Evolved Anon: Chapter 3 (Fugitive Finery)

>Twilight looks up at you, “Seriously?”

“Hey! You’re the one who wanted me to bring up anything that I felt was weird. Don’t look at me.”

>She picks up the garments and scratches her head, “And… Ugh, what’s the problem? I’m sure Rarity can get these fixed up for you.”

“I already told you it’s not- How do I explain this?”

>You lean against the wall, your fresh clothes nearly driving you up the wall.

>”Aha! I see what the problem is.”

>Thank Christ. You were getting worried.

“What is it?”

>She hovers the shirt over to you, “The tag’s still on.”

>You glare at her and she grins smugly, “Warmer?”

“I can end you.”

 

>She lobs the clothes onto a chair, “What do you want from me Anon? Do you want me to tell you that your clothes don’t fit? I’m not a fashion designer.”

“Look,” you pick up your clothes, “I don’t feel right without these. It feels like I’m shedding off a layer of skin when I take it off.”

>She takes them from your hand and brings them to the light.

>”That sounds like something I can go with. An extra layer of skin huh?”

“I know it sounds crazy-“

>She stops you right there, “Trust me, this is far from the craziest thing I’ve seen since you’ve arrived.”

>Twilight moves to the other side of the room and folds your clothes on the table.

>”I’ll get to this as soon as I can. In the mean time, how has everything been?”

“Fine I guess.”

>”Details…”

“It’s easy enough living at Rarity’s. She always has something for me to do or to critique.”

>”Sounds about right.”

 

“I get a square three meals a day which is a nice change, although my stomach doesn’t necessarily agree with the choices.”

>”How’re you handling it?”

>The low rumble sounds off as she asks. You rub your stomach over your shirt.

“It’s getting worse. I’ve been trying to keep it back, but it’s only a matter of time before it takes over.”

>She grabs hold of her notepad, “And when was the last time you… consumed?”

>It’s been a few days since you got here and since that first time with the bear.

>You shiver at the memory, the pained whimper as you feasted upon-

>Stop thinking about it Anon.

“Not since the first time.”

>She nods, marking off her notes, “And the hunger has intensified since, correct?”

“Yeah.”

>She sighs and sets down her pad and quill.

 

>”This isn’t good Anon. You need to be able to control your craving.”

>Myself? Hasn’t she been listening?”

“What do you think I’ve been doing?!” you snap. “Do you think I’m not trying? Do you think I want to be like this?!”

>”I never said that-“

“But you were thinking it! I can smell the vibe seething off of you.”

>”I think you should try and calm down.”

>Calm down?! You are fucking calm!

>Twilight takes a step back, “Please…”

>You clench your fist, the tips cutting into your palms.

>Looking down at the claws you pull yourself back, the abomination receding back into hiding.

“I’m sorry.”

>”I think you should take some time to cool off.”

>You nod and walk out the door.

>She’s always right.

 

>Ponyville is peaceful at this hour.

>Not dead mind you, just calming.

>The morning’s just past, but the afternoon rush hasn’t quite arrived yet.

>In the meantime you’re allowed to walk through the streets without much fuss.

>Albeit, the p0nies here don’t seem to mind your unique appearance.

>In fact they almost welcome it.

>It’s quite the opposite off life back in New York where every person was liable to stick it to you.

>And the outbreak didn’t make it much better.

>But here there’s certainly a different atmosphere.

>You run your hand across one of the decorative toadstool tables and take a seat.

>Shame this place wasn’t filled with people.

>At least the p0nies can hold a half decent conversation.

>”What can I get for you sir?”

 

>You’re taken by surprise when the waiter speaks up.

“Actually I was just resting my legs. Is that alright sir?”

>”Of course, if you change your mind just holler.”

>You nod a thank you and go back to admiring the scenery.

>A couple passes you chatting about the day’s weather and you sport a grin.

>Who talks about the weather anymore?

>The grin fades. You never get to talk about the weather.

>”This seat taken?”

“Not at all,” you reply to the mare who sits across from you.

>She sets her bag to her side and smiles, “So what’re we having?”

“Oh I didn’t order.”

>Rarity looks at you curiously, “Then why are you sitting here?”

>You shrug in response.

“Just looking around.”

 

>”Well, I’ll order something if you don’t mind.”

“Go right ahead.”

>She motions over the waiter and orders an herb salad with a side of dandelion.

>”Anything for you sir.”

“No thanks I’m fine.”

>Rarity digs through her bag and checks her mane.

>You twiddle your fingers as you wait.

“So… how about that weather?”

>”I had heard from Rainbow Dash that we were expecting a light rain. I had to change my whole attire when the I saw the sky so clear.”

“Can’t be that bad. At least it’s sunny.”

>She nods as the waiter plates her food, “Quite, but in that time I could’ve made it to market at a decent hour.”

>Well there is that.

>She delicately takes a bite of her salad, “How delightful.”

 

>You watch as she works the greens away and soon you catch her eye, “What?”

“What what?”

>”You’re staring.”

“Staring? I would never- I was simply observing.”

>”Would you mind stopping?”

“Stopping what?”

>”Observing. It is quite unnerving.”

“Look at that. You’re a poet and you didn’t even now it.”

>The tries to stop a laugh, but a hint of it get out.

“Ahhh I got you there.”

>She smiles and tries her best to keep a straight face through her laughter.

>”I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh I think you do Ms. Chuckleworth.”

>”Is that supposed to mean something?”

“I don’t know it just popped in there.”

 

>She shakes her head as the waiter comes over with the bill.

>Rarity looks to it and then back to you.

>She doesn’t honestly expect-

>”Care to take care of that.”

“I didn’t even eat anything.”

>This of course doesn’t work, “Is it not polite to pay for a lady’s meal?”

“Well it is, but I can’t exactly pay with the skin of my back.”

>She catches that, “How could I forget you’re still new here. You’re off the hook this time.”

>But next time she’ll ride your ass.

>She plops a line of bits on the table and you pick up on of the pieces.

>”If you like them so much you should get a job and earn some. Then maybe you could buy a mare some dinner.”

“Yeah yeah…”

 

>You fiddle the bit in your handle before setting it back down.

“I haven’t seen a gold used as currency since I visited Medieval Times.”

>Before she gets the wrong idea you tell her it’s a restaurant.

>Don’t want anyp0ny thinking you’re a time traveler.

>That’s all types of attention you’d love to avoid.

>”What is it you use then?”

“Paper currency. It’s light, easy to handle and identifiable.”

>”Paper? How absurd, I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

>Of course she hasn’t.

“Give it a few hundred years. I’m sure you’ll come around.”

>”We’ll just have to wait and see.”

>She gets up and walks down the street, you joining her.

>”So how do you like your new clothes? I’m sure they fit well.”

“Yeah, of course,” you lie.

 

>The fabric scratches up against your skin unnaturally, though you yourself found it soft to the touch.

>”Marvelous. Now, two pairs of clothes simply won’t do. When we get back to the boutique I’ll want to take some more measurements.”

>Please god, have mercy.

>”You can never have enough clothes.”

“I’m sure the male population would disagree.”

>”And that’s why I never take no for an answer.”

>She’s real stubborn like that.

>An idea suddenly dawns on you to delay the coming of the tape measure.

“Actually I have to head back to Twilight’s real fast.”

>”For what exactly?”

“I told her I’d meet her you know, for book stuff.”

>By the look in her eyes she’s going to be praying for you.

>”Well, try not to have too much fun,” she manages to get out.

>You both part, Rarity heading home and you to Twilight’s library.

 

>You note the swift clopping of hooves before you enter which strikes you oddly.

“Twilight?” you call out entering the door.

>She’s running all over the place like a madmare.

>’No. No. No not there. No. No. Please be- No.”

>She almost flips over her table in a frenzy.

“Uhm, you alright?”

>She looks at you and only freaks out further, speeding up twofold.

>”No no no!”

“Is something wrong?”

>”Of course not!” she snaps. “Why in Equestria would you think that?”

>Her eye twitches every few seconds.

“You’re so calm and collected but now-“

>She slides to her knees in front of you and grabs hold of your feet, “Please forgive me. I don’t know what happened.”

 

“What are you-“

>”I was looking at your clothes like you said,” she says between breathes, “I put it under the microscope and couldn’t believe my eyes.

>She continues before you can stop her, “I went to get my notes and looked back but- I’m not crazy. You understand? I’m not!”

“Slow down Twilight. Take a deep breathe and sit down.”

>”O-okay,” she does as you ask, her heart beating like a drum.

>When you’re sure she’s calmed down some you ask her what happened.

>”I made sure to double check I really did.”

“Just tell me step by step.”

>”Well I went to get my notes like I said. I looked back to the table…”

>Her legs shake nervously and you pat her back.

“Annnnnd?”

>She looks to you with a straight face, “They were gone.”

>You blink as you search for something to say, one finally coming up.

“Bullshit.”

 

>”I knew you wouldn’t believe me.”

“So what? They just got up and walked away? I’m not buying it.”

>”I know how it sounds, but it did happen. I’ve been looking all over for them.”

>You can’t believe she managed to misplace your clothes and doesn’t have the decency to make up a good lie about it.

>Amateur level stuff.

“Have you looked upstairs?”

>She goes blank in the face, “Uhhh-“

“Thought so.”

>You walk up the stairs and look around.

>Finally you move to behind her bed, your clothes thrown out by the closed window carelessly.

>You turn to the railing.

“Found them! I can’t believe you didn’t,” you turn back, “look… upstairs…”

>The hell? They were right there.

>Must’ve been imagining things.

 

>”Did you find them?”

>That’s a first. Must be the water, shit’s making you trip out.

“No, I- Minds going crazy you know?”

>”Uhmm, Anon?”

“What?”

>”I think I found them.”

>About damn time. You walk down the stairs, Twilight looking off to the door.

“I thought you said you got them.”

>She points her hoof, “I just did.”

>Off by the creaked open door rests your clothes, the mess laid out nearby.

“Can’t believe I missed those when I walked in. Good eye-“

>A quiver catches your eye, “I’m not crazy right?”

“Did- Did my clothes just twitch?”

>The bundle twitches again and shoots outside.

>”And ran off. Yeah, we’re both crazy.”

 

“Okay. So I’ve got talking p0nies, mythical creatures, magic and now sentient clothing. Are you sure I’m not dead?”

>”I’m right there with you,” she says still stunned.

>You rub the outside of your mouth as you too try and comprehend the gravity of the situation.

>”Do you believe me now?”

“That they just got up and walked away? No, they fucking squirmed away like a snake.”

>She frees herself from her paralysis and gets back to the microscope.

“I think we have bigger problems right now. Like mutant clothing on the loose.”

>She puts in a slide and nods, “I thought as much. Your clothes, the ones that just wiggled out of here, they aren’t clothes.”

>You let your head wrap around that one.

“Yea-no. What does that even mean they’re not clothes?”

>”It’s not just fabric anymore. It’s- I truly am going crazy. They’re part of you. I’ll explain on the way.”

 

>You exit the library and follow the trail of disturbed dirt.

“So how’s that explanation?”

>”When I looked at the clothes the first time I had to double check to makes sure I was seeing it right, and I was. That pair of clothing, when viewed down at the microscopic level, contains remarkable similarities with your blood.”

“This isn’t the sci-fi channel Twilight. In fact, it would make more sense if this was on the sci-fi channel.”

>She ignores your remarks, “I went to check if my hypothesis was correct, but the ‘clothes’ disappeared before I could check the results.”

“So what? The clothing is part of my body?”

>”I can’t say for sure, but you said that it felt like you were shedding when you took it off? This could explain why.”

>That… does make some sense. It would also explain why these clothes felt unnatural.

>”When your hands morphed into those claws,” she makes sure to keep her voice subtle, “Your clothing shifted as well.”

 

>You faintly remember that. At the time you were more focused on the visceral knives that were replacing your fingers.

>”My theory would be that if you consumed this set of clothes, they would feel just as natural as your last.”

>Interesting hypothesis. It would certainly save you some time changing clothes.

>You duck into an alley where the trail leads and give it a try.

>Twilight looks on as your skin bubbles and rises over your clothing, the deep recesses of your being taking over them.

>You exhale as your skin returns to its normal hue and you can instantly recognize the difference.

“Next time you have a theory don’t be afraid to share it.”

>”Feel better?”

>You stretch your arms, the layer of clothes almost feeling nonexistent.

“Hell yeah.”

>”Good, but we’ve still got a pair to track down.”

>Ugh, you hate shopping.

 

>You tear the alley apart in search of it, but to no avail.

“Christ, if Rarity was here there’d be no hiding from her.”

>This statement gets her attention, “You haven’t told her have you?”

“About me? Oh hell no. I’m not stupid enough to do that.”

>This seems to put her at ease and you can understand why.

>The more that know about this the harder it’ll be to cover it up.

>After a continued search Twilight speaks up again, “I’ve got another theory if you’re up for it.”

“I’m all ears.”

>”If they’re a part of you, shouldn’t you be able to track them down?”

“They’re clothes, not a dog.”

>”I’m saying this wrong. Couldn’t you sense where they are?”

>You don’t think they’d work like that but you can try.

“Just give me a second.”

 

>You close your eyes and phase out your other senses.

>This is a stupid idea now that you think about it.

>How in the hell is this supposed to work? You just concentrate and you’re able to feel the fine grass brushing underneath its-

>Well fuck you sideways.

>”Did you get it?”

>You refocus, the grass evenly cut. A field of some sort, perhaps-

>The sensation quickly changes again this time to a hard almost grainy texture, the smooth bumps rubbing against the fabric.

>You open your eyes, Twilight waiting for an answer.

“How many tracks are there near P0nyville?”

>”There’s two, one west and the other farther south near the forest. Does that mean you found them?”

“It’s a hunch, but it’s better than nothing. You head on west and I’ll go south.”

>”Just be careful.”

“You too.”

 

>You jog off down the street, your mind constantly tuned to the fugitive garments.

>This would make an exceedingly strange episode of Cops.

>Keeping your speed under control you keep your eye out for any visual cues that could help guide you.

>It’s not like there’s going to be a sign that says ‘Athletic Track 50m’ on your left hand…

>Fuck it you’re just going to stop thinking.

>You slow down and stop behind a tree on the edge of the track grounds.

>It looks deserted. Strange, what reason did it have to come here?

>You grab hold of your stomach, an intense pain shooting through you.

>”Feed,” the voice echoes in your skull.

>No. Not now…

>You fight through it, a muffled yell barely catching your ear.

>Oh shit it better be what you think it is.

 

>Still holding your stomach you run across the open track from where the yell came from.

>Your nose picks up the heavy odor of sweat, the moisture thick in the air.

>Someone was here and you can only pray they’ve left already.

>More yells, muffled through the bushes, the masculine cries of both rage and fear.

>Cutting through the brush you find the source of the voice, an impossibly muscular white Pegasus, his muscles definitely compensating for something.

>Your clothes wrap around him in an attempt to tangle the stallion, but he’s far too thick for it to work.

>He pins a portion under his hoof and bucks it away, raising his hooves in the air, “YEEEAAAH!!”

>The pair of clothes slithers to your feet weakly, “Whoa buddy watch out! Those things are crazy.”

>The voice rings in your ear, your control slipping away.

>”Buddy, what’s with the smile? Didn’t ya- Holy hay…”

>You step towards him, claws sprouting forth once more.

>”Feed.”

 

>You suck on your thumb as you rest, a faint drizzle reaching your cheeks.

>A sense of fullness overtakes you and all you feel like doing is sleeping.

>Hmmm, so quiet and peaceful.

>”My word…” a voice says over you.

>Your brain kick starts back into gear and you sit up, Rarity once again over you.

>”Twilight!” She calls out, “I found him.”

>She knows, oh fuck this is bad.

>Rarity leans down next to you, “And to think that I gave you a fresh pair of clothes only for you to slip back into your old ones.”

>She runs a hoof up your arm, “I must say though, I never realized just how muscular you were.”

>What does she- You look down at yourself, your body thick with added muscle mass.

>Shit! Roll with it Anon don’t freak out.

“Yeah uhh, how couldn’t you notice that?”

>Fucking genius.

 

>Twilight breaches the bushes and looks at you both relieved and shocked.

>”Anon, it’s good you’re alright.”

>”And what big arms he has.”

“The better to…”

>”Carry things with. He’s been working out, haven’t you Anon?” Twilight plays damage control.

“Of course. You know, gotta keep in shape.”

>”Well if you’re going to keep looking like this then I need to keep you around for some heavy lifting.”

>Rarity seems to buy it, and that’s good enough for you right now.

>She hover his umbrella over you and helps you up, though you have to crouch underneath it.

“I guess Dash was right after all huh?”

>”Quite,” Rarity says leading you two out back to P0nyville.

 

>Rarity heads off to the boutique. Twilight almost had to pry her off of you to get going.

>Twilight said you two still had bookwork to do so you’d have to stay a little longer.

>Needless to say she wasn’t happy about it, but she left without much fuss.

>When she closes the door, she whips back around, “What happened this time?”

“I don’t- I remember tracking it down to the southern field when I felt the hunger rise back up.”

>”And you didn’t think of finding me?”

“I was too close and then I heard someone in trouble.”

>”So you tried to help them with your stomach?”

>You cast your head in shame.

“I should never have stayed here. I’ll only endanger the p0nies here.”

>She shakes her head, “No. You’re safer here where I can try and keep an eye on you then out in the unknown.”

>Her logic is sound but it doesn’t make you feel much better.

 

>”It was Snowflake wasn’t it?”

“I never asked his name.”

>”Pegasus, white, thicker than a manticore?”

>You nod, “Yeah that’s Snowflake. May he rest in peace.”

“If I hadn’t gone to him…”

>”You can’t change the past Anon, but you can alter the future. You need to keep a tighter leash on this hunger of yours.”

“They’ll be looking for him soon won’t they?”

>She nods, “It’s alright Anon. Just try not to think about it.”

>How can’t you? It’s not like his memories aren’t flowing through your mind.

“What if I said he was leaving overseas or something?”

>Twilight once again has a look of curiosity, “I doubt they’d believe you.”

“What if I said it *as* Snowflake.”

>”What do you mean?”

 

>You shift your weight from a foot to another.

“I haven’t told you everything about what I can do. You know about the claws, the speed, strength, hunger that stuff, but that’s not everything.”

>”Anon, if you want my help you need to tell me everything you know.”

>You nod and step towards the window.

“When I consume- God I hate that word. I’m not an animal.”

>”Continue…”

“I don’t just end that hunger, they become part of me. I absorb their strength, their memories, all of it.”

>You focus all your efforts once more, limbs wobbly as you fall to all fours, two fins sprouting from your spine.

>This new form isn’t easy to walk in, but you’ll learn in time. “Anon?”

“I can also change into them,” you say turning back to her.

>She holds a hoof to her mouth, “You’re…”

“Yeah…”