With hands behind your back you stand out by the quiet river. For any particular reason? No, you just thought you could stand. There’s a certain soothing quality about it, the soft ripples of the wind gliding over your skin. It surely beats your last job. You still wonder how you were able to put up with that distasteful work. Your thoughts are torn away by the morning chirping of birds, a chaotic yet pleasant melody all on its own.
Approaching the source of the melody, it is abruptly cut short leaving only the shallow swish of the wind. Ahh, you had forgotten your effect on these creatures. Is it not a curiosity how those of primal mind can detect your… peculiar nature, while others cannot? Yes, you believe so. You trace the rise of the morning sun as it overtakes the field of trees over the horizon. Perhaps there was some truth to that celebration of theirs. Even so, you can watch the sunrise any day. The darkness is all but extinguished as the first rays of the sun strike the land in which you stand.
Warmth… How you wish this sensation would swell from within. Do not tease yourself, Anon. Some things are even out of your reach. With a sigh you take one more breath of iced air and turn back to the town of Ponyville. Day is approaching. Let us check the ruins of Twilight’s abode, shall we? We shall.
Pushing open the door to Twilight’s residence proves quite difficult, and you’d all but given up if not for the groan that emanated from within. A partygoer that had found themselves on the wrong end of the bottle perhaps. Now in the way of your destination it would seem. You step back and manage not to fall over as you raise a single leg, your balance set on its partner. You’ve grown quite skilled at this, you think as you slam your foot against the door and send the drunk sliding across the floor. Still you stand with one leg in the air, marveling at the imbalance you feel, your arms instinctively stretching out to counteract the weight.
What joy you feel! This is a sensation most superb. Keeping one leg in the air you hop through the door, each step bringing the same sense of uneasiness. Aha! You’re getting better. You haven’t felt this way since you- Huh? Even being around as long as you have, you still forget things ‘left and right.’ You set your foot back down and adjust your suit, two more ponies left snoozing by the bookshelves. Their snoring forms cuddle up next to each other for warmth as you gaze down upon them. One hundred Seventy-Three and Two hundred Eleven. At least it’ll only be a month or so apart. The sun begins to shine through the windows, a flicker catching your eye off in the kitchen.
Leaving the two to their snooze you walk silently over to the kitchen and peer out from the window. You can just make out the first signs of life in the town, by which you mean the start of Ponyville’s morning routine. You catch the hint of a smile as it creeps upon your face, likely the result of the stallion down the street and his kind remarks to his wife. Yes, there is definitely something to marvel at the, hmm what word accurately, no, does justice, to the meaning. Humanness… How this word exists in your mind is a mystery, and the more you seek to understand it the farther it grows from your mind.
Then again, how does any word exist to you? You must’ve heard it one time or another. Letting it be, you catch that same shimmer from before and inspect the device. It appears to be some type of clear cauldron attached rather loosely to an overarching tool. There also appears to be a bright red button, the bottom arching out while the top stays flat in the most bizarre manner. You move your hand into the light’s path and cut that alluring sparkle that the cauldron generates. Now it’s shining, now it’s not. All it takes is a movement of your hand… just like real life. With a caress of your hand you can extinguish the light one’s eyes. Yes, and there is nothing you can do about it. It is as natural as age, so what is there to grieve over? Age has not an avatar though, does it? No, it does not. *click*
You do a quick turn back to the strange machine as it makes a grumbling noise, the button now arching out at the top. The noise reminds you of a snarling beast, yet it comes from a mechanical construct. You lower your face to the clear container and try to inspect where the noise originates from the bottom. *fwoo*
“Dragon’s blood!” you recoil back from the sudden rush- of water? What in the name Tartarus is the point of this… thing?
”Enjoying my coffee machine?” Twilight asks from afar, a hint of humor in her tone. Coffee? A form of refreshment? You move closer once again, this time ready for any sudden movements.
“What is the point of this ‘coffee’? Does it provide nourishment?”
”Not exactly. Most ponies drink it to- *yawn* wake up?”
“And the others?” you ask quickly, silently marveling as the water is actually a dark brown.
”The others what?”
“You said most drink it to wake up, what do the ones who don’t, drink it for?”
”Oh uh… I guess they just like the taste.” It must be quite scrumptious indeed. You wonder if it’s like that punch, you really did like that punch. Nodding in understanding you step away with your hands behind your back, “You’re awfully lively in the morning. Get much sleep?”
“Sleep?” you ask curiously, “Is that another beverage?”
She looks at you plainly for a good while, “You’re joking right?” Were you making a joke? You were not aware that you provided such limitless humor. The coffee’s ding steals her attention for but a moment, but it is enough to alleviate her gaze.
“I believe your ‘coffee’ is done.”
You step back from her as she retrieves a small cup from the cabinet and pulls out the coffee cauldron with a purple glow. Mmmm, that smells heavenly, it must taste as such. The steam seemingly pours from the top of her cup once she’s finished pouring herself a cup. She takes a sip and smacks her lips, “Too hot.”
Is that not what the steam signaled? You thought it was rather clear. You notice Twilight staring at you and you grin ever so slightly, “Do you want a cup or not?”
“That would be lovely, Ms. Sparkle.”
Pulling another cup out of the cabinet she proceeds to pour you a cup, “Don’t think this means we’re pals or anything. Fluttershy taught me to be kind, so that’s what I’m doing.”
“The trials of friendship are long and arduous, and yet the foundations can crumble at the slightest touch.”
”If you think you’re trying to be my friend, then don’t. Like I said, the others may trust you, but I don’t.” She presses the coffee cup into your hand, “Not yet, anyways.”
“Trust is not something that can be taken Twilight,” you raise your glass in a ‘toast’, “It is something that must be earned.”
”It sure is,” she dings her glass with yours and you find yourself guessing as to how it tastes. Those aromatic fumes could a sweet nutty taste, or perhaps they harbor the hidden citrus. You eagerly take a sip-
“…”
In seconds your face goes from happiness to disgust as the auburn liquid swishes in your mouth. This- could possibly be the worst thing you’ve yet to taste, that fertilizer a close second. ”Don’t like it?”
You slowly shake your head, cheeks full to bursting. Every second it remains is torture, yet you don’t have the will to swallow. ”Well don’t just choke on it, spit it out.” Without another word you cling to the sink and release the steamy liquid, droplets of it splashing against your skin with a hiss.
“It smelled so delightful,” your use your hand to wring out your tongue, “But that could be the worst thing I’ve tasted in my existence.” You don’t even know how to describe such a horrid flavor without dealing in metaphors. Burnt undergarments perhaps?
”Doesn’t that hurt?” you look back to her confused as she nods to your other hand which took most of the outpour by accident.
“Of course not,” you answer without thinking, “Why should it?”
”It’s- piping hot and- No pain? Really?”
This is a bit more information than you’re ready to divulge to the mare. “Some,” you attempt to lie, “My kind are less susceptible to these things than others.”
”Ahuh… You wouldn’t mind going on record and saying that would you?” You’re unsure what this ‘record’ is, but it mustn’t be that bad.
“Certainly not, but may I ask for a glass of water to flush away this dreadful experience?”
”Sure, go ahead and sit on the chair upstairs, I’ll be up in a second.” You’re unsure why she made this request, but like she said, Fluttershy taught her to be kind. It is only fair to return the favor. You make sure to take it slow as you ascend the stairs, running your hand along the wooden railing and savoring every sensation. You’d missed it once before, that smooth almost glossiness that it exhibits, the way it seems to cool your hand as it flows across the surface.
While the ponies that occupy this land may have hooves, you do wonder if they take pleasure in these simple sensations. Or could it be that they simply choose not to notice lest they be overwhelmed by their own environment? Truly the predicament of the century.
You find the seat Twilight mentioned and sit do- Oh… This is quite nice now isn’t it? And if you stand up a little and fall back down… Sensational. The way that the fabric gives way under your weight yet is firm enough to mold around you is something clearly of divine nature. To think that this is just what they sit on, you have no idea how their bed would… You stay tuned for the slightest sound as you stand and move to the door. Nothing. Amidst the silence you turn your head to the source of your desire and silently creep on over.
The second your hand touches the sheets you can tell this is going to be a treat, and without further thought you leap onto it belly first. “ooooh, ahhh,” you coo as you roll around, your size leaving your shoulders and head hanging off the other side. The sheets crumple under you and with another hand you grab the end and wrap the upper layer around you. By Tartarus this is beyond wonderful, it’s like being wrapped in a blanket of happiness and rainbows… You bolt back upwards at the very thought. Can they make a rainbow blanket?
”Uhh…” you hear Twilight at the door as she takes the sight in.
“Oh Twilight, I am glad you are here. Tell me, does Equestria manufacture Rainbow blankets?”
”That- Why- What?”
It appears your answer would be a no. “A shame.”
Twilight sits you back down and you take a swig of water, swishing it around in your mouth, that latent taste of coffee soon leaving you. “Water… Wonderfully delicious yet it has no flavor. Why is that Twilight?”
She busily pulls up a chair across from you and locates a pen and quill, “I don’t know.”
“Why?” She always struck you as one who would have researched these things.
”Why what?” she responds with a counter question.
“Why don’t you know?”
She has that same expression of suspicion about her as she scratches her neck, “I just never thought about it before.”
“Why?” you cock your head to the side.
”Because I don’t really care,” she responds with a hint of annoyance before she visibly calms down. “Now,” she readies her quill, “What’s your name for the record?”
“Whatever name you wish to call me, though I prefer ‘Anon’ myself. It fits quite well in my opinion.”
It doesn’t take her long to write it down, “Anon. Short for Anonymous. Did your parents name you this or did you change it?”
“I don’t have parents,” you stop yourself all too late, “My name is my own.”
”I’m sorry to hear that,” she droops her head and finishes writing. She thinks that- Oh… a clever save, one not of your own accord. ”Alright…” she waves her quill over her paper, “What are you exactly?”
“I am Anon.”
”No no, not like that. What are you, not who are you.”
That- Huh… “I do not understand the question.”
She contemplates to herself for a few seconds before nodding, “Alright. I am Twilight. That is who I am. I am also a unicorn. That is what I am.”
“Oh,” you grin, “Alright, I am Anon. That is who I am. I am also a unicorn. That is-“
She interrupts you again, “That’s not right. I am a unicorn. Not you.”
“Why?”
Her annoyance is clearly evident at this point, “Why what, Anon?” She is certainly insistent with these counter questions, rather aggravating actually.
“Why can I not be a unicorn? It’s all but a name is it not? If so, it shouldn’t matter. For all intents purposes a unicorn could easily symbolize a penguin or even a Tundra Spitter. It all rests in the way we give meaning to them.”
”Simple, because you’re not a unicorn.”
“Says who? You? That’s a rather biased point of view, is it not?”
”Try an informed point of view.” Touché… Now where did you hear that word? That’s the funny thing about a limitless existence, you can never remember the little things.
“Culturally, you may be a unicorn, but at the same time another culture might spot you and name you a horse.”
She shakes her head, “It’s clear that this isn’t getting us anywhere, let’s just skip this question alright?”
“As you wish Ms. Sparkle.” All according to plan. Quite a troublesome question, that one. Can’t just go around saying that you’re death. That would receive quite a negative response you’d wager.
”Alright then, where are you from, originally?” You open your mouth to speak but quickly stop yourself. You can actually answer this question, you think. Your first memory… That was so long ago- “Sensitive information?” she nearly glares at you.
“No, I’m just trying to remember,” you grin, “You know how it is, hazy memories and all.”
”Not really, no.” You can faintly remember a- a castle of some sort. It was so dark that not even light could pierce its form. Where this place is and its name, are both mysteries to you, though the memory is finely lain in your mind.
“I- I can’t remember. My apologies Twilight. Like I said, my mind is- not quite an ally of mine, so to speak.” She looks into your eyes- Well… as close as she can given your lack of them.
After an awkward moment she nods, “Alright then. I believe you, and for what it’s worth, I am sorry that you can’t remember. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t know where I was from.” Your grin fades the more you think about it. You don’t have a home. You never did and you never- Yes you will Anon. This can be your home if you stop dwelling on the past. Nothing will change what you are. But you don’t have to hide behind it either. As long as the sun rises the morning next, your future is as bright as the sun will make it. With a smile you return to your previous disposition.
“Please, do go on.”
Her questions become far less intrusive after that, though it could just be that she ran out of steam. As much as that sounds correct you can’t help but feel it’s that she feels sorry for you. Which is actually quite odd considering she doesn’t like you. Trivial regardless, you take a final sip of water, Twilight finishes the last of her notes as you spot the stirring of the purple dragon. He has his eyes half closed in a daze as he stumbles up to Twilight’s chair and climbs up, snuggling beside her. “Does he believe you to be his brood mother?”
She shakes her head, “More like a sister. We’ve always been close ever since I hatched him, but I still have another question.” You pay her little mind as you gaze at the snoozing dragon next to her, thumb stuck in his mouth.
“Hmm,” you spy your own thumb and once again listen intently, this time for the sound of wings. None. You sigh in relief and stick your thumb in your own mouth to mimic Spike’s behavior, suckling gently on it.
When she looks back up to you, she’s beyond confused, “What are you- Why are you copying Spike?”
You pull out your thumb and tremble at the sensation. “It’s all tingly…” you marvel before following the glistening liquid that begins to drip off the digit.
She tries to compose herself, but the more she watches you the harder it becomes, “Can you just, wipe it off or something. You’re grossing me out.”
“Why aren’t you grossed out by Spike?”
”Because he’s a kid. It’s cute when they do it.” It’s an innocence thing. You recall seeing this before when a p0ny had wet the bed. His wife was not amused. Not the reason why she took his life, but it certainly didn’t help you’d assume. Alas, you adhere to her request and wipe your thumb off on your pants. She’s visibly calms at this, “Okay, now onto that last question.”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
She intently goes back over her notes, “You said earlier- well, asked earlier, what sleep was. Is this correct?” It takes you a few seconds before the memory pops back in your head.
“Ahh yes, you would incorrect.”
She’s taken aback by your answer, “Of course you did, I remember it.” You hold up a finger causing her pause.
“If you recall, I asked if it was another beverage, not what it was. So the answer to your question is no, you are incorrect.”
”Alright, I didn’t recall what you said to the letter, but-“
“If we are quite finished here I believe I should check back on Ms. Dash.”
”We’re not actually, I still have another question.”
Silly Twilight. Certainly she is the only one with a worse memory than your own. “Now Ms. Sparkle. Do not tell me that you yourself have forgotten what you said mere moments ago. That was to be your final question.”
You stand up to leave and she follows, “I said no such thing.”
“Twilight, my dear Twilight… I’ll give you a moment to recall your thoughts…” Her determined face stays firm until you can almost see the ‘gears turn’ in her head. “There you go. Until next time?”
”F-fine, but you’re not getting off so easy next time.” You set down your glass and make your exit, spying that infernal coffee machine one last time.
“You will burn in the deepest pits of Tartarus,” you whisper under your breath, “You have my-“
”What’s that?”
“Nothing ma’am,” you smile back at her before finally leaving her home. That machine will perish… in time…
Where to next? Hmm, so many choices. Rainbow Dash will know where to go. In exchange for a second chance you took her as a guide, she might as well live up to that title. You decide to walk around town until you find her. So with hands behind your back, you set off. As you progress it is quite clear that Twilight’s questioning took longer than intended as a good number of p0nies have populated the streets, waves of numbers bouncing about above their heads.
You ponder the way they begin to gaze at you. Before, it could best be described as fearful or perhaps spite, but now you’re not entirely sure. Why do they smile at you? You remember the speed at which they escaped your presence once before. Run from them Anon. They are planning something. No, they are simply kind. Are they? Doing your best to ignore the strange looks you continue down the road, your feet kicking up dirt from behind you. You look back as the dust swirls in a cyclone before it swiftly departs into the sky. Wonderful. As you take a step back you find something in the way and quickly attempt to regain your balance. You do not succeed.
You plummet backwards to the ground, a muffled gasp coming from beneath your legs. Tripping, you believe is the term. How unfortunate. You feel a bundle under your legs begin to squirm and it quickly frees itself, your body now completely flat. ”Darnit Scoots, look what ya did!” you hear a p0ny say, her voice high in pitch and with a slight accent.
Three small p0nies, fillies, gather around you, each of them locked in fear. ”I- I-,” the Pegasus tries to talk but her eyes are fixed on your unmoving form. They believe you to be dead? Why does everyone think that?
”What do we do?” the unicorn asks looking around, “There’s so many ponies.”
”I didn’t think he’d move,” the Pegasus finally utters, “I thought I could walk by…”
The earth pony is quick to act, “Sweetie, fetch one o’ Rarity’s rugs, I’ll see if I can obta- obti- shoot, get a wagon from the barn.” The things kids learn these days.
”Well, what about me? The Pegasus asks, “What should I do?”
“You could apologize.”
”GAH!” the three shriek and cling to one another. You find it hard to sit up and get to your feet, but the Pegasus finds the courage to help you. ”I’m soooo sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” You reassure her that you are in fact quite well and she finally looks up at you, “You’re Anon, right?” Astonishing how fast your name travels around.
”Don’t be silly,” the earth pony replies, “He ain’t Anon. I heard he was as an alicorn, twice- no, three times taller than Celestia!” Rumors ugh, lovely…
”Handsome too!” the unicorn squeaks, “He had a mane of golden diamonds.”
The Pegasus rolls her eyes and whispers to you, “Don’t listen to them. I know who you are. You’re like, the second coolest pony in Ponyville.” Only the second? That is disappointing.
“I am unsure how I earned such a prestigious title. How exactly is that?”
”Well duh! You totally stood up to Nightmare Moon! I was all like, ‘no he isn’t’ but then you laughed at her and I was all, ‘tubular.’” Just when you think you’re understanding their dialect…
“Tubular? What do tubes have to do with this?”
”It means the same thing as ‘awesome.’ I needed more ways to describe how radical Rainbow Dash is so-“
”Here we go…” the other two sigh.
”What?! Dash is the coolest most awesomest Pegasus in Equestria. Don’t be hatin.” This filly is very- Ah now you remember, you saw this filly yesterday morning as you followed Rainbow Dash. She certainly is her biggest fan, and if anyone knows her whereabouts, it would be her.
“So Scoots, you-“
You’re interrupted by her giggling friends to which she barks at them, “It ain’t funny. Sorry, my name’s Scootaloo, not many ponies call me Scoots.”
“Noted, but to my point Scootaloo, do you happen to know where Ms. Dash is located?”
”Pfft, of course. It’s only the third Monday of the sixth month.”
“…”
”She’s at weather duty.” To be honest, you are rather impressed by her ability to memorize another’s schedule to such extent.
“My gratitude young Scootaloo. Farewell.” You head on outside of Ponyville, your silent companion behind you all the while.
”Are you really going to go see Rainbow Dash?” you hear Scootaloo ask. Her persistence, one of curiosity? Perhaps.
“I do plan on speaking with her, indeed.”
”She doesn’t talk to just anypony you know. I’ve been trying to hang with her for years.”
And with little success you’d wager. She’s certainly affectionate enough, and that is what Rainbow Dash thrives on. “Ms. Dash will make an exception for me,” you move over the bridge and through the tall greenery of the land.
”Whoa, no way! The two coolest ponies in Equestria hang out? This is just too gnarly.” You stop in your tracks. Her idioms are difficult enough to interpret, but her incessant need to identify you as a pony is rather annoying.
“I would request you not call me a pony. It is clear that we do not share the same physiology so calling me such would be an anatomical fallacy.”
She just stares up at you for a second before smiling, “You’re really smart aren’t you?” What- Where does this come from? How does she jump to this line of thought?
“That would matter on your definition of smart. Is it the ability to regurgitate data? How about the ability to locate patterns? Or it could be one’s decision-making skills. So, young Scootaloo, what is your definition of smart?”
She keeps that same smile on her face as she hops up with a flutter of her wings and takes off ahead of you, “Anon is.” You look down to the floor. That- that was a compliment. A positive reflection of your personality… It feels nice. Looking back up you find Scootaloo sniffing a large yellow flower before suddenly sneezing with a giggle.
“Stop and smell the roses…” You shake your head and follow her.
”So Mr. Not A Pony, what are you then?”
“A force of infinite complexity and magnitude that reaches beyond the boundary of your comprehension.”
She leaps up onto a big rock, “What’s that mean?”
“It means you wouldn’t understand.”
She sounds her acknowledgment as you pass on by, but you don’t have time to react as she jumps up onto your shoulders, “Wheee!” Her sudden embarkment disrupts your equilibrium and you stumble a few steps before you regain control of yourself. She is certainly an adventurous one. She cheers on your shoulder, “Let’s go again!”
You pick her off your shoulder and hold her in front of you. “That was not very kind of you. In the future I would ask you to ask for permission before attempting to mount me.”
But Scootaloo won’t listen to idle talk, instead she sticks her tongue out at you and wiggles out of your grasp. She lands on the ground harmlessly and looks back up at you, “Hey Anon. Guess what.”
“What is it youn-“
Before you can finish she smacks you in the leg, “Tag, you’re it.” With that she speeds off away from the path and into the more rugged landscape.
“Tag?”
Her head pops out of a tree a couple feet above you, “It’s a game. You can’t tell me you’ve never played tag before.”
“In fact I can, and I am. What is this ‘tag?’”
”Well, one pony’s it and they have to tag the other one. If you’re not it, then you have to gallop as fast as you can so you don’t get caught.”
“But you will be caught eventually. What is the purpose of running from the inevitable?”
”Because it’s fun Mr. Smarts. Now come on, try and catch me.” She disappears back into the bushes of the tree before you can further question her. You are here to locate Ms. Dash so that she can guide you to your next activity, not play ‘tag’ with a filly. The trivial nature of these ponies astounds you still. Stepping off the trail you are greeted by a small thicket of leaves, growing closer to the exterior of the forest no doubt.
“I am sorry Scootaloo, but I do not have time to play these games with you. I intend to meet with Rainbow Dash at my earliest convenience.”
”Then you have to catch me first.” And you thought the coffee machine was evil… You scan the twisting branches as they begin to thicken around you. The sun can still be made out through the thicket resting above you, though it is growing clear that the further you go, the less welcome the sun’s rays will become.
“This is not the kind of place a small filly such as yourself should venture. You have many years in which to live your life, and I strongly advise that we lay these games to rest until a further date.” You push through yet another branch until you find yourself truly in the dark recesses of the forest. “Scootaloo?”
”You talk funny, you know that?” you hear her voice echo over the forest, the ends of her voice almost circling you like a predator. This is not how you remember the forest. Your group found troubles, yes, but now it feels, alive.
“Scootaloo,” you call out to her, “The forest is a dangerous place for one to frolic, and even worse for a youngling such as yourself. I give you my word that should we depart, I will engage in this ‘Tag’ with you, but it is simply not safe for you here.” You’re met by a silence, and you- feel a lump build in the back of your throat. Why must she insist on such silence? This- Worry. You feel the lump begin to recede as a thought comes to mind, well, more so numbers than actually words. Her final days are not until many many years from now. So what harm is there really for her here? None at all.
You hear the bushes rustle ahead of you, and out from it comes the unmistakable form of the Pegasus, “O-ok, b-but you better be serious okay.” You nod earnestly. You would never betray your word, a deal is a deal.
“Good, now let us find-” your voice is cut short in your throat. Why? That’s impossible. Fate has determined it.
It’s almost as if she can see the worry on your face, “Anon, you okay?”
“Scootaloo, do not run. I am walking over very slowly. Okay?”
She raises a brow at you, “Wait a second here…” No no no, “You’re still playing! Ha ha!”
“No Scootaloo that is not-” you’re too slow as she disappears into another bush, your arms failing to grab her.
”I’ll admit,” her voice goes back to that same echo, “You almost got me with the whole ‘dangerous’ routine, but I’m quick myself.”
You silently curse yourself for your actions, if you hadn’t made a change in your behavior she would’ve walked out with you. “I am not playing this game, I merely worry for your safety. I-” you have to think of a reason to make her leave, “I saw a spider on your back, it was very very dangerous.”
”Oh please Anon, I’m not that slow. You just wanted me to put down my guard, but Scoots isn’t going to let you do that.” This child…
You don’t know how her numbers jumped around like that, but you most certainly will not let yourself be the cause… That’s it, isn’t it? It’s your fault. If you hadn’t interfered then she would still be with her friends. Just like Nightmare Moon, just like Discord so many years ago… But you musn’t give up the search. Scootaloo is depending on you to save her, whether she knows it or not. “I promise you that it was not my goal to trick you. I am truly and wholly concerned for your safety.”
You duck under a branch and find yourself in an open clearing, moving to the center it’s no longer clear exactly how far you’ve gone or where you are for that matter. Just say something Scootaloo, please. It’s your fault she’s like this. I know. You know what must be done. I won’t leave her here. If she passes, the soul is on your shoulders. You are the one who must deal with it. Silence! “Scootaloo.” You pause, only silence returning in response, “Scootaloo!”
The lump returns in your throat and the ends of your fingers begin to tremble. This was not a part of your deal. It was to enjoy life, not spend it worried about others. She has to be close by and watching you, which means you simply can’t find her the old fashioned way. You’d have to silence her, but you’re not interested in such a permanent solution. How to find her? She’s going to die because of you. “No… Scootaloo! I am serious, come out right this instant!”
”You have to find me,” she calls back, her voice pointing you down one of the many pathways. You narrow your gaze, faintly making out the cherry red tail of the young filly as it disappears into the foliage.
You hasten over towards her and come within inches of securing her before she hops up a tree and out of sight. So that is how she’s getting around. You step back and inspect the tree, trying to find a way to ascend the hulking mass of bark. There’s a branch that you could grab… Hmm, a foothold could be useful if- *growl* “A walk through the woods is only as dear, when in the shadows the Timberwolves grow near.”
You turn around to face… Hmm, that’s interesting, “Hehehehe. Fooled you.” It was a ruse to cause you fear? Would you have been any other then perhaps it would have worked, alas, she attempted to cause you fear, which doesn’t work.
“I do not wish to play this game. I only wish for us to leave before we find something much worse than Timberwolves.”
You can hear her shuffling about the branches above you, “Yeah right, what could be worse than a Timberwolf?”
“Finding yourself at the wrong end of Toxin Twirl… Blood curdling in your veins, your lungs reducing to mulch… So many things…” You shake your head as you recall the many images that flash through your mind. “And that’s exactly the reason we should leave this place,” you say grabbing hold of a branch and hoist yourself up.
If you can just grab her then you can let this entire event pass into memory, but you have to get her first. ”You can’t fit up here Anon, you’re too big.” You rest your foot on another branch as it trembles under your weight, “You’re going to fall.”
“Nonsense I won’t- *snap* So much for that.
”Anon,” you hear her call from the branches above, “Are you alright?” A leaf comes floating down upon your face, you blowing it off in frustration.
“I am quite fine. Where are you?”
Her smiling face pokes out from the top of the tree, “Peekaboo! Hahaha, you’re not very good at this game.” She knows not what danger she is in, her innocence has blinded her from the truth.
“Indeed, I therefore forfeit, you win this round.”
”Like I’m going to fall for that again.” You dust yourself off and stand up as you attempt to find another way to bring her down. *growl* Not again, does she really think to trick you?
“Young Scootaloo, end your tricks and let us leave.” … What? Does she think to escape you? No, you can barely make out the numbers through the leaves. “Young Scootaloo?” you back up, finding her staring down through a small open patch in the leaves, “Come on down.” Her wings tremble ever so slightly. Odd, you think, it certainly isn’t very cold in the forest. Fear, that’s it, she’s worried that she might hurt herself in the fall. She needn’t be frightened. “I’m right here,” you extend your arms up to her, “I will catch you.”
She gulps and shakes her head frantically, “n-no.”
At this rate Rainbow Dash will be- Aha! That is the key! “The sooner you get down from there, the sooner we can ‘chill’ with Rainbow Dash. Doesn’t that sound fun?” *growl* “Really Scootaloo? Don’t you think I- Wait, your lips didn’t move…” If she didn’t move her lips that can only mean. You snap your fingers at the realization. “The wind upon these leaves certainly has such a strange effect. How precise too.”
She shakes her head and points behind you, “T-tim-ti- timberwolf…” *snarl* Oh… Why didn’t you think of that?
Well, at least you know why and how her demise is now fated to arrive, but it is not her fate, not while you are here. “Scootaloo,” you smile up at her, “Do you remember the way you came? Through the treetops?” She nods, her eyes following the wolf as it begins to circle you. “Young miss do keep your eyes on me,” you snap your fingers, “There we go, now, do you believe you could make it out the same way?” Once again she nods, your calm demeanor partially rubbing off on her own. This is going well.
“Good, very good. You’re very brave Scootaloo, and I know that you are going to do great things one day. I need you to be brave for me now, alright?” She trembles as her eyes begin to stray, but the numbers above her head begin to rise in confidence. “Look at me Scoots,” you quietly command, “Work through the trees and find your way back into Ponyville. Do not worry about Anon. Anon will be safe, and you will be too. Now go.”
She timidly begins to move along the branches before stopping to look at you, “Are you sure you’ll be-“ Your smile is enough to calm her and grinning back at you she trots along the treetops and back to safety, the last few digits lining back up to their previous date.
“Good. She is safe.” You turn back to the Timberwolf, another of its kin working out from the bushes, “You two, on the other hand, are late for your appointment.” You raise your hand, a harmless gesture to some, a death sentence to those who are met by it. The two growl and snarl as you approach them without fear, the primal part of their minds enraged by your very nature. Animals never will like you. Well, at least the feeling here is mutual.
The two separate until they are on opposing sides to you, leaving you with a predicament. Left or right? Hmm, how to choose? You decide to test yourself and by swiveling around on your foot you face the one on the left. “Hello there, shall we begin?”
It barks- Ha, barks, like the bark of a tree, oh Anon you’re so clever. Anyways, it decides to bark at you but you simply ignore its attempts at intimidation. “Come here doggy, I promise that your end will be painless, physically of course. I cannot judge how the process damages you mentally.” It looks around for a place to maneuver, but its flank soon hits the back of a tree with you steadily approaching. With one last bare of its fangs it lunges towards you, its maw catching on your sleeve, the razors of its mouth ripping the cloth, causing you much frustration.
You lift your arm, letting the creature dangle from it as you yourself inspect the damage. “Now now Mr. Wolf, this is my only suit. Ruining it is most unkind. May you let go?” It replies by sinking its teeth further into your arm, which causes you to sigh. “I gave you a chance.” And with a fling of your arm the timberwolf’s body goes crashing into tree, its body breaking off into a mess of sticks and hunks of wood.
This- has a certain thrill to it. It’s exciting. You pluck off the head, which was still firmly attached to your arm, and toss it down to the rest. You’re about to face its partner when the pieces begin to glow in a lime green light, the remnants patching together until its eyes open once again and its horrid breath reemerges from its jaws. “Goodie!” you clap your hands, “Round two.”
It doesn’t have time to fight back before you pin it down by the chest and rest your hands on its snout. Its eyes widen as you begin to work, its body fighting with all its might to escape, but the strength of death is without scale. “Shhh,” you hush the beast as it begins to whimper, “Let go of your physical shell and let your soul escape to destiny’s end.” Looking down on the beast as it quiets down, you can’t help but feel a sort of sadness for it. You don’t truly despise these creatures, merely their attitude. Now that it’s growing quiet and docile in your hand, you can’t help but second guess your actions. Maybe- if you let go- *snap*
You’re forced down onto the wolf, its partner’s weight thrown onto your back, jaws locked around your throat. Just when you were going to show mercy… You grab hold of your attacker’s neck with your left hand and squeeze slowly until your throat is free to release your voice. “I will get to you in a second,” you toss it aside and return your hands to the one before you. It closes its eyes… and its gone. Already? Well… It certainly- It’s new, to be the one who causes death. You never did the rough work yourself, that was left to natural causes. A shepherd for your flock, not the predator that threatens it. But you have a job to finish, you can’t allow this one to follow you back to Ponyville and wreck havoc. It whimpers as you approach and lay your hands on its head. “I am sorry…”
~~~
You stand, the forest with all its ambiance turned silent at your exploits, the two wolves lingering amongst the ground, the light gone from their eyes. This type of work is best left to their respective parties, not to you. Scootaloo should be out of harm’s way by now, far from the forest’s inhabitants. Good, one less thing on your conscience. Ha, conscience. Does death even have such a thing? You pick one of the sticks that make up a Timberwolf, the longest of its anatomy and put your weight on it as one would with a walking stick. A trophy for your conquest? A rather cruel thought, but not a totally unappealing one.
You make your way through the trees, but stop just short as another sound catches your attention, a squeal. Not the squeal you would expect. Not that of a dying animal or a victim as it’s torn limb from limb, that is the squeal you would expect, but this is far more… innocent. The sound emanates nearby, moving backwards you find the two wolves still silent, but the sound persists, now a squeak, then a whimper. The bushes… You recall the second wolf had emerged from there, but thought nothing of it. Could perhaps… You push the bush aside, the stick in your hand falling down to the earth.
Two pups, whimpering to themselves as they huddle close to one another. They do not bark nor do they snarl at you even as their bright blue eyes pass over where you stand. Blind, perhaps… but- You look back to the two timberwolves you dispatched. They- were protecting their young. You were a threat to their children so they sought to drive you off. But they would’ve- they would’ve killed Scootaloo. But they didn’t, did they? In fact, they didn’t even attack you. Only after you engaged them did they strike. You sought to protect Scootaloo, the innocent, but you therefore condemned these two pups, also innocent…
“I…” What are you going to do? This isn’t how you planned this to go. “I can- I can fix this. I did this once. I can do it again.” You move back to the lifeless husks below you and gather them together, laying your hands upon them. Rainbow Dash took effort, yes, but it can be done. If you can bring her back, you can bring… Nothing, no soul remains, no spirit lingers… They had moved on. No, you can still try. Your hands shake against their bones as you sift through valleys of souls, millions upon millions as they each look up at you, begging… Their voices echo in your mind as you force yourself- So many voices… You- “I can’t.” You move your hands away and silence the cries in your head. “It can’t be done.”
When Rainbow Dash fell, she couldn’t let go and so she stayed. When the Timberwolves fell, they knew it was the end and so they left. You gaze over the bush, the two pups now snoozing quietly, snuggled against the other. Were you to leave them- Nature will take its course. But it’s not their fate. It was when you interfered. You turn your back and look up to the darkened sky through the treetops. All you want is a good time… And those wolves wanted to live in peace… You kneel next to the two pups, your hand pausing halfway between them. There’s no going back from this you know. Trust me, I know. All it takes is a single touch. A simple caress to reunite this family once again. That’s all it’ll ever take.
Later that day… It’s already night by the time you find your way, the moon high in the sky. You think this is the place, though you can’t be entirely sure. Not many ponies live so close to the forest, and only one lives in a cottage such as this. With one hand you straighten your tie and make sure you look presentable, no need for a bad impression after all. *knock knock*
You wait in silence by the door, your other arm snug against yourself as the door creaks open. The Pegasus peeks out from the crack, her mane hiding most of her face, “Hello?”
“Fluttershy,” you say quietly, “I hope I did not wake from your ‘sleep.’”
”N-no, umm, what are you doing here, I mean uh, what can I help you with?” Her nervousness is expected from one such as her, but her kindness is what you’ve come to rely on.
“I find myself in a predicament Ms. Fluttershy, and… I find myself at a loss. I simply do not know what to do.”
”Can’t- *yawn* ooh, sorry. Can’t Twilight help? Or maybe Rainbow-“
“I assure you, this is a sensitive matter that only you can resolve. After all, you have a certain touch when it comes to… well…”
You nod down at your arm, Fluttershy opening the door, the candlelight from within revealing the two pups nestled against you. ”Oh my, please come inside.” You step within her home and are immediately assaulted by the fierce aromas within, namely that of animal musk. But you do not pay mind to these scents, after all, you are a guest in her residence. Fluttershy quickly leaves into the backroom before coming back out with a large towel, wrapping the pups up and setting them down for them to rest.
“I thank you for your help. You were the first to come to mind.”
”How did you find them? Were they alone or…” she pauses when she gets a better look at you in the fire’s orange glow, “You’re hurt, please sit. I have some bandages…” You’re about to object but she forces you to sit down on her couch. Not as comfy as Twilight’s but you’re certainly not going to complain. You trace your fingers along your neck, finding puncture mark after puncture mark wrapping around your throat. No blood of course, but they felt rather deep. It’s understandable how she would be worried. When she comes back she has a damp towel bound around her hoof, “This may sting a little.”
“I’ll be fine,” you reassure her as she presses it against your wound.
”Are- are you okay?”
“I took that fall off the cliff fairly well didn’t I? This is nothing.”
She forces a smile and pulls out a roll of some sort and flutters, haa flutters, around you, wrapping your neck with it. ”They go all the way around, did one of them, um, get you?”
“I’d rather not talk about it, if you don’t mind,” you say looking at the two pups, “Not in front of them.”
She looks at you quizzically, “But they can’t…” She stops herself and nods, “Okay Anon.” Tying off the bandage you make sure it isn’t too tight, the material coarse to the touch, yet surprisingly comfortable against your skin.
“Once again, you have my thanks for this small situation of mine. I hope it does not intrude on your plans…”
”It’s alright. There are so many animals running about, these two will be no problem.” Relief, quite possibly one of the most pleasurable feelings there are.
“I do not wish to take anymore of your time than I already have Ms. Fluttershy,” you say walking over to the door with her.
”Not at all, I’ll take good care of them for you.
~~~
“Ummm, Anon?” she asks as you’re halfway down the steps.
“Yes? Did I forget something?”
She closes the door and steps over to you, “No, nothing like that, but- Umm, last night, after the party, I was one of the last ones to leave.”
“Ahh yes,” you grin, “No doubt that Miss Rarity was holding you there for some nefarious purpose. Sarcasm intended.”
She giggles at your clarification, “I got that. But… well, I couldn’t help but notice on my way home that you were standing out by the river.” Is it a crime to- Let her explain herself, Anon. Do not jump to conclusions. ”I just- When I came out today, I wake up early to take care of the animals you see, when I came to town you were still there, in that same pose. So I was thinking…” She knows something is wrong. You did not expect this. How to explain? ”Do you need a place to stay?”
“… Come again?”
”I know you’re new here, so you probably don’t have a place to go. I don’t mean it in a bad way, but if you ever need a place to stay, all you have to do is ask.” Well now, you were worrying for no reason now weren’t you? Silly Anon, she’s just being friendly.
“I appreciate the offer, I truly do, but let me put your fears to rest. I am quite fine as I am, but should I have need, you will be the first I can count on.”
”Okay… Well, good night Anon.” You copy her wave and walk back to Ponyville, back to that same spot you left this morning. You put your hands behind your back and let yourself go to the wind gliding over your skin. What an interesting day.