- >You are Echo
- >You open your eyes, in a feeling that could be a mix between fear and anger
- >It's the second time your slumber has been interrupted today
- >Your body it's shaking.
- >You can also feel pain in your head.
- >You want to scream in frustration.
- >But you would never do that, especially now.
- >You look for Anonymous' clock, right in his nightstand.
- "6 PM,"
- >You tell to yourself.
- >OH NO, YOU AND ANON ARE GONNA BE LATE TO YOUR SHIFT.
- >Wait a minute.
- >You remind yourself that you're hanging upside down Anon's ceiling.
- >That should mean its only noon in Ponyville.
- >This kind of calms you a little.
- >However you're still pissed.
- >Not sure if you should be pissed with yourself, though.
- >You never asked for this.
- >You get down to the floor, with the aid of your wings you manage to do it quietly.
- >You don't want to wake up Anonymous.
- >You take a deep glance at him.
- >He's sleeping deeply in his bed.
- >So peaceful.
- >So exposed.
- >You could do it right here, right now.
- >If you're quick you won't disrupt his dreams.
- >But after that he would find out.
- >You know how impulsive he is.
- >Maybe he could freak out and yell at you.
- >Even if he accepted you, even if you spent all night talking.
- >The fear of losing him it's still there.
- >And it's even greater than your own nature.
- >You decide to get out of the bedroom.
- >Once in the lounge, you look at the window that locates in front of you.
- >Right now it's closed between wooden doors, just like the other ones.
- >Anonymous did a great job sealing them at the daylight.
- >That might help him get a better sleep.
- >You might open this one, just to see what it lays beyond it.
- >But most of the times, sunshine only means ache in your eyes.
- >Besides, you haven't sleep properly in the whole day.
- >You keep looking at the window for some reason.
- >Even if Anon didn't seal them for you, you still think this is a great detail.
- >It doesn't prevent you from hearing the sounds of outside, though.
- >The valley is working at his peak hour.
- >You hear hooves clopping, wheels rolling, ponies laughing.
- >You shouldn't be focused on these things right now.
- >But you must distract yourself somehow.
- >You don't want to do something you will regret in the future.
- >Memories from your past respawn in your mind.
- >Even if you talked with Anonymous about most of yourself, there are things that he can never know.
- >And you assure it's better this way.
- >You were a normal filly like everyone else.
- >Once you learned to fly you loved to do it everytime.
- >You could always had a smile painted in your face no matter what happened.
- >But at somepoint, something got wrong.
- >Everything just went downward spiral.
- >You started to get thirsty for blood.
- >And that did enough to seclude you from the rest.
- >Turns out that wasn't normal.
- >Bat ponies mostly eat fruit, sometimes eating vegetables and flowers.
- >Eating blood was something disgusting.
- >Since that happened you were no longer Echo.
- >For them, you only were "that pony".
- >You didn't knew what to do, you would never bite a pony to drink his blood.
- >That would be horrifying.
- >You searched for help, as you grew up, so did your blood thirst.
- >Turns out you were a freak, an abomination.
- >Some people from rejecting you, started to hate you.
- >You decided to lock yourself in the haven you called your home.
- >You only went outside, to satisfy your creepy needs.
- >You would most of the times fly to distant lands, making sure you could only bite animals.
- >Sometimes cows would understand your hunger.
- >Sometimes.
- >When you weren't outside, you were enclosed in multiple books.
- >You were sure there should be some information about this somewhere in old scriptures.
- >You were right.
- >Long time ago, bat ponies drinking blood was something usual and natural.
- >It was even in your culture
- >Letting another bat pony feed on you was considered romantic and a symbol of trust.
- >As time passed by, they evolved into a fruit diet.
- >Blood was no longer a source of food.
- >THEN WHY YOU WERE SO THIRSTY FOR BLOOD?
- >You couldn't help but to feel anger.
- >What did you do to deserve such a curse?
- >If only your sister were here to help you... but she left to the army a long time ago.
- >Midnight.
- >You never saw her having this problem, so that means the curse is not upon your family.
- >Maybe you were adopted.
- >Impossible, you look way to close to Midnight.
- >You always felt a connection with her.
- >This is your malediction; you will have to bear with this alone.
- >You hear birds singing some happy melody.
- >You snap to reality once more.
- >You've been looking at the window for a long time.
- >But this really helped you focus.
- >Focus on the important things, what needs to be done.
- >You will do whatever it takes so this doesn't interfere with your goals.
- >Nor with your dreams.
- >You return to the bedroom.
- >It's the first time you hear Anonymous' snoring.
- >You ask yourself what kind of dreams a human can have.
- >You have to admit he's helping you a lot right now.
- >Maybe someday he'll let you drink his blood.
- >The only thought of it makes you blush.
- >You get your hooves on the ceiling again to keep sleeping.
- >You close your eyes as your mind wanders about anything you've been through.
- >Soon, you fall asleep while listening to a loud snore.
- >You will never admit defeat against this bloody curse.
- >That was a good one.
- >Kekekekekeke...
- >Day minions have spawned in Equestria.
- >You are Anonymous.
- >Your hand silences the clock, which screams the born of a new day.
- >At 2PM; of course.
- >You glance at your ceiling to find an sleeping Echo, wrapped in her wings.
- >It's the first time you hear her snoring.
- >[daaawwws internally]
- >You refuse to wake her up, not even gods would forgive you.
- >You take a shower and head to the kitchen.
- >Once breakfast it's ready, you head to the bedroom to look after your bat companion.
- >You wonder what kind of dream she's having.
- >It's a shame, but you must revive her.
- "Echo, wake up. We have a lot of things to do today."
- >All you manage to hear from her it's some unintelligible mumble.
- >What_the_fuck_did_you_say_about_me_you_little.txt
- >Time to put out the heavy artillery.
- >And by heavy artillery you mean a broom, of course.
- >You poke the ceiling a couple of times with the stick while screaming.
- "RISE AND SHINE MS. ECHO!"
- >Echo freaks out for a couple of seconds while she loses her grip.
- >She falls right on your bed; a loud screech can be heard as she hits the mattress.
- >Victory at last!
- "Breakfast is ready, my lady. I would find astonishing if you follow me to the kitchen,"
- >you say in the most refined accent you can manage to do.
- >Echo remains motionless as she speaks, face planted in your pillow.
- >"I hate you".
- >Music for your ears.
- >Once in the dining room, you remind yourself the plans you have for today.
- >While eating of course, a leader can't think properly with an empty stomach.
- >Now let's see.
- >The briefing of the operation: ´Strong Bat Pony Who Don't Need No Sister.`
- >S.B.P.W.D.N.N.S. for short.
- >You will spend the afternoon helping Echo get some friends.
- >One new friend a day should keep frustration away.
- >Once the night comes, you will teach Echo some advanced combat techniques.
- >She will soon master stealth, strength and speed.
- >The components of a true SSS rank guard.
- >However this requires some drastic measures.
- >While the sun it's up you will be the best pal she could ever ask.
- >Happy, supportive, encouraging, funny, good looking.
- >You know, like you always are.
- >But in the darkness you will be her master.
- >And nobody fucks with the master.
- >You will be sure she suffers in order to achieve perfection.
- >She must learn that life is though and unfair.
- >You will punish the shit out of her.
- >In the end she will surely thank you.
- >Once your mind is clear, you feel something's wrong.
- >Shit, where the fuck is Echo?
- >You return to the bedroom to find her snoring deeply in your bed.
- >God dammit Echo.
- >You are walking through the trails of Ponyville.
- >Echo's starting to get impatient.
- >"Anon, where are we going?,"
- >she asks while poking your leg steadily.
- >Words of wisdom come out from your mouth.
- "You don't even know anything about this village so telling you would be pointless."
- >She gives you a stare that wishes your death in the most slowly and painful way.
- >You playfully stick your tongue at her while smiling.
- "We're going to see a little family, maybe they can show you the warmth this town has to offer".
- >They live pretty close to the forest.
- >You both can easily go to work after you're done with your visit.
- >After more walking, you and Echo find yourselves in front of an apple orchard.
- >There is a big red barn in the middle of it, which managed to catch Echo's attention.
- >"Ooooh! They live in an apple farm?"
- "That's right; it's been a long time since I came here for a visit,"
- >you say while you rustle her mane.
- >You don't think it twice and you head right at the door.
- >There could be a funeral inside there and you wouldn't give a shit.
- >There's only one thing to want to see right now.
- >A good old friend.
- >"Anonymous! I'm so happy to see you."
- >The whole family is present... and Applejack it's here too!
- >She doesn't hesitate as she invites you and Echo to come inside.
- >God you missed this barn so much.
- >When you first arrived to Equestria, the Apple family took you in as one of theirs.
- >You worked hard all day bucking apple trees.
- >You never gave a single fuck.
- >Applejack was the best boss ever.
- >And if the good pay wasn't enough, they gave you a place to sleep.
- >Plus three foods a day by the amazing hooves of Granny Smith.
- >That's not even the best.
- >All the hard work gave you the sexiest body you could ask for.
- >LOOK AT YOUR MUSCLES.
- >LOOK AT THEM ABS.
- >You are hotter than the star Celestia raises everyday.
- >You give Applejack a big hug as Echo slowly makes her presence inside.
- "This is Echo, my loyal companion,"
- >you say, while hugging her with your right arm.
- "She helps me clean the village from any bad guys."
- >Echo seems a little embarrassed.
- >She looks at the floor as you can hear some pasta fell to the floor.
- >"Well to be honest... I haven't done anything useful yet."
- >You laugh noisily.
- "She just says that because she's new, but who knows how many villains she's gonna beat in her long career?"
- >Applejack gives a vigorous nod, giving her seal of approval.
- >"He's right Echo, I'm damn sure everyp0ny feels safer now that you are here."
- >What's that supposed to mean?
- >Applejack calls Big Mac and Applebloom to come here.
- >She insists in inviting you and Echo to stay the evening here for dinner.
- >Granny Smith it's already making it.
- >AWWWWW YISSSSSS!
- >That can only mean one thing.
- >Sweet apple pie.
- >You introduce Echo to the family and vice-versa.
- >She should easily become friends with Applejack of Big Mac while she's in here.
- >If that doesn't work you will have to put her on Cherillee's school or some shit like that.
- >Dinner went pretty cool.
- >While everypony was eating, you told them the story of how you met Echo.
- >How the princess came exclusively to you, asking your help.
- >Because only the best warrior of all of Equestria can train this little prodigy.
- >Ok maybe you edited the story a little bit.
- >Meanwhile, Applebloom stalked Echo with a lot of questions about her.
- >That was normal.
- >She did the same to you while you were living with them.
- >Echo reserved herself to only talk in reply to any question about herself.
- >Now the time has come to give this bat pony a little test.
- >You whisper something on Applejack's ear.
- >After some mumbles she understands and winks at you.
- >The cowmare quickly stands up and goes outside the barn.
- >Right after that she screams in faked urgency.
- >"HEY ANON, CAN YOU COME HERE AND HELP ME WITH... SOMETHING?"
- >Shit, you forgot how bad she's at lying.
- >You mentally facepalm as you go outside.
- >This means Echo is now alone with the Apple family.
- >And you are outside alone with Applejack.
- >She looks at you with a raised hair brow as she asks.
- >"Why are we doing this again?"
- >You squint at the sky while opening your arms.
- "My supreme plan is to leave Echo alone with random people."
- >Now you fully managed to confuse Applejack.
- >"Why?"
- >You give the orange pony the best ´are you serious` face you have.
- "The answer is obvious, Echo is a great girl, but she has trouble talking to other ponies."
- >Applejack only looks at you, nodding at every sentence you say.
- "So, if I leave her alone for some time with new people, she will have to participate in a proper conversation."
- "This time she should have no problems."
- "She's with a filly, a colt and a grandma."
- "If she accomplishes to make a new friend before the moon rises, then she will have succeeded."
- >"And what will happen if she fails?"
- >As soon as AJ finishes that question she realizes now you're one inch away from her.
- "Oh you don't want to find out."
- >You are Echo.
- >And it seems like Anon won't come back for a while.
- >He was right when he told you this apple pie would be delicious.
- >You are feasting the hell out of it.
- >You don't even realize the way the Apples are looking at you.
- >They are literally with their mouth open watching speechless how you murder your treat.
- >Once you finally look up at them, you can see it.
- >They are shaking.
- >But you're not going to hurt them.
- >Why would they be afraid?
- >"What? Is there something on my teeth?"
- >You say, showing them a full view of your fangs.
- >Somehow that didn't help you.
- >They were perfectly calmed minutes ago.
- >Maybe that was because Anon was here with you.
- >You feel the anguish that raised over the years was starting to come back.
- >Feels bat pony.
- >But right now it's now the good time for puns.
- >You started to make them since you spent most days reading in your house.
- >You never told anypony about this although.
- >You were so alone.
- >Maybe if you talk about something you will feel better.
- >"So... You guys have always lived here?"
- >The deep voice of Big Mac it's the only one that replies.
- >"Eeeeeeeeyup!"
- >There is a short silence where nobody says a thing.
- >Let's try again.
- >"And do you guys like being apple farmers?"
- >A very dumb question now that you think about it.
- >Their cutiemarks and names are references to apples.
- >The result it's the same than before.
- >"Eeeeeeeeeyup!"
- >You wish a lighting bolt just came out of nowhere to kill you.
- >Anew, you are Anon.
- >You are drinking apple cider with your old boss.
- >You laugh while you remember the good old times.
- >"Remember when Applebloom tried to recruit ya on the CMC?"
- >You nod while giving a big sip to your bottle.
- "She tried for days until she realized I would never have a cutiemark."
- >You laugh some more until Applejack looks at you.
- >"Must feel good to have the most important job in here."
- >You job.
- >Important.
- >Pick one.
- "That's not true, AJ. My job consists in looking at nothing for the whole night."
- >Especially now since we're at times of peace.
- >But she just shakes her head in disbelief.
- >"If somepony attacks the city at daylight, what would happen?"
- >The answer is pretty easy.
- "I suppose princess Twilight will come here in a flash with the elements of harmony."
- >She sips some cider while looking at the sky.
- >"So when could be the perfect time fer ah strike?"
- >Your eyes widen as you finally get it.
- "When most of ponies are sleeping at night."
- >Applejack nods, making ding noises while she does.
- >"You night guards are our last chance against anythang clever enough to be a threat."
- >You never thought things this way.
- >Everypony trusts that you're going to protect them as soon as they go to sleep.
- >You have a big responsibility on your hands.
- >And so haves Echo.
- >You are Echo.
- >And everything it's going wrong.
- >So you decide to just eat in silence.
- >Silence that only lasted minutes.
- >"Do you drink blood?"
- >A curious Applebloom asks you.
- >And that was enough to make you choke on your meal.
- >After some coughing a piece of apple pie comes out at full speed from your throat.
- >You start to sweat rivers.
- >Big Mac only watches in silence the scene.
- >Granny Smith seems to be dying from a heart attack.
- >Quick, say something!
- "He-he, from where did you get such a silly idea?"
- >Applebloom gets closer to you.
- >"I once read a book 'bout a mare that came from Hollow Shades."
- >"She liked to drink blood from other ponies in the night."
- >What? Now even contemporary literature is against you?
- >You can no longer trust in books.
- >Big Mac stands up in horror.
- >"Is that true?"
- >You do your best to not panic and think.
- >Just how Anon taught you.
- >A little lie can't hurt, right?
- "Of course that's not true, that's ridiculous."
- >Applebloom doesn't swallow it.
- >"But the description of the mare fits exactly how you are."
- >Granny Smith starts to panic.
- >"A bloodsucker in Ponyville? On the night?"
- >This town is your last chance to start a new life.
- >You can't let anypony know what you are.
- >At least you must try to control this situation.
- "That book is only fictional, there's no such things as blood suckers,"
- >you say, trying to show a calm voice.
- "I promise you that there's nofang to worry about."
- >After that you smile at her, but there's something that surprised her.
- >Everything is silence once more as you realize what you just did.
- >Did you just unconsciously made a pun?
- >You get ready to fly in fear, until you hear a giggle.
- >Applebloom bursts in laughter while you stand there speechless.
- >Soon Big Mac and Granny Smith follow her as well.
- >They lost any fear they had against you.
- >All because of your silly puns.
- >Short time later, Anonymous shows up with Applejack.
- >"It's starting to get dark, we should leave now,"
- >he says while putting his hand upon you.
- >You say goodbye to the apple family.
- >They invited you to come back anytime you want.
- "Oh I would love to come back so we can..."
- >Inmediately you fly up so you can get upside down from the ceiling.
- "Hang around someday."
- >They laugh aloud as you and Anon make your way out to the barn.
- >You are now walking your way to the outpost for tonight's duty.
- >You notice that Anonymous is carrying a bag on his right arm.
- "Hey Anon, what's in the bag?"
- >He looks at you as he put his free hand inside of it.
- >"Oh it's nothing you know, just some boring..."
- >He suddenly grabs an orange bottle and shows it right to you.
- >"Bottle of Applejack Daniels!"
- >You stare at it for some seconds.
- "Is that something like apple cider?"
- >Anonymous looks at you like if you just said some heresy.
- >"This is way better than apple cider, and maybe you can get some of this tonight."
- >You give him a little screech of happiness.
- >"You already passed your first test, if you approve the next test I'll give you later, we'll celebrate with this."
- >First test?
- >What he's talking about?
- >Maybe you will ask him later.
- >The moon shines at the depths of the night.
- >You are Anon.
- >You clear your throat so you can start giving orders.
- "ATTENTION SOLDIER!"
- >Echo's face turns into a serious look.
- >She lifts her right front hoof 70 degrees, pointing at the sky.
- >That's how she must do it from now on.
- >"Sir, yes sir!"
- >You're very proud about how she did on your first challenge.
- >However, the time has come to prove her in battle.
- >The second part of the operation 'S.B.P.W.D.N.N.S.' begins now.
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We Are the Night - Chapter four: "First Test"
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