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Evolved Anon: Chapter 6 (Drunken Folly)

By: Bastinator on Dec 20th, 2012 | syntax: None | size: 21.76 KB | hits: 235 | expires: Never

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>You duck your head at the piercing rays of the club.
>An unnecessary pain you don’t wish to deal with.
>The waitress comes over and you look up to her with half-closed eyes.
“Leave the bottle.”
>It’s not easy getting drunk with this shit in you, but you found a way.
>What better way to forget than to lose half your brain cells?
>Your body’d probably regenerate those too.
>You fumble with the bottle, finally managing to pry it off and send it flying off god knows where.
>Raising the bottle in the air you silently toast to a swift demise that’ll never come.
>If there’s no beating the odds, might as well enjoy the time you’ve got.
>You down the glass like it were juice and leave it at that.
>Maybe you’ll drink yourself into a stupor this time.
>Wouldn’t that be a change of pace?
>You lay your head atop the cold table as the music flares back up.
>Even if it does make your ears bleed volume-wise it’s catchy.
>Your foot taps away and the beams of light shine against your closed lids.
>A hoof taps your shoulder.
>Ugh why can’t anyone leave you in peace?
>Is that really so much to ask for?
>The hoof prods you again, this time with more force.
“Mmmmm.”
>”I’m trying to talk to you flankhole!”
>The stallion pushes you one more time and sits you up.
>You blink several times as you try and clear your vision.
>What’s he got in his hands now?
>”This cap yours?”
>Ha it does look kinda familiar.
“I don know. Maibe it was thems,” you point over to another group of p0nies at nearby booth.
>”They don’t have a bottle. You do,” he replies, his two friends backing him up.
>Oh why does he have to go and do that?
“Whut’re ya impli- implying?”
>”Your cap grazed my suit. It’s worth more than you can imagine.”
>Would you look at that.
“That’s un of those fanci verlum coats ain’t it?”
>He snorts in response. “So you do know how much it costs. Then you know just how pissed I am.”
>You puff your cheeks and shrug.
“Ah think it luks bettr that weh.”
>He brushes it off and looks to his friends, “You know what? I’m having a good day today and I’d hate to ruin it further by bloodying up coat. So I’ll cut you a break. You make me laugh, and we let you walk away without some broken bones.”
“O-okay now,” you hold up your hands drunkenly and wobble to your feet, “Jus give mi a secnd.”
>You press your finger against your temple as you try to think of a joke.
“Ah got it! Wait… How’d it go on again?”
>His friends laugh, but the stallion silences them.
“Oh yeah. What’d- What’d the… shit. How many was it?”
>You start counting on your hand.
“One, three, six, four… Five!” you shout in drunken pride.
>”Go on.”
>He and his friends are anxious to hear it.
>It’s a real show stopper.
“What’d the five- *hic* five fingers say to the face?”
>He shrugs, “What?”
>You smile, mouth open for dramatic effect.
“SLAP!”
>He hits the edge of the table and cuts his head open while his friends stand in shock.
“Ha ha ha! Get it? Slap! HAAA!”
>You have to hold the side of the table so you don’t fall over, only laughing harder when his blood gets over your hand.
>When you point and laugh it pulls the other two out of their stunned state.
>You drunkenly fall back on the table, narrowly dodging one of their bucks as you grab the bottle of alcohol.
Lunging forwards you cry, “Anon uses Bottle Bash!”
>You bring it over the left p0nies skull and knock him out in a single hit.
“It’s super effective!”
>You wallow in your victory, completely forgetting about the last guy until you hear the shattering of glass.
>The alcohol in your boils away in an instant as you feel a wetness splash against your feet.
>He didn’t just-
>You look to the broken bottle in your hand, the stallion shivering in fear.
>He did.
>You grab him by the neck and throw him onto the table, the broken bottle pressing into his throat.
“Not so fucking tough now are you? You wanted to tango well here I am!”
>”Please- he was buzzed. I wasn’t looking for a fight,” he breathes out with tears in his eyes.
“Should’ve kept your mutt on a leash then because a fight is what you found.”
>He begins to pray as you overpower him.
>The music’s stopped. You ruined the show.
>All the p0nies in the club are staring at you, the bouncer standing just behind you.
>”I think it’s time for you to go Anon. No hard feelings.”
>You grunt and let go of the stallion, “He’s not worth the breath.”
“I’ve got some to spare.”
>”Come on big guy, I’ll lead you out.”
>He takes you out the back. “Don’t stop on our account,” he hollers back.
>The music flares back up as he shuts the door behind you.
>You reach into your pockets knowing that what you seek won’t be there.
“Wouldn’t happen to have a cigarette would you?”
>”Nope.”
>Fucking figures.
>You lay down over the dumpster, “You should probably head home.”
“Real great idea. Too bad mine requires me to travel through time and space.”
>”I meant Rarity’s.”
>That too could be considered home you guess.
>”I might suggest getting cleaned up first.”
>Vomit still covers the bottom of your legs and the stench of booze is unmistakable.
“Pretty sure she’d kill me if she saw me like this.”
>”She’d clean you up if anything.”
“Yeah that’s what I meant.”
>You pull yourself up and the bouncer pats you on the back.
>”So you got a place to say for the night or not?”
“What’s it to you,” you joke, “going to drug me and take me back to your place.”
>”Nothing quite as glamorous, but my couch is always open.”
>You’ve already got a place you think you could stay.
>That is unless your host doesn’t hide behind the door when you knock.
“Thanks, but no thanks. I appreciate the offer.”
>”Well I’ve gotta get back to work. Come around when you’re looking for some ‘friendly’ drinking.”
>You stop him before he enters.
“I didn’t catch your name.”
>”I don’t think I said it in the first place.”
>He smiles and shuts the door.
>Clever bastard.
>The walk outside P0nyville is a nostalgic one, though those memories always seem to follow with death.
>You walk up the path and stand by the door. *knock knock*
>The door peeps open and the pink mane pokes through.
“Have any extra room for tonight?”
>”Umm, ok.”
>Fluttershy opens the door the rest of the way and you enter, the heavy aroma of animal musk coating the air.
>”Why aren’t you at Rarity’s- I mean, if you don’t mind me asking.”
>You show off your body, “Oh…”
“I was hoping you’d show some kindness and let me sleep out back.”
>”You could use my bed if you want…”
“Where would you sleep?”
>”Umm, there’s the couch and-
“I’ll take the couch.”
>She averts her eyes, “Ok.”
>She directs you to the back where you can wash your clothes, but you instead morph into another pair.
>The coating of vomit and booze slip off at the change and you quickly scrub it away.
>You’ll just say you’re a master cleaner.
>You stretch your arms and yawn as you walk back out to the couch.
>Fluttershy’s off in the kitchen brewing something and might you say, it smells delicious.
“Late night feeding?”
>She almost drops the pan she’s so startled.
>You chuckle and she turns velvet.
“It’s alright. I find your demeanor rather refreshing.”
>Fluttershy goes back to cooking.
“So who’re you cooking for?”
>”Y-you…”
>Ain’t that sweet? She’s just a right up fine mare.
“I appreciate it.”
>She wouldn’t be so nice if she knew what happened to her bear.
>Maybe…
“Hey Fluttershy?”
>”Hmm…”
>It’ll be fine right?
>You pause and sit down on the couch.
“Never mind.”
>It’s not the time. Maybe it’ll never be the time.
>She feeds you and wishes you goodnight, you doing the same.
>The saying goodnight part not feeding her.
>You couldn’t cook your way out of a Hot Pocket.
>You slip off your shoes and make sure to let them know what you’ll do them if they walk away.
>Maybe you really are just crazy? Talking to clothes and such.
>Meh, could be worse.
>You lie down on the couch and rest your eyes.
>Blissful sleep.
>Of course, peaceful sleep is for pussies.
>You find yourself back in New York where Blackwatch plagues the streets and the infection patrols them.
>Looking down on them all you can feel is disgust.
>The very air of this place is tainted with the sins of man and monster.
>How different it is from back home…
>A chill runs up your spine, “Why don’t you just give in?”
>It’s just a dream. Just a dream.
>He laughs, “Keep telling yourself that kid. Now then, I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.
“And I don’t care to,” you say facing the menace.
>”Ouch. You hurt my feelings, now we’re both in the wrong.”
>How can he be so calm and collected?
>So… in control.
>He walks to the edge of the rooftop and looks down on the city with you.
>”Disgusting isn’t it? Must be doubly bad for you considering that paradise you found.”
>He knows! How? “Not a fan of those p0nies though, especially that unicorn. The one with the purple hair thing? You’re a tolerant one.”
>He turns to you smugly, “You thought I didn’t know? Who do you think has been helping you get used to your new self?”
>That voice…
>”Most of the ‘Evolved,’ I think they call themselves, aren’t strong enough to resist as you have. Don’t you find that odd?”
>He grabs you by the throat as you lunge at him, “Just remember who’s the stronger of us.”
“What- do you want?”
>He throws you back down to the floor, “I want you to follow orders. Consume, and grow stronger from the joining.”
“I’m my own man. I control myself.”
>”Control? You’ve done a great job so far, but if you were to accept it…”
>He kneels to your level hands on his knees, “That’s what you want isn’t it? Control?”
>You look away from him, “That’s it. I know it is. You’d rather have it work for you than the other way around.”
“I’d rather not have it at all.”
>He stands back up in disappointment, “Keep telling yourself that, but we both know otherwise.”
>No, he’s wrong. “You will give in. All I have to do is wait.”
>You ball your hand into a fist and stand back up. “Nobody resists forever.”
>He looks down to the city, “It’s up to you to determine how many people will get caught in the crossfire.”
“I can protect them.”
>His ears perk up, “Sounds like you’re failing at that already.”
“What do you mean by that?”
>He stands at the edge, “Time to wake up.”
>A slap stirs you from slumber, the white rabbit knocking on your head.
>Just- just a dream. He slaps you again and you rub your cheek.
“What the hell is that for?”
>He jumps off of you and paws at the front door as you work your chest up.
“It’s already morning? Damn, I must’ve slept harder than I thought.”
>You yawn and walk over to the door.
“Take a piss and get back- What the…”
>The yard is trashed. Pieces of fencing have been lobbed to and fro, the chicken coop is all but gone.
>There’s not a single peep from any of Fluttershy’s critters either.
>Whatever happened here must’ve-
>Fluttershy.
>Angel darts down and into the bushes around the house and you run after him.
>Fishing through the bushes you pick the mare up, her breathing is shallow but she’s very much alive.
“Fluttershy can you hear me?”
>She winces as you move her inside and set her on the couch.
>What could’ve done this to her? It wasn’t you, or she’d be roughly somewhere in your colon.
>You realign the feathers on her wing and pick out the twigs while she rests.
“Angel, did you see what happened?”
>He shakes his head. Not like he’d be able to tell you, you don’t speak rabbit.
>Angel rubs Fluttershy’s neck as you slip on your shoes and move back outside.
>The musk of animals has always been heavy around here, but you smell something different this time.
>You kneel down to the grass, the dirt still moist from the morning dew, a paw print pressed within.
>Opal’s print is small as fuck and this one is about the size of that little fuck.
>The tracks lead away from Fluttershy’s house.
>Down to P0nyville.
“Angel, take care of Fluttershy until I get back.”
>And you set back to town.
>You hear the calamity before you actually see it, a hundred cries and screams shooting out from the town.
>Any p0nies that are still on the streets when you arrive are galloping back to their homes and boarding them shut.
>A roar bellows from deeper in town and you follow it.
>Your senses are tuned in to finding whatever creating this havoc.
>And all the while you hear him inside your head.
>”Consume.”
>But you cast the thought aside as you turn the corner to see Twilight diverting the masses back home.
>”Anon!” she calls as you approach, “We have to get everyp0ny to safety.”
“What’s going on?”
>”A monster’s rampaging through the city. We’re not sure why, but we need to help everyp0ny first.”
“I just came back from Fluttershy’s.”
>”Is she ok?”
“She got hit pretty hard.”
>”I’ll head out to help her.”
>”Get back home!” she calls out, Applejack escorting them along.
>”In the mean time, I need your help.”
“Just tell me what to do.”
>But that look in her eyes says it all.
>”Please be careful. We just need it out of town, you don’t need to-“
“It won’t come to that.”
>You jog off and leave Twilight and her friends to their work.
>The wails of the masses draw silent behind you the further you go.
>The stench is thicker here. It must be close by.
>A twig snaps ahead of you forcing you to dive for cover.
>Looking through the bushes you make out a fearsome creature walking down the street.
>Its snout sniffs at the ground before raising its hind leg and marking its territory.
>At least you know where the scent is coming from.
>You peek your head over the top to get a clear view of the creature, or creatures.
>In truth you’re not entirely sure what it is.
>It has the body of a lion coupled with two elongated bat wings stretching from its back, the tail of a scorpion hanging above it ready to strike.
“The fuck?”
>Its head shoots to you, eyes narrowing on its next meal.
>You stare right back at him.
>This meal happens to fight back.
>The creature takes a step towards you before whipping its head around once more.
>It snarls and lunges away from you as you stand up.
>You feel almost relieved until you realize it has a new target.
>A filly that happened to have strolled into its midst.
>A unicorn with a knack for singing.
>You won’t let it have her.
>You catch up to the creature as it lunges for her and tackle it into the side of the house.
“Sweetie get out of here!”
>The creature’s claws dive into your back but you keep it pinned down.
>She won’t move, frozen with terror.
>Dammit!
>You push yourself off the creature, its claws ripping small chunks from your back as you grab Sweetie Belle and run.
“I told you to run,” you scold her as you keep the pace, the flesh of your back molding together painfully.
>She sobs in your arms and you rub her head with your cheek.
“I’m just glad you’re safe.”
>”I’m sorry…”
“It’s going to be alright, but the next time I say to run just-“
>Your body crashes through the wall of a nearby building and you instinctively shield Sweetie Belle.
>The creature marches through the hole and you let go of Sweetie Belle.
“Run.”
>”But-“
“Run!”
>Sweetie darts for the door, the menace turning to her, stinger quivering.
>No you don’t.
>You leap between the two and strike the stinger mid-strike, the creature wailing painfully.
>Sweetie looks back to the floor where the decapitated tail lies next to you, your claws bared.
“Don’t make me say it again.”
>The door slams shut while the creature rubs the end of its tail.
>This… You won’t let it harm anyone else.
>Not Fluttershy, not Sweetie Belle, no one.
“NO ONE!”
>You ball the claws into a fist, muscles bulging in your arm, your hand cutting into the monster’s face and sending him outside.
>You’ll fucking kill it.
>You stomp over to it, each step picking up a storm of dust.
>It moves to strike you but you duck the blow and kick it in the face.
>You grab hold of his arms and spin him through the air, knocking him through walls and stalls before lobbing him through the air.
>You sprint after him and kick him just before he lands.
>You’re going for a new high score.
>As it reaches its apex height you hear the shrill of p0nies.
>Looks like you moved a bit closer than you thought.
>Putting all your force into your legs you leap into the air after him and pull your fist back.
>Its eyes are filled with fear as you close in, the two of you high above the crowds of P0nyville.
>Fear… You like the sound of that.
>You spike him into the dirt and land amidst the upheaval of dirt that serves as a cloak.
>Locking your hands together you send him flying away from you.
>Silence.
>Your limbs twitch as you step out of the dirt cloud and spot the hole in Twilight’s house.
>Would’ve been a nice shot if you had planned it.
>No p0ny says a word, each as transfixed on the hole as their neighbor.
>Only a gasp escapes when they spot the creature hobble out and limp to the edge of town.
>”Anon!” Twilight calls as she runs up to you, covering your body with a towel to hide your… appearance.
>”You did it. Thank you.”
“It’s still alive.”
>”But it’s gone thanks to you.”
>Not good enough.
“It needs to die.”
>It can’t be allowed to live. Not after what it’s done.
“I need to…”
>At the edge of the gathering crowd you spot the two of them in each other’s hooves, Rarity and Sweetie Belle.
>The sight of them- It’s a calm you’ve not felt for an age.
>”Feed…” the voice commands. But you won’t listen, not at that.
>You feel the skin of your hands return and the weight of your muscles lessen.
“We’re going to be alright.”
>”Yes we are,” Twilight says watching them as well.
>He was right, you did want control.
>However, wrong at the same time.
>You don’t want to control the virus to work for you.
>You want to contain the virus within you.
>Maybe then things will be different.
>It may take you years to contain it, but you’ll find a way.
>Humans are a good at that.
>”I can’t believe you sent him flying into my house,” Twilight nags as you shovel debris out of her living room.
“Seemed like a good idea at the time.”
>”How could you ever think that was a good idea? What if the manticore broke something?”
“Besides the front of your house? I don’t think there’s much to worry about.”
>”Anon.”
“What? Don’t take it the wrong way, I like books as much as the next guy, but I don’t.”
>You grab one such book from the floor and flip it open.
”The chemical make up of a Hydra’s gastral cavity consists of lollipops and melted gumdrops. Pretty sure half of that is false.”
>”Anon.”
“What?”
>”You didn’t happen to see the other half of this did you?”
>She holds a tattered handkerchief in the air, the fabric discolored from-
“Where’s the other half?”
>”That’s what I’d like to know.”
“You don’t think- It couldn’t have just stumbled upon it.”
>She shakes her head, “It’s hard to believe it was an accident, but it could’ve torn it by chance.”
>She told you once before how infectious it could be. That’s why she had it kept it under her care.
>”If the manticore happened to get some of it-“
“We need to find it.”
>Twilight’s pacing back and forth, “Out in the Everfree Forest? There are worse things than manticores out there.
“And they’ll be that much worse if they manage to get infected.”
>She nods, chest throbbing rapidly as if she were having an attack, “You’re right. We need to round up everyp0ny. I already got Fluttershy, but the Apple’s would be better here.”
“Sound enough. I can track it down myself. If I’m lucky I can stop things before they get bad enough.”
>”No way, you aren’t going by yourself. Let me contact the Princess, surely she’d be able to help.”
>The Princess? Oh hell no.
“And what’re you going to tell her? A manticore’s infected with my blood? I like my feet on the ground not the moon.”
>”Either way, I’m not letting you go alone.”
>There’s no debating with her. Her stubbornness is only matched by her intelligence.
>Maybe that’s why you get along so well with her.
>That and she’s the only p0ny you can confide in.
>”Tomorrow. We’re going to find the manticore and make sure it’s not infected.”
“And if it is?”
>”We’ll think of something.”
>That’ll be fresh.
>You shut the door, exhausted from your day of clean up.
>Rarity practically squeezes the life out of you when she sees you.
>”Oh thank you Anon,” she repeats time and time again. “If it weren’t for you…”
>She looks to Sweetie Belle with a smile, “She’s safe thanks to you.”
>Back in the house. With the manticore. She saw you, the real you.
“What’d she uh- tell you exactly?”
>”Only that you saved her when she ran off with her friends. She got lost and that’s when you found her.”
“Glad to be of service,” you reply still looking to Sweetie.
>”We were just about to celebrate when you arrived. Care to join us?”
“Sure,” you say as she trot ahead of you and Sweetie Belle. “What you saw-“
>”Your secret’s safe with me.”
>You kneel down and hug her, “For a price.”
>She laughs at your loss of breath, “Only kidding.”
“Thank you Sweetie Belle.”
>”No,” she responds locking you tighter in a hug, “Thank you.”

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>You duck your head at the piercing rays of the club.
>An unnecessary pain you don’t wish to deal with.
>The waitress comes over and you look up to her with half-closed eyes.
“Leave the bottle.”
>It’s not easy getting drunk with this shit in you, but you found a way.
>What better way to forget than to lose half your brain cells?
>Your body’d probably regenerate those too.
>You fumble with the bottle, finally managing to pry it off and send it flying off god knows where.
>Raising the bottle in the air you silently toast to a swift demise that’ll never come.
>If there’s no beating the odds, might as well enjoy the time you’ve got.
>You down the glass like it were juice and leave it at that.
>Maybe you’ll drink yourself into a stupor this time.
>Wouldn’t that be a change of pace?

>You lay your head atop the cold table as the music flares back up.
>Even if it does make your ears bleed volume-wise it’s catchy.
>Your foot taps away and the beams of light shine against your closed lids.
>A hoof taps your shoulder.
>Ugh why can’t anyone leave you in peace?
>Is that really so much to ask for?
>The hoof prods you again, this time with more force.
“Mmmmm.”
>”I’m trying to talk to you flankhole!”
>The stallion pushes you one more time and sits you up.
>You blink several times as you try and clear your vision.
>What’s he got in his hands now?
>”This cap yours?”
>Ha it does look kinda familiar.

“I don know. Maibe it was thems,” you point over to another group of p0nies at nearby booth.
>”They don’t have a bottle. You do,” he replies, his two friends backing him up.
>Oh why does he have to go and do that?
“Whut’re ya impli- implying?”
>”Your cap grazed my suit. It’s worth more than you can imagine.”
>Would you look at that.
“That’s un of those fanci verlum coats ain’t it?”
>He snorts in response. “So you do know how much it costs. Then you know just how pissed I am.”
>You puff your cheeks and shrug.
“Ah think it luks bettr that weh.”
>He brushes it off and looks to his friends, “You know what? I’m having a good day today and I’d hate to ruin it further by bloodying up coat. So I’ll cut you a break. You make me laugh, and we let you walk away without some broken bones.”

“O-okay now,” you hold up your hands drunkenly and wobble to your feet, “Jus give mi a secnd.”
>You press your finger against your temple as you try to think of a joke.
“Ah got it! Wait… How’d it go on again?”
>His friends laugh, but the stallion silences them.
“Oh yeah. What’d- What’d the… shit. How many was it?”
>You start counting on your hand.
“One, three, six, four… Five!” you shout in drunken pride.
>”Go on.”
>He and his friends are anxious to hear it.
>It’s a real show stopper.
“What’d the five- *hic* five fingers say to the face?”
>He shrugs, “What?”
>You smile, mouth open for dramatic effect.
“SLAP!”

>He hits the edge of the table and cuts his head open while his friends stand in shock.
“Ha ha ha! Get it? Slap! HAAA!”
>You have to hold the side of the table so you don’t fall over, only laughing harder when his blood gets over your hand.
>When you point and laugh it pulls the other two out of their stunned state.
>You drunkenly fall back on the table, narrowly dodging one of their bucks as you grab the bottle of alcohol.
Lunging forwards you cry, “Anon uses Bottle Bash!”
>You bring it over the left p0nies skull and knock him out in a single hit.
“It’s super effective!”
>You wallow in your victory, completely forgetting about the last guy until you hear the shattering of glass.
>The alcohol in your boils away in an instant as you feel a wetness splash against your feet.
>He didn’t just-
>You look to the broken bottle in your hand, the stallion shivering in fear.
>He did.

>You grab him by the neck and throw him onto the table, the broken bottle pressing into his throat.
“Not so fucking tough now are you? You wanted to tango well here I am!”
>”Please- he was buzzed. I wasn’t looking for a fight,” he breathes out with tears in his eyes.
“Should’ve kept your mutt on a leash then because a fight is what you found.”
>He begins to pray as you overpower him.
>The music’s stopped. You ruined the show.
>All the p0nies in the club are staring at you, the bouncer standing just behind you.
>”I think it’s time for you to go Anon. No hard feelings.”
>You grunt and let go of the stallion, “He’s not worth the breath.”
“I’ve got some to spare.”
>”Come on big guy, I’ll lead you out.”
>He takes you out the back. “Don’t stop on our account,” he hollers back.
>The music flares back up as he shuts the door behind you.

>You reach into your pockets knowing that what you seek won’t be there.
“Wouldn’t happen to have a cigarette would you?”
>”Nope.”
>Fucking figures.
>You lay down over the dumpster, “You should probably head home.”
“Real great idea. Too bad mine requires me to travel through time and space.”
>”I meant Rarity’s.”
>That too could be considered home you guess.
>”I might suggest getting cleaned up first.”
>Vomit still covers the bottom of your legs and the stench of booze is unmistakable.
“Pretty sure she’d kill me if she saw me like this.”
>”She’d clean you up if anything.”
“Yeah that’s what I meant.”

>You pull yourself up and the bouncer pats you on the back.
>”So you got a place to say for the night or not?”
“What’s it to you,” you joke, “going to drug me and take me back to your place.”
>”Nothing quite as glamorous, but my couch is always open.”
>You’ve already got a place you think you could stay.
>That is unless your host doesn’t hide behind the door when you knock.
“Thanks, but no thanks. I appreciate the offer.”
>”Well I’ve gotta get back to work. Come around when you’re looking for some ‘friendly’ drinking.”
>You stop him before he enters.
“I didn’t catch your name.”
>”I don’t think I said it in the first place.”
>He smiles and shuts the door.
>Clever bastard.

>The walk outside P0nyville is a nostalgic one, though those memories always seem to follow with death.
>You walk up the path and stand by the door. *knock knock*
>The door peeps open and the pink mane pokes through.
“Have any extra room for tonight?”
>”Umm, ok.”
>Fluttershy opens the door the rest of the way and you enter, the heavy aroma of animal musk coating the air.
>”Why aren’t you at Rarity’s- I mean, if you don’t mind me asking.”
>You show off your body, “Oh…”
“I was hoping you’d show some kindness and let me sleep out back.”
>”You could use my bed if you want…”
“Where would you sleep?”
>”Umm, there’s the couch and-
“I’ll take the couch.”
>She averts her eyes, “Ok.”

>She directs you to the back where you can wash your clothes, but you instead morph into another pair.
>The coating of vomit and booze slip off at the change and you quickly scrub it away.
>You’ll just say you’re a master cleaner.
>You stretch your arms and yawn as you walk back out to the couch.
>Fluttershy’s off in the kitchen brewing something and might you say, it smells delicious.
“Late night feeding?”
>She almost drops the pan she’s so startled.
>You chuckle and she turns velvet.
“It’s alright. I find your demeanor rather refreshing.”
>Fluttershy goes back to cooking.
“So who’re you cooking for?”
>”Y-you…”
>Ain’t that sweet? She’s just a right up fine mare.
“I appreciate it.”

>She wouldn’t be so nice if she knew what happened to her bear.
>Maybe…
“Hey Fluttershy?”
>”Hmm…”
>It’ll be fine right?
>You pause and sit down on the couch.
“Never mind.”
>It’s not the time. Maybe it’ll never be the time.
>She feeds you and wishes you goodnight, you doing the same.
>The saying goodnight part not feeding her.
>You couldn’t cook your way out of a Hot Pocket.
>You slip off your shoes and make sure to let them know what you’ll do them if they walk away.
>Maybe you really are just crazy? Talking to clothes and such.
>Meh, could be worse.
>You lie down on the couch and rest your eyes.
>Blissful sleep.

>Of course, peaceful sleep is for pussies.
>You find yourself back in New York where Blackwatch plagues the streets and the infection patrols them.
>Looking down on them all you can feel is disgust.
>The very air of this place is tainted with the sins of man and monster.
>How different it is from back home…
>A chill runs up your spine, “Why don’t you just give in?”
>It’s just a dream. Just a dream.
>He laughs, “Keep telling yourself that kid. Now then, I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced.
“And I don’t care to,” you say facing the menace.
>”Ouch. You hurt my feelings, now we’re both in the wrong.”
>How can he be so calm and collected?
>So… in control.

>He walks to the edge of the rooftop and looks down on the city with you.
>”Disgusting isn’t it? Must be doubly bad for you considering that paradise you found.”
>He knows! How? “Not a fan of those p0nies though, especially that unicorn. The one with the purple hair thing? You’re a tolerant one.”
>He turns to you smugly, “You thought I didn’t know? Who do you think has been helping you get used to your new self?”
>That voice…
>”Most of the ‘Evolved,’ I think they call themselves, aren’t strong enough to resist as you have. Don’t you find that odd?”
>He grabs you by the throat as you lunge at him, “Just remember who’s the stronger of us.”
“What- do you want?”
>He throws you back down to the floor, “I want you to follow orders. Consume, and grow stronger from the joining.”
“I’m my own man. I control myself.”
>”Control? You’ve done a great job so far, but if you were to accept it…”

>He kneels to your level hands on his knees, “That’s what you want isn’t it? Control?”
>You look away from him, “That’s it. I know it is. You’d rather have it work for you than the other way around.”
“I’d rather not have it at all.”
>He stands back up in disappointment, “Keep telling yourself that, but we both know otherwise.”
>No, he’s wrong. “You will give in. All I have to do is wait.”
>You ball your hand into a fist and stand back up. “Nobody resists forever.”
>He looks down to the city, “It’s up to you to determine how many people will get caught in the crossfire.”
“I can protect them.”
>His ears perk up, “Sounds like you’re failing at that already.”
“What do you mean by that?”
>He stands at the edge, “Time to wake up.”

>A slap stirs you from slumber, the white rabbit knocking on your head.
>Just- just a dream. He slaps you again and you rub your cheek.
“What the hell is that for?”
>He jumps off of you and paws at the front door as you work your chest up.
“It’s already morning? Damn, I must’ve slept harder than I thought.”
>You yawn and walk over to the door.
“Take a piss and get back- What the…”
>The yard is trashed. Pieces of fencing have been lobbed to and fro, the chicken coop is all but gone.
>There’s not a single peep from any of Fluttershy’s critters either.
>Whatever happened here must’ve-
>Fluttershy.
>Angel darts down and into the bushes around the house and you run after him.
>Fishing through the bushes you pick the mare up, her breathing is shallow but she’s very much alive.

“Fluttershy can you hear me?”
>She winces as you move her inside and set her on the couch.
>What could’ve done this to her? It wasn’t you, or she’d be roughly somewhere in your colon.
>You realign the feathers on her wing and pick out the twigs while she rests.
“Angel, did you see what happened?”
>He shakes his head. Not like he’d be able to tell you, you don’t speak rabbit.
>Angel rubs Fluttershy’s neck as you slip on your shoes and move back outside.
>The musk of animals has always been heavy around here, but you smell something different this time.
>You kneel down to the grass, the dirt still moist from the morning dew, a paw print pressed within.
>Opal’s print is small as fuck and this one is about the size of that little fuck.
>The tracks lead away from Fluttershy’s house.
>Down to P0nyville.
“Angel, take care of Fluttershy until I get back.”
>And you set back to town.

>You hear the calamity before you actually see it, a hundred cries and screams shooting out from the town.
>Any p0nies that are still on the streets when you arrive are galloping back to their homes and boarding them shut.
>A roar bellows from deeper in town and you follow it.
>Your senses are tuned in to finding whatever creating this havoc.
>And all the while you hear him inside your head.
>”Consume.”
>But you cast the thought aside as you turn the corner to see Twilight diverting the masses back home.
>”Anon!” she calls as you approach, “We have to get everyp0ny to safety.”
“What’s going on?”
>”A monster’s rampaging through the city. We’re not sure why, but we need to help everyp0ny first.”
“I just came back from Fluttershy’s.”
>”Is she ok?”
“She got hit pretty hard.”
>”I’ll head out to help her.”

>”Get back home!” she calls out, Applejack escorting them along.
>”In the mean time, I need your help.”
“Just tell me what to do.”
>But that look in her eyes says it all.
>”Please be careful. We just need it out of town, you don’t need to-“
“It won’t come to that.”
>You jog off and leave Twilight and her friends to their work.
>The wails of the masses draw silent behind you the further you go.
>The stench is thicker here. It must be close by.
>A twig snaps ahead of you forcing you to dive for cover.
>Looking through the bushes you make out a fearsome creature walking down the street.
>Its snout sniffs at the ground before raising its hind leg and marking its territory.
>At least you know where the scent is coming from.

>You peek your head over the top to get a clear view of the creature, or creatures.
>In truth you’re not entirely sure what it is.
>It has the body of a lion coupled with two elongated bat wings stretching from its back, the tail of a scorpion hanging above it ready to strike.
“The fuck?”
>Its head shoots to you, eyes narrowing on its next meal.
>You stare right back at him.
>This meal happens to fight back.
>The creature takes a step towards you before whipping its head around once more.
>It snarls and lunges away from you as you stand up.
>You feel almost relieved until you realize it has a new target.
>A filly that happened to have strolled into its midst.
>A unicorn with a knack for singing.
>You won’t let it have her.

>You catch up to the creature as it lunges for her and tackle it into the side of the house.
“Sweetie get out of here!”
>The creature’s claws dive into your back but you keep it pinned down.
>She won’t move, frozen with terror.
>Dammit!
>You push yourself off the creature, its claws ripping small chunks from your back as you grab Sweetie Belle and run.
“I told you to run,” you scold her as you keep the pace, the flesh of your back molding together painfully.
>She sobs in your arms and you rub her head with your cheek.
“I’m just glad you’re safe.”
>”I’m sorry…”
“It’s going to be alright, but the next time I say to run just-“
>Your body crashes through the wall of a nearby building and you instinctively shield Sweetie Belle.
>The creature marches through the hole and you let go of Sweetie Belle.
“Run.”

>”But-“
“Run!”
>Sweetie darts for the door, the menace turning to her, stinger quivering.
>No you don’t.
>You leap between the two and strike the stinger mid-strike, the creature wailing painfully.
>Sweetie looks back to the floor where the decapitated tail lies next to you, your claws bared.
“Don’t make me say it again.”
>The door slams shut while the creature rubs the end of its tail.
>This… You won’t let it harm anyone else.
>Not Fluttershy, not Sweetie Belle, no one.
“NO ONE!”
>You ball the claws into a fist, muscles bulging in your arm, your hand cutting into the monster’s face and sending him outside.
>You’ll fucking kill it.

>You stomp over to it, each step picking up a storm of dust.
>It moves to strike you but you duck the blow and kick it in the face.
>You grab hold of his arms and spin him through the air, knocking him through walls and stalls before lobbing him through the air.
>You sprint after him and kick him just before he lands.
>You’re going for a new high score.
>As it reaches its apex height you hear the shrill of p0nies.
>Looks like you moved a bit closer than you thought.
>Putting all your force into your legs you leap into the air after him and pull your fist back.
>Its eyes are filled with fear as you close in, the two of you high above the crowds of P0nyville.
>Fear… You like the sound of that.
>You spike him into the dirt and land amidst the upheaval of dirt that serves as a cloak.
>Locking your hands together you send him flying away from you.
>Silence.

>Your limbs twitch as you step out of the dirt cloud and spot the hole in Twilight’s house.
>Would’ve been a nice shot if you had planned it.
>No p0ny says a word, each as transfixed on the hole as their neighbor.
>Only a gasp escapes when they spot the creature hobble out and limp to the edge of town.
>”Anon!” Twilight calls as she runs up to you, covering your body with a towel to hide your… appearance.
>”You did it. Thank you.”
“It’s still alive.”
>”But it’s gone thanks to you.”
>Not good enough.
“It needs to die.”
>It can’t be allowed to live. Not after what it’s done.
“I need to…”

>At the edge of the gathering crowd you spot the two of them in each other’s hooves, Rarity and Sweetie Belle.
>The sight of them- It’s a calm you’ve not felt for an age.
>”Feed…” the voice commands. But you won’t listen, not at that.
>You feel the skin of your hands return and the weight of your muscles lessen.
“We’re going to be alright.”
>”Yes we are,” Twilight says watching them as well.
>He was right, you did want control.
>However, wrong at the same time. 
>You don’t want to control the virus to work for you.
>You want to contain the virus within you.
>Maybe then things will be different.
>It may take you years to contain it, but you’ll find a way.
>Humans are a good at that.

>”I can’t believe you sent him flying into my house,” Twilight nags as you shovel debris out of her living room.
“Seemed like a good idea at the time.”
>”How could you ever think that was a good idea? What if the manticore broke something?”
“Besides the front of your house? I don’t think there’s much to worry about.”
>”Anon.”
“What? Don’t take it the wrong way, I like books as much as the next guy, but I don’t.”
>You grab one such book from the floor and flip it open.
”The chemical make up of a Hydra’s gastral cavity consists of lollipops and melted gumdrops. Pretty sure half of that is false.”
>”Anon.”
“What?”
>”You didn’t happen to see the other half of this did you?”
>She holds a tattered handkerchief in the air, the fabric discolored from-
“Where’s the other half?”

>”That’s what I’d like to know.”
“You don’t think- It couldn’t have just stumbled upon it.”
>She shakes her head, “It’s hard to believe it was an accident, but it could’ve torn it by chance.”
>She told you once before how infectious it could be. That’s why she had it kept it under her care.
>”If the manticore happened to get some of it-“
“We need to find it.”
>Twilight’s pacing back and forth, “Out in the Everfree Forest? There are worse things than manticores out there.
“And they’ll be that much worse if they manage to get infected.”
>She nods, chest throbbing rapidly as if she were having an attack, “You’re right. We need to round up everyp0ny. I already got Fluttershy, but the Apple’s would be better here.”

“Sound enough. I can track it down myself. If I’m lucky I can stop things before they get bad enough.”
>”No way, you aren’t going by yourself. Let me contact the Princess, surely she’d be able to help.”
>The Princess? Oh hell no.
“And what’re you going to tell her? A manticore’s infected with my blood? I like my feet on the ground not the moon.”
>”Either way, I’m not letting you go alone.”
>There’s no debating with her. Her stubbornness is only matched by her intelligence.
>Maybe that’s why you get along so well with her.
>That and she’s the only p0ny you can confide in.
>”Tomorrow. We’re going to find the manticore and make sure it’s not infected.”
“And if it is?”
>”We’ll think of something.”
>That’ll be fresh.

>You shut the door, exhausted from your day of clean up.
>Rarity practically squeezes the life out of you when she sees you.
>”Oh thank you Anon,” she repeats time and time again. “If it weren’t for you…”
>She looks to Sweetie Belle with a smile, “She’s safe thanks to you.”
>Back in the house. With the manticore. She saw you, the real you.
“What’d she uh- tell you exactly?”
>”Only that you saved her when she ran off with her friends. She got lost and that’s when you found her.”
“Glad to be of service,” you reply still looking to Sweetie.
>”We were just about to celebrate when you arrived. Care to join us?”
“Sure,” you say as she trot ahead of you and Sweetie Belle. “What you saw-“
>”Your secret’s safe with me.”
>You kneel down and hug her, “For a price.”
>She laughs at your loss of breath, “Only kidding.”
“Thank you Sweetie Belle.”
>”No,” she responds locking you tighter in a hug, “Thank you.”

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