>You are Anon.
>And you are positively petrified.
>The earth is shaking and there is a loud growling accompanying it.
>This is it.
>This is the end.
>The battle for Speck's life begins.
>And you don't know what your opponent is.
>You have no idea what you're up against.
>A hoof comes in contact with your chest and tugs at your shirt.
>You look down, Speck has a look of sheer terror on her face.
>Even she knows what's about to happen.
>Her lips move, but you can't hear what she's saying.
>Your vision starts to blur.
>She tilts her head and pulls at your shirt again.
>"Anon... -ry."
>You could make out your name and the end of her sentence.
>You shake your head and grab her face.
>You try to speak, but nothing comes out.
>She grabs your face in return and speaks again.
>"Anon, I'm hungry."
>How can she be thinking of food at a time like this?!
>War was about to break out all across Equestria.
"Speck, we don't have time for that! Something's coming to kill you!"
>She looks up at you quizzically.
>"What are you talking about?"
"Did you not just feel that rumbling and hear the growling?"
>She smiles and starts giggling.
>For looking into the face of her demise, she's certainly cheerful.
>Especially everything that's happened in the last few days.
>"Anon... Have you gone absolutely batty? That was my stomach."
>You stare down at her, frowning.
"What?"
>"I'm hungry. That rumbling and growling was my stomach."
>Is she implying that you were overreacting?
>You think she was.
>"Can we go? I know a really good place to eat. They have all kinds of fresh fruits."
>She bounces out of your lap and starts trotting back to town.
>You place your hands on both gravestones and whisper.
"I'll keep her safe. I promise."
>You stand and turn.
>Speck stands at the edge of the clearing smiling at you.
>Tears run fresh down her face as you approach her.
>"Come on, Anon."
>She turns and starts walking towards the town.
>You start to follow her, but stop and turn back to look into the clearing.
>Two moths float around the graves, seemingly dancing with one another.
>You smile and follow Speck back into town.

>You sit in a very small, very dark bar.
>The entire room could sit maybe ten p0nies.
>Speck said the back wall of the room actually collapses down at night to accommodate the larger night crowd.
>She said most of the shops were only open during the day because of tourists.
>Bars, restaurants, and food stores put up fake walls to keep all of the tourists contained to smaller areas.
>She also said it was because very few tourists ever came around here.
>You stare at the menu.
>It boiled down to two choices: dead, raw, uncooked animals and fruit.
>Uncooked meat or fruit.
>You assumed the animals were for those p0nies with an appetite for blood.
>Speck sits across from you, looking over her own menu.
>"I think I'm going to have the banana and mango spring rolls with a glass of pineapple juice on the side."
>That sounds... pretty good actually.
"I think I'll get that too. Nothing else seems that appealing."
>Speck grins at you, her eyes glistening.
>What did you say?
>You think about your previous sentence.
>You think about what she said.
>Oh.
>Speck please, it doesn't have to be like this.
>Everything happens in slow motion.
>The waitress approaches you.
>Speck starts to speak.
>"Oh, Anon, does that mean you're winging your food choice?"
>The waitress snickers and joins in.
>"Should I hang around and take your orders or peel out and give you more time to decide?
>The bartender yells across the room.
>"Can I interest you in somefang to drink while you wait for your food?"
>All three of them snicker.
>Little keekeekee's fill the room.
>You can't handle this.
>A single tear rolls down your cheek as you try to think of everything you've ever done wrong.
>Nothing you've done deserves this as punishment.
>Now you're doing it.
>You're thinking in puns.
>"Anon, are these puns flying too fast for you?"
>More snickering.
>"I can slow down if you're having trouble keekeeng up."
>You are absolutely stunned.
>Time starts to speed up until it moves at a normal pace again.
>The room is absolutely silent.
>You look down at the menu and then turn to the waitress.
"Two orders of the banana and mango spring rolls, and each accompanied with a glass of pineapple juice."

>You were silent as you waited for your food.
>Speck kept trying to talk to you, but you refused to answer her.
>"Anon are you mad at me?"
>She looks up at you, her bottom lip quivering.
>You sigh.
>Not even Havel could stand up to this opponent.
"No, Speck. I'm not."
>You reach across the table and caress her cheek.
>She leans into it and nuzzles at your palm.
"I could never be mad at you."
>She holds the back of your hand with a hoof and plants a light kiss into your palm.
>Your food arrives.
>The waitress giggles as she places your food on the table and trots off.
>You hear Speck's stomach growl as she licks her lips.
>She places both hooves on the edge of the table and sticks her face in her plate.
>You spread a napkin over your lap and pick one of your rolls up.
>She's already tearing into hers.
>You take a sip of your pineapple juice after taking a bite of your roll.
>Speck looks up at you, one of her rolls hanging from her mouth.
>"Wha're 'oo doin'?"
>You raise an eyebrow.
"I'm eating?"
>She drops her roll and glares at you.
>"But you're drinking."
"Well, yeah? I was thirsty?"
>She stands in her seat and leans over the table.
>"Do you not want your rolls anymore?"
>Oh, you see how it is.
>She only wants you for your food.
>That's how it's going to be, isn't it?
"Yes."
>"Yes you do want them, or yes you don't want them?"
>You shake your head.
>She pouts and sinks back into her seat.
"You still have like four more rolls on your plate."
>"So?! Maybe I'm going to be hungry after I eat them! Ever think of that?"
>You smirk at her.
"How about you finish what you have, and if I have any left over, you can have them."
>And as soon as you finish that statement, she's already back to ravaging her food.
>She's cleaned her plate before you can even put your glass down.
>Her dedication is absolutely admirable.
>"I'm still hungry."
>You groan and lay your head on the table as you slide your plate over to her.
>She screeches with joy and you feel the table shake as she rips the food apart.
>You weren't that hungry, and you didn't much care for spring rolls of any kind.
>You reach for your glass, but find it isn't where you set it down.
>Looking up, you find it really isn't where you left it.
>Speck hiccups and covers her mouth with a hoof.
>She has two cups in front of her, both empty.

"Thanks Speck. I really appreciate that."
>She blushes and mutters out a quick "excuse me."
>You roll your eyes.
>You roll them so hard.
>She hops out of her seat and starts for the door.
>"Come on, Anon. It's getting late, and I want to see the screech fights before they start to get good!"
>Screech fights?
>Their mating ritual?
>You read about that, but never thought you'd see it.
>You shrug, throw the appropriate amount of bits on the table and follow her out.
>It might be fun.
>Speck leads you north from the center of town.
>A large coliseum looms at the end of the main road.
>You hear screams, shouts, and screeches coming from its direction.
"Is this like... a really big event?"
>Speck nods and smiles up at you.
>"I should warn you though. You can challenge any p0ny in the arena at any time for their mate, if they have one."
"Hmm. Well, good thing none of them will be interested in me."
>You smirk at her and ruffle her mane.
"And I won't let any of them beat me."
>She flies up and hugs you around the chest.

>You and Anon sit on a bench in the middle of an ocean of cheering bat p0nies.
>Anon's really getting into this.
>He keeps yelling at the competitors to stop screwing up.
>It's really cute.
>He throws his hands up as yet another male loses his chances at the female he fought for.
>"This is weak."
>You giggle and lean against him.
>He wraps his arm around your shoulder and rubs your foreleg.
>A mare and stallion approach the two of you, both smiling.
>You recognize the mare as the one that was sitting outside your house a few days ago.
>She grins slyly at you.
>"Oh hey, it's that weird chick."
>Anon recognizes her too, apparently.
>You lift yourself up to whisper in his ear.
"Where do you know her from?"
>"She was following me back to your parents' house a few days ago. She asked if I had a mate."
>Oh no.
>"So, cutie."
>She stares at Anon, smiling.
>Ugh, you swear you were about to clock her in the face.
>"I'm just gonna go ahead and challenge this mare here for you to be my mate."
>You feel sick.
>The stallion standing by her pipes up.
>"Y-yeah! I'm gonna challenge you for y-your mare!"
>You hide your face in Anon's side, trying your best not to regurgitate your dinner.
>Anon bursts with laughter, pointing and kicking his legs as he falls backwards.
>"Woah. Th-that's some... funny..."
>He goes back to laughing.
>His face is beet red and he's crying tears of laughter.
>"Um, excuse me! This is serious."
>The mare pipes up.
>"Alright, alright. There's no way either one of you are going to win."
"What?! Anon, no! I don't want to do this!"
>You plead with him and he ruffles your mane.
>"Come on, Speck. We can handle them."
>You whimper and look away.
>"I guess."
>Anon picks you up and carries you down to the center of the arena.
>The two newcomers follow him.
>An announcer yells through the cheering coliseum.
>"It seems we have four newcomers fighting over who will be their mate!"
>You look up at the stands, trying to puff yourself up to look tougher.
>But you're honestly terrified.
>You haven't practiced your screeching in a long time.
>"Let's have the males fight over their select female, first. Would the beautiful mare who they both vie for take a seat on the lover's throne?"
>You shudder and take your seat, the other mare sitting by the wall of the arena.

>You are Anon again.
>And this pathetic sack of dirt is about to be destroyed.
>"Y-you ready f-for this?!"
>He tries to sound confident.
>"I'm gonna win Speck from you, and -"
>You tune him out completely.
>How does he know her name?
>Neither of you have said it, and you're pretty sure she hasn't seen another bat p0ny in the last three years.
>Or so she said.
>You look back at your opponent.
>His mouth is wide open, but nothing comes out.
>Oh right, still tuning him out.
>You tune him back in and hear a glass-shattering screech.
>Make it stop!
>You can't tune him back out, and this sound is horrifying!
>You fall to your knees and hold your ears.
>It stops a moment later.
>He stands there panting, apparently finished.
>"Your turn."
>His stutter is gone.
"Yeah, but first."
>You look up into the crowds of p0nies and strike a pose.
>You hold your arms out to your sides and walk in a small circle.
"You all came here for the smackdown, didn'tcha?"
>Looking down at your opponent, you continue yelling out to the audience.
"You came to see some winners win their mares and their stallions."
>They cheer wildly at your speech.
"You didn't come to see these weak screeches and wimpy matches! You came to see raw and uncut, soul-crushing destruction!"
>The audience sounds like it's rioting.
"And I'm gonna give it to you!"
>You pick your opponent up and glare at him.
"Do you smell..."
>He has a terrified look on his face.
"What the Rock..."
>He starts to cry.
"Is cookin'!"
>You throw him to the ground and tackle him.
>You cup your hands over his left ear and screech as loud as you can into your hands.
>He starts to scream from the pain of going deaf.
>You don't play around.
>He stops struggling against you and eventually passes out.
>You stand and hold your arms out to the audience.
"YOU CAN'T STOP THE ROCK!"
>They go wild.
>Absolutely batty over your display.
>You wink at Speck as you approach her.
>Something odd catches your eye.
>Was that a hooded p0ny with a blue muzzle and white mane?
>It couldn't be...
>You switch places with Speck and look down at the small stool to the left of the throne.
>A small note in a flourished style reads: "Get ready, Anon. The battle begins."
>That fortune teller was stalking you.
>But, if this was the battle...
>You've been worried for nothing.
>Speck could destroy this mare.
"Come on, Speck! You've got this in the bag!"

>You are Speck again.
>You definitely do not have this in the bag.
>You were never a very good screecher.
>The mare that challenged you stands across the arena, smiling smugly.
>This is it.
>Oh, Luna.
>You hope you have it in you.
>Anon can't be lost to some hussy like this.
>Especially not in a screeching match.
>You always hated this custom.
>"Come on, Speck! Destroy her!"
>Anon cheers you on.
>Your opponent makes the first move.
>You cringe hard as your ears are assaulted by her screech.
>She's strong, you'll give her that.
>But she lacks balance.
>You whisper to yourself before you take in a big breath of air.
"Luna, give me strength."
>You screech as loud as you can.
>You balance yourself and raise your tone until you can feel your own ears start to ring.
>Your breath fades shortly after you start.
>The parts of the audience closest to you hold their ears while cheering.
>Did you win?
>Did you do good?
>You look over at Anon, smiling.
>But he doesn't smile back.
>He covers his mouth with his hand and closes his eyes.
>The mare approaches you, smiling that smug smile of hers.
>"Well, it looks like you just lost your precious stallion. I hope it hurts you deep inside to know that your screech absolutely sucks."
>She flashes her sharp fangs at you.
>You squint and ground yourself, waiting for her screech.
>She lines her face up with yours and takes a deep breath.
>Your ears ring as she screeches mere inches from your face.
>But you refused to lose Anon.
>"COME ON SPECK! GET PHYSICAL!"
>You barely heard him over the ringing.
>All that you felt at that moment was your front hoof connecting with the mare's jaw.
>Her screeching abruptly stopped.
>And as her head hit the floor, ear plugs popped out of her ears.
"You cheating scoundrel! How dare you challenge somep0ny and not even give them a fair fight!"
>Mad didn't even describe what you were right now.
>You lost your mother.
>You weren't going to lose your mate in the same week.
>Especially to some conniving, disgusting, hideous harlot like this mare.
>You lean into her ear and whisper something that would make Anon absolutely proud.
"Get wrecked, son."
>You screech with the intensity of a dragon's roar.
>The mare can do naught but lay there and take it in her dazed state.

>Speck might have just killed somep0ny.
>You look at the note left behind by the fortune teller.
>She said you couldn't do anything to change the outcome of the fight.
>But...
>Speck was able to?
>Your head hurt from the screeching.
>It hurt even more from all of this future predicting and planning and...
>You needed to lay down.
>"Well, dear Anon. It seems you had nothing to worry about."
>You jump and turn in your seat, that blue p0ny sitting beside you.
"That was a really crappy fortune you gave us."
>She laughs aloud.
>"Did you think she was going to die or something?"
"Well, yeah. You kinda did say that she was going to perish in a great battle."
>Her laughter roars again.
>"Oh, my. I do apologize, dear Anon. It was not my intent to worry you so. But it all worked out, did it not?"
>You slump in your chair.
"I suppose. But maybe you should work on your wording next time?"
>She smiles at you and nudges your shoulder.
>"That, I shall. Have all of the fortunes come true yet?"
>You shake your head.
"For the most part. The fear in my soul is unresolved, and there's still the matter of our happiness, joy, and love."
>She nods at you.
>"Yes. And I believe that your fear may soon be brought up to be dissipated. As for the rest... No story truly ends, dear Anon."
>You look back at Speck and smile.
"I guess not."
>You turn to look back at Lulamoon, but she's nowhere to be found.
"Stupid magic horses and their pranks and bad fortunes..."

>You are Speck, once again.
>You stand over the unmoving body of your opponent.
>Only her chest rises and falls, showing she's still alive.
>The audience is going absolutely ballistic.
>But you are deaf to their screams and cheers.
>You turn towards Anon.
>He starts walking towards you.
>"Speck! Good job, love. But how'd you know she was wearing ear plugs?"
>You look up at him, a stern look upon your face.
"I didn't. I'm not going to lose you, Anon. Not to her, not to anyp0ny."
>He picks you up and buries his face in your neck.
>"Good. I wouldn't have it any other way."
>You were trying to act hard around him.
>But it wasn't working.
>You start snickering as he carries you out of the arena.
>He stops at the entrance and sighs.
>You turn your head to see the male that challenged him.
>"I'm not giving you a rematch, kid."
>"N-no. That's not w-what I'm here for."
"Then what do you want, Mortar?"
>Anon looks at you, raising an eyebrow.
>"You know him?"
"Unfortunately, yes. He's wanted me ever since we were fillies. And even moreso when my dad died."
>You glare at him.
"He only wanted me so he could learn how to make bricks like my father."
>"W-well, yes! But not after he passed! I started to... really l-like you..."
>You scoff and turn away from him.
>Anon begins to walk off, glaring at the stallion.
>"W-wait! I... I have something for you."
>He pulls a brick out of his saddle bag.
>"It's... It's the best b-brick I've ever made... j-just for you, Speck."
>Oh, please.
>"Please accept it? I-I've mailed you all of my finest bricks for the past three years! I thought you'd love me if I could be as good as your father."
>Oh yeah, you were definitely getting rid of those bricks now.
>You thought your mother was sending old bricks that your father had made.
>Or that maybe he had asked that they be mailed to you one by one after his passing.
>He was eccentric like that, and he knew enough p0nies to pull it off.
"No. It looks like garbage, and a thousand just like it would barely be enough to build even a disheveled looking house."
>You can hear his heart shatter.
>Anon laughs and starts walking off with you in his arms.
>"Sick burn, Speck. He's going to need a lot of cold water for that one."
>You snicker and snuggle into his chest.
"I never liked him, Anon."

>It felt really good to be back at your parents' old house.
>Your old house.
>Everything was nostalgic, and after such a long and dreary day, it was nice to be home.
>The feeling was made even better by the fact that Anon was there.
>The two of you lay in your old bed, in your old bedroom.
>Your mom had always reminded you that there would always be a place for you here.
>You told her that you would try to visit.
>But you never did.
>You never felt the need to.
>Until you met Anon...
>Once you knew he was an Angel, you knew it was time to come home.
>Your mother had laid in that hospital bed for a little over three years.
>She held on for three long, agonizing years.
>Just to see an Angel.
>Anon shifted against you, his hands brushed over your wings.
>You lay on top of him, your nose pressed to his.
>You lock your lips with his and smile into them.
>He smiles back and scratches gently over your back.
>"So we're officially mates now?"
>You stifle a giggle.
"Anon, we became mates the minute we agreed on it."
>"Yeah, but. You can challenge someone for their mate if you want to?"
>You nod.
"I've always hated those customs, but it's supposed to help the offspring of two parents be as strong as possible."
>You sigh and bury your face in his neck.
"But me? I'm not strong. It took me two days to be able to do anything after mother died. And I almost lost that screeching match earlier."
>He laughs.
>"Speck. You're the second strongest bat p0ny I know."
>You look up at him and tilt your head in question.
"Who's the first?"
>He strokes your cheek with his thumb.
>"Your mom."
>You feel a lump in your throat form as you nod.
"She fought for so long."
>"Just to meet your mate."
>You shake your head and peck him on the lips.
"No, Anon. To meet an Angel."