Title:           A Second Chance
Author:          LysEVE
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/QZ5wQt2W
First Edit:      Friday 11th of July 2014 08:01:23 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Sunday 28th of September 2014 08:45:04 AM CDT

>You are Morning Glory.
>Most that know you see you as that poor, homeless town bicycle of Ponyville.
>Not the most glamorous job in Equestria, but it pays for your daily sustenance.
>Some of the time, anyway. Work has been dreadfully slow lately.
>You sigh, resigned to the realizations you came to long ago.
>You hate it, but blank flanks can't be too choosy when it comes to their lot in life.
>It wasn't fair. Not in the slightest.
>You'd been out on the street for a couple of years now, thrown out of your once-home by a vindictive landlord who only cared about getting his money.
>You tried to reason with him, asking for a few more days to bring up the latest rent payment.
>He refused, and literally tossed you out.
>Bucking unicorns and their bucking magic.
>Now you try to make ends meet by soliciting unsuspecting stallions in your corner of society.
>Down a dingy alley, on your latest box, you've painted on your prices.
>Five bits for a hoofjob, ten for a full service, twenty for 'anything'
>Anything truly meaning anything.
>Roleplay as a Princess? Not a problem.
>Paint your mane green and pretend you're a carrot? Sounds like it's party time.
>You aren't proud of what you are, but a mare's gotta do what a mare's gotta do.
>Sometimes you wonder when life is going to throw you a lifeline. When this rut you're stuck in will end.
>"Hey you! Whore."
>You glance up, seeing Bad Touch, one of your few regulars. He throws ten bits at your hooves.
>Not today.
 
 
>You are Anonymous.
>Most that know you see you as that recent secondary school graduate with delusions of grandeur in your head.
>Having escaped the education system with your idealism intact, you were ready to head out into the 'real world'.
>Ready to go out there and change lives, make a difference to society.
>To be a shining example of humanity.
>Oh, who were you kidding. You were anything but that.
>You were well aware of how the world worked, and you wanted nothing to do with it. You'd rather have an easy time, live large as a homebody, enjoy your youth.
>To that effect, you spent the entirety of yesterday with your few friends celebrating hard into the night, finally stumbling back into your bed in the wee hours of the morning.
>As you open your eyes however, the realm you encounter is not the same one you left behind when you'd gone to sleep last night.
>Instead of the dull grey walls of your parent's city apartment, you instead find yourself staring into a barrage of unusually vibrant colours.
"What the fu-"
>You cut yourself short, propping yourself up onto your elbows so you could properly take in your surroundings.
>Seemingly endless field of green, warm and radiant sun in the sky and what you believe to be a bunch of impossibly cartoonish buildings in the distance.
>All of which was garishly bright and hurting your eyes.
>Yep, definitely not right whatsoever.
>Still somewhat unsure of what to make of this new situation, you get up onto your feet.
"Where am I?"
>I must be dreaming.
>Feels too real for that though.
>You swear you've seen this all before somewhere, but for the life of you, you can't remember where.
>Thrusting your hands into your hoodie pockets, you set off towards the settlement.
>You need help.
>Hopefully someone there can oblige you.
 
 
>You reconsider exactly how much help you need after stopping dead at the edge of the town.
>Just in front of you, dozens of pastel-coloured horses are walking- no, trotting about their business, oblivious to your presence.
>Cautiously, you proceed forwards, carefully committing every last detail to memory as your brain tries to process what it's seeing.
"No way... This can't be right."
>Now you remember where you'd seen this before.
>Your forays into the internet have, time after time, brought you into contact with so-called 'Bronies'.
>You never quite understood how people could fall in love with a program for little girls.
>Despite your best efforts at ignoring it, the show and its fandom persisted at being prevalent wherever you went.
>You made a point to not look into it. You were tolerant of its presence, but you wanted nothing to do with it.
>Right now though, all you wanted was something familiar to grab a hold of, something solid in your mind to anchor yourself until you knew what to do.
>The sheer craziness of it all-
>Oh god, the horses are talking in perfect English.
>You try to tune it out, but your brain is intent on hearing every last tidbit.
>You were expecting an ordinary dreamscape.
>You weren't expecting this.
>Presented with the rapidly encroaching unknown, you did the only sane thing you could think of.
>With a deep breath, you opened your mouth and-
 
 
>You are Morning Glory.
>You absent-mindedly fumble with your newly earned bits, closing your eyes as you try to rest your malnourished body from its last workout.
>That stallion always seemed to leave a bad taste in your mouth...
>You try not to think about it.
>To you, the job is just that: a job, a way to make ends meet.
>You like to think that eventually you'll move on, find somepony who'll save you from your misery. A real friend that'll give you that second chance you crave.
>Eventually is so far away though...
>If there was somepony out there, they'd better move quick, because at the rate you were going, you weren't going to last that long.
>...
>No.
>Nothing good comes out of thinking that way. Nothing. The battle hasn't been lost yet, not until you've lost all hope. And there's always hope.
>However fleeting it may be...
>"AHHHHHH!"
>The relative silence you craved is broken as a piercing scream nearby reaches your ears.
>This is rapidly followed by an eruption of high-pitched shrieks you recognize as being distinctly ponyish.
>Opening your eyes, you peek around the edge of your box, watching as mares and stallions alike ran away as if Nightmare Moon herself were chasing them.
>Pure pandemonium.
>"It's a monster!"
>"Run for your lives!"
>"The horror, the horror!"
>Your eyes widen in fear as a large bipedal beast stops just beyond your alley.
>"No, wait!" You hear it shout to the ponies desperately fleeing the area. "Stop running!" It tries again, whirling around to watch every pony in sight lock their doors.
>You let out a weak cry of your own as its eyes meet with yours...
>...and quickly crawl back into the safety of your cardboard box as the strange creature began running towards you.
>"Stop! Please!" It bellows at you, stopping and crouching in front of your box. You shrink yourself into the smallest ball you can.
"Please don't eat me!" You cry out.
>This is it, you think. It's all over.
>What it says next astounds you.
 
 
>"What? Why would I-"
>It stops, looks at your box, then back to you, eyeing your messy mane and shaggy fur.
>You both blink.
>"What happened to you?"
>You struggle to pick your jaw up off the floor.
>All this time, your brain is screaming warning bells, and yet you can't help but meet the creature's gaze.
>Behind those eyes, you see...
>...a being as frightened of you as you were of it.
"W-w-what are y-you?" You whisper back.
>You move a little closer to it, out of the box, not taking your eyes off its face.
>The beast falls backwards, flat on its ass.
>Right now, confusion is a mutual friend to you both.
>"I'm... I'm human. I don't... understand-"
>A loud CRASH interrupts the creature as you both turn your heads towards the alley entry.
>Standing there, clutching pitchforks and torches, were a large mob of Ponyville's stallions.
>"There! There it is!"
>"Grab the filthy cur!"
>ohbuck.avi
>Sensing imminent danger, you turn back to the human, but it (He? You think it's a he.) has already bolted off further down the alley, frantically checking for an unlocked door.
>You know that there is one at the very end which leads into an old storage room.
>You know this because you sneak in there on occasion, when you can't find a new box.
>You'd never live in there, since no one would ever find you back there. But you do keep your small stash of food scraps and bits hidden away inside.
>For a split second, you internally debate giving it away. That small stash was all there was between you and starvation!
>Seeing the rowdy mob beginning to approach, you make your choice.
"Keep going!" You shout at the human. "Go to the end!"
>Confusion flashes across his face, but realizing he doesn't have much choice in the matter, the human sprints away as fast as his legs can take him.
>"Out of the way!"
>You are unceremoniously kicked aside into the wall as the mob gives chase.
>Your body, already run ragged, collapses on itself. You hope you made the right decision as you black out.
 
 
>You are Anonymous.
>And a talking horse may have just saved your life.
>Just like it (She? She. Definitely a she.) implied, at the end of the passage was a door slightly ajar.
>With haste, you barreled through it, slamming it shut behind you.
>Remembering the sheer weight of numbers your pursuers had on you, you quickly moved the largest crate you could find in place behind it.
>Not a moment too soon, as you feel the door buckle from what must've been one hell of a wallop.
>And another.
>And another!
>Fortunately for you, your barrier seems to have held. For now.
>But with each kick, the crate gets pushed back slightly. It's only a matter of time until someone stronger tries to break through.
>Aware of this, you do your best to pull another crate into place with the last of your strength, barely managing before another kick nearly blows the door off its hinges.
>The mob outside tries again, but your reinforced barricade is now holding the near-busted door in place.
>Phew.
>Relieved, you sit back against the crate panting, out of breath.
>These horses were crazy!
>Well, true enough, you may have been partly to blame for making them freak out, but still!
>What are you going to do now?
>You are, as far as you could tell, trapped in a dark room with no way to escape.
>Only option left is to wait out the siege, since you aren't ready to become an hero quite yet.
>However long that might take.
 
 
>After ten minutes by your estimation, the crowd of angered horses gradually slow their attempts to break the door down.
>You can still hear them bantering amongst themselves.
>"Take five, gentlecolts. Some of us want their turn." A firm voice orders.
>"Nearby resident says it's got nowhere to run in there, Bad Touch. We got him."
>"Should've done this when that zebra used to walk into town..." 'Bad Touch', who you assume to be the leader, replies.
>"Oughta get Big Macintosh in here. He'd get us in without breaking a sweat." Cries a horse further back.
>"Why don't we just burn him out?"
>That last one sends a shiver down your spine.
>"You will do no such thing!" A booming female voice cries out. Almost instantly, the crowd goes silent.
>"Princess..." You hear the lead stallion utter.
>Princess?
>"All of you, back to your homes! That's an order!"
>"Yes Princess!" Most of the voices cry out in unison. You can hear the loud clattering of hooves as the subdued mob leaves.
>"You, Mister Touch. Tell me what's going on here."
>You silently count your blessings. Seems like the mares are infinitely more level-headed than their male counterparts.
>"W-w-well, y'see Princess-"
>"Twilight." The mare interrupts, a hint of annoyance in her tone.
>"Yes, anyway, so I was saying-"
>"The truth only." Firm, authoritative. Not someone you want to cross, you decide.
>"-we were just going to bring the... thing to you, yeah, that's it."
>Twilight sighs. You get the feeling she does this often.
>"Go home."
>Bad Touch, stunned, barely moves, as far as you hear.
>"Go, before I lose my patience!" She yells.
>The stallion picks up his hooves and scarpers, knocking over a trash can as he scrambles for safety.
 
 
>"Now, what do we do with you..." Twilight calls through the door. "Whoever you are, whatever you are, you can come out now."
>Uh, no thanks. I'm quite fine where I am.
>At least, that's what you want to say. You stay quiet, unsure of what to make of the situation.
>"Really, I'm not going to bite." Her tone softens. "Come out. Please?"
>You consider doing as she says, but at the same time, you fear this so-called Princess might crack at any moment.
>After having a bloodthirsty crowd hunt you down, this world is fast subverting your expectations.
>"At least tell me what you are."
>Desperation slowly creeps into her voice.
>"Please, I'm not going to hurt you."
>You remain silent, pretending to be oblivious to her words.
>"I am Twilight Sparkle, Princess of the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom! I command you to open this door at once!" Twilight yells.
>That settles it. You aren't opening this door.
>You always did have a problem with following orders.
>"Come quietly or there'll be... trouble."
>Yeah, not likely.
>"ARGH! By Celestia, I swear, one way or another, I'll get you."
>If you had seen this on a TV show, you'd probably have laughed your ass off at how frustrated she was.
>Having made it abundantly clear that you weren't going to comply with her commands, Twilight storms off. You hear her hoofsteps get quieter and quieter until silence returns at last.
>Thank god for small favours.
>You mentally reassess your situation.
>Despite its saccharine appearance, this world's inhabitants (save one homeless whore) were anything but sweet.
>You still have no idea how you got here, and more importantly, you have no idea how you're going to get home.
>No matter.
>You'll stay here and figure something out eventually.
>However long eventually might be.
 
 
>You are Morning Glory.
>And your head still aches from where it impacted against the timber frame of the apartment building.
>As it happens, you'd been discovered unconscious at the scene by, from what you'd heard from your nurse, Princess Twilight Sparkle.
>She had you whisked away to the hospital, nursed back to some semblance of health within a few hours.
>When you awoke to find yourself in white sheets, you'd panicked like a little filly.
>Fortunately, the startled staff were quick to calm you down, explaining that your stay had been paid for, and that you weren't to be moving about unnecessarily.
>Apparently you had a couple of cracked ribs, bone fractures in your legs and all sorts of injuries you hadn't even thought of.
>So you stayed a little while, allowing the medical ponies to work their magic.
>After a couple of days, you felt far better than you had in a long time. Even that annoying itch on your backside that you could never scratch was gone.
>At your own insistence though, after a heated discussion with the nurse, you left the hospital behind.
>You couldn't afford to stay too long. Being kept in the loop with all the latest news and rumours kept you competitive.
>Hearing the right thing at the right time could earn you a few extra bits with the right people.
>Despite their appearances, business ponies could be ruthless cutthroats when they needed to be.
>Cutthroats became regulars when you supplied them with useful info.
>You knew a few stallions who appreciated your open eyes and ears... among other things.
>So, now that you're back to your usual spot, you ply your trade.
>Open for business as usual, like nothing had ever happened.
 
 
>Seems like the rumour mill has been working overtime while you've been out of it.
>News spread like a wildfire about the alien oddity hidden away in a dank, dark alleyway. None of it was complimentary.
>Some ponies believed it was an unholy beast that escaped from the Everfree Forest, here to eat little fillies and colts who didn't behave.
>Some believed it was a hoax perpetrated by a giant circus monkey from Saddle Arabia, sent to scare everypony.
>Some even believed it did enchantments and evil dances, and when you looked into its eyes, it'd put you in trances.
>You swear you've heard that last one before, but you can't place it.
>Nevertheless, none of these rumours seem plausible to you, based on what you saw in your close encounter of the third kind.
>The human was anything but belligerent.
>It was more pony-like than any other creature you'd personally seen before.
>And, as far as you were concerned, it deserved to be treated better than some outcast from society.
>To not be completely shunned... like you...
>...
>Right, that settles it.
>Once business hours were over, you were going to have a nice chat with the human.
>A voice breaks through your train of thought.
>"Pardon ma'am- Ms Glory?"
>You turn and flutter your eyes at the abashed earth pony before you, Sugar Dust. You've had him a few times before.
"The one and only." You suppress your fake giggle as he takes in your new appearance.
>"I... I, um, yes..." He stammers. You watch his hooves slip into the pockets of his small coat, smiling when you count twenty shiny bits neatly stacked in front of you.
"Step into my office, honey..."
>Time for your act again.
 
 
>You are Anonymous.
>The one and only human in all of 'Equestria'.
>At least, that's what the stack of coins you found claimed the realm was called.
>Figures that the name would be horse related. Can't possibly imagine what other names might pop up.
>While you might not be necessarily stuck in this room against your will any more, you've decided against leaving.
>You don't want to spark another panic and find yourself in even more hot water.
>That purple horse kept saying something about working on a portal, but you weren't sure you trusted her words.
>Nonetheless, staying in one place so she can find you might be the best course of action.
>Fortunately, or perhaps conveniently, you'd found a stash of dried foods in one of the crates (and a tap elsewhere in the room), so you weren't completely screwed over by your choice.
>It does little to alleviate your boredom, however.
>Your thoughts stray to home, to the real world. To your real world.
>Hell, assuming you weren't stuck in a dream within a dream, your parents were probably going berserk trying to figure out where you were.
>Trying to figure out what happened to you when they inevitably find out you've completely vanished from the face of the Earth.
>Oh god.
>You never thought you'd miss them this much.
>You've always wanted your freedom, but this...
>Being forcibly taken away from all that you know is more than a few steps too far.
>You shook your head. You weren't going to get caught up on this train of thought.
 
 
>A few light taps on the door reach your ears.
>After the first couple of attempts to get you to leave, you've come to expect Twilight Sparkle to come knocking, like clockwork.
>You talked, but realizing she wasn't going to achieve anything alone, she decided to bring a new companion each time to try and coax you out.
>Of each of her friends, only the one she called Fluttershy came close to succeeding. Her voice was so soft and calming, like that of a mother...
>No. You made up your mind. You weren't leaving. Not yet.
>"Mister human?"
>You jump, as if you'd been shocked by static electricity.
>"You there?"
>It's that mare! The one that helped you out! You'd recognize that voice anywhere.
>You get to your feet and quickly push aside your barricade just enough so you could peek out.
>The mare yelps a little as the door creaks on its hinges, but quickly recovers.
"Hello." You say somewhat awkwardly, hidden in the dark.
>"H-hi there." She replies with a degree of uncertainty.
>She can't see you from where you're crouched, but you catch a full glimpse of the mare.
>She looks... stunning, more radiant. Different to how you saw her last.
>Her mouth opens, but you get there first.
"I never really thanked you for what you did back there."
>She begins to say something, but stops, carefully considering her words.
>"Um, if it's okay with you... could you come out here? You can thank me properly..."
>You almost shut the door in her face, but stop yourself.
>It's alright. She helped us out.
>But what if this is some trick, brain?
>You look at the mare again.
>She's fidgeting on the spot, clearly uncomfortable with how this conversation is playing out.
>Do you really believe so, Anon? Really?
>...
"What's your name?" You ask innocently.
>That's a start Anon. Keep going.
>She puts on a brave smile, before answering your question in a firm tone.
>"Morning Glory. And you?"
"You can call me... Anon."
>"Anon..."
>She gets a bit more comfortable.
>Okay. Good.
>Slowly, the two of you start talking.
 
 
>The two of you spend a couple of hours this way, talking through the small gap in the doorway.
>Gradually, Morning Glory starts to warm up to you.
>For a while, you dominate the conversation, asking as many questions as you could.
>She answers as best as she can.
>You ask about Equestria (you got that bit right through your intuition), and learn about how its denizens live in peace and harmony with one another.
>She tells you about ponies and cutie marks, which designate your special talent in life is, how it's meant to be your destiny.
"You've got me curious..." You say honestly. "What's your special talent?"
>The beautiful mare falls quiet at your words, a sad frown forming on her lips.
>"I, um... I don't have a cutie mark." She mutters.
>You take a sly look at her flanks and realize you dun goofed.
>Think Anon, you can salvage this.
>You bite your lip.
"For what it's worth, Glory, I don't think it matters."
>Her head perks up.
>"How does it not matter?" She asks sharply, the beginnings of tears forming in her eyes. "You have no idea what I've been through because of it!"
>Oh no.
>"Ponies treat me... Like I'm lower than dirt. Like I'm different..."
>No. You don't want to see this.
>"And you think it's not imp-"
>You push the crates aside with all your strength, enough that you can step out and wrap your arms around the bawling mare, letting her cry into your chest.
"I'm sorry." You mutter into her mane. "I didn't know."
>The two of you sit there in a tight embrace for a few minutes.
"But it doesn't matter what some butt tattoo says." You say softly, making her meet your gaze. "I'm glad to have met you. You're a better pony than you realize."
>"You mean it?" Glory whispers.
"Yeah. No matter what anyone says, you have a kinder heart than any other pony I've met."
>You mean every one of those words sincerely.
>The widest smile you've seen her give yet forms on her face.
>Both of you sit there, content. You couldn't ask for anything more.
 
 
>You are Morning Glory.
>And for the first time in a very long while, you feel good about yourself.
>Every evening for the past week, after exhausting your paying customers, you wander around back to Anon's hideout for another chat.
>The two of you often joke around, enjoying each others company, undisturbed by the greater universe.
>He tells you about his homeworld, a place he calls Earth.
>You hear about how humans around the world are connected with one another through this giant thing he calls the internet.
>How it helps him see the best in humanity, things that give him hope.
"That sounds wonderful..." You say wistfully. "I wish I lived on Earth."
>"The world is a harsh, terrible place." He mutters, looking distantly at the sky.
"Why?" You ask.
>Anon doesn't meet your gaze.
>"There is much evil out there." He says slowly. "Evil you could never comprehend."
"Anon..."
>"I just pray it never finds its way here and hurts you."
>You stop there, feeling the hesitancy radiating from Anon. It's okay, you won't push him.
>You may have been through a lot in your life, but you can't imagine what he's been through in the past few days, let alone the things he must've seen in his past.
>"You're too important to me..."
>For a time, you both sit together quietly, basking in each other's company.
>Eventually, the time comes for you to leave, back to your cardboard box. You get to your hooves and say your goodbye for now.
>"Glory."
>You stop and look at your human friend.
>"You don't have to go."
>Anon gives you that heartfelt smile that was just infectious.
>He spreads his arms, which you leap headlong into, gripping him in a firm embrace.
>Neither of you say anything. You don't want to spoil the moment.
>You think you might be in love.
 
 
>You are Anonymous.
>Lying fast asleep right beside you, was Morning Glory, the most beautiful soul you've ever met.
>She looked so damn cute too, snuggling against your arm, all wrapped in your hoodie like a Christmas present.
>Tonight will probably be the happiest night she's had in a long, long time.
>Knock knock.
>That's why it breaks your heart as you gently shake her loose in order to open the door.
>"Anonymous. It's time." Twilight whispers.
>You nod gravely.
>You'd been dreading this moment.
>Only a couple of days ago, Twilight had told you she had successfully managed to conjure up a portal which she calculated would lead back to Earth.
>You had asked for, and been granted, just a little more time to make things right.
>Your eyes turn back to the sleeping mare.
"Twilight. Can I have just one last moment?" You ask.
>The Princess sees the anguish on your face, knowing what must be running through your mind.
>She nods once.
>Thank you, Twilight Sparkle.
>Quietly, you kneel down beside your mare friend...
>...and softly press your lips to hers with a sweet kiss.
>That positively glowing smile she gives in her sleep just melts your heart.
>"Anon."
>You allow Twilight to gently pull you away, out the door.
>It was time.
>A thought crosses your mind.
"Twilight, can I ask you for a favour?"
>You bend over, whispering something in the Princess's ear.
>She grins.
 
 
"No..."
>You are Morning Glory.
>After you'd had time of your life, you awake to find Anonymous, that strange human you're proud to call a friend, missing.
"No!"
>You can't believe it.
>Anon is... gone.
>Just gone. Whisked away before you could even say goodbye.
>Beside you is a rolled scroll which you carefully unravel, tears forming in your eyes.
>A small stack of bits and a silver key fall out, clattering on the floorboards.
>You ignore them for now, wiping the tears away so you can read the message.
>It reads:
"Ms Glory,
Please come as soon as practicable. Enclosed is a key and 20 bits."
>There's no name on the scroll.
>You sit there crying for a little while, broken like a filly's plaything.
 
 
>Eventually, you stagger your way over to the address written on a paper tag attached to the key.
>It's a job. You have no choice.
>You reach the venue by the time the sun starts to rise.
>It's a small cottage not far from the outskirts of town.
>You take a look around. It's quite homely from the outside. Small, humble...
>You fiddle the key around in the lock until you hear it click before entering.
>Nopony springs out and attacks you so far. That's a good sign.
>Up ahead of you, a lone lit candle stands vigil atop a finely carved dining table.
>A tiny amount of sunlight filters through the closed curtains, casting shadows through the darkened room.
>Cautiously, you take a few steps forward, taking a seat at the table when you get close enough.
>Atop the table surface, you find three scrolls and a small sack.
>You take the closest scroll and unroll it, reading it aloud.
"Let it be known and proclaimed that Morning Glory is recorded as the true and legal owner of-"
>You almost choke upon your words.
>You quickly grab the second scroll and open it up.
"Dear Morning Glory, we are pleased to offer you a position with..."
>You're trembling. Veritably quaking in Anon's hoodie jacket.
>Your hooves slowly unravel the last of the scrolls.
 
 
Morning Glory,
I know you're upset. You have every right to be. I'm so sorry.
But you're a strong mare.
Your world is a wonderful place.
It doesn't matter what anypony says.
Believe in yourself.
Be the best pony that you can be.
Take this second chance.
No regrets.
Know that what we had was real.
I'll never forget you.
~Anon
 
 
>You smile.
>You don't try to stop the waterworks flowing from your eyes this time.
>These tears of happiness...
"Anon..." You whisper to your best friend, lost in space and time to you.
>You won't forget him.
>The human who changed your life irrevocably.
>You'll take this second chance.
>For him.
>For yourself.
 
END