CYOA Badluck Femanon Ch 16

Chapter 16

 

"NO!"

>Your eyes flutter open, wide in fear.

>"Anon! Calm down..."

>Twilight?

>You gasp for breath.

>"You had a nightmare."

>What?

>Your eyes dart across the room.

>No Mara in sight.

>You had that nightmare all on your own.

>You take a deep breath and calm yourself.

>"That's it...

>You look at Twilight.

"Mara wasn't here right? No one was here?"

>"Just you and me."

>You're in Twilight's bedroom.

>It's nighttime.

>You start to remember what happened before you fell asleep.

>That's right.

>Twilight paid off the guy that wanted 30,000 bits.

>You drop your head into your hands.

>Your debts just keep getting bigger and bigger, don't they?

>It could be worse.

>You could owe the incubus.

 

>Having something to do would probably take your mind off things.

>And as much as you love Twilight for sticking her neck out for you, you can't keep owing her.

>Friendship has its limits.

>You clear your throat.

"Hey Twi, can you help me find a job tomorrow?"

>"Uh, sure? Why do you suddenly want a job?"

"No reason."

>You need to start taking care of yourself.

>Twilight leaves your side and goes back to her desk.

>She's surrounded by books.

>That she's reading for your sake.

>Fate just keeps chalking things up against you, doesn't it?

"How far are you on that spell?"

>She looks up.

>"It's coming along. We'll find out soon enough."

>You nod.

>That's good.

>Any progress is good progress.

>You lie back down.

>And try to go back to sleep.

 

>While your eyes are closed, your mind starts to wander.

>What if Twilight isn't powerful enough to cast the spell?

>Would that mean you'd have to stay in Luna's presence?

>And what the hell are you supposed to do about Octavia?

>She wanted to forget.

>Are you supposed to forget?

>And Mara...

>He's looking for every single possible opportunity to get energy from you.

>And he'll keep messing with you.

>Make you second guess yourself.

>Bring you to tears.

>You surprised how weak one single... person, if you could even call him that, made you feel.

>And what was with his magic today?

>His hair changed color?

>Is that it?

>He goes freaking super saiyan dependent on how much energy he steals from you?

>Shit.

>What if he uses magic to counter-act the binding spell?

>Chrysalis did say that you were overflowing with love.

>An endless supply.

>Wouldn't that mean that if he absorbed enough energy, he'd be stronger than either of the royal sisters?

>What then?

>You feel something slide into bed next to you.

>"Good night Anon."

>Twilight pulls you into a hug.

>It's warm.

>Reassuring.

>You close your eyes tightly

>You hear Twilight's soft shallow breaths next to you.

>Hopefully you're wrong.

>You drift off to sleep.

 

>You hear a few birds chirp from outside the window.

>Huh?

>You open your eyes.

>Twilight's leaning against your shoulder.

>You notice one of your dress straps is loose.

>... shit.

>Shit.

>You didn't do that again did you?

>This is Twilight.

>She's your best friend.

>You fight the urge to scream.

>Doesn't mean you don't start panicking.

>You wring your hands on the sheets.

"Calm down."

>You say to yourself quietly.

>You look at Twilight.

>She's still sleeping soundly.

>You inhale and exhale slowly.

>Deep cleansing breaths.

 

>Your mouth has a bad taste in it.

>That's not exactly a good sign.

>You shake your head.

>You couldn't have done anything.

>That's what you want to believe.

>You carefully slide out from underneath Twilight and get yourself some water.

>You pull your dress strap back up.

>You look at Twilight.

>She has a small smile on her face.

>If you did do something to her, you can't leave.

>And you can't bring yourself to end what looks like a pleasant dream.

>Besides, it's too early for that.

>Well, looks like your stuck here until she wakes up.

>You sip your water and sit down, back against the side of the bed.

 

>You remember you woke up from a nightmare, and got lost in thought.

>Twilight came into bed with you and hugged you.

>That was it, right?

>You sigh.

>If you did do something to Twilight, you'd never forgive yourself.

>You hear a snore coming from your right.

>Huh?

>You crawl around the bedpost.

>It's Spike.

>Spike!

>Maybe he knows if you did anything.

>He would have woken up if you had.

>You crawl up to his little bed and gently shake him.

"Spike. Wake up."

>"Five more minutes Twilight..."

>He says, rolling into a cocoon with his blanket.

>Dammit.

>Get up.

>You grab him by his tail and unravel him.

"Spike!"

>His eyelids open.

>"... Anon? What do you want?"

"Did you hear anything strange from me or Twilight last night?"

>"Last night?"

>He rubs an eye.

>"... no, I don't think so."

>You embrace the dragon before you.

"Thankyouthankyou!"

>The dragon grunts and yawns.

>"Sure… but what'd I do?"

>Cleared your worries.

>The little dragon looks out the window.

>"What time is it?"

"Too early. Go back to sleep."

>"....Okay."

>You tuck him back in and breathe sigh of relief.

>You lean back against the bed.

>What were you even worried about?

 

>You stand up.

>Twilight's still asleep.

>You can't wake her up now.

>You decide it's time to go home.

>You walk down the stairwell.

>"Whoo."

>Huh?

>Your foot trips on the bottom step and you go flying.

>You roll as you land.

>And hit your head against something as you get up.

>Ow.

>Damn it.

>You turn and look up to Twilight's loft.

>She and Spike are still snoring.

>Good.

>"Who."

>Huh?

>Who said that?

>You look around.

>A small brown bird is perched on the doorknob.

>"Hoo?"

>That's right. Twilight's owl.

>Aloysius?

>Owlowiscious?

>They're both pronounced the same.

>You shake your head.

>You put a finger to your lips and whisper.

"They're asleep."

>The owl shakes his head.

>"Hoo hoo."

>You blink.

>What?

>The owl opens the door for you.

>Well, that's very kind.

>He follows you downstairs.

 

>Owlowiscious doesn't seem to want to leave your side.

>He's hooting constantly.

"Keep it down, you're going to wake Twilight and Spike up!"

>You say in a hushed tone.

>What's his deal?

>He flutters to the front door, points at the door and shakes his head.

>The door?

>You aren't supposed to leave?

>The tawny owl shakes his head.

>"Hoo."

>You're confused.

>You don't speak owl.

>Owlowiscious raises an eyebrow and lifts his wings up menacingly.

>Something's on the other side of the door?

>He nods.

>There's someone at the door?

>He nods again.

>You walk up and reach for the door handle.

>"Boo."

"A-"

>You clamp a hand over your mouth to stop yourself from screaming.

>A ghostly head is sticking through the wooden door.

>Mara.

>He chuckles.

>"You were gone all night. I was wondering if you'd gotten tied up."

>He looks at the owl.

>"New friend?"

"Old one, actually."

>You roll your eyes.

>You say your goodbyes to Owlowiscious and walk outside.

>You head for home.

>Mara follows after you.

"Hey, where's Luna?"

>Mara shrugs.

>"Back in Canterlot, I think? She hasn't come back."

>What?

>You blink.

>"Relax. I'm not going to do anything to you. Besides, it's magic hour."

>You look at him.

"Magic hour?"

>"The hour before and while the sun peeks over the horizon. Happens twice per day, the other at sunset."

>You stare at him.

>That's odd.

>Since when did the time stop him from setting himself onto you?

>"I heard that."

>You scowl.

>Mind reading again?

>"It's hard, alright? And I never agreed to stop."

>Whatever.

>He sighs.

>"Some times it's nice to be peaceful."

>He's staring off to the sunrise.

>You think it's weird, seeing Mara so...

>Romantic?

>No, that's not the word.

>"Actually, it is. And thank you."

 

"Actually yeah, it is, isn't it? Very romantic, and blah blah..."

>You say mockingly.

>"Way to kill the mood."

>Mara says.

>You look at him.

>He's melancholic.

>It's different.

>"I died right around this time."

>You blink.

>What?

>"I suppose it was about a thousand years ago, give or take a few decades."

>He's never explained about his past before.

>Not in this much detail.

>"I stayed up all night to the sun. With a mare."

>He looks at you.

>"She was kinda like you."

>Ouch.

>You look away.

>Is that why he's haunting you?

>"No, it's not. But you're definitely like her."

"So, what happened?"

>"I confessed my love to her. Spent all night giving her compliments, doing her favors, and right as the sun rose, I asked her to grace me with a date."

>... shit, Mara really was a romantic.

>"She rejected me on the spot."

>If it weren't for the fact that he was, and still is, a demon, you'd feel kinda sad for him.

>"Not that it mattered anyways, cause a villain ran into town a few minutes later. Started a raid. She died in the crossfire... right in front of my eyes."

>You let out a quiet gasp.

>That... kinda sucks.

>"Yeah. It does. I died a little there too, holding her in my arms."

"... what'd you do?"

>"Went after the bastard that killed her. Drove a sword right through his heart. But not before he stabbed me with a poisoned arrow."

>... ouch.

>"I spent years in the afterlife, searching for her. I figured, if I had come back as a ghost, she would have too. But uh... I was wrong. She moved on."

>You don't know what to say.

"I-... why are you telling me this?"

>"Just cause... I figure since I already know everything about you..."

>Before long, you're in front of your house.

>You sit down on the doorstep and look out to the sunrise.

>It really was magical.

 

"... sorry for killing the mood."

>Mara sighs.

>"It's cool."

>He looks at you.

>"You could make it up to me with some sex?"

>You glare at him.

"Talk about a mood kill. Don't push your luck."

>"Just a joke. Or not... keep it in the back of your mind."

>He phases through the door.

>You shake your head.

>You didn't think you could feel sorrow for the little guy.

>But you just did.

>You groan.

>Mara's always making you feel something new everyday.

>Be it pleasure or pain, sadness, regret. Sorrow.

>If you didn't know any better, you'd calling him a sad spirit.

>Harbinger of bad feels.

>You go inside.

>The aroma of bacon hits your nose.

>What the?

>"Breakfast will be ready in a few."

>He's cooking breakfast now?

>You take a seat at the kitchen table.

>"Close your mouth. Having it hang open like that makes you look like an idiot."

>Douche.

>You can't help that the bacon smells delicious.

>He sets a plate in front of you.

>"Don't ask where I got the bacon from."

>Fucking fine with you.

>It's been two fucking years without any bacon.

>You grab a fork and chow down.

 

>You're in heaven.

>Food, just like mother used to make.

>"Where'd you learn to cook meat?"

>Mara looks at you.

>"What?"

>"... should I not ask?"

>"I was around a long time ago. Medieval times, compared to today."

>Oh.

>Right.

>You keep forgetting that.

>You chomp on some toast.

>Mara sighs.

>"Those were the days."

>You look at him.

>"Back when I could do anyp0ny I wanted."

>He looks at you.

"Not… whatever sort of freak you are."

>You snort.

"I thought you absolutely loved me? And weren't you only a ghost back then? Don't you need a body for that?"

>"In the dream world, I can have any body I so desire."

>He smirks.

>"It just so happens that I now have that exact power in the real world."

>He morphs to a variety of different ponies in rapid succession before settling on some weird humanesque hybrid.

>"Like this. It's a satyr. Human body up top, all pony below."

>His human half looks normal.

>Like anyone you would see back on Earth.

>He waggles his rump at you.

"... okay?"

>You dip your toast into your eggs.

>Mara switches back.

>"You're no fun."

>He sighs.

>Whatever, as long as he doesn't touch you, you're happy.

 

>Mara is looking at you intently.

>Watching you as you eat.

"Can I help you?"

>He shakes his head.

>"Did you know that between every single chew you make, your tongue always pushes your food to the left?"

>You blink.

>That's incredibly random.

>And specific.

>And right.

>You can't stop thinking about it, and every time you gnaw on something, you keep pushing food to the left side of your mouth.

>Change the subject, cause this is freaking you out.

"After you died... and became a spirit, why'd you become an incubus?"

>"What? No, I chose to be one."

>He sighs.

>"It's hard to admit, but I was a virgin when I died."

>You blink.

>What?

>You hold back a laugh.

>"Laugh all you want. Doesn't change the fact that I had sex in exactly eight thousand nine hundred ninety nine mares' dreams."

"Still... that's only in your... their dreams."

"Who cares, I graduated from that when I popped your cherry."

>You look away.

>"And I enjoyed every sweet, juicy minute of it."

>Damn.

>He got you.

>"It's really weird though... back when I was alive, there were an equal amount of stallions to mares."

>He chuckles.

>"Maybe all those mares wanted to be visited by me while I was locked up."

>Funny joke.

>So funny, you forgot to laugh.

>"What, don't you find the male-to-female ratio here being fucked up?"

>You blink.

>Yeah, you did notice that.

>"I did visit nearly 9000 girls within the span of a decade. It's not that much of a stretch."

>You stare at him.

>What he was saying sorta made sense.

>But there could have been other factors.

>"True."

>He sighs.

>You eat your last piece of bacon.

>Mara slides you a cup of apple juice.

>"Sorry, no oranges."

>You quickly down it.

>That was a pretty hearty breakfast.

>Made by Mara.

>Maybe you should keep him around.

>"I'm glad you liked it. Maybe I'll try some candied bacon next time."

>You shoot him a quizzical look.

>"It's when you coat bacon in a thin layer of sugar and cook it. It's very tasty."

>Bacon and sugar?

>You'll consider it.

 

>Hold on a minute.

"Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?"

>Mara looks at you.

>"I figure I'd try to make this relationship work."

>Oh god.

>You fight back some gagging noises.

>"No really. I'm protecting my future here. I've invested a lot of time and interest in you."

>You stare at him.

>"What, do you want me to treat you like shit?"

>You consider it for a moment.

>"I can still do that for you."

"No thanks, I like the you as you are now."

>"Thanks dollface. Now I drew you up a bath. Go enjoy yourself while I clean up."

>The fuck?

>When did he draw a bath?

>You reluctantly get up and start heading to the bathroom.

>You hear a few clinks of glass and plates behind you.

>Something seems fishy.

>You walk into a steamy bathroom.

>He wasn't kidding.

>There's a bath, all prepped up with bubbles piled on the surface as tall as your waist.

>Dang.

>You really like this version of Mara.

>You slip out of your dress and sink yourself in the warm bath water.

>You hear a knock on the door.

>"I can scrub your back too, if you want."

"Alright, seriously, why you doing this?"

>"A guy can't be nice to his fuckbuddy?"

>That's something you don't hear every day.

>And you don't like being his fuckbuddy either.

>"Fine. Truth be told, I found it kinda hot when you willingly gave yourself up to me. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

>That sounds better.

>Wait, no it doesn't.

>"Just learn to accept it. You're getting pampered out of this, you have no reason to complain. And when the time comes, try to enjoy our little mingling?"

>You don't know what to say.

 

"Well this is certainly different."

>Mara walks over to you.

>"Come on, move over."

>You slide around in the tub and throw your arms over the side.

>Mara scrubs your back with a small towel.

>You're not sure how you feel about this.

>Mara's acting nice to you.

>Not one day ago, he was trying to get you to fuck Octavia.

>"I can still hear that."

"Then you should know how strange this feels."

>"Point taken."

>He pokes at your side.

>You squirm.

>Ass.

>His hoof-hand-whatevers start washing away at your shoulders and sides.

>"... you're vert ticklish."

"And you're acting weird."

>He sighs.

>"I'm trying so hard not to insult you but you're making that very difficult."

"Good."

>He grabs your breasts.

"Hey! Not cool!"

>"Put a sock in it."

>He scrubs them with the washcloth.

"Cut it out!"

>You shove his grimy little paws off.

>He chuckles.

>"Gotta wash every single inch of that delicious body."

>Now he's just being creepy.

>"Your fault."

>He dunks your head under the water.

>You splutter as water fills your lungs.

>You come back up for air.

"Asshole! Stop it!"

>"What? I'm just trying to wash your hair."

>He starts lathering shampoo into your head.

>Some suds get into your eyes.

>You wince and close them tight.

"Whatever, just hurry up."

>He dunks you a second time.

>And then promptly lets go.

>You come back up for air and see that he's disappeared.

>You whip your hair back.

>Hurting your neck in the process.

>Damn, how do girls do that?

>You massage your neck a bit and sink into the water, so it comes up to your face.

>What does that idiot think he's trying to pull?

>He's trying to get you to enjoy your bed time with him?

>Hell no, even you aren't that dumb to believe that.

>He's up to something.

 

>You dry yourself off and walk to your bedroom.

>A stack of folded, clean clothes rests on your bed.

>As much as you like this new and improved Mara, something is bothering you.

>He has to be up to something.

>This is Mara you're talking about here.

>You pull on a simple outfit.

>Shorts and a t-shirt.

>The one that he ripped.

>It was sewn together.

>Poorly.

>But it got the job done.

>You go downstairs and see Twilight conversing with Mara.

>"So you see, Luna needs to attend to raising the moon at night. She can't just stay watching over Anon forever."

>"Yeah. I get it."

>Luna's not going to be here anymore?

"What are you two talking about?"

>"Oh, hey. Me and Twilight were just talking. Apparently she learned some new spell."

>"It's one that'll replace the binding one."

>Twilight says.

>"It's not as powerful, it just prevents him from using the shapeshifting magic. But on the bright side, it'll last however long as you need it to."

>Twilight smiles.

>"If he ever causes you trouble, just find me, and I'll fix him up for you."

>"That won't be a problem anymore."

>Twilight shoots him a knowing look.

"So... I'm good?"

>"Yep. You're good."

>She smiles.

>"Hey, where did you go last night? I woke up and you were gone."

>You blink.

"Oh... sorry."

>"It's fine. Just leave a note next time. I don't want to worry about you."

>You nod.