Title:           Anon in Equestria - Chapter 4
Author:          Zuul
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/56BHL1gE
First Edit:      Saturday 12th of May 2012 05:02:47 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Saturday 12th of May 2012 05:02:47 PM CDT

Chapter 4
 
>Zecora drops the bound unicorn pony onto the floor and pulls the bag off his head.
>His green eyes open wide at the sight of you.
>You can't tell if it's because you're human, or because of your burnt hair, torn shirt and bloody face.
"Who are you and why are you following us?"
>His surprised expression is replaced by a smirk.
>"Hello, human."
"What? How do you know what I am?"
>He says nothing.
>His eyes wonder around the room, taking everything in.
>He looks at each of the ponies with a blank expression.
>You can't tell what he's thinking and it makes you uncomfortable.
"HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT I AM?"
>Intimidation failed.
>He laughs.
>Suddenly he bares his teeth and points his horn toward your chest.
>Nothing happens.
>"What did you do to me?!" he says.
 
>"There is no need to be scared,
>Although, you're now magic impaired.
>Cooperate within the hour
>And I'll return your magic power."
 
>"Hear that?" says Pinkie, roughly. "Tell us what we want to know and Zecora will return your magic and let you go back to your friends and we can all be happy!"
>He gives her an evil look that makes you want to punch him in the face.
>So you punch him in the face.
 
>His evident rage suddenly vanishes.
>His lips curve into a creepy smile while blood drips from his nose.
>What the fuck.
 
>This pony is bound, powerless, and outnumbered.
>He's being interrogated by a creature from another universe who won't hesitate to beat the shit out of him.
>But he's the one making you nervous.
>Either he's insane, he's playing mind games with you, or he has some unapparent advantage.
>All of these possibilities scare you.
 
>Applejack doesn't give a shit.
>"Y'have ten seconds to start talkin'. Tell us who ya are!"
>He turns his creepy-ass face to meet her gaze, but says nothing.
 
>BAM!
>Everyone jumps in surprise as this freaky fucker gets an orange hoof to the face.
>"If y'all were jus' attackin' me ya might get a chance to explain yerself! But ya hurt my friends..."
>Applejack kicks him as she speaks.
>No one tries to stop her.
>Pinkie hides her eyes with her hooves.
 
>He's not smiling anymore.
>He writhes in pain in a puddle of his own blood.
>You notice he's lost a couple of his teeth.
>Holy fucking shit, Applejack.
>"Sorry 'bout the mess, Zecora."
>You make a mental note to stay friendly with Applejack.
 
"You ready to talk?"
>Apparently not.
>You almost don't believe your eyes when you see him start to smile again.
>Hurting him isn't going to work.
>Twilight speaks up.
>"Zecora, is there anything you could mix up to make him tell the truth?"
 
>"Yes, a potion. To get it right
>It will have to brew overnight."
 
>"By overnight I assume you mean... around ten hours?"
 
>"There will be no movement of the sun,
>but, I'll wake you when the potion's done."
 
"You expect us to sleep? With him in here? What if he tries to strangle us or something?"
 
>"It was poison joke that took his magic.
>The effect's permanence he'll find tragic.
>As long as he receives no cure
>This is something he will endure.
>That being said, his bonds are tight.
>He will not loosen them this night."
 
>Does Zecora just come up with these rhymes on the spot.
>You're so impressed it takes a while for what she said to sink in.
>Although you feel reassured by Zecora's words, you still replace the bag on his head and drag him to the corner of the room.
>You hope you never have to be in the same room as him again.
>Zecora gives you, Applejack, Pinkie, and Twilight some blankets to lay on the floor before getting started on her truth potion.
 
>There aren't enough blankets in Equestria to make this hard wood comfortable to sleep on, but you give a couple of yours to Applejack.
>She seems a bit shaken up after her breakdown.
>"I can't believe I did that..." She says, eyeing the blood on the other side of the room.
>You give her a squeeze.
"Applejack, they were trying to murder you. They were trying to kill Pinkie and Twilight. Hell, they almost got me."
>You point to where the enemy fire burned your hair.
"People- I mean, ponies like that deserve more than a few kicks to the face."
>"Yeah, but, I can't believe I did that."
"It's been a crazy week. Stop worrying and get some shut-eye. You've done nothing wrong."
 
>You and the ponies get settled in your makeshift beds.
>Zecora continues to work while you drift off to sleep, one by one.
 
"Pinkie Pie was correct."
>You're standing on the dark rocky landscape from your previous dream.
>The voice that's speaking is the same one you heard before you crashed your car and woke up in Equestria.
>It's uncaring, completely detached.
"What do you mean?"
>"You are here for a reason."
>The big red sun in the sky burns out completely, plunging you into complete darkness.
>You feel like the body that goes with the voice is nearby.
>You know you're not in danger, but you feel complete fear wash over you.
"What reason?"
>No one answers you.
>This feels too real to be a dream.
 
>You force your eyes open.
>You're in Zecora's house.
>She's still over by her cauldron.
>Your prisoner struggles hopelessly against his bonds in the corner.
>Pinkie, Twi, and Applejack are still sleeping peacefully.
>But the fear from your dream remains.
>You ignore the feeling and try to focus on reality.
>You whisper to Zecora.
"Is the potion finished?"
 
>"Oh, good morning Anon, friend.
>Indeed, the brewing is at an end."
 
>You wake up the sleeping ponies, and Zecora fills a bottle with her solution.
>"Is everyp0ny ready?" asks Twilight.
 
>The bag is removed from his head, Twilight uses her magic to force open his mouth, and Zecora pours the potion down his throat.
>He looks at each of you hatefully.
>"Did it work?" asks Pinkie.
>"Yes." The prisoner answers.
>"Okay, then. What's your name?"
>He tries, unsuccessfully, to fight the potion's effects. "Crimson Clover."
>"Okay, Crimson." says Twilight. "Why is your group trying to kill us?"
>Sweat drips down his face with the effort of keeping his mouth shut.
>"Tell me!"
>"You were getting too close to discovering where the princesses were, so I ordered your destruction."
 
>Holy shit, Crimson is connected to the princesses' disappearance.
>You can actually hear Twilight's heart racing with excitement.
>"Wherearetheprincesses?!"
>"I don't know."
>Twilight's legs give out and she falls on her face.
>"But you're responsible for their kidnapping?" asks Applejack.
>"Yes." Crimson growls.
>"Why?! Why would you want to do that?!" Twilight shouts.
>"I was told to."
"You were told to? I thought you were in charge!"
>"I AM in charge!" Crimson clearly wants to hurt you.
"Then who tells you what to do? Who told you to take the princesses?!"
>It looks like this is the one question he was hoping wouldn't be asked.
>Crimson looks into your eyes with deep loathing as he responds.
 
>"The voice."