Never Give Alcohol to Anim
Today is the New Year celebration party; everypony partied hard… even though it was still 7:00pm. When they all woke up from a drinking bet, everything was about to change.
Present time, Ponyville Town Hall, 7:30pm
“Now that was a party,” said Rainbow, tumbling over a mug. “Is everypony okay?”
“I’m fine, what about you Rainbow?” asked Applejack.
“Great, wonderful even,” said Rainbow in a sarcastic tone.
“Uh my head,” said Lyra, waking up.
“Does anypony remember what we’re doing?” asked Bonbon.
“If I remember, we all joined a drinking bet,” said Rainbow.
“And-it-was-worth-it,” said Vinyl Scratch, with her glasses tilted.
“Why did I even listen to you?” asked Octavia, asking herself this question.
“Can we do this again!?” said Pinkie, popping from nowhere.
“I think its best we stay away from any alcohol for now, sugarcube,” said Applejack. “What about you Twilight, you okay.”
“I’m fine, what really surprised me is that everypony joined the bet,” said Twilight, remembering the bet.
Thirty minutes earlier, Ponyville Town Hall, 7:00pm
“Is everypony ready!” shouted Rainbow, who was announcing the bet.
Rainbow had the idea to make all of Ponyville to make a drinking bonanza contest for the New Year party. Everypony joined in the festivity, even Mayor Mare joined in, after the first few mugs, most of the ponies went unconscious and fell asleep, the last remaining ponies we’re Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Vinyl Scratch, Lyra, Mayor Mare, Bonbon, Berry Punch, Big Macintosh, and finally Anim.
“Chug, chug, chug, chug!” said everypony, repeatedly.
“I’m not going to, make it,” said Lyra, falling off her seat.
“Me either,” said Bonbon, falling on Lyra.
“Hey Big Mac, you still awake,” said Applejack, taking another mug.
“Nope,” said Big Mac, slamming his head on the table.
“Well there goes three, just us huh?” said Vinyl, smirking.
“Make that another,” said Mayor Mare, “I think I’m going to be sick!”
Mayor Mare ran outside, and noises of somepony throwing up was heard which was Mayor Mare.
“And that makes up to,” said Berry Punch, hiccupping, “six.”
“This is going to be fun,” said Pinkie, drinking a mug with her hair.”
“So, who’s going to drop next?” said Rainbow.
“Isn’t going to be me,” said Applejack. “Say, how’s Anim doing?”
“Yeah, what about your friend…” said Berry Punch, burping, “Anim, we haven’t heard of him, is he done too?”
When everypony looked at Anim, he was taking drink after drink nonstop, not even slowing him down at all. Everypony wasn’t sure if to stop or continue, but just left him to himself for now.
“I guess his not going down anytime soon... I don’t even think he remembers this is a bet now,” said Applejack.
“Well I guess a few more mugs than,” said Vinyl, drinking another mug.
After a few more mugs we’re taken, Berry Punch had to stop, not because she had too much but to check on Ruby Pinch if she’s okay. Another more mugs later, Vinyl Scratch fell asleep… even though she’s up all night for nightclubs, now all that remained where AJ, Rainbow and Pinkie… who later on, too went to sleep.
Present time, Ponyville Town Hall, 7:35pm
“And, that’s what I remember… I think,” said Twilight, retelling her memory.
“Uhm, everypony… where’s Anim?” asked Rainbow, who looked around.
Everypony realized their friend was missing. They looked everywhere and even thought Anim was underneath the piles of ponies who were still asleep from overdrinking, but he wasn’t inside the town hall. Suddenly as they we’re looking for him, somepony bursts through the doors.
“Everypony, quick outside!” said Berry Punch, who was exhausted.
“What wrong?!” asked Applejack.
“Look for yourself,” said Berry Punch, heading back outside.
Heading outside to see what Berry Punch was worried about, everypony who didn’t join the drinking game like Fluttershy or Rarity and other townspony, began surround something… or somepony. Seeing what they we’re seeing both surprised everypony inside the town hall, especially Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow… except for Pinkie who was being carried by Applejack, because of falling asleep from overexerting herself.
“Is that…” said Rainbow, who had her jaw open.
“Indeed it is Rainbow, indeed it is,” said Applejack, making sure not to drop Pinkie.
“A… Anim?” said Twilight, responding to everyponies suspicions.
In front of them all was their drunken (and probably wasted) friend, Anim. Everypony laughed, while others simply slammed their hooves in embarrassment from just seeing this. But the Mane 6 and anypony who knew Anim to a personal level or are his closest friends felt the most embarrassed. He swayed left to right with a few bottles and mugs of alcohol using his horn, even when drunk. He started mumbling some random garbling or some sort that no one understood but did spoke some words that was heard clearly like, “Where am I?” or some surprising polite greeting that sounded strange for Anim to say like, “Good evening ladies” or “Ello, wonderful weather we have today”.
“Is that you’re friend Anim?!” said Vinyl, who was helping Octavia to her hooves.
“He seems to be in a cherry mode,” said Octavia.
“Because he’s drunk,” said Twilight, who tried her best not to make eye contact.
“ARE YOU SERIOUS!” shouted Vinyl, laughing uncontrollably.
“Not cool Vinyl,” said Rainbow.
“Sorry, sorry,” said Vinyl, wiping her tears of joy. “I’ll help you guys catch before he does anything more drastic.”
As Vinyl sneaked up behind Anim, she jumped to catch him, but suddenly dodged her with ease. Vinyl stood up, and attempted to grab Anim again, when suddenly Anim held Vinyl with his hoof with ease, and moved away as she ran into nothing. When Vinyl attempted again, Anim teleported on the top of the town hall where everypony saw him, but what was surprising was that he balanced with zero issues as he playfully stood on the top.
“WHAT IS HE DOING?!” shouted Twilight, getting worried of Anim’s safety.
“Wait, I think his about to say something,” said Applejack.
As everypony listened to what Anim was about to say, he posed in a surprising impressive position while still balanced on top.
“Time to light these candles!” shouted Anim, his horn glowing brighter every second.
“What is he doing?” asked Octavia confused.
When Twilight focused her gaze on Anim’s horn, she realized what he was about to do. Twilight shouted everypony to shield their eyes… but it was too late. As Anim’s horn finished, a bright flash appeared blinding everypony as they heard a crazy laughter disappear as the light dissipated. When they looked up, Anim was gone from where he was, before everypony was calm but suddenly panicked when the drunken pony disappeared as everypony ran left and right, bumping into each other.
“Huh, what did I miss,” said Pinkie, yawning from the sudden noise.
“A lot,” said Applejack.
“Where’s Anim?” asked Pinkie, looking around.
In the distance, large bright flashes of light are seen farther in town as screaming and explosions are heard from ponies running from the supposed danger.
“Hey Rainbow, has your friend Anim ever tried alcohol before?” asked Vinyl.
“I… don’t think so,” said Rainbow.
“Come on girls, we got to catch up with Anim before he does anything regrettable,” said Twilight.
“Hold on, what about us?” asked Vinyl, joined by Octavia, Lyra, Bonbon and Berry Punch. “What are we supposed to do?”
“Sorry, we’ll handle things from here on end,” said Applejack.
The Mane 6 chased after Anim, as he left a path of broken windows and empty mugs in his wake. When approaching him, he stood in front of Sugar Cube Corner. He stared emptily at the building, when this was the chance for the Mane 6 to sneak up on him; they accidently stepped on one of the mugs on the ground.
“Opps,” said Pinkie, causing the mug to roll into Anim’s hooves.
“Hrmm?” said Anim, turning to face the Mane 6. “Well hello there, who’re might you’d be?”
“Anim darling, don’t you recognize us?” asked Rarity, worried.
“Nope, never seen nor heard of you before. However, I have noticed that my cup has been empty recently. Say is there any more drinks in this here strange looking building?” asked Anim, who moved closer to Rarity.
“Um, well… I’m not sure, there is any,” said Rarity, stepping away from Anim.
“Ah, I see, well might as well get a snack,” said Anim, as he ran into the building.
The Mane 6 tried to follow but, a sudden object came straight through the door. Everypony moved before it hit them, looking what was thrown; it was a plate of cupcakes.
“Oh, I just baked those,” said Pinkie.
“What is he doing now!” said Rainbow, a little annoyed. “Can’t we just use some kind of knock out spell or something?”
“We could, but I need enough time, and he needs to stay put,” said Twilight.
“Let me handle that,” said Applejack.
When they entered inside, Anim was eating a cupcake which came from the flying plate. As they all went to position, Twilight began her spell as Rainbow and Applejack attempted to jump on Anim. But when Anim finished the cupcake, he dodged both ponies and dashed as he passes Twilight and rubbed her head softly while whispering something to her.
“Ello sis,” whispers Anim, running outside from the ponies.
“Wha… what?!” said Twilight, distracted from the message.
When Twilight finished the spell, she accidently hit Fluttershy with the spell. Fluttershy suddenly felt drowsy, and went to sleep on the floor.
“Oh no, Fluttershy!” said Rarity, trotting to her side. “Will she be okay?”
“Don’t worry, she got hit by a sleep spell, she’s wake in a few hours or so,” said Twilight, continuing to look at everypony. “Now we need to find out where Anim’s heading off now. So… any ideas to his whereabouts?”
“I’ll head out and fly up to see if I can see him,” said Rainbow, heading out.
“What about, Fluttershy?” asked Applejack.
“I’ll take her back to town hall, you girls try your best to catch Anim,” said Rarity, carrying her friend to the town hall. “Good luck, everypony.”
When Rarity carried Fluttershy away, Rainbow flew down to meet everypony. Before Rainbow could speak, a loud noise echoed far away which came from Sweet Apple Acres.
“I was going to say Anim is heading to Sweet Apple Acres, but I guess you know now,” said Rainbow.
“Time to catch us a pony!” said Pinkie.
“What about the bakery?” asked Twilight.
“Don’t worry; the cakes are out with the babies for vacation. I’ll clean up before they come back after the New Year,” said Pinkie.
“Well then, let’s move,” said Twilight, running to the noise.
As they ran by broken stands and a few bottles and mugs, they noticed some strange drawings left everywhere by Anim. Some we’re strange but others shown drawings of a stallion and a pony playing. One drawing in particular caught Twilight’s attention, she realized what it meant.
“What’s wrong Twilight?” asked Applejack.
“This is a message,” said Twilight, reading the message.
The message read, “Hi Twinkles! Want to play a game? Good, because I set up one at the apple farm. Come and play, and see if you can catch me!” there is a drawing of a pony representing Anim eating a apple.
“Well at least he’s telling us where to find him,” said Rainbow.
“I have a bad idea about this,” said Twilight.
Sweet Apple Acres, 8:00pm
“Where here Twilight, but where’s Anim?” asked Rainbow.
“Where ever he is, he left us a clue I think,” said Applejack, pointing her hoof at something.
When they all looked, they saw a pile of apples stacked. What was really interesting was that they all we’re balanced precisely. Near the base of the apple pile was a letter.
“What does it say?” asked Pinkie.
“It says that,” said Twilight, reading out the letter. “Dirt is important for growing, so where’s a good spot to find some nice fertile dirt?”
“What is that supposed to mean?!” said Rainbow, waving her hooves.
“Hmm… wait a minute,” said Applejack, “the fields, I think the next clue is at the fields.”
“Well onto the fields then,” said Twilight.
Heading there, some tampering definitely happened here as some plants were carefully moved with magic. A large area was dug in random areas, as if somepony scribbled something down.
“Where’s the next clue,” said Pinkie, looking everywhere.
“Here it is,” said Applejack, reading the note. “This doesn’t make any sense.”
“What’s wrong with,” said Twilight.
As Applejack gives Twilight the note, it says this, “A bird can see everything, so I wonder what they see from the skies?” Twilight tries to think what the letter means, when suddenly Rainbow realizes something.
“Uh Twilight, I think I know what that letter means,” said Rainbow. “I think those strange dug parts on the field are the next clue.”
Looking down, Twilight has also realized that the field is a message itself. Asking Rainbow what it says, it only mentions about hay and sleeping. Not sure what that means, Pinkie can guess what it means.
“Duh, the barn, it holds hay and is a perfect place to sleep,” said Pinkie.
“I guess that makes sense, well come on to the barn,” said Applejack.
Heading there in haste, they arrive to see nothing out of the ordinary. Not seeing Anim, they try looking inside when they hear something.
“Is that good? Nah, I think it needs more purple… yep definitely more purple.”
“Wait, is that Anim,” whispered Rainbow. “We can sneak up and surprise him.”
Twilight nodded as Rainbow flew up, Applejack grabbed her rope while Pinkie… well Pinkie was Pinkie. As everypony settled in position, they moved straight for Anim.
“Oh you’re here already, well then… how you like my masterpiece?” asked Anim, dropping his bucket of paint.
“What… is that?” said Rainbow, her mouth open.
“Is that… Twilight?” asked Applejack.
On the barn’s wall is a drawing of a pony that looked similar to Twilight, and Anim. Both sitting under the moonlight, Twilight wasn’t sure what she was seeing but before she could stop Anim, he jumped above her and dashed back to town.
“Not again!” shouted Rainbow chasing after him.
“Wait Rainbow!” said Applejack, following Rainbow.
“Wait we need to—” said Twilight, Rainbow and Applejack leaving the farm, “to stick… together.”
“Come on Twi,” said Pinkie hopping ahead.
“I just hope they don’t get hurt,” said Twilight.
Heading back to the town, the night has gotten denser making it harder to see everything. Twilight shined her horn to light through the dense darkness, but when she thought she heard Anim, she ran to the noise.
“This way!” shouted Twilight, running to the noise.
Heading to the noise, it was just a chair that fell over. Turning to face Pinkie, Twilight realized that she had left Pinkie back where she was. Unable to know where she went, she heard another noise.
“Pinkie, is that you?” said Twilight, feeling a sudden dread.
“Ello Twinkles,” said Anim, in malicious tone.
Meanwhile with Rainbow and Applejack, Ponyville Town Hall, 8:55pm
“So then we chased Anim, but he disappeared into the darkness. That’s when we realized that we left Pinkie and Twilight behind,” said Applejack.
“This is why, you two should think before acting,” said Rarity.
“How’s Fluttershy?” asked Rainbow.
“Fine, she’s just sleeping Rainbow, there’s no need to worry,” said Rarity.
“Okay, if you say so,” said Rainbow. “I never realized this could happen, especially Anim of all ponies.”
“Maybe next time, we should ease off into a limit to how much we drink from now on, huh,” said Applejack.
The two mares laughed at today’s recent events, when they heard running coming toward them. Turning to see who it was, they see Pinkie, who looked slightly upset.
“It wasn’t fun to leave Twilight and I out,” said Pinkie, pouting.
“Sorry about that Pinks,” said Rainbow, rubbing her neck.
“Say… where’s Twilight?” asked Applejack, noticed Twilight not with Pinkie.
“What?” said Pinkie turning to see Twilight is not behind her. “Oh no, I must left Twilight back there!”
“WHAT!” said Applejack, and Rarity.
“You left her back with Anim still loose!” said Applejack.
“This is not good,” said Rarity even more worried.
“Oh come on, what the worse can Anim do?” said Rainbow, only to be interrupted by a scream.
Listening at the scream, it was Twilight’s scream coming from the darkness. Everypony looked at Rainbow, with a straight face, as Rainbow slowly laughed to herself.
“Kind of jinxed Twi there Rainbow,” said Applejack.
“Opps,” said Rainbow.
“Come on, we need to save Twilight!” shouted Pinkie charging into the darkness.
“Hold on Pinkie,” said Rainbow, following behind.
“What about me?” asked Rarity.
“Go ask everypony for help, we need all the help now than ever,” said Applejack.
“Okay, I’ll see if the others will help out, and good luck getting Anim to his senses,” said Rarity.
As Applejack tipped her hat, she followed Rainbow and Pinkie to search for the source of the scream. Even though the darkness is thick and hard to see through, the scream is echoed across the area, making it easier to guess where it’s coming from.
“SOMEPONY HELP ME!” shouted Twilight, in a terrified voice.
“Where coming Twilight!” said Pinkie.
As they entered outside of Ponyville, they saw both Twilight and Anim. Anim was clinging to Twilight oddly while Twilight starting panicking to what’s happening.
“Anim, what are you doing?!” said Rainbow, a little grossed out.
“What, her mane’s soft,” said Anim, responding to Rainbow’s question.
“I don’t think that’s what Rainbow met Anim,” said Applejack. “Now, please let go of Twilight.”
“Why, I like the color of her fur, it’s also soft too,” said Anim, rubbing his head against Twilight’s neck.
“AH!” screamed Twilight, shivering from the sudden movement.
“So as you can see I’m busy… so,” said Anim, slowing preparing a spell, “goodbye!”
In a flash of light, both Anim and Twilight disappear in a tuft of smoke. Not sure where to find there friend, they search everywhere for their friend. Elsewhere with Twilight with Anim, they are somewhere near the Everfree Forest, but far enough to not attract any creatures or ponies from finding them.
“Where… where am I?” asked Twilight, in a quiet tone.
Looking around, she realized that Anim has accidently slept on top of her. Unable to leave, if she makes any slight movement she might wake him up. Trying to free herself, she can her some mumbling from Anim.
“It’s… nice to… see you… again, Mina,” said Anim, talking in his sleep.
“Mina?” thought Twilight, stopping to free herself.
Anim then moved his head closer to Twilight’s torso, which caused her to blush. Continuing to move free, she moved Anim’s head and leg off her standing on all fours. When Twilight was about to dash to safety, Anim continued more of his mumblings, realizing this could be her only chance to know more of Anim’s past. Twilight decides to sit beside Anim, and listen to him some more of what his dreaming.
“Please don’t leave… Mina,” said Anim.
“I won’t, I promise,” said Twilight in a hushed voice.
“We’ve… been through a lot… haven’t we,” said Anim.
“Indeed we have,” said Twilight.
“When your brother found out… he had a… sister, it was really surprising,” said Anim, smiling in his sleep.
“My… brother?” said Twilight.
“Your brother, Dakal Xis… but enough about him… I just want to…” said Anim.
“Want to what?” asked Twilight, a little curious.
“To… to… to be a family… I always wanted to have one… I find it funny we act more of a brother and sister than you’re, actually brother… still…” said Anim, talking quietly
“Still what?” asked Twilight, moving closer to listen.
“I act more a father toward you than a brother… funny though, the more I hang out with you… the more I realize I am your father,” said Anim, slowly opening his eyes.
Twilight blushed deeply to imagine what kind of dream Anim is having… or memory. Scared Anim might see that he was talking to Twilight and not this Mina pony, Twilight is about to run when she trips. Meeting face to face with Anim, Anim opens his eyes and looks at her. But no reaction comes from him, he continues to smile… he might still be unconscious and sleeping.
“The one trait I seem to always love about you is… that smile, it warms my heart that there’s more to my kind,” said Anim, staring at Twilight.
“His kind?” thought Twilight, distracted by the thought.
Suddenly Anim kisses Twilight on the forehead and falls back to sleep, snoring back to his memory. Twilight blushes a little, and leaves Anim to himself to meet back with everypony. Heading back, Twilight is distracted to what Anim had said that there’s more like him… and he didn’t mention that at all to her or any of her friends. As Twilight headed back to town hall, she saw that her friends where at the entrance, looking worried.
“TWILIGHT!” said Pinkie, as she jumped on her. “ARE YOU OKAY, DID ANIM HURT YOU, IS ANIM OKAY, DID YOU HURT ANIM?!”
“I’m fine Pinkie,” said Twilight, standing up.
“Well as long your fine, we’re fine,” said Applejack.
“I heard what everypony told me,” said Fluttershy, “are they all true?”
“More or less,” said Twilight.
“I just hope Anim, didn’t do anything reckless,” said Rarity.
“Speaking of which? Where is Anim?” asked Rainbow, looking behind Twilight.
As Twilight was about to tell them where he was, she was thinking about what Anim had said… she completely forgot where he was when she sneaked away from him. Panicking everypony continued their search for him, again. Luckily Rainbow found him, not drunk, as she helped Anim back to Ponyville; he told everypony that he has zero recollection or memory what he did. Which means that the Anim they we’re dealing with was their Anim, but a drunken more weird version of the Anim they know. Anim told them another incident back at his homeland where somepony knocked everypony out, they can tell who that might be.
“This year is going to be awesome,” said Anim, who was drinking something.
“Um Anim, what’s that your drinking?” asked Twilight, a little worried.
“Oh… alcohol,” said Anim, with a straight face.
Everypony panicked and jumped for cover, but Anim started laughing wiping a tear on his eye.
“Just kidding, it’s just some juice,” said Anim, smiling.
“Hey, you lied!” said Twilight.
“That’s called being funny, and besides it’s the holiday, I can lie when I feel like it… just not too big of a lie,” said Anim, making a face.
Everypony laughed with Anim on the prank, continuing with the festivities. Meanwhile in a void world of some kind, three strange entities talk about Anim.
“So… did you have your fun?”
“Well of course, having fun with those ponies was fun… especially with the purple one.”
“Now Snakes, we don’t want them to hate him, do we?”
“Yeah I know,” said Snakes, “now why are we here Nightmare?”
“I like to ask the same of you but, I didn’t call for this meeting,” said Nightmare.
“I did.”
“Oh… it’s you,” said Nightmare, “so what might you have called us for, hmmm?”
“She’s coming.”
“By her, you don’t mean—” said Snakes, interrupted by Nightmare.
“That’s right my loose friend, she’s here too,” said Nightmare, giving off an insane smile. “I wonder what her move shall be, so what’s she doing by any chance?”
“She’s here for him, to return him home.”
“Minalia Xis,” said the three spirits in sync.
The three entities disappear into nothing, as the name echoes across this strange land. Back at the party Anim can hear the name slightly, shifting his gaze to the sky.
“Is something wrong Anim?” asked Twilight.
“Nothing,” said Anim, “just some memories of a friend is all.”