>Day Calypso Music Montage. In Equestria.
>You've been out of work so long.
>On and off due to getting hurt.
>Or legal crap.
>And recently four days on a train with the Pink One.
>But this past week?
>This past week was good.
>Repaired a leak in the roof at Sugarcube Corner.
>Repaired a broken door at the Schoolhouse.
>Fixed a cart with a broken wheel and got a bag of cherries for that.
>No intrusions by other ponies, which is shocking.
>Pinkie Pie has been giving you some cookies
>At least whenever you work late for the Cakes.
>Twilight Sparkle's been out and about
>But not bothering you.
>Rarity had you move a shipment of something or other across town.
>Easy money.
>No Rainbow Dash
>That's disconcerting.
>No Fluttershy
>That's...a shame.
>She used to be unbearable.
>But you gave her a shot.
>And she's helped you out a lot if you think about it.
>Fucking Fluttershy, where are you?
>Wait, you're almost forgetting somepony.
 
>"Well howdy there sugarcube!"
>Oh right, Applejack. Sheesh.
>Haven't seen her in forever.
>You're hauling a bag of ginger, a big ol'bag'o'ginger to the Cakes.
"Oh. Hey Applejack, how've you been?"
>"How've I been? How've you been? Shoot, ain't seen you since yer little hoedown went sixways south on a sunday."
"I...actually don't know what that means. But hey, since I've got you here--I kinda wanted to apologize for being a jag to you at Festivus."
>"Water under the bridge, sweetpea."
"Oh. Well. That was easy. Hey, I know winter's sort of your off season, but any chance you guys need an extra hand over at Sweet Apple Acres?"
>She rubs the back of her head with a hoof.
>"Well, I'm sure we can find someplace to put you."
>This week has been very profitable.
>Things are going your way.
>And Fate's not going to interfere
>You hear that fate?
>You need that money, okay fate?
>If you interfere, I'm going to beat you to death.
>With a hammer.
 
>Finish making your deliveries.
>You've been working multiple jobs a day when possible.
>Ponies waste a lot of time working on a single task.
>Which might be fine for them.
>But multi-tasking and making multiple deliveries
>Or several repairs at various locations a day
>Have given you a grand total of 480 bits this week.
>Given you are usually going for 20 or 15 for a whole day
>This is a big fucking deal.
>Tomorrow you're going to buy some new clothing.
>From Rarity, not from the thrift store.
>You'll look like someone who isn't from 16 Candles.
>For once in god knows how long.
>Go home.
>Close doors.
>Close windows.
>Lock both.
>Blinds down.
>Move bed.
>Hide money under floorboards under the bed.
>You're not paranoid.
>You just really want to not suffer some immediate loss of wealth.
>Wait for it.
>Wait for it.
>No schadenfreude.
>You're just so happy.
>Move bed back to normal.
>Everything is turning up Anon~
>Go to sleep.
 
>Sweet Apple Acres isn't exactly beautiful in winter.
>But if anything it looks like spring's coming soon.
>Doing some plumbing work in the basement.
>"Anon, how come you got them weird hooves?"
>Applebloom is supervising.
"They're called hands."
>"Are those little legs with hooves on like..ah normal hoof?"
>You look at your hands as you work with your toolbox.
>You've never really thought about it that way.
>That's sort of uncomfortable to think about.
"What would a plumbing supervision cutie mark look like Applebloom?"
>Her eyes light up like a kid in a candy shop.
>"Ooo~ I bet it'll have like... ah Hat and ah Wrench and ah Golden Star!"
"Well what if it's a toilet?"
>You snicker.
"Or worse, what if it looks like a--"
>She pouts.
>"Shoot Mr. Anon, you ruined this."
"Applebloom, I will never figure out your fascination with butt tattoos."
>"That's cus you don't have one either!"
"Yeah, in Human-land we get pieces of paper that say what we're good at."
>"I thought y'all got shot at by robots and stuff."
>Your lesson stuck with them.
>Anonymous, shaping the minds of future generations.
"When we aren't fighting the cylon menace, we get pieces of paper."
>She seems to poo-poo that whole idea.
>Cutie marks are weird.
 
"Hey, you seen Fluttershy around lately?"
>Applebloom has a big grin on her face.
>"Why you askin' Anon? I thought you didn't like her~"
>You recognize that tone.
>What's to follow is a K-I-S-S-I-N-Shut-the-fuck-up.
"I haven't seen her around in a little over a week."
>She gives you a look like she's on to your shit.
>"You like Fluttershy, don'tcha Anon?"
>What, did someone send out a memo?
>Wait.
>These ponies like to gossip.
"Who told you that?"
>"Uhm..."
>You stop your work and set down your tools.
"I'm not mad. This isn't like the whole...What was it, Gabby Gums, thing."
>She looks upset now.
>"How come you know about that!"
"I spent four hours repairing the printing machine. Your Editor-In-Chief had nothing better to talk about."
>That might've been mean.
"Hey, I'm just asking who you heard it from."
>"Are ya gonna crew-sa-fy me on that Tree of Woe?"
>Wow. Your lesson is really sticking with those kids.
>Probably should've left out Conan the Barbarian.
"I can't turn into a snake monster so I don't have the authority to do so."
 
>She perks up.
>"Okay! Well I heard it from Scootaloo who heard it from Sweetie Belle who heard it from Rarity-"
>Oh god.
>"And Rarity says not to say that she heard it from Rainbow Dash, who was none to pleased as punch if you-"
>People really don't have anything better to do.
>"And she heard it from Spike who said you were weird who heard it from Zecora who heard it from the Mayor-"
"The Mayor is in on this?"
>"She's a pony not a robot, Anon! Sheesh! And she heard it from Twilight who was being all mopey and she said-"
>Maybe she'll get a cutie mark in annoying.
"Applebloom, do you know who said it originally?"
>"Well that'd by my sister, duh!"
>What.
>You haven't talked to Applejack in almost forever anyway.
>Least of all about this crap.
>And you don't like her.
>Well, you do like her.
>You just don't want to fuck her.
>Or believe in all this goofy crap about love.
"Why'd she say that?"
>"Cus it's true, isn't it?"
>She's got a smug face.
>You might just crucify her to the tree of woe.
"Go turn the water back on, I need to go talk to your sister."
 
>Applejack's nursing a cup of warm cider at the dinner table.
>Bic Mac is probably off in town selling apples.
>No Granny Smith to be seen.
>Applebloom runs past you once your out of the basemen
>Something about wanting to see if she got an ugly toilet cutie-mark
>"Well you fix those pipes for me, sugarcube?"
"Pipes are fixed."
>Applejack's got a pleasant enough smile.
>She sips.
"Word around town is you're telling people I like Fluttershy."
>She sets her cup down.
>"Word is that's correct, last I heard."
>Pull up a chair and sit down.
>Across from her.
>Eye contact is important.
>She sips. And grins.
>"Somethin' wrong with that, Anonymous?"
"Why're you all so damn interested in my life? I'm just trying to get by."
>"S'just gossip, Anonymous."
"Yeah, but why me?"
>"Cus we know yer about two days away from going evil on us."
>This again. Christ.
"Twilight already cleared me on the whole seed of evil bull crap; so I'd really appreciate it if my personal life wasn't much of your concern."
>She sips again.
>"That's some darn good cider."
"I'm sure it is."
 
>"Now y'all presented about human culture to my sis."
>Well, human culture by way of pop culture reference and spite.
>The only other option was to listen to Twilight's lectures.
>Those are boring.
>Honesty wasn't on the table.
"Which one of the Elements are you again?"
>"Honesty."
>Well, Honesty is at the table. Literally.
>But this is a different situation.
"Did I give her nightmares or something?"
>Applejack laughs wild and full.
>It's a belly laugh, something rich and genuine.
>"That'd be preferred to what I'm dealing with, Anon!"
>She rolls her eyes.
>"I gotta send Bic Mac to market everyday because if not Applebloom will jump up on his back and shout."
>What.
>"She's always goin' 'Who run Sweet Apple Orchard?' and when Big Mac tries to tell her, she says 'Me do!'
>"S'real annoying Anonymous. Apparently yer human leader did that a lot?"
"One of them."
>"Well, she's trying to get her leadership cutie mark that way."
>Applejack sucks down the rest of her cider.
>"But from what I did hear from Twilight about your presentation is that you really are a bit scary."
>This again.
>"I don't think you're scary."
"That's great, but can we get back to talking about Flutt-"
>She cuts you off.
>"I think what's wrong with you is you make OTHER ponies scary."
>What.
>"Just look at Rainbow, she's been acting right strange since yer party!"
 
>Well, there's a point.
>You've managed to allow what had been flirtation turn a friend into a psycho.
>All you did was tell her what you liked.
>And it's not like you demanded anyone change for you.
>Though she did bust your nose.
>And bash your forehead.
>And boil your hand.
>And tongue-fuck your face.
>You're rubbing your scarred hand.
>Subconscious, stop it.
>Applejack runs her hoof around the rim of her glass.
>"Fluttershy went off to speak to an old coach about something cus of you."
"Is that a bad thing?"
>"Well ya'd have to ask Pinkie and Rarity, they were the ones who had to deal with her last time."
>Well it's just a flight coach or something.
>How bad can it be?
>She's not exactly as built as Dash.
>She probably can't beat the shit out of you...
>...even though that might be an arousing prospect.
"Oh. Well, I am sorry about that. I was just sort of being...myself."
>That gets a smile.
>"I bet. Now why don'tcha show me what'cha did to my pipes so I don't have to pay ya the next time they freeze up on me."
 
>You show her the pipes and explain the process.
>It's really not that hard. They've got books about this.
>Like, even here in Equestria.
>The basement is stocked to the brim with cider barrels.
>Bushels of apples to be sold later.
>Work bench with some farming supplies.
>Your toolbox is on it.
>Shelves and shelves Apple preserves.
>"Do ya think yer a bad guy, Anon?"
>Ugh.
>Is it possible to lie to the Element of Honesty.
>You don't know how these super powers work.
"Compared to who?"
>Smart answer.
"It's all relative, Applejack. Compared to you I might look like scum, compared to some evil overlord, I probably look decent enough."
>She smirks and quirks a brow.
>Full on dreamworks face.
>"Decent enough? Compared to some evil overlord?"
"Something might be lost in translation."
>"So are ya bad?"
>Something deep inside you really wants to slap her.
>This job isn't worth that much.
>You only took it because you wanted to help out.
>Even though she already said you guys were square.
"Not in the slightest."
>BAM.
 
>Stars and darkness.
>Open your eyes, Anon.
>Try to move Anon.
>That's something strangling you Anon.
>You stop moving.
>You can't see your face, but you know you're going to have black eye after all this.
>You are freezing.
>"Ya shouldn't lie."
>Fucking Applejack.
>You're coming to your senses now.
>She's got...what is this, a bike lock?
>Since when do these ponies have bikes!
>Well, it's locking you to a damn pillar in the basement.
"Why am I naked?"
>"Clothes was dirty, washin'em."
>She looks you up and down and snickers.
>It's insulting.
>...fucking boner, do not raise for that.
>"Someone's a -lil- excited I see."
>She flicks your dick with her hoof.
>"I knew ya were bad, but this..."
>She laughs.
>"Well shoot, everythin' Fluttershy said bout ya at yer little shindig was right, wasn't it?"
>You're turned on now.
>Despite very much not wanting to be.
>"Sorta expect ya ta have a bigger one. Cus yer so tall."
>She gets right up in your face.
>"I bet'cha wanna kiss me real bad, don'tcha?"
>"Cus yer a bad boy."
 
>This is what we call a self-fulfilling prophecy.
>If you say yes, she can say you do change ponies into--
>Well...This situation sort of emphasizes the whole corrupting thing.
>If you say no
>You're lying.
>Which will probably prove her point because good people don't lie.
>You curse your fetish for being abused.
>Clear your mind.
>You exhale a breath.
"Applejack, if I say no; you'll tell me I'm lying and probably hit me. Again."
>That grin is almost sadistic on her.
>Try not to show her your own predatory smile.
"If I say yes, then your point will be proven. Because Applejack, you're scaring me."
>She frowns.
>"Uh."
"I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, but it's in my best interest not to answer one way or the other."
>"But wait---what?"
"Can you give me my pants back?"
>"Anon, wait--what'er'ya'sayin'?"
>You suck in some air and count to five.
"Applejack, I'm chained by the throat in your basement."
"This is sort of terrifying."
>"Well I was just tryin' ta stop ya from making other ponies scary."
"And that's going so-so-so well."
 
>Applejack just looks at you.
>And then she starts to walk away.
"Applejack, are you getting my clothing?"
>And she goes up the stairs.
"You're not just going to leave me down here, right?"
>And off go the lights.
"Oh fuck me. COME ON!"
>You try to make yourself comfortable.
>Doesn't go so well.
>Wrap your arms around your legs.
>You are quite cold.
>Rural basements are rarely properly insulated.
>You're going to keep calm.
>What's the worst thing that could happen?
>Wait.
>NO.
>STOP IT BRAIN.
>Thinking like that is the opposite of keeping calm.
>Hey.
>Thought Police.
>I just got kidnapped by one of your super friends.
>Fucking help me.
"Fuck it's cold."
>You lose track of time.
>Everything smells of apples.
>Can't see a damn thing.
>It's very cold.
>Nothing to hear but the occasional hoof-steps upstairs.
>You lose track of time.
>Did you already think that?
>It's so damn cold.
>You fade out.
 
>"...well I didn't think it'd kill'em!"
>"Calm down Applejack, you may have done the right..."
>You're not dead.
>Just cold.
>Tired.
>Another face trauma that may as well be another head trauma.
>And you're still locked up tight.
>You open your eyes.
>The lights are on. They hurt.
>Very badly.
>Applejack and Twilight Sparkle are talking.
>You try to get back into the world of the waking.
>"..gonna get banished ta th'Everfree Forest, ain't I?"
>"Calm down--"
>Twilight sees your eyes opening.
>She looks way too happy for this situation.
>"Anon are you with us?"
>You take a breath.
"How long have I been down here?"
>"Bout eight hours."
>Applejack comments, rubbing her hoof against her leg. A bit of shame.
>Eight hours.
>You thought it'd be longer.
>Twilight looks angrily towards Applejack.
>"Applejack, go upstairs. I've got to make sure Anon's okay."
>"Seems okay ta me."
"Can you get this damn thing off my neck?"
>Applejack smiles awkwardly.
>"Yeah, 'suppose I really better get goin'."
>She leaves.
 
"Twilight, get this damn thing off my neck."
>"Are you okay, Anon?"
"Twilight get this thing off of me."
>She raises her voice.
>"She did what?! WELL!"
>She's shouting a few inches away from you.
>She's a terrible actress.
>Like, community theater bad.
"Twilight, what are you doing?"
>She looks at you.
>Well part of you.
>Ah shit, it's this isn't it?
"Twilight, it's called a penis. Stallions have them too, y'know."
>She's blushing.
>How cute.
>Oh wait, no it isn't.
>Because you're a broken plate shard away from that scene in Breaking Bad.
>And it's fucking freezing.
>"Well what's with the head?"
"When I'm -free-, I will tell you."
>"How come it's so small?"
>...
>Boner, do not start.
>She taps it.
>Goddamn it.
"Because it's cold! Now, can you just get this thing off of my neck?"
>"Is it true you like getting hurt?"
>Oh this is going to end well.
>You raise your hands to resist.
 
>Her horn ignites in violet light.
>Your limbs begin to tingle.
>It's very painful to hand your arms pulled as far behind your back as possible.
>Sadly, this is somewhat arousing.
>She magics over some rope from the work bench.
>Arms are bound.
"Twilight, let me go or I swear you will regret it."
>She's taken back by this.
>Being forward and a little threatening can be useful.
>"Oh! This is just foreplay, right?"
>What.
>"Because you like it when the fighting goes both ways!"
"That is NOT what this is!"
>She presses a hoof up against your throat.
>"I have a thing too, can I do it?"
>She increases the pressure.
>You close your eyes.
>Magic rips them open.
>"I need you to look at me when I do this Anon."
>You're full erect now.
>Fuck everything.
>She plops her marehood right down on your erection.
>She winces and smiles as it slides in to the hilt.
>..why does it have to feel good?
>"Anon--return your library books when I loan them out to you!"
>She pushes harder on your neck and leans in closer.
>You can barely breathe.
>The only air you're getting is her breath.
>It's hot and heavy.
>"It's FIVE BITS--"
>She lifts herself off your penis and then slams back down.
>"For every LATE DAY--"
>Again.
>You're getting light-headed.
>"PAST DUE!"
>This is how you die.
>You fade from consciousness.
 
>You wake up.
>In your bed. Back home.
>Your home in Ponyville.
>You're dressed.
>You get up and run your hands over your throat.
>You have bruises.
>Wasn't a dream.
>You wish your life could have a cop out situation like that.
>You get up.
>Your legs hurt.
>Your everything feels very worn.
>Did they fucking drag you back home?
>Ropeburns on your wrists.
>You go to the bathroom.
>Black eye. Bruised throat.
"I hate this FUCKING REALITY."
>You just got raped.
>You dated girls with the fantasy before.
>And you are sociopathic enough to just...
>Not...react.
>You check the clock.
>Well, it's the early morning now.
>No idea how long you've been out of it.
>May as well shower and get ready for work.
>You aren't able to process this shit yet.
 
>Make coffee.
>Get dressed.
>Someone put forty bits on the dresser.
>You're a whore.
>Sigh.
>Make breakfast.
>Oatmeal.
>Drink coffee.
>Go to Sugarcube Corner.
>Open up.
>Take inventory.
>Sweep up.
>Clean windows.
>"Anonymous, what happened?" Asks Mr. Cake.
>"Dear? Anon, how come you aren't talking?" Asks Mrs. Cake.
>Avoid questions.
"Fell down some stairs."
>They both know you're lying.
>Clean the bathrooms.
>Hoof on your shoulder.
>Mr.Cake.
>"Anonymous, you're a good worker...and a good guy. What happened?"
"Fell down some stairs."
>Mrs. Cake looks in from outside.
>She's got her two kids.
>Cute kids.
>You got raped last night.
"What am I going to do, Mr.Cake? Cry about it?"
>You didn't tell him what "it" was.
"The way I was raised you either laugh or you cry. So I have to quit being a wussy. And just...Did you guys check your stock of eggs today?"
>Mrs.Cake nods and then walks away. Mr. Cake sighs and speaks.
>"I..think I know someone you should talk too."
 
>It's apparently free to listen.
>If you don't like what you hear, it's free anyway.
>If you're satisfied, you pay.
>Not as big a crowd, but then again this isn't Ponyville.
>This is Appaloosa. A day by train away.
>Security seems pretty tight.
>Even if they're all just goats.
>Holy crap it's a minotaur on stage.
>He's rambling on about something.
>"I pity the foal who doubts Iron Will's methods!"
>He's got a charisma you can appreciate.
>About twenty minutes into his rhetoric, you've got a smile on your face.
>Back home you never would've gone to a seminar like this.
>Would be great blackmail material against you if you ever tried politics.
>"Now Iron Will is going to bring in a special somepony whose living proof of his method working!"
>He strikes a pose.
>"That's no joke, friends. She was so good at asserting herself, she wouldn't even let me bill her for my techniques!"
>The crowd cheers.
>"Instead, she agreed to come out here and speak with you all today! Iron Will would like you to meet-"
>"The ONE!"
>"THE ONLY!"
>Holy shit.
>It's fucking Fluttershy.