SAAiE: Day Thirty-Two: Satisfaction

DAY THIRTY-TWO: SATISFACTION

 

(Dear Princess Luna,

I’m really glad you decided to come to my fight earlier. It instantly made my day at least twelve percent better. Relatively speaking, that’s a lot. I actually have some news I wanted to tell you; I forfeited my win. I don’t feel like I really deserved it, so I gave it to Dash. It’s okay though, I think Dash and I have become a lot closer as friends, and that’s a lot better than a silly old pankration title could ever be. If this counts as a friendship lesson, show this to Celestia later. That’s all for now.

Love, Anon)

 

[Fluttershy’s Perspective.]

        I’m in bed, dreaming sweetly when suddenly, I’m lightly pushed awake. I open my eyes and see Anon by my side. He's gotten rid of the bandages from his encounter in the forest, but he still has the sling for his arm.

Myself: Huh? *yawn* Oh, Anon. You’re up pretty early.

Anon’s actually smiling. It feels like forever since I’ve seen him smiling.

Anon: I know, I couldn’t sleep. I spent most of the night staring at the ceiling contemplating my future…and my existence in Equestria.

M: Contemplating existence? What’s there to contemplate?

Anon pauses for a moment, thinking of what to say.

A: Well…

His pupils suddenly dilate.

M:…

Anon’s body becomes incredibly stiff, yet at the same time, he’s trembling. It kind of reminds me of that one time when he was trying to explain the fourth wall. Whatever that is.

M: Anon?

His body quickly stops doing the, thing, it was doing.

A:…Still can’t say anything huh? *Hmpf* Okay then.

M: What are you talking about?

A: Not important. Best you didn’t know anyways. Getting back on subject, I wanted to tell you that I was going out for a walk.

M: Oh, but Anon, you’re in no condition to walk. Stay here at home, and I’ll make sure you heal extra quickly.

A: No can do Fluttershy. This house is gonna be flooded with sincere ponies either wanting to see if I’m okay, or complain once they find out about the win.

M: What about your ankle?

A: I can handle walking Fluttershy. You worry too much.

Anon goes back to the door-

A: Be back soon Fluttershy.

-and slowly closes it.

M: *sigh* Please be all right Anon.

        The rest of my morning is filled with telling ponies that Anon isn’t home.

 

6:53 AM

[Anon’s Perspective]

 

I’ve left into the outskirts of Ponyville. I don’t want to bother dealing with any of the garbage I’ve brewed up. Not yet at least. I’ve spent the last hour lying in the grass, staring at the sky and occasionally practicing cloud drawing in my sketchbook. Good thing my best arm isn’t the one in a sling right now. I soon hear the sound of hoofsteps approaching. I take a look up, and see Rainbow Dash only a few feet away. She’s looking a lot worse than yesterday; She’s all bandaged up, and doesn’t have quite the usual energy in her disposition.

Myself: Man, you don’t look too good.

Dash: Like you can talk.

M: Hehe, yeah…So, what’re you doing here? Don’t you have fans to be hanging with, or bragging to do, or something?

She walks over to my side.

RD: Nah. I went to Fluttershy to see if you were okay, and she said you went over to East Ponyville’s outskirts to chill, so I decided to join ya'.

Dash slowly lays herself onto the ground and stretches out her wings trying to get comfortable. They give of a loud cracking noise. She gives of an uncomfortable groan, but sighs in relief.

RD: Besides, I don’t wanna have to deal with your fans right now…or my fans even. A mail pony sent flyers telling everypony that you gave up the win. I bet the nastier part of your fan-club are pretty mad right now.

M: I hear ya’. I got it worse though. Now I’m gonna be mocked by the ponies who hate me, and berated by the ponies who love me. And to top it all off, I still have-

Simultaneously: The camera ponies.

We both look at each other, and begin to laugh.

RD: You do have things worse than me, but don’t worry; If anypony even THINKS about clowning ya’, I’ll clobber the taste out of their mouth.

M: Hahahaha. Sure ya’ will.

RD: I’m serious.

We both lay peacefully in the grass for a few minutes. I wish I could spend more time out here, but I actually have a task to accomplish.

M: Hey Dash, do you have any idea where Scootaloo lives?

RD: No idea.

M: Well, do you mind walking around Ponyville with me later; I kind of need your help with something.

RD: Sure thing Anon.

Dash closes her eyes, relaxing, but not actually sleeping. I continue to stare at the sky.

M: You know, I singlehandedly took out a timberwolf when I was in the forest.

RD: Don’t lie to me Anon.

M: No, really!

 

ANTI-TRANSITIONAL FOLLOW UP: Intervention.

 

        Dashie and I begin to walk around Ponyville, on a quest to find the Crusaders. Walking through the streets is a tad awkward as we continue to get looks from ponies. Some say nothing, others say small comments like, “good job you two”, or, “nice fighting yesterday”, a couple of ponies even do a small applause with their hooves. Things would probably be different if we weren’t together, but with the two of us walking side to side, no ponies attempt to confront us, except for the paparazzi. I scare them away though with my “diplomatic immunity” bluff.

We head to Sweet Apple Acres first, wanting to locate Apple Bloom first. Sure enough, Apple Bloom in the apple fields helping Applejack transport buckets of apples. (Apples, apples apples!)

Myself: Hey guys.

Applejack: Hey Anon, hey Dash.

Apple Bloom: Hey guys. Man, you two don’t-

Dash: Yeah, we know. Hey Applejack, you mind if we take Apple Bloom off your hooves for a bit?

AJ: Why sure ya’ can!

AB: But sis-

M: Thanks.

I pat Apple Bloom on the head using the hand of my good arm.

M: Come on Apple Bloom, we’re getting your friends back.

        With Apple Bloom on our side, we go off to find Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. We check the Carousel Boutique for Sweetie Belle, but Rarity said she wasn’t there.

Rarity: Are you sure. A little make up and blush will make your wounds barely noticeable.

Myself: We’re fine. Thanks though.

We exit the boutique.

M: Hey Dash? Could you fly across Ponyville and survey the streets for us?

Dash: Sorry, my wings are crazy sore right now. I’m not flying for a while.

M: Darn.

Apple Bloom: Why don’t we just ask somepony if they know?

M: Hmm…

I spot one of the few civilians I know decently enough; Berry Punch.

M: Hey, Berry?

Berry: Hmm? Hey Anon! [with slight aggression] Hey Dash. [back to me] Boy, you missed an awesome after party I threw last night. Sure do wish you would’ve came, but I can see why you didn’t.

M: You have any idea where Sweetie Belle and or Scootaloo are?

BP: Umm…I don’t think so. Sorry.

We ask a few of ponies around including Lyra (still playing music for money), Pinkie Pie (no longer Doc), who cuts a solid five minutes of time being…Pinkie, and Carrot Top. Eventually, we get a solid answer from some pony named Sassaflash.

Sassaflash: I saw her pass by about twenty minutes ago. I think she left off to that Fluttershy lady’s house, but I don’t know if she came back.

M: *facepalm* I should’ve thought of that sooner! Dash and Apple Bloom, you two find Scootaloo and bring her to Sweet Apple Acres, I’m going to get Sweetie Belle.

I leave the others and with the best jog I can do, I head back home.

        It takes a while, but I finally make it back home and, to my surprise, Sweetie Belle is still here, waiting for me to return, and playing with Angel Bunny. She looks a lot less Sweetie-bruised compared to yesterday.

Sweetie: [voice crack] ANON!

Sweetie Belle runs to my legs, and I bend down to pet her mane.

SB: Man, you look terrible. Are you okay? Why did you give up your win? Are you mad at Rainbow Dash?

I ignore all of her questions.

Myself:…Sweetie Belle, I’m glad you’re here.

SB: Really!?

I squat down getting to her level.

M: You bet! Would you mind coming with me. I got a special surprise I wanna show you.

Fluttershy: What kind of surprise?

M: I’ll tell you later Fluttershy. So, Sweetie, are you going to follow me?

SB: Anything you say Mr. Anonymous.

Sweetie Belle eagerly trots alongside me, blissfully unaware of what I’m planning.

        It takes quite a bit of time to get back to Sweet Apples Acres, especially since I’m Dash-less and have to deal with the ponies now, but we eventually make it to the farm.

Sweetie: Are we going to see Apple Bloom!?

Myself: Kind of.

I open the door to the Apple family’s home. Apple Bloom, AJ, and Dash, and the guest of honor, Scootaloo are all present. It’s dead silent for about ten seconds, but you can practically taste the tension in the air.

Scootaloo: What’re you doing here Sweetie Belle?

Sweetie Belle: Anon brought me here. We’re going to play with Apple Bloom, and have lots of fun WITHOUT you.

S: No way! I was here first, and we’re going to hang out together. Me, Apple Bloom, and Dash. ONLY us.

SB: Not on my watch!

S: Apple Bloom likes me better!

SB: No she doesn’t! I’M A [voice crack] WAY BETTER FRIEND!

Sweetie Belle’s doing that weird hoof-in-the-dirt thing that horses do before they fight. Apple Bloom seems to be sinking deeper and deeper into the couch wanting to escape.

Applejack: Now, now. Let’s be calm here.

M: You both are here for a reason. I want you two to make up, and get back to being friends.

SB: No way!

S: Same here!

M: Why not? You two were originally arguing about if Dash or I would win. Dash won-

SB: You won!

M: Because Dash cared more about her friend than a stupid competition! That’s why I gave her the win she would’ve rightfully taken if she left me unconscious in a pool of my own blood! We didn’t let competition ruin the friendship we’ve made, and you two should do the same.

SB: I…can’t. SCOOTALOO ALMOST HAD YOU [voice cracking] DIE IN A FOREST!

S: YOU CAN’T PROVE THAT!

SB: Anon could’ve won easy. You knew that, so you tried to have him killed. He probably would’ve had a technical win if you didn’t handicap him with having to recover!

S:..Are you kidding me! Anon’s a human! If I did kidnap him, which I didn’t, I wouldn’t have wanted him dead. I just thought that he’d get lost and eventually escape a few days after the fight’s was over…Not that I planned it or anything.

Rainbow Dash face-hooves.

SB: YOU’RE LYING!

M: GIRLS!!!

Things quiet down.

SB: Forget this. I’m leaving.

Sweetie Belle tries to leave, but I block the door.

She struggles, trying to squeeze through my legs.

SB: Anon!? Please. I don’t want to be here!

Apple Bloom: Sweetie Belle, please don’t go!

Sweetie stops struggling to escape, and turns to Apple Bloom.

AB: Please. I don’t want you guys to keep fighting. We’re supposed to be friends. Can’t we just get back to the way things were?

Silence.

S:…I just don’t know anymore.

AB: WHAT ABOUT THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!?

The heads of the two foals slowly lower to the ground shamefully.

AB: Remember when we first formed the Crusaders, we said we’d be the bestest club this side of Equestria, and we promised we’d find our cutie marks, TOGETHER!

Things get incredibly quiet. Dead silence for what feels like an eternity, until we hear the eventual sounds of Sweetie Belle’s sniffling. Things sadden very quickly.

Scootaloo:…Sweetie Belle, I’m…I-I’m sorry. I just really wanted to keep Dash safe after what happened last time. I was scared and I didn’t want to risk losing her…I just-

Sweetie Belle embraces Scootaloo with the tightest hug she can possibly muster.

SB: SCOOTALOO, I DON’T WANT US TO FIGHT ANYMORE.

She begins to weep heavily in Scootaloo’s embrace. Tears begin to come across Scootaloo as her hooves quickly wrap around Sweetie Belle.

Apple Bloom joins them, and they hug things out for the next few minutes.

The Crusaders have been restored.

 

EPILOGUE: The crusader’s message to Celestia.

 

        With Dash and the Crusaders, we head over to Twilight’s library. Entering, we notice her drawer is absolutely covered in books. Coincidentally, that giant book she was reading last time in the library, is buried under about four other books.

Dash: “World Mythology”, “Humans: A Possible Reality”, “Clara Voiyance: Searching for the Unknown”. Man, how can she read all this stuff?

Twilight comes down the stairs realizing we’re here Spike soon follows.

TS: Oh, hey guys!

We all greet Twilight.

TS: So what brings you all over here?

M: Sweetie, Scoots, and Apple Bloom have a report for the Princess.

TS: Spike?

Spike: I already got the scroll, go ahead girls.

Sweetie: Thanks Spike.*ahem* Dear Princess Celestia.

Apple Bloom: Today, we learned an important lesson about unity.

Scootaloo: Everypony’s different.

SB: Some ponies like some things that other ponies may hate.

S: But just because two ponies don’t like the same thing, doesn’t mean that they should be enemies.

AB: Even the best of friends will fight once in a while.

S: But if you can accept that nopony will always see eye to eye with you, then you’ll be able to have the best relationships.

AB: All it takes is a little love.

SB: And tolerance!

I really want to hang myself right now.

S: From, Scootaloo.

SB: Sweetie Belle.

AB: And Apple Bloom.

They give each other another hug.

Just this once, I’ve made things turn out right.