Title: Anons New Chapter3: Scootaloo's Sisterhooves Social Author: BigBlackButters Pastebin link: http://pastebin.com/mRaGf5vh First Edit: Tuesday 22nd of September 2015 07:54:40 PM CDT Last Edit: Last edit on: Wednesday 23rd of September 2015 07:59:39 PM CDT > It had been nearly a week since that incident. > Since then the Elements had dropped all contact with you altogether. > Pinkie Pie had tried to talk to you for a bit after, but after the way she played you awhile back you didn't bother with her. > You sat at your desk staring down at a book on how to cook different meals. > In that week you had worked on bettering yourself mentally. > Which was a pain considering... > THUNK THUNK THUNK > You groan. > Construction... > After the Doctor and his crew moved in they felt as if the house needed some renovation. > Derpy was also staying with you for a bit, she was still getting check-ups from the Doctor. > Her noggin was still a little bruised but that was it. > She was staying in your room. > You had told them home renovation was okay as long as they didn't touch your study or bedroom. > And if they stayed out of the backyard. > Peeking behind you you could see Aggro chasing his tail around in the back yard. > He was kicking up chunks of dirt effortlessly as he did so. >.... > Someone else could deal with that. > This was not the only change. > Apparently some of the fillies and colts around here idolized you. > They even made a game about you. > Anon and the Basilisk. > Basically they stacked on each other to make you and then fought a single, unlucky foal who was the Basilisk. > It was kind of cute too watch actually. > That toppled with the many gifts life was going pretty great. > You had heard news of Dash acting weird but you chalked it up to her being the usual sore-loser. > The door to your study clicked open as a gruff stallion with a construction hat on peeked in. > "Anonymous, your friend would like to know if you would like a traditional or modern kitchen. "I don't really care..." > "Alright..." > The door closed. > "He wants traditional guys!" > A cheer was heard. > Followed by a shout from the back. > "Jack Hammer fell in the back yard!" > "Crap, get the crane!" > "AHHH!!" > You close the blinds. > Aggro wouldn't actually hurt them. > He was just going to play with them. > They way he did it you could swear he was going to eat your face off though. > Pulling out a golden box the size of your head you click it open. > It was filled to the brim with the cigars Iron Will had made. > After you gave him the feedback he had told you how to make the recipe. > Everything used in the grey goop and two more ingredients under the name 'Whopping bark' and 'Truths Desire". > You lit one up and let it jut out of your mouth as you leaned back in your chair. > They were still hard to get used to whenever you took a puff it felt like you were just breathing in air. > Stale air at that but still. > You blew it off into the air and rub you stubble. > You decided to shave the wildman beard and keep a little bit of stubble on your chin. > It looked much more professional than before. > Staring at the ceiling you think about what to do next. > Maybe you could go on a vacation. > You had heard good things about Manehatten... > The door to your study creaked open slowly. > Turning towards it you could see the Doctor poke his head through the door. > "Anonymous you've got a visitor." > Opening the door fully he stood there with a nervous looking orange filly. > Oh it was Scootaloo. > What was she doing here? " Scoots, what are you doing here?" > She almost seemed to pass out at the nickname. > "I-I needed t-to-to" > "OH CELESTIA HE'S...licking me?" > "He's tasting you Jack, don't worry we've got a crane!" > "What is he doing!?" > "He's got a hold of the crane!" > "Tell my wife I love her!" > "Jaccck!" > A loud snap followed by the sound of twisting metal reverberated throughout your house. > Scootaloo's ears folded back as you plugged yours. "Let's go somewhere else shall we?" You shout over the commotion. > The two of you sat quietly at the ice cream palor. > It was right across from Sugarcube corner and it didn't nearly get as much business. > You gave them yours though. > And by extension... > Multiple ponies sat all around you, staring at you intently. > Everybody elses... > Leaning back in your chair Scootaloo takes a lick of her triple scoop ice cream. > The entire walk over she had been dead silent. > Whenever you looked back she had looked away, blushing profusely. > She was fidgeting in her seat now. "Sooo... how's the Ice cream?" you ask her leaning back. > You didn't have a job yet, but after saving the town some ponies (Namely parents) had sent you some bits. > She nodded silently. > Something was up. > With a sigh you lean forward and place both your elbows on the table. > Woops, nearly flipped the whole thing over. "Whatever you got Scootaloo ain't gonna bother me, hit me with it." > She took a deep breath and turned back to you. > "Anon.... Sisterhooves social is coming up here a soon." > Wait a minute... > "And like last year it's at Sweet Apple Acres." > Oh good lord no... > "Rainbow Dash just kind of ignored me...." > Please stop here. > "And Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom have THEIR sisters." > You knew exactly where this was going. > "Will you be my big sister?" > You.... > A big sister... > You would laugh if you were not the one it was happening too. > You stammer a bit. > Looking down at her pleading face you almost said yes. > But you couldn't be anything like that! > Looking back at Scootaloo for any tips that this was a joke you could find none. > She was dead serious... > She was asking you of all peo-ponies to be a big sister!? > Why not Twilight, last you heard she only had a big brother. > Or maybe Fluttershy, she seemed like the only child kind of horse. > You scratch your head, still trying to stammer something out. "hyeubug?" > That was exactly what you had wanted to say. > Scootaloo sighed and pushed away from the table. > With a dejected look she hopped out of her seat and began to sulk away. > "I knew you wouldn't go for it..." > Sucking up all the pride you had build in the last months, you get up. "Wait Scoots." > She stopped, not even bothering to turn around and face you. "I-I'll be your big sisteeeerr...." > You could hear Iron Will busting a gut in the back of your mind. > Scootaloo whirled around instantly, her eyes practically shining. > She zipped over and hugged around your tree-trunk of a leg. >"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" > Ponies were starting to stare. > Blushing heavily you picked her up. "But keep this quiet for now please, might as well make it a surprise." > "Yesyesyes! Anything for my big SISTER!" > The ponies were giving you really funny looks now. "Sssshut it!" > Scootaloo snapped her mouth shut. > "Hehe, sorry..." > Scootaloo danced and bounced around you as you lumbered back home. > She pumped her hooves in the air, claiming that you would be the best sister ever. > You really wouldn't considering you were a man. > A man who slammed a basilisk and nearly killed himself to prove a point. > Which, raised a good question. > How the hell did you end up agreeing to be some fillys big sister? > Compared to your life so far this seemed to be a low point for you. > With a sigh you push past the door to your house. > Scootaloo followed you in, laughing excitedly. > You walked past the Construction workers who were hitting Aggro's thick skin with multiple tools. > You walked past the Doctor and Nurse Redheart running some freaky experiment involving a squid in the half finished kitchen. > "Redheart, get the saw stat!" > Heading up stairs you passed Javel shouting at the clogged toilet. > Moving past your room Derpy waved excitedly at you as she and Balai played a game of go-fish. > This ontop of Scootaloo's excited chatter? > So much noise. > Opening your door to your study you stopped. > The chair wheeled around to reveal. > "Anonymous..." > Iron Will.... > Scootaloo stopped jumping upon seeing him and plopped down. > "Heeey, that's that one scary, minotaur dude." > You pinch the bridge of your nose. > Tonight was going to be a looong night. > You sigh loudly. > They had been going at it for at least three hours now... > "Nuh-uh!" Scootaloo repeated. > "Yuh-huh!" Iron Will retorted. > They glared at each other before Iron Will spoke again. > "Anonymous was one of the most determined students I've ever had, there's now way he would compete in some nancy pony event. That'd be a waste of good muscle." > You would interrupt, but neither of them would give you the chance. > "And I'm telling you that he's doing it just for me!" > "Really? I find that hard to believe." > "And I find your face hard to like, but your mom did so the impossible can happen." > Damn, Scoots had some burns. > Iron Will blew steam out of his nose, glaring at her intently. > With a sigh you get up and step in between the two. > Both of their attentions turn to you. > That was surprisingly easy... "Look, Will I did agree to do the Sisterhooves Social with her." > "WHAT!?" > Scootaloo stuck out her tongue at him. > "But the way these ponies treated you Anon! That's the whole reason you even came to me!" > It was true but... "Ever since the Triathlon things have been going better for me Will..." > You listen to the commotion still going on around your house. "Well, relative to what it was like before." > Patting Scoots on the head you give him a smile. "She needs somebody just like I did, so I'm going to be that somebody." > The brass bulls eyes flicked between you and Scoots for what seemed like countless minutes. > With another snort of frustration he folded his arms. > "If you say so." > With that he took your seat again. > You never got to ask why he was back. > Scootaloo galloped over to your trophy shelf and oggled the things up there. > Which just consisted of your Medallion, trophy, and some dried out herbs from the Everfree for now. "Why are you dropping by some unexpectedly?" > "Ah, I had the next two days off, Shining Armor is coming down from the Crystal Empire and doing some training." > With a frown Iron Will sighed. > "None of them have the drive you did Anonymous. These are soldiers, the best of the best. They couldn't even last an hour on Judgement day." > You chuckle. "Your methods are a little... extreme Will." > "Yeah but they worked." > He looked you over. > "Look what we did Anonymous. Before you were the biggest loser in this town, now you're making the most feared creature in Equestria your pet." > He smiled broadly. > "There's a reason why we get along." > You smile as well, silently agreeing with him. "So you spending the next two days here?" > As much as you liked Will, your house and psyche couldn't take another inhabitant. > He shook his head with a wave of his hand. > "I will be coming back for Hearthswarming eve, so be ready for that." > With a grunt he scooped out a duffle bag from under his desk. > "I had some training sessions in mind and I was going to invite you along." > He turned to Scootaloo and softened a little. > "She's a orphan isn't she?" "...Yes." > She was oblivious to your conversation. > He turned back to you, his hard look unusually soft. > "Anonymous, if there's one thing a big guy like us should have it is big hearts." > He shot one more glance back at her, then turned to you. > "Well then big Sister. We can train another time, you've got something more important right now." > You nod silently and stand up. > Jutting your fist out, the two of you punched your fists together. > Leading him to the door you waved goodbye as he left. > Walking back into the study you plop down in your chair. > Luckily you had a new one made to support your weight. > Scootaloo dug through some of your books. "Don't you have to go home now Scoots?" > The filly flinched at your words. > Right you forgot... > The orphanage she lived in wasn't abusive or anything like that. > You had personally looked into that. > But it was one of the most boring and most uninteresting places in Ponyville. > Going there must be murder on ones soul if anything. > Deciding to salvage it you quickly change the subject. "Soooo, when is the Sisterhoooves social. I never really asked." > Scootaloo cleared her throat and muttered something. "What?" > She mumbled something again, placing a book back in its place. "Sorry, I'm not getting it Scoots." > "Tomorrow." >..... > She's joking right? > Eyeing her you could tell that she was most definitely not. > With a sigh you slouch in your seat. "Why didn't you ask earlier?" > "Because I didn't want you to change your mind..." "What why would I-" > Looking up you could see her eyes welling with tears. > "My parents changed their minds, they obviously didn't want me. Rainbow changed her mind, she said I would be her student! She hasn't talked to me since last month!" > Wiping some tears out of her eyes she sniffled. > "Everypony changes there minds about me in the end, I always end up ignored..." > You frown. "Well I'm not changing my mind..." > She sniffled lightly. > "Yeah right..." > You raise an eyebrow. "Scoots I didn't change my mind when I wanted to beat the Triathlon. No matter how much blood, sweat, and tears left my body I kept on going. What makes you think I would change my mind now of all moments?" > She sniffled again, staying silent this time. > "I-I don't know..." "Exactly, nothing is ever going to make me change my mind, Especially if it's hanging out with a friend."   > You are Rainbow Dash... > And this spandex is really tight... > Wiggling into a more comfortable position you snap more pictures of Anonymous and Scootaloo talking. > She was crying now... good. > This was some sweet dirt. > You didn't even know what in tartarus they were talking about, but it was probably something evil you bet. > Scootaloo burst into tears and tackled Anon. > Anon froze for a second before slowly placing a hand on her back. > This was good... > Real good....   > You awoke to the unusual smell of.... pancakes? > Looking down at your desk you could see a plate of pancakes, still steaming hot and fresh on your desk. > Holy shit they looked glorious. > Some grunting from the other side of the desk caught your attention. > Scootaloo pulled herself over your desk and smiled brightly at you. > Like an eager pup... > "Like them? The Doctor dude helped me make them!" > You looked back down at the pancakes and noticed bits and pieces of tentacles sticking out of them. > How they even looked appealing before was beyond you. "Uhhuh... Yeah, Scoots I'm not really that hungry. Why don't we-" > "Oh...Ok, I worked really hard on them..." > Her ears dropped and you looked back at the pancakes. > For fucks sake... > You grab your fork and pick off a bit, sticking it in your mouth you give a forced 'mmm' > You felt one of the tentacles squirm... > Using all of your will you managed to swallow it. "Tastty...." > Scootaloo smiled. > And you had to take another bite. > Halfway through chewing the Doctor opened the door and poked his head in. > "Anon, don't eat the pancakes my experime-" > You looked at him, some of the pancake still sticking out of your mouth. > ..... > "....." > He closed the door and you could hear his hooves clopping as he trotted away. > Your life seemed to get better and oh so much worse at the same time. > After you spit out the pancakes much to Scootaloo's dismay you decided to get ready. > The Sisterhooves social was going to be at 3:00 today and it was already 9:00 AM. > Which meant you had awhile to prepare. > Stepping out of the bathroom and slipping on your jacket you step out of the bathroom. > Scootaloo had spent the night, sleeping in your room with Derpy. > The two had talked about something most of the night but you had opted to ignore it. > Your chair was starting to become your life. > Moving down the stairs you stretch as Scootaloo followed you excitedly. > Aggro looked up from the half of the living room he was taking up, a pile of sleeping construction workers curled up next to him. > You push open the door and look down. > Huh, the local newspaper never came down this way... > Reaching down you froze. > What. > The. > Fuck. > A picture of you holding a cry Scootaloo was on the first page. > It had been altered a little bit to where you were smiling maniacally. > The headline read... Anon, True hero or Manipulative Sociopath? Get the story here. > The story was just a bunch of fluff as to how you had made Scootaloo cry by calling her names. > One of the names was Fat for gods sake. > She was skinny as a friggen bean! > It then described in great detail how you had forced her to stay at your house and eat worms out of a bowl all night. > This was just ridiculous. > But... > A rock flew past your head and crashed through your window. > A light green pony flew back into the sky, yelling about your evil nature. > Ponies were still buying it... > You toss the newspaper on the ground and sigh. > Someone had been spying on you last night, and judging from how fast this thing was printed. > They obviously had a vendetta against you. > Who though? Last you recalled you had a bunch of ponies on your shit-list. > The Elements of harmony for one. > A majority of the stallions in this town hated you... > Whoever did it had to REALLY hate you th- > Fucking. > Rainbow. > Dash. > You growl in frustration as you stomped inside. > You know what? > It was a good thing the Sister hooves social was tonight. > You needed some exercise...   > You are Scootaloo... > And you cannot wait for tonight! > This was the first time you ever had a sister for the Sisterhooves Social. > Even if your sister was a mountain of muscle that could probably overthrow the Equestrian government if he felt like it. > But that wasn't as important as you and him competing in the social. > Clopping your hooves together excitedly you smile brightly as he returned from the doorway. > Stepping past you he lumbered into the kitchen. > You frowned, something was wrong... > You watch as he sat on one of the kitchen chairs. > The whole thing splintered on his weight. > His behind slammed into the ground and cracked the tile floor. > He seemed like he didn't care one bit. > Folding his arms over his chest he sighed. > "Not going to change my mind...." > What? > You were worried now. > Your heart began to pound a million beats a minute. "What's going on!?" > You didn't mean to sound that desperate. > Anon looked at you, his eyes narrowed. > With a sigh he began to tell you about an article on the paper. > That explained the rock from earlier... > With a sigh you sit down across from him. > "Anonymous this doesn't mean...." > You found the words hitched. > Tears began to form again. > He was going to change his mind... > He looked at you silently for what seemed like hours. > Finally he began to chuckle. > "As if a stupid paper slip was going to stop me Scoots..." > YES! > He stood up and stretched out his arms. > "Now, what do you think could pass me off as a girl?" > You and Anon headed towards Sweet Apple Acres. > All day ponies have been shooting him looks. > Especially dirty ones when they saw that he was with you. > You had opted to just stick a broken mop head on his head. > Then you just kind of put floral pattern curtains on him. > He was still blushing. > It was hilarious. > By the time you two reached the Acres the party had long begun. > Fillies and their sisters galloped around the acres. > You could see Sweetie Belle and Apple bloom across the field. > Giving them a wave they both Oh'd in surprise when they saw who you were riding. > Straight into battle my trusty steed! > Anon walked shamelessly up to the booth and gave Applejack a hardened gaze. "I would like to sign my sister and I up for the event please." > Applejack looked him over and rolled her eyes. > "Did ya' really think something like this would pass off ya' fool? Ah'm half tempted to kick you off th-" > "Applejack! What is going on here!" Granny smith trotted next to the booth. > "Granny, ah, this isn't." > "Nonsense, this looks like a perfectly eligible pair of young sisters ready to play the game, ah say we let them join." > You relaxed as Applejack rolled her eyes again and slid the form over to Anon. > He signed up and let the pen drop. > "Thank you!" > "Now ain't that one of the cutest little pair of fillies you've ever seen Aj?" Granny smith started as Anon lumbered away. > Either she was completely cool with the stunt you were pulling or she was thicker than you thought. > Anon and you sat and ate some snacks before hand. > He just ate some apples while you munched on some apple pie. > It melted in your mouth... > Two mares trotted over and talked to Anon for a bit. > You ignored it... > Until they flipped a pie in his face. > They then trotted off, laughing about it. > Anon just wiped the bits of pie out of his face. > You cowered when he looked down at you. > This was all your fault.... > He reached down and wiped some pie out of your hair. > "Got some on ya." He simply said. > You relaxed. > It wasn't long before Aj announced that the games were starting. > You and Anon were at the starting line in an instant. > Most of the ponies booed the two of you for some reason... > It almost wavered your spirits, until you looked up and saw the determination in Anon's eyes. > You two were going to win. > The even was a little different this year. > The same obstacles as last year but the straight run led the group through one of their barns instead of a straight path down. > Sweetie Belle and Rarity took a spot to your left. > Rarity snobbed Anon which wasn't a surprise. > Aj and her sister took a spot to your right, Granny Smith taking over the announcements. >"3" >"2" >"1" >..... > Everybody participating looked up to see she had fallen asleep. > "Granny!" Aj shouted. > "GO!" > You and Anon took off as soon as she said it. > He cleared the mud in a single bound. > You almost did not. > He stopped and slowed down already though, turning back and giving you an encouraging smile as the ponies passed him. > By the time you reached the baskets you leapt from one to the other. > Anon used a choppy foot technique to move from one to the other, it happened within seconds. > When you reached the crates Anon rushed in front of you. > He barreled through the crates sending them flying in multiple directions. > Nopony cheered. > You just laughed at his antics as you chased after him. > Stopping at the pies Anon licked his lips and eyed them. > You came to a stop and hopped up on the picnic table. > Some of the ponies were stuck here unable to finish their pies. > You don't think you could finish yours either. > Anon ate his pie within seconds. > Eyeing yours, you simply nodded and he devoured it. > The two of you hopped away from the table. > The hale bay was easy, Anon moved it like nothing. > The bushel of apples was easier, Anon had you place the barrel upright as he launched them like a cannon. > Next came the grape crushing. > Anonymous scaled the tub within seconds, throwing himself over the ledge. > Your juice came out within seconds. > When you made it to the chicken coop he let you balance the egg will you piggybacked on him. > Placing the egg at its holding place, he let you stay on his back as he sprinted down the field, heading towards the barn. > You two had saved a ton of time by your effective way of doing things. > You could see Rarity and Applejack rushing down the field, still dragging their sisters along. > Anon jogged lightly after them, laughing about something. > When you guys reached the barn Rarity and Applejack both leapt forward. > What they didn't realize though was that they had severely mis-judged the barn. > It was old and rickety, not really being used for anything other than hay storage. > Just as they left the barn a plank of wood came loose and smacked off Applebloom and SweetieBelle. > They didn't notice, too busy with their own problems. > Anon did though. > He stopped to help them but the whole barn creaked. > This thing was going to come down any second... "A-Anon..." > "I know..." > He grabbed the dazed fillies and turned around to get out. > But the whole front of barn suddenly came crashing down. > Anon in surprise fell back and bumped against a stray lantern. > "What the fuck is going on!" He shouted as it fell to the ground. > The lantern shattered instantly spreading fire to the hay. > The other ponies stopped behind you, seeing the smoke. > Looking back at your last exit it collapsed as well, smoke beginning to fill the barn. > But the fire would engulf you faster than the smoke surprisingly... > Anon let out a grunt of surprise at the sudden turn of events. > He let the three of you to the ground slowly. > Looking for a way out he stood back up. > "We need to" > He fell to a series of hacking and coughs. > Smoke rises... > He fell to his knees, still having a fit. > "Get it together!" Applebloom shouted. > The fire spread to the roof. > A loose rafter fell from up above and caught Anon in the back of the head. > He was out like a light... > The three of you cowered away from the fire where ever it spread. > The crackling and constant popping struck fear into your very core. > It was over... > The roof creaked and groaned before collapsing... > SLAM! > You cracked an eye open. > Anonymous was back up, keping the roof from collapsing. > You couldn't really see him. > Just his figure. > The flames danced around him, making a compliment to his personality. > The waves that distorted the air from the heat added to the coolness of it all. > You could swear Anons eyes were glowing, and they were staring directly at you. > Without saying anything he struggled to raise the roof higher. > And he did, he raised it high enough for you and your friends to escape. "Anon!" > "Leave." > The three of you complied, crawling out of the barn. > Looking back at the black form one last time the flames enveloped around him. > The glowing eyes were the last thing you saw as you exited the building. > After you crawled out the three of you got up and hightailed it out of there. > Seconds after you did the barn gave out completely. > The whole thing came collapsing down. > Anonymous was still in there.... > Sweetie Belle was the first to start crying. > Applebloom joined shortly after. > It didn't take long for you to start. > Stay calm.... > Stay calm.... > You repeated the chant over and over in your head as the fillies crawled out of the barn. > Maybe you could lift it and crawl it... > Raising the barn a little the whole thing nearly came crashing down. > No that would not work. > Your lungs and throat burned from the smoke entering your body. > The sheer weight of the barn was causing you to see spots. > But you were more worried about survival. > There had to be something! > Your brain rushed through different thoughts on how to escape. > There was no way you could use brute strength to get out of this. > The barn was fragile right now and you were treading on broken glass. > The weight seemed to be getting to you. > Ripping the mop off of your head you shoot both arms out like a scarecrow. > The weight of the collapsing barn rested on your back now. > Which made it easier to hold, but not to move. > The fire was now licking at your skin. > With a grunt you fall to one knee. > The fire enveloped your right arm and shoulder. > You collapsed under the weight and pain. > So did the building.... > The rafters collapsed on your back pinning you under the burning rubble. > This was it... > It was over for you. > Your vision began to fade... > Even if they got a hose it would take them too long to bring it over. > After all of your hardwork. > All the crap you dealt with in your life. > You weren't going to see the next day... > And that was ok to you.... > .... > You began to fall into a dreamy haze. > The world was so pretty.... > The fire spread to your back now, causing you a great deal of pain. > You were okay with this... > .... > ... > Scootaloo would blame herself for this. > Because she had wanted to have some fun for once, she had killed the only guy willing to listen to her. > ... > Your dreamy haze began to fade away. > She would not be at fault for this.... > Your hands began to clench at the ground as it all dispersed. > The thoughts of acceptance were gone. > The thought of not seeing the next day drove you, not hindering you now. > The world suddenly seemed much more clear than before. > Pushing back up with all of you might you managed to get some distance. > Enough distance to get back on your knee and place both hands back on the roof. > Despite the test of time and the power of the fire it still held steady, which was problematic for you. > You had no way to get out... > The fire on your back was spreading around your body now. > It was a wonder you weren't dead yet... > With a groan of pain you manage to stand to your full height. > Bringing the roof along with you... > Just standing under the roof you had to think quick. > The smoke was suffocating you so you had to be quicker than quick. > You wavered a bit. > No. > You weren't going to make it out... > Suddenly two peculiar sounds caught your ear. > A sound akin to a jet rushing by over head and the laughter of... > Pinkie Pie... > You could hear her just beyond the barn. > "Weee wooo weee woo, fire departments here to save the day!" > With a click just beyond you the barn began to be doused with a high powered stream of water. > Looking up above you could see just through the roof. > A rainbow blur came back and began to spin around the barn rapidly. > The smoke began to rise faster into the air, being sucked into the 'vacuum'. > Looking to your left and right rubble began to get cleared away by a purple and blue aura. > "Fluttershy bring him in!" > Suddenly the weight shifted in the back. > Turning around you could see a bear grabbing one corner of the roof. > Not shortly after three others did the same. > "This way Anon!" > That sounded like Applejack but you didn't care. > You followed the sound of the voice, it encouraging you the entire way. > Ducking out under the barn the bears let it go. > Without you and the bears it dropped like a sack of bricks. > You gasp and wheeze for air as you fell to your knees. > The Cutie Mark Crusaders rushed over and bombarded you with questions about your health. > You wave them off and felt a heavier presence in front of you. > Looking up slowly you saw your saviors. > The Elements of Harmony... > They all smiled warmly down at you. > Well except for Rarity who snobbed you and Rainbow Dash who just kind of looked away. > Twilight put out a hoof as you continued to hack and wheeze. > You slap her hoof away and shakily rise to your full height. > The Elements stared on as you got over your fit. > Giving a raised palm to the fillies yammering you with questions you look at the Elements. > Twilight trotted up to you and sighed. > "Meet us at the courtroom at ten tonight, we can't do it here." > With that they left you alone, even Pinkie who seemed surprisingly quiet. > You watched in silence as they trotted away, talking to a few worried ponies on the way. > The CMCs background noise suddenly came back full force. > "ANON!" Sweetie Belle shrieked. > You jerked out of your state, turning to face the girls. > Applebloom and Scootaloo were still rubbing their ears. > "We just wanted to say." > "Thank ya'" > "For everything you've done Anon." > You didn't realize they had a hive mind. > Sweetie Belle and Applebloom galloped off. > Leaving you and Scootaloo alone. > And the crowd of ponies still trying to be nosy. > With a sigh you turn to lumber home, opting to take the longer, more secluded route. > Scootaloo wasted no time following after you. > She was like a pup.   > The two of you walked in silence Scootaloo staring up at you the entire time. > With a sigh you turn back to her and raise an eyebrow. > She smiled broadly. "Yes Scoots?" Your voice sounded oddly close to a smoker. > She stayed silent for a second. > Before she galloped forward and hugged your leg tightly. > "You really didn't change your mind..." > Without saying another word she shot you one last smile before galloping off. > Huh... > That was heart-failure inducing. > You walk through the town square. > Just beyond a couple of buildings you could see the castle, standing high and mighty over the town. > After you got home and washed off all of the ash, soot, and threw away the now rags of curtains you got checked up on by the Doctor. > Aside from you back and you right shoulder you were fine. > He just blasted the burned areas with a beam of magic and told you not to sleep on your back for a while. > You itch your back. The pain was completely gone, the only reminder that it was even there was a large scar and some itchy skin. > Stepping past the statue you sigh. > This could go two ways. > They were finally going at you full guns ablazing. > Or they were going to do things diplomatically. > Either way you were boned, if it was a diplomatic approach you were probably still going to be screwed over. > And you still had a ton of questions. > Like who the hell leaves a lantern on in the middle of the fucking day. > You stop in front of the castle and steel yourself. > Knocking on the doors you waited patiently. > Two pegasus guards answered the door. > They stared forward and grunted a hello. > When they realized it was you they order you to follow and turned around. > You didn't like being ordered around, but things were already as bad as is. > No point in picking fights. > The mane six were loud. > Like really loud, you could hear them all the way down the hall. > And the doors were closed. > You heard your name thrown around a couple times. > The guards knocked on the door before entering. > The voices behind it instantly went silent. > "Give us a minute!" > You waited for a couple minutes as some things were shuffled around. > Just what where they planning in there? > Suddenly the doors flew open. > You were not expecting this... > In the middle of the table was a large cake. > The Elements sat around it all smiling at you. > Except you know... Rarity and Rainbow. > They looked different though. > Like they were ashamed. > The guards ushered you into the room. > Taking a look at the cake it was labeled with bright green letters. 'Please accept our apology!' > This was another trick. > You got ready for them to drop the act and cuff you right now. > You would give them a fight... > You smash your fists together twice and bring them up. "Bring it!" > Looking around the room in high alert the Elements stared at you like you were insane. > Twilight cleared her throat catching your attention. > "Anonymous... we're sorry." > .... "You have my attention..." > If this wasn't a trick you were going to dance when you got home. > She sighed before continuing. > "We've been... apathetic to your situation. Some of us even worsening it..." > Applejack continued for her. > "We've been a little hard on ya' Anonymous and we realize it now." > This had to be a trick. > Or a dream, you were sure it was a dream. > Or you never made it out of the barn. > Pinkie Pie clopped her hooves, smiling nervously. > "We're sorry Anon, but we all thought you were just a..." > You quirk an eyebrow waiting to hear them out. > "Loser." Rainbow Dash said coldly. > she sighed and slumped in her seat. > "You're not one now though..." > "We heard about what ya' did." "What?" > You fold your arms over your chest and quirk an eyebrow. > Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all told us that you had saved them twice." Twilight said. > Rarity met your eyes. > "And she told us how you did it the first time." > The rockadile huh? > So they did understand what you were thinking back there... >Rainbow seemed to be wiping tears out of her eyes. > "Scoots also told me about your promise Anon." > You softened your gaze on her. > Within a second she was fighting a flood of tears. >"I-I've been such a horrible pony for the last few months." > Scoots must've also told her how she really felt. > Pinkie Pie appeared seemingly out of nowhere to comfort her friend. > "She revoked the article about you Anon, we figured you already guessed who it was." Twilight said. > Like that was enough. > "She had one published about how she assumed what happened though..." > Now that made you freeze. > Rainbow Dash admitted she was wrong? > Not only that. > Rainbow Dash admitted she was wrong about you!? > You wanted to be mad about it. > You wanted to be upset that she had just made an assumption and everybody blindly followed. > That's exactly what Twilight had done earlier. > But you couldn't. > You looked over the mares faces, each one holding a sincerity you hadn't seen since you were dropped off on this planet. > Letting your arms drop you sigh heavily. "We can't be friends..." > The mares all seemed heartbroken. "You've all hurt me too much to ever reconcile something, if we even had anything in the first place." > They seemed ashamed to meet your gaze again. > Then you scratched the back of your head. "But we can stop this silly little war." > You looked at Rainbow as you said it. > She didn't turn away this time. "I'm tired of hating you guys, truth be told. I don't want to hate anyone." > You walk up, stepping into the lighter part of the council room. "I will put everything aside, and we don't have to be enemies anymore." > You offer your hand, placing it in the middle of the table. "We can be allies." > The first pony to place a hoof in your hand was Dash. > Soon after the other five followed. > Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight, and finally Rarity. > They all smiled at you solemnly as you gave them a stoic nod of approval. > "Sooo what would we be called?" Pinkie started. > "Oh! The Uneasy Alliance of Betterment for all!?" > You didn't really care about a name to be honest. > "Ah think that's a mouthful Pinkie." > "Yeah, you're right. So how about A.A.N.O.N" > What? "What?" > "Alliances Are Not Optional Now!" > That was dumb. "That was kind of dumb Pinkie." Rainbow said off in the corner. > She laughed. > "I know!"   > You step through your door and slip out of your jacket. > Heading up the stairs you passed the sleeping mass of ponies and the stray Basilisk in your house. > You step into the study and look at the trophy shelf. > It had five shelves. > The Medallion sat at the very top shelf. > The Triathlon trophy sat at the second. > You held to items in your hand to commemorate the day. > A piece of burnt wood from the barn... > And a framed picture of the elements. > You place the burnt wood from the barn on the second shelf. > Looking at the framed picture you slip it into the third. > You had briefly thought about putting it on the last shelf... > But you felt at peace with them now... > Despite everything you had dealt with.