>You awoke with a soreness you haven't felt since boot camp.
>God... You can barely move.
>You manage to get your to your feet.
>The pain is excruciating.
>You take a look around and try to get your bearings.
>It's impossible to figure out where you are.
>You are pretty sure you ran in a straight line through the forest, but by the looks of this forest, it would be all too easy to get off track.
>For all you know you got spun around and were actually heading back out of the forest.

>The forest was made up of dead, twisted trees.
>The thick undergrowth and vines made walking through it a very difficult time.
>There was a a thick layer of fog covering the ground.
>If you were ever going to find your way out of here, it is definitely not heppening tonight.

>It was very dark now.
>The thick fog, trees, and other obstructions blocked out the sun, forcing night to come sooner and darker than usual.
>You begin your slow trek through these ominous woods.
>The pain in your legs is making this more difficult than it needs to be.
>Your mind goes back to this afternoon.
>What happened?
>Why?
>Did you deserve that?
>What did they do to Fluttershy?
>All the same thoughts from before.
>You can't push them out of your mind.
--
>A wolf howls in the distance.
"You and me both buddy..."
>A lone wolf trying to find its pack.
>You hear several howls in the distance, a good long distance from the lone wolf.
>At least its family loves it enough to respond.
>Who do you have?

>There was Fluttershy.
>She took you in, fed you, gave you a place to sleep.
>You did what you could to make up for her kindness.
>You never felt it was enough.

>Then there was Rarity.
>She was absolutely in love with your music.
>The first you can recall to be so enthusiastic about it.
>She was also generous enough make you a full set of new clothes, free of charge.

>And finally Pinkie Pie.
>You only knew her for about 2 minutes, but she made an everlasting impression on you.
>Since she first laid eyes on you, she wanted to throw you a welcome party.
>To meet everypony in Ponyville and make some new friends.
>You never showed it, and although it was really annoying, her hyperactivity was actually pretty funny.
"Heh heh... I wonder what she's doing now that I'm gone."
--
>You continue your march through the Everfree Forest.
>The same thoughts replaying over and over in your head.
>It was getting very cold now.
>The night coupled with the wet ground and air is taking it's toll.
>You needed to find somewhere to sleep for the night, lest you die of hypothermia.
>You cross over a fallen log and into a small clearing.
>There was a path here.
>Your in luck!
>That means ponies must travel through here, so all you need to do is follow the road and maybe you can find a house or another town.

>A wolf howls again.
>That was too close.
>You spin around and you dread what you see.
>There is a wolf stalking you through the fog.
>And now that it's been spotted, it's getting ready to take you down.
>At least it was careless enough to howl that close to you.
>You probably would not have even noticed it was there until it was on top of you.
>But this is really something you can't deal with right now.
--
>The silohouette of a wolf begins to circle you.
>You get into a fighting stance and follow it in the circle.
>It stood taller than the ponies.
>It's head was down in an aggressive fashion, but should it bring it up you would assume it would stand about 6 inches taller than most ponies.
>You really cannot fight this thing now.
>You had no weapons and all of your gear was left at Fluttershy's cottage.
>On top of that, you just wore yourself out fleeing from Ponyville.
>Looking back on that, probably not the best idea.
>But who knows what could've happened had they caught you.
>You're here now and this situation calls for all of your attention.

>The wolf lunges for your throat.
>You sidestep and throw you palm up.
>You catch it in the side of the face and push it aside as it jumps at you.
>You can't just avoid and evade all night.
>You need a plan and fast.
>It lunges again and you repeat your meneuver.
>It's learning.
>It turned its head and tried to bite down.
>It didn't bite you, but its teeth scrape your hand and there were now 4 crimson streaks going across your hand.
--
>There's a break in the canopy and the wolf steps into the moonlight.
>You get a very brief look at your assailant.
>It's not the typical wolf you would expect to see on Earth.
>The wolf's fur was not fur at all.
>It was twisted and gnarled like that of the trees of this forest.
>When you had shoved it, you felt something hard, but didn't know what to think of it.
>It seems now that these wolves are actually made of the bark of the trees of this forest.
>Timber wolves.
>Again with the blatantly obvious and literal names in this world.
>The timberwolf steps back into the shadows.

>You guess it's true what they say:
>All of your training and knowledge will come rushing back to you in the time of dire need.
>Your fists still raised, you begin to back away from the wolf
>It made another attempt for your throat, but instead of deflecting it, you dove aside and rolled.
>You grabbed a large branch as you got back to your feet.
>The branch had no smaller branches coming off of it and was tall enough to be a staff for you.
>It was slightly rotten though.
>It probably couldn't take much more than a hit or two before it broke.
>You had to end this fast.
--
>You brought the branch up, left hand forward, right hand back.
>Basic bayonette training adapted for a staff.
>You circled with the wolf once more.
>You stuck that branch out, trying to be as intimidating as possible.
>Your exhaustion was beginning to take its toll.
>You can't take much more of this.
>The wolf wasn't buying your facade.

>It lunged once more.
>It was almost like it was in slow motion.
>You side stepped again.
>You switched your grip on the branch into a baseball bat grip.
>You brought the branch over your head and down with as much force as you could possibly muster.
>You struck the wolf on the top of the head with all your might.
>The branch was a little more solid than you thought, but it shattered nonetheless.
>The wolf fell to the ground.
>It was very much alive, but stunned.

>The hit had splintered your staff into a rough point.
>It wasn't sharp, but it will do what needs to be done.
>Without a moments hesitation you ran over to the dazed timber wolf.
>You kicked it in the side of its stomach, flipping it on its side.
>You brought that staff turned spear high above your head.
>There were open spots where the wolf's bark-skin had twisted, exposing soft spots.
>You aimed for where you judge its heart to be.
>You dropped to your knees and drove that spear into the wolf with all of your might.
--
>The wolf let out one loud, final cry.
>The howl echoed throughout the forest.
>And with that, it had finally died.
>You were tired.
>The cuts in your hand should probably be treated soon lest you risk infection.
>And out here in this forest, it wouldn't take long for infectino to set in.
>Or for another predator to get a wiff of your blood.

>You stand over your kill.
>You contemplate trying to eat it, as there was obviously flesh beneath the hard exterior of the beast.
>But you do not eat wolves.
>Regardless of how savage the ponies think you are, you do not eat anything that is not considered game on Earth.
>Farm animals not included of course.
>And besides, you had no gear to clean it if you wanted to.

>You stood up to walk away.
>It's quite sad really.
>You always held a great amount of respect for wolves.
>And yet here you are, forced to kill one in self-defense.
>It was also acting out of its bare needs of survival.
>You start to walk away, but then a bright shines through the forest from behind you.
--
>You spin back around to look for the source of the light.
>It was coming from the corpse of the timber wolf you had just put down.
>A pillar of light was shining down on the corpse.
>Its bark-skin began to break and splinter away.
>The shattered hide then started to burn to cinders.
>From the ashes rose the spirit of a grey wolf.
>It stared at you with knowing eyes and let out another howl.
>You watched the whole scene unfold and you were now contemplating how you will fight a spirit wolf.
>The spirit wolf transcended the pillar of light, and the light twinkled out.

>You don't believe it.
>It turns out these creatures, these timber wolves, are just a twisted corruption of the grey wolves you know from home.
>Killing it seems to have released its spirit.
>You watched in amazement as the wolf transcended into the heavens and faded from view.
>Aside from the attempt on your life and the cuts in your hand, you were relieved to have encountered this wolf.
>Something tells you that you will never be alone from now on.

>Your thoughts are very brief as more howls are heard around you.
>You look down from where the wolf spirit had vanished to see the rest of it's pack surrounding you.
"Crap..."
--
>It turns out that last how the wolf gave before it died had signaled the rest of the pack to come running.
>You were now facing a pack of timber wolves alone.
>Five versus one.
>You had barely managed to fight off one and now there's five?
>Your spear had snapped in two as you plunged it into the first wolf's heart.
>You were now forced to fight them off with your bare hands.
>There is absolutely no way you can survive this.
"I'm sorry.."
>A tear falls from your face.
>You drop your guard and kneel down on the ground, head bowed.
>You are too exhausted to put up any amount of fight now.
>You notice you are kneeling in the one pillar of moonlight that has forced its way through the canopy.
>You look up and stare at the moon.
>Your mind goes back to Fluttershy.
>You are sorry for any trouble you have caused.
>You are sorry you never got to say goodbye.
>Tears filled your eyes and you brought your head back down to the ground.
>The wolves snarled as they lunged at you.
--
>There was an explosion and a large wall of flame shot up.
>It cut you off from half of the wolf pack that was now charging you.
>A second blast on the other side of you seperated you from the other half of the pack.
>The wolves yelped and fled in terror at the sight and heat of the flames.
>That smell...
>It was no fire magic.
>Was that napalm?
>Who in Equestria could possibly know how to make a napalm grenade?
>You look behind you to see a cloaked figure walking towards you.
>You couldn't see anything under its hood except for its glowing yellow eyes.
>"Have you gone mad!"
>That was the last thing you heard before you blacked out.
>If this thing wanted to kill you, you will not stop it.
>Your unconcious mind awaits death.

>You have lost everything and more.
>You had abandoned your life on Earth a long time ago.
>When you had finally found a new home, that too was stripped from you.
>You had abandoned Fluttershy.
>The first to show how much you belonged here.
>But the ponyfolk of Ponyvilled showed you otherwise.

>The cold embrace of death was welcoming, but the universe had other plans for you.
--
>You had awoken in a strange hut.
>You had no idea how long you were out.
>You tried to move but you were wrapped in a blanket with your arms crossed over your chest and face exposed.
>You weren't bound, as you could easily stand up and free yourself, but you just lied there and look around.
>The one-room hut was decorated with a sort of voodoo-style decor.
>Various colorful vials were placed onto shelves all over the room.
>There was a large cauldron in the center of the room.
>An equally large fire crackled beneath it.
>The warmth was very welcome.
>A zebra stood at the cauldron, her back turned to you.
>Her mane was done up in a mohawk and she had gold rings on her neck, left foreleg, and one as an earing for each ear.
>You felt beneath you blanket wrap.
>She had bandaged your hand and must have given you a pain killer as your hand doesn't hurt nearly as much as before.
--
>She had heard your rustling and turn around to you and smiled.
>It wasn't an evil smile, or a smile of enjoyment.
>But she gave you a smile of relief.
>Relief to see you were awake.
>Relief to see you were still alive.

>She walked over with a wodden bowl and placed it down next to you.
>"Drink."
>You freed your hands and reach over to grab the bowl.
>A sniff and a quick taste revealed it to be only water.
>This zebra wasn't trying to kill you, so that was a good sign.

>"You had been out a long time, little one."
>"For since then, this is the second rising of the sun."

>She spoke in rhymes and riddles.
>You thought about it quick.
>Since then, second rising of the sun...
>You had been out for 2 days?!
--
>The zebra gave you some herbs to eat and more water to drink.
>She left without a word, leaving you alone in her hut.
>Whatever she left brewing in her cauldron, it smelled wonderful.
>You could easily escape, but this zebra was not holding you prisoner.
>You decided to just lie there and reminisce.

>It was still morning, but not quite noon.
>Out of respect for the zerba, you did not move.
>You didn't want to knock something over or go rummaging through her stockpile of various potions and herbs.
>So with nothing better to do, you went to sleep again.

>The zebra had returned when you awoke.
>It must have only been about 2 hours.
>She was standing over the cauldron.
>She was chanting something in a language unknown to you.
>There was a large flower in her mouth.
>It had broad, pink petals and large yellow stamen shooting out of the center
>She shook the flower over the cauldron, dropping the petals into the brew.
>A pink cloud formed over the cauldron in the shape of a heart.
>It rose toward the ceiling and dissipated.
>The shaman had poured a bowl of the lovely brew into a bowl and brought it over to you.
>"Drink."
--
>This time you looked at the bowl she offered and hesitated.
>If she was trying to kill you, something bad would have happened by now.
>After all she left you free to walk around and her door unlocked.
>You take the brew and down it quickly.
>It didn't taste as good as it smelled.

>You gagged on the drink and gave the bowl back to your shaman host.
>She brought you another bowl of water and you downed it without hesitation.

>It had been about 5 minutes and the earlier brew was beginning to take effect.
>Your vision began to blur.
>You became dizzy.
>You felt as if you were about to pass out again.
>The zebra took a step back and helped you to your feet.
>You stood a little too fast and bumped your head on the low ceiling.
"Ow..."
>The zebra gave a chuckle and walked over to a table and grab a bowl.
>You can see an unknown powder.
>She throws the contents into the fire.

>You watch sparks and smoke rise and swirl around in the air.
>You're feeling very nauseated by the sight.
>Your vision begins to fade again.
>Your peripherals are completely blurred, but the center of your eyes, where you focus, is clear.
>You have lost the color in your eyes except for that of blue.
--
>You look around quick.
>Movement seems to be lagged as there is a blur that trails everything that moves to and from your focus.
>You look down and see a bright flash of light.
>Forming out of the light portal steps the spirit wolf from earlier.
>You stare at in horror.
>Is it coming back to take its vengeance on you?

>The spirit wolf sits in front of you, looking up at you.
>You stare at each other for the good portion of about 2 minutes.
>You reach out and pet its head.
>It smiles and wags its tail in pleasure.
>Well that was easy enough to settle your differences.

>You retracted your hand and the spirit wolf looked back up at you.
>It let out a long howl and stood up.
>It turned around and walked to the door.
>It looked back at you and it looked like it just motioned for you to follow it.
>You look from the door back to the shaman.
>She simply nodded her head at you.
>She knew what was going on.
>You nodded back and took off outside after the spirit wolf.
--
>You sprinted off after your wolf guide.
>It jumped from logs and over bushes as it ran.
>You matched its agility and continued your pursuit.
>Your obscured vision did not affect you like you thought it would.
>You are seeing things much more easily than you would normally.
>You are stepping past potholes, over roots that would easily trip you, and kicking off trees like you were a ninja.
>Whatever was in that brew, it reinvigorated and reinforced your stamina ten-fold.

>It was late in the day and the sun would be completely gone in an hour or so.
>But you were confident in your spirit guide.
>You followed it for a good long while.
>It must have been about 2 hours of a nonstop run.
>Stamina boost or not, you were exhausted.
>The wolf made one final charge and dove through the undergrowth.
>You followed and mimicked its dive.
>You rolled forward as you hit the ground and stood up.
>You were back out on the outskirts of the Everfree Forest.
>And not just that, you were right back where you were when you first ran into the forest.
--
>It was dark out now.
>The moon had risen and was casting its light upon you.
>The moonlight seemed to make your spirit guide glow with a ghostly aura.
>The aura let off a light cloud around the wolf that looked like steam.
>You sat and rested for a few minutes.
>The wolf sat next to you, staring up at the moon.

>Finally it stood up and begand walking away, motioning for you to follow.
>You picked yourself up and walked after it.
>You were only walking for about 20 minutes before you saw a sight that you had missed for a long time.
>The wolf lead you to a small series of open hills, and up on one particular hill, was a large tree, standing strong against the surrounding darkness.
>You followed the wolf up the hill and it sat down next to the tree.
>You sat next to it and rested your back against the tree.
>You pet the spirit wolf and sat there for about 5 minutes.
>The wolf eventually stood up and walked a few steps forward.
>Looking up to the full moon, it let out another drawn-out howl.
>It turned to look at you again before it ran off and dissipated into the night air.
--
>You watched your companion vanish.
>You were sad he was gone, but a sense of happiness filled you as well.
>You wolf guide had lead you back to the place where it all began.
>Where you had first met Fluttershy.

>Your dream vision had gone with the wolf and you were back to seeing normal.
>The moon and stars gave you plenty of light to see anything you needed to.
>The night air was cool and there was a slight wind.
>You were still in shorts and barefoot.
>The sweat from the long run had begun to chill and you felt a shiver.

>If Fluttershy were here, she could curl up next to you and keep you warm.
>But surely she would never want to see you again after what you did.
>If she was here, you could apologize.
>Sing her a song.
>And tell her... 
>Tell her you love her...
--
>You repeat your thoughts from that fateful day.
>Your family.
>Your mother and father.
>Your brothers as well.
>And how you have lost it all.
>You begin to mumble softly to yourself...

**
Another day in this carnival of souls
Another night settles in as quickly as it goes
The memories of shadows, ink on the page
And I can't seem to find my way home

And it's almost like
Your heaven's trying everything
Your heaven's trying everything
To keep me out

**

>You choke up on the last line.
>Tears are now pouring from your eyes.
>You raise your voice a little louder.
--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvKmMADJtr0

**
All the places I've been and things I've seen
A million stories that made up a million shattered dreams
The faces of people I'll never see again
And I can't seem to find my way home

Cause it's almost like
Your heaven's trying everything to break me down
Cause it's almost like
Your heaven's trying everything to keep me out

**

(Fluttershy PoV)
>You know that voice!
>And there is only 1 pony in Equestria who would be here in the middle of the night!
>And that singing...
>It's so sad.
>He is so depressed.
>He must think he has lost you.
>But here you are.
>Fate had brought you back here for reasons unknown.

>You run around the tree and run straight for him.
"Anon!"
>You run and tackle him, tears pouring from your face.
>He is surprised and recoils at first, but quickly embraces you.
>"Fluttershy..."
>You both share a tear-filled reunion for the better part of 20 minutes.
>The tears had stopped, but you held each other close for a long time after.
>Time means nothing anymore.
--
(Anon PoV)
>"Anon!"
>Fluttershy bounds up to you out of nowhere.
>She tackles you without warning.
>You are fearful of another attack but dismiss this immediately when you see her tear-filled eyes and flowing pink mane.
"Fluttershy..."
>You are cannot say anymore.

>She has found you again.
>But how can she possibly forgive you?
>Was she ever upset with you?
>This...
>Is this why your spirit guide brought you here?

>You embrace Fluttershy in a hug that seems to last forever.
>You choke up and let it all out.
>Neither of you said a word for a long time.
>Tears and sobs were your only means letting her know you were really here.
>Even after the tears had run out, you sat there and held her in your arms, afraid to let go again.
>This is too good to be true.
>But here you both are.
>Together once again.
--
>You eventually break the silence, but still held her close.
"I'm sorry."
>"Don't be," she sniffled. "It wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have brought you into town and surprised everypony like that."
>You proceeded to explain your train of thought during the standoff in Ponyville.
>You told her how you felt there was no other option.
>About how you felt for abandoning at the bakery.
>You continued to explain the fight with the wolves, the zebra shaman, and your drug-induced spirit guide.

>She explained her point of view as well.
>From being locked in the bakery, to confronting Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash on the road.
>About how she searched for you until it got dark, and how she waited up for you a night.
>There was always a glimmer of hope you would return.
>She just didn't know that it would be here and not her cottage.

>She explained the split in her group over you.
>Rarity and Pinkie Pie stood up with Fluttershy to defend you against the others.
"It looks like I owe Pinkie Pie a party, huh?"
>You stroked her mane and turned so you were both sitting side by side, facing the moon.
"But it sounds to me like there isn't a choice in the matter, huh?"
>Fluttershy laughs.
>"No, not really. Her parties aren't exactly optional."
"Well crap."
>You laugh with Fluttershy.
>Hearing her voice, her laugh, it's enough to put you at peace.
>This whole ordeal was just exhausting, and your glad it's over.
--
>You both lie back.
>She places here ear against your heart and listens to your heartbeat.
>You stare up at the moon and stars.
>It's kind of funny really.
>It always comes back to the moon and the night sky.
>Not matter what your doing or what your thinking of, you are always tempted to look up.
>It could be the isolation and loneliness associated with such a distant object.
>Forever floating through space alone.

"Crap..."
>"What's wrong, Anon?"
>You look to her and give a half-hearted smile.
"I left my guitar at your house."
>Without a word she got up and walked to the other side of the tree.
>She produced your guitar case and placed it on the ground next to you.
"Well I'll be..."
>You grab her in another hug.
"You are a very sneaky pony, you know that?"
>She smiles and sits back down next to you.
--
>You pulled the guitar out and sat there thinking of a song.
>It shouldnt be something to excited because your hand is still in a little pain from the wolf bite.
>Fluttershy just leaned into you.
>Neither of you said another word for a while.
>Without warning, you randomly started strumming.

**
This is my life
Its not what it was before
All these feelings I've shared
And these are my dreams
That I'd never lived before
Somebody shake me
'Cause I 
I must be sleeping

Now that we're here,
It's so far away
All the struggle we thought was in vain
All in the mistakes,
One life contained
They all finally start to go away
Now that we're here it's so far away
And I feel like I can face the day, and I can forgive
And I'm not ashamed to be the person that I am today
**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPW7T_tu3PM&ob=av2e
--
>Fluttershy knows where you're going with this.
>You are not the same Anonymous that you were the first night you were here.
>She is not the same Fluttershy either.
>You had opened up to her as had she to you.
>She fought her own friends to defend you.
>And you fought until you thought you couldn't no more, with only hopes to see her again.
>That dream you thought was shattered a few days ago has come back together in this night of solace.

>You haven't even finished your song.
>Fluttershy jumped on you again.
>She pressed her lips to yours and you embraced her in your first true moment of intimacy you have experienced in your entire life.
>It was also Fluttershy's first.
>And you shared this moment together.
>Never before have either of you had a sensation as wonderful as this.
>It's like Heaven itself approved of this as shooting stars rained across the sky.
>Time itself stood still just for the two of you.
>But alas, it can't last forever.
>Your bodily needs caused you both to break apart, panting from holding your kiss to the last possible second.

>You smiled.
>She smiled.
>This was the moment you've been waiting for all your lives.
>And for one moment it felt as if the world itself revolved around you.

"Fluttershy?"
>"Hm."
>You gave her one more quick kiss on the lips.
"I love you."
>"I love you too, Anon."

>And with that you fell asleep under the full moon.
>Cuddling close, the cool night air didn't bother you at all.
>And you were happy.
>You will never leave her again.
>For you have a home.
>And a beautiful mare to share the rest of your life with.