Previously
http://pastebin.com/THPCK55e

>http://youtu.be/GvfbIU8LYyY
>Telling Anon was most likely a bad idea.
>What if he ran off to Hollow Shades or kicked you out of his home?
>It doesn't bode well for you to think along this mental path.
>But...
>There's always that little niggling feeling in the back of your head.
>Anon always seemed so... secretive.
>Nonchalant about a lot of things too.
>Come to think of it, you only know how he got to Equestria.
>Can you still trust him?
>Pondering this, you turn over in the bed, unable to face your friend.
>A bad thought to fall asleep on.

>Echo's sudden outburst had surprised you.
>It had also got you thinking.
>But that was three days ago.
>There still seemed to be something she wasn't telling you.
>You hope curiosity doesn't kill the human, because the human is going to find out what the deal is.
>What the hell is the “Chronicle” anyway?
>The batpony is next to you, snoring loudly.
>Seems today your insomnia is gonna be a blessing rather than a curse.
>With a hushed hurry you pick up your backpack with essentials.
>Food, drink, a map, and an oil lamp.
>This journey is gonna be a difficult one, but luckily you had Echo mark Hollow Shades on the map.
>The bands of light drip through your curtain.
>It's time to go.

>Slipping out of the house with a creature that has supersonic hearing is no easy task.
>You can't do it too quickly, but still you have to make haste.
>If she hears even a peep, you'll be discovered, forced to explain yourself.
>Twisting the doorknob ever so gently, the door gives a tiny bit.
>You stop, listening for her.
>You hold your breath, not daring to let out a single atom of air.
>Total silence meets your ears. Good.
>For once, that old door doesn't squeak.
>Fate is a good entity sometimes.
>And with that, you slip out into the afternoon.

>To your surprise, Lyra stands at the door.
>”Uh... Hi, Anon.”
>Shit! The plan will be ruined!
>Close the door as quietly as possible.
“Hello, Lyra.”
>”I just wanted to... apologise, I guess.”
>This really isn't the time.
“What for?”
>She takes a moment.
>”For being such a fool at the restaurant... for not talking to you for days.”
>That was kinda your fault too though.
>Gotta come up with some quick bullshit though.
“Look, no hard feelings. It's partially my fault we never spoke either. I could've started this whole apology thing. It's fine, Lyra. Really.”
>She seems unsure.
>”I hope so Anon. I'd hate for us to no longer be friends.”
>The minty pony smiles.
>”Are you in a rush, Anon?”
>How on earth...?
“Y-yeah. Sorry to make this so brief. I'll catch up with you later though!”
>You dart off in the direction of Hollow Shades.
>In the distance you can hear the mare shouting.
>”Uh, okay! See ya later Anon!”

>You had hoped you would never have to cross paths with the Everfree again.
>However, it was a lot less intimidating during the day.
>Only one problem.
>...You have gotten lost.
>There are no true landmarks here, and you've been searching for a way out for quite some time.
>Your trek seems like a lost cause.
>Or, it did.
>”What is this creature that greets me? Have you been sent by the powers-that-be?”
>A zebra.
>Is this the alchemist zebra?
“Hello there. No, I've been wandering this forest for a couple of hours. Do you know a way out?”
>”A way out? Yes, it is true. Come inside, for I have a special brew for you.
>Yep, an alchemist zebra.
>Now you've seen it all.
“Thanks.”
>She leads you into the small contorted hut.
>Potions and remedies and all sorts of magical things line the walls.
>She hands you a small bowl with a liquid in it.
>”This, you see, is for navigating. Now go, no procrastinating!”
“Thank you so much. How many bits will that cost me?”
>The zebra chuckles.
>”For you, no fee. You are no power-that-be.”
>This creature surely is rhythmic.
>You peer into the bowl, and a small arrow points southward.
“I'll be off now. I didn't catch your name...?”
>”My name is Zecora, young fellow. And you, who are so mellow?”
“I'm Anonymous.”
>”I hope to see you soon, Anonymous. Take care, don't tread near anything poisonous!”
>You leave the cramped cottage, belonging to an alchemist zebra named Zecora.
>A strange day awaits.
>In no time, your instrument leads you to an opening in the thick, foreign foliage.
>It points directly towards a glowing opal-like object.
>Odd.

>Hollow Shades wasn't as far as Echo made it seem to be.
>It still took some time to reach the small village though, seeing as her mark turned out to be inaccurate.
>You commend her for doing her best, after all, her cutie mark isn't a compass.
>Standing outside the gates of the village, you gaze at this... odd marvel.
>The buildings are very unconventional and unlike any other place you've been.
>Ones to the left stand very tall, but intricately shaped.
>The others on the right are hunched down as if they had scoliosis.
>All in all, the scene looks like something from a Dr. Seuss book.
>There are two guards in front of you, perplexing at what sort of a creature you are.
>Time to make your move.
>As you go to pass the two, they thrust two staffs of some sort in your way.
>”Halt. State your business.”
>If you remember correctly, Echo's father was called...
“I'm here to see Ample Dusk.”
>One raises an eyebrow.
>”What exactly are you?”
“I'm a human. Think of me like an offshoot of monkeys.”
>They look at you funny.
>”Right this way, sir.”
>Another leads you down the claustrophobia-inducing streets.
>The buildings all seem to loom over you, watching your every move.
>The guard seems attentive to your observations.
>”What are you looking at, creature?”
“Just, uh... Admiring the architecture.”
>He huffs.
>Grumpy bastard.
>You turn a corner, following him.
>”Ample Dusk stays here. I don't think it would be wise to wake him though.”
>Well, he has a point.
>It's 5pm.
>You think of the batpony back home, and hope she hasn't awoken.

>http://youtu.be/r5fmQSnuHyA
“Anon, why is it that every time I-”
>The tall creature you lodge with isn't there.
>Where in Equestria could he have gone?
>This is his house after all, not yours.
>He wouldn't just abandon it, would he?
>You're uncertain though...
>There's a knock at the door.
>Should you answer it?
>You'll check who it is first.
>Peering out the window, you see a turquoise mare.
>Could be Lyra, but you can't catch her face.
>...Well, here goes nothin'.
“H-hello?”
>”Uh. Is Anonymous home?”
>A bedazzled yellow-maned pony greets you.
>She looks startled.
>You back up into yourself.
“Erm... N-no. He... left.”
>The pony raises an eyebrow.
>”Where to?”
>Oh dear.
“I'm... not sure. He never said.”
>”Oh. Well, these are for him.”
>She reaches in her saddlebag and pulls out some notes.
>”Bye.”
“Good b-bye.”
>Another failed attempt at being sociable.
>You're not one to snoop but...
>You're curious.
>One appears to be wrapped up.
>It's a scroll.
>You open it and begin to read.
'Anonymous, per your request to my sister, I have sent you all the information I could get my hooves on about the Chronicle. However, there isn't much. These are all the records that remain.

-Princess Luna.'
>So...
>Was Anonymous going to try and steal the Chronicle too?
>Was he going to expose you to the Princesses?
>You know one thing is certain.
>He's left for Hollow Shades.

>There's only a few questions you have for your friends father.
>You hope at least THIS old stallion can be reasoned with.
>It's almost 8pm now.
>Echo usually wakes up around then, so you hope he will do the same.
>As you waited you explored the small village.
>It seemed quaint... once you got past the odd structures that constantly appeared to monitor all your steps.
>Maybe batponies liked that sort of style.
>You lean on the side of some little statue in the middle of the street, and as expected, Ample Dusk walks out.
>He seems frail, brittle.
>Worn out from years of dealing with Echo, no doubt.
>You almost chuckle.
“Mr. Dusk?”
>The old batpony turns to you, slightly surprised.
>”My, aren't you an odd creature. And that's coming from a batpony.”
>You laugh politely.
>”What's your quarrel, son? And how do you know my name?”
“I wanted to ask you about someone.”
>”And who's this someone? That don't explain how you know my name.”
>His voice is demanding but jolly, warm.
“Echo.”
>He retracts all of a sudden, venom in his words.
>”Now you listen here. That girl ain't welcome here no more.”
>Hold up your open-palmed hands in defense.
“I'm well aware of that, sir. I just wanted to ask you some questions.”
>The stallion grumbles a little.
>”Look, boy. I don't like to talk about her. It brings back some bad memories.”
>You reassure him.
“Sir, I don't mean to impose. But I am a friend of hers. I just need some answers about what happened between you and her.”
>His pupils shrink knowingly.
>”Come inside, sonny.”

>”Tea or coffee?”
>Homely.
“Tea, please.”
>He brings through a cup and you take a sip.
>There isn't a single drink that tops Rarity's coffee, but this makes a good attempt.
“This is great. Do you have a special ingredient?”
>”Nope. I just brew 'em the proper way.”
>He takes a sip on his own drink.
>Almost drops it, the poor thing.
>”Now, what is it you wanna ask, Mr...?”
“Anonymous, but you can call me Anon.”
>”Ah, right. Well, what's your deal?”
>You clear your throat, this is going to be a mouthful.
“Well, your daughter has been living with me for the past fortnight or so. In this time, I've gained her trust, and she has revealed some... unexpected details about her life.”
>He nods.
“You might have guessed, but... I want to know everything that happened when she tried to take the Chronicle.”
>Silence for a few moments.
>”Now that's a story I didn't think I'd ever retell...”
>He sighs, and puts down his cup.
>”It's been almost 4 years ago now. That silly little filly...”
“Go on.”
>”Well, I had... a problem. The doctors didn't know what it was at first. A disease of some sort, eating away at my insides slowly. Painful, mind you.”
>You dip your head in respect for the patient.
>”Then they say that 'Oh Mr. Dusk, we dunno how long you got to live!' and that's when she started getting scared...”
>”So I told her I'd be fine. I told her somethin' incredibly stupid. I told her about the Chronicle. About how it has the history and future of every living and dead batpony in existence. Told her I'd be just fine. The book says so.”
“And then she...”
>He shifts in his chair.
>You can tell he's getting uncomfortable.
>”Then... Couple nights later, she marched right on down to that now-abandoned museum. I mean, how was I supposed to know she'd go and do that? I thought she trusted me, thought she'd listen to her dad. I was all she had, and now she's got no-one and I got no-one!”
>You sit, listening to the bereaved bat.
>His eyes are cold and sad.
>His face is rigid and angry.
>His soul is crushed.
>”I just wish... I just want her to come back here. But she can't.”
>You lean forward, in question.
>”She comes back, them guards out front are gonna take her on down to the Princesses and say 'Look what she's done! Look at this scoundrel, this fiend, this traitor!' just for carin' about her daddy!”
>He sighs.
>”I don't want that for my little daughter. My little Echo.”
“That's... quite the story, Mr. Dusk.”
>”Just call me Ample.”
“Ample. I'm so sorry to hear all of that. But... I still have one question.”
>”What's that now?”
“Why didn't you try and find her?”
>The stallion's face contorts into an angry mess, rage filled.
>”I let you into my home, I tell you everything there is to know about that goddamned PAINFUL night from ages ago, I give you tea, and you have the nerve to ACCUSE me of not carin' for my daughter!?”
“Ample, I didn't mean to insinu-”
>”Lookit! Explain your deal, Mr. Anonymous.”
>Your heart begins to beat fast, sweat arising from pores.
“I am concerned for your daughter. I want to help her. She said she wanted to come back to Hollow Shades, but she has no friends here that I'm aware of. Do you know what she said to me, Mr. Dusk?”
>”What?!”
>The old stallion flaps his forehooves in the air crookedly.
>You pause, saying nothing for a few moments.
“She said she only wanted to see you again. That's all she wants.”
>He stops, breathes out sharply.
>”I... I've failed.”
>He takes a seat, and stares into space.
>”I've failed as a father, I've failed as a role model...”
>”And most importantly...”
>”I've failed Echo.”
>He has water in his eyes, but he blinks it away quickly.
>”Anonymous. You have to take me to see her.”
“No need. I believe I can bring her to you, Mr. Dusk. I'll-”
>As if on cue, a batpony wrapped in clothes that don't fit barges in.
>”What in the blazes-?!”
>”Dad?”
>Before he gets up, he stares at the mare in front of him in disbelief.
>”...Can it be...”
>”It's me.”
>The batpony shuts the door, and drops the clothes.
>The weak old pony shuffles over to Echo, and she leaps at him.
>Tears stream down their faces as they hold each other in a warm embrace.
>”I-I've missed you so much, d-d-dad!”
>The sobs of years of longing ring in your ears.
>”Echo, you have no idea how much I've missed you...”
>She looks at him.
>”Why didn't you look for me?”
>He looks at the floor, scuffling a hoof.
>”If I left this house, I'd be exposed to that awful din again...”
>She clearly knows what he means, but you're drawing a blank.
>”I know... I-I guess I wouldn't want you to have to suffer that abuse again.”
>He smiles at her.
>”My little Echo... back in Hollow Shades.”
>Your bat friend sighs in happiness.
>”So, tell me all about your adventures after you left our little haven.”
>This is a conversation best left between father and daughter.
“I'll leave you both to it.”
>”Goodbye, Anon!”
>Ample Dusk simply nods at you approvingly.
>You take a step back, and leave for the village.
>Looking at your wrist, the watch says '9:05'.
>In the stack of clothes on the floor, there's a bunch of documents.
>So Echo brought them with her?
>This is just too perfect.
>Time to make a move.

>http://youtu.be/nqh1S87pwlQ
>The night in Hollow Shades is a dry, cold one.
>Your coat does little to halt the temperature from piercing your skin.
>The entrance to the sacred tome of the Chronicle is beside you.
>”Quiet Dawn! Stop getting distracted!”
>Another lovely bark from the dog that is Jasmine, your guard partner.
>You stand, guarding the artifact.
>But what the other guards do not know is that you, and you alone, are going to retrieve it.
>Shame the thing got moved to this boring old place after that crazy mare of yesteryear tried to take it from the museum.
>It certainly made for a nice exhibit and tourist attraction.
>When tourists actually stopped by, that is.
>But sentiments aren't down your lane.
>They've always been more up Jasmine's street.
>Tonight is the night.
>Tonight you begin your own Chronicle.

[spoiler]>But not if this monkey-lookin' creature heading towards you decides to ruin it all.[/spoiler]

HOMEWRECKER BEGINS.
http://pastebin.com/8mfcv4vz