Title: The Story That Never Was - Chapter 4 Author: Shermanator Pastebin link: http://pastebin.com/B36DHG2L First Edit: Monday 17th of December 2012 08:22:22 PM CDT Last Edit: Monday 17th of December 2012 08:22:22 PM CDT >>You are becoming more and more aware >>You love Celestia >>You hate Celestia >>She saved you from a life of regimented mediocrity >>And delivered you into a life of regimented mediocrity >>One life you cannot remember, save for what she allows you to remember >>The other life has nothing to contrast against >>Are you being ungrateful? >>Or are you being too thankful? >>Her grasp on your mind is terrible >>If you sleep, you lose everything you almost remember >>Over time, you wonder how many fragments of memory are permanently lost >>Are you even you, anymore?   >>You are back in the ring, and your frustrations have earned you a lot of bits >>And has earned your enemies a lot of pain >>Your manager loves you >>The crowd loves you >>Your opponents, confident and arrogant at first, learn to loathe you after an average of five seconds >>These ponies don't know how to fight >>It's starting to disgust you >>You want to have to think >>You want to have to TRY Why won't you try harder! >>You grip a draft horse by the throat and bury your right fist in his face Huh?! >>Again, you bash his skull >>These aren't coordinated punches. You used to be known for your grace, your slips, your combos >>You were like a graceful butterfly with the depleted uranium sting of an M1 tank >>But in your madness, you have decided that you don't need all that >>You need money, you need to hurt people >>You need to get answers, even if you are taking it out on the wrong people >>Your opponent falls, unconscious   >>Your manager couldn't be happier, and neither could the crowd >>Fucking snakes. Every single one of them. >>“Good show, Anon. But try to save your energy, alright? You still have to face William.” Who the hell is that, and why do I give a damn? >>Your manager moves in front of you and leans in to you >>“Look, babe, I don't know what's gotten in to you. But you gotta be smart with this one. Really quick, too, or he's gonna floor you just like that little orange one last season.” >>You furrow your eyebrows, and apparently give him a face that makes him sweat >>The draft is wheeled out >>“Look, Anon, this one's serious. Ever hear of a diamond dog?” Put it in front of me and I'll kick its ass. >>“They're big, they're mean, and they aren't like us. They're like you!” >>This gets your attention, and your eyes go wide What? >>The opponent steps into the ring. He is gargantuan. Actually a little shorter than you, but it's a matter of mass >>Ever since you came to Equestria, you have lost a lot of weight on a vegetarian diet. Celestia has, over time, ensured that you do not remember what meat tastes like, or that you ever ate it But this beast? Easily a hundred pounds on you, maybe more. >>“That's William... they call him William the Conqueror. He's champion in three cities.” We'll see about that. >>You brush your manager aside, smack your knuckles together, and step into the middle of the ring >>William is dressed in an iron cuirass and a metal helmet >>He bawks at your show of strength and cracks his knuckles, which sounds more akin to bricks being crumbled in his hands than anything else >>“I'll make this quick” Hm. We'll see   >>The bell rings to start the fight >>He throws a monstrous left, you cannot duck it so you pull away >>Rebound and throw a fast jab that connects with his face >>He throws a right >>You try to pull away again but this one clips you in the cheek and sends you crashing down to the dirt >>He roars, he throws his hands up and looks to the crowd, which approves >>They think this is over? You need those bits, by Celestia. You NEED those bits >>You are up on your feet before long, and William turns to face you >>“Feh, you're tougher than you look” >>You're used to this. Your manager was right, you can't brute force this guy. >>He has range. You have to get inside and lay into him >>Put up your dukes, which makes the crowd go wild >>First time you actually took a stance tonight >>He throws an overhand, committing to it >>He wants to knock you out in one shot >>Slip to the inside. He watches you, confused >>You clinch his shoulders and drive your knee up into his gut >>Not your norm. You usually like to fight with your hands >>How much has Celestia kept from you? >>“Oof!” >>His guard is open. You rear your right hand and hurl your hips into it, driving a shot into his face >>And again >>Again >>He can't fight back >>You don't stop >>You think about Celestia >>How she controls your dreams >>How she controls you >>How she controls you THROUGH your dreams >>What right does she have?! >>William starts to bleed >>His helmet falls off, rolling to the floor >>You don't stop >>You want to remember. Maybe this world IS better than the one you came from. Maybe you want to stay.   But it should... >>You right hook him in the jaw Be my... >>You drive a short punch into his torso, hard enough for him to feel it through his armor Choice! >>You hiss in a deep breath before a right cross to the nose sends him to the floor hard enough to blow out the saltine circle marking the ring >>Your knuckles bleed >>Your breath is hard and heaving >>Judging by the wailing of the crowd, and the insane dancing of your manager, you've won enough bits for a year.   >>That night you keep yourself occupied in Twilight's library >>“...Anon, you don't look so good. Where did you get that black eye?” And where do you get off interrogating me? >>Twilight stomps forward, less than amused >>You take a moment to calm down You're right, I'm sorry >>You are no fool. You know twilight is Celestia's right hand >>You have to be careful around her >>“What happened?” I fell down some stairs >>Twilight is so innocent, that it works >>“Want me to take a look at it?” >>You shoot her a friendly smile and then wave your hand, dismissing her concerns It's fine. I'll be fine. >>“Well... okay. The library is closing and we're heading to bed. Lock the door on your way out.” >>Her horn glows, and a cloud of arcane energy compels a lantern over to the table, illuminating the book you are reading >>You shoot her another smile Thank you. Have a good one. >>She smiles at you, clearly still concerned, before she goes upstairs to bed.   Celestia... let's see you take my mind if I choose not to sleep >>“What's that, Anonymous?” Nothing. Have a good sleep.   >>If she will not face you, you will force her to come to you.