- Previously
- http://pastebin.com/KkBk44ed
- >This always happens.
- >Every single time you stop by somewhere, even for a night, you become an outcast.
- >This time you thought it would be different.
- >But this time ended up the exact same.
- >You just gotta get out of here, again.
- >It had become a routine of sorts for you.
- >Get to town, get kicked out of/leave town, find new town.
- >You hear drips.
- >Oh Luna, why are you crying? You should be used to this by now!
- >Finally, you come back to the edge of P0nyville.
- >Time to go.
- >Grabbing a flashlight, you head out in search of your house-guest.
- >Surely Lyra didn't offend her that badly?
- >Lyra has never been one for tact but...
- >Whatever. You still need to find your new friend.
- >The only thing that is a problem though...
- >Where to look?
- >Due to her love of the night, you assume the best place to start is the Everfree.
- >The warnings you had been given though...
- >”T-things work differently there.”
- >”Some think it's supernatural, unbound by the laws of nature we abide by.”
- >”Ah even saw a stack of sticks get up n' start walkin' one time.”
- >That last one was the most concerning.
- >Whether for Applejack's mental health or for your safety, you're unsure.
- >You continue on your journey warily.
- >At the outskirts of P0nyville, you turn around, a bead of sweat dripping down your forehead.
- >Well, onwards you march.
- >It shouldn't be long now.
- >Passing the Apple family barn, you remember Applejack's warning.
- >The eerie silence of the farm is anxiety inducing.
- >How is a farm, with animals, even remotely quiet?
- >Your steps sound like a hammer upon anvil, your nerves betraying you.
- >Passing Fluttershy's cottage, the flap of bird wings startles you.
- >As they settle, variations of caw-caw's assault your ears.
- >Heart rate going at a steady 120.
- >Finally, you're outside the ominous forest.
- >The flora seems to loom over you, as if to say “Turn back”.
- >You're almost betrayed by your nerves.
- >But you know that you will be betraying your friend if you do that.
- >With a deep breath, you trudge off into the dark.
- >Hisses and hoots instantly attack your eardrums.
- >It prompts your legs to go faster.
- >The rustles and growls only seem to get louder and louder.
- >Strolling turns to brisk walking, which turns to jogging, which turns to sprinting.
- >You try one last thing.
- “ECHO! WHERE ARE YOU?!”
- >...
- >Nothing.
- >Not a single peep.
- >Now you're stuck in perhaps the most dangerous place in Equestria.
- >Alo-
- >With a crash, you fall to the ground and bash your head.
- >Fearing the worst, you cower up into a ball, awaiting your grim fate from some monster.
- >Instead, nothing happens, and you hear a sob.
- >Peeking upwards with one eye open, you're not met with the ugly face of a cockatrice or otherwise...
- >But instead with the tearful face of Echo.
- >She looks at the ground eyes closed, her lip quivering.
- >”Why do all the other p0nies hate me?!”
- >Standing up, you look at her concernedly.
- “Why do you say that?”
- >Out of nowhere she becomes venomous.
- >”Didn't you SEE the way she looked at me?! Are you b-blind?!”
- >Step back slightly.
- “Hey, why are you shouting at me? I came all the way out here to look for you.”
- >”Yeah, well I didn't ask you to!”
- >Silence for a few moments.
- >”...I'm sorry. I just wish that I wasn't a complete outcast here.”
- >Does she know who she's talking to?
- “Echo, look at me.”
- >The batp0ny does as instructed.
- >”Huh?”
- “Do you think I was instantly welcomed with open arms to P0nyville?”
- >She scuffs a hoof along the floor.
- >”I guess not... But everywhere else has been the same.”
- >You sigh, and frown at her in sympathy.
- “Maybe you just haven't stuck around anywhere for long enough for people to see you're a true pers- p0ny.”
- >Contemplating this, she looks at the floor.
- >”Well... I guess you're right.”
- >Her tears have stopped.
- “So, are you gonna come home?”
- >She nods.
- “Good.”
- >She smiles meekly.
- >The way back seems a lot less horrific with a friend by your side.
- “So, how about that zebra alchemist?”
- >”Huh?”
- “You remember, you weren't sure if you were seeing things?”
- >Her eyes light up.
- >”You mean... you remembered something about me?”
- >Raise a brow.
- “Well, why wouldn't I? You're my friend.”
- >She grins wildly.
- >”I... I never had a friend before.”
- >She looks as if she's trying to go in for a hug.
- >You're unsure if you should, but...
- >Wrap your arms around the batp0ny.
- >She almost purrs in your grasp.
- >”Ha, I have a friend.”
- >Back in your home, you prepare to go to bed.
- >Lying on the couch, you turn to the mare.
- “Echo, promise me something.”
- >She turns before she puts a hoof on the stairs.
- >”Promise you what?”
- “Never scare me like that again.”
- >She blushes, and shies away.
- >”I promise.”
- >You hear some trots, then they stop.
- >”Uh... Anon...?”
- “Yeah?”
- >”C-can you... sleep next to me tonight?”
- >You're surprised at this, but...
- “Sure.”

