each step brought me closer to a bountiful harvest, and I eagerly anticipated the rewards these rare finds would bring. Suddenly, while I was engrossed in gathering a particularly elusive herb, I caught a glimpse of a dark blue mist out of the corner of my eye. It whizzed by me with disconcerting speed, and I couldn't help but startle, almost dropping the herbs I had collected. My heart raced as I scanned my surroundings, hoping to catch sight of the strange entity that disturbed my peaceful venture. However, there was nothing—only the whispering trees and the disquieting silence of the forest engulfed me. Shaken by the encounter, I promptly decided it would be wiser to head back to the safety of the town. I retraced my steps, my pace quickening as I made my way out of the Everfree Forest. The familiar sounds of the town gradually replaced the natural symphony I had left behind. I couldn't help but notice the curious gazes of the ponies, who sensed my unease and conveyed their concern through their expressions. Walking through the streets, questions raced through my mind about what I had witnessed. What was that dark blue mist? Was it a mere figment of my imagination, or something more menacing? Whatever it was, it was none of my business. Cocooned within the safety of my cozy home, I closed the door behind me, momentarily shutting out the outside world. I knew I would have to gather my thoughts and venture back into the forest eventually. But for now, I embraced my familiar routine, cherishing the allure of the herbs I had collected and the cocoa I forgotten to finish. (Flash Trade POV) As I step out of my house, I casually cast a glance at Anon's place on the outskirts of Ponyville. It could really use a fresh coat of paint and some trimming of the overgrown grass. Thoughts of the strange events from last night and Anon's peculiar behavior briefly cross my mind. However, for now, I set them aside because my main focus is getting to the town hall quickly to secure a coveted front-row seat. Walking towards my destination, anticipation for the upcoming Summer Solstice celebration fills my mind. The excitement of witnessing Princess Celestia lower the sun fuels my eagerness, easily overshadowing any lingering questions about Anon's odd behavior. Right now, my priority is capturing the grandeur of the moment, putting aside the mysteries surrounding Anon. Arriving at the bustling town hall, my excitement mounts as I aim to secure the best seats for the Summer Solstice celebration. Festive banners, announcing the vibrant event, flutter in the breeze, creating an atmosphere of joy and anticipation. Ponies of all kinds gather, their cheerful chatter adding to the lively ambiance. Navigating through the crowd, I can feel the anticipation building within me. Princess Celestia's imminent arrival, marking the start of summer and bringing warmth to all of Equestria, is something I eagerly await. Engrossed in lively conversations and surrounded by the sense of unity, I push aside any lingering thoughts about Anon's odd behavior. Suddenly, the expected moment takes an unexpected turn. Nightmare Moon, cloaked in an eerie darkness, materializes before us. Gasps and murmurs ripple through the crowd, as confusion and fear fill the air. My senses reel as I struggle to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Amidst the chaos, a memory resurfaces, making my heart pound. Earlier in the day, as I stood at the edge of the Everfree Forest, I witnessed something strange. Anon emerged from the depths of the forest, with a mist trailing behind him. There was a nervous look in his eyes and something about his demeanor felt off. In that moment, I couldn't fully grasp the significance of what I had seen. Now, as Nightmare Moon's malevolent presence fills the town hall, realization rushes through me. I can't deny the pieces falling into place any longer. It was indeed Anon who emerged from the Everfree Forest just as the mist descended upon Ponyville. Urgency overtakes me, and I cannot contain my voice any longer. Rising above the noise, I call out desperately, "Wait! I saw him! I saw Anon walk out of the forest after the mist did! There was something strange about him!" Ponies turn their heads, perhaps initially failing to fully understand the weight of my words. But soon, other voices join in, confirming my account and sharing their own sightings of Anon's odd behavior. A collective realization dawns upon us, linking Anon's presence at the forest's edge to the unfolding chaos. While Nightmare Moon continues her monologue, her words resonate with chilling power. Amidst her dark pronouncements, my thoughts fixate on Anon, the one who walked out of the Everfree Forest with a nervous look. What role did he play in all of this? How does he connect to Nightmare Moon's emergence? As I desperately call out about Anon's strange behavior and the mist he brought from the forest, my words catch the attention of Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack who happen to be nearby. Their expressions turn curious as they exchange glances, intrigued by the mention of Anon. Rainbow Dash raises an eyebrow, her voice filled with skepticism. "Anon? What's he got to do with any of this? Is he involved with Nightmare Moon?" A mischievous grin spreads across Pinkie Pie's face as she bounces on her hooves. "Ooh, ooh! I bet Anon's a super secret spy for Nightmare Moon! That's why he's the one pony who's always managed to avoid me and my amazing parties!" With a thoughtful furrow in her brow, Applejack speaks up, her voice steady. "Hold on, y'all. Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. Anon helped me out before, gettin' herbs for Granny. Maybe we should give him a chance to explain." Pinkie Pie interrupts, blurting out excitedly, "So where does Anon live? We have to go find him and get to the bottom of this!" I quickly respond, matching their eagerness, "Anon's house is on the edge of Ponyville. You can't miss it—paint chipping off the sides and all." Rainbow Dash wastes no time, determination etched across her face. "Alright, let's go. We need to find Anon and get some answers." Applejack nods, a hint of concern in her expression. "But let's make sure we give him a fair chance to speak. We don't want to jump to any conclusions, and you already left." The moment the three ponies left, the realization dawned upon Flash Trade and the rest of the town. It hit them like a ton of bricks—the princess was gone and Nightmare Moon had resurfaced. However, what caught Nightmare Moon's attention more was the undeniable fascination the ponies displayed towards this pony called Anon. Their lack of fear towards her left her perturbed, causing her to abruptly truncate her monologue. Instead, she resolved to swiftly take action, realizing that the moment had been marred by the chaos and frenzy unfolding amongst the crowd. Their unruly behavior quickly escalated into a riot, compelling her swift departure. Her primary focus now fixated on hastening to the castle to acquire the elements of harmony and to promptly cast an eternal night upon the land. (Anon POV) I wake up in the evening, as I'm more of a night owl. Feeling groggy, I stumble out of bed and head straight to the bathroom for a refreshing shower. The warm water revives my senses, and I quickly dry off, wrapping a towel around my waist. Once I feel clean and rejuvenated, I walk back to my bedroom to choose my attire for the evening. I carefully select an office shirt, a red tie, dress pants, and leather shoes, ensuring that everything looks presentable. With my outfit complete, I feel ready to face the night ahead. Leaving my bedroom, I make my way towards the kitchen to prepare breakfast. After enjoying a satisfying meal, I gather my belongings and approach the door, prepared to start my evening. I step outside my front door, anticipating the night ahead. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes for a moment, relishing the cool evening air. As I open my eyes with a smile, my excitement quickly fades. The town is in chaos, with ponies running around in a frantic state, as if something terrible has occurred. Among the crowd, I notice a pony named Flash Trade. He abruptly stops, staring at me with an unsettling expression. I meet his gaze with confusion, wondering why he seems so irrational. We lock eyes for a brief moment before he raises his hoof and yells at me. "YOU!" Instinctively, I close and lock my door, intending to retreat back to my room, already feeling drained. However, as I'm about to head upstairs, someone starts pounding aggressively on my door, their knocks growing more forceful with each thud. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I cautiously approach the side window to take a peek. To my surprise, it's Flash Trade himself, attempting to break down my door. "I know you have something to do with this, Anonymous! I saw you running out of those woods just after that strange blue mist." Before I can calmly question his accusations, I notice a group of ponies sprinting towards my house out of the corner of my eye. Their presence alone would have merely annoyed me, but what truly terrifies me is the pink, blue-eyed pony leading them - accompanied by two of her friends who are likely just as unpredictable. Acting swiftly, I shut my window, causing the pony outside to jump in surprise, searching frantically for my whereabouts. The approaching group of ponies starts picking up their pace, intensifying my annoyance to pure fear. Determined to evade the angry pony and his companions, I grab a small case containing – my secret weapon – and swiftly make my way towards the Everfree Forest, a place seldom ventured into. But I'm stopped in my tracks by a pink, fluffy... Dear God. I quickly open the small case containing my ultimate weapon and skillfully equip it, preparing for battle. As Pinky bounces back up from our collision, she places her hooves on my shoulders and swiftly spins me around. "Haha! I finally caught you, Ano- Mario! What are you doing here?" Pinky exclaims. "Uhh, making-a a pizza... Delivery-a pizza to a, uhh, Mr. Anonymous," I respond, with my hastily put-on mustache slightly crooked, as sweat falls off my head. My bald, bald head... I miss my hair, man. As I stand there, alarm bells ringing in my head, Pinky Pie's bright blue eyes widen with curiosity as she gazes at me intently. "Hey there, Mario! I was just looking for Anon!" Pinky chirps, bouncing on her hooves. With my heart pounding, I do my best to maintain my composure and keep up the charade. I adjust my crooked mustache, hoping it looks convincing enough, and attempt to deliver my response with a convincingly Italian accent. "Oh, uh, you know-a me, Pinky. Always-a delivering-a pizza to my-a customers! But Anon, uh, he is not-a here. I don't-a know where he-a went," I stutter, hoping my vague explanation will satisfy Pinky's curiosity. Before Pinky can respond, the sound of rapidly approaching hooves fills the air. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a blue mare darting toward us, her cyan mane flowing in the wind. "What's going on, Pinky? We're supposed to find Anon not a pizza- wait is that a monkey?!" Rainbow Dash exclaims, coming to a skidding halt next to Pinky. I furrowed my browse as I muttered. "What the heck did you just call me?" Pinky turns to Rainbow Dash with a mischievous smile. "Well, I thought I found Anon, but it turns out it's just Mario delivering a pizza! How random is that?" Rainbow Dash's eyes widen with excitement and curiosity as she spots the small case in my hand. She leans forward, squinting to get a better look. "Is that supposed to be a... pizza?" "..." "..." "Y-yes?" I stuttered, unsure of how else to explain it. Applejack came barreling around the corner, panting slightly as she came to a sudden halt. "Ya'll couldn't wait up for me? Oh hey, Anon! How ya doin'? And why in the hay are ya wearin' that contraption on yer face?" Rainbow and Pinkie gave Applejack confused looks as I felt my body tense up at being called out. Running out of options, I did the only thing I could: I spun around and tried to make a run for it into the forest, only for the weight of three ponies to suddenly hit my back.