Previously
http://pastebin.com/KkBk44ed

>This always happens.
>Every single time you stop by somewhere, even for a night, you become an outcast.
>This time you thought it would be different.
>But this time ended up the exact same.
>You just gotta get out of here, again.
>It had become a routine of sorts for you.
>Get to town, get kicked out of/leave town, find new town.
>You hear drips.
>Oh Luna, why are you crying? You should be used to this by now!
>Finally, you come back to the edge of P0nyville.
>Time to go.

>Grabbing a flashlight, you head out in search of your house-guest.
>Surely Lyra didn't offend her that badly?
>Lyra has never been one for tact but...
>Whatever. You still need to find your new friend.
>The only thing that is a problem though...
>Where to look?
>Due to her love of the night, you assume the best place to start is the Everfree.
>The warnings you had been given though...
>”T-things work differently there.”
>”Some think it's supernatural, unbound by the laws of nature we abide by.”
>”Ah even saw a stack of sticks get up n' start walkin' one time.”
>That last one was the most concerning.
>Whether for Applejack's mental health or for your safety, you're unsure.
>You continue on your journey warily.
>At the outskirts of P0nyville, you turn around, a bead of sweat dripping down your forehead.
>Well, onwards you march.
>It shouldn't be long now.
>Passing the Apple family barn, you remember Applejack's warning.
>The eerie silence of the farm is anxiety inducing.
>How is a farm, with animals, even remotely quiet?
>Your steps sound like a hammer upon anvil, your nerves betraying you.
>Passing Fluttershy's cottage, the flap of bird wings startles you.
>As they settle, variations of caw-caw's assault your ears.
>Heart rate going at a steady 120.
>Finally, you're outside the ominous forest.
>The flora seems to loom over you, as if to say “Turn back”.
>You're almost betrayed by your nerves.
>But you know that you will be betraying your friend if you do that.
>With a deep breath, you trudge off into the dark.
>Hisses and hoots instantly attack your eardrums.
>It prompts your legs to go faster.
>The rustles and growls only seem to get louder and louder.
>Strolling turns to brisk walking, which turns to jogging, which turns to sprinting.
>You try one last thing.
“ECHO! WHERE ARE YOU?!”
>...
>Nothing.
>Not a single peep.
>Now you're stuck in perhaps the most dangerous place in Equestria.
>Alo-
>With a crash, you fall to the ground and bash your head.
>Fearing the worst, you cower up into a ball, awaiting your grim fate from some monster.
>Instead, nothing happens, and you hear a sob.
>Peeking upwards with one eye open, you're not met with the ugly face of a cockatrice or otherwise...
>But instead with the tearful face of Echo.
>She looks at the ground eyes closed, her lip quivering.
>”Why do all the other p0nies hate me?!”
>Standing up, you look at her concernedly.
“Why do you say that?”
>Out of nowhere she becomes venomous.
>”Didn't you SEE the way she looked at me?! Are you b-blind?!”
>Step back slightly.
“Hey, why are you shouting at me? I came all the way out here to look for you.”
>”Yeah, well I didn't ask you to!”
>Silence for a few moments.
>”...I'm sorry. I just wish that I wasn't a complete outcast here.”
>Does she know who she's talking to?
“Echo, look at me.”
>The batp0ny does as instructed.
>”Huh?”
“Do you think I was instantly welcomed with open arms to P0nyville?”
>She scuffs a hoof along the floor.
>”I guess not... But everywhere else has been the same.”
>You sigh, and frown at her in sympathy.
“Maybe you just haven't stuck around anywhere for long enough for people to see you're a true pers- p0ny.”
>Contemplating this, she looks at the floor.
>”Well... I guess you're right.”
>Her tears have stopped.
“So, are you gonna come home?”
>She nods.
“Good.”
>She smiles meekly.

>The way back seems a lot less horrific with a friend by your side.
“So, how about that zebra alchemist?”
>”Huh?”
“You remember, you weren't sure if you were seeing things?”
>Her eyes light up.
>”You mean... you remembered something about me?”
>Raise a brow.
“Well, why wouldn't I? You're my friend.”
>She grins wildly.
>”I... I never had a friend before.”
>She looks as if she's trying to go in for a hug.
>You're unsure if you should, but...
>Wrap your arms around the batp0ny.
>She almost purrs in your grasp.
>”Ha, I have a friend.”

>Back in your home, you prepare to go to bed.
>Lying on the couch, you turn to the mare.
“Echo, promise me something.”
>She turns before she puts a hoof on the stairs.
>”Promise you what?”
“Never scare me like that again.”
>She blushes, and shies away.
>”I promise.”
>You hear some trots, then they stop.
>”Uh... Anon...?”
“Yeah?”
>”C-can you... sleep next to me tonight?”
>You're surprised at this, but...
“Sure.”