The Fate of Anonymous. - 12 - Day Outing -

The Fate of Anonymous. - 12 - Day Outing -

 

 

>Your eyes slowly creep open

>"Hello Anon, It's been a while"

"Well, hello there hospital ceiling. How you been since last week?"

>"Oh not bad, Just a bit lonely without you and your antics to keep my company."

"Oh you!"

>Slowly propping yourself up, the horrors that you had recently endured race through your mind.

>It's almost enough to send yourself back into a panic attack before a voice interrupts.

>"Mr. Anonymous? Are you ok!?"

>You recognise that voice. Looking over to the left of the bed you see a worried looking sweetie bell.

"Hey... Sweetie Bell. What are you doing here?"

>Genuine curiosity push's previous thoughts out of your head. You'd only met this filly once and she was at your bedside.

>"Well, I heard you was ill, so I thought I would come and cheer you up." She smiles, trying to lighten the mood.

"No I mean, why? We've only met once."

>Her smile turns into a frown and a pout all at once. Your heart nearly stops beating.

>You feel disappointed that even though that face is destroying your heart it's still not enough to kill you.

>"What do you mean why? You helped me when I was being bullied by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon."

>You hear the audible anguish when she mentions their names. They must have history.

>"So I figure, that makes us friends. Unless you don't want to be friends..."

>HHHNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGG

>Fix this Anon! Fix this now!

 

>This moment could destroy entire civilizations.

>All the feels that you haven't felt in years come rushing back.

>She stares straight into your eyes. Hers wide and... OH MY GOD TEARS ARE WELLING UP.

>'ANON JUST TELL THE FILLY THAT YOU'RE HER FRIEND YOU FUCKING MONSTER!'

>But we're not! I Don't want any friends, you know what I want!

>'LOOK! SHE'S ABOUT TO BURST INTO FUCKING TEARS! IS THIS WHAT YOU DO NOW!? MAKE KIDS CRY!?'

>Hey now! Those two brats fucking deserved it!

>'Does she?'

>Touché

>You search the bottomless pit of emotions that you have stored and find one veritable smile creeping its way on your face.

"Of course we're friends. I meant like, don't you have school or something?"

>Her face immediately changes along with her entire demeanour.

>Your heart, unfortunately, only metaphorically explodes at her beaming smile.

>"Oh, Well why didn't you say so Mr. Anonymous!"

>You wince a bit as she say's your full title.

> It's nice that she was raised to respect her elders, although it's a mission in itself to just listen to her say it.

"Please, just call me Anon."

>"Sure thing Mr. Anon"

"No I mean just Anon, no Mr."

>"But.. Isn't that disrespectful? My sister always says I have to respect my elders."

"It's not disrespectful if we're friends... Which we are, so it's fine."

 

>Her smile turns into an ear to ear grin when you say that you're her friend for a second time.

>"Well, It's Saturday today, so there's no school today!"

>Saturday? Oh yeah, you still don't know what day it is, or rather "was" when you came back.

"How long have I been in hospital?"

>"Only a day, apparently you went into town, started screaming, then knocked yourself out."

>Your body physically shakes as you remember the events that have transpired.

>Pinkie Pie... You swear on everything sacred in this world that as long as you live you never want to see that mare again.

>You're brought back out of your flashbacks by the sound of the hospital door opening.

>Bounding into the room are two more fillies along with twilight.

>Sweetie Bell seems to be ecstatic at the arrival of the new fillies. Must be her frie-

>"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER HUMAN HELPERS!"

>What?

>All three of them rush up to you and begin talking.

>This would normally have scared you half to death, however Pinkie Pie has long since absolved all of your fears.

>Instead you quietly sit there and wait until they realize you're not saying anything. They fall deathly silent.

>They all stare at you as you stare straight back at them. Twilight stands at the back of the room, seemingly enjoying the spectacle.

"Now girls, one at a time please."

>The yellow one with red hair speak up first.

>"Ahm Applebloom"

>"I'm Scooterloo"

>"You already know me!"

>Sweetie Bell offers you a smile, in turn your refund her one of your own.

 

>They all begin to shout in unison. "AND WE'RE THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!"

>Ok, You have already gathered this much.

"What was this about being human helpers?"

>Their radiant smiles overtaking their very forms they all looks at each other before Sweetie Bell speaks up.

>"Seen as your in hospital we figured you could use some help with things when you get out!

>Scooterloo then interjects.

>"Then maybe we could get our cutie marks!"

>Cutie what? Clearly this is something you have no idea about although you don't really need any help.

>Actually your feeling remarkably well considering you're in a hospital bed.

"Sorry to disappoint girls, although I'm fine."

>The three fillies simultaneously respond.

>"aawwghhhh"

>Twilight steps forward looking to end this heart wrenching display.

>"Come on girls, Anonymous needs his rest."

>"Ok..."

>The two other fillies run out the room as they shout back

>"Bye Mr. Anonymous!"

>Sweetie bell stay's behind just a second longer.

>"Anon, when you're out you wanna hang out and do something?"

>When you're out you plan on putting a revolver to your head.

>Although should that fall through you should probably have a backup plan.

"Sure. See you soon."

>God you hope not.

>The little filly rush's out of the room leaving you with a twilight and an awkward silence.

 

"So what exactly happened then?"

>"I was hoping you could tell me, after that spell I didn't see you until you was admitted to Ponyville general.

>She magics a quill and scroll out of no-where. She looks primed to write down your every response.

"I really don't want to have to recall everything. Can you just give me my bits and leave."

>"Nope. You don't get the bits until you help me with my research." She sits on her haunches waiting for your response.

>You swing your legs out of the bed and curse under your breath.

>"Sorry? I missed that."

>You take in a deep breath.

"You used the spell and I ending up going ba-"

>You spend the next thirty minutes of your meaningless life explaining in great details the events that had occurred.

>Well, for the most part to had to lie. The majority of your time in the past was spent trying to kill yourself.

>Or was it murder?

>Fucking Time Travel.

>You explain zechora and the blue flowers and then... Why where you so easily distracted from the fact that you was so very obviously in hell.

>You explain pinkie pie and her song and appearance. It's enough to cause you to shake in fear.

>Twilight sees your state and giggles. GIGGLES! IS THIS MARE SERIOUS!?

"ITS NOT FUNNY, DAMN IT!"

>Twilight tries to stifle her giggling for your sake before she continues.

>"Oh Anon! Pinkies not a demon!"

"Then what else do you call that!?"

>"It was a side effect of the flowers which you'd fallen into. The blue ones? We treated you for poison joke the second you got here."

>Poison joke. Is that some sort of bad pun?

 

>She's trying to conceal the truth.

>Quick, we need to outplay her!

"Well... If.. That's the case... Then... How did you know to treat me for poison joke if I was unconscious?"

>Check!

>"You had one of the flowers stuck to the bottom of your shoe."

>Checkmate. You were never very good at chess.

"Oh..."

>Another silence formed as neither of you had anything more to say on the matter. Apparently nothing else to move the subject on either.

>Well Time to go home and get shot.

"Well time to go home and get shot."

>"What!?"

"...Get shot... of these dirty clothes. I've been wearing them for days."

>Nice save.

>You jump off the bed. Energy reinvigorating your entire body at the thought of getting back to your revolver.

>Just as you start making your way towards the door twilight speaks up from behind you.

>"You can pick up your bits tomorrow at the park, we're having a pet play date and..."

>You turn and give her your coldest stare. Please just let her interpret this as shut up and let me kill myself.

>"Oh... Well... We would have invited you, but you don't have a pet an-"

>No such luck. Wait a minute. YOU DO HAVE A PET!

"Actually I do have a pet."

>"Really!? I thought since you'd only been in Ponyville for a couple of weeks you wouldn't ha-"

"I'll swing by tomorrow to pick up my bits with Arty."

 

>Her voice seems to hold a bit of annoyance

>"Arty? What's Arty!?"

>This is giving you some satisfaction, she fucks with time, you fuck with her.

"Arty's my pet."

>"No, I meant what kind of pet!?

"A good pet."

>"NO! What type of creature is Arty!"

"A playful one."

>"WHAT SPECIES!?"

>Twilight is blowing puffy smoke clouds from her snout and has taken a slightly aggressive stance.

>You should probably stop fucking with her.

"A really, really cool one."

>"AAARRGGHH!"

>In pure rage twilight envelops herself in pure purple energy and pop's out of reality.

>You can't help it. It was too much. You fall to the floor as your grasp your sides.

>Your sides are moving on their own. She was pissed but it was so worth it.

>You slowly walk back to your house. Having to occasionally stop from the laughter.

>You reach outside your house and wipe away a tear. You haven't laughed like that in years.

>Actually come to think of it, you haven't laughed once in years.

>With a sharp cold and swift backlash you remember why and your good mood is instantly destroyed.

>You open the door to find Arty inside curled up on the floor of the living room.

>The question of how he got in to your house arrives as sharply as it arrives. Remembering the key rule of Equestria; Nothing will ever make sense - Deal with it.

>you make your way to the bedroom and lay down on your bed.

>Grasping the revolver from the beside you spin the chamber and allow it to keep spinning as you raise it to your head.

>The spinning slows and slows until it stop.

>You pull the trigger.

>*Click*

 

>With a sigh you lower the gun from your head and drift blissfully to sleep.

>The night is short lived however. Without dreams to lull your mind into a state of activity you simply wake up what feels like only moments later.

>Your woken up by Arty, who is currently atop of you licking your face.

>Must be time for breakfast. Trying to get up you realize the weight of Arty is far too great to contend with.

"Come on Arty. Down!"

>The obedient Manticore jumps down off the bed and sits waiting expectantly.

>That's a fair point actually, what do Manticores even eat?

"What the hell do you even eat?"

>The Manticore bounds out of the room. A few seconds later you hear the front door open and close.

>Did... Did Arty just... You hate this land ever more with every passing event.

>Without another seconds notice you grab the pistol from your bed spin the chamber and pull the trigger in rapid succession.

>*Click*

"What is the point of having this if I can't even use it to kill myself!"

>You throw the gun back onto the bed and make your way back down stairs.

>You figure you can get the bits twilight owes you and then go buy arsenic or something.

>You hadn't planned this far ahead, so you needed to go see what the market had to offer.

>After preparing and eating breakfast you get out your diary and skim it.

>You had no idea when they would be at the park, although it never hurt to be early.

>Your only real wish had been that you had some meat. All that you found in your cupboard were vegetarian friendly ingredients.

>Which makes sense considering ponies are herbivores.

 

>You update your diary and leave it on the kitchen table for if you get back.

>You open the door and there sat just outside, chewing on a couple of squirrels was Arty.

"Huh, so you DO eat meat as well then?"

>Arty sucks up the last squirrels tail as if it was a strand of spaghetti and licks his lips.

"You enjoy that?"

>Arty simply bounds up to you in response. You instinctively pet him on the head.

"You full up? Can't be doing that around the other ponies. They might freak out."

>Arty gives you a grin and you ruffle his mane.

"Come on. Let's go."

>With the Manticore in tow you make your way to the park. Slightly envious of your new pet for getting some meat for breakfast.

>Throwing your hand in your pockets you take note that's it's actually a pretty nice day.

>You never had anything this nice back on earth.

>In fact you lived in the city, so it was mostly different shades of grey.

>You find yourself deep in wonder at the splendour that this world actually had to offer.

>Hell, It was more exciting than your old life. If not as disappointing.

>Reaching the park in plenty of time you find yourself already quite tired again.

>Mustn't of gotten as much sleep as you'd thought.

>As if having the exact same thoughts Arty walks over to the shade of a tree and lays down.

>You join him under the shade and rest your head against his body, careful to avoid the scorpions tail.

>Within minutes you drift back to sleep.

 

"ANON! RUN!"

>You're rudely awoken by the screaming ponies.

>A purple aura engulfs you as you being to fly away from Arty.

>Arty is now also fully awake and already notices you being flown away against your own will.

>Needless to say, like the good pet he is. He's pissed.

>He immediately jumps straight at twilight pinning her down.

>"Twi!" Spike is fast to react as he and an owl run over to attack the now rampaging Manticore.

>Arty jumps off the screaming twilight as you try to calm the situation down.

"Everyone please, jus-"

>Arty begins to run towards you.

>Rainbow Dash mistakes this as a full on war charge and flies over and swoops you up.

>You reach higher and higher heights.

"Rainbow Dash! Let me go!"

>"Anon! Didn't you see that thing it was charging for you!"

>You struggle against the mare as she stops climbing.

>"Quit... S-Struggling. You got a death wish!?"

>If only she knew...

>Unfortunately try as you might you can only watch as your new pet is teamed up upon by twilight, rarity and applejack.

>"HEYANON! DIDYALIKEMYSONGTHEOTHERDAYIWROTEITAWHILEAGOALTHOUGHITHOUGHTYOUCOULDUSEITBECAUSEIHAVEN'TSEENYOUSMILESCINCEYO-"

>Your thrown into an almost indefatigable struggle as the pink mare bounces up and down on a cloud.

>Your struggle is rewarded by a sudden freefall from extreme heights.

>Plummeting towards the ground at near terminal velocity you realize that you might just get your wish today.

>You embrace the feeling of weightlessness as you decide to outstretch your arms into a four star frog splash of sorts.

 

>Suddenly a blur of oranges and yellows come into your field of vision and you sudden decent ends as rapidly as it begun.

>Now slowing the pace below you is Arty.

>Through it all you forgot he had wings and never even bothered to see if he could fly.

>The answer was now apparent as he is stopping you from falling to your blissful death.

>You reach the ground in a matter of seconds.

>The landing is rough enough to throw you off his back and onto the ground.

>You manage to break the fall with your hands at the last second, result in a couple of cuts.

>As you being to prop yourself up you see an orange pony run up toward you with a lasso.

>She jumps straight over your head and heads straight for Arty.

>Arty already anticipating this waits until the lasso is in mid air before dodging and pouncing.

>Arty stands above the terrified orange pony. He lets out a ferocious roar with all of his might before lowering his head for the kill.

>Ok this shit is going too far now.

"ARTY!"

>The Manticore freezes, teeth laid upon Applejacks neck.

>He sheepishly looks to you.

"DOWN BOY!"

>All the other ponies stop and watch in complete shock and awe as you shout down this monster.

>Arty raises his head back up from applejacks neck and gives a small whimper. As if pleading to allow him to kill her.

>You're not having any of that. These ponies have been the kindest creatures you'd met in all your life.

>As much as you wanted to end your own, you wouldn't allow another pony to lose their life if you could help it.

 

"I SAID DOWN ARTY!"

>You walk over to the now shaking applejack and push Arty off of her.

>He gives a little whimper and nuzzles your hand.

>You needs to let him know that attacking ponies is not acceptable.

"ARTY ATTACKING OUR FRIENDS IS NOT GOOD. BAD! BAD MANTICORE!"

>You give it a flick on the nose to accentuate your point.

>Arty hangs his head low and slowly walk away.

>He goes back under the tree and lays down in the shade with his back turned to you.

>You give a sigh. It wasn't his fault really. You felt like a dick for having to shout at him like that.

>After all, he was just protecting you. Not that you really want protecting. But all the same.

>You help up a now confused and scared applejack to her fee-... Hooves.

>"ANON! JUST WHAT THE HELL!?"

>Rainbow dash get right up in your face.

>Apparently the others are all still to shocked to even speak. They do however manage to make their way over to you.

"What do you mean?"

>You can see twilight staring at the Manticore.

>"Th-This! Is ARTY!?"

"Yup. Cool huh?"

>Twilights jaw opens the door, drops to the floor and walks the dinosaur.

>Rarity is the next of the bunch to finally find words

"You MUST be joking! That-THAT MONSTER simply CANNOT be your pet!"

>You never did like snooty people. It would appear the same is right for ponies.

"Actually he's rather friendly"

>As your memory recalls he was much too friendly. I thought Manticores were supposed to love eating humans or some shit.

>You never really knew much about mythology, although you was almost sure you was some sort of delicacy.

 

>Applejack stares at you dead in the eyes.

>If you couldn't tell any better you would have sworn you just saw a flicker of pure hatred in her eyes.

> You've seen them a lot, Hate filled eyes that is.

"IF HE'S SO GAL-DARN FRIENDLY THEN WHY'D HE ATTACK US!? AND WHY DID HE TRY TO RIP OUT MAH THROAT!"

>Okay, she was pissed.

>A dog was stood next to applejack growling furiously.

>The loud shouting causes Arty to turn around and survey the situation again. Keeping wary  eye's on the ponies.

>You turn to the boiling applejack and tilt you head a bit as if in thought.

"Well... Probably because you ran up to it screaming, practically abducting me in the process."

>"That's because IT'S A MONSTER!"

>Twilight seems most perplexed.

>You still haven't forgiven her for the whole time travel fiasco, however you decide fucking with her now isn't the best idea.

"No he isn't. Look!"

>You make your way over to Arty.

>"No Anon!"

>You ignore Twilights protests and kneel next to Arty.

>You softly stroke his mane and he looks up to you with sadness in his eyes.

"It's ok Arty. I know you was just trying to protect me. Although these are friends"

>Not necessarily your friends. They were more acquaintances. Although no need to overcomplicate things for him.

>The Manticore immediately perks up and begins to lick your face.

>It was nice to know that you had one thing in your life that genuinely cared for you.

"See girls. Come and say hello to Arty."

 

>One by one the ponies carefully walk over to Arty.

>Arty look at you as if asking what to do.

"It's ok."

>All the ponies gingerly introduce themselves to Arty.

>When pinkie pie bounded up you whispered into Arty's ear.

"Keep an eye on this one."

>He seemed to understand and watched her intently and she hopped away.

>Applejack was the last of the lot. Her dog, Winona constantly growling at Arty.

>Arty seemed un-phased, knowing that he could probably swallow the dog whole.

>Wait, Wasn't there supposed to be a sixth pony?

"Where's Fluttershy?"

>"I don' rightly know. It's unlike her ta be late."

>You honestly don't care, it was just curiosity that made you ask.

>The next couple of hours are spent by everyone playing.

>Winona and applejack keep their distance from Arty although seem to be having fun all the same.

>You also got to meet the other pets. Opal, Tank, Gummy and Owlicious.

>What the fuck sort of name is Owlicious? Only twilight could come up with such a 'Brilliant' name.

>You see the sun making it's decent across the horizon and realize that you hadn't actually managed to make it into town today.

>Hell you haven't even collected your bits yet.

>Making your way over to twilight you make a note that the market will probably be closed by now.

>You'll have to go tomorrow, although you can still collect your bits.

"Hey Twilight, can I get my bits now?"

 

>"Of course Anon!"

>Twilights horn glows a bright purple and a sack full of gold coins fall to the floor in front of you.

>You bend down to pick it up and realize the weight of it.

>Jesus, How much had she given you?

"Just curious, how many bits are here?"

>"Well you've got the two-hundred from helping me and the eight-hundred reward from Celestia for saving the town."

>A thousand bit's?

>This is where you realize you have no concept of currency in this world.

>You're either rich or a beggar.

>Either way you find a lack of interest. If that was actually worth something it would make your task easier.

>As you turn around you see a Yellow Pegasus fly over the horizon. You don't have the best eye-sight, although you're certain it's crying.

>The five ponies drop what they're doing and rush over to the crying Fluttershy.

>You make a slow walk towards the group, leaving Arty over by the exit of the park.

>You manage to make out the last of the sentence through the heavy sobbing.

>"A-A-And.. I Can't F-Find Them An-Anywhere."

"What's going on?"

>Twilight is the first to respond.

>"Fluttershy's lost three of her squirrel friends and can't find them. That's why she wasn't here, she was looking for them."

>You have the weirdest sensation in your stomach as you think back to the event earlier on in the day.

>You turn to look at Arty. As if knowing what you're thinking he nervously grins.

"Don't worry Fluttershy, I'm sure they'll turn up."

>No they won't.

"I'm sure they're all fine"

>No they're not

"They're probably just resting somewhere"

>That rest is fairly permanent... As well as surprisingly elusive.

 

>"T-Thanks Anon..."

>Fluttershy gives another little sniffle. You can't find it in yourself to smile.

>Instead you give her a thumbs up before walking away.

"It's pretty late, I'm heading home for the night."

>They all wave good bye and you get shouts of goodnight from all the ponies as you walk away with your sack of bits and your stomach of guilt.

>You think what upsets you the most about this situation is that you didn't even get to eat any of the squirrels yourself.

>You walk up to Arty and pat him on the head.

"From now on, you only hunt in the Everfree forest. Also... try to save some for me."

>The tame Manticore nods his head in understanding and you look at the trek you have back to your house.

>Too fucking far...

>Dying of exhaustion is not one thing you want to do.

>Time to take a gamble.

>You throw your right leg over Arty's back and sit down.

>You place your left hand in his mane and with your right point forward.

"Home!"

>Without a seconds notice the Manticore breaks out into a sprint before taking to the air.

>You hold on tight as you're launched into the air at incredible speeds.

>You take in the night air around you as the sun finished setting mid flight.

>You're back to your house within five minutes of take off.

>The landing is still rough although that was too badass for you to seem to give a fuck.

 >You fall to the ground again, your legs to wobbly to actually stand.

 

>After recovering for a couple of minutes you manage to stand and take in the glory of the event that had just passed.

>You give a genuine smile to the Manticore before hearing it's stomach growl.

>It looks to you almost asking for permission to head back to the Everfree.

"Go on, go get some dinner. Remember what I said earlier though."

>Arty takes again to flight and leaves you stood at the front of your house.

>You slowly walk up to the door with your bits.

>Opening the door you walk inside and hear the faint sound of sobbing from inside your bedroom.

>What?

>You drop the bits onto the countertop and nonchalantly walk up the stairs.

>You open the door to your room slowly to see a white filly crying on your bed.

>You cough and the filly raises her head.

>Through the puffy eyes you can see it's sweetie bell.

>Maybe she's been bullied by those othe-

>You notice in her hooves she clutch's your diary.

>Through the sobs she manages to squeak out one pathetic word that hits home hard.

>"... W-Why?"