Title:           Chapter 0 - 10 TentaclesAnon
Author:          CookieSfh
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/gKUrcvEv
First Edit:      Friday 3rd of June 2016 07:53:28 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Monday 13th of February 2017 03:31:44 PM CDT

Chapter 0: Psychology
>A long siren sounds in your room.
>A voice emits from the speakers above you.
>"Subject 1309, please proceed to the next room."
>You get out of the metallic bedding and proceed through sliding doors.
>You do as the robotic voice says.
>As you've been doing all these years.
>Since birth.
>"Subject 1309, answer the question we give appropriately.
>A silent moment leaves you standing for a few seconds.
>"Are you ready for further testing? Yes or no?
>You answer yes.
>"Correct, please proceed to the next room."
>You do so.
>The same directions as before repeat themselves as you stand in the room.
>The question is given and you answer.
>It's correct
>You proceed.
>10 years straight you've been doing this process.
>You do not fight or struggle for change like the others.
>You do.
>Do.
 
>7 years later.
>Your strapped on all fours with chains.
>Attached to each chain is an electric emitter.
>You haven't eaten or drank anything for the past 4 years in this room.
>But you have lost any since of time being in here.
>And your body doesn't need the sustenance.
>The same robotic voice is heard
>"Subject 1309, we will show you pictures and you are to answer them correctly. Failing to do so will result in punishment. Here is your first slide. What do you see?
>You look at the image and answer.
"I see an emotionless man."
>"Correct, here is the next one. What do you see?
>The image is of a baby.
>It's happy and playing with its mother.
>This is not what you say.
"I see a-~JOY WILL BE THE END OF ALL BEINGS, YOUR LIVES WILL PERISH UN~AAAAAAAAAGHAHGAGHFHGGGG!"
>The electricity courses through you as steam now lingers on your limbs.
>You answer this time.
>The correct answer
>"Correct, here is the next one. What do you see?"
>You see a man and a woman.
>They seem happy to you and their holding each other's [spoiler]hands[/spoiler].
>But again, the voices disagree.
"I see a man and a wo~iem zapat a'ual carrecs~aaaaAAAAGAGAGHAGAGAGAGGHAGF!"
"Ha... ha... I see... a man and a woman..."
 
>3 years.
>In front of you lies a screen with a black figure facing the camera.
>Supposedly it's your final day.
>The day you leave your home.
>But when you want to be excited, instead you show no emotion.
>You feel nothing.
>They have corrected your actions.
>They only help you now.
>These voices that aren't your own.
>Cables connect you to this rooms interior.
>One connected directly to your heart.
>Five others connected to each section of the brain.
>Each cable fitted with enough electricity to kill a man a thousand times over.
>The figure speaks in a monotone voice.
>"Today we have three questions for you, Subject 1309. You are to answer them correctly, or you will die."
>You nod, the cables swaying ever so slightly.
>"First question. Who are you?"
>You answer.
"I am subject 1309. Codename: Anonymous. The only survivor of the experimental facility and nothing else."
>The shadow nods and proceeds to the next question.
>"What do you want in life?"
>You answer.
"To do."
>Once again, he nods.
>"The final question. Do you love this world?"
>You are silent.
>The question had you at a loss.
>Did you love it here?
>How could you say anything when you don't know what's outside yet?
>Before you can answer, the voices answer for you.
~Yeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssshhhhhzhzh~
>Just then, the electric cables go off.
>Your body spasms, and you scream in utter agony as the voices join your cause.
>The choir is cut to a halt and you go limp.
>Flat line, and brain mush like paste.
>"Damn it. That was the last one. Charles, were gonna need another batch from the nursery. An-..."
>Just then, a lump is caught in the man's throat.
>He couldn't speak, or move for that matter.
>He could only feel his body morphing itself.
>And like a chemistry experiment gone wrong, the screen goes a full black as an explosion is heard, which is soon followed by a loud screech and slimy movement as screams spread in the "distance".
>You are no longer attached to those cables.
>The tentacle appendages took care of that.
>Questioning what is going on, the voices speak up, yet this time they do so through a telepathy.
~We want you. Need you. You are perfect. For us~
"What are you?" you ask the voices. Your curiosity couldn't seem more clear as the voices laugh and distort in your mind.
~We are the ones of old, tHe SaMe YeT nOt, THE DESTRUCTION OF THIS PATHETIC WORLD INCARNATE, ash cas ash yi ash~
"So, you don't want to kill me?" why would they prefer to keep your conscious mind in the mix when they could just kill you?
>It made no sense that beings this powerful would want you or need you, let alone see you as perfect.
>For 20 years they stayed dormant till now and never once decided to kill you like the rest.
"Why me?" you ask the voices.
~You are cable of wielding the powers, ThE OnE tO CoNtRoL uS aLl, WHEN WE NEED TO KILL EACHOTHER, ual iem~
>So they suffer from balance? Can they not function together as one?
>Yet you are able to keep them from turning. A catalyst for their mutuality.
"Why are these people testing you? What are their goals?" this time only one speaks from the rest.
~A cult of the damned, they seek to use us for their own use, to free their spirits along with this world~
>A cult? A group? Then their must be only one solution.
~YES, BRING DEATH UPON THEM CHOSEN, SHOW THEM THE TRUE PURPOSE OF OUR EXISTENCE~
>With nothing to stop you, and the voices on your side now, you oblige to its request.
>You walk towards the screen and raise your right hand.
>Your fingers morph to form tentacles which emit strong beams of darkness into it, leaving a giant hole where the image once was.
>Continuing on through the corridors you begin to piece things together more clearly.
>Your right eye morphs to a purple vision and life signs are spotted throughout the halls. They appear to be carrying weapons and their fear is greater than their confidence.
>You focus and soon, all the life signs disappear, leaving a chorus of thudding and hinged screaming.
>Deeper into the path you spot more life force as well as something else. A black spot in your vision?
>Soon it's clear as the the signs disappear and screaming ensues.
>The abomination you created earlier has now caught up to you, tentacles limp around its... face?
~The fac?eles?s ?ser?ve? a?s? d?o t?h?e? fal?l?en?~
>The faceless extends it's arm to its right, destroying the wall next to it.
>Following your minion through the halls you begin to see a light in the darkness.
>You are now outside.
>Surrounded by humans holding guns and grenades alike.
>Others hold rocket launchers while machines loom behind them.
>And they all point straight at you.
>"This is a warning, retreat back to yo-"ur hand extends and cuts his head off, spewing blood as it lands into the crowd.
>...
>A voice speaks up.
~YOU DARE IMPRISON US IN YOUR FEEBLE BODIES? PUNISHMENT WILL BE SWIFT MORTALS~
>This time.
>You do.
 
>Corpses lie everywhere around you.
>Bent metals and distorted machinery, to holes on the floor leading to the abyss.
>And it's all covered in mixtures of human and elden bloods.
>Your monstrous body of tentacles and arms constricts itself ten times over until a mass of flesh from under you is left.
>Climbing off the massive pile of processed remains, your body distorts to form the original under the extra skin and bone contorted as armor.
>Skull shells make great armor.
>Meanwhile, the number of faceless of increased in numbers and are now feasting on said corpses.
>Scouting out the area, you notice large structures all around, some humans are trying to fight your faceless, but get torn apart and eaten like the rest.
>More machinery shows up and proceeds to aim at your figure.
>Your shoulder grows tentacles and extends towards the machine, blocking the cannon shell and twisting the compartment into a neat little ball.
>You are starting to understand your power more and more as countless amounts of soldiers flock to their deaths.
~Devour what you will, and gain intellect far greater~
>You do.
 
>3 months.
>That is all it took to devour the world.
>Skyscrapers in ruin, buildings torn apart, life wiped from existence, and now it's just you.
>Your faceless have decided to burrow themselves deep into the earths molten core while you observe what is left of this world.
>You have won a one-sided war single-handed.
>But
>You feel... empty.
>You figured that the voices would keep you company, but now they are silent.
>They don't bother to talk much unless something threatens your being.
>You feel so... so...
>"Lonely? Sad? Regret?" This wasn't one of the voices talking.
>Looking up, you notice a floating serpent-like creature counting it's claws with a mischievous smile on its face.
>"Well Anonymous?" The creature asks.
>You are compelled to question it's intentions... but...
"Lonely. I feel lonely. Who are you?" You ask the creature now looking at you with the same smile.
>"Why I am the one who's gonna fix that problem right up! Discord, at your service." And with a dramatic bow and chuckle his introduction is done.
>His fanatical antics are... amusing. like a jester in the kings courtroom.
>A voice speaks up.
~Aa?a?aa?aa?a?hh?,? ?D?i?s?co?r?d?.? ?how has? ?E?q?u?e?s?tri?a? b?ee?n? ?t?rea?tin?g? yo?u??~
>Discord's smile turns to that of general happiness. It seems these two have had their acquaintance before. "Oh it's been just dandy, but I have a little something for Anon here, so would you be so kind as to stay silent for just a wee little moment if I may, your highness."
~V?e?ry wel?l?, ?b?ut? r?emem?b?er? ?the? t?e?rms?~
>Some bit of curiosity peeks your interest, but it would have to be for later.
>What would this thing want with me and not the voices?
>"Well, I have something to offer you, friend. Oh yes, a great deal indeed."
>A deal? Bargaining? You have nothing to give this creature. What is this Discord getting at?
"What do you have that I want, Discord?" You ask with a stern emotionless gaze.
>"Why what I offer you is a place to call home!" And just then, a tiny house pops from no where in particular. "A place to live, relax, enjoy life, and most of all..." leaning in close to your face with the biggest grin you've ever seen anything conjure "friends."
>Now you are confused.
>Friends? What are those? Relics to conquer? Buildings to destroy?
"What is this... friend you speak of? Do I have to destroy it?"
>Discord takes on a concerned look as he hovers in a sort of dismay. "Oh my heavens, what DID this world do to you? Surely you jest dear Anonymous.
>You however are displeased by his weird display.
"Tell me what they are before I kill you, Discord."
>And now, he has adopted a serious tone of his voice. "A friend is someone who can solve that dilemma your having. That loneliness you feel is what a friend can quell. Now before you resort to drastic measures, please here me out."
>A friend can... fix this?
>Can a friend really fill this empty void?
>If thi-... if Discord, is telling the truth, then you need to know.
"I relinquish my statement, you may voice your offer Discord."
>And with that, Discord's happy persona returns with a gusto. "SPLENDID! Well, since your having all these troubles over having no friends, I figured, why not bring him to the perfect world to make friends? Great idea if I say so myself, but... there is one problem before I can send you off on your little "quest".
>Another world? That could prove useful, but if it is only to "make" friends, then I suppose I won't be able to take this world for the voices. And that leads to this... "problem".
"What is this problem you have, Discord."
>"You see..." he starts "in my world, harmony is treasured among all things, and well, bring something that is the complete and utter opposite of that to my world would throw my reputation down the drain, so I propose this little tiny tidbit of so that you don't have to be sent right back to this deserted wasteland!" as confetti and streamers come out of his arms, you understand where he is coming from, to a degree.
>Of course, you didn't start as anything until you decided to devour this world. At first the humans sent soldiers and they turned into minions. Then they sent machines, which turned into armor for said minions. And then in a last ditch effort, they flew bombs at you... absorbing nuclear detonations sure are a blast...
>Needless to say, you understand where he stood on the ladder.
"So what will I have to do in order to stay in this new "home" you have for me?"
>"hmhmhmmm, what you have to do is agree to "my" terms... failure to do so and "POOF!" yourrrrrrrrrr outtta heeerrrree" and just then a baseball and a baseball bat appear in both his hands, and with a swift swing, the ball is sent flying through the sky. "Get my point? Good, because my terms will be STRICT, you got that private?" as he waves a... baton? in your face. What used to be a bat is now a baton.
>His powers intrigue you at most, but don't completely interest you. What matters most at the moment are these terms. What would you have to give up in order to have these friends? It certainly wouldn't be the voices since they seem superior to his raw power. Maybe the amendments you found at that weird building called the "white house". You burned the documents, but you bet he could make a new one with his power.
"What are your terms?" you ask.
>"Well, to put it simply, you, and that includes you as a whole, not just your own conscious, have to vow to never, under any circumstances, kill, manipulate, and/or subjugate any pony, and I mean pony as literally, not metaphorically." Discord finishes with a bit of class and wearing a smug grin a scientist would use to one up his peers.
>The terms don't seem too bad, until you get to the fact that he's basically telling you to down all your defenses and let others kill you on sight. This won't do.
"What if I need to defend myself? What if a "pony" attacks me? And does this term apply to all life forms in this world?"
>The grin on Discord only becomes more noticeable as answers your questions confidently. "You can indeed defend yourself. And this term applies to all sentient beings, meaning if a creature can understand you, AND acts like that of a pony, then it is sentient. Understand?"
>You understand all he has said, but there are still loop holes here and there. If he were to use those to his advantage, you would have no choice but to give into his intentions.
>But... it's a choice you have to make. You still had your powers, so you wouldn't have to worry about dying. The only thing you'd have to worry about, is murder, mind control, and self control.
"I agree to the terms you have listed, Discord. Send me to this "Equestria" when you are ready to do so."
>And with a flick of his paws, your vision goes white.
 
 
 
 
 
Chapter 1: My Mother and Me
>You are now in a sort of crystal structure.
>Books are strung here and there, and there seems to be a bit of commotion in a specific pile of books on the floor
>A few seconds later and I weird mist of purple covers the stack, lifting all the books up, to leave a single "pony" panting in agitation.
>"RRRRRREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
>Discord seems to have ear muffs on, while you on the other hand...
>Tentacles have rapped themselves around your... ears...
>Are those your ears?
>Inspecting your body further, it seems that you have become one of these sentient ponies yourself.
>A light green muzzle protrudes into your vision and now you lack arms and legs.
>Now all you have are these... flat... nubs...
>After the yelling stopped, Discord quickly went in to stop her from taking another breathe of air.
>"Why hello Twilight! What has you oh so troubled might I ask?" The grin on Discord's face from before is back.
>Twilight muffles her mane a bit to no avail and answers. "Well Discord, if you really must know, some pony decided to give themselves a VERY DRAMATIC... entrance..." she finishes, letting out a held breathe a little at the end.
>"And what... might be the occasion for such an entrance, Discord?" Twilight asks with a teeth clattering finish to that last word or two.
>You can see the crazed look in her eyes...
>You like this pony.
>"Well, I'm here to drop off a certain some pony to be your 'ahem' Son." Discord replies. That grin sure is getting big.
>"Son? I didn't have a son. Did I? Twilight replies with a confused look adorning her face.
>"Not in that particular order, but! Now you do."
>"I do?"
>"You do."
>"And where might this new son be?" Twilight asks.
>"Well, he's right here of course!" Discord declares as fireworks shoot out from each side of you, which sort of sets a few books on fire.
>Twilight throws some mist at the books, which seems to take out the fires. "Could you not do stuff like that in here Discord? I would really appreciate it."
>"Why yes of course, how rude of me, I'm terribly sorry for the mess I caused, but moving on. Yes here is your new Son!"
>Twilight seems skeptical at first, but seems to calm down a bit as she looks at you. At first, she looks at you, then at Discord, then back to you. And you both sort of... share a stare together? Now Twilight looks agitated again. "Discord, did you kidnap a random colt from an orphanage or something? This all seems pretty sudden, and I don't even know if I'm prepared for this kind of thing..." Twilight replies, with worry and doubt filling her mind.
>"Oh don't be so down in the dumps Twilight" Discord replies, flying straight to her side like a snake wrapping around its prey. "I wouldn't have brought any random foal from off the streets, oh no, I got you the most perfect one from the whole bunch!" he says with a hint of sarcastic pleasure in his voice.
>"But how do you know what a perfect foal would be?" Twilight asks. "Oh Twilight, that's because I know you oh so well, in fact, I brought this one specifically for you because he suffers from a problem that only 'you' can fix." Discord answers.
>Twilight perks up at this. "Really? A problem only I can fix?" Twilight wonders. What would a little foal be troubled by? Does he need help with his homework? Are people bullying him at his school? The barrage of questions seems endless until Discord speaks up once more. "Why yes, you are the princess of Friendship after all~"
>The princess of friendship? If someone with such power gained it as a title, your sure she could help your problem.
>"You see princess, this colt's name is Anonymous and unfortunately he suffers from the fact that he has no friends." Discord now takes on a sad frown, with a trickle of a tear hanging on to his bulging eye. "And I thought, 'If there is any pony who could fix such a catastrophe it would be Twilight Sparkle!' And so here I am with your new son in law." Discord finishes with a proud stance like that of a hero.
>Discord puts on show of emotions you can't fathom yourself ever seeing until now.
>You feel a feeling in you that you've never felt before arise from your being.
~Thsa's sa's ash feell'oag ysa' a'anoashr~
>You nod and listen for Twilight's response to Discords emotional display.
>Twilight is... awestruck. So many options. A friendship problem? This is the best thing to happen yet! And now not only is the map aiding you, but so is Discord! Though you question Discord's true intentions, there is no way you're going to turn down this colt in need.
>So with a confident smirk you relay your answer. "I accept your offer Discord, but... if this is another one of your schemes, then I'll have no choice but to tell Celestia of how well your recuperation is going." but Discord doesn't falter. "Oh nonsense Twilight, I'm only out to help a friend, can't you believe me?" Discord says with a pout as imputation as a puppy.
>"Well... if your really telling the truth, then I'll thank you for this wonderful gift later, when I'm positive it isn't one of your tests." Twilight replies.
>"Splendid! Then I'm off to do what I do best. Best of luck Twilight!" Discord yells as he flies off into a cloud, disappearing into the sky above.
>Which leaves you, her, and now a... dragon?
>"Is he gone?" the dragon asks.
>"Yes, he's gone Spike." Twilight reassures the dragon before walking up to you with a smile plastered on her face.
>"And hello to you, Anonymous!" Twilight says.
>You retract your eyes from the glass Discord distorted himself through and look at her. A closure inspection reveals a striped mane, tucked wings, a horn on her head, and what appears to be art on her rear.
"Hello Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship. And hello Spike." you answer accordingly.
>Twilight is taken aback by the response. So emotionless yet, proper. She's never heard someone speak like this before except for Maud, but a young colt acting like this? Maybe you'll have to consult Pinkie for some advice. Spike seems to be weirded out as he tries to find a way to escape from the room. "I'm just gonna... go get... water... yeah, water." Spike says as he waddles into another room.
>Twilight proceeds to walk closer to you, and sits next to you the way a cat would.
>"Soooo.... I hear my son is having some friendship issues, is that correct?" Twilight asks.
>You answer
"Yes. I would like to know what a 'friend' is and how to obtain one. Could you teach me how to do this?"
>Twilight lit up in excitement. "Of course I can teach you how to make a friend! but you might need to know what a friend is." Twilight exclaims.
>So you sit take a moment to sit like her and look into her eyes for answer.
>She gives a warm smile that makes you feel... weird... it's as if you don't 'need' to kill her. The feeling stays as she explains what this 'friend' is and how to 'make' one.
>"A friend is someone you can depend on when you are all alone or when you are in a horrible predicament. Friends are always there for you and will help you whenever you are in need. They give you things you can appreciate, make you laugh when the times get tough, tell you the truth when all you hear is lies, stick with you till the very last breathe, and are kind and forgiving when you mess up. That, Anonymous, is the power of friendship." Twilight finishes.
"So there like the voices in my head?"
>"..."
"..."
>"Uhmmmmmmmm.... Yeahhhhhh.... like the voices in your heeaaad...." Twilight cringes through her teeth. "Uhm... Anon? This might be a weird question to ask... but... are you ok?" She asks.
"Yes. The voices are physical beings in my psyche that protect me from harm." You explain to her as you show her an example.
>extending your right nub into the air and willing a command, it morphs and splurges to form a multitude of tentacles.
>"WhhaaarraaaAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT?!" Twilight yells, as she scurries to the other side of the room.
>You attempt to explain to her the will of the voices, but she keeps staring at the tentacles you've formed.
>So you decide to pick her up and place her back next to you, which elicits a yelp from her, but nothing else.
>The tentacles then morph back into a the tiny nub from before, leaving a very traumatized Twilight.
>"Ten minutes.... that was all it took..." Twilight says as she reminisces on the last ten minutes where her sanity existed. First Discord, then this, what NEXT! WHAT COULD POSSIBLY TOP THI-... calm down. He's just your son... that has possibly come from the depths of chaos itself to find out what a friend is, and how bad is that? That's not bad in the slightest. That's a very good thing to want! Unless every single pony sees him as an abomination roaming the streets... OK!
>"Anon, now being your technical mother and you being my technical son, I have no choice but to set some ground rules for the safety of those who live around here." Twilight announces.
"Ground rules?" you ask.
>Does she mean gravity? It's the only thing keeping you on the ground at the moment. Unless she can somehow manipulate the earth itself.
>"Yes, ground rules. I want you to follow them as if your life depended on it! Got it mister!" Twilight says as a cutesy smug grin crosses her face.
"Ok." You reply, unaware of whats to come.
 
>"And finally, no morphing into those weird tentacle things in public. Understood?" Twilight finishes, taking a deep breathe before panting a few times.
>You didn't think any being could talk for so long with just one breathe.
>You were wrong.
>263 set rules of the house and the surroundings around it, as well as how to act in public to top it off.
>You contemplate if you should even move from this spot.
>Though most of the rules cover vandalizing property and the use of your powers, some of the rules seem less necessary and more a thing she might have a pet peeve over.
>Don't move any of the silverware from 1:00 to 5:00pm? Why require such a rule?
>And no causing explosions while inside the castle. Maybe that's a personal thing for her.
>But even so, you'll try your best to follow these rules and guidelines, since they don't seem much different from the facility you lived in.
"I understand. I'll follow all of the rules you listed." you say.
>Twilight is caught off guard by this, as she recovers from her panting. "Wh-What? You will? I-I mean, excellent! Then I suppose you wouldn't mind me asking about those voices in your head, would you?" Twilight asks out of curiosity. She knows that Discord brought you here, so it might be his doing, but seeing as you can control whatever they do, it might be something more than that.
~This being seeks knowledge, treasures it, a common weakness among scholars, indulge her addictions~
"Go ahead. Ask what you wish." You reply.
>Twilight lightens up a bit and proceeds with some simple questions. "They're your friends?"
"They match the definition you put, so I'd assume so." you reply.
>They have always assisted you when you needed it, they forgave your mistakes, they gave you generous gifts, they trusted your judgement and acted upon it, they will be there towards the end, and they laughed as I did when the last of the human's fought to survive.
>They match the definitions she put, yet... they don't fill this loneliness you feel.
>This dark feeling in the pit of your existence that eats at your very being.
>It is not the old ones that live inside you, you can sense their presence always.
>It is something else that lurks in the depths of your soul
>Twilight continues on with her questions. "Are they nice to you? Do they help you become a better person as a whole? Do they have names? How powerful are they?"
"Yes. Yes. Yes. Powerful." you answer.
>Getting into the specifics would lead to another one of those awkward situations, and the last time you spoke of the their names, the earth trembled and roared, leaving the area beneath you decimated with whatever people around dying near instantly through head combustion.
>But Twilight doesn't mind the short answers it seems as she gets to the point. "How come your having trouble making friends?"
>You can't quite come up with an answer to this.
>Most people around you would either scream in terror or would attack you on site.
>No one would try to talk to you and if they did, they were devoured by the faceless soon afterwards.
>And they mostly spewed profanities before their deaths.
"I suppose everyone saw me as a bad person." you answer, looking down to the ground where your nubs are.
>Twilight is disheartened by this. A colt who's just misunderstood? It definitely wreaks of Discord. And now she had to deal with two, except one lives with her now. The accumulated stress should be killing her right now, but she must push forward, for this little colt's sake. "Don't worry one bit Anon, I'm sure in this new town, you'll make tons of friends, I promise!"
>Looking back up, Twilight has a heart-warming smile on with a glisten in her eyes.
>You suppose it wouldn't hurt to try and do it for her.
>What could possibly go wrong?
 
 
 
>You are now in Ponyville.
>It is quite the site to behold.
>Ponies with wings flying here and there as well has some random ponies walking and running every which way.
>The stores they have here are... a bit lackluster.
>No meat products means you'll have to find an alternative to feast upon.
~WE REQUIRE ONLY THE LIFEFORCE OF OTHER BEINGS, BE IT SENTIENT OR NOT~
"but meat tastes really good."
>"What was that Anon?" Twilight asks as she walks alongside you.
"Just talking to my voices is all." you answer.
>"Uhuh..." Twilight responds, unsure of what to say.
>Voices? Though she's never heard them since you've started walking down to the school, they seem to have their own conscious and talk to Anon now and again, since he nods or talks to himself every few minutes. He might be inquiring on the land and asking them. Whatever those voices are, they must know a lot. "Anon, do you have any questions I could answer perhaps?"
>You perk up and look at Twilight.
>You guess that she's been trying to listen in on your conversation to no avail.
"Why does your race vary in form?" you ask her.
>"Ah, you mean the pegasi  and unicorn, us ponies vary in form and the chances of being an earth pony, a unicorn, or a pegasus are completely random and mostly depend on your ancestry."
"So I am an earth pony?" you ask.
>"Yes, and though you might be considered 'just an earth pony', your kind tend to be superior in raw strength alone."
>Raw strength? That explains the powers of one of the voices, but what of the other voices?
>You might need to experiment with different forms in due time.
>But right now yo-MMMMFPHFPPHFPFHH.
>"Hey Twilight, who's this little cutie?" Pinkie asks as she hugs you.
>Twilight flinches in fear of what you might do, but...
>You feel something fluffy and soft engulf you.
>You don't know why this is happening, but you sense no ill intent from the unknown being.
>So you decide to hug it back, nuzzling the pink mass with confusing but understandable vigor.
>"Oh my! what a hubby." she exclaims as the hug intensifies.
>"Pinkie, can you please put my son down?" Twilight asks as she walks up to the two of you.
>"SON!" She yells at her "Who's the lucky stallion?! How come I wasn't invited to the wedding?! Why wasn't I the one to plan the wedding?!"
>"Pinkie calm down, there is no 'lucky stallion' and there was no wedding." Twilight explains to her friend. "Discord has chosen me as his caretaker and it's my job to help him make some friends."
>"OOOoooo, Discord put you up to it? Then that makes him the husband!"
>Twilight is taken aback from this revelation. "What?! No! I'm just taking care of him and that's all"
>"OOooooOOooo, then your like a baby sitter!"
>Twilight grows more frustrated by the second. "Ugghh, no it's not baby sitting either. I'm taking care of him by myself."
>Pinkie pouts and puts you back down on the ground.
>Looking at her now, you understand why it felt nice to hug her.
>A pink fluffy mane covers her head and her tail even fluffier.
>And she has a bright smile across her face as she talks to Twilight in awe of how she could possibly take care of a child.
>"... and then there's the endless amounts of love letters waiting by the door all addressed to your 'gentle-colt' as he is wisked away from your motherly embrace, only to scream out to the sky 'WHY, WHY MUST LOVE TORMENT ME SOhOHOOOOO!' and then you'll have no choice but to eat ice cream all day until family reunion!"
>"Pinkie, I'm pretty sure it will be 100 times better than what you just said. And besides, taking care of a colt shouldn't be that bad, especially since I'm a princess. If I let something like this get the better of me, then how am I supposed to call myself one?"
>"Mmm, mmm" Pinkie agrees, with a title like that, no pony would want it to be just for show.
>"Anyways Twilight, I gotta pick up a delivery from the train station, so I'll see ya lickity split!"
>"Alright, but be..." And she's gone... "careful...." Annnnnd she's back.
>"Oh my gosh, I almost forgot to ask for the little guy's name! What's your name?" she asks you.
"It is Anonymous." you answer.
>"EEnnOnnEEmouse? Eeehhh I'll just call you Nonny! Is that ok?"
"Whatever you prefer."
>"Okie Dokie Lokie!" And then she's off again.
>That was interesting.
>Like Discord, except without the changing and flashing, only the over-dramatic display of emotions.
>"And that is Pinkie Pie. She works at Sugar-Cube Corner a little bit near the center of the town. She's quite the party pony and she's the most energetic pony I've ever met."
>You nod and you both continue down the path towards the school grounds.
>A few trees are scattered around and there's a playground out to the left of the school.
>In fact, it seems to be recess at the moment, as a bunch of fillies and colts run around having fun.
>Some are on the swings and others play in the sandbox or on other contraptions.
>"Anon, you wait here while I talk to Miss Cheerilee inside, alright?"
"Yes."
>"Alright, I'll be back in a moment." And off she goes.
>While you wait, you decide to take a seat on the stairs as you watch all the fillies run around and play.
>Though two of them take notice of your presence and decide to walk towards you.
>They both have grins on their faces as they approach you.
>"Well well well, what do we have here Silver? A new filly in town?"
>"It seems so Diamond."
>These two seem to have an arrogant tone about them.
>Do they lust for power?
~BREAK THEIR SPIRIT~
>You do.
"What do you two young fillies want with me?"
>Diamond seems offended by this. "Young? Were the same exact age. Country hours rot your brain blank flank?"
>"Oooh good one." Silver aids her ego with assisted comments to her insults.
>It's clear now that they want dominance over you.
>It's too bad your not weak.
"Instead of wasting your time with me, how about you play, like the other fillies on this playground?"
>This time the grey one interjects. "And why would we want to do that then there's a fresh slab of meat right here?"
"Because unlike the other fillies around here, ~I don't like to play nice~"
>The two back away in fear as your left eye changes to that of a predator, eyeing its prey.
>A purple tint covers the outer rim as the center consists of a fire depth into nothingness.
>First they try to scream, and their throats get caught, then they try to talk out of it, their throats start to bulge and only choked cough is let out.
>And now they're running away as fast as their nubs can manage.
>You suppose it can't be helped, so you clear their throats of the growing eyes in their trachea.
>You hear screaming in the distance as Diamond and Silver run straight to town.
>Some fillies in the playground notice, but continue with their activities.
>And you continue to watch them with their activities.
>Though three fillies stand out.
>A yellow earth pony, a white unicorn, and an orange pegasus have worried looks on their faces.
>They must have watched from a distance.
>Luckily it was your right eye and not your left, because they don't appear to be piecing the events they saw together.
>But a few moments later your mother returns through the doors.
>"Alright, looks like everything's in order."
"So I'll be attending this school to learn about friends?"
>"Errr.... no, this is mostly to teach you the history and facts about this world, as well as basic social skills, which you will need to make friends!"
"Alright. I will do it."
>"Excellent. I'll be back at the castle once school is over, so come straight home when it's over alright uhmm... sweetheart?"
"I will."
>Twilight gives a warm smile before trotting away.
>So now it's time for school.
 
 
Chapter 2: School Times
>You are now in class.
>You currently stand in front of the all the fillies, who are seated in their desks, as Miss Cheerilee gives you introduction to the class
>"I hope recess wasn't too exciting class, because we have a new foal in class today, say hello to Anonymous, our newest student."
>They all simultaneously give a loud "Hello, Anonymous!" which makes Cheerilee delighted.
>"Why don't you take a seat next to Button Mash over there while I start the lesson today Anon?"
"Alright."
>You say as you walk towards the seat.
>Sitting down, you notice the three you saw earlier.
>They appear to be whispering to each other, and with a quick glance your way, they sit back into their seats and listen to Miss Cheerilee as she talks.
>"Alright class, today we will be talking about addition and subtraction, so get a paper and pencil and..."
>The teacher talks about simple math, which kind of bores you to a degree.
>Most of this information has been absorbed through your feast.
>Useful information that was filtered through the voices and into your mind for safe storage.
>Perhaps they kept some information to themselves, but you don't mind the thought.
>Taking a second away from the lecture, you notice that a little paper has arrived on your desk.
>Unwrapping it, you read what it says.
>But before you can, you hear a loud 'ahem' come from the front of the classroom.
>Miss Cheerilee takes on a serious demeanor and speaks with a descending tone of voice. "I do hope you aren't passing around notes Anonymous, I will not tolerate distractions in my class."
>Nodding, you get up and throw the paper into the trash.
>Some of the fillies have started to snicker behind their hooves, leaving a trace of belittlement in every sound they produce.
>You return to your seat and continue to listen to the lecture, taking fake notes and talking to the voices through paper.
~O?h? ho?w ?y?o?u?ng?,? ?th?ey ?s?e?e?m? ve?r?y ?im?pression?a?ble?, p?er?f?ect?~
>Didn't we agree to no manipulation in the terms?
~It? ?w?o?n?'?t? b?e?, ?i?t? w?i?l?l j?us?t? ?b?e? h?a?rm?le?s?s fu?n?, ?a?n?d? t?hese c?re?a?tu?r?es? ?are t?o ?c?u?r?io?u?s? ?f?o?r? ?th?e?r?e o?wn ?g?o?od~
>Agreed, but I have a question, what was that deal you had with discord?
~Jus?t? ?A ?p?rec?au?t?i?o?n t?ake?n ?am?ong ?c?h?ao?t?i?c? ?bei?n?gs?,? ?in ?cas?e we? ?l?o?s?e o?u?r? 'Sp?a?r?k'?~
>So a mutual agreement to co-exist?
~E?xac?t?l?y, a?n?d ?i?f? ?o?ne ?fa?l?l?s,? T?h?e ?ot?her ?ge?ts? a ?bo?ost? In? ?chaotic? ?en?er?g?y, ?an? ?u?p?gra?d?e? To? r?u?le ?ov?er ?m?u?lt?ip?le? dom?ai?n?s~
>Ah, so the voices don't have a say in this world like they do in yours.
>A contract to keep the balance makes sense.
>Where the chaotic energy roamed free in your world, this world seems to have multiple locks in place to keep unwanted things out of reach.
>With Discord being the only one with the keys.
>And it looks like class has ended.
>Near half the class has left except for some who are talking to Cheerilee and others discussing what to do for fun tomorrow.
>It's them... and the three from earlier.
>They get up and slowly walk towards you.
>The yellow one goes to the front of them and speaks. "Hello Anon, um... you wouldn't mind if we asked a few questions, would you?"
"Twilight said to go home after school was over, so I'm going to do that"
>The white one speaks up. "We know Twilight, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind you hanging out with us."
>Going over your current options, you think of what to do.
>Going home would make the most sense, but these three seem to have an... interest? in me.
>Twilight said that this school would help you learn about basics of making friends.
>Maybe this is the task she meant, which means school isn't over? The technicality of time might not apply to this event.
>So you decide to oblige their attempts.
"I will answer your questions and stay."
>All three of them light up and the orange one speaks this time. "That's great! C'mon. We'll show you to the tree house we made."
>And so you follow them out of the school and into a farm.
>Apple trees cover most of the landscape around you as the three lead you to what appears to be a miniature wooden house.
>Walking into the tree house, you find multiple failed posters lying everywhere.
>Paint, glue, glitter, and pictures lie scattered across the floor, walls, and... ceiling?
>How did they manage to do that?
>The three of them go a bit red. "Sorry, we sorta forgot to clean all this up, our bad. How about you wait outside so we can clean all this up." And so you listen to the white one's instructions.
>Sitting on the balcony, you hear some commotion near the school.
>But you decide to stay and watch from a distance.
>Nothing interesting happens, and the noise dies down as you hear a "You can come in now!" signalling you to enter the tree house once again.
>Everything in the house has been cleaned and in the middle stands three painting fillies who look desperate for answers.
>"Alright... Now that... that's done... we can finally ask you.... the questions we have...." the white one finishes, taking in a deep breathe and sighing.
>"But first..." The yellow one interjects. "This is Sweetie Belle" she points to the white one, "this is Scootaloo", pointing to the orange one, "and I'm Applebloom, pleasure to meet'cha Anon!"
"Likewise. Now what do you want to know."
>"Well... First off, what is it that you did to get Diamond all panicked like that?"
>"Yeah, what did you do?" Scootaloo interjects.
"I told them off, nothing else."
>"So you didn't do anything weird to them?" Sweetie asks.
>She must have caught a glimpse at the bulges in their throats.
>More observant to details than the others.
"No, I did not."
>Sweetie is off-put by your answer.
>But before she can ask another question, Applebloom speaks up. "Why do you have such a weird voice? It's like a robot or something."
"I fail to see the problem."
>"Don't you, y'know, feel emotion?"
"No, but I'm curious as to what you inquire."
>"What I mean is that when you talk, there's no personality in it. No friendliness or kindness, just talking, it's weird."
>The other two nod in agreement and decide that something needs to be done.
>"I know, how about we help with your personality!" Scootaloo offers.
"My personality?"
>"Yeah, so that you can like, not be a robot."
>"Yeah, Cutie Mark Personality Helpers! Yeah!" They chant in unison
>And then they fall a bit in enthusiasm.
>"Where do we start exactly?" Applebloom asks.
>"How about we start with kindness." Sweetie Belle offers.
"Kindness?"
>"Yeah, it's probably gonna be the most common act you'll see, so it's important you understand how it works!"
>"But Sweetie Belle" Applebloom interrupts. "Wouldn't that be a better job for, y'know, Fluttershy? She is the 'element of kindness' after all"
>"Huh... then why not just niceness in general?" Scootaloo asks.
>"Mmmm... yeah that could work." they say in unison
"If I may ask, what is this 'kindness' you speak of?"
>All three of them are stumped.
>None of them expected you to not even know what the word meant, but needless to say, they knew they were in for something big.
>"Errr... Ummmm..." Scootaloo tries to find the right words, but struggles to explain it, so Applebloom does it for her. "Kindness is something you display to others in order to gain their affections. At least, that's what I think it means." While the other two blush profusely, you understand the concept she's trying to convey to you.
>An act or display that shows affection towards someone.
>Straight forward and simple.
"How do I 'display' this 'kindness'?"
>"Well first you need to stop saying 'this'. It's not a physical object Anon, its just something you do like an action."
"Oh, sorry for the misunderstanding."
>Sweetie Belle's eyes light up. "That's it! That's kindness! What you said just now, except now we need to add some emotion to it."
"Emotion? How would I add emotion to a sentence?"
>"Why by moving that Adam's apple of course!" Applebloom chirps.
>Adam's apple? What is a-... oh, she means the laryngeal prominence in one's throat.
>Yes, you might be able to change pitch during speech, though you haven't done that since the human's used ultrasound to try and pierce your eardrums.
>That shit was annoying.
"How does this sound?"
>"Mmmmmmm needs more change, oh and try to end with a low pitch, like finishing a sentence."
"Is this better?"
>"Errr... no, I think that was worse, try to make it suit the sound of the words you make, like I'm doing right now."
"How about this? Does this suit the way you described?"
>"Yeah, that's a lot closer!" Applebloom's progress seems to have sparked something in the back of the room as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo take out some posters from before out, along with some markers.
>They scribble something down on the poster and hang it up on the wall.
>"Alright Anon!" Sweetie chimes in. "I want you to say this sentence with as much emotion as possible, got it?"
>You nod and walk up to the poster, reading the contents they've scribbled down.
"The hacky sacky went wacky tacky as Baron Lacky went on a stroll, and boy oh boy the wacky did tacky as the hacky sacky hit Baron! Oh no!"
>The three take a moment to organize their thoughts, and then they huddle up, whispering to each other their thoughts on how good you did.
>You placed the high pitches and low pitches in the right places, though you do question why they made you say such a weird sentence.
>After a few moments, they disperse as Sweetie Belle gives a little 'ahem'. "It wasn't as good as maybe an actor in a theater per say..." but Applebloom cuts her off. "I think it was perfect, normal like any other pony would say it."
>With reassuring nods from all three you thank them for their help.
"Thank you, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom. I'll be going back home now."
>The three... cringe at this. "Anon, your supposed to do it 'all the time', like a regular thing, you can't just drop it like a hot potato."
"Oh, excuse me, I did not know it was required during the whole day."
>"Nope, more like for the rest of your life. To put it simply." Sweetie Belle walks up to you.
>"Don't worry, everyone does it, so you'll get used to it in no time."
>This new information is important.
>Maybe you can talk to the voices with your new kindness.
>Though you don't know how they'll react.
~Iem ea'elehar l'oa'sub l'oa elehar l'oa~
>You nod to both Sweetie and the voices as you start to head out the open door.
>"Wait!" yells Scootaloo. "You don't have to leave just yet."
>"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle insists. "We still have so much to cover about emotions and stuff."
>You would love to stay, but worrying your caretaker could lead to punishment.
>And since the lesson is over on kindness, you see no reason to stay here much longer.
"Sorry, but I need to return to the castle before Twilight becomes worried."
>The three lighten up a bit. It would be the same for them since they all have caretakers of their own, so they give each other a mutual nod of agreement.
>"Alright, you can leave Anon." Scootaloo says. "But can we at least come with you? In case something happens?"
>You see no reason why they'd want to follow you.
>But you also see no reason to say no.
"Alright. You may come."
>After hearing the approval, a echoed "YAY!" is chanted by all three as they run out the door next to you.
>You follow the path through the trees and past the school, making it back to town.
>As you continue to walk, the three of them seem to slow down in pace as they glance around at the ponies around them.
>They take a worried visage, but continue towards the castle nonetheless.
>And outside, waits a very flustered, very unorthodox, Twilight sitting at the front of the door.
>So you guess she was expecting you to come home early.
>You should have known.
 
 
 
>Walking up to the castle doors, Twilight looks very agitated, staring at you like an angry parent.
>The three behind you hesitate to follow you a few steps in as you engage in conversation.
>"So Anon, how was school?" Twilight keeps a calm demeanor about her as to not scare away the three following you.
"It was efficient. I didn't learn any information from Miss Cherokee, but the three behind me taught me how to talk normally."
>This news changes Twilight's visage, like night is to day, her agitated state is replaced with a gleeful smile. She was so happy to hear that you learned something today, and even more so that you've made friends in such a shor-...
>Twilight takes a deep breathe, turns around, and readjusts her thoughts. Yes, she's a mother now, which means she will have to discipline when it is necessary.
>Turning back towards you, she now has a smirk more than a smile.
>You can clearly tell that emotions are fighting for control in her mind.
>"Anon, do you remember the rules I set for you?"
"They are clear in my mind."
>"Good, because I'm very certain that a certain little colt went and used his special talents on some pony." Twilight needed to walk around the whole powers thing, since the CMC have all perked up in interest.
>Your special talent? But Anon doesn't have a cutie mark at all on his flank. Without a cutie mark, how could you already know what your special talent was?
>Now they all wanted to know, what might your special talent be.
"If you're inquiring on the two that fled to town, yes that was my special talents doing."
>You feel a slight subtle change in mood behind you. A flare of anger comes from Sweetie specifically, but the other two stay curious to your abilities.
>"I KNEW I-! Wait..." Twilight was off balanced by your lack of hesitation, as well as your truthfulness on the matter. And truthfully, she should have expected this from you. A lack of self conscious and self doubt, as well as no concern for punishment, but... even so...
>"Erm... ummm... well, you still need to pay for your actions, Anon, you do realize that don't you?"
"I know. I did nothing wrong with my actions. The ones known as Diamond and Silver wreaked of arrogance, so I punished them for it."
>Twilight's emotions change near instantly.
>"Anon, how about we talk about this inside." Twilight offers, glancing at the group behind you.
>You feel the overwhelming worry and doubt spreading, so you agree.
>Walking inside, Twilight closes the door behind you with the mist and faces you, leaving the CMC to their own devices.
>"Anon, are you OK?" Twilight asks, the worry increasing significantly.
"Yes."
>"Does it hurt anywhere?" She asks
"No. Twilight, why are you asking these questions?"
>What is she on about?
>You haven't been injured, have you?
>No, any threat would have been dealt with easily.
>Twilight starts walking towards you, each step triggering something inside you.
>Your face is starting to distort in defense.
>They sense an unknown threat.
>"Anon, calm down..." she continues slowly walking toward you.
>You start backing away through the hall, your teeth growing and sharpening every step you take.
>"Anon..." she keeps going.
>Something has started to hurt inside you.
>Why does it hurt all of a sudden? Nothing is touching you.
>You growl in agony, trying to fight the pain growing in your body.
>What the hell is going on, you shouldn't be hurting.
>It's her mist, you have to kill her
>You'll break the rules Discord set
>Who cares a?bo?ut t?he ?ru?l?es~
>Stop this pain, make it stop
~THEN KILL HER~
>Make it go away.
~Yo?u? h?a?ve no cho?ice~
>Someone...
~DO IT~
>He-...
>The room has distorted, tentacles and claws surrounding you, aiming straight at you.
>Your body has distorted to that of a rabid beast, your limbs transformed to razors and wings have sprouted from your body, the tentacles waving ever so slightly.
>And all is silent.
>As Twilight just pulled you into a warm embrace.
>The voices lay silent.
>You lay silent, unknown of what's to come.
>Suddenly, the pain you've been experiencing stops, and a steady stream of water leaves your eyes.
>Why is there water? Another spell?
>Twilight's wings extend and lower over yours, which retract themselves back into your body, covering you in warmth.
>The area around you undoes itself and dissipates to leave the regular crystal below.
>Your face changes back to its original form, and now...
>You can't help but make noises into her soft chest tuff.
>It doesn't make sense, why is this happening?
>Why now? Why haven't you experienced this feeling before? Why must you lack feelings in the first place?
>"Thank goodness..." Twilight whispers.
>Why is she thankful?
>I'm suffering and she's thankful?
>Who does she think she is?
>What reason does she-
>"You aren't any monster... you just want love is all... don't you?"
>Wha...
>Monster?
>Love?
>Is this what this feeling is?
>You hate this feeling.
>Why do you continue to water.
>Liquids are now pouring from your nose as well.
>You hate it.
>Hate, hate hate HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT~
>"Shhhh..."
>What is she doing?
>"It's alright."
>Why must she do this?
>"You can just..."
>WHY MUST SHE HURT YOU LIKE THI-
>"... let it all out."
>And just like that, it all comes crashing down.
 
 
Chapter 3: Bedtime Care
>You are Anon.
>And the waterworks have ended
>Now you're just dry heaving.
>Twilight gently shushes you, slowly petting your mane, and humming a nice tone every now and then.
>Spike successfully held off the assault of tears, but now lays near exhausted on the floor.
>"T-Twilight... 'heave'... 'heave'... how long... is he... gonna be like that...?"
>"Don't worry Spike, I think he's starting to calm down." And she's right, you have.
>From the initial screaming and biting down on hair to ease the suffering, you're now moaning, with the occasional whimper and heavy breathing.
>You feel like a mess.
>Yet your body continues to keep going on its own accord.
>And going... and going... and going...
>Until finally, it subsides.
>You both lay silent for a few minutes, thinking of nothing but this moment.
>And then, she speaks.
>"All better mister?" Twilight says with a playful smirk, acting as if all this was normal to her.
>You bury your muzzle into her and nod, still shaking every now and then.
>"Good, now why don't you clean up. There's a bathroom a little down the hall to the left. When your done, come right back, alright?"
>You nod once more and separate yourself from her.
>A giant string of snot and tears connects you to her as it slowly lowers down to the ground, condensing into a pile of goop.
>Expecting a reaction from Twilight, instead, her motherly expression stays the same.
>"Don't worry about the mess, just go clean yourself up. You have nothing to worry about."
>And so you do.
>You walk down the hall and take the left like instructed.
>Though your vision was impaired, now that you've left, tentacles have started to sprout out of your eyes, healing the swollen feeling covering them.
>The door is easy to find and you walk inside.
>A sink and mirror, with a shiny tub to the left. Towels hang from a pole holding curtains for convenient privacy, the soap lying in a little ledge poking out of the wall.
>Laying on the sink is a toothbrush and a glass cup you assume is for cleaning.
>You climb into the bathtub and try to turn the knob to release the water, but your hooves don't allow you to.
>So you grow tentacles with suction to turn it for you.
>The water pours on you like heavy rain, except now it's a relaxed feeling engulfing you.
>Hot water fills your pours and cleans your face of the mucus and dried tears.
>A tentacle grows from your back and takes the soap, lathering it in water and swishing it across your mane.
>As you wash yourself, you try to think what caused you to act so savage.
>Why did all this happen? Why so fast? No...
>What did Twilight do while you were away?
>Could it be possible that she came to a revelation?
~We grow restless, while you break your oaths~
"I know"
~Why not kill her? She knows so much~
"I want to stay here, I cannot kill."
~'We must sate our hunger'~
"Then I will find a non-sentient creature and feast upon that, but I mustn't kill."
~YOU THINK LESSER BEINGS WILL QUELL US?~
"If it is what I must do, so be it, but I do not want to return to that place. This is my home now."
>The voices silence themselves.
>You turn the bathtub off and get out.
>You go to retrieve the towels that have been picked up by more growing tentacles as you clean yourself off.
>As you wipe yourself, the tentacles join in as they copy your up-down right-left circular motions.
>And with your body dried off, you decide to look at yourself in the mirror.
>You know that your figure has changed, but it wasn't that much of a problem.
>A green coat of fur covers most of your tiny body, with tentacles protruding here and there around your back.
>Willing them to dissipate, dropping the towels in the process, you take a closer look at yourself.
>Your face looks soft, a muzzle with a irritated red nose and a neutral mouth shape.
>Your eyes are pearly white, which enhances the flamboyant red around your iris.
>Though you notice a shade of black under your eyes, taking on an ominous undertone in what would be a cute little colt, is instead a 'serious'ly cute colt that hasn't slept in a few years.
>Which is true, you haven't slept since the electric conditioning.
>Yet you wouldn't call them bags. When you feel them, they feel like regular skin, just wtih a change of color.
>Turning to the side reveals your mane, large and messy like a lions, reaching all the way to your belly.
>Examining your face once more, out of curiosity, you verify that your teeth have turned to that of a herbivores from your regular canines.
>Testing out your abilities a bit, all your teeth change to that of a sharks, razor sharp and layered in case teeth break off.
>Though the feeling from before isn't the same, it looks about right.
>You change them back and open the door, where you see Spike waiting in the hallway.
>"Jeez, took you long enough. Twilight's waiting in her bedroom, which is back where you came, should have some stars on it... anyways... erm... hope your feeling better and all."
>Spike walks off further down the hall while you ponder what he meant by it.
>Did you feel bad when you poured water on Twilight?
>Knots begin to tie up your stomach as a familiar feeling takes form.
>But you quickly dash the feeling away and walk down the hallway.
>You walk back to where the mess was and notice that it's been cleaned up. No trace left of the mixture you left.
>You assume that Spike cleaned it while Twilight cleaned herself up.
>Continuing down the hall, you find the star'ed door Spike mentioned and walk in.
>And there you see Twilight on her bed reading a book.
>You decide to walk up and into the bed, making Twilight perk up.
>"Anon! Glad your OK."
"Yes. I'm quite alright."
>"Wonderful, because we have a lot to talk about."
>Yeah, you did have a lot to talk about.
>Like what Twilight did.
"What happened to me? I started releasing fluids from my eyes for no reason, what was that?"
>Twilight's motherly smile returns and she begins her explanation.
>"That was crying, it's what you do when everything becomes too much to handle all at once."
"Crying? Is it a natural occurrence among ponies?"
>"Yes, it is natural to do it and it's a great thing to do, so when you do cry, don't hold back, simply let it all out."
"But why? How did it happen?"
>Something like this can't just come and go, can it?
>But Twilight speaks up before you can think more of it.
>"Well... I kinda did a few things when while you were away..."
"Things like what?"
>"Well, mother things of course, like how to be a mother, what to do to act like a mother, Oh and there was this great book called 'One Way Guide to Taking Care of Foals', It really helped! Then I got really excited, so I called over one of my friends to help think of ways to be a mother." Twilight starts waving her hoof around like a sort of guide stick for her thoughts.
"A friend?"
>"Yep, Starlight Glimmer to be exact. We talked about a multitude of things from 'how to keep your castle from burning down, to 'What to do when he gets into his rebellious faze..." and now she's counting her hooves.
>You can't help but think that there is some unneeded information here.
>But you continue to listen silently, so she can get to the point.
>"... and eventually we got to talking about you in general." Twilight then looks at you.
>"When I described you to her, it reminded her of herself when she was your age. When someone important to her got taken away, she shut herself out from society, only focusing on her studies, and... erm..." Twilight didn't want to tell you too much about her, in case you chose to follow the same path, being as unpredictable as you were.
>"... anyways, most of the people she considered friends distanced themselves from her, which led to a personality almost similar to yours." Twilight's wing now covers your body once more, and the warmth feels nice.
>Nice... you are able to feel... nice.
>"And so I asked her what she wanted most while she was like that, and well..." Twilight's eyes widen, showing a tiny sparkle in them.
>"What she said gave me an idea as to how to start becoming a mother, because what she wanted most..." She leans into you, her hoof wrapping itself around you. "Was to be loved."
>To be loved?
"What is love, Twilight?"
>Her motherly gaze grows bigger and her warm embrace thickens. "Love is a strong affection that you can only have towards those you care for the most."
>You ponder this for a bit
>It resembles kindness, but for the ones you care for the most?
>Strong affections... towards those you cared for... the most...
"Twilight? How do I love? and how do I care? And how do I know I love them?"
>"Well first, all you have to do, is care for some pony, and in order to care, you have to protect them. I think your powers could help with that."
>It is true, the voices do protect me from harm, but that is just instinct.
>Protecting something else? Why would you do that?
>It would cause much risk to yourself and those around, it isn't logical.
>Twilight continues. "And for that last question, thats for you to answer, because after a while, it'll be the most clear when it's staring right at you."
>Looking up at her, she's still giving that... loving smile.
>It's a loving smile, like that of a mother's.
>So you try to give her a smile of your own.
>You feel your lips move, but it doesn't feel quite like a smile, but nonetheless Twilight beams with joy.
>The cuddling intensifies as tentacles now form around you.
>Twilight panics, but tries her best to accept the new limbs constricting around her.
>The tentacles of there own accord, wrap themselves around Twilight, pulling you into her soft bare chest.
>You both lay on your sides, entangled in hooves, wings, and tentacles as the both of you dose off... into a deep sleep...
 
 
 
>You growl and kick as you wake up, letting out a loud yawn, releasing you from your sleepy state.
>"Good morning Anon." Twilight lays in front of you.
>Your tentacles have prevented her from moving from her spot.
"I-uhhh..."
>"It's quite alright Anon, your little friends are quite useful." She gives a light-hearted chuckle as a tentacle raises a fork to her mouth.
>Looking around you notice what she's talking about.
>Various tentacles in varying sizes carry books, silverware, eggs and salad-topped toast with a dressing, napkins, with a quill and paper writing something in front of her.
>"When I woke up, they wouldn't let me go, but they did help get my day started. Who knew I could talk to them!" Twilight was ecstatic at the way the tentacles acted.
>But meanwhile, Spike sits in a chair, with very visible anger pouring out of him, as his daily jobs have been taken like pocket change.
>Honestly, first you take his chores, and now you're taking his best friend without any repercussions.
>Spike was fuming, smoke emptying his mouth each time he took a bite of his gem-based dish.
>With each bite, the anger he felt lessened, but grew back in size without fail.
>It was clear that he was wasn't trying to fight back the anger, but fuel it instead.
>Maybe it was a trait among dragons, to hold grudges this powerful.
>But Twilight continued to use your tentacles, oblivious to her friend's frustrations.
>"Anon, can you tell your friends that they don't have to hold me anymore?" So you do.
>The tentacles around straighten, as if called to attention, as you will the tentacles around your back to dissipate, releasing Twilight.
>"Thank you, sweetheart." She gives you a peck on the cheek as she hops off the bed to stretch her muscles.
>What... what was that?
>Your tentacles shoot up in excitement, before slowly becoming limp, lowering everything they're holding into a neat little pile.
>An act of affection?
>What did she just do?
>Your cheek has started to burn, so you touch your cheek and look at the results.
>A strong purple aura lingers on your hoof, before slowly burning out like a fire without any fuel
>You do admit, it felt weird.
>Weirder than anything you've experienced thus far.
>But it also felt... nice...
>The burning sensation does not hurt as it should, but instead feels like steady electricity streaming through your face.
>You can feel the heat, but it doesn't hurt as you thought it would.
>"Anon, your eye..." Twilight has a curious tone, as she turned around to look at you.
>And it's true, your right eye has changed.
>A shade of black has covered the entire eye, making it look like an empty space.
>Back on your world, when your eye changed to this form, all you saw was a torn void, a desolate land torn out of the fabrics of space and time itself.
>But this is completely different.
>Instead, your eye has enhanced the surroundings around you, a thick mist covering the entire room.
>Twilight's emotions have mixed with her love for you, creating a purple yellow mixture around her.
>Spike, however, has a raging aura, which has taken the form of a dragon.
>Quite possibly to show his races emotional traits.
>Why did your eye trigger subconsciously?
>A predatory reaction seemed to be the best explanation at the moment.
>You morph your eye back to its regular form, causing all the auras to disappear, and jump out of bed.
"This is new to me. What did you just do?"
>"Oh, I only kissed you on the cheek, to show you my love for you, of course!"
>To show you love? Her love.
>But how did she know this time?
>No... by the look on her face, it's clear she did it by coincidence.
"Do not worry. I am fine."
>"That's great, why don't you join Spike for breakfast while I finish up my letter."
"Sounds good."
>Though in reality, you don't want to be near this dragon right now.
>Anger tastes great, but in large quantities, it becomes sickening.
>Though something compels you to do so.
>Sitting next to Spike, he tries his best to hide his anger, but it's really an open book at this point.
>Twilight takes her letter using the mist and walks out the door, holding the quill in her mouth.
>And as the door closes behind her, the dragon's glare returns.
>"Alright, listen up bub, I'm OK with you being Twilight's number one, but don't you ever take my chores away from me, got it?"
>He was angry about chores?
>You guess it's an emotional attachment, since he's grown confident.
>The aura no longer visible, but sensible as always.
"I was asleep and unaware of my actions, so I apologize for my misdoings."
>Spike cringes, but only a little. You were asleep, and it was Twilight who asked the tentacles to do the tasks, so how could he blame you? He honestly couldn't.
>"I-I forgive you, but the least you can do is control those things. Twilight was stuck there for like, 3 hours.
"When I sleep, I cannot control there actions, they move as they see fit to protect my well being."
>And it was true, they were protecting you.
>The tentacles just found it safe for you to be under another creature with pure intent.
>Any other situation and it would have been knocked out or killed to make a bed.
>But you must get used to these set rules, as well as this world's rules.
>Spike continues to eat, having a full mouth while he talks.
"Mmm, wehh... ifghf you shay sho." Spike takes a hardy swallow.
>"By the way, what are you exactly? Some sort of tentacle monster."
>That... That was quite rude.
"No. I have the will of the dark Lords. That is all."
>Spike jumps up. "Th-The dark Lords?! That doesn't sound good at all! Does that mean..."
>Now Spike was conflicted with what to do. Yes you did look to be starting on some sort of path to Reformation, but this definitely sounded like something Discord would do, so he had to be sure.
>"What is your relationship with Discord? What did he do to you to send you after Twilight?" Spike was sure that if you tried to avoid the subject for even a second, he'd have to run straight to Twilight.
>Though he doubted if he could out run you, had have to try, because he was one hundred percent sure that Discord had something up his sleeve.
"Other than a contract to come to this world, I have no qualms with Discord. And I had no choice in the matter of who would take care of me, Twilight was the one I was brought to."
>Spike tries to see lies in your sentences, but can't tell due to your stern, blank expression.
>"Ugh, just forget i asked." Giving up, he gets out of his chair and proceeds towards the door.
>"Just don't do anything funny, got it? I got to deliver that letter Twilight's working on." and as he leaves, he whispers something to himself, but it goes unheard and he leaves the room.
>Leaving you all alone.
~Once again~
 
 
Chapter 4: A Day on Your Own
"What do you want?"
~A chat with you~
"And why now, why not before?"
~Because the others can't control themselves~
"If I recall, you joined in as well."
~Twas merely an act~
"You thought they wouldn't notice?"
~They didn't, they slumber, you have awaken, yet they stay silent~
"So why don't you rest."
~Because I grow restless as they do, yet not as much to toy with emotions~
"So they weren't the ones helping my mother?"
~Not at all, the scholar interests me, so I stay interested, but be warned, I cannot hold the others dormant much longer~
"Don't expend your power, we don't have full control as before."
~We know chosen, do not worry, trust in knowledge~
>You walk out the door and look around.
>Spike has disappeared to the main room, where you assume Twilight has moved to.
>Though you don't want to disturb her at the moment.
>So you 'attempt' to wake up the chaos.
"ual psa'le ysa'shkel. sa' ual a' suda ash ysa'rrakelh sa's a'o tsa'red."
~O?oo?oo?o?oo?o?oh?h?h?h?hh?.?.. Wha?t ?d?o ?yo?u ?w?a?n?t??~
"You actually responded. That's rare."
~Wha?t.?..? ?d?o? ?y?o?u ?Want?..?.~
"I need you to deliver a message to my mother."
~A?nd? ?w?ha?t? mu?s?t i?t ?s?a?y?~
"I will be going out to explore the town today. Do not panic, I will not leave town and I will not get lost. What I want to do is to find a place that sells something I eat. As you know, I am not a pony, I require more... succulent foods than green. If you know where it is, talk to the message and it will be sent to me... and... um... I love you."
~Hmhmh?m?h?m?h?m?m?m?mmm?m?~
"Don't alter it."
~I wo?n't, ?don't w?o?r?ry ab?out? ?a? ?thing~
"Do it."
~As? you? w?is?h?~
>A ebony paper appears from no where, scribbling words out of thin air.
>After the words you said are printed onto the paper, copying nearly everything you said, it catches fire and turns to cinders.
>So you walk down the hallway, feeling the breeze carrying the ash towards the throne room.
>Walking out the door, the same displays of ponies cover the streets as yesterday.
>Looking around, you take notes of the types of stalls and stores around.
>A pie maker, candle maker, bookseller, vegetable trader, a fast-food joint, fancy restaurant...
>A... clothes seller?
>Looking into the window of the weirdly shaped house, it is indeed filled to the brim with fancy dresses and suits.
>And focusing your eye just slightly, you see two life forces roaming the top floor.
>They must have recently woken up.
>But that isn't important.
>You continue your search for something that might suit your needs for food.
>Carrot seller, no. Apple seller, no. Drinks kiosk, no.
>There has to be something around here.
>Your fucking starving.
>Just then, you hear a fizzle as fire pops up, revealing another ebony paper.
>That was more quick than you expected.
>Oh well, you'll just read it.
'Dear Anon, I didn't know that you would need a different type of food for your diet, but don't worry, one of my good friends Fluttershy loves taking care of animals, so I'm sure she'll have something for you. She should be a little out towards the Everfree Forest today, but the forest is a really dangerous place, even for you. So I'd advise waiting at her cottage instead, which should be on the hill to the to the north. Don't get lost, and return as soon as you can. Love, Twilight Sparkle'
>Ah, so this Fluttershy character can help you find meat.
>If she takes care of animals, then that must mean she takes care of 'said' meat.
>Perfect.
>As you trot down through the streets, your drool becoming uncharacteristically unending as a large trail of spit follows you, causing a few ponies to slip and others to look at you funny.
>A few minutes later, and you see the hill Twilight had been talking about.
>And the cottage lays a bit in the distance, but isn't clear due to trees blocking the view.
>Making your way up the hill, you notice tons of wildlife gathered around the cottage.
>Birds perched on the roof and little varying critters scurrying around your hooves.
>You try your best to retract the urge to kill them all, but some of your instincts start to get the better of you.
>And now all the critters have stopped to stare at you.
>Your teeth grow back to razors and your left eye acts up, forming a predatory grin.
>Your breathing has intensified and your nostrils are flaring.
>You need this... so fucking bad... right now...
>But just as you come back to reality, you realize something.
>All the critters and birds have disappeared.
>But your instincts should have alerted you if they moved too far away...
>Looking at the window of the cottage, you now realize what happened.
>Every single critter and bird in the vicinity has fled inside the cottage while you were trying to hold yourself back.
>Barely anyways.
>Though you could easily charge into the 'slaughterhouse', one of Twilight's rules prevents you to do so.
>No breaking and entering houses for any reason.
>Cursing at yourself, you decide to sit at the front of the cottage and wait for Fluttershy to come back from her trip.
>Though these critters are making it extremely hard for you.
>A squirrel has started throwing peanuts at you, while a rabbit keeps making these weird faces at you.
>Soon the others start joining in and eventually you grow a neat bush on your head.
>Made up of nuts, oats, twigs, grass, leaves, a few chewed up carrots, and what appears to be their... secretions...
>Thankfully, your hair is having none of that as it flows and intertwines with itself, mixing the objects and liquids into a neat little ball.
>Which you through threw the window.
"It's breaking AND entering for a reason you putrid creatures"
>While it hit almost all the creatures sitting there, the rabbit jumps back up with an evil smirk.
>What is it planning t-
>Just then, a tripwire is set off by the squirrel in the trees, launching... carrots?
>Your tentacles form in defense, creating a tight shield in front of you.
>The carrots parry off the shield, but a few lone carrots come from different directions.
>More tentacles form, catching the carrots.
>You look at the creatures, dropping the carrots to the ground.
"You will have to do better."
>But the creature doesn't falter, giving a raspberry in the air as it jumps off the window.
>Launching the ball you made straight at you.
 
 
>You groan a bit, wincing at the pain in your back
>They just launched you into a nearby tree, breaking your spine in the process as well as leaving a bloody nose.
>Some internal injuries here and there, but nothing too serious.
>Though the tentacles made a valiant effort to stop the ball from getting direct contact, your new small body couldn't handle the momentum the mass had been launched at.
>Brushing yourself off, you use your hooves to snap your spine back in place.
>The internal bleeding will stop in a few moments, but it doesn't stop you from coughing up blood.
>Fucking hell. They did what the U.S. couldn't do for two weeks.
>In just a few minutes.
>You'll have to get used to this body strength-wise, or else anyone could get the jump on you.
>"O-OH MY GOODNESS! What in the world happened!?"
>And Fluttershy has returned from her trip.
>Lovely.
>Huh... that's what that term is used for...
"Do not worry, I am alright. Your pets protected their home as they would any predator."
>Fluttershy is really confused, the concerned look combined with the intense worry tells you she won't listen to you anytime soon.
>"Oh jeez, you need to get to the hospital and fa-" before she can finish, you put a hoof on her lips.
"I'm alright, the bleeding has stopped. There is no reason to go to the hospital."
>"B-but..." Fluttershy really didn't like the idea of leaving you here without some sort of medical attention, but if you refused to go...
"Did Twilight tell you who I am?"
>Fluttershy perked up. "Twilight? Erm... no, but... ummm..." she couldn't be more nervous.
>Guess you'll have to tell her.
"I am Twilight's new son. I came here for food. I require meat, and because you take care of animals, Twilight assumed you had meat you could feed me. Do you?"
>"Me-meat? But your a foal, you can't eat meat, it's not healthy for you."
"It is healthy for me, though I wish Twilight were here to explain more clearly. I am not from here, and where I come from, meat is a regularity. So if I could, mmm... could I... please, have meat."
>Not from here? But where would such a place be? Does a place like that even exist? Fluttershy was stressfully unsure of what to do, but if it really was normal for you to eat meat, she couldn't argue.
>"I-ummm... I'll get you some m-meat, but if you really are telling the truth, I'm so so very sorry for judging you by your looks, you just looked so young an-" You cut her off.
"It's OK, as long as I get food, I'll be fine."
>Fluttershy walks into the cottage, beckoning you inside, so you follow suit.
>Looking around, most of the critters have disappeared, leaving the rabbit resting on the couch.
>You stop momentarily, looking at the rabbit out of curiosity, but he just rests his head on his arms and falls asleep.
>"Oh, I'm sure they didn't mean any harm, usually my little friends behave themselves, but something this extreme is usually only for creatures that escape from the Everfree."
>You nod understandingly.
>It was your fault that your instincts got the better of you.
>But you were hungry.
>And they looked like the perfect snacks.
>Continuing to her kitchen, she pulls out what a-a-ap-p-p-pyaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh
>"Usually the bears would get this, but now that I've found a berry bush for them, I was gonna throw it away."
>Thro-what did she just say?
>It doesn't matter.
>This is perfect.
>A huge, raw, juicy steak dangles in front of you.
>It's literally dripping with blood.
>Fluttershy puts it down with her hooves and looks at you with a... a... you don't catch her expression.
>You don't care.
>The changes take affect.
>Your teeth grow, your eyes flare up, your nostrils taking in the pure scent of beef. Intoxicating.
>Your jaw retracts itself, stretching an impossible degree, fitting your teeth around the length of the steak.
>And with a swift motion, the steak is gone.
>And by the gods, this is pure ecstasy.
>Your eyes roll back as your taste buds take in all the flavors filling your mouth.
>Normally, you'd have to devour entire beings, fecal matter and all, in order to gain their knowledge, but this...
>A pure sleek fluid fills your mouth like nothing you've eaten before.
>This is way too good, this 'feels' way too good.
>It feels like your jaw is massaging itself against the savory slab.
>Your tongue guides itself through the fluids, licking every inch of it, before finally swallowing.
>A giant gulp is heard, and a moan escapes you, as you collapse onto the floor leaving you exhausted.
>Caught in the joys that are lean meats, you exhale a long held breathe of satisfaction.
>This... you could get used to this...
>Just then, you notice something.
>Someone's calling out to you.
>"Anon... Anon... hello? Oh dear, I knew this was a bad idea, and how horrifying, Twilight's family sure is... um... unique."
>Fluttershy walks up to you, picking you up from your coma and setting you down on the couch.
>The bunny grimaces, jumping off and giving Fluttershy a look of disgust.
>"Oh hush now Angel, he's our guest, we have to be considerate towards others." With Angel knowingly defeated, he slumps over to a nearby chair in the corner and sleeps on that instead.
>"Anon... wake up... you don't want to sleep all day do you?" This takes you out of your dopey trance.
"Uhh... what... huh? Where am I?"
>"Oh thank goodness, I thought you might have had a bad reaction, but I guess I was wrong." Fluttershy gives a warm smile as you remember what's happened.
>Twilight, check. Food, check.
>Alright, that seems to be it.
>Though you can't quite catch why blood has dried on your nose.
>Fluttershy notices you doing a check-over of yourself and decided to speak up. "Ah, that might have been what caused Angel to be so rash." You try to remember what she's talking about, but then it hits you.
>Of course, yes... that incident...
>You face palm internally.
>It only happened moments ago, yet you forgot it just as easily.
>You might need to control yourself when it comes to such a delicacy.
~AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAH, IT SURE IS WONDERFUL ISN'T IT~
>You grimace, knowing full well what it's referring to.
>Ignoring it, you get back to the task at hand.
"Where can I find more of what you gave me?"
>"Oh, the steak? I usually get imports from the griffons, since their butcher knows exactly how to handle it. That and he's the most merciful, in terms of how he handles his job." Fluttershy sits next to you in a cat-like pose. "If you want, I can uh... recommend him to your mother, if you'd like."
"Yes, that would be excellent. Thank you."
>You get up and off the couch and proceed to stretch your muscles.
"And I do, apologize, for the intrusion."
>"Oh, it's quite alright, in fact, Ive never seen anything like it." Fluttershy has experienced dealing with the more ferocious wildlife, but your display blew it all out of the water.
>The trance you put her in was unlike any other. And she could have sworn you were giving her a thousand yard stare that even she couldn't pull off.
>And it all happened so fast, she didn't know what to say until it was already too late. Left speechless as you fell to the floor.
>But even so, your animalistic nature has sparked her interest. "So um... is this your normal look, or is it something else?"
"As far as I know, yes, this is my normal form."
>"But how did you manage to do whatever that was, if that wasn't your regular form?"
"Within me lay four dormant sins, the one you witnessed is primal instinct, the most savage of the four, but not the most powerful, so I can quell it to a degree."
>"Sins? Why, that sounds like someone put a curse on you! Are you sure that's normal?" Fluttershy has some doubt in her mind, but wants it dashed away with your words.
"It is normal for me, I have been able to do it since birth."
>Fluttershy lightens up for you, making a smile almost identical to Twilight's. "Oh, well then, if it's OK with you of course. Could I maybe ummm... touch your mane?"
>What did she want with your mane?
>It didn't matter.
"I see no problem, go ahead."
>And so she does.
>Leaning down she retrieves your mane with her hooves and starts to play with it.
>Taking in the bulk of your long flowing hair, her hooves start to stroke across the luscious wild jungle.
>Which in turn, causes you to purr in delight.
>"O-Oh my, how adorable. It's just like the lion I visit every so often." The petting doesn't stop, and neither does your cat-like behavior.
>Fluttershy has a calm expression, smiling while petting your mane.
>She catches the few loose strands here and there, but overall keeps to the giant mass in front of her.
>You don't know why, but whenever something like this happens, you become putty in these mare's hooves.
>Your not sure if you should defend yourself or let it happen.
>But nothing instinctual tells you to stop it, so you let her continue.
>Fluttershy begins to hum a melody to herself which calms you even further.
>A sort of drowsy state overtakes you, causing you to close your eyes and enjoy the moment of peace.
>A hint of arrogance comes from the corner of the room, but you ignore it.
>Because you are enjoying this moment.
>To enjoy.
 
 
Chapter 5: The Deal with Discord
>"This is nice, isn't it Anon."
"Mmm... mmhmmm... yes..."
>It's been a while now, but you refuse to move.
>You could stay here forever.
>You wouldn't mind...
>But eventually, the petting stops.
>"Anon, your mane is very rare! no matter how much I try to straighten it, it goes back all frazzled like before. It's as if it's fixing itself."
>And she's right
>Your mane does fix it's straight ends in favor of the wild look.
>Though never had to deal with long hair before, it seems to have a mind of its own, which prevents you from accidently tripping on it.
>"Oooo~ mind if I have a look at it?"
>You immediately jump up, erasing your misty trance in an instant.
>Discord floats near the door, the same maniacal grin strewn across his face.
>"Oh Discord, what might you be here for?" Fluttershy was excited to see him, since he had been elsewhere for quite a while.
>"Oh I'm here for my new son of course!" Discord lifts you up from the ground and gives you a hug.
>Wait, what?
>Your 'his' son? But you thought you were given to Twilight.
>Fluttershy seems to have the same impression of confusion as you do. "B-but I thought he was Twilight's son!" But Discord dashes the question away with a swift motion from his paw.
>"Why of course she is. I'm just the 'actual' father. You see, I asked Twilight if she would oh so kindly take care of him, and she AGREED!" You've started to growl, his grasp on you tightening slightly.
>It doesn't hurt though, so you don't defend yourself.
>"And in chaotic terms... WERE GETTING MARRIED~!" Confetti and streamers shoot everywhere as Fluttershy is awestruck.
>"M-m-m-m-m-mah-m-mah-married!?" Fluttershy didn't know what to say. Should she be proud? Of course she was happy for Discord, but what of Twilight? Surely she couldn't handle a child 'as well as' Discord.
>So many things were popping up in her mind, and it is... overwhelming.
>Crazily overwhelming.
>Too... many... emotions...
>Your confusion increases as you try to comprehend on the emotions, but you've never felt anything like this.
>"Ah ah yes, of course the wedding ceremony will be a spectacle in of itself, if Twilight truly does agree to take care of dear little Anon here, then she'll have no choice, but to get married." Now Fluttershy had a hint of what was going on, she was still unsure of how it would all happen.
>And the big question looming the room...
>"WHY IN EQUESTRIA ARE YOU AND TWILIGHT GETTING MARRIED!?"
>Discord has bursted out laughing. All the while you are holding your ears.
>He did need his rest after all, and it seemed that the other is still at rest.
>Which means your ears have to take the brunt of it.
>"Oh Fluttershy, not to worry, this is all according to plan." But Fluttershy was having none of it.
>"Discord, marriage is a very serious thing. I can't allow you to take advantage of Twilight like this."
>Discord doesn't budge. "Oh come now Fluttershy, why ruin all the fun you all could have, and besides, this is all for Anon's benefit, not my own." Discord gives you a caring smile, putting you back down on the ground.
>Fluttershy didn't know what to do, should she stop Twilight before it's too late? But that would mean you'd be without a caring mother. So she had to make sure to talk to Twilight about this whole situation.
>"Discord, if you're telling the truth, and this 'his' all for Anon's sake, then I... uhm... I'll allow it, b-" but before she could finish, Discord gives her a bear hug.
>"Oh thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you my bestest friend in the whole entire world, you will not regret it!" And with that he snaps his fingers, teleporting both you and him outside.
>Right in front of the castle doors.
>Discord lowers down a bit to your height, giving you a sinister look. "And how 'are' you doing, son."
"I thought this 'Twilight Sparkle' would be my caretaker."
>"And she is! The perfect pony for the job, actually. And I will be your father in chaotic blood, aiding you along the way as any father would his son." Discord pats you on the head, causing you to scrunch up.
"And what is this 'marriage' you two were talking about?"
>"Oh just a mutual agreement among friends, though most ponies take it very seriously, like Fluttershy, when in truth it is just a celebration to a signed treaty. A waver of wills to seal a deal." Discord's attitude towards the subject tells you there's something more to it, but you don't want to argue.
>There would be no reason to.
"I'm OK with this, but I don't see the reasoning of signing a paper to agree on something."
>"You will, in due time Anon, so how about you wait here while I talk to the Miss's."
>So you do.
>Why would Discord want an agreement with Twilight?
>Was it to take care of you?
>It all made no sense to you.
>It was too bad that he was still asleep.
>He always made sense of things for you.
>And helped you when you needed it.
>You do not know why he gave you all those things, but he always took care of you.
>But you never had much change until now.
>Which has brought change in all of them...
>What 'is' this strange world around you?
>And why does it effect you like this?
>Looking up, you can see the sun laying bright in the sky.
>Clouds roam here and there, but nothing that special comes from it.
>Ponies continue out on their strolls while you wait for something important to happen.
>Anything really.
>But you can't.
>You wish you could.
>But then you hear something.
>Something coming from the castle.
>Screaming?
>Ah, Twilight is screaming...
>You are not OK with this.
>So you head on inside the castle.
 
 
>The screaming gets louder as you traverse the halls towards the main room.
>You can tell that the talk went well.
>As you make your way to the door, you see Spike hiding behind the tall doors.
>You can sense the fear in him, quite humiliating.
"Hello Spike."
>Spike jolts, nearly sending himself through the roof, but uneventfully falls back down to ground level. "A-Anon, didn't see you there, heheh." Spike tries to keep his cool, but that was long lost.
"What's happening? Is Twilight OK?"
>"Oh uh, Twilight? I'm sure shes fine."
>"DISCORD, I'M GONNA TEAR YOUR BUCKING THROAT OUT AND FEED IT TO MANDICORES!"
>"SAVE IT FOR THE HONEYMOON SWEETHEART~"
>Spike goes wide-eyed "Uhh, I suggest we duck."
>So you do.
>The door flies open moments later as a maniacally laughing Discord flies away as bolts of electric mists fly towards him, exploding on any impact they find.
>Discord escapes through a solid wall of crystal, before two bolts turn it to rubble, leaving the open sky in view, as well as a Discord, who flies away as quickly as he appeared.
>Which leaves a very frazzled Twilight in the middle of the room.
>Her mane resembles your wild look, and her eyes have that same crazed look, but strangely...
>You sense no true anger in her.
>Your not sure why, but something seems... off?
>Twilight notices you and Spike and quickly tries to fix her mane like before, which she isn't very successful with, like before.
>"I'm so sorry Spike, and you too Anon." But Spike reassures her.
>"It's nothing to worry about Twilight, Discord's always been able to get under people's skin." Spike walks to a nearby cabinet, pulling out a brush and fixing Twilight's mane for her. "I'm sure that if any other pony were in your decision, they'd do the same thing."
>This causes Twilight to brighten up from her agitated state. "Thanks Spike, I appreciate it." Twilight was so glad she had friends like Spike to cheer her up. She wouldn't be able to deal with this otherwise.
"Twilight, are you alright?"
>"Of course Anon, don't worry about me." Twilight meant it when she said not to worry. She already had enough on her plate as it was.
>But you saw otherwise.
>Because you recognized the emotions she was displaying.
>It was faint, but you felt it nonetheless.
~G?o?o?d?, oh g?oo?d? ?fo?r you~
>You ignore it.
"Twilight... Spike, could you leave for us?"
>Spike gets caught off guard and Twilight's look grows worrisome.
>Spike takes in the vibe in the room, and decides that best it's best to leave the two of you alone.
>Which leaves you near the entrance, the doors closing behind you, and Twilight at the middle of the room, sitting at her chair, with a curious feel about her.
"Twilight, I do not know what Discord plans, but he says it is for my well being. Is this true?"
>Twilight is surprised to say the least. She wasn't expecting Discord to tell you much, but it did make it easier to explain. "Well... yes. He is doing this for your well being. The only thing I really do hate is the fact that I do... have to... marry... him..."
"But why?"
>"Well, when Discord went over his options, he had to pick me to take care of you, because only I am able to."
"What do you mean?"
>"What I'm getting at is the fact that, well... I'm the only one capable of controlling the 'voices' you talk about."
>What?
"You can control them? I do not believe that."
>Twilight grows with doubt, but continues to talk. "For one thing, my friends wouldn't be able to handle you, and sure Fluttershy was able to deal with one according to what Discord has told me, but the others would take advantage of her." Twilight begins to choke up, releasing waves of confusion. "And now that I realize that Discord has tasked me to take care of you, I'm... I'm... not sure... if I should be honored or..." tears are now flowing freely down her face.
>She's now crying in confusion, trying to find a way to take care of you.
>In a single day, she has gave you love, compassion, and has started showing you the beauty of friendship all in one day.
>And now it was all about to be taken away from her if she didn't agree to marry.
"Twilight."
>She picks her head up from her somber mood. "Y-yes? Anon?"
"Why are you crying? Is their more to this than a signed paper?"
>Twilight looks even more confused now, but at least she's stopped crying. "Signed paper? What?"
"Discord has told me that a marriage is a sort of celebration towards an agreement. Why are you crying? Shouldn't you be... uhm... happy?
>"Well it isn't just about the agreement Anon, it's a whole lot more than that. When a pony marries another pony, they do it out of love for another, and well... I can't stand him. He's obnoxious, he jokes about everything, he's arrogant, and-"
"You do not hate him."
>Twilight pauses. "What? Well no, but still..."
"I do not see the problem. Most of the emotions you are feeling are of confusion. You are hiding something, but it's from yourself. What are you hiding?"
>Twilight goes wide-eyed, surprise clear on her face. "Y-you, I mean uhm... erm..."
"And if you both agree to... love me... then doesn't that count?"
>Twilight is speechless. She can't argue with your logic. You were, overall, right on the subject. The only thing that she didn't want was to regret marrying someone she couldn't love, but if it was all for you, then she really couldn't care less who she would have to marry. She'd just have to suck it up.
>And now the only thing she could do, was make Discord... love someone...
>But that was for another day.
>"Thank you Anon." She pulls you into a warm embrace, and some tentacles appear to pull her in towards you, accepting her warmth. "I love you."
>And with that, there is only one thing you could say.
"I love you too. Mom."
 
 
Chapter 6: Apples Come from Trees
>"Spike, you can come in now."
>Spike opens the door and walks into the new sight.
>"Oh man, are those the tentacles from yesterday? Did Anon cry again?"
>Twilight laughs it off. "Oh no, this time it was the other way around, but that's not the problem right now."
>Spike perks up. "It isn't?" He then looks at you. "...He isn't letting go is he?"
>Twilight gives the brightest smile she can muster and proudly announces her answer. "Nope!"
>Spike face palms and takes the seat across from the two of you.
>"So... what now? We gonna toss him to the curb or-" Twilight gives him an angry glare, shutting him up quite effectively.
>"Of course not, he is my son after all." Twilight pets your heads as you nuzzle more into her, letting out a squeak.
>"Oh brother." you could taste the annoyance in Spike, but it felt good.
>You couldn't help yourself, and it seemed that a certain someone couldn't either.
~Like I said earlier~
>Yeah, yeah. Fucker.
~HMMM? PLAYING FAVORITES AGAIN?~
>You don't know what he's referring to, bu-
~OF COURSE I KNOW, I JUST DON'T LIKE THE LIVING~
>Or anything organic in material...
~YOU CAN'T LIE TO US~
>Whatever.
>"Anon?" Twilight takes you away from the argument.
"Huh?"
>"Talking to them again?" Twilight didn't seem to mind, in fact, she was still giving her motherly smile bright as ever.
"Yes. Three have awoken. One sleeps."
>This catches Twilight's interest. "Wait a minute, so they can all sleep separately?"
"Not exactly, if I sleep, they sleep. Though some can push through with will of their own."
>This intrigues Twilight further. "Really? Er... does that mean that one was awake while you were holding me?"
"Only for protection, but yes."
>"Hmmm... they seem more affectionate than I thought they would be."
~I'll kill her~
"No you won't"
>"What?"
"Nothing important."
>"Ah." Twilight had a playful smirk on as she moved towards the kitchen, dragging you along with her. "Oh wow, they really do see me as a safe haven don't they?"
>Twilight then proceeds to kiss one of them, which causes it to shrivel and die.
"I wouldn't recommend doing that. My appendages cannot handle the amount of emotion in your kisses."
>"Well it's good to know anyways." Her smile hasn't changed. "So Anon, what do you want to do before school starts?"
>What you wanted to do?
>You didn't exactly want to do anythi-Oh yeah.
"Fluttershy is recommending a butcher from the griffons that makes this very delectable steak."
>Twilight perks up a bit. "Really? That's great! Though I don't fancy the idea of meat in the fridge, I'm sure Spike can think of something."
>Yes, this is good.
>A nice steady delivery of the best thing in the world right to your doorstep.
>Twilight could see the amounts of drool falling to the ground, but decides it to be another job for Spike.
>So the both of you make you way out the room as Spike begins to make himself some gems.
>Giving you the sight of busy streets and calm weather.
>Twilight stops by some of the shops that you past to talk to some of the shopkeepers while you take in more of your surroundings.
>Everywhere you look is bright colors and smiles all around.
>The more you look, the more you notice how lively it is.
>Really lively... too lively...
>"Like I said the first time, either you take it or you leave it!"
>A mixture of irritation and ignorance fills your being as you look at one of the passing stalls.
>The apple seller appears to be having some problems with one of the ponies.
>Twilight has also noticed and the both of you walk up to see what the commotion is about.
>"Well, I don't see the problem paying only 2 bits for these." A snobby pony with prepped up hair was arguing with.
>"Applejack!" Twilight lights up with excitement seeing her friend.
>Though the snobbish pony doesn't take it too kindly.
>"Can't you see we are walking over here?" But Applejack ignores her.
>"Twilight, oh thank goodness, can you do me a favor and get this varmint out of here so that I can sell my apples?"
>"Why I never! You are going to sell me that basket of apples for 4 bits and that is final."
>"And I will repeat myself, that's straight up highway robbery. I can't sell any random pony that low a price, I got a job to keep."
>The pony wasn't letting up on Applejack. "I'll have you know that apple baskets where I come from only go for 4 bits, and I expect nothing more."
"That was a lie."
>Applejack, Twilight, and the pony shoot varying looks at you, Twilight out of shock, Applejack out of curiosity, and the most prominent.
>The pony out of pure disgust. "Excuse me? To you take me for a fool? And you are just a foal, a pony your age wouldn't know any better."
"But you clearly lied. In front of everyone. It was as clear as the sky above. I'm saying that you did lie. There is no truth coming from you."
>The pony, clearly filled with disdain, refused to listen to you. "I've had enough of this, clearly ponyville does not need my services, so I will be leaving. Goodbye."
>And just like that, she left.
>And Applejack looks very happy. "Boy howdy! And I thought I was calling her bluff! Say, what's your name little fella?"
"Anonymous. But ponies call me Anon."
>"Mm weird name, not from here are you?" Twilight interjects.
>"Actually no, this is my new son." This causes Applejack to tense up.
>"Son!? Whatya mean you your new son? Don't tell me you finally found a certain some pony did you?" This causes Twilight to blush.
>"W-what? Of course not! hehe... I'm just taking care of him is all."
>Now Applejack is curious. "Ah, so he's adopted?"
>"Well, yeah, kind of... you see... mmm" Twilight didn't know how to explain the situation to Applejack. Of course she should tell Applejack what's going on, but even more so the whole predicament with what you had gone through.
>"Actually, I'll have to talk to you about that later Applejack. A whole lot has been going on, so talking to a friend like you would probably be the best I could do." Applejack gives a reassuring smile.
>"No worries Twilight, I'll always be there to help a friend in need."
>"Thank you, Applejack." And now Applejack faces you.
>"And this little fella knows sure does know his stuff don't he? I knew that varmint was lying under her teeth, but I just couldn't blurt it out like you did. So here." Applejack hands you the basket of apples that the pony was heckling her about. "Take it, as a thanks for the honesty."
"I was only telling the truth as I saw it."
>"That you did, little guy." Applejack rubs your head.
>She has a very strong rub.
>"Anon, this is Applejack, Applebloom's sister and the element of honesty." Applejack takes her hat off and bows.
>"Pleasure to meet'cha Anon." Putting her hat back on, she gives you a hearty smile.
"The pleasure is mine. Tell me, what is honesty?"
>This peaked Applejack's interest. "Well I'll be, you sound just like Twilight when she stumbled into here all them months ago." Twilight smiled, feeling more like a mother and her son. "Honesty is telling the truth to others, even when it don't feel right, and I'm as down to earth as it gets when it comes to honesty." and then she looks at you. "But I think we might be up for a competition soon." giving you a wink.
>You are puzzled, but understand what she means.
>It's what you've been trained to do.
>"Thanks for the explanation, Applejack. I knew you'd be the best pony to talk about honesty."
>"No worries Twilight, and thanks again Anon."
"Your welcome."
>And so the two of you carry on to school, leaving Applejack to her work.
 
 
>You've now made it to school.
>And all the colts and fillies have started to pile into the tiny building.
>Aside from a select few that are still trying to have their conversations.
>"I'll be stopping by at Fluttershy's to talk about that butcher, so in the meantime Spike should be able to take care of you once you get home."
"Ok."
>"Alright, I love you sweetie." Twilight gives you a kiss on the cheek, causing you to 'blush'.
"Nngh... I love you too Mom."
>Twilight nods and trots off back into town, leaving you alone.
>You decide to go inside, but before you do, your interrupted by... them again.
>"Hello~ sorry but I couldn't help but notice that a little 'some pony' got in trouble last night" Diamond sneers.
>Silver snickers behind her, trying to extract a reaction out of you.
>But are disappointing when you don't even flinch.
"School is about to start. You should head inside."
>"Hmph, and how is school more important than showing a pony his rightful place?"
"Because I already made an example of you. So move."
>You can see the fear in their faces, the events of yesterday clearly written in their minds.
>"W-well, your just lucky that you have a Princess as a mother. If you weren't so lucky, I would have your hooves all over you, got that?"
>And so they walk into the school.
>But inside, you could taste their defeat.
>Victory has always tasted sweet.
>But there's a bitterness that you could never get out of your mouth.
>Only good things come from victory, so why must the aftertaste always ruin it?
>You make your way through the doors and into the school leaving the two behind to contemplate how to deal with the dilemma before them.
>Taking your chair, you look around.
>The ones in front sit patiently, waiting for Ms. Cheerilee get up from her desk and start.
>Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo talk to one another across the room in hushed whispers.
>Diamond and Silver get a portion of the conversation sitting in the front with Applebloom, but don't hear the rest.
>As for you, you don't care to listen to them.
>You are trying to get something out of your mind.
~Kel oiches~
>What does?
~Sa'garoth elkelh~
>You fail to see his point, but class is starting it seems.
>So you sit up and listen to Ms. Cheerilee.
>But the two in front are making it very hard.
>Whenever Ms. Cheerilee turns around, Diamond will take a piece of paper, crumple it, and throw it at you, before returning her attention to the teacher.
>You easily catch them with your hooves and toss them into the trash.
>Then Silver takes a straw and shoots a wad of wet paper at you.
>So you use your hair to block it and throw it in the trash.
>Though it's lucky that she hasn't looked back up from the chalkboard.
>And no one in particular has been paying attention to this one sided assault.
>Except for Scootaloo.
>She seems to be watching very absent-minded of the teacher.
>And she is awed at how great your doing.
>She's probably witnessed something to this degree before.
>Maybe of nostalgia.
>Oh goodness... she's feeling envy...
>Please don't tell me...
~Her? ?mi?nd ?is? clea?r, your?s? ?i?s ?n?o?t,? fix? t?he wo?unds a?n?d? ?t?h?e ?be?a?st w?i?ll? ?c?ome~
>Ah, so it isn't you.
~Har?d?ly, ?m?y wo?r?k? i?s? ?a l?ot m?or?e th?o?r?oug?h? ?t?h?a?n? ?na?t?u?res? c?o?ur?se~
>You nod as another paper flies your way.
>And now the teacher has turned around.
>"Scootaloo, Anon! Passing papers are we?" Cheerilee looked agitated, and Scootaloo grew in fear.
"No. The two in front have been throwing papers at me."
>"And you expect me to believe that? You two will be staying after school today, and I'm sure both your parents wouldn't mind a bit of discipline for your lack of attention."
>You guess it isn't as easy as telling the truth.
>They have to believe you as well.
>Persuade.
>Damn it. Manipulation would be the best answer here.
>But a few minutes lost to more lecture won't hurt you.
>Though Scootaloo doesn't seem to agree. "We weren't doing anything, it was them!"
>"Scootaloo, no talking back to me or it's extra hours for the both of you!"
>Scootaloo quickly shuts up and lowers in her seat, defeated.
>And as Cheerilee turns back to the chalkboard, Diamond and Silver snicker.
>They will pay.
 
>The lesson goes on smoothly, and now class has ended.
>Today we learned about basic multiplication and division and tomorrow will be a test of the all the subjects.
>As the students leave, Diamond and Silver give an evil grin your way before leaving.
>Scootaloo is not happy to say the least. "Gosh darn it, I hate it when they do this stuff, somehow I'm always the one to get caught up in it."
"If you paid attention to the teacher, it would have only been my problem."
>"I well... it just looked crazy how you were deflecting all those papers, and whats with your hair?" Soon later the other two come over.
>"Anon, are you ok? I saw all the papers flying around, but I wasn't sure if you were ok or not." But Scootaloo reassures Sweetie Belle.
>"Nah, Anon had it in the bag, it was mostly my fault for being so distracted." She looks down at the ground, disappointing at herself when Applebloom nudges her.
>"Hey, we all make mistakes, don't let them get to you." Scootaloo looks up, wiping her eyes, even though nothing is there.
>"Thanks, I can always count you guys to be there for me." and the both of them smile.
>"Hey, it's what friends are for." they say in unison, snickering at their own innuendo.
>What friends are for...
>A very basic need, yet it takes so much to find what a true friend is...
>No matter how you hear it, it doesn't seem to match what the ponies around you share.
>As if something more is there.
>You can feel it.
>Sweetie Belle and Applebloom take exit out the door, leaving you, Scootaloo, and Ms. Cheerilee.
>"Hello Scootaloo and Anon. Now that everyone has left, we can get started."
>The both of you sit at attention, wondering what she might have in mind.
>Ms. Cheerilee pulls out two pieces of chalk, both twice as long as the one she was using in class. "Because were gonna have a very special lesson about what we've studied today." As she explains what's going to happen, she pulls out a paper with what appears to be the math test tomorrow. "You were going to take this test tomorrow, but... because you both look confident enough to take it without having to listen to what I have to say, you're going to take 'my' test." She lays a pan-flit onto the table, with a 'flap' echoing in the room.
>Scootaloo's eyes go wide. "How are we supposed to do all that!? There's no way we can finish this!" but Cheerilee interrupts.
>"Either you finish this today, or you will do it tomorrow... in front of the whole class." This causes Scootaloo to jump.
>"The whole class?" Her pupils dilate to minuscule dots identical to that of a pencils markings.
"Simple. I will do it."
>Scootaloo looks at you with complete dismay. She can't get out of this situation, and prolonging the inevitable would only make it worse, so she had no choice but to help in whatever way she could. "Alright, I'll do it too."
>Ms. Cheerilee puts on a smirk and starts listing off questions one after another.
>"1 + 6"
"7"
>"12 + 8"
"20"
>"12 * 8"
"96"
>"54 / 9"
"6"
>"59 - 62"
"-3"
>Scootaloo is awestruck.
>Both you and Cheerilee go at it for a while, but neither of you hesitate to say or answer a single question.
>Because she has a paper to read them off.
>And you already know what the answer to all of them is.
>Ms. Cheerilee sits back in her chair with a final huff and gets up. "Wow, I never thought I'd have any pony do that good on something I've given..." and then she looks at you. "But I guess being Twilight's son does have it's perks." she gives a warm smile, knowing that you won't have a problem in her class. She finally has the perfect student, and now she only needs to teach you the history of the land.
>But it really had nothing to do with Twilight.
>Though you don't discourage her from her hopes.
>Instead you look at Scootaloo, who seems to be standing in disbelief at how good you did.
>"I-I uuh... wha? how? This is..." She didn't know how to respond how good you did. No hesitation, no falter, no clumsiness. It was spot-on and she couldn't believe her own eyes.
>So she lets out a long held breathe and falls to the ground, passing out in the most umpleasent manner.
>Right on her face.
>But she doesn't get back up, so Ms. Cheerilee walks up to her with a glint of disappointment before turning to you. "You're free to go 'Prince' Anonymous. I will take care of Scootaloo for the time being, so no need to worry."
>This catches your attention.
"Prince?"
>"Yes, prince. You are the son of royalty. So it is how you will be addressed in the future, if you ever go to a place like Canterlot with your mother." Cheerilee gives you a warm smile before you exit the room.
>Leaving you outside the school.
>With two fillies waiting for you.
>This will be a long day.
 
 
Chapter 7: Diamonds are Breakable
>The two are laughing in the distance.
>You decide that you want to talk to them.
>Walking up, they go down to a snicker, trying to hold it in the best they can.
>"Well? How was it?" Diamond is trying her best to stop laughing, but it just keeps going.
"I aced the test."
>They stop laughing and look at you with mixed looks of confusion and disbelief.
>"You aced the test?" Silver couldn't contain herself, now sporting a curious look.
"Every single question answered. Scootaloo passed out."
>This causes Diamond to burst out laughing. "Hahahahaha, I knew she wouldn't be able to handle it!"
"She passed out because I answered them all correctly."
>And now she's back to confused silence.
"Diamond, Silver, what do you gain from belittling others?"
>This snaps both of them out of their trance. "What we gain?"
>Diamond answers for Silver. "We have a reputation to hold here in Ponyville, and because we're the most important fillies you'll ever meet, it's our job to show 'you' how 'we' do things. Right Silver Spoon?"
>"Right, Diamond Tiara" like a parrot answering its owner.
~Reminds me of something~
>Hmm?
~Remember the weak~
>Ah, those.
>Looking at the two of them, their confidence has returned.
>"So, are you ready to be put in your place?" Diamond Tiara taps her hooves together, summoning two colts from no where in particular. "Snips, Snails, please show our guest here why 'I' am not to be trifled with."
>"Don't worry, we'll show'em what's what"
>"Yeah... what are we doing again?"
>Snips whispers something into Snails ears and Snails eyes pop up. "Oh yeah, that."
>And now they've taken battle stances.
>Very.
>Horrid.
>Battle stances.
>You question how they've survived thus far.
>The two dash at you at pathetic speeds, 'attempting' to nail you in the head with a 'punch'.
>You stop Snails in his path, blocking his hoof and deflect Snips into a nearby fence.
>Taking his hoof, you dislocate it towards his back.
>A head-wrenching crack is heard as you force a horrific yelp out of him.
>"Snails!" Snips rushes towards him as as Snails starts to cry.
>"Owhow, I-I-I-I can't feel my hoohoohoohoof." as Snips tries to comfort his friend, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are utterly shocked.
>Diamond has started yelling at you in a panic. "I-A-Are you crazy! You just broke is hoof!"
"You shouldn't send random colts after me."
>Now Silver is yelling at you. "T-This is too much! That was completely unnecessary! Oh Celestia, we need to go to the hospital."
"We don't need to go to the hospital."
>"But you just crippled a pony!"
"I can fix it. I didn't break any limbs. It was a simple dislocation."
>Silver tries to talk more sense into you, but Snips stops her. "Y-y... 'sniff'... can you really fix it?"
"Yes. I only need to fix it."
>So they let you.
>Walking up to the mess in front of you, Snails is pouring with tears.
>Taking his head, you shove it into the ground as you grasp the hoof with yours, pushing it towards the air.
>A another crack is heard and now he's screaming into the ground.
>At least you don't have to hold your ears.
>Another snap towards the ground and a lunge to the left.
>Pushing the hoof back towards the ground, a final crack is heard as the screaming has now stopped.
>The three of them stand in horrified silence as you walk off the potential corpse.
>That is until Snails gets up one all fours, with a bright smile on his face. "Ay, I can't feel a thing, you know!"
>"Snails!" The two give each other a passionate embrace before returning their eyes to you.
>"Oh I don't know how to thank you for saving Snails' life. How can we ever repay you?" This could be the perfect opportunity to... no.
"He wasn't going to die, I stopped him before he could hurt himself."
>"But he still got hurt, and by you! That makes it worse!" Diamond is fuming in rage with how reckless you acted in mere moments. How could some pony do that to another? How could he even do it in the first place?! She was so angry and confused, it only fueled the flames that were about to be doused in a matter of seconds.
"But instead of seeing him as a klutz, you saw a monster hurting a innocent. Did you not?"
>They lay on their flanks speechless.
>But then Snips speaks up. "But then what about me, you didn't break my hoof."
"There is no need. The harm of one will lead the masses."
>You have learned this through experience.
>A crucial fact in breaking your own world.
>And now you know it works in this world as well.
>So you walk passed Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who are still stunned.
>Leaving them to their own devices.
>The walk through town is uneventful, the occasional pony either flying too fast or running too fast, bumping into you.
>But other than the more than active streets during the afternoon, a familiar feeling catches you like a spark.
>Looking back, you see Snails running towards you.
>He runs up and quickly shoves something into your hair before running past you into the roaming crowd.
>It looks like his appendage is doing fine to say the least.
>Your hair distorts the loan gift into your hooves, allowing you to unfold the parchment for you to read.
'Anonymous, I cannot describe in words how you were able to come up with such a ludicrous answer to a simple exchange of fists, but because you were able to fix the problem and... teach me something valuable... I would like to inquire on your behavior tomorrow, if that is adequate to your needs.   Diamond Tiara '
>What could she want with you?
>You thought that injuring one of her subordinates with relative ease would scare her away.
>But she fought back.
>Like them.
>And now she has grown curious of your behavior? The notion is laughable at most.
>But it would make sense if she wanted to learn how an opponent played its cards.
>Though you can't count the amount of cards you have in your hand.
>And the only thing preventing you from using them are rules.
>But rules will always be set in a game.
>It's just what makes it fair.
>You wonder what Twilight keeps around at her castle.
>Maybe she has a game you can play.
>It would bring some joy while you wait.
>But for now you have to get to the castle.
 
 
>You stand at the doors of the castle once more and knock.
>After a few seconds you hear a faint "Wait a second." come from Spike who is probably a little down the hall.
>Spike opens up the castle doors and lets you in. "Hey man, how was school?"
"I broke a colt's leg, but I fixed it by relocating the bone."
>Spike cringes. "Ouch, wait... you said that you broke his leg?"
"Yes."
>"Why did you break a colt's leg?!"
"He tried to hit me"
>"But you can't just hurt any pony, didn't Twilight give you a list of rules to follow?" Spike was trying to act condescending, but was failing in terms of stature.
"She did, but the voices are in slumber."
>Spike was still curious as to how those things in your head worked, seeing that they could manipulate the world around you, as well as your own body. "How exactly do they work? Do they remember and do stuff for you?"
"One remembers, another protects, one laughs, and another wishes of death."
>Spike pauses. "What was that last one?"
"One wishes of death, sweet release, in hopes of revival yet again."
>"Jeez, and I thought I had it rough. It must be a pain having to listen to that all day, right?"
"It becomes boring through time, but occasionally he tells of the sands of time, usually of the past."
>Spike was peaked at all the things he was learning, and he wanted to learn more. "So he can, like, learn what might have happened, but not whats going to happen?"
"He can do both, but the case of the future is very rare."
>"Ah, yeah that sounds neat. I wish I had something like that..." But then he shakes his hands in defense. "Not like that though, more like just a voice that could tell me random facts, you know, like a history book or something."
>You stare at him for a moment, before the two of you start to walk through the hall way.
>Spike seems to be in some sort of pain. "Jeez, I sound more like Twilight every day. I swear her facts and lectures are contagious."
"Does she rant too?"
>"How'd you know?"
"According to how you've described her thus far, and the ludicrous amount of rules she listed, I'd say she rants about things on occasions"
>Spike takes his claw and brushes you off. "Oh man, you don't even know the half of it. Imagine having to sit through a whole lecture. It's crazy!"
>The both of you make it through the hall and up the staircase, making it into the main throne room.
>Spike takes a seat on Twilight's chair and eats away at his lunch.
>So that was what he was doing.
>"So Anon, want to do anything?"
"Do you have any games?"
>"Games? Huh, never took you for a the game-type." Spike ponders for a moment before getting up and looking into one of the cupboards, pulling out a multitude of boxed games. "Here are the games that Twilight used to play as a foal, though we never got to getting rid of these things, so I guess its your lucky day." Spike places the giant pile onto the table. "Take your pick."
>Looking through the pile, you find a letter game called "Scrapple", a linear game "Collect Pone", "Monopony", you guess they just try to put anything relating to ponies into the game.
>Throwing some across the room and others onto the chairs, you finally find one that interests you.
>"Castle Kingdom"
>It appears that you build up a kingdom out of little nic nacs until you eventually take over the other persons kingdom through conquest, negotiations, and... peace?
>As you shuffle through the deck, you find a single peace card, declaring peace among two kingdoms.
>Maybe it isn't meant to be played by only two players.
>But you suppose that removing the card for a two player game wouldn't hurt.
>So taking the card and swallow it whole, while facing away from Spike.
>"Uh, you OK there Anon?"
"Yes. I want to play this game."
>"'Castle Kingdom' huh? Well, guess it can't hurt being King hehe. Though Twilight always thought I'd make a better jester." Spike begins to set up the board while you settle into a seat with balloons printed onto it.
>"It's time to prove her wrong!" You both take 4 cards and put your kings in their designated castles.
>You place down a barracks card, giving you a foundation to train soldiers.
>Spike places down a farms card, allowing himself to the ability to grow crops at a faster pace.
>You both draw a card and continue through.
>You continue to advance your armies through archery upgrades and bombardment tactics while Spike has grown his army through numbers, teaching them how to fly through 'Pegasus Adaption' and how to use lances.
>Drawing another card, you smile.
"Just what I needed."
>Placing a watchtower card down, you shut down Spike's pegasus advancements for 4 turns, forcing him to focus more on the kingdom.
>But two turns in Spike lights up. "Hah! My pegasi will be hindered no longer!" as he places down a one of the natural clause cards 'earthquake' ridding the area of any structures build too far from the enemy kingdom.
>You grimace, but continue on with more advancements to your army.
>The both of you send your armies to combat as the board is covered in miniature ponies and pegasi, resembling a raging battle of spirits.
>Multitudes of forces are defeated, but you stand firm as more disaster cards come your way, with a blizzard card making Spikes forces impossible to advance.
>Your troops drill through his empty tactics, making Spike sweat profusely.
>Drawing his next card, he lets out a breathe of relief as he casts 'fiery depths', making it impossible for your ground forces to advance any further towards his kingdom. "Oh man, you're giving me a run for my money."
>Placing down a bombardment card, you destroy some of his cloud barracks before 'fiery depths' wears off.
>Making your way to the castle, destroying as much as possible, Spike is shaken up. "Jeez, you don't have to destroy the civilian homes, they don't even do anything."
"If you surrender your kingdom to me, I will stop. Either way, you will lose at this point."
>Spike becomes more shaken as more and more of the houses around his castle become rubble. "Dude, just, do it!"
and now hes getting angry.
"Are you going to surrender?"
>"This is too much man, not even Twilight was this ruthless on the board." Spike didn't know what to do. Should he surrender now or should he wait for you to make the right choice and take down the castle. Spike was hoping for you to stop and do it, to make the right choice... but it never came.
>As the last civilian house falls to your army, you finally start the assault on the castle.
>Spike doesn't throw down a single card as you take the castle, throwing his king chip to the side, taking victory. "That was so uncalled for man! You could have just destroyed my castle and won!"
"It's a board game Spike. It isn't real."
>"But what if it was? What if you really did kill all those people?"
"If they were real, you would have surrendered before I had made it to your kingdom."
>"Well I-uhm..." Spike couldn't say no, he probably would have, he just didn't like the fact that you destroyed the civilian houses. What if that happened to Canterlot? or the Crystal Empire? Or all of Equestria? The amount of questions would be vast, but they never had valid answers, and who would surrender their entire kingdom to a tyrant?
>You hop off the chair and gaze at him as he cleans up the table, putting all the pieces and cards back into the case.
"Do I have a room?"
>Spike takes a second to think, and snaps his fingers together. "Back downstairs next to Twilight's bedroom. She said that the closer you sleep to her, the better it would be for the both of you, whatever that means."
>You shrug and walk out the door to head to your room.
 
 
Chapter 8: Bedtime Troubles
>You go inside your room.
>Looking around, you notice the bed in the middle end of the room.
>A queen sized bed with tiny encrusted gems on every intersection of ruby-colored stripes.
>Making up the canvas is a portrait of what looks like an ocean and clouds weaved into the thick fabric.
>In the middle of the room lays a round crimson carpet with a oceanic exterior of teal.
>A few toys are scattered in a corner, probably from Twilight's past as a filly.
>You pick up what appears to be a worn out pony doll and stare at it.
>You can feel the love left over from her times.
>Enhancing your right eye, it is confirmed.
>In fact, every single thing in here is coated in vast amounts of love.
>You want to... thank her...
>You don't know how she managed to do this, but feel at peace in this room.
>Walking up into the bed, you make yourself at home, patting the bed like that of a cat making its bed.
>And within a few more seconds, you lay down and close your eyes, letting rest take you.
>...
>... Hmmm?
>You still seem to be awake.
>No...
>Looking around, the surroundings of the room has changed to that of a pitch black void.
>Getting up, you look down to see that you're standing on a single plate of metal matching the colorization around you.
>And you seem to have had a change in appearance.
>Your mane flows like that of the pitch black skies of the new moon.
>Your canines show naturally and your wings are of natural green feathers.
>But more importantly...
>A long horn protrudes out of your forehead, glowing intensely in a holy white.
>You try to take it all in, it makes no sense to you.
>You look almost like a small version of your mother.
>But then it speaks before you can think further of all of this.
~It comes~
"Someone seeks entrance here?"
~Indeed~
"Let them in."
>And it does so.
>The void around you evaporates into the air, creating a peaceful field and clear blue sky.
>And standing in the middle of the field is a scarlet blue pony.
>She has wings and a horn like your mother, but has a taller stature compared to her.
>Walking up to her, she notices the sounds of rustling and turns to look at you.
>"Hello Anonymous."
"Greetings. Who are you, and how did you get here?
>"I am Princess Luna, co-ruler of Equestria, and as to how I got here..." She uses her horn, casting a mist which forms into a mirror-like image of you sleeping on the bed.
>So she hasn't moved you.
>"I can enter the dreams of all the ponies me and my sister have domain over." she walks over to you, a smile on her face. "Tell me young one, art thy abilities like Twilight describes?"
~The speech of royals? Olden times don't doth me justice princess~
>This causes Luna to go wide-eyed. "Doth thee speaketh the language of our forefathers?" the hints of excitement do her no justice.
"I do not, but the voice does."
>"Ah, the voices mentioned in Twilight's letter." She ponders for a moment to collect her thoughts. "They are of olden times, far beyond our age, but our ancestors have met these voices you speak of through the ages.
"You have?"
>"Indeed, they affect all that exists, though some worlds have exiled them through means of power and redemption, other worlds aren't that lucky..." A somber look takes her.
>You've affected your world, but you do not know of the activities they have done in the past.
"What is your purpose for coming here?"
>Luna quickly gathers her composer. "Oh, yes, I am here to greet our newest prince and tell him of the formalities that go with the royal status."
"What are these formalities that I require?"
>"They are simple, and because you are of a young age, most do not apply to you, but it is required that I tell them to you so that you know the basics of becoming a bright and young prince." she gives you a warm smile before berating off the list of rules and regulations to you.
>Most of the rules listed off are pointed towards ruling a kingdom, requiring you to check food and shelter usage, job stability, and... magic mitigation?
"Could you repeat that last one?"
>"Oh, you mean the rule of limited magics? Yes it is for unicorns who can't control themselves around others and decide that the best way to celebrate a 'party' would be to blow it up.
>You look at her suspiciously, making her sweat a bit. "I did not partake in such behavior."
"Whatever you say."
>Luna blushes before walking further up the hill towards the sunrise, so you follow.
>The both of you look at the sun as it rises, giving you both a sense of peace.
>"Your dream so very vast. It's surprising actually."
"How so?"
>"Most ponies aren't able to create such vast dreams, in fact, most are at least the size of a room, but this... this is incredible." as she looks at the surroundings in awe, you think for a moment.
>More vast areas, yet you don't try to create them.
>Could this maybe represent the void in your heart?
>Yet it feels so peaceful, it can't possibly represent what you feel.
>"Perhaps I could visit more often?" Luna has a hopeful smile plastered on her face as you gaze at the sun in the distance.
"I suppose."
>"Wonderful!" Luna pulls you into a hug, causing you to nuzzle into an her.
>Her mane flows freely in the wind as does yours in this dream landscape.
>Her blue midnight shines as yours sparkles in adolescent darkness.
>And... the hug feels nice.
>They have always felt nice.
>"You know, I never expected Twilight's son to be so forthright with his feelings." you look up to see a smirk on her face.
"I am currently learning how to use 'emotions'."
>Luna perks up at this. "Really now? Do tell young Anonymous."
"I have learned of love, kindness, and honesty. The emotion of love is strong. Kindness is a given among others. And honesty is shown to those you trust."
>"That sounds perfect, but do remember that not all can be trusted."
"I know."
>"Good" Luna begins to use her horn, enveloping herself into the mist. "I'll be watching over you when you dream, always remember that, Anonymous."
>And moving into the sky, she disappears out of thin air, leaving your dreamscape.
>And soon after, the void returns, wiping away the vastness that was your true dream.
>Turning into pure darkness.
~REMEMBER THE KEY, Th?i?n?k ?of? ?th?e? ?p?ast, ea'cheapamir, It must come~
>...
 
 
>You wake up.
>Your still in your room.
>Everything lays untouched except the door, which has been closed.
>You get up and open your door, looking around the halls.
>Nothing has changed.
>The blue crystals glisten and the doors are left closed
>A faint humming is heard from the room opposite to yours and audible sizzling comes from upstairs.
>You wonder what might be happening upstairs, but decide it's more important to see what is happening in the room before you.
>So you open the door and head inside.
>...
>"ANON! What your you doing?!"
"Am I doing something wrong?"
>"Yes! I mean, I haven't even got my mane do-... GET OUT!"
>Twilight quickly covers you in mist and levitates you back outside before slamming the door shut.
>...
>That was weird.
>Why did Twilight react like that?
>The moment comes and goes and you are puzzled thinking of what to make of the event.
>So you decide to see what Spike is doing upstairs.
>And that is when you smell it...
>This smell...
>It is of seared flesh and bone.
>And other mixtures are hitting your nostrils with full force.
>And it's making you hungry.
>Heading upstairs, you see Spike preparing a steak on what looks to be an oven-top.
>Powered with the mist like before, it cooks the steak to perfection as Spike finishes it off with a good helping of green-lit fire from his nozzle.
>"Oh uh, hey Anon, Twilight was able to get one of these steaks that you had yesterday. I thought it was crazy that you could eat this stuff, but I can cook it, piece of cake!"
>It's magnificent.
>The seared steak hovers over onto a plate and is carried to the table.
>As you walk up to observe the plate, you can see the entire mass, cooked a beautiful medium rare.
>You take a giant whiff into your nostrils and... seasoned perfectly...
>U-Unf...
>Your teeth change to canines like before, wings made of blades and tentacles sprout out of you, and your hair stands on ends.
>"Yeah, I do a pretty good jo-oh-ho-HOLY CELEESTIA!"
>You open your mouth wide, showing your solid razors near the same size as Spike in comparison.
>And just like before, you rap them around the carefully prepared meal just for you, taking it into yourself before savoring the flavors.
>And oh is it so wonderfully extraordinary...
>The perfect amount of salt and pepper, other condiments and... and... something else...
>You can't quite catch it, but it tastes spicy and gives the juice a ting like no other.
>It tastes straight out of...
>You mustn't say it.
>"Anon?"
~"W?hat??"~
>Spike has gone wide-eyed looking at the monstrosity you've become.
>And his mouth refuses to move after your comment...
>You should change back.
>Your teeth revert back to normal, and the bladed tentacles retreat back into your ribs.
>And your hair falls onto your back, laying onto your side as normal.
>Looking at Spike, it looks as if he's seen a ghost.
>"Woah... you can do that?"
"Yes. It is a normality to change my form to suit my needs."
>"Jeez. That's a bit overkill don't you think?
"It suited my needs for this occasion."
>Spike gives you a look, but shrugs and moves back into the kitchen, taking back the plate and putting it into the sink.
>"Ugh..."
>Looking towards the door, you see Twilight has gotten herself organized.
>Her mane has been fixed and her clothes have been removed.
>You ponder why a race such as hers requires clothing during rest.
>"Anon? Did you... uhm... see me?"
"Yes. Twilight, why do you wear undergarments during your slumber?"
>Twilight turns a very bright red as her eyes turn every which-way.
>"Wha-I-um..."
>"Undergarments?" Spike turns his head. "Twilight? Did you go into the sock drawer again?"
>"SPIKE!" Twilight's flustered demeanor is turned down by Spike's determined glare.
>"You know what happened last time, Twilight. We are NOT having a repeat."
>Twilight takes a breathe to speak, but retreats it in defeat.
>"Er, uhm... as for your question... it's... a normal thing among ponies."
"Your lying."
>"Thought so." Twilight looked even more defeated than before.
>And you felt...
>Felt...
>What is this feeling?
>Ergh, this knot in your stomach...
>It hurts.
>"Anon, are you ok?"
"Agh, I am... I'm sorry."
>Twilight's concern subsides as the knots in your stomach subside.
>You need to avoid these kind of events.
>They are not kind to you.
>"Anon?"
"I'm fine. Telling the truth was not the right course of action."
>"I'm not sure if that..." but she bites her lip and stops questioning it. She thinks it might be best not to question most of what you do, seeing that the voices influence most of the things in you.
>So she takes a seat at the table and waits for Spike to fix her something to eat.
>While you are overall puzzled about ponies and clothing.
>But you will not question there customs.
>Only the fact that Twilight simply likes wearing panties in bed.
>You don't see the appeal.
>You refuse to.
 
 
Chapter 9: The Everfree
>As Twilight finishes up with her breakfast, you try to play with your mane.
>Both Spike and Twilight watch in enjoyment as your mane refuses to be toyed with.
>First you try to hug it, but it simply shifts out of your grasp.
>Then you try to punch it, but it absorbs the hits and goes to the back of your head.
>So now, your endlessly chasing it.
>The two giggle at your antics before your able to catch it, which ends in it morphing itself onto your back again.
>But you just want to fuck off.
>All big and fluffy yet you can't touch it.
>At least not for too long.
>"I see your having fun Anon, but we need to get going."
"Ok."
>Getting up from floor, you dust yourself off and follow Twilight out the door.
>She gives you a bright motherly smile before you both head out the door.
>While you're walking through the streets, Twilight pats you with her wing, getting your attention.
"Yes, Twilight?"
>"What was all that back at the castle?"
"Hmm... I am not sure. The passage of time in this world is... interesting."
>Twilight looks puzzled, but wants to leave it to you to figure out.
>She couldn't understand what you might be going through, but she's hopeful that you will get used to the world around you.
>And she's right to do so.
>Even though your needs are being supplemented...
>Something has started... to eat...
>And it needs...
>You don't have what it needs...
>And you don't know what it needs.
>You could guess like what you did moments ago, but it the solution doesn't seem cleared this time.
>You decide that it's best to wait out the pain.
>The best you can do.
"Where are we going, Twilight? This isn't the usual path towards the school."
>"Oh, we aren't going to school today Anon, I was curious if a certain some pony could help me with something."
"A certain some pony?"
>"Yup, and I'm sure your 'voices' are gonna love her. She's all about the ancient times."
>This peeks your interest.
>A pony in the ancient times?
>What might this lead to?
>As the two of you head past the many shops and stores, the two of you wonder into what looks to be a path protruding out of Ponyville.
>The vine shrubs don't add to the pleasantries either.
>The two of you make it through the jungle path and into a plain forest terrain.
>The amount of shade is uncharacteristic for the setting of this world.
>Where is this?
>"Alright, were here."
"Hmm?"
>You look at the direction Twilight points at and see a weird lit up tree with windows and bulb-ed decorations all around the branches and outer walls of the trees.
>And from the looks of it, something is being brewed inside, as steam comes from one of the upper windows of the house.
>"I figured that if any pony could understand your hardships, it would be the a pony into customs. So what better pony than my good friend Zecora! Cmon, I'll introduce you."
"Alright."
>So you follow Twilight to the wooden hut and let her knock on the door.
>"Yes, what is it?"
>"Zecora, it's me, Twilight."
>Some steps are heard and the door opens up to show an exotic striped pony.
>"Ah, Twilight, so glad that you could come to visit, and who might this little pony be, casting such a savage visage?"
>"Oh, this is my new son, I believe that you can help me with him." Zecora gives looks at her with a crazy glare, but it soon changes when Twilight gives a pleading gesture of help.
>Zecora lets out a sigh. "I suppose I can help your kin, but why come to me for such help, old friend?"
>"Well..." Twilight tries to think of a way to elaborate it, but can't think of any, so she comes clean. "My son, Anonymous, suffers from these voices in his head, so I wanted to know if you had anything that could maybe help him."
>Zecora ponders it for a moment, and a light-bulb sparks inside as her eyes open wide. "Ah, if a mental remedy is what you seek, then I will have a look at what I keep.
>As Zecora looks through her stuff, Twilight tries to fill her in on more information. "Er-well actually, its more than that. There may quite possibly be uhm... dark... beings involved... hehe..."
>And Zecora immediately stops in her tracks. "I lost my voice to the darkness long ago... tell me Twilight, what do you know."
>Twilight looks surprised, and figids a little. "I-uhm..." But before she could say anymore, Zecora beckons you both into the shack.
>Looking around the place, a cauldron is placed in the center of the room, cooking what appears to be her breakfast.
>Books lie all over the ground and many varieties of potions lay untouched on the shelves.
>Reminds you of Twilight, except with painted masks.
>"So you say that these voices are of the dark lord's work, but I see no influence or a devil's perk."
>"A devil's what-now?"
"She means that I don't show nothing that involves the voices."
>Zecora perks up. "You can understand what I am saying? Tell me young one, what game are you playing?"
"I don't know why you speak in such tones, but I will show you the prove."
>Zecora looks at you in curiosity, and then in bewilderment as you focus on your hoof, transforming it to tentacles.
>"By the holy light's begone from thee! You will never take the spirit from me!"
>You turn your hoof back to normal as Twilight tries to calm her down.
>"Zecora! Relax, he means no harm. He's just showing you that what I say is true." Zecora takes it all in.
>She takes a deep breathe, and then sighs a heavy tone. "I am deeply sorry Twilight, but nothing in this world compares to the dark I see in him. You were right to come to me, the cleansing must begin." But Twilight stops her from moving.
>"Wait Zecora, I don't know what that might do to him! I just want you to keep the voices out of his head. Not purify him all together." Zecora hesitates, but listens.
>"Alright Twilight, I will listen, but I believe that something in this riddle is missing."
>"What do you mean Zecora?"
>"I mean that my tribe has come long and far, but never have I felt a presence this dark."
"What experiences do you have with the elden, Zecora?"
>Zecora starts to fill with doubt and regret, but she tells you what she believes is meant to be heard. "Long ago, my tribe experimented on dark magics not meant to be toyed with, and as a result we were the once that regretted it. Families were lost, lives were torn from reality, and as lucky as I might be... we should have never driven ourselves to such fallacies..." Twilight was feeling sorrow in every word she spoke.
>"Zecora... I'm so sorry your kind had to go through that." Twilight hugs Zecora, which brightens the mood, but it doesn't fix the problem at hand.
>"Thank you Twilight, you care for me so. Now let me take care of the one that you know."
>Zecora looks at you and stares into your eyes.
>So you stare back.
>Is there a point to this?
>"Hmmm... yes I see it..."
"What?"
>Zecora comes up to you, and gently takes one of your ears, trying carefully not to cause harm.
>And with it, she whispers softly into your ear. "The void... it calls to me..."
>Your eyes flare up and your senses multiply, causing you to wince at the overwhelming words.
>And Twilight intervenes. "Zecora, what are you doing!?" but Zecora calms her with a hoof to the air.
>"I was simply testing the waters, and I can say for sure that Anonymous here is too deep to bother."
>"What do you mean?"
>"What I mean is that even if I tried to purify him as before, their hold would stay strong forevermore. What I spoke is a mantra of worship, and Anonymous grew in strength, quite unfortunate."
>"So are we going to find a way to quell the voices?"
>"I'm afraid that the best we could do, if anything at all, is to see what comes of it overall."
>Twilight grew disheartened by this, but Zecora reassured her. "We may not be able to help your dear son, but do not worry, for he is 'the one'." this gets her attention.
>"'The one'? What do you mean Anon's 'the one'."
>"Anonymous appears to have everything under control, so even if he were to lose his mentality, he would most likely stay as one whole."
"How... do you know this?"
>"Through ancient texts and filled scrolls, I read what could be you, dear foal. 'The Chosen' it called throughout my tribe, though no one possessed the void, not even I." And then she looks at you with a serious demeanor. "You are the one the prophets foretold, and now we must wait for the inevitable to unfold."
>Huh... she actually started to sound like one of the voices for a second.
>Though she needs more work on her riddles.
>But that wasn't important.
>"Zecora, I don't know what this whole prophecy thing is, but if there is anything I can do to stop it, please tell me." Zecora was saddened by Twilight's expression. Twilight really didn't want whatever was going to happen to you, to happen at all. With a guaranteed chance of it happening, she could only think of prolonging the inevitable.
>But Zecora thinks of the hope Twilight might have for you. Such a young colt already doomed to such a fate. Zecora could only fathom the despair that Twilight felt at this moment. "Perhaps... there is a way, a potion of purification, if I may."
>Twilight double-takes. "Really! Wait, I thought you said there was nothing we could do." but Zecora corrects her.
>"Yes indeed, my hooves are tied, but that does not mean we cannot try. Into the forest we must go, but beware for danger lies below." Twilight thinks for a second if this would all be a good idea. See wanted to save you, but she didn't know if you could handle the Everfree just yet. Even a princess such as herself had trouble in this forest, who knows what would happen if you went into the forest.
>You were indifferent.
"What do we need from this forest, Zecora?"
>"First, we will need the teeth of a manticore, a ferocious beast that roams in this thorn. Then, a single drop of dew from the plumpious flowers, a plant so bright, the light can last for hours. Thirdly, we will need the eyes of the cockatrice, a draconian creature with a chicken's head and feet. And finally, we will need the living essence of the timber-wolf creatures. Guided by the clouds influencing their features." Zecora goes to one of her shelves and pulls out a book with a monster's outlined face on the front.
>Giving it to Twilight, she looks back to you with worry overtaking her.
>And both do not know how you fair in combat, as their doubt increases around you.
>"Anon, are you sure you're gonna be OK? Though I'm not sure if I could handle all the creatures alone, I do know what they rely on to beat their opponents." But you brush her off.
"I can easily handle anything this forest has to offer. If what Zecora says is true, these creatures are most likely remnants of my power."
>"That may be true, but what will you do when one of these beast comes for you?"
"If power of mine remains here, then I will be able to absorb the creatures power, turning them back to whatever creature they originally were." and Twilight seems to really like your idea.
>"You could do that? That would be... would be... amazing, wonderfu-" but Zecora cuts her excitement short.
>"Yes, if what your son says is true, then he could purify the forest through and through, but what good would that do if we plan to cleanse these voices? It would only intensify its noises."
>Twilight backs off and thinks for a second, and quickly nods in agreement. "Yeah, I don't think absorbing all that chaotic energy would help in any way, but it would be an option that we could go."
>You wonder how much energy this forest might have.
>If Zecora is worried that you won't be able to handle the power, she is contradicting her statement from before.
>Your thoughts are cut short by the other.
~Ash sa's addan, pol'oatless~
>You ignore the omen and listen as Twilight and Zecora discuss the best course of action to shut out the voices in your head.
>You should be taking this seriously... but...
>Something is being released into you.
>Some type of sedative...
>Wait...
 
 
 
>Looking behind you, a tentacle has been hit by a five darts covered in some green slime.
>The moment the first one hit, you weren't able to feel anything due to the numbing agent.
>Morphing your legs into a mass of tentacles, you make individual eyes out of each for every window.
>As Twilight and Zecora look through supplies for the trip, you look out all the windows.
>The tentacles are tiny enough that they don't notice both of your legs moving across the floorboards and onto the walls.
>Hmmm... right wall second window.
>A fig...
>You look up and see that the tentacle's been shot out, its eye falling to the ground from another dart.
>Both of them turn to face you with bewildered looks as you transform your body back to its normal state.
"Someone is watching us."
>"Anon, what in the world was-" Twilight is cut off by Zecora, who picks up the shot eye and looks at the blow dart.
>"Hmm... this isn't any ordinary venom. This isn't from any 'native' creature in this kingdom." Zecora closes all the windows and proceeds to take a book from under the wood floor.
>Taking off the hollow plank, she takes out a book called 'foreign monsters and myths'.
>"It seems that the rogue outside of our doors, is using a slime like nothing before." Twilight walks up to her questioningly.
>"Slime? What do you mean?" Twilight remembers how bad slime can be, but she never heard of a venomous one.
>"A rare occurrence among woodland slime. If born in a snake's nest, can inherit certain aspects of the ones they stay with in time."
>"So it's a snake-like slime creature?"
>"Perhaps. Anonymous, if you run into our little friend outside, make sure to bring them to me to decide."
"I will do it."
>Before Twilight can question her, Zecora nods and gets Twilight's attention. "Time runs low dear friend, hurry and collect the ingredients before the day comes to an end."
>Twilight bites her lip, but gives her a confident smile. "Don't worry Zecora, we'll take care of the intruder and the ingredients, don't worry about a thing."
>Zecora walks back to her cauldron while Twilight suits up with the supplies needed for the day.
>As the saddlebag rests on her back, she hovers a miniature saddle towards you with similar pockets and bags.
>So you move your head to the side to move your fluffy mass, making room for the saddle on your back.
>"There, all set. You ready to head out Anon?"
"Yes. Let us go to collect what we need."
>The both of you walk out the door and out into the wilderness and Twilight turns around. "Goodbye, Zecora!"
>"Good tidings, Twilight Sparkle!"
>And now the both of you head down a path away from Ponyville.
>Deeper into the forest.
>A good time to ask Twilight what is needed.
"Twilight, what does a manticore look like?"
>"A manticore? It's sort of like a combination of three creatures. A lion's head and body, a scorpion's tail and stinger, and a bat's stretched wings." Twilight stops for a second to think to herself, then relays the idea to you. "Hmm... most of the stuff Zecora listed off would most likely be found at night, so how about we look for that manticore first, since they aren't nocturnal."
"A good plan. Let's mo-... another dart?"
>Looking at your rear, another tentacle has blocked the sharp projectile, inserting more of the venom into you.
>An audible 'tch' is heard as a few bushes to the left rustle.
>You try to head after it, but Twilight stops you with her hoof. "Anon, we will get our chance, don't worry. Let's head towards that mountain over there, manticores tend to like the rocky terrain."
>You'll listen to her for now.
>Though you really don't want to take another dart.
>Heading through the bushes and shrubs of the forest, the trees start to dissipate around you as the rocky terrain becomes more and more visible.
>Looking around, you see no sign of a pursuer.
>You suspect that they will wait for you to return to the forest.
>"Don't worry Anon. With all these rocks and boulders, there's no way they can follow us. They'll just have to wait."
>Her confidence and well-rounded figure hasn't changed, though she is breathing a bit more heavily than before we started.
"Lets go further into the mountain, I'll be able to track the manticore from there."
>"Sounds good. If we catch it by surprise, maybe we won't even have to fight it."
>You nod and start to jump and scamper through the rocky landscape while Twilight uses her wings to traverse the area.
>That's when you see it.
>A bridge connecting two cliff faces together.
>And sleeping at the other side is a manticore.
>You weren't expecting it to be that big, but you'd be able to handle it.
>You look at Twilight, which still has her confident smile on, and nod to her to show your legs changing.
>All four of your legs have turned into spring-like tentacles, causing your walking to be near silent.
>The true challenge will be the bridge.
>Taking your first step onto the bridge, it creeks and extends to your weight, making the manticore's ear twitch, but doesn't show any signs of waking up.
>A few more steps and... nothing.
>But, the next step contained a crack, and a regular hoof would have made just as much noise as the platforms you have on just now.
>The sound echoed throughout the entire canyon you were above, making you cringe.
>And making the beast wake up.
>Stretching out and smacking its lips, the manticore looks around for the intruder.
>But it can only see Twilight from across the bridge.
>Her eyes grow wide, but before she can yell, the beast gives a mighty roar to try and scare her away from the bridge.
>With nothing to do, she sits herself down to observe, confusing the manticore.
>It looks around the general area around it, wondering what the pony might be watching.
>And now she's started to giggle, making it furious.
>Moving its paw, it prepares to slam the ground to prove some sort of dominance in the area.
>Or perhaps to scare away anything that might be hiding.
>It hoists itself into the air, propelling itself with its wings, ready to clear the area.
>And then, a loud thud is heard across the forest.
>Everything lays silent.
 
 
Chapter 10: The Everfree Continues
>You jump off the knocked out manticore and dust off your hooves.
>Taking a look at the manticore, it now has a giant bruise on its head, mirroring the look of a large pimple.
>You try to make sense of it, but Twilight soon flies on over to look at the creature.
>"Wow Anon, you actually took it out in one hit! That's some crazy strength you have."
>You admit, the praise is nice, but this wasn't how you planned it to go.
>It involved more blood and broken bones, but this would have to suffice.
>Taking the manticore's jaw, you lift up its head, revealing its teeth to the outside.
>Twilight cringes a little. "Well, Zecora never said it would be a clean job."
>You shrug, transforming your arm to create suction cups.
>It connects to the sharpest tooth in the manticore's mouth and proceeds to pull it out, eliciting a yelp from the creature, but nothing else.
>You drop the creature's jaw onto the floor and give the tooth to Twilight, who wraps it in her mist and puts it into her pouch. "Alright, that's the first ingredient done. Now we'll need a cockatrice' eyes, though..." Twilight thinks for a moment, wondering if there could be a different way to do this. She didn't want to take away a creature's eyes, but if it was for her son's sake...
>You however, didn't have a problem with it.
>So the both of you proceeded across the bridge and through the rocky terrain.
>But something seemed... off from last time.
>A peculiar scent has filled the air, and it seems to be getting more and more powerful as you approach the forest.
>You create a tentacle to stop Twilight's flight and look around, sniffing around you for the strange aroma.
>"Is something wrong Anon?"
"Something is off from when we were last here, it must of been th-..." just then, Twilight lands onto your tentacle, nearly falling asleep in its grasp.
>"A-Anon... th-the bush..." and shes out cold.
>Great.
>You turn your head to look at the bushes around you.
>A patch to the left, a single shrub in the center view, and a-
>And they just nailed you with one to the nose.
>Taking the dart and throwing it to the ground, you try to morph yourself, but find it too hard to concentrate.
>Your vision is starting to get hazy, and now you realize that you've dropped Twilight onto the ground.
>At least, that's what you think the purple mass on the ground is...
>You try to... think of a way... to stop...
>From...
>...
>You wake up.
>Hanging upside-down.
>Facing a very dirty filly.
>Her mane is unkempt and tons of dirt has been smeared on her fur, concealing any visible color.
>She appears to be jumping in excitement, a bright smile on her face.
>She's a very energetic one.
>Though her eyes tell a different story.
>"Hello~, me. Chinka, you. Punka."
"Do you speak my language?"
>Chinka jumps, her eyes going wide. "You speak! That is good! Um... me good, no bad."
>Chinka walks up to you and touches your face, massaging it out of curiosity. "Oooooh~, no dark. Me wrong?"
>You try to speak, but she constantly nuzzles you and keeps moving your cheeks up and down, mirroring that of a child fluffing its pillow.
"Dommph ymph nmph wheraah, Twilaaagh imph"
>"Tunka? her go there. You go here." Chinka points over to the right, which lays an unconscious Twilight laying on some leaves and mud.
>And finishes her sentence by booping you in the nose.
>Your face scrunches up, which causes a chain reaction inside of you.
>Tentacles emerge out of the vines restricting you, cutting them to shreds and grabbing a nearby branch.
>Before your limbs are able to pull you away, Chinka grabs onto you, pulling the both of you into the tree.
>"Punka try leave?! Why leave, stay!
"I couldn't talk, and I won't leave you."
>Chinka loosens her grip on your head and looks at you with a slight blush. "... you won't?" but before she can finish, she loosens her grip too much, causing her to fall to the ground.
>She squeals and squirms as she falls, but stops as a tentacle catches her, inches from hitting the ground.
>Lowering yourself to her level, the both of you sit on the ground as your tentacles retreat back into you.
>And Chinka, instead of panicking, looks at you brighter than before. "Dark... me right!"
"Before you berate me again, what is the substance you used to make me pass out?"
>Chinka thinks, trying to process what you just said, and then she lights up like a light-bulb. "Oh, sticky! Me use numnum for grubstub."
>She walks over to Twilight and picks up a long, hollow stick with her hooves.
>And then she reaches into a few leaves, taking out a green slime and slathering it onto the tip of the stick, creating a liquid wall on the end. "Grubstub go here, numnum need blow for dart."
>So the dart itself isn't coated.
>Only the tip.
>Taking a look at Twilight, she seems to be resting comfortably, trying to constantly grab onto the nothing in front of her.
"Chinka, do you have an antidote?"
>"An-ti-do-te?"
"Cure for Tunka."
>"Oh! me have here." She goes into the pile of leaves again and pulls out sticky yellow sap. "Rub on Tunka, Tunka goes up!"
>You nod and take the yellow sap from her hoof and walk up to Twilight.
>While you are smearing the sap onto her forehead, you notice a faint glow on her horn.
>Weird, maybe it has to do with whatever she is dreaming.
>Chinka moves next to you and pushes up to your side to see what it is. "Oh, glow thing on head!"
"It's a horn."
>"Horn?" but before you could explain the horn, Twilight's eyes open up, cancelling the faint glow.
>"Erm... huh? Anon? Wait, who are you?"
>"Me. Chinka, you. Tunka, yes."
>Twilight gets up and brushes herself off, looking at you with a confused look. "Ummm... so this is the pursuer?"
"Yes. I regret to say that she hit me with a dart."
>"Huh... anyways, how are you doing um... Chinka?"
>"Me good, want help."
>"Help?" Twilight is caught with curiosity as you look around at your surroundings.
>"Me need flower, glow like blue!"
>It appears that you both were out for quite a while.
>"Really? We're gonna look for a flower just like that!"
>A little after dusk, with hints of pink sunlight at the edge of canopy.
>"You need flower? I need flower! Two need flowers!"
>A rustle comes from one of the bushes, causing your ears to twitch.
>"Well, we can both look for them then."
>You face the direction where the noise came from, and see what looks like a reptiles tail come out from the bush.
>"Yay! friend Tunka and Punka!"
>You walk up to the bush and pull the tail out of the bush, making whatever it is to screech.
>A scaled creature with the feet and head of a chicken, and a draconic complex.
>The description fits, now to take the eyes.
>The Cockatrice attempts to stare daggers into your soul, but you feel nothing.
>Mostly because your ignoring its eyes and dangling the monster in your grasp, making it dizzy.
>Putting it down, it wobbles a little in its confused state and tries to stare at you, but fails to keep both pupils aimed at you.
>You take this opportunity to transform your hoof into a multitude of tentacles, taking one of the suction limbs, and grasping both eyes.
>And with a swift pull, and a swing from your other hoof, the eyes release from their sockets.
>The creature screeches in agony, blood streaming down its face, before collapsing.
>And that's when you start to hear more from your surroundings.
>Turning to Twilight and Chinka, they are screaming you at the top of their lunges.
>Guess you'll have to wait for them to stop.
>You adjust the tentacle's back into a morphed state of what would be your hoof and take a look at the two eyes.
>The bright scarlet spheres glow in your grasp with ominous power.
>It looks nice, like an ornament you'd hang on a tree.
>You put the two eyes into your saddle bag and look back at the two screaming ponies.
>They haven't stopped.
>So you walk up to them, and slap them both with your hoof.
>You try to do it as gently as possible, but you still manage to leave a red mark on both their cheeks.
>The both of them shake their heads and look around confused.
>"Huh, uh? Anon, what happened?"
"I got the eyes of the cockatrice. You and Chinka were screaming when I finished."
>You point to the passed out cockatrice on the ground, which makes Twilight twitch and trigger a gag reflex.
>"Couldn't you have... maybe done something else?"
"We need these eyes. This creature doesn't need them anymore."
>Twilight's waves of regret make it all the more unpleasant to you. "Couldn't you have done something a little less drastic?"
>"Uh... me no feel good no more..." combined with Chinka's confusion and fright, it looks to be a bountiful feast of emotions tonight.
>So you decide to try and fix the situation.
>You walk up to the passed out cockatrice, its sockets still leaking crimson on the grass.
>Enhancing your right eye, you can see the knots and ties inside the creature.
>Mystic chains of grey mist intertwine along the edges of the creatures deformities.
>"Anon, what are you planning to do?" Twilight feels worried about your intentions, but you assure her.
"I am fixing the problem. Just give me time."
>Before Twilight can interject, surprisingly, Chinka grabs onto her.
>"Let dark work, work good, pass bad!" Twilight hesitates to go against the fillies judgement, but stays in place for her sake.
>The two bite their lips as you open your mouth and retract your jaw.
>But instead of growing out your teeth, they instead transform into tentacles, contorting against themselves to create a circular hole in the middle of your mouth.
>And with that, you begin to suck the magical essence out of the cockatrice.
 
 
>Your mouth drains the essence out of the cockatrice like a funnel.
>The mist of locks and chains pour out of the creature's neck and legs, separating both the limbs from its body.
>They float in the air as the rest of its body deforms and distorts, growing feathers and retracting its wings in terms of length.
>As you vacuum the rest of the essence out of the body, the head and legs float back into place, locking themselves onto their new body.
>The head morphs and screeches in agony as two new pairs of eyes grow in there place.
>After the essence is emptied from the creature, it drops to the ground, allowing you to swallow all of it into yourself.
>A sweet nectar flows through your throat, making your tentacles pulsate, black veins glowing across there slimy surfaces.
>Is this what chaotic energy feels like?
>Tastes familiar, but nonetheless, you saved the chicken.
>It looks around and happily clucks before running off into the forest.
>Probably to become food for the other chaotic creatures that live here.
>Twilight and Chinka seem to be happy, with bright smiles strewn across their faces.
>"I can't believe that actually worked. How did you do that?" before you can answer, Chinka chimes in.
>"Dark! Dark! Good for Bongo!"
>As you revert your mouth back to its regular form, Chinka watches in awe as the pulsing tentacles morph back into teeth.
>Twilight walks up to you and pats you on the back when you turn back to normal.
>"So you're really able to take the chaotic magic out of the forest?"
"Yes. I am taking back what is mine."
>Twilight nods understandably and looks at Chinka, who is still wide-eyed.
>"Dark to be. Be! Me need flower. You need flower. Let go!" Chinka points to the direction left of the bush, so the two of you follow her lead.
>The trek through the forest is not as eventful as the mountain trip, and you make it to a little grotto in the middle of the forest.
>Though Twilight is acting more alert than the both of you, checking every nook and cranny she can while making her way through.
>You and Chinka both stare at the center of the grotto.
>On the cliff at the lowest points are little light-blue flowers, complimenting the sight of the night as they twinkle like the stars in the sky.
>You go to swim across when Chinka stops you.
>She shakes her head and takes a single pebble from the ground.
>Not too small, but not too big either.
>She takes it, and throws it into the water, creating a little ripple on the surface.
>Twilight catches up to the two of you and you all watch as the ripple in the water starts to foam and sizzle and eventually, dying down to nothing again.
>"Acid water?" Twilight chimes.
>"Yes, bad for me. Bad for you. Need help!"
>Looking around for options, the only way you could get across is through sliding your way down the cliff and using suction to stay in place as you grab the flowers.
>But that sounds too tedious.
>Luckily for you and her, Twilight already had it worked out in her head.
>Taking her wings, she flies on over to the cliff, right above the acid.
>Using her horn, two flowers are plucked off the cliff side and are levitated into her bag.
>Satisfied with her work, she hovers on over to the both of you with a kind smile.
>"See, nothing to it." she hovers one over to Chinka, who looks at it with stars in her eyes.
>"Oh~ Thank! Thank! Me... me thank..." Tears stream down her face.
>Yet you don't sense sadness, more... happiness.
>You wonder how long she has been out here in the forest...
>Alone...
>All by herself...
>Twilight brings her in for a hug and comforts her. "There, there... whatever you need that flower for, I'm sure it was all worth it."
>Chinka wipes away her tears and sniffles into her hoof. "It so long..."
>Twilight brushes her mane with her hoof and levitates the the flower out of her grasp and into Chinka's mane.
>"All better?"
>Chinka smiles, a tear still in her eye. "Mhm!"
>Chinka gathers her composer while Twilight gives off waves of love that can only be rivaled by that of a proud mother.
>It makes you happy.
>But now, it's time for the last one.
>The timber-wolves.
>Sentient wood, you'll have to destroy them in order to obtain the essence they hold.
>But the main problem would be the cloud.
>How would you be able to keep them from moving?
>Manipulation as you know can move the living, nonliving, and matter itself.
>Even if you tear it to shreds, it might just move itself onto you.
>Or into you.
>You'll have to consult Twilight on their abilities before facing these creatures.
>But something tells you that it won't be that simple.
>Not for you.