(808s) Small Victories (Part 2 Finale)

>Days Gone By. In Equestria.

>You awaken.

>You cook.

>You shit.

>You shower.

>You shave.

>Your roommate has been exceptionally busy dealing with his little marketing scheme now that he has the funds.

>Your house has been quiet.

>Tranquil.

>Fluttershy says she's going to make you disappear.

>But she hasn't made her move yet.

>It's Friday afternoon.

>At City Hall.

>You're enjoying the casual Friday garb of not having to wear a tie.

>You're terrified at the prospect of having sex with your girlfriend,

>The Lovely Civil Employee #404 - Derpy Hooves.

>You're nervous about having sex with her for a lot of reasons.

>But there's a certain calm to you as well.

>As though you are all too aware that you're approaching some penultimate moment.

>Something is going to happen tonight.

>And that's just a universal constant.

>You can't do anything about that.

>You're not going to spaz out because things are out of your control.

>And you can't do anything but react.

>"Eight-zero-eight, are you all right?"

>The Mayor.

>Oh crap.

>You were supposed to be talking to her about something.

>You just...waxed poetically in your head.

>How long have you been doing this?

>Mayor Mare looks behind her, trying to see something.

>She's looking where you are "looking".

>But you're not really looking at anything.

>"Eight-zero-eight, you're just sort of...glaring off into the middle-distance with this really bothered grin on your face."

"Oh. Sorry sir. I lost my train of thought."

>"...you're also talking all normal."

"W-what?"

>"That's better. You were acting all creepy and robotic."

"...I'm s-sorry sir, what were we t-talking about?"

>"There's my favorite sycophantic campaign assistance."

>She laughs.

>"...because of the stutter, you're not a literal sycophant--I know you're bad at taking jokes so I don't know why I keep making them."

"It's fine sir."

 

>"We were discussing the election."

"R-right sir."

>She pauses for a moment.

>She's letting you sweat.

>You're keeping a cool head.

>She smiles at this.

>It must be the feeling of impending fate.

>"Because Filthy Rich has decided to run against me, eight-zero-eight. How're we responding to this?"

>She puts her hooves together pensively.

>Filthy Rich.

>Earth Stallion. Gordon Gecko hair. Tie. Daughter. Businessman.

"We obviously accept his competition as a patriotic expression of the democratic process in Ponyville proper, we acknowledge his ties to the community and we wish him the best of luck. T-that about right?"

>She nods.

>"Well obviously we're going to do -that-, eight-zero-eight. But what I meant is how am I going to beat him?"

"Play to your strengths. He's pro business but has ties to the founding of the town. And you..."

>You rub your chin.

>Come on, you gotta think of something.

"You served the people during the Nightmare Moon fiasco, the Discord incursion, and the...the thing with the m-magician?"

>She huffs at you.

>"She had a magical amulet!"

"Y-yes sir. I mean..."

>"It's not my fault every petty demigod and would-be magical tyrant thinks this podunk little town is worth destroying...you think they'd go to Canterlot."

"Well Fucking Fluttershy and her stupid shit friends aren't in Canterlot."

>Mayor Mare coughs.

>Wait.

>Yeah you just said Fucking Fluttershy and her Stupid Shit Friends.

>To your superior.

>You're banging on all cylinders today, aren't you eight-zero-eight?

"S-s-so-so sorry sir."

>"While...on a lot of levels I can sympathize with your feelings, let's go ahead and not blame the Elements of Harmony for saving and dooming the town by virtue of living here."

>Elements of Harmony?

"What is that, l-like a b-band or something?"

>"No, they're the saviors of the kingdom."

>That's the most hilarious and stupid shit you've ever heard.

 

>You convince the Mayor everything will be okay.

>She thinks this is hilarious because you are who you are.

>She asks if you want to get some coffee or some food.

>You tell her you have plans tonight.

>"With your special somepony?"

>You just smile a little at that.

>She departs the office with you.

>You walk with her through town on your way to the Hooves residence.

>You end up walking her home, stuck in conversations and a little reluctant to get to Derpy's.

>It's just the yips. You aren't legitimately freaking out.

>Mayor Mare wishes you the best of luck.

>She must've noticed.

>"You two make a cute couple."

"T-thank you sir."

>As she steps into her home she looks back at you.

>"...Now I'm only saying this because you're not a stallion, but--you do know what you're doing right?"

>You just glance from side to side.

>This is awkward.

"N-no s-sir. Not in the slightest."

>She blushes a little.

>"Uhm...well then. It might be a little too forward to discuss this, eight-zero-eight."

"Y-yeah...pr-probably sound really b-bad if anyone overheard t-this if went any further."

>She nods a little.

>"Go around the town twice, once the usual way and then through the central streets. Change directions and take roads you didn't consider. Always be courteous to those who give you directions and...well try not to hurt yourself."

>You cough into your fist.

>You have no idea why you coughed into your fist.

>It seems like a go-to move when you receive what was clearly a poorly coded term for 'this is what does it for me' from your superior.

>"And never, ever, ever, go to that town a little to the north. Just, avoid that. That's not for you."

>She adjusts her glasses.

>"That's a private resid--"

"I get it s-sir. P-please stop."

>She nods a little.

>"Well...best of luck to you then, eight-zero-eight. Tell four-zero-four I send my regards."

"...w-wh--"

>"Don't tell her that and then---have a good evening, Anonymous."

>She closes the door.

>That was by far the second most awkward conversation you ever had with the Mayor.

 

>You walk to Derpy's house in the brisk darkening afternoon.

>You expect the worst, so you don't make haste.

>When you approach the house you feel a little silly.

>No Fluttershy here to play mind games and make threats.

>Idle threats.

>No Twilight Sparkle to back her up while being an utterly neurotic piece of work.

>...Not that you're one to talk.

>You try to fix your hair before knocking on the door.

>You don't want to act too out of the normal.

>You can do this, eight-zero-eight.

>You knock on the door.

>There's no response.

>You look across the street at the other houses.

>You know Minuette is in one of them.

>Maybe Derpy was just dropping off Dinky still.

>Or you could've taken too long.

>And blown it all.

>...Well that's more like the old you.

>It is entirely possible you screwed up.

>Or that--well theoretically it is possible Fluttershy did make you disappear.

>Maybe this is some terrible Eternal Sunshine scenario.

>That's not her style, she'd have shown up by now to gloat about it.

>Plus the Mayor saw you. Unless it's all a figment.

>Wait.

"Uh, Derpy?"

>You knock again, a little louder this time.

>No need for solipsistic existentialism.

>You regret ever taking philosophy classes.

>They were worthless.

>You try the door.

>It's unlocked.

>Oh.

>And it's dark.

>...Oh god no.

>Fluttershy must've come in here and butchered Derpy.

>She's probably wearing her flesh and is going to try to seduce you into some...

>Sick. Twisted.

>Flayed Flesh.

>Fuckling.

>You tremble and that's when you hear it.

>Music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=048WfTvMPzs

 

>You reach around blindly in the dark for a light switch.

>Don't find one.

>You see a light go on in the back of the hallway.

>Derpy flaps out in the dim light.

>Dancing a little to music.

>Shaking her booty.

>Wearing this sort of funky dress that accentuates her personality.

>You step inside and close the door.

>She's not part of some silly murder-skin-wearing plot.

>HAHA, yeah that'd be terrible.

>...you should consider grief counseling for your post-rape life if that's where your mind goes.

>Seriously, that's messed up.

>Derpy shimmy-shams her way down the hall until she reaches you and grins.

>"Hey Mister Man~, you ready for this?"

"I'M FINE HOW'RE YOU."

>What the fuck was that.

>WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT.

>She laughs.

>You're not going to spaz out.

>You're going to have sex and romance this pegasus and not spaz out.

>Accept that tonight is happening and it's going to be Good.

>Remember the other possibility of the unavoidable fate that would be Bad.

>You won the coin toss.

>Do something.

>Say something.

"I mean...ye-yeah. Just a little nervous."

>She bumps you with her butt and you stumble a little.

>"Well. Me too."

>She winks.

>"But I'm excited and I think it'll be fun."

>You just stand there smiling sort of like an idiot.

>Trying to get your thoughts in order.

>She giggles.

>"You can take your coat off and stay awhile, Moose."

>You take your coat off.

>She just smiles.

>You're still standing there.

>She bites one of your sleeves and pulls you off with her.

>"Don't worry about a thing Moosey-goosey, I'm gonna make sure we have lotsa fun! Okay?"

>Say something.

>You do not get to freeze up on your first chance of consensual sex with a girl who likes you and who you like back.

"You too."

>Kill yourself now.

 

>She pulls you down the hallway to her bedroom.

>You see walls of family photos and framed drawings of dinosaurs.

>A few certificates for achievements won by Dinky.

>It's all very sweet.

>Derpy is humming along with her music as she pulls you down the way.

>She glances back at you from the corner of her eyes.

>...possibly intentionally.

>She seems nervous, but she's hiding it.

>You can tell her smile is a little forced.

>You force that smile all the time.

>Gotta give her something genuine.

>You smile right and proper back at her,

>And scratch behind her ear.

>She bites her lip and flushes red.

>You're in some positive emotion with this mare.

>You should be allowed to enjoy it.

>Psych yourself up.

>You're about to get it on.

>What did your roommate used to say about this? He was always good about this stuff.

>...'Drop the hog' was something you remember hearing a lot and then he threw bottles at your head.

>Maybe he was bad at it.

>...but you were psyching yourself up.

>SO YOU ARE THE OPPOSITE OF BAD AT THIS.

>WHICH MEANS GOOD.

>YEAH!

>WOO!

>YAY!

"Awesome!"

>That was supposed to be a mental psych up thing.

>Derpy is drooling at the mouth as you reach the doorway to her bedroom.

>She doesn't seem to notice anything besides you scratching behind her ear.

>You stop.

>She snaps back to attention.

>You get your first real look at her room.

>Wow.

>Sort of puts yours to shame.

>"Moose, uhm...you ready for this?"

>You need to be enthusiastic.

>Wink and smile.

>Oh god you are not built to be suave.

"I'm ready for anything."

 

>Her bedroom puts your whole house to shame.

>It's something that really constitutes more on the home side of things.

>Home as opposed to 'place where one sleeps and cries and poos.'

>She has some posters up on the wall signifying events she participated in.

>A couple pictures on a work desk.

>Calendars and travel routes.

>Doilies under the lamps on the end table.

>She's laying on the bed, belly up. Giving you the eyes.

>"So. You're a virgin?"

>She strikes a pose you think is supposed to be sensual.

>You lock eyes with her.

>It's almost hypnotic.

>She's all that's important right now.

>You feel your head nodding and then shaking.

>She looks around.

>"Wait. Uhm. I thought you said you never did anything before. Why're you shaking your head?"

>You know where your mind is going.

>Try to avoid that area of trauma with the yellow menace.

>Your mind goes back there anyway.

>Getting slathered in her filthy juices.

>Being forced to take it up the ass.

>The threat of accusing you for rape.

>The threat of making you disappear.

>"Moose why're you crying?"

>You just sit down on the bed.

>Is this how it's going to be?

>You get in the mood, or what you assume to be the mood and then you get stuck remembering?

>You feel a head nuzzling up against you.

>"...it's okay Moose, I understand. M-maybe this was a bad idea."

>She looks at you with one eye.

>The other is looking around her room.

>All these pictures of moments shared with a kid.

>Possibly with some guy who is better than you in every single way. Save for being absent now.

"I'm s-s-sorry."

>You take a breath.

>Ye gods, you're sniffling. Wretched.

>You were doing so good.

"...can I tell you about something?"

>"Of course."

"It'll ruin everything. And t-tonight will just feel...w-worse."

>You exhale long and slow.

"And no matter what I say. It won't change a thing."

>She looks like she's going to cry.

>Well.

>Now's the time to tell her.

>About Fucking Fluttershy.

 

>"WHAT."

>Is the most logical response you can think of.

>It's the one she gives.

>She's pale.

>Well, she's always gray.

>But now she's more off-gray than usual.

>"...so that's why you were always so...and the bleeding booty---and...oh Celestia. Moose."

>She swaddles you with her limbs, wings and all.

>And you're not crying any more.

>You feel...numb.

>The entire discussion took twenty-three minutes and you didn't blink during it.

>Nor did you stutter.

>It's like a hard reset on parts of your brain, reformatting to make sure the message is heard.

>Get everything working again.

>"...Fluttershy did all and I..."

>When she says Fluttershy your mind goes someplace sick and twisted.

>A growing capacity for cruelty you didn't know you had.

>You can see the images in your head.

>Her face.

>It telling you how alike you both are.

>How you'll only be happy with her. How she completes you.

>She's a monster. And with this seed of evil in your brain, you might be well on your way too.

>The first step into hell is to look at it.

>Is this how it works?

>If it does then you guess...well.

>You're sick and tired of this whole fucking world.

>That's not fair.

>"I let her...hang out with Dinky and Minuette tonight."

>You get off the bed.

"Which house."

>"Across the street...she wouldn't hurt Dinky would---I should call the guard."

>Derpy's trying to keep her cool.

>It's failing.

>So maybe this is the part where you finally become a man.

>Where you go in and save the kid from a threat that doesn't exist for the kid.

>No. This is something worse.

>You finally get it.

>Fluttershy won.

>This is the part where you

>Disappear.

>It was fun while it lasted.

>You grab Derpy by the back of her head.

>You give her a deep,

>Fierce

>Dead

>Kiss.

"I'll be back."

>She's crying when you pull away.

>Such a rapid evolution today.

>You...are out of poetic terms or deepening angst.

 

>You knock on the door.

>It's cold outside, you're not wearing a coat.

>Such a beautiful moon tonight.

>This night.

>Miss Bon Bon opens the door.

>You can see Lyra and Minuette are playing cards at a table.

>Fluttershy is playing with Dinky.

>Bon Bon looks at you standing dead in the cold.

>You blink your eyes.

"I need to speak to Fluttershy."

>Minuette looks at you from the table.

>"Hey eight-oh-eight, it's girl's night--shouldn't you be with your--"

"Dinky, you need to go see your mother right now."

>Dinky looks up from her coloring.

>Fluttershy is grinning at you.

>"Did something happen Mr. Moose?"

"No Dinky, just go home. I need to talk to Fluttershy about something important."

>Fluttershy feigns innoceance.

>"Oh...w-what do y-you need to t-talk to me about m-mister?"

>Dinky trots over to you.

>She smiles up at you.

"Tell your mom everything's going to be great. I'll be back. And you're fine. Nothing happened. Nothing you need to know about what could happen to you, happened to you."

>She looks confused but exits anyway.

>Minuette, Bon Bon and Lyra all seem to be very disturbed by your statement.

>"Hey Fluttershy, kinda didn't want'cha here for girl's night anyway." Minuette comments.

>"Uh yeah, you should probably just leave." Lyra mumbles.

>Bon Bon thinks this whole thing is a little off and just coughs.

>The silence is as sharp as a knife.

>Fluttershy flaps her way over to you.

>"Where are we going..."

>She whispers it so quiet that only you can hear it.

>"...boyfriend."

>You turn around and start walking down the street.

>You see Dinky walk into her house, only to be greeted by her mother and hugged deeply.

>The child is confused.

>They watch you walk away into the dark with Fluttershy following close behind.

>Now's the time to see what you have the capacity for, Anonymous.

>You can never forget.

>You may as well never forgive.

>You've got something akin to a spine.

>Time to break her with it.

 

>She's mumbling about how she always knew you'd turn around.

>And how she didn't need to tell Dinky how you were a big jerk and for her mom to dump you.

>Because clearly you always loved her and she didn't have to make you disappear.

>Because so much of that worthless, weak, pathetic wretched number of a man is left.

>Clearly.

>You reach the edge of town.

>The woods, the ones where nature works normally.

>It looks like it's going to rain. Delightful.

>You gaze upon the precipice of the untamed wilds, where monsters dwell.

>And you try to process how you'll do what you're going to do.

>You are not strong of body.

>You are not strong of will.

>Your mind is your only strength and that is kept in bitter legalities.

>Thinks she can flaunt and do away with because she has her little friends.

>What do you have on your side to use?

>Well.

"I am you. You are me. That's how it works, isn't it?"

>She giggles.

>"Well n-not literally, Anonymous...th-that'd be silly."

>She wants you to look at her when you talk.

>You can feel that feeling.

>You won't.

>Just look into the wild woods.

>You can see eyes in the darkness.

"I am you. You are me. We're so alike."

>She giggles a little more awkwardly.

>You turn and glare right into her eyes.

>She flinches and takes a little retreat.

>So.

>You can stare with the best of them too?

"Do I look like a monster to you, Fluttershy?"

>"N-no."

>She kicks a hoof in the dirt.

"Then why do I feel like one?"

>You begin to unbutton your shirt.

>She blushes.

>"A-are w-we going to...I mean, I d-don't have to make y-you l-love me?"

"You ignorant little bitch I'll sooner slit your goddamn throat and shit down it."

>You put no emotion behind those words.

>Just let it be cold.

>She shivers.

"You...so long now you've been playing games with me."

>She trembles.

>You take a step to her.

>You pull your shirt off.

"Rip me asunder. B-break me. Because you love me. Because you know me. Because we're so alike. Because I am you. And You are Me. And that little dichotomy is all that you have running through your little equine skull."

>Fold your shirt up.

>Set it on the ground.

"Make your little threats too. Accuse me publicly. Sunder my name and my burgeoning image. Shred my clothing, prevent my nourishment, indoctrination on every little level possible. And yeah. You marked me."

>She mumbles.

>"..y-y-you marked me back."

"That's true. I should've made it bigger."

>You laugh.

>It's a sick, depraved, horrible sort of laugh.

>You're losing yourself in this...whatever this is.

>Just like before.

 

"I'll admit. I grew a spine against you once. Twice if you count earlier this week. B-but. But. But...Hell! Look at me now."

>You smile and outstretch your arms.

>You laugh.

"I'm beautiful now. I'm just like you. I'm important. I'm kind now. I've got something to me now! Look at me."

>You lower your arms and the joy leaks from your pours like steam into the cold.

>You can't even feel your skin.

"Just look at me now."

>She's wincing but she's got one eye on you.

"You can't. Because you made me disappear."

>She frowns.

>"..n-no I di-didn't. That was just...that was just me s-saying I was g-gonna m-make you l-lose all your f-friends and j-just...h-have to be with me from n-now on, m-mister..."

>She tears at the corner of her eyes.

"If you didn't make Civil Employee Eight-Zero-Eight, publicly known as Anonymous, disappear. Vanish in a puff of smoke. Go invisible and wander away---then where is he now?"

>You laugh. It's almost got a dark reverberation.

>An echo to it.

>It'd be overly theatrical to think in this world of magic and equine you might be proxy to some evil beast by your very negative nature at the moment.

>This.

>This is all you.

"Where is he Fluttershy? Where did that spineless sack of shit slither away to? Because the only beings here are monsters. You and Me. Because we're so alike."

>"But you're not--I'm not a monster!"

>She shrieks back at you.

>She gives you the stare and she stamps towards you.

>You don't move an inch.

"You hear that everyone?"

>You turn your head slightly back to the woods.

"She's not like us! She's not a monster."

>"S-stop it Anonymous. Stop being s-scary."

"Scary?"

>You lick your lips.

>You feel that scar tissue where she marked you a month before.

"I'm not scary. I'm important. I've got true potential. I've got something special here, and I've got luck on my side. After all. I'm out here and I'm allowed to be what you've forced into me."

>She sneers.

>You feel your face contort into something primal.

>A rage that's been building from before the moment you two first met.

>She looks on your visage with horror.

"Fluttershy. You've done me a kindness. Here I am. And I am all that I am. And here you are. And you--you aren't looking at me like you love me."

>You approach her and kneel down.

>"..m-maybe I was w-w-wrong about you."

"No Fluttershy. You don't get to be wrong now that you have to look inward. After all, we're so alike.'

>She whimpers and edges back.

"I'll see you Fluttershy, whenever you go to that deep dark place you don't seem to want to admit exists. Because you put that in me. And that's why we're so alike. And if I ever see you outside that poetic bullshit, in this piece of shit world, I'll.."

>You laugh.

>And you put on that old spineless tone.

>Because it's easy to slip in and out of it when the emotions are stratified.

"I'll k-k-k-k-ki--I'll s-slit y-your f-f-face o-off and...

>She flees.

"Well. You get the picture."

 

>You look out into the forest.

>You put your shirt back on.

>What a huge load of bullshit.

>YOU ARE SO SHOCKED that you could BULLSHIT THAT WELL!

>You do a little fist pump.

"I s-s-should really..."

>You clear your voice.

"I could get into serious politics."

>You laugh. It's that sick, weak, spineless laugh.

>You still have those capabilities for terrible things.

>But...you're not like Fluttershy.

>You're not---well actually no that was pretty scary.

>You were losing yourself in some serious---hell, you dunno.

>That was psychopathic villain monologue material.

>...it's terrible that your ability to bullshit that could mean you're destined for serious politics.

>You take some deep breaths.

>Deep.

>Breaths.

>Jog in place for a few minutes.

>It's sort of wet and cold out.

>Crack knuckles.

>Roll shoulders.

>Slap your face a few times.

>You could go back home. Which is probably the appropriate thing to do.

>You just put Derpy through an emotional rollercoaster.

>And...then went full psycho on Fluttershy.

>But you should probably go tell her you didn't murder Fluttershy.

>And apologize profusely for everything.

>And then just...see where things go from there.

>If you don't give her something, you will lose her.

>That's probably obvious.

>You're new with relationships.

>Let out a primal Tarzan roar.

>You're alone, you're allowed to do what ya want.

>And it feels good.

>You probably just need rape counseling to get your head back on straight.

>But...well you feel significantly less bitches and whores, burn the world, now.

>That's good.

>Probably.

>Shouldn't take lying, threatening, villain speeches, and a psych up to do that.

>You should get going now.

>You walk back into town.

 

>You walk down the street where Derpy lives.

>The lampposts are bathing the night in a faint warmth.

>And you see storm clouds over the Hooves residence.

>A light rainfall.

>Derpy is sitting on her stoop.

>Just looking blankly ahead.

>When you begin walking closer she hears your footsteps on the cobblestone.

>And she turns to face you.

>She doesn't know what to say.

>So she doesn't say anything.

>You go up to her.

>And you just sit down next to her.

>Hang your head a little.

>It's a warm rain.

>She puts a wing over your back and pulls you closer.

>"I'm sorry Moose. This isn't what I expected."

"Derpy, I'm not saying I need you right now. I'm an asshole for putting this dark business on you. On our special weekend."

>She frowns and nuzzles up against your cheek.

>"No Moose, don't be sorry for that...you needed to talk about it. Everyone has problems."

>She hesitates. But she pecks you on the cheek anyway.

>"Communication is important to a good relationship."

"I think a b-beautiful p-pegasus told me that once."

>Derpy smiles, but it's a sad smile.

>An exhausted smile.

"...Look, I know I've killed the mood--"

>"--don't be sorry for it Moose, please. You're...it's a lot of things."

>She seems to be out of tears. But her eyes are wet and puffy.

>"I'm older than you, and I've got a kid--she does like you by the way--and I know I'm not pretty or anything like that. And you've got your...very legitimate problem with uhm...So don't apologize."

>She sighs.

>"I'm dumb."

>Say something clever and supportive.

"Only if you think all that'll stop me from loving you."

>...That was sappy, hacky, and lame.

>She lights up.

>"You said the L-word."

"...Well I'm new at all this. But I think you're pretty, I think Dinky is great, and--w-well we're just getting started."

>She nods.

"I t-think maybe we should give it a shot."

>She just smiles wide.

>"Okay Moose."

>You put an arm around her.

>You're smooth like that.

>"I like us too."