A Feeling of Resolve - 2

>Three Alicorn princesses, a bat p0ny, and you, all sit in a dining hall in Canterlot Castle.

>One very upset, and very disappointed white Alicorn sighs deeply as she begins to speak.

>"Anonymous. Please tell me everything about that tower."

>You groan and look over to Speck.

"There was a bed, a chest with clothes, some books, and a chest with old trinkets I had back on Earth."

>She nods slowly.

>"Anything else?"

"No."

>Speck looks up at Celestia.

>"There was a mirror on the top floor. Anon was sitting in front of it when I found him."

>"Thank you Speck."

>Celestia looks extremely smug right now.

>You glare at Speck.

>She hides her face behind her hooves and sticks her tongue out at you.

>"I'm disappointed in you, Anonymous. Is this mirror too unimportant to mention?"

>That mirror.

>The minute you first laid eyes on it, all you wanted was to forget it existed.

"That mirror was probably the most unimportant thing in the entire tower."

>You look up at Celestia.

>Her eyes meet yours.

>"Did you notice anything about the mirror, Speck?"

>She shakes her head.

>"No, Princess."

>"So, Anon. You mean to tell me that this mirror is just a simple mirror?"

>You nod without breaking eye contact.

>She smirks.

>"You are a terrible liar, Anonymous. Tell me everything."

 

>A small desk with papers scattered across it, a grandfather clock, a chest, and a mirror are all that inhabit this room.

>You approach the desk and shuffle through the papers.

>This certainly does not make sense.

>This is your handwriting.

"June 12th, 2011. My eyes are playing tricks on me. I thought I saw a little cyan horse run by my window."

>Weird.

>You don't remember that.

>You look through your journal for the same date.

"June 12th, 2011. Woke up with a headache. Took some aspirin, watched TV, went back to sleep."

>Nothing in either entry matches up.

>This stays true until you reach June 18th, 2011.

>You read the entry on the desk.

"June 18th, 2011. Started following the little cyan horse. She(?) has a horn. She looks... cel-shaded? She ran into an alley with a dead end. I'm going to run across the street and try to get a better look at her."

>You look at your journal.

"June 18th, 2011. Went for a run. I thought I saw something dart down an alley. When I went to check, nothing was there. I thought I saw the wall shimmer, though. Might check back tomorrow."

>The alley was the only part that you remember.

>You vaguely remember the day after, going back to the alley to check it out.

>That was when you came to Equestria.

>There was no entry for June 19th on the desk.

>You assume there was no need for it to be replaced in your journal.

>The entries on the desk say you started seeing a cyan p0ny before you came here.

>From the description, it sounds like Lulamoon.

>You definitely remember the alley though.

>You search the chest next.

>Rather, you open it and immediately pull a picture out of it.

>Nothing else catches your interest.

>The picture details you and several of your old friends from Earth.

>They all stand around you, posing stupidly for the camera.

"A picture tells a story."

 

>You carry the picture with you as you sit in the middle of the room.

>All the good times you had back on Earth.

>A smile crosses your lips.

>You look up from the picture for a moment.

>The mirror catches your eye.

>It's strange.

>It doesn't reflect the room.

>Instead, it acts similar to a television.

>It replays short clips of your life on Earth.

>From when you played outside as a kid, to your trials as a teenager, to your short life as an adult.

>Every single one of your relationships, be them good or bad.

>Your friends and your family.

>You hug the picture close to your chest, a few tears falling from your eyes.

>"If you could go back..."

>The mirror shimmers softly, the images displayed on it faded out.

>The mirror glows a bright white as it "speaks."

>"Would you?"

"What?"

>"Would you go back to Earth, if you could?"

>You look down at the picture, then think back to Speck.

>People you haven't seen in five years, but knew for most of your life on Earth.

>Or a little bat p0ny you've only known for two months.

>Things on Earth might have changed a lot in the last five years.

>Your friends and family might have moved on.

>Your friends, especially, might have lives of their own now.

>And you?

>Speck was here.

>Someone to love, somewhere to work, things to do, p0nies to be with.

>Two months ago, you would have gone back to Earth in a heart beat.

>But since you met Speck?

>Equestria was your home now.

"No. I don't think I would. I have much more here than I did on Earth."

>The mirror shimmers in response.

>The light from it fades as it starts to reflect the room around you.

>You look back down at the picture and smile.

"Sorry, guys. Maybe some other time."

>The picture continues holding your gaze for a short while.

 

>A little bat p0ny sneaks up beside you, and you tap her nose.

>She asks you about the picture, which you explain briefly before walking over to the chest where you found the picture.

>You start emptying it as she sifts through everything you take out.

>All of these little trinkets carry memories of earth that, while fond, you can reminisce without their aid.

>Besides, you have a journal that details a good portion of your life.

>You start to drag the chest to the stairs, but Speck stops you.

>She holds up a little black rectangle.

>You turn it on and smile to yourself.

>A few icons pop up and you swipe through them.

>More pictures of your friends and family, some old games you used to play, and loads of music.

"It's... It's nothing important."

>You drop it on the floor and it shatters.

>Both of you head downstairs with the chest.

>It can be filled with books.

>After all, books were gateways to other worlds.

>They never really reminded you of anything except themselves.

 

>Celestia continues to stare at you.

>"Anonymous? Are you going to tell me?"

>Your gaze shifts back to her.

>It shifts to Speck, then Luna, then Twilight.

"What's to tell? It was just a mirror. I picked up about a hundred books to read to Speck and burned the tower down."

>She rolls her eyes.

>"That's the story you're sticking with?"

>You smile at her.

"I'm an honest man, Princess. What would I gain by lying?"

>She shakes her head and stands from her chair.

>"You frustrate me, dear Anonymous."

"Good. I'll keep you on your toes while you rule a peaceful kingdom."

>She turns to leave the room, but stops just short of the door.

>"Anonymous. Whatever happened in that tower. I'm glad you returned to us safely."

>Waving a hand, you smile at her.

"Nothing's gonna stop me from keeping Speck safe."

>She leaves and you look at the remaining p0nies.

>Twilight nervously taps her hooves on the table.

>"Anon? D-do you think m-maybe I could read those books when you and Speck are done?"

"I'd have to try to make a rough translator you could use. Hopefully both languages can run letter-to-letter and you can decipher from there."

>She squees softly and bounds out of the chair, also leaving the room.

>You look at Luna.

"Are we done here?"

>"Yes, Anon. I believe we are done here."

>She smiles and trots off.

>Luna was always your favorite princess.

>"Anon?"

>Speck stands on the table in front of you.

>Speck, stop it.

>That's bad table manners.

>"Anon, can we go home now? I already got my dress back from the cleaner guy."

"Yeah. Let's go."

>Speck leads you through the castle, back to your room.

>The two chests sit in a corner.

>You'll just have Luna or Twilight magic those to P0nyville.

>All you take are your bags and one of the books from a chest.

>Twilight would probably appreciate a translation as soon as possible.

 

>Speck flies by your side as the two of you leave the castle grounds.

>The mid-morning sun hangs in the clear blue sky.

>A sigh of relief escapes your lips.

>A loud grumbling sound catches your ear.

>You look at Speck.

>She floats there with a sheepish grin and a light blush.

>"Anon I'm hu-"

"We just ate at the castle."

>"Bu-"

"No."

>Her stomach roars with the ferocity of a lion and she gives you a pouting look, complete with a lip quiver.

>You groan.

"Fine, we'll stop somewhere real quick and then go home."

>She throws her forehooves into the air and screeches with glee.

>You roll your eyes and walk into Canterlot City.

>She follows you as you walk down what you assume to be the main street.

>The street signs say it's called Mane Street.

>Brilliant.

>If it isn't bat puns, it's horse puns.

>Or puns in general.

>At least Speck isn't talking in puns.

>She hasn't really done that lately.

>Not even last night at the banquet, when Luna was there.

"Speck? Are you feeling alright?"

>"Yeah. Why?"

>You shake your head and scratch your head.

"No real reason."

>She stops in front of a fancy looking restaurant.

>It has tables with umbrellas set up outside.

>"Can we eat here?"

>You wouldn't mind having a meal outside.

>The air was nice and cool.

"Sure. It might not be bad."

 

>Upon entering, you notice that the restaurant has an air of nobility to it.

>There was probably a rigorous dress-code.

>You look down at your choice of clothes.

>What a day to pick a t-shirt and shorts.

>"Excuse me, sir?"

>You look down at a very fancy waiter p0ny.

>He looks up at you and points to Speck.

>"Is that yours?"

>You look at Speck.

>She's trying to put her dress on in mid-air.

"Yes, that is mine."

>You grab Speck, set her down, and help her put her dress on.

>"Well, sir. I hate to inform you, but we do not serve blood here."

>Blood?

>You laugh.

"Wow, you know what, Speck? I almost forgot that there are bat p0nies that drink blood."

>She snickers with you.

>The waiter regards you with a deadpan stare.

>"I was not joking, sir."

"Neither was I. She doesn't drink blood, she's a fruit-eater."

>"Well, regardless, sir. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Dress-code?"

>He nods slowly.

>Speck places a hoof on your hip.

>"Anon? Why are you so insistent on crushing my hopes and dreams?"

>Her lips quivers for the second time today.

>Tears well up in her eyes.

>"All I wanted was a nice breakfast in a nice restaurant in Canterlot."

>You look up at the ceiling and sigh.

>She sniffles softly.

>The waiter places a hoof over his mouth.

>You look down at him.

"This is your fault, you know."

>Two p0nies enter the restaurant.

>One of them speaks up and approaches Speck.

>"Speck? Are you okay?"

>You look down at the white p0ny.

>Speck turns and nods.

>"No, Curio. I am not. My dearest Anonymous has forsaken me by wearing less than the best he can muster."

>A tear falls down her cheek.

>Curio looks up at you with a scowl.

>"How dare you make such a sweet little bat p0ny suffer in such a way that she can't enjoy a simple day out with her... friend?"

>You shake your head.

>"Coltfriend?"

>You nod.

>She gasps and shakes Speck, quickly pulling her into a hug.

>"Darling, you did not tell me you had a coltfriend!"

>You look from Speck, to Curio, to the waiter, and to Curio's companion.

>Her companion is an orange stallion with a brown mane.

>Curio starts talking to the waiter.

 

>You kneel in front of the stallion and extend a hand.

"Name's Anon."

>"Apple Seed."

>You tilt your head and raise an eyebrow.

"Any relation to the P0nyville Apples?"

>He nods.

>"Technically, I suppose. I run their Canterlot supply route."

"And Curio?"

>"My wife."

"I didn't see you at the banquet last night."

>"I tend to avoid those kinds of gatherings."

>The girls clear their throats.

>You turn to them.

>"Our table is ready, you two."

>What?

"What?"

>"Curio convinced the waiter to seat us, despite YOU NEARLY RUINING EVERYTHING."

>Speck yells in your face.

>You wrap your hand around her muzzle.

"Oh, please. I know what you were trying to do. You wanted to make the waiter feel bad and let us in."

>She smirks and sticks her tongue out.

>Curio and Apple Seed trot behind the waiter as you and Speck follow them.

>The three p0nies and you sit at a small round table.

>The waiter gives a menu to each of the three p0nies and then stares at you.

>You stare at him.

"Is there a problem?"

>He shakes his head.

>"No, sir. If you would consider not knowing what a customer eats, to not be a problem."

>You roll your eyes.

>Can't blame him.

>You've only been to Canterlot twice in five years.

>Speck hasn't witnessed you eating meat, but she grew up around blood-drinkers, most likely.

>You doubt she'd have an objection to you eating meat.

>The other two?

>You didn't know them very well.

>Curio was at the banquet last night, but there was no meat there.

>"Sir?"

>The smell of meat would probably make them sick.

"Give me whatever menu you gave them."

>He nods and gives you a menu.

>Looking over it, you sigh.

>Fancy breakfast cakes, fancy coffees, fancy fruit bowls.

>You can't even pronounce half of these words.

>Curio, Apple Seed, and Speck all have their menus folded closed and their eyes trained on you.

>Speck taps your arm with a hoof.

>"What're you having Anon?"

"Uhhh."

 

>You stare at the menu.

>Since when was breakfast supposed to be this complicated?

>And since when has Speck acted so... whatever this scene is?

"I'm gonna have whatever you're having."

>Nice save.

>Speck smiles and nods.

>"You have no idea what any of that is, do you?"

>You shake your head slowly.

>She leans in and whispers.

>"Neither do I."

>That figures.

"Curio? What are you having?"

>She hums softly and taps on the table.

>"I'm having the Tarte de Pommes a la Normande."

>Yeah, there is absolutely no way you will ever be able to pronounce that.

>Apple Seed sits quietly.

>He's not very talkative at all.

"I guess I'll have that, then."

>Apple Seed nods, as does Speck.

>The waiter also nods.

>Stupid unspoken fancy language.

>"So Tarte de Pommes a la Normande, all around? What would you like to drink?"

>Curio hums.

>"I'd like a small glass of water, please."

>"Likewise."

>Speck taps a hoof on her chin.

>"I'll have a glass of orange juice."

"Uhh. A glass of pineapple juice?"

>The waiter nods and takes your menus away.

>Apple Seed looks up at you and clears his throat.

>"So, Anon. What do you do for a living?"

"I work at Sugarcube Corner in P0nyville."

>He smirks a little, then turns to Speck.

>"And you?"

>She sets her juice down and smiles.

>"I annoy Anon day to day and he feeds me and lets me live in his house."

>"How did you two meet?"

>"I was lurking around outside his house on my way home one night and he took me in the day after."

>You look over at Curio.

"Where did you two meet?"

>Those five little words.

>Oh how you would regret saying them.

>The floodgates of hell hath opened to you.

>"Well, darling. I am absolutely glad you asked!"

>Apple Seed looks up at you with  pleading look.

>His eyes speak to you.

>They ask you why, why do you do the things you do.

>Speck is almost instantly enthralled by Curio's story.

 

>"And so, after finally finishing up my last batch of dresses for the Apple Family's annual hoe-down, this fine gentlecolt here arrived to pay for and pick them up."

>Curio leans on Apple Seed.

>"And the rest is history."

>That was a long story, but you loved every bit of it.

>Almost as soon as she starts snuggling up against Apple, the waiter arrives with everyp0ny's food.

>And Anon's.

>He almost immediately starts poking at his plate.

>"This is... awfully big for us to have ordered four of."

>Curio and Apple Seed shrug and start laughing.

>Apple Seed shakes his head and wipes a tear from his cheek.

>"I can't read half the words they throw into these dishes' names."

>"Neither can I."

>Anon places his head in his hands and sighs loudly.

>Good to know you're not the only one faking being fancy.

>You snicker at Anon and press against his side.

"Is something upsetting you, Anon?"

>"You mean, aside from the fact that none of us knew what we were ordering?"

>He laughs a little bit.

>"There's nothing wrong Speck."

>He hugs you tight.

>"There's absolutely nothing wrong, anymore."

>Well, Anon definitely got sentimental real fast.

>You give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Good."

 

>Breakfast was somewhat boring.

>Curio and Apple Seed had to leave as soon as everyone was finished.

>So you and Anon were left alone to walk down to the elevators that led to Canterlot Mountain.

>He made you carry the boxes of leftovers in your bags, though.

>Whatever, you'll just eat his food.

>Or maybe not.

>Anon picks you up and buries his face in your shoulder as you ride the elevator down into the mountain.

>Maybe he was just ready to get home.

>You know you were.

>You wrap you forehooves around his neck and nuzzle him.

>He sighs into your fur.

"Is something wrong, Anon? You've been acting... strange."

>He shakes his head and kisses your neck.

>"I could've gone back to Earth."

"Why didn't you?"

>You already know why.

>It made you feel a little guilty.

>He wasn't going to leave you in Equestria all alone.

>"Because. I have so much more here than I did back on Earth. I have the cakes, the Princesses, all of P0nyville."

>Oh, well.

>That was definitely not what you were expecting.

>Your Angel seems to have forsaken you.

>So you think, until he kisses you on the cheek.

>"And of course... you, my little Speck."

>You blush and smile.

"You didn't have to stay here, Anon."

>He shakes his head.

>"I've been gone from Earth for five years. I'm sure a lot has changed."

>He smiles.

>"And besides."

>He looks into your eyes.

>"You've grown on me enough to root me here."

>You giggle and hug him tight.

"I love you, Anon."

>He strokes your cheek with his thumb.

>"I love you so much more than I can say."

>You wiggle against him.

>Several of the passengers on the elevator clear their throats and glare at you and Anon.

>Anon ignores them and nuzzles your cheek a little more.

>You flash your fangs at them and they back off a little.

>The elevator stops on the ground of Canterlot Mountain.

>Anon steps off and carries you down its main street and toward the train-station.

 

>Anon approaches the ticket booth with you trotting beside him.

>"Two for P0nyville?"

>The teller leans forward and looks at a small list.

>"The next train to P0nyville will arrive in about ten minutes."

>You sigh and press your face into Anon's leg.

"I wanna go home."

>He strokes your mane lightly.

>"I know you do. It won't be much longer."

>He nods to the teller, slides her a few bits and takes the tickets.

>You lead him over to a bench.

>He sits down and you curl up beside him, resting your head in his lap.

>He scratches your ears.

>"Are you alright?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

>You look up at him as he shrugs.

>"You've been kind of quiet."

>You furrow your brow at him.

>"Is it what I said on the elevator?"

>He scratches your back as you start to shake your head.

"Not really. I'm just ready to be home."

>"I am too."

>You stretch across his lap and roll over on your back.

"What'd you see in that mirror?"

>He sighs and ruffles your mane.

>"I saw a lot of things. You, me, our future together."

>He scratches your ear.

"What of our future??"

>His thumb and forefinger squeeze your ear and massage it gently.

>"So many things, Speck. All I can really say is, I'm never going to leave you."

>A smile creeps over your face as you cuddle into him.

"Good."

>The train rolls into the station and screeches to a halt.

>Anon looks at it contemplatively.

>"The train's early."

"Let's go, then. I'm so ready to be back in P0nyville."

>You board the train together and get settled in, finally back on track to P0nyville.

 

>The pages of your journal flip between your fingers.

>Your fingers wrap around a small pen, extracted from one of your pockets.

>The little bat p0ny in your lap smiles up at you.

>You smile warmly back at her as you start to write about the day.

>There wasn't much to write, since the day was only approaching noon.

>But there was something you remembered from Earth that you wanted to write down.

>You don't remember who said it, or why.

>The words just rang through your ears, and you knew they would be appreciated by your little bat.

"Angels are not any extraordinary beings with wings and a halo. They are ordinary people living ordinary lives. But they have special qualities that touch our hearts and souls in special ways."

>Your p0ny sits up and kisses your cheek as you finish.

"They are truly our best friends."

 

RIP Grassie.

Strength and Honor.