>”Because, Anon, you don’t need to bring a lethal weapon to a party.”
>After a nice dinner made and provided by Twilight’s assistant Spike the Dragon, you and Twilight depart for Fluttershy’s cottage.
>She, however, insisted you leave your blade behind.
I was always told to keep my weapon on me at all times…
>She giggles.
>”Perhaps in Canterlot, maybe. But here in P0nyville…? Trust me, you’ll be fine without it for an evening.”
>You look over to your left hip.
>It feels so bare without your sheathe.
>…only one evening.
>The sun is beginning to set, and a beautiful dusk is bathed over P0nyville.
>The pathway down towards Fluttershy’s cottage is truly breathtaking.
>Trees line the path, and all sorts of animals mingle and play together.
>Their noises, chirps, and scurrying reverberate throughout the air around you.
>Birds, squirrels, rabbits…
>…a bear?
>You and Twilight halt in your tracks.
>A large grizzly bear stands on the pathway, just before Fluttershy’s cottage.
>Your muscles tense and you raise your guard as your eyes lock with this creature.
>It looks incredibly angry.
>Twilight takes notice of your change of position.
>”Oh, don’t worry Anon. It’s just Mr. Bear.”
>You look over to her quickly before setting your eyes back onto the beast.
Mr. Bear? It has a name?
>She nods, also gazing to the rather upset looking animal.
>”Yes, he’s one of Fluttershy’s animals,” she observes its eyes, “although he does look rather worked up…”
>Mr. Bear growls.
>Suddenly, you can hear a door open not too far.
>”Mr. Bear!” a voice calls.
>The animal drops its gaze from you and turns around.
>The little yellow mare herself flutters out to it.
>”Mr. Bear! What are you doing? Scaring more of my guests?”
>The bear crosses its arms and glares at Fluttershy, growling.
>”Don’t you take that tone with me, mister! Now go play elsewhere, or I’ll make sure you learn your manners the hard way!”
>The bear gives Fluttershy one last glare before setting its eyes on you, then turning around, dropping on all fours, and walking away toward the forest.
>Fluttershy eyes him leave, then flies over to you two.
>”Oh, I’m so sorry about that. I just don’t know what’s gotten into Mr. Bear, but he’s been really naughty as of late…” she says to Twilight
>She turns to you.
>”H-Hello, Anonymous. I’m… glad you could make it…” she smiles bashfully.
>You smile at this awkward display, then bow to her.
Of course, Miss Fluttershy, I’m most honored to attend a gathering at your residence.
>She blushes profusely, then shakes it off.
>”Um, p-please,” she says, extending a hoof to her house, “everyp0ny else is already here. They’re all dying to meet you…”
>You look down to Twilight.
>She smiles up at you.
>”Well, shall we?” She asks.
But of course.
>Fluttershy leads you and your mentor into her cottage.
>It’s a small, quaint place, with the soothing smell of animals blanketing the atmosphere.
>As you enter, you see four other p0nies mingling around a tapped barrel.
>”Th-This is my home, Anonymous…” Fluttershy mutters to you, “d-do you like it?”
>You smile to her.
It’s a very nice cottage, Miss Fluttershy. I—
>”Oh Anonymous!~” a voice interrupts.
>You snap your attention from Fluttershy and look to where your name was called.
>A white unicorn swishing a wine glass with her magic begins sauntering over.
Miss Rarity?
>Oh my, this flirtatious mare is here?
>Twilight turns to you.
>”Oh, you’ve met Rarity already as well?”
>You look down to her.
Well, um, yes. I had the pleasure of—
>You feel your hand coat in magic before being tugged strongly.
>You nearly stumble as Rarity pulls you toward the tapped keg and the rest of the girls.
>You glance back to the p0nies you entered with.
>Twilight is smiling, talking to her company as she looks at you.
>Fluttershy is…
>…well, she looks…
>…angry?
>Why would she be—
>”La~adies,” Rarity calls, interrupting your train of thought.
>She already sounds pretty tipsy.
>”This here’s Anonymous, the BRAVE knight who saved the Crusaders from that vicious timerwolf!”
>The other mares eye you up and down, as if comparing your feat to your appearance.
>You laugh nervously at the fluffed-up mention of your deed.
>”I dunno…” a blue pegasus calls out.
>She flies up to your eye level, getting right in your face, looking into your eyes.
>”He seems a little scrawny… how could a guy like this take on an alpha timberwolf?”
>You back up a bit from her sudden advance, a little flustered and overwhelmed.
>”Rainbow Dash!” an accented voice yells to her, “show some respect!”
>The blue pegasus, Rainbow Dash, flattens her eyebrows and flutters to the side.
>An orange p0ny in a cowboy hat glares at her, before approaching you, taking off her headpiece, and placing it over her chest.
>”Mr. Anonymous, I just want ta thank ye from the bottom of mah heart for savin’ ma little sister Applebloom.”
>That accent…
>Ah, the little yellow filly.
>You smile,
>And do a courteous bow.
Of course, Miss. I only did what anybody else would have done.
>The orange p0ny blushes a little.
>”Wow, he’s a courteous one!” the pink p0ny in the corner chirps, bouncing up and down.
>You smile, about to speak:
>”I know, isn’t he a DREAM?”
>Before being interrupted by Rarity.
>She still has a grip on your hand with magic.
>”Come Anonymous,” she says, taking a sip of her drink, “you MUST have a drink of wine with me.”
Oh,
>You say, finally squirming your hand from her grip.
I’m sorry, Miss, but I don’t partake in any alcohol.
>They all stare at you for a short time, then look at each other, smiling a little.
>”Why not, Anonymous?” the orange one asks.
Well…
>Twilight and Fluttershy have finally come over to join the crowd.
Alcohol can have a negative effect on any spells cast, or almost negate magic completely…
>You look over to Rarity, who seems to be having a little trouble holding her glass up.
…or so I’ve been told.
>You think you hear Rainbow Dash snicker.
Plus, I… don’t think I’d trust myself under the effects of it.
>…
>The p0nies are silent
>…That was meant to be a joke.
>Perhaps it went over their heads…
>”He’s right, you know,” Twilight adds in,
>As she’s tapping the keg of cider, ironically.
>”But we aren’t practicing or studying, Anon. Are you sure you don’t want to try a drink?”
>You shake your head and laugh a bit.
Master Spellweave wouldn’t be pleased.
>Twilight smiles.
>”Okay Anon, if you’re sure.”
>The orange p0ny laughs.
>”T’s alright. Took us a bit ta break Twi here, too.”
>Twilight smiles.
>”And even then, I don’t drink that much…”
>”That’s cuz yer a lightweight!”
>The p0nies all laugh.
>You laugh as well.
>These six p0nies are quite the merry bunch.
>”Applejack, by the way,” the orange mare says, holding out her hoof.
>You smile, and grab it, giving it a shake.
It’s a pleasure.
>The other p0nies all introduce themselves as well.
 
>Once everyone is settled in, Pinkie Pie brings out the snacks and party materials, really livening the place up.
>The music gets going, the p0nies get drinking, and you mostly lean against the wall, arms crossed, head bobbing to the beat.
>It’s quite a catchy tune.
>You observe your new friends.
>Applejack seems fairly coherent for how much cider she’s had.
>You expected this much, she seems like the kind of p0ny to hold her alcohol.
>Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash aren’t much worse for wear, but you can see the added fluidity in their motion.
>Twilight Sparkle, your mentor, is really… tearing up the dance floor…
>She looks horrendously silly.
>You try your best to stifle a laugh as you watch her go.
>Fluttershy seems…
>Actually, she seems to be stumbling her way over to you right now…
>You get up off the wall to greet your tipsy equine friend.
Hello, Miss Fluttershy,
>You say as she finally plants her hooves down in front of you.
>She looks up at you with her big teal eyes and a smile on her face.
 I trust you’re having a good time?
>She hiccups a little.
>”Oh, definitely,” she slurs out, “I just love a good get-together with my friends.”
>You look over to the p0nies once more.
>Applejack seems to be trying to get Rarity, clearly the most intoxicated, to cease her wine drinking.
>It doesn’t seem to be going over well.
>You smile a bit, then look back down to Fluttershy.
I can see why.
>She grins, then sways a bit before letting loose a small giggle.
>”You know…” she says, raising her hoof and placing it on your stomach.
>You look down to her hoof, but don’t really react to it.
> The barmaids back home used to get a little touchy in the tavern when they’d have a few as well.
>It doesn’t ever mean anything.
> “I’m usually a… pretty shy p0ny…”
>You laugh outwardly at this.
Dear Fluttershy, I gathered as much from the moment I met you.
>She snorts a quick laugh.
>”Yes, but… you know, I don’t have to be... always…”
>You feel her hoof glide down slowly past your belt.
>…What?
>You reflexively snatch it with your hand, holding it still.
>You raise your eyebrow at her.
>She giggles.
Miss Fluttershy, what are you—
>”Heya, Anonymous!” you hear called from across the room.
>Both you and Fluttershy guide your attention to the voice.
>It was Applejack.
>”Kin ya come over here for a spell?”
>You nod your head at her, then look to Fluttershy and guide her hoof away from you.
>”We’ll talk about this later… mkay?” she says with half lidded eyes.
>You look questionably at Fluttershy.
Okay…
>You leave your spot and walk toward Applejack, keeping your eyes on Fluttershy as you do so, until your head no longer desires to turn and you look away.
>…that most definitely had to be the alcohol talking.
>Fluttershy doesn’t seem like that at all.
>Not like…
>You sigh a bit, then let out a soft laugh.
>Her.
>Ohh boy…
>”Sorry to bother you, Anonymous,” Applejack says.
>Rarity is on the floor, laughing at something that isn’t clear to either you or, by the looks of it, Applejack.
>”She’s had a little much, and I’m tryin’ ta make sure she won’t have no more.”
>You look down to her and laugh a little.
That sounds like a fine idea.
>”Yessir,” she responds, “but Ah have to go to the little filly’s room sum’n fierce, and Ah don’t want her drinkin’ none while Ah’m gone. You’re sober, right?”
>You nod.
>”Kin ya keep an eye on her for a bit while Ah’m gone?”
It would be my pleasure, Applejack.
>She smiles.
>”Thank ya kindly, Anonymous. Ah’ll be back lickety split!”
>And with that, she trots quickly off around the corner, presumably to the main floor bathroom.
>You turn and look at Rarity, still laughing on the ground.
>The laughter is contagious.
How much have you had to drink, Miss?
>You say with an air of playfulness as Rarity climbs back onto her hooves.
>”ONLY a few glasses, Anonymous…” she slurs.
>She charges up her horn, her magical aura coating the half full wine bottle across from her.
>The spell fails, and the bottle simply shakes back and forth.
>She puts on a pouting expression.
>”I’m just going to have… one more…”
>She gives up on magic and reaches over with her hooves, grabbing the bottle and going for a swig.
>You spring into action.
Oooh no you don’t.
>You say, gripping the bottle as well.
>”It’s just a si~ip, Anonymous!”
Not even a sip!
>You struggle back and forth with the bottle for a moment,
>Until your grip is lost, and Rarity snags it from your hands.
>The force causes the contents to swish up and out of the bottle, pouring onto Rarity’s head and mane.
>She immediately gasps and looks to you with shocked eyes, as if it were your fault.
>You freeze in place, not sure what to say.
>They’re so full of sadness…
>”Ano~onymous, look what you’ve done!”
I didn’t… I mean… Miss Rarity, my deepest apologies!
>She shakes her head sloppily at you.
>”That’s NO way to treat a lady… come, you MUST help me clean this up RIGHT now…!”
>She attempts to coat your hand in magic, yet fails again.
>Instead, she wraps her hoof around your wrist and tugs you violently toward the staircase.
O-Of course, Miss Rarity…
>You DO feel bad for spilling wine on her.
>That was most rude of you.
>The least you could do is help her get it out of her mane.
>She stomps up the stairs, grip on you, as you awkwardly bend over walking with her.
>Once at the top of the stairs, she marches down the hallway.
>Out of your peripheral vision, you think you see yourself pass the bathroom.
Miss Rarity,
>You say, eyes locked to the room you can no longer see into,
I think we may have just passed where we can—
>”Hush dear!”
>She says, letting go of your arm and pushing you into a dark room.
>It was actually rather forceful, and you stumble a bit before catching yourself.
>The room is dark, and you can’t make out a whole lot.
>But with the assistance of the moonlight, you can see the outline of a bed and dresser.
>Oh… this must be Fluttershy’s room.
>How impolite of you to be in here without her permission.
>The sound of a door closing grabs your attention.
>You twist your head around to the source of the noise.
>Rarity is sauntering over toward you.
>You’ve already long ago clued in to what was going on.
>You let out a tired sigh and raise your hands up, palms toward her.
Look Miss Rarity, I really don’t think that—
>”No.”
>She stands onto her hind legs and slams hard into your chest with her forelegs.
>You go tumbling back, calves tripping over the edge of the bed, falling perfectly chest-up onto the mattress.
>Rarity doesn’t waste a second hopping up and climbing on top of you.
>”No talking. No cleaning. You’re mine.”
>She brings her head down quickly, firmly planting her lips onto yours.
>Your eyes widen with surprise.
>You can feel her tongue trying to part your lips.
>You twist your head quickly to break the kiss, then plant your forearm under her forelegs and press up, easily lifting her up and away.
>She thrashes at you, horn flashing on and off as she tries desperately to get back to you.
Miss Rarity!
>You yell finally, once the initial shock of what she actually did wears off.
Please, control yourself! What is the meaning of this?
>She flails her forelegs over your forearm for a second more, before stopping abruptly and launching herself backward.
>She lands right between your legs and begins gnawing at your belt.
>You instantly sit up and grasp her head, prying it off.
Miss Rarity, please!
>She focuses away from your crotch and meets your eyes.
>They encapsulate drunken lust.
>”Anonymous…” she groans.
>But her slurred speech is cut short.
>A large crash, followed by several screams, is heard from downstairs.
>Both you and Rarity dart your heads toward the door.
>Another crash.
>You nearly fling the white mare off of you as you race over to the door, swinging it open and rushing downstairs.
>You arrive on the main floor and observe the area.
>The table of snacks has been flipped over and the door is torn off its hinges.
>The p0nies are all outside, wide eyed and mouths agape.
>They look terrified.
>”Mr. Bear, please calm down!” you hear.
>You rush outside to meet the other p0nies.
What’s happening?!
>You bellow as you slide next to them.
>”Mr. Bear’s gone haywire!” Applejack yells.
>You dart your eyes over to the small field next to the cottage.
>Fluttershy is fluttering around a large chaotic mass, pleading with it to cease its actions.
>The bear swats out with his arm, knocking Fluttershy up into the air then down in front of you all.
>Rainbow Dash rushes over to see if she’s okay.
>”Twilight!” she beckons as she does, “Can’t you do anything about that rampaging grizzly?”
>…no, she can’t.
>You can already see it.
>Twilight is attempting to cast all manner of spells, but nothing is working for her.
>”I… I can’t!”
>The p0nies gasp.
>Mr. Bear roars loudly and darts his head around to meet your watchful eyes.
>They’re so full of… anger, and… hatred…
>Fluttershy begins to get up, rubbing her sore head.
>You look to all the terrified p0nies…
>Twilight looks over to you.
>You can see it in her scared eyes.
>…you know.
>You step forward and whip your arm out in front of the p0nies.
Stay back! I’ll handle this!
>They don’t argue, and quickly back up to a safer distance.
>The bear slowly stomps toward you, growling under its breath, before standing still and uttering a deep, primal roar at you.
>You swing your hand over to your left hip.
>…empty!?
>You dart your head and look.
>Oh no, that’s right!
>You look back.
>Well, no blade this time…
>No matter, you shouldn’t need it!
>Approaching the creature slowly, your eye Mr. Bear’s once more.
>You have a small stand-off as you both size each other up in that open field.
>Your eyes meet…
…BRONTE!
>You yell, whipping out your fingers in front of you.
>Blue streams of electricity jet from your fingertips toward the grizzly.
>He quickly sidesteps it, narrowly avoiding your quick attack.
>Your bolts scrape and dance against the field and a few trees before you tighten your hand to a fist and bring it close to you again, ceasing the spell.
>”No, Anonymous, please!” you hear yelled from behind you.
>You whip your head around to see a pleading Fluttershy.
>”Please, don’t hurt him!”
>Don’t hurt him!?
>”Anon, look out!!” Twilight bellows.
>You dart your head around just in time to see Mr. Bear charging at you.
>He rugby tackles you, bowling you completely over.
>You slam hard into the ground on your back, then flip over quickly, propped up on one knee.
>Dammit! Don’t hurt him? How are you going to manage that?!
>You only know combat spells!
>You haven’t practiced any non-lethal ones!
>Mr. Bear begins to follow up his attack, bringing a sharp clawed paw down straight for you.
>You dive out of the way, rolling back up onto your feet.
>Okay, non-lethal spells! Non-lethal spells! You KNOW you’ve read the names of a few of them!
>The bear charges once more, stabbing forward with his paw.
>You leap backward just in time, then sidestep another vertical claw before being batted by his other arm.
>The hit was forceful, and you fling to the ground and drag across it for a bit.
>You grit your teeth and climb back to your feet once more.
>This bear looks terrifyingly angry.
>What could have caused this?
>He lets out another guttural roar and charges once more.
>Your mind is in a scramble.
>You HAVE to know a few!
>Think!
>…ah!
>You dive out of the way of another tackle attempt.
>Here goes nothing!
>You roll on the ground then launch to your feet.
>You open your palm toward the bear and yell:
LUMEN!
>A blinding light erupts from your palm.
>The entire landscape in front of you is flashed, and Mr. Bear begins to cry out as he presses into his eyes, trying to relieve the pain you’ve inflicted.
>Nice job!
>But you aren’t through yet!
>You briefly cup your hands to your side, then rocket them out together towards your foe:
VENTUS!
>Your hands almost launch back into your chest as a forceful wind is jet from your palms.
>It bowls over the towering creature in front of you, his body crashing down hard into the earth below.
>But he’ll just get up again if you don’t do something…!
>…yes!
>You sprint over as quickly as you can, flinging yourself up onto Mr. Bear, straddling his chest.
>You clasp your hand down onto his head, right over his eyes and forehead.
>Here we go!:
SOMNUS!
>A pink aura glows softly from your hand, seeping into the skull of the angry grizzly.
>He twitches his nose and darts his head left and right, before slowly lidding his eyes and passing out.
>The towering creature snores loudly as he snoozes on the grass.
>…you did it.
>You pant loudly, stepping off of the hulking mass as you try to catch your breath.
>The sound of galloping hooves is soon upon you.
>Your neck is assaulted by yellow forelegs.
>”Oh Anonymous, you truly ARE a hero!” Fluttershy bellows as she wraps you in a tight hug.
>You’re taken a bit by surprise, then let out a relieving laugh, gripping her hooves and prying them off of you.
>The other four p0nies soon approach you too.
>”WOW, Anonymous! That was SO cool!” Rainbow shouts. “I can’t believe I ever doubted you!”
>Twilight trots up with a shocked look on her face.
>”Anon… you never told me you could perform THOSE spells…”
>You pause for a moment, then scratch behind your head and laugh a bit.
Well… I didn’t really know I could…
>She reels back in surprise.
>”What!?”
>You straighten yourself out a bit, taking a slightly more serious tone.
I’ve read them in a few spellbooks before… but that’s about it. I’ve never practiced them or anything.
>Her mouth gapes even wider.
>”Anon, that’s… that’s INCREDIBLE! How do you even…?”
>She gasps again and lowers her eyes to the ground, trying to make head or tail of the situation.
>Applejack steps in, “Well, when it comes down to it, we should all be thankful Anonymous wus here t’ help us.”
>You nod your head to AJ, as if to thank her.
>She returns it.
>”Still, Ah wonder…” she says, walking over to the snoozing grizzly. “Whatch’all think made Mr. Bear here act all crazy?”
>Fluttershy flies over, looking at her animal friend.
>”I… I don’t know! He’s NEVER acted like that before!”
>You walk over, arms crossed, in thought.
His eyes.
>You state.
>The other p0nies look to you.
Never before have I seen a creature with those eyes. Beacons of hatred and malice…
>You think it over some more.
And Mr. Bear is normally a passive creature?
>Fluttershy looks to you, then nods slowly.
>You exhale a lung-full of breath.
Most curious…
>You and the others share a moment of silence, the air thick with puzzlement.
>”Well, let’s not worry about it now,” Applejack says. “I think we ought ta call it a night after that.”
>She looks up to the second floor of the house.
>”…’Spose I’M the one who’ll have ta carry Rarity home…”
>The other p0nies break the air of seriousness with a hearty laugh.
>You laugh a bit as well.
>But your mind…
>You look over to the bear.
>…is still troubled.
 
>The sun just begins to rise over the landscape, offering what little morning light it can in the room.
>You read over the lines carefully, turning the page when you need to, or rereading certain parts.
>The door slowly opens as Spike enters with a steaming cup, placing it on the table next to you.
>”Here you go, Anon. I brought you some tea.”
>You look up to the dragon from your book, and smile.
Thank you, Spike.
>You say, gripping the cup and blowing the steam from the top.
>You take a sip.
>It’s delicious.
>”Any time, man.” Spike replies.
>He notices your concentration, and quietly leaves the room.
>You continue reading, taking sips of your warm tea periodically.
>After a few more moments, the door opens once again.
>Twilight Sparkle reveals herself from behind it, slowly walking into the room as she holds a hoof to her head.
>”I think I’ll hold out on drinking for a while…” she says as she approaches you.
>You dart your eyes to her, your heart almost skipping a beat.
Y-Yeah… maybe…
>You sputter, closing the book in front of you.
>She notices this, and raises an eyebrow.
>”What are you reading, Anon?”
>She gets closer to check out the tome in front of you.
N-Nothing!
>You say, but your cover is already blown.
>Twilight scans the cover, then flips the book open and breezes through a few pages.
>”Levitation… manipulation… Anon… are you reading over… practical spells?”
>She closes the book and looks over to you perplexed.
>”I thought you said you don’t focus on these?”
>You smile bashfully and try to think of a quick reply.
>Twilight looks at you puzzled, before something clicks in her mind, and she smiles.
…What…?
>She shakes her head.
>”Nothing, Anon…”
>She looks back down to the book.
>”You know, we don’t ONLY need to go over combat spells… if you want to get training in simple ones too, you can.”
>She looks back up and smiles at you.
>At first, you’re a little embarrassed.
>Then, her heartwarming smile and calming eyes set in.
>Your shocked heart melts, and you feel absolutely comfortable with her.
…Sure, Twilight. I’d love that.
>She smiles back.
>”Okay,” she says, levitating the book and leaving the room. “We will. Be ready for today’s lessons in two hours, okay?”
>You nod your head happily.
Of course.
 
End of Part 2