Just (Be)Cause - Chapter 12

13

 

>You pass the newly fortified gate, passing through corpses of downed soldiers.

>You peek through the make-shift bunkers you saw before; only to discover everypony inside were incinerated.

>You see a sword lodged onto a cart, which you pull out.

>You examine it before taking it with you.

>You need a back up anyway.

>You then scour across the battlefield, looking for any useful items.

>You find two daggers, each with a strap and a sheath.

>You place the straps crossing your chest, hiding the two daggers on your back.

>The wind was getting stronger now, almost blowing away your cape.

>You can’t have your cool thrown off like that.

>You duck your head down, letting the wind scrape by.

>Wait, you had changeling magic.

>Imagining a shield, you raise one hand.

>A green glow comes from your hand, which slowly covered you in an orb.

>The wind was no longer there.

>Fucking magic.

>You walk on, your hand still up.

>The shield hums gently, while it ripples like water.

>You can still see through it.

 

>After a while, you come across the boundaries of Ponyville again.

>But after your little romp with the six mares, you prefer to avoid it.

>You decide to take a path circling Ponyville, or at least on its very edges.

>You continue on the path in the forest.

>Turns out, the Everfree flanked the town in several directions.

>You easily bypassed the town without much trouble, all you had to do was to sneak inside one of the trains to Canterlot.

>Because no way in hell you would walk there.

>You face the giant purple shield that protects the town.

>As you get closer, you can feel your own shield responding.

>It makes contact, before joining it membrane.

>Good this shouldn’t be too hard-

>The shield suddenly glows and rumbles, making noises, all where you stand.

>You recognize the sound as an alarm, which means.

>You are going to book it.

 

>Back in the local library, Twilight is examining a newly acquired book.

>Suddenly, her horn glows, telling her something.

>Changelings.

 

>You run across the damp back streets, dodging any noises from the guards.

>Your magic goes to work, turning you into a pony.

>A unicorn, to be exact.

>You turn yourself invisible and blend into the wall.

>Why didn’t you do this before?

>Whatever, Changeling magic is best magic.

>After the alarm ceased, you move on.

>The guards declared it; a hit-and-run.

>Aren’t they observant.

>You still have your hood up, walking to the train station.

 

>Twilight is surveying the scene with the squad.

>She can feel the presence in the town, but it is dissipating.

>She eventually ignores it, and walks back to her library.

>She does not see the cautious pony, running into him.

>The two of them grunt, before the two of them rise.

>He’s wearing a cape, he seems like he’s hiding something.

>”Oh, I’m sorry!” Twilight calls to him helping him up.

>He nods and smiles.

>He draws back his hood, revealing a light brown coat.

>He had a charcoal colored mane, almost green.

>He had brown eyes as well.

>He must love the color brown.

>”I never saw you before, are you new?”

>He stammers, looking nervous.

>He leans closer, and whispers;

>”Yeah, I am.”

>”I’m just on my way to visit my cousin in Ponyville.”

>Seems likely.

>”Who?” She asks, intrigued.

>Well, for a shy guy, he was kind of cute.

>He is quiet, trying to think of something- probably.

>”Actually, I’m not sure. I’m not very keen on remembering names. Anyhow, I think I should be going now.” He slowly backs away, before heading into the train station.

>Twilight stands there, dumbfounded.

>Some ponies are just weird.

>”Twilight!” Spike runs to his friend, holding a letter.

>”Celestia sent you a letter!”

>”I can tell, Spike.”

>She opens the letter, and reads aloud;

>”Dearest Twilight, due to recent events, I need you in Canterlot as soon as possible. Bring the rest of the elements of harmony, we need the support of the elements- the war just turned out longer.”

>Twilight sighs, looking at the peaceful town that is Ponyville.

>They are so ignorant and blissful to the war, but they’re happy.

>Twilight sighs once again, and she goes to collect her friends.

 

>Brushing with Twilight was just too close for comfort.

>You hurriedly rush to the counter, and buy yourself a ticket.

>Lucky for you, you had some bits in your pocket.

>That- and some ponies reported lost money that day.

>Seeing that you still have two hours till departure, you flip over your hood and rouse yourself to sleep.

 

>As if a timer was in your head, you wake to the right ring to the two hour mark.

>You get to your hooves soon enough, and continue on.

>It took a while to get used to the four legs thing.

>one-two, one-two.

>You take your seat, leaning onto a window.

>You enjoyed looking at sceneries.

>”Hi!” A voice comes from the back.

>You turn, to see the purple unicorn sitting next to you.

>Your body freeze.

>Twilight?

>Shit.

 

>Twilight couldn’t believe her luck today.

>When she finally got everyone together, she found the train that was going to leave in five minutes.

>She also saw the new pony she met earlier.

>He must be from Canterlot.

>She decided to distance herself from her friends and move to say hello to the pony she met.

>She might not be good at it, but she liked making new friends.

>Rainbow jeered on her asking when’s the wedding.

>She blushed, but ignored the lewd comments from her friends.

>Well… He wasn’t that bad.

 

>”I’m going to Canterlot too! I didn’t know you were going there!” The pony looks ecstatic.

>Why can’t this world have creeper fears.

>You smile and wave again, but your expression betrays your intention.

>”Are you alright? You look pale.”

>You nod and smile weakly.

>You have to stop smiling like that.

>You rest your head to the window, and sleep.

>No thanks to Twilight’s ramblings, you can’t keep yourself asleep.

>That, and the fact that when you turned to see her she stared into your soul.

>You were beginning to suspect she knew who you were.

 

>The new pony is so shy.

>Twilight keeps trying to make conversation, but the pony keeps to himself.

>Twilight liked good listeners.

>He nodded once in a while, or responded shortly to her words.

>The best part was; he kept staring at her once in a while!

>Twilight began to think he might’ve liked her.

 

>You were hoping you weren’t giving the wrong impressions.

>She kept giving hints, to your surprise.

>You always knew you were good looking, but not in that direction.

>Eventually, Twilight shuts up.

>Thank god, she could have-

>Why are you feeling a weight on your shoulders?

>Turns out, Twilight was asleep on your shoulders.

>You kept your stature and poker face, and continued to stare out.

>You felt your eyelids getting tired.

>Confound this brittle pony body.

 

>There she was, Twilight giving the pony the gauntlet.

>She pretended to sleep, and leaned in.

>He didn’t bat her away.

>That’s a good sign, right?

>Eventually, she could hear the pony yawn.

>Then he laid his head on hers, before forcing himself up.

>Twilight almost squeaked in excitement.

>Eventually, the pony loses control, falling asleep.

>Twilight felt the weight on her head again, squealing with delight.

>She never had a special somepony…

>What if she ended up together with him?

>She doesn’t even know his name.

>Oh, she can figure that out later.

>She can take him to the new spot in the park-

>OR HE could take her there, and then they could kiss and…

 

>For some reason, you had nightmares in your dream, something about you strolling in the park with Twilight, going through insults from other ponies, you going whiteknight, and for some reason, battling a full-grown dragon to the death.

>And the worst part is- she kissed you.

>Oh the spaghetti.

 

>The rest of your travel in the train was horrifying, provided that there was a lonely pony right next to you.

>Last time you stuck with a lonely pony, it did not work out.

>You got stabbed in the chest.

>No way in hell you’ll go with this one now.

 

>As soon as the train stopped, you rushed out, losing Twilight and her friends in the crowd.

>You ran across Canterlot, gaining stares from everywhere.

>You can see it now.

>The castle.

>”Halt!” The guard ponies block your path.

>”What business do you have with the princess?”

>”I have important information for the princess, regarding the war.”

>You give them the sternest look you can give.

>”Sorry sir, but this is the third time today someone approached us with news on the war. The other two were assassins.”

>”I’m sorry, but we must turn you down.”

>”It’s understandable, I guess.”

>Thinking of paths to sneak inside the castle, you turn.

>”Hey!”

>Oh shit.

>Twilight and her friends surround you, blocking your escape.

>”Oh, hello, Twilight.” You mutter, slowly backing away.

>”So this was the feller Twilight was yapping about!”

>”He looks absolutely filthy, Twilight, how could you even-“

>”Hey! Do you like to party!”

>”Uhm, it’s g-great to meet you.”

>”Hey, if you do anything to Twilight, you have yours coming, buddy.”

>You did not want this.

>You’re just going to back away, and come back when there’s less weird shit.

>”Oookay, nice to meet you mares, but I really gotta go-“

>You turn, and trot off.

>You are running once again, like crazy.

>You cannot afford to be with the six mares, lest they murder you.

>Suddenly, you are lifted into the air, purple aura surrounding you.

>God fucking dammit.

>”You aren’t leaving us aren’t you?”

>That’s a double negative, how are you supposed to reply.

>Yes.

>Say yes.

>”Uhhh no?”

>”You can come with us to the castle!”

>The guard perks up.

>”Is that allowed?” You ask.

>”Sure it is! You are, after all, with me.”

>This might work.

>Although Twilight wont appreciate being taken advantage of.

>Whatever.

>”I guess, I can go with you.” You say, giving a nervous smile.

>Twilight squees, and she drags you along.

>The guards move away, still eyeing you.

>If you were human, you would flip them the bird.

>As you are dragged by Twilight, you are bombarded with questions from her friends.

>You still can’t think of a good name for yourself.

>Fuck it.

 

>The throne room is unusually bleak, lots of mess all around.

>Guards now flood the area, guarding every inch.

>Wew.

>Every pony’s eyes are on you, watching your every move.

>You still have your hood up; it somehow provided comfort to the stares.

>In all actualities, it attracted more suspicion.

>”Ah, Twilight Sparkle. My pupil.” Celestia comes to greet her student, giving her a hug.

>Boy, does she look rugged.

>She slowly glances over the elements of harmony, and then, to you.

>”Who is this, Twilight?” Celestia points a hoof at you.

>Hey, pointing is rude.

>”This is- well, we’re not sure of his name, but we met him in Ponyville!”

>Celestia raises a brow.

>”And he also said he had something for you…” Twilight shrinks at the stare.

>She looks to you.

>”Is this true?”

>You nod.

>”I have an offer for you.” You say.

>”What offer could you possibly-“

>”From your sister.”

>And with that, you are hoisted to the air, choked by powerful magic.

>”What do you know about my sister?!” She is using her Canterlot voice.

>You let out a surge of green magic burst of your own, freeing yourself.

>You hear gasps and you land on your feet and a hand.

>Shit.

>Guess your disguise died.

>”Now.” You say, standing.

>You are grinning.

>”That’s not a way to treat your old friend.”

>There is silence in the room.

>”I am here, to end the war.”

>”But.”

>The elements of harmony backs away, leaving you an open path.

>You take a step.

>”I am here to grant you peace.”

>Celestia is still silent, shocked by your appearance.

>”Remember when I told you to stop caring?”

>”Feel no remorse in the death of an enemy?” She returns.

>”I was wrong. You weren’t supposed to.”

>Celestia flinches at that statement.

>”Where I come from, we have a saying. ‘What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’.”

>”And when you kill, it does make you stronger.”

>Celestia is on the verge of tears now.

>”But once you are hardy as a rock, you can no longer feel the soft things.”

>”The simple joys in life. You tend to turn… insensitive.”

>You are now in front of her.

>You cup your hand, on place it on her cheek.

>You slowly run it through her coat.

>”Do you feel it now, Celestia?”

>You can see the stream of tears running on her face, one tear lands on your hand.

>She mimics your actions, running a hoof through your face.

 

>”Because I can’t.”

 

>You take your hands off her, and hold the hoof on your face.

>Then you realize you were surrounded with enough ponies to fill a small town.

>Your eyes wander off, and you are nervous again.

>”Maybe we should-“

>Without a word, you are teleported away.

>You find yourself in Celestia’s room, much more… messier than before.

>You turn to Celestia, who is still letting it all out.

>She is now sobbing openly, eliciting a hug from you.

>You hold her once again, standing quietly in the empty room.

>For some reason, the same old feeling of déjà vu hits you.

 

>”Anon…” She whispers, after a while.

>”I am so- sorry.” Then she goes on to bawl her eyes out.

>You give her an assuring pat.

>You we’re never good with these emotional moments.

>So you give her more pats, and a squeeze.

>She latches on tighter, still crying.

>You feel the warm tears wetting your clothes.

>Then, you feel bad.

>You never seen her hurt that much.

 

>Where ever you once dug your emotions in, it was deep.

>You liked it that way.

>Helped you to be more objective.

>Something tugged it out, fishing it out from the whirlwind of information.

>Not very poetic, but there we go.

>You feel your own eyes to grow damp.

>God dammit.

>A single tear rolls down your face, and you squeeze tighter.

 

>You finally let go, looking into her eyes.

>You then give her a deep kiss, to her surprise.

>Then you let go, the two of you gasping for air.

>You then hold her again, with a genuine smile.

>”Everything will be alright.” You keep whispering.

 

>Everything will be alright.